The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1843-12-07

stubbe. The Israeites were continually
exhorted TO exercise mercy and to refrain
from oppression in consideration Of thei
deIiverance and also of Gods adherence
, of such sins. The stranger, (says he,
, that dwellcth with thee, shall be unto
you as one born among you, thou shalt
) love him as myself, for ye We're strangers
in the land of Egypt. Also thou shalt
not Cypress stranger, for ye know the
heart ola stranger, seeing we were strang-
ers in the land of Egypt. Ye shall not
af1lict any widow, or fatherless child, if
thou aflct them in any wise, and they
cry at all unto me, will surely hear
their cry, and my wrath shah wax hot and
will kill you with the sword, and your
wives shall be widows and your children
fatherless." Now think moment, does
not God regard the cry of the black man,
widow and fatherless 10 whom he himself
hath given complexion ? Do not these
curses rest on the head of him who OPP
presses such2 Do not these promises be-
long to such afflicted ones? Again, are
not these sins M tional when practsed
extensively in nation and by national
allowance? Does not our Constitution
and national compact recognize slavery
and is it an exenuation OF our guilt to
say we are bound by the constit ution to
support il2 Can any act or authority Of
man bind US in a moral sense, TO violate
our moral obligations to God and our
neighbour Can any plea Of inability
avert the judgements of God Is it right
for our Clergy to say there are great in
consistences in the conduct of Abolition
lists, especially in preaching political SER
mons on the Sabbath &C., and therefore
we will do nothing? Admit as do, that
to transact secular and political business
on the Sabbath is wrong, should they any
the less shun 10 declare the sinfulness of
slavery, than the violation of the Sabbath?
And should it be any less prominent
part of preaching, because Ministers and
Churches are concerned in this nelarous
traffick? 10 me, Mr.. Editor, there
seems an evident unwillngness in our
Ministry and Churches TO NEEDLE with
the subject of slavery, or to suffer any
one else to do so ; kind of heated re-
sistance on its being introduced. AL
low me to say, preaching against slave
ry as a sin, is not necessarily preaching
politics. 1t is the duty of m inis,ers faith
fully and fearlessly to declare the sins of the
nation, and TO exhort the people TO repent
ance. 1t is their duty to lead, by humilia
ton, fasting and prayer. But, Sir, how
seldom is the suferings of the slave and
the honor of Gods violated law acknowl-
edged and mourned over in our pulpit devo-
lions? 1t is considered uncharitable TO pray
the STAKEHOLDER may be reclaimed from his
sins! 1t is considered slanderous, wound
ing TO the feelings of Southern brethren to
say slavery, and traffic in slaves, is man
stealing.' !! What is man-stealing but TAX
ing man and all he has, his wife and chill
dren, deprivng him of all his rights under
God, and God of his rights over him g
Slavery is man stealing, felony; yes, more,
it is treason committed in the realm and |
against the authority Of Jehovah. Joseph |
was stolen. Selling and buying lnen is
stealing. Returning an innocent slave TO
his master is stealing, and all that in any
way assist are accomplices. The slave is
Goods property these tights are ever
during; every compulsory act or pretended
claim is a new and aggravated offence
possess is crime. God not only has pun
ished slavery and oppression, but his threat
enings are still on record as warning
against future aggression. For, behold, says
Joel, 81 will gather all nations, and bring
them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat,
and will plead with them there for my peo-
pie whom they have scattered among the
nations :. . they have cast lots for my peo-
pie, and have given boy for harlot, and
sold girl for wine that they may drink. l
will sell your sons and your daughters into
the hand of the children of Judah, and they
shall sell them TO the Sabbeans, for The I
Lord hath spoken it," Instances Of Gods
against the sin of oppression
and punishment for it in the Jewish history
are too numerous TO mention.
Now is ii duty for ministers TO preach
that which prophets were commanded 10