Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1836-02-25
No. 22.....VoL. VIII.


or that he has benepolence enough to give {
him such laws as are best for him; Or th.,
he has pouer enough to defend him in one
dience. What is this but practical atheism
He is in rebellion against his Creators,
war with the Majesty Of the Universe, 4,
much as the most furious devil in hell. c.,
ry out this doctrine, and creation will fall,
dust and ashes.
The object Of the divine law is, to cove,
and protect the rights Of those who come IN.
der it. What then must it be, in relation to
man, TO refuse to obey this law2 Manifestly
violation of the rights Of our fellows. Ev
cry moral agent has his proper sphere. All
space above him is occupied. That momeu,
he departs from the commands of God which
define his duties, reaching upward for wha,
does not belong to him, violently grasping
after the property or place of another, tina,
; moment he commences an invasion Of 9TH
ers' nights. After he has started, and rebel
led in one point, when or where shall be
stop, until he has dethroned the Almiehtr2
Every creature in the universe, therefore, is
interested in checking such usurpation-such
audacious rebellion.
3. In relation to our own happiness II
what consists our happiness In the order
ly and vigorous exercise of our own powers
For illustration: "Blessed are your ewes 70.
they SEE; and your ears, for they HEAR."-
So, blessed are our hearts, for they can feel
Blessed are our affections, for they can move
Blessed are our sympathies, for they can
flow. Our happiness being founded here,
what is the bearing upon it, of obeying GU,
OVID vile incinations, in rebellion against
God? Every human being is a link of the
great chain of the intelligent creation. Re
move the meanest wheel in a watch, and il
jury is done. The injury sustained will be
in exact proportion to the power Of the wheel
removed So, from the lowest to the high
est order of intelligent beings. When mco
t leave their own proper sphere, and violently
rush for the place that belongs to, and is O.
cupied by others, or seize on what belongs
. to others and appropriate it to their own rv.
, poses, there is collision, invasion of rights
and destruction Of happiness. Human hears
are social. The social is as important as a
ny other part of our being. The more the
hearts that are brought into sympathy with
ours, the greater our enjoyment To destroy
any OF our brethren, therefore, or to shut them
out from our sympathies, is 10 injure GUY
selves. While we set at naught the hap7i
S ness of others, we make them our enemies
e and drive them to desperation. Invaders 4
f rebels should remember that, in this chang
a ing world, the tables may turn.
: The man who stands on the basis where
his moral worth places him, is free from an1-
lety-is happy. But as soon as we get q,
n bove, Or out of the place that belongs to W.,
i In our violent exertions to retain assumed
power, or station, we destroy our own and
> others happiness.
This doctrine Of expediency is fully ilIu.
' trated in the treatment Of our blessed Lord
i When conspiracy was going on against bis
5 life, the high priest, instead of asking what
/ evidence Of his guilt? exclaimed, aye know
= nothing at ALL nor consider that it is ExPE0t
+ ENT for US that one man should die for the
It people, and that the whole nation (the inv:
l. olable, sacred Union : perish not" Righ:
t, has nothing TO do with the case. 1t stands
Il on the elevated ground Of erpediency! THIS
II is the ground occupied by the ministers q
l. state in Europe. Governed by this doctrine
IS of expedieDcy, leaning to our own under.
standing, we deprive ourselves of commun
;, ion with God, who can commune only with
~ those who obey his will. Thus war is We
y ged between the creature and the Greater
between Heaven and earth; and one OF the
J other must be crushed, In such a contest
depend upon it, Jehovah will drive his burn
ing chariot-wheels over our guilty heads
&c There is-there can be, no safety, no peace,
"a no JOY to those who lean to their own ID
~ Outstanding, in disobedience to God
|" Review of this train of thought:
l. 1t sheds light on the guilt and misery
20 of mankind. The world has gone after tht
en- doctrine of expediency Where is the states
ne man who dare pull his Bible out Of his be
he som, and read to his associates, from the re
is vealed will of God, their duty towards thei
to fellow-men? Just as if God knew what i.
ed best for US! 1t has practically become pop
ular sentiment, that ardent piety dsqualiie'
be man for any station of responsibility o.
,n trust A man is not trustworthy as pub
N lie servant, unless he will take things as
-, they are-look we'll to the consequences, aD'
be governed entirely by his own views 0
q rhof L. L. l.. Il I.