Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1832-06-22

II was in c., town situated on the
banks Of the Potomac, that Theophius lived
His parents came TO this country when the
tide ofemigration from England to America
was so great: they were both members OF The
Protestant Episcopal Church, and as such
might be held in very high estimation, %
account of their deep piety. Loving deGriy
the sacred institutions of christianity-they
implanted in The mind of their son, the prin-
Ciples of our most holy religion. The doc
trines, Precepts, promises, high moral pnrl-
ty, superiority and eXcelleEcy OF the HOLY
Scriptures were recommended to his consid-
Grafton, his desires and hopes. Being thus
indoclrinated into the religion of the Bible,
and believing 1t to be OF divine authenticity,
he grew UP 10 manhood, influenced Ill his
principles and conduct by its morality :
gladdening the hearts Of his parents-belov-
cd by his friends and respected by the COM
munity at large. But, alas! alas the
hopes of his friends, the JOY of his parents
and the expectations Of his own heart-were
destined TO realize utter disappointment!
The scene changed The mind, which
had been richly imbued with the truths of
divine revelation, became filled with the
unhoIy philosophy of Infdelity! The feel
inrs. which were enlisted in favor Of the re-
ligion of Christ, and were elevated, sublima-
ted and enrap,ured thereby, became obsti-
nately attached TO the infelicitous sophisms of
scepticism I! And the life so long regulated
by the holy precepts OF the Gospel became
corrupted by the pernicious influence ofscep-
teal writings! He drank at the fount OF
utter unbelief, opened by Voltaire, Volney,
Rosceau, Bolingbroke, Hume and Paine
and lost his peace of mind-joy of heart
reverence for God, and respect for his own
character.
He was now prepared TO enter upon a
course of utter abandonment of moral princi-
pie bat, for fear of sustaining INJURY in his
temporal affairs and bringing "d5wn the
grey hairs of his parents with sorrow TO the
grave" he concealed his principles and re-
strained his unholy desires, until after their
decease.
During this period, ne became acquainted
with, addressed and married very amiable
and accomplished lady Enraptured with
the society of the interesting partner of his
bosom, he thought of nothing else; he enjoy
ed perfect elysum of worldly bliss! Eve
ny thing but his own principles & conscience
conspired to make him best Happy in
conceivably happy would he have been, il
he could have renounced those principles and
again have obtained a peaceful and quiet
conscience. This, however, was not the
case.
After the decease Of his parents, he be.
came an open, an avowed infidel He pro-
rnulgated his lcentious religious sentiments
with all the zeal of which he was capable
The consequence was, that his business de-
olned--the community dreaded Stunned dnC
despised him-and he, by associating will
the baser sort became Incorporate. The
peace Of his family was destroyed-his hear
and life grew worse and worse, and misery
anguish and despair met him at every step
His wife after enduring much unkind treat
ment from him, sunk beneath the weight .
sorrow, that pressed down upon her spirit,
and died broken hearted lie continued
an inebriate for some months after her deatl
sporting with religion and triHing with Tho
immortal interests Of his soul-until, bv
sudden visitation Of Divine Providence, hi
was called
"Unannointe unanneaPd.
With all his sins & imperiections on hi
head"
10 "give an account of his stuardship," Il
the God whose authority he had despised-
whose religion he had contemned, and who's
salvation he had rejected on earth. o how
dreadful must those principles he, that OK
tirpate humanity, Cody reverence and pie
ETY., out Of the heart-make life miserable
death, the hour of despair, and eternity tn
dread Of the heart! May we shun them.
@He$
Count Malhoney being once asked b.
the Pope If he understood French, yes
please your Holiness, said the homes
Hiberniap. IL II were snoken in Irish