Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-08-07
Tie American Missionary Board.


with review of the relation Of the American
Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions on
the subject of slavery. The connivsnce Of the
Board upon the subect-its evasive, and even de-
coptive course towards the anti slavery friends of
missions, are fully brought out. Some Of the
facts are painfully humiIiating to the friends off
humanity; bat however much so, duty to God and
man requires that they should be faithfully expos
ed. We intend, as soon as possible, to publish
part or the whole of the review; not for the pur
pose Of bringing reproach upon the cause of mis-
sions, but that the great plan of eVangezing the
world, by the propagation of pure gospel, may
be subserved, either through the right action Of the
present board, or such other course as duty seems
to require.
One fact brought out in this review we will here
mention. 1t will be rccolIected by those who
attended the missionary meeting held in this place
n short time since, that DR.. Anderson stated that
the Board gave their missionaries tho largest lib
erty to act and think for themselves on the subject
of slavery, and all other questions of minor impor-
lance, the Beard exercised no authority over them,
but left them to act as they saw fit. The fact to
which we allude shows that the Board refused n
missionary for no other reason than because he did
not believe in infant sprinkling, but they have no
right, they say, to instruct their missionaries on
the subject of slavery. This would be too small
business for so grave body to be engaged in.
In 1856, Rev. EInathan Davis, of Holden, Mass
was accepted as missionary of tho Board and
appointed to foreign field. He purchased an
outfit for himself and wife at his own expense, and
was about ready to embark on his mission, when
he informed the Board that he could find no au-
thorty for infant sprinkling. Tho following let,
} ters show the result:
ErtracL from letter Of Dr.. .4ndeson
Missionary Rooms, Boston, Dec 9, 1896.
"The Committee believe, as / have informed
you, that you ought not to 90 to S. Africa with
your present views on the subject Of infant bap
tism, lit every other respect they would be glat
= to have you 90 forth Trusting that more eX
, tended examination of the subject may lead to ;
change III your present views, they are not desr
Gus of acting at prescut on the subject of YOU
dismissiou they would prefer to let that matter
rest They like the spirit Of your letter, and would
be glad, lift may be so, to retain their connection
with the writer. If, however, thorough ant
prayerfn examination should only confirm YOU
present views which pray God to forbid, it vii
be expedient that your connection with the BoarC
be dissolved (Sgned) r. ANDERSON.
r Ertract from a letter Of Rev. W. j. ARMSTRONG
Missionary Rooms, Boston, jan 5th, 1887.
" Yours of the Goth ult to Mr. Anderson
e was laid before the Prudential Committee of thu
o A. B. c. F. M. on the evening of the Sd. Th
s committee thereupon adopted the following or
K der viz
: Resolved, That the Rev. Elnathan Davis
d in consequence ofhis views on the subject of in
IS FAINT baptism, be, At his own request, dismisse
+ from the service of the Board"
e at is amatter of regret to the Committee, nc
st less than to yourself that the reason stated in tn
+ resolution should on the whole render it ineS
s. pedient for you to be connected with the Missio
II under the care of the Board. In all other re
. spects, the Committee approve of your chaI
u acter and qualifications, so far as they have ha
10 opportunity of Judging of them. 1t would hay
u given them great pleasure if this difficulty ha
y not arsen to have sent you forth under their con
" mission. Since however, it has become necessi
y ry to dissolve the temporary connection betwee
~ the Board and yourself the committee rejoice tn;
~ it is done with feelings mutual esteem aud kline
" ness. Their best wishes for your usefulness wi
y accompany you in whatever part of the wide fielc
y, the Lord of the harvest may, call you to labor
With these sentiments my associates at the Miss
i Rooms fully sympathise, &c, &c.
(Signed) W. J. ARMSTRONG, Sec
! This case occurred after Mr.. Wilson, the slave
=. holder, received his appointment; a man VIII
could enslave babies, and reduce to the conditio
of brutes men and women. No objection to hin
n the Board could apologize for him and vndcat
his character, for what have they to do with slave
n ry; but the man who does not believe in infar
e baptism must be rejected.
-
J.
ir Mr.. Work, who has for number of years bee
in 81; =.