Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-02-06
Richmond Prices Current.
CcoaREc4EB 1yeEXLn)
For THE ANGUS.

vyzss.se-
For THE ARGUS.
CONSOLATION FOR THE AFFLICTED.
MOI.
Haaa LSsaarus nah, n,iscris succnrrcre
dsco."
VfRcTL. ~
"Not xneeguainted sviH Calamity, I learn
TO succour the miserable" -
Affection is the lot ofhumanity. The wri-
ter of this has had his share of trouble, has
been batfeted by the storms of adversely. He
can, then, enter into the feelings, and par
take of the SORROWS of those who have had
the tenderest relations of life unexpectedly
dissolved, the dearest ties Of the human heart
At once snapped asunder. 1t is natrra, to st
tempt to offer consolation to the afflicted.
1t is hoped that the present attempt will
not be thought intrusive, or presnmptuous.
Anofhcicus Intern eddling with the SORROWS of
others. however well intended. is sure to n
ritate the feelings which itdessnedto scoslie,
bot prudent and timely consultations have Of
ten relieved the heart when oppressed by
heavy weight ofaffiction. The writer knows
the sacretlness of grief, and would in confor-
nifty to the maxim OF the only benevolent re-
weep" Buthe confesses thathe has little skill
IN the use of the common topics OF consolati-
on: ne has little confidence in them. While
It IS acknowledged that genuine sympathy
docs IN some degree soothe the pains of grief,
II IS not easy to perceive how mere express
San of coincidence, which is not felt, of sor-
row when the heart is not sad; how badges
OF mourning worn By persons who feel but
transient interest IL the sufFerings of others,
can give comfort. 1t requires more than
this; it requires more than expressions of G.
ven the sincerest sympathy to dry up the tears
OF the Widow, and cheer the heart of the Or
phan. The frigid maxims of an unfeeiing
philosophy, the doctrine of the unrepealable
DEGREES ofFATE have in this case no efficacy
They are dark and cold and unfeeling dark
as the grave, and cold as the monumental
marble, or to speak more forcibly, as the
heart that first conceived thern.--What com
soEe does it afford, whsn my heart is bursting
with unutterable anguish. to know that this
IS forced upon me by blind and irresistible
necessity To all who offer such consultations,
however delicacy may restrain our tongues,
our hearts answer in the language of the
most patient of men, miserable coniforters
are ye ALL" No, nothing but the mild and
benevolent religion OF Jesus Christ can afford
that which the real sufferer needs know
that the avowal of this sentiment will expose
me TO the charge Of bigntry, enthusiasm and
perhaps of folly. But the man who has cx-
amined testimony, and weighed evidence to
his complete conviction, hseds not charges OF
this kind. They pass by him, as the idle
mind which he regards moi, especially when
ne recollects who are Most apt to make such
charges, and who stand on his side of the
question. It is not probable that there is a
taw or deficiency in thar evidence which sa-
tished the keen discriminating minds of Eoyle
and Newton, and Locke, and Hale, and PAS
car, and a multitude more, the wisest and
best men that the world ever saw. They
rested their best hopes on the Gospel, & from
It derived their highest consultations Bat il
may be enquircd, how is the religion of Christ
calculated in this peculiar manner TO afFard
consolation to the afflicted Ianswer, from
the intormation'it communicates to us of the
government OF God, andthe providence which
ne exercises over the affairs OF men. That
there is particular providence is truth. Is
the Scriptures are true. Not that it IS af
hrmed that this doctrine is peculiar to Chris
nanity' 1t is established by the legitimate
conclusions of sound reasonipr-g,t in ths
Scriptures it's made so plain, il is so brought
home to us, it is presented in a form 90 fon-
gfb!e that the heart can feel its influence. and
be eheered by it.
suppose the world to be created by a wise
and powerful, and benevolent Being, I would
reason IN this way on the subject.
1t IS not credible according to our concer,.
tons OF the divine attributes, that the De;fv
would create World and people il with
rational and will add because it has not
yet been proved that man has no so,dI iro-
mortal beings capable Of happiness. and of
misery in an eminent degree, and fine Il from
him regardless its destiny. The supnos;-
ton IS Inconsistent with all cur notions az tbe
wisdom and beneyolence of God. and il ar
once clothss every thing in darkness. Il in
effect nalliftes the 0eitY--For what is tb.t
God to rs, who disre5artls us, and the world
made by him! Poor, dependant, shortsigbt-
ed man, hourly exposed to danger and de-
strneuon, has then to look around him ON =
Fatheriess world" and up to vacant
Heaven"
The exclusion ola Providence from m. a.
fairs Of men is 50 uneheering, SO dismal. 60
conioundingto the heart Of man, and so CON
Trajectory 70 the evidences we have Of tbe IL.
vine attributes, that it cannot DE mrde ev-
cept by a heart hardened by sin. or = mind
ohnded by the mists Of false philosonhv.
But perhaps many admit the tocIr;3e 20 =.
general providence, while they deny that f.
extends TO particular events.--A very I;tfie
reflection will shew,t the inconsistency az me
opinion. How often has the attentive rJ,ser-
yer remarked the intimate connecf;oo 10
tween events, abstractedly considered. If -
most tfi,is! nature, and results Of The nt-