Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1838-06-13
BRANDON, WEDNESDAY, JUNE Is. 1888.

What Minister must not Preach about. !,
Time aOas when the minister ofthe bless
ed gospel might lift up his voice against
wlckedness in high places, and it was ex-
pected that he, should denounce in "good
set terms" particular sins. But those
times Of simplicity have gone by; the age
has become altogether too refined for such
usages. Nowadays itbehoves the preach |
erto be extremely cautious how he speaks I
against prevalent evils-how he "med-
dies with what does not concern him" for
that is the fash phrase. /
We have great regard for the profess
slon-and we design, in this article, to point
out what, from our own observation and
experience, we have discovered to be the
great errors of some rash, impudeRt, zeGt-
Gus, men of God, who appear to have a
greater desire to trouble the hearts of
their hearers. than to lull them to quiet
and happy repose. We think if they will
follow out our hints in their future prac-
tice, it may save them much trouble, and
their Pensioners many compunctious Wis
itations. To be in keeping for once with
the accusations of our opponents, we shall
only utter ourseIf in 'mGgdtions, What
then should minister not preach about?
He should not preach about temperance
Ten to one he will have one or more men
in his parish, who, if not drunkards, are
strongly attached to their cups, and have
the greatest aversion to temperance move
ments in every shape. Why should We
say anything to hurt their feelings? Be-
sides, he may, by his rashness, lose their
support, and that would be taking bread
from the mouths of his children. "He
that neglected. to provide for his own
household" &c.
He should not preach about slavery, or
any thing pertaining to it. He has aboli-
tionists and anti-abolitionists in his parish
and if he wishes to get along in peace, he
had better hold his tongue and keep his
thoughts to himself, for ifhe does NEEDLE
in this thing, he must be dismissed"
He should not preach about hcsntious
ness 1t is too delicate a subject to be
made the theme ofthe pul pit He will be
sure to give offence; for there are large
number in his parish, who though they
delight to gossip on this subject, in all its
details, at every quilting or tea-party, and
other gatherings, have peculiar horror
when they hear it condemned from the
pulpit, though in never so general terms.
Let him be careful then. how he shocks
the delicate nerves of his flock, for in SO
doing, he may utterly close their ears to
his good counsel.-Why need he so null.
tiply his enemies!
He should meuer preach against us~rg
and speculation. 1t has indeed come to a
fine pass ifa man cannot do what he choos-
es with his own Why may not your spec.
ulating Pensioners take IS per cent for
his money? He obLigeS no one to borrow
at that tate. What business is it of his
minister, or of any one else, indeed, if he
turn a fair penny in trade,' by selling
an article for ten times its valued How ab-
surd to say that the wealth he has accumu-
lated by the exercise of his wits, or labori,
Gus toll, is no: his own! Not HIS, for
sooth
He should not preach about profGme-
ness. If he do, he will assured y make ma
ny cheeks Jingle, and that were pity
Besides, NOBODY means any harm by
swearing" He must not be orer nice
he don't get half so many friends by such
a rigid course!
He must not preach about a judgment
to come Why need he bring to view old
and long-since-forgotten deeds of SIM
Why need he torment his hearers with the
tho'ts of a futurere ribution? Besides he has
parishioners who affect to disbelieve in any
retribution beyond the grave. We say
affect, for if they We're real believers of the
doctrine of "entire future immunity" they
! would not be so "exceedingly mad" when
the judgment to come is spoken Of Espe,
: cially if the minister have any desire fol
. peace, let him beware how he speaks oil
future retribution. He will be sure to Of
. fend, and there will be no peace TO him in
) that quarter.
t Finally, let him beware of preaching a
, bout any particular vice. He mag be per.
t sonal if he do. 1t is enough for him to de,
precate sin in the abstract. and let each
: hearer pick out as much as may apply to
: himself, By so doing he will avoid ma
7 king enemies, and he and his parish
E like priest, like people" will glide along
/ smoothly through this life. in harmony &
/ peace, and 60 down to the grave in
e But we will close
y this article in the language OF the venera
t bic White6eld, But, oh the wrath t
come-the wrath to come"
d A MARTYR.-Among the articles o
d late intelligence from England, is an &C
s count of the death of woman of tn
e island of Madagascar, under circumstan