Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1814-04-16

mes,, and by hi. ,unrsservsd conduct,
encouraged 10 be perfectly at ease IN his
presence. He concealed nothing from
them. They knew his views, and be-
held his conduct, at those moments,
when withdrawn from the werld, the
real character appears in its native beau
ty, or native deformity. The human
character cannot bear inspection: The
in6rmity, even of the best, is then too ap'
parent hence the prsyerb founded on
experience, tHat Familiarity breeds cen.
tempt. But to Christ's character, no
blemish could be attached /; it was fres
from. spos. He alone Of all who ever
dwelt on earth was without sin. In their
hearing, he taught the people; and thfy
could accurately examine every clrcu'h'
stance attending the miracles which &c
wrought. They were about him "hth
his enemies intruded upon his re'iIf'
men, in the garden of Gethssmene. re-
ter was present at his trial before Caa-
phas, the high priest John ,tecd W 'hs
.cross when he expired, II "es wen
known to-them all ti.at be had been bu'
ried in the tomb of Joseph OF ARM
thea. He was seen by them frequently
after his resurrection, sometimes apart,
and sometimes together sad meeting
them for the last time at Jerusalem, he
led them out as far as Bethany, aud
lifted up his hands and blessed them, &
whilst he blessed them he was parted
| from them, and a cloud received hAn
out Of their sight.
Nothing, in his appearance or private
conversation, in his public instruction or
pobllc conduct, favored the dream of
.emhora! dominion. He was more desti-
tuts than the foxes which have hule,, and
he birds of the air which have ness.
Far from counting the favor of,he great,
by severe though just reproof, he made
them bis enemies. The multitude would
have raised him to the throne, but he
escaped from them. He declared that
his Kingdom was not of this world, apd
was ever urging itupon his disciples to
deny themselves & to take up the cross.
Let them rise by becoming servants of
all. They must suffer that they may
triumph die that they may live give
up possessions on earth that they may
enjoy possessions in heaven. For the
moment all was iaexplicable to the A.
stles,-beyond THAR comprehension,
a worm at the root of their worldly adj
vancement. When he died they were
IN despair. When he rose again they
we're in hopes that now he would take
into bis hand the rsins of government.
But he bore wish them, we'll knowing
that the means used 10 correct their
,preiadices would soon be eEeetual -
The axe, by repeated strokes, had de-
stroyed one root after another; one
stroke more, the tree shall fall, and no
shoot remain to endanger It's psrnicioes
growth.
The apostles were ordained, not only
that they might be qrith him, but also
that !" he might seza them firth 70
breach" This like the OTHER was ire
tera.ery STEP to qualify them tor their
future work.
They wers sent out TO call the nation
to repe rtance ard amendment; TO bsp'
tizs those who were penitent; and to
publish the glad ,idings, that Messiah,
IS aose appearance was expected, and TO
whom they were indebted Tor pardon and
acceDtane., would Immediately be re
Yealsd. The commission which they
now received was similar to the COM
mission under which John the baptist
acted. They occupied the ground from
which John by bis confinement had been
withdrawn. 1t was Continuance OF the
voice from tbs MISUNDERSTANDING the
syag Of he LORD. BE humble and peni-
tent, that you NAV welcome Messiah
when he comes, and participate in the
privileges enjoyed by his subjects. Ex-
ecuting this commission, how must the
scheme Of worldly grandeur have aP-
peared Had temporal kingdom been
intended, would they nothare been COM
mlSSlODSUf " tOGPS wv A-SsA~A' ~
to erect military standards, TO offer great
honors, extensive possessions, the spoil
OF conquered foes? Is il the policy OF
earthly potentates to proclaim the ma
liynity of sin, the beauty OF holiness, the
reign Of peace Slow as the apostles
were Of heart to believe, 1t mustoiten
have occurred TO them, this mission does
no, favour our views, nor does 1t form
men to blood she'd snl to spoil. Ii their
hearts be broken, and spirits brought
low as guilty, rebcllious, peFishIng crca'
lures, the pngeantry of power, OF honor
and wealth, mus, lose its importance,
sopcar,he yainest and mort empty things
imaginable: Such can be cheered BY
the voice Of mercy only, promising par
don, regenerating influences, the resto.
ration Of life and Immortality. forfeited
BY disobedience.
Weknownat that the apostles we're sent
nut more than once, whilst their Lord