The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1817-05-23

/ - S'hia, ~ hSr SISTER IN law, Il Sutii-
cicht importance to claim ,,iacc ny.
your paper, by publishing ii ycu wiz
oblige a SuascR,prn
.Alerandria, Der. Sd, 1907.
Mr. DEAR ISTER,
Once more take ur my pen NC
aoaress you on a sutjcc', Of al, Uhcrs
me tnost interesting, namely. religion.
vel KNOW, to Jerson Seeking hanDi-
ness in the pleasures Of this world, it ia
by no means an agreessle one nm,
whether pleasing or disnlc asing, NV af.
lection 'or you will not permit nc 10
'emnin silent while l believe you arc in
an unprepared state TO die, and nice,
the judge OF all the ear'h You viii.
perhaps ask what right have 10 think
so uHiaVora6ly Of you-your lie is in-
noceDt and rnorai--you 90 no harm To
any ono, and have arespcc, for .iirion.
Cat least for what you Lave called relg
gion) few of the extsrnai parts Of il.
All tbs may be true, and yet am au
thotised by the wori of God, 10 saw tha,
you are Etto die; for we. are Informed
M tina, best of books, that all mankind,
without exception, are by nature sin
ners-eEcmies to Coda: gone from
original righteousness. Experience
comedies with scripture and pi owes this
beyond contradiction. Look around
the world, or rather, look THROUGH the
circle OF yopr own acquaintance sec
VIVA, dissipalioB-what contentious in
lamilies, what animosilies, ,ale>bearipe.
cnvying and may add, cruel oppres sion'
see rational mca and women, (capab,e
Of being holy and useful in tais world
aud enjoying the felicities cf the nextA
seeking happiness in tic psrishine
tnin8s OF time aad sense--kEowiug no
higher enjoyment than eating, drinking.
dressing, dancing, horse racing, card>
playing and such like conference.-the
True, all 10 not go to the same expense:
but you, and /. aad ever Gag, however
education or other circumstances NAV
have made some difference in outward
conduct, have by nature the same wick. ,
ed hearts. Hence tbs necessity of re.
pentance. This is plainly and repeat
eddy lnculcated throughout the sacred
scriptures. Our blessed redeemer
himself, who best knew on what condi-
lions he would save his creatures, says,
except je repent ye shall all likewise
perlsh-except man be born again he
ever shall see the kingdom Of Cod,
hut need not quote scripture; hope
you read TOR yourseIf--parlicuI the
New Testament, with prayer to God
'rat he mag cnlghten your mind 10 un.
derstand whai you read. ReatcA a. b
E'ees with scripture and says the Deity
Or man must change, or man would be
miserable were /, possible le could be
admitted into Heaven. The Deity can
cot change; therefore man must, or be
forever banishcd from his presence
Even IN this world, an unconveFted man
or woman loves not to think o. God
When they do, they view him s an en-.
emy. Could they nave their wish they
would rather continue here always, than
appear In his Immediate presence-in-
ueed' they could not be ha ppy in The
5ociety of his children. Take dissi.
pated man, or woman devoted 10 nIea.
sure place them only for one day IN
serious, Pious company, where the time
Is spent In praying, singing praises 70
zoo, and conyeFsing of bis Iove and
goodness--would they no; wish the day
to end !-would they not be unhappy
1 appeal, my dear sister, 10 your own
feelings-wouIt YOU not prefer the de,
hghts OF an asscmbly--the pleasures of
a card table, or the triflIng converse,
ton oI your gay, laughing, testing &C.
qualnlance 10 such a mode of spending
your time Hew then would you7eiish
the Joys OF Heaven, where .bere afe no
such pleasures as you prefer Death
viii not change your disposition but as
you die you viii reInain Tor ever. e,,-
sreat you TO think seriously on these
things do not say turn Methodist,
no my dear, in your present way of tbin-
king and acting, the Methodists would
not receive you, even if you would con.
descend to ask them bat say, seek
the Lord while he may be louud--sm-
brace that religion wbi:h thousands a.
moDg the methodists enjoy, which is
taught IN the scriptures, IN the articles
1i your own church, and has been hap-
PLY experienced by many of its mem.
jers numbers of whom have sealed
the truth Of II with their blood There
are motives Sufficiently powerful, il YOU
will seriously reflect on them, to stimu.
late you TO diligence in seeking the re.