Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1848-04-13
4tltsstuuarp Department.
FOf Tie UTten MOUNTAIN TT
R G m arkS


On an Ertract from an address Of Prof. BAnRows,
published IN the Home Missionary. for jan, 1848.
A cause, which is founded in TRUTH is rarely openly
and fairly met, especially by men, who think insinua-
ton and side thrusts promise more success The an
ti-sayery cause it is true, met by argument at
first But it was the general ignorance of the com
munity in respect to the nature of the subject which
led to this course 1t was found that defeat in
open combat certain. Hence new tactics have
been adopted Not the least successful of these is the
presentation Of the of few, which repudla-
ted by the mass the leading principles of the An
tislavery movement The extract named at the head
of this article example and fair representative
of very large class of writings. Against the main
principle of the Extract 10 evangelical christian will
object 1t is that the gospel addressing the inner
man is the mainsprlng and pillar of reform This
must be admitted by ALL who believe that sin has its
seat in the heart For if the gospel is not addressed
to the heart if as it is preached, it does not de-
mand of the sinner hearty repentance-how can we
expect any extensive reform under its influence? So
far then, as his fundamental principle is concerned
we do not object to the writers views. The writer
evidently had some definite object in view when he
penned the article. What its design was as lay in
the mind either of the writer of the Editor of the
Home Missionary we will not attempt to define
But this must say, that taking into view the state
of feeling, which prevails in relation to REFORM and the
general course of those christians, who will be most
influenced by the Extract it is ill-adaptcd to effect
good. What do antislavery christians ask of theii
brethren, whether in the ministry, OR laymen? Dc
they ask them to adopt the principle that the slave
holder can be brought to repentance without the Cos
pei? Or that the gospel should be addressed to hin
as claiming only external reform? Do we ask then
to forget that the sin of savehoding lies rooted in thu
heart that they spend their time and strengthto Sc
cure an external reformation without vital pietywith
out the renewing of the Holy Ghost? This-all of
is more than nsnuated by the Professor and spreat
out before the readers of the work as the bona it'd
principle of antisavery men. But we must beg
leave to deny the correctness of the insinuaon. Th
friends Of human rights do not complain that minister
labor too hard to covert mento implan in their heart
the seeds of righteousness. They do not complain
that efforts to reform men-saveho lders even-ar
too spirtual-too hoy-accompanied with too nue.
prayer. Would to God that they exhibited hundre
fold more of these fruits of the spirit Every frien
of the slave doubtless would bid them God speed.
We complain rather that little appropriate effort
are put forth in behalf of the save-that the gospf
is so preached at the South that no reformation follow
in case of hopeful conUersiOn-that shareholders ar
not taught their SIM and suffered to continue in
without rebuke even, when the spirit of God seem
to srive-and that christians at the North, by thel
sophistries and false interpretations of Gods tut
are strengthening the hands of these evil doors an
2 pacying the consciences of negligent minister's
We oppose that conservatism, which holds the minis
try back from every generous, bold and energetic
fort to bring men to that repentance which contesst
and torsakes sin altho' persecution follow. We Of
pose that mid, hating spirit of worldly wisdom, whic
orblds to speak to act in the of reform unit
1t man can see The result 1t is this walking by sight
1t this carna prudencethis rejecting of faith in ma
At tiers Of REFORM that greyes our hearts, in those, wi
RS oppose us.
u But such the spirit of these minister's who stan
y aloof from the antislavery movement? That son
= hold not their peace we know. But that the ere
" majority of this class of ministers are chershng IL
spirit and acting up to the rule of straight forwar
G. open and direct opposition to slavery inculcate
Il and enforced even by Professor B., we safely
1T ny. Who, that has moved among ministers and a
n ISOLATED intimately with them does not know that Il
ID noble, generous whoeheartedness' which characte