Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1842-08-17
VOL XIV. No. 4s

The dictates of their own reason Or even
he revelations of the Deity. The press
has beer muzzled and free speech sup
pressed, SO that whoever has dared TO
doubt the infallibility of the priesthood, to
question the truth of their dogmas or lisp
a rebuke of their faults, has been visited
BY the relentless anathemas of the broth
erhood and followed by the unsparing
malice and revenge of their devotees.
But it is cause ofdeyout .hankfulness, that,
through the renovating influence of Truth,
the shackles ofpriestcraft are fast falling
from the minds of men,. Free spirits are
rising up all over the land. who dare 10
think for themselves and to speak out their
free thoughts, and the press,-that engine
of terror to political and ecclesiastical tyr,
amy. is beginning to utter its thunder
voicesin behalf of Freedom. . -...-
The object of Dwightappears to be, to
vindieate the clergy againstthe charge of
standing IN the aoay otthe moral retorm-
Gtioas Of the aeorld: And it will be observ.
ed that he brings not fact nor an argu-
ment to prove that they are lifting fng-
er for the advancement of reform, but with
surprising modesty, arrays his simple
opinion against the explicit testimony of
the Rev Albert Barnes. On one side
we. have the declaration of an anonymous
writer, who says he is intimately ac-
quainted with members of the christian
ministry of all sects." and on the other,
the testimony of man sceH knoaen,of high
standing, hitnselfa clergyman, and testi-
tying, evidently with great reluctance.
against his own order. Whose testimony
is entitled to the most weight Let your
readers decide. But see not why D. is
not bound 10 receive the testimony of this
witness as conclusive. Indeed he would
place himself and his case in a, ridiculous
dilemma, after assuming for the clergy
the character Of the "Lord's aneinted
Prophets" "0Ferseers of the Church,
made such by the Holy Ghost" >, chosen
of the Saviour TO carry out his purposes
&c. &C., 10 turn round and question the
veracity of one of this exalted order of be-
ings, and say, after ALL he is not to be be-
Iieved, even when testifylng against his
will. 10 a case involving the character OF
his dearest friend. -.
| ButAnfortunatelv for d. and his clints,,
the charge of delinquency of The clergy
does not rest solely upon the testimony of
one witness, much as be is entitled, from
his position, to credbiIity. 1t would be
taxing your liberality gate too heavily
were to present forinsertion in your pa
per title Of the evidence. to this point,
which lies within the reach of any one at
,all acquainted with the moral efforts of
the times aud until ID or some other
advocate ofthe clergy produces something
more than The simple sag so, of an anony-
NOUS writer, to meetsthe evidence already
presented, 1 think candid minds will ad-
nit tha! my position remains undisturbed.
Bat since your correspondent seems in
cined to push aside the testimony of A.
Barnes, wish so little ceremony; although
to question it on almost any other topic
would be subjecling one to the charge of
"ca jimmy and vltuperation," wish to
introduce another witness also, clergy
man of the same denomination. He tes-
titles that, <" experience and observation
have convinced me, the greatest obstacle
in the way Of Immediate Emancipation is
in the MINISTRY and Churches ofthe diff.
ferent denominations of protesting christ
ians.' And the reason be assigns for
their delinquency on this " perfectly clear
and awfuIly momentous subject 1of
American Siavery.) is their lOus Of pop
uLar faoor-their miserable time SERVING
spirit" (See extract from letter in the
Voice of Freedom, No. /. Vol. Az
Look at the position of the leading men
among the clergy, and indeed of their
whole body, with some few exceptions.
! upon the subject of Slavery-InVenting
Bible arguments" for the justification OF
j the bloody system and holding loving COM
munion and fellowship with the thieves and
robbers who are its practical supporters.
See their almost universal opposition 10 the
Establishment OF the barbarous and ant.
christian practice capital punishments-
the pulpit and the religions press, as the
sectarian organs are called, laboriBg with a
4 zeal for its perpetaity, worthy The cause of
the gospel of forgivness; and hear them
while professing-to enforce the precepts of
Jesus. who taught the returning of good
for evil, and the forgivness o. injuries, and
1.-The loving OF enemies, and the turning of
THE other cheek to the smiter, and, sealed
these blessed precepts with his blood JUS
ftifying bloody and murderousdefence both
individual and nationaI-pleading for the
}divine right TO return evil for evil instead
of good. to resent injuries instead of for
giving then, to butcher our enemies in
stead of loving them, to strike them down
instead ofturning to them the other cheek.
and say, whether he charge, that the cler-
: gy stand in the way of the mora. renova-
ton of the world is .enablei yea or nay.
i [ rejoice TO know there are exceptions TO
! to this eharge-thas there are men stand
ing In the relation Of clergymen. who are
aI,n,nvad in the work of reform