Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1836-05-26
E R M ONT TELEGRA PH,


because the kingdom isdivided against il.
self. Union is strength. Division is weak
ness and seIfdcstruction. The broad nrin-
clpieS on which the society is supposed TO
rest are e0"tcnding, seGann;hilating
principles. At best, one strand of the
rope is straw. Every other link of the
chain is chalk. For war men and neaco
men to undertake to join in an enterprise
that involves their radical principles it is
an attemptto erect an arch, the one side Of
marble the other Of quick sand.
do the supporters Of war call in the
friends of peace to their aid? Not thew,
Why? Because it would produce diris-
Ion in their ranks and confusion in their
movementS-very good reason. Does
any sort ofwickedness seek affinity with
holiness, fo9 the accomplishment OF its
own ends1 Never. And why will the
friends OF holiness ask for the aid Of their
enemies as such' Is the church STRENGTH
ened by filling up its ranks with Satan's
children? Is the temperance cause strength
eneI by gathering in wine-bibbers and
tIpPlerS2 No-it is retarded. So is the
Peace Society divided against itself, dis
traeted and rrcstratcd by gathering into
lis ranks the defenders Of war No mat
ter what the war is. When or where
was there war, and both parties did not
claim to be acting on the drfvnsye-cspe-
cIaIly in Chrstendom? How is it now
between the Texans and Mexicans? Each
charge the other with aggrc ssion-each
Justify what they are pleased to call SELF
defence How is it in respect 10 our own
country and the Aborigincs on our south
western borders! The Indians aver that
we are the assailants our nation asserts
the contrary; both claim to be defending
rights invaded. "Recompense TO no man
evil for evil"
From particulars, may be allowed for
moment to proceed to generals. The ak
ION that union is strength, has reference
only to union Of parts that have affinity !
tor each other. For how can there be
strength without affinity? To attempt !
union parts or Of princi Pies that natu-
rally or necessarily oppose and repel each
| other, is TO contend with nature and rea-
son. The power Of Christianity is ex-
actly In proportion to its purity-to the
union of Christians on the truth. As it |
is suicidal to enlist into the church. or
into moral associations, the enemies of
rlghteousness-so it is selEdestruction to
retain them after they are discovered. 1t
IS a strange perversion Of the axiom that
union is Strength, that requires the retcn-
ton OF son of Belial within the pale of
the church, or Of moral associations, lest
his expulsion lessen. numbers, or create
momentary disturbance: or that would
cover up sin, lest its exposure create com.
notion
There is another way in which the doc
trne that union is strength, is egregiouslv
perverted. 1t is union to suppress in
vestigatlon Of important subjects in which
the church is interested, lest the exposure
OF lnlquity cause diminution ofnumbers.
Certain affairs that are contessedIy wrong
and full of frighttul wickcdness, must not
be touched, lest investigation implicate a
potion Of the church, that accession take
place, or that gospel discipline require cx-
cIuslon. Such union is rope of sand
Depend upon it, the vampire is at the heart
drawing the life-blood The a,l-search-
ing eye ola God Of holiness and spotless
purity, cannot overlook the matter. TO
pray for his blessing on such unhalIoved
deeds is, at safest, most presumptuous
work. All will agree that discipline is
necessary, is required, in the case Of an
individual, but there is shrinking from
examination just in proportion to the mag
nltude ofthe evil. This will never do
A sin that contaminates whole church.
or a community of churches, demands at
tenuon just in proportion 10 its extent
All attempts at union to hush invcstioo-
ton and prevent exposure Of great sins
because they threaten fearful consequent
ces, on their exposure, will be overthrown
BY the Almighty, and crushed under the