Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-07-24

pre-, but II was moi IN the Church. II was cher-
ished by the heather; but not by christians 1t
was prohibited by State laws, but condemned by
all who received the gospel 1t was heather in
stitution; but not christian institution The
church and slavery were hostile; not in alliance.
One ertirpa.ed the other. How is 1T Nowl Here
the whole mystery is revealed, aud even the blind
can see, why the gospel as now preached, doesnot
effect slavery, as when preached by the apostles.
Joab has laid hold on the horns of the altar. My
brethren, we cannot serve two masters Choose
ye this day whom ye will serve.
IfsOuhern christians had admitted idoatry in
to their churches as Roman Catholics have, would
northern christians hold them in Christian fellow
ship? Why mol? Is there anything in Roman
idolatry more ahhcrrent, than in southern slavery
Does one rob God and degrade man, so does the
other. Indeed, Dr.. Lafon, who has seen tho de-
grading influence of both systems, thinks that slave
ry degrades, corruFts s. brutalizes men, s. is more
hostile to true religion than even heather dolatry
And the apostles of our lord extrpated from the
church, one as we'll as the other. Are We not then
partial, and Judges of evil thoughts, when you re-
ject Catholics and receive SavehoIders' If you
have any regard for consistency. or propriety Of
conduct, you must receive both as brethren bciOv-
ed, or reject both as perverters Of the gospel Of
Jesus Christ. Turn southern slavery out Of the
church then, or open your doors and receive TO
your table, papal dolatry. They are twin sisters,
and should be both caressed or avoided The
apostolic decree requires all christians to abstain
from poutions Of idols, and foundations, and
blood, essential ingredients in southern slavery.
Shall slavery then be turned out of the church, or
idoatry invited in, that both may meet at the COM
lnunOn table, and officiae in our pupts! Why
shut out Roman Catholic Bishop, while you euI-
brace as brother, southern planter who keeps
back the8hire Of his lahorers, sells girl for hGr
LOT, hfspoer slaves for pair of shoes, Expresses
the poor and needy, and for his own benefit sells
the children Of christian parents, which have
grown up in his own house1 Have such texts, as
we find in Amos 8: Al, no application in this
casei Hear this, o ye that swallow up the needy,
even to make the poor of the land to fail; that buy
the poor for silver, and the needy for Il pair Of
shoes; and sell the refuse Of the wheat; the Lord
hath sworn by the excellency of Jacob surely will
never forget any of their works.! Here we see
how God abhorrs oppressors, who buy and sell
the poor for silver; and shall such come into the
church of Christ? Those, who converted the
house of God into den of thieves were indignant
ly driven out by Christ himself; how then can
christians receive into their houses and bid God
speed to those, who make merchandise of men;
. and sell the poor of Christ's flock, the lambs,
for which he died? Are you, my brethren, will
ling to be partakers in the sins of such men, to
. have your portion with such oppressors'
He that is not with me- saith our Lord is against
/, me- And this is true in almost all great mora
- conflicts. There can be no neuters, He that is
), not for the Temperance and Sabbath reform i.
against them. And he that is not against southern
: slavery, rs it exists in the churches, is in favor
% that system of crime. He may wish to hold
kind of neutral position before men, but there il
!. no such position. In his heart he is for agans
u thar system of oppression. And He, who search
eth The heart, knows its secret windings. All l.
naked TO his view. And even men can often SCI
). more of the secrets Of the heart than hypocr;te
r. wish to have known When a portion of the
Q church pass sentence against southern slavery
i condemn it great moral evil, and require tina
IT it be put out of the church, we'll other grea
at and fragrant sins; and another portion hold back
- find fault, make excuses for shareholders, and re
70 fuse by any public act TO condemn their conduc
of every man knows, that they have no hearty oppo
a ston to savehodng. They would hold slaves
W if they were south of Mason and Dxon's line
" They would know what such demonstrations mean
ch and feel conviction that such christians have n
wish to slavery turned out Of the church
~ Their reason and their conscience may struggI,
as and they make disclaimers; but their influence
Mt prosaverY. BY their works they must and wi
q. he judged. And all impenitent men will see thu
nv they are hostile to all ant-slavery action. Now
il would with great seriousness ask, is not this tn
te position in which a large portion of the chnrche
he Of New Eng and appear before the world! An
e. have men at the South and at the North from see
ing them in this position, formed the opinion, tht
these churches do not consider southern slavery
great sin against God, and have little objection
mr. its remaining in the church? Is this opinion vi
l. charitable? Is it not well founded! Viewing ii
nj whole course Of your conduct oil the slave que
i'm ton, could reasonable men come to any Other col
~ cuson2 Are you not then in the view of the pal
Nv lie, partakers of the sin of slavery, it exists
w. the south? A system worse, more cruel, and in
h. pure, than Roman slavery, which the apostles e.
od tirpated from the rhurch. Ny brethren, are 20
m willing to occupy such position before in6de
re and the men of this ungody generation; beto
ia the christian world, aud before Him who walks
a. the midst of the churcheSi You cannot hold
- central posi;i0n The world will not let you
lie you would. You must patronze slavery in Il
ed church, or you must in some way help to expe
,m from the church. What then will You do? This
rv n question which should not offend you which yC
,o- should not disregard. Take 1t Into your closet
nv pray over H. and real t'ring members OF Il
ss. body of Christi the apostles did; and as y'
a. will wish You had done, when you meet the dow