Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., 1814-12-05
FOR THE CAZETT 2.
Reformation and Peace

The attempts now making to produce
reformation in the morals 81 the people
afford the best, and perhaps it may be said
the only prospect of returning peace.
The History of the Bible furnishes the
most ample evidence of the favour of Al
mighty God towards an obedient and right.
eous nation, and of his displeasure agains,
such as refuse to obey his will Is it noi
then time to enquire, whether the people Of
these yet United States, are subjects of his
love, or objects of his wrath. When their
union was first formed, they had for their
FIRST Magistrate, man, who honoured
God, and regarded the religion of Jesus
Christ.
Under his government, they were pros
porous and happy but how has the gold
become dim, and the mos, fine gold chan.
ged?
1t is needless to exhibit here, the various
distresses they now suffer but i, is impor-
,ant to consider for what cause they are sent
upon US.
We may justly complaia Of our presen,
national rulers, and impute our sufFerings
to their misconduct but We ought to look
far higher for the real cause. We ought
seriously to consider whether we have not
offended the SovereignRulcr of the Universe
Him, who Can Create, and can destroy.
Him, who has done, and will DO, to all IA.
tons, who have the light of revelation ac-
cording to their conduct towards him
these considerations have induced the
writer 10 express wish that some person
more able than himself would set forth in
full view TO The people, such transgressions,
as may we'll 5e thought to have produced
the caamiiies, we now suffer.
He would however ask the se,ious and
attentive reader, whether the following may
not have been displeasing to him, who see,h
not as man seeth, and who will delight in
those only, who delight in him.
!. Was it pleasing TO him, for the people
oil christian land to place a, their head
man, who manifested friendship for one
OF the greatest infdels in the country and
who it is said, while passing by a meeting
house which Was out ofrepair, uttered this
blaspaemous expression cit is good e.
nough for one who was born in a manager"
?. Has it been pleasing to him, to view
the Corrupt conduct, and antichristsin spirit,
which has been tested, not only in the
representative assembly Of tie nation, bu, in
some OF our former state Legislatures, num-
erous tales mightbe here told, which could
not but alarm the conscience Of the actors
themselves in subsequent momen, OF cool
reflection.
II these inquiries be thought to bear hard
upon those who have been concerned in the
election OF those rulers they may be assur.
ed, that the writer does not impute their
conduct generally to bad motives but to
deceived mind Their deceiyers have mos,
to answer tor ; but they, and all who believe
the divine preccp,s Of the Bible must ac-
knowledge, that rulers ought to be " Just
men, ruling in the fear OF God"
has not intemperance greatly prevail.
ed, and is not this vice displeasins to him,
whose words contains many cautions a.
gainst it and denounees dreadful punish
ment against those, who practice it to that
excess, which is too common in many pla
ces.
T. Is it not peculiarly displeasing to him,
10 behold how his holy day is violated; a
day, which he intended, not for business
and recreation, bur for religious con,empa
lions and employment.
S. As connected with this, is it not dis
pleasing to him, who has required institu-
lions for public worship, to SEE how many
places in some OF the States are destitute
OF preachers and even in this, to see how
many towns and parishes withhold from
them, that honorable support, which, no,
only Justice, but the law OF God re uuircs.