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

Mr.. FINNEY's LECTURES ON
ct - CHRISTIAN DUTY,
aarsh n sz-trg a LECTURE w. nd, -s-. : j.
g TErr.--''Thou shalt 10, any wise rebuke thy
neighbor, and not softer SIN upon him. "-LEyIT.
fcus Kin. ~. '
The whole verse reads thus: Thou shalt
not hate thy brother in thy heart: thou shalt
in any wise rebuke thy neighbor, and not
suffer sin upon him" In the margin, as
those Of you who have Bibles with margin
al notes can see, the last words Of the verse
are rendered, q that thou bear not sin for
him. And this, 4 am satisfied, is the cor
rect translation. The idea is this:
q. Thar MEN ARE BoINp TO REPRovE THRIR
NEroHBoRs ron SIN, LEST They BECOME PAR
TAKERS WITH THEM, OR ACCESSORY TO THEIR
SIN t1. az aG a5r Dr.
-a.I In speaking from these words, l design to
pursue the following order -.
/. To show the reasons for the rule laid
down by God in the text.
III. Show 90 whom the rlle IS applied.
III, Mention several exceptions which
God has made to the rule, or classes of per-
sons who are not 70 be reproved for their
~. The manner OF performing this duty.
~. Several specific applications OF the
principles established ~ " -.
T. 4 am TO show the reasons for the rule.
1. Love to God plainly requires this.
90 IL we really love God, we shall Of course
feel bound 70 reprove those that hate and a.
huse him and break hiscommandS If love
the government Of the country, will not
reproye and rebuke man who should abuse
orrevile the government II a child loves
his parents, viii he not OF course take up a
man that abuses bis parents in his hearing, d
Love 10 the universe viii lead to the
same thing.
-Ifaman loves the uniyerse--if he is actu-
aated bv universal benevolence, he knows that
ain Is inconsistent with the highest good Of
the universe, and that il is calculated TO in
lure and ruin the whole IL not counteracted
That its direct tendency IS 70 overthrow the
order and destroy the happiness Of the uni
verse. And therefore, If he sees this doing,
his benevolence viii lead him to reProve and
oppose IT,
5. Love to the community in which you
live, Is another reason. 1fn'r ~-l' -
4 Not only love 10 the universe al large, hui
love 70 the Particular people with which YOU
are connected, should lead you to reprovt
sin. Sin Is reproach 70 any people, and
whoever commits IL, goes TO produce q STATE
of society that is injurious to every thing
good. His example has tendency to cor
rupt society, to destroy its peace and to intro
duce disorder and ruin; and Il IS the duty o.
every one who loves the community, TO re-
sist and reproye II. ea-g. -'@. ID
II Love 10 your neighbor demands it
,NNeighbor, here, means any body that sins
within the reach Of your influence; not only
in your presence, but in your neighborhood
IL; your influence can reach him, or in you
nation, or in the world. If he sins he injure
himself; and therefore IL we love him, W,
shall reprove hrs sins. Love 10 the intern
perate induces US TO warn him Of the conse
queues Of his course. Suppose we see on
neighbor exposed 10 a'temporal calamity, saI
his house on FIRE. True love will induce Us 4
warn HIM and not leave him to perish in th,
flames. Especially IL we saw him inclineu
topersist in his course, and stay in the burn
ing house, we should expostulate earnestl,
with him, and not suffer him to destroy him
sell, we could possibly prevent il. Muc
more should we warn him Of the eonsequen
eesofs sin, and reprove him, and strive to tur
him, before he destroys himself
5. II Is cruel to omit Il.
IF you see your neighbor sin, and you pas
wand neglect to reprove him, ii is Just q
cruelas il you should see his house ON fir
and pass by and not warn him of it. VIII
mott II he is in the house, and the hou:
burns, he will lose his life. If he.sins an
remains in sin, he viii 60 to he'll. Is il n,
cruel 20 LEI him 20 onward to hell2 Son
seem reconsider II not cruel to LET neigl
Dor go on in SIN till the wrath Of God com,
on HIM 70 the uttermost Their feelings a
- tender that they cannot wound him byte
hing HIM Of his and his danger. No dout
the tender mercies Of the wicked are crut
Instead Of warning their neighbor of ii
consequences Of sin, they actually encou
age him in d. .a3~E a1'F ~ l., .gzEz
g. To refuse % do IL is rebellion again
God r@t assr 1a' ~ oi .Ea@t do
For any one 70 see rebellion, and not 7
prove il, or lift his hand 20 oppose il, is its,
rebellion. Il would be counted rebellion
the laws Of the land. The man who shor
NOW Of unreasonable plot, and did not d
close n OF endeavor 10 defeat IL, would
ne,a an accessory, and condemned as 50
yhW, 30 4 man sees rebellion bIeaki
out against God, and does not oppose il
make e'Iofis 20 suppress h, ne Is himself
sT,Flf JON 40 70, rsprove T0ur nsighb