Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1836-08-11
FOR the Telegraph.
MEMOIR OF HARLAN PAGE.

Christian friend, did you ever read the
life Of Harlan Page? If not you are advised
to procure it Immediately. 1t is valuable
book, giving an interesting account Of very
useful man. 1t teaches US what common
christian may do to benefit his fellow men,
when his efforts are continued and rightly
directed. Mr. Page was not above the me-
diocrity ofmen either in acquired or natural
abilities. He was, however, devoted chris
tian. He adorned most happily his profess
sion. From the commencement Of. his chris
tan course, he felt that all he had, together
with himself belonged to God. Actuated
by this principle, his character was formed
his time, his talents, and his efforts were
consecrated to the service OF his Master and
the good Of souls. His eulogy may be writ
ten in few words.-He spent his life in do
ing good.
Individual, personal effort was the grand
secret Of his success and usefulness. Per
haps the reader OF this article has often asked
what efforts can make, aside from prayer,
with my limited means and imperfect edu-
cation to promote the cause of Christ g.
Read these Memoirs and then you can an
swer the question yourself. 1t is wrong
notion to cherish, that in order to do good,
we must possess the first rate talents, the
best education and extensive wealth All
these when properly directed may increase
our influence, but we may and should do
good without them. Because we have not
ten talents, shall we refuse to improve the
FIVE, or the two which are committed to our
charge? This hiding of the Lords money
is sore evil in the church, 1t must be re-
moved. The church, or rather each mem
Der of the church, must awake to duty on
this point. The world is to be converted
by the efforts Of common christian men,
The history Of the last 1900 years proves
| conclusively that the strength and success
Of the church lie in the personal erertions
of erery member. The energies Of the
church at the present day are paralized by
apathy and inconsistent views of christian
duty. Were all the concealed talents in
the church put in action, the empire Of dark
ness would soon be destroyed, truth and
righteousness would fill the: earth, and the
miIlenial glory ofthe church commence.
With the spirit by which Mr. Page was
actuated we are pleased.
| l. He seemed to do good for the sake oil
doing good. His object was not to be seen
of men. Heavens appreciation was all he
asked-it was all he sought. Many. of his
efforts for the conversion Of individuals
were not known till they came forward after
conversion to join the church. He labored
in secret as we'll as in public and his heav-
emily Father rewarded him openly. This
trait Of character commends itself to those
VIII o seem to be very anxious that all they do
should be seen of men. Pharisaical conduct
is highly injurious to the cause Of truth and
the welfare of souls.
2. In all his exertions, Mr. Page felt an
entire dependence upon the agency Of the
Holy Spirit. Human instrumentality, he
knew would be Intellectual without the bles-
sing of God. The burden of his prayer was
that this blessing might descend.
3. He tainted not nor became weary in
well-doing. His labors were incessant,-
He knew no relaxation from the grand pur-
pose Of his life.
4. His humility is highly commendable.-
Because he had been useful, he was not puff
ed up, nor did he feel himself wiser and bet
ter than his christian friends. To God was
the glory to be given and not to himself
The scenes of his death-bed showed his
ripeness for heaven. His was the death Of
the righteous. And though dead, he yet
speaketh. G.
PEAcE.-According to previous appoint
ment, an address was given in this village
last Wednesday evening, by Geo. C. Beck
with, agent of the American Peace Society.
Without attempting an abstract we will
briefly notice some of the general views and
statements presented by the amiable and el-
oquent speaker.
The cause Of peace was as old as Chris
tianity. 1t glimmered in the prophecies con-
corning the Prince of Peace-at his advent,
it shoue forth in full splendor. His sermon
on the Mount inculcates peace as part Oh
his religion. 1t was maintained as such by
his followers, until the time Of Constantine
who united the peaceable kingdom Of Christ
with the kingdom Of this world. From thai
time forward, for more than 1000 years
there was little or no intimation that wal
was incompatible with Christianity, until
the days Of Erasmus who lifted his voice
against the unchristian practice. Little