An Address To The Members Of The Society Of Friends On The Duty Of Declining The Use Of The Products Of Slave Labour

Author : Charles Marriott
Publisher :
ISBN 13 : 9781332099269
Total Pages : 24 pages
Book Rating : 4.0/5 (992 download)

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Download or read book An Address to the Members of the Religious Society of Friends written by Charles Marriott and published by . This book was released on 2015-08-04 with total page 24 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Excerpt from An Address to the Members of the Religious Society of Friends: On the Duty of Declining the Use of the Products of Slave Labour As there are those who believe that the rise or decline of our Society, is intimately connected with the rise or decline of this testimony, to these it becomes a question of very great magnitude. On the other hand, we behold a number of our estimable members, and some who stand in the very front of the society, who profess to see, in the concern, nothing obligatory on them, and who treat its introduction into our religious meetings as an improper intrusion: it, therefore, becomes us to inquire from whence arises this difference of feeling and of conduct? Impressions to perform religious duties, even while individuals are moving under the same precious influence, may be various, in order to qualify the different members to fulfil the various offices designed for them. But it appears reasonable, to suppose, that the outward moral obligations of justice, between man and man, are equally binding upon all, since all are required to do justly and love merry. Whence, then, proceeds this difference in the conduct of good men, towards their suffering fellowcreatures? Time was, and the day is not very remote, when our ministers and elders were themselves slave-holders, and tears, entreaties, and years of labour, were insufficient to induce some of them to relinquish their slaves, and yet, those individuals were deservedly esteemed for their general excellency of character. Here, we see an evidence of the force of custom and tradition, inkreconciling the minds, even of pious men, to things undoubtedly wrong in themselves. Nevertheless, John Woolman and some others, even at that day, saw still further, and, under the humbling visitations of truth, had their understandings so enlightened as to behold, and be enabled to display to others, with convincing clearness, the relation in which the purchaser of these unrighteous gains stood, towards the oppressor, and the oppressed. Let us, now, inquire what has been the progress of this testimony since. About the close of the labours of these early, faithful advocates, a band of valiants were raised up, and on perusing the memorials of deceased Friends, issued by the Yearly Meeting of New-York, striking evidence is afforded of great unity of views and conduct, in this respect. Almost all of them bore their testimony against the use of those articles. But a period of outward prosperity and ease succeeded, and while men slept the enemy sowed tares. Calls to practical righteousness were lost in the louder alarms of unsoundnessof faith and while sailing on the smooth sea of indifference, our whole body were awakened, only by a storm that will long be remembered! an accusing spirit swept over our ocean, wave after wave, of. crimination and recrimination, rolled onward, threatening to engulf every Christian virtue. But when dismay had seized the mariners, and the most skilful could do no more than lash the helm of our frail bark and let her drive, trusting to the mercy of Heaven! It was then, that He, whom the winds and the sea obey, was once more pleased to arise and rebuke the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. Thanksgivings and gratitude are forever due for our deliverance; shall we not then, leaving all speculative doctrines, bring forth fruits of practical righteousness, and returning again to the tendering impressions of our first love, remember the afflicted and those in bonds. We are told, that we are urging the subject too fast. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com