Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-12-08

union service oil the Congregational,
Methodist and Baptist congregations was
held at the Methodist church, which was
fairly attended The Introductory services
were conducted by Rev. NJ 4. Wilcox and
Rev. L. o. Brastox. The sermon was by
Rev Mr.. Heath.
Mr.. nEATHs SERMON.
His text was from Acts viii "And
Saulwas consesting unto his death" These
words. which state the responsibility of
Saul for a great crime, the preacher made
the basis ola suggestion of the individual
responsibility Of the citizen, in view of the
dangers which asSal the national life. The
chief Of these are Rebels. Rum and Roman
.47a.
While rendering due credit and conf
dence to all those Of the citizens OF the
South no have heartily accepted the situa-
tion. he expressed the belief that there re-
mans a large element at the South who are
sti,l animated by hatred ard revenge and
who would . la6%g destroy the nation, if
they cannot control it. 1hey form a class
VINO need watching.
To the second great danger-thst from
habits Of drunkenness-is largely due the
prevailing immortality. the laxity Of family
ties, and the corruption, which are sapplng
thc manhood Of the people. Though the cor
ruption of our time does not equal that of
Eagiand IN tire days Of the Georges. or of
France before the Revolution, or OF ancient
nations. it must be recognized as a source Of
tHe greatest peril.
Ia Tomauisu also. We have an element
c,-catIAliy sntagoni-tie TO our free institu-
tions. lis characteristic feature Is spiritual
ccep0ti~In ]; would reduce all govern
ment 10 a personal government in every
land, with TIE Pope at the head Of all. Ii
has a marvellous power Of adaptation TO
circumstances hut It only cl0aks its pur-
pose. and waits ITS opportunity. Mr.. Heath
quoted the laying OF a Catholic Bishop In
t.i- country that we are Catholics
hrst-citzens afterwards" and mentioned
Instances Of direct Catholic influence upon
elections. showing that that church aims at
civil supremacy.
How shall We meet these dangers? Our
safety lies in the elevation of individual
character. Free institutions do not necessa-
rily make a free people. The people must
be fitted for selt-control. The best elements
in our society must put forth their energy
Ia this connection the preacher severely re-
proved the Indifference of many good clti
z'us to politics. The man Is not worthy of
citizenship v no will not sacrifice his ease,
i,r the sake Of securing purer political ac-
ton and good government The political
machines are corrupt. There il no worse
machine that the Democratic one, unless it
be tie Republican machine. 1t will not DO
10 leave the control to the party managers.
Too many Ineu are willing to see great right
secured ~ means Of little wrong.
II conclusion the preacher plead for the
ainteusnce Of free un-ectarian schools
tor the saeredness Of the life of the home
and for the creation Of purer moral at
muSphere IN the community. He did not
despair Cf our institutions. The expert
mont If se.i-yovernment has not yet failed,
and be thought it would not fail: but it
can succeed only by cleansing the fountains
Of our national life as they exist in the in
uiyldual
MIR. Heath spoke with earnestness and
force, at times rising to eloquence, and he
was listened 20 with close and gratifed at
tenti0n.