Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-05-30
A MODEL LETTER.

The following are extracts OF a letter from
a lady, for many years a resident Of Mont
peier and well known to the people of this
vicinity but now residing in the State Of New
York 1t was addressed to her mother, but
with no thought that it would ever find its
way into print. The spirit Of the letter, how
ever, is so much in contrast with that which
is so commonly exhibited towards our delud-
ed brethren Of the South, that it ought to be
given to the public. If the writer is disposed
to find fault with its publication, all we have
to say is she must not write so good letters
| received and read Rev. Mr..
Lords Fast day Sermon with equal pleasure
with his Thanksgiving. was gratihed to
learn that good man so completely oppressed
my own views, for l had begun to feel that
must be a very perverse woman, aud have a
conscience unlike all about me. / am no
" secessionist." and no "apologist for the
course of the South, but do admire Mr..
Lords courage to speak out Just what the
faith in him dictates. 1t does not at all prove
tuat | am right because a good man thinks
precisely as do, but it is pleasant to know
that there are others who contend that tho
North should abide by the Constitution as
our fathers construed it, Ii may not be per-
feet, but | will venture to affirm that there is
more wisdom in it than the statesmen Of the
esent day could exc out in two years
session Another thing peases
me more than can express that probably
the hooted at and abused Colonization scheme
will, after all its abuse, be one Of the great
deliyerers OF the poor African. | am surprised
at the tone Of our Christian ministers in
prayer. While l would have them plead for
the success of our arms, and for the suppress
sion Of this rebellion, have yet, but in few
solitary instances, heard earnest prayer for
our enemies. ! have heard people pray that
/ they might be punished, but seldom hear the
prayer that they may be brought TO penitence
and forgiveness, How often have thought
OF the prayer of Jesus: Father, forgive
/ them, for they know not what they do
Perhaps | am mistaken but it seems to me
that the Church have not yet come up to the
standard of the gospel in praying for our en-
emies and while we do all IN our power to
sustain our government as a Christian duty,
/ have the Northern Church manifested that
spirit of love to our enemies which Christ re-
quires | may be wrong, but SO far as my
judgment and observation extends, there has
been somewhat Of self-righteous spirit; as
though by no possibility could we have done
as our Southern friends have done in like cir
cumstances. Who made us to differ Who
placed us outside their temptations And
would we have done a whit better had we
been placed in the garden OF Eden instead oi
Adam and Eve or better than Southern
/ Christians with their amount of grace =
| While | deplore this inhuman war, and feel
/ that we are justly punished, North and South
by this terrible sacrifice of precious life, It is
my daily prayer that the Christian Church
may learn a lesson she will never forget
learn to discuss and settle all questions oi
philanthropy on Scriptural grounds, and in
the spirit of our blessed master, the Prince Of
Peace | cannot think that this war would
have ever transpired if all the protested dis
cples Of the Cross had been truly under its
holy and benign influences. May the Lord
help Christian men and women to take just
that attitude, just that position that will be
pleasing to Him make us all willing to see
our own errors, and to deal justly with each
other. May the earnest prayer yet 60 up
from Northern Christian hearts, full of love to
our deluded foes" Father, convince them
of their sin. and mercifully forgive, as we hope
to be forgiven" | do not OF course speak Of
the political leaders, but the mass of the peo-
Pile whom God is able to subdue and bring
back to allegiance to our country and its laws
But better spirit we must manifest gene
rally at the North before God will smile up.
on us so as to restore our friendly relations
"A better spirit than has been manifested in
our newspapers for the last ten years bet
ter spirit does appear, and may it be perma-
nent and peaceful after the settlement Of this
civil war