Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-01-07
Prayer and Conference at tho Wesleyan


ANANNN anu AAAANHNuNH ~ AaN NaNAAoAAEa
Church.
Ems LEADER; Pursuant to notice,
Convention Of Delegates from sundry parts
Of the State, representing local churches Of
several Christian denominations, together
with those of cur own oitiEsns who chose
to forego the festivities and social usagss
of the city on q New Years Day for the
purpose, met in the Wesleyan Church,
January lst IL o'clock A. NJ, for prayer
and conference, having reference 10 the
Rne and imprisonment Of Rev. Mr.. Gordon.
The Convention organized by appointing
John Finney, Of Mansfield, President, and
Revs John Whjtsm, J. A. Thome, and w.
b. Brewster, Vice Presidents; and Rev.
G. w. Terrence, Of Msrtinsburgh, Ohio, and
Rev ]. B. Dawson, of West Alexandria,
Pa, Secretaries.
The meeting was then opened by sing
ing the l46th Psalm, and prayer, led By
the President, In which Rev. Mr.. Gordon,
the slave and the country were feelingly
remembered. The Convention again join
cd in singing, and an appropriate and fer
vent prayer led by Rev. W. b. Brewster.
A Committee on Resolutions was then ap-
pointed, consisting Of Revs. ]. r. Whitam,
A. Crooks, W. a. Brewster, ]. A. Thome,
g. W. Terrence, and Prof Henry. And
after an earnest and well. timed address by
Rev. Mr.. Thome, and prayer by the same,
the meeting adjourned till three O'clock
P. M.
During the afternoon and evening ses-
sion, the following embodiment Of senti-
ment reported by the Committee on Rsso-
lutions was discussed and adopted, viz:
WHEREAs, Rev. GeCTge Gordon is now
distrained Of his liberty, being sentenced
to close confinement in the Jail of this
County, and TO heavy fine and costs, for
resistance to q process which sought to
doom fellow.being to ell the horrors Of
lifelong enslsvement, and not ss many in
this and other localities suppose, for the
sane ion Of stripes to the personal injury
of United States ofioer-this being no
part Of the finding under which he was
tried and whereas, the Fugitive Slave
Bill is unconstitutional and barbarous to
the extent that any disability imposed for
its violation is itself the iDdiotiOn Of an
injustice and q wrong; and whereas, if in
resistance to the enforcement of such an
odious statute, Mr.. Gordon's sympathy for
the oppressed and zeal in the cause Of free
dom betrayed him into a mOmentary indis-
oretion-a question We do not elect to de-
cide-this does not in the least unsettle
our confidence in, or sbGte our esteem for
him ss q worthy gentleman, good citizen,
or Christian minister. Therefore,
ReSolVed, That We assure our perseouted
brother Of our unabated esteem, Christian
sympsthies and prayers.
ResoIUe3, That We entertain reverence
for LAW and government officers, when sc;-
ing in their legitimate spheres; but We fail
Of language to fully express our adherence
Of the Fugitive Slave Bill, for it's authors,
and all who lend themselves to the infamous
business of its enforcement
RssolUsd, That the above bill being clear.
" in violation Of the word Of God, CON-
manding what God forbids, and as clearly
at war with the feelings Of humanity, and
unconstitutional as well, we regard obedi-
ence thereto q crime, and disobedienoe q
virtue.
ResoIUed, that while we remember our
Brother and his devoted wife, we remember
also the MILLIONS held in bondage worse
than his-R lifelong bOndage-upOn whom
no crime is charged except that Of "skin
not colored like our own" and we pray
that righteous God viii make our Broth
er's unjust imprisonment contribute to their
speedy deliveranee
In addition to the above, the Convention
RssolVsd, That having learned that Mr..
Gordon has prepared statement Of facts
concerning his case, We request that such
statement, accompanied by copy Of the
proceedings Of this Convention, be fur
nished the editors in this city who are
friendly to the cause of universal freedom,
with the request that they publish the
same
Although the Convention was not large
nor largely attended, yet it's proceedings
we're spirited and interesting. The friends
of the slave, and personal friends of Mr..
Gordon from different localities and of diff
ferent religious denominations, found it
season Of interest and profit to confer and
pray together. A. CROOKS.