The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1844-12-12
J. HOLCOMB, Editor & Publisher.

In saying that we are exceedingly file
with comfort in hearing of your sleadfasI
ness In the faith, and the influence GU
Connection is exerting, but poorly convey
to you that joy that makes US glad in tn
Lord. To the praise Of God we can So,
we never saw a day of more hope AM
promise than is the present. We me
from The land Of the pilgrims, and Of thu
lakes and prairies, and found ourselves
one in spirit and to the praise of God, we
have acted in His spirit, and now part as
we met, to resume our tolls and labors, in
spreading scriptural holiness through the
land, and to gather new trophies TO the
honor of our exalted High Priest.
From The time we have been organized,
and the opportunities afforded us, we are
confident In the belief that our position is
one peculiarly suited to awaken and in
spire public confidence. And we have
been assured, from the most reliable sourc.
es, that the directing of our efforts against
the mammoth institution of oppression has
already awakened the hope of the slave in
his immurement, as well as kindled anew
the zeal of the noble army of Christian
patriots, who have pledged themselves to
The emancipation of their brethren in bonds.
The same, substantially, is true in relation
to ecclesiastical domination, the subver.
sion of which was one oflhe primary pur.
poses of the Wesleyan Methodist Connec-
lion. AS an illustration of the truthful.
ness of these views, we have the s~atisfac.
ton Of announcing 10 our brethren, that in
Ills, cnr first General Conference, we
have a representative 1rcm he "Old Do
minion" herself. Yes, to the praise OF
God, and the honor of that truth which
brings mercy in equal measure TO bond
and tree, and demonstralive refutation OF
the oft repeated prolesta,ion of our oppo-
sers, that we had wholly and forever cut
ourselves off from the exercise of our mis-.
sion south of Mason and Dixon's line, at
this, our first meeting in General Confers
ence, 10, and behold, we meet a delegate
from beyond the imaginary wall of brass,
warm in the love of freedom, civil aud re-
This fact is to us one of interest,
as We doubt not it will be to you.
And if such be The beginning, what
may We not ask, will be the end of the
mission in which we are employed, but
the entire overthrow Of slavery in the
American States? La this hope our hearts
beat high ard strong nor shall our faith
if we but stand fast in the Lord.
And substantially the same cheering &C.
counts are brought to US from all parts of
our wide spread Connection. Already
We have extended our felds of labor East
md West, far, far beyond the expectations
If the most confident Of those who, in the
lame of the Lord, lifted up the Wesleyan
in the commencement of this enter.
From statistical returns from the seveS
al yearly conferences, We now have some
5000 in our membership. And 20 con.
idenl is this General Conference of a rap>
d progression in the future, that thew
lave changed the ratio OF representation
o the mex General Conference from 500
o 1000; and even with this increase, it is
'on6denily anticipated that our next meet
ng will be much larger than the present
Such are the views now entertained; s
nd with strong confidence in God, we I
ourselves 10 the work OF our
alling for their realization. It
Of our proceedings in our several sit
you will be duly advised and we t
Yope that III labors will prove generally +
cceptabIe to the Connection in all lis c
To do what God and truth require c
[ US has been our first object, and 10 t
lease our brethren for their good to edi- I
cation, the subordinate one. To God a
nd the word Of his grace we commend c
u~rselves and our works, praying our r
abroad 10 accord 10 US, their rep
ssentatives, the rectitude Of pure purposes n
hearty good will 10 all men. h
Having thus, beloved brethren brought Il
you the commanding position you a
,cupy in the Christian community, the s.
stenl Of success which has already crown. "
| our efforts, as well as the capability of o
1r Connection for good, we cannot omit
TO urge upon yo,your part in the ,
reat relormatory process we are laboring l
bring to a CONSUMPTION. Ye are the o
ght of the world, the witnesses Of truth, d
e friends of the crushed and oppressed, e'
no are looking with impIoring solicitude, ~
at you should be steadflst, immovable, 81
ways Astounding in the work of the Lord p
nd we Rave confidence in you, that we a!
tn do, and will do the things which are 81 s.
mmanded you. u
That Obstacles will be thrown in the Ia
~ of our efforts, both from prejudice II
d misrepresentation, we will not disguise g
ut. as In many places these obstacles are P
wing way before the force of truth, so it u
confidently believed will it be generally, Z
soon as our principles and designs :
all be comprehended. Truth has a NOR
force in it that is equal to every holy
sign and If the hidden things Of die. r.