Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1841-06-09

mires not the precious diamond, but seems
enamored with the gaudy tinsel that
adorns it. His solicitude is not so much
about the moral character of a person as
what are his intellectual ott0inments.-
This is dangerous in the extreme. As a
ship without rudder lies at the mercy of
the warning elements, so men of superior
talents, without corresponding moral prin-
cIple, lie at the mercy of their passions
We have at hand practlcular i!lustra.
ton Of this fact.
Perhaps there has never been day in
our nations history when her welfare de-
manded men Of superior intellect and ele-
waited moral character more impera,ivSly
than at present. This urgent call comes
tupto Us from every department of our
National Government. The reason of
lthis is obvious. la promoting men to lu-
crative and responsible stations we have
elected the most brilliant and powerful
lntellecls among US, but have not been
equally vigilant to elect none but men of
elevated moral character, whose inhexible
love of truth, justice and right, is stronger
than death itself. Hence we have col
leeted into our legislative, judicial and ex-
ecutive departments mighty power Of
knowledge and talent, which, for want of
sufficient moral principle, is frequently
perverted, and thus becomes not our ma
tons safety, but the source of her great
est danger. Where pure virtue does not
reign, there sordid self bears rule. We
elect these men to promote our country's
interest; they aim TO promote their own.
Aud, that they may please "the good PEG.
pie" they adj pit themselves to their vitiat-
ed taste by dazzling their eyes with brill
liant flights of wit and paintings Of rhe.or-
ic, and deceive them with their own cum
ming craftiness. Had we none but such
men to stand at the head of our glorious
republic, she would soon be split upon the
rocks around her,and he, numbered among
the nations that were. But our Case is
not thus desperate We have been fortu-
nate in selecting few magnanimous and
trusty patriotic men, whose ruling passion
is lore of country, and whose love Of truth
and right, and justice, is stronger than
death. These men are, under God, our
present hope. These men are calling to
US for help. And what shall we do =
Shall we continue to substitute mental for
moral excellence? Or Shall we be more
vigiant 10 elect men Of high moral prin-
ciple as well as of superior talent mep
who are able 10 compete with their adVer-
sarles, and expose their sordid schemes to.
public detestation
But our National Government is net
the only source from which we may draw
practical illustrations OF the woful conse-
quences Of substituting mental for moral
excellence Even in the church of Jesus
Christ is not this dangerous principle in
sidiously working2 When some church
es wish to elect pastor, what is their
first inquiry? Is it uniformly who is the
best qualified in respect to eminent piety,
theological knowIed gea and Christian zeaI2
Are not these secondary and minor con-
siderations2 Not unfrequently their first
Inquiry is for man of the most brilliant
intellect, the lveliess imagination, the
greatest oratorical talents, the sweetest
voice, and the most winning atractiveness
in his personal address. Now we do not
denounce these qualifications as undesira,
bic in the Christian minister, when they
are united with devout pietv. But we dc
/ protest against their being ever substituted
for petv. Though an officer inthe church
"Had all knowledge, human and divine,
That thought can reach science can define,
Anc did sweeter sounds fall from his tongue,
Than ever man pronounced or angel sang;
Still. without piety, cymbal's sound
Were better than his voice." ..
, With equal proprIety You might wres
! the sun from his seat, and place in hi
stead the lunar orb, as 10 substitute men
tai for moral excellence insthe church,
The one would be no less disastrous in ii
consequences than the other. You MAY
. adorn an automaton most beautifully, AM
e make lis movements appear quite grace
; ful at a distance, but still It's action is no
: original and efficient; IL has no soaL S.
with the minister 10 the church, IN whom
: mental is substituted for moral excellence
His labors NAV be constant and arduous
still they will be inefficient. And why
: Because he has no ptety. W. H. b..
From the Pastors Journal.
1T BITES LIKE SERPENT AND STING
LIKE AN ADDER.
> was once witness to a most distressln5
! event An itinerant exhibitor Of serpent
came through the settlement where re
= sided, just as the district-school had dis
;, missed its pupils for the evening. Tn
re reptiles were represented By him to b
Of very beautiful, and so tame that the
A. would come out and return to their Gags
at his bidding. Soon few pennies wei
). collected. and he proceeded TO the exhib
= ton. He drew from their hiding place
On two rattle-snalSes. and handled them vii