Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1842-09-28


dence of Benjamin w. Dyer, my beloved
brother and yoke-fellow, in the work Of
universal reform. l met him, with bis
worthy companion in life, short distance
from their house. They had started on an
afternoons visit and business, among theil
friends. asked my brother 10 accompany
me to Williamstown, Groion, Passumpsic
and Danville. He hesitated a moment
Said his business had been arranged with
reference to going to New Hampshire on the
week following. His wife, however, spoke
favorably Of his accompanying me, and in
few moments he decided for himself 10
do it. We went 10 their house, and in a
short space of time were on our way TO
TIE MEETING AT WILLIAMSBURG.
Brother Stafford, who had carried the ap-
pointment thither, had understood the mat
ter between US in the case differently from
what had. One or the other of US had
forgotten or inexperienced. My own i'm
preston was that the meeting was to COM
mence at P. M. He thought otherwise,
and had assembled the people al 8. The
lameness of my horse and other hindrances
prevented my reaching the place until be-
tween and 6. Some had gone home. The
first meeting was thinly attended. In the
evening more came in. Had good time.
Much interest excited. There are noble
spirits in Williamstown, who are rising and
throwing off the chains of superstition and
prejudice. The kingdom Of violence is re-
ceiying terrible shaking there. Light is
breaking 10, and those who have chosen
darkness are gnawing their tongues for pain.
Sectarianism is losing its hold on many,
and is tightening its internal grasp on others
The meetings were open to free inquiry
No restraint upon any. This made them
the more effective. The oppenness Of the
friends of reform to scrutiny is everywhere
terror to their opponents. When il is
seen that all they want is truth; and that if
they have remaining errors they esteem il a
favor to have them exposed, it disheartens
and confuses those who have hitherto got
along with their own errors by making a
bargain with others to Offset them against
theirs. This corrupt bargain has been en-.
tered into among errorists everywhere
Those who go for universal reform are
breaking it up. This course of theirs is
setting on fire the works of depravity, "and
it is set on FIRE of hell" A fire is kindled
in Williamstown that will not cease to burn
until the precious are separated from the
vile, and the lovers of darkness and the
lovers of light each find their own place.
., that they all would be wise - that self
ishness and sin might be made to give full
place TO benevolence and holiness that
superstition and idolatry might be supplant-
ed by intelligence and Christianity.
BARRE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION.
From Williamstown we went to Groton,
and attended the meeting Of this body. The
constituents Of it are feeble few, and will
not grow stronger or better under such tut
lion as is now over them. Some of their
teachers are filed with wrath and spleen.
Others are seized with fear and trembling.
What our eyes beheld here was pitiable
sight to behold. Friend Blood, from Will
JAMESTOWN, had got through with his intro
ductory sermon before our arrival. We
were afterwards told that in the course of it
be had distinctly sounded the alarm against
me, calling my name and doing what be
could 10 prejudice his hearers. During their
intermission I went to the Committee of
Arrangements, brother Lyman Culver, min
lister at Grotou, being chairman, and desired
to know whether they would fad it conven-
lent to make any arrangement for my ad-
dressing the assembly. Brother Culver had
sent me notice Of their meeting for the
Telegraph, and accompanied it with an in
vitaticn for my attendance. This placed
him in straitened situation. He manifest
ly saw and felt that refusal to lend his in
huence to procure for me hearing, would,
under the circumstances, be gross discour-
tesy. Another member of the Committee
was Leonard Kimball, of Bethel He was
crusty and sour. The third member of the
Committee was E. L. Clark, Of Morristown.
He was from another Association and did
not like to take responsibility-but whenev.
er he said anything to me, he manifested q
wish that | might have an opportunity to
speak. Brother Blood was in the room, and
by every word and action showed that h.
felt rather bloody. He stated that resolu
ton had been adopted, with reference TO set
Ting the question as TO who should hav,
seats in the meeting, and participate in il
deliberations. As he mentioned the word
ing Of il, | noticed something peculiar, an,
l ockod II the v,oot,lso n e i-d hao, -