Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1837-08-17

ou' 'nc accounts they gave Of the eff
.fsefs Of their wicked practices upon
themselves made me afraid 10 venture
upon that dangerous ground" The
dread Of such consequences-the fear
OF the impending penalty does not
deter thousands Of other young men
from the commission OF secret crime.
Why did II deter him. Because a
merciiul God overruled the motive and
made II eilectual TO his preservation
from The paths OF the DESTROYER. From
proianeness and intemperance. too. he
was equally preserved, though blasphe-
my daily filled his ears, and though
he lived IN the midst of bottles and
barrels. Another circumstance exert
ed favorable influence upon him
Much OF his leisure time was pas sod in
the society of refined and ,irtuous fe
males, where dccsncy of manners and
purity OF morals of course met with an
approving smile, and where vice should
ever meet the indignant rcbuke which
ITS meanness and vileness deserve
When II shall become standing rule
OF virtuous and dignifed society. to
exclude from its privileges aud honors
The tainted in character, as well as the
openly dissolute and abandoned. till
the pressure of public reproba,ion shall
have produced the sorrows Of a cenu-
inc repentance, then a most valuable
point will be gained in our progress
towards what so MANI have desired
perfect community.
But so long as any class Of men use
the tile Of a gentleman. 10 cover the VIZ
ces oil the prcfigafe, and the arrogant
assumption Is conceded by the better
portion Of society. so long will virtue
be grieved, and vice be triumphant; SO
long will the dignity of the former be
violated, and the assurance Of the latter
encouraged, so long will the power Of
motives TO yirtuous action be dcplora-
bly, diminished, and the power of me-
tives TO criminal indulgence be f. arful-
ly increased.
MINISTERIAL LADoRs.
"On my return from Romney. be-
gan TO feel the effects Of my exertions;
having preached sixteen times, and adj.
ministered the Lords supper twice in
about ten days; when | arrived at
home, | found my children sick-one
had been very i'll; I rested but little;
tarried only one day at home-having
an appointment at Smithfcld for two
days meeting. Preached twice ut
Smithheld IN much weakness on Sa-
turday, and that night was taken with
bilious cholic-was sent TO Charles
town the next day. where | was con-
fined for week" Was there ever
any maxim mole pernicious than that,
which has been so current an ong the
best Of people, III IS better 10 rust oui
than TO pear out!" II is indeed true,
when rightly understood and iudicious-
ly applied, but unhappily it has been
perverted 10 sanction the most rash
and unJustifable expenditure Of con-
s;ituiional vigor aud Of human life, till
Humanity and Christianity have blend
ed their tears over the costly sacrifices
made on this altar. As ia devoted
Christian minister or missionary was
not bound TO obey The laws and the
calls OF nature! In proportion 90 his
piety and zeal. is 10 be the run on has
constitution, till-its powers exhausted
he sinks from the midst Of usefulness
into premature grave, and gains the
honors Of a martyr, when he has ac-
tualy fastened his own end.
The author Of the Life Of Leigh
Richmond, who was another victim Of
over-siraining effort, remarks, that such
conduct lis little better than moral SUI
eide. Good men SHOULD submit to the
rein for conscience sake"
Let Swartz and Carey be praised for
husbGndi1g their inesiimabIe lives, as
we'll as Brainerd and Martyr. blessed
be their memory, } for uaSi,Rg theirs.
Let McllvaIne aud Nevins receive the
need Of commentator for watching
over their health, aud perpetuating
their usefulness. long after their friends
Larned and Summeffcld had sacrificed
their lives 90 their enthusiasm for
preaching the gospel.
Said one Of these selfimmolated
ministers once 10 Divinity student.
N mcrciiul man Fegafdeth the life of
W. ~ aaff htAh WI NlWHA nF IlfINiili 10
your beat. or ~ Mr. NJ. would say. To-
your animal Remember that II is
your Masters property, and be will no
more thank YOU for driving II 10 death.
than an earthly master " ould thank
servant for riding . valuable horse 60
doaih, under pfeicnce n zeal Tor h,s
interest The truth - ! am afraid Sa-
tan has Jumped toto the saddle. and
when b. Is there. IN the guise Of ga
angel Of hsh: be Whips and spurs al q
most unm-rciful rate. a. e, sry Joint ~
ny poor bfosrn N,ndcd animal can
testify Gom woful experience. He
has foundations iof The conscience. AZ
Mr.. NeWton Eeil observes: add when
other temptations tail, be- makes great
use Of them
The last isHt II Larncd one OF the
most eloquent preachers tbs copniTy
ever produced. wss this: FIR ne 10
hre - Uyisi, and 10 DE - ram. That
same week. the precious yc.'h. piib
whom che writer passed the days 81