Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1841-09-01
For the Il egraD h
God.

For the elegraph.
Mr.. EIitor:-I send you short series of
letters on the Evil Of Creeds," which,
should you think proper, you will oblige me,
and possibly some others, bv publishing in
your paper. consider the importance Of
the subject sufficient apology for this eff
advance The interests Of truth. Whether
have treated the subject 10 the manner best
calculated to effert the Object, it is not my
province TO decide.
I Had the doctrine under consideration been
confined 10 those from whom we had moth
ing else TO expect, should probably have
spared myself The trouble of wiring, your
office of publishing, and The public Of read
ing, these "plaio, blunt" letters. But !,
and you doubtless, have observed, that it is
spreading of late among the churches and
ministry Of our denomina ion.
The brother dtSi grated as my correspond
ent, is that whoever he may be
who recognizes the principles under exam
nation, as his own. Should rerly be
made, wish it might be reserved until these
letters are disposed Of.
Yours, truly, A. D. L.
"EVlL OF S."-LETTER,L
My Dear Brother:-You will allow me
TO address you, on this occasion, with all
proper frankness and familiarity. The
iexprcssion which constitutes the omiDous
caption to my letter, has become quite
? fcom mon-place among cerain class OF
y pretended reformers, in these latter days,
+ as applied to the matter Of written rrteds,
which ere adopted bv various orders OF
; proftsSedtv christian churches. say
pr1tten, because it is assumed by those
: who charge so much eri up"n crredS in
the abstract, since 'hey have 10 a0riNen
, formula Of doctrine IN their own churc.
, or congregation, that they have no Green
t Mem5riceS; and consequently, are cxrmp
from the repeatedly opprobrious charge o
Al SectariamiSm. Whether they are lnstl y
II entitled 10 such exemption; or, indeed
D.. whether the first branch Of this assunp
d ton is entitled TO any weight in the seal
- Of truth, it may not be altogether SEGA
rian' to inquire. | viii grant it f.; III
>, present, however. until come to a NOR
nj proper place to expose is fAIiacy.
r. IL the mean time, in order to have
in definite starting point, let Us first endeavo
g. TO ascertain qchat creed Is. Fo, we ca
'rl mot determine whether a thing is ecu, Q
OF otherwise, unless we have some toierabl
W distinct idea OF chGt ttat hsng~i Nett
Of .E< ....
er can we conclude wi.h auy degree {
-, certaiuty-al!oAlno the Influence Of creed
r., 10 b. ever so levi ~ neither that in1l
We emce arises ffom the intrinsic. era cha
40 acter Of the things theasetrrs: or whett
= tr il arises from their G5use;-Whetht
by thy ATE The qgGte eausr, or become b
constra:n, the occasion, of evil. Why q
not these reformers tell Us what the:
'ou creeds are, before they come out upo
- them withthc sweeping, unqualified char!
:" of eUil, and nothing but erit? Some mt
=. talk ABOUT i'the evils OF ab0iilioa,' othe
IA of "ihe evils Of preaching the gospei;;"
cod are they therrfure evil !-Jno. | s. p, 2
om | remark first, negatively A creed
uch not law, Instituted by men-as is false
. in asserted 10 take the place of the BIB
eeG for all or some at least. profess to Ia
ha' he Bible, the whole Bible. aud nothil
OF hut the Bible, rs the rule Of their faI
=. and practice. Whether these professlo
;ar accord with fact. this is not the place
rch inquire.
'uch Secondly:-They do not command
b to to believe acitkout evidence" They ma