Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1859-07-22
CORRESPONDENTS.
MR. EpIroR.

! Mr.. EpIroR:
/ Having noticed in your last No. communi.
cation from the Rev.S. Tenney explanatory Of the
sea"n OF the Maine Conference of Congregational
Churches relative to Slavery and the n. Y Tract
society and also co ntaining four reasons for
the writers negative vote in that body, most re
specially beg leave to put the following inqui. es
t The first reason assigned for voting against the
RESI- buttons is that the opinion of the Conference
was sufficiently indicated by its vote approving
of the Boston Society,"
I In the report of the proceedings, the resolution
approving the Boston Society was the last adopt
ed therefore when the resolution condemning the
N. Y. Tract Society Wac before the Conference
there had been vote Of approval OF the Boston
Society.
Now how could a vote not yet taken, have op.
Grated on the writer's mind to have induced him to
vote Nay
The % reason is that he thought "our selfre.
spcct, and Christian courtesy would be better ear.
cd for by rebuking them by our deeds, which
weuld cost us something. rather than by our
words, which would cost us nothing"
We respectfully ask if the self-respect, and
Christian courtesy of the Congregationaist Con-
ference is SO limited that it will not allow them
to do both, viz:-rebuke wrong and sin by words
as well as deeds, and still be we'll cared for, and
if necessarily the one excludes the other?
The Sd reason is, "because did not believe the
unqualified charge brought against that Society,
that it had exer.ed no influence for the oppressed
of our land true for no who ha. read their
publications can doubt but the oppressor has been
rebuked or that sympathy has been shown for the
oppressed"
Does the resolution make this unqualified
charge against the Society? Here it is.
Resolved, That regard the recent course and
present attitude of that Society in this matter with
deep disappointment and sorrow
Does the preamble anyhow assert it? Here it
is.
Nhrcas, The American Tract Society from the
very conception and profession of its plan, prom
Uses by the crcula ton of Tractsa mode of teach
ing sngulariy adopted to reach all forms Of wick
edness-to inculcate the great truths and duties
of morals and religion, and.
Whereas, The American Tract Society of New
\ ork, having heretofore failed to make its infu-
ence felt in behalf of the oppressed in our land
now hesitates as we understand its position and
policy, to exert its influence against even that
most wicked Commerce, the slave trade, and
Whereas, Our American Christianity (already
brought under suspicion thruu ghout christendom
by the direct participation CT many churches anu
ministers in the system of slavery. by the failure
Of still others to bear explicit testimony against
it, is yet farther involved by this action OF So
eiety, which in some sort represent it.
True, the preamble does say that the Society
'has heretofore faiied 10 make IFS Influence ea &c.
but it does not say that it had exertsd no infu-
ence; and it does say that it hesitates TO exert its
influence against the slave trade. Is there
difference between these two statements Is il
not true, that the y. Y. Tract Society has failed
to make its influence fei,7 Has it ever enamel
pated single slave Has it ever ameliorated, their
pitiful condition, Has it ever saved from the
auction block father, mother or child ? In shor,
has he great and powerful American Tract Soci
ETY., ever made itself known and felt in our land,
advocate of equal rights. a friend of the
Slave, denouneer OF tyrany?
1t has published the Bible distributed it, North
and South, East and West. But does not every
one know that among Slave holders, this book is
quoted as Divine authority to uphold slavery
| The writer's 4th reason is "because l thought
it was laore in harmony with the spirit of Him
who, being as he was the mi .htiest Re.ormer the
world has ever seen, 'did not strive, nor cry nor
,a,,sn
If tae above reason is applicable in case ike
this. then ought MT the Conference instead of
saying Resolved de., have said Blessed be the
American Tract Society, its officers, its members
aud moro especially its publishing crew, fer its
reeen: course in refusing to utter a single word
against tie crime Of crimes the s.sum of all VIII
LANES, the unpardonable sin against humanity;
for this we follow in the footsteps of the mightiest
Reformer the world has ever seen, .swho did not
strive nor cry, nor his voice to be heard In
the streets" One more Inquiry and we will sus-
pend our cateehism.
What was the writer's object in introducing tie
following resolution what WIGS the point Of it,
and what did the pious and eloquent Dwight
mean by saying that it was sinister attempt to
do by diplomacy what could net be done By argu-
ment?
Rssoirti, That, in the preamble and resolutions,
adopted by this Conference, in which we have re-
buked the American Tract Society for its silence
and its time-servng policy il respect to the evil
OF American slavery and the African slave trade,
as indicated by its publications. we do not wish to
ee understood MS giving countenance To the nfdel
objection, that the Bible published and extensive
ly circulated by this Society, is either silent or
time serving in regard these or any other evils
believing. as we do, that. both in spirit and in
preeept, it is openly and gloriously opposed to all
evil
QurRisr.