Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-08-28
THE FREE MAN.
For The Freeman
CONSISTENCY OF CHRISTIAN ADOLF
TIONISTS---NO. 4.

Although slavery has found place Of refuge in
the church, yet it evidently is but a precOrious
one, wholly dependent on a certain contingency,
over which it can exercise no legitimate control
1t never had, 1T never can have any legitimate right
In the church And as it cannot abide the light,
being itself but creature darkness, the inmates
of this great bulwRrk have only to let their light
shine, and its existence there ceases. But before
we farther proceed it seems necessary that due at
sention should be paid to 4 reply which, since my
last, Unsupported in the Freeman. So far, how
ever, as this reply is made up of objections and
arguments which have already been under consids
Grafton, must, in order to avoid repetition, pass
over it, aud for ureply refer your readers back to
my first and second communications. The writer
appears to be very sanguine that have wholly
mistaken his position, and that consequently |
have only been fighting with man OF straw. But
my position was purely defensive; did not de-
sign to make an attack on him, or on any one else.
Very serious objections, as thought, were urged
against myself and others, which endeNvored to
meet in the best way could But if | was mis-
taken-ifit was indeed but a man Of straw with
which had to contend Irejoice in it; for
there is not only less danger, but more honor in
fighting with man of straw than with one com
posed of more substantial material. did not
suppose the writer to be of that class of people
who are opposed to all organization, though he
seems to have inferred that from some of my re-
marks. On the contrary inferred from remarks
which appeared at different times in tho Freeman
his Siqnnfuro that Ia Wn at ca far
his views and feelings were concerned, with the
True Wesleyans. But it appears that after all,
have been greatly mistaken in the matter; for be
now gives us to understand that the organization
for which he contends is to be of an anti sectarian
principle, an organization, it would seem, in OPP
position to all sects, and yet, of itself, to be no
sect. What kind of an organization this will be,
or how it will succeed, time only will show. But
If we may Judge of tho future by the past, and of
this enterprise by that of similar ones which have
appeared in our country, we shall be safe in the
conclusion that it will either end in the creation of
a new and distinct sect, or else in dsorganza-
zion. do not call in question Brother Pomeroy' IS
sincerity in this strange movement any more than
ho does mine But | have lived long enough in
10
all things and desperately wicked; consequently,
that it is possible for men, who arc the greatest
sectarians, to honestly think themselves Invested
of ali sectaran principles. The unity of the
church acknowledge to be very desirable. But
all attempts to promote this, so far as my obsorva-
ton has extended by high professions Of anti sec
taransm has ever served to scatter Chrst's sheep,
instead Of uniting them. Notwithstanding the
many insnuations which the writer has seen fit to
throw out in his reply it does not appear that |
have said anything from which he ought to have
inferred that was disposed to give tbs least coun-
tenance to slavery either in the church or ont of it,
1t ia true could not appreciate his views Of church
reform, and thereby recognize tina different re-
tgious denominations of our land, as being totally
anti christian in their character. And it seems
that on this account, and this only, he has been
pleased to stigmatizo mo as "arguing against
church publications." as fighting against the
truth,' as "pleading fifteen years for incorrigi-
bic OFFENDERS as "having charity for systematic
ed robbery. murder, incest, and adultery" togeth.
er with a long catalogue Of crimes which slavery
permits; and that, Methodist laws cover up and
Calvinists encourage. And, as it would seem, with
special reference to myself, he also asserts, tina
NbolitionstS constitute the buwark and hiding
place of slavery thus making me out, as should
Judge, vastly more guilty than it is possible fol
any STAKEHOLDER to be. And yet, though he hu,
fixed such n weight of guilt and responsibility or
myself, he nevertheless apologies for me- by say
Ing that he doubts not my sincerity, and by calling
me brother not less than dozen times in his com
municaton. New aver that, according to hi.
own showing, he is at least in tho same condemna.
ton with myself For, while he censures me fol
apologizing for the church and for remaining in it
he also apologies for me, and remains in connec
ton with political party which, If his reasoning
be correct, is the buwark and hiding place o
slavery. How can he do this? Is it consistent fol
him, after having, in the fear of God, withdrawn
from all pro-slavery churches, still to "odhere II
political party which is tho bulwart and hiding
place of slaveryr' els slavery any better in thu
Liberty party than out ofti" Is abolition fellow
ship for slavery holy and consistent " Is saverl
wrong in Methodsm and congregationalism ant
right in abolitionism1" Is it wrong in the churcl
and right in the Liberty party?" cor does hi
think that by remaining in the Liberty party h
can thorn it into action, an thereby exert goot
influenced" These, and the like inquiries shall
leave for his consideration, and pass to observ
that Scripture example, and tho example OF tn
most eminent modern reformers, fully sustain tn
position which have herein maintained. Nose
and the prophets were associated with peopl
that were noted for being stiG-necked and REBEL
iOus And yet, notwithstanding this we lear
nothing from their history favorable to secession
lii true jeremiah did, on one occasion, in consc
quouce Of the unparalleled spread of wickednes.
indulge himself in a wish ''that he might leave hi
people and be at rest" But it does not eppea
that oven this was ever granted him. Our Sa,
Tor. whilst be was here on earth, strictly adhere
to tho Jewish church, ever acknowledging its al
thority, and strictly observing its ordinances, thu
he was Lord of all. And the apostles, foowir