Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1843-06-28

The use of means, as the results Of efforts I
to be made, rather than 10 wait for it to be
produced miraculously2 What should
we think Of a community of slothful hus-
bandmen who, having managed so sloven-
ly and sluggishIy as to cause the weeds.
briers, thorns and thisiles TO cover the land !
they occupied, should on being exhorted
to change their course Of proceeding, with
view to obtain sustenance from the soil,
tell US they could imagine state of things
in cultivation and production that would al
ford bread, but 10 the present stale Of things
they sa no other way but to continue the
growing OF thorns and thistles. would
as soon look for bread from sowing the
whole face Of the ground to weeds, as look
for love and good will from allowing the
use Of violence, or expect practical benev-
olence from indulgence Of depraved SELF
ishness.
(2)But how are all men 10 be made bet
ter, ard to be advanced towards desra-
BILE state of goodness Is there anything
in the present system conducive 10 such
an attainment Will violence engender
love2 Will unkindness produce kindness!
For one, | am disposed 10 look upon GRIM
inals as an unfortunate class, if may be
allowed the use of this word, beings 10 be
pitied, rather than to be punished. And
J besides. gel no evidence that furnishing
increases The safety Of society. On the
, contrary. il is abundantly evident 10 me
that il hardens and fits for increased Grim
inaity. AS FOR the abandonment of the
present system, it is not to be expected
any faster than its impeIfections are seen
and substitute is made 10 appear pref
cradle. But the desirable state of things
must be kept 10 view, and the means for
attaining it. II is sufficient objection to
the present system that it is not progress.
sive. 1t contemplates the continuance Of
depraviry and wrong doing, and provides
no means for their eradication.
(3)I am not aware Of having held The
church unduly accountable. The fact that 1t
is in all readiness 10 accommodate itself 10
circumstances, suspect is alluded to iron
, ically.-There is nothing truer than this
fact. And what fact il is 10 place by the
! side Of another fact-viz that the church
o at the same time claims 10 be the standard
: Of piety and goodness A standard meas
: uring and aeeommodating itsei Fl to circum
; cUmStances 1t is even so. How ther
are weights and measures to be arrived
al2 BY the way, the supporters Of III,
/, church complain Of Reformers for disre
garding the standards that they have Sc
up. Until they can give US standard
that will not become all things to all mel
and all manner Of circumstances, The,
must ALLOW me 10 call for something better
take the church on its own grounds an,
on its own claims. II aspires to the con
troll Of mans best Interests. Ii [ hav
placed It's responsibilities above its ow
preiensons, let me stand corrected. b.
do not allow the righlfulness Of its claims
!, nor the proprie'y of lis pretensions. i
assumptions are monstrous It's ambtio
:. is without bounds. Its power is terribl
j but it is no longer on the increase.
: has had its day. The hand writing is a
ready on the wall against it. Its knee
are shifting together. Il is weighed
the balance and found wanting. III
: earth is not always to be stained with Ii
: blood OF its victims. It's fires for the burr
ing Of herelics are to be put out It's 70
lies, its decisions and its impositions a
N to be known only as things gone by.
IN. CHI aries Lane.
S? Il appears from this Brothers article
IS the present number Of the Telegraph, tn
:; ba has cloSad his serips m Voluntarv p