Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1838-04-18

.SArURDAY, APRIL 4, 1888
y. a LEcTuRE TO rHE CnrncH.- The tho'.s
expressed 10 ,he following communication.
are worthy 70 be most seriously considered
bysvsry professed follower Of Chiist.- p
~ F@As psrmoaf 7sisgrPh
The following remark, are from one who has of-
ten wspi over n. desolauons Of Zion; sndwho
has long felt deep and Increasing interest IN
her prosperity and weli-being. He 10 not con-
sciou, o. having said any thing which Is not
strictly true. But IL. in his zeal. he has used
undue severity, or spoken unsdvsedly. he
hopes 10 BE- forEivsn, ~ his OBJECT was odo
good and not hurt. 49, aEt fI.- ,
BnoTBER MURRxY: WheE first expert
snced the pardoning love Of Savior, and
felt the bIessedness Of soul renewed, l
looked upon The people Of God as the happy
children Of one common family, united to
each other, and TO Christ their living head,
BY the most sacred and endearing Ties. The
Church believed 10 bethe abode Of peace
the nursery Of pie,y--the home and house of
entertainment Of the weary pilgrim in his
journey through this vale Of tears, where his
spirit Is refreshed by frequent draughts from
the fountain Of salvation, and his sould fed
by thatbread which never perisheth. Yea, ]
considered il as the temple Of the Holy One,
where in peculiar manner the presence Of
che divine Rsdeemer was always manifest
aud enjoyed. Snch ideas I received very
naturally from my Bible, wherein foand
applied to the congregation Of the Lord such
tides a. the following aChosen Genera
fon"-a Peculiar Peoplen-aa Ros al Priest
moods Holy nsti5nh-s Spiritual House"
s--ssLiveIy stones"1-a ThsL ambs wffes-
"Body Of Christ" &c.
I feltihai snch people, bound together
81 such halIowed ties Of endearing relation
chip, must indeed beksppy; aud that John's
new commandment, 10 love one another, was
almost unnecessary. longed to become
one of their number, and TO connect myself
with that little aock to whom twas the Fa-
,sher's good pleasure 20 give the kingdom =
10 become fellow-eiiizen with the saints
and Of the household Of God, andto be built
up into that spiritual temple where could
oHer up spiritual saeri6cesacceptable to God
through Jesus Christ. But I feltalf unwor,
shYof such ezaitation. and for while durs
not presume;-yet duty urged, and trem
blingly obcyed. I followed my savior dowr
The banks Of Jordsn--was buried lin the like
ness Of his death, and believe the Holy spir
twas present 70 sanction the ordinance viii
his blessing, Full Of JOY and rejoicing
strong Ia the Lord and jealous for his cause
Lsntered the Church, confidently expecting
70 realize all had so fondIy anticipated
Bot alasl how skall describe the sad re
verse which took place in my feelings, as I
found il TO fearful extent filed with pride
covsiousness, idOlairy, envy, debates, evil
speakings murmuring, insratitude, and inf
,delity ii--Bfo going to law with broth
sr-each regardless Of the others interest
and eager 10, promote his own sirainihgev
err nerve 70 layup treasure on the earth, an
70 provide for their temporal wants and III
qualification Of their carnal appeiiies an
lusts, 10 the neglect Of their own eternal in
ierests and the interests Of those aroun
shem-siopplng their ears against the cry Q
suffering humanity depressing the hireIiu
id his wages and, in short, acting precise
Iyin- the same manner as the resi- Of ID
world Who do not pretend TO be influence
blythe great principles ofthe gospeiOf Chris
This was TOO mpch.--My spirit sank with
me.--My faith grew weak, aud, srieved an
disappointed, began to doubt even Of Chris
tianisy itself - ssurs
Bot, thanks 10 almighty grace, i did NJ
quite renounce my belief IN the Gospel. n
wholly abandon myself n despair Q
tcureereiredthstsI had nOtremainsd aIcr
in n. world. --iOrI perceived that had le'
a fear from the world itself than frOmti
influence Of worldly church. could p
eon.cierriop,lYs say 70 those vhowere see
ing ,hc salvation Of their souls, aCeme.il
wilh -. and wswiil do you good" Nay,
hsys ofien irtmbled, as 1 beheid the YooI
eonrsri coming out from the enemy's cam
full q zeal and he Holy Gbost--not beeau
j aid 10, rejoice N his conversion 10 Go
buslesl ~ shouId come % ourehureh and
sh~,ll ~~I>II.. >snr1rr hfns