Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-06-10

as if the reputation he might perchance gain as
a warrior in such contest would fit him to be
a more popular champion of freedom, should he
live to return to Kentucky. 1t is in contem-
platlon by band of true-hearted Kentucklans
to establish an ant-slavery paper within the limits
of their State, under the editorship of Southern
man equally fearless, but more discreet and more
wise.
The "Weekly Visiter," at Baltimore, which
had devoted portion of its columns to the anti
slavery cause with consistency and fearlessness,
has been merged in the "National Era" but its |
late editor is still engaged in promoting the cause
in Maryland public discussion has been held
in Baltimore for several successive days, on the
subject, "Will the abolition of slavery in Mary
land tend to its prosperity" In Delaware, bill
for the gradual abolition of slavery after having
been passed by the House, was rejected in the
Senate, only by tie vote. 1t is confidently be-
leved that this state will, ere long, be numbered
with the free states of the Union.
Many churches and associations of ministers
in the free States have adopted excellent resolu-
tons on the subject of slavery. Yet it may bel
a question whether ecclesiastical bodies, on the
whole, are not behind political bodies in opposi-
ton to this curse of the country. The New
School General Assembly made an advance up
on the past, though, as heretofore, on the motion
of a Northern member, and he a nominal Abo-
litionst, compliant conservatism prevailed. The
Old School General Assembly, after an excited
discussion, agreed to stand where it has ever
Stood viz: on the ground that slavery is an evil,"
but that the indiUiduaL practice and support of
it is no bar to a regular standing in the church.
Dean Wilberforce, now Bishop of Oxford has
said that the Protestant Episcopal church of the
United States bears no voice against slavery
This cannot be said, perhaps, of any other de-
nomination with so much truth. And there ought
not to be occasion for its being said, wholly or
in part of any denomination, of any general
assembly, synod, presbytery, association, conso-
citation or church in Christendom.
The celebrated DR.. Arnold, of England, has
remarked, "The church is an organization to
put down all moral evil, either within her own
body or out of it." And an American preacher,
of equal celebrity, has declared "There is no
power out of the church that could sustain. sla-
very an hour, if it were not sustained by it,
Shall we, then, repudlate the church! BY no
means, but we should distinguish between the
visible organization and the invisible company
of true belevers-between the faithful and un-
faithful.
Mention has been made of remonstrance is
sued by the committee against the Evangelical
Alliance. Efforts were made in the Convention
that met in London to exclude Shareholders
Not succeeding in this, at attempt was made to
exclude those who, by their own fault, continue
such. But the American members of that body
prevailed upon the Convention to let slavery a.
lone saying, that if they made it a ground of
exclusion, an Anti-British feeling would be
raised IN this country, which would greatly i'm
pede their efforts to form branch of the Evan
geical Alliance free from the contamination of
slavery; and pledged themselves to do their duty
as anti-slavery men, on their return to their own
country. HOw has this pledge been redcemed?-
These very men have attempted to form an A
merican branch, that should admit shareholders
who hold slaves, "not by their own fault, or for
the sake ofther own advantage, but from motives
entirely benevolent" and have determined, while
they call slavery "stupendous evil, to admit to
the Alliance shareholders, if respectable mem
bers of evangelical churches" Gen Jackson
was member of an evangelical church, and Mr..
Clay is at the present time; the former was a
stakeholder, and SO is the latter; not by their
own fault, or for the sake of their own advantage
merely, as they would say, but from motives OF
benevolence. General Jackson, then, if living,
and Mr.. Clay, if still a church member, would
be eligible as candidates for admission to the
American branch of the Evangelical Alliance.
If in the present state of the church it be, as
some alIege impossible or exceedingly inconve-
nient to decide as to the fitness of men for mem
bershp to such an Alliance, in consequence of
their connection with immoralties, why no, en-
clude shareholders on the ground of hercSy?-
The man who attempts to Justify slaveholding
from the Bible should be considered as unsound
in the faith. And ministers of the Gospel who
have attempted to discriminate between good and
bad Shareholders deserve to be rebuked; and it
is gratifying to know that they have been severely
rebuked lately by Christian civilian in the Con-
ference of the Evangelical Alliance in this city.
Chief Justice Hornblower, the chairman, is re-
ported to have said, che could not believe that
there were any shareholders from humanity or
from necessity. He could not admit the dtstinc-
ton between those who held slaves from love OF
gain, and those who held them from motive OF
benevolence. He should as soon think of dis
tingulshing between committing other crimes
from motives of benevolence and selhshness.-
No man could be compelled to hold slaves against
his will The law might compel man to main
tain slaves, but could not compel him to exercise
act of ownership over them"
1t has often been asserted that the Abolition
excitement has made the condition of the slaves
worse. Reasoning from obvious principles, this
could not be the case, Still, it is interesting to
sec Southern tertmony in opposition to the SIAN
derous assertion The Presbytery of Charleston,
South Carolina, as late as last month, expressed
qualification lin observing an increasing interest
among the members and ministers of the church
for the religious instruction Of the colored popu-
lation." And William Capers, D. D., of the
same State, belonging to another denomination,
says, in the Christian Advocate of February 5th,
lS47, "Only think, that where, seventeen years
ago, the colored people had been, time out of
mind, without the Gospel [instancing the par
tcular districts there at the present time they
are more fully served than elsewhere in the
country"
1t is pleasing to notice the developments made
by the colored race, and the refutation given to
the calumnies uttered against their endowments