Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-04-18
THE FIR EE IMAM.
" PLANT as reeds where Freedoms waters glide
Firm as the hills to stem Oppression tide''
MONTPELIER, VERMONT, FRIDAY, APRIL IS, 1916.
THE CHURCH---1rs POSITION AND IN

tive of every command in the decalogue, and ut
terly opposed the teachings and requirements of
the gospel, is unhesitatingly admitted by nearly
every communicate in our religious denominations
throughout the free States. Aud this Ga convlc-
ton of It's sinfulness) is, in our opinion, the great
lever with which, under God human slavery will
he overthrow throughout the land and world
Shareholders may, from notions of political econo-
my-the Improbable or dangerous nature and ten
dency of slavery-or from other motives of self
interest be induced TO release the grasp upon
their victims but the abolition of slavery, from
any other motive than conviction of its utter sin
fitness against God and the immutable and eter
nal principles of right, will prove but looping off
the branches, while the trunk is left with all its
native vitality, ready to shoot forth in every drec
ton that passion or interest may suggest. This
being the case, then, to what source but the church
shall we look for pioneer and champion in the
anti slavery enterprise! If slavery be unqualif-
eddy opposed to the commands and inculcations of
the gospel which is admitted and if the church
is set for the propagation and defence of the Cos
pei, which is universally claimed; then, surely, is
face as flint against even the appearance of
slavery. But, alas, what is the fact! In one half
of this Union slavery is sustained and practiced by
the churches, and claimed as Bible institution
More than two hundred thousand members of
southern churches are chattezed-reputed and
adjudged in law to be mere brutes-denied every
prerogative of men-forbidden to contract mar
rlage, enjoy the sanctitcs of the family relation,
or to hold pToperty-shut out from the means of
Observation-Disclosures to read the Bible, or to as
semble peaceaby for religious worship, with none
to modest or make them Misunderstanding, not for
themselves, but for others-degraded, and crushed,
and outraged in every manner that the deprsyity
of man can lnvent-utterIy unprotected by law
" entirely subject to the will of the master to
whom they belong," and to whom they must yield
Unlimited obedience, instead of regarding the com
mand of the Most High " thou shalt hare no other
gods before me". These things are practced, and
Rugged to the bosom of the southern church, and
are regarded as recognized and allowed by the
gospel; and yet they are considered evangelical,
and admitted to fellowship by our northern church
es; their ministers and members are welcomed to
our pulpits and communion tables; we meet with
them in general assemblies, conventions and con-
ferences; we strike hands with them in carrying
forward missionary, bible, education and tract as
sociations and mingle approvingy with them in
all the general operations Of the church. That
this is true of our leading denominations we think
none will deny.
The noSition Of the rorthern r. hurr he's unOn the
subject of slavery has heen SUCH that political
parties, comprising, as they do, many of the mem
bers of our churches, have felt at liberty to 90 all
lengths in prostituing their powers to the support
Of slavery. Hence the reckless and shocking sub
servency of our parties to the interests Of slavery
and their apparent readiness to forego all the
claims of God, and humanity, and patriotism, III
order to secure party triumph. The church
which should be the conscience of the world has
been scared as with hot iron and ia it strange
that the world has followed out its own devices?
: The prosavery character of our political parties
has led to the formation Of Liberty party, basec
upon opposition to slavery, and making regart
for the Equal and Universal Rights of all men
test of membership; but is it not a serious ques
ZION, whether many of the members of the Liberty
party do not materially neuralize their influence
by continuing their religious fellowship witt
slavery? Thurman slavery is repugnant to thu
principles ola free government, how much more
so is it to the church of Christ? If it be subver
sive of the declaration of independence, whcl
declares that all men are created equal, and emit
tied to liberty, how much more so of the gospel
which enjoins "whatsoever we would that other
should DO to you, do ye even so to them!" Ifw
, have a sacred regard for the organic law of tn
land, which WAS designed to secure the blessing
of liberty, how much more should we have for tn
authority of God our maker?
These suggestions are thrown out from a dee
conviction of duty to the cause of Christ and tn
crushed slave. We have long forborne, lest OIL
remarks should bG made an occasion to bring a
gainst US the railing accusation, already brough
against class of abolitionists, of " seeking t
! break down the ministry and church, and of pro
noting infdeIty." But after mature and prayer
full reflection we are fully pursuaded that the pc
-, sition and influence Of our churches, in connivin
at the damning nquity of slavery, is doing NOR
10 make lnnuelty RTE Ill inc lanu, tnall COulu al
the powers of earth and hell combined, were III
church in its proper place. And believing this
: shall we not speak out3 Shall we be told that W
5 shall distract and divide the churches, and de
y pose the ministry, if we speak out against thi
u "sum of all villanies," while millions are sinkin
! into hell through its influence? Will the churc
be destroyed by arrayng herself against a syster
which is acknowledged to BIO in violation of ever
: command of the decalogue- especially when Go
{ has declared that not the gates Of help Sha
l. prevail against her? Will the church claim to b
l. the representative of Jesus Christ and to be lie
by the Holy Spirit, while they cOnnive at, and fe
ii lowship system of robbery, of concubinage, {
+ idoatry, CT oppression and blood? We confess W
: have fears for the welfare Of the church, or fo
+, pure and undefled religion, from candid and fu
J. consideration of this subject, and such action a
seems to be demanded by the Word and Spirit {
God.