Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-06-11
T IL E FIR E E NJ A N.


Mr.. EDITOR.-The question of separating from
Churches that walk disordery, and countenance I'M
godly practices, may yet be of deep interest to
the poor Of Cots ock who sigh and cry for the abom
nations that abound among u.s. tits therefore mpor-
tant to understand the subject and to be able to pro-
coed in way that is safe, reasonable and scrptura
If they do not, their enemies will get an advantage
against them, and they will be involved in difficulties
will suppose, that church which has been strictly
orthodox, degenerate adopt Unitarian sentiments, and
settle Unitarian minister The minority aggrieved
demonstrate and protest against the whole procedure
but all in vain. What shall the minority now do?
Shall they withdraw from the ordinances and wait for
the church to excommuncate them, or shall they come
out from the church, give their testimony against her
wrong doing, and virtually exconmunicate the corrupt
church? Ifthey protest and withdraw, they are at
once free from all responsibility to that church, and
should treat the body heather men and the church
have no more ecclesiastical power over them, than
over any other men. They have done what they
could to reclaim them but they will not be reclaimed
they give their solemn protest. and SO far as they can
do it. cast them out as proane from the visible king
dom Of God. Here the ecclesiastical relation between
the minority and the majority must end. They arc
no longer one, but twain. And the minority having
virtually accommodated the MAJORITY are no longer
amenable to them in any respect This process then
is safe, dssoyes the union between the parties
and dlsarms the majority Of all ecclesiastical power
1t is also process, that is reasonable. Mnoritics
have their rights well as maorities and they unite
together for mutual benefit. When this end cannot
be obtained the aggrieved party have natural right
to take care Of themselves and to withdraw publicly
from the wrong doors. And it is also consonant with
the command "Come out of her my people, that We be
not partakcrs of her plaques" "From such withdraw
myself"
/ The same rule applies in aborn5 with and with
drawing from church, that countenance or Justify
open immoralities; such as drunkenness, sabbath
breaking, stealing, oppression and saveholdng; or
any practice contrary to sound doctrine. In all such
cases minority, even brother or sister has
right to make known to the church their dsapproba-
ton of such conduct to demonstrate protest. and then
withdraw. They may then Join another church, or if
there be two or three of them, they may form them
selves into church, and no man has RIGHT to forbid
them. But in all such cases great care should be ia
ken: that there is just of offence-tha our mo-
tves pure and that we act for the honor and go-
ry Of God And as there is safety in the multitude Of
good counsellors it will generally be prudent to ask
their advice but brother or a sister, is not bound in
such case. Let them be fully persuaded in their own
mind, and thon "oo thoir ohrioton liberty knowing;
that they must obey God rather than man. Christians
have but one master, even Christ and should never
enter into any church covenant that even seems to in
terfere with their supreme allegiance to their Lord
/ hope these remarks will satisfy Dr. Byington, and
others, that "Suspending communion, and ,cait-
ing for The chnrch TO ercommucate as is not the best
way to effect separation from corrupt church. And
In practice will not often result in an honorable dis
charge The course of procedure is wrong in ITSELF
and places you very much in the power of your enc
miles, So long as person remains connected with
church, he practically acknowledges the church to be
church ofChrst, and is bound to walk orderly. But
it dsordery act to neglect or refuse to commune
with church of which we are member, except while
we are actually dealing with them And the church
have ecclesiastical right to deal with and excommu
nicate those who will do. In that case he is con-
demned for wrong doing, and his christian character
will be very likely to suffer- In of his placing
the church in the wrong, and bearing his solemn pro-
test agans their wrong doing, he has given them an
opportunity to put him in the wrong and to protest
against his wrong doing. This is an unwise course,
and ruinous course, and it is not the course which
the Bible sanctions. That tells us 20 act ouselues to
come out ourselves from corrupt churches, and thus
publicly condemn them net wait for them to cast us
out.
l hope the churches will not show such obstinate
attachment to savehoding to drive away conscien-
tious members; though confess am at loss to &C
count for their conduct, and do fear that the Holy
Spirit has been grieved and withdrawn from them. But
if any satisfied that they have labored long enough
and believe the church ncorrgble let them protest
against their wrong DOING and leave them; not wait
in the neglect of duty, until they accommodated
AN OLD MAN