You do not have to be an accomplished student of history to know that slavery in America was one of the most divisive issues  the country faced in the mid-19th century. Eventually, the nation itself split into north and south as did most of the Christian denominations. While the nation was reunited after the War Between the States, many of the religious organizations would remain divided. Less well known is the fact that while many anti-slavery proponents agreed that slavery was evil, they were far apart in their expectations for erasing that evil. Many, including President Lincoln, sought gradual emancipation of the slaves, and even when freedom was attained these champions of freedom assumed that colonization, preferably in another country, was the most desirable solution. As should be expected, it was Free Will Baptists in New England who spoke out most openly against slavery. In fact, that segment of the denomination found itself on the early, cutting edge of opposition to the practice. An 1834 article in The Morning Star, one of the most popular Free Will Baptist newspapers, condemned slavery as evil, but also expressed the fear that immediate abolition would be an even greater error. But the next … Continue reading Free Will Baptists and Slavery