Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-05-28

iect ti.t tic earncstness he manifested constra'h'
ed some to eyclaim sGreat will be the c0ndcm-
nation Of that people whose Pastor ne IS II uey
do not profit under his ministry! Their blood
will he on their own s.'-Reader, as he sald:
"One thing is needful"--Oh may the finger OF
God write this on our hearts. thing is need
ful-the salvation Of our never-dying souls" ;,
Friday night listened to the most mtrepia
preacher ever heard in my LIE.
Many thought his style too harsh; but some
times there are desperate cases where the Keen
blade must be used.-Yet generally the tongue
of Persuasion most affects the human heart, like
the gentle dropping of water on the marble.
Saturday morning the Minister preached from
{. But what things were gain to me, those count
loss to Christ"
His accents fell sssoft as the Aeeces OF descend
ing snow.'' And the lovely character OF our
Divine Redeemer he deineated SO beautifully
that we felt it tlue-aIl things this world can
give are but loss, without His love and favor,
which arc better than life itself
Saturday night-heard Missionary Sermon
from whatsoever thy hand indeth to do, do
with all thy might. An elegant and energetic
discourse calling forth the sympathes OF the hear
ers in behalf of those who are furnishing I'm our
own country, yea, in our own state) tor the bread
of ife-while we are feeding OH its richest dam
ties.
On Sunday morning-left my customary path
to the New Church, and went to the old Church,
(where understand several most excellent SER
mons had been preached during the Conventlon)
and there heard the Preacher, tronl-" At the
last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus cried
out if any man thirst let him come unto me and
drink''-preach in so persuasive and powerful a
strain, that every heart under the sound OF his
voice melted like wax before the lire. And
wished that he could have been placed upon the
highest summit Of Creation, and all the world
could have heard the invitations OF mercy which
flowed in CoPious streams OF eloquence from MS
holy ps--Invitatons to all: to those who thirst
for happiness, to come to Jesus and drink OF Joys
divine: to those who thirst for riches and honor,
to come to Jesus and obtain imperishable wealth,
and crowns of untading spendor: to those who
thirst for holiness to come to Jesus and be sane
tilted by the holy spirit of the living God. And
to all who thirst. to come to the Lord Jesus Christ
and drink freely, without money without price,
of the satisfying waters which issue from the RI
YER that makes glad the kingdom of Heaven.
From the old Church l proceeded to the new
Church-where was told an Ordination sermon
had been delivered with an irresistible force that
made its way to all hearts Then | beheld
concourse of thirsting mortals crowding around
the table of the Lord to drink Of the cup of Sal
walton. And understand there were five hum
dred Communicates.
In the afternoon the sermon was from " Where
the spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. Iii.
berty unsung by Poets or statesmen, and yet the
ONLY true freedom. Liberty from the power and
dominion of sin, from evil habits and unruly pas
sions. And freedom from the chains of eternal
death.
At night the dear, and venerable Bishop Of
firgi,,iasI oscd the CcsYenton With an affection
ate discourse, addressed to the multitude around
him and his sons in the ministry. He has been
the happy instrument in the hands of the Lord,
of resusccitating the Episcopal Church in virgi-
mia. When he first came amongst us she was
easping her last breath with none to support her
fanyushing head, but Wilmer, Mead and Norris
However they faithfully stood beside her, until
he arrived with life-giving cordiaIs and an unc-
ton from on high When she revived and sprung.
like the Phoenix from Its ashes, into youth and
beauty again.
The Episcopal Convention Is over for this year
but it will be forever remembered by many
immortal souls, as the traveller through the de-
sert remembers the Oasis which refreshed and
strengthened his fainting sprit.-And we trust,
in the prayer hearing and prayer answering God,
there are many others who will remember it as
the time of their birth-the period when the light
of life first broke in upon their dark and erring
minds. Oh these meetings are productive OF
great, of incalcuabIe good! they stir up the gift
of.piety within the heart of man. We see all
worldlings who desire to be eminent in their pro-
LESSONS, or accomplishments, stirring up their
talents by hard study and laborious practice
and surely Christians who are the light of the
world the salt of the earth, should Of all people
he most jealous in stirring up their gifts-their
holy graces. For great will be their condemna-
ton. if they attend not to the g One thing need
fM"
To the Editor of the alexandria Gazette: