Anti Slavery Bugle

Polygamy and Adultery in the Church.

Our readers have often been informed that polygamy has been allowed in some of the mission churches under the charge of the American Board, but we presume that it will startle them to hear that adultery exists in the mission churches. Such is declared to be the fact. This was brought out at the recent meeting of the American Board by Rev. Mr. Patton. The following is extracted from the report of Mr. Patton's speech as given in the Boston Recorder;

"Mr Patton then read a portion of a letter written by Rev. Mr. Griffin, a missionary in Oregon, who went out under the patronage of a part of the churches in Litchfield county, Ct. Mr. G. states that he found churches there, whose members were living together without marriage—that he endeavored for a time to persuade in private to marry, but not succeeding, was forced to preach on adultery. This raised a storm. The people rebelled, and were sustained by every Protestant Missionary whom they consulted, who declared that the time had not yet come to make a stand against adultery.

The letter charged the Methodist missionaries with special opposition on this account to Mr. G., and with baptizing the children of unconverted parents, and administering the Lord's Supper to one of their members who swore he would not marry his woman.

Here Patton was interrupted by half a dozen persons vehemently, and in some cases calling him to order, and endeavoring to silence him. When he could again be heard, Mr. Patton remarked: "As the letter seems to be so obnoxious to the members of the Board, I will not quote from it further, only observing that I regret not being able to read a few sentences in addition, which implicate one or more missionaries of this Board."

What the extent of this matter would appear to be, if all the facts were brought to light, we cannot say, but the above, if it can be relied upon, is sufficiently awful to startle the religious world. Methodist ministers declaring that the time has not come to take a stand against adultery! Methodist ministers administering the Lord's Supper to men who swear they will not marry the women with whom they cohabit!!. Can any one tell in what century we live? Such a Gospel can never save the world.—True Wesleyan.