The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1874-07-16

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Temperance, . churches .... 90 80
The subject Of a consolidation af be-
noyolent boards and the systematiziug
Of all this charitable giving, is much
discussed by the denominations at the
present We wish it were easier 10
dotcrmin in our individual cases to how
many Of these generalobiccts we ought
to contribute, and in what proportions.
Some Of our churches contribute
freely to various objects. We trust
with their money is also given an in
telligent interest, prayer, aud faith
Others seem to withhold their pocu-
MARY aid from all, or nearly all, the
Christian enterprises Of the age Such
deny themselves the luxury Of giving
Of having part in the churchs' noblest
works. luxury the loss Of which a
Christian heart cannot be compeu-
stated for by any common expenditure
of their means, whether the amount
of money they have to spend be count
ed in dollars, in shillings, OF in pennies.
Little report is made of the state Of
morals and the interests of virtue in
the several communities, where our
churches are located We Judge some
Of the towns may have participated in
the new interest for the temperance
reformation. Some Of the pulpits have
spoken with new decision and earnest
ness, and the power given by our laws
for the suppression Of the evil traffic,
has been exerted with some success,
The faithful preaching from the pull
pit of the law of God and the gospel
Of Christ, and the general acknowl-
edgement on the part Of Christians, of
these as the standard of right living,
cannot fail to have a wholesome infu-
enee upon the public morals But there
are periods when special warfare must
be waged against prevailing vices and
sins. Now and then a John the Bap-
list style of reformation seems indis-
pensablc, to prepare the way for q more
spiritual revival and the conversion of
souls to Christ May not our churches
sometimes fail of this last great bless
ing by reason OF their real or apparent
completely with popular vices, or be-
cause they will not give themselves for
moral conflict and cheerfully undertake
new and harder tasks in the service OF
Christ
At that former meeting, long time
ago, Of the churches in Rupert, to
which we have alluded, the consocia-
ton "yoted that Rev. Messrs. L. Hay
mes and i. Worcester draft and circu-
late among the churches an ailectionate
address in the name Of this consocia-
ton, recommending to them more
careful and solemn attention to the du-
ties Of the Sabbath, and an engaged and
strict attention to all the duties of their
professions that they cast all the
weight of their influence in favor Of
uniform attention to religious order,
particularly to their own families, and
that they should set apart portion OF
every Sabbath for chatechizing and
seriously and religiously instructing
their children and families.
Voted to recommend to the churches
to use their influence to obtain instruc-
tors in schools, of moral department
and visible reverence for the Christian
religion and sacred scriptures
These resolutions were made at a
period when our nation was young, our
churches poor and feeble, and society
much demoralized, as the result Of the
revolutionary war and of the invasions
of infdelity and Astounding wickedness
But then our pious fathers were prompt
and strong to meet the emergencies OF
the present, and were hopeful Of a
grand future for the Church and the
State. They went forth from that meet.
ing again for a time to SOW in tears, to
labor in encouragement and darkness
to lift up the standard against iniquity
to teach the word diligently TO thcii
families, and to pray for the interposi-
ton Of the Almighty arm.
Within two years the blessing began
to come, and the heavenly influence 80
increased during the summer Of 1908
that at length the churches need only
to "stand still and see the salvation Of
God" Very many were converted &c
the Lord. Within the year, 81 persons
were added to this church Of Rupert
About a thousand were added TO the
churches in Rutland and Bennington
counties Bennington, sandgatc. Ru.
pert, Dorset, Tinmouth, Rutland, Bran.
don, Pittsford, Benson and Orwell