Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1837-07-19
RELIGIOUS SUMMARY.
The Religious State of the Country


The public mind is 50 entirely engross-
ed, at the present time, with the state of
pecuniary and commercial affairs of the
country, that scarcely any thing else is
thought Of Civil Improvements, Educa-
ton, Literary Institutions, Morals, Reli-
gion, and Benevolent operations are to
great extent, overlooked, or are set aside
for the present, TO receive attention when
the existing crisis and the pending caIami-
ties are past. Christians who participate
IN the guilt of this matter think they find
an apology, if not sufficient excuse, in
the sympathy they feel for others, or in
the personal embarrassments which them
selves experience, at the same time cher
lshing the hope of change in the state
OF affairs, which will bring relief before
these objects shall materially suffer.
But God is not laying his hand lightlv
on his people, and there is reason to ao-
prehend that the times of overturninq"
and "overturning" have come; and that
the chastlsements of the Lord will not
cease, nor his rebuke be turned away,
until his people repent, and put away
their sins, and return to their first work
The religious aspect Of the country is
more dark and distressing than ali lis
commercial embarrassments. Womb
christians estimate this world as Chris
cid, anc weigh the value of the soul in
the scales which hang pending from Gods
throne, how different would be their feel
ngs from what generally exist at the
present time! What is the loss of fsw
thousands or few millions Of dollars IN
comparison with the loss of souls? Com.
parison fails. Name not gold or silver
or houses and lands, when precious un4v,
ing SOULS are at stake! But these souls
are In danger OF being lost-yes, lost for. |
ever. Failures on this subject occur
almost constantly in the city and in
the country; in this, and in foreign lands
Is there no sympathy for such losses
Can nothing be done to relieve the dis
tress, and save men from such fearful
ruins2 The resources ofthe divine GOV.
have not failed The Bank Of
heaven is safe, and makes as large dis
counts as ever when due application is
made.
But what gloomy picture are we call.
I'd to contemplate, as we look at the nres.
snt state of religious affairs. The whoIo
world lies in wickedness-the hea,hen
are perIshlng for lack of vision. The
vhee IS OF our benevolent institutions are
greatly retarded. The Missionary Board
IRE cramped and compelled to curtail the
expenses Of their stations, already 10
United. The heraIds of the cross WIZ
lad given themselves to the work and
were ready to go forth, to proclaim sslv.
ion to the perlshing, in healhen lands Arc
'ept at home for the want Of means
Operations already commenced an nj,
ionary ground, are to be suspended--tbe
printing presses stopped, and the schools
lisbanded In short, the missionarv wo,'s
s at a stand, and in danger Of a sad no
ersion
The view, which our domestic Affair."
resent, affords little relief At home 80
yell as abroad, desolation and darLn.
re widespread. Wickedness incra"s s
n the land. In6deIity stalks 49, ses Q
old and shameless, corruptino and az.
'oying whatever comes within i. YES
nee. lntemperance rolls its burn;nn =
'aves over the land. Sabbath brsaL;ng e
nd profanity cause the land 10 r,n,.. *
I'd heaven to frown. Licention.n..a !"
'urs its poAuting streams ,b."nsn G.
'ery part ofthe land. oppres.;on b nI q
iron sway over two miII;ons aF ous q
The spirit of slavery HI