Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-03-18
CoMMuNIcaTEp FOR THE ARGUS.
Ft1 SM March, 1918.

| compliance with your request.
Mr.. Ps;. former sentiments in relation to
christianity and its professors are better know,
10 YOU than to your friend. 1t las fallen to
my lot to observe how he felt and conversed
ON these important concerns just before his
death. deeply regret that could be so lit
tie with him at this interesting period. A
death-bed teaches with eloquence and energy
1 the most wholesome lessons. dying chris
tran y the most edifying companion in the
world 1t goodly light to see aman, whose
mind is Illuminated by the light of Heaven,
and whoexeects in short time TO be Will, his
God. m
In relation ta,your departed friend, deep
conviction OF sM was that which seemed most
completely TO have possessed his. mind. II
| was truly affecting TO hear his expressions of
MISREPRESENTATION, his acknowledgements of
Tingratltude and rebellion towards God.
am, said he, the vilest of the vile Not
| that have been profane and vicious but in
the sight of God have been very yicked.'
| iheHnoral CHARACTER of man as represented in
the mirror of tin divine law, was clearly dis
eerned by him and he felt as we knov that
any mai|<xlll feel when his own heart is laid
OPEN to VRself, and his judgment is formed
accordins{c the word of God
Another thing well worthy of notice in Mfr.
P's. case, was his utter remuneration of his own
merit as ground of acceptance with God, and
his dependence on the atonement and inter-
cession OF Jesus Christ. This, YOU know, is
uniformly the consequence of that conviction
which has been mentioned He who has felt
his own depravity, snxiously enquiries what he
must do TO DC saved and when the plan of
| salvation thro' Jesus Christ is understood,
! rests upon him alone, as he is offered in the
Sospei.-After mentioning this, need not OBJ.
serve TO YOU, that your friend was not asham-
ed OF the Gospel of Christ he deemed it the
power OF God, and the wisdom of God unto
salvation. do believe that he would have
gloried in confessing Christ before the whole
world. He was anxious that his former as
socrates might know the change that had been
Effected IN his mind and he chiefly desired
that his lite might be prolonged, TO give him
an opportunity of manifesting his sincerity TO
the world, and bearing his testimony to the
eScellency OF the religion of the Gospel. He
beiieyed, perhaps, as new converts generally
do, that he could convince all of the truth of
that, which he then so clearly perceived
With irresistible patbos, with an earnestness
which showed that his heart was in every word
that he uttered, he urged his friends to EN-
brace christianity, and devote their lives to
the service of God thro' Jesus Christ.-May
they remember the exhortations, and, follow
him, who Gas believe) thro' faith, now :" in
herits the PROMISES"
1t is true, that Mr.. p. did not leave the world
in many who believe; but he lad comfor-
ting hope of happiness beyond the grave,
founded alone on the merit of Jesus Christ
Christians, who knew your friends former
sentiments, and who conversed with him in
his last hours, consider his case as additional
evidence, OF what has long ago been most
abundantly proved, namely, that the Gospel
is the power OF God, and the wisdom of God
unto salvation"
But the excelency and power of the Gospel
was not only manifested in him who was taken
from us but also in his nearest surviving
relative. A Husband had scarcely been con-
signed to the grave, when the ''new.made
Widow" at the bidding of Heaven, gave up a
beloved Child, the half of what was left for her
heart to rest upon; to the stroke of death.
Here wac one stroke following anothcrin rand
succession, the slightest of which is almost too
much tor the human heart to bear And vet.
the whole accumulated load Of sorrow is borne
with a cain, and meek, and patient submission.
OF which philosophy with all its Boosting. has
given us no example. The strength of mind
with which afliicton thus endured, was
ascribed to the grace of God displayed in the
Gospel, as its source and thus it was proved.
that they have strong consolation who have
He'd Tor refuge TO the hope set before trs''
have before intinated in what light these
things are regarded by Christians Others
will think and speak Of them in a very differ.
ent manner. The whole affair will be ascribed
10 alarm, 60 enthusiasm, to credulty-But
with what reason Here is an effect nrodu
ced, the goodness Of which, it eyinces peculiar
peryerseness 10 dispute. Hope in the aao,,ies
OF death, and comfort in circumstance necu.
LARRY affecting, are surely desirable. IL any
thing deserves that appellation This hope.
and this comfort, are experienced. Their
origin is ascribed to a cordial reception of the
Gospel. To this source of consolation and
support recourse is frequently had, and always
with success. Aud yet il seems that the ties
timony oil those who know these things bv ex-
perience, goes for nothing Because they
feel a deep interest in affairs of infinite impor
lance, Their Judgment is undeirlted, and their
very consciousness deceives them A patriot
sees the interests Of his country at stake, its
honor trampled on, its rights invade d--eyer
honorable feeling of his heart is excited. He
dcv0tes his life to the defence ofhis native soil.
La this generous seif.deyotion, he enjoys plea.
sure, OF which sordid souls can form no con
ception. They call him enthusiast, mailman.
| There is nothing IN love Of Country, or Of elo-
| ry II IS all the dream OF disordered mind {!
| Similar 10 this is che tall, / will not call il
reasoning, Of men, who through love ofworld-
| ~ pleasure, or the pride of philosophy. reject
| christianity. Again, man feeis the poignant
| anguish oftooth.acbe, or is tortured almost TO
! madness with rheumatism. A remedy IS an.
| Piled, and ease is obtained. a person deter.
mined TO believe that physicians know nothing
and can do no good, tells the man enjoying
| the delicious feelings which follow relief from
| violent pain, you are no competent Judge Of
these matters your feelings we're too much
] excited he is fool that would follow your
l advice. and try. in n similar caeS ,,o,,r -