Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1835-01-19

ter How far the last may have been the acts Of
an irresponsible being il is not for US to decide
Ed. Southern CO,Tchman.
RICHMOND, May 10Th 1915.
My DEAR SIR:-lt is with very great regret
that leave town about the time that you are
confidently expected to arrive. Nothing short
Of necessity should carry me away at this time;
l have very great desire to see you; to con-
verse with you on the subject before which all
others sink into nsignifcancc. 1t continues
daily to occupy more and more Of my attention
which il has nearly engaged-to the exclusion
Of every other: and il is source of pain as
well as occasional comfort to me. May he who
alone can do il, shed light upon my mind, and
conduct me through faith TO salvation. Give
me your prayers. have the most earnest de-
sire for more perfect faith than fear pos
sess. What shall do to be saved2 know the
answer, but it is not free from difficulty, Lord
be merciful to me sinner. | submit myself
most implicitly 10 his holy will, and great is my
reliance on his mercy. But when reflct on the
corruption ofmy nature, tremble whilst adore.
The merits of an all atoning Savior hardly
dare to plead, when think of my weak faith
Help, Lord, or perish; but thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven. | know that de-
serve to suffer for my sins, for time misspent,
faculties miSemployed-but above ALL that |
have not loved my God and my neighbor as we
are commanded to do. But will try to confide
In the promises We have received, or rather to
comply with their conditions Whatever be my
fate, will not harbor murmur in my heart
against the justice Of my Creator. Your afflict-
= JOHN RANDOLPH, of Roanoke.
Rer. William Meade.
H.
- Roanoke, Sept. LIST. 1915.
MY DEAR SIa:-I have delayed too long to
thank you for your truly kind letter Of the l4th
July, which has lain unanswered, or rather I'M
acknowledged, for more than three weeks The
interest which you take in my welfare is most
grateful to me in my present state Of mind, yet
not unexpected-and so far from finding your
letter tedious, had il consisted of as many
Quifes as il did sheets, should not have found
il too long. wish that could tell you that my
mind is in a more satisfactory state than when
l wrote to you from Richmond. OF this world
aad its affairs am sick to loathIng, and OF no
thing more than myself. j feel that there is no
coincidence of circumstances that could contri-
butte to make me tolerably happy, without bet
ter assurance that have OF reconciliation to God.
Could command events, could wealth, power
youth, health, all the supposed constituents of
earthly happiness come at my bidding, | still
feel that there would be something wanting
to fill the void in my heart, and that would pre-
fer sickness and poverty and sorrow and
shame for my portion in this life, provided
acce ptance by him that made me. When
look round upon my fellow sufferers and fellow
sinners,
81 see that all are wanderers, gone astray
Each i'm his own deusion they are lost
In chase Of fancied happiness still wood
And never won. Dream after dream ensueS;
And still they dream that they shall still succeed,
And still are disappointed"
Sometimes am tempted to wish that could
~, foo II do IN, fha nd
atty that unless il comes from above there is no
comfort for me even in this world. This con-
victiou ought to produce correspondent spirit
of piety and prayer, and yet do not Ind such
to be the case.-Sometimes l am callous and
dead to degree that excites my own wonder
at others, have hardly the heart to pray
Meantime my duties are neglected, and things
and persons become Indifferent to me that once
excited the highest interest Indeed, Row con-
temptible are the mighty affairs and concerns
of this life to any one who will take a serious
view of them. Suppose that it could even en-
dure to the age OF the patriarchs what are its
enjoyments that they should fill the soul of ra-
tional creature.
| lay open my thoughts to you, my good sir,
with freedom that knows no reserve, and en-
treat the continuance of your good advice and
of your prayers for my salvation. BY great
many, perhaps the major part, am considered
as fanatic or hypocrite-that does not dis
gle with my fellowmen as was wont, without
giving or taking offence. So that feel a strong
repugnance at the thought of going abroad, and
shrink from the idea of spending the ensuing
winter at Washington; | even think seriously of
retiring from station which is as unfit for me
as am for it; must now close this long strain
of egotism, but we are allowed to detail to our
physician our maladies and bad feelings Adieu,
my good friend, and may every blessing attend
you.
Your obliged,
JOHN RANDOLPH, of Roanoke.
Rer. Mr.. Meade.
Ill.
Roanoke, Dec. 2tst, 1918.
Yes, my dear sir, you have l" a right to ad-
dress me as you have done: Your claims upon
me are the last that shall disavow
The prayer Of the righteous man availeth
much, and am persuaded that yours and Mr.
Hodges have been earnestly offered up in my
behalf find it impossible at this time, and on
paper to enter into the detail which you intimate
a willingness to hear.-But he who in his own
.oo1 t;n,e blessed be his holy name smoke