Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1837-07-05
TrsNrw-Yoax YEARLY MEETING OF THE

THs NEw- YoRK YEARLY MEETING or THE
SocrETY OF FRIENDS has Just closed its ses-
sion. We learn that the subject Of slavery
was introduced to the attention of that body
\ by a report from one Of its Quarterly Meet
fags, which was referred to large commit
tee OF both sexes. The subject underwent
considerable discussion, both in committee
and in the meeting, and an abridgment Of
the report was transmitted to the constitu-
emf. meetings in the form Of an address.
The following is the report above alluded
20, which has been kindly furnished US by
\ friend
For the Telegraph.
The joint committee Of men and women
: Friends. appointed by the Quarterly Meet:
ing Of Ferrisburgh, to take into consider
alton the subject of slavery, and to enquire
into the relations which we as society or
rs individuals sustain to It, report,
That amongst the various testimonies
against the popular evils Of the world
which our society has felt called upon to
bear, that against SLAVERY has long held
aconspicuous rank.
In referring to the history Of reforma-
tons, both as il regards the rise and pro-
gress Of our society and Of other reform
ers, h appears to have been the design OF
Infinite Wisdom that gradual advance
ment therein should be affected, according
to the state Of he community and the cir
cumstances by which it was surrounded.
Hence we find, that practices which were
at one time tolerated and deemed innocent,
by attention to the manifestation Of increas-
ing light, were subsequently discovered 10
be inconsistent with the principles OF
Truth, and consequently rejected and con-
~demned.
At an early period of their history, it
appears that the attention Of Friends was
awakened to the suffering and degraded
condition of the African race held in bon
dage: And without striking at the root of
the evil, and denouncing the SYSTEM which
subjects its victims to such cruelties, their
efforts were at first directed to the meliora-
ton Of their hardships. But through
faithfuness to further openings Of Divine
Light upon their minds, our early Friends
were soon led to perceive the radical err
ror Of the principle itseIf-that in all its
notifications, slavery was a violation of
the law Of God and of natural Justice
and ought therefore to be totally abandon
ed. Accordingly the buying, selling or
retaining human being as property was
made the subject of disciplinary censure
and all who could not be prevailed upon
to hberate their slaves, were denied the
privilege Of religious fellowship. Thus
Friends were enabled to bear witness to
the power Of that grace which had re-
deemed them from this species of injustice
and wrong.
Our faithful predecessors did not rest
satisfied with merely refusing themselves
Z 10 Be the holders Of slaves; but through
much opposition and peril they were often
, found demonstrating with others who con-
tinued ia the practice, and were repeatedly
led to intereede with those in authority in
behalf Of the subjects Of this unrighteous
system. and by a blessing upon their un-
reunited labors, they were instrumental in
procuring the enactment Of laws for the
abolition of slavery in several of the
states. and in efecting the emancipation oil
many in places where the laws did not
require their liberation.
That principle by which they were
brought to perceive that the holding OF
their fellow-men in slavery was a viola
ton Of the great law OF love which re-
quires the doing to others as we would
that men should do to US, urged upon
many Of our members the inquiry wheth
er they were yet clear Of supporting the
sin Of slavery whilst they were concerned
In the practice Of buying, selling and con-
Stunning the produce Of the unrequited la
Dor Of slaves A people whose princi-
Piles breathed peace on earth and good will
TO men, who professed to reject all war,
violence and injustice as inconsistent with
ihe, peaceable government Of Christ, and
who had even condemned the practice OF
dealing in prize-goods, on the ground that
they had been unjustly wrested from the
righliul owners, could hardly fail Of find
ing satisfactory answer to this impor-
tant query; and accordingly we find that
from the time Of John Woolman-that de-
voted advocate for the oppressed African,
msuy Of the most pious members Of our
society both by pre- cept and example, have
borne faithful and selfdenying testimo-
ny agninst tins participation IN the fruits
Of unrighteousness.
Il Is believed that IL all our members
had strictly eonformed to the law Of love
in relation % the subject Of slavery in all
= isfbearings, and abstained from affordinc
j any support. either directly or indirect,
ly. we should have been instrumental in
opening the eyes Of many more to tn,
cnormities Of the system, who would hav,
been induced to lollow our example, anc
thus FASTENED The period when Iibert.