Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-09-08
ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE.
! COMMUNICATED. I


In the vicissitudes Of human life. it is imposs.
BILE to prevent the mind from being, in some de-
gree, controlled by them. 1t is admitted, that
there is SO intimate relation between the mind
aud the body, that it is extremely difficult to pre-
serve that equanimity which tends to the produc-
ton of happiness. The sorrows aud the Joys of
life are equally numerous as its lights aud shades.
We are attached to one another to such degree,
that every individual has more or less sympathy.
the natural result of which is pleasure or pain.
Such is the fact, and such the organization Of
Man. 1t is this which undoubtedly constitutes
him the noblest Of the works OF the Almighty.
1t is this, too, which draws upon him that misery
which seems inseparable from his state Of nature.
He becomes the subject Of the deepest sorrow,
and his heart is penetrated with sense Of guilt
aud sin. Bowed down under such burden, Of
all creatures under the sun he would continue to
be the most wretched, could he discover no hope
Of change, or escape from his sad condition.
But under these calamitous circumstances, we
arc assured, that, in every event, we must re-
member that our reformation is not hopeless, and
that our sincere endeavors to do right will not be
unassisted Experience teaches US that we are
accountable to some Being infinitely higher than
ourselves: that we must 60 out of ourselves, in
quest of that Being whom we believe to he ON
nipoten., from the single fact Of the stupendous
and wonderful works BY which We are surround
ed, and from minute examination OF our own
frames. We believe that He who formed the
heart knows its workings and is acquainted with
all its secret springs: that He that made Man
must equally know his wants, his griefs and his
cares. With this knowledge existing in the
mind of every rational creature, he can never be
at loss to ascertain the source from which his
help must come. To whom can we 90 but unto
thee, o! Lord God Almightya Man, then, IN
every condition of life is equally at liberty to
seek the source from which his happiness pro-
ceeds and should he be fortunate, in the main, to
be contented with his lot, yet still his obligation
to serve his Creator remains unimpaired. But
how few are these fortunate persons in this world
of tribulation and sorrow, and how much more
numerous the sons and daughters Of affection. -
1t is for these that we sympathise; and happy is
he who, in any measure, leads such to enter the
path of duty which they owe to the Gver of eve-
ry good and perfect gift. In the midst of such
tribulations, how important aud delightful is the
truth that they are not in hopeless condition,
but that there is surety of finding repose to
their souls, it they are sincere in their endeavors
,.t,on tbath a
ieve himself, he comes to conclusion that his
sincere endeavors must be assisted by some pow
err, greater, wiser and better than he is. He looks
around him with utter amazement at human de.
vices for lettering his condition. and he can fix
upon nothing to crafty his longing desires. He
sees a vacuum which human philosophy has ne.
yer filled up. He runs here and there, and eve
~ where, in pursuit of happiness; but at every
turn, and in every direction, he is bailled and
disappointed He finds, at last, that his happi-
ness must come from Him that made him. He
goes to that Volume penned by inspiration, and
discovers the cause and remedy of all his woes.
Is there not majesty, an efficacy, divine
breathing to be found there, which can be found
nowhere else. 4 consciousness is at once form
ed, that he that inspired that Book is his Maker;
that he is the Lord that searcheth the heart and
knows its desires; that only he, the worlds Ar
chitect and his own. can improve his condition,
aud render him happier. better and wiser than
he is. He feels the solemn truth, that. in every
event and under every circumstance, his condi-
ton is by no means hopeless, but that there is
One who loves him better than any earthly friend.
In his sincere endeavors to change his wrong
course Of life, he is assured of the strength OF
that Almighty power which declares to every
anxious seeker of truth. Come unto me all ye
that labor aud are heavy laden. and wM give
you rest.
This, then, is the source after which he that
aspires to a reformation that is pleasing to his
Creator, must seek. Does not man know this?
for there is secret monitor that teaches US the
impracticability Of deriving happiness from our
ow, u,assisted conc eDtions Of rioht Let him.