Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-11-06
ALEX ANDRIA:
SATURDAY MORNING, NOVE.MBER 6.

for the benefit of the sick and distressed
poor of Baltimore. We 90 not question, in
the smallest degree. the purity OF the writer's
motives; and we sincerely hope that he may
aid the cause of suffering humanity, by his
intended publication. We copy from the
authors preface, for the information OF our
readers, the following excellent remarks, in
the propriety of which, we perfectly COIN
eide. We hope our editorial brethren in
Baltinore, Georgetown, &c. will take some
notice ofthe present article, in their respec-
tive journals.
PREFACE.
The author OF the following discourse,
in committing it TO the press, has been in
fluenced by motives which ne is neither
ashamed nor afraid 10 avow. The principal
one is that OF promoting The welfare of his
fellow creatures, and OF alleviating, as lar as
be possibly can, the miseries, and relieving
the diStresses ofthe poor and sick resident in
Baltimore.
= The situation OF the poor sufferers in Bal
timore, has excited the sympathy and active
benevolence of a great number of well-ds-
pssed citizens in various sections of the
Union. The inhabitants Of Georgetown in
particular, have done honor to their christian
lame and character, by collecting very IL
beral sums for the relief of the Baltimore sui
fererS. The inhabitants of Alexandria have
not yet, in their collective capacity, sub
scribed any sum for the same benevolent pur-
pose.
" The author is unwilling to believe that
the inhabitants Of Alexandria aud its vici-
nifty many OF whom are extremely wealthy,l
are less disposed TO acts OF charity and bene-
violence than their neighbors in other places.
He cannot avoid, however, the expression of
his great surprise and regret, that on recent
occasion, when the members of the different
religious denominations in Alexandria as
sembled at their respective churches, in pur-
suance OF public appointment. to return
thanks to Almighty God, for their preserve
tCn from sickness--the author cannot avoid
lamenting, that no collection was then made
for The benefit of their needy and afflicted
fellow citizens.
In expressing wish that something may
yet be effected in Alexandria, for the relief
of the poor iR Baltimore, the author begs to
annouHce>his intention OF approprlatlng the
.rof,s arising iron the sale OF this seImonti
any to the use OF the poor in Baltimore.
His publisher in Alexandria is charged with
the duty OF RENTING the moneys which may
be raised in this way.
That his motives may be questioned by
some, for appearing in so prominent man
her as the advocate OF the poor and desu-
tuse, is an event IN itself by no means i'm
probable. The author anticipates obJec-
tons and directors. 1t is the common fate
Of every writer, however pure his motives,
or benevolent his intentions.
The author could have wished the pre-
sent appeal 10 have been made through the
medium Of the pulpit, by the ministers oil re-
ligion themselves The sacred Office, he
presumes TO think. could never have been
better sustained than Ill promoting an act OF
practical benevoenCe. The clergy may.
perhaps, view this sermcn with an untavor-
abie eve, and represent 1t as an i,iegltlmate
or unauhorised performance. However that
may be, the author rests perfectly sa'i Shed
with his motives. His conscience tells him
they are not improper, and ITS appreciation
is, to him, OF more consequence, than that
OF all the legitimate preachers in the uni-
verse. Let not this oJservatiOn be mlsun-
derstood. He means no disrcsPect 10 The
clergy, for whom, sshen they property dls-
charge iksir duty, he feels unqualified es-
TEEN. He considers It, however, as has du-
ty as christian, to omit TO proper oppor-
,unity ofdoiBg good 10 his fellow creatures,
which offers itself; and he hatters himself,
thai the present humble attempt to serve the
cause OF Suffering humanity, may no. prove
altogether ahortive aud unaraiiing.'
*Seren hundred dollars were RENTED by
the Mayor of Georgetown fo- their relief.
On the Slst October, the venerable JoHN
ADAMS entered on the e5th year of his useful
and honorable lite.