Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1859-07-08

portion of the churches would not be
satisfied with the majority report.
Rev. Mr.. Fesscnden moved that the
report be accepted and laid on the table.
John Shepley raised some parliament
tary objections which we did not hear.
Rev. Mr.. Parker then read IT, e mincri-
ty report, as follows:
WhaeaS, We have witnessed with deep regret
the steady aggressiveness Of American Slavery
recently eliminating in the re-opening of the
African Slave trade. in fragrant violation of the
laws both Of God and our own country, and,
Whereas, To oppose thereto, the greatness of
its influence is obviously An imperative duty of
the church, equally ~ of any Society which from
its organization and position represents the church
as teacher in the broadest sense Of religion and
morals. Therefore,
Resolved, That persistent refusal, whether by
the church or any such Society, to extend the
incucatioi of Christianity to sin of such enor-
nifty, Is in our judgment, however designed by
them, great unfaithfulness TO Christ and the in
tcrests of Humanity, and
Whrsas, The American Tract Society from the
very conception and profession Of its plan promises
by the circulation of Tracts--a mode Of teaching
singuarly adopted to reach all forms of wicked
ness-to inculcate the great truths and duties Of
morals and religion, and
Whereas, The American Tract Society Of New
York having heretofore failed to make its influence
felt in behalf of the oppressed in our land, now
hesitates,as we understand its position and policy,
to exert its influence against that most wicked
commerce. the slave trade, and
Whereas, Our American Christianity (already
brought under suspicion throughout christendom by
the direct participation of many churches and
ministers in the system of slavery, by the failure
e tt,nru tn .I;n;t -
it, is yet farther involved by this action of a
Society, which in some sort represent it. There
fore,
-2esolped, That we re gard the recent course and
present attitude of that Society in this matter with
deep disappointment and sorrow.
Resoiued, That the present position on this sub
jcct of tho American Tract Society OF Boston,
commands our hearty approval, and that We be-
seak for it earnest co-opperation.
Rev. DR.. Dwight said, I,--With sincere
respect for the majority Of that committee
| move that the minority report be accept.
ed and adopted. There is necessity
felt by great majority Of our churches
representing the picty and intelligence
Of our own communion, to express our
disapprobation OF the course of the N. Y.
Society. Forbearance, as to silence,
would be wrong. To express our calm,
christian dissent is not only expedient,
but solemn duty. Our christian char.
scter as Congregationalists requires that
we speak our honest opinion. II. we
are in majority we owe it to our fathers
and to the religion We profess.
Hon. Mr.. Woodbury. of fSweden called
for the yeas and nays.
DIR. Adams Of Brunswick objected, and
hoped the Conference would be content
to vote in the accustomed way.
Judge Shepley was in favor of the mo-
ton. We are all ready to take our
ground and put ourselves on the record.
am ready to put myself on the record.
Mr.. Woodbury. said he supposed this
body was ready to record its position so
that the State and the whole world shall
understand it. He was willing to enter
his rame as large as is John Hancock S
on the Declaration of Independence
On such a momentous question we
ought to show not only the South but
our friends at the North where we stand.
Rev. Mr.. Packard thought it best to
take the question by yeas and nays.
Rev. Mr.. Cotton of Mass. said the
scene reminded him of the time when
Jefferson brought in his first draft of the
Declaration of Independence. He wished
that good man (pointed to DR.. Perkins)
would say how they feel in Persia about
this subject. We in Mass. will stand
up with you and 60 for the stronger reso-
lutions against this gigantic wrong
should be sorry to say that Maine falter-
ed in conlemning this sin.
Rev. Mr.. S. Thurston said that the
christian church had been slow to move
in this matter. The N. Y. Society has
not only refused to testify against slave
ry, but it has striken out truth on this
subject from its publications. At the
recent meeting, some of the Rev. clergy
were hissed down. heard them,-for
expressing wish that the society would
publish a tract against the Slave Trade
Are we, as christians in Maine, ready
to stand by and not testify against this
crime of crimes: Shall we stand by tao
lily and permit this: He hoped to see
unanimity on this point. and TO pass the
resolutions because it will lift up the
standard of public opinion on the sub
jcct.
Rev. NJ. Balkan was surprised at the
extreme sensitiveness of some persons on
this subject. and hoped that this discuss
ion would not prove too much for oui
equanimity. The Christian should also be
man in that which is manly. II we diff.
fer it should be in the spirit of our Mas
ter. 1t is our privilege to be interested
in all that concerns the honor and king
dom OF Jesus Christ, and that without
being characterized as factious or sedi-
tious.
Rev. A. C. Adam. Of Auburn wished
to ask one or two questions. What do
you in your heart and soul believe is
just! Here is this Slavery blottins out
the Bible and the principles of the
blessed gospel from our religious litera-
ture,-what is your. opinion of it!-
Where do you stand? The question
comes to the N. Y. Tract Society, what
are it's views on the subject! 1t has
shuffled from one point to another, and
closed its lips. think it very moder-
ate to say we regard its course with dis
appreciation.
Rev. Mr.. Elwood Of r. l. saio that
the Consolation of which he was q
member, last week took action on the