Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-05-10
EIder Grant In Materhnrr.

Elder Miles Grants labor In Waterbury. com
mencing April 2lst, and continuing To MAY .th,
cannot have been in vain 4 man Of peculiar
talent 10 draw the hearing and attention Of the
common people. man OF remarkable Christian
zeal aud energy, with apparently as high and holy
purpose as can actuate oven minister Of Christ,
dscoursing on subjects Of great practical and
doctIinal interest, speaking three times on each Of
the inst two Sabbaths, and once each evening Of
the two and half weeks, he must have impressed
a considerable numbero Of minds deeply and favor
ably TO a higher Christian life But these more
public ministntions by no means made mp the
amount or substance Of his labors Ills inquiry,
praise and conference meetings, and his yi-itatons
at residences and personal conversations must
have impressed scores of minds that he at
least WAS IN earnest and that, II all believers
we've equally devoted aud jealous In this work
astonishing results would soon be manifest 1t
may be doubted if it were possible for any one
speaking with such earnest eNhottation to Chris
tians TO he more faithful, and to sinners to turn
from their evil ways, TO give less occasion for
sectaran offence; true lac said things which some
Christians do not see as he does but very little il
anything not approved by evangelical sects gener-
ally Bat Notwithstanding these results with
those iavorably inclined it is not 10 be presumed
| that all who heard him were benefited here As
on most all similar occasions there were more or
less In number not benefited for their hearing
was not mixed with faith MIR Grant has on former
occasions preached in the town, but then more
particularly in advocacy Ut certain views relating
To the future state Of both the righteous and the
wicked. Though he eau cite many passages in
IL u a. "a L.. ~.
is an unconscious state till the general resurrec-
ton, and that the wicked will be totally destroyed
after that event, yet these views have not been
accepted 10y very considerable proportion OF the
Christian church; consequently, here rs elsewhere
few protesting Christians favor the preaching of
such views, and some seem not willing to hear
those advocating them, even on other subjects
This seems hardly liberal The lectures or dis
COURSES ON prophecy aud is iulhlment illustrated
by the great chronological chart, have generally
been heard by quite large audiences considering
AL circumstances curiosity might have been the
prevailing incentive with many in attendance at
some Of the first DISCOURSE but some Of the last
seemed la arouse difenss db.ta in many who
had not exhibited the least interest before
no subjects o~ views rouid be more intensely
thrilling thnn those described In some Of his clos
ing lectures On the whole, though not very
many have been persuaded Of the very near APP
preach of the second advent of Christ, yet they
have received many impressions the subject
which may do them good However this may
be, we believe that most, il not ALL Of Mr. Grants
sermons in this place have been emnently evan
gelioal in doctrine, and well adapted 10 interest
and encourage Christians, young or old. one pc
culiarity in his prayers which is brevity and
avoidance Of vain repetitons being direct TO the
ease or occasion as it appears To him. 4 number
Of most devoted hearers are by his rocommen-
dation Of ihcmeasure, endoa,orng Ia form
Christian Workers Union," with this principle
pledge, " TO improve the first opportunity in their
weekly prayer and conference meetings to pray
or speak for Jesus When the cooperation of a
sufficient number of members OF the churches can
be secured 1t Is to he regularly organized by cleo
ton of officers.