Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1842-03-02
VERMONT TELEGRAPH.
BRANDON, SATURDAY FEL 26, 1879. :
For the Vermont 7, fgraph
Protrected Meeting and Anti-&Iavery
Meeting at Grafton.

'HS huich, Oh winch am pastor, 10 ETotnel
Miller Of Windham, and also t. myself
.constrains me TO notice the second paragraph
of an article which appeared IN the 2lst
number Of the Telegraph, over the signature
Of r. T. Robinson.
. With regard to the abolition meeting,
mentioned by Mr.. r. it is just to state that,
when information came 10 US that Mr.. Bur-
leigh would lecture in this town, on the
subject Of slavery, our meeting had been in
progress about week. and the general ex-
pec,ation was, that it would be continued a
week or more; but still, an appointment
was made for him in the Congregational
Meeting House, without the Baptist church
or their pastor being consulted. On the 29lh
ult., as stated by Mr.. r., Mr.. Seely and Mr..
Bancroft called at my house, 10 request thar
our religious meeting might be converted 10
an abolition meeting. Brother Burrows OF
Ludlow, (not Manchester) no, being &C
quainted with Our circumstances, expressed
himself in favor Of such a course, should
there be no opposition on the part Of tie
people. But brother Miller and myself were
decidedly opposed TO it, and our judgment
was rot hastily made up; for we had tho't
much upon the subject, having for several
days expected that such request would be
presented. We were sustained in our de-
cision by the most Jealous abolilionists, as
we'll as by the most judicious members of
the church. We feel that we wers inHu-
enced by pure motives and important con-
sideratons, and have not seen occasion to
repent our decision. A high state of reli-
gious feeling then existed among saints and
sinners; large number Of enquirers had
already taken the anxious seats. That in-
Producing an abolition lecturer into the meet
ing, at that crisis, would tend 10 turn off the
attention Of sinners from ,heir own moral
characters and condition, we could pot in
dulge doubt; and it appeared to US, that
all acquainted with human nature must have
the same convictions. The more important
and exciting the subject presented, il it has
rot radical reference TO the criminalilY and
state Of the sinner, the more likely it is 10
divert the attention. Besides this, we had
Of late, devoted two Sabbaths and several
evenings to the discussion Of the subjects
Of Slavery and Intempera nee, being favored
with Interesting addresses from Col. H. w.
W. Miller and Rev. B. Briefly. We felt
that tue honor OF God, the prosperity O. the
scaurch, and the salvation of sinners, de-
manded that our entire attention should then
Be devoted TO the special interests Of reli-
gion.
Such being the circumstances Of tue case,
why Mir. R. should furnish such statement
for publication, l am utterly unable to de
cipher. is, however, no more than what
4 expected, being we'll acquainted with the
utter recklessness OF some leading abolition,
lists. The spirit manifested, to me appears
bitter, censorious and Malignant entirely
dissimiiar to the s2irit Of the rneek and
lowIy Jesus. Ii appears not to have been
his design to communicate the simple truth
only, but to prejudice aboIitionsts against
The Baptist church in Grafton as well as
brother Miller and myself; or TO insinuate
that Anti Slavery lecturers net with decided
opposition from c!eFgymen as well as others,
II It be moi SO, aohy did he not state all tbe
facts in tae case, or rone2 -.
That the Baptist church Of Grafton, its
deacons and its pastor, are interested 10 the
anti ,slarery enterprise, need not adduce
evidence. At least, we claim 10 be, and to
manifest i, by our prayers and contributions
Though A:r. R. would insinua'e that, we
thought the poor, wounded, bleeding slave
BIZ ,he way-side, was not Of sufficient con
! sequence 10 turn us aside from or work
and so passed by on the other side" Yet
Il be il remembered, that on the evening O
the last Monday OF January, we did turf
aside from our work, (if Yoaplease conside
SOY and engaged in special and earnes
nraver for both slaves and their masters.
t Ifthe statement of Mr.. r. respecting mat
tiers in Grafton, is specimen of his en'lr
Journal, we shall be prepared 10 judge OF II
! opposition which he meets in other places
Such statements, lei it be remembered, WI
injure the cause of an,i-slaYery instead
advancing il. In such a case as the aboy'
, all the circumstances should be mentione
, Of them; otherwise wrong impression ma
be received.