Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1872-03-04
For the Monitor.
WHAT is TRUE CHARITY!

we any means of arriving at knowl
edge of the truth ? The bible is our
guide, and if examined candidly with
the exercise of the reasoning faculties,
enlightened by the Holy Spirit we think
none need err, in so essential a matter,
But if we simply consider portions of
scripture, relating to this subject, with
out examining their connection OF seek
ing to understand the object of the
speaker, the circumstances under which
the words were uttered, the peculiarities
of the class addressed, the prevailing
ideas and customs of the times, we shall
be very likely to form shallow and erro-
neous opinions, not only upon this sub
ject, but upon all others that we consid-
er in the same superficial manner. This
method of arriving at conclusions is one
grand cause of the many conflicting be-
liefs, and the confusion of tongues that
prevail in the moral and religious world
and while that convincimg argument,
''the bible says so,' that we sometimes
hear, might have satisfied an inquirer
after the truth, years ago, in times of
ignorance and superstition, it will not
answer now Who does not know that
the advocates of almost every theory
seek to strengthen their position by ref
erence to those scriptural truths that fa-
vor their views and by ignoring all 9TH
ers? Too many are satisfied with a be-
lief, obtained at second hand, and are
never able to give reason for the faith"
that is in them. Although the scrip
lures are so plain, that ga wayfaring
man though fool need not err therein, -
as the Holy Spirit will aid his honest
grcpings after the light. Yet if those
possessing greater abilities, clearer in
tellects, presume upon this fact, and neg
lect to use the gift that is in them, in
searching for the truth they will as like
ly as any way be led into error But
the earnest, candid seeker after the truth,
will be satisfied with nothing less than
a careful investigation of all the testimo-
ny bearing upon the subject under con-
sideration. Are not some of the causes
above alluded to, reasons for the preva-
lent ideas as to what constitutes true
charity? and is it not easier for US all
to drift along with the current, to ex-
cuse evil rather than to censure it, ex-
cept when it exhibits itself in its grosser
forms, as among those, whose names are
already cast out as evil? Is not weak,
false charity one of the prime causes
of the looseness of life, the laxlty of NOR
ais that SO fearfully prevail ? Is it not
cause for those frequent irruptions of
evil, that startle us for moment with
glimpses of the cavernous depths of in
iquity that exist beneath the placid sur
face of so called good society? Is not
the very moral atmosphere about us, re-
laxing instead of being bracing and in
vigorating, in its effects upon the moral
constitution =? has it sufficient vitality,
does it not need greater proportion Of
the oxygen of adherence to all vice in
whatever form it may manifest itself
We may be blinded by false charity to
the true state of things; utter moral per-
version may exist under mask, and
even Satan himself be transformed into
an angel of light. But some say s'there
is greater danger in the want of charity,
that ''the bible recognizes this fact. ,
True, especially in the time of Christ
and especially true, then as now, will
reference to a certain class of sinners
But Christ had no words of commenda
tion for charity that sought to scree1
evil, when existing under cloak O.
righteousness his withering denuncia
tions, were not pronounced upon the ig
norant degraded masses, but his hear
year7aed over them with pity, as he say
they were as sheep without shepherd
and he ministered alike to their diseas
, ed bodies and sin-sick souls; he welcom
| ed them with those sweet words, s,-"Com
|. unto me all ye that labor and are heav,
4 laden, and l will give you rest ;-an'
e we are told ''the common people hear,
e him gladly" But how was his charit
: manifested toward their pretended shep
+ herds ?-their blind leaders-who sa
in "Moses' seat" and bound heavy bun
dens upon their shoulders, that neithe
: they nor their fathers could bear? Wha
II language did he address to those, VIII
I, inflated with pride and self-righteous
u ness, were fair without, but within flu
: of all uncleanness ? At them he launch
a ed the most terrible invectives and t
+ them he applied the most singing ep
l. thets, such umchar1table words as hypt
( critics serpents vipers children of S;
tan &c., fell from those gentle lips
L he had no words of palliation for thel
s. but rather seemed to goad them on,
s, their mad rage until their wickedne
" eliminated in their Staying the ''Hol
n One and the just And can we n,
d see a reason for his course? Was it n,
j. necessary to expose their bloated hypo
It risy, to themselves and others, that the
if mi ght no longer lead their followe
te blindfolded to perdition-that the va
IF might be torn from their own eyes az
they stand revealed in all their hideou
ness to themselves and others? Tn,
,a had so long claimed Abraham to the
lie father, tithing anise, mint, and cum
n while neglecting weightier matters
the law, their consciences had become
n scared, that doubtless, in order to sta
III tie them from their apathy, it was ne
We essary to use the most scathing languae
.n and prophesy that the most fearful VIC
IL, Ill were to fall upon them. Rut how c.
we reconcile such course with christi
MT love with that charity ''that thinke
+, no evil-that hopeth all things, belle
* eth all things" &C., with the injuncti
ne to Judge not lest ye be judged" &c
While we think it perfectly consiste
ms with the highest type of love-with
ret love of perfect self-abnegation-with lo
Tor dlvine-we cannot reconcile it with tt
'en false charity that in our day would shri
lor back appalled, at such auachristsm Il
ore guage-when applied to sinners of 81
er. liar stamp. How can these defend
Ems of an indiscriminate charity DISPOSE