Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1843-01-25
Jan. 25. 1s43.

results 10 SeCtdEldH tCIiS iVu tao"A q" yt"-o
that should be said by me. But, that
might proceed undersandingly, Inquired
Of another individual to know if 1t were
expected that should speak there that
evening. He replied, yes. James Ten
Broke soon kneeIed down and commence
ed praying. I stepped forward into the
region occupied by him, fronting the au-
dience He prayed for the palsying Of
an arm which he so described as to leave
no doub: in my mind that he had refer
ence 10 efforts which he was expecting
from me. When he stopped praying, |
commenced speaking. The people con-
dnued coming in, until the house was
nearly filled. After introductory remarks
BY way of setting forth that the religious
sentiment is instructive with man-that 1t
is peculiar 10 no age or nation, no class,
tribe or profession, | announced the prop
osition that the prevalent religion OF the
present time is essentially system Of
cutwardism. adapted more TO the wants
and demands Of mankind as material,
luslful beings, than as beings Of mind and
soul admitted that the difficulty may
have been, hitherto, more in the head than
in the heart. That religionists generally,
with some exceptions, may have been very
sincere. That the mass Of the people
embracing any system Of religion may
have been honest and sincere in their re-
ligious proceedings generally. instanced
the Hindostan fkins - whose religious
acts consist in sitting after the manner Of
tailor, aud holding their hands over their
heads, until they can neither rise on their
/ feet nor take down their hands-as exhlb-
Ting the strongest specimens Of sincerity
and devotion. Others may be equally
sincere and honest. and at the same time
equally deludcd. The popular and prev
aIent religion, or theology, of this coun-
try, at the present time, viewed 10 be
sldly wanting in Christianity = 10 be es-
sentialy material, idolatrous, in6delic,
bIasphemous and atheistcal. would
in Iertake the Iroof. If failed TO SUBJ
santate the correctness OF the PROPOSE
tlons, would fall in the ditch and be
lifted out by any who would afford me
aid. II had not got the truth | wanted
il. "When they heard these things they
we're cut to the heart" and were ready TO
crash on" me with their teeth" The
protf was what they did not wan to hear.
Ii was discovcrabe that many were ready
pt once to adopt the language of those
who said" thus saying thou reproachest
u.s." Talk commenced near the south
door. Wm. Baldwin of Hincsburgh wen,
b Carleton E Miles Of the same place,
who was Sitting in front of the pulpit with
james Ten Brooke, and returned TO the
camorous clan by the door. From that
direction a man now approached me and
told me must stop talking. Without
making any reply to him, continued my
discourse. He told me. with his face
thrust before mine, and his hand laid upon
my shoulder, that must stop talking or
leave he house. turned myself mod.
srately and stepped step aside and back
ward 10 get him from between me and the
audience, and continued speaking. He
left me, went back to the region of the
clan, obtained help, came and seized me
by the collar and arms and dragged NE
out Of doorsl made no resistance
Was not injured materially III my person
Felt very quiet in my mind. Pitied and
6rgave from my heort these poor, deluded
devolees to a cause which required such
defense. reminded them that their own
conduc, had now furnished per:eet illus
traton Of the truth and soundness Of my
propositions-my allegations against THEN
religion. They had practically demon
straled il to be just what l had alledget
il to be-wanting in Christianity and hu
manity. Samuel A. Cunningham. mem
Der Of the Baptist church, arose in tn
midst of the audience, as they were drag
ging me along The aisle, and protested II
words against their unehrlstian proceed
ngs. He was also seized and thrust out
Having been feeble in health for Ion!
time, he became highly excited. He wa
treated with inhumanity, cruelty and 10