Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-03-31
The influences of Associated Action
Upon Men.

Man ia creature of anomalies and con-
Predictions. Claiming and expecting the
good opinion of all for himself, he enter
tains an entirely good opinion of hardly
any other creature. Insisting upon per-
feet respect for his own opinions, and ex-
acting the most entire liberation for his
own faith, however absurd it may be, even
claiming Difference to his cr9dest notions,
he has scarcely any idea of tolerance to-
wards others. Extremely charitable in
his construction of his own conduct, and
always ready to palliate and excuse his
own acts, TO his own entire satisfaction,
no seldom troubles himself to assign a
good motive for the act of his neighbor or
fellow man.
1t is useless to imagine that associated ac-
ton in any of the various organizations OF
society can extirpate all mans mental and
moral maladies but to effect some good
in that particular is the first and highest
aim of many of the associations OF the
present day. They inculcate in their
broadest and most extensive meaning the
great duties of charity, liberation and
truth the two first of which are in the
highest sense synonymous.
Why must we continually jostle and
quarrel with others, as we swim along the
disturbed current of the stream of life |?
If the Creator that made our neighbor
and fellow-man, tolerates his misbelief or
unbelief, still allows him to live notwith-
standing the error OF his opinions, why
cannot we do the like Why foster a
spirit of intolerance that is the fruitful
source and spring from which flow pri-
vate feuds and personal quarrels By the
axe and the rope. by the thumb-screw and
the iron.heel, it is not to be believed that
any man was ever yet convinced. Why
then slay and prosecute each other, in
all the relations of life, embittering the
hours of our existence and of those within
our sphere of labor Is not this life
short enough for us? Do we not every
moment of our lives see deaths haggard
face frowning grimly at us out of the
darkness Is it not present among us
every day of life, like an indistinct but
awful visage, that in a dream glares upon
us out of some dark old painting? Do
we not stand shivering on point of solid
rock, a mere speck, scarce large enough
for foothold, and where our feet are al
ways slipping, while before us and be-
hind and on either hand, dark, wild,
fannau+up,1u Iasb opJ rOor bo +1yo c.root
seas of the Future and the Present ?
Every thing around us should teach us
humility Around us, above us, beneath
us, stretches out in illimitable space the
great universe, to distances infinitely too
vast for human comprehension and
evermore as this infnitude of suns, Wis
ible to us by the aid of science each aided
with its retinue of worlds like ours.
whirls and flashes through space no one
interfering with the other, each keeping
his appointed place in most magnificent
harmony; it teaches in majestic accents
that great lesson of humanity, and in
culcates charity even for the errors and
crimes of our fellow men and liberation
of their faith and opinions.
Let each one, therefore entertain modest
and humble thoughts, distrust our own
conclusions, and admit that every man is
accountable for his opinions, not to us,
nor to any other men, or body of men, but
solely to that great God who holds us all
in the hollow of his hand. All conscien-
ces are Free and let no Pharisee say to the
Publican, "stand by, for l am holier than
thou"
He is by far the wiser man who lives
in peace with his fellows, drinks in wis
dom, and extracts happiness 5som every
thing around him. For aim the stars
shine with a clearer radience, the earth
wears greener and brighter garment
ing of leaf and flower. His days glide
away like the soft, still waters of a rivu-
let, and after life of content and calm
enjoyment, his exchequer, rich with the
gold and jewels of charitable deeds and
kindly thoughts and sympathies, he lays
his head contentedly down with no re-
greet or remorPe,
ITO rest beneath the clover sod
That takes the sunshine and the rains
Or whore the kneeng hamlet drains
The chalice of the grapes of God"
The world never stands still nor must
any man or association of men. He who
does not advance, retrogrades. The as
sociations of the present day-if they
would be true to themselves, If they
would continue to grow in tho worlds
estimation, and exhibit, not a mere bloated
and dropsical increase, but sound,
hearty end vigorous growth,-if they
would not lose their present rank and
sink into mere secondary station, they
must aoork, and truly that is magnif-
cent word. To cork is the highest duty
and noblest destiny of man. 1t means
not merely or chiefly the formal labor of
their various associations or societies, but
substantial, real, genuine, earnest work
for the benefit of mankind. If all do not
so work, it is but sheer waste of time,
and misapplication of mems energies
That charity, kindness, toleration-that
justice, sincerity and truth, of which we
have written, is a0oyk, in the truest and
highest sense of the word. Thus only
can the organized associations of men,
by their combined action, bring their
influences to bear upon the minds and
hearts of men.
DISTRESSING SUICIDE.--Mr. George
w. Lamberton, an unmarried man, aged
thirty-three years, hung himself in his
barn in Marshfeld, on Friday last. He