Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-04-01
THE TRUE SPIRIT.

IL is with pleasure we republish (from ths
Georgia Journal) the following extracts
from the Circular Letter of the Ocmulgee
Baptist Association. We are highly graf
fedto sec SO numerous and respectable
denomination of Christians exhort their
members so very periodically on the subject
OF the War. When contrasted with the cele
brated fast day sermon of DIR. Parish of Mas
sachusetts, in 1910, the highest credit re-
bounds to our southern brethren professors.
Ed M2nifr.
:" II has been our peculiar felicity, that for
nearly thirty years our country has enjoyed
peace with very partial interruptions) and a
state OF prosperity, civil and religious liberty,
almost unexamp'ed in the annals OF the world.
g For this long train of mercies, this abun
dant display OF divine goodness, and evident
appreciation of our mild, equitable aud tolerant
system of government gratitude and prasse,
=" ard, ~, constant" should glow upon thu. altar
OF every heart Perhaps for our insratitude,
our avarice, and abuse of the rich profnsion
ct blessings we have enjoyed, Divine provi
dence has suffered the injustice, rapaci,y ard
ambition OF the belligerents OF Europe 10 dis.
iurb our rights. Our country is now engaged
in war. Not a war of avarice, agprandile-
ment, or of ambitious domination! No ;bles.
scd be God, this government wages war from
better motives, and more correct principles
IT leaves such To actuate the pride and lust of
kings. This is, on the part Of America, war
OF just and necessary defence; justifable on
every sound political and moral principle.
=" The character of the war being sufficiently
established IN the history of our country for
two years past, is tending to repel Improve
ked aggression, assert and maintain neutral
rights, and in defence of the very attributes of
sovereignty; We trust YOU win excuse our
departing in some degree from the usual ro,l.
tine Of the subjects Of circular letters.
:" War, 1t is re adily conceded, is one of the
greatest OF human calamities; il should never
be entered into but upon principles, and from
motives that there is the clearest evidence he
God OF love and peace will approve: then in
deed 1t should be met with aacrity, and pro .
secuted With energy; as mean Of speedily
restoring the blessings peace. History proves
that nation can be in no situation more Clan
gerous than that of war, when it is conducted
with langour and supineness A pause, but a
momentary pause in its prosecution, endancers
the vitals of Freedom! Like commerce, war
haslt train OF vices TO be carefully guarded
against. From the aspect OF the times we all
appear impcratvely called upon to be foand in
the prompt discharge of all the duties of citi.
zens and of christians
We shall indulge the more freely in com
municating our reflections on the present state
OF things, as addressing people who under
stand aud value their rights people who
duly appreciate the blessings and privileges
they enjoy under government better calcu-
lated TO promote human happiness than any
hitherto devised by the wisdom Of man. A
government that appears 20 be the object of
srstocratical and imperial adherence but the
admiration ut millions, and (under God) the
last hope Of freedom throughout the uni.
verse Your progentors, brethren from the
christian era, during the darkest as well as the
most luminous ages of antiquity, and in all
modern times, have been the asserters, the
consistent and uniform asserters of civil and
religious liberty very generally the most
conspicuous sufferers for it, DO you, then,
whose fathers have suffernd so much for YOU,
who have been so highly favored with its en-
Joynent, now deem it worth deicndingl Is
II precious gift Of God, blessing If so,
can you without impiety and a species Of sac
riiege (the acting in contempt OF Deity) relin
quish tie right Of self government, and BY
thrt means of bringing upon your souls an ac-
cumulotiOn OF guilt, of varied status indeed,
but deepest dye Were you sect of yester
day that had grown out OF, and arisen from The.
fqusbbiings of parties for wealth, power and
if,iuence, in any corrupt or cortupting national
establishment, the CAGE would be different in
deed but this country SO highly favored by
the Lord where every denomination enjoys fully
every religious right, equal protection, and as
much liberty as is believed TO be consistent,
with human hapFincss, an indifference to-, or a
supIneBess in defence of them, would eyincc a
state Of mind tho most depfAved-absence OF
every truly virtuous and religious principle
Il has been said, " that our constitution and
form Of government arc unsuited and incom-
peteut " sustain the shock Of wAr." Let US