Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1825-02-23
For the Massachusetts Spy.]
THE BLUE STOCKING CLUB,
No. g..

"The pulpit, therefore, (and name it fll'd
With solemn awe, that bids me we'll be ware
With what intent touch that holy thing,)
Must stand acknowledge, while the world
shall stand"
study, and no character more exalted than the
faithful minister of the Gospel. Other pro-
fessions, compared with this, are in fact sec
ondary in their objects of pursuit, and inferior
in their ends when attained. 1t is true we
listen with admiration to the Orator, pleading
the cause of injured innocence, orlook up with
gratitude to the man, whose chief study is to
alleviate the miseries of his fellow creatures.
But there is a tone of feeling more refined, an
employment more dignifed than this. TO re-
form the vice and errors of mankind, TO wipe
away the stain from the soul, to purify the
moral character, to dry the tear from sorrows
eye; in one word to point the weary wanderer
to an eternal rest, is no mean employment, no
common pursuit. Whilst contemplating such
a character we would Join with the enthusiasm
of the sacred poet, when he exclams, SC How
beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of
him that bringeth good tidinga, that publish
eth peace"
Having promised these remarks, let us OBJ
serve this character as it too often exists at the
present day. We speak without reference to
any particular denomination. We censure
not doctrine, but conduct. Education, cir
cumstances, and perhaps different organiza-
ton OF the mind, might concur in giving US
different opinions. But for those, who follow
this profession, Heaven should be their aim,
and Religion their chief pursuit. If this be
true, what shall we say of the young man, who
from no other motive, save that of profit, or
popularity, embraces this profession
What shall we say, when we behold him
ascend the pulpit as rostrum, there to amuse
US with false display of rhetoric and oratory.
endeavoring to initiate some standard, which
he can never equal, until he forgets that in
stead Of delivering us message from his Ma
ker, he is vainly attempting to--agsrandize
himself. Is such character calculated to
excite our veneration or respect: Nature
herself is better moralist. She will tell you
there is God, and do it with solemnity.
Nor is this all. The sacred desk is not free
from censure even in the more mature years
of its occupant. 1t was persecution which
drove our fathers from their native country to
this distant land. 1t was freedom of opinion,
liberty OF conscience, for which they contend
ed. 1t is this same liberty of conscience for
which their children now contend Not as
formerly, by resting satisfied with an enjoy
ment of their own sentiments, but by con-
demnlng as heretics all who may differ from
themselves. This disposition is not confined
to particular sect. Go where you will, in
almost every place of public worship, in one
sentence you hear the preacher proclaiming
charity to all men, in the next, rejecting as
infdels all who may differ from himself A.
midst that spirit for religious controversy which
RACES, like pestilence, throughout our coun-
try, threatening TO eXtinguish the last spark
Of Christianity, the Bible is almost forgotten.
Too often brought forward merely to support
some particular doctrine or tenet. What won
der then if their lessons of morality have no
more effect. What wonder if the profigate
turn and reply, &C first make peace amongst
yourselves, then will we become your breth-
rem" We are not advocates for this, or that,
particular doctrine. Whilst men are permit
ted to think for themselves, we do believe
they will think differently. We would have
the preacher remember this.
We would have him point them to the BIZ
bic as the only true standard of morality, and
upon that standard, ask them to found a reli-
gion for themselves. To impress his audience
he must feel himself. The cold dull tone OF
the lecturer must be laid aside, and in its
place DE substituted all the fervor ofdevotion
Then, and not till then, will he be able to
carry conviction to the hearts OF his hearers.
Armed with the spirit of truth he should march
fearlessly onward, the messenger of Heaven to
his fellow men.
Like some bright spirit from those realms Of
bliss,
Connecting Heaven with such world as this.
B.