Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-09-14

Sunderland P. Gardner of Wesfar,
New York, g member of the Society ~
Friends, and one of their most eminent
speakers, preached in the Quaker meeting
house, on Thursday, and in the evening
at the church. Bothlmeetings were vel
attended, all denominations being repre-.
sented. 1t was the first Quaker preach.
ing We have been favored with for some
time, the church being rather on the De.
cline, and there being but few members
| left in town of that once numerous
church. The discourse delivered at the
church il the evening, was en- interesting
one, and one which our community srs
seldom favored with. 1t was plain com.
mon seuse and practical in its nature. It
was commendabls for it's soundness and
claaruesa. fer all present, even the young.
eat, could understand. His arguments
were pointed and telling, and were eluci~
dated il s clear, intelligent and comprs-
hersiye manner, being liberal spiritual
and high toned.
The death to which the Bible refers, a.
the result OF sin hell, or hat lake Of FIRE
and birthstone; atonement through the
blood OF Christ; morality, and various
other points were treated upon by the
speaker. We have never heard better
rendering Of these subjects. The death
referred to az the result of the transgreI.
sion Of cur first pareRts, does not mean
the death Of the body, as many are led to
believe. The death Of the body was the
result Of natural laws, and designed BY
the Creator. It did not mean that the
man should never die, because external
nature would have to be entirely changed
It meant the death of the spirit. So long
rs man diaobeys the commands of God
be is spiritually dead. There was no such
thing as hell, as is sometimes taught Us
a lake Of fire and birthstone. Neither did
it mean the grave, as cert IN passages in
the Bible led some to believe He'll was
the punishment which we received for
our wrong doiDgs here, and the natural
result of our sins and disobedience, and
which We experience every day of QUE
life. 1t was No arbitrary punishment. 10
man ever saw divinity, for that is spin
u4l in its nature, and mortal eyes cannot
zee spiritual things. The keys Which III.
lock heaven and hell are in tb possession.
IF every one, aud we hev but to put
forth the effort aud heave' is ours. Reli0.
ion was made practice thing. Morality
was the bridge over vhich we passed to
Christianity. Thj was an important
point IN bis arguU .ent. and clearly showed
that those who possessed morality, broth.
erly love- pate nee, temperance, and such
heavenly ViT' -ues, would be sure of heaven.
His exb ortations to all classes present,
the Old, middle-aged and the youth, were
proiltar lie, and will, no doubt, be the
mean, of awakening il the minds Of
may a desire to lead a yirtuous life,
or eying the laws Of nature, that they
may reap the reward md receive the
crown of the faithful in the world to
come. We regret that We are not able to
give more of this excellent discourse.
The two hours occupied seemed sbort,
aud the undivided attention which al
present gave to this eloquent speaker, il.
dicated au interest seldom observed in an
audience OF the kind. Such sermons az.
charming and encouraging and help to
strengthen Us as we journey through life's
seaseless toll aad endeavors. J.C.w.