Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-04-20
Abstract of the Sermon of Rev.
James Gibson j johnson at The Com
gregatiOnal Church, on Sabbath
Morning, April 10Th.

Text: Romans xii, 9, "Abhor that
which is Evil"
Goodness no more surely requires a
love of right, than a hatred of wrong. The
man who does not bring this hatred of
sin into his moral struggles, has little
ground for hope of great conquest.
This hatred, which might be strong, is
too often weakened by something like
amiability. In Offering all men and all
things to so friendly foe, every thing is
Notwithstanding condemned. 1t is
sad that so fair a trait of character should
lead to such results-but it is the cause
of an immense deal of sin, and becomes
the means by which ruin and disgrace
come to many man.
Indifference also weakens this abhor.
renee for evil There are men who have
in their natures nothing like hatred of
sin. Accident seems to decide whether
they are right or wrong. External pres
sure is the only consideration which holds
them in the path of responsibility. They
are not men to be trusted, for we know
that the only power which can keep a
man honest is the moral power within
him. If that is not there, sooner or later
he will fall. A man who will not resent
a solicitation to sin, as an imputatien on
his honesty. is not safe man. The pos.
sibility of righteous indignation must ex-
ist in man or he is not on firm ground.
No amiability or indifference should
ever keep US from seorching with our
anger the man who comes with tempta-
ton in his hand or on his lips.
Important az mans duty is in regard
to spurning evil for himself, it is but
part of his duty in reference to evil. He
must abhor it everywhere. No evil has a
right to exist free from the condemnation
of honest men. Men should feel that
their own honesty ia questionable if they
cannot find it in their hearts to condemn
the wrongs they meet. To live quietly
side by side with violations of good morals
shows latent sympathy with snch viola
tions, which by-snd-bye may lead to some
thing more than sympathy. The instinct
of self preservation should lead one to
condemn wrong, if no higher motive i'm
pels. But the same causes operate to
quiet his opposition as in the case of per-
sonal wrong.
First, There is this good nature which
80 many men cultivate, which enables
them to look on and utter no word. Some
ones feelings will be hurt, or business
injured, or reputation affected, and SO a
wrong is perpetuated which is doing in
finite harm to the feelings, and business,
and character-sye, the souls of multi
tudes. 1t is not good nature, it is weak
ness and lack of moral energy, hiding be-
hind good name. n
Second, Again, this Indifference which
influences 80 many men regarding their
own character, much more influences
them concerning the evils which attack
society, and injure the character Of others.
There is class of men whom questions
of public welfare never interest. A giant
wrong may be abroad demoraliziEg the
community. and it draws from them no
protest. II lie safe to say that these men
are the foundation and the buttresses Of
most of the evils of society. The men
who work these evils are few. The men
who oppose them are very few. Those
who stand between and quench opposition