Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1873-06-06

But we find the worst possible waste in
our religious economy. 1t is no new story the
religious journals everywhere are talking Of
it; two, three, four, five orthodox churches
in one small town two, three, four. five
ministers salaries to be raised two, three.
four, five parsOnages; two, three, four
five houses to be warmed, lighted, cleaned
and kept in repair
| should think some of the shrewd Yankee
brethren would bring a little Of their
arithmetic to bear ION the question, only
they have an idea that religion belongs 10
nothing on earth but Sabbath days and
prayer-meeting nights, and the two or three
stated and stately ''means of grace, and
must be treated always apart from ones
| common sense, and in a most stilted and
unnatural manner.
Three churches Of two dozen paying
| members each, combined, would give one
church Ofseventy- two paying" member.
| funds enough 10 command the world
| besides the old church buildings, that
might be sold for a sweet-tOned organ and
some other things; and the two old par-on-
| ages. which might 20 towards fitting up the
| third one into a respectable comfortable
| home for the coming pastor.
| The coming pastor so much depends
/ upon him now, that we must look for
/ man Of the largest type, one for whom
natureand education have done their best
/ who Will bring to his work enthusiasm, in
/ telligence, a quick insight into human ma
| ture, as well as the spirit Of our Lord. ]
| think lie would find the field inviting, and
we shall make such royal pro iSion for his
daily bread that he will literally not
need to take thought for the morrow,
| bat can give his time and energies princi-
pally To the work before him.
But Of which denomination shall he be2
Important point Nearly all agree that 10
is a good thing for the many weak churchr-
% be made into a few strong ones, but
what church has grace enough % sacri-
fee itselfand lose it, name forever Tor the
good Of all mankind? Let Us not expect
too much of poor, weak human nature.
The matter may be managed, | fancy, and
no organization die that others may live
We shall select the best building 20 save, Of
course. and We shall call our new Organiza-
ton Baptist-Free-Will- Baptist-C iose-Com-
munion- CongregatiOnalist- Methodist, 6c..
that il, we will cancel none of the names
that people love SD well. and. Furthermore.
in our creed wewil give place % all their
peculiar doctrines. These being ackn0wl-
edged orfl0d0r churches, ! am sure we are
right in putting in all the articles OF faith
only in a0n-eSSenha's they are sail e. differ.
OF course the new pastor must understand
the matter thoroughly. II he De the man
we sought for, one who cares more for the
spread of the gospel than for the spread 1t
denominations, whose charity Is as wide 1-
the world and whose theology Is as broad
as the Bible, | think he Will accept the stu
alton.
Some such arrangement as the iu.-
lowing he might make, o. show bis
respect for the doctrinal formulas of each
sect included in bis charge On one Sab
bath, for instance, it should be under.
stood that lie was % preach % sermon 1a
Election OF Be Pre1e-tinatiou. f.r The
benefit Of the Calvini~t-, taking ior bis text
perhaps that close logic of -. Paul.
. For whom he did f1reknow he ais, BID
predestinate 20 be c0niormed % the im1-a
of his Son. Moreover whom be did pre-
OBSTINATE them he also called, and whom
he called them he also justified, and whom
he justified them he also gloritied, gz-
pounding this doctrine as 1t is found DOB
the Bible, as scientists hold it. and rs w-
meet it in our lives. The next Sabbath
he should prearhi from the Methodist tsy-
'' WhoSoever Will let him come and par,aE-
Of the waters Of life freely, 80 q" For il is r.-
possible II these shall fall away 90 renew
them a gain 20 repentance. the dlctrlues
which we all practically acknowledge. 0t
'' Free viii and Of the possibility oE
- Falling from Grace" And SD De should
90 faithfully through al the peculiar doe
trines honestly held by their opponents O.
be derived from Scripture, giving clnllIs
the real evidence in favor of each.
By the time be had done this | think the
ideas of his congregation would be SD much
enlarged that they would begin o. see that
there are sometimes two. sometimes three
or four sides to a question-that there mlg
be in Gods plan opp0Sith truths, as tlera
are in a wheel opposite SpukeS, ami
"a man, or q haud.1l Of men, who Try Oh
construct a round system Out of one little
BIT Of a spoke Of truth that he has got hold
of. viii greatly fail Of the grand. perfect
scheme of our Creator. which the angels
wonder at. and do not profess % c1mprs-
hend- They would learn a little lesson iH
charity, perhaps, one in humility, one Do
reverence. And then the preacher should
c0ntne himself 20 tie conduct Ofliie. AMI tl
the conduct Of life under the peculiar cir-
cumstances surrounding his people.
Moreover. because the Preacher'was ri5..
he still taught the people knowielrc. yea.
he gave good heed and sought OGtdnd set in
order many proverbs. The preacher sought
TO find out acceptable words. and that
which was written was upright even words
of truth
One such man IN a community might
with Gods help, be the means of its SILVA
ton
| can think how. meeting the real needs
or the people in such way as 20 find a re-
Sponse their hearts, he would call in those
who never came % church before, and On
them good. | can think how. wiki the
blessing of God always, and God always
gives his blessing when right means are
used he Wnud chance n h1ri-w1reiur
money-loying, unthinking people into an
intelligent, discreet. right-livinr clmmuui-
" put these reS0lute di-gers Of the soil
into harmony with their own beautiful
landscapes. dignity their labor, and make
Of the rural districts OF Vermont the most
delightful living places in the world.
he