The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1846-04-16
SATURDAY, APRIL H. 1874
A SERMON,
Preached al tie Centre Church, Bratle-
bOro', w., Dec. %, l845.
BY CHARLES WALKER,
Pastor of said Church..

"But Judge this rather, that no man puta STUN
bling.block, or an occasion TO fall, in his brothers
way."-Rom. IA Is.
The obvious meaning Of this text, taken
bv itself, is, that no man should tempt an.
other 10 do wrong. To put a Stumbling
block or an occasion 10 fall in a brothers
way, is to place means and influences
around him which occasion him 10 trans
gress, which lead him astray from the
paths Of morality or religion, or which
cause him 10 fall into habits which injure
him, or crimes which disgrace him. Ev.
ery man is forbidden to do that which
will affect others thus %inJuriousIy. by the
precept of The text, and by every righteous
law, human and divine.
The meaning of the text, taken in the
connection in which it stands with other
verses, is that no man should eat certain
kinds of meats, or food, if his doing so
would encourage others 10 do il 10 their in
Jury. Some thought it wrong 10 eat any
thing which had been offered up in sacri-
fee 10 an idol, and if they did it they would
violate their consciences and bring on them
selves a moral injury. Others. more en-
lightened and having a stronger faith,
cared nothing for the idol, and although
they ate that which had been offered in
sacrifice, they neither acknowledged the
idol, nor violated their consciences. They
were above the influence of idolatry, and
they were, therefore, either grieved by the
conduct of their stronger brethren, or they
were emboldened themselves TO do like
them, and thus violated their consciences
and involved themselves in guilt. Fol-
the apostle saws, "1'o him that esteemeth
any thing to be unclean, 10 him it is un,
cIean"-and " he that doublelh is damned
if he eat, because he eatelh not of faith
i. c. because he thinks he ought not do to
i,,and therefore violates his own conscience
when he does it.
In view of these facts and influences
the apostle urges the stronger to do moth
ing which may iniure the weaker. He
says. IL thy brother oe grieved with thy
meat, now walkest thou not charitably"-
j.. g. thou dost not conduct in love towards
that brother. "Destroy not him with thy
meat for whom Christ died. That is
better forcgo thy qualification than in.
lure a brother. Better yield up what is
not essential to thyself than by persisling
in it, TO bring ruin on a fellow-man. And
the apostle, true to his own principles, de-
termined to govern himself accordingly
He said" If meat make my brother 10
offend, | will eat no flesh while the world
standelh lest | make my brother to Offend
This was a noble resolution. 1t was
charitable, kind. 1t showed a mind tina
would not be s%elfsh--that would not seek
lis own qualification by means which
would grieve or injure others.
Would to God that there were more o
this disposition among mem Would
that all who profess to feel kindly toward:
their fellow creatures, would cherish suct
a disposition in their hearts and act it GU
in their lives |! But, alas ! there are ma
nv violations of this law of love. Man,
a man will seek his own qualification o
interest by means which directly injur'
his felIow>men. Many a man who wish
es to be thought respectable and even be-
nevolent, will. notwithstanding, pursu
his own pleasures or gains by putting
Hstumbling block or an occasion 10 fall IL
his brothers way" This is a serlou
charge, I admit ; but it is true. Nigh
prove it true, by referring 20 several prac
tees which are common in community
But | shall on the present occasion con6n
the proof to a single topic, viz:-the pre-,
Glcnt habits in regard to the use and sal
Of intoxicating l'Q@Ors.