Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1813-04-10

81. = Il. .f *. Z . I. e..
In this dark and gloomy day, which
oyerspreads our country, the mind ma
turally turns TO some consideration
which may chaer and console 1t. with
this hope, we have turned our eyes to.
politicians and legislators. With this
sentiment we have looked to those
mighty conclusions that have shaken
the continent Of Europe, and Hattered
ourselves that some light arising even
out of these eruptions, would make our
hope to brighten through the gloom
But our hopes hare been vain. A cloud
still blacker settles upon the horizon
around US, and threatens to pour its ma
gazines of wrath upon our devoted coun-
try.
Amidst all the foreboding fears which
such thoughts naturally excite, there rs
one view however, which makes slight
to arise in darkness to the upright.
Such is the view which reason and reve-
lation give us Of an overriding Provi-
dence. They represent the Gracious
Father of the Universe as riding in the
whirlwind and directing the storm, and
amidst the tremendous machinery of his
dispensations planning the welfare of
his people. They teach US, that he rules
in the armies of Heaven, and doeth all
his good will and pleasure among the
inhabitants Of earth, that he does not
willingly afflict the children of men, but
designs by his chastisements, as well as
his mercies to lead men tosrepentance
He controls the events of peace and o
war. He unites and scatters the nations
But whether he arise in the majesty OF
his wrath to destroy, or whether he de-
signs 70 preserve our nation, we may
individually apply to ourselves the com
fort of the doctrine "the Lord reigneth,
let the isles rejoice" Were we well
acquainted with our own grandeur and
the high relation we bear to the Deity,
and led to obtain an interest in the favor
and protection of him, before whom
things past, present, and to come, bow
down and obey, we should rise superior
to all those fears & approximations which
relate to this mortal state of existence.
For in what manner can an immortal and
immaterial soul be rendered unhappy by
the operation of natural causes? Shall he
fear the tyrant's & oppressor's rage? He
may aiflict the body. He may break the
bond that unites the mortal to the i'm
mortal part. But be will free his cap
tive by overlooking him with chains
The union dissolved, the soul is free
After death the soul becomes invisible,
and tyrant's eye searcheth for it in
vain: it ceaseth to be tangible-his
chains and letters hold it no more it is
no more diyisible his gibbets and
racks and his wheels can lend it no
more; meme of his fires can burn it, for
it is not combustible.
The defence which religion provides,
is altogether of an internal kind. 1t is
the heart, not the outward state which it
processes to guard. When the time of
trouble comes, as come it must upon
all, it places them under the pavilion of
the Almighty, by affording them that
security and peace, which arises from
the belief of divine protection. 1t brings
them into the secret of his tabernacle
by opening to them sources of consola-
ton that are hidden from others. And
by that strength of mind with which it
endows them, it sets them upon rock,
against which the tempest may violently
beat, but which it cannot shake. I
Who art thou that thou should'st be
afraid of man." and we may add, of any |
outward circumstance whatever Cod
alone hath the power of destroying, and
he alone the power of preserving an
immortal soul. He alone can act i'm
mediately upon spiritual Being. 1t is
He alone who can excite infinite sensa-
tons of pleasure and pain. 1t is He