Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1843-11-17

/ our testimony against slavery. IN our own peace
able way, and favored with the lead
Jugs Of the SpIfIt Of Truth, we have been accu-
sed Of apathy, aud negligence, and even OF CAV
Iug countenance to The system ltseli, because We
could not consistently with our own convictions
| Of duty, unite with some measures which others
( thought proper adopt. Bot how much better
would ii be. if those who profess TO be opposed
! to slavery ~ bring their testimony 10 bear
Z upon the system itself, rather than waste their
strength and Influence by publishing ordinations
against Others And though some who have Sc
Eceded from this Yearly Meeting, and assumed the
Ides Ignation Of anti slavery Friends, If they
Fwere the chief defenders Of the rights Of the
tcoored man, have joiued IN with those urfound
I'D accusations, for whose proceedings aud publ
cations We are no longer responsible, YET our ID
horrence Of The system of slavery, with all its
dreadful consequences, remains undIminIshed,
and We not only continue the way opens, to
lift up voice for the dumb, but eioce IN the
efforts which our brethren Of other religious per
suasions making N the same cause, under
the influence Of the 81 ne christian spirit.
1t is this spirit that soften the hard heart
break every woke, proclaim liberty to the captive
and set the oppressed free; aud would invite
the members Of the different religious societies
10 cudeavor under is blessed Influence 10 e:adi-
cate slavery from lhcir respective churches. Let
those who the magnitude Of the evil, and
whose hands clear Of II, labor stegGtastly and
faithfully with their members who have slaves, TO
dIssuade them from! their pracitce. Agd may we
not hope that their patient lators IN gospel love,
would be greatly Inslrumt atat, II not completely
successful in bringing about The peaceful termi.
nation of this enormous evil ia favored coun.
try. Were all the professors of the christian
Ilgion in these UnItcd States clear of holding
their fellow men in bondage, the system being
practically condemned by the religious part OF
community, apprehend, would soon fall TO the
ground. That II lie the will Of the Great Head
af tba fot nil IN iha
name OF Christ should depart from iniquuy, nd
wash their hands in Iunocency respecting tins
evil, we can have no doubt. CHRIST loved the
church and gave himself for it, that he might
present it to himself glorious church, not hav-
ing spot or wrinkle. or any such thing; but that
it should be holy and without bemIsh. Il not
slavery ut this day Of light and knowledge,
dark spot and Flemish the visible church
which contribute Ia lay '"as'e 'ta "h~-"a'""
the Church Of ChFisi, aud 10 rctard The spread
iUg of HIS kingdom IN the earth?
Have We mol reason To believe that this system
of Iniquiiy upheld by many who call themselves
christians, and some Of them standing IN the
character of ministers OF the gospel Of peace
and salvation, IS hanging over Us as a dark cloud
and is Of the great causes Of the GtlI 'ntIes
to which the country IS subjected? Can We cx-
pect the smiles Of Divine Providence 20 be con
tlnued upon as aud upon our country unless
break oil our SINS by rIgh leousness. and our mi
Quities by showing mercy To the poor despised
slavef Ii appears 10 us, that under the blessing
of our Heavenly Father, the peaceful abolition OF
slavery by the slave states very much depends
upon the exertioas and Influence of those who
net on christian principle, with steady and I'M
Welding firmness for lis removal. There Is
therefore, We believe great responsibility resting
upon protesting christians IN relation to this deep
y efiectug subject, and we desire that our breth'
rem may moi slumber ut their posts while tho
enemy is within our borders, but relying FOR wis
. ~ he IpaE a
labor in the ability which he would grant to put
away this sin from amongst them. Thus they
would not only receive the reward OF peace IN
their own bosoms, hat be the happy instruments
of releasing their brethren from tho crime ana
curse of slavery, purifying The church from this
def!ement, and eXaltIog the standard Of nniver-
sal righteousness IN the earth.
In that love which breahes glory 10 God 10
the highest. peace earth and good will 10 men,
wo would also commend to the serious reflection
of the snveho,iers the accumulated guilt OF OPP
preston, and their fearful responsibility in sub
iecung to the debaslug consequences of this
system, human beings possessing themselves
immortal souls 10 be saved or lost, FIR whom
Christ died not tat they should be plunged in
pollution, but that they should be redeemed from
all uquitv and serve him in newness Of life
Deeply impressed with the inestimah.e value of
human souls, our accountability 10 our Creator for
the deeds done IN the body, the sh0rness OF time
and the awfoIness of eternity--that oil earthly
tLiags pass away as the morning cloud or the
early dew, AMI that all the wealth and honoIs of
the world are only as vanity and veXatlon Of
spirit, we loci, with deep concern and interest, on
that portion Of our fellow men who suil adhere
TO the system and practice of slavery, with ear
nest desires that they may take the subject
more closely into consideration; and may the
Lord grant 10 them the light of His holy Spirit
TO see the fearfuness Of their standing. and
strength to perform his whole will concerning
them.
In thus addressing our feIow-citizens on this
m0meutous subject, We trust shall not he sns-
pected of party or political motives for although
our religious society in lis official capacity, takes
no part IN the political operation going on in the
country, We feel deep and lively interest in the
welfare Of the nation. II IS only as the people
comply with the divine requsiu7n TO do justly
1 IL ~ hat