The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1864-12-06

our guiy 10 90.
4lh Finally. the spirit n Christi
anily urges this duly Christianity
does not break down law. Il does !
not propose to release any from any
Of i,s obligations, Nor does It en-.
courage 4 civil polity without law
That i either anarchy or dcspo,ism.
But It does propose 10 give men that
which is just ard equal II does
aim TO bring the rich and poor loseih-
er, TO breakvevery yoke, 70 open pris-
on doors where they unia.tly hold
men IN chains, and 10 proclaim liberty
to the captiyes, even 10 all the inhab
itauts Of the land. 1t does aim 70
make mea feel that in every man they
have brother. Who has equal rights
and privileges with themselves. Christ
recognizes this when he receives all
alike without respect TO PERSONS
The Bible does the same, when she
opens her doors for all, rich and poor,
learned and ignorant, high and low,
and invites them TO one common seat
around one common table. Christian
lty knows no restriction Of conscience
but by the just laws Of Heaven, and
no restraints on thought but those
which truth throws around it. These
restrictions and. restraints with which
despoism in every form has encompass
sed itself, are incompatible with the
spirit of Christianity. Truth makes
tree, aud where the spirit OF the Lord
is. there is liberty This spirit says,
as | am free, so are you free TO think,
free tc act within the limits of just
law free IN the enjoyment OF all nat
ural rights in The church and state
And aoe can well afford to adopt and
cherish as sacred trust committed 10
our charge such a sacred principle
| Il is, indeed the foundation Of our
church polity as well as the spirit Of
our holy religion.
Fellow citizens, this subject COM
mends itself especially to our attention
at The present time. II is a grand
crisis in our nations history. In the
beginning we have labored under The
disadvantage Of eherishiug and hold
up before the world a theory contra
d cted by our practice. Our great
i declaration declares that all men are
/ free; our prausiee has been to hold
muldiudes in bondage. This has been
blct on our esculeheon, While our
theory is our glory, our practice has
| Ieen our disgrace among the nations.
Good men and true patriots have long
feli the shame and guilt, and have
been unable to find a remedy. Long
before this war broke out, he'd come
/ to the conclusion that this foul blot
could be wiped out only by some ter
rible convulsion. And, although did
not dream of this terrible war, | did
anticipate violence in some form
Wen, God IN mercy, as well as judge
ment, las permitted it to come in lime
to give hope of our recovery. The
way is now clear for putting in prac-
ticc our theoretic principles. And we
have occasion 10 know that il is the
purpose of the several De parlments Of
our government TO destroy the evil
and place all men on an equality be-
4 fore the law. and to make our Decla-
ration glorious practical Tact. What
then, remains for the people TO DO /?
70 sustain them heartily. And first
Of all they should bring the great pub
lie heart into full sympathy with the
text. All ye are brethren. Without
tliis.no political action can permanent
ly secure the good we crave. Politi-
clans, as they have in times past, will
continue TO undermine every sacred
principle of Liberty, and trample wph
mpunity on the rights Of men. But
bring tha public heart into sympathy
with the principles Of liberty and they
will have no ground 10 stand on. Let
US, then, cherish the sentiment Of uni
versal liberty. Then, let no one
shrink from any sacrifice necessary to
aid the government in carrying out
/ their purpose to proclaim liberty 10
all the inhabitants Of the land. Ii
may call4or voluntary contributions.
Fail not 10 give with liberal haad
Taxes may DE increased. but who will
count dollars aud cents when the great
principles Of Liberty and right are at
stake. You may be called 70 lay
more Of your sons, and brothers, loy-
ers aud friends upon your country 5
altar. Even this, although it be SC.
we're, must not be reckonel dear, when
nation is 70 be redeemed from such
q curse as slavery las proved TO US.
All ye are brethren. Aud who will
not die 10 re lease a brother from slay-
cry? Strike, th,n, for tbis greai
principle Of fraternity. Strike not
with a faint heart ard trembling hand.
Strike with toll purpose, Tor life
for all tine if need be. Nov has
come the time-God's time Z tor us 70
give 70 the world The benefit of Dir
theory il complete practice. What
ever others may DO let " give our
hearts, our time, our talents, our prop
cry, yea our lives, il need be, to
cure liberty, fra erniiy equility % all
The inhabitants of tbs land. an ye
are brethren
Not many miles from Worcester, %
a small village, clergyman endray-