Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1841-11-10
V OIL. XIV NO. 8.
EXPLANATIONS.

these questions, it may be we'll to guard
against misapprehensions of their import,
and of the reason of their introduction.
/. To take the affirmative side of these
questions, does not imply readiness to
excommunicate, instantly, any member of
church, who is at present, an offender,
IN either OF the particulars that have been
specified, without due previous admonition,
and gospel labor, for his reformation and
repentance. 1t does not abandon efforts fora
reformation in the churches. So far from
this, it would make the searching truths
contained in the affirmation of these quer-
les, the instrument of reformation. In no
case should we resort to excommunica.
ton, secession, or excision, until all o,her
means shall have been faithfully tried, and
proved unavaiIing. For nv own part. I
admit, fully, the principle that all who
give evidence that they are true Christians
however faulty and imperfect, are entitled
TO station IN the church-that no one
should be excluded until he ceases to give
evidence Of Christian character*-that
churches should not be divided but for the
purpose of amputating The rotten and dead
llmbs-that they should not be abandoned
but upon the evidence thai they have be-
come (ise. the majority or governing in.
fuences) essentially despotic, corrupt or
or anti Charis:ian.
2. Neithersin maintaining the affirma-
tive side of these questions, do | decide
whether or no the Churches in general,
in this, or the other local church or reli-
| glous denomination, or ecclesiastical body,
in particular, has already forfeited its
Christian standing or character, on ac-
count Of its connection with sIaveholdino.
| say not whether the Methodist Epis-
copal church, or the Presbyterian church,
| (Old School or New.) as an aggregate
body, has done this. These questions are
doubtless important, and will have to be
grappled with, and disposed OF, "a their
turn, and before long, Unless rapid changes
should take place. But they are not the
questions now under discussion. If the
affirmative of the above test questions shall!
be sustained, then we have rule by
which the claims of all churches, min
listers. church members, and ecclesiastical
bodies should be Judged If the order of
Christ's house, on this subject, can first
be ascertained, then we have the law by
which, on presentation of testimony, the
case of individuals and religious commun-
tiles may be tried. The character of the
churches cannot alter the rules by which
they should be tested, and should not be
mingled with the discussion. [ cannot
| doubt that this test question is to be set 'for
| the fal and rising gain of man is. Is+eel,
that the thoughts of many hearts may be
revealed" | do not despair of the
churches, Many of them, L trust, will
stand the scrutiny Of the test. - Bn: what
if many others do not? Must the true
Bible test be therefore abandoned ? Must
it not be inquired after, nor exhibited?
8. | observe 10 respect to the present
discussion, that is is not mere expedient,
resorted to by individuals, as matter of
poliey-a mode of operation-a measure
that might be either prosecuted or not, as
should be thought best. The questions
exist in the nature of things. The actual
condition OF the churches introduces them
to the notice of the rejecting. They are
questions that are upon the lips of thou
|sands, and must and will be practically
church member in the non-slaveholding
States, whether the decision be made
matter of careful and prayerful delibera-
ton or not How then can we blink the
discussion Or why should anv COM
plain that it is introduced? Or that it
= should be perservingly and earnestly press.
ed upon the public attention?
4. In making this subject a test ques.
0 ton, it does not follow that we abandon
: and disregard other tests-nor that we
l. would have those who agree on the
S slavery come together in church relations,
q without reference to other moral, religious,
r and theological tests of princi pie and prac-
: tice. The importance of this test detracts
l. nothing from the importance of others,
!, that must be decided upon by their, own
II intrinsic merits. When we decide that
Il IincorrIgible gamblers. or horse-thieves,
+ are not to be received in church fellow
! ship and recognized as Christians, it does
/ not follow that we receive as Christian
y brethren, irrespective of their religious
l. faith, or Of their moral character In other
S respects, all those who are not guilty oil
d these particular vices Just so, in the
s case of shareholders and their apoIogists.
! 5. The question before us is not Whelh
s Ier the churchres shall establish new
e tests of membership end eommanion rot
7 Instituted by Jesus Christ, bu: whether
IS those divine tests as recorded in the Bible
e and implied in the very nature and ends
OF church organization do not include the
matters now under discussion. The ques-
/ ton is not whether we shall break our
e covenant obligations, but how we shall &C
e ceptably fulfil them, 1t is not whether
a the missionary cause or any other good
d enterprise, shall be abandoned, but whet-