Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1837-07-05
RELIGIOUS MISCELLANY.
From the New-Yor& Evangelist.
OBSTACLES TO HARMONY IN THE
PREsBYTERIAN CHURCH.


OBSTACLES TO HARMONY IN THE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
Too MUCH This
pithy phrase presents the point of much
importon: IT after collected by experience
Unfortunately, while IT'S general wisdom is
seen, its particular application is rejected
it is cited to reprove folly, not needed
to shun it. From the lowest employ
nents to the highest functions, we have
continual occasion to remark and depIore
the disregard OF its instruction. Persons
called in their proper sphere to the per-
tormance OF any act or service, whether
depending upon skill Of hand, exercise Of
mind, or both, have their own wav in
which they can be expert, or by diligence
do sufti ientlv we'll what is before them.
But when there is some one to give drcc-
ton, who hls formed an opinion how that
which is to be done should be done, and
insists that his way shall be followed, the
ability of The person performing Is lost in
the loss Of his freedom to follow his own
judgment. How often have we seen awk
wardness substituted for dcxteritv, good
hindereG, work spoiled, in conseq uence of
those who are to do it being subjected 10
the dictatIon Of those who cannot or will
not do it.
Too MUCH GOvBRNMENT."-M Man is
so constituted that he must act according
to his own light. He must use his own
senses, consult his own jud gment, respect
his own conscience, and his own conclu-
sion, formed in the integrity and indie
pendent use Of his own powers, must be
the rule and measure of his duty :-un-
less indeed he becomes tool; and what
ever there may be in the visible church,
or elsewhere, there is no such character
IN religion. If we would have the great
est efficiency from community in any
work, we must make oil active, and in
stead OF vexing and hindering them by
forcing upon them a way Of doing j.,
which they do not understand or approve,
must encourage them by leaving them to
the mode most agreeable 10 them. In
this we find the reason, why enterprise
so abounds under the free institutions Of
this nation life, health, vigor, and pros
perty pervading the mass and why un
der despotism, there is the dessoIation Of
death. In this country all are left TO the
free pursuit of their own lawful objects,
in the free employment Of their own pow
ers. Every one is active. In des
potism, the population is a stagnant mass.
KIN low, that there are many good peo-
pie who start with alarm, and say, Will
you, in the church, leave all to the free
pursuit Of their own lawful objects in the
free employment oftheir own powers =
Why not2 am aware that there are
persons who look upon themselves as
standing by prerogatlve at the helm, and
who are confident that unless they are left
10 steer not only their own course, but the
course OF everybody else, the church must
be lost But ask these prerogative men,
why ace not the sense and judgment and
conscience OF others, os trust worthy as
their own2 Surely, if they esteem them
selves capable Of directing others; they
should allow TO others competency for a
more humble interchangeable direction
OF themselves. What is the Bible instruc-
ton in this matter" No doubt but We
arc The people, and wisdom will die with
YOU" There can be no machinery ami
mate or inanimate in religion: here men
must act as free and independent men,
II is the business of the heart" willing
ly with the heart" every one whose
heart stirred him up"-" every one whom
his spirit made willing.H The reason
why am not moved with the gloomy
forebodings ofthe extinction OF our civil
republican Institutions is, that consider
1hem the very institutions on which to en-.
graft the religion Of the Bible. | have
confidence, that they have been formed in
the providence Of God to answer this
lranscendent purpose, and that when
church and state, by process Of suffering,
shall be relieved from the evil of med
ding, selfish men having unequal contro
and ascendency, we shall see, NOT an I'm
ion Of church and state. but religion pure
and powerful through the frmness, eIeva
ton, and practicalness Of mind OF our FIRE,
anil independent citizens. and the state be
pe6cient in its operations through the sane
tifying influences of religion.
TOO MUCH GOVERNMENT. "-Hlstor,
informs us that Charles V. Of Spain, {
great md wise man, in his retirement ex
ercised his ingenuity in long trial Il
make two clocks keep the same time
Finding his efforts vain, he was led +
noralize upon his mischievous folly IL
wasting Europe with war and carnage 70
the PrePosterous purpose Of making me
think alike.