The Ohio star. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1830-1854, 1853-06-22
To be Continued.
SIaveholding EseiIsiOm---Letter frOI
Samuel Lewis.

SAnVcHOIOEnS AEOH
Samuel lewis.
BROTHER BnYSToN.-I learn that some of your
brother editors refused credit to the brief account
gave you Of sale of woman and child to ira
der by member of the Methodist E. Church.
It il unpleasant for me write articles for papers.
is not in my line; and especially IS it unpleasant
to speak of wicked practices in a church where
have been member for forty-fve out of fifty -four
years If my life. would far more willingly, fthe
cnuse of truth and justice would allow, take COW
ering and walking backwards throw it over the sin,
and hide it at once from my own eyes and the
eyes Of the world.
But the healthy portion of the Christian church
should know what outrages perpetrated with
iu her pale, and with her sanction; ond it has
therefore becniries my duty to write the following
statement. which you may use as your judgement
may suggest.
No dsrespect is intended toward any of the in
dividuls named. All except Brady are my ac
quainta noes, aud they have treated me with the
usual couutesies of society. Mr.. D lives up to
| tie hges church standard around him; and his
| error is that he allows the church 10 furn his
Christian standard, instead of forming it himself
from the Bible.
Mr.. D., prominent lawyer, and member Of the
Nj, E. Church, resides in Kingwocd, Preston
county, Virginia. He purchaseda slave woman
and infant child for 5000, to wait on most nmi
ablo and excellent wife. The difficulty of hiring
good help was The reason assigned for the purchase
Not long after the purchase. say one or two years
his wife died; and some months after her denit
Mr.. D sold the save woman and child 10 a slave
trader named Brady man well known in Vr
ginia, of great industry. and an extensive deale
in slaves. The price was $500. The woman ane
child were taken away TO market, she learing 9th
er children in the neiehJo, hood
The CLASS lender of MIR. D.. most excellen
i man and devoted Christian. Informed me that th
act of Mr.. D had been submitted to a comriiiitee
according TO the rules of our church, and the com
mitee had found nothing in the transaction tina
violated our discipline.
There the matter rests and with all other cases
Of the kind more or less aggravated must rest s.
long as our discipline remains it is now.
repeat that all the persons in any way connect
ed With the affair, including Mr.. D., the preacher
leader, and committee, uie men Of the first stand
ing, and would be the last parsons to d. whnt the
suppose essentially wrong But the law allow
thesiave trade ami uembers in tho slnve State
find nothing in our discipline against occasional ira
ding in such property by church members.
1t is proper for me to sny the great majority
our church, especially in the free States. aeIev
i such dealing to be sin; and mnny would cor
srru The rules of uur body. But in slave Statel
D church members can fnd always. sufficier
apology for such trading with impunity. with
out in any way affecting their social or religion
standing.
1t should also be noticed that an iucrensin
+ number of clergy. laity, and conferences anon
us are being undeceved about the humbug
:, holding slaves for their good, and are demand Q
" our rule to be altered rs 10 exclude slavehoid
= ers altogether. When the church shall lladopt sue
It a rule slavery must erase. FOR with all her oe
ferts the church has still moral power that ca
i, put down that cum of all vilanies," America
= slavery.
Il May that dey soon come, is the prayer of yor
q brothers SAA'L LEwis'