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Literary
January 4, 1819
Alexandria Gazette & Daily Advertiser
Alexandria, Virginia
What is this article about?
A German parable depicting God consulting angels before creating man. Angels of Justice, Peace, and Truth oppose creation due to man's flaws, but Mercy advocates for him, promising guidance and redemption. God creates man as Mercy's pupil, urging compassion.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
THE OFFSPRING OF MERCY—A GERMAN PARABLE.
When the Almighty was about to create man, he summoned before him the angels of his attributes, the watchers of his dominions—they stood in council round his hidden throne. Create him not, said the angel of Justice, he will not be equitable to his brethren, he will oppress the weak.—Create him not, said the angel of Peace, he will manure the soil with human blood—the first born of his race will be the slayer of his brother. Create him not, said the angel of Truth, he will defile thy sanctuary with falsehood, although thou should stamp on his countenance thine image, the seal of confidence. So spake the angels of the attributes of Jehovah; when Mercy, the youngest and dearest child of the Eternal, arose, and clasping his knees, create him father, said she, in thy likeness, the darling of thy loving kindness: when all thy messengers forsake him, I will seek and support him, and turn his faults to good; because he is weak. I will incline his bowels to compassion, and his soul to atone. When he departs from peace, from truth; from justice, the consequences of his wanderings shall deter him repeating them, and shall gently lead him to amendment.
The father of all gave ear and created a weak faltering being, but in his faults, the pupil of Mercy, the son of ever-active and ameliorating love. Remember thine origin then, O Man! when thou art hard and unkind to thy brother: Mercy alone willed thee to be; love and pity suckled thee at their bosoms.
When the Almighty was about to create man, he summoned before him the angels of his attributes, the watchers of his dominions—they stood in council round his hidden throne. Create him not, said the angel of Justice, he will not be equitable to his brethren, he will oppress the weak.—Create him not, said the angel of Peace, he will manure the soil with human blood—the first born of his race will be the slayer of his brother. Create him not, said the angel of Truth, he will defile thy sanctuary with falsehood, although thou should stamp on his countenance thine image, the seal of confidence. So spake the angels of the attributes of Jehovah; when Mercy, the youngest and dearest child of the Eternal, arose, and clasping his knees, create him father, said she, in thy likeness, the darling of thy loving kindness: when all thy messengers forsake him, I will seek and support him, and turn his faults to good; because he is weak. I will incline his bowels to compassion, and his soul to atone. When he departs from peace, from truth; from justice, the consequences of his wanderings shall deter him repeating them, and shall gently lead him to amendment.
The father of all gave ear and created a weak faltering being, but in his faults, the pupil of Mercy, the son of ever-active and ameliorating love. Remember thine origin then, O Man! when thou art hard and unkind to thy brother: Mercy alone willed thee to be; love and pity suckled thee at their bosoms.
What sub-type of article is it?
Allegory
Fable
Prose Fiction
What themes does it cover?
Moral Virtue
Religious
What keywords are associated?
Mercy
Creation
Angels
Parable
Moral
Justice
Peace
Truth
Literary Details
Title
The Offspring Of Mercy—A German Parable.
Key Lines
Create Him Not, Said The Angel Of Justice, He Will Not Be Equitable To His Brethren, He Will Oppress The Weak.
Create Him Not, Said The Angel Of Peace, He Will Manure The Soil With Human Blood—The First Born Of His Race Will Be The Slayer Of His Brother.
Create Him Father, Said She, In Thy Likeness, The Darling Of Thy Loving Kindness: When All Thy Messengers Forsake Him, I Will Seek And Support Him, And Turn His Faults To Good; Because He Is Weak.
The Father Of All Gave Ear And Created A Weak Faltering Being, But In His Faults, The Pupil Of Mercy, The Son Of Ever Active And Ameliorating Love.
Remember Thine Origin Then, O Man! When Thou Art Hard And Unkind To Thy Brother: Mercy Alone Willed Thee To Be; Love And Pity Suckled Thee At Their Bosoms.