Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-09-03
worms are said to be entirely different from the
common potato worm.-Salem ObStrver.
Anti-SIavery.
Influence of the Clergy.

Influence OF th6 clergy
There has been no age of the world since the
advent of the Savior in which faithful ministers
of His Gospel have not had an extensive nhu-
ence on mankind And we rejoice that it is so,
that notwithstanding all the wickedness of our
race, they ale so constituted STILL that those
whose office it is to stand between the living and
the dead, have so great a control over the minds
and actions of men. 1t should be matter of
Joy that any class of persons have influence, if
they will use it for the welfare of man and the
glory of God
1t is also true that, except among the gno-
rant and degraded masses, the influence of the
clergy has always been in proportion to their
purity and faithlulness In all countries, at all
times whenever the ministry have stood forth as
guides, leading the world onward in the great
pathway of progress and truth, they have had
muItitudes to follow and honor them. But
whenever aud wherever VIC have seen them fol-
lO,cing the multitude instead Of hcading, -pan-
dering to popular prejudces for the sake Of fa-
or,-we find them soon shorn of their strength,
and despsed instead of being honored by the
world Luther hunted and hated as he was,
shook the continent of Europe from centre to
ircumlerence-while the words of Erasmus,
with his policy and expedency, fell upon the ear
of troubled world like idle tales
We have been led into this train of thought
by looking around upon the ministry of the Uni
ted States. Their course in relation to the great
question Of the times--human freedom and
equalty-is calculated to fill the heart with sad
ness Placed within hearing of the groans and
signs of three millions of their own brethren
crying with all the eloquence of wo for help,
they needed them not. They looked on with
cold Indifference, till God called forth advocates
to plead the cause Of the poor and the needy
from those of far humber professions And
while these have been preaching the gospel of
deiverance to the captives, and the opening of
the prison doors to them that are bound, the
great body of the clergy either openly oppose
them, or stand aloof and take no part IN the
warfare. While they see and know that the
Sovereignty Of the American people, exercised
alone at the ballot-box, has by pro-savery party
ism fallen into the hands Of the political Saracens
of the South, and is used to bind heavy burdens
and CALLING chains on Gods creatures, they, ex-
ccpting small minority, refuse to use the ballot
box to execute judgement, and deliver the
spoiled out of the hands of the oppressor, but
are either joining the oppressor or are sitting
idly by with folded arms. We say this not re-
IproachmIIy, but with sorrow and gref-not on
Ily for the cause of the slave, but for the cause
of religion itsef-for we verify believe that the
course which American ministers are taking on
this question, is destroying their influence on all
questions. 1t is IOosing the hold they haze on
the public conscience. The cause of unit ersa
freedom, how much soever it may be opposed
commends itself to the c0nSCienCcS of men,
and when the ministry and this conscience are
in opposition, they are no longer con6ded in a;
: religious teachers. We doubt not at all that
those few ministers who are faithful abolitionists
: though most of them humble in the worlds es-
TEEN, have to-day more religious influence in
our country, on the hearts of the people, than
all our opposefs, with all their titles, and dign
ties, and seeming popularity. False prophets
will do well enough in times prosperity,-but
WHICH, IhCl VIII tHC nulIlUlS
prophets of Tsrael's God be called upon for help
While our Sun shines, those ministers who bes
adapt themselves TO the tastes, and feelings, and
interests, of the people, will find the most Of
popular favor,-but when our sky shall be over
clouded, and storms impend, then those who
have not Stunned to declare the wholc counsel o
God, in evil as well as in good report, will stant
forth as the light of the world and the salt O
the earth,
: We warn the ministers of our country, tha
they are loosing their power. The people ar,
J, beginning to diStrNst them. The eagle eye of i'll
fidelity has found out their weakness, and it i:
u being proclaimed upon the housetop, And We
entreat them, by all the love they have, not on
Iy for the rights of men, but for the religion o
the Savior, to meet the desires of bleeding hearts
aud take up the cause of Gods poor as thci,
cause. Let them do this, and we may pass il
safety the crisis which is fast approaching. Blu
if they refuse, not only will they be rejected wher
this day of peril comes, - Ichabod will be writ
: ten upon the walls of our churches in6delit,
. will triumph, and all the visions of the prospect
\ ty of Zion in our land in future years, which
have comEorted the servants of God in hours o
> darkness, will be blasted and gone Who vii
be responsible . d.
Maine Liberty Standard