Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1843-12-07
TY, PA, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, l84s

thus induce him voluntarily 10 break the yoke,
and lei the oppressed 90 free, was the design,
and in many cases the effect, oi tneir IaoouFs.
By their udcous proceedings. the way was
open in the minds Of the slave-h0Iders To hear
the pleadings of Friends, on behalf oi the poor
negro and had This temperate and Christian
spirit been kept 20 by al! those who have Sep-
ped forth proessedly 10 advocate his nights,
we arprehend The canse Of freedom would have
made far greater progress than II has---'here
would be less sensitveness on this SUBJECT ~
the mind of the master than now exists, and
consequently a lalfer prospect that this oPpro-
brlum of The Christian name, would soon be
Danished from our favored land.
While we have been endeavorIng TO advance
our testimony against slavery, in our own peace
able way, and as we iavourrd with the
eadings Of the Spirit of Truth, we have been
accused of apathy, aud negligence. and even OF
giving counlenance 10 the sysien' lselt be-
cause we could 10, consistently with our own
convictions Of duty, unite with some measures
which Others thought proper 10 adopt But
hew much better would ii be, if those who pro-
fess 10 be opposed 10 slavery were to bring
their testimony 10 bear upon the system Itself,
by publishing examinations against others. And
though some who have seeded from This Year
ly Meeting, and assumed the designation oi
Ant-Slavery Friends, as If they were the chief
defenders Of the rights Of the col0ured man,
have Joined in with those unlouuded accusa-
lions, for whose proceedings and publications.
we are no longer responsible, yet our abhor-
renee of the system OF slavery, with all It's
dreadful! consequences, remains undmlnlshe he'd ;
and we not only continue, as he way opens, 10
I lift up our voice for the dumb, but rejoice IN
the efforts which our brethren OF other religious
persuaslons making in the same cause, I'M
der The influence Of The same Christian spirit.
It's this spirit that can softea the hard heart,
break every yoke, proclaim liberty 10 the cap
i've, and Sc, The oppressed free; and we would
invite The members OF the dfieren, religious So
cees, 10 endeavour, under lis blessed intlu-
ence, 10 eradicate slavery from their respective
churches. Let those who see The magnitude
of the evil, and whose hands are clear Of 1t,
Iabour seadfaslIy and faithfully with their mem
| heTs who have slaves, 10 dlssuade them from
the practice. And may we nol hope, thai their
palen. labours in gospe! love- would be great
Iy instrumental, If rot completely successful, In
bringing about The peaceful termination Of this
enormous evil in'our laYoured country. Were
all the professors of the Christian religion in
these United Stales clear of holding iher fell
low-men in bondage, 'lie system being pfacIl-
cay condemned by the religious part OF the
community, we apprehend wonld soon fall 10
the ground That il is the will of the Grea;
Head Of the Church. that all those who name
the name of Christ should depart from iniquity,
and wash their hands IN innocency respecting
this evil, we can have no doubt. Christ loved
the church, and gave himself for it. that he
might present Il 10 himself glorious church,
no, having spot, or wrinkle or any such thing;
but that it should be holy and without blemlsh
Is not slavery at this day Of light and knowl-
edge, dark spot and bcmish in the visible
church, which must contribute 10 lay waste It's
character as the church of Christ aud 10 retaTd
the spreading of His kingdom III The earth!
Have we no, reason To believe that this sys-
tenn Of inquiry, upheld by ma;iy who call Them
selves 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 one Of tile great causes Of
the difficulties to which the country is subject
ed' Can we expec. the smiles Of Divine Prov
Idence to be continued upon us and upon our
country, unless we break of our sins by right
eOusness, and our lnIqnines by showing mercy
10 the poor despiscd slave! 1t appears 10 us,
that under the blessing of our Heavenly Father,
Inc peaceful abolition of slavery by The slave
states, very much depends upon the exertions
and Influence of those who act on Christian
principle. with steady and nnyedlng firmness,
10? its removal There Is, therefore, we believe,
great responsibility resting Upon processing
Christians i'll relation 10 this deeply affecting
subject, and we desire that our brethren may
not slumber at their posts while the enemy Is
within their borders. but relying for wisdom and
strength upon The Head of the church, labour
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, bat be he happy instruments Of
releasing their brethren from the crime and the
curse Of slavery, purifying the church from this
detilemeni, and exallins The standard oil unl7er-
sal righteousness IN The earth.
In that love which brealhes glory 10 God In
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