t, to read a notice of any reform meeting from the
altar, or permit a woman to speak in the church. In our creed it
is a sin to hold a slave; to hang a man on the gallows; to make
war on defenseless nations, or to sell rum to a weak brother, and
rob the widow and the orphan of a protector and a home. Thus may
we write out some of our differences, but from the similarity in
the conduct of the human family, it is fair to infer that our
differences are more intellectual than spiritual, and the great
truths we hear so clearly uttered on all sides, have been
incorporated as vital principles into the inner life of but few
indeed.

[Illustration: AMELIA BLOOMER (with autograph).]

We must not expect the Church to leap _en masse_ to a higher
position. She sends forth her missionaries of truth one by one.
All of our reformers have, in a measure, been developed in the
Church, and all our reforms have started there. The advocates and
opposers of the reforms of our day, have grown up side by side,
partaking of the same ordinances and officiating at the same
altars; but one, by applying more fully his Christian principles
to life, and pursuing an admitted truth to its legitimate
results, has unwittingly found himself in antagonism with his
brother.

Belief is not voluntary, and change is the natural result of
growth and development. We would fain have all church members
sons and daughters of temperance; but if the Church, in her
wisdom, has made her platform so broad that wine-bibbers and
rum-sellers may repose in ease thereon, we who are always
preaching liberality ought to be the last to complain. Having
thus briefly noticed some of the objections to our movement, I
will not detain the audience longer at this time.

An able report of the Executive Committee was then read by Mrs.
Vaughan.

The President, on motion, appointed the various Committees,[98] and
read a letter from Gerrit Smith to Susan B. Anthony:

PETERBORO, _May 7, 1853_.

DEAR MADAM:--I thank you for your letter. So constantly am I
employed in my extensive private concerns, that I can attend none
of the anniversaries this spring. I should be especially happy to
attend yours; and to testify by my presence, if not by my words,
that woman is in her place when s