State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-01-05
For the tate Journal.


excellencies ofChristAity, says, "SLdrery,
that awful proof that man is tyrant to
man, that bane of hlRnn happiness, that
disgrace to civilized ntons, Owls its abol-
ton in Europe to thenild and equitable
laws of Christianity. Zen in the best days
of Rome, according TO 'ibbon, two thirds
of the population ofthe Mole empire were
slaves to the other third The cruel man.
ner in which they were rqted is written
in lines of blood, on the hloric page of
almost every province! EnNnd and eve
pv nation of The continent hG, its markc;
yfor slaves, as well us for cattle,ill the Cos
pei djfiused mixer principles ito our Flaws
and usages.
at is to the influence of Chrishnitv we
owe the advanced state of civilzatininEu-
rope, beyond the other parts Of theworld,
and where it has had the most unrestricted
and extensive operation, there is the most
improved and happy state of society,"
This testimony is undoubtedly true 1t
the Bible that has changed the Barbaians
of Europe into men, has civilized, humn-
ised, and polished them; has ABOLISHED
many of their ferocious, absurd, and cruel
customs has abolished slavery, and the
sacrifice of human victims; and that has so
much improved the state Of society among
the nations, which have embraced the Cos
pei.
And if this be the fact, we are naturally
led to inquire,
l. Whether it is, because the gospel has
been more cordially received IN Europe
than in our own land, that slavery has been
abolished there, while every attempt to a.
bolish it here has been resisted with vio-
lcnce? "By their fruits ye shall know
them"
9. Wl!otler it is because the principles
ofthc Bible hare not hcn so cordially re-
ceived in our Southrn States as at the
North, that slavery isehcrished in one sec
lion, when it has benz e,inqu.shei il -,
other?
3. Is it because ame, III the free states,
have been more all better affected 10y the
gospel than others that they are induced to
make efforts TO ,anish slavery from our
land, while the Tiers are very willing ii
should remain?
4. Was it becuse the religion of Christ
had produced it genuine effects in great
CT degree upon the minds of some of the
members of on Legislature, than upon the
minds of Others, that the efforts made by
the one to abolish slavery at Washington
were resisted ythe other?
S. What evidence can those churche;
and ministes give, that the religion o.
Christ has roduced its genuine effects up
on them, Who fellowship slavery, palIiat'
its enormitas, as cherish as brethren thost
who uphol. it? How can the love of Goo
dwell in sch hearts?
6. Doe not the egaized slavery in ou
land shoy, that we as Il nation, more re
semble Id heather Rome, than we do an.
Christian nation i'll Europe? Ileathenisn
encouraged slavery christianity has abol
ished in Europe. In this country slave
ny is cherished. Is it cherished by chris
Inn 'ol heather principles'
z. 1.-THE principles Of the gospel shou
ever have as happy effects in our southern
states, as they have had upon the European
nations, would they not infusc milder sen
ailments among them, change the laws re
specting slavery, and induce the master
break the yoke of bondage, which he an
his fathers have wreathed upon the nee
of his brother? And if so, do not thos
who resolve to maintain slavery, reSOtUe, thu
the principles of the gospel shall not hay
their proper and legitimate effect upo
themselves or others so long as they ca
prevent?
The friends and advocates Of slavery al
requested to consider these questions,
ponder them well, and give them fair al
reasonable answer The sin of slavery
fastened upon our nation. 1t does wilne
against us before all the nations We cal
not deny it. How can we account for II
fact, without acknowledging that the rel
gion Of Christ has produced less effect upC
the hearts and conduct ofruers and peop
than in any other christian land
AN AGED MINISTER.
2 Extract ofs letter from Rev. ELIHu b. bANTl