Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1839-03-27
For the Vermont Telegraph.
CHRISTIAN DUTY.

CHRISTIAN DUTY.
Friend Murray My mind has been S
consider ably exercised, for several months d
past on the subject of>christan duty. And {
while have reflected and pohdered on the
momentous subject, as think, in its mi :
mute, as we'll as its extended application, in
all its varied bearings, my mind has been
involuutarily directed to the following pass
age Of Holy Writ: "Wo unto you, scribes
and pharisees, hypocrites for we pay 1.-THE
oi mint, a2d anise, and cummin, and have
omitted the weight:er matters of the law,
judgment, mercy and faith these ought We
10 have done, and nj TO leave the other un-
done" That the charge contained in the
above text, was justly applicable to the
characters TO whom it was addressed, think |
no one will deny and that human nature
10 now much what it was at the time the
above words were spokcn, think is equally
undeniabe. But how lar the text may be
applied to characters of the present day, is
not, perhaps, for me to determine. But as
We are assured by the same Divine author,
tia; the tree is known BY It's fruit, think
may venture 10 make some suggestions,
aud draw some differences, without violat-
Ing the precept, "Do unto others as We
would that others should do unto you," or
OF subjectins myself to the charge of being
nacharitable. have often thought, when
meditating upon christian duty, in connex-
ion with the great moral enterprises Of the
age, that could discover a deplorable dis
Crepance, in the practice and professions of
sone men. Nay, do we not see it in the
course of some who aspire to be teachers OF
morality and religion7 Is 1t uncommon TO
see men more jealous and untirng in their
effolts TO convert others 10 belief of the
correctness Of their creeds, than to engage
and en!is' them in the practice Of extended
benevoence ? l confess l have been fire.
quently panied, when have heard ftrven
and agonizin2 prayers made for the CONVEX
sion Of the heather in Asia, Africa and TIT
Jemotest isles Of the sea when | hav
heard professions Of unbounded love TO Go,
and love 10 man and then have heard thos
same persons spurning, ridiculing, and stig
maiizing those philan,hropic men who ar
striving, in every possible way, and by a
The means in their power, to ameliorate tn
moral, intellectual and physical conditio
Of the millions of the African race in OF
own country; alledging that as they wer
ano way, instrumental in bringing the
hI'her and rendering the system of Amer
can slavery what it is, therefore, it is
matter about which they have, and ought
nave no concern, shall not attempt to sho
what concern or connection we, the profes
ing christians, Of the free states, have, al
unavoidably must have with slavery. TIL
mas been done by far ADLER heads and pu
hearts than contIols this pen. May
those who do not feel that slavery, al
now exists in our country, is a concern
'he'rs, though they may be punctilious
the observance Of all the ceremonies q
ordinances, required by the letter OF
creeds TO which they may have become
iached, be regarded as only paying "ti
Of mint and anise and cummin,'' TO the n
iect oil '" the weightier matters Of the Il
judgment and mercy" would not sn,
lightly of the efforts making 10 evange
the world. Neither would suffer evil.
small magnitude so entirely to engross
attention that should have no powe,
discover larger ones, and no energies {,
tempt their removal BY the term i
ment, in the text, understand simply
ice. Is it just for the strong to oppres.
weak? Can power, under any circum.
ces' create right7 Wherel then, W
ASK can slavery be justifable Slave
admitted, on all hands, to be great n
sul. Why then should il find apollo
among those who would be regarded
SAT- Of The earth 7 ] said slavery W
reatevi'. May il not Be said more ur