Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-06-09

also to have patience with those who can
not see it as quickly as we, "Let all your
doings be with charity" The peace and
harmony of congregation should not be
interrupted to bring in even right ways a
little sooner. Let US ''speak the truth in
love-" and doubt not God will make il
succeed. I have full confidence that the
appeal to the christian conscience of our
people will never be in vain. I am per-
suaded therefore that the change will
come and that parishes which adopt ii
first will have most of its advantages.
But it will be asked, how are we to find
maintaining the services, if we make our
churches free and give up our pew rents
When we adopt the scriptural plan, we
should adopt it as whole. The Church
in the days of the Apostles, and for the
first, three hundred years of its history, had
no other means of support than the volun-
tary gifts and offerings of her children.
Yet in all that time there was no lack.
The contributions were abundant for the
support of the clergy, and the missions,
for building churches wherever permission
could be obtained, and quickly restoring
them which pulled down in the persecu-
tons, for ransoming captives, for main
tanning the poor and the sick, not only
of their own, but for extending their
bounty to the needy of the heather around
them.
1t is true we have not now any such
liberal measure of giving as those prim-
tive disiples. 1t is true that many
amongst US have no sense OF the duty OF
voluntarily contributing for Christ's SER
vice no thought it has any intimate con-
nection with our personal religion. We
need to be rightly instructed, to be edu-
Gated to the scriptural standard in this
matter The Bible makes giving for
Gods service as much a part of our duty
as prayer or praise. "Honor the Lord
with thy substance and with the first
fruits of all thine increase" was the pre-
cept of the Lord. Nor was its obligation
intended to be confined to that earlier dis
pensation. Prophecy declared that such
honoring the LORD would be characters
tic of Mesiah's Kingdom. g In the
day of Thy power shall the people offer
Thee free-will offerings with an holy
worship" Free-will offerings and holy
worship are here joined together as the
especial service of the Church of Christ ;
to go together even as the Lord, in the
sermon on the mount, joins aims and
prayers, as equally obligatory, equally &C.
ceptable, equally rewarded by orr Father
who seeth in secret. The Apostles carry
on this teaching and bid US to ''forget not
to do good and to communicate for with
such sacrifices God is well pleased" ST..
Paul charges the church at Corinth to
make collections on the "first day of the
week, each as the Lord hath prospered
him." "Let every man do as he is dis
posed in his heart, not grudgingly or of
necessity, for God loveth a cheerful giVer."
God loveth him, and will largely repay
him. For che that soweth plentiously
shall reap plentiously."
1t seems therefore that the method of
supporting the church most agreeable to
scripture and the primitive practice is by
voluntary contributions, to be made every
Lords day. In order that we may return
to this scriptural method it may be neces-
sary at first to increase our collections by
what is called the envelope system, which
is in use in several of the parishes in the
diocese. But let a COLLECTION be made
every Sunday if lot at every service. Let
the clergy often instruct their congrega-
tons in the duty of making offerings for
Gods service stately and systematically
setting apart portion of their income for
such purposes; and of making thank offer
ings for all extraordinary blessings which
they receive. Let it be taught that such
giving is an act of religion very accept
able in the sight of God, and very profit
able to the spiritual health of those who
practice it.
Such collections should be made with
the use of the sentences of Holy
Scripture found in the Offeratory. And
I believe it would be very fitting and
profitable, if when the priest, according to
the rubric ''humbly presents and places
the offerings upon the Holy Table," the
would rise and stand rever-
emily during such offering. In thus pre-
senting their gifts before God, the minister
is acting for the people. Now, ip such
during the act, the congrega-
ton joins visibly in the obiation.
l think it would have an influence to make
us feel that our giving for the support
OF the church or her missions is giving
unto the Lord, service done unto Him
out of reverence to the Divine Majesty
and gratitude for His great mercies unto
us a service of free-will offerings which
He is pleased to require and accept in
with our holy worship.
The schools in connection with the
church in this Diocese, are, I am happy
to say, in a prosperous condition. The
Institute keeps up its numbers and the
religious character of the instruction i'm
parted in it. have confirmed eleven of
its pupils the past year.
Norwich University, under the able
of the Rev. DR.. Howard
and its corps of professors, gives promise of
great usefulness. Within the past year
the numer of cadats has increased some
thing more than three fold. The instruc-
ton and discipline maintain their former
character of thoroughness and exactness +;
while in the new President the institution
has not only head, but an efficient pas
tor. DR.. Howard has unusual aptness
to guide and influence young men, to
arouse and quicken dull minds, and to
inspire all around him with something of
his own enthusiasm. The University
offers to the young men of our State so
many advantages of classical, mathemati.
,al and scientific and military instruction,
AhA Nv SuOA AOdcOIdblO ldbGS OA tuition
that cannot doubt it will win a large
'haresof the public favor.
Saint Agnes Hall, Bellows Falls, is an
other of our institutions, which l can most
heartily commend to the support and
patronage of our people. Early in the
year [ past nearly week at the Hall. [
attended the devotions and recitations,
md witnessed the whole management of
he school It is, am sure, exactly what
4 christian school for girls ought to be.
The girls attend the parish church on
Sundays and holidays; the Rector of the
parish gives weekly religious instruc elton
% the pupils. The Principal is very
accomplished teacher of large experience,
With genial spirit and hearty sympa-
ny for her girls. The teaching is faith
,ul and thorough rather than snowy. And
he result is seen in that which is the test
If good school the girls are diligently
1t work and very happy. can say, then,
20 the Churchmen of this Diocese and the
vicinity, whose daughters must go from
nome for their education, that we have