Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1839-05-22
But Oh, what form of prayer

Can serve my turn -
Can ] pray as the Sayior taught his disci
Piles Let me sees Thy kingdom come
thy will be done in earth, as it is in heav
en- How can adopt this language, Will,
the business in which ] am about TO en-
gage, has any tendency but to,producc thi.
result2 'And forgive;-what? the sins
may commit know the Almighty viii
not be pleased with a petition which his
Spirit never indited.' Indeed, Mr.. Editor
must acknowledge I have not sufficient
skill in the science Of popular ecclesiastics
TO invent form CT prayer for such an emer-
gency. How can he pray ? and what shall
he pray for? What shall be the burden Of
his intereession before the holy throne Of
Ged? How shall the president, the facul-
ty, the vast concourse of the pious from all
quarters, pray? really can see no way, in
which they can avoid mockine God, by of,
iering an unmeaning petition-nay, by ask
ing for what they do not want,-or commit
ting another sin by neglecting TO pray at all
saying as the poet quoted above: PRAY |
cannot'
Here is dilemma, from which must
leave every mans conscience to extricate
him. Now let us follow the magnifcentlv
stern array Of officers, and subjects, and
martial music, with all the paraphernalia of
pomp and circumstance. and enter-as we
must, at the point of the bayonet-the
scene of action. Then-in common par
lance-stands the peace officer, to execute
wrath upon him that doelh evil And now
those who are corversant with such exhibit
tons, may imagine what passes there: for
| have not the ability, nor-if had-the
disposition, fully to describe the scene
One thing is certain: the moral, mental,
and even the physical effects, are every way
perceptible. Said pious student, in col
lege not hundred miles off, who had Just
performed the regular routine Of duties
which this custom imposes: 1 am really
glad that performance is over; for am al
most exhausted in body and mind 5
and my religious feeling and enjoyment are
benumbed almost 10 humiliation. That's
just the way with it, In fact he was like
Samson shorn of his strength. And it is
SO. Toprove this, | need only to appeal to
the testimony of experience.
again: That vicious practices are there
followed, aud pernicious habits formed, is
also evident; which, to be sure, must be
left, in great measure, to speculation. But
who can tell how many promising young
men have there taken the first step, down
the frightful gulf of intemperance? Who
can teh how many reformed drunkards
nave there had their treacherous appetites
revived, and that without remedy till they
found a drunkard's grave :? Who can fell
how many innocent and amiable wives and
mothers, how many helpless and dependent
children; have greeted the return of hus-
band and fdther-him who, Of all others in
vast creation, should have been their friend
and benefactor, the close of such day
| only to be frowned on, insulted, and abus-
ed? How many have parted with the OBJ
ject of love and affection in the morning,
only to receive the maniec-I had almost
! said the human tigsr-in the evening p
How many destinies for life, through this
influence, have been handed oyer 20 the
tender mercies' Of intemperance, and de-
| hatchery, and whatsoever worketh abomi-
! nation or maketh lie 2 But am admon-
ished to close. With this depart then
that if there be any 'redeeming qualities
about this business, let them be exhibited ;
for confess, the more investigate the sub
Ject, the more deformity and corruption
| discover. pause for a reply +.
/ Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are
true-honest-just-p ure-lovely of good
report; if. there be any virtue, and if there
be any praise, think on these things
Yours, for the true and right,
/ April 20, 1889. A. D. L.
D