The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1827-01-25
MISCELLANY.
VIR TU T.

When wo contemplate tho exquisite OK
cellence Of this divine principle, il at once
strikes the mind with veneration for the
practice Of those things which refine the
taste, cnlghtcn the understanding, regulate
the moral actions and elevate man above tho
ordinary parallel of human depravty. II Is
the exercise Of the sclfpreserving principle
that charactorzos the man of probity, useful
ness and morality, and inspires him with that
disposition to do good, which enoblos him 90
take retrospective view Of his past life and
actions without shame or rcmorse. IL is a
shield against those vices and corruptions
which so frequently captyale the imagnu-
ton, impair the mental faculties, aud ult
matoly lead man into the CULTS of misery, de-
bauchery and infdclity, and cause him to
loose sight Of those moral and divine preccpts
which arc handmo ids 20 happiness and rclig-
ion. Again, when he is bosct with those
misiortuncs aud calamitios which are always
'ncidcnt to mortality, it soothos aud Olloys
the purtarbations of his mind, aud teaches
him patience, calnncss and rosignaton
! would also ask with confidence, what il Is
that keeps beautiful "ond fascinating woman
within tho pale Of virgin purity, aud rcndors
her that omiablo, ondcarng aud interesting
object, which boautifos and adorns the most
enchanting sphere Of nature, and oivcs de.
iightlul zcst 10 all our enioymonts II is viz.
tue, that pure guardian of innocence, which
is ever ready To preserve her from the vario-
unIOI pntrnnnlpnia ,f lorn;t nj
man, who too frequently prostitutes his boast,
cd faculties at the polluted shrine ordcbauch-
cry, for the horrible purpose of coutaminat
ing The Innocence Of unsuspcctng woman
and stripping her of those dclcciablc charms
which are only Appreciated in a state of guilt
lcssnoss, Hence it is evident, that without
tho cultivation of this hcavcn.born principle,
The youth ofboth sexcs would be hurried ON
hy tho in'petuosity Of their passions, into
those labyrinths of wickcdness which mar ov.
cry ielicitatinr prospect, vitiato and corrupt
the taste, taint the moral and religious prin
ciplcs, and produce manifold evils to society.
Virtue is also the foundation of that acutc
disccrnunent which enables It's to make those
distinguishing characteristics between beauty |
and dclormity, grace aud atlectation, wisdom |
and Ignorance, which are essentially requis.
ito for the promotion Of our happiness and |
welfare, and which tend greatly 20 the oXul. |
taion and dignity of human nature Map I
may accumulate wealth, gain popularity, ard |
live in the lap Of ease and plenty but in the
midst of all his magnlcenco and power, with |
out virtue he is nero blank in the christian |
world fears and troubles alternately corrode |
his enjoyments, aud intrudc upon his hours Of
repose. The idea of death agonizes his mind |
and he fears 10 meet his God
but, on The other hand behold tho pious
and vir,uous man observe the chcerfulncss
and serenity of his countcnancc aud see him
daily engaged in the acts ofch0rity, bcncvo-
icncc and humanity he ondeavors to allie.
viato tho wants of the poor, scorns to Cypress
his fellow mortals, and in the end fears not
TO die, but looks upon death as glorious on.
trance to that heaven of felicity which is the
inheritance OF those who strictly adhere TO
the cause of truth aud righteousness There.
fore, oh man why wilt thou stray from the
folds of virtue, and wander into those gloomy
forests of wrctohodncss which bring a multi.
plicity of troubles upon thee, and cause thy
latter end to be miserable and bcsct with sor-
rows
" Know, then, this truth, (cnough for man TO
knowO
Virtue alone Is happiness below"