Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-10-22
The POIygamy Question.


that injustice was done to the American Board IN our
late report Of its action upon the SUBJECT OF foygay
&c. In what that injustice consists, we are not ap
prised has yet had the manness to point out
our fault to us but the report has been set aoat that
we had misepresented the facts and done gross MUS
ce to the Board and its friends The report OF the
discussions upon that subject, which we puDllshed
were copied verbatim from the Boston Recordrr one
of the oldest and ablest orthodox Congregatlonalst
journals in New England and we doub: not it was
substantially correct as we have several other re-
ports, which correspond in substance. And certainly,
cur own comments upon the subject were justified by
the report published
The following extract from an able editorial in the
Recorder of Oct reviewing the decision ofhe Board
shows that we are not alone in the view we have taken
of the subject, and that the matter is not yet put to
rest, as some would gladly believe:-
els this then, a question with which our Board of
missions has anything to do? Some say, no; and the
Board say no, when asked to give an opinion or lay
u down principle for the guidance Of the MISSIONARIES
We should concur in this view if circumstances and
facts were very different from what they are. But now
f we know that the missionaries are many OF them Ia
boring where polygamy prevails we know that the
Qu6SLO0 Oh Jle dulSSlUH Vi " IN
es under their care is practical question; we know
that they are divided concerning it we know that IN
one instance polygamist has been received to the
ri church we perceive too, that this question must De-
come more and more practical and difficult as the Cos
pei extends it's influence into the higher ranks OF fe
t where poIygamy more generally prevails. In view Of
a this we think the Board is called upon to instruct
its missionaries; they need instruction; they would
kindly and gladly receive it, giving such instruction
would not be new thing for the Board has often IN
e structed its missionaries subjects OF less moment
than this it would not be lordng it over their con-
sciences nor abridgng their liberty, for they could VI
olae their instructions tlt were matter oil conscience
with them with pains or penalties before their eyes
= save dismssion. The objection so strongly urged
that to rive instructions on this point would be to as
s sumo the powers of ecclesiastical legislation, appears
IS to be utterly groundIess. The Board has and mus
" have some control its missionaries, and while
NAV not illuminate ecclesiastical Censures may otte
to the consideration of the missionaries some P'1c1
I, pes both general and specific and declare whethe
upon violation of those principles it will continue t.
them its support With all Difference, then, we think
y with Dr. Bacon, that to attempt to stave off all discus
u sion and all action, "by the cry OF eglslatlon-e
d gislation, is idle and wrong"
But the report of the Board gives no instructions
and expresses no opinion on that part OF the subJec
which is the most practical 1t leaves the mlsslona
res at liberty to admit poygamists to their churches
and tlem no reason 10 Llllk llldJ
~ would be unsatisfactory to the Board. Those VIII
framed and supported the report tell must eav
this whole ubect to the missionaries, and that 1t the
tolerate polygamy, which is adultery, in the church
Christ we must say it is probably right and ask II
questions Whether our ministers and churches ger
orally will consent thus to surrender their own under
standing of the gospel and cease from their own II
depreciation of the law of Christ concerning marrag
land polygamy and merge their own opinions and fee
thiS cuhinct the wisdom of tn
missionaries, is question about which there may
Ill.,, some difference of opinion Much as respect tn
TO pety and wisdom of the missionaries we have no ldG
:, of having them do all our thinking for Wit
" principle of christian morality OF sitting at the
IT. feet in that speechess and profound reverence whlc
ur seems to be demanded. We presume that the mi
sionares themselves have set up no such claims, ar
that they would blush to have such arrogance imputt
to them. How fatery and constant imputation
them of paramount piety and wisdom might make the
feel in process Of time, is another question"
or AS some believe that action upon this subject
the part OF the Board is called for, but that the who
'h- matter may with proprety and the utmost confden
us be entrusted to the of the missionaries,
call the attention of such to the following extract Of
- letter from Rev. L. Burgess, one of the Boards mi
ION sionaries in the East who has recently been vii
he to this country, travelling through Vermont and 9th
So sections, in company with ofthe Secretaries oft
to- Board to promote its interests. Mr. Burgess attend
The the late meeting of the Board, and Immediately Ell
,ns barked for his foreign field after publishing letter.
our which he unblushingly justifes the reception of
IL: ygamsts into the church, from which we take the
The lowing:
US H. Is it not evident from Pauls instructions respe
mt ing the qualifications of bishop, viz, that he Shot
III 49,, - 4LoI.,
o' mited i'll the primitive church under the apostles,
the that too in circumstances precisely similar to those
her which churches gathered among the heather at
en- present day? If So why should different standa
a. be set up than that set up by the apostles? We
~ light
y 5. will state that the question is not whether
nds tive church member should be permitted to have
the or wivesb Whether convert iDho IN state
am heatheniSm according 10 the lar and lSagcof his peo
has married t0o ,cUeS, shall beregred receiving b.
tism TO put at0dy one? If this question is decided
the affirmative, other questions arise which afford
practical difficulty, however easily they may be elud
in theory for example, may the man make sell
ton, or must he put away the last-and what shall
the fate of. the children ? &c. &c.
6. 1t was maintained by Dr. Bacon and believe
Sc others, that heather marriages are not valid and ii
nal converts on admission to the church should be mari
ess that such was the practice OF the missionaries at
Sandwich Islands, and he supposed such was the PR
tee In all the missions of the Board. would SIM
rs remark that such has not been the practice in our
sion, and was not aware that it was practsed by
to of the missionaries of the Board. wish to ask
u Bacon and those who think with him. what is the p;
:" sage which contains that "erphcit inw of Christ
IAN which he spake Does not Paul imply directly sar
ent ton of heather marriages in Cor Z: 16? We wa
ion light. Yours E. BURGESS.
ned :,
H. o. Is there another paper in the wide world til
can say SO much to smother that rising spirit of fire.
-, n,dr Il. IL