The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1847-10-28

time down to the present. yet we have not time to
do it, and we would merely state that 26S0O0,0JO
about third of the inhabitants of the world pro-
fSS to be governed by the doctrines inculcatcd in
that Book-the Biblc and it is stated there that the
time is coming when all are to adopt that as their
rule of conduct
But little comparatively has been done to bring
that about, and what is the reason? If this cannot
be found we must be obliged to confess that the
Bible is not the "ony secure foundation of mora-
ty." But the fault can be easily shown. The pro-
fcsSorS of Christianity now divided into several
different bodies, each one of which believe in the
fundamental principles Of Christianity but they diff
fer in some unimportant points for instance, all
believe in Baptism a religious ceremony, but one
party thinks it must be done in such Il manner,
while another thinks that method is not right, SC.
&c. Many such minute points of difference are
there now existing which were not in the time Of
Christ and his Apostles, and each party will give
the other over to satan, for his obstinacy, as an
incorigible heritic they will harbor feelings
against their opponents Letter fitted for demons than
for disciples of the meek and lowly Jesus. Each
party will strive by all the allurcments they can
conceive of to gain proseytcs to their peculiar dog
mas especially if they are men of wealth and in
huence, and they will then seek to retain them by
all means, no matter how much their practice is
contrary to their professions ;-power and aggran
dizement being the ruling motives.
Many of these bodies tolerate and uphold the
cursed slave trade and southern slavery, by which
100000 of human beings are held in chains, and
are not even allowed the privilege of thinking for
themselves, and this too in the United States
Many uphold the war at present existing between
this country and our sister Republic, Merico, and
whenever the news arrives of great, wholesale
murder, making hundreds yea thousands of widows
and orphans, they throw up their caps and shout
glory! glory!! and these too are professors of the
religion of Jesus Christ This will not begin to
complete the dark picture, but it must suffice for
the present.
Now what can we hope from such men? Moth
ing Nothing at all in the way of elevating the So
cial condition of man. Where then can we look for
help? at is evident that there is an absolute ne
ccssitv for reform in the social condition Of man..
thing is being done by those who are now "agi-
tating " that great subject. They may not be the
chosen instruments" to bring about that period
so long foretod by prophets and sees in the sacred
writings, but firmly believe they preparing the
way for great and important change in the con-
dition of man, both mentally and physicaly-the
forerunners of the millennium, Their objects are
oJ1A lSpt ri-. oil
walton of the masses and the ameoration of suffer
ing humanity,-and they seek to bring this about
by the same means by which the Gospel was spread
among the gcntilcs. would not go the length OF
FOURIER, who is doubtless enthusiast, nor would
tolerate the absurdites of the MeSmeric Seer, DA-
Wis, but we are commanded by the Apostle PAUL
to "prove all things and to hold fast that which is
good.' These "social renovators" are seeking by
every legal means to abolish the traffic of slaves ant
the sin of slavery throughout the world to destroy
the existing monopoly of land ito secure to eacl
one the proceeds of his own labor to do away the
existing distinctions between the rich and the poor
by which the latter are deprived of any social stand
ing in society," and are reduced to the necessity o
being beasts of burden for the fomer;-also to re
move the artificial causes of many of the evils re
sulting from the present state of society.
Some go to extreme lengths in this, as well as il
all other operations; but, shall we who hope to Sc
such reforms, condemn the whole, because of
few errors? Are not the above principles in direc
accordance with the doctrine of true Christianity
Most assuredly they are. Shall we then raise til
cry of "Infdcity" because a few ultra and woul
be leading reformers would follow the example {
the authors of the French Revolution, and set asd
all law and religion? God forbid; leave this ft
senselcss podding bigots and let every true frien
of his species assist in carrying on the grand prime
pie ofpeace on earth and good will among men,
II. S.
Sehrodn NJ y Oct. 1917.