The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-09-28
For the Voice of Freedom.
Congregational Convention-No

Mr.. EDIToR-In your account of the doings of
the Vermont Convention of Ministers, as detailed
in your paper of August 81, there is much to graf
ify the friends of the oppressed; although it is
painful to fnd that some of the old leaven re-
MAINS We will hope, that soon the Convention
will purge out the old leaven, and so become
new lump.
II is with pleasure that find no one disposed
to justify, or even paate slavery. President
Bates pronounced slavery The greatest curse ofthis
nation, and Mr.. Merrill said he was ready to pass
resolution, and call slavery SIN. And large
proportion of the Convention did pass such res
oution. We may then fairly conclude, that in
the judgment, and by the decision of the Congre-
gational ministers in the State of Vermont, south.
ern slavery is sinful Institutional curse 10 this
nation. Here then we all meet, and cordially
shake hands. Why then should not all take hold
Of the work and try TO get rid Of this sin, which is
curse TO the nation!
know not how it may strike others, but to me
it is rather curious that the gentlemen, who were
the most opposed to abolition, were the most IN
charitable towards the southern churches. They
said letter would do 10 goo4, would be useless,
would not 6e published in the religious papers at
the south, while the abohtonst though: the south
ern conscience might yet be reused, tina, southern
mind might be enlightened, and that even slave
holders night yet be induced to yield to the claims
Of God, and let the oppressed go free. ask
Christians at the south,whch party have the most
charity for you those, that think you may be re-
covered out Of the snare Of the devil, or those,
who think you incorrigi6Ie, and practically say:
they are Joined TO idols, let them alone. There
is point where the duty of remonstrance ceases"
said Mr.. MerEl, And have your northern friends
arrived at this painful point, without even writing
u friendly letter 10 warn you Of your danger? Is
this the way they love you? Have you not been
wounded in the house of your friends? And will
the wound be healed by the remarks made by
Prof Hough, ct that you were sufficiently apprized
of the views Of the churches at the North 2" Have
you not met delegates from northern churches in
your ecclesiastical bodies }? Have not northern
pupits been open to your ministers Have not
northern churches generally received you to their
communion2 And have you not found the reli-
gous papers at the north generally disposed to
prophecy smooth things TO you? How then have
YOU been apprized of the views of those northern
Christians, who think you are dead, beyond all
hope of recovery? "Is there no balm in GilleadF
Is there no physician there 2"
Well, but an Hon. gentleman says the Conven-
ton have no jurisdiction over the question. Why
not? If they have jurisdiction over anything, 1t
is over their own acts, the questions that come
regularly before them. Ooer anything else, an
the church, or out of The church, they surely hare
no jurisdiction and meuer can hare untl the con-
stitution of oar churches IS destroyed The Con-
venton of ministers is voluntary association, and
has lust as much jurisdiction as any voluntary
association, and no more. But this does net prove,
that they may not take up, discuss and act upon
any subject, that will be for their own edi6cation,
The good of their churches, or the salvation of a
lying world. The Convention have no juriSdic-
hon over The churcteS with tUhich they connect
I'd; yet they may with great porpriety send them
pastoral letter. with exhortatons, warnings, and
,ebukes And on the same principle they may
warn, rebuke, or exhort the churches in s. Caro-.
ina, or in Asia. Ministers of the gospel are the
ambassadors of Christ, and may, yea, mast do
whatsoever he commands them, whether men, or
,hurches hear or whether they forbear What.
ever Christ commands they must do and this
hey may do without assuming jurisdiction over
my one. The Synod Of Carolina may indeed
emonstrate with northern churches for interfering
With the institutions of the south, and the church