Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1812-10-17

for It welcome rcCePtiou' M WI
demned are CALLED with their CHAINS ana
appalled, at the thought OF death; the ois'
eased shake with the ague, or wr'the
with acute pain; guilt gives conscience
powers to gnaw as worm, and to tor
ment as FIRE, such lose relish for their
food, are careless of their dress, and un-
Fl, for society. The Holy Spirit, con-
science the candle Of the Lord enlighten-
ing the soul, awful dispensations OF Pro-
violence, the law giving strength to sins
and sting to death, overwhelms trans
gressors, and make them terror to
themselves. But the Gospel is not here.
The Gospel wears serene and pleasing
countenance, and breaths peace and
kindness. The Gospel calls men to re-
pentance. 1t gives them hope. 1t as
sures them of pardon. 1t announces
the restoration Of the life and immortal
ty which had been forfeited. 1t sets
them in the way of peace, and gives
them direction, encouragement & visor
to proceed.
What imbittcrs Life disobedient
course. What clothed the prodlgal with
rags? having despised his fathers house,
and thrown off his authority. What
deprives map of the benefit which arises
from social intercourse !? disorganizipg
and naughty spirit which wrinkles the
heart and contracts the brow, which
makes them uneasy in themselves, and
the cause of much uneasiness to others.
The Gospel, disposing men to obey
all Gods commands, gives relish for
life, * swcetens every ingredient which
fills their cup. Keeping them at home
in their farther's house, and in awe of
his authority, they are provided for, and
use the provision afforded them, without
abusing it, grateful that their own wants
are supplied, and ministring with great
cheerfulness to the wants Of others
freeing them from a disorganizing
naughty spirit, they are happy in the So
ciety of men, loving all, making eve
ry allowance for human infrmity, nay.
even overcoming evil with good.
The Gospel, knocks off the letters of
sin, sets the slave at liberty, gives more
enjoyment than others have of tho good
things Of life, and inspires joys of an
unspeakable nature, at the prospect OF
happy state beyond the grave.
The Gospel is the greatest blessing
man can possess. This some deny, say
ing, does it not contract the heart? Ne
yer. Does it not deprive US of many
pleasures? No, not of one. Is it net
constant source of contention? Itnever
was, * in its nature never can be. Wick
ed men and hypocrites may possess
contracted heart, may insist on a monk
ish life, and assign to destruction those
who displease them, declaring that they
are actuated by the Spirit of the Gospel,
but the spirit which actuates them Is
spirit hostile to the doctrines taught by
Christ, and to the practice illustrated by
his example.
The enlightened Christian, believing
the glad tidlngs of peace, lives in hope,
and dies in peace. He avoids singula-
rity, and is affable to all. He is thank
full for the provision which Providence
secures him, and shares it with those.
who lack. He has peace In his own
mind, and promotes peace in society,"
i, grieves him to see the reign Of enmi-
ty; his conversation and conduct have a
uniform tendency to sooth the maiig-
naut passions, to quench the Goals of
strife, and to restore to society the har-
mony in which brethren ought to live.
1t would be pleasing task to exa-
mine the whole system Of Christianity,
and to place in full light its happy and
benign tendency. That task may at
tempt, and may beg a hearing to the re-
suit.