Henry Williams, Jr., to Frederick Douglass, July 1856

FOR FREDERICK DOUGLASS'S PAPER.

AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

CINCINNATI, O., July, 1856.

FRIEND DOUGLASS:—You are aware, through your correspondent "G," that the above named Church held its General Conference in this city last May—sixteen days from the 5th to the 21st. It is not my intention to enter into a thorough description, for such "G," has done. My object in view is to describe the relation exisiting between the Church and Slavery. It behooves the Pulpit, the Press, and the Lecturer, to denounce Slavery and its fosterings everywhere, in Church and State, among colored and white. For a colored man, though he should be, is no pimae facie evidence of his being an Abolitionists. It is the case, that the pro-slaveryism of the colored man, as a Church and otherwise, is winked at, while the pro-slaveryism of the white man, in every form, is loudly condemned; he is called upon to repent ere the wrath of God is invoked to burst upon him, and into oblivion his existence be hurled. Such should not be. The pro-slavery colored and white man should be placed side by side in the category of criminals.

With such consideration, I claim the right to speak of the pro-slavery features of my colored brother as well as my white brothers, especially when such features are given in public.

The [situation?] existing between the AfricanMethodist Episcopal Church and the vile and odious system, termed by John Wesley, the "sum of all villanies"—Slavery is a fellowshipping, fostering, apologizing pro-slavery relations.The title given by Mr. Wesley to Slavery is true; one of the unalterable truths. I have reason to believe Mr. Wesley held himself aloof of Slavery, in obedience to the commands of God. "Touch not, taste not, handle not the unclean thing. Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness; but rather reprove them. Preach the Gospel to every creature." Stands the M. E. Church of A. M. E. Chruch, to-day, touching Slavery, where John Wesley, their illustrious founder and predecessor, stood? I answer; No. If I am in error, let her gifted sons be heard, showing us where they stand, not as individuals, but as a Church; tell us, are they on the side that treads upon the image of God, put into nought the counsels of God, slander, utter base libels on Christ and his Apostles—are they with those the Apostle, in his category of crimes, calls men-stealers; or are they arrayed on Freedom's side, marshalled under Freedom's bloodstained banner—stained by the blood of martyrs slain in the battles of Freedom, to save their church and country from Slavery's clanking chains.

I had the opportunity of attending the Conference, while here; though it was composed of talented men, yet in main, they were pro-slavery to the "core." According to the rule laid down for judging, I do, from the convictions of my claim and unbiassed opinions, pronounce the A. M. E. Church of this country, a pro-slavery church in composition, in practice, and in government (discipline.)

1st. It is composed of slaveholding and non-slaveholding members. Fellowships men and women that buy, whip and sell the express image of God. Not white, but colored slaveholders, who reduce to the level of brutes, goods, and chattel their own brethren and sisters—if not in the Lord, they are in the flesh. I thank God this class of slaveholders are in the minority; I would not have our trans-Atlantic friends to know otherwise. Slaveholders are admitted as members, freely, and more freely than non-slaveholders. The Church of America has fallen from the love of principle, to that of money; hence, preference is given to the slave-owner. Under no charge of the master against the slave is the master expelled, but retained on the ground that the master has the right to dispose of his property (slave) as he pleases.

2nd. Said Church receives within its coffers the known avails of Slavery, to assist in Christianizing and Evangelizing.

HENRY WILLIAMS, JR.