The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1861-05-08

| of HiS way IGJoiVlHS LII 'ho oFehipS h' io-
turned weary and weather beaten, to his par
sonage home.
Night came on. 1t was exceedingly dark
the rain and wind hal continued incessantly all
business and velcmence and the unmacadamized
streets were one unbroken sheet of mud and wa
ter. So intolerablc were the pellings of that
g pitiIess storm that the luckless out door
wight might have sighed for "a shelter and home.
About eight o'clock the minister, as he sat in
the midst of his quiet family circle, consisting
of wife and three children, AS they encircled a
brilliant wood fire, was reviewing with interest
and some emotion the tolls of the day. thankful
to God that he and his loved ones were securely
protected against the storm without which swept
violently around his habitation, and murmured
through the window easements. He was enjoy
ing, with right good cheer, the comfortable side
Of tho contrast between the " outer and inner
life. An earnest rap was heard at the door OF
the family room. He stepped quickly to the
3ooc and opened H. lie saw standing there a
strange gentleman, OF respectable appearance.
With hasty invitation, the stranger was ush.
cred IN and seated. Manifcsting some agitation,
and not waiting to be fairly seated, he signif-
cantly Inquired Of the minister, if his name was
| Mr. -?
That is my name, SIR was the reply.
You are the Methodist minister I! -
{. Yes, sir"
| You were at my mouse this afternoon, and
praycd?"
| s. do not know. Your name, sir?"
- MY name is s-.'
| Z" was at a house of that name, and prayed. :"
I" Well, sir, have come to inform you that
you have violated the rules of my house.
My dear sir how is that ? Did say any
thing or do anything improper or offensive to
you or your family while there
g 0 no, not ALL sir--not at all. You acted
with strict propriety, as gentleman. pre-
sumo you did not know the lules of my house,
and so violated them very innoccntly. do not
attach any blame to you as yet. And surpos-
ing you to be well. meaning man, however
much in error l think you to he, have come,
this dark and stormy night, TO give you the
necessary information as to the rules Of my
hoase, in order that you may not again violate
them"
viii you please tell me what the rules of
your house are?"
my rules are that no minister Of the Cos
pei, whatever, shall pray in my house, or visit
it in any way. don't believe in your Gospel.
1t is all sheer fanaticsm--an imposition prac
ticed on the credulity of the people. don't
allow myself to give ministers or churches any
countenance whatever"
" Well sir, clcerfully admit that in some
sense you have right to make rules for your
own house, and enforce them, whatever they
may be. Bat, as believe in Cod, in Jesus
Christ, in ministers, and in churches, hope
you will not take it amiss, when say that you
must account for your rules in the day of iadg-
ment, and that a decent respect to the opinions
OF the religious community in which you live
might properly soften the asperty of your rules,
without infringing upon the dignity or respec-
liability of your unbelief. l must say, in frank
ness and candor, to me yours are very shocking
rules. did not suspect that there was q man
in this community who could find it in his heart
to ignore, so positively, the existence of God
to rcnounce, SO fully, all religious scnsbiity--
10 array himself 50 boldly against the common
order of civilized society; or, to torment him
self before the time, so etfectually as to enact
such rules for the government of his house."
&C. have my own views of these things and
claim the right to act in my own way"
g Yes, so perceive. And | will take this
opportunity to say of you as was said of Ephra-
i'm, He is joined to his idols, let him alone ,
[ shall take particular pains not to violate your
rules hereafter. Let Inc suggest that you pub
lish your rules so that minis,y.s o! tho Gospel
and Others may know what they are, and bo
able to avoid the horrid mistake of praying in
your house, or visiting your family. But let
me inquire, is not your lady "a member of an
other church,"
g She is''
" Does not her own pastor visit her }"
- No. | do not suffer him to come TO tho