Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-03-02

with t. lie WAC caa false his eyes 10 tfcaver
4 with an appropriating faith say, NV father
| and NY God" needs not, altho' child of power
! y and atiiction, envy the rich their uxurics
nor the g'cat their power. In this view Of III,
| subject the writer is rot afraid to assert
that 1t COMFORTS viii, the wisdom and bcnevo
| iencc OF the Deity, 20 produce this result b,
affective dispensat;ons of Providence. Ma,
| considering the degencracy Of man, il may be
affirmed, ;bat Affections are necessary TO bring
him back TO that state from which he has fallen
| TO that temper OF mind without which he can
not enjoy the true happiness of his natarc.-
| should the cnptious philnsophiSt enquire, why
| might not this he effected with so much suffer
ing :! L answer by another question, why
might not the earth produce its fruits without
the ,abour of man Why must wc now be pin
chcd with cold, and Ger long tc schorc he'd
with heat i--Vhen will men cease 10 deludc
themselves Vita thenotion, that our ignorance
OF anal causes, does not disprovc facts that are
supported by good eTileEce' Bat in this case,
We are not under the necessity Of resting in
this answer. Il is reasonable that man who has
spned against his God, should, By the mea-
sures that are adopted for his restoration, be
reminded chat he is sinner. 1t is right forthe
just God TO express his lisplcasurc against the
vioiators of his law. So far then from COM
Planning OF the ways OF providence, or objecting
against them, we ought 20 adore and praise,
! the wisdom and benevolence of the peity, who
thus makes the expressions of his dispicasuro
AGAINST sin, the means OF the greatest blessings,
the best cnioyments that afforded TO man.
And here the writer OF this cannot forbear
taking notice OF the extreme repugnance which
has been manifested to the use oftke term judg-
| ,nent, in relation 10 the late mournful event in
Richmond. | do not here a,luGc only 10 the
senseiess largon of irfdelity about chance and
fate, and things OF this kind nor to the cry of
bigotrS, fanaticism and know not what, which
mas been so loudly uttered. Only il is remark
ed in passing, that it is easy 90 call names; but
men In THIS enlightened age, really ought TO
| know, that when they have said, bigot, and ia
| matte, either III prose or rhyme, they have not
reasoned providence ont of eXistcnce.-I alludc
to pcrsoRs who, in general, admit the doctrines
of scripture in relation to the divine govern
mcnt but yet misapprchcnding the meaning Of
the word judgment, cannot bear to think that
they or their friends have been subjects of a
dispensation of the Kind expressed by that
name. A Judgment is not. in the scripturaI
use of the term, universally an act of the retri-
butivc justice OF Heaven. Il IS indeed an indi-
Cation ofthe dispieasure ofthe Deity 1--WE speak
after the manner of men but it is also mingled
with love. So far from consigning the object
of it to eternal perdition, it may prove in the
issue the best of blessings. IL has often hap
pened that the cloud, which for 4 while " gath
ed blackncss, ard seemed TO be brewing a
horrible tempest" has poured down a refresh
ing shower upon the thirsty fields; and the
Establishments of Heaven have often produced
''the peaceable fruits of righteousness" The
| judgments of God, as ell the acts of him who is
Lovc," are intended for the general good of
| his creatures. They are 4 voice from Heaven
| calling upon men 20 pause, to reflect, TO be
humble, to repent,.to fear God and keep his
commandments In word, they constitute q
| part of the moral discipline under which we
are placed, and are intended 10 produce the hap
| picst effects, and hence men in all circumstan-
| ces and places, and of all characters, may be
! the subjects of them. II is for infinite wisdom,
and justice and goodness to direct how & when
\ they are to come upon US; it is our part hum
bly, to submit to them, and wisely to improve
them.
1t is believed that the view which has been
taken of this subject is in general correct and
that thus holy men of old were made to rejoice
| in Gods judgments, and make them subject
of daily and nightly meditation. And is this
bigotry or ianaticism? Then is this state ofthe
human mind much more favourable to human
happiness than had supposed. And for the
truth of this, let an appeal be made to the heart
of the afflicted, Let the mourner hear the
consultations offered by the advocate of fare or
| chance. My friend, you are deeply distress
| " sed you have met with most unfortunate ac-
Z" cident, and you share my tendcrest sympa-
| y" thles-But 1t couid not ne aVolded-lt IS IT.
"reyocable-Dry your tears then--and bear
"your msfortunes like philosopher -
| Hear now the words of christian consolation
Sc This, my brother, is the hand of our Heaven
"ly Father. He cbastises you, but it is in love.
| =" Infinite wisdom secs that this is necessary,
| " or infinite benevolence would not have infiict-
" ed it. Humble youself therefore under the
"mighty hand Of God, and ne will exalt YOU in
" due time. In due time, you will see that all
" things were done well, you will rejoice on &C
" count Of these Affections more than you now
"grieve for them"
| FKILO