Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1821-08-17
10 che Members and Friends Of tho Pro
tsstant Episcopal Chsrch i" the Do

feSe Or FTS18tU.
Dear BRETHREN,
Among many subjects Of Importance to
tie cause of Religion, which occupied
the thoughts and engaged the attention Of
YOUR Cow ention, asse nbled in May last,
IN the Borough of Norfolk, that OF ma
king some provision, for the proper edu-
cation of pious young men, whose views
are turned to the ministry, was considered
as having commanding influence on the
progress and prosperity of the church -
The Intimate, and may we not say. neces-
AIRY connection, of a sound and faithful
tate of religious feeling and practice a.
mong any people, with the pety and learn
ins of the public teachers of that religion,
is now genera ly owned and admitted,
and is beginning to be more and more
deeply felt, by the rejecting part of the
community Ofthis the exertions now
making by the different denominations Of
Christians, and even by those among
them who have heretofore been but slight
". if at all. convinced Of this connection
and dependence, is satisfactory, and at
the same time, a comfortable proof; and
in connection with the present standing
of the church, under the returning favor
Of its Almight head, of late so signally
IN infested towards us-emboldens US,
we trust in an acceptable time, to make
solemn appeal to the piety, principles and
patriotism of the Episcopalians of Vir-
gipia.
To enter into detail of argument. to
shew. not the advantage merely, but the
: absolute necessity. of we'll educated, as
we'll as pious ministry, to the advance
alent OF relision-the credit and useful
aess-yea, even the very existence of the
thurch would considering the enlighten-
cd body whom We address, be work of
supererosation. A few remarks however,
we trust will nos be superiluous.
Incalculable perhaps. are the disadvan-
tages which the cause Of vital religion has
sustained, from the ark upheld by hands
Zoo feeble to bear the weight, and alto
ge,her unfinished, either to defend their
own positions, or to detect and expose the
false and fallacious reasonings, of the vain
disputers of this world The events of
the last thirty years however. present US
with lesson on this point, which should
be indelibly engraven on every heart that
realizes the iuestimable value of the
hope which maketh not ashamed; which
identities with itself the sacred claims of
home neigh5oraood and country; which
entwines around it's inmost fbres; the en-
dearing relations Of wife, family and kim
dred-w Itch expands to all the social
blessings of civil zed life, and duly ap-
preciates the influence Of that religion,
whose holy purpose is, to assuage the mi
series of this mortal state-to increase
the sum of human happiness in time. and
perpetuate it in eternity. What, let us
as ourselves, would have been the pre-
sent completion Of christianity, & where
al. the soothing charities of the Gospel,
bat tor that host of pious, able and learn
cd men, maintained, encouraged and sup
ported by he church to which we owe our
Foundation, who s. God forth, under God.
with leart. and head, Il pen. in defence of
al that is dear & venerable to man when
assaulted by that band of nti-christian
phiiosophers.who madly deied the ar ,nies
of me living Godo Could piety alone
have availed to turn hack upon these
us and learning, to detect their falsehoods
and unmasS the sophistry oftheir vain as
sumptions and still valner reasoningsoNo!
Dear Brethren-The whole armour Of G cd
must be put on by the Church Militant
For 1t is only by the union Of pirty and
learning, that she has hitherto stood, and
will yet stand, in the evil day of anti
or stan warfare.
With proof so directly in favor of our
point, and as recent, so to be in the re-
collection OF those whom we address
Believing as we do, that there can be no
difference of opinion, on the proprie,y of
co nmencing al institution SO much need
ed, from which our Holy Religion and a
pos die church, shall derive those aids
and adornmen's which shall make them
profitable to man and acceptable to God
And knowing also, that the resources Of
the friends OF our communion, are fully
equal to every necessary demand; conf
dent moreover, that when the interests of
such vital and permanent chara cter are
at stake, your help will be cheerfully
arG aiaerail lily extended, we proceed to lay
before YOU the plan which we now 'ecom-
mend III your consideration and support.
Il is proposed 10 establish in the city of
Wil,iu-usburg. cpder the patronage Of the
College % William ard Mary. Theolo-
oical Teac ner. to who's" care and instruc-
ton shall be committed such ung men
as lasi n to prepare themselves for the
NJ istry, in the Protestant Episcopal