Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-11-03
From the Southern Literary Messenger.
DhH-l.I.L.- -


Dean Sir: Il received your kind letter Of the snC
inst, and am glad TO hear that you increase il
strength. l hope you will continue mending unit
you recover your former health and hrmness. lie
me know whether you continue the cold bath, III,
| effect Il has. As to the kindness you spoke Of
wish il could have been Of moro real service I,
You; that you would always be ready 10 serve a.
other person, that may need your assistance ant
so let good Offices go round, for, mankind are oil o
family. For my own part, when l am employee,
in serving Others do not look upon myself as con
fsring fsvors, but as paying debts. In my travels
and since my settlement, have received much kind
ness from men. 10 whom shall never have an on.
portuniiy OF making the least direct return, anc
numberess mereies from God, who is infinitely
bovc being benefited by our services. For these
kindnesses from men, can therefore only show my
gratitude TO God, by readiness TO help his o;he,
children and my brethren; for | do not think tina,
thanks and compliments, though repeated weekly,
schares real obi cations to each 9th a. and
much less TO our Creator.
"Iou willsee in this my notion OF good works:
that DO not expec, TO merit heaven by them. By
heaven, wc understand state OF happiness infin
lite in degree, and eternal in duration; We can do
nothing to deserve such n reward. lie, that, for
giving u drausht Of water 20 a thirsty person.
! should expect to bc paid with a great plantation
would be modest in his demands, compared with
those who think they deserve heaven for The
little good they do on earth. Even the mix.
ed imperfect pleasure, We enjoy in this world
are rather from Gods goodness than our merit,
how much more so the happiness OF heaven p
FOR my part, have not the vanity TO think | de-
servo IT, the folly TO expect il, or the ambition 10
desire 1t; but content myself in submitting TO the
disposal OF that God, who made me, who has hi,h-
efo preserved md blessed me, and IN whose ,,be,lv
goodness, | msy well ccnfde, that he hover will
make me miserable, and that the siilic,ion NAV
at any tms suffer, may tend to my Loneft.
The faith you mentioned has doubtless its use
IN the world. do not desire to see 1t diminished.
nor would desire to see it l,sseacd in any man.
but wish It were more productive OF good works
than hav. seen; mean real good works, works
Of kindness, charity, mercy. and public spirit, no
he'y'lay keeping, sermon hearing. reading per-
forming church CEREMONIES, o.. making long PRAYERS
htled with batteries aud Compliments desnised eyon
10y wise men, and much less capable OF PLEASING
tho Deity.
"Tke worship Of God is a duty, tho learning and
reading may be useful; but il man rest in hearing
and praying, (as too many do) is as ii the tree
value itself on beng watered, and putting forth
leaves, though It never produced my fruit,
Our Good Master thought less OF these out
ward appearances than many OF his modern disci.
pies. lie preferred the doors OF his word 10 tbs
hearers the SON that seemingly refused to obey his
father, and yet performed his commandment. to
him that psofsssed his readiness but neglected his
work. The hercIical, but charitable, but ORTHODOXY
priest nnd sanc:ihed Levite, and those who cave
iood 10 inc hungry drink TO the thirsty, and raj
ment TO the naked, entertainment TO the STRANGER,
who never heard OF his name, he declares shall in
the last day. be accepted, when those who cry I.orol
Lord! who value themselves on their faith iLoueh
great enough 10 perform miracles but have ne.
elected good works, shall be neglected. He pro.
fcssed that, he came not to call the righteous, but
sinners 10 repentance, which implied his modes,
opnien, that there were some in his time so good.
that they needed not hear even for Improvement
but now-a-days, We have scarcely little parson
who docs not think il the duty of every man within
his reach TO sit under his petty minisration. and
that, whoever omi!s this, ofTends God | wish TO
such more humility, and to you health and firm
ness. Being your friend and servant,
BENJAMIN FRAHkLIND