Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-04-02
EDITORS CORRESPONDENCE.


Mr.. Sno,cden:-There was statement in your
paper, some weeks ago, that one Of the assumed
subjects of everlasting life on this earth had
been subjected to the common lot. This faith to the
contrary Notwithstanding When I saw the
statement believed it, although had 6ecently
been in the neishborhood of their encampment
and bad heard Of no sickness among them. In
truth, was personally acquainted with Alexan-
der MacDaniel. the patriarch Of the ssct-knew
his age and in6rmi,ies, ahd had been looking for
such an event in hrs person for some time. Leo
nard Jones, however, This conspicuous dlsclple)
has been here for several DAYS, and declares the
statement to be wholly without foundation. The
old man, he says, is visbly improving Ia health;
his grey hair disappearing and black succeeding
IT; his eyes. which had been dim with age be-
coming strong and bright; his footsteps, which
were feeble and lettering, becoming again firm
and elastic: every symptom, IN short. indicating
re-. juvenesceuce-no rapid, like that Of st. Leon
after lmbibing the Elixir, but steady and uniform,
like the srowth OF grace and faith. Jones him
self Is 10 the vigor uf manhood. He was a law
yer Of much promise before he became rsli-
zionist. He has some education, much deep
feeling and amiable simplicity OF character; and
I think there is o resemblance, in constitution
and frame of mind, between him and George Fox,
the Apostle o. Quakerism. His frank demea
nor. manly beauty and impressive eloquence,
would constitute him favorite with the ladies,
if his dress were more in accordance with the
prevailing taste. His conversat,oSnjs lively aud
Interesting and Indicates Strong natural sense,
his peculiar doctrine (apparently) to the contra
~ notwithstanding.
He admits that James Bricky, Of Mercer coun.
ty, twho is dead) was his personal friend, and
thought we'll of his doctriRe; but denies that he
was convert, or had adopted or Intended to
adopt 1t. He had only said that no man could
know exactly by the force Of his own reason how
he came to live at all, or why the Creator should
designate one period rather than another for the
duration OF life: aud that, il il should please God
to make men live forever, he knew no reason
Why his will should not be DONE But if the de-
ceased had been actually a convert and anDounc.
ed himself as subject Of everlasting life, still
his death would not have proved the doctrine false.
1t would only have proved that the individual
defunct had been mistaken in the measure Of his
own requirements (qai;e common CASEY that
he had over-rated his falth, and shouted before
he was out of the woods: that he had raised the
cry of Eureka while he was still burning bricks
IN Egypt The doctrine of Everlasting Life,
If il be delusion, is at least no novelty. The
Learned Of the middle ages believed in the pro.
liability of acquiring it by merely human means.
And it will scarcely be denied, by any one who
is conversant with the Gospels. that il is promis
ed to those Who abound in faith.
Ipromisad Leonard Jones that I would unde.
celve you touching the statement made in your
paper and copied into others; and stated my be.
lief that you would promptly undeceive the pub.
lie upon this subject which lie fancies important.
/ claim now to have performed nv promise; and
IL YOU print this communications, and send him a
copy, taddr essed to the Post Office Of Colum-
bus, lronbanks, Hickman County, State of
Kentucky,l he will be aware that you have full.
filled what promised in your name.