Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1842-02-16
VERMONT TELEGRAPH.
BRANDON, WEDNESDAY. FEB. l6, 1912.


Popular Religious Leaders and Reform.
The probability now is that the above
head will become standing one in the
Teleeraph--to be set aside only occasion
ally to accommodate other things. The
movements Of the times are producing de-
velopements. in the conduct of religious
guides and teachers, that ate astonishing
the world. Henceforlh the agitation is to
increase-is to deepen. and widen. and
extend in all directions, until the eyes of
the people, and of those who have blind
ed them and themselves, shall be thorough
ly opened to behold some The most mon
strous and destructive religious decisions
and corruptions that have ever disgraced
and destroyed human beings since they
have had existsnce on earth. III
The article below is very much in point
under this head. The manner ofthe writ
er goes great way in making hisproduc-
ton valuable. l have reference to his
speaking out and giving manufacturing
on himself the responsibility of telling the
truth as 1t IS, in relation 10 the public
transactions Of public character, whose
acts affect the interests of the community
around him just in proportion to the influ'
ence he exerts either for good or for evil.
And here it may be proper to examine
a principle which is not as we'll understood
as it ought to be. God has drawn line
between right and wrong between truth
and error-between holiness and sin. Our
1 Savior said,-s he that is not with me is
against me; and he that gathereth no
with me scattereth abroad" This is no
} only not as we'll understood as it ought t
: be, but it is not as much kept in mind a
: it ought to be by those who do understand
g it when they look at it. And then it i
: not carried out in every direction, AM
P applied to moral conduct generally, a
r much as It ought to be by some Of thos
q who will tenaciously apply it Where the.
b choose. All who take it upon thenselve
e to be teachers of religion will be found a
r times enforcing this principle very rigidly
!, as applicable to the conduct of those whor
e they would convert to the views they ad
i. vocate. All such should remember tia
e God will apply it to all the moral condue
y OF his accountable creatures. There
y one important view Of this principle, i
e its application to the conduct of popula
J. religious leaders. which should cause a
!. to look well TO their standing-and som
). TO pause. fear and trem5le. 1t is the cor
d sheraton that
e TIE neGre, ony one is TO the line. ,0hil
n he IS on the t0rong side of 1t, the create
e his influence IN drawing others orer tfoi
the right side to the a0rong side, and pr
st Venting those a0ho are on the a0rong sid
r from going Deer 10 the right side. F.
n illustration, take the subject of Tempe
h ance. The drunkard in the ditch exer
le the least influence Of all classes of drinl
S, ers towards getting others into the sam
n wretched condition with himself He
l. an object of disgust and loathing to Chi
D dren and youth-to all who are liable, b
:. any Other influences or means. to be draw
( into the use Of the drunkard's drink
# Temperate drinkers are far more ehicie.
1t in their hurful influence upon commun
Is ty than drunkards - intellectually NOR
q hurtful. Their habits are less repuIsivt
il They can reach large classes who fe
d the approach of the drunkard. The
i stand nearer the great line of demarka,ior
: And, other things being equal c. ia
e enls, attainments, station, and all othe
II means of exerting influence - he wh
S stands nearest the line, and yet is on tn
It wrong side, exerts the most perniciou
e influence. His efficiency in doing harr
Q will be in proportion 10 his nearness to tn
line. From his position, he who stand
neares. has the most power to prever
others going over TO The right while o
the other hand he can the best reac
II across. if may 60 speak, and bring owe
y others from the right siee TO the wrong
This doctrine holds true when applied
y and is equally applicable. to slavery. wa
. and every other popular sin. Now of a
q classes who stand on the wrong side {