The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-12-16


choked up In numerous instances. While lat
menting these unjust and injurious attempts TO
interfere with and thwart our efforts, we have
once and again referred to the principles of the
Association, as originally announced and fret
ouently reiterated, to the manner in which its
affairs have been conducted, and to the mani
fest favor it has received from the great Head
of the Church.
ave have not concealed our sentiments or
conduct, or used antiquities in answering in
quiries; neither has it appeared incumbent
upon US to refrain from giving prompt and eX-
plicit statements with reference to the necessity
Of our organization, the Objectionable policy of
other Boards that called for new Missionary
Society, and the distractions to the general
cause of Missions that older Societies have suf-
fered to remain. On all fit occasions, without
considering the Association an AntiSlavery
Society, we have not hesitated to proclaim, as
became missionary institution, the Anti-Sla-
very character of the Association, and ITS agree
ment with an Anti-Slavery Gospel
ave are Anti-Slavery because we deem
slaveholding a great obstruction to the con-
version of the world, a dishOnor to Christianity,
n disgrace to our country, corrupter OF both
Church and State, grievous wrong to our fell
low-men in bonds, and high offence against
the majesty of Heaven. But we are not the
enemies of other Boards. So far from it, we
rejoice in all the good accomplished by them,
and desire to aid them when kindly pointing
ont their deficiencies and errors, with view to
leading them to take higher ground; that thus
they might meet with more favor from God, and
ultimately from the Church.
necessity existed for the formation OF the
Association and the same necessity exists for
its continuance. 1t took and has maintained
ground, on the subject of Slavery, caste, and
polygamv that the older Boards alluded to did
not take and which, with reference TO Slavery,
they still refuse to take it has established
churches and Sabbath-schools in slave States,
and successfully sustained a ministry in them,
on Anti-Slavery principles, having no fellow
ship with shareholders, which those Boards
never attempted; it has proclaimed an Anti
Slavery Gospel to African chiefs, and led them
to abandon wars undertaken for the enslave
ment of their countrymen; and it has proclaim
ed the same Gospel To the Indians of this CONT
nent, showing them the incompatbility of slave
holding with the religion of the Lord Jesus
Christ, which these Boards have failed to do
it has, in fine, aimed TO elevate the character of
Christian Missions and Missionary Boards to
the Gospel standard, relying upon the truth,
upon divine rather than on human aid, believing
in the promise : He that goeth forth and weep
eth, leaving PRECIOUS seed, shall doubtless come
again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with
him.
While taking this high ground against q
corrupt popular sentiment, the conservative
policy of many ministers and churches, and in
favor of free Gospel the equality of man, and
the rights of the poor, the Association has aim
ed, by the purity of its doctrine and by its
practice, to recommend the missionary cause
to Christians throughout the world, showing
that all its protested friends in this country
were not implicated in the guilt of Slavery. 1t
has endeavOred, by the presentation of its prin-
cples, and by its measures, 10 call out the resOur
ces ofthe churches in aid of the missOnarycause,
at home and abroad to increase the spirit of
prayer for the speedy CHARACTERIZATION of our own
country and the world and to invoke the
blessing of God upon such instrumentalities,
for the conversion and sanctifcaton of our
lellow-men of every nation, kindred, and cline
Under these circumstances, it would seem
that lovers of free Gospel, and all true-hearted
Christian abolitionists, land by.ths designation
is meant all who believe that Slavery is a sin
before God and a crime against men, would rally
around and cordially unite with an Association
that employs no officer or missionary who is
not Ant-Slavery IN sentiment, and consistent
they are acting with S s fREs dfhfnro%eHFa tt
the same principles, and refrain from patron,
lzlng Missionary Boards that persist in having
completely with Slavery. But such has not
been the case. Facts demonstrate that it is. as
hard for many Ant-Slavery men to relinuuish
their old religious it is their political associ-
ations when these associations become time-serv-
ing or reereant to principle. They tenaciously
cling to both from habit, social influences. and
want of moral courage. While protesting high
and noble principles. too many persons thus act
inconsistently, beStowing their contributions
where their principles are not adopted, andthrow-
ing the weight OF their influence. on the side of
avowed error. Such religious men. while adoIiting
unpopular sentiments, and protesting to ally
themselves with unpopular retormers who con
tend for unpopular yet, as they believe, Christian
truths, ignore in practice what they adopt in
theory, as IT regards liberal support of a Mis-
sionary Association, founded on principles they
cannot but approve. By such inconsistency
they weaken their friends and strengthen their
opponents; withhold substantial aid in bring
ing to pass the objects they profess to be de,
slrOus of securing; proong the controversy
between truth aud error; contribute to post
pone the day when Anti-Savery principles Shall
triumph, and all our benevolent institutions
voluntarily use the moral power God has given
them for sustaining and perpetuatng righte-
BUSINESS and freedom.
But all are not such. There are, we rejoice
to know, many consistent and devout friends of
a free Gospel, who, from the beginning. or as
soon as they became acquainted with the
distinctive principles of the American Mission
AIRY Association. have been its firm supporters.
While expressing friendly feelings toward all
Missionary Societies, of every name and
dissemination, and praying for the success of
all missionary enterprises that tend to the glory
OF God and the salvation of men, they have
uniformly and consistently bestowed their means
IN and OF Society that was Anti-Slavery i'm
principle and practice, and have abstained from
all participation IN upholding a stupendous
wrong. Their contributions and prayers have
greatly strengthened the Association while
Ihey themselves have experienced the salts
lacuoh that results from good principles carried
out into consistent practice.
The God of missions has greatly blessed orr
efforts. He'has inclined the people to read our
publications, pray for our success. and make
liberal contributions. He has given us selfde
nylng, devoted, and godly missionaries, who
have been enabled to establish churches that
nave IT Deeh refreshed by the outpourings of the
Holy SPIRIT and the conversion of souls To God
The Association has been increasing i'm in
tuence and usefulness, and in favor with God
ana man. The prospect Oft enlarged benefits
TO our own country and the world were meyer
so great as at the present annual meeting In
contemplation Of these gratifying ana encour
aging results and anticipations, we thank God
ana take courage, while with the Psalmist we
eXcialm: Not unto JUS, not unto us, but unto
thy name give glory
The report then presents the present condi-
ton OF each Mission, and the general prospects
OF the Association, and concludes ae follows:
american Missionary Paper-We have is
sued monthly, on an average, during the past
year, 10000 copies of the paper 1t has been
sent from the commencement of its publication