Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1815-07-13

From the Philadelphia Gazette.
TIE MODERN LAY PREACHER.
| No. vi.
8. Enter not into The path Of the aoich'-
ed, and go not into the acay Of erit men"
PROVERBS.
So intimately con7ersant was tie in
spired Author of our text with all tie
weaknesses of our nature. as we'll as with
Its wicked prcpensities, that in his rree-
nant volume, he has traversed, with his
glowing pen, the whole circle of human
lin6rmity and vice; and as it were, with
$. healing in it's Wings" calling men back
to the practice of virtues" or at least re-
minding them of their duties. and eau
toned them against the host CT dangers
Iby which they are enviTored.
! Bad company or the "rath Of tie wick
ed'' is among the most fruitful sources Of
distress and ruin to Society generally,
and to it's members Individually and the
instances which we are every day called
Iupon to witness, and painfully to witness.
are living proofs of the necessity Of IN
structins our children, and all who are
under our control or influence, to " take
hold of the paths of life ;" and then shall
they walk in their " ways safeiy," and
their {: feet shall not stumble"
The glitter of fashionable society, tho
perhaps if properly enjoyed, is in itse'in"
'nocent, i.npercePtibIy misleads the young
and inconsiderate into excuses equally
dangerous to health and morals. Tie
measures Of the festive board, at first
Ipartaken Of with decency and motera-
|tion, have often been nothing more than
1.-The precursors Of fabituai devotion to the
Undertaking Sod And many an an,ab!e
female. innocsntly enjoying tie gaitles OF
the g light fantastic toe" has unwauly
danced herself III to years of contrltlop and
woe. These evil consequences are al
wavs the result Of improper associations.
Iyicious company carries with it malis-
|nant venom which infects and pervelts
leyerv thing within its range. 1t is the
thriving school for Biasphemy; which IN
sensibly gaining upon tie nosic'ate, be-
comes at length degrading and loath-
|somerhabit: ard in such cases, lie who
,wears most ferociousIy, and most out
stands his God. is considered the smart
lest fplloqc. Would to God, that mo-
ment's reflection could light upon the
mind of the young, yea, the very young
some of whom are addicted to vile and a
bomlnable words, coataminating, BY their
Example, all the :: little ones" who come
within the reach of their voice. But
what, also, shall We say. OF men, endOw-
ed with strong reason, educated as gen
tlemen, fathers OF children, looking up to
them as patterns'and exemplars--ot men.
actually hanging over the margin Of their
own gravcs-what shall the tumble Lay
Preacher say to such description OF
men, whose mouths are daily, hourly.
nay, monentariIy taking the name Of
their Maker 8. in vain.'' TIE name ct
that Maker before whose awful throne
they are shortly destined to appear to
answer for {: every thought. word ard
faction donein the body.'' re can only
lpray, in the language Of Solomon, that
they would no longer 8. leave the Paths
of uprightness to walk in the way OF dark
mess but g walk in the way OF good
men"
! That, as st. Paul expresses it, Eyl!
communications corrupt good manners,
lis demonstrated by the experience OF al
anost every family. There are lew do,
Imestic circles which have not, now and
Then, to deplore painful alterations; anu
f they out take pains to trace them 20
heir true source, they will find them nd
len in the cancer of" evil communlca-
ions" All the lessons of social econo-
| ny uttered by Solomon, are in full com
| idence with that of the Apostle. we
! .ught therefore to be instructed to seek
he company Of the wise and ylrtpous
land to avoid, as deadly pestilence " s"e E
cath of the wicked g The ways Oh
wisdom are pleasantaess, y all Le' Ea'''s
are peace "