Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1812-07-11
SATURDAYS READING.

Won with few further observations thereon.
II has been observed by some writers that
man is more distinguished from the brute Oy
devotion than by reason. However this may
he /" saws Addison, " it is certain, the propeh-
nensitv Of the human mind to religious wor-
sbin-the natural tendency OF the soul to ny
ts some superior being In the hour OF distress,
and the universal concurrence OF ali nations
nnder Heaven in the great article of adora-
tion. plainly shew that devotion must be the
effect of a tradition from some hrst founder 0,
mankind-that it is conformable to the natural
Iiphtsof reason--or that IT proceeds from an
instinct implanted in the soul itself"
The obligation of prayer Is founded upon
those important relations which man sustans
towards his maker AS dcfendent beng,
he is bound to supplicate that Almighty Pow
er upon whom he depends: AS sintal being
to implore the mercy OF that God whom ne
hath offended, and as creature indebted tor
every blessing he enjoys, and hopes TO ENJOY
he IS bound to render unto that Gracious
Power. who crowns his life with mercy and
loving kindness, the honor due unto his name
And from these obligations result the ooilga-
ton Of Joint or public worship,
Man. too, is social being; he IS lnpeled
hv an irresistible sentiment of his nature to
share all his enioyments with his fellow men.
There is no enjoyment which the power OF
sympathy does not encreasc; there Is no emo
ton of the heart which it does not kindle with
greater fervor. The spirit OF devotion In one
Individual is invigorated with the kindred
fame which it catches from the breast OF ano'
Their. :,
AS a measure of policy, Legislators IN all
aces have sanctioned public worship. The
solemn games-the Observation-Disclosures and sa-
cri6ces Of the Heathens, were designed a. In
strunents to minister to the morality OF the
neonle, and the reverence of the Gods. They
stood in need, as one of their sages we'll oD-
served, Of some divine parsonage, Wno' DC
scending from Heaven to EArth, should leaCh
them how and for what to pray yet they
were strongly convinced and acted rlgldly up
ON that conviction, that it was their duty,
and their interest to worship the Gods, In
nublic and solemn manner. Socrates would
have reioiced to behold in the present age the
ACCOMPLISHMENTS of his most ardent wishes, IN
the establishment of means whereby virtue
and piety are publicly taught and enforced, by
those awful and interesting motives Whlch rem
derit the most sure * efectual School torVl'fue
which human policy couia have conceived
How Christians can live in al entire hegiect
Of this duty, it is difficult TO explain. lhue
pendently of the happiness they 1orielt' ahd
the misery they incur, IN the haOtual alsre-
gard OF duty enoiped by scripture and rea-
son, one might reasonably suppose that eve
ry well Wisher to the good order anu hNPPi-
ness Of society would, if for no other reason
than that which is found in the influence
Of example, be careful that their example De
worthy of being followed negligence
of this duty, says the great Judge Hale
is commonly the first step to inhdellty
in principle, immortality IN practice, to
deafness of conscience, hardness OF heart,
and in fine to a proAgate life, an unhappy
death. and miserable eternity. For when
man neglects to revive In his heart, by medl-
tation, praise and prayer, an awe OF the divine
majesty, the remembrance OF his benehts' the
sense of his providence, the apprehension OF
bis>all seeing eye, and impartial justice to pu-
nish or reward every man according TO ms
works, it naturally and necessarily follows,
that his heart remains unseasoned with love
and fear of God, his temper unSanct'tied, anG
his sins unpardoned-his affections become
erovelling and earthly his passions, for want
Of being oyerawed and directed by religion are
violent and tumultuous he rises and hes down
without that grace, mercy and peace upoa has
mind, which devotion inspires; and conse-
ouently, every day and night is more and more
estranced from God & goodness, more & more
devoted TO the extravaganza of riot, the anxi-
CIV of avarice, and TO the fury OF all those pas
sions and appetites, that hurry those who tor
pet God, into guilt and perdition.
Such being the natural effects ofthe negli-
eence of public worship, all who nave the
feelings of a man, must lament the prevalence
of such neglect Under this view OF its ten
| dency, have thought it my duty to submit
the subject to the consideration OF those who
may be implicated in these remarks, net doubt
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