Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1821-08-17


of the oniv true God, and OF Jesus Christ !
whom h. 18th sent
The view which our meeting in tonven-
ton enables us ID take OF the state OF me
church, jus,ihes the earnestness Widh "h'ch
W. press this measure upon you. lha' there
are within this extensive Di ,cese numerous
Parishes, and in those Parishes thousands OF
immortal souls, destitute OF those minisira'
tons, to which from experience, from habit,
from the fond associations of youthful recOI-
lection. and on the higher principles ot ma
ture reflection AMI conviction, they attach
Importance and efficacy as religious orcinan'
ces, is rrnth oil such melancholy cnarac-
ter, as at once to demonstrate the Imperlous
claim they possess upon the ability and iden'
tity in faith and feeling of their brethren,
who are more iavors ,iy crcumstanced ihey
could once go up together to the house of
God and unite in those devont prayers and
praises, in thai edit ing form OF sound
words, in which their iather ~orshippeo
God, rendered more dear. more solemn ana
affecting by the surrounding memorials OF
their sleeping dust But OF this holy ana
heart STIRRING sentiment they are no" oe-
prived The Temples indeed. in some IN
stances remain--but for want OF ministers
consigned 10 silence, dilapidation and decay
while the sacred receptacles OF ne dead,
and not unfreouently the Temples them.
selves, are gradually becoming the prey OF
that irreverent spoliation, whic h marks the
decline and restitution OF genuine religious
feeling and impression.
Thus circunstanced, do they not deserve
our sympathy-our most strenuous efforts to
| relieve heir destitute condit on land is it
not IT, be feared, that if longer delayed, the
hold we as yet have ON their judgment and
affections will prove too weak 10 counteract
the slckening influence OF hope long defer
| red, o. the more to be dreaded consequence,
| Of indifference 10 any and every form OF re.
ligious profession? They yet stretch out
| their hands 10 Us as a counsel OF the church.
But we can only appeal in their behalf, in
this u az, TO your regard for them az brethe.
| ren-your reverence for those sacred and
| ant,ent institutions which we all venerate y
cherish in common.
1t is not indeed in the power of the most
Jealous and united effort, 10 supply at once
so wide want, that which now broods
over the church of our Fathers in this DIO-
cese This they are aware of-and expect
| no impossibilites at your hands-But to
hear that they are not utterly torsaken and
| abandoned-t to know that the united coun-
sells of the church, and the 'iberalty and "a
bility of the Episcopal body. are engaged 10
devising and providing for their present and
! permanent relief, will cheer their despOnd.
| ing hearts, encourage them not TO faint IN
their minds, and stir them up TO contribute
literally to this object, aud will give to the
| occasional visits oil our venerable Bishop, d
OF such of the Clergy as have opportunity
for this genuine Missionary work the salu.
tary effect 1T recalling the wandering, re-
| establishing the wavering, streng' hening the
feeble, and uniting all who prefer our COM
municn, in applying their means and exert:
ing their influence, in support of this plan OF
permanent tho gradual supply.
| Thus, Dear Brethren, have we laid before
you as briefly, as the case would permit, the
object tor which your countenance and sup.
port is rsqueste1---with the reasonings
which we ghed with US, to prefer the city OF
| Williamsburg for its location. That the
whole will meet with your appreciation we
confidently hope, and OF course your liberal
support.
Il is in fact charitable institution for
| which we call upon you, and of that pecu.
liar character, which appeals at once to
your love for the church OF your fahers-to
your respect for their mer1ory-to your
compassion for your destitute brethren--to
your pety as professors OF religion-to your
patriotism as sons of Virginia; and 1t prom
ises to repay a thousand fold, the support
you give % it, by the increased lustre of
church. now rising from the dust Of bumilia-
| ton, by supply TO the destitute Parishes-by
| The spread OF pure and undehled religion
by exaltiDg the honorable name OF your ma.
tive s,ate--by adding 10 the reputation and
usefulness of William and Mary, the alma
mater OF that host of worthless who counted
not their lives nor their property dear to
themselves so that they might transmit: 10
their children those civil and religious iber
ties of which we boast--and beyond abby
promoting the glory Of God--in providing
for unborn millions the strong consultations
OF that holy religion whose blessed fruit is
peace and assurance here--glDry, honor and
Immortality hereafter.
JOHN S. RAVENSCROFT.
WILLIAM H. WILMER,
WILLIAM MEADE.
r. KEITH
AUGUSTINE SMITH.
BURWELL BASSETT.
BUSROD WASHINGTON.
HUGH MERCER.
WILLIAM MAYO.
The friends OF The church in Alexandra,
are informed that Mr. Nelson, the agent of
the COW ention is now in town. and will wait
upon them at their houses TO soIici, their aid
for the above object
FROM BERMUDA.
Norfolk, Aug. IS.