Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1841-09-08

From the Christian Investigator
NATURE AND DISTINGUISHED FEATURES
OF TRUE CHRISTIAN REFoRMA-
TON OF MORALS.
| In urging upon Christians, and upon
ministers and churches the necessity of
adopting measures for a thorough and
radical reformation of morals, one of the
first things to be done is, 10 attain and ex-
hibit clear and correct views of the things
wherein such reformation must consist.
In the wise adoption of means to the pro-
motion of an end, it is essential that no
great mistake be committed ia respect
| to the nature and distinguished char
acteristics of the end itself To err
here is to err every where-to err fatally.
We enquire, then, after the nature and
essential features of Christian reform. Il
is taken for granted, of course, that ref
ormation is needed-that il is a moral ref
ormation-a reformation from sin.
I. The Standard The Divine La,u.
Whenever We speak of the necessity of
reformation, it is implied that there is, at
present, departure from the path of duty
from correct and proper line of con-
duct. And in this, it is al gain implied that
there is an unerring and correct rule of
moral action.
To reform is to form over again-to
form anew, and in accordance with the
loriginal model that has been marred, or
departed from In a reformation, the or
iginal model is to be sought, that it may
be restored-and the principles of its con-
struction are to lie understood, tina: they
may be used and applied. Those princi-
lples constitute the LGao that has been vio-
lated, and conformity with which is to
be insisted upon. by those who would urge
a reform. And without such conformi-
lty there can be no reformation. Not even
piece of human mechanism, broken
watch or disjointed mill, can be repaired,
without clear conception of the original
t model, and knowledge of the principles
i, by which it was constructed, and upon
which it was designed to operate. The
surgeon can not heal the wounds of the
| human body nor replace the shattered
t fragments of broken limb, nor restore
a the healthful functions of the diseased or
s gans of the system, without a knowledge
s of their original construction and posi-
? ton, and of the laws or principles of their
e healthful operation, as established and re-
d vealed by the Creator.
n Just so with the moral disorders of
IS men. To reform is to restore original
:. order. 1t is to bring man back to his
a primitive model to induce him to become
f. what his Maker intended him to be, and
:, to act in conformity with the great princ.
pies or laws upon which his moral consti-
tuition was framed. This, and this only,
can deserve the name of reformation,
IS Thus, and thus only, is it possible that
st mankind should be reformed. The will
Y of the Creator, or in other words, the Di-
N vine Law, lin the moral, as in the physi-
lie cal world) constitutes, from the necessity
n of the case itself, the only possible stand
" ard of repair, of restoration, of reform,
lie AS we'll might the surgeon attempt to re-
ID store the disjointed parts of the body to
( their original position, as placed by the
er Creator, withou! understanding that posi-
s. ton; as well might the physician expect
;" to restore health to the dlsordered organs
ut and functions of the body, without any
y, reference to the divine purpose or law OF
lie their organization as well might the ig-
g norant rustic undertake to repair a Srok-
er en- or defective watch, without any knowl
lg edge of the model or the principles or laws
upon which it was originally constructed
ly OR in the neglect or disregard of those
tn laws; as for reformers to attempt the re
ce formation of mankind, without making
lie the great moral law of God the standard
lief By which, and the instrument a0ah which
1g their reformation is to be carried on anC
RS consummated. No quackery Oh eant
IT. can equal that Of the pretended reforme
e who undertakes to remove moral evils bJ
I'D any other process than that of bringing
he the actions of men into harmony with thu
he ascertained will of their Creator.
ng 1t is only in the light of the DIVINE
law, that reformation can be correctly
defined. The necessity of reformation
!e , can not be made to appear, unless it Cal
or be shown that there is, at present, a de
Vi parture from rectitude-a moral evil;
'se sin. And sin is" simply " a transgress
re ion of the law"
IN No arguments in favor of a moral re
IN formation can properly or pertinently b
10 urged, that are not based upon the eqgita
nd Bile claims of moral law No urotiye
no. can either be presented or acted upon, t
let any good purpose, in moral reformation
IN that do not spring from regard to mora
an- principle-to MORAL LAW. 1.-THE LAY
Jus of the Lord is perfect, converting th
fsl souls
~: Here, then, we are furnished with on
o' a. distinguishing trait of true Christia
ou' reformation of morals. 1t is reeorma
Ies ton founded on the Divine Law. L
on, measures will consist chiefly in urgin
inu the claims of that law and In exhibltln