Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-12-04
Thanksgiving Service.


Union services were held on Thanksgiving day,
in the Methodist church, Rev II. A. Rogers, OF
the Baptist church, preaching the sermon. The
subject Of the discourse was " Christian conduct
in civil affairs" We have room only for brief
abstract Of Mr.. Rogers remarks.
lie denied that the primary principles OF or
ganzed society were based upon social COM
pact or that civil government derived Its author
ity from the mere consent OF the governed. lie
maintained that 1t was an ordinance Of God.
This Is shown in tho history OF the race and in the
constitution Of men. The object Of civil govern
ment was held to be the greatest happiness to
the greatest number rder-liberty, etc.
What should be our conduct rs Christian men
and worthy citizens? We must take an ac-
tive part in civil affairs and exercise wisely our
privilege OF franchise-exert our influence for
good rulers and for the publication of civil 80
ciety. our obligations in this respect superior
to those of our personal relations.
In the application of his subject to the special
phases of civil life in our community, Mr.. Rogers
would inquire rather than suggest We have
little village OF about four thousand in
habitanis lying remote from the metropolitan
arteries Of social and political corruption The
people are mainly Of the original stock, not sub
ject to the corruptiug influences of a large for
egn population. We are at the seat of the civil
power Of the state, where the people have the
most favorable opportunities for becoming ac-
quanted with law and its obligations Numer-
Gus and costly churches present themselves to
the eye. and the whole external scene might well
be named the Valley of Blessing. This is the
rind.
What lies next under the rind The stranger
with no interrogdtories will taste in few short
weeks profanity and drunkenness on the public
streets, more than has been known in n crowded
population OF more than sixty to one; evidences
of unchastty. What il the meaning OF Montpe-
ier7 Is 1t mons puellarum, Bacchanalian Mount
of Maidens? He less than one-ffth of the pop
ulation in all the churches on the Lords day, but
the street corners covered with young men. lie
hears members OF the Legislature who have served
in former Assemblies mourning over the vices of
the place and the manifest decline in morals and
religion. These are superficial observations Are
they true3 II true, what lies at the core'
Have we an efficient body Of civil officers? We
have law. What is our conduct as citizens of
this place with reference to this state OF society ?
Is the sentiment of the place beneath the law, 80
that faithful officials cannot execute the law ?
Are not the property interests of this place pay
ing dearly for the privilege of living without law?
What Is likely to be the effect on property OF
carrying the present reputation of Montpelier by
one or two representatives to every town in Yer
mont Was it a good state of society or a bad
state OF society that developed the character of
the man who set the fires that depopulated Main
street a few wears ago ?
And what is likely to be the effect upon the
young of this village who see the laws openly VIC
lated and the transgressors unpublished ? Can
there be family government long without civil
government Can there be government in the
churches Are we not now slaves through neglect
to execute civil law Think of the great numbers
of honest young women in these hotels and stores
and manufactures, whose duties confine them all
the weary day and whom the terrors of the
streets rob Of restfu walk or social call in the
evening. Let me ask once more, Would a stdl,cart
masculine Christianity in these churches, to say
nothing Of our civil relations long suffer such OPP
pressons and pain as this And while we thank
God to-day for iife and hedlth and national pros
perty, let us pray deCoutiy that when we meet
again, the year rolled round, the inebriatng drink
may have ceased to be carried from Montpelier to
desolate the home Of the farmer on the hill-sides
and valleys adjacent that our beautiful village
may have ceased to be the well-spring OF cor
ruption to the villages about its streets no longer
and that the whole face of society may be radiant
with the joy of revival of pure and undefled re-
igion And may that revival come now.