Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1824-09-21
For the Gazette.

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In the exercise Of moral and religious
duties. we should not deceive ourselves.
II often happens. that habitual attention
10 minor considerations, induce us 10 be-
lieve there are no otherE-ike some in-
genious piece of mechauism.. we are I'M
!. exceptionable upon certain principles, but
vary the structure, and we find deficien'
cies. p
So 1T is with many good members Of So
ciety. Try their truth and honesty
their punctualiiy to engagements--their
acts OF beneEcence. and they present a
character fair and unimpeachable /: but try
them on the scale of religious obligation,
aad you touch chord which echoes back
no sympatbysing sound.
On the other hand, how many are there
who, in all the outward appearances oil
life, shew sanctity and religious devo-
lion, and who are punctual to church and
early to prayer. and yet who, in libsrali,
ty of sentiment. beneyolence of heart. Or
usefulness to society, in any shape, are as
a tipckling cymbal. 1t follows. then, that
church governments or particular creeds,
tend little to make men better-indeed.
the blood which has been shed in support
o + sec.arian dogmss, would perhaps be
more than sufficient 10 deluge the earth.
The present age teens with affected
saints. We see many afectedly wrap
ping the mantle OF religion around them,
who have not shadow of christian char"
~ in their hearts--men, TOO, who srrogate
10 themselves the censorsbip-guardians
OF morals and examples for the rising ge-
neration. 1t is too bad, for il brings con.
tempt, upon religion. What can be
thought Of him who processes so much
zeal and piety, and yet whose actions are
diametrically opposite to the precepts OF
that code OF religious ethics ne SO much
pretends to venerate? Well dad an an
cient prophet say. this people draweth
nigh unto me with their mouths 4 honor
eth me with their lips, but their hearts are
far from me
We may say what we please to the con.
irary, but the true test of mans worth,
is, the standing be sustains among his fel-
low men. Mankind is not so prone to
ealumniate or misrepresent, as not TO do
Justice to the deserving. The philsn-
tbropist, he who is kind to the poor in
more ways than by giving them bread
and ra;ment. is loved in society, while
the frenzied bigot is feared. if not de-
tested.
This town has lately lost citizen,
whose usefulness was extensive; it mace
its impression on the heart. he possess
ed, in a remarkable degree. the mild
uuaitie. OF our being. To the poor and
unfortunate, be extended bis council, his
sympathy. and bis help. With bis fellow
citizen, be mingled the generous and po-
liter traits of bis dispositions; and in the
public relations in which he stood to the
public, there was, at least, an honest and
conscientious discharge of duty, He bad
faults-m hat human being has them not?-
he was ambitious to please. ln bis efforts
for public good, be injured bis private
ease; and in the coming long winter night
the widow and iatherless will mourn bis
death. Here would pause.
meau no disrespect for religion. |
have no personal feeling to crafty; 4 am
sensible, that these remarks, SO desultory,
are already extended far enough. But
would ask, is there not many who re-
semble the man in the parable, who owed
&c. 900 talents, but failing to pay, his lord
ordered all that he had, including vile
and children, 10 be sold, and he fell down,
uorsbipped, and was pardoned; but the
same man went out and found one OF bis
fellow servants, who owed him small
sum. and he laid hands on him, and took
him by the throat, saying, pay me sUhat
thou owest; and bis debtor fell down and
begged piteously. But be would grant no
favor, but threw him into prison. The
picture is awfully true-the coloring deep,
How many, even in these days of humani.
ay-of light and reason, rise from their
knees after asking for blessing, and pur-
sue their unfortunate debtor with the APP
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