The Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1822-1822, 1822-05-25
MR.EpIroR.

under the signature of No Sectarian'-He
found himself somewhat puzzled, to discover
the precise object which the writer had in view.
For though he commen ced in a very short sem
tence, upon the propriety of erecting a more
eommodious prison, and after recurring to the
subject once or twice afterwards so as to intro
duce at It's close a line from one of the Poets
: a considerable part ofthe piece, every one must
perceive, was made up in defamation, indi- |
rectly to say the least of it, against the general
interests of religion. lift be his sincere desire, |
and if this were his real object, to awaken the
attention of citizens, to the important subject
of providing better Accommodations fer crimi-
! mails, and l~nsolvent debtors, it is cordially hoped
I, that the success of his efforts NAV be equal TO
his most ardent wishes. 1t Is believed to be
IN object, towards which every sincere chris
tan will lend his aid, notwithstanding his obi.
que hint to the contrary; and If properly
brought forward, the writer of this has little
doubt, but that it would meet with the approba-
ton and countenance, of by far the greater pro-
portion of the inhabitants of the county. But
be this as it may, is it true, as is plainly insind.
ated, that missionary e~xertions have hitherto
prevented the accomplishment of an object SO
greatly to be desired? Is it true, those who give
money for purposes connected with the more
general diffusion of the principles of christian
ity, would not be equally liberal when called
upon for objects of importance in their own
city? Is j true, that this class of people, are
in the habit ofdoing nothing towards relieving
the d~istresses of their unfortunate fellow-cIti-
gems, while they are ~exerting the s.most active,
and strenuous efforts to send missionaries and
Bibles, to far distant regions, of whom, (which
I suppose he means) we have scarcely ever
heard, or read9' Is it true, that those who
are most active in the cause of the Gospel, are
not at the same time most forward in exertions
to meliorate the condition Of society in which
thev live? Unless the writer of this, is most
egregiously mistaken, the ungenerous insinua
tons which No Sectarian has seen proper to
throw out in relation to these points, are ahso-
lutely groundless. Ifthat writer does not know
salready, he certainly ought to know, that these
<svery charitable people, of whom he speaks,
and against whom he evidently labors to awak-
en- an unchristian feeling in the minds of others,
however %joyfully they would lend their aid in
,evangelizing the Musselmen of Turkey were
such an object practicable, would be, as they
ever have been, among the most liberal in ad.
vancing their money and in using their efforts
for the promotion of every benefcent purpose
IN their own country. Let the calculation be
made, lift can be made, of the amount of mon
les collected for purposes of general utility,
either in this country or any other, and the
writer of this is willing to stake his reputation
upon it, thatby far the largest part in proper
lion to their means, has been collected from
these "very charitable people, who it seems,
s'have forgotten the prin ciples of charity,'' and
are "squandering awav their moneys in the
s'idle," ifnot horrible purpose, of imparting
light, and peace, and civilization, and life eter-
nal, to those who are sitting IN tie region and
rsaado,c of death.
That thousands of dollars, are sent out annu-
ally from this country, for the benevolent pur-
pose of diffusing the benign influence of the
Gospel among the heather, is not questioned:
II is a fact, in which every one who koves the
Gospel, and who knows how to appreciate the
blessings which it imparts, must, and will re.
loice. For ssthere is no other name under
heaven, whereby we can be saved, save the
name of Jesus Christi But are men who con-
scientiously believe this, to be a most solemn
and important truth, to be the theme of Newsa
pager defamation, and to have the indigration
OF their fellow citizens excited against them,
merely because their course of conduct is found
IN this particular, to correspond precisely with
their protest belief? Besides, the impression
which No Sectarian, would wish to make upon
the Publick mind in relation to the amount of
monies, sent for the above purposes, out of Mis
country, is palPably untrue. So far from any
mighty effort being in operation, to raise funds
t'with the expectation Of outstanding heather
lands" the writer of this is not acquainted with
asingle institution in the whole county, which
has that for Its protest object; nor does he be-
feve that a clergyman in this town is in the
habit of preaching .'charty sermons" to his
people, and obtaining from them subscriptions
for that object. They do preach charity ser.
mons and the people give large collections, for