The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-07-13
For the Voice of Freedom.
Clerical Assumptions.

For the Voice of Freedom.
Clerical Assumptions.
The clergy ought to be respected for the virtues
which adorn them in the exalted and responsible
station to which God has called them. The de.
vout aud humble minister, who exempli6es in his
conduct and influence the meek and lowy Jesus
need not, however, be troubled about the respect
and kindness, and reverence even of all good men
and in respect to his reputation with the wicked,
it matters little what may be said of him, SLAM
der will recoil on the head of the slanderer,-and
he may even fight acih beasts like Paul at Eph-
esus and still stand before the world the living
epstle of the gospel. But the station and office
of a clergyman does not exempt his principles and
conduct from the investigation OF the humblest
person capable of exercising reason and judgment.
The apostles commended themselves to euery
mans conscience Unfaithful shepherds are rebu-
ked in the word Of God. The severest rebukes
of prophets, and even of our blessed Lord were
addressed to a recreant and mercenary priesthood.
II is indeed written, " Thou shalt not speak evil
ofMe ruler Of mig people," but what matters this,
when one with the spiritual discernment of
Paul, would mistake the sacerdoal dignitary for
turbulent and despotic prosecutor? We do not
make these observations with any particular or
specific reference but simply to assert our right of
judgment in estimating the character of the cleri
cal influence which essays to guide or control the
popular mind. If this influence goes to support
slavery, so far it may be opposed and broken
down by the friends Of freedom, and no sacrilege
be committed
But we conceive that great injury is done to
the institution of the christian ministry by the at
tempts of certain lovers of power to make it the
bulwark of dogmatic authority that seeks to con-
troll or suppress the spirit of popular inquiry. The
assumed prerogave of ministers to control their
people in matters of public investigation, which is
referred to in the able letter of President Lord,
published in the last Vt. Chronicle may well a.
rouse the friends of free discussion and religious
liberty, to preserve the principles of the reforma
ton, by checking such unwarranted and danger
Gus usurpations. Who is it that have disgraced
the ministry, and contributed to paralyze the inhu-
ence it was designed to exert on human society,
but those ministers who, forgetting the dignity of
their station, have treated with discourtesy and
contempt, matters of vital interest to the churches?
After all the alleged impudences, fanaticism, or
recklessness of friend Garrison, in his treatment
of the clergy, it is doubted whether any thing
could be said against members of this class that
would so lower their character in public esteem
as their own course in refusing to recognize the
claims of the poor slave on the sympahes of the
christian world,-in refusing to patronize mea-
sures for his emancipation. When the professed
man of God refuses to read notices for prayer
meetings for the enslaved, refuses to give out ap-
pointmens for antislavery lectures, and refuses to
pray for Gods suffering poor, he has inflicted an
injury on his reputation and character that he well
might wish to exchange for the ISLANDERS of the
most crazy and mad-cap abozitionia' he could
name For the conclusion of the great men of
his congregation is rational, that their minister is
in sympathy and interest with slavery, the vilest
abomination under the SUM-
J. M. STEARNs.
TIL, 1000