7. Nothing can be said against some slaveholders _only_ that they hold slaves. In every other respect they are christian-like in their conduct, and it seems hard to exclude such fine people from the church. Alas that any christian should speak of slaveholding as "_only_" a small objection. But one sin may ruin the soul. Some men are in every respect excellent persons _except_ that they are addicted to intemperate habits, to lying, or to licentiousness--shall they therefore be excused for their besetting sin, and allowed to indulge it? One who has cheated a poor white neighbor out of only one year's toil, ought never to be admitted into the church until he makes restitution. So in the case of a slaveholder--let him be just to _every_ creature of God--let him give up his idol or serve it in its appropriate temple, and not disgrace the church of God with its image and worshiper. 8. It has been maintained that slaveholders should be taken into the church that they may come under the direct influence of the gospel, the tendency of which is to destroy slavery. We answer--_a._ The same reason might be urged with equal force for the admission of the drunkard, liar, thief or adulterer. _b._ Experience proves that slaveholders, when admitted to church fellowship, are not more likely to emancipate their slaves than others. They are apt to settle down in the belief that it is right to hold slaves, and the height of impertinence for any one to meddle with them about it. A minister in Kentucky, Rev. Mr. Fee, who is well acquainted with this subject from experience and actual observation, says of the slaveholder--"The way to lull his conscience on the subject is, to bring him into the church in the practice of his sin. I know repeated instances of persons whose consciences and hearts, at the time of their awakening, seemed to be tender on the subject of slaveholding. But after they had been fully received, and a few comfortable meetings passed over, they became wholly indifferent; and after hearing or reading one or two pro-slavery sermons, declaring slavery to be a Bible institution, they were almost ready to seize the torch, and apply the fires of persecution to the individual who would disturb their Zion. The place to induce the slaveholder to give up his sin is at the time, or before, he enters the door of the church; before he has been pronounced as being in a salvable state; for 'all that a man hath will he give for his life.'"