Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1812-12-05


she came unto him, saying, Avenge me
of mine adversary. And he wouid not
for awhile, but afterwards he said within
himself, though | fear not God, nor re-
gard man, yet because this wido" trou-
bl2th me, will avenge her, lest oy her
continual coming she weary ms.-Hear
what the unjust Judge saith AND
shall not God avenge his own elect,
which cry day and night unto him, tho
he bear long with them !-He Will T.
venge them speedily"
Magistrates are the mediums OF much
good, or of much evil TO society. When
Atheistical in principle, and so hrmiy
seated in the chair Of state, that they
care little what men think or say OF them;
when whim or prejudice, interest or pas
sion, Influence their conduct and dictate
their decisions, let the weak and Cypress
ed, the destitute and friendless, prepare
to meet every species of disappointment
In the house, In the street, on the oench'
the widow appeared and urged her suit
she could not be put off. Although re-
pulsed, she returned to the charge -
She spake from the heart. 1t was that
natural eloquence which rouses attention
and produces It's effect. Her Judge was
long obstinate, but could not remain in
different. Her words were weighty.-
The blow was repeated and gave pain
II disquieted bis retirement, and planted
thorns in his pillow. For his own re-
lief he determined to hear her cause, &
to redress her wrongs.
This Parable is good specimen of
the insinuating manner in which the
great Teacher, whom Christians veIe-
rate, communicated instruction. If the
CIV of affection, when repeated and per-
severed in, be heard even by the most
irreligieus, shall ii not be heard by
merciful God, and procure for the afflict-
ed scasoneblc relief? The appeal is I'M
derstood bearing all before it, it makes
its way to the heart and leaves lasting
impressions.
But what is the affection oppressive
to those whom this parable addresses;
and what relief does it promise ? The
object is general it was applicable to
that age, and is equally so to the age in
which we live.
The civil government, under which
the Jews lived, and their religious rites,
were given them immediately from God,
10 continue until the appearance OF Mes
.iah, their Prince, under whom great
changes. both in the state and church
might be expected. Messiah did appear;
bat they would not acknowledge him.
They anticipated warrior, with gar
ments rolled in blood, subjecting the
whole world under his dominion. lie
mad no such prctenslons. He came TO
deliver their nation, and to deliver all the
nations OF the earth, from the tbraldom
OF SIN and misery, ii thra. dom which they
did not sGmit, ana from which they had
no anxiety to escape. Tnelr boast was,
we are Abraham's children, and never
were in bondage. They derlded his Of
fer, and nailed to the cross him, by whose
pretensions they supposed themselves
lnsuIted. Having III their hands the ci
vii and religious authority, existing in
the church and state, it was exerted to
prevent the spread of doctrines hostile
to their views, and the establishment OF
an interest, by which their Influence and
power were undermined. The subjects
of the Messiah were vi,ihcd, prosecuted
and slain. Like the oppressed widow,
they received no redress from existing
authorities The hand of violence was
heavy upon them. But their suff,erings
were not In vain. They evinced their
sincerity, and made shoughtless world
sensible of the value of those truths for
which thcv suffered. Their blood gave
stability to the church. Ii eft the ma
tons free, and cntaiied upon ages then
unborn, freeIomfrsm the shackles of ig-
norance, superstition and sin. Their
honorable Struggle WAS observed, and |
the cry of their uffl,ction heard. The |
enemies Of theTruth, ard the evils which |
they inflicted upon its advocates, came in
remembrance. The Jews were severe
ly punished for their abuse of powers en-
trusted with them for the common be-
neft. Civil tiscords and foreign wars,
sickness and famine, pes,ilence s death,
weakened, wasted and ruined the bation.
The Temple was erszed,-Jerusalem
was reduced to ashes,-the Inhabitants
of Judea became slaves, and have been
scattered oy,r the earth. the scorn of
succeeding ages. These caiapities
warn the l. ions They who neither
regard God nor man, may triumph for
moment, but their triumph shall be short;
the friends of mankind, and the friends
Of truth, although depressed for time,
end chased from society, shall raise their
hcads, and in the restoration Of peace <
religion, shall reign on earth. Let the
be reso!ute and leave them
selves with God they shall End even
tusliy 10 reason TO regret any sacrifices
n pleading the cause of God and man.
The instruction given to the Jews is
Intended for all in similar circumstances.