Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1836-02-04

i er he has been frequently reproved for the
sin.
| If he has not only often committed the
SIN, but been often reproved, and yet has
hardened his neck, there is the greater neces-
slty for using sharpness. The hardening
influence Of former reproefs resisted, shows
that no common expostulatlons will take
hold. He needs to have the terrors OF the
Lord poured upon him like storm Of hail.
.. Always show that your temper is not
ruffled.
Never manifest any displeasure atthe trans
gressor, which he can possibly construe into
personal displeasure at himself 1t is often
important to show your strong dlspleasure at
what he is doing. Otherwise he will think
you are not in earnest. Suppose you reprove
man for murder in manner not expressing
any adherence of his crime: y GU would
not expect to produce an effect. The man
ner should be suited to the nature Of the
crime, yet so as not to lead him to think you
have any personal feeling. Here is the
grand defect in the manner OF reprovIng
crime, both in the pulpit and out of IT.. For
fear of giving offence, men do not express
their adherence of the sin, and therefore
transgressors are so seldom reclaimed.
6, Always reprove in the spirit of God.
You should always have so much of the
Holy Ghost with you, that when you reprove
man for sin, he will feel as if it come from
God. l have known cases, where reproof
from Christian in that state cut the trans
gressor to the heart and stung like the arrow
Of the Almighty, aud he could not get rid Of
it till he repented.
! 7. There are many different ways of Civ
ing reproof so as to reach the individual re-
proved.
! Sometimes it can be done best by sending
letter, especially if the person is at dis
lance. And there are cases where it can be
done so, even in your own neighborhood.-
| knew an Individual who chose this way OF
reprimanding sea-captain for iutemperanCe,
in crossing the Atlantic. The captain drank
hard, especially in bad weather, and when
/ his services were most wanted. The lndl-
! vldual was in great agony; for the captain
was not only Incorporate, but when he drank,
he was ill-natured, and endangered the lives
of all on board He made it a subject Of
| prayer. 1t was difficult case. He did not
know how to approach the captain so as to
make ii probable he should do good and not
hurt; for captain at sea, you know, is
perfect despot, and has the most absolute
power on earth. After while he sat down
and wrote letter, and gave it to the captain
I Win his "" manu-, III WHICH lie duu
attectionately, but faithfully and most point
edly set forth his conduct, and the sin he
was committing against God and man. He
accompanied it with much prayer to Cod
The captain read it, and it completely cured
him; he made DIN apology to the individual
and never drank another drop of any thing
stronger than coffee and tea on the whole
passage.
8. Sometimes it is necessary to reprove
sin by forming societies, & getting up news
papers, and forming public sentiment a.
gainst particular sin, that shall be a con-
tinued and overwhelming rebuke. The Tenn
perance Societies, Moral Reform Societies,
Anti Slavery Societies, &c. are designed for
this end
V. | will mention now some Of the cases
in which these principles are applicable.
They are peculiarly applicable to those
crimes which are calculated to undermine
the institutions of society and to exert a
widespread influence. Such sins can only
be held in check and put down by faithful
ness in reproof.
l. Sabbath breaking.
If Christians would universally mark trans
gressors, and rebuke them that trample on
the Sabbath, they would do more to put a
stop to Sabbath breaking than by all other
means. If Christians were united in this,
how long do you suppose it would be before
this sin would be put down? If only few
were faithful, ar constant and persevering,
D these only now and then, it might not have
much effect. But believe if all professors
of religion were to do it, every grocery and
grog-shop and oyster-cellar and fruit-stand
would be shut up. At all events, they are
, bound to do it, whatever may be the results
and so long as they neglect their duty, they
are chargeable before God with all the Sab
bath breaking in the city. If all the church.
es and ecclesiastical bodies in the land were
united to demonstrate with the government
and would continue to do it, firmly and in
q the name of the Lord, do you suppose thai
government would continue to violate the
r Sabbath with their mail tell you, no. The
i church can do this, believe, in one year, i
o all were united throughout the country anc
f could speak out fully, in the fear of God, anc
9 without any fear of man. No man, who ey
q er expected to be elected to Office again
o would ever again advise the breaking Of tbt
p Sabbath. But now, while the church is di
Il vided and not half in earnest, there are 81
a few that speak out, that Congress despise
> them, and pays no attention, Thus it is tina
IS the church connive at Sabbath breaking, anH
v they are without excuse, till they speak GU
q and rebuke their rulers, in the name Of Jeho
st yah, for breaking his holy law.
S 2: lntemperance and rum selling.
Is Suppose every man in this city that sell
rum were continually subject to the rebuke
70 which God requires that ever
*; is man that passed by were to reprove him fo
10 his sin, how long could he sell rum2 If onl
the church We're to do tiff that deacon an
ID that elder would do it, and every Christia
er would follow him with rebukes in the nam
IN OF the Lord, for poisoning men to death wit
ID rim, ne could not go on and do it. Such
is strong and decided testimony would 500
r. drive him from his trade of death. In sci
d. defence, he would have to yield to the pres:
nfc IL