State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-07-26


"a Discourse on the ,rdntS of the times, by
o. 4. Brownson" THE following extracts
will illustrate the character of this Dis
course.
81 see much in our places Of worship
which is offensive TO a large portion of the
community. One pew is worth five hun
dred dollars, another half that sum, an
other Il fourth, and another a free seat.
Every body is struggling for the highest
priced pews, or counting them the most
honorable seats, and nobod% will sit in the
free seats, unless he be willing TO write
himself down prayer. The painful dis
lance between the rich and the poor, the
Cause of so many heart-burnings out of the
temple, is thus preserved within ii, where
all should meet as equals before our COM
mon Father. 1t is unpleasant to see these
distinctions in the House of God, and
where they are not abolished, none but
those who are able to occupy the high seats
will be willing TO appear. | wish they
were abolished, so that there might be one
spot on earth where we might forget the
Fictitious distinctions ofan artificial society,
and appear, as we are, children Of the same
Father, brothers and sisters of the same
family"
"My creed is simple one. Its first
article is, free, unlimited inquiry, perfect
liberty to enjoy and express ones honest
convictions, and perfect respect for the free
and honest inquirer, whatever be the results
to which he arrives. The second article
| is social progress | would have it spe-
cial object of the society l would collect to
perfect all social institutions, and raise
every man to a social position which will
give him free scope for the full and harmo-
NOUS development of all his faculties. |
say, perfect, not destroy, all social institn-
tons. do not feel that God has given me
a work of destruction. ! would improve,
preserve. whatever is defective, and thus
reconcile the Conservator and the Radical
] Nv third article is, that Man should labor
for his soul in preference to his body. Man
has soul-he is not n mere body. lie has
more than animal wants. lie has SOU
which is in relation with the absolute and
infinite--a soul which is forever rushing
off into the unknown, and rising through a
universe of darkness up to the first Good
and the first Fair TO perfect it is ON
highest aim. would encourage inquiry
| would perfect society, no. as ultimate
ends, but as means to the growth and malu-
rty of mans higher nature his soul"
"Next to the want to inquire, to philo
sophie, the age is distinguished Ivy its ten
dency to democracy, and its craving to
social reform. BE pleased or displcnset
Just rs we may, the age is unquestlonably
tending to demo crazy the democratic spi
rit is riumphing. The millions awake
The masses appear, and every day is more
and more disclosed.
"The might tina; sumhcrs in peasants arm"
The voice of the awakened millions ri
sing into new and undreamed of impOr
lance, crying ont for popular institution
comes to us on every breeze, and mingle
in every sound. All over the Christian
world contest is going on, not as IN iormo
, times between munarchs and mobiles, bu
between the people and their masters, be
, tween the many and the few, the privileged
aud the unpriviegcd, and the victory
though here and there seeming nj first view
doubtful, every where inclines TO the part
of the many. Old distinctions are losin
their value; titles are becoming less an
less able to confer dignity; simple tastes
simple habits, simple manners, are becom
( ing fashionable; the simple dignity of ma
!. is more coveted, and with the discerning
y has already become far more honorable t
call one simply IA MAN than gentleman.
. Mr. Pay, gentleman of color, has bee
e recently admitted To the bar of the Royt
T. Court of Martinique, 30 practise as an at