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

I Manifestly, to all men that have neigh
bors. 1t was addressed to all the people OF
Israel, and through them to all under the
government of God-to high and low, rich
land poor, young and old, male and female,
and every individual who is under the gov
eminent of God, or bound to obey his COM
mands.
Ill Some exceptions to the universal ap-
plication of this law.
He that made the law has right to admit
of exceptions. And the rule is binding IN
all cases, unless they come within the ex-
ceptions. There are some exceptions to the
rule before us, laid down in the Bible.
!. God says, Rebuke not a scorner, lest
he hate thee"
. There is a state of mind, where person
is known to be scorner, despiser Of reli-
gion, hater of God, and has no regard to his
law, and not u be influenced by any fear or
care for Goo, why should you reprove him2
1t will only provoke a quarrel, without any
good resulting to any body. Therefore God
makes such a character an exception to the
rule.
. 2. Jesus Christ says, "Cast not your
pearls before swine, lest they trample them
under their feet, and turn again and rend
you"
Whatever else this passage means, it ap-
pears to me to mean this, that sometimes
men are in such state of mind that to talk
to them about religion would be at once ir-
rational and dangerous, like casting pearls
before swine. They have such a contempt
for religion, and such a stupid, sensual, swi-
nish heart, that they will trample all your
reproofs under their feet, and turn upon you
in anger besides. 1t is lawful to let such
men 90 on and your not meddling with
them will. be greater wisdom than to attack
them. But great charity should be used,
not to suppose those of your neighbors to be
swine, who do not deserve it, and who might
be benefited by suitable reproof.
3. Men who are in settled state o. self
righteousness, it is best to let alone.
Christ said to the Scribes and Pharisees.
"Let them alone, they be blind leaders of
the blind" That is, they were so full Of
, pride and concert, so satisfied Of their own
wisdom and goodness, that they came. be
reached by any reprhof, and it seems best to
let them alone; for if you begin to reprove
them, you might as we'll face north-wester
as to think of making an impression on them.
/ They will face YOU down, and are so full Of
arguments, and cavils, and bullyings, that
you gain nothing.
/ w. The manner in which this duty is to
r be performed.
l. 1t should be done always in the name
| of the Lord.
| It is important when you reprove your
neighbor for sin, always to make him feel It
! is not personal controversy with you, not
matter of selfishness on your part, or claim
ing any right of superiority, or to lord it over
him. but that you reprove him In the name
Of the Lord, for the honor Of God, because
: he has broken his law. If, by your manner,
: you in any way make the impression on his
q mind, that it is a personal controversy, or
S done for any private motive with you, he will
It invariably rise up against you, and resist, &
e perhaps retort upon you. But If you make
r the impression on his mind that it is done in
= the name of God, and bring him right up
l. before God as an offender, he will find it ex-
y ceedingly difficult to get away from you with
/ out at least confessing that he is wrong
$ 2. 1t should always be.done with great
It solemnity.
l. Above ali things, do not make him think
It that it is just little thing that you hint to
t. him, but make him feel that it is for sin a
1t gainst God you are reproving him. and that
e it is what in your view ought to be looked
W upon as an awful thing.
a 8. You should use more or less severity,
e according to the nature of the case, and the
e circumstances under which the sin was
committed.
u a. The relation of the parties.
n Your relation to the person who has been
,e guilty Of sin, should be properly regarded.
If child is going 10 reprove parent, he
p should do it in a manner suited to the rela,
ot ton he stands in. If man is going to re,
n, prove magistrate, or if an individual is a,
s. bout to rebuke an elder, the apostle says il
is must be in this way "Entreat him as q
lie father" This relation should enter deeply
ct into the manner Of administering reproof.-
le The relation of parents and children, of hus
E. bands and wives, Of brothers and sisters
is should all be regarded. So the ages of the
e, parties, their relative circumstances in life
IN For servants to reprove their masters in the
n same manner as their equals, is improper
to This direction should never be overlooked o.
~ forgotten for if is, the good effect of reproo
or will be lost BUT REMEMBER, that NJ
Id relations in life, or relative circumstances O
II, the parties, take away the obligation Of thi
It. duty. Whatever be the relation, you are t
he reprove sin, and are bound to do il in tn
IS complaining or finding fault for a persona
h injury committed against yourself, but as
sin against God. Thus, when child re
Is, proves a parent for sin, he is not to do it a
g if he was expostulating with him for an
injury done to himself, but with an eye t
en- the fact that the parent has sinned agains
ed God, and therefore, with all that plainnes
cir and faithfulness and pungency tbatsin call
'ut for.
lty (2.) Reproof should be regulated by tn
for knowledge which the offender has of hi
ny duty.
IN If the individual is ignorant, reproof shout
WI be more in the form of instruction, rattle
IN nl: than Of severe rebuke. How do you do wit
are your little child? You instruct him an
zen strive to enlighten his mind respecting h
M duty. You proceed, Of course, very diffe
,a4 emily from what you would do with hare
OW aDad of4oDdor