December 17:
The Feast Day of William Lloyd Garrison and Maria Stewart - These two very vocal prophets and
anti-slavery advocates of the 18th century
were voices that helped change our nation. I cannot imagine any way in which
one can justify slavery and Christianity, and this is in large part to their
work. The Episcopal Church did not make a stand, but tried to hold everyone
together during the civil war. A southern bishop also served as a general in
the Confederacy.
Today, when people make
strong prophetic stands and speak out on social issues, I usually try to look
at all sides and if possible avoid conflict. If I do not need to make a stand
then I will do everything I can to avoid it, whatever the issue of the day. But
I am reminded by the witness of William Lloyd Garrison and Maria Stewart that
the voices which I might want to avoid might be the voices that are speaking a
new and more clear understanding of God’s will. I agree with their work, but
would I have done so if I were living in their era? Possibly not. With this in
mind, I listen to the prophets and social reformers of today.
No comments:
Post a Comment