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

mourn before God, instead of taking the
seat OF the scorner, and pronouncing it an
. unchrlstian' act to exhort them to re-
pent! Such was the mourning of King
JOSIAH, hen his heart was TENDER" and
he "humbIed himself before the Lord
not merely for sin in the abstract. but for
the specific transgressons for which the
nation was then reproVed. r Kings xxi,
l8, 10 ] Such was the mourning and con-
teSslon of Ezra and the assembled congre-
CATION of Israel, when they trembled at the
commandment of their God, and put away
their strange wives. Ezra X, IL Such.
IN word, were the expressions of confess
sion and repentance 10 all those sigaaf H.
stances of public reformation recorded in
the sacred volume.
Are our modern reformations of morals
Sufficiently characterised by such features
| as these? 1t may be said that the secular
aspect of our efforts, carried on, as they
have been, chiefly by organizations dis
tinct from the churches, and to some ex-
tent outside Of their enclosures, has SEEM
ed to present an obstacle to the public
manifestation Of characteristics like these.
But how came it to pass that the churches
should have left it for other associations to
take the lead in the warfare against vice
Most certainly, there can be no good rea-
sons why the ministry and churches
lshou.d refuse or neglect to humble them.
selves before Cod, and repent of the sins
in which they are so VIGOROUSLY and so
deeply involved.
To deny that the foundation Of public
reformation should be laid in such a con-
feSsioo and repentance as has been describ-
ed, is to deny, in effect, that it should
possess the characteristics of moral re-
formalinn at all. 1t is to reduce our re-
tormatory efforts to the low level of mere
worldly cxpedients, to be carried on, of
course, upon the maxims of a worldly and
time serving policy. And the we'll known
and constant tendency of our reformatory
efforts to degenerate into something Of this
sort, and 10 become merged liz the spirit
and managed by the tactics Of a calculat-
ing expediency may be traced in 30 small!
measure TO this grand defect in our re-
formatorv endeavoIs. We have imagined
ourselves reformers, and claimed the glory
Of martyrs, in too many instances, without
having first humbed ourselves in the dust
for our sins. And without such a humiIia-
ton and repentance, there can be no
hearty adoption of the divine law as the
standard of reform.
VII. WORKS MEET FOR REPENTANCE.
AS there can be no thorough reforma-
ton without humiliation and repentance,
h.
be worthless that does not result in a re-
lormation-an abandonment of the sin.
70 what end do we employ moral sua-
sion, if it be not to persuade men to prac-
> ticc the right and abandon the wrong |?
How absurd, then, must it be to exalt mere
moral suasion, as 40 instrument of reform,
in such a manner as to disparage and dis
5 counenance appropriate and efficient mea-
7 Sures for carrying out our principles into
!, consistent and available practice? AS a
Y reformed and correct practice is the only
proof Of genuine repentance, so a con-
= sistent example is the most efficient form
It of moral suasion. A faith in the powered
:. moral suasion, that does not connect itself
It with correct action, is emphatically that
d faith without works, which is dead, being
d alone. ..
p In the TEN erance reformation, mora
= suasioD was found useless until twas sus
D, tanned by Corresponding example which
!. would be safe for others to follow. 10 tn
cause of human rights, it is becoming
is equally manifest that no moral suasIon i
al of any permanent value that does not per
n suade lis advocate 10 "execule iudgmen
M for tne oppressed.' 1t is by their truit
IS only. not BY the flowers Of their fair pro
le LESSONS, that the claims of professed re
10 formers are 10 be tested. A say-and-Gc
1e not philanthropy has too long deceive
10 the hopes and Knocked the miseries of on
ID sin enslaved world How marvellous thu
he there should still be found advocates for
nd reformation, which says and does ever
= thing that could be desired except-to re
form!
lie VIII. soBRIETY-sERIousNE
as ,,.xcp
watch and pray" said the Savio
THAT We enter not into temptation I
sober, be vigiIant," said an inspired apo
. tie, !" because your adversary, the dev
goeth about like roaring lion, seekr
whom he may devour." ,,.-
e Ifit be true that a work of public
,Iic formation calls for deep humiliation Al
as penitence on the part OF those who wou
the be useful in its promotion, it must be eN
cir dent that they are called upon to renoun
ma levi,y of manners, conversation and d
re- pertinent, as altogether incongruous W
the the character they would maintain, so'aI
ere unbeftting the times on which they
the cast, and utterly incompatible with
ley successful prosecution OF the work u
I'm, have undertaken to accomplish.
art Saw what YOU will of the christian =