Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1841-10-13

former letter, that there are certain char
acters who profess piety. with whom we
are commanded to have no fellowship.
But whether | have or not, it is either
Proceable, or it is not. If it is not, then
you have the ground. If it is, then the
contrary cannot be proved. Perhaps you
will grant it. If so, the only difference
between US on this point is, as to wtat those
characters are.* Butte acknowledge this,
is virtually to yield the main point in de-
bate. For your warfare is ostensibly-
not against bad creeds, but creeds in the
abstract. If il were. the ground of the ar
gu'nent would be materially changed.
II is even possible, my brother, that
your pirate creed and my own do not diff
fer. Bot if they do not-nay. indeed,
whether they do or not, how can YOU but
consider those in error who differ from
you2 For to adopt one thing as truth, is
substantially To brand its opposite as error.
You may reply that you are not respons-
ible for their faith But, while this is ac-
knowledged, you are ponsible-I think
have already shown, and you yourself
also allowed-for what yOu fellowship.
Next comes in your plea of non essent-
iGlism. You say these errors are not es-
sentidl TO salcation, Can you tell me,
my good brother, what IS essential to saliva
tion2 But suppose they are not this doc
trine savors but little Of that love to God
and has lao which as essential TO salvation.
Do look at the principle of this thing
1t says that it matters but little whether
we serre God or not, only so far as our
opn interest is concerned that il is of
little consequence how many errors con-
corning the character Of God and his holy
truth we may carry up to the gates Of
Paradise, provided we can only gain ad-
miltance there How far this doctrine
differs, IN principle, from the doctrine of
those characters, of whom Paul speaks
"who changed the truth of God into lie,
and worshipped and served the creature
more than the CREATOR, who is blessed
forever" | must confess ] am unable to
conce i've (Romans, first chapter.) Love
and obedien &c 10 God, as such, is not the
object, but your own interest. And so you
will not serve him, unless he will engage
beforehand to pay you for every specific
: act of duty you perform How much
disinterested love this principle embraces
Judge ye have not so learned Christ
q He does not buy service. He employs
D. no paid laborers, as such, 10 his vine yard
II This doctrine" frustratesthe grace Of God, ;
= and throws US back upon our own right
! eousness, and the deeds of the law, 70
: Justification. Letthis principle be carried
out to it< full extent, and no flesh could b.
saved. Romans 8: 20. Ifthe ruling mo
= tive to obedience be simply the fear Q
= misery, or the love Of happiness--th
q dread OF punishment, or the hope of re
a. ward, there can be but little hope Of avoic
er ing the one. or gaining the other.
g Kings II 1924. Jno. a 8.
z Whatever others may think, or how
ever they may feel, il is always with e.
IRENE sensibi!ily that hear men tall
with an dir OF cold Indifference, about tt
non-essentialism of Gods truth: and, a
s, fecting as it does, in my estimation, Il
}, honor Of the Divine character, the exec
ency Of his revelation, and the eternal d
stiny OF his creation, cannot but loc
Sc upon the profession of that individu'
~ who understaudingly casts contempt up
70 the bible, by representing its truths Al
gu teachings as small things-mere matte
&C. of opinion" as, to say the least. rath
'ot' doubtful. Charity demands of me this .
o. acknowledgement. "Consder OF IT. take :
''y vice. and speak your mind
d. will barely say in conclusion, my 3
~. Their, that hope these hints may be
a., kindly received as they were kindly
NIL, tended: and that. if you should TIL
bic proper to reply. you will understand
rb;d tinclly, that my remarks are direc
0o, agains, a system-not against any or
person or character. Ii is an interest
!. fact, that the arrows of truth never