Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1895-05-24

objection that they are taxed without being
represented, their money but not their adj
vice being wanted. You substitute large
things in athletics, mind culture, morals,
religion, for more contracted things, and
that in way at once generally acceptable
and financially elastic. You secure a large
degree of religious power, recognize a COM
mon purpose, as in union meetings and in
Bishop Halls meetings we have already
done; leave off all Misrepresentation and
bitterness, and combine against common
enemies and for a common God. If young
mems prayer meetings are desired they can
be held spontaneously, freely, not as an or
ganic part of the work of the association,
but at the personal wish, at the convenient
place in home, room or chapel, of any
young men in town from the secretary on.
No one objects to young mems prayer
meetings. They may object to a common
organized work being turned into a special
indoctrnaton
would add, also, that the Ladies' AuXil-
iary, which already, think, is an all-inclu-
sive body, would be relieved of certain on
erous burdens of planning and expense
which it ought not to carry, and in simple
ways, with prayerful spirit, could under
take from time to time direct financial eff
fort for the broader lines of work, or coop
crate with the secretary in his specific efforts
for young men in need, doing thus, for one
class, through him, work done by our asso-
ciated charities for homes in need of Chris
tan help.
This, then, is an attempt at a plan.
Evidently it demands a mutual spirit not
at all of compromise, but of concession.
One side yields to the other the relation
to the outside organization, the election
of directors, the initiative in appoint
ments of general committees, and the sup
port of the secretary, being thus relieved,
however, from any such responsibility for
his personal support or work for individual
cases. The other side yields to the former
or gladly coOperates with the former in all
full and equal work undertaken for the
general interest, and in expenditure of
every cent given therefor, giving and re-
ceiving mutual good will, and engaging
with loving energy in common effort. With
all things considered, and all interests
| justly balanced, and all alternatives fairly
faced, do not see how we could better
solve our problem, or get out of our path
obstacles TO pressing work. nor do think
we could fail of progress and power, of
united force against vice, of the elevation
of the character of our community, and of
the growth of frank, mutually respecting
and cordial feeling; that good true spirit
which makes town worth living in.
And if any one says that the bottom of
the matter has not been reached, as it
ought to be, in the application of the knife
of God TO the root of sin and selfshness l
should like to ask, what are these churches
for? Are we to abandon our calling? Are
we to abdcate our office? Here indeed,
our difference of opinion may continue
provided it be that we are striving, all of
us, to turn the mightier spiritual weapons
against the most deeply seated evil and
carry mems souls upward by the nobler in
spiration. But the churches are wickedly
to blame, if, failing to do their part, they
cripple another part of the Lords work
and they reveal an ominous spirit of insin-
certify if they then claim that they are show
ing zeal for God in so doing. Let the
churches awake and put on strength, and
strength will be strong and kind and wise
enough to unite in all that will redeem and
elevate our town. "Quit you like men, be
strong"