Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1843-01-18
From the Methodist Reformer.
PRO-SLAVERY.

Perhaps definition of this "unkind
WORD" may not be DOT Of place. The
Latin word "pro'' stands for the English
word for-and when prefxed to the word
sIarery, making the compound word pto-
slavery, means for slavery. SO much for
The definition of the term.
But il is said to be unkind TO attach this
name to men at the North, Who inwardly
hate slavery. Most Of US at the North
would BE- glad to have the slave emancipat.
rd Immediately how can we be
'pro-slaverv2"
A PERSONS sentiments and actions nre
wo things. "A person may desire 10 see
} good object accomplished, and still never
ouch il himself with the weight Ct his fin.
eer How, then, is he for IL?
Ora person maydesiye the accomplish
ment oftwo objects, The accomplishment.
Of one ofwhch may seem to be opposed
10 the other-snd when the two, objects
nre clearly placed before the mind, the
person is for the thing in favor Of which
he acts, and against the other. As, for
ins'ance, great church. d pure church,
Gne salary and q faithful discharge OF
iuly are objects desirpble, and all OF
UAch are not always attainable. But
when one consents to preach SO as to sui
his hearers, and that at the expense Of hi:
conscience, be may Justly be said 10 be for
his salary. Or, when minister, in his
eagerness for members, disrcgarcs theiI
morals, be may justly be said 10 be fol
numoers, even though he might prefer
purity, could that be made consistent with
the paramount desire of his heart-nua
bers.
No doub. the northern portion Of th'
church would be glad to rid ihemselvc
of fellowship with slavery, ifthey could d,
itwithout losing members and wealth.
We can choose either, but we Can't hav
both Therefore we are for that .whic
we choose. If we prefer a slaveholdin
church, we are plainly fjr slavery. an
are pro slavery in our religion. Ever
christian al The North could in one mo
ment dissolve his ecclesiastical connection
with slavery, were there not other inter
es,s" that lay near his heart--in,eresu
which he is more in favor Of, than he
opposed 10 slavery.
Northern politicians &ould be glad I
see slavery abolished within the jurisdi,
IL n Of the u. Slates-but how much d
they desire il! Not so much as they q
the attainment of other objects. Not {
much as they do the furtherance OF part
ends. And when these "olher interests
are pu! ia comparison with the liberatio
OF the slave. and they disregard the latt
from the subserviency. TO the former, a
they mol pro-slaveryl Are they no. +
slavery more than they are against IL!
The Savior teaches the doctrine Of no
neutrality in questions Of religion. :" r
that is not for me is against me- is b
plain decision. He and his--himseIf al
his poor representatives, are so singular
united, that to despise them is to despi
him. Nor is his doctrine, and the CO
o. morals which he has propagated, l.
intimately connected with his person..
Protested attachment: TO his person C
never alone for disrespect TO his preceP
II we are for him, we are likewise for
revealed will, practically. But how ma
impenitent persons profess attachment
religion, reverence it--intend. at. so
convenient season, to act in view of
claims-but live in their sins without
profession, much less the practice OF
Aud ministers the gospel never hi
the modes'y to tell them they are ION
Lords side" They never tell such {
they are for Christ.
The "pro ADD con- Of a persons p
ton is to be determined therefore, #
his acts--not from his abstract wishes,
unprastised opinions.
II r T.