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

The means can have no place in the ex-
pedients of a Christian reformation OF
morals. For how can the morals OF
people be reformed by process which
denies moral obligation and confounds
moral distinctions, in the outset2
Iflhere could be such thing as NOR
al reformation, not founded upon the strict
and rigid principles of moral law, then it
might be true as some dream, that the
platform of a moral reformation NAV be
broad enough to include all who profess
to be in favor of reform, whatever prin-
ciples they may adopt, or whatever meas
ures they may pursue. On this principle,
(if principle it may be called which denies
all principle,) expulsionists and abolition
lists, immediatists and gradualists, those
who honor their principles in the most
itrying circumstances and those who for
the sake of "other great interests" DELHI
eTately postpone them, those whose acts
correspond with their professions AMI
those who declam loudly against Cypress
ors in one breath, and then eagerly clothe
them with power by their own votes, in
the next-may all harmonic together, as
dear brethren and fellow laborers in the
work of Christian reform! Who does
not see that Satan himself could scarcely
contrive policy better calculated to cor
rupt and defeat all efforts for thorough
reform? -..
It may be true that many who refuse
to discharge faithfully their duties may be
1 ~ do, I1oofr1l ba ~
Divine Providence, in the removal of
public evils. The same is true of the
most obdurate opposers of all good. But
this furnishes no good reason why they
should be honored as faithful fellow labor
ers and the cause committed to their keep
ing, and their unfaithfulness left unreprov-
ed! -
The business of the Christian reformer
should be to urge on all men the discharge
of all their duties, anu from such motives
as are in accordance with the Divine
will. God may indeed use, if he pleases,
tho numerical strength and the power of
vast multitudes, for the overthrow OF op-
preston, who fail vitality, in the discharge
of fundamental duties, and whose motives
he sees to be defective aud selfish, even in
their most useful acts. But this does not
alter the duty OF the Christian reformer,
who is neither permitted to lower the
standard of the Divine acquisitions, nor to
recognize as Christian reformers the men
who give no evidence of integrity of
character. When Nehemiah "rebuked
the mobiles and rulers of Israel for their
oppression. and "set great assembly
against them" TO awe them into compli-
ance with his just requisiions,* it is to be
presumed that the arguments by which
he urged them to this effort were the same
that moved his own generous and magnan-
imous heart, the same that we know he
urged upon the oppressors themselves
But it would be too much to presume that
they were all influenced exclusively by
such worthy motives. We do not read,
however, that he rejected any of their
votes, in the decision of that important
controversy, nor, on the other hand, that
they were indiscriminately invited to
take the charge and direction ofthe moral
enterprise then in progress. If we may
Judge from his own expressions, the noble
reformer had few, if indeed any, co-adiu-
tors, in his rsformatory efforts, with whom
he was accustomed to consult
Nehemiah Chap. v. .*-.- -.
Then consulted with myself" Ib. verse z.
Rather narrow PLATFORM some would think
but probably as broad as " the narrow way"
IA