Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1838-06-13

us separation from the Congregationalists,
while bearing the name of the Massachu-
sets Union. il became indebted for part I
OF It's stock, and from that day to the pres
ent the debt had remained. He remem-
bered well, in consultation at that time
with the lamented Cobb, with whom he |
was associated as a member of the Board,
how essential to the interests of the I'm
ion it was deemed that this debt should be |
paid: 1t could not be paid that year, but
they hoped to pay it the next and little
did they suspect that the year 1885 would !
find the Union with this obligation unre-
deemed. He thought the time had now
come when the determination was called !
upon to place the pecuniary affairs of the !
Union upon firm basis; and that should !
the present opportunity pass unlmproved,
and the field of usefulness open to them
in the Providence of God remain longer
neglected, if they did not experience for
this neglect the out ward manifestations of
Gods displeasure, they would feel the
keener torture which the upbraidings of
conscience would inflict. 1t was great
object, he said, TO secure the publication of
UNCONVENTIONAL books; but it was far
greater, to secure an abundant supply of
publications which would form the hearts
and promote the piety of the rising gen.
Grafton; and both these objects, he said,
were contemplated in the present plan
The subject Of education, he said, was
one which now enlisted very strongly the
public attention. The importance of
knowledge, generally diffused among the
people as the basis of social order and
happiness, was subject often referred to,
in various connections, by our public men,
in Congress and elsewhere. Yet after
all, it depended upon the church to say
how far the operation of this principle
should be salutary. Without the peculiar
aid of the church, men would be unable
10 carry out their plans for universal edu-
cation; and for the correctness of this
remark he appealed to the differences
which the opposers of popular education
had drawn from the experience of France.
) He had seen a map of that entire king
dom, upon which was represented the
comparative prevalence of vice in the
educated and uneducated districts; and
: from this map the general fact was estab-
} lished, at least so far as that nation was
} concerned, that vice abounGed in ratio
/ very nearly corresponding to the increase
of education. And from this fact it had
been inferred, that while it might be well
, to increase education among the higher
and more refined circles, it would never
do to disseminate knowledge among the
/ masses Why this mistake? Because
they had not taken into account the fact
that piety and religious instruction must
90 hand in hand with the increase of gen.
: eral education. Without corresponding
; increase Of religious knowledge, wher-
ever education prevailed, vice would but
: the more abound. Ii behooved the church,
therefore. in this day of intellectual activ-
ity, to see that the people were supplied
! with the means of religious, as well as
, secular education.
. With regard to the plan suggested by
DR.. Wayland, he thought that Rhode
island would be found willing to perform
) her part; and although small State, that
she would contribute one-tenth of the sum
proposed. He concluded by offering the
following resolution:
Resolved That this meeting urgently recommend
ed the Board to make immediate effort to raise
this year the sum of $4,000; and also the next
year, for the purpose of forming capital for the
use Of the publishing department of the N. E. s. s..
. Union. .....ss
Rev. nj. Willard, of Newton, said, in
: reply to the observation of former speak
: er, who thought, if the object were mere
u ly to print books of UNCONVENTIONAL
: character, this alone would be sufficient
: reason for raising the sum which had
: been named. And by books of this char
5 acter, he meant not merely such as illus
; tratrd and enforced what he considered
the truth respecting the two positive or,
! dinances of the Gospel. The Baptists
! were distinguished in other important
y respects, besides their adherence to the
. simplicity Of the gospel, touching one oil
u its ordinances. They had, he believed
e more clearly than any other denomina
i ton, advocated and acted upon the impor'
Is tant doctrine that the Bible is the only
rule of faih-a true and sufficient guide
ID in all questions of morals, religion, and
rs ecclesiastical government They had
g peculiarly identified themselves with the
= great cause of religious liberty. They
'e had stood almost alone in maintaining tina
K the support of religious institutions should
N rest with believers, without any appeal t
n the strong arm of the law; and they hat
n signalized themselves by the defence ant
n practical observance of the true principle
n, of biblical Interpretation. These Wer
denominational peculiarities, as much $
It as the one so constantly insisted upon
Dr.. And by the publication Of denominations
ne books, he understood books which eS
I'm planned and illustrated those great an
les important principles. Mr.. W. rejoice
~, that provision was about to be made OF
ng character adapted. in these particulars,