The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1863-06-19

Scripture precedent und precept, divine au
thority for the enslavement of their fellowman
Hence, too, the efforts Of men in the interests
of slavery, to enlist the church and her minis
try on the side of the oppressOr; efforts. which
at length, we are sorry to say, proved all toe
successful. In illustration it may be stated
that in convention Of slave holders, embra.
cling the magnates of the South, held while
plotting the revolt, it was freely admitted that
nothing could be done unless they could enlist
the influence of the clergy, an object to secure
which they used the most untiring exertions.
Too we'll, for the honor Of christianity, did they
succeed. How it was done, whether by fat
terles, or frowns, or the combined influences of
both, is matter of very little consequence.
1t was done And it is well known that
among the bitterest as well as meanest of Sc
cesSlonists, are the southern clergy to be found.
Church creeds, Church discipline, and usages,
were all mado to conform to the genius of sla-
very, and even the gospel itself was construed
SO as to form an argument for its defense
Doctors Of divinity, and men holding the high.
est official positions in the church, prated of
the benevolence and christianizing influences
OF the system, and were eloquent in its praise.
Abraham the " Friend of God" and the faith
er OF the faithful, was represented as the prince
Of Shareholders. Learned divines taxed their
powers to construct Bible arguments for its
Justification. Under this regimen, fortified by
ecclesiastical warrant, the system became ram
part, and instead Of asking concessions and
liberation, as formerly, it set D its claim of
rights, and demanded their recognition upon
the peril Of the national life.
Now, we say, for this state Of things the
Church of Christ,-designed to be the light of
the world and the salt of the earth,-is mainly
responsible 1t is true that the Methodist
Church, and some other churches, have all
along borne their testimony in their formulas
Of faith, against slavery as an evil. The Meth
odist Discipline has from the commencement
decrled it as great evil" and asked, what
should be done for its extirpation ?" but for
scores OF years, the entire Section on slavery
was all but dead letter. and an edition was
prepared for circulation In the South, with this
section expunged. Ministers and members
we're allowed to hold slaves, breed slaves, buy
and sell slaves, and in a word, to act in this
matter, just like other men. And when, at
ength, the conscience of the northern portion
ot the church was awakened to the enormity
# the evil it was fostering in its bosom, and
resolved upon arresting its further encroaeh-
nents, they found their brethren at the south,
'ipe for revolt, and bold in their threats to
ecede unless they were allowed to carry sa-
Tery unrebuked, into every department of the
church. A threat which they carried into
rending the Church in twain. And
any Church has maintained its unity, it has
'een by blinking this subject. These facts
ought deeply to humble the Church and lead
Ter to the most thorough repentance and ref.
ormation. Though we lay the great burden
Of the sin at the door of the southern Church,
We by no means absolve from guilt those at
he north. There has been fearful amount
If completely, with this sum of all villain
:s at the north; and we fear that to con-
siderable extent, it still exists. Others may
Il for from tho ,,;or.r L - .....l -