Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1866-03-29
THE GAZETTE.
THURSDAY EV'G., MARCH %: 1856.
COMMUNICATED.
THE cHRIsTIAN-By J. B. Johnson

THE cHRIsTIAN-By B. Johnson.
How lovely is the character OF devout tol
lower of Christ He studies the happiness OF
each of his fellow creatures, in the good Of all,
and his thoughts and deeds are so closely allied
that they are ever in perfect harmony with
each other. His tongue forms such kind and
gentle words, that his speech falls upon the
ear like the wooing of fascinating spirit. lie
always speaks tie truth, and strives, by honest
endeayors, to reveal the path in which all can
tread, with happy steps, 10 their forward way
to realms where the perennial light CT wisdom
ever shines He proves by his steady course,
that show is not humility that cant is not piety,
and that pretcnse is not religion. He is tolcr-
ant towards his CO. laborers in the various modes
of worship and teaches that the respective sys-
TENS Of religion, like everything which has
been Instituted by the traities Of the finite
mind of imperfect man, hear the marks Of his
intellectual wants and moral weakness; and
that the election OF a peculiar creed, does not
form the Chrlstiau, but purity of acts alone en-
title man to the nigh import of the name;
fur by his transformations example, he quietly
allows the tree to be Judged by its fruit, and
consents that if the fruit is good, the mention
of the fact is enough, but if it is bad, there Is
not only no Improperly in saying that it is so,
but it is the voice Of duty TO condemn it as such.
He is found in possession of the best attributes
of man, and his meekness is as great rs his
usefulness is priceless He tiumphs over
annoyanccs by his resignation to vicissitudes
which he cannot control, ard bushes complaint
by educing a moral from every trial to which
he is exposed His rudimcnts Of morality are
the principles of simplicity. and the hope of
his life is the hencGceace OF an endless happi-
ness. Hispride is the reclamation Of an crrng
brother, and his reco,npenSe is the establish
mt mt of those precepts that direct tile unmind
iul in the way Of recti;ude and joy. Truth,
Charity and Fraternity are his guides, and by
such valuable auxiiaries, he wins he love and
reverence of all VINO know him and feel The Pc.
tency of his holy influence. lie appreciates
the responsibility Of every act that he performs
and studies the value o. every word which he
speaks He enjoys Constant quietuie and his
mind is kept bouyaDt, by the remembrance of
his sincere efforts to incn!c=tc peace uTon earth
and good will 20 man. Iii, success is the re-
pletIon Of his reward. and calmly enjoying the
merit of his labor. be goes untalterngy to work
TO make other efforts, moro worthy than these
that preceded them ali feel Tie Soltenins
kueclS AID liits his hands IL sacred prayer, his
about him, and as the hear; drinks the deep
soft words Of his suppication. its strings relax
their hold upon the transitory :hings OF lie, |
and reaching towards Heaven. long to deserve
the mercy and blessings Which he invokes.
His private life is as c7cn as his pubic career !
Is consistent, and his preccpt aud example rem
der the glow of his virtues a. grateful as it i |
cnnohling. He views wish charitable eye the
pardonable traiit!cs CT human nature, and en-
deavors to teach society that il is better to bear
the minor defects of its proportions, than to
commit wrong and sin, in an attempt to reform
them. He presents to view, all the noble quail
tiles of worthy manhood. and cXhorts all to |
practice truthfulness Of words and unobtruSiye-
ness Of manner, as the sure! way to acquire the |
boon of peace and the fruit Of merit. The wis |
dom Of his teaching is as unailoycd as the tut
ton Of child, and he c0un>e!S his companions !
to yield to each other the confederation of that
kindness OF intercourse which is more precious |
than gold. He inpresses upon their minds the |
Importance OF scornlng hypocrisy. and beseeches |
them to shun double dealing as lot only un-
worthy Of men, but as leading to all the l,ena- |
ties of dishonor and regret. He eiucldates not |
20 mnch the effect CT the punishment which !
the Unseen visits upon the wayEard and wick
ed ia after life, as he does tie consequence Of
wrong doing to fellow man upon earth. He
does not presume, with maukish prescierce, to |
mete the reward Of sin which the origin of all