intention or
desire of dictating to Christian communities the terms of their
fellowship, respectfully submits that it is their incumbent duty
to separate from their communion all those persons who, after
they have been faithfully warned in the spirit of the gospel,
continue in the sin of enslaving their fellow-creatures, or
holding them in slavery--a sin, by the commission of which, with
whatever mitigating circumstances it may be attended in their
own particular instance, they give the support of their example
to the whole system of compulsory servitude, and the unutterable
horrors of the slave trade.

"4. That it be recommended to the Committee of the British and
Foreign Anti-Slavery Society, in the name of this Convention, to
furnish copies of the above resolutions to the ecclesiastical
authorities of the various Christian churches throughout the
world."

On entering the meeting, we found the question was already before them,
previous to balloting for the officers for the ensuing three years. The
pro-slavery party were anxious to prevent all discussion, but some on
the other side proposed questions which compelled their notice. Among
the rest it was plainly asked, if the southern delegates did not come
pledged against the re-election of Elon Galusha. This was denied, but
certain resolutions which had appeared in the public papers were
appealed to in proof of the fact. The inquiry becoming more searching,
an expedient was resorted to, which, though quite novel to me, was, I am
told, not unfrequently adopted when discussions assume a shape not quite
satisfactory to the controlling powers of a synod. It was proposed that
they should pray, and then proceed at once to the ballot. The ministers
called upon were R. Fuller and Elon Galusha, who were considered to
represent the opposite sides of the discussion. The former individual is
a large slave-holder, an influential leader in his denomination, and had
canvassed and condemned Elon Galusha's views and conduct in the public
newspapers. I must avow, this whole proceeding was little calculated to
remove my objection to the practice of calling upon any individual to
offer supplication in a public assembly. After prayer had been offered,
they proceeded to the ballot, and we left the meeting, deeply impressed
with the profanation of employing the most solemn act of devotion to
serve the exigencies of controversy.