The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1843-12-21

orlng all thelr powers aud resources into
: use in pursuing it.; arrangements, ex-
tended aud imposing are made, pied to
the end proposed, the superficial observer
yields at once 10 the impression, that here
much has already been and more will De,
effected. Hither he turns his eye as the
home of Success Such, say, is the i'm
preston OF men, taken up with appearan-
ces. Aud these comprehend a vast ma
Ijorily of mankind. Hence the facts in
question. But appea RANGES are exceed
ing " deceptive. Ia the sphere of human
activity, iaIsehood every where abounds.
Confusion prevails The natural con,
mection betmeen The symboL and The Thing
sjgmiGel IS 10 a fearful extent broken up.
lntrlnsic worth is generally ascribed TO
objects, which derive all their value from
what lies beyond them. Mere appearan.
ces usurp he place OF Substantial! realities.
The Letter is every thing, The Spirit is
nothing. Thus seduced, bewitched, pos
sessed men, thousands upon thousands,
rush into the grossesl errors-the rankest
absurdilies. They dream that society I'M
der different forms and of various denom-
nations may grow up, strong and beau
liful. on the soil of Atheism and Selfish
ness! Hence, the way, in which they
employ the word success.
10 apprehend the proper meaning Of
the word success, we must understand the
errand, on which man was sent hither.-
That cIear y was TO form a character on
be basis Of the principles, which are EN-.
bodied in human nature. This is the
great end OF our eXistence-lhe business,
with which we are earnestly and inceS-
sanity to be occupied In proportion as,
vitality connected with the living universe,
we come mo harmony with the govern
ment of God in our aims, spirit, endeav-
ors, are we successful whatever may be
our sphere-whatevey our responsibilities.
! Whatever may be or occupation, the
FORMATION OF CHARACTER is 10 be
our all.eue crossing object. From this, we
are never for a moment 10 be Diverted
never 10 withdraw our hand. And as we
become more and more conformed 10 the
fundamental laws of our existence; as
Truth, Justice, Love acquire over US a
control more and more decisive as our
character rises in consistency strength and
beauty, is our activity crowned with Sue
ess.-Our riSiIe CONDITION while thus
acquiring character is liable TO be modi-
fed by a Thousand circumstances Our
appointed lot may place US in the midst of
ii community, where decisive exerlions
had been made bv wise and strong men
BIT fore US. They may have " broken up
HE faIIow-grouud." The heat and bur-
den of the day, they may have borne. 1t
may b. our privilege "to enter into their
labors" jus: there where the visible re-
suits are most grateful. The tide which
with sinewy arms, they had budeted =
which with exhausting labors and intense
suferings, they had turned, may bear us
alo!t in The right direction, tfiumpbantIv.
Now a thousand superficial observers are
ready as with one voice to proclaim our
Success. Or we may be called TO main
tain the claims of Truth, Justice, Mercy |
in the midst OF those, who without rebnke
had long trampled these sacred things I'M
der foot. Amidst multiplied opposing
forces, we may have to enter on hard |
struggle. We may be derided, truduced.
resisted The battle may be hot and
long. 1t may be ours to leave our bod
les, pielced with thousand wounds on
he fed OF conflict, to be stripped and
sooied-io be trampIed on by the fierce
horse and torn by obscene vultures.
And your beartless observers may de.
scribe US as unsuccessful combatamts-
Alas. just so far and no further their Wis
ion reaches. This is all they know.
Unsuccessful combatants Milton, you
remember, describes the position OF AbdieL
amidst his fellow angels" an infinite
host" Instead of joining them in their
aposracy, he thundered rebuke in Their
ears, bolt upon bolt. In opposition TO the
general senliment--in the face OF all his
compeers, he maintained his integrity.
-Faithful found
Among the faithlcss, faithful only he;
Among innunerable false, uumoved,
Unslaken unsedHced, unergihrd,
His loyalty he kept, his love, his zeal;
Nor number, nor example With him wrought
To swerve from truth, or change his constant
mind,
Though single.
But his exertions to convince his fell
Iows-to win them back to truth and 10y.
Ialty :-hov did they result! DID they
WELD TO the force of his arguments : His
pointed appeals draw at last lew around
him, to sustain him in his allegiance 10
the heavenly throne2 No.
Ills zeal
None seconded, as onI Of seasun judged,
Or singular aud rash.
They would not come 10 his assistance,
even when fiercely threatened. They
left him alone amidst the scorn and de-
rision his fidelity had provoked.
From amidst them forth he passed,
! Long way through hostile scorn.
And SO the fervcnt angel made what our
| Tiop-,nd-S nare n1triots phiiosonhers and