The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1843-08-10
BRANDON, THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 1s4s.

Is 6. We view slavery as opposed t
J, the benevolent spirit and designs o
e Christianity, as it forces those TO
d whom Christ died, and whose eleva
e ton Christians are bound toseek, int
. a state Of mental and moral debase
ment; prevents them, in a large ma
IJorlty of cases, from reading the WORD
of God, and places them in circum-
stances of strong temptation, so that
the great mass of them sink into the
grossest wickedness; us it expos
es them to horrid cruelties and
expressions, which often come upon
them, under system imposing no
proper responsibility on the master.
7. We consider the doctrine that
slaves cannot be emancipated until
they are enlightened, to be unsound ;
as from the nature Of the case a COM
munity of slaves, as such, cannot to
any considerable extent be enlighten-
ed, the laws in most of the slavehold-
ing States forbidding it, and slave
holders, many of them, being as
much opposed TO their instruction as
TO their emancipation.
s. We regard the hope that the
gospel willremove slavery, while the
Church sanctions it, delusion. The
influence of slavery is lowering the
standard of piety, and brings both
the master and the slave into tempta-
ton to such wiclsedness, that its Ten
dency is to corrupt the gospel, and
Danish it from a slaveholdiug COM
munity.
8. We consider it as proved, by
the result of the experiment in the
West Indies, that the only way to
elevate the colored race, is to give
them mental and moral culture, Just
as we do the heather; and that they
may be emancipated with entire safe
ty, and TO the infinite advantage of
the community in which they reside.
10. tits, therefore, our solemn con-
viction, that those who hold their
brethren in bondage ought to give
them their liberty, and that they can
only in this way escape the displeas-
ure of God.
II. We regard those in the church.
cs who justify or apologize for slave
ry, as in a fearful degree responsible
for its continuance, as they quiet the
consciences of shareholders, and up
hold them in their evil course.
The preamble and declaration of
principles and obligations, from the
business committee, were unanimous
ly adopted:
Whereas, this convention was in
vited to discuss questions relative to
slavery, and for the purpose of in
curing after personal duty in relation
to the subject; therefore, after mu-
tual consultation, and Interchange of
opinion, we feel that all men of anti
slavery sentiments can agree in the
following principles and statements
of duty;
That all persons held as slaves,
have claims to our sympathies and
prayers, on the same principles of
Christian benevofence which make
it our duty to send the gospel to the
heather.
That in all proper ways and places
we assert and maintain the wrong
fulness Of slavery, and the duty of
Christians to make efforts for its re-
moval.
That we feel it our duty 10 pray
for the welfare and emancipation of
the slave, in private and public and
recommend the distinct remem-
brance ofthe enslaved, at the regular
monthly concert, or at monthly con-
cert sustained for that specific pur-
pose.
That we are bound, by every prop
er and practicable means, to diffuse
information on the moral, financial,
and political bearings ofslavery, with
the view to gain the enlightened CO.
operation ofour fellow-Christians and
lellow-citizens.
That we hold no such ecclesasti-
cal relation or fellowship with slave
holders, as shall imply appreciation
Of slavery.
That we send petitions to the
ecclesiastical bodies and benevolent
societies with which we are connect
ed, and to the State and nationol leg
islatures, for such action on the sub
Iject as may be appropriate to their
respective functions.