Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1842-08-17
90
Dwight lakes

H., s.veral points, Dwight lakes
oPon a,.J what. at this day, with such |
~ : - are above referred 10, staring US
= re fsce. would seem 10 require some
n.oof For instance, that the present or
Ar If men. claiming 10 be the christian
ministry are egilimatefy entitled to that
honorable distinction. As II asserting
their claim to the title established Us vail.
dity. As ifgoiBg to Theological school
and Studying heathen literature and BIB
Iical commentaries Of uninspired agents"
and passing throughthe ceremony OF an
ordination was being set apart by the
Holy Cost to be overseers OF the church
Of Christ" AS if 10 preach for hire,-
setting themselves up TO the highest bidder
and making merchandise Of their theolo-
gy, calling il food, which cometh down
from on high" and to administer this food
or not just as the people are willing 10 pay,
was following the example of Christ and
his Apostles in that matter, and establish
ed their claim, beyond doubt TO direct
lineage from the Great High Priest Of the
New Covenant. Where is the evidence
that the clergy Of the present day are set
apart by the founder of cur religion TO
feed his church," or " that the Holy Cost
has made them its overseers!" Not sure
w, ia the fact that "lhey are the greatest
obstacle 10 the way Of every needed-re-
FORM" nor in the love Of popular favor,
and that miserable, time-serving spirit"
with which they stand charged by distin-
guished men of their own order. Untii
Dwight shows by some more convincing
proof than their naked assertion, that the
present occupants Of the clerical office are
ordained Of God, (not merely that God or
dained Christian Ministry. for that 1--WE
all acknowledge. ~ and that he gave the
title of Rev. OF d. D. 10 the ministry He
ordained, his case is not madeo out nor my
objection removed.
."Touch not nine GnoiRted and do my
prophets no HARM" reverently exclaims
Dwigt: Tho. were it not for the evident
zeal & sincerity, with which ne vindicales
the cause of the clergy, it would be diff
cult 10 determine whether this quotation is
applied TO them in sober earnest, convey
ing solemn warning to bewere how we
trifie with the" Vice gerents" of Heaven,
or whether it is not intended as thrust
Of keen cutting irony at their inpious
pretensions; if indeed there are any who
make such professions. My friend d. il
appears q ne, is assuming quite too much
for his clients. 10 SET up this claim for them
after admitting that they are mere "falli.
bic, uninspired agents" For, to be an
oinled, in the sense in which the word is
here used, would seem to convey mean
ing not verydiH erenl from being inspired
Another instance Of begging the ques
ton occurs farther on. How can we re
gard law if We revere not its expounders2
Assuming still, that these men are divine
ly appointed expounders Of the law Q
our holy. religion. Suppose petty law
yer should write Hon. before his nam
and set himself up as an expounder of tn
laws of Vermont; should l be charges
bic with want OF. due respect for the Law
II failed to dof my hat and speak hi
name with reverence, being careful alway
to add his resumed title, whenever migl
pass him. And especially If found ]
the Law, of which he pretends to be tn
"expounder'' an express prohibition
such being called Honorable" VIII
would then be guilty Of disregard of law
he, who strings these titles to his nam
contrary to the express prohibitions 9th
law, or l, who in obedience 10 the Law
refuse 10 apply them to him? The Mir
listers whom God ordains are forbidden
be called RABBI and the like-tilles I
honor, to distinguish them from oths
men and those claiming to be thus o
dained, who use such pre6xes to the
names, or approyingly acquiesce in the
being so used By others. give positive ev
dence that they disregard the law of whic
they pretend to be. the God-ordained e,
FOUNDERS. and that their claim 10 this hig
Office is false and groundless.
fear have already extended my q
ticle beyond your patience or that of 20,
headers and will therefore close. after a
hiding to one more instance ofconfoundir
things not always Identical. "The Gle
sgy have nothing to fear. for the cause
virtue and truth has ever" &c. Just a
though the. cause Of the clergy and that
truth and virtue were of course the sam
True the cause of virtue and truth has e
er been more than match for error, hoy
ever the latter may for time have pr
vailed; but so far from this being Il
reason why the clergy should not fear.
is the best reason ia the world why the
should. The veil Of hypocrisy and dece
with which they have SO long and so su
cessfully covered up their true charact
is fast being removed. The abominatio
of the Church are being brought to ligl
Men are losing that false veneration
hoary opinions and usages which have
long made them the vlssals of sect Al
clergy. and they are standing forth in I
dignity oftheir God-like nature "redeel