Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1853-06-11
Uniyersallsts and Slavery.


FRIENp Robinson AS the relations of
the American Church to slavery have always
been subject Of patient and earnest inves-
tigation with abolitionists, and as, so for ns
| know, their only desire is to ascertain the
exact truth in regard to it, thought would
write a short article with reference to that
branch the name of which have mentioned
above, and with which | was for several
years in connection.
Owing to the smallncss Of the Universa-
list denomination, when compared with the
Evangelical sects, its notion and position on
the subject of slavery are not as generally
and fully understood as theirs. But il 10,
nevertheless, so far as its church rules and
action are concerned MS pro-slavery ns any
OF them. ! do not say TINT there are az
many pro.slavery individuals in the sect, in
proportion to the whole, as there are in
some others; do not think think there are.
! speak of its organic action and position.
Many of the branches of the sect, particu-
lorly in the n. 4. States, have taken quite
stringent action nguinst slavery, but none, so
far us | know, have ever taken the ground
thnt pro-slavery or sovcbolling is sufficient
ly immoral to be bnr to church fellowship.
And all these branches are in immediate con-
nection aud fellowship with shareholders
through their General Convention. The &C.
clesinstical organization of Universalists is |
composed of General Convention, State
Conventions, Associations and Societies or
Churches. The General Convention is mnde
up of delegates from the State Conventions;
these, Of delegates from the I ssociations
aud these, of delegates from the Societies.
There nre Conventions in many Of the Slave
States; Va, S. c., KY, and others, aud there
is nothing to hinder shareholders from those
States sitting in The General Convention in
full fellowship. True, this Convention has
in times pnsi, resolved that slavery is wrong,
and some years since, it prepared protest
against the slave system for its ministers to
sign, in which slavery was called by its right
names, hut the result was that but about hal
OF the whole number OF ministers signed It.,
-nnh many refused ond unblnshingly -endeav-
ored to justify the institution. But they are
just as good they are faithful and beloved"
brethren for all that! Many of them have
not been exceeded by DR.. Dewey in express
ing devotion to the Union, and in preaching
obedience TO the internal Fugitive BILL"
At the same time, there are goodly number
who have faithfully stood by Gods higher
law" in their pulpits, though giving the hand
Of ecclesiastical fellowship to its deniels and
deianers, the authors and supporters OF the
lowest of all lower laws, the "bil" aforesaid.
Three years ngo the General Convention
invited DR.. Clopp Of New Orleans to deliver
its occasional Sermon" notwithstanding
his bold defence of slavery as n Christian
institution. Ii is but n short time since he
declared in substance, in thanksgiving SER
mon that shareholders should hold on 10 their
SLAVES as a Christian duty, and yet the denom-
nations pets aud flarers him as dear bro
tber, though he is not in formal fellowship.
When connected myself with the denom-
inaIion, supposed it anti-slavery, because it
prolessed to gloriiy the doctrine Of Universal
Brotherhood. At the first opportunity,
sought TO get some (rather milk and wnter,
conicss,) anti-slavery resolutions before the
Convention Of this State, but the Business
Committee, to whom they were entrusted
forgot them they said. At two subsequent
times endeavored to get the Association
composed Of Cuyahoga, Lorain and Medina
counties,) to take some action condemnatory
of slavery, but my resolutions were laid upon
the table. l thought it inconsistent to long
er continue in fellowship, and so withdrew.
Whenever join church again, its anti-sla-
very will not be matter Of inference but of
positive knowledge.
Yours for truth,
J. w. TOWNER.
Letter from W. Pennsylvania.