The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1846-10-08
For the Voice of Freedom.
The Mischief of SANDER.
a Short Sermon No. 3.


"a ,ehisper separateM chief Jfrienas"-Prov. 16 30.
Of all the disturbers of the peace of neighborhoods,
there is no agent half SO successful as a tale-bearing
tongue. Its influence is postitorous, and like a NOR
al siroco, it blasts everything that lies in the field
over which it sweeps. Who can enumarate the
hearts that have been divided, the intirnacies which
have been sundered by its mans? What pen can
adequately set forth the dosolation and misery, the
anguish and grief that an evil tongue is capable of
producing?
Look at that peaceful, domestic circle. No discor-
dant jar was ever heard to vibrate there. But the
barc insinuations of the slandorer has been whisper
ed abroad, against, perhaps, a virtuous, adeclionate
wife, or a kind and faithful husband, and it has kin
died q spark of jealousy, producing an explosion
which has scattered a once united family into frag-
ments that can never be gathered again.
It's not always the case, however, that the calum-
niator's missile hits the mark nay, sometimes its re-
bounds are fearful and staggering. When those ties
which it was his object to sever are strengthened,
and when those hearts which it was his purpose to
estrangc, are bound more and more closely together
in consequence of his fendish intention, it is then
that, Like his illustrious leader, he d" gnaws his tongue
for pain"
Again, take another view Of its blightings. See
yonder, that wrctched individual. Not long ago he
was an enterprising man of business. His affairs
were prosperous, and his means Of meeting all just
demands against him were ample, and his prospects
Of afauence was fair and promising. But the breath
of scandal whispers an insinuation TO his prejudice,
and his credit is brought into suspicion. A panic
commences, his creditors rally, and in a single day
lie is plundered. In their meroiess strife to secure
themselves, he is stripped a. once Of his past gains,
aud Of the means of gains in future. From present
plenty and prospective independence, he is reduced
to peuury. A little while ego it was his happiness
to minister to every rational want Of those Deepen
ent upon him-now he has no home for them, and
knows not where he shall procure their daily bread.
Such a picture may seem overweight, butt is the
faithful history of thousands.
But when the victim of SANDER is a disciple of
Christ, an unoffending minister Of the gospel, what
skill in numbers can compute the extent of injury
done by the wound inflicted directly upon tho cause
Of religion, or of good prevented by gripping bis
ability to be useful? The story of the celebrated
BoeyAaare is quite to the purpose. With piety, and
learning, aud gifts, and an ardent zeal to glorify his
divine Master, his heart was fixed upon consecrating
his life to the sacred ministry The preliminary
steps had been SO far taken that he had gone to
Leyden to obtain his license to preach, when, to his
utter astonishmeut, he found the way completely
hedged up. An insinuation was dispersed through
the University that made him suspected Of error, no
less shocking than Atheism itself. 1t was in vain
that his friends plead his published sentiments, which
contained unanswerable combinations Of the very
heresies with which he was charged, the torrent of
popular prejudice was irresistible and thus this pre-
eminently great and good man was utterly prostrat-
ed in his pious purpose by the SANDER Of an insig-
niGcant person, who had become his enemy from
mortified pride. So true it is, that no merit, how
ever exalted, is exempt from being not only attack
cd, but wounded by the most contemplate whis-
pers.
Those who cannot strike with force, can poison
their weapon, and, weak as they are, give mortal
wounds, that shall bring n hero to the grave.
And again, the sins committed by protested chris
tians in their angry disputes, which have been en-
gendered by q slanderous tongue, admit of no re-
hcarsal. How has the spectacle of such professors
Of religion g~laddened the hearts of the wicked, who,
as they have looked on, have said to themselves,
A so would we have it; while the general re-
suit of these anti-christian quarrels has been, not
only to confirm the infidel in his unbeief, and rcn-
der him more daring and blasphemous, but to add
incalculable numbers to his party.
Indeed, as thought leads to thought" VIC are
ready to exclaim, " Where grows it not?" 1t sure
~ is one of the most prevalent forms of sin in the
church and in the world. It seems an oinniprcscat
spirit Of evil. We find it in the national cabinet, in
the legislative hall, aud in the court Of Justice. We
find it in almost all ecclesiastical bodies, general as
semblies, and associations. We find it in the pull
pit, and in the orators stand. We find it in almost
all scots and parties, in all highways and ~by-ways,
at home and abroad, on the land and on the soa. We
tnd 1t Ia 9Tr Ebrariss and tn the no~spapap. Ii Ae>