Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-05-03
Religion and "the Masses ;"


the cars with a worthy minister Of the gos-
pei. who, actuatcd no doubt by sense Of
duty, undertook TO demonstrate with us Tor
the part we have taken in support Of the
Patrons Of Iushandry It would go with
out saving that our share in the matter has
been a very humble and unimportant one
bat this gentleman seemed to hold US re-
sponsihle for a good deal, and to think We
had done very wrong in assisting TO "band
one section OF society together against The
others" lie seemed, indeed, TO regard the
society of Patrons as a conspiracy designed
to act aggressively and uniustly upon all
who were not farmers. Though we en-
deayored 10 explain to him how much in
error he was on this point, and to cause him
to understand that the position Of the Pat |
rons is defensive and protective, and that, |
far from desiring to injure or assail other
interests, it was anxious to cooperate with
every other social organization, and with |
society at large, for the general benefit, he
could see 1t in no other light than mis-
chieyous conspiracy, the imagined leaders Of |
which deserved the strongest rebuke, and
the rank and file Of which were shamefully |
deluded and pitiably misled.
This good friend Of ours was honest
though prejudiced; but there are not few
in the ranks of those who denoupce the
farmers for their mighty effort to stay and
abolish abuses that threaten not only the
agricultural, hut every industrial interest
with ruin, who are not honest. These are
consciously enlisted on the side Of the social,
political and financial tyranny that threat
ems the well-being Of the people and the
stability of the republic. Those among
them who are Of the clergy occupy the same
position that the clerical apologists for hu.
man slavery occupied prior To and during
the war Of emancipation. Though nom
inally Christians, they are the bitter OPP
ponents OF every attempt to organize society
upon the principles of the gospel Though
calling themselves republicans, they are the
foes Of liberty, and the enemies of the people.
Where this class of ministers predominant,
the people come insiinctiyely to regard re-
ligion with suspicion 1t matters not
whether II he in France. where the alliance
he,,yeo, tyranny and tbe Roman cbnrcb
made the canse of liberty 10 strike hand,
with infdelity in the great revolution or
whether il be here in America, that the
churches are found giving aid and comfort
IN rings and monopolies or 10 iudic;al lecis.
lative and administrative abuses that san
the resources Of the nation and render hone.
less the future Of the working-man. Like
ca,ses prodnce lilo res,l,s and II ,o.dov in
tho ,rea, c;,;es tho ;ndustr;a, classas for.
sale tba cburcbes aud ;,difere,t;sr daily
incroases o,,o,c tho r,ra, ,onr,o,;o, ,bc
reason lies ALWAYS in the fact That n sonbis.
tico,ed cosreI ono ,bo, Cbris, co,ld nevor
recoon;1s ne lie ia r,.ooched
We zoe the statement nut forth that i,
Cincinnati a CITY of Two hundred and Eft,
tbousond reonle the cburcb.roinc ropn
lation does not exceed sixteen ,bousond
and has NOT increased for ton vears tn,
same condition of things exists. to n create,
or less degree. in all orr large cities and
times. The peope are ceasinp 10 recard IN,
teachers of religion as their friends.
WHY is il SOP The. true cause. in on,
Judgment. lies in the system of education
bv which younc men are prepared for IN,
ministry. The whole course Of college edu
cation tends toward the produetion If
Brabminicol caste. distinct from the neonle
and with djversa fael;rgs and ;,tarests
reouires n vicorous ind;v;dual;tv graat ~;
etv and n warm Iowa for humanity IN conn
teroct this tendency. and il is NOT 10 he ex
pected that the majority of the colleciat
class have all these characteristics in stuff
Gent force IN nulliCv the teochi,g unde
..,;.t, -. 49,. .;.l ~. A.
e"es ",o IL" ny " :" iooh io' suPl"r' ava
from the people towards those who IN othe
countries are styled the privileged classes,
and who have practically become such her
tn. ,eacb;,r and ;,a,a,oo 81 ON. h;rh,
=,
s'"oo's an" oo"eseS 70 wv se"e'"'iY "h'ff
pubncan, and Notwithstanding the D. ID.
at their heads), anti.Christian in its tenC
ency. Ii looks not TO the universal dissem
nation of k,ovladoa and tho re.l;z,,;o,
,,,,,i,,o,,las 80 ch.;.,;.,, ,n,o..,. h,,,,. :,
49,! ''. " "
creation Oh ruiihs CLASS IL Is ny lhe al
Sorptlon oil inns spint That the 'hristia
clergy are losing their hold upon the peopl
The facts alluded to are not without re-
ognition amono fine clergy themselves rl
D.. NJ. 60 - - o. -.