Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1814-04-30

been preparatory; and assuring as, that
the issue shall present q work, IN which
the projections OF the Godhead shall be
gloriously displayed.
But why was yudas one of the twelve;
. deesitfhl, worldly, false-hearfed man
His appearance was in his favor. He
protested for Christ the same attach.
ment as the rest did and having been
with him from the beginning, was every
way capable 10 bear testimony Of what
no had seen and heard j see no reason
to question his belief that Jesus was the
Messiah. Nay, this belief urged him to
the step which has marked his name
with infamy. In common with his ere-
thren he expected thstC would soon
declare himself TO be q TEMPORAL Prince,
he became impatient at the delay, and
by this act meant to extort that deciara-
ton which he knew would reconcile him
10 the rulers Of the nation; when, ne
imagined, it would be no difficult matter
to make his peace with bis master and
to seize those honors after which ne -.
ardently painted. Finding that Christ
was determined to yield himself 20 his
enemies, and to die; his scheme failed.
In agony of mind he gave testimony to
the innocency of Christ; at moment
TOO, when, could he have discovered any
deceit, it would have eased bis owa mind,
and conciliated the favor of his country
men. But he had no discoveries OF that
kind to make all he bad seen, and all
he had heard, excited veneratioD His
testimony was the same ss the testimo-
ny IF the rest and being now the tes-
timony OF an enemy, leaves an impress.
sion in favor of Christ, which has always
been, and still is strongly felt.
= But when the Apostles had just enter
ed on their work, why should James,
than whom none was more attached to
his Master nor did any of them possess
more ardent mind--why should he be
slain by the sword Of Herod In the
death Of James, the Apostles were made
sensible that their Office did not exempt
them from death; let them brave suf-
fering and death it will give additional
weight to their testimony. They were
indeed<cheice spirits, whom attachment
10 their Masters cause rendered regard
less of case, of liberty or life. Such
spirit, excited and strengthened BY the
Spirit of the Living God. pressed thro'
and triumpbed even ia death
itself. &
An objection lies against all the A.
postles, which has often been urged
they possessed nothing acknowledged
by men ,s DC wise or noble They were
destitute of power, or weight OF charac
ter They were held in contemPi as
the dregs of society. and offscouring ut
all things This very circumstance was
so overruled as to promote the success
Of the Gospel, and to display its intrinsic
value. They were not sent to teach the !
things of men, nor TO prevail through |
human policy. These were the servants
Of God, wise through his wisdom, and !
strong through his strength. Such in
carrying such work into
complete effect, discover the doing OF
he Lnrd, which is wondrous in our eyes.
An Atostle was an extraordinary Of
fcer in the church. The Office com
aud ended with the individual.
He had 10 successor and could have
none. He was commissioned to lay the |
foundation OF the Christian Church, and
% leave complete system of faith and
manners binding, through every sue
,eeding age, upon the consciences of all
men. re
The testimony which the Apostles
Bore, the doctrines which they taught,
md the precepts which they incuicated,
ire OF the utmost importance to be
snown. Man is a guilty, ignorant, re.
,ellious creature. But the blood of
Christ sxpiates human guilt his doc
rine dispels the clouds Of ignorance
bis precepts reduce the rebellious to
conduct. To creature Ca
,able of knowing, serving, and enjoying
Iad but who, through his Owl folly,
,as lost both the inclination and capaci-
y fr that in. which his safety and hap
,ines. consist; system which restores
lin TO his original standing must to him
,e every thing 1t is eyes to the Bind
md ears to the deaf, 1t is tongue TO
he dumb, and feet to the lame. 1t is
health to the sick, and life to the dead.
But how are we made acquainted with
he testimony which the Apostles bore,
with what they taught, and with what
they commanded ! By tradition THIS
is an impure source, receiving many
polluted streams, which sosn render The
I, aters lowing in this channel unfit fer
uee. God, foreseeine this, directed the
Apostles to commit to writing COM
piete system, the pure water of life,
which they offer meo Of every age, and
f every nation, for their refreshment.
From tho four Gosteis, and the .1cfs ef
the APOSTLES from their Etisties, pri-
yate and pubic, directed to individual