The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1850-06-01
For the Ottawa Free Trader.
Christian Anti. Slavery Convention.


II becomes our duty as publishing committee
To announce to the public that very respectable
number responded 10 the call for Christian Anti
Slavery Convention IN Ottawa.
Convention was opened according to previous
notice on Tuesday evening the ?S,h Inst, IN the
BAPTIST Church by \ sermon from Rev Owen
Loveioy on the Inherent sinfulness " Slavery
Those familiar with MIR Loveiov would know what
"a expcc, from him on such subjcct-and the
effort fully me, the expectation OF those who heard
II.
GA Wednesday morning Convention organized
by the appointment Of Rev, Chauncey Cook Pres
idcnt: Rev Alvah Day and Rev John lli,b by Vice
Presidents and George J Porter Sccy.
Alexander Macarthur, Owen Loycjry, George
" Basse,t Doctor Whpple, aud CALVIN Steele
were appointed business commlttcc-who re-
ported tho following preamble and resolutions -
Whereas. We believe Slavery To Ice sin Of
fearful maguitude--an mpious INVASION of human
rchts--and whereas the church ii Chr., was in
>ututcd for the purpose Of opposing all sin, and
has the power hy generating hcalthfal public
sentiment To secure right political action, 50 that
no power could sustain slavery in the face of its
combined opposition, and rs It's present position
tends to strengthen those political influences which
result in oppressive cnnctmCuts, therefore,
/ Nswirci That the Religious organizations
-Chmyhrs-- Ecclesiastical toicS-aud Mission
ary Associations rh3 DO not UrrW their influence
urgiu1 American Slavery, are responsible ior Its
,N.s'cu. and Continuance with all its horrors and
determinations: aud all those who are in connection
and fellowship with those bodies are individually
lartahers ia the guilt.
> ResoirJ That the light which sixteen
years extended and faithful discussion has thrown
upon the subject of human Rights, has brought
the Churches and great religious organizations in.
10 n position where they must either ahurrAmer
ran Slavery By di>frlIowshippinc those who prac
tee or defend it, or forfeit all CHIN To the chris
tian uamr. and TO q consistent regard f,r the dis
tngul,hrg tuCts Of an evangelical faith.
3 Rfsp'rsi, Th:., no legislative cua,tmen's
can make il wrong to aid in the escape yi fugitive
slaves from bondage. And in tie event, the hll!
now pending before the United STATE, Senate for
the rtcapturc If fugitive slaves becomes law
we shall feel under obligations, 20 obey God rather
than man in dI,rc ylrliug it. requirements
The foregoing resolutions we've freely and fully
discussed, aud passed with a great degree Of una
uimity
The Convention seemed deeply impressed with
tie fact that the most potent influence in exist
cnce for the support Il slavery, Is the sanction
given II By the church in the name of our Holy
Religion, and that No influence can be c.tcctual
for it, overthrow until this sanction shall be with,
held
The question Of permanent Christian Anti,
slavery organization was informally introduced
freely discussed, and referred to a committee Of
Q, viz
Calvin steele, Bacon futile, Deacon Champlin
Elder Warmer Elder Highly, owen Loycjoy
" y Goodins John Hubbard, and James Laugh
lin, who reported the following resolutions, which
were unanimously adopted
"RsSolrcd, That in the opinion Of this conven
ton it is desirable to secure a permanent organ
cation Of christians Of every denomination in Hi
uois, who believe in non fellowship a. the only
proper christian position towards Shareholders
. Rssoired That committee Of five be ap
pointed 10 digest and report 4 plan for such orga
nizatons n: an adjourned meeting of this Corven
ton TO be held a; Ottawa on tie Sd Tuesday o
September next"
Luclan Farnham, Deacon Champlin, Alexander
Macarthur, Geo W Bassett, aud Calvin Steele
were appointed this committee
The object of the proposed organization as de-
veloped BY the debate of the convention, is not to
assume any ecclesiastical preroga,ive or authority
over the churches or minlstry-not to supersede
or in anywise interfere with existing church OF
ecclesiastical relations where such relations are
not proslavery-nor in fact to concern itself nj al
with the internal structure or policy Of any u
the churches. But simply on these two point.
CHRISTIAN and "ASTi.SLAvERi" TO make the
ministry and churches feel that they are brethren
and have one common intel est-one common du
ty And to concentrate their combined influence
with focal power upon this wicked sanction o
slayeholding in the name Of Religion, until it il
Withdrawn and slavery consequently falls
Many Of our brethren whom We fondly hoped
TO meet in this convention were not present-ye
there were enough present to make it meeting
of deep interest and profit TO those in attendance
, We hope that the adjourned meeting in Sep,em
Der will lie borne in mind-the importance 0
the object pondcred, and every individual who de
sircs the attainment of the end proposed vii
consider himself personally invited, that we ma,
have full representation from all parts Of III,
state. CALVIN STEELE, NJ. a. GoopNG.
Committee Of Publication.
. Ottawa, May 81, 1850