Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1842-05-16
For the Waterman & Journal.

"Whoso uttereth q Islander is a fool."--PRov. 1s.
SANDER is sin, which is ranked in the Scrip
lures with the most atlrocious crimes. In the first
cliapter of Romans, it is conspicuous line in the
trendfnl picture OF an apostate world, filled with
ull unrigh,eousness, iorhicaton, wickednsss, COW
etousness, maIiciousness full of envy, murder, de-
ceit, maigny, tohisperers, backb,ters, haters OF
Cod" II is a sin of dabolica description; a sin
which no true Christian would ever he guilty OF.
A person, in order 10 lie guilty of this abomnabe
act, must be possessed of heart under the influ-
ence of malice, or envy, or revenge, or some dis
position akin 10 that Of the devil who takes delight
in all mischief aud wickedness. In the episte TO
Titus, women are cautioned against being fuise
cusers,-the Original, not devils. The passage stg-
gests, that none approach nearer The likeness OF
devils tlun do slanderers or backh,lers. This in
fernal disposition to SANDER is new tangled
thing look at the history Of the world for eigh-
teen centuries and you will discover that iHdvd-
uas, families, and churches, have been ruined by
SANDER. Wurs have been klndled, nations bave
been desolnted, and millions murdered, through
tae-bearing. And here let me say, that il il not
the guilty, nor the most wicked that suffer most.
Frequently persons most eminent for piety and
usefulness are assaied. Baxter was represented
as murderer, Dodrdge as unjust und timeserv-
ing, Whi,efield as all that was vile. Even their
Lord was represented by slanderers as gutlon
| and drunkard. This internal disposition still ex-
isis. Many, who are within the pule OF the church,
are most awfny guilty. for not briding the tongue.
II is wilder than the most venoTons beast " for
every kind of beuss, aud Of birds and of serpents,
and Of things in the sea, is tanned, aud hath been
tanIcd, OF mankind; but the tongue can no man
tame" sit is an unruly evil''-evil in lis essence
full of deadly poison = the poison of asps is un
der their lips" II is like fire, wheel properly man
aged, highly beneficial but when no longer under
restraint most terrible and destructive. The tongue
is said TO defe the whole body" and ait se,eth
| liz IS. - .s,k
He'll" How awful a description how dreadful!
the last idea in it "Sst on fire OF HELL" Hell
inhames the revler, instigates the slanderer,
prompts the liar-what dreadful thought! Let
no one nngine the sin OF SANDER to he all incon-
siderable sn while it will destroy the immortal
soul, aud spread desolaiion, and misery and wo.
| am aware that some will say, sour tongue is
our own" Yes, and " for every idle word that
men shall speak they shall give account there
of in the day Of Judgment" Oae short rule, we'll
Observed viii save you from sins, which may blast
your eternal hopes: "when you can say no good
of any one, unless duty requires you to speak, say
nothing"
| Ii is not merely when cuating Galsehood that
the guilt OF scandal is incurred: il is incurred TO
dreadful extent by persons who circulate what
may be substantially true. The backbiter pleads
| in excuse for his mschievous conduct "the &C
count | give is correct" Ii may be SO, bur il is
not all the truth, il is truth misrepresenled or il
is truth which he has no right to repeat. Thus
the slandsrer sows strife and discord, and leaves
the persons to whom he bears his tales to esteem
him real friend, who is in tru cool and dc
l,berale enemy. The word Of God by no means
represents The guilt of scandal as consisting ex'
cIusively or principally in lying. Whether the
statement be true false, it il be calculated TO in
lure the repuato or comfort OF another, he who
circ ulates it, except in cases where duty requires
the disclosure, is a backbiter. Were slandcrers
universally spurned as unworthy Of notice, who
would be a slanderer? And here let me say, he
that takes delight in sandering or tale bearing pos
sesses heart and disposition that would disgrace
a demon, and is prepared TO sacrifice every feeling
of humanity and love 10 his neighbor, and to en-
gnge in the service Of him whose kingdom is q
Kingdom Of darkness. A. >. q.