Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1817-09-05
alexandria, Sept. s, 4st7.
TIE REFORMATION.
Mems agitat molem.

Iand-when the different Christian soci-
cites were convinced of the delicate pro-
priety of combining the Incubation OF their
peculiar tenets within the raIe OF their
own communions- when the few theoio-
;ical publications now circulating among
rs were labouing to disseminate the fun
| ,lamental doctrines Of our common Chris.
danity, and on them to erect goodly
system of mutual forbearance, harmony
and love--at this season OF tranquility,
when we were reposing under our own
vine and under our owu fig tree-we
have been reused by the t9csin Of war
sounding through the public papers it,
bold notes Of defiance. An opponent"
brocia,ms himself, who ranges among the
champions that promise to prove, "tnat IN
the bosom of his church alone man can
enjoy the precious advantage Of forgive
ness Of sins; that she alone is the true
Jerusalem, in which the true temple cx-
lists, aud the true probatic pond which
heals all sorts OF diseases; that in her on.
iy is found the true Jordan, which cleans
ed Naaman and his leprosy," &c. &c.
! [Appendix to Cath Question,) in short,
that 5. out Of this Catholic faith no one
can be saved" Council of Treit).
When such lofty p'etensions are OBJ
! truded upon the public, it cannot be ex.
pected that they will pass unnoticed by
those who are acquainted with their futi-
lily We have therefore thought it our
duty to throw one stone at the forehead
of this Wanting Goliath. Since it must
be so-since we are thus compelled to
contend earnestly for the faith once de-
/ livered to the SAINTS" we are not of the
opinion OF those who can perceive no
prospect Of beue6t resulting from the in
vestigation. Controversy, it is true, has
some evils; it too naturally tends to irri-
tation. aud especially on that side which
is deficient in argument; but upon the
whole, its benefits have been much great
er than its evils. Truth has gradually
wole her way in the conflict OF Earring
opinions, and though it has given coca.
! sion for the exc. else Of the maievoleB'
passions, yet has the wrath OF man been
rendered subservient TO the knowledge of
the true theory of nature, 4 TO the grand
I designs Of Providence and OF grace. Even
the prepos,eruus attempts to elucldate
the stuihes of alchemy and astrology. |
while they have developed aud strength
ened the resources Of genius, have fgal
| ", led to the successful cultivation Of
two of the nobl. st branches OF ply steal
science.
| Whether We consider the Rcforlna. |
tien," as Christians or as philosophers, it
will appear to be en- rely worthy of our
attention. To protestaRts especially it
brings the associations Of every valuable
| and sacred recollection. AS the means
| under Divine Providence of emancipat-
Il
ling one pa Of Europe from the dominion
OF igno anee and superstition, of mitigat-
irg the rigors Of the papal yoke, in the
| ,'her, and of producing, with the eXeep- |
tlon OF one, the grandest evolution which |
Las ever taken place in the eircumstan-
1es of uari-as that plastic soul which is
gradually, under higher influence, re.
generating the world-as Kidding US Of
| Ave Ma,ias, of masses for the dead, Of
auricular confession, Of holy water, of
aints and saintesses, of racks & screws,
nd eridirops and faggots, and Jesuits
nd inqusitiens, and works of superero
.atiols, and penances and Negotiations,
nd lrausubstantiation and other Legends
f miracles, and angels who save US BY |
their prayers and merits; in short, Of
:. vain traditions which make the COM
nandment Of God of bone efiect''-and /
as presenting US in their place, with a
srmpie ritual with the fountain of alftrue