The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1845-06-26
J. HOLCOMB, Editor Il Publisher
From the Christian Citizen.
SECTARIANISN.

Mr. BURRITT:-It may BE- matter o
some encouragement to your correspond
ent Cornelius, 10 learn that The SENT
: nens he put iorlh ia the "Clizen' q
Nay oath, have been embraced, and are
being successfully carried out BY christians
here. Two years since, the different re
ligious societies which had, in their weak.
ness been struggling along fora consider
able period in separate organizations, and
lived six years without resident minister,
CONCLUDED hnally, at the close Of an exlen-
sive revival of religion, to remain in the
uni'y into which the spirit OF God had re.
duced them. They gave up their old
creeds and UNCONVENTIONAL names and con-
neclions united in common bond dsci.
pleship; elected officers, settled pastor
IN each of the two parishes, and are mov>
ing on successfully in unlon and prosperi
"; receiving at almost every communion
accessions Of "such as should be saved !"
Some among US look upon the movement
rs can experiment." and are waiting to
see it proved. But public sentiment is
generally revoluionized and many who
al first prophesied evil" begin TO think
the effect must prove permanently success
ful. Strange as it may seem to some, we
have fully proved the love OF Christ 10 be
more constranine" than any human lie;
that three fold cord may be wrought of
Faith, Hope, and Charity, strong enough,
though soft and gentle, 10 bind together
The disciples of Jesus.
Ii may seem egolistical in US 10 bring
this effort so boldly before the public. But
we remember how cheering such new,
would have been TO US, when, like "Cor,
neius,' we were raising The inquiry, who
is 10 begin this work p and. from lack of
information, did not know that it had been
sometime begun. We are no! alone, here
among the mountains; the seed is being
scattered widely through the church. The
pen Of Harris in England, the movemen,
Of D'Aubigne on the continent, SInucher's
Ffaternal Appeal" in the Uni'ed States,
and many Other less Observed agencies
which are abroad, are ripening harvest
which is ere long 10 be gathered. Chris
lian Union was the most prominent and
soui-slrring theme at the late Anniversa-
res in New York. 1t seems to be the
geoeral desideratum after which good men
are now or the lookout,
"Cornelius" will find himself dsappoint
ed in leaning on "the Watchmen' in this
business. There are honorable exceptions
but too many of them have their eyes in
ward or the fold and flock rather than out
ward on their foes and dangers. Ttey
will net take the lead in SO unpopular and
seIf,sacrf:ino a business. They will
prefer to BE- followers rather Than Traders
in Israel We must appeal frs., if we
Cali get their ears, to the tax>rlddcn and
conscience bound Iaymen. We must lead
them TO see how much OF their funds CIV
en- for benevolent purposes, is devoured by
sectariansm how amy ministers .abors
are thrown away by their divisions, and
how extensively theology is warped, re-
formatory efforts crippled, and party bck>
erings eugendered by Christians refusing
to worship aud labor in concert.
And we must not look for our. great
men 10 lead forward in this enterprise.
They are not so circumstanced as TO feel
he need Of it as Others are. They are 10
he cIoister engaged with abstract theories;
or in large cities where this evil is not so
apparent. Necessity is much the mother
of reformation as, it is Of invocation. 10
see sec,arianism as u Is, one must be in
the country. He must be there practical.
" familiar with all its arts, and desoaions.
A moral necessity exists for making war
on this monster The crisis Apr caches
when the church will rid herself OF this in.
toIerable burden. An Evangelical So
ciety" is needed al home, as well as 10 act
on foreign countries, And ! know not
we should need religion on narrower ba
sis in Mr. Kinks, or DR. Springs parish
than in Missionary's chapel in France.
Neither do understand The principle on
which the different secls can harmonize in
a Christian Alliance" for preaching
Christ in Catholic counties, and separate
from one another ms Aims IN local church
organic ,tion. The church must be "One"
10 s,ricter sense than in mere missiona>
~ lab r, to convince the Romanss that
she is Alos olic. or an unbelieving world
hat her religion is from above, because
these brethren love one another"
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