State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-02-02
Forthe State journal.

Forthe State Journal.
Mr. EDITOR In the Vermont Chronicle
for November 20 1885, there is notice Of
what the Presbyterian church in Kentucky
are doing for the abolition of slavery in
their bounds, which | wish to place IN sub
stance before your readers.
A committee of ten was appointed by
the Synod Of Kentucky TO digest and pre-
pare plan for the moral and religious
/ instruction of our slaves, and for their
future emancipation. This Committee say
in defining slavery:
81. A part of our system of slavery con
ssts in dcpriving human beings of the right
to acquire property. 2. The deprivation
of personal liberty forms another part of
our system Of slavery. 3. The deprivation
OF personal security is the remaining coll
sltuent of our system of slavery" Its eff
fucis are said TO be: 81. To deprave and to
degrade its subjects, by removing from
them the strongest natural checks TO hu-
man corruption. 9. 1t dooms thousands of
human beings to hopeless ignorance. 3. 1t
deprives its subjects, in great measure, of
the privileges Of the gospel. 4. This sys-
tenn licences and produces great cruelty.
D. 1t produces general RIGHTEOUSNESS
among the slaves. u. This system demon
allies the whites as well as the blacks. Z.
This system draws down upon us the ven.
gcance of Heaven"
ltis then asserted by the committee to
be thhc unquestionable duty of every
Christian, to uSe rigorous and immediate
measures for the destruction of This lUhoLe
system, and for the remoUaL of all its auahappy
effects. Both these objects should be CON
templated in his efforts.
The committee then recommend /. That
all slaves now under twenty years of age,
and all yet to be born in our possession, be
emancipated as they severally reach their
2jth year. .. That deeds of emancipa-
ton be now drawn and recorded 3. That
our slaves be instructed in the common
elementary branches of education. A. That
strenuous and persevering efforts be made,
to induce them to attend regularly upon
the ordinary services Of religion, both do
nestle and public. 5. That great pains be
taken to teach them the holy scriptures;
and that, to effect this, the instrumentality
of Sabbath Schools, wherever they can be
enjoyed, be united with that of domestic
instruction."
This looks well, and should be hailed by
every friend Of humanity and of religion,
as the light of the morning spread upon
the mountains. | do not ask whether
these good men have done all, that the
cause requires; but rejoice that they have
done so much, that they have entered the
race and do most cheeriully bid them God
speed. Here is noble example that will
rebound to the honor of the Presbyterian
church in Kentucky TO the latest generation.
Aud let all the churches at the South and
at the North follow up this example, and
they will lay the axe to the root of the
tree, and slavery will fall before the power
Of the gospel in this land as well as in 9TH
or lands. Let all the churches a,cdke, and
come up TO this work Immediately and
they will eXterminate slavery and may
prevent results, which must scEcn the
heart 10 dwell upon. And why should
they not do it? Have they no bolveIS nor
merctes? No regard for the millions that
are sunk in ignorance and crimes? No
regard for the claims Of justice and human
ity? No regard for the commands Of God
and the honor Of our holy religion?
Look at slavery and It's effects as portray
ed by those who were competent to Judge,
and who were not disposed TO paint in
shades darker than lite Christian men;
they recognise slaves as men, they see their
wrongs, they feel that the white ms well
as the black are suffering from slavery.
They fear the vengeance Of an offended God.
They acknowledge that it is the unquestion-
able duty Of every Christian to use uigor-
OuS aud immediate measures for the dcstruc-
lion Of the chole system Of Slavery; and
for the remoUM Of all its unhappy effects.
The Lord prosper them, and bless them,
and lead them in the right way. And let
the Editors Of the Chronicle, and all our
religious Journals, and all the churches
arise and put their hands in good earnest
TO the work. For actions speak louder
than words. AN ABOLITIONIST.