The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-07-20
MONTPELIEEs, VERMONT, JULY 30, 1889

be peculiarly necessary for the promotion of some
vital interest.
! SO well is this understood, that no one is sur
prised when these bodies pass solemn resolutions,
denouncing lotteries, gambling, intemperance and
sabbath breaking, and recommending sabbath
schools, temperance societies, sc. The duty Of
such action is manifest to all,
| Suppose one-thrd of the members of the Pres
byterian church were addicted to the practice of
sabbath breaking. Many of their brethren, scam
dalized at such conduct, memorabilia the General
Assembly on the subject earnestly praying it to
pass resolutions, setting forth the duty of observ-
ing the sabbath day, and condemnng its violation
as sin against God. Year after year similar me-
MORALS go up, but the Assembly in some cases
will not act upon them; in others, is shaken to its
centre by excited debates as to the proprety of con-
sidering them, and in every instance steadily re-
fuses to express any opinion, with regard to their
object. We ask, what would be the effect, the
necessary effect, of such conduct? Plainly, to
secure the sanction and support Of the 7ehole
church, TO The practice ofSa5bath-breahing. Thus
the Assembly would be doing every thing in
its power to destroy the obligation of sabbath OBJ
Servances, short of an act expressly affirming the
non-existence of such obligation.
We have given supposed case; we advert now
to real one.
Slavery has taken up its abode in the American
churches. 1t finds welcome home in the South
ern portions of nearly all the large denominations.
In the church, as in the state, different opinions
concerningit are expressed. Some call it an evil /;
some great moral evils some a sin; some, one
of the vilest sins under the sun others will have
it, Bible institution. Whatever it be, it has
rapidly extended itself in form and spilit, and
is now exciting discussion every where. 1t Is
cmphatcallythe question of the age and coun-
try, and since the church is so deeply involved
in the practice ofsaveholding, it is time its con-
sttuted authorities should give their opinion upon
it.
Memorials, praying that it may be recognized
as SIM and some action be taken against it, have
of late years been sent up repeatedly to the bodies
alluded to, but they have steadily refused to an
swer the prayers Of the memoraists Sometimes
the memorials have been treated contemptuously.
sometimes they have been acted on ust far enough
to show that whatever night be the opinions Of
free state members, they have suffered themselves
to be subjugated by southern dictation. In no in
stance, have these bodies representing the piety
and intelligence of the church, been induced to say
that slavery was wrong.
As before in the case Of sabbath brerliing, so
now in this instance, ask, what must be the Ell
Meet of such conduct? Clearly, TO secure the sane
ton and support oftle moral foaccr Of The church,
to the practice Of slaee-hozding Is not then true
that these bodies, whose decisions, whether ex-
pressed OF implied, upon moral and religious sub
jects must have weight proportional to the amount
ofinegrity and information which men conccde
to them, are among the most formidable enemies
Of human liberty
To be more particular, the evils which flow
from such rccreant conduct are these -
l. With n ccrtain class of nersons, the Charac-
ter of ministers of the gospel for fidelity to their
principles is greatly deprecated and their influence
curaied.
9. In the estimation Of another class, christani-
y itself, is made to suffer dctriment; for if those
who are fairly presumed to enjoy most of its light
and favor, can thus find nothing in so unnatural
a crime as slavery to deserve their reprobaon,
surely the religion they preach is worthless
one. Absurd as such reasoning is, still that
there are many who do thus reason, and by the
immoral time-sorving of christian professors are
taught to dcspise Christianity, is we'll known
fact.
8. But, large majority are influenced in diff
erent way. Retaining their confidence in these
bodies, and their hold on Christianity, they learn
gradually to look upon slavery as kind of msfor-
tune, which, though not exactly right, God some
how or other toerates, and therefore, had better
be let alone. Thus the Shareholder is encouraged,
the public conscience quieted sympathy for the
slave abated, and the few who still struggle to bring
about the year of jubilee, are pressed down by adj
ditional odium, and find new obstacles thrown in
their way.
For the blood ofthe poor, suffering captive God
will hold these religious bodies largely account
able.