Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1843-03-08


All will consent in ioords, 70 the truth
Of the proposition --the correctness OF the
view, that 'sGod Is Love" Bot for the
multitude TO make their other views, and
their general practices, 10 De consistent with
this proposition, will be found TO be another
thing, aud different, quite.
The knowledge Of the truth on this sub
iect is Of vital Importance to mankind. L.
noranee here is a source Of darkness, DESC
laion and DEATH Let US, then, to the in
quiry,. as il becomes beings with minds
formed for truth, and with bodies and souls
formed for the enjoyment Of its benefits.
Too long have we been required by our
religious teachers and guides to throw aside
our investigating powers-to dispense with
the use Of the nobIest faculties Of our ma
lures, in matters which these same teachers
themselves have urged upon Us as Of the
highest moment. We may think about
dollars and cents, and small matters - but
in our religious matters we must feel, and
il there be any thinking to be done. allow
others who are paid for il to do il for us 1
The interests which Of all we ought TO see
10 for ourselves as individuals, we have been
taught 20 commit to the keeping Of others
whom we must pay for seeing 10 them.
know the denial that will come in here.
know how stouily it will be avened by
The hirelings that they have told the people
to see to these things for themselves - and
how confidently il will be affirmed by their
employers that il has been so. At the same
time know equally well, and all who have
taken observation know, that there is. far
more OF profession in this than OF practice
far more Of saying than Of doing. While
the appearance has been this, the reality
has been that While words have been
here, words and deeds TO the contrary have
been there. The truth, the undenable truth
Stree thinking, in matters Of religion, has
been forbidden the people, on the highest
pains and penalties - has been pointed out
and execraed as the broadcast way to hell
Freedom Of thought, and Of investigation,
as they pertain to religion, exist only in
name. The sum and substance Of il in
reality is, freedom TO think as the dogmas
adopted, and to be adopted, without exam
nation requirel-feedom TO inquire after
support for views that have already been
received without. inquiry freedom to de,
fend positions 10 which we have been pas
sively placed To examine the position
and the defense set up for il = 20 inquire lo
know the correctness or incouectness OF the
view : to bring the dogma to the test Of
investigation - is carrying things quite too
far Such are the notions Of free inquiry
widely prevalent. Its time for the impos
lion and abuse TO be thrown of-high Time
for the clogs aud irammels Of tradition I,
be laid aside-for beings formed for intelli
gence TO search and know what they arr
about.
To come TO the subject thea. All vii
agree in saying, "God is Love-" But wher
will language cease to be used without
meaning7 Or when will il be used con
sisten,Iy7 All are as ready to say that Coo
is Interchangeable, as that he is love. All
too, would probably admit, at once, in words
tina, Gods laws are not partial, but are gen
eral-are not arbitrary and changeahle, bu
+ Interchangeable, existing in the nature an
Q fitness Of things = in other words, are i
d fact the relation which one thing bears {
% another. Whether the correctness Of lhi
= last proposition be admitted or rejected, III
:, truth remains the same. The admission c
the rejection Of any or all OF these proposition
neither makes them true nor untrue. Wha
even the words may be that sometimes g
y into the mouths Of men on these points, Ii
orthodox preaching, in Chrisendom 81
called, which prevails and takes practices
eject is in no way compatible with Il
Il truth Of any one Of the propositions.
:" What is meant, when il is said that &c
Is Lore2 II is plain that large proportic
IS Of those who use the phrase attach no de
mite meaning TO il. They use Il becau'
Ill they 6nd il 10 the Bible not because il
ruth. Other things which they find in h
"A Bible they use, not only because they FL
{. them there, but because they are congeni
!. to their selfish feelings aud practices. The
!. latter things are as opposite TO the former
evil is to good - as hatred is TO love-
violence is to peacefulness. And yet I
lovers Of miraculous and mysterious thin
inr receive all these contradictions, anlago
isms, and irreconcilable belligerents,
SIC. from one God Of truth aud unchaDgeab
on hess and all because men have put III,