The report of the society, after mentioning the names of Birney, Stuart, Tappan, Jay, and others, alludes to Mr. Thompson in the following eloquent passage. "But we may not thus excuse ourselves from making special mention of the services of one, now, we trust, breathing again the air of his native land, whence he came to this country, at the invitation of this society, to raise his voice of strength, and exert his various and surpassing talents, for the relief of suffering men. Mr. Thompson has been the chief speaker among many who have spoken well, and has labored more abundantly than any of those who have abounded most in this work of the Lord. He has labored with us and for us in a manner and a measure that have given an impulse to the Anti-Slavery cause, which will be felt to the last. It flows, and will keep flowing on. He poured himself out like water; and the wonder of all who heard him was, that his stream of facts, and arguments, and illustrations, and appeals seemed to be never diminished, but still gushed forth, as from a fountain ever full and overflowing. He performed, while here, an amount of service, as we have elsewhere said, the narrative of which would be regarded by many as an incredible tale. The remembrance of his energy, zeal, and alacrity in the work he was sent to do, will never be effaced; and we hope it will incite us to constantly increasing diligence. He came to us as highly commended as he could be, by the Christian philanthropists of England. And he returns to them with our united testimony that he has amply redeemed the pledges they gave us. He has shown himself to be thoroughly furnished for his office. And he has in no case compromised the Christian character of his mission. We cannot find words to express our shame for the ineffable meanness of our opposers, who, unable to answer his arguments or to withstand his appeals, were eager to drive the highly-gifted philanthropist from the country, by insult, calumny, and violent assaults upon his person. They have effected their purpose. But we weep rather for them, than for him." Similar testimony is borne by the American Anti-Slavery Society, in its report adopted on the 10th of last May. "They would not forget to mention," say the committee in this invaluable document, "the services of those noble-hearted and devoted men, Charles Stuart and George Thompson. The former has, during the year, given his time, and more than his time, gratuitously to this cause. The latter, while he remained with us, labored most abundantly, and gained multitudes of converts. With the utmost fearlessness and good temper, he met a storm of mean and malignant opposition, such as few have encountered since the days of the apostles, and such as nothing but the truth and faithfulness of an apostle could have called forth. He counted not his life dear to him in the cause of the oppressed, nor would any peril have induced him to re-cross the Atlantic, but for the urgent advice of his friends, who were unwilling that a martyr than an American citizen. They would fain for American liberty should be any other spare their country the shame of staining her soil with the blood of the representative of her best friends in the old world-a man whom the noblest philanthropists of Europe delight to honor. If his traducers among ing, they will be taught a lesson by the enus have any portion of self-respect remainthusiasm with which George Thompson has been received by all whose favor is worth having in his native land. They will have reason to repent the violence which interrupted Mr. Thompson's labors here, for his voice will be more terrible to oppressors than ever, when it comes across the Atlantic, backed by the loud acclaim of that noble army of philanthropists who knocked the fetters from eight hundred thousand British slaves." Another extract, and we have done. The Rhode Island Anti-Slavery Convention, at its meeting in February last, unanimously adopted the following resolution. "That this convention waits with the utmost solicitude to hear of the safe arrival of our beloved brother, George Thompson, in England; that it regards his labors in this country as having been signally instrumental in advancing the holy cause of universal emancipation among us; that emotions of love and gratitude fill our hearts towards him; that we thank and bless our British abolition brethren for having sent him to our shore, and that we blush for our country to think that he has been compelled, by public ferociousness, to return to those who sent him hither. Here we must close; and we hope that no further occasion will present itself for referring to the matters discussed in this article. We have drawn it up with no other feeling than that of personal respect and good will towards the parties whose conduct we have cenand in erring, to have injured one of the sured. Believing them to have erred, best causes which ever engaged the sympathies of the human heart, we have not shrunk from declaring our conviction. Had we done so, we should have been unworthy of the confidence of our readers, and have lost that selfrespect which, next to the commendation of our God, we most earnestly desire. G RESOLUTIONS OF ASSOCIATED BODIES ON THE SUBJECT OF AMERICAN SLAVERY. SEVERAL religious bodies throughout the country have already expressed, in unequivocal terms, their condemnation of the spirit and practice of the churches of America in reference to slavery. We rejoice in the promptitude and decision with which they have acted, and especially admire the unmeasured terms in which they reprobate the inconsistency of slave-holding Christians. Their resolutions will find their way across the Atlantic, and while they encourage the self-denying and unequalled labors of the noble army of philanthropists who are struggling to free' America from the reproach and crime of slavery, we earnestly pray that they may be the means of awakening the conscience of the Christian people of that empire, to the fearful guilt which they contract by allowing so inhuman and diabolical a system to be perpetuated in their midst. We regret to perceive that the movements which have taken place in England are almost entirely confined to the Baptist body. The Congregationalists of Scotland have expressed their sentiments nobly, in a series of resolutions which we printed in our last number. But what are the Congregationalists of England doing? As yet, we have met with but three resolutions passed by the members of that body, two of which we subjoin. Something, we believe, was done at the Annual Meeting of the Congregational Union, in May last; but it has not, so far as our information extends, yet transpired. We respectfully urge upon our brethren to be prompt in their measures, and thus to remove any shadow of suspicion which may attach to their policy. This is especially important in their case, as the correspondence they have opened with America, and the culpable silence which their delegates maintained on this subject during their visit to the United States, expose them to a suspicion which we should deeply grieve to think well founded. We are also looking with intense anxiety to the steps which the Wesleyan Conference may take at its approaching meeting in Birmingham. Connected more intimately with the religionists of America than any other body in this country, it is capable of speaking with an authority which must command respect, and which may be the means, under the blessing of God, of rescuing their brethren from the infatuation and wickedness of continuing their support to a system, alike hostile to the honour of their religious profession, and the welfare of their native land. May a spirit of wisdom and of faithfulness be in their midst, that the favour of God may be upon them, and the blessings of them who are ready to perish may attend their future history! Since writing the above, we have received a copy of the Birmingham Philanthropist, containing an account of the Anniversary of the Baptist Missionary Society in that town. At the public meeting for the transaction of business, a resolution was proposed strongly condemnatory of American Slavery, which we recommend to the serious attention of our readers, and to the imitation of the churches of this country. The decided and uncompromising language which it adopts is worthy of the Christian men by whom it was employed, and will become, we trust, a model on which the resolutions of other bodies will be formed. The tone of the Meeting, which was impassioned to a high degree, was still more excited by an amendment proposed by Dr. Hoby, who attempted the hopeless task of extenuating the guilt of slave-holding in America. We deeply regret, on his account, that he should have been so unadvised as to have attempted an opposition. On other grounds we rejoice in it, as it afforded an opportunity for a further display of the strong and inflexible determination of the men of Birmingham to act out the righteous principles of the Christian system. His amendment, which was seconded by courtesy, was supported only by six or eight hands, in an assembly of about five thousand, so overwhelming, and all but unanimous, was the feeling which prevailed. At the Half-yearly Meeting of the Bristol City and County Association, held at Clevedon, on the 25th of May, the following resolution was passed. "That the Members of this Association most fervently hope, that any Delegates sent from the Congregational Union of England and Wales, to visit the churches of America, will be men of uncompromising integrity, who will be ever willing to co-operate with the immediate abolitionists of that country, and who will, with Christian boldness, lift up their voice, and tell the American churches and ministers of their awful crimes, in denying their colored brethren and sisters the privilege of sitting down with them at the same Lord's table; in slave-holding and slave-dealing; and in selling and buying, as slaves, members of the church of Christ! That it is the firm conviction of this Association that the British churches should refuse to receive any Delegates from the churches of America, who refuse to lift up their voice against slavery; and that they should send an expostulation; to those churches, which should roll like thunder over the waves of the Atlantic, and echo from forest to forest, until every slave is free." At the Annual Meeting of the British Association of Baptist Churches, held at Melksham, Wilts, May 26th, 1836, the Rev. J. RUSSELL in the Chair, it was unanimously resolved, 1. That, deeply sympathizing with British Christians of every denomination, in the attention which they feel compelled to give to the present state of slavery, and the condition of the free people of color in America, we deem it our duty, as an Association, to record our sentiments and feelings upon that subject. 2. That the joy inspired by the abolition of slavery in our own colonies, after so arduous a struggle, and at so costly a sacrifice, was greatly increased by the hope that the example would be followed at no distant period, by all other states and communities implicated in the guilt and disgrace of negro slavery. 3. That while we rejoice that this expectation has been, to a certain extent, realized with regard to France and other European States, we have heard with astonishment, mingled with poignant grief, of the violent opposition made to the efforts of the friends of humanity in America to abolish slavery, and thus to deliver their country from so foul a stigma upon their otherwise liberal institutions,-a conduct utterly irreconcilable with the fundamental principles of their boasted freedom, furnishing just ground for the taunts and triumphs of the apologists of established abuses, and exhibiting a gross and manifest outrage on all the noble and distinguishing principles of that religion to which, in the persons of her pilgrim fathers, America owes all that is great and good in her character and prospects. 4. That our surprise and regret are greatly increased by the fact, that Christian churches and Christian ministers in that country, should have so far disregarded their obligations as the followers of Him who came "to give liberty to the captives," as to have participated in the sin of slave-holding, and to have fostered rather than discountenanced the cruel feelings of their countrymen at large, not only against the slaves, but the free people of color,-thus upholding laws and prejudices which tend to keep that deeply injured class in a state of heathen darkness, and of civil degradation and wretchedness scarcely exceeded by the worst forms of that slavery from which they have been nominally emancipated. 5. That inasmuch as numbers of the slaves, of the free colored people, and of the slave-holders, are members of churches belonging to the Baptist denomination, we deem it a duty peculiarly incumbent on us as a Baptist Association, to address to our brethren in America our solemn protest against so flagrant a violation of Christian principles, as is involved in either holding fellow-men, and especially fellow-Christians, as property, or treating all who happen to be of a darker skin as a degraded caste. 6. That, prompted by these views, and with the kindliest feelings towards the American people, and with unfeigned admiration of much that is exemplary in the American character, we earnestly entreat the followers of the Redeemer, and especially those of our denomination in that country, to give to this state of things their earliest and dispassionate attention; and, instead of attempting to extenuate its guilt, or to justify its continuance, for one day beyond the time needed for the proper legislative enactments on the subject, they will at once unite their counsels, their efforts, and their prayers, for its entire extinction. 7. That these resolutions be advertised in the "Patriot" Newspaper, and that the Rev. John Jackson, of Bath, be requested to insure their early transmission to the Committee of the American Anti-Slavery Society, accompanied with a request that they will take the most effectual means of making them known to their countrymen. J. RUSSELL, Chairman. At a Meeting of the Ministers and Messengers of the Kent and Sussex Association of Particular Baptist churches, held at Eynsford, Kent, June 8, 1836, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted :1. That deeply sympathizing with British Christians of every denomination in the attention they feel compelled to give to the present state of slavery, and the condition of the free people of color in America, we deem it our duty to avow our sentiments and feelings on that subject. 2. That, having learned with surprise and regret that slavery in its worst forms is encouraged by many of the churches of America, and that ministers, deacons, and private members of Baptist churches in that country equally participate in this flagrant abomination; and fearing that the intercourse recently opened between those churches and our denomination in this country, may be considered as implying our sanction of such inhuman and unholy conduct, we feel it our duty to record our publio protest against the iniquity, as utterly at variance with every principle of Christianity. 3. That while we feel deeply interested in the prosperity of the American churches, and would gladly co-operate in any measures calculated to promote a more intimate union with them on scriptural principles, we feel it to be our painful duty strongly to discountenance all participation in the hateful crimes of slave-dealing and slave-holding, and in the practice of those churches which make a difference of color or condition a term of exclusion from the Lord's table. 4. That we feel it to be our duty to afford every encouragement to the friends of the abolition of slavery in America, and fervently to pray that those churches which have partaken in the abomination may be convinced of their sin, and be purified from offences so opposed to the spirit and injunction of Him who came to give liberty to the captives. 5. That these resolutions be published in the circular letter, and advertised in the Patriot newspaper. WILLIAM SAVORY, Moderator. At a Meeting of the Midland Association of Ministers and Messengers of Baptist Churches, held at Coleford, Gloucestershire, It was unanimously resolved, 1. That the churches of this Association cannot forget the great pleasure which they have often derived from the contemplation of those zealous exertions in the cause of religion which have been manifested by Christians of various denominations in America. 2. That this delightful feeling has been greatly marred by a knowledge of the fact, that slavery is encouraged in America, and that many of the ministers, deacons, and private members of Baptist churches, participate equally with others in this hateful abomination. 3. That as we are convinced slavery is inimical to the dictates of humanity, and utterly opposed to that word which Christians receive as the rule of their faith and practice, while, as it existed in the British colonies, and as it now exists in the United States, it has assumed characters of frightful enormity, we should deprecate such union between the British and American Baptist churches, as might seem to imply an approbation, or even toleration, of so monstrous an evil, but would rather solemnly warn, and earnestly entreat, our American brethren faithfully to exert themselves to put from them the accursed thing. 4. That to whatever causes the existence and continuance of slavery in America are to be attributed, the churches of this Association will fervently pray that the consciences of professing Christians in that country may be aroused to such a sense of its flagrant character, as that it may be at once, and for ever, abandoned." THOMAS WATERS, Secretary. At the Anniversary of the Staffordshire Association of the Congregational Pastors and Churches, held at the Tabernacle, Hanley, Staffordshire, June 28th and 29th; when two resolutions were passed, the latter of which we subjoin. That, having been appealed to by their Committee for an expression of views on American slavery, this Association cannot hesitate to declare their conviction of the natural equality of man, and the injustice, and impolicy, and tendency to deprave, inherent and essential to the state of slavery -that in America, as a land of liberty, whose sons are of British blood, and whose fervour of religious feeling has been a praise in the earth, this stain is of peculiar offensiveness-that we cannot but fear for the Christianity of the American churches, if, after their attention has been called to the crime, they retain it among them, or by any modification or finesse evade its total abandonment-and that we therefore hereby express our hope that those churches will speedily renounce the abomination, and employ all their influence with the States' Legislatures to effect its entire overthrow. R. W. NEWLAND, Secretary. At the Anniversary Meeting of the Birmingham Auxiliary Baptist Missionary Society, held in the Town Hall, Birmingham, on Tuesday, the 19th of July, 1836, the folowing resolution was adopted: That this meeting rejoice to hear that in the United States of America there is a rapidly increasing number of ministers and members of churches " solemnly pledged to the cause of the oppressed"-who declare that the system of slavery is a "palpable violation of the law of God. To these philanthropists this meeting offer their fraternal and affectionate congratulations; at the same time they deplore that "Slave MAKING THE WILL holding" is still the most heinous and prominent sin with which America is chargeable, and that a large portion of her churches is implicated in its guilt. Under the conviction that slavery is utterly opposed to Christianity, this meeting would record their deliberate judgment, that no person who holds property in man should be allowed to remain a member of a Christian church. OF A SLAVE-HOLDER. I was once called to write the will for a Presbyterian, who was greatly debilitated. His wife was a Methodist; and also one of his sons, about 18 years of age. The boy was conscientiously opposed to slavery, root and branch. We proceeded to divide the lands and all the other property very amicably. At length we came to the slaves. I paused, and told them I could write no more; he insisted, and dictated the manner in which these were to be apportioned. Among other items, he directed that this boy, who declared that he never would hold a slave, should have a man and woman, and her children for his lot; but should the testator die before the son arrived at twentyone years of age, and the latter would not take possession of them, with a direct proviso against their emancipation; then the executors were ordered to sell those slaves upon the best terms, and divide the proceeds among the younger children. I assured them, that I neither could nor would write any such clause in a will for any person; that, separate from all the questions respecting the character of slavery, it involved the very utmost injustice; and that it was an unnatural usurpation over the rights of his son's conscience. A severe and protracted disputation ensued. I reminded the parents of their Christian profession, and of their son's hopeful piety. I endeavoured to impress upon the sick man his emaciated condition; recalled to his memory his early associations, when slavery appeared to him in no other light than as a fiend incarnate; and finally attempted to transfer his solemn attention to the account Sir, ability of man at the tribunal of Christ. He was in a measure docile, and, not being able to evade or shake off the application of the truth, he remarked, “ By our marriagecontract, my wife was to have the sole management of the slaves; in fact, they are her property, independent of me; and she will do as she likes with them." This brought the lady and myself into direct collision; and during the whole evening, it was as impossible to keep her in any thing like rationality, as it would have been to quell the ocean in a storm. She called my truth "all cant, all lies, all nonsense," &c.. When her fury was so far vented, that her husband and I could put in a few words; I expressed my regret at the occurrence. "Mrs. -> if there be any truth in God's word, your profession of religion, if not directly hypocritical, must be vain. If there be any equity in the divine administration, the hope of the slave-holder, like the hope of a hypocrite, is of no more consistency than that of the spider's web, and must perish. I can comfort Mr. cheering gospel promise, for I know not one adapted to his case; and if there be any correct mode comprehending the Scripture of truth, and he should speedily depart indulging a hope of admission to glory, I fear that he will die with a lie in his right hand; for, as your own homely preacher proclaims, 'you think to go up to heaven with a gang of slaves on your back. No, no! I tell you that they will sink you down to the dungeon of damnation."" Thus ended the making of a will for a female man-stealer!-Bourne's Picture of Slavery." SLAVERY, A MURDEROUS SYSTEM. Having observed, in the report of the discussion between Mr. George Thompson and the Rev. R. J. Breckinridge, at Glasgow, that Mr. Breckinridge questions the accuracy of a statement made by me in reference to the burning alive of a slave in the United States, I beg to hand you the following particulars of that melancholy event. with no It happened where I was then living, at Greenville, in the county of the same name, in South Carolina. This slave was a preacher in the state of Georgia. His master told him, if he continued his preaching to his fellow-slaves, he would for the next offence give him 500 lashes. George (for that was the name of the slave) disregarded his master's threat, and continued to preach to them. Upon his master having |