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Letter to Editor
February 28, 1818
Alexandria Gazette & Daily Advertiser
Alexandria, Virginia
What is this article about?
An anonymous submission to the Gazette quotes Dr. Johnson on the moral imperative to share knowledge of God's will, warning that withholding it leads to guilt akin to causing shipwrecks, and urges diligent action before death, invoking biblical sentiment.
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COMMUNICATED FOR THE GAZETTE.
Let every one ponder the sentiment of the great Dr. Johnson, and enquire how far he is involved in the censure it implies.
"If obedience to the will of God be necessary to happiness, and the knowledge of his will be necessary to obedience, I know not how he that withholds this knowledge, or delays it, can be said to love his neighbor as himself. He that voluntarily continues ignorant, is guilty of all the crimes that ignorance produces; as to him that should extinguish the tapers of a light house might justly be imputed the calamities of a shipwreck."
Let then the anticipation of that day, when, on the one hand, the souls of those whom the inactive and indifferent have suffered to pass into eternity uninstructed and unwarned, shall cry for vengeance; and on the other, the labors of the conscientious, and the diligent shall meet the approval of the judge; rouse the sluggard from his sleep, and quicken the loiterer on his way. Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave whither thou goest."
Let every one ponder the sentiment of the great Dr. Johnson, and enquire how far he is involved in the censure it implies.
"If obedience to the will of God be necessary to happiness, and the knowledge of his will be necessary to obedience, I know not how he that withholds this knowledge, or delays it, can be said to love his neighbor as himself. He that voluntarily continues ignorant, is guilty of all the crimes that ignorance produces; as to him that should extinguish the tapers of a light house might justly be imputed the calamities of a shipwreck."
Let then the anticipation of that day, when, on the one hand, the souls of those whom the inactive and indifferent have suffered to pass into eternity uninstructed and unwarned, shall cry for vengeance; and on the other, the labors of the conscientious, and the diligent shall meet the approval of the judge; rouse the sluggard from his sleep, and quicken the loiterer on his way. Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave whither thou goest."
What sub-type of article is it?
Religious
Ethical Moral
Persuasive
What themes does it cover?
Religion
Morality
What keywords are associated?
Dr Johnson
Gods Will
Religious Knowledge
Moral Guilt
Ignorance Crimes
Diligent Action
Eternal Judgment
What entities or persons were involved?
The Gazette
Letter to Editor Details
Recipient
The Gazette
Main Argument
individuals must diligently share knowledge of god's will to avoid guilt for the crimes of ignorance, as withholding it equates to not loving one's neighbor; anticipate judgment to motivate action before death.
Notable Details
Quote From Dr. Johnson On Ignorance And Withholding Knowledge
Biblical Allusion To Ecclesiastes On Diligence Before The Grave