The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-04-29
For the National Era.
MAINE RELIGIOUS CONVENTION.

MAINE RELIGIOUS CONVENTION.
A Convention of representatives from nearly
all the religious denominations in the State,
together with some from other States, was held
at Augusta, January Goth and 2lst the pro-
ceedings of which have not been published so
extensively as they deserve. Judge FARMS
WORTH presided The business committee con-
sisted of Ebenezer Knowlton, s Thurston Mr..
Higgins, Samuel Fessenden, and Lewis Tap
pan. The first forenoon was spent in exercises
strictly devotional The business committee
reported in due time set of resolutions for
the consideration of the Convention, as fol-
lows:
a. Resolved, That the condition of our be-
loved country calls for the prayerful consider
alton of Christian Freemen.
q Resolved, That while obedience to civil
government as an ordinance of God, is the
manifest duty of the citizen, this principle
must never be pressed so far as to require dis
obedience to the law of God.
90. RESOLVED, That, considering American
Slavery to be sin against God and a crime
against man recognising its unchristian ma
ture, its political evils its pernicous influ-
ence upon our religious and benevolent in
situations, its ruinous effects upon the social,
moral, and eternal welfare Of communities
where it exists, and of countries where it is
suffered to prevail; and believing that there
is no power out of the church that could sus-
tain Slavery IN hour if it were not sustained
in it, most fearful responsibility rests upon
the ministry and church membership of this
country especially in the Free States to do all
in their power for the overthrow of the &c
cursed iniquity.
a. Resolued, That the prevalence Of caste
in this land is inconsistent with the principles
of our republican institutions, and of the re-
| lipon of Christ that it il a handmade of Sla-
very, and deserves the Reproduction of every
friend of humanity and Christianity and that
portion of our American felow-citizens who
are called Africans ought to be protected, en-
couraged, and aided in all their laudable en-
beavers to rise, in this their native land, ac-
cOrding to their intellectual industrious, and
moral worth
as. Resolved, That we deem the enactment
called the Fugitive Slave Act palpable vio-
lation of the Constitution of the United States,
an audacious invasion of the divine law, a
cruel vexatious, and inhuman instrument of
oppression, and that it deserves the rcproba-
ton and demands the disobedience of every
friend Of God and man.
90 Resolved, That, considering the number of
slaves in this country and their probable in
crease, we utterly despair of all efforts for
their emancipation, except such rs aim to de-
liver them from bondage on the soil of their
birth, treat them AZ children of the same com
mon Father, and allow them equal political
and religious privileges with ourselves
81. Resolved, That those who hold their fell
low mon as property are less entitled to be
regarded as Christians in good and regular
standing, than distillers, vendors and users of
intoxicating drinks, and should be debarred
church privileges, as well as those persons
until they cease to uphold the system of slave
holding by their example or. advocacy.
"s. Resolved That this Convention hereby
expresses its sincere thanks, and we believe
also the thanks Of all Anti-Slavery Christians
in Maine, to those Christian brethren in other
countries who have given us their fraternal SYM
pathy and valuable influence in our difficult
struggle with Slavery and we ask them to
continue their kind and earnest cooperation
and prayers until our ensayed couatrymen are
emancpated.
90 RESOLVED, That the officers OF this meet
ing be directed to transmit the above resolu-
ton to those to whom it refers"
Messrs. s. Thurston, Ambrose, ID. Thurston,
and Tappan, brought before the Convention
many facts in relation TO the Slavery question.
Gen. Fessenden, in q sou-stirring speech al.
luded to the guilt Of this nation, and the neces-
sty for Christians TO be active in duty and fer.
vent in prayer lest the retributive justice of
the Almighty overwhelm our land, ~ il has
other lands guilty of oppression. He said, cit
is an encouraging aspect that 30 many have
come TO this Convention. There H. how
ever, an alarming apathy on the part Of the
church and the ministry in regard to this mo- |
mentous subject If say that many clergy
men have proved recreant to their trust, God |
forbid that should do il with spirit of vitu-
peration. greatly fear that the blood of souls
will be found upon many skirts"
Messrs Kelley, Bartlett, X. b. Thurston,
Tappan, and Hathaway, spoke OF the duty of
obeying God rather than human enactments
that are contrary to His law; of the duty Of
dsobeying the Fugitive Slave Act; Of the obi
cation to pray as we talk, and vote as we
pray; of the impossibilty Of Christianity pre-
vailng where oppression is practlced; OF the
certainty that Slavery will be overthrown, If
ministers and churches do their duty
Mr. Tappan presented passage from the
writings OF ALBERT BARNES, on the obligation
Of the Christian Church to cease all connection
with Slavery and another from the pen Of
JOHN ANGEL JAMES, on the necessity OF
bringing up the tone and vigor of practical
godliness in the church, ~, when the church
is what it ought to be, the world would be
These eloquent passages made
deep impression upon the audience.
The third resolution was fully discussed by
Messrs. X. Il. Thurston, Hathaway, d. Thurs
ton, and Wiley.
On the 2lst Messrs Knowlton Davis, Hay.
den, Fsssonden, Tappsn, Thompson, mission
sry,) DR.. Tsppan, Stevens, Allen, Randall, Am
bross, and Wiley, addressed the Convention.
The resolutions were unanimously adopted
Messrs Shepard, Caldwell, Weaver, Allen,
Weston, and Judd, were appointed committee
o prepare and publish an address to the Chris