Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1840-11-18

they did in the Apostolic age2 Then sell
al. your possessions, and putthe property OF
the church together; and we shall be alike
poor. or alike rich. Those who make this
objection are usually the last men from
whom we expect apostolic practice. II they
were to profess to do SO, it is TO be feared
that Ananias' and Sapphira's, fate would be
theirs.
shall now proceed to consider,
Ill. Some Of the epils resulting from
such practices.
l. Ministers, being unpaid, get involved
in debt, and lose their credit and character.
Some most aggraVating instances have
come under my own observation. A below
ed brother of my acquaintance, being con-
siderably indebted to the merchants of his
village, and the church also being indebted
TO him, he repeatedly urged them to pay
him. Brethren" said ne, 8" am in debt
and must lose my credit and influence in
the community, unless you pay me-" But
his entreaties were UNDECIDED, and the mem
bers of his church were among the first to
complain Of their minister for the non pay
ment of debts.
2. Young men, just commencing in the
ministry, not being rewarded for their SER
vices, frequently, have their confidence in
their brethren destroyed-become jealous
Of the church-and thus, early in their pro-
fessional labors, their energies are paralized.
! 3. Tue sexton, not receiving his pay,
neglects his duties and we frequently, at
the hour of service, find the place of wor-
ship unswept and unwarmed-in the even
ing unlIghted. Thus, much of the good that
might be accomplished by religious worship
is lost.
s. 4. The business committee Of church
!, become involved in her debts and have TO
advance their own money, because they
. have endorsed her obligations. After being
left involved a few times-the church re-
fusing torelieve them, they retire from the
duties OF their Office, and 6nally, refuse to
serve where, under the necessity of assum-
! ing pecuniary responsibility, the commit
tee are frequently censured by members of
the church for their doings, and left to pay
the debts contracted.
There is case now existing in this State,
where committee, appointed to build a
meeting house, more than eight years since,
! were left deeply involved in debts incurred
in the erection Of the house, and have paid,
i from their own pockets, over and above,
their own subscriptions, (Which were liber-
al, more than $500, each. When this COM
,nittee requests the church to relieve them,
one says, tive never instructed you, 10
] build so expensive house, Another, :" if
{ you had built house worth not more than
J $1,000, would willingly have paid my
+ part. had rather worship in barn." A
third, 81 did not wish the house located in
that place." So the contention goes on, to
the destruction Of all the peace and harmo-
ny Of the church.
i 5. individuals, sometimes, refuse to pay
+ obligation, which they have endorsed for
the church.
i In trying to settle up the pecuniary af-
fairs of a church, mol thousand miles from
| this place, a minister went TO an individual,
who with two Others, had endorsed note
/ Of $50, with the design of raising sub
scription, sufficient TO liquidate the whole
church debt. The brother, at first, decln-
ed doing any thing. Said the minister,
i s'you have endorsed one note, and if this
debt is not liquidated in some way, you will
have il to pay" Said he, shall not pay it.
"You may say" answered the minister,
ewhat you please, but, as you have put
your name to the note, pay II you must, or
put your property out Of your hands. -
That" said he, " can easily do" This
debt was due at the time; and the endors-
ers had received dun. Cases, like the
above, ruin the credit of the church without,
and destroy her peace within.
4 6. Mechanics and laborers are reluctant
in working for church for fear, they can
not collect their pay, without trouble.
Z. Many, who would become members
Of the congregation, and Of the church, re-
fuse, because it is so deeply in debt.
s. The church is s,igmatized as dishon-
est; and the cause Of Christ reproached in
the eyes Of the world.
9. And above all it is displeasing and
dishonoring to God.
REMARKs.
]. Much more depends upon the tenn
Doral condition Of the church, than we are
generally aware of. Il cannot be reasona-
! bly, expected that God will pour out his
i Spirit and bless the church that is involved