Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1813-10-01
MONTTORY.
7hsas sAsse word jrsm ss!sd dark :
ness strxck
That shark, tie San, strike ~isdem
from my sonl! LOVING.

Inc 00v0Ht0ScS, anu fne' improvements
} .pe shoud make, sfe6qlefions-
! A transient view of the calamities OF
human life justi6es the declaration OF
/ Job that man is born to trouble as the
sparks fly upwards" Subject to sorrow,
disease and pain /; he is doomed to be-
hold bis friends falling around him in the
tomb. which is soon to open tor his re-
ception also, and to conclude for ever
his present state of existence. .Altho'
some drink deeper of the bitter cup than
others, yet none can reasonably expect
an exemption from the common lot OF
mankind. Whence arises this apparent
severity of the divine dispensations (! or
do our troubles spring from the dust {!
From these disorders human reason may
! derive arguments for state OF exist
ence beyond the grave; and according
| " the wisest OF the heathens rendered
them ground for their expectation OF 8
future being, when all these inequalities
should be adjusted, and the divine cha
racter indicated in the ultimate happi-
ness of his creatures This sentiment
is susceptible ofgrcater probability from
the ideas we naturally form of the per-
fections Of that great and good being
who governs all the affairs of the wsrld.
To sentiment so useful and consola-
tory, revelation adds her voice and con-
firms il by irresistible evidences, assur
ing Us, that those Affections not only
tend TO tho improvement and final hap-
piness of our nature, but that they are
essential to the accomplishment OF these
ends.
The mixed dispensations of provi-
dence are not only most favorable to re.
ligion, but they are best adapted to the
nature of man. There are many prln-
ciples in the human frame, many iacul
ties of the mind, and many qualities OF
the heart which would lie forever latent
were they not called forth by adversely.
Had we no trials in our lot, what heed
would there be for the exercise Of patti
ence aud resignation of the Divine will
which form so striking part Of the
Christian character? Had we no aiilic
tons to encounter, and no evils to fear,
what occasion would there be for thsl
strength of mind which enables US ty
brave the dangers of life, to bid defiance
to the evil day, and to repose at all
times, Arm and unshaken, upon the
arm of the Almighty : True religion
brightens in distress; she energies from
the deep with ten fold radiance, and ne
yer shines with such transcendent, such
immortal, such triumph and lustre a.
when travelling thro' the darkness Of
an eclip,e."
Besides the opportunity which Attic
ton affords for the display of all the
miabe virtues, there is a further argu
ment in its favor from the corrupt OBJ
liquity of our nature. In order to our
purity, we require like the gold to be
put in crucible.
1t is remarkable and lamentable
proof OF our depravity, that men in full
ness of health and prosperity should al
most universally be inclined to indulge
in carelessness about their eternal inter-
ests.
Is it then matter of regret that God
sometimes shakes eur earthly props, if
we are thereby led to build our hopes OF
happiness on him the true foundation
Shall we lament that he troubles to our
view, and embitters to our taste the wa
tiers of life, if we are thereby led to drink
of the " fountain Of living waters :"
Is Heaven tremendous in its frowns ?
most sure
And in its favors formidable too.
It's favors here are trials, not rewards;
And should alarm Us full as much as
woes;
And awake us to their cause and conse
quence
Lest while we clasp we kill, nay invert to
lIIo.r. .h.r, Gin, n l. snise ru heir e harms .