The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-09-07
For the Vermont Chronicle.

Mr.. EDITOR
If public lecturers, or agents from benevolent
bodies, do wrong, or violate the rules of Christian
courtesy am willing they should be reproved in
the spirit of the gospel if any good will result
from such reproof but I would bear much rather
than take course to gender strife, or to place one
benevolent society in opposition to another. Let
there be no strife between them or their agents.
If they cannot cordially unite, let each in his own
way carry the war into the camp of the common
enemy; but let them not fall out by the way and
spend their strength for worse than nought.
The question about receiving money from
shareholders for benevolent purposes, and espe-
cialy for Christian missions, has been ably dis
cussed by Messrs. John Tappan and Gerrit Smith,
and perhaps little more light can be thrown on the
subject. Those who feel interested in the ques-
ton had better look at that discussion and then
judge for themselves For my own part, must
disapprove of applying to hnoaom shareholders for
aid to send the gospel to the heather; and it is
gratifying to know that some of the missionaries,
if not all, are very unwilling to be supported by
such funds. And why should they not be? 1t
is the price of blood. 1t is worse than the hire of
an harlot or the price of dog. Thou shalt not
bring the hire of whore, or the price of dog in
to the house of the Lord thy God for any VOW: for
even both these are abomination unto the Lord
thy God" Deut. %, IS. And it seems to me
that this divine rule initiates against the assertion
L" That all benevolent societies. in receiving dona-
tons, are to be governed by the same law which
settles the question of right or wrong in this case
with respect to individuals" For think no one
would blame baker, who should let prostitute
have bread to feed her children, tho he were sure
that the money he received was the hire Of her
prostitution, or the price of her dog.
Benevolent societies, and especially those for
spreading the gospel, occupy high ground and
they should be like city set upon hill Ifpos-
sibe, their character should be- like virgins,
spotted and unsupported. They should avoid the
very appearance of evil. But when they send
their agents to solicit money from Shareholders
many good people believe that they violate this
rule, and are grieved. Yea more, they believe
that he who receives goods which he has reason
to believe were stolen, is paraker with the thief
and that he does by his conduct, strengthen the
hands of evil doers Actions speak louder than
Words and when knowingly accept as gift a
portion of the gains of ungodliness see not how
could reprove the evil doer And believe he
would feel that he had nothing to fear from my
reproof GA gift blindeth the eyes of the wise"
And he that associates with the wicked, is very
apt to drink in his spirit, and learn his ways
Hence Solomon says, My son, walk thou not in
the way with them; refrain thy foot from their
path" Prov. |. Is. And God approves of the
conduct Of that man who despiseth the gain of
oppression, that shaketh his hands from holding
bribes that stoppeth his ears from hearing Of blood
and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil" Isa SO,
l5 should be afraid to meet such text at the
house of STAKEHOLDER, from whom had solicited
aid for a benevolent purpose.
But it is said that Christ eat with pubcans
and Sinners and thus by his example justified
those who take gifts from shareholders. Very
well. At another time he said, &" Wo unto you,
scribes and pharisees, hypocrites for we devour
widows houses, and for pretence make long pray
ers therefore We shall receive the greater dam