The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-12-07
Ministerial Independeuce.

Our readers were informed some few weeks
since of the dsmission Of the Rev. Mr.. Pierpoint
from Hollis Street Church. Boston, for his fearless
exposition of the snfulness of using and trafFsing,
IN Ardent Spirits. One general burst of indigna.
lion from the press throughout the country has
been expressed against this proceeding; and Mr..
Pierpoint has received deserved honor for his in
dependence. The Hollis street Church is Unita-
rian. The Christian Register, Unitarian pa
per- sustans Mr.. Pierpoint and utters the follow
ne noble sen cents on the Independence of the
pulpit. They deserve to be written in letters Of
gold.-Me. Wesleyan Journal,
The minister, who suppresses and tramples
down one impulse that becomes and exas him
as citizen, Christian, man, is false to him
self and his people. Without freedom he is moth
ing and can do nothing He NAV talk and exhort.
But it is only tie sounding of BRASS He is no.
longer living soul. His higher life has departed.
The law of c.ah is working within him. And
nothing but what is sickly, unreal, powerless can
proceed from him. The moment one drop of tim
Idty subserviency enters his mind the Holy Spr-
it is resisted and greved. rs true power is big ht>
ed. 1t is no longer the temple of the Irving Cod
Those that are in their graves hear net his voice
and come forth. He is there himself and emi,s
only hollow mutterings. He is the most piable
actor on earth. Angels blush and weep as they
behold him amid his miserable mockeres-wth
Il wronged shrinking, shackled, crushed spirit pro-
claiming those truths, that fill heaven with rap-
ture and inhabit the throne Of the Almighty. He
takes counsel of flesh and blood, when about es-
saying to put forth that quickning energy, that
should redeem souls from all baSeness and bond
age! Is he the minister Of Christ-of him who
said fear not them that can only kill the body
whose spirit entering into holy souls makes them
If I'd e ,,ky N
He is not the minister of Christ. He does not
know him. He has lost the element through
which alone he can be perceived and felt He
cannot preach him who is the power of God He
can be preached only so far as the mind is as free
rs truth and.the highest influences can make it,
The least shadow of servitude quenches portion
Of the beams that fall from his sun. There is
Nothing we so much need as fearless, noble men,
who will do and dare all things for conscience
md truths sake. We have fatterers and impos-
ers in abundance. They abound on every side
They are poisoning every fountain that nurtureS a
peoples greatness and glory. MultituGes are de-
'eved and deluded. Every breeze is laden with
he babblings and cajolings ofselfsb, reckless am
,ition. The father Of lies and hypocrites is estab
ishng his empire over us. The sacred fire burns
eebly among us, No living Goals descend and
ouch timid lips. How refreshing is one word of
imple sincerity 0 that God would send US a
,oodly company OF prophets, who would count not
heir lives dear unto themselves and whose inspir-
ID words might thrill through the hearts Of this
treat people! Will we drive honesty and truth
rom their last refuge? Will we compel them
Jack to heaven? Will we bring the pulpit into
bondage? Will we seduce the oraces of God
md turn his service into larce9 Will we break
he last link that binds us to what is real, ever
astingly divine Will we cast away the last
norsel of true bread Have we partalen so deep
of forbidden fruit, and listened so long to syren
oices, that we imagine we IRE like unto gods and
an then determine for ourselves what is good and
that is evil? In the name of all that is fearful,
olemn and hopeful, in our condition and deslinies
&c beseech you, brethren, reverence the indepen-
ence Of the pulpit. Tamper not with the free,
ON fyour ministers. Encourage them to preach
18th bodness. We allow they may abuse their
eedom. But there is little danger of it-lar
lore reason to fear that they will come short of
5 demands. There is limit to forbearanee
ut bear long before you do or say any thing, that
,ay impair their faith and force Il ia sad thing