Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1818-09-19


lieves to be right, and always shuns what
he believes to be wrong-he will find the
fall al his own door. "He hath not called
upon God" We have not been sent INTO
the world without sufficient light to per-
ceive in what our happiness consists
True, long course of indulgence in vice,
depravcs the affections, distracts the ina
sinati,.n, and impairs the intellect; this is
one of The most powerful reasons against
such course-in'it, we render ourselves,
daily. more liable to be cut of from all hope
of happiness forever. Still, few sink to
such depth of depravity, as to lose every
glimpse ofthe light of Heaven man, while
he lives, never becomes lost beyond the
reach Of Almighty power: there are proml-
| ses from the lips of Infinite love. why,
then, oh why do we not choose the good!
All attempts to scan the wisdom OF ffo-
violence in the constitution OF our natures,
are vain presumption the being that con-
| stituted the Universe, only, can compre-
bend. Let divines I've cautious, how, in the
pride of human wisdom, they apply the
doctrine of 'ttotal depravity" and origin
al SIM" lest they make man mere ma
chine, and God unjust.
There are certain principles in our ma
turc, which may be attended to with profit.
All will acknowledge that no vice ever
paid habits cost: no sensualist ever found
the pleasure Of enjoyment equal 10 the pu-
nishment that followed, in some shape, OF
remorse, or shame, or stupidity, OF dePravi-
ty. Fora moments enjoyment, he impo-
, ses curse upon bis future years.
The principal causes of all continuance
in vice, after its bitter consequences have
been tasted, are habit and pride. The de-
bauchee, the gambler, OF the thief, cannot
be found, who pursues his profession from
mere choice. Habit is the tyrant that taxes
the future for the present-pride is the evil
demon that guards him. Destroy this de-
dom, and the tyrant may be overcome
/ Pride never exists, except in a mind con-
scious Of something wrong. 1t makes us
unwilling to confess the vices for which we
shall experience reproach. We endeavor
even to conceal them from ourselves
Were it not for pride, repentance and re-
formation would necessarily be speedy
instead Of which, under The shade of its
dark auspices, we continue 10 practice,
what we bitterly detest, and that for which
we suffer the seyerest self reproach. Pride
prevents self examination pride prevents
our asking the advice and assistance OF our
friends; pride prevents earnest and con-
slant supplication at the footstool Of mercy.
Poor deiuded fellow mortals, pause and
reflect moment. There is God in Hea-
ven who sees and knows all. Do not think
that you can conceal any thing FROM him.
The only way to secure virtuous life, is
TO cultivate the consciousness of his omni-
presence this is, 6 tie fear # God, ," the
beginning of wisdom" Reflection is pain
fol, but is not this pain the consequence of
an evil course? Besides, il is less painful
when resorted to as matter of choice and
duty, than when forced upon US by crcum-
stances--in INSTRUMENTATION sick bed
at the grave of some near friend. Under
such circumstances, you cannot avoid re-
Election, and it will be attended with aggra.
waited remorse. In misfortune you will be
assailed by the sneers Of those whom you
sighted when prosperous-upon your bed
of sickness you will be deserted, because
you did not secure good will by kind oti.
ces when in heaith-at the grave OF ur
triend, The time will have gone by when
you might have atoned for the injury you
have done him, when you. might have re-
paid his kindness, or profted by his good
advice.
Reflection is painful, but will continu-
ance in all evil course makes less SO And
whether is pain that produces reformation
and happiness, Or pleasure that brings sor-
row and despair, preferable Who could
hesitate 10 choose, but for the tyrany Of
habit, and who would submit to such ty-
ranny, but for paIDE?" A mans pride shall
bring him low but honor shail uphold the
humble in spirit" X.
Loss Of the ship Gen. armstrong.
The ship Gen. Armstrong, Capt. Hill,
sailed from this port on Monday last, bound
TO Havana, in ballast. Next day, ON the