Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1842-03-02
For the Vermont Telegraph.
LETTER FROM JOHN ORVIS.

LETTER FROM JOHN ORVIs.
: Dear Brother Murray:-It seems to be
d matter of duty to chronicle the opposi'ions
10 reform as they develop themselves. Es-
pecially when the ofectedly popular and
influential are the authors Of such opposi-
tions. So far as am concerned, | mean to
make an exposure of all such TO the world;
not from any personal considerations - but
from desire to promote the public welfare.
Last Friday, week, went to Cavendish,
and took quarters with our mutual friend,
John Spaulding. On Saturday, he made
arrangements for me to speak all day Sun
day, in the Baptist house at DuttonsviIle;
and in the evening in the Methodist house
at Proctorsville. On Saturday evening, by
invitation, lectured before the Lyceum, on
Capital Punishment. Sunday lectured ac
cording to agreement. On Monday eve
ming lectured at Ludlow, at the polite and
cordial request Of Baxter Burrows, Baptist
minister Of that place. In regard to all
these meetings, suffice it to say, the attend
ance, so far as numbers were concerned,
was respectable. The interest in all was
deep, The prevailing feeling seemed TO be,
non-resstance, as set forth, is Christianity.
On Sunday evening, confined myself to
the objections against Non Resistance. Az
ter speaking about an hour and quarter, I
gave way for any one to make remarks, or
raise objections, who might choose to DO so.
No enc appeared then observed, that if
the audience wished it, on Tuesday should
like 10 give lecture on the following topic,
viz:
I. Show from the nature, relations and
laws of human beings, that man is unfit to
be ruler of his fellow man; and 2. That
God from his nature, attributes and rela.
tons, is the only being in the universe com
petent to be the governor of man and
That heis the onl y one sanctioned by the
Bible.
1t was agreed to have the meeting. Or
the evening of the lecture, previous to the
hour of meeting, young man by the name
of Lord, son Of President Lord of Dartmouth
College, called on me, wishing TO know
if was willing to "permit" remarks aftel
had closed my lecture. Ireplied, "that i
did not belong TO me 10 give permission
Every person has the right to speak hi:
sentiments, without let or hindrance; ane
| hoped all would do 500
The hour of meeting came. | began tt
speak about half pastsix o'clock, and closee
at eight. Ryland Fletcher arose and said
eff he understood the doctrine of the gen
tleman, he was as much opposed to ecclesi
astcal and church organizations, as to civil
government" I remarked, that had ~
objection to church organizations, as socia
regulations. He still persisted in cha1gin!
upon Non-Resstance, as necessary conse
quence of its adoption, hostility TO the Sab
bath, the Christian church and ministry
church organization and all social regula
lion. then denied the whole of his charges
oitN Stu'Cu W tud( ny Ill
invitation, called on Fletcher at his house
on Saturday afternoon, and explained t
him the principles of of Non Resistance, t
which he assenIed. He said it was Chris
tiauity.; and he could not oppose it. H
had now come there, not 10 confute the lee
trre which they had listened 10, but to Great
capital against what he had once admitte
as true, out of the current ISLANDERS of GU
opposers." He then proceeded to read fror
the New Testament, something about Their
being some ordained for pastors, some fo
teachers, &c. He also read l Tim. 9. II
tus 3. Pet. 2: l3-l7. Brought up tn
case Of Christ paying tribute, giving it
false construction, and emitting the mos
important part of the whole-that in whc
he told Peter it was UNI just to exact it of tn
children, but nevertheless to pay it, rattle
than give offence. He exhorted US TO b
, pedceable citizens - charged US with excl,
ing spirit Of outlaw and misrule-declare
me inmodest; but took special pains to in
troduce himself as very modest man, an
he thought the beauty of has characie
would appear heightened by contrast. Hi
last charge was, that Non-Resistance ha
been hurtful to the An,iSlavery cause
This was all uttered, l thought, in exceed
, ing madness: He acknowledged that h
had been e.rcited.
r When rose to reply to Fletcher, a roug
man spoke out, "be as short as possible
He sat within a few feet OF his leader.
told the audience was willing to pay taxes
and did not know Non-Resistant who re
fused to paw common taxes Itbo, n.re