Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-07-31
THE FR B B MAN.
For The Freeman
The Church and Slavery Nos.
81. .ya[ BY REV. KtAH BAILEY.
L L L Z
BY REV. KtAH BAILEY.

/. The Apostles did not tolerate Roman Slave
ry in the early churches and wise men need take
no more pains to account for such uuaccountable
conduct ... IT,.
2. That gospel ministers should do as the Apos-
ties did, and exclude from the church every sys-
tenn of slavery, which is essentially the same as
Roman Slavery.
s. That missionaries, who 60 to heather lands
should carefully follow the example of the npos-
ties, and exclude front the churches planted among
the heather every thing that is essentially like
Roman slavery. DR.. Wayand has we'll said, 'I
never would, without doing violence to my con-
science, do any thing towards the establishment,
in heather land, of church into which slavery
would by any means find admittance." that such
Il spirit were IN all our missionary Boards
4. That the system of southerR slavery is essen
TALLY the same as the old Roman system And
that all gospel churches, and gospel ministers
should therefore withdraw all christian fellowship
from all those churches at the South which do toll
crate southern slavery among them Here it
would seem, that we might appeal to the hearts Of
all who love our Lord Jesus, and charitably hope
that the churches would come up to their duty,
follow the example of the apostles, and withdi aW
from every church that toerates southern slavery.
But the pro-slavery faith has been so long cher
ished, by multitudes, and their prejudices are so
strongly enlisted, that they will hardly believe,
that the apostles extirpated Roman Slavery from
among christians, though an angel from heaven
should declare the fact. should be glad that DIR.
Fuller were present to defend his position, which
no could TO with giants arm, though he mus t
ultimately fall upon his own sword. For how
can he support Southern slavery, after declaring,
j. that the Apostles extirpated Roman slavery? |
will not attempt to do the work for him; but |
will state such reasons as fully convince me, that
nothing like Roman slavery could exist in the a.
postoIic churches And this shall do by appeal
ing to the laws of Christ, the condition ofthe early
christians, and the instruction given by the Apos-
ties.
/. The laws of Christ
While Christ was with his disciples, he clearly
stated some rules, whrh were to be fundamental
and perpetual laws in his kingdom, binding on all
his subjects, and designed to show the spiritual ma
ture of his kingdom. His kingdom, is not of this
world, and was never designed to he governed by
the laws and naxinis of lie world, Hence when
spark of ambition showed itself among his dis
ciples, Jesus called them unto him, and said: ave
know that the princes of the Gentes exercise do
minon ovcl them, and they that are great exercise
authority upon them; but so ii shall not be aMonS
you, but whatsoever will be great, let him be your
minister. And vbosoeyer will be chief among
you let him he your servant. Even MS the Sor
Of, ho mi ia m N.
lister, and to give his life ransom for many
Math. 90: 25, o. The same sentiment was en-
forced by Christ on another OCCASION, when the
pride and haughtiuess Of some leading men in the
church was observed. These men Ioued greeting
in the market, and to be called OF men Rabbi, Rab
b but Christ said to his followers: "Be not V
called Rabbi; for one is your master: even Christ
and all We are brethren And call no man your ia
Their, for one is your Father which is in Heaven
Neither be ye called masters; for one is your Mas
ter, even Christ. But he that is greatest among
you snail be pour servant Aud whosoever shall
exalt himself shall be abased; and he that hum
bIeth himself shall be exalted."-Math. %: D, 2
The same sentiment was enforced by his own eX
ample under circumstances peculiarly tender. AT
ter washing the feet ofhis disciples, service 81
mental, that Peter refused to be washed; our Lor
took his garment, and his seat, and said unit
them: "Know yc what have done to you? Y
call me Master and Lord; and ye say well; Tor S
nm. III then, your Lord and Master, have wash
ed your feet, we also ought to wash one another
feet. For have given you an exam pie, that yo
should do as have done to YOU Verify, veIi lily
the servant is not greater than his Lord; neithe
he that is sent, greater than he that sent him.
we know these things, happy are We if ye do them.
John IS: IL, II. Again: eye have heard that
hath been said, an eye for an eye, and a tooth 70
tooth; but | say unto you that yc resist not evil
whatsoever shall smte thee on thy right cheek, tur
to him the other also. And if any man will su
the at the law, and take away thy coat, let hin
have thy cloak also. And whosOever shall CON
pei thee to go a mile, go with him twain Give
him that asketh thee and from him that woul
borrow of thee, turn not thou away" eye hay
heard that it hath been said, thou shalt love tn
neighbor, and hate thine enemy; but | say uni
you, love your enemies, bless them that curse yo
do good to them that hate you, and pray for the
that dsptefuly use You and abuse you. That J
may be the children of your Father, which is
Heaven" Math 5: SO, 49, Wherefore,
things whatsoever ye would that men should {
unto you, do yo even to them. "-Math. 7: l
And so fully did Christ require entire consecrato
in all his disciples, that he said: ''Ifany man con
to me, and hate not bis father, and mother, an
wife, and children, ard brethren, and sisters We
and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple
And whosoever doth not bear his cross and com
after me, cannot be my disciple luke ID: Q
~ These fundamental regulations, or laws wei
delivered to the Apostles by Jesus Christ binsel
as hing Over his oDn house, and no man cou
change or disannul them. dot ask what his pr
fessed disciples have done with these fundament
laws; or how the churches regard them; but | {
submit the question to all candid men, wheth