The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1855-02-14

Aud I presume no one present will deny
them. But the practical question which we
are to consider is, how have these doctrines
been treated in practice, BY the predominant
religion Of this land, and what course ofsc-
ton alone Is consistent with them. Let us
for example take the first doctrine-that
SlayeboIdng is sin, and founded in crime,
and compare it with the general religious
practice, and see how they agree. 'za. nss
re- ADD to present this in its true light, we
need to consider, what has been the religious
testimony iu this country with regard to this
doctrine History shows, that the general
Testimony in the early period Of the Church,
was in accordance with it. ~ ~ 49, /.
During the Revolutionary struggle. and for
some time after, there was strong religious
sentiment against Slavery. Prominent men
in the Church, such as Wesley, DR.. Hop
kins, Edwards and others Of leading char
acter, wrote against it. :, And under the in
huencer o f such teaching, the different de-
nominations, were led to express their feel
ings against it, in strong terms Of condem-
nation. And even now, there are many in
t all the denominations, and Missionary Boards,
: where Slavery exists, that hold in theory to
/ the doctrine, that slavery is sin. And the
: different branches of these denominations,
have often, and do yet. in their yearly meet
, ings, pass resolutions, in which the doctrine
/ is set forth, that they care more than ever
convinced Of the siDiuness of Slavery. y
l But the question returns, how have these bo-
t dies, treated this sin in prncticel Have they
? Pcut themselves toose from it or are they "more
r than ever" welded to it =. In other words,
have they severed all their Ecclesiastical and
s Missionary connections withit ! Notasalt.
e They have contented themselves with sim
: ply recording their testimony against it =
r while their practice from the begin
f ming has given the lie to it all. Now how
!, long will it take to overthrow Slavery on
e such policy as this ! The policy of re-
q solving against it, with the practice Of up
. holding it. Such a policy, s-not without its
e legitimate fruit And the fruit is sufficient
q ly developed, in the increase and growth oi
i Slavery from it. l. il not time then, that
It such policy should be abandoned! In
il other words, is it not time, to begin to prac-
S tice against Slavery. as well Os to preach a.
!, guinst il! Nor could have any respect for
a myself, or expect the confidence of the COM
s muni,y, if should preach the doctrine that
G Slavery is a sin, and then 60 ard give my
b money to Missionary Boards, and my support
!. to Church that sustains it. And do moi
e wonder, that the world are loosing confidence
:, in religion, that does act in this way
o When discerning and rejecting minds; looE
It on, and see Ministers of the Gospel, ant
;, professors of religion preach one thing art
practice another, the temptation is strong t
6 stumble over it, into the slough Of skepticism
/. Nor can this ruinous policy, on this subject
~ be much longer continued. There are nj
ready in progress, in this country two dis
> tinct and opposite religious movements
). The one is based on the principle of renoun
n cling all Ecclesiastical~and Missionary con
i. nection with Slavery,o on the ground that
r. is sinful. The other, is based on the princi
pie Of felowshippiDg Sluvery, on the groun.
:. that it is u Bible institution and therefor
II right The first, is the free Church and fre'
II Missionary movement, The other, DR.. Ba
con of New Haven styles the Southern a
:. postacy." VISA. "a "'s s..~ Ill '' ~ ~
10 To one or the other OF these sides, the re
, ligious current is now tending = And minis
% tiers, and churches, will be compelled eithe
~ to take the side Of Free Missions, or go wit
n the "Southern Apostacy." The great mas
,s of the religion, at the north at least, nov
!. seems to occupy sort Of middle ground
is To the theory that Slavery is sin, it 10 witt
: the Free Mission movement. But in prac
. tice, it is with the Southern Apostacy. -
d. Whether its good theory, will get the bette
g. Of its bad practice, is matterof uncertain
m ty. Yet it is earnestly hoped that it may
Q. and that very sooD.l
1. We come now, to the application oftth
IT second doctrine, viz that Slavery is utterl
h, at war with the fundamental principles, Q
: Christianity. Now II this doctrine be true
nd we desire to ask what. kind Of a religion
W that, which fellowships Slavery. Can it b
IN any thing else than Ia religion, that is5fals
3 to Christianity If Slavery stands directl
Sc opposed to Christianity, then q religion tho
id communes with the former must be oppose
IS. to the latter. And yet, this Slavery by b
e. ine tolerated in the Church, has gained sue
ed an influence, that it has become the contro
e, ing power, Of the predominant religion
cd the land. In proof of this, we call your a
u tention to the decisions, which the great re
d. ligions bodies, and Missionary Boards hlaV
IT. passed upon this subject. Fromtime to aim'
il. resolutions have been presented to the yea
on " meetings, and general conferences of thes
n, bodies, declaring it to be Their duty .to mai
Of the sin Of Slavery discipinable offence
!, And as often they have been voted down.
,c- Al the last Presbyterian General Assem-
& bliss, and for many years past, no such, res
an .lu.iOns could be passed aAtthel last GEN
nd ral Conference Of the Methodist Churs
ci. North, held at Boston. petition was pr