Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1843-10-04

ment and use OF lesser as OF a greater
amount of light and knowledge. In this
view and use Of language, say Twas as
honest then as now.
The paper was first edited by Ira NJ.
Allen, who was chiefly instrumental in
geuing it Up. Then by Nathan Brown.
Afterwards by Warham Walker. And
finally by Willard Kimball. During
some vacation, or vacations, between some
two or more of :hese individuals, think
the editorial department was under the con-
troll Of John Conant. The paper was the
property of the ceEomination. AT least
the stock was owned BY individual Bap-
lists. in different parts of the Slate and Vi
entity. Twas reader of the paper during
most of the time the denomination publish
ed it. During the latter part of the time.
became dissatisfied with the course pur-
sued in keeping out discussion. Al the
end of the seventh volume. purchased the
stock. and published The first number of
the eighth volume, on the first day OF
October. 1885. My object was TO make
the paper serve better the cause OF free
dom and reform. was far enough, how
ever, at That time, from any very correct
or extended views of human freedom. |
saw the need of some classes being freer.
| Advocated the freedom of Southern slaves,
and all in like condition with them--
Opposed aristocracy, so far as | saw it.
| Discovered various forms of corruption in
! the churches, as well as out of them, and
urged their eradication But had no idea
of going further, in reference to the church
es, than to purify them and build them up.
Supposed them TO be in fact, what they as
sumed to be, the "saIt OF the earth, and the
| ligh! of the world" had fall confidence
in truth and righteousness, and spoke GU.
against error and iniquity, wherever they
anpeared. This disqnieted the churches.
But their disquiet did not deter me from a
faithful utterance Of convictions.
A large proportion Of the church mem
bers who read The Telegraph, We're pleas
ed with its faithfnlness, and ne travelled
on together, neither they nor apprehend-
inc where our course Of simple honesty
and straight forwardness was leading Us.
All the while, and all the way. there were
those who were crying out against us, say
ing we should divide and distract the
churches. This was the highest charge
at first brought against US. Our reply was
whatever free discussion and faithful
utterance of truth will do, let it be done
and lei those who fear the results look 10
their own standing This went on well
year afer year. We were making the
true progress, bot knew it not ourselves
: Had no idea of transcending churchism
: When we first replied 10 the conservator:
) of the church. telling them that if tht
: church could mo, endure sound doctrine
d it might fall before it, we had no idea tina
e The church ao0uld fall before it. We har
k no want of confidence 10 the church as TIT
= "pitar anl ground of truth. y We dit
= think il greatly needed cleansing -hu
e that II WotlTu come uut u kv gold sever
e times purified" Such was our simpici
y ty and sincerity, while we travelled on 10
: gelher = our happiness constantly iu
! creasing.
a All the while there were those wht
: were crying out to US, and against US
! Our themes that had made the disturb
J. ance were Freedom, Temperance, an,
j; Purity, or Chastity. To these were fin
a. ally added Peace This was too much
, If the church could not DE allowed t
IN meet its opponents with violence. and i
y; its extremities slaughter its enemies,
IN would never do. "From that time, man
- went back and walked no more with" US
n They too now found themselves "ioine
x TO their idols.n Their god was tn
y: church, 70 promote. whose glory an
:, greatness no sacrifice was 100 grea
n, Fidelity, Honesty. Humanity, truth, al
I'D all must be in readiness if the sacrifice t
r. called for. The safety and promotion {
he the church and priesthood were ends fc
in whose security everything in the univer:
must be subservient as means. Heave
and earth," manhood, righteousness, goo
ness, might "pass away" but the churc
er and priesthood must not be allowed 10 fai
tie Those who turned back were reminde
We OF their formerly telling others that wha
p. ever could not endure truth and free di
in cuSsion must and might fall. and was u
bo worthy of support. But, poor souls, The
:. had been deceiving themselves, in Il
- shortness of their sight and the marrow
'"' ness of their view. How then could th,
cd have counted the cost phe time final
lth came when the question must be decid
re- between the priesthood and the church
,r- the one hand, and Freedom of Thong
,s- and of Speech on the Other. The Is
- were found to be at anita gonisms. Whit
should be sustained?
- This was severe test with many.
p is still. Some have decided one way al
est some the other Many are still undeci
= ed. Some have not yet seen tina, truth
he greater than the church and the prize
~ hood. Or rather they have not seen Ii