Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1842-04-12

For the Herald
MEssRs Ep1roRs:-In looking over the columns
of your paper, few numbers back, my attention
was arrested by insertion, signed VeritaS,' which
made more public, if possible, the nonsenscal dis
plays which enacted, not only in the place mem
toned in that article, but also in every other place
where the Reverend Gentleman spoken Of happens
to of1iciate The gross abuse the SANDER, the de-
morazation ofa christian principle, which char
acerzes those displays, should ncite every lover of
peace, who loves to see the worship of God con-
Quoted in manner worthy great and good Be-
H., to condemn and dscountenance such unchris-
tian, such unbecomng scenes. The reading ofthat
article set me to thinking that too might throw
little light the subject and by throwing out few
hints through the medium of your very valuable pa
per- put check on the really ridiculous perorman-
ces, of which Veritas so justly complaints if indeed
it be possible to check the irresistible violence and
fury, with which these attacks of ribadry and impo
siton are hurled on circnmstantialy ignorant
dience, from the mouth of this would-be Reverend
Gentleman. Yet he should be aware that if the OPP
preston OF British tyranny has left the great
of listeners ignorant, there are some among them
(through the blessings of Providence) who may not
only have slight knowledged respecting the duties
of secular jurisdiction but also Of ofthe cleri
cal duties incumbent on Pastor oe Christ, who is
stationed here to direct his flock in the ways Of
| truth, and guide them to the home of God.
The Rev. Gentleman may, in the opinion of some,
be a very exemplary man, and an excellent chris
tian. II so, in my humble opinion, he has a won-
derful odd method of making it known, and promul
eating by Christian example the decent, sober prin
ciples of virtue and religion among those who look
to him as their spiritual director He wishes to be
taken for learned man, and he rs presume some
thing of a scholar. The inquiry then may arise,
where's the FAULT upon what ground can a COM
plant be rested! These would certainly be leading
questions, and shall endeavor in as brief space
as possible, to make all plain.
| When we enter the house of God, or any house
temporarily dedicated TO his worship and the preach
ing of his word, where the sober realities OF re-
| ligion are presented TO view, no matter how utterly
reckless we may be, no matter how indiffer-
| ent to salvation, the sanctity of the place.
the sanctty of the occasion, the requisite solemnty
and christian demeanor Of Gods servant must in
spre with reverence at least sufficient respect
the duties of the place, and may be, make better
| for being there Is this the case where the Rev.
Gentleman offciates in the sacradota functions of
! his ministry How does he begin the service-the
service Of God and the holy Sabbath! While he is
waiting for the coming in of his congregation, in
stead of taking the children of his flock, and in
structing them in the simple truths of his religion,
and teaching them its principles from the catechism,
of his belief; he is either RECALLING the of those
already assembled, and those coming in, with rib
aldry, testing, and the nonsensica buffoonry,
| or dealing anthemas, aud cursing the souls and
| bodies of those, whom he is led TO suspect from
,chispers, had injured him in word or action Chat u.s.
who had spoken derogatorly of his proceedings, or
had not given him the dollar in due season. or who
might have gone contrary to to the course which he
had imposed. On the one hand he keeps those who
can laugh at such low stuff, in continual roar Of
coarse vulgar laughter. On the other, he keeps
those who crawl, in sycophantic meanness and
cowardly superstiiOus dread, at his feet bending
beneath the terror Of his furious maledctions, and
the sweep of his dreadful anthemas. Is this the
way minister of God should deal with his people 2
| Is this the way he should solace the unfortunate,
comfort the afflicted, chide the wanderer and direct
all to heavenl Is this the way to heal the dissen-
sions among his people, and between himself and
them Is this the way he should deal out aspersion
and abnse, indscrimnately without investigating the
cause, WHEREVER! Reasonable man, answer: ], for
| one, say no Did he alone abuse the living (even
were they not present TO foS ti.emselves,)
charity might fling its veil over him; but when he
tears the dead from their rest in the graves holds
them up in derision to the laugh and ridicue of a
vulgar crowd, the more eectuay to injure the liv-
ing; say the 'gO,cn' should not him from the
lash of public and merited contempt. He has
done so. He dragged her from the grave, to wound
the feelings of the !ather the mother, the sister, the
brother, with unseemly talk about her death His
jcss fell harmessly there, for she indeed love-
ly, amable young woman, too good to DO here. In
stead Of be ing ofhs 'choir girls now, l trust
she is singing songs Of heavenly love in the choir Of
I God.
In recurring to the article o'Veritas, it behooves
me to say something of an individual, mentioned
there, abused, and thattoo in the most ungenlemany
and barberous manner. Mr. Kathrens, a music teach
er, well known through the medium of his vocation
and otherwise TO many respectable families in this vi
cinty and elsewhere, gentleman, in every sense
fhe word, and deservedly popular in his profession
The Rev. Gentleman, Ito use his own words,) mus
needs have prick at him. on account of some per
sonal pique; and, OH admirable criticism! called him
a bad musician Farther than to whistle very gen
teely, make bold to say the Rev. Gentleman doe.
InAt A.