Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-04-16
R ELIGIO s.
For the Green Mountain Fireman.
Consistency Of Christian AbOIitiOniSts.
A. II. B.


! 10 the .IIett0dlStS.
MEssRs. EDIToRs:-I should not be disposed to re-
sumo my remarks, after lapse of so long time, had
not givenyour readers to understand that should so
do, and did not appehend that the present crisis de-
manded that should define my position on certain
points, more fully than what have as yet DONE This
shall endeayor to do, and then must leave it with
your readers to judge whether am or am not "a con-
sistent Christian Abotonist" In early childhood |
was led to fear God and to call upon his name;-and
after having continued so to do for series of years,
and having obtained, as thought, forgiveness of my
SINS was led to unite myself with the church to
which now belong. [ did so from a conviction of
duty and, as then thought with view to secure not
only my own personal good, but that might thereby
glorify God and benefit the world The covenant in
to which thus entered to me was no trfing affair.
Its obligations considered in the highest degree sa-
cred, and neither expected desired while remain
ed on earth, to be released from them. And though
twenty-five years have since passed away, during
which time the church, as well as myself, has passed
through various vicissitudes have nevertheless re-
manned stedlasty of the mind, up to the present
time Deyoting myself, as have had opportunity to
the interests of the church, sustaining her various in
sttutions and enjoying every facility necessary to
make me happy here and hereafter. And if have at
any time set at naugh tie counsels and admonitions
of those who have had the rule over me, have only
done in order to avoid coming in contact both witt
the laws of God and the institutions of the church, ant
for other purpose but to prevent "that of sill
who opposeth and exalteh himself above all that is
called God or that is worshpped" from sitting as Goo
in the temple of God, showing hmselfthat he is God
; Otherwise than this | have made no war upon the
church or her constituted authorities or with any o
her institutions. On the contrary, have abored t.
promote the unity Of the church in the bonds of peace
dscountenancing all unhappy dissentions within the
church, and cesessions from it. And when brethren
have had scruples about remaining in the church, OIL
account of the relationship which it sustained to slave
ry, have told them that it would be better 70
the church, better for the save and better for them
Selves to remain in the church and do their duty there
than it would be to leave it. And remain of the SAM
opinion still, though would by no means follow thos
; brethren with prosecutions or anathemas who hav
taken different view of the subject and have seen
to secede from the church. and have set up for them
selves. Nor have ever been enabled to appreciate
| the services of those brethren whose zeal for tn
church ever prompts them to say much against seces
sion, and nothing against slavery They appear to m
| like those watchmen whom the prophet lkens UNI
dead dogs that cannot bark. And if they chance t
bark it is only at the already arghed sheep, and nc
!, at the of sin-the cause of all the mischief I1a
n it been oherwise-had there been becoming zeal i
behalf of the oppressed manifested by those whose du
: ty it is to watch over the church, though SLAYER
= should still have existed yet persuaded that tn
), church would have lost nothing by secession. TIL
cold indifference manifested in behalf of the oppresse
l. by many ministers who in every other respect are eS
cellent men, has done to promote secession tina
what has otherwise been done even by slavery tse
confess, myself that this has been the source of m
deepest affection. complain not of persecution; il
&c deed, personally, have ground of compOint-th
e church having always used me well. STILL my hea
10 has often sunk within me when have seen ntegeI
s. men manesting commendabe zeal in every othC
benevolent enterprise and alive to the interest of e
&c cry other class of men, and yet totally indifferent
n the wants of the slave. And it is source of dee
re modification to me- when called upon, as frequent