Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1847-03-26
The Scif.Righteous Reformer.

EIGHTEEN hundred years ago, charity was not re-
garded as out OF place in the character Of reormcr.
tie who was the greatest OF all reorncrs became flesh
that he might be touched with feeling of our iniom
ties, and wep over the foreseen calanes Of the very
city that was to nail him to the cross.
But we have more ustrous class OF reformers in |
this nintcenth century, who may be styled immacu-
late, iniable, ntolerant and implacable When the
Phatsees OF old brought evil woman to Jesus tn
he ngn. condemn her, he said unto them, Let him
tina, is without sin among you cast the first Self
righteous as they were, there was enough conscience
and shame LETT TO cause them to steal away leaving
the woman untouched The pharisaical reiormer Of
this age has no such scrupes. He is never well
pleased as when stoning to death an offender.
At certain time, Jesus Christ came to city which
refused 10 extend to him and his disciples ordinary
inequalities Lord, said OF his disciples, shall
we command fire from heaven to fall upon this city
Ncckly he rebukcd this fiery intolerance T." We know
not what manner o! spirit We are of. The Son OF Man
came not to destroy, but TO save Had our pharsai
cal rcormer been in his train he would have turned
back in disgust denouncng such iorhcarance utter
~ rcpugnant to stern usce-mere " milk and water
lie magines that the spirit of reform i'll this
fury is far more exalted than it during the first
period OF the Christian era. The character Of Christ
he admlres i'll many respects but he detects in his
course occasional indications OF worldly prudence, and
spirit ocompronse and his precepts, he thinks,
not railways in harmony with sound philosophy. For
example ut sorrowlui spectacle, when the great
Teacher, being required to pay tribute, wrought mi
racle that he might fulfil the requirement 1t was &c
quiescencc in an unjust demand, involving him in the
guilt OF supporting most wicked government. Again:
what an opportunity was presented Tor bearing his tes
tlmony against wrong, when he was asked whether
was lawful TO pay tribute TO Cesar Why did he
Grade the question I Why did he shrink from utter
ing his real sentiments in regard to Caesars govern
ment But this is not all Christ insisted that it was
expedien consult the peculiar habits and circum-
stances OF men, in proclamng to them the truth that
was unwise to putnew VINE INTO old bottles or mend
rent in an old garment by sewing in new cloth and
on another occasion he counseled his disciples TO be
wise serpents and harmless as doves. Our rctormcr
eschews such policy he holds in adherence,
departure from true philosophy BE it tar from him
to sanction any such worldly wisdom.
The course OF the Apostles is still less pleasing to
him. He disbelieves utterly the declaration, that" at
the times Of this ignorance Cod winksd : tor this he
evil Nor can he refrain from expressing his contempt
for ST Paul, when he talks Of having fed his converts
with milk instead of strong meat That was tame
policy, very different from style OF dealing out sp-
ritual food . Meat for babes well as men, is our
motto
r Our modern reforner is also highly scandalized at
ST. Pauls conduct on another occasion. The reader
I will remember that he visited certain city, where TO
, preach new god was deemed horrible blasphemy
Paul, however exceedingly anxious to plant the
truth there, without being ioreslaed by henbane Ac-
cordngly when arraigned before the authorities o!
the place, he made very truthful but an erceedingil
judicious' statement. He had observed, he said, il
Il his walks, an altar erected to " the Unknown God
Il Him, therefore, said he" whom We ignoantly wor.
ship declare unto you" He thus avoided the penait.
: OF an infamous law, and at the same time preached
, Christ 10 the Atheulans. An what trckery " ex
II have so demeaned himself Doubtless it was ercee
C dinghy judciouS but think You one OF would hav
II. been 50 tame
y There were different species of reformers anon
II Chsts followers Of them pretty fair types OF tn
'e class under consideration On certain occasion
!, disciple said unto Jesus, 1--WE saw one casting OF
devils and forbade him, because he ioloweth not rs
= lie was a true man." excaims unspoued on
r. His Master, to be sure ncucated ,olcra,lon but til
" disciple thought his first allegiance due to Trut!
- Others might do many good works, but, inasmuch
~ they had not joined the little company OF the disciple
nj they were mere obstacles in the way OF reform. III
better they were the more mischief they did.
Thu. reasons our model retormer. Believe me,
be- damned. Worship God a, the altar have set up
this mountain, or you shall be unto me no better tht
$50 a beathen The old Jews, that would have no dealin
I with the Samaritans, not more exclusively st
'' righteous and lntolerant.
Ills whole life is marked by the most monstrous i
It. consisiencies The claim OF nfalbillty for the Pc
arolses his most dreadful ire but exact conformity
his ideas OF right he demands, under pain OF the M
whitening annthemus. Sectarism he abominates /
inurously denouncing every man who will not S,
within the charmed circle OF reform 10 which he
longs he exhibits its most revolving features. l
NC truth he aores but he hesatcs to msrepres'
and caIicalure an adversary, Canal weapons he
J. precates but the mai gniiy which in other cases Il
lures the body, poured out with corrodng rancor
'p- the spirit Of opponent. The sword he lays asi
rs but, with g tongue set on fire by hell, scahes
W devouis whatever cftsses hls pam.