Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1870-05-17
Law and Gospel.

Law an0 uOspel.
The decided tendency of the times is to
exalt legislation as the grand cure all of
every social malady. Let the government
but put in its pillow, and drive it with steady
and sturdy hand through the thorns and
weeds which infest community, and forth
with paradise will I've regained. Well do
we recollect the enthusiastic utterance of
DIR. Lyman Beecher at public meeting in
fremont Temple, after the adoption OF the
Maine law" in Massachusetts. II feel,
said the old champion of orthodoxy and
temperance, "like saying with Simeon,
Lord now lettest thou Thy servant depart
in peace, for mine eyes have seen Thy sal
walton" A little premature, we thought
then; and subsequent events have by no
means accomplished temperance millen-
mum. Vice can never he legisated out of
a community. A statutory stigma may be
put upon it; it may be set upon by vexa-
tious inquisitions, which may hound its
abetto rs into Obscure and uncomfortable
corners, or even compel them to abandon
their traffic a. losing concern. By all
means, let US have a stringent prohibitory
law. "The law is good, ifa man or a body
Of men use it lawfully" statute is, how
ever. but 50 much blank paper, unless it
re PRESENTS, and is backed up by an enlight-
ened and earnest public opinion. 1t is on
ly Quaker gun wheeled into line, but ca
pable q no execution, except a. it may f
the moment intimidate the enemy with
show of something terrible, and destined
10 become the butt of ridicule law
laughed at is infinitely worse than no law.
50 that after ali, the great work Of the re-
former lies back of legislation, among the
masses Of the people, including, of course,
the children The fountains must be puri-
fed. The people must be educated up to
a high moral standard, 50 that legislation
shall be the normal product Of their elevat-
ed character, the emphasized declaration Of
their regard for virtue Such an express
sion Of the public will carries with it ire
sistible force. 1t is a gun that will send
terror into the ranks Of evil docrs-"mur.
dcrers of fathers and murderers of mothers. -
But the celebrated temperance discourse of
Lyman Beecher wrought more effectively
than any law passed by our legislatures. -
They went far toward reyolutionizing the
country. They spoke powerfully 10 the
reason and conscience of the people. Every
sentence was a drawn sword Of the true
Jerusalem blade. On late Sabbath in
fremont Temple, in an able sermon from
the text, 81 am not ashamed Of the Gospe
of Christ" &C., another champion of ortho
doxy and temperance Jacob Knapp, gave
AS the result of his long expert .nce-anC
he has been a close observer of men anC
events for half century--that temperate
coul achieve substantial triumph on,
through tn" gospel, AS being the power %
Cod No man takes higher ground tina,
he as a moral retormer, and no man woul
be before him in summoning the law to d,
its appropriate work; but to him, As to IT,,
apostle, nothing can take the place of tn
gospel Of Christ ~ a radical reformation
force. That gospel, fully and unfinching
ly preached, is the 'power of God" II
influence upon the unregeneratcd heart
deep and abiding. Genuine revivals OF re-
ligion are the true social reformers. L.
churches and ministers never forget thi,
They are "ashamed Of the gospel of Christ,
they cease to honor it as "the power c
God" when they put its divine energiC
below the statues Of men. Soon might tn
problem Of temperance in Massachusett
be solved, would all the christians of tn
State but use the sacred instrument whic
God has put into their hands as its Divin
Author designed it to be used, applying
with all fidelity and love to their own hear
and lives, and the hearts and lives of ott
ers, and in the exercise of perfect cont
dence in the ever living God Let not ii
skepticism which unhappiIy prevails in II
community be allowed entrance into II
company of Christs disciples 1t is the
high privilege to follow a leader who hi
call power in heaven and on earth" L
them but realize this, and Satln will |
put undcS their feet Waterman and r
fector.