Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-05-23
TIL E FIR d L NJ AN.
For the Freeman
THE CONSISTENCY OF CHRISTIAN
ABOLITIONIsTs.
{Continued.)

tContinued.)
As the Church of Christ is one, though at pres
en divided into various branches, the right of
brethren to withdraw from one branch with n view
of connecting themselves with another, whose
views are more in accordance with their own, is |
not to be called in question And those who can
not be satisfied with any of the existing organiza
tons, have the same right to form a new organ-
cation, which in their judgment shall be more IN
accordance with Gospel principles. But should
they by such a course expect to escape the leaven
of slavery, which pervades the whole land, and in
person or by proxy, is every where to be found,
they must IN all probability meet with disappoint-
ment, for should they be SO fortunate as to be-
come connected with churches from whose COM
munon the man whom the law recognizes as the
owner of slave, is excluded yet in all probahili-
ty they would find the abettors Of slavery-the re-
al slave holders who by their votes are actually
holding three millions of men in bondage, still re-
tanned and in full fellowship. lfthere be a church
that Is an exception, one from whose communion
the Shareholder, as well the s'ave-owneS is
excluded, it has not come to my knowledge. The
True Wesleyan church perhaps comes the nearest
to it. But even this church, though organised by
devoted men, whose zeal in the antslavery cause
has been surpassed by none, and organized express
y with view to its becoming place of refuge
for such as might be disposed to flee from pro-sa-
very churches. Yet into the bosom of this church
pro-sIavery men have found their way---men who
sustain slavery at the ballot box---tbe genuine sup
porters of Mr.. Clay and Mr.. Polk. And it is to
be expected, that as the church has found it to be
expedient to receive such men to her communion,
and to retain them unto the present time, that she
will continue 80 to do, and that although she may
lengthen her cords and strengthen her stakes, yet
a convenient season for their exclusion will never
come. And the men who, notwithstanding their
f connection with church of such high antisavery
professions, can go the ballot box, and vote for
such men as Mr.. Polk and Mr., Clay, would not in
all probability hesitate to become slave o,CnerS if
circumstances were favorable thereto. 1t must be
admitted, however, that the friends of the True
Wesleyan church have, in the main, ever manifes-
ted commendable zeal in behalf oftho oppressed.
And these remarks are not intended to have bea-
ring on them any further than to show that no
branch of the church has yet been enabled to
cape the all-pervading and aIcorrupting influence
of this man of sin. Nor is such an event to be
: pected while slavery continues. Though the
e church can drive slavery from the land, yet while
s slavery remains, she cannot escape its influence
We may resist the devil, and he will flee from u.s.
t but to escape from him by flight, would be impos-
a sible. From the Apocalypse we learn that when
: the Great Red Dragon, having seven heads and
ten horns, had uud his way into the abode Of the
n blessed, that Michel and his angels, choosing moi
o to secede the account, made war upon him and
n overcame him, so that he was cast out into the
earth, and all his angels with him, and their place
? was not found any more in heaven. similar G.
3 vent seems now to be taking place on earth. A
q great Dragon, with quite us many heads and horns
, has found his way into the church, thinking IL
= make it his permanent abode, But 1t the true
y friends of the church, Instead of seeding on the
o account, will bur follow the example of Michel
. and in the name of the Lord, unitedIy make wal
upon the Dragon, he also may be overcome and
j cast out, and his place not be found any more III
. the church. And then will come sGtuG!ton ana
! strength, and the kingdom of Our God and The
y Porer Of his Christ.
Is But as some of our friends seem dei irous tc
J. know how we can consistently remain in prosla.
IS very church, after having Withdrawal from polit
), ica party on account of its proslavery character
j. we would say in reply that there appears be ne
: analogy between the two. The church, though
r it may in the main be composed of prosuver,
e men, has nevertheless a constitution founded OF
h the Bible and is, as believe, autisavery in il
e character. All prosavery laws or regulation
10 which the church may see fit to adopt, are VIC
n. laton of this constitution, and consequently nul
n and void. Our connection with the church ca
w lay US under no obligation to fellowship slavery
any more than any other sin that may find its wn
n. into the church On the contrary, we are thsreb