The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1846-03-19


and in what way can we most speedily
bring those now engaged in opposition t.
US, 10 embrace our principles, and hence
! forth live to advocate our cause! These
are important questions for our considera.
lion, and in reference 10 them we cannot
expect 10 have that unity of sentimcn'
which we have in reference 10 our lundas
mental principles. On these points there
has been a wide difference OF opiaion, aud
great diversity of action. Ga some OF
them have the great divisions of the anti
slavery host been split. Ga some of them
doubtless, many aboitionlss have been
left to commit great errors. 10 make ship
wreck of themselves, and almost run the
ship Emancipation upon dangerous rocks
which lie ust beneath the surface. L.
would be folly for US to drive on regard
less of the fate Of others, and the dangers
which they have encountered or barely es
capped. IL Is wrong for Us to be blind to
the experience and example of others, for
God has placed us in such circumstances
that we may if we will, be continually en-
couraged or admonished from the good or
evil practices of others among US. lfthen,
on the one hand, we see that the expedi~
ency or timidity of some is giving encour-
agement TO the enemv, and bringing Lean
ness upon their own souls, we should avoid
the course they have taken, but not to run
into another extreme, and follow those W BIO
on the other hand, 10 advocating a good
cause and in presenting right principles,
have done it 10 such Il spirit of bitterness
and consciousness That it is apparent to
all that they have not the spirit of love
within them. and therefore they have no
more moral weight than the people of the
world have in their wrangling conflicts
among themselves, which never end and
never produce any moral reformation.
1t is all-imporiant That aboltionsis have
the right spirit, spirit OF love and pa
thence, with strong faith; and that they new
er lose signt Of this thought, that If their
principles triumph, ii mus! be by making
concerts Of and bringing Ocer to their
standard, the majo raty ofthOse a0hOm they
are compelled to oppose and repro0s, and
aoho are al present committed IN 0PpoSltin
TO their measures. If this thought is re-
membered, it will be seen at once that
whatever you do to make their conversion
less probable, lha! what you do to increase
their prejudice, close up the avenues TO
their hearts, and array them in more de-
termined opposition, is pulling down rath~
er than building up, aud is making more
work for future day. 1t is, however,
often the case that mans seIflshness in
some form, his pride Of opinion, or his vi
cious propensties, rebel against The truth,
and The more efectualIy it is pressed upon
his acceptance the more he kicks against
it. But the spirit of love, which Is like
putting Goals of fire on such an ones head
is the only influence that can subdue him
1t is an encouraging thought that the
truth does not require 10 be advocated 10
bad spirit, nor 10 a manner that is repnl-
sive TO the common sense and better judg-
ment Of the world, and therefore he who
has the spirit of Christ, commands the re-
spect, if not The love, of the world, and ex>
erts an influence lar more extensive thanEs
who has the spirit OF the world.
The spirit which Christian Abolition
list should have, as we'll as every other re-
former, is the spirit of Christ. This spirit
is what is needed to make antislavery men
labor tremendously among themselves
10 heal the disaheClions which have unfor>
tunately prevailed in some parts of our
country 10 great extent, and Of which
unhapply, we have some evidence Of their
being Introduced among US in lhislseclion,
il is what is needed 10 give ii new impulse
and to roll it OR as if impeed by the hand
of God, until all things which oppose, ure
laid PROSTATE before It, Christ on earth,
was the greatest reformer the world has
ever known. He knew the secret of the
human heart, the principles OF human na>
ture, and we'll knew how TO apply the phi,
Iosophy ofreform to the condition othings
ia this world, aud his example and in.
structiou will be safe to follow under all
circumstance We cannot condemn as
Christ condemned, BECAUSE we know moi
the state of the heart, and natures Of men
but we can initiate his firmness aud his
love in reproving sin, when we know thai
the sin has been committed. We can fol-
low his advice in warning the sinner for
the sinners good, rcproving him TO save
him and not destroy HIN; we can follow
him with forgiveness, aud not pursue him
as if to hunt him down 10 crush him with
our indignation.
We can apply the principles which He
has laid down, 10 the antislavery reform.
When we become impatient at the long
delay of justice, and the slow progress oil
the truth on this subject, let US look to
Christ for greater filth, and remember how
he was tried on earth, and is still tried, al
the GOODNESS with which his message o.
everlasting life and peace is received re
Numbering tina! it is Gods truth, and he
will vindicate it, Are we ready to give upi
let US remember with what devotedness,
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