Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1842-12-23

ness, to CRAFTY tho unhallowed caprices of fac
ton they are in most instances cast oil permit
less, with dependant families 10 be provided Tor.
The pittanccs promised as a remuneration for
ministerial labor are ordinarily SO small that the
most rigid economy is requisite to make them
suffice for the current expenses oia family. II
then the salary has been promptly PAD, there is
usually nothing on hand. But people who are
prepared TO act unustly towards minister in
the greater, are not apt to be very scrupulous IN
regard to the less. Hence the instances are
rare in which the pittance promised is fully paid
Is it to be expected that God TO whom justice
and judgment are more acceptable than sacrIiice
will let such iniquity 60 unpunished! But this
is not ALL Another pastor must be procured
and in order to this the church must justify her.
self in the rejection of the one lately dismissed.
Hence statements in self-justfcation, and con-
demnatory of the injured one, are often made
without due regard to the golden rule This
is the unkindest cut ofal. 1t is adding dcfa-
nation to injustice in the absence OF the sui
ierer, for the purpose Of deceiving another who
with full knowledge of the state OF affairs
would not adventure himself in such hands,
The result of such conduct towards Chrlst's am
bassadors, as might be expected, is the great
detrilnent of the churches. In many instances
the curse of heaven may be seen inscribed OF,
them as distinctly as OIL the jews, for years al
ter such transactions. God visits such church
es with Just retributon for the assumption OF
responsibilities so fearful. Hence congrega-
tons once flourshing as gardens OF the Lord,
become utter desolations. God thwarts by his
righteous providence their efforts TO secure other
ministra,ons. Then they indulge in crlmlna-
ton and recrmnaton, lose their spirituality,
become divided and obstinate, and the several
factions oppose each other for the grat'hca'loh
of revengeful spirit, until they can agree IN
| nothing. The lovers of peace often withdraw
| from such scenes of strife, and unite with other
denominations Skeptcs become confirmed m
fidels, and the children o fthe church grow uT
| in impiety. The writer has before his minds
eve at this moment churches not few, IN dit
ferent parts of our land, that will, if the- read
this article, recognize the nselves as The mod
els from which this picture has been DRAWN
Shall it be said that ministers are often them.
selves in fault and deserve to be rejected
admit that the best of them are but men, and LA
BILE to err. They come within the wide range
Of The declaration, that there is not Just man OH
earth that doe,h good and sineth not. They are
men of like passions and frailtes with others
And would ask, Are they the only class of dis
ciples 10 whom God has said, BE We holy for An
holy II only those who are themselves with
out sin should cast stones at ministers, they
would not be likely to suffer much injury. And
can imperfect Christians who expect the mantle
of charity to be spread over their own defects
make no allowance for human imperfectlon II
their pastors! Have they not many exce!en
ces of character! Do they not give evidence
OF genuine piety Then, might not affection
ale treatment and gentle admontion have sal
uarv effect on them But are these employed
Alas, no. In most cases the hatings of Chrst's
ambassadors are eagerly watched for. and they
are made offenders for a word. Is this magnan
imous1 Is it Christian! Even where minis
tiers err grossly, (Which in the Judgment o
charity Think is bat scdom,) are they not en-
titled to such a course Of treatment as that lalt
down by our Lord in the eighteenth chapter o
Matthew But in nine cases out oil ten 1t Il
not denied them, while secret defamation Is re
sorted to for the purpose of rendering them un
popular, and affecting their removal! The law
of Christ forbds that an accuasIon be received
against an elder, (minster) but before two o
three witnesses. Is this injunction respected il
the present day! Formerly, ministerial char
ac,erwas esteemed a sacred thing, which nigh
not be polluted with impunity by s'anderous lips
Is it 70 now In most instances the very per
sons whose railing accusations or secret insinua
tons result in the removal of ministers, arc rea
dy, if they will ask submission. 10 give them
epistles of highest Communications TO o,he
churches. In this do they not make manifest
the fact that their rejected pastors are righteou.
while they themselves are wicked! Ethe
their accusations or the testimonials they give
are false. 1.-THE former, they impously oppres
innocence, and nure real worth. 1.-THE latter
they are guilty of the double crime of lying TO
the purpose Of shelter;ng wickedness from it
Just desert and imposing on other churches pas
tors unworthy of the Office, For all these thing
God visits with his judgments his guilty churcl
$ es and their children. Let him that readet
r understand. OBSERVER.