Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-02-04
THE FIR E L NJ A N .
Consistency Of Christian AbOlitiOniSt}
For The Green Mountnn Freeman.

OUuNGlOnUl VI VII
Mr.. Ep1roR:-In the Freeman of Nov. II, | find
an article under this caption, claiming to be reply to
Elder Prindle, on the subject of of secession By COM
pairing the two articles you will perceive that Brother
Putnam has not reached the point at issue at ALL Bro.
Prindle will wait while for an answer to his ques-
tons, and prefers that other person should exam
inc the positions assumed by Br. Putnam.
concluded that, as the columns of the Freeman
have long been open to one side Of this subject they
will not be closed to the other side and with permis
sion, would like to lay before your readers, few
thoughts by way of reply to the article alluded to-
"To err is human" 1t appears to me that there is
vein of error running through his whole piece, which
would like to expose.
The first point will notice is, that it did not occur
to him. that the consistency of Christian Aboonlsts
in voting for emancipation, and subscribing to the sup
port of slavery in Church capacity "was the point is
sue" Now it appears to me- that to subscribe to set
Of church rules that tolerate slavery, while we preach
and vote against it, is to furnish counterpose to the
weight of our own influence if so it must be, "pont
at ISSUE" when this subject is onthe floor of nvestga-
ton Brother Putnam complains of the wholesale de-
nunciations heaped on those who are abolition at the
polls and pro-slavery in the church.
That he has some cause of complaint will not
deny; men in the intensity of their zeal will not
always stop to deal out things by weight and meas
ure The pioneers in most good causes are not men
who study much for soft words probably not so much
as would he best.
Now, if this was the first cause in which this spirit
had been exhibited he night we'll be alarmed or rather,
comforted with such nfable omen gifts downfall; as
all must perceive that inveterate spirit vented IN
hard language, must tend to hinder, if not overthrow
the cause in which it is employed. seriously regret
that seceders have not heen forbearng STILL if
the brother supposes that care sinners above all,
he must be unacqualntcd with his own denomination
denunciation seems to be the order of the day in most
contending parties. "Thesc things ought not to be "
Would it not be well for us to meet each other halt
way, which would bring us all into the valley of hui
initiation, and then before high Heaven and surround
nr EARTH pledge ourselves to strive to maintain more
Of the spirit Of our common Master. think, however,
he is not quite correct in ntmating that this spirit is
chargeablc on the mass, taking the Freeman into the
account. But, fit were even so, it would only be
among the sad proofs of the depraviy of ournaures g.
should hasten to the work Of publication. am sur
prsed that the brother should be so sensitive this
point. Is he in want of better argument?
1t is more than intilnatcd that those who remain in
their pro-saycry church organizations, are the true
frenls Of the church, while seceders the enemies
of the church, than which, few things can be more un-
rue-It certainly is not true with the majority of my
acquaintance. | may safely say, that our attachments
to the church are stronger than when in an
association where We found so much mpurity tc
make us homesck. | understand that the most rabid
scceders are strenuous advocates for The church, beev
ing that all true christians, whether in a church organ
ization or not are members of the church of Christ
Doubtless they arc mistaken to the best course tc
be pursued all things considered still It would be rank
injustice, to accuse them of intentional EMMY to the
church. We should regard those our best friends, who
will the most plainly and afeconaely point out to III
our wrongs and who will the most indefatgably fol
lows us with inducements to reform If So who is tn
best friend of the church, the who by preccptan
example seeks reformation or the man who apologize
for sanction to the sin, and thus "heals the heart
the daughter of my people slightly" the reformermus
be at home with every man. Will friend P forbea
this nsnuation in time to come. There are othe
points in his piece that shall be noticed in due time,
such notice can have place in your paper.
Yours &C.,
IIERSCHEL FOSTER.