Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1848-03-02

the thing Is the same ABoMINATIoN. The clrcum-
stances OF the missionaries are trying persecution
would arise if they faithful say others, and they
would be driven away. As for this it is assumption
the tearulness of unbeef Who can tell what God
would do? Or, if persecution did come, what then?
Is not this Gods plan to secure reformaton2 Has
ever any extensive reformation been effected without
persecution, lis equivalent in the manifest seadfast
ness OF Christians without it? 0, my heart greyes to
think how sadly brethren departing from the sim
pIlcy of the Gospel! am filled with sorrow that
men whom love and esteem true Christians, should
W tn the example Of primitive Christians, suffering all
things for Chrss sake before Them and of the puritan
fathers suffering unto death for forms and
ceremonies, stand up to justify the liberation in the
Church of the OF all vanieS, and this too, when
they admit its snulness.
What is The root of all this Doubtless expedlency
in opposition to the rght-expediency in opposition to
faith. indeed have no objection TO eXpedency in
matters of indifference or in relation to the timeing of
our efforts. But to permit expediency to come in to
justify evil doing, paciy the consciences of mis-
sonnres while they tolerate it in others without rebuke
or to hold them back from "cryug oud and sparing
not to declare unto their transgressions," is not
the gospel ofChrst as understand it, So soon as we
do this take from the gosl ell lis reonatory power
Besides giving place to the Devil to ensave US to car
nal PRUDENCE Ito which human nature is but to prone
and to shut God and faith out we most oectualy de-
prlve the "sword of the spirit Of its edge. do not
see the least ray of hope that men will REFORM if min
listers refuse to apply the principles of the gospel to
specific transgressions The nculcaons of mere zen
era truths in my apprehension, never did and never
will root out slavery or any other immortality. Yet
such, if rightly understand, the prlnc piles of the
Board. They expect slavery will be done away. They
think that other evils will be done away, which they
do not oppose. But eXpedioncy teaches them not to
make the gospel dnect opponent OF them, bu, to suG
fer them kind of necessary evils, hoping that some
how the command "tO love neghbors as ourselves"
or whatsoever W would that others should do to you
do ye even so to them" will enforce upon the saychod-
er his duty to let the the oppressed 20 Free although
they well know that his mind is so dark and pervcrse
that he has accommodated the command itself to his JUS
tiHcation.
Now how absurd to expect The slumbers of that mind
will be broken by the power of a command, which, in
Its darkness and peWersneSs it has made the refuge of
its defence in sin! Must not the living teacher ap-
ply the command? Is not this specific application the
great end p o cbilg tie .o3prl? If the missionary
them refuse to make specific application of the gospel
to make it speak to the heart and conscience of
the savenoder of his guilt is he not failing to do his
duty? And if he deliberately shuns openly to declare
the truth in this matter, the assumption that evil
will result is he not radically wrong? Is he not doing
evil that good may come? For 'tQ him that knoweth
to do good, and doeth it not, ii is sin" Can then
consistently sustain BY my contributions and influence
such course Surely not
The evil, however, upon the missionary churches is
small indeed, compared with the inhex influence upon
out own country. Atho this consideration had little
or no weight, when some three years ago, made up
my mind against the course of the Board vet as
have 1t Since 1t appears truly alarming. At the South
the great majority OF christians and ministers even are
taking the ground that slavery is Bible institution
While at the North see that is the bane of all Good
and is fast roofing pcty from that portion Of our coun-
try and even morality, they know it not. They neither
feel nor see their disease. And here we have the
'0 "N~y VI LICu III tnC bOuutI y-ItSluCul
too at the North-supposed to be free from prejudice
sustaining by theory and practice the conduct of slave
holders at the South. They admit, it NAV be said.
that slavery is sin. Yet it is represented as sort If
sin mdsSe, with individual responsibility Instead
OF bringing their whole influence as a body Of holy
men against slavery as they doubtless ought to bear
upon the Shareholders conscience as transrressor il
10 mainly in octin,oti,p tb ,l, Il
The conduct OF their missionaries, where slavery OK
lists justified by the Board-the reports of the Board
from time to time the subiect-and the arguments
on which they lean to justify their course all tend d.
reclly to quiet him in his course of SIN 1t is taking
from the South the handspring Of action against slave
y. Hence while political men in Kentucky are la
boring to destroy the monster ministers are dead a.
gainst them. That stale has been extensively under
the influence of the Board, Not entirely, indeed
Ought such body as the Board to lend their influence
to hold the ministry and churches in the South in IA
vor of slavery against efforts to remove it? Ought it,
ask, so TO be? Can we, VIII, see the right sustain
those who the wrong pursue:
This however, is not ALL nor even the worst feature
of their influence. Ministers and churches at the
North are feeling it, And it is killing. Who has not
Iumeuted he dearth of rcyiyals? What christians
heart does not mourn the departure of Gods spirit
But why this state of things? do not wish to attribute
too much toany cause. Doubtless many causes are
operating to produce this effect. But some one may
be more prominent than others. This most evidently
Is the worst of that spirit in the churches and the min
sry, which leads to too open simplicity in preaching
and hearing. 1t is that spirit which casts the net at
the command Of Christ Plain, pungent, searching, APP
plying preaching is wanting This is not the fault Of
the ministry alone The churches will not bear it
They have no confidence nit They must have some
thing TINT savors more of prudence Ministers indeed
know that they must PREACH or not have revvals,-
that they must launch out cast the net and hope in
God. But their feeling is, it is not expedient now
o my God! upon what times are we thrown! And
who has largely contributed to this state of things
hesitate not to express it as my opinion that the A.
B. c. F. M. has done more than any thing else to bring
the churches and the ministry into this position Their
course operates not merely in relation to slavery. He
could endure that It posons the vitals of piety Elk
H.. &c chrisiians