Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1866-12-07

frequent snow OF lBan keEiNihS uHe- iHS
weather OF course interiered |
considerably with the attendance ct the |
various churches; but the stores We're clos
ed. business generally suspended. and the
day had its customary general and quiet ob
At the White St Congregational Church,
the union of the two congregations made
numerous audience. The preli-
minary services were by the pastor Rev. E.
Mix The sermon was preached by Rev. G.
B. Stafford Of the College St. church.
Mr.. sATFoED's SERMON
Mr. Stafford took for bis text, Daniel eth,
9th. Sind the Eiagiom cad dominion and
the greatness of tie kingdom, under the '-iolc
Heap.n, shall Be girca 70 tie peoPl, IF The
Saints Of the Most Hiyt.''
Recounung briefly our many causes fer
Thanksgiving, in past distinguishing a.
ways new, even when Ike the Oh, because new
" bestowed-he remarked that we have greater
occasion for giving thanks than memory can
furnish Compared with the future the past Is
poor. If our future he clouiei cur past good
however great, cauIot revive cur joy. Ofan
blessings Hope is chief, AMI Hope may well
guide our thoughts to-day The Destiny Of the
World Is more glorious than its History. The
text promises that religions Een shall yet con-
troll the affairs Of tie Nations. To this clnsum-
nation chief means is Gods use Of the
agency Of good men in this present day. And
if as we arc told our nation exercises o. lre-emi-
nent influence On the d,sGuies Of other nations,
1t becomes US especially here to guard and IL
crease the power Of religious men. Their IL
iuence is already great. They control cur IL
stitutions Of Learuiug, and through the Christian
Press and Pulpit exert sull greater power.
The cutlery against their discussion Of politics is
but a confession Of their power. Politicians
have learned that the cause agliust which al
christian men are united cannot succeed.
Brought thus to a consideration Of the Duties
Of Christian Citizenship a. cur Country, lie
urged as the first duty Of Christians, that they
recognize their power. AID second tha, they
remember that 1t was given them to use.
The Church ceunot be incorporated ia the
State or the State in the Church. Both expert
ments have been tired and filled ia ,le old world,
where in Rome the Church las destroyed the
State, and In England the State has well nigh
destroyed the Church. But recognizing tie
separate functions Of Church and State, it is
the duty Of Christians to discharge al the duties
Of citizenship am discharge them IN Chris
taa spirit The Christian cst.z-a l.-s, not
remain aloof from the political meetings IN
which candidates are selected AMI issues deter
mined. He should not acc,I, The li.ta'ion o.;
political iobbers. Let it be known that chris
tan men vii not supper, % corrupt can
diia,e, though De may be right "a tie
tariff or party platform, and politicians win
study the moral character Of tae men they
bring forward for office. We have seen proof
that the demand for pure men VIII not be made
in vain, and it Is a good -isn when moral char
ae,er can be made les; ai fitness FOX lfice
OF course the Christian may. and must, often
compromise minor points; hut be must never
compromise moral or religious principle. The
consequences Of cur fidelity are Coils concern,
not ours This spirit o.; hl.lity 60 Ggl Will lie
cesslrily Lad the Christian TO advocate cx-
IRENE measures B1ifclEsm is the policy
Of the GOSPEL Tie axe is laii az the
root Of the tree sad the author Of the Gospel
His work Of reform was radical. as no other has
ever been. Il IVES rot refusal 90 pay trih te
to an existing government; but it WAS refusal
TO obey wicked laws. or TO tolerate ar,logy for
sin. It is wonderful that with thinEiue men
conservatism should he accounted virtue and
radicalsm sin. We mus, strike nj tle root Of
evil TO overcome 30. The oztayl-snc,es Of fool
ish msa in tbe church are not adiea.ism-
Christian raiiellism is bat another name f.r
Thorougha-ss To- Reform.
Another duty is that OF quick l.s,r.=..u4t.,u
Of the moral bearings Of political ISSUES. God
men must sac their opportunity and use #. It
would be a woeful fault il IN the reconstruction
Of our country az this critical time. christians
should fail TO strike Tor the supremacy Of Chris
tan principles. This laty Of acl uirias ksenr
insight into the moral bearing Of political m,as-
ures, was strongly urged, and political iguo-
rance in this day vas declared by ,Le speaker
to be crime against iLe STATE, and more
heinous crime against God.
In closing, Mr. Stafford czh-1tel each t. DO
his part towards thus fastening On the Jay
when the kingdom shall he given to the Saints
Of the Most High.
At the close a Thanksgiving contribution vas
taken up for the American Missionary Asso-
citation for the aid Of tie Freedmen.
ST. rAuL's CHURCH.
At St. Paul's (Eris) Church. thank Civ
ing services were held, Rev. Mr.. CAM oG-
ciating. The sermon was from the text,
"While tis Earth r1Raiueti, Sad hue and
harrest. summer and ,riafer, cold and hat,
dag and .git shall not csass Gen. viii, 22l.
SIR. Camps SERMON
Inv lAa-N-t4s tl.laAllE q lAe i1ttllNilL- OF
Christians this fay, in obedience to the procla-
nations Of the President and Of the Governor. to
give thanks 90 God for his manifold blessings.
and to bosasch a continuance Of the same. urged
that more than custom demanded it, there Is
moral necessity for such thanksgiving. For
God VIII be honorei for His love and kindness
to His creatures, and if they fail openly to rem
der honor and praise, HIS chastisemcnts will
surely visit them till they humble themselves
It is a favor that proclamaticus Of our rulers
call US to remember who it Is that blesses Us, |
that His mercies are no le the les yrelt beclues
they are 50 common, AMI that it is Ills sure (
word which says So while the earth remsineth -
they shall Tot fail, but the harvest Of one land
hall still supply the want of another, the frosts
# the North cool the burning neat Of the South,
md the southern summer send up still its rich
ruits and wine and oil to the North.
The year almost closed has been propitious
"a Gf.s L..