Baptists (Free-will.)
The Free-will Baptist Church is decidedly anti-slavery. It stands in the front rank of those societies which are on the side of the oppressed battling for humanity. Amongst other excellent resolutions submitted by the committee on slavery at the last General Conference the following will show on what platform to look for a true Free-will Baptist:
“Resolved, That we re-affirm our opposition to the whole system of American Slavery; holding it to be absurd in the light of Reason, infamous in the eye of Justice, a deadly foe to human welfare, a libel on the Decalogue, and a reckless attack on the religion of Christ; and the only change we would recommend in our denominational attitude and policy on this subject, is, to take an advanced position in our warfare against the system, and to give a more open and public expression to our hostility.”
Baptists (Seventh-Day.)
The position of this branch of the Baptist family may be known from the following resolution passed by the Eastern Association:
“Resolved, That we enter our solemn protest against the system of American slavery, as a sin against God, and a libel on our national declaration, that “all men are created free and equal.””
Evangelical Association.
The Evangelical Association has inserted in its discipline the following resolution which indicates its ecclesiastical position:
“Question. What is to be done respecting slaveholders and the slave-trade?
“Answer. We have long since been convinced that the buying and selling of men and women, and slavery, is a great evil, and ought to be abhorred by every Christian: be it therefore known to all fellow-members, that none shall be allowed, under any pretence or condition whatever, the holding of slaves or the trafficking in the same.”