Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1867-12-06
Thanksgiving Day In Burlington.

NN anu WIN d NV AlIbS euON HaASo III
the morning, was on the whole mild and
comfortable day. 1t was duly observed, by
private celebrations too numerous to men
tion, and by pul ul,lic services as follows
WHITE ST. CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
At the White St. Congregational Church.
Rev. Mr.. Stafford of the College ST. Church
preached a sermon before the united con-
gregations Of both churches. selecting as his
text, Judges XI. 81; - Wilt not thou pos
sess that which Chemosh thy God giveth
thee to possess So whomsoeyer the Lord
our God shall drive out before US, them will
we possess
Jepththahe's reply to the demand of the Am
monies for restoration oflands held by the Israeli
ties, showed from history that no lands had ever
been taken from Ammon but from Sihon, and
that in war provoked by the Amtrite himself
and If Ammon would without hesitation seize
and hold what bis God bade him occupy, should
he not allow to Israel the same right "a princi-
pie which no man could justly attack. In this
reply Of the judge Of Israel we may find in
structions as to the rights and duties Of chris
tian men now in regard to public affairs. The
separation Of Church and State we hold here
to be a right principle but its acceptance does
not forbid christians TO interfere in any way
with civil legislation. Repetition Of the expert
ment Of joining Church ard State is not to be
thought Of; yet Rome is right in saying the
Church should rule the State, and England that
it should sustain it. We have need in this
land to beware lest we fall into an error more
harmful than that Of an established church
God has given this country to His people es
really asi fthe sword Of civil authority was in
the hands Of the minister Of the gospel and |
this is shown BY the history of the country" the
constitution Of the government aad the power
given to christian men under it, VIZ he power
ofequalo Opportunity with all opublish and main /
tain their principles In 10 other land IS such op-
portunity given to christians to shape the char- .
scter Of the nation.
citizen deyotes himself to the advocacy Of .
some particular political principle, and becomes
power in the land By bis successful labor
does any one complain or deny him right to 60
labor aud has not the chrstiln an equal right .
to contribute to the best interest Of thst which .
be osteems most valuable. and to advocate meas
ures thereto There is 10 rule declaring that any
citizen may secure legislation or be chosen to Of
iceor accomplish some desired change in the con-
stituton, except the christian. 1t is not neces-
sary indeel that any political party should be
organized on the sole basis OF religious primo
pie but no christian should be held compelled
tC follow party ,hst advances and supports
irTeligious principle. No one would eensure
manufacturers for deserting a party that refused
70 act in favor Of their interests, or tlave deal
ers OF liquor dealers for deserting party that
should oppose their interests. Why must the
christian aihere to party which supports men
ami measures opposed to his dearest ani best
interests May he show no preference FOR sober
honest and deyout men and for legislation to
promote morality and religion
Politicians say, you must attend the primary
I
plain il candidates snd measures distasteiul to
you are put forward Their first dogma is
right, but not necessarily the second it IS the
privilege Of any, and Of the christian ss well as
my, to reject platform contrary to bic princi-
pies. l.. it be understood that christians will
not support candidates for cfice known to be
hostile to religion or Of corrupt life their
rgh, to withhold such support or politicians will
concede and will not dare to ignore. VIII the
votes Of mass Of JUS; naturalized foreigners
be anxiously sought for, and those Of christian
men be disregardei2
The God Of Israel made bis people know that
the intrusion Of false gods into his land was es-
pecislly abominable in his sight This land He
has consecratei to civil and religious liberty, to
loyalty to Gcd and the right; and the growth Of
injustice and disloyalty among US cannot but
be peculiarly offensive TO Him. Christian men
should regard the charge Of this land given
them as peculiarly sacred and more tenacious
ly than the foes OF religion should they assert
their title
There are warnings Of which all good men
should take heed, Of violent assaults TO he
made on the most saered principles Of our m
ton When legislation is sold at auction, when
official perquisites are worth more than profits
Of honest business, when the corruption Of pub
lie men is openly acknowledged and traded on,
shall it become christian men to submit or par
ticip ate, When growing luxuriOusness brings
in its inevitable and nameless vices and Sins
once decorousy hid are openly confessed. when
mercantile dishonesty and stupendous crime are
rife let christians awake, let their hearts kindle
with Indignation, and with tongue and pen,
with voice and vote, in public and private,
demand that at least the dictates Of morali-
ty and piety shall be Obeyed and that political
leaders shall not put forward candidates Of
scandalous lives.
Our giving Of III anks to-day should not be
mere wo.ds; but in reflection On the prolonged .
mercies Of God toSa.'d Us in bountiful harvests.
ia peace at home and abroad and above all in .
the continued presen,,e Of His Spirit with its /
offers Of grace, let us c. nsecrste ourselves anew
to the defence Of His claim upon us and our /
land. We might have spent an hour most /
pleasantly IN recital OF Gods goodness to us, Jet
US rather see how We can express our thanks in /
action. His goodness sho nd lead US to more |
earnest endeavor in Performance Of duty, and to /
giving OF thanks daily by fidelity to all the
trusts God has laid upon us. This call let US
carefully heed, that oar lives may cay. " Our
God hath given Us this land to possess. and We
will possess it,
This excellent discourse, Of which We have |
given but an imperfect abstract, Was most
attentively listened to by 4 congregation good |
in numbers.
UNITARIAN CHURCH
Il =. -. I