Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-06-03

her associated capacity. She has nothing to do with
these things. Let U.S. therefore, look this question full
in the face, "What is TRUTH" If have not the truth
would gladly fndit
Three suggestions will exhaust the subject One
of three things must be true
l. Either Christ designed that his church should be
an acve promoter of the sins and curses of slavery
war, Sabbath profanaton gambling, &c. &C., Or 9. He
designed that it should be recOnciIably opposed to
them, and far as is possible wage war of exter-
mination upon them.
Or 3. He meant that the church should stand on
entirely neutral ground
In which of these shall we find the truth? For the
truth of the first suppositon none will contend slave
ry, and perhaps war; excepted. few have tae auda-
city to declare that God designs the church should be
an active instrumenality for promoting sIaverg Ex-
ample. The Rev. w. Wnans, at a meeting of the
General Conference of the M. E. church, held in Gin
cinnat, in 1886, confessed himself stakeholder and
said that "Christan ministers should be Shareholders
and dfiused throughout the south" Eyes," he repeat
ed, "there should be members, and DeuconS, and E
derS and BISHOPS too who were slaveholders"-
Such sentiment | cannot repeat without sorrow
shame and indignty. fought to have slaveholding
ministers and christians difsed throughout the southr'
Why? To teach the world how to build up this dark
est system Of nquy that ever saw the sum- ON Chris
tan principles, Of course. That S the object To-
show the unbeeving world how to be mcn-Stealcrs on
gospel principles. With equal propriety he might say
ought to have ministers, deacons, elders and mem
bers who horse steaes stationed all throughout the
south, to show the world how to rob man of his no.
BILE brute, on christian principles-to gamble in such
way as to advance christianity. For which is the
greatest injustice, to rob your stable or your crqdie2
But among us, | may take it for granted that the
first supposton will find no advocates.
Neutral ground is what many contend for. "In her
associated capacity she must have nothing to do" ex
press no love hatreC attachment or repelancy, af
fnity or repulson-must not seek to build up nor to
pull down. "She is not reform Society,""
Can they find this neutral ground for which they
seek? Never no never. 1t is true of every church.
as ofevery individually all must be for against every
form of sin All must act in building up or in destroy
ing 1t is in vain to attempt to evade responsibility
The subject lodged by the church, in one way, will
, meet her in another There is no escaping it.
Many who object to considering the church reform
society, have already admitted the principle which
they oppose
If man wishes to join himself to the church they
ask him to pledge himself against the use of ntoxcn
ing drinks They ask him if he intends to reverence
the Sabbath? If he will not give pledge here, the
door is closed against hm;-if he gives promise and
violates his vow, they withdraw fellowship from him.
Thus they make the church just what it should be
society to promote temperance and the just obsery-
ance of the Sabbath, as well bs other good things
There is still another fatal difficulty in they way of
taking neutral position. 1t is utterly impossible to
accomplish, in this way what all know is the object of
the church. The object, all agree is to save men from
their sins, and lead them into the practice of the truth
Can we save men from sin while we leave them in the
daily practice of their sins? Can the church save the
world while she suffers it to continue in her blood
outlines? Some one suggests an illustration. A
rail road company is formed for the purpose of building
road through our State They are as intent on this
work as the church should be on hers. They hold a
meeting of the directors for consultation. member,
esteemed more jealous than wise arises and earnestly
enreats that efficient means be used in overcoming
some of the chief obstacles in the way of the enter
prize. Here is river to be brdged at eat expense;
there is ledge of rock to be torn down, and there
deep ravine to be filled up.
f He askes the corporation to take some efficient
means to have these difficulties overcome. But to his
utter asonshment they all say in answer the corpora
lion as such, has nothing to do with bridging these
CULTS &c They were organized to build a road, not
to tear down this or that specific HILL or fill up this or
that valley. Still he pleads that their object can never
be realized without this But they tell him it is not
the business of the corporation If individuals, such
choose to engage in it, they But do not agate
the meeting Of directors with such questions, Do not
ask to "lurn aside from our object" Now, do not
slavery, war, intemperance, lewdness &C.. stand as
directly in the way of the accomplishment of the OBJ
ect of the Church rocks and hills anG rivers do in
the way of railroad? How shall we hope to give the
Gospel to every creature unless we oppose serny the
great sin of slavery-hat giant system of inquiry that
towers above other sins our highest mountain peak
does above the smallest hills.
f conclude then that The church cannot and ought
not, to seek to find neutral point to stand upon. The
t remaining suppostion--that Of open antagonsm, in
!. all gospel ways-remains and contains the truth.
Such being the high calling ofthe Churchal who love
the well beng ofour race, should love also the Church
and seek to increase her purity and her power the
mighty conflict in which she is call to engage. In
4 her success all should rejoice. Her disasters should
y mantle all the friends of humanity, in sack CLOTH
t " If e'er to bless thy sons
My voice or hands deny,
These hands let useful skill forsake,
a This voice in silence die.
For her my tears shall fall;
For her my prayers ascend,
= To her my and tolls be given
Till tolls and cares shall end"
. Opinions Of Slavery at the South
It We have received letter from clergyman in
Ona Of tho Ynnst remote and inaccessible OF the