Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1823-03-22
FOR THE GAZETTE.
TIE SATURDAY VISITOR. NO. 8.

TIE SATURDAY VISITOR. mo. 3.
"Tnere as generation, o how lofty are their
cues! and tier eg:has are lifted up. There IS
a generation tcko;" t"cA arc q, stp0rdsi 10 de-
uoar tie poo,. from or the car h, ana the needy
from among men" PROVERBS.
Whatever may be the opinions of mankind,
when avowed in conversation or exhibited in
their manners, it will be allowed that no man
is entirely destitute Of that ugly sin, hypocrisy.
lfths poor arc compelled sometimes to deceive
for self preservaton's sake, the rich adopt 1t to
aid their interests and strengthen their power.
The possession of wealth marks the mind for
deliberate stimulation and if it have not strong
animosity for the poor, those active passions,
selfshness, fear and pride, which supremacy
GOVERN the soul, make it hostile to the untor-
tunate.
The great part of the rich in this country
are persons, who, in early life, must have expe.
rienced all the wants of poverty, successive
trade has smiled upon their industry, and in
the change from indulgence to oPulence they
are rather pulled up with pride, which con-
tracts the understanding and poisons the heart
poor man made suddenly rich is the veriest
tyrant to be found: all the compassion and
commisseration, which he once had right to
expect from the affluent, now he is in the same
situation, he despisss and torgets. feel sure
that these kind of rich are the worst; feel
confident they are the meanest; feel equally
SO. they are the most unprincipled. It's true
such charges would astonish their minds ;
thew would not admit such corrupt motives;
but the evidence 10 to be found in their biogra.
pbv and in actions done in such places, and
under sacn circumstances, as to be lost to the
ino,iistive who would drag them to light
There is " generation, oh how lofty are their
eyesl and their eyeid. ere lifted up"
If we admit, and truly it ought to be SO, that
worth is the standard by which men should be
valued and esteemed, how contemplate and
small must that being look, who would build
bis reputation on gold, and sacrifice his talents
at the altar of cupidty. The pride OF anee'-
try o, the pride of virtue are in some degree
exeusable. and the latter worthy Of respect:
mt the pride of money is within the reach OF
Ignorance and vice it is many times bbsched
and besme.red bv the eorruptions ard DIRT OF
bad habits and vulgar manners. Thfss are the
n.orIe. .. oh how lofty are their eyes Eleva.
red IN their thoughts, more from belief OF their
great skill ana discernmcnti in the art OF max.
ing money, they lose sight of Providence, the
eternal principle of moral government, they
hold themselves above the rest of mankind, and
look with exultation of heart upon their possess
ions and rank; do they condescend to notice
Religion, It is stiff and formal, their imasina-
tons feel golden tinge, and while the lips ut
ter the language ofinspiration, their hearts are
cold, and lack the grateful warmth for bless.
in gs bestowed-the charity it should ever pos
sess, and without which the rich, "devour the
DOOR" They may be said to deyour the poor,
when they withhold from them, their free and
generous assistance, they may be said to devour
the poor, when they reluctantly afford them
relief, they may be said, to devour the poor,
when they drag them to prisons-take away
their little comforts, and leave them and their
children, to shiYer and perish without an effort
to save,
That God who so bountifully enriched them
will require in awful Majesty, afu!l and Just
account Of their stewardship. b.