The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1842-10-01
IVA raA an d Ee eREEiogl S
REMEDY FOR THE TINES,

oRTHE GOLDEN RUE APPLIED.
Who has not blessed the Golden Rule Of our Sa
vior? who has not admired its beautiful simplici
ty, its all comprehensive hrevy, its kindly adapt
edness to the character and conditi on Of man So
simple,we wonder that no philosopher or sage rad
made himself immortal, by utteringit before SO
natural in its tendency to make men happy,we won
der that it had not already become The law of tho
world Simple as it is beautiful! Perfect as it Is
simple So perfect that, if it were universally ad
mtted end practised, all the complicated systems
Of human law might be abrogated at once. This
godlike principle, acknowledged and carried
out In the feelings and conduct Of all men, would
be sufficient to govern and regulate all the vast
concerns OF the world, Transforming it at once into
the paradise it was originally designed to he. There
would be no suffering poor for the rich would
cheerfully obey the charge given them in the Eth
and 18th verses of the 9th chapter of the LIST limo
thy, and be always "ready to distribute, willing to
communicated, laying up IN store for themselves a
good foundation for the time to come in prefer
ence to having all their treasures this world -
There would be no crime, and consequently no
need OF bars, and bolts, and prisons, and the dread
and burdensome array of legislative and Judicial
enactments, tribunals, and penalties. For Glove
is the fulfilling OF the law" There would be no
oppression or cruelty, no Withholding from the
We ak his due, cold refusal Of the claims of
brotherhood, the demands of charity, in conse-
quence of the paltry distinctions of RANK, color,
creed. Nation would no more lift up sword
against nation neither would they learn war any
Then would
"Peace Ger the world her olive-branch extend,
And white-robed innocence from heaven descend ="
Then self would cease to be the only law .giver,
counsellor, and judge
"And every man in every face
Would meet a brother and friend"
Prophecy assures us, and faith expects, that such
will, one day, be the happy condition of this now
miserable, because sinful divided, self.burdened.
self governed, seize nslaved world, o that that
blessed day were now fully come-that The world
were subdued TO the mild and heavenly sway Of
the Prince of Peace, the God of Love. o, that
those who now confess his sway and profess obedi
ence to the laws or his kingdom, would show their
allegiance IN the daily duties, the common affairs
of life and make it manifest that in keeping his
comm andments there is great reward But alas !
it is, even with the selC.deDyng disciples Of the
cross, easier to preach than to PRACTISE III go Sir
and went mott is the brief history of muIlitudes Of
those who would be "irst in the kingdom of heav
en- They prominent and vociferous in calling
the WdSleT, 'LOTu ''Out tDey DO not the
things which he says" They ado aims to he
Sc en- ofmen," bnt of the silent and unobtrusive
charities OF life, they know not the luxury. They
are staunch supporters, and noisy defenders Of the
deep, and perhaps ncomprehensible dogmas of
their peculiar creed, while their daily conduct
shows that they need that teach them, which
be the first principles of The oraces OF God" They
can talk earnedly Of faith and hope, while char.
ty, though the greatest of these, is daily scandal
lied by their department. Their confessions, Ind
canons, and platforms, and creeds and pledges land
all the paraphe MALTA of forms and ceremonies with
which human wisdom has aimed to heautify and
garnsh the perfect temple of Gods worship, and
explain or enforce the simple claw of Christ they
hold in most profound reverence and regard, and
ready to pour out their property and even their
blood, if need be- in their defence. But, if an an
gel from heaven were to visit them, and follow
them through all the routine Of their domestic ar
engagements, and their business transactions he
would not discover that they had read "The
Golden Rule" that"second great commandment
son which"hang all the law & the prophe,s."Alas!
that these things should still he so What wonder
that the world "walk on 10 dark ness, when they
who are set as "lights of the world" "hid,"
each undsr bis own 'abushel!"