Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1842-05-18

night were only safe while they kept
their heavenly guide 10 view, even so with
the Christians, when they departed from |
the LIGHT of that gospel OF peace and love,
which their Lord and Master bad given
them for their guide. they fell into error
BY degrees, their evil passions frequently
obtained the mastery. and conventions. wars
and 6ghtings ensued. Christians being
no LONGER as a band ofbrothers, united by
the law Of love, occasionally entered into
the army, which. according 10 the opinion
of the heather nations, was the place OF
honor: a sentiment once abhorred, but now
almost universally adopted by what is call
ed the christian church. The heather
commanders found them to make the best
of soldiers, and the artful Constantine,
more effectuaIlyt to avail himself of their
help. against the nations with which he
was at war, turned Christian. By his
powerful influence, and the dazzling effect
which the 2omp of the Court, and the
splendid seductions presented TO the Chris
lians, by access which they now had to
places Of honor and profit, and the conse-
quent ease from cruel persecution, to
which the self.cenYing followers of the
cross of Christ had previously been ex-
posed; thus It was, that the darkness and
superstition Of the heather were only su.
perseded1by those Of the church.
These reflections have been excited by
circumstances which have recently occur
red in this city. brief notice of which
may not be undressing 10 the readers Of
the Liberator, many of whom know that
the penal laws Of this Commonwealth,
although less sanguinary than in some
other places, still authorize the punish
ment Of death for the crime of wilful
murder. Great exertions have been made
to obtain repeal of that law, or, at least.
TO substitute less barbarous penalty for
lis infraction. Some degree OF organized
action appearsto have been adopted, as
COMMITTEES of Is were appointed TO pro-
mote the good work. Through their
exertions, petitions were prepared, to
which numerous signatures were obtained,
and sent to the Legislature, where they
were read, and referred to Committee Of
the House, and strong hopes entertained
of favorable issue. But THE CLERGY
became alarmed, and, through their influ-
ence, counter petitions were got up, and
the sOOrk Of reformation Uas defeated not.
withs:anding a very interesting Report 10
its favor, by minority of the Committee.
In several places for public worship, men
protesting TO be ministers of the gospel,
preached sermons, expressly advocating
the doctrine of blood for blood, and de-
nouncing the advocates for the abolition
of capital punishment in no measured
terms, as in6dels, unbelevers in the Ri,
ble,&c. Allusions were made to Friends
as the chief promoters of 'theunrighteous
scheme &c. The Committee of Is, al
though composed in partof members oil
the Society OF Friends, was also made up
Of very valuable individuals of other de.
nominations, who felt themselves unjustly
assiied by the clergy, and meeting oil
the Committee was accordingly held on
the occasion. After some very spirited
expressions of sentiment, preamble and
appropriate resolutions were adopled, and
published in our daily papers - COPY o
which is forwarded herewith, as exhibit
ing the ssigns Of the times alluded e
above.
The opposition Of the clergy to the
Moderation of our penal code, and theil
violent impugning the motives of action
: and religious faith of those who plead fol
the humane alteration ofour criminal law
are likely 10 produce very important re-
action, and may excite to much deeper in
vestigation of the subject. the result O
which will be very different from wha
they expect. The eyes OF many may b
opened TO see the absurdity OF submitting
to the dogmas Of the Priesthood, wilhou
inquiring for themselves at Wisdom
gate whether these things are true o
\ false.
Philadelphia. mo. 80, 1912. E. N.