The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1847-11-18
q o III nj II niGatt o 9.
For the Voice of Freedom.
r Z + o R NJ.
ny II. LADD SPENCER.

1t is one of the most firmly established principles
of Geology, that by instability the stability OF the
universe is secured that is, were it not for the de-
compositions and changes which are constantly III
operation limtless stagnation and death would ell
sue and so it is in the moral condition of the world;
monotonyi is ntolerabe,-a the Creator has placed
within the heart Of man love of change, SO strong
that it is impossible for him to resist it. Hence,
from the earliest ages down to the present day, we
find that the great object of the human mind has
ever been-ra1iety
The systems of government are changed-the
tents of our early forclathers with the simple man
ners of their occupants have passed away The
groves Of Academies are hcwn down, we listen to the
words of wisdom in Natures halls no more. The
forms of worship too, are changed the institutions
of the days of old are considered dull and tame
compared with those of this more enlightened age
We do not contend that the laws which governed
society in former days were perfect neither do we
consider them as being more in accordance with the
design of the Creator than those by which society is
governed at the present day; but we do contend
that the principles of "P1Ogress" which are so
strenuously advocated by many well educated and
we'll designing men to-day, are not in accordance
with the doctrines taught by "hc first great social
reformers" "eightecn hundred years ago" 1t may
not be improper to examine, and compare the doc
trines of this society eighteen hundred years ago,
with the doctrines which its members advocate at
the present day; the object of this investigation be-
ing to ascertain whether there is the slightest re-
semblance between the principles of Christ's apos-
ties and the principles Of those who clamto have in
them their origin.
I'VE have now in our possession after the lapse
of so long time" the records Of the proceedings of
this society ar its commencement, and we find
that the first principle in the system is-Do anto
others as you ,c0ul they should do unto you, and that
the founder of THIS SYSTEM" (sociaD or Chris
tianty, resolves the whole into these two simple
sentences Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with
all thy heart, and thy neghbor as myself"
1t was also taught by the Apostles that pcrfcc-
ton is not of this WORLD and that happiness alone is
found in heaven; yet the social reforners at the
present day contend that all the miseries to which
man is subject arise from the fallen state of society
that society can be properly renovated-and that
man can be raised from his degraded condition to
state of perfection, and thus be made happy; and
that in a world which the Lord said unto Adam was
"cursed for thy sake in shalt thou eat of it"
tits fruit all the days of thy life" Is this, let me
ask, in "ha,n,ony" with the doctrine of {" the first
great social rcformers the Apostles?
Mr. Brisbane, one of the leading Associationsts Of
the land, says in his book Reform, page All, the
child twill enjoy perfect independence, or erenp-
ton from obedience to Superi0rs mhom he has not cho-
sen from inolnation" and on page Ala, "all authors
on systems Of education have fallen into the great
error of considering the father the natural instructor
of the child" Is this in harmony" with the COM
mandment, " Honor thy father and thy mother that
thy days may be long in the land :" but perhaps
Mr. Brisbane is an d" Enthusiast"
We are laborng for the elevation Of the masses,
and the amelioraon of suffering humanity" By
the i'll rcquted labor of the many the ttO are en-
abled to rcvel in luxury" ave must strike at the
root would we do away this evil; and where then
must we strike? We must first bring do'cn" (why
not cut do,cn p "the rich, and divide their estates
among those to whom they justly belong" This is
the language of a society, the design of which is,
protessedl, to carry out the principles of him who
came 10 UrlIS peuCe Y" eU'" o'" 5V0o' "f ""'0'3
men"
What were the words of IN1rdt when he mounted
the rostrum in the midst of the savage and blood
thirsty popuIacc of Paris? "P90r oppressed ctti-
zens " were the words which melted daily and hour
ly on his tongue. And what were the answers Of
those whom he thus addressed "D0Cn NTH The
King! Doacn pih the NoJleS' Dorm tciM the Ar
;stocratsr resounded in every nook and corner o.
Paris, and hundreds fell daily, victims to the blind
and senseless rage which he thus excited Is there
not great similarity between the words of thi
"hiendo Of the people " and the words of those whC
are now-prQfessedly-ab in the cause of suf
ferng humanity; and may not expect that thu
final result will be the same?
We know there is much suffering, much oppres
siop even in this land of liberty and it is our mos
fervent hope, that the cause Of this suffering AM
oppression will soon be done away. Gladly woul'
we hail the hour when all the citizens of this might
Republic become free and equal, and as gladl
would we use our humble cndeayors in any under
taking by which there was any prospect that tn
oppressed sons of Africa might be legally set free
We abominate the practices of war in every sense
and the war in which the Republics of America ar
engaged, is a blot upon our nations glory, whic
time can never erase.
We have chosen our motto, forever will it renal
unchanged; let US unite in the cause of humanity
and each assist in carrying on tho grand prncipl
of PEACE ON EARTH AND GOOD WILL AMONG MEN.
Cdstteton, ".