Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-10-01

~ ~ NC 5ICul CTllIG ana lot WHICH lley punish
e man IN the State prison, spoken of as an Incidental
J., matter only-a question of casulsry.
But the heather, we are told in darkness and do
not understand this sub ect And shall we allow
II them forever to remain in darkness and teach
. them that christianity is different thing from hea-
thenlsm? But what shall be done? it is asked. The
answer is easy; do just you would do here If q
man is apparently converted, but is still living in sin,
delay reason with him. show him his sin if he aban-
dons it, receive him. if not, reject him." Is
Rev. Mr. Patton, of Hartford, Ct. then obtained the
floor, and remarked as follows:
"yM. President The question whether poyga-
mss, remaining such, shall be permitted to enter mis-
sion churches, is of fundamental importance, and
demands thorough discussion. Many who support
the American Board are slow to believe that mission
aries of any evangelical denomination would connve
or tolerate such breaches of the decalogue are re-
erred to in the memorials. But, sir the facts charged
In the memorial Of which was signer are fully ad
mltted by the secretaries and the special committee.
They admit that at meeting Of missionaries the sub
ect was discussed, and that the conclusion reached
was that the Bible did not warrant the exclusion of
poygamsts from the church. They admit that the
missionaries requested the opinion and direction OF the
Parental Committee at Boston, and that the committee
refused to express opinion to give any direction
on this plain question Of morals-a question IN regard
to which the Bible is very explicit We are further
more informed that at least convert among the
Choctaws admitted with two wives, in years past
and as the Prudential Committee refuse to Interfere
what has been done, may again be done. My brother
Mr. Prrllns) has told us of the concublnage tolerated
in the Moraylan churches in the West Indies, and
will show what has been tolerated by evangelical mis-
sonares among the Indians of Oregon, by which the
Board can judge whether it is improbable that in dis
tn lands, and under strong temptation, the msslona-
res may yet admit polygamiss into the mission
churches. If the greater has been done, the less may
be DONE"
Mr. Patton then read portion of letter written by
Rev. Mr.. Grlltng, missionary IN Oregon, who went
out under the patronage of part of the churches in
Lichicld Co. Ct Mr.. G. states that be found church
es there whose members were living together without
marrage-that he endeavored for time, to persuade
them in private to marry, but not succeeding he
forced to preach on adultery. This raised Storm
The people rebeIed and were sustained by every
protestant missionary whom they consulted.
Here MIR. Patton was interrupted by half dozen
persons vehemently and in some cases calling him to
order, and endeavoring silence him. When he
could again be heard, Mr. Patton remarked; Gas the
letter seems to be obnoxious to the members of the
Board, will not quote from it further only observing
that regret not being permitted to read few senen-
Cos in addition, which lmpcate one or more ms8iona-
res Of the Board. My object has been to show what
missionaries have donu and hence to express fear for
the future with reference to poygamy, which is kin
ulCu w Z ulC lOlu llldl IC DOdu IldNC O power
to restrain the missionaries in this particular 1t is
time then that the churches knew that tacthat they
sustain Board which has no power to keep immor-
Mlly and vice out OF Its mission churches! 1t is fur
thernore alleged, that we must not abridge the free
dom of &c missionaries. Sir, in this objection two
distinct ideas arc COMPOUNDED. The missionaries have
a right to act as they fit, and to say whether
we will employ them They are to be free in admit
ting or rejecting poygamlss, and to be equal
y free in declaring that if they admit such members,
we will repudate their action and withhold support
from them This lection moreover comes with an
i'll grace, while know that on points where it would
seem that the missionaries ought especially to be left
at liberty, they have been instructed to deaIh"
DR.. Anderson Secretary of the Board and in behalf
of its executive officers said the executive officers Of
the Board were very much involved in all its procee-
dngs by members who appeared not to have distinct
idea of the Boards power. He had not the least idea
that the Board or any ecclesiastical body ought to
sumo its time in legslatng on this subject We
ought to send out our missionaries to act as christian
men, and let them decide each case on its merits. We
must not up here to egsate this subject, and
rather than do it, he would prefer to give up these an
nual meetings, though he should deem that alternative
a great evil. We all t ink alike when we keep in our
proper department. but when we 90 out OF 1t, we get
into difficulties, and the Holy Spirit leaves us.
Chancellor Walworth said the laws of marriage and
divorce vary in different countries All questions of
this kind must be decided according to the crcumsan
ces of the case. different will take up all
our time and draw the Board away from the great OBJ
ect for which it was Incorporated.
DR.. Bacon said he would not speak, but he felt bur
dened. He was called upon to vote it would be his
first vote, and he was almost ready to say it would be
the last that he would give at any OF these meetings.
1t had been said that went along well 50 long as
we confined ourselves to our business-but when we
come to legislation we differ. Now, said he, want
to know what is my business member of this
Board of missions? 1t has been intimaed that we
don't know, and for one am ready to confess that
perhaps we don't know But what is the relation we
hold to this Board have been held responsible for
its conduct and for the conduct Of the executive and
; prudential committees Each, | Conceive, IS bound
not only to vote, but to vote according to his own
Judgment, and to declare the grounds and of
his vote. 1t is duty to control all the executive Off
GERS of the Board and the commissioners. Or. Ander
son explaned) All the arguments strike us like this
here is man who has ten dollar counterfeit note,
and he is tempted to put it of. He says to himself,
" put it off" and leave it for the ecclesiastical body
to which belong to settle it afterwards" If we do
wrong there our ecclesiastical body to set right
We are not subject to hierarchy whether COngrega-
tonalists, Prcsbyterians or Dutchmen DIR. Verm we
e here expained.) All the ecclesiastical bodies in the
country, continued DR.. B. have right to discuss this
subject and to decide it. The Prudential committee
have decided that they have nothing to do with it, and
thus the missionary will decide it Also Ordinarily
with us ecclesiastical bodies may act upon the subject
as they choose. go for the utmost freedom and the
utmost responsibility at all times This question is
f small in ITSELF but great in its remote bearings Its
intrinsic smaness is not inconsistent with the great
= ness of its relations As to the old Indian with two
wives, do not consider that there is any hardship
whatever in excluding him. What is his admission to
the church? isa symbol of his union to the body Of
it Christ and the church of the first born What would
be the proper of duty That he should ast
1t make profession of adhesion, corresponding symbo
of that cardinal principle Of christian morality that ii
is the beginning God created one man and woman
is and wherefore one? 'fhat he might have godly
r. seed" This is not nec Testament even, but old TIES
re lament.
III Speaking of the old man, what is to be done? Ii
is the view of christian society the man was never mar
e RED and before the missionaries admitted him to TIN
church he should have been. This should be done il
" all cases, and supposed it the practice until
N heard 20 the contrary. 1t is the in the Sandwich