Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1816-04-24

I
the efegy. the drama, or rather the heroic
style; yet this last should perhaps be re-
served for Court MORNINGS.
FROM a LONDON PAPER.
Testimonies in favor ofthe Bible, By Cele-
6rdted Characters.
The celebrated Sir William Jones, at the
end oil his Bible, wrote the following words,
- have regularly and attentively peru
sed these Holy Scriptures and am of opin-
ION, that this volume Independently of its
divine nrigin) contains more true sublimity.
more exquisite beauty, more pure morality.
more important history, and finer strains Of
poetry and elOquence, than can be collect
ed IRON all othe- books, in whatever age or
language they may have been written. The
unstralned application of them to events
which took place long after the publication.
IS solid ground for belief that they are
genuine productions, and consequently in
spired."
Mr.. Addison, speaking of the superior
projections of the Sacred Volume tn every
human work, says, the great aud glorious
truths which it discovers to us are. comnar-
ed with those which we elsewhere acquire.
as the creator contrasted with his works.
" Had Cicero" says he, " lived to see all
that christianity has brought to light, how
would he WIN so fOndly hoped for immor-
tallty, have laVished out all the force Of eIo.
quence In those nOblest of CONCENTRATIONS
the Resurrection and the Judgment that
Will follow 1t; How had his breast glow
ed with pleasure, when the whole compass
of fu'urity, revealed in these pages. Law
open to his view! How would he have en-
tered, with the force of lightning, into the
affections OF his hearers, upon those gluri-
Gus themes, winch are contained in the 81
Die-themes which when enlarged on by
sklltul Christian Orator, make US b eak out
into the same expressions, as those of the
two disciples who met our Saviour, after he
rose from the dead q Did not our hearts
burn within u, while he .aiked with us bv
the way, and while he opened unto us the
Scriptures 2n
The learned Mr.. Locke, latter demon
strating the truth of the Holy Scriptures in
various ways thus expressed himself. in
letter TO friend, just before he died =
:. Siu1Ythe Holy Scriptures, especially the
New Testament; for therein are contained
the words of eternal life The Bible has
God Tor its author, Salvation for its end.
anu truth Tor its matter, without any mix
ture Of error
Similar testimonies in favor of the Bible
might he adducel in the immortal Bacon.
Lord Verulam; in the great Sir Isaac
Newton, who W. te to prove tie excellence
Of tn Sc.iptu IS in Hr. BOYLE, VIII irst,-
tuted means to eIucidate their truth in
Nc: west, who wrote a Treatise on the
subject ut the Resurrection in [. ri &c
Lyttleton, whose lIuStrinus rank received
splendOr from his talents, and who has
done essential service to the Christian
cause, by his admirable work Oh the CON
version of st. Paul all these it will he oh
served were Laymen, and the efore cannot
he suspected uf any undue ua~tiality for fine
Scriptures; & To such distinguished names
might be added those of a Milton. Hale
johnson, Cowper, Bryant, Beattie.
a Cumberland Laymen also most emil
nen'iv distinguished fpr their learning and
science. yet who deemed all their learn
'ng, all science Of little worth compared
with what they derived from the Book of
God. ~
The excellent DR.. Watts. (iD his advice
to young man, says . Whatever vour
circumstances may be in this world. valpe
the Bible, as your best treasure ;and, what
ever be your employment, lock upon reli-
g'"n your hest business. The Bible con.
taIns eternal life in it, and religion is ths
only way for you to become possessed of
it,
DIR. Leachman, upon his death bed. thus
addressed the son of nObleman who had
been under his care &" You see, nv vonng
friend, the situation IN which / now am I
have not many days to live, and avn hapnv
that you witness the tranquility of nv iast
moments. But it is not Tranquility alone
it is JOY and triumph--nay, It is GomnIete
exuItaiion." His features Frightened, and
his voice rose in energy as he spoke. "And
whence" said he, 4" does this exultat;or
spring Prom that Book ;" said he, noint.
ing 10 the Bible -" From that bIessaJ
Book, too much neglected indeed, but which |
contains invaluable treasures ! treasures of
bliss aud rejoicing, for it makes ne cor. |
tain that this mortal shall put on immortali. !
ty."
Judge Hale, in a letter 20 his Children
says, II mas been my practice to renuire |
you to be frequent threading the Scriptures, |