Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1836-11-16

STRIFE ABOUT words, out is III JusllCe, anu III
fairness. due to ourself as a defender OF total
abstinence against the attacks OF this writer
TO the cause we advocate-and, as we
conceive, to the Baptist name. For, l.
Where, or what is our chance, before our
readers, with an adversary who fights under
one guise as long as it answers his purpose,
and then assumes another? 2. He wrongs
the cause, by making it appear that there are
two enlisted against it, when in truth there
is only one. 3. His present article, con-
nected with his present signature, is, in our
humble estimation derogatory to the Bap-
fist character.
/ A few words now on the article ITSELF
! The most that we discover in it worthy Of
notice is, some new inconsistencies, togeth-
err with reiteration of the old. hackneyed
doctrines, unfortifed by any new argument
and undefended against the former opposi-
ton. He "most sincerely rejoices," with
the friends Of total abstinence " in the on
ward march Of the temperance reform."-
Yet he is with his whole might opposed to
the very and only principle which at this !,
time keeps up this "onward march p
Allure the total abstinence pledge, and from
the moment it is done, the march instead of
being onward will be retrograde. We be-
lievc that ob5crv alton has already so well
| established this opinion in the minds Of the
, observing, that there is not need of stopping
here to cite one fact in its support.
For his meaning, when he says, that
the Temperance, like the Anti-Slavery
cause. did not originate in the Church Of
; Christ" we are totally at a loss. Whether
he meant to say that the Anti-Ndrery cause
did, or that it did not, originate in the church,
is not clear. " hen he or any one else de-
MES that it did, our proof shall be forth COM
ing.
He has at least asserted that the TEN
perance cause did not originate in the church
Of Christ" Allowing his naked declaration
TO be true, what his OBJ Jet could be in pro-
| claiming it in the manner he has, we :" can
), not divine" The question is, whether he
d meant to stignatize and disparage the Tenn
J. perance cause as unworthy Of so high and
! holy an orgin-or whether on the contrary
II he meant to reproach the church for not hav-
ing conceived so holy and heavenly an enter
prize as the Temperance cause. In either
~ case, he is most strangely inconsistent. For,
5 on the one hand, why does he rejoice in
y its onward march, if it is unfit or unworthy
e to have been conceived by the church? On
G, the other hand, if it is a child so pure and
d holy that the church Of Christ ought 10 have
e conceived it, brought it forth, nourished and
, cherished it, why does it receive such treat
;s ment at his hands? And why is he har-
RAISING the church and worrying its mem.
= bers for now undertaking to adopt this wor-
" thy child, at this advanced period of its
- age? To repeat the idea then, in different
II language: whether he would have chris
~ tians feel humble that the church has had
at any thing 10 do with the matter-or, on tho
On contrary, that it has not had every thing tc
r, do with it, his inconsistency must be mani
to fest both to himself and to others.
7 Let those who read his catechsm between
the Association and candidates for fellow
= ship, keep in mind that intoxicating liquors
are rejected only as drink, a bererdge.
He has repeated his former doctrine. tina
= to join the church is sufficient; and the fai
- inference is, that in his view all other asso
or Citations may be dispensed with. We ther
n may be allowed to repeat our former reply
mt which he left with several others unanswer
he ed, while he has covered himself with {
he new signature. The reply is this: If Il
N join the church is sufficient, why has he, a;
,r he told us in his former communication
ba joined himself to tow-pressure temper
ance society? Why have any temperate,
society, any anti-slavery society, Ito which
. by the way he has also Joined himself.1 O
- any other moral society? Now the church
p itself were temperance society. an anti
slavery society, Bible society, &c., VIII,
or then there might be the semblance OF a rea
ST. son for church members withholding con
as nectiOn with these societies, because the,
ts are members Of the church. Before th
20 could be good and sufficient reason, how
Oh ever, the church must resolve itself int
=, such society, and make proclamation O
u, their act. 1t was in taking one step toward
II" this contamination that the Addison Count,
n Association have incurred our brothers. no
n disPleasure. The fact that the church ha
to hitherto failed to arrest the progress of tn
in evils and sins which these societies are de
d. signed and calculated to overthrow, is goo
ar reason why the members of the churcI