Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1841-05-12
FAITHFUL PREACHING,
BY A FORMER SHAREHOLDERS.

The following is an extract from SER
mon recently preached by w. Fl. Bris-
blne, to his congregation in Cincinnati,
aud published in the Philantbropist. How
long would slavery live, if every profess
ed minister of the gospel in our country
would preach in this strain q!
81 was once believer in slavery, and
then like Saul Of Iarsus who thought he
did God service by prosecuting the chur-
ches, / thought did God service by join
ing in the cry against abolitlonists. But
it pleased God to open my eyes to the sim
fuIness Of slaveholdng; and at once be-
gan to be jealous for the cause had be-
fore condemned had been in darkness
II came here 10 seek for light. You,
my brethren, all profess TO believe slavery
wrong. But who of you tried to enigh-
ten my mind on this great aud important
suhject2 A few of you indeed, who dare
to call Yourselves abolnionists, addressed
me with the truth; but had for the most
part 10 obtain the knowledge of this greaI
truth not from this church. not from my
protested friends and supporters, but from
/
persecution have philanthropy enough to
speak and to write for the poor and the
depressed Well, became fully convinc
led Of this sin, and OF course ashamed that
had despised aboliiionists. lthen roisec
my voice against this national sin, anc
some of nv own brethren who profess t
; believe that slavery is wrong were offend
ed. Talk this out ofthe church, but don
+ bring it here This is not the place TO
such subject Preach Jesus Christ ant
him cruci6ed, but don't talk about slave
nv. Such was the language of some
Thank God, it was not the language o
all. But it was enough to excite my ap
prehensions that | was trying to get
meeting house built -w hose doors Nigh
be closed against our anti slavery brethreI
who might request its use. | therefor
introduced resolutions TO learn the sens
ofthe church on this great question. Blu
: my brethren, some of you were filled WIT
/ wrath when did il; and wanted me ou
: .of the synagogue. | accordingly la;
: Sabbath gave in my resignation. wa
t informed by the clerk that the vote OF tn
| church was 10 favor of retaining me
] your pastor; but | was also informed b
: him that the resolution in favor OF haVln
, our meeting house opened to antl-slaver
j lectures was voted down by majority
: two.
I Judge, therefore. that in proposing
n have our meeting house opened to plea
$ the cause Of the oppressed and the ensla
! ed, am not to be sustained bvthls chaIc
e -an1 if this course is to be pursued I
Q wards abolitionists Of WHOM am one,
lcannot feel that il is my duty TO be 4
+ ipastor of this church. What, my bret
ar rem. has It come to this, that Baptists a
he unwilling to have free discussion on
e, great moral and religious question
I'd say nothing of the political question; {
RS | have never sought to bring politics in
i'd 1.-The church, nor do belong to any poll
10 cal organization. nor would wish 10 s
= the meeting house the arena for, polite
in disputation. haE5 merely asked
a. freedom Of speech on the great moral pr
%, ciples which the subject of slavery
Ise wolves And | repeat. has i come to