Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1838-03-21

(which adorns ndlblesses almost eyety vii
! lage in New-England has never vet been
'Ibnilt; where the weekly ministrations Of
1.-THE gospel, 50 generally enjoyed in New.
England, are scarcely known; where the
influences Of the Sabbath, the. social prayer
meeting and the daily offering of sacrifice
at the family altar, which are SO widely
Ished forth on, the people of Eew-England,
are but feebly, if at all, felt. n 80 SIX
But, say some, is there any. permanent
advantage in establishing Sabbath schools
in such places2 Are they not almost sure
to fail without the sustaining power of the
organized church, the stated ministry, and
an intelligent community from which TO
obtain officers and teachers? On this point
there seems to be some misapprehension.--
1t cannot be denied that may schools which
have been opened in such neighborhoods
have for various reasons soon closed. II In
some cases the missionary may have relied
TOO much upon promises made under a
transient excitement, and in others he may
have been in error respecting the eompe-
tency ct those to whom he has entrusted
the care of a1feeble school. But we have
most conclusive evidence, that ay schools
have been established and continued for
years, and for aught we know are now
diffusing light and knowledge far and wide,
where. fDe have, for any cause, been aban-
doned. l might fill side of.your paper
with extracts from letters which would
fully Justify this statement, and some of
which conclusively prove that the Sabbath
School so far from depending on pastors
and organized churches for its existence,
has often proved itself, their. most happy
and successful pioneer. The little room in
which the missionary first collected and
arranged the materials of the school, has
proved the nursery, Of a hourishing church,
with its spacious house of worship and all
the blessings and privileges of the stated
ministry. When our limited means of
sustaining missionary operations, and the
disadvantages under which they are prose-
cuted are considered, think no man will
say that they have not been on the whole
surprisingly successful. IL &c. ... ..a-
loY our contributions are asked then, not to
sustain an enterprise Of doubtful or partial
utility-but one whose fruits, are, to say
the least, as certain, as obvious and as
abundant as the fruits Of any. enterprise. of
religious benevolence which you cherish.
Our Society enjoys the general confidence
of Western and Southern communities
Our peculiar Organization gives us ready
access to neighborhoods where union OF
denominations is necessary to sustain even
one school-and our reading books and
books OF instruction are there cordially re-
ceived. Such advantages cannot be enjoy
ed by any local or denominated society. 1t
is obvious therefore that we have distinct,
specific and very important subject to pre-
sent to the churches and benevolent men of
New-England-and one in which am sure
they will be deeply interested. To present
this subject to you, as it should be done,
instead Of one agent for all New-EngIand
we might rather place one in each of your
States-aud they would all find constant
and appropriate employment. But in these
times and with such a multiplicity Of kin
dred objects before you, we must content
ourselves with one.
From what have said it appears that
the idea of accomplishing our object by
means of, or in connection with, any local
agency, is as inadmissible as the employ
ment Of one and the same agent to procure
funds for both domestic and foreign mis-
sions for these objects are not more dis
tinct in their character and bearings, than
are those which we seek to accomplish
from those that are contemplated by any
local agency.
We have another and very important
subject to present to our felIow-citizens in
New-England.
Among our publications there are many
which are highly entertaining and instruc-
tive, and being pervaded with the spirit of
our holy religion, are calculated to improve
at once the mind and the heart. Our biog-
raphies, travels, sketches of foreign scene
ry and manners, and illustrations of histo-
ry, ancient and modern, form together a
very valuable library for young people, for
families and for private aud public schools,
as well as for Sabbath schools RLa7 T.