Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1843-06-21

Or Thoughts Of a Plain Man. COntin-
wd from the Telegraph Of June 7.

ssd from the Telegraph Of June 7.
". TIE CLERicAL OFrIcE.
Qusstion-Is the clerical Office Di-
rine institution Do the clergy promote
nan's we'll being2
Anscey.-Let Us see.
O. Has God made it the duty and
rivilege Of all equally who have knowI.
sdce Of truth or the law of God freely to
communicate this knowledge to all others
whom Its providence at any tine gives
hen access in all the modes that are 10
accordance with mans social nature. ac-
cording 10 their ability and OppOrtunity'
A. Aye.
@. Ii God has made il the duty and
privilege Of all equally who have knowl-
edge o! truth to communicate that knowl-
edge. is the clerical Office (perpetuated as
It's by the action Of its incumbents) which
is supposed 10 make it the duty and the
privilege of one man to be the ezeIusiue
teacher Of truth and the only authorized
srpOundsr Of the law Of God within GER
laiO limits, Unauthorized and an usurpa-
lion OF privilege, influence. and preroga-
i've, on the part of its incumbents over
their equals2
A. Aye.
O. lii be duty to communicate knowl-
edge freely to all to whom providence
gives access, are the clergy who labor
10 communicate it only amongst those
who pay them for doing so. recreant to
duty, regardless Of the wants of suffering
humanity, and acting on the principle Of
bargain or sale rendering an equivalent
for value received2
A. Aye.
@ II God has made it duty to CON-
municate knowledge, are the clergy who
wsi fol the appreciation and call of men
before they do so. regardless Of duty to
God. Ond pleasers of men rather than Of
G1d2
A. Ave.
Q. If it be a privilege to communicate
knowledge, ADD a duty to do il freely, are
The clergy who do so for hire or wage;
unjust hirelings, and lovers Of gain2
A. Aye.
@. Is free and friendly social discus
sion, allowing Of question and answer, ex
PLANTATION and remark. the true mode 0
learning and teaching truth by socla
man, and justly regarded as the key Q
knowledge2
A. Aye. (See introduction.
O. Does the exclusion of free socia
discussion upon any subject, whether b
legal enactment. or allowed usage, tend I
exclude truth. and 10 keep the people j
ignorance upon that subject2
A. Aye.
@. Does sermonizing. as used by tn
clergy, exclude free social discussion duI
ing its continuance on the subjects
which il treats; namely. the doctrines an
creeds Of the sects,
A. Aye.
Q Is sermonizing the principal mean
used to teach the doctrines and creeds I
the different secis2
A. Aye.
Q. Consequently; as it takes ava
the key Of knowledge BY excluding fire.
social discussion, does il tend TO exclud
truth and to teach false doctrines; and
i the means by which they propaga
their variOus and contradictory. and
course necessarily false creeds2
A. Aye; all true.
q. Is the usage Of the clergy in a
tending aud solemnizing marriages az
funerals as prerogative of Office, una,
thorized BY the law Of God, or by Il
scriptures which they profess 10 NAL
their authoritative rule and an usurpalit
Of prerOgative which originated in d
darkness Of papal supremacy, giving the
an influence over the people BY viii
they keep them in subserviency to th.
purposes Of aggrandizemeu, and seoul
gaini
A. Aye. And lremendous infuen
i is, in so much that the "bene6i Of I
clergy" is deemed essential TO coming il
the world or going out Of the world VI
honor.
Q. Is the usage Of the clergy