The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1844-05-09


these men had not framed for themselves
a plausible apology. Otherwise, they
could not have endured the light OF the
sun would have shrunk away from their
own presence, ashamed and COMPOUNDED.
No man is stout enough to look himself
in the face, and for days and weeks call
himself bastard and a villain. He will
sooner cut his own throat. He must by
some means keep on toerable terms with
himself. If he cannot do that, the knife
OF the suicide he will welcome. Hence
the multiplied expedien,s, which men de.
wise to justify themselves to themselves
They have been known 10 proceed so far
as 10 say, that of two moral evils-of diff
ferent forms of wrong,doing, they are
bound TO choose the least For choice,
they allege, they must make The d.
lemma is forced upon them, and they can.
not escape. Or they assure US, that in
giving their countenance and suffrage,
they do not support candidate for office
because he is a knave and a villain
That, they admit, is but too ust de-
scripton of his character. He may be
gambler. He may be a duelisl. He
may be a saye-hoder.* But then he is
u patriot and statesman! And So they
exert themselves to put their country un-
der his control So with these believing
Rulers. doubtless they contrived 10 con-
struct theory. which protected them
from present desperation in which they
could breathe and repeat their own names
without falling foul of themselves. AS
much as this may be inferred from the
words of the Evangelist. They had, he
informs US, their reasons for refusing TO
confess him. They were afraid of the
Pharsees. The synagogues were under
their control. An earnest disciple Of the
Savior could not escape their vengeance.
He could not avoid accommodation
Oar believers, therefore, did not confess
him.
Doubtless. ia their view there were
OTHER INTERESTS which demanded their
regard. That Jesus was the Christ was
true enough. In the abstract, this con-
clusion was Of the highest moment, vital.
ly affecting their improvement and their
welfare. 1t comprehended in theory ev-
cry other conclusion in the whole sphere
OF reflection, which could deserve mo-
snent's attention. But then, in the prac.
teal affairs of life, they were not to bid
alieu 10 common sense. They We're not
to be swallowed up ia 'one idea They
were no, in the face of wind and tide 10
commit themselves to the ocean. They
were like men of comprehensive views,
TO take all their interests into the account
and prepare for any exigency, on which
they might be thrown. They, therefore,
did not confess the Savior.
The demands of duty, they supposed,
were not all consistent with each other
They found themselves in the midst of
clashing obligations. One duty, then,
must often be sacrificed to another. Their
faith demanded a confession. A thousand
voices summoned them to the Savior's
side. But then thousand voices forbade
them to confess him. What amidst these
distracting and conflicting influences could
they do but hold themselves uncommitted?
Aad so, to escape from the Pigments OF
their own Imagination, they rushed into
the arms of Atheism
To descend little to particulars, it
may well be supposed, that our dignifed
believers held themselves uneommitled
oot OF regard TO THEIR GENERAL INFLU.
ENcE. They had acquired reputation.
They had the confidence of their fellow
citizens. Elevated stations had been al.
lolted them. Here they exerted pow
erful and widespread influence. Their
words were listened to. Their opinions
were quoted. Their authority was re-
specled. They were generally looked
up to, as wise and strong men. who were
like y 10 effect much for their counlry's
welfare. If now they should commit
themselres-should define their position,
should become the outspoken disciples of
the Nazarene, how dark their prospects
would at ouce become Their hold on
the general confidence would at once be
broken. A thousand voices would re.
proachfully remind them, that they had
thrown themselves away. They must
lose caste-be put out of the synagogue.
Opportunities of usefulness must then be
at once cut off, All ears will be deaf,
they exclaim 10 our words All hearts
will be dead to our appeals. What good
could come from our activity or existence2
We might as we'll be dead as alive And
can it be, that duty calls us thus to throw
ourselves away; us, who We're sent hilh-
er to do the greatest good to the largest
number of mankind : US, who are respon.
si5le a. the bar of Justice for the results,
which happy use Of well-earned repu.
tation might produce! Surely not. To
demand this at our hands is TO drive us 10
extremes; to expose US TO merited re-.
proach. From confessing him, there.
fore, they begged to be excused.
And then their relation to the Phari.