Year: 1859

GEORGE BUTLER, Esq, United States Agent.
SRA few weeks ago received q commu-
| nication from you, saying that had been re
ported to you as an Aboltionist, teaching and
preaching in opposition to the Institution Of
Slavery in this Nation. For the present, wsy
ing objectioas-and that Il may understand the
nature of this charge-permt me to ask the
favor of you to state:


]. The specific acts which 60 to make up this
charge of Abolitionisln.


2. The times and places at which those acts
were committed


8. The names of the persons who made the


4. The laws which this charge assumes to
have been violated.


You are no doubt, aware Of the fact that the
denomination to which l belong-although
peaceable and law-abiding people-have,sin all
ages, asserted, with conscientious earnestness,
their right to the enjoyment of unmoested
freedom in religious matters. They have ever
been jealous OF any inference there with, by the
civil government, and have often suffered, even
to bonds and DEATH, on that account, under
various forms Of despotism. And cherishing
as do, entire sympathy with them, both in
their principles and practice, I must, with all
due respect, claim the right to immunity from
the exercise of censorship over our teaching
and preaching, by any officer of Government.
And l must say that regard such an extra
judicial and unwarranted summons from an
officer OF the United States Government as q
grievance, aud vexatious invasion of nv most
sacred rights. And though it may not be your
aim to extend despotc jurisdiction over us;
such, doubtless, is the tendency of communion
tions of this nature, whether so intended by
their authors or not. And therefore, while l
give all due respect to your Office, and to your
self as incumbent, you will please to accept this
as my respectful protest against the jurisdiction
which your communication assumes


may mention, in regard to the character Of
our teaching and preaching-though it is gen.
orally known throughout the Nation-that we
have endeavored to make known the truths Of
the sacred Scriptures, which are able to make
men wise unto salvation. We have aimed to
preach Christ cruci6ed, as the ground of hope
for sinners. We have reasoned of righteous
ness, temperance, and judgment to come. We
have preached that righteousness exalteth ma
ton, and that sin is = raproach to any people
We have urged the teaching of our Saviour,
that except man be born again he cannot see
the kingdom of God that being born again,
we should live soberly, righteously. and godly,
in this present world: doing to others as we
would they should do unto u.s. That san, in
all its ssbterfuges and complications-whether
deemed to be useful, profitable and necessary,
whether it be popular and highly esteemed
among men, is altogether offensive in the sight
of God and must be broken off and abandon
ed, on pain of retributon, awful beyond all
conception; for what is a man profted if he
shall gain the whole world aud lose his own
soul!


We have, moreover, the satisfaction to hope
that God has been pleased to approve of this
preaching, and 10 accompany it with his bless
ing, in bringing sinners som darkness to light.
Some of the most abandoned characters have
been reclaimed, and by their lives have adorned
the doctrine they embraced. Many of them
have finished their course on earth, and in their
last hours have been cheered by joyful hope
of eternal life.


In conclusion, l may appeal to the general
department of the membership of our churches,
for the truth of the assertion, that they are
among the best examples of good order and
moral rectiude in all the relations of life, which
the Nation contains. They are also the firm
est friends Of their own country, and of the
Government and people of the United States.


These facts, trust, will furnish abundant ev-
idence that the tendency of our 'teaching and
preaching" is to advance the best interests Of
this people for time and eternity.


Very respectfully, remain, sir,


Your obedient servant,


EVAN JONES.


P. S.-A copy of this will be sent to our