The Litchfield County post., 1827-11-01

ardent spirits---and other things which were
evidently opposed 20 the genius of the gospel;
but would not be abandoned without the
most violent struggles of all "ths craft" TO
retain them; 6thly, by the invention of fash,
iOnable religion, embellished by perverted
literature, and all that could make it agreea-
BILE to a worldly taste; and sthIy, by cor
rupting and prOfaning revivals of religion, and
kindling the flames Of fanatacism on the very
affairs Ofthe christian church.
On all these topics the speaker enlarged
with great force and pungency, and then pro-
ceeded to the second part of his discourse, to
show the means of OverthrowiDg these defen-
ces of the enemy. These were, LIST, The
judgment of heaven which would be pour
ed out upon antichristian powers chiefly, and
almost excusively-though they might shake,
hut without endangering christian nations al
so, 2dly, the diffusion of the gospel; but this
alone would not be suflicient-there must al
so be SdIy an effusiOn of the spirit. This
would enlarge the bounds of christian enter
prise. To this end there ought to be--and
wOuld--mOre faith in the success of means
which had been ordained to be used for the
conversion of infidels and heathen-for it was
faith that was to overcome the aCOrld. There
must also be new faith to Christ, and his cause;
and, above all more decided and energetic
action in the cause. New forces must be
brought into the Geld, At present. they were
few and feeble. Only one hundred missiona-
ries including women and all, sent out to e.
vangelize the world and yet the christian
public seemed panic-struCk least bankruptcy
should be the consequence Of this mighty &
exhausting effort 1t was obvious that moth
ing great, nothing worth achieving could ev-
er be done in this. or any other cause. with
out decisive action: But there must also be
more courage, and more distinct taking of
the Lords side in the war. A perverted pub
lie sentiment embodied 10 the form of FASH
ion, was the most dangerous and deadly thing
in the world. This must be resisted, and the
contest was coming On--was at hand--and
believers must take their places at once in the
ranks. 1t was not to be doubted indeed, and
they must expect, that - all birds of i'll omen
would clap their sooty wings, and croak, and
scream, to intimidate them" from doing so
but they must do it without delay.
There was here no time nor place for neu-
trals---and the hour was coming--and come
when those who "chose the middle ground
as the place Of safety, would find it was ex-
actly the hottest part Of the field, and would
receive the fire of both Sides" The line be-
tween christians and others must be strongly
and palpably drawn, and all must take care
on which side they were found. The mutual
JealOusies Of christians must be dismissed
Evangelical churches must be built especially
in cities which are destined to have great and
peculiar influence in this country. A proper
public sentiment must be createdL pub
lie opinion must be brought to bear strongly
and etfectually on all those vices which defy.
and must forever defy, the power of laws and
OF police to suppress them. Religious edu-
cation must be promoted. Ministers and 9th
ers, must be trained up in colleges avowed-
ly and actually religious, aud under the care
of the church, which is more especially
bound to instruct them. And all the wealth
of Prosperity must be devoted to all these
all these means combined must
eventually overthrow the power of the Enc
my, and bring in the reign of Peace, and Vir-
tue, and Happiness upon the Earth.
This is, however, but faint outline of the
piece, which was filled up with great strength
Of cOloring throughout. Dr.. B. is evidently
possessed of vigorous aud ardent mind, and
uses great plainess and boldness of speech.
He produces, accordingly, without much help
from eiocutlon or action. very lively sensa-
ton in the minds of his hearers, and fastened
his sentiments upon them with great power.
| was myself notwithstanding, confess, in
the midst Of all the glow which | felt upon
the occasion. rather inclined to question
whether some of them might not require
little softening, to make them more nicely ac-
curate, or at least to guard them from being
Inexperienced and perverted by ncautious
listners whom they might possibly lead into
some unhappy mistake. The sermon, how
ever. will no doubt he published, and shall
then be able to weigh it with more justice
both to the author and to the public. p. B.