Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-08-28

were such as to truly astOnlSn tue WoTiu. Anu
yet Martin Luther, following the example set by
Christ and his apostles, adhered to the church until
be had laid the foundation ofthe reformation deep
and wide. Nor did he even then separate from
the church until there was no alternative left him
but to either do SO or else recant his principles.
Had he done otherwise, and in the commence
ment of his work seeded from the church, ''the
leaven Of popsry would not have been purged out
and professionalism would have died in the she'll"
But he, taking tho course which should be pursu-
ed by every reformer, labored first of all to reform
the church to which be belonged, of its errors,-
and no doubt would have continued so to do until
the whole Roman church had been reformed, or
until death had put an end to his Iabors, had not
the pope, in order to put end to his further sue
cess, issued his bull of accommodation against
him. And John Wesley, pursuing the same
course in relation to the English church, notwith-
standing all its corruptions, continued his relation
ship to it unto the end of his, life. TO me, there
fore, it is evident that we, as christians, allie
glance, first of ALL to eur Maker it is our duty TO
labor to the utmost of our ability, to reform the
church to which VIC belong, of its errors. And
If we can discharge this duty and still retain our
relationship to it,, as did Wesley we ought not to
be censured for SO doing. But if the discharge Of
this duty should bring US into contact with the
church, er its constituted authorities, so that we
should be left, as was Luther, to the only aerna-
tive Of a separation from the church or a recanta-
ton Of our principles to separate, in that case,
anil tttnlNl Ia Ittu And H.
only appreciate in SO doing, but in case we
should, of necessity, become a distinct sect, he
would, nevertheless, own us as his people, "tho'
Abraham should be ignorant of US, and Israel &C
knowledge us not"
The entertaining of these views, and the having
become convinced of the exceeding sinfulness Of
slavery, has led me to adopt the course which
have in relation to it. At the commencement Of
the abolition movement, found myself in the
pale of church which, from the nature of its Or
ganizaton, must ever be a mighty engine either
for good or evil. And, owing to provision of its
original principle, it was, at that time, mighty
bulwark of slavery. But this circumstance, go
lar from influencing me to leave the church, was
special inducement for remaining in it, Having
been an tinerant from my youth, | had conse-
quently large circle Of friends over which
could exercise an influence favorable to the OPP
pressed. And as | was constantly having new
fields of labor, was continually having new OPP
portunities for extending that influence. This
field of labor, therefore, which providence seemed
to assign me, did not feel at liberty to abandon.
Had | done SO, should have deserted my post
and in my own esteem have been like the hireling
who, when he seoth the wolf coming, leaveth tho
sheep and fieeth. 1t was also apparent that the
different sections of the church were so identified
with each other, and that such was their unity,
that two such opposite principles as slavery and
anti slavery, could not long exist in it without
coming in direct contact with each other. Every
movement of the abolitonists at the north would
in the nature of things, be followed by cores
bonding movement of the Shareholders at the
south, until the question would be brought to O
direct issue and The church be compelled to take
such action in the case as would leave to one OF
the other of the parties alternative but to either
separate from the church or else abandon theil
principles. But such was the blindness that Their
pervaded our Israel, and so strong was the hole
which slavery had upon the church, that it coult
not reasonably be expected that this crisis woulc
be brought about in a moment, nor without some
very special and systematic efforts on the part o
the friends Of the slave. How far these antcipa
tons have bsen realized, and what is the presen
state Of the controversy, the doings of the late
convention Of savahodng Methodsts at Louis
vile, Ky. will, to some extent, show
ITO be continued.}
r GEO. PUTNAM.
Albany, July g. 1645.