Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1875-11-26

this 1llusion in no spirit of accusation, but
to show the progress OF our country in re-
tgious liberty, TO call 10 mind the true spir-
1t of Christianity now more prevalent,
which compels by love rather than whips
and prisons and racks and iaggots, that
Christian charity which removes us each
succeeding century further from the shad-
ows of the dark ages.
In the religious world there is much 10
cheer those WHO are .oling with earnest,
hopeful purpose in The cause of our COM
mon Lord and Master. l believe in no So
cial or moral millennium, but in the world
as the Masters great harvest field, where
his servants are sowing, and ieaping, aud
gathering and binding for him. Soon he
will come TO separate the wheat from the
chat, aud bind up for eternal life tue re-
suits of Christian lives and efforts, The
results of consecrated activity and faith are
grandly apparent. The leaven of the gos-
pei has in no sense become stale or efIete.
The religion Of Jesus has won triumphs in
this century unparalleled since the earliest
ages OF Chrisps kined1m on earth.
Probably one of our greatest national
olhoi ~ uOl NuC GREATEST II Nlt lIdult III
strong drink. heard not long since OF a far
Western city, which l hardly think was
quite a fair specimen of American society;
said city was said to consist of twenty-sev-
en- buildings, twenty three of which were
liquor saloons. In coping with this great
foe of human happiness we have more to
contend with than the pecuniary interests
Of, toll .,F
must take into account the iuborn or ac-
qulred thirst of the American people for
sin ulants and excitement am sorry TO
say that strong drink is too well appre-
ciated ally of political demagogues. While
100 100000 bushels Of grain are yearly used
for making ardent spirits, the friends of
importance need not count on the undivid-
ed support Of grain.d dealer or granger. |
believe also that alcohol is direct instru-
mentality OF the devil and his angels in
destroying the bodies and souls of men.
Yet there is very hopeful change OF senti-
ment on this subject. Drinking is no
longer respectable. The seller 10 longer
lures Ivy the varied hues of his decanters
and bottles, the traveller or the passer-by.
IJdluNS lut NluuONS VI his SdiODH anu
does all in his power to screen his custom
ers from public observation. This has be-
cone.necessdry for the success of the trade.
In the good old times of our fathers, a child
cou Id not be born, marriage could not be
con sumated, the dead could not he buried,
without plentiful libations to Bacchus.
The minister, however spiritually minded,
nj oil ia ,ll
serve his stability and make very many
calls upon his parishioners, on the same
day. If the sins of the fathers are visited
on the children, is ii not wonder that we
are not a race of drunkards? But what
church would now endure n dram drink.
ing dominic ? How long would p tolerate
a whisky drinking deacon? l 90 not deny
that there are many members of churches
who indulge in the use of ardent spirits,
but they arc too shrewd TO do so openly;
they know that as soon as their practice
becomes public they must forfeit their
standing as Christians in the judgment of
both the church and the world. believe
that the masses of the people are far more
temperate than formerly that there is less
drinking in proportion 10 our population.
"oh that men would praise the Lord for
his goodness" Have we az a community
no cause to praise him for his especial
goodness and favorsp Have we no per-
sonal experiences which have been marked
by special evidences of the divine consid-
Grafton for us? Surely his goodness and
tender mercies have followed us all our
days, or we should not greet each other
here to-day. Cold and cherries must be
the heart that can say to-day, 81 have no
reason for thanksgiving here" who can
call up no emotions of praise as he looks
back and around him.
God is lavish with his goodness, and he
has meant that we should all have a good
share of it in some shape. If l have re-
fused it or msused it, 1t is not because the
Great Fathers heart is not large and loving.
/ know that life has its sad memories for
most of us-the bitter cup has more than
once been forced 10 our unwilling lips.
There may be vacant places around your
fires to-day-unoccu pied seats at your Ia
bles that were once always filed OH such
days as this. There were voices, once The
gladness and music of our lives, that are
hushed now In the dead stiffness OF tho
past. There was beauty that faded from
us; there were love-lit eyes that grew dim,
and the cofiu-ld shut them from our tear
full gaze. But how many can rejoice Today
that no silver cord has been looSed in the
charmed circle OF home since yon last met
in this way TO recount Gods mercies.
While we would not forget the griefs of
those whose hearts have bled, and who can
not but mourn over buried treasures, sure
ly We all have something TO thank heaven
for. We have certainly felt its goodness in
shaping our lives and leading us on. Oh
that men would praise the Lord; but how
many do not and will not. How strangely
silent their praise, If they do praise. How
many never 80 much as utter a word OF
audible thankfulness.
"Whoso is wise and will observe these
things, even they shall understand the low
ing kindness of the Lord" None can I'M
derstand, until they have understood the
relationship which Christ has formed be-
tween God and man,-till they are bound
TO Him and Heaven in that spiritual union
which the reconciled aud trusting child of
God can alone comprehend. Surely such
can rightly observe these things, and feel
the sustaining and blessed presence in all
the varied experiences of life.
I would kindly yet urgently ask my
friends TO observe these things, that they
may rightly understand the loving kind
ness Of the loving Father. Oh, why do
men keep going away from him, ill they
II Wy
como nearer to him this day? Why not
dwell upon his goodness aud grace till
these worldly hearts begin TO throb with
the inspiration of better love and better
hopes2 Why not open your homes 10 him