Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-07-07

for artisan and soldier and slave. Its
forces were insufficient, its methods utter
ly at fault. The Jewish nation, philoso-
piers, senates, were unable to appreciate
the Christly method of work. T. not this
method that of individualism are not
the ideas of Puritani4m in harmony with
this method ? .-.. ...
Again, Puritanism has hope Of future,
because it has the tendency to work itself
clear of its errors. 1t is not like the Ro-
man church, which reforms nothing, but
adds continually new errors, and perpetu-
ates them, as dirt is conserved at the heart
of crystal, its method being accretion,
not purifcation of doctrine. Puritanism
charges its disciples to have reason for
the faith that is them-to study God 8
words for new light and new truth; cor
recting what is erroneous, adjusting what
is ill-assorted, throwing off what it harm
full and enormous. 1t may not always be
quick enough to do this, but it is sure to
do it, as the growth of the tree rids it of
the excresences of the bark. 1t is not a
system or creed, with nothing to learn
and nothing to unlearn; we must look
elsewhere for sach eomplacency as this.
1t can take in, also, whatever is health
full and right-ean grow and develop it
self. Other systems may move in narrow
ruts. This must be worked in the large,
free spirit which its fundamental princi-
pies demand. So worked, it will be pro-
ductive of all large results. Never yet
has it been fully tested. Its latent pow
ers have not yet been brought to the
strain. ..
Besides. its radical ideas demand and
will produce the highest aesthetic culture
will result, in spite of what Matthew
Arnold says to the contrary, in sweetness
and light. The old Puritans did indeed
make war on the fine arts, which were
then pressed into the service of error.
But in the days of Elizabeth large part
of the nobility and scholarship of Eng
land, that is to say, of its culture and re-
fnement, was found in Puritan ranks,
Man of the early Puritans were of fine
aesthetic make. No one can have read tht
works Of Jonathan Edwards and moi have
noticed his exquisite sensibihty to nature.
| The Puritan owns it TO be his duty to cul-
| tivate whatever powers God has given
him, the artistic and poetic as well IA the
more practical Witness the progress OF
art in New England. How many have
gone hence to study painting and sculp,
ture aud music! Note the pictures aud
other decorations of New England homes,
the almost universal love for and cultiva-
tion of music, the Improvement in church
architecture. Where III New England
can l find ., better illustration OF my ar
gument than in this beautiful church
And shall we suppose the spirituality OF
those who worship here has declined in
consequence? He who has his soul an
chored fast to the Puritan idea OF duty,
need not te II to open his heart to the
beauties of earth and sky. Rafael'- crca-
tions are for him-for him the wonderful
productions of Michael Angeles half-di-
vine frenzy of artistic inspiration.
| 1t Puritanism be characterized by such
elements and powers, it. must have u
brighter future before il. Like Christi
anity il can look forward. r,thrr than
| back ward tor irs goid-n ~. Bur u~
uo' b,. cnt,r,ut Nlrh 6u- words l,,r IL a
somHthiug. md dn j. III the r32s.' ~i,Iij.
! Work anne cnn h7ruiy h~ ,'ri-S
| Churchu- may hr Pl mt or put "2 a ~t,-
cure fooling; schools founded young
men aided in their efforts to fl thrrnselve,
for worthy work Whatever We d.. let
us lift ourselves up t. the high plane OF
the ftthers, that our hearts may touch
their hearts and he kindIed with like de-
votiou to duty. Let u hear God in the
Scripture NJ they heard him initiate
their spiritual ardor 10 the use Of tn.
same simple forms Of worship, guard vigi
lantly our liberties against all a--aiiant- ;
and by wise and am pie provision for rdu
cation, show that we are the worthy de-
scendents of those who first devised and
get afoot comprehensive system Of public
instruction By such fnlln nasiner il, the foot
steps of an honorable ancestry shtll we
attain that heroiSm of character which
comes from individualism rightly uS4.ol,
and whatever things are lovely aud pure
and of good report will flourish III the
midst OF u.
W" are unt Omfortnbly conscious that
our report does great injustice TO The
scholarly and forcible address of which il
is an abstract; but we are consoled by
the expectation that it will soon be pub
| lished in full in the minutes of the con-
ventiou. We hope also that it may be
sent out in separate form, as very many
outside of the Congregational body will
desire to possess it. 1t occupied an hour
aud twenty minutes in the delivery and
was listened to with absorbed attention.
At the close of Mr.. Angels address,
the choir sang" " Blessed is the people that
know the joyful sound" The Rev. Mr..
Lord moved the usual vote of thanks, with
request of copy for publication. After
the bencdiction, the audience dispersed,
the organ playing America" as they
moved down the aisles. 1t was the unan-
imous feeling that great theme had
been worthily handled, and a fitting SER
vice dn>e to the virtue4 aud memory of
the Pilgrim Father,