Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1860-01-18
Christian Anti.slazery Convention.

AIsoPoTAMIA, Jan, l2th, lSG).
Els. Western ResrrOe CirOnieIe-Dear Sirs:
Below please fad the proceedings of a Goa
~veat:on of the friends of liberty. which are now
sen, to you. requesting their publication in
your paper.
The Christian Anti Slavery Convention met
in the NJ. [. Church, in Mcsopotamia, Dlc,
3Ist, 1859, at 10 o'clock. A. N. and was orga-
uissd by eleetrng Rufus Z. Bernan, Esq, Prs
iient, and Rev. J. B. Grover. Secretary. The
Convention was opened by reading the 26;h
chapter Of and Chronicles, by Rev. L. C. Mat
lack, singing the Cloth hymn of the Wesleyan
Methodist collection, and rayer hy Rev. J.B.
Grover. The Convention WAS then addressed
by Rev. L. c.. Matlaek, who gave an account
of the Convention held in Columbus, O., Au-
gust 10Th and IIth. 1850. closing his rcmarks
by submitting the following proposition, for
the consideration of the Convention, viz.
LIST. Slavery is always a crime and 4 sin.
2d. American Slavery is the vilest that ever
saw the sun.
Sd. A Slayeholding Republic is the worstform
Of oppression.
4th. American citizens are all, either %vOlunta-
ry or involuntary supporters of the system
Of American Slavery.
9Th. American Slavery, as a system. embraces,
slave making, slave trading, and slave hunt
ing 10y National authority.
9Th. A political organization embracing n ma
jority Of the people, can only exhibit the NV
crage Of public sentiment.
18th. Public sentiment as exhibited by the best
political organization in this country, at
present, only eoudemnsthe encroachments of
slave power.
9Th. The control of public sentiment is mainly
in the hands of the Religious Organizations
of the nation.
9th. Upon these therefore rests the responsible
ity of developing the power to destroy slave
ry, or to continue it indefinitely.
10th. How to call forth and concentrate the re-
ligious power of the nation, is a question Of
immediate and overwhelming Importance.
These propositions. were adopted by the
Convention, after being thoroughly discussed
by Rcys. L. C.. Matlaek, a. Dresser, and 9TH
ers.
The following resolutions were also adopted
by the convention:
LIST. ResoIyed. That the gospel of Jesus Christ
is a gospel of liberty, and if presented faith
fully in the instructions of tae pulpit, and
maintained in its purity by the discii line
of the churches, it would break every yoke
and set all the oppressed free.
81. Resoiucd, That the general unfaithfulness
OF the pulpit, and the common indifference
of the churches on the question of slavery,
in the past. requires an immediate and spec
ial effort in order to avert the deserved dis
pleasure of God, by doing works meet for
repentance.
81. ResolUed, That we are glad to know of tie
Christian Anti Slavery movement, and will
most cordially cooperate with our brethren
in this State, by Our efforts, cur prayers and
10y the contribution of material aid.
The Convention was attended throughout
the day and evening. by n large and deeply
interested audience. At the close of The even
ing session a collection of $500 was taken up
to aid the cause of liberty and humanity.
+ RUFUS E. BEMAN, President.
J.B. GROVER, SEE.