Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-10-03
coMMUNIcATED.l

meaning p ersOns opposesuch religious meetingsas
are called in the Episcopal Church ''associations,"
because they really think them pernCious. must,
however, believe that this opinion is formed from
ignorance Of the manner in which they are con-
Quoted. "'The abuse Of thing is no argument
against it's use." Religion has indeed been much
abused and misnamed; but because some extra.
VACANT persons and mistaken enthusiasts will wrest
Ks holy truths to their destruction, we must not
condemn It. The most careless reader of the Bi.
ble must see that God has appointed means which
he requires to be used for the purpose of obtain
ing the blessings he promises to man, both tempo.
raj and spiritual. The husbandman is required
to cultivate the soil with diligence, and TO SOW his
gram, or he cannot expect harvest, and his re-
ward is in proportion tohis attention and industry
So, in regard to the bestowing of his spirit to
man from natures darkness, has God appointed
means nj grace, which he declares We must be
dEgeRt in using. if we wish to obtain his bless
rs l. it not tie apostolic injunction be instant
in PRAYER. without ceasng?" Are we
not told Of Holy men and women wEo spent whole
nights in prayer?-Did not the apostle Paul, on
one occasion. continue his preaching until mid.
night:-I DO not say that we must be literally,
aud at all times. in like manner engaged; but if
we really take delight in religious exercises at
all aud view them as privileges, we will not be as
scrupulous about enjoying too much Of them.
do not hesitate to state that believe the &C
counts contained in the piece sent you by "Old
Times" to be greatly exaggerated. In the Epis-
Copal Church however, We are secured from any
such abuses by the excellent forms and Evanseli-
cal doctrines Of our Prayer Book. If your cor
respondent can show one instance in which these
meetings have been abused in that Charch, will
give up the point. | am afraid that he Judges
without knowledge. Has he ever attended any
of them? If not, would ask him, and all 9TH
ers who object to them, to 10 50 before they ven-
ture to decide, and to take heed that they be not
fighting against God.
Listen to the warning addressed to the Laodi-
ceans:
81 know thy works. that thou art neither cold
nor hot | would that thou vert cold or hot. So
then, because thou art i.keparm, and neither cold
nor hot. will spue thee out of my mouth: Be-
cause thou savest, am rich, and increased with
goods, and have need of nothing and knowest
not that thou art rctched, and miserable, and poor
and blind, and naked"
must confess that in ''Old Times" this lan-
suage we'll suited the Episcopal Church. trust
though, that day of better things is dawnins up.
or US. 1.-The times of this ignorance God wink
ed at, but now he commandeth men ia repent"
Whenever we have true sense Of our SOULS
caal tho nht a.
der to Him who died that we might live, and ii
the love of God has been shed abroad in our hearts
land, as its consequence, love to our pershing
fellow mortals), in the language of the great Viii
berforce:
cit will show itself in ten thousand little and
undehnable acts of sedulous attention. which love
alone can pay. and of which, when paid, love
alone can estimate the value. Love outruns the
deductions of reasoning; it scorns the refuge of
casulstrv; it requires not the slow process of Ia
borious and undeniabe proof that one ton would
be injurious aud offensive, or another beneficial |
and gratifying to the object of its affection. The
least hint, the slightest surmisc, is sufficient to
make il start from the former, and fly with ca
gerness to the latter"
Permit me TO conelade this subject by making
the following extract from letter of Bishop Girls
void published in late periodical.
"One very striking evidence that the excite
ments under review are generally the work of God,
is the remarkable and very interesting tact. that
those consertedat such seasons embrace the most
essential doctrines of Christianity: they confess
Christ in his true character. and reject whatever
would make his cross Of no effect. And who can
say that these awakenings are not intended, by a
wise and mercIful God, to eonteract and check the
spread Of the nti-christian doctrines which have
been so aarminsly prevalent in some Of the East
ern States? This work (supposing it to be of Cody
has encompas,ed this pernicous heresy, and hedg-
ed it in. sitting bounds to its progress and is now
to its very heart. ''When the ene- :
nv shall come in like food, the Spirit Of the t
Lord shall lift up standard against him. b
ssIs it not unwise Ito say the least to OPP h
pose this work, and more SO to condemn and re- ;,
Tile ti II, after due consideration, our sober and