Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1840-05-20

Jence' OF every thing that is GOOD, and also
encouraged its discussion in your columns
should hardly have ventured TO proceed
W hen the various benevolent objects, which
have distinguished the present age, as Edu-
cation, Foreign and Domestic Missions. the
and circulation of the Scriptures
tracts, &c. &C.. first began to claim public
attention, every orthodox pulpit and press in
the land was successfully put in requisition
Tor pecunlary aid. The call was mpera
i've and universal. The rich were exhort-
ed 10 give literally, as an example to their
rich neighbors The poor, to work a little
harder, and practice hule more self-deni
al, that they might have something to spare
for he Lords treasury. And even The
widows were not neglected in these minis
trations, but were reminded that their tlco
mites qoould not be unacceptable Far be
il from me to indulge in the slightest cen
sure upon deeds of public usefulness and
charity, or to call in question the motives
which impel to their performance, which
can be known to God only.
But during a period Of twenty-five or
thirty years. where have been the poor Of
our towns and churches? In the achieve
ments of splendid piety of almost an en-
Tire generation, have they been remember
ed ? My opportunity for observation has
not been confined to a single state or par
ish; and yet for thirty years | have not
heard one regular, set discourse from any
pulpit setting forth, and urging upon the
christian church and community, the claims
OF the POOR at home, which yet, If there be
any truth, or any meaning la the Bible,
are prior ard paramount TO all others
Has not our conduct herein too much re-.
sembled the rich mans in the parable. who
though admired, it may be, for the splendor
and magnifcence Of his public acts and dy-
ing requests, yet could not see beggar, or
listen to his cries for bread at his oaon
gale.
To mind not callous to sensiblitv, it is
painful TO witness the excuses that are often
made for Withholding from the children of
penury and want: as, whether you are
able; whether you had not better pay your
debts first; whether your own household is
provided with all that they need; whether the
object presented deserves to be relieved OF
| they are foreigners or the law has made
provision for them,* &c. Now if you must
hear all these silly caveats Of silly devil
before you give, you will die and 60 to the
judgment before you shall have performed
comfort of your own soul IN the daY when
every action Of your life shall come in re-
membrance before you, to receive ACCORDING
10 that you have done, whether it be good
or whether it be evil. There is none SC
poor, but he may find something to spare
for him who is still poorer, according 10 the
saying of our Savior, The poor We have
! always with you, and whatsoever we will
We may do them good.' Read Matt. 25: 3:
to the end. G.
Rutland, May 9, 1910.
Say on f'iends-say on The subject is an i'm
portant one. Thank brother c. in behalf of tn
cause ne advocates, for his searching articles OF
the suhject.-ED. TEL.
Public provision for the poor bv poor law
viii be found defective in every respect
PRESIDENT WAYLAND
For the Telegraph