Francis Jackson Garrison, William Lloyd Garrison, 1805-1879; the story of his life told by his children: volume 2

W. L. Garrison to J. A. Collins, abroad.

What has created the greatest stir among us is our recent¹ Sabbath Convention in Chardon-Street Chapel. About fifty clergymen were present at various times, though scarcely one of them deigned to enroll his name as a member of the body. The champions in favor of the commonly received views of the Sabbath were nearly all new-organized abolitionists—viz., A. A. Phelps, (who spoke nearly four hours at one time, with a good deal of tact and spirit)—Nathaniel Colver, who exhibited his vulgarity and personal malice at full length—C. T. Torrey, who said very little to the purpose—Dr. Osgood, of Springfield,² who reasoned fairly and in good temper. Luther Lee was also on hand, charged to the muzzle with ‘logic,’ but, unfortunately, he could not get an opportunity to fire it off. Bro. Hawley³ was likewise anxious to give the anti-sabbatarians a blast, but failed to get the floor. J. V. Himes and P. R.⁴ Russell spoke at some length, in a declamatory manner, in favor of the Sabbath. The latter has discontinued his Liberator, and several others have done so, since the call of the Sabbath Convention was published in its columns; among them our friend John Smith, of Andover, (he has stopped two or three copies), who has virtually turned his back upon the antislavery cause, gone back to his pro-slavery minister Jackson, acknowledged his faults, and connected himself again with the church—and all to show his regard for religion, and his abhorrence of heretics!

Phelps made the best argument in favor of the Sabbath at the Convention, but the foundation of it was a supposition, and the keystone an inference. I was sorry that I could get no opportunity to reply to him. On being pushed as to the meaning of the declaration, ‘There remaineth, therefore, a⁵ rest for the people of God,’ he said it meant the first day of the week!! Taylor, the ‘sailor preacher,’⁶ behaved in a