The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1824-03-29


ed TO dash against rock that in yield.
ING 10 the Impulse OF the passions, man
only follows the dictates of his nature !;
and that TO subdue them entirely, is an
effort beyond his power. The weakness
and frail,y of'wan, it is not possible to
deny it is too strongly attested by all
human experience, as well as by the
wholetenor Of the scriptures but the
degree OF we akness to be limited by the
efforts to overcome it, and ne, by indul-
gerce to it. Once admit weakness as
an argument TO forbear exer,ion, and it
results in absolute impotence. 1t is also
very inconcIusive reasoning, TO infer,tba,
because perfection is not absolutely &c
be obtained, il is thctefofs MOI to DC
sought. Human excellence consists in
the approximation TO perfection and
the only means Of approaching to any
tern, is by end cayoriDg to obtain the
term itself. With these convictions upon
the mind, and with sincere, honest eff.
tor, TO practise upon them, and with the
aid Of a divine blessing,which is promised
to ii, the approaches to perfection may a.
least be so great, as nearly to answer all
the ends that absolute perfection itself
could attain"
ain order to preserve the dominion Of
our own passions, it behoyes US to be
constantly and strictly upon our guard,
against the influence and infection of the
passions of others. This caution is all
necessary in youth and deem it the
more indispensable to epjoin it upon you;
because, as kindness apd beneYolence,
comprise the whole system Of Christian
duties; there may be, and often is great
danger of falling into error and vice :;
merely by the want Of energy to resist
the example, or epticement Of others
On this point, the true character of
Christian morality, appears 10 have been
misunderstood, by some of its abless and
warmest defenders. In Paley's "View OF
the Evidences Of Christianity" there is q
chapter upon the morality OF the Gospel;
IN which there is the following passage /:
"Ehe truth is, there are two opposite
descriptions of characters under which
mankind may generally be ciassed. The
one possesses vigor, frmness, resolution!
is daring and active, quick in its sensi.
bilities, jealous Gifts fame, eager in its
attachments, inheXible in its purposes
violent in its rcsentmeDts. The other,
meek, yielding, complying, forgiving,
not prompt to act, but willing to suffer,
silent and gentle under rudeness and
INSULT suing for reconciliation, wher
others would demand satisfaction; giving
way TO the pushes CT impudeDces con-
ceding and indulgent to the prejudices,
the intractibility ofthose he has to deal
with; the former of these cha acters is and
eVerhalh been the fayorite Of the world,
II is the character of great men. There
is dignity in it, which universally com.
, maDds respect. The latter is poor spiri.
ted tame and abject. Yet so it happened
with the founder of Christianity, the lat
ter Is the subject of his commentator
his preccpts and his example and tina
the former is no part ofits composition. ;
DIR. Paley is IN this place adopting tn,
opinion OF Soame Jennings, whose essa,
upon the internal evidence of Christian
~ he very strongly recommends bot
cannot consider it as an accurate and dis
corning delineation of character, or a
exhibiting correct representation O
Christian principles. The founde
Iof Christianity, did indeed proDounc
distinct and positive blessings upon tn
Ipoor in spirit (Which is by no means sy
nonimous With the poor spiritsd,) AM
the meek. But in what part Of the Cos
pei did DIR. Paley find him couDtenancinI
by commentator, precept or example
the tame and AFFECT. The charscte
which Christ assumed Oh earth, was tina