Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-07-24
THE FREE MAN.
For the Freeman.
The Church and Slavery, NO,4
BY REV. KIAH BAILEY.

10 the Ministers and Churches Of Ne0 England.
DEGR BRErHREN:-
The fact that Roman slavery was excluded from
the apostolic churches, has been so obscured by
the fog which has been thrown around the subject,
that many honest men could not see it; but have
really thought that the church was, even by the
consent OF the apostles, amalgamated with that
system Of iniquy. Such good men will now,
hope, get their eyes open, and be able to come to
the knowledge of the truth. The learned Dr.. at
the South tells us, that Roman slavery had no
place in the apostolic churches, that it Oas eTtipG
ted Il once by the apostles, and then we infer that
leafS aRdiyines at the North need devise no more
reasons justify the apostles for tolerating in the
church such system of GnlfernGlism. This infor
mation, duly regarded, may save much learned la
bour, and some wear and tear ofcoRscience. Why
then should not all the churches renounce their
pro-slavery faith, embrace this cheering doctrine,
follow the example Of the apostles, extirpae every
thing from among them that looks like Roman
slavery, and resolve that they will have no fellow
ship with such unfruitful works Of darkness
Should they take this reasonable and scriptural
ground, would it offend Jesus Christ, grieve the
holy spirit, cast any reproach upon the apostolic
churches, render the word preached more unproft-
able, or tend to ALLEVIATE brethren, and extinguish
the little light that remains among them! Should
all the ministers in New England do just as the
apostles did, attack southern slavery, as the apps
ties did Roman slavery, exterminate the whole
system, and resolve, that it should no longer be
couptenanced by their conduct, would it injure
their spirituality, their usefulness, their respeca-
bility; chill their holy affections, damp their chris
tian zeal, turn away their hearts from the poor,
plant one thorn upon their dying pillow, or occa-
sion them even one painful sensation as they APP
preached the burning throne oftheir final Judge
Should southern slavery be extirpated from all the
churches, would in6des be gratifed, RIGHTEOUSNESS
promoted, lying, profanity, the dissertation
of the sabbath, and duelling increased; or would
domestic purity and peace, or public morals and
respect for law, be in any way diminished? Would
our holy religion be darkened and obscured by
having all connection with southern slavery de-
stroyed or would it again shine forth in its purity,
and power, and glory, as in the days of the apos-
ties, when there was no agreement between Christ
and BeIial between heather and christian instu-
tions2 Why them should not all, who love Je-
sus Christ in truth, who love the purity Of the
church of God, and pray for her prosperity; all
who mean to obey the commands of the apostles
and to follow their example, withdraw from those
churches, which walk disordery refusing to extir
pate from among them a system of slavery, no less
injurious to men and offensive to God, than Ro
man slavery? "SaIt is good: but if the salt ha.
lost its sadness, wherewith will ye salt it," Is i
in vain that the scri ptures saith, "Cone out ofhe
my people, that be not parakers of her plaques.
"Withdraw myself from men of corrupt minds
destitute of the truth, who suppose that gain i
godness, and will not consent to wholesOm
words even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ
and to the doctrine, which is according to godli
ness.s'-l Tim. 6: 8, 5. "Now we command yo
brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ
that We withdraw yourselves from every brother
that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradI
/ ton which We have received of us. For your
selves know how ye ought to JollOw us; for we be
haved not ourselves disorderly among you: me-
, ther did we.eat any mans bread for nough; BIT
wrought with labor aud travail night and day, tbs
! we might not be chargeable to any of you."-
2rhess. 8: 6-9 Can it be that the slave holdin
churches at the south do follow the example {
the apostle, who labnred with his own hands for
support? How would such mechanic be no.
received by christian Shareholders, and lordl
+ planters at the south! Would they receive sue
n apostles or treat them as Dotrephes did,
|, The act of Withdrawing from sluveholdin
" churches is not and should not be considered
&c an hostile act; but as gospel and benevoeI
e measure to convince them of their wrong doini
e and to bring them to repentance, that they ma
Il recover themselves out of the Of the Dew
l. If any man obey not word by this eplstle no
s. that man and have no company with him, that
ms BE ashamed. yet count him not ms an en-
lie N.Y. but admonish him as a brUther'-- Thes.
d is, Is. Will the Churches of New England
at wake, and attend to duty too long neglected ?
n Why, my brethren, shonId we call Christ OF
OF Lord if we are not willing to obey his command
TO however sef-denying! How Gun you be the Hg
ID Of the world, if you countenance, and fellowsh
a system of darkness, injustice, cruelty, and in
purity, as southern slavery! Would you folio
@ the example of the Apostles, and have no fellow
~ ship with such uhfruitful works of darkness, OF
= ers would sea your good works, and be convinc'
ie that you disapproved of that whole system of o
&c preston, and meant to reprove those, who we
10 guilty of such wickedness. Your influence won
D. be felt in extirputng southern slavery from
~ mong christians, as the influence of the Apostle
On was felt in destroying Roman slavery, The who
" world would see your light would be influence
e. by your example, and gradually abandon syste
ne OF crime, so inhuman and unjust. Expe slave
from the church, and it must die in every we'll re
ay ulaed society. But how can churches have al
u influence agnst slavery, idolatry, licentousnei
IT. intemperance or any other crime, while they tt
ut crate and fellowship those, who live in those
le' ry sins Their light is darkness; their moral pc
ID, er gone, they parakors in other mems sit
nd their salt has lost its savor and is good o not
hal 1 l.. IL