The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1843-12-14

va wv suUJeCt' III announcer, Wnlle III
General Convention no notice was taken
OF a resolution, passed by an Association
within its limits, that since slavery des-
troyed free agency and often made adul-
terry necessary, adultery in such cases
was no crime. stigma was fastened on
the lew in its connection, who had dared
to identity themselves with cnsaved HUI
manity. And in the third, with its strong
feelings and its loud amens, it was de-
creed in General Conference,t that the
right freely to bear testimony before &C.
clesiastica tribunals should be ravished
away throughout more than half of this
Republic from thousands upon thousands
OF It's gulltless, unaccused members J.
And this out of omplasance to the most
haggard and bloody system ofoppresson,
that the earth ever groaned under
The result of all this in the character of
The American churches, generally, is such
MS might wei! be expected. For the sake
OF lllustraliont let me say, | know a man,
who few years ago was warmly wei,
coined TO the pulpit. His instructors and
friends rejoiced over him as endowed with
rare gifts-as teacher of high promise.
Pulpit after pulpit was thrown open be.
fore him; aud at length, at the instance
OF men of the highest standing in the
sphere OF Theology, the place of teach
err there was repeatedly offered him
His exertons TO qualify himself for the
widest usefulness were earnest and unre-
mitted. The instructions, he publicly i'm
parted were both as to matter and form
generally received with marked favor
AT length struggle arose, in which the
elemental principles of sound morality
the Characteristic features OF Christian
ity were assailed; and assailed by men,
who claimed TO be phlanthropsts, patri-
DIS Christians, He felt himself impeIIed
both by character & position to stand up in
defence of things so sacred things which
were to be defended or all must go to
wreck and ruin. Before he entered on
the conflict, he looked over the battle.
ground with an earnest eye; with the
deepest, solicitude to know whether he
were fairl y summoned to wreslle there
with prncipalities and powers" Con.
WINGED that he could not otherwise hold
on TO his integrity, he took his posilion.*
And there he stands chiefly anxious to
act the part of an honest earnest man.
Now mark: the regard of this man for
the objects and institutions, 10 which on
entering the pulpit he pledged his sacred
honor, is in no respect diminished. Ii
has become stronger-more heart-pervad-
ing and effective. All the various forms,
into which society is naturally organized,
ecclesiastical, political, commercial, he
cherishes so far as any thing of soul re.
mains in them, with undiminished at
tachment, and labors to uphold and extend
with ever increasing resolution. No ef-
. fort, no expense has he ever spared 10
render himself more and more fit for the
duties, he was expected to discharge
And yet in the reljgios sphere. where his
lot is cast, it is generally affirmed that
his influence is greatly reduced that his
friends one after another have dropped off,
leaving the smallest number, who can
persuade themselves to give him conf
denee. countenance, cooperation that the
hopes he once inspired, have all but per-
ish. And why? What evil hath he
done? He has maintained both in theory
and practice.that our wisdom apd strength
depend wholly on our conformity TO the
will of Heaven: that it is foul and dam
ming idolatry 10 sacrifc the end to the
means--the soul to the body-the spirit
to the form that humanity is the only
soil where true sainlsbip can take root
that practice is the only proper test of our
regard for principle; that where man is
1rampled under foot there God is pespis.
ed; and that philanthropy is the natural
nourishment of piety. Now what sort of
success has any religious community a
right to boast of, in which facts like these
under various forms frequently OCCUR?
To be continued.
SIN l843. fla l840. tab uno disco omnes
""It is neither safe nor prudent to do aught
oqninst conscience. Here stand. | cannot 9TH