Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-07-23
Vi. Conventions AntisIaycry Resolutions

Vi. Conventions AntiSIaycry Resolutions.
REPLY TO LAST WEEKS CORRESPONDENT.
The ground of our exception to the otherwise ex
celent antslavery resolutions of the late Congrega-
tional convention was, that while they bore faithful
testimony against the utter snulness of saUery they
did not pursue consistent course with the stakeholder
and put him upon a course of discipline in keeping
with the fragrant nature of his offence. Our cores
ponden thinks we msjudged in this respect-that our
remarks were unhappy, and calculated to retard the
very work we would advance. Perhaps SO. If we
erred, it was done through ignorance, and with the
best of motives and we are happy to be set right.
Our correspondent is surprised that we do not con-
slider the conventions rebuke of slavery, which pro-
nounces it 'uttery SINFUL and before earth and heaven
abominable," as applicable to the stakeholder; and
adds, that the convention eectualy guarded against
construction by declaring that thOse who thus en-
slave and wrong others bring upon themselves the
wrath of God by 50 doing" We admit that the con-
venton said all this; but has our correspondent never
heard of the old adage that "dctions speak louder
than cordS" The great error of the northern public,
both in church and state consists not in lack of de-
nunciations of slavery but while such denunciaons
are prousely poured forth, in eevatng the STAKEHOLDER
to the highest places of confidence, trust and power
thus putting into his hands the only means of perpet
uating his guilty practice. In this way manifest
the nsncerity of professions, and destroy our NOR
al power to reform the offender. We readily admit
as claimed that in all probability the Vermont con-
vention never pointedly denounced the sins Of
profanity, robbery adultery, &c., than they have that
of slavery; but how different the course pursued with
the perpetrators of those different offences An indVid
ua minister or church member from the South, known
to be guilty of profanity, robbery or adultery, who
should presume to offer himself at the communion
table of the convention would be spurned Indignantly
away; while tho whole saveholding church south is
held in fellowship its representatives welcomed to ou
= religious bodes its ministers to our pulpts, and it
members to our communion tables! And that robbery
S and adultery are but small though essential, compo
f nents of the "sum of all vlanes," who will deny?-
But it is said by correspondent that instances are
rare, and becoming more so, In which slaveholdn&
delegates ministers and church members come among
u.s. This may be true, but does not alter the case, 81
long as they are sent at all, and there is no rule o
general practice among our religious bodies agalns
their reception. Nor does it matter whether actua
Shareholders are received or their representatives. witt
declare that slavery sanctioned by the bible, or tina
Christ and his apostles never legisated against it,
And to show the federation Of Shareholders that exist
among Congregationasts in Vermont, we will stat'
what suppose to be the fact that there is now al
actual slavehoding minister in this state, sustaining
the pastoral relation, who goes unrebuked among gu
churches took an active part in the convention o
: which we speaking, and was even appointed BY
that body the preachers substitute for the next con
venton Nor can it be SAID in his behalf, that crcum
stances Justify his saveholdng, for the resolutions
the convention distinctly declare the snfuluess o
n slavery to be inherent, and not incidental
- We cannot agree with our correspondent, that thu
convention is pursuing consistent course of disc
II plne with the offending churches of the South. d.
e not our churches when arraignng member for con
) duct 'before heaven and earth abominable" suspend
" him from the communion until he give evidence o
c deep repentance? And although we may be unpre
pared to say there christians among the slave
holding churches Of the South, yet why should WI
fellowship them on that account, any more than tn
universast and unitarian churches both of which, al
will admit, contain many true christians? What car
the South for all of our hard words against slavery
long as we accord to them all the privileges of chris
tan fellowship and communion? But let us even d
as much the methodists and baptss have in decar
ing shareholders untfor bishops and missionaries an
then we shall see how closely they hug the idol O
n slavery
n Again, it is urged by our correspondent that tn
convention does not possess the power of controlling
the pulps and communion tables of particular minis
tiers and churches. With regard to the specific dute
and powers of the convention, not fully appr
sed; but from the fact that they often impart adyc
and instruction to the ministers and churches upon va
rous ects such ntemperance, sabbath breaking
dancing, education, &c. &C., and even at its last ses
sion went so far as to point out the duty of minister
to preach upon the subject of slavery, and declares
that slaveholding in members Of churches should b.
= considered discplinable offence; We supposed
might not be overseppng the limit of their powers t.
declare that all ministers and church members who Ell
u gagged in practices "utery SINFUL and before earth an
heaven abominable," ought not to be admitted to on
o puplts and communion tables.
We heartily rejoice, with our esteemed correspon
dent in the fact that our churches are making progress
upon this subject, and in the prospect of better da
at hand; but we respectfully inquire if the better way
to aid this reform, and hasten forward the right, is no
to point out the wrong, in spirit of love and faithful
>, ness' Has not the opposite course been long enough
pursued and are we not now reapng its bitter fruits