American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1823-02-07
EXTRACT.

Some persons seem not to have been deeply i'm.
pressed with religious considerations, till the
termination Of their days and they have then had
TO lament the misapplication oil their time, and the
posponing the great end for which they had be
ing.-Others appear to have made an early, or more
seasonable choice of virtue and goodness for their
portion and to-have spent great part of their
lives in the fear and love Of Cod and in doing good
70 mankind: they have enjoyed that peace Of mind
which the world could neither give nor take away :;
aud cheering well grounded hope has accompanied
them 10 the closing scene that there was reserved
for them a crown of immortal honor. What an evil
dence on behalf Of piety and virtue What a dssua-
sive from vice and folly and how animatng to
weary travellers, TO persevere in the paths Of good
ness, and TO keep their eyes fixed on that happy
country, where they too shall rest forever f'om all
their labots
( But we live in world Of danger and temptation.
Propensities to evil are powerful. The riches, hon
ours, and pleasures Of life, are continually uuring
us to an immoderate love and pursuit Of them. The
subtle enemy Of all good is perpetualy on the watch
to avail himself Of our weakness and exposure, and
to ensnare and destroy US. Our safety, therefore,
consists in being always on our guard, and 10 stead
lastly resisting every approach oil evil.
But who is sufficient for these things in this
situation, how shall we preserve our Innocence
maintain the warfare, and finally become victorious
There is not more evident and important truth,
than that this power is not of ourselves but that
proceeds from the grace of God, unto whom we are
directed to apply daily, for preservation in tempta
ton, and deliyerance from evil. The perusal o
valuable books reflection, converse, and other means
of moral and intellectual improvement, are indeed
of great use and importance. Besides charging the
min and promoting our temporal comfort and adj
vantage, they may DC the means oil spreading be
fore Us pleasing view of the beauty and excellence
e of ctgon and may occasion some desires for thu
possession Of that happiness which it conlers Blu
unles, the DIVINE AID be sought for and superadded
they will be defective in principle, and will not b.
able to produce that strength OF resolution, ant
steady perseverance, which are necessary to crow
our labors with success. INerest, passion, depraVe
! inclination, and the love of the world in constan
operation are too powerful to be controlled, by singh
: and temporary convictions OF mind, or feeble an
e transient wishes Of the heart
IS May we, therefore, rest satisfied even wit
clear apprehensions Of our Duty just sentiments Q
the amiabeness and excellence of Religion, and Ire
ouent desires to be its disciples, and partake OF 1t
felicity nor be content with cultivatinG the mos
refined and regular ideas on these subjects bu
may it be our most weighty and steadfast concern
in the use of all the means of improvements to loo
up, through the Redeemer ofthe world, TO the Give
of every good and perfect gift, for the gracious as
sis,ance of his Holy Spirit, in the great work
J. our salvation, as the only power which can bring 10
to operation our sentiments ard desires, sanctiiy
render eifectuaI our endeavours to please him, an
produce in us the highest perfection of our nature
He that formed our spirits, who is constantly pre-