Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1855-10-26
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Universalists and Old Lineism,
The following resolutions. adopted
BY the General Convention Of Univer-
salists held at Middletown, Conn,
show that old liners have nothing TO
hope from that quarter. LISA striking
peculiarly Of the present times. that
all protestant denominations are OPP
posed to the present administration.
and that such are its open and avowed
antagonists to protestant freedom.
protestant religion. and protestant tenn
perance, for the first time, in the his
tory Of our nation, the protestant
churches consider the emergency so
great that they define their positions in
their ecclesiastical meetings. The ne
cessity for this is to be regretted, but
il is matter of rejoicing, that since it
has come. the Christians Of the coun-
try are not afraid to meet the issues
forced upoa them. The strife may be
protracted. but the result cannot be
doubted. Even the powerful applian-
ces OF party in power cannot secure
the opposers Of morality aud virtue
and freedom and temperance from an
ultimate overthrow. Read the follow
lowing: ~a s,s,asN
Believing tito be our duty rs Chris
tians endeavoring TO make the spirit Of
the Gospel the practical rule Of our
lives. to labor by all Christian methods
for the determination Of all wrongs,
whether moral. social. or political. that
afilict or debasc our fellow beings:
therefore. sf rFwr
Resolved, That we record anew our
testimony against the institution Of
Human Slavery as political wrong,
'depriving large class Of our brethren
Of their rights as citizens: rs social
wrong. violating those domestic rela-
tions instituted BY God himself, and
as a moral wrong. denying them their
rights as members Of our common hu-
manity. '
Resolved, That we congratulate the
friends Of the Temperance Reform in
all the States where the pnblic senii-
ment in favor OF sobriety, good order,
and pure morals has found expression
in just and wholesome laws for the
suppression of the traffic in alcoholic
liquors as beverage; and that we re-
commend to all Universalists where
such laws exist to labor for their per-
petuation and execution. and where
they do not exist to labor by all just
and laudable means to obtain their pas
sage.
The Christian ambassador, in its
account of of thelproceedings of the
Convention, after giving the above, re-
marks:
"The first Of the above resolutions
was passed unanimously. The second
had but one vote in the negative
Thus has our General Convention.
composed Of delegates which represent
the tfniversalist denomination in vari-
Gus and distant sections Of the United
States, again deliberately and unani-
mously uttered its voice against HUI
man Bondage, and in favor Of astrin.
gent Prohibitory Liquor Law, This
IS the third successive year that similar
resolutions have passed that body
We call attention to this section with
profound satisfaction. 1t settles the
question beyond a doubt as to the pc-
sition occupied by the Universalist de-
nomination:upon the great Keformato'
ry movements of the day. 1t shows.
moreover, that the denomination is in
favor oftaking action on these subjects
in its Councils-its General Conven-
ton having deliberately and repeated
ly set before all subordinate Conven-
tons, Associations and Conferences
within its widespread jurisdiction, an
exalted example in this respect. And
it also proves that the fears in regard
to contentious and divisions growing
ont Of this UNCONVENTIONAL action in be-
half Of Liberty and Sobriety. are per-
fectly notwithstanding il manifest
that Universities as body are in har
mony in regard to these matters. and
act as unit in the war against Serf-
dom and Intemperance. 70 God be
all the praise"