Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1839-07-17
VERMONT TELEGRAPH.
BRANDON, SATURDAY, JULY IS, 1889.
For the Telegraph.
Personal RELIGION.-No. i.


on my own mind, while contemplating on
me state Of the religious community. in gen
cral, have thought they might be useful to
others. If you think them worthy Of "a
place in the Telegraph, you are at liberty to
publish them.
The religion Of the gospel is evidently
designed TO make its possessors holy in
heart and life. Ii is holy in its nature and
tendency 1t must be regretted, however.
that there is sad deficiency in the relig-
iOus community, at the present day, in ex-
hibiling that sacred regard for the command
ments Of God, that reverence of his holy
character, that rigid and inllexible adher-
ence 10 the principles and practices Of reli-
glon, which the high calling Of the christ
ian profession demands. The legitimate
fruits of the religion of Christ are exhibited
by the benign and hallowed influence exert
ed on the heart Of fallen, guilty man, in
subduing its natural enmity to God-in
melting its obduracy, and bringing into cap
tvly every thought in obedience 10 Christ.
In short, it transforms and changes the
whole man. The christian is new crea-
ture. His desires are holy and he legitim-
ate fruits Of his regeneration and CONVEX
sion 10 God will lead TO practical holiness
True he is surrounded by temptations; the
world, the flesh and the powers Of dark
ness oppose his onward course in the di-
vine life. But he is not called TO the con-
test alone, nor without the necessary weap-
ons Of his holy warfare. His is the Ear
mour Of righteousness on the right-hand
and on the left His enemies have all been
conquercdbf the Captain Of his salvation !;
and in his name and strength he may feel
confident of certain victory.
Christians hold responsible situation in
the relation they sustain to the cause of
Christ and the welfare OF their fellow-crea-
lures. They are the light Of the world.'-
Upon them, under God, rests the obligation
Of impartIng the knowledge of the gospel
TO perishins worlu, They are the salt Of
the GARTH The influence which it is their
duty to exert, is designed by the great Head
Of the church to produce happy effect on
the state of society around them.
II is my intention to notice more pariicu.
larly some things which relate to this sub
ject. Ii cannot be denied that the influence
Of religion on the moral state of society is
far from what it ought 10 be.
will point out few particulars in which
this defect is prominent.
|. There is toolillle regard manifested b,
protesting Christians for the stated worship
Of God on the Sabbath
Whatever differences NAV exist as to the
institution of the christian Sabbath, the fac
That the day is set apart by most religion,
denominations for the public worship O
God, the preaching Of the gospel, and.th,
administration of the ordinances, is suffi
Gent TO induce the devoted christian {,
avail himself OF It's sacred privileges and Il
consecrate the hours to solemn devotion AM
rellglous improvement. Indeed, where tn,
stated worship Of God is neglected by an,
community, for any length Of time, il mani
ests an evident decline in religion and NOR
ais. This circumstance alone is suffic;en
evidence of the necessity of maintaining
strict regard to the religious observance G
The Sabbath, and regular attendance upo
the public worship of God II, therefor,
me protesting portion of community neg
la IL
iec' Tue appropriate duties Of the sabbath, {
are irregular in their attendance on divin
worship It has direct tendency to produc
disregard for the institutions of rel;o;on /;
community. The gospel loses its diyip
innuence over the minds of the people an
vice and immortality prevail. If The 10,
professor be admonished 10 listen q i
blessed gospel, and attend to the concer,
Of the soul, how readily does he cite Won
Mr. such-an-one who processes to be 90,
CHRISTIAN, and who is guilty Of the san
neglect for which he is reproved. Il is
VAN to urge the inconsistency Of the deli
1uent professor, for this was The pround
us excuse. Gould christians but real;
que half the mischiefs which fiow from
"eglecl OF this single duty, they would !
OHly weep over il but speedily reform
we notice the neglect Of Family w,
.. ,Alp' Family devotion is not only i,
0u' The privilege Of the christian who h.