Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-05-16
Fer the Freeman.
Fer the Freeman.
THE CONSISTENCY OF CHRISTIAN
ABOTITIONISTS.

Fer the Freeman.
THE CONSISTENCY OF CHRISTIAN
r ABOLITIONIsTS.
Under the following caption, " When will ,Abo-
G~tionists, Christian .AboHiionists, be consistent 2"
a communication in a late number of the Freeman
seems to reflect very severely onNt those nbolition-
, lists who, having joined the Liberty party, still
continue their relation to churches that are con-
r nected with slavery. If | understand the writer,
he maintains that the influence of this class of
men is not only thrown away, and worse than
r thrown away, but that it is at the present time the
paramount obstable in the way of the success Of
the liberty party. According to his reasoning, it
, appears that this class of protested abolitionists
are doing more TO sustain slavery than any other
D class of men. And that, were it not for their in
1uence, Liberty would soon be proclaimed thro'-
t out all the land to all the inhabitants thereof
III be so, a great responsibility rests on these
men, from which, fthey would divest themselves,
they must either secede from the church, or dis
solve their connection with the Liberty party
Considering the number and character of the men
implicated by this communication, together with
the character and standing of its author, it would
seom that it ought not to pass before the public
unnoticed. For though it he but a small thing to
be judged Of mems judgment, yet, when a class of
men, professedIy engaged in a most benevolent
and humane enterprise, are publicly represented
and that through their own official organ-as sub
verting, by their whole influence, the entire inter
est of the cause in which they profess to be en-
gagged, if there be either facts or arguments calcu-
lated to present their case in a more favorable
light, it is due to the public that they should be
exhibited. IF brethren Judge it expedient, in or
der 10 carry out their anti slavery principles, TO
seccde from the church, it is not the province of
Liberty men, as such, to censure them for so do
ing, or even to call in question the ~propriety of
their course. But when they urge objections a.
gainst such of US as happen to differ from them,
which virtually deny us a right to a pla 70 in the
liberty party, they lay us under the necessity of
meeting those objections. And it would probably
be construed even by themselves, as evidence a
t gainst us, either of guilt or cowarlice, if we
t should not at least attempt so to do. And if such
an attempt should prove a failure, and these OBJ
jections, after Il full investigation, be substantial
ell against US, if we should still adhere to the lib
erty party, the only alternative left us will be to
secede from the church. But as it regards my
self, | am not as yet prepared to accept of this on
ly alternative. For although have been idcntii-
ed with the Liberty party from its commencement
= and still with the utmost confidence adhere to its
principles, | also adhere to the church, aud for
various reasons am not now prepared TO secede
from it. know by some it is thought to be al
most a sin to speak f~ayorably of the church. ! But
it should ever be a principle with US to render unto
all their dues, and herein to follow the example
J of Christ who, when addressing the churches Of
u Asia, gave full credit for all that be found that
: was commendubIe in their churches, whose sins
u he had occasion to rebuke. The blessings which
i" the church. has ever conferred on us are great and
J multiplied. 1t would therefore be commendablc
in US, seeing we are now called upon to rebukt
sin in the churches, to appreciate and acknowledge
y these blessings. In SO doing only have we reason
to expect Il favorable reception for our remon.
~slrances. And to neglect so to do would prove u
guilty ofthe highest ingratitude. Although slave
:, ny has found its way into The church, and exercises
a controlling and corrupting influence over its DIES
- TIMES; yet it is not the only thing to be found; no
the only ingredient of which the church is com
posed. It also has principles and facilities whicI
" would be sufficient, if brought into exercise Ca
~ they must be when the friends of tho slave do thei
~ duty at once to extIrpate slavery both fror
tho church and nation. | know it is the opinion
of some that the church has apostatised SO far a
that all hope off reformation is at an end, ant
that all efforts in behalf of the slave by suc
as still remain in the church, will Of %necessit,
~ prove a failure. But | am convinced of the re
verse of this by my own observation and eXper'
ence. For about eleven years have endeavored
;, as | have had opportunity, to preach that part o
:. the gospel which has been SO generally neglected
And the effects which it has produced on tn
church in the various places where1 have labored
has convinced me that if all the friends OF tn
slave were to make suitable efforts, the churc
would soon become so far set right as that its il
lis auence would be on the side of the oppressed in
stead OF that of the oppressor, What we need
order to secure success, is n thorough going sy'
Irs tenn of organization in each branch of the churcl
b. carried out with corresponding efforts on the pal
of all the friends of the slave, with a Wow TO brl