Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-06-20
WEDNESDAY,, JUNE 90. 1852. /.
COMMUNICATED.

Mr.. Edifor-It appears 10 be but 100 true
that, Notwithstanding all the efforts that have
been made to prevent il. the CHOLERA has at last
reached our shores. How many, now IN the VI
gor Of life and health, may.in short time, De-
come its victims, is known to Him only In whose
hands are the Issues Of life and death. believe,
Sir. that there is bat one means which will avail
TO lessen the power aud stop the progress OF this
scourpe of nations; and thar is, TO humble our
selves before Almighty God. aud with prayer and
suppica.ion beseech him to avert from Us the APP
preaching calamity. To Christians, who believe
In the efficacy Of prayer, would address the
words OF Wilberforce- 40
Let them pray continually for their country
in this season of national difficulty. Who can
say but that the Governor of the Universe, who
declares himself to be God who hears the pray
crs Of has servants NAV, ia answer to their inter-
cessious, avert our ruin, and continue to Us the
fitness of those temporal blessings which, IN such
abundant measure, we have hitherto enjoyed
Men of the world, indeed, however they may
admit the operation Of natural causes. and may
therefore confess the effects OF religion and mo-
rality in promoting the well-being of the eommu-
nity, may yet, according to their humor, with q
smile of complacent pity, or sneer OF supercil'-
Gus contempt, read of the service which real
Christians u,ay render to their country by conci.
hating the favor and calling down the blessing OF
Providence. 1t may appear in their eyes an M
stance OF the same superstitious weakness as that
which prompts the terrified inhabitant OF Sicily
TO bring forth the image Of his tutelar saint IN or
der to stop the destructive ravages OF Etna.
We are, however. sure, If we believe the Scrip
turc, that God will be disposed to favor the ma
ton to which his servants belong; and that, IN
fact, such as they have often been the unknown
and unhonored Instruments Of drawing down on
their country the blessing of safety and prosperity
But it would be an instance, in myself, OF that
very false shame which | have condemned IN
others, il were not boldly to avow my firm per.
suason, that to the decline of Religion and mo-
ralty oar national difficulties musf. both direct
H. and indirectly, be aseribee; and that my only
solid hopes for the Ceil-deing Of my country de-
pe,,d not so much on her fleets and armies, not
so much on the ,risdom Of her rolers or The spirit
of her people, as ia The persuasion that she still
coniaias many soho lore and obey the Go,pd OF
Christ; that their infercessions may get prevail;
that. for The sake of them, Heaven may still look
upon as uith an eye Of favor"
How applicable, too, this to the political state
of our country, which, If ever, needs at this
time the prayers of Christians. AZ nation, we
have hitherto been blessed above all the nations
of the earth--and vet how poor return OF gra-
titude have we made 10 the Giver Of All Good.
Hope, Mr.. Editor. that, while we are diIigent
in the use Of all other means in our power TO pre-
vent the spread Of the Cholera, we shall not for
get to ask the blessing Of Him who alone can
make them eificacious. Look at England and
Scotland. where the people with prayer besoaght
the Lord. and where the disease. though 4 visit
cd them, appeared in its mildest form. The de,
struc,ive disease which threatens to fssten and
prey upon the vitals Of our political system is
also fit subject for prayer WAITS.