The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1843-08-17
V o L. v. NO. 8.

tice and MorGtaty, the great articles of
their creed.
Although l have often expressed my
views to Others, and my willingness to
aid any reasonable efforts TO aneliofate
the condition of suffering humanity, I
never expected 10 occupy the position |
now do before community. And sure |
am that, had my own, and the estimate of
others OF my qualifications for office, coin.
cided, my name would never have been
placed among the candidates for State
Officers, Nothing but my devotion to
the cause of human rights has prevented
my promptly withdra wing my name from
the political canvass.
You enquire for my "views in regard
10 the propsiety of using the civil with
the clerical office" I reply, never sup
posed that either the Great Head of The
Church, or my brethren, required me 10
surrender any Of my rights as a man, by
being recognized as a minister of the
Gospel. While | am in the world | ex-
pect to share the responsibility of the
effects OF human laws on my fellow crea.
lures.
You say "the Office of a gospel preach.
er is generally considered a Aoly office"
&c. reply, that every Office held by
Divine appointment should be "consid-
cred" equally holy. The doctrine that
men may worship God in their religious
performances, and serve Satan in politics,
has no place in my creed. IAN is right
in politics." is a sentiment that every lover
of morality or religion, should utterly
r~epudiate, | wish to engage in no enter
prize, to employ either my hands, my
head, or my heart, in no work upon
which | can not ask the blessing of Heav-
en-. That human government is Of Di.
vine appointment, and that magistrates are
Goods ministers attending UPON this very
thing" (see Rom. xiii. 6, &c.) | must be-
Iieve as long az | give credit TO the Bible.
There is the same evidence that human
government is of Divine appointment, as
there is in the case of the Gospel Minis
try.
[ was not aware hat it was "generally
considered that no one has a right 10 give
his views of The Bible in the capacity of
Il public teacher, unless he had a license
iIOll no ItIiOW HiNli W.. L uINuNS sup
posed that the Constitution Of Vermont
guaranteed 10 us the 'freedom ofsneech,"
and thai the law of God feqeired US to obey
Him rather than man. | have yet to learn
either from human or Divine laws, that
any person may not appoint a time and
place, 10 exhibit his views Of The Bible
or anything else, and that any person is
restrained %(unIess by his sense of duty
from attending. That it is common, and
proper too, for any body of christians, or
others even, having an acquaintance with
the character, talents and sentiments of a
person about to become a public teacher,
10 signify their appreciation {gjve a license
if you pIease,) for the better Information
Of community, and the Influence of the
person in question, | have no doubt. But
how this infringes uron, The rights of any
other person, whom community can not
appreciate, ! am slow to perceive.
You wish to know whether my "li-
cense as a gospel preacher in one hand
and my credenSals as Lieut.. Governor,
g.. in the other, would be proper com.
panions }" Just as proper. let me reply,
as your profession OF religion would be
in one hand, aud your cole in the other,
10 elevate any person to the office Of
Communicating Chief Of the Militia of
the State" What right have | to place
man by my rote, where it would be wicked
to go MYSELF Either it is right or wrong
TO hold an office in civil affairs. If wyong,
then we have no right TO assist ang per-
son 10 do wrong. If right, then (unlii it
is shown 10 the contrary, } a minister has
as good a right, 10 do right as any Other
person.
Daniel, it will be admitted, was a in
lister, [prophcIl and yet he was the hicf
President in the great Chaldean monarchy.
Samuel was a prophet, chosen OF God,
[see | Samuel iii. A and on,l and yet he
Judged Israel al! the days Of his lile."-
chap. I, verse Is.
Zaccheus was owned OF Christ, [see
Like xix. 81 and yet he held an Office
under the Roman government.
Cornelius was a devoted saint, and vet
he was Captain of an hundred men. He
was even baptized with the Holy Chest,
spake with tongues, &c., still we hear
nothing of his resigning his commission.
If Daniel could be President. Samuel a
Chief Justice, Zaccheus a Constable, and
Cornelius a Captain, and neither of them
their Ministerial or christian char.
may not a minister, (t his talents
are suitabIe,) become a Governor Of Yer
mont? | repeat, a person by becoming a
christian, or a christian minister, does not
necessarily surrender or forte" his rights
as O
have only to say in conclusion, l have
never sought political prelerment. My
has twice been placed before COM
as a candidate for office, without
even nv knowledge that such a hing