This article from The Liberator critiques the clergy of various churches, including multiple different denominations, in several Middlesex County towns. The article’s introduction cites “letters received from various towns,” which many indicate that local abolitionists were assessing the clergy in their communities. Excerpted below is the commentary about Lowell’s churches.
A.S. Society: Anti-slavery Society
But: In this instance, the word "but" means "only"
Fellowship: include in worship services
The Clergy of Middlesex County.
The following synopsis of letters received from va-
rious towns in Middlesex County, (Mass.) defining
the position of the clergy of those towns, in relation
to the anti-slavery cause, was read at the meeting
of the Middlesex Co. A.S. Society, at Concord, and
voted to be published in the Liberator. …
Lowell. Nineteen churches and as many minis-
ters. But three or four manifest any interest in an-
ti-slavery. The influence of the clergy is against
anti-slavery. The 1st Congregational church recent-
ly passed a resolution, making it disorderly for any
member to introduce the subject of slavery in any
meeting without the invitation or consent of the
pastor! Some of the churches do, and others do
not, fellowship slaveholders. The pulpit of the 2d
Baptist church was recently occupied by a slave-
holder, sent there by Newton Theological Institu-
tion. The Methodists are more engaged in the
cause. On the whole, there is but little genuine
anti-slavery in Lowell.
What is the author’s opinion of the antislavery views of Lowell’s clergy?
Which denomination seems to support the antislavery cause?
What evidence does the writer offer as proof a church is not antislavery?
How does the article demonstrate that a church is against antislavery?
Why do you think the Middlesex County Anti-Slavery Society published this article in a newspaper with national reach?
How does this article support or contradict other documents in this collection about antislavery activism by Lowell’s clergymen?
How much do you think a church or church leader’s stance matters for important political debates today? Defend your position with examples of churches/church leaders today being ignored or followed.