The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-05-04
From the Evangelist.
Resolutions of the Presbytery of Oxford, on the
subject of Slavery,
spirit fly I
Passed at their meeting, March 18Th, 1899

Passed at their meeting, March 18Th, 1885,
Whereas it is apparent to the serious observer
of the signs of the times, that the sin of slavery,
long cherished, as it has been, by many members
of the Presbyterian church, is prominent cause
of that anger of the Lord which lately covered
with a cloud this daughter of Zion; and whereas,
it is at all times, but especially in season Of
ProVldential chastisement, like the present, the
duty of ministers of the gospel and officers in the
house of Cod whether in their individual or asso-
cated capacity, to cry aloud and spare MOTTO lift
up their voices like trumpet and show the Lords
people their transgressions, and the house of ia
cob their sins; and whereas, several of our minis
tiers, and presbyteries, and synods, particularly in
the Southern states, have expressed themselves op
the subject of slavery in such manner as, in our
opinion, 10 call evil good and good evil--to put
darkness for light and light for darkncss-to put
bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter-while there
is reason to fear that in regard 10 this important
matter, too many of lions watchmen are silent
and whereas, there is ground to believe that many
in our church are disposed to heal the hurt of the
daughter of our people slightly, saying Peace,
Peace, when their neither IS, nor can be peace
that some are building wall, and others daubisg
it with untempered mortar; Therefore.
Resolved, l. That in the view of this Presby-
truth of God, when it said, "The voluntary en-
shaving of one part Of the human race by another,
is gross violation of the most sacred and pre-
cious rights of human nature, utterly inconsistent
with the law of God, and totally rreconcilabe
with the spirit and principles ofthe gospel of Christ
which enjoins, that all things whatsoever ye
would that men should do to you, do We even so
to them. &" See Digest, p. 34l.
z. That buying and selling of our fellowbe-
ngs for the sake of gain; violently dssolving the
marriage relation; separating husbands and wives,
parents and children; Withholding from those
whom we may call slaves the word of God, the
ordinances of the gospel, religious instruction, and
the opportunity of ordinary education using their
service without wages in short, all the distinctive
features of American slavery, are great sins in the
sight of God.
3. That we deem it our duty to remind our
slave-holding brethren, of whatever name, in a
spirit Of kindness as we would warn other sinners
the wrath to come, that the Lord has pronounced
fearful "woe" against " him that buildeth his
house by unrigheousness, and his chambers by
wrong-that usch his neighbor'S Sereice githout
arages, and giveth him not for his work"
a. That we instruct our commissioner to the
next Assembly to use his best efforts to obtain the
enforcement of the act of 1918 on this subject, as
dt leasI commencement OF the great Wolh VI Fu-
rilying the church from the henous sin OF slavery
and in pursuance ofthis object that he be required
to lay before the Assembly copy of these proceed
ings' "a true copy from the minutes neS;O
N. B. The following members of the Presby-
terry recorded their names as dissenting from the
vote on the above resolutions, VIZ. Arch. Craig,
and John M. Crabb, ministers; James Brison,
Saml Smith p. B. Millspaugh, George Arnold,
elders The whole number of members of the
Presbytery was 81; one or two of whom had left
before their passage.