Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1842-06-29
mea, as well as "glory TO God in the
hiehest.n Il would be ...
"A heaven on earthly ground,
And glory in the bud

y heaven
And glory in the bud
7 Nv. And last, IN one word, what are the
obligations which we are under as Chris
tians TO love our neighbor as ourselves
The doctrines Of Christianity lay founda-
ton for this by representing US all, asaof
Gone blood" originating in "oDe Father"
/ Adam, and one Father God. They also
represent US all as involved in like circum-
stances of distress and danger by the fall.
For all have sinned, and come short Of the
glory of God" And the good will of God
has been manifested towards all, in the rich
and glorious provisions in the gospel of
reconciliation. And he is the Precipitation
for our sins, and not for ours only, but also
for the sins of the whole world.n "For
the grace of God that bringeth salvation
hath appeared 10 all men, teaching US the
denying of ungodliness,n &C. 70 all are,
profered the same blessings Of grace and
| glory. And we are required to honor all
| men," What is the honor which we are
,
with some, confne it to external couresies
and signs of respect, yet even this tends 10
impress US with some great peculiarly in
man, for who treats an inferior animal with
courtesy? Why then this distinction be-
tween the most degraded man and the most
pampered brute, but that between them ga
great gulf is fxed," and that there is no
approximation at all in the two natures?
Thus the very preeept, "honor all men," if
incorporated TO mean nothing more than ex-
ternal salutation and respect, rends aspnder
the feshly veil in which all that is eminent
ly man is enveloped, and exhibits to US as
the basis Of the courtesies we are bound to
render "alt men," without distinction. q
being Of superior capacity and delicate feel
ing; nature which, IN common with our
own, has its sense. of degradation and Of
honor, which sympathizes with US in our
joys and sorrows, in the cheering influence
of kindness, and the keen resentment of
neglect and contempt. But this would be
very imperfect representation OF the i'm
port of the expression, "honor all men,"
To honor" as the word signifies is TO es-
innate the value of anything, and to proper
ton our regards TO the ascertained value.
Apply this rule to man. And how is his
value to be ascertained?. What is his
weight, and what his dimensions How
shallwe measure him? SAYS DR.. Watts,
"Were SO tall to reach the pole,
Or grasp the ocean with my span,
/ would be measured by my SOUL
For that s the sta ndard OF the man."
What an honor God stamps upon the soul
OF man, with all its depravity, degradation
and pollution. "God SO loved the world
asto give his only begotten son. &c. Who
can estimate the worth Of an immortal soul7
Who then can estimate the worth OF man
The man made in Gods image, and stamped
with immortality whom wesars to regard
as our neighbor-and to love as ourseIves2
1t is upon these principles that Christian
ity expressly commands and lays the great
est stress on universal love. "Love all men,"
Showing all meekness unto all men," that
B." first of all supplicalions, prayers, interces-
sions, and giving of thanks, be made for
! all men," And certain it is that this gen.
eral love is recommended by the greatest
and noblest Of examples. God himself is
our pattern = Jesus Christ is our pattern.
His pity, kindness, compassion, benefcence,
forgiveness, as manifested in his life, death,
suftrings, prayers, are so many arguments
powerful in their character exciting to this
duty. And the world of love, which as
believers we have in prospect, should raise
our souls 10 temper of sincere, fervent,
and universal love. And as we believe in
an eternal God, the bliss of heaven, and an
!; endless hell, let US be moved to rescue our
neighbor whom we may instrumenlally
= save, "puIling them out of the fire."
-" If ye fulfil the royal law according to
the scriptures, thou shall. love thy neighbor
as Myself, ye do WE'LL" In SO doing we do
well for ourselves - well for society-well
for our neighbors-for world lying in wicks
!. edness, well for the church Of God we
! thus act in obedience TO the revealed will
: of God,-fulfi the whole law Of God, land
j fundamentally promote his glory.
imp ovemen
/, l. We are here taught the indispensable
obligations Christianity lays US under to
observe this commandment. No principle
] of religion is more clearly stated, or more
1 strongly urged on our practice Than his
ID abound in love one towards another and
E towards all men" The absence Of this
II love is marked as the evidence of a grace
+ Iass condition. "IIe that lovelh not his