The Virginia Gazette

TO THE FREEHOLDERS OF VIRGINIA.

As many vices, and particularly that of gaming (which is the root of all evil) is once more become a common practice throughout this State, it is hoped, at the next general election of Delegates, you will be particularly careful to elect not a single person to represent you in General Assembly that is in the least attached to gaming, but, instead thereof, choose men of good understanding, and such only are they who are Christians; and, at the next session, every county in this State will do well to petition the Assembly to turn out every magistrate who is likewise attached to gaming, and for the future not to suffer any such to hold any commission whatever. You will also pay the same regard in making choice of committee men while you have it in your power: For what favour, or blessing, can we expect from the Saviour, when so many in the country are running headlong into all manner of sin and wickedness? You see, Gentlemen, the frowns of Heaven in many places; whole towns have been depopulated and laid in ashes, and others we may expect, will, sooner or later, share the same fate. We may say, with Edom, "We are impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places:" Thus saith the Lord of Hosts, "They shall build, but I will throw down;" yet the Lord of Hosts also saith, "Return unto me, and I will return unto you." It is therefore sincerely hoped that some good Christian, and able writer, will speedily undertake to handle this subject more to the purpose, before it be too late which will extremely oblige many who profess and endeavour to come up to the rules of Christianity. i. i.