The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1845-06-12

community will, ultimatel y. bear the i'm
press the church.-These thong hts have
been so fully alt.s,ed By universal expert.
ence, as to become maxim, like pries,
like people"
Not only is this manifest in stamping
the signet of christianity upon corrupt
world but more peculiarly. in fostering
the passions OF the carnal heart. People
have in all ages of the world manifested
reverence for their characters. Ia the
Jewish and heather nations. dignity, i'm
purity and samctity attached to the guar
dams OF SACRED rites and ceremonies
The Grecisn hieromnemon in admins
tering the formulas, inspecting the visce.
ra, receiving the omens and Owning the
fulure--mantained almost supreme juris-
diciion over his citizens. His influence
and authority clipsed the dignity of the
civilian, and rendered the pythagoras a
mere pageant Of honor. Nor was it 9TH
erwise among the Jews. The "royal
priesthood" was. to them, the vicegerent of
the Supreme. standing between the porch
and the altar" it made mutual communi.
cation between Him and His "peculiar
people," From the "hoIy of holes" il,
revealed 10 them the oracles of their desti-
ny. And, in short, as he priest led, the
people followed; as he advised, so they
believed abe same respect, in kind, if
not in degree, prevails in our day. The
priest enrobed in the sacred habille of a
Le,ite, infuses his 0wn breath in the bo-
som of the body polite. He uses, as it
were, magic wand that inscribes his o~n
,oiH upon the heart oflhe people.
Finally, the brief experience OF the
sces!ern, fully corroborates the history of
of the oriental world, in that almost oil
connections and revolutions have been cf
fected under the guise Of religions. Bot,
while christianity. like the tabernacle in
the wilderness. always precedes civilizi>
lion, and sca,ters in its train. to the humao
family, a ptofusion of the choices: bless
nss. lis misnone-, on the contrary. ex-
changes "fgs for ,his,les" und gives per-
psiuity 10 vice.
This las have already sugges'ed) is
clearly developed 10 the short history of
our Republic.
To Score to the shrine o: God, and fer
venlly kncel' the self exi'ed Pilgrims
crossed the dangerous, painless ocean
and 10 the rugged wiIds of an unknown
continent, kindIed the 6rts'of devotion up
on the sanctuary of Plymouth Book
Their hearts cheered by its influence, and
their hands stayed by omnipo'en, energy,
they assaulted an invading foe. stripped
the English Lion Of "he pride and
strength of It's mane," repulsed and sen, it
crippled a,hwal. the deep. But, IN their
misguided zeal, they waeed a religious
persecution against Quakers and Baptists,
and (nolhing deroga,ory is Intended by the
connecliob)a righteous determination a
gainst witches aud wizards. In this per-
secution and determination, (be it remsir.
bered) priests acted conspicuous part.
And, in process of time a, first under their
permission, and finally, under their au>
lhori,y,'a subtle and deadly foe was per-
mtted, by its insnuatIng groces and deIu
sive charms, 10 creep into every domestic
and social circle, 10 rob humanity of its
taires, ornaments. They threw around
the monster, inlemperance en'renched. as
it were, in the very heart OF community
the sanction Of the Bible aud invoked
legislative enaclmenis 10 protect its inter
ests And, even now in the last groans
of this expiring spirit" 1t breaIhes' forth
the of reiterated Injunction. Drink no
longer water, but use little wine for thy
stomachs sake" Nor is This all. A
more fagraut and inhuman foe.--which
revels and feas,s upon the bodies Of men
whose ears are charmed and senses regal
ed by the piercing shrieks and dying ago
n;as re- hnmar sunprprs SHEA rs in its fore.
head the mark ofthe"-priesll Elevated
upon the pedestal of bleeding humanity
this 200 listed Briareus) se;zes, buds
with the letters and manacles o! slavery,
and scourges "ds With The lash OF scorpi-
ons" the unfortunate sons Of Africa, with
90 hands, while with The other he spreads
TO the world the credentials Of $50 caIled)