Page 58 - SurrenderTheBaggage-FBK

Quock Walker vs. Jennison in 1783, case law contended

that slavery was not only a violation of the Bible and of
Christian principles, but also a violation of the
commonwealth constitution (passed in 1780) 15 .

Massachusetts’ constitution effectively held that GOD
created all people to be free regardless of color.

Therefore, it is not surprising that Massachusetts soon
became the center for the movement to abolish slavery.

It was also the first state to ratify the 13th Amendment
in 1865. Also, as history records, Massachusetts

produced America’s second president, John Adams
(1797-1801). He was a staunched opponent of slavery,

in any form, and an early advocate for total abolition. He
considered slavery as an evil of colossal magnitude that

had no place under America’s Declaration of
Independence (which declared the GOD created equality
of all), or its constitution. 15-4 In 1820 he declared, “I

shudder when I think of the calamities which slavery is
likely to produce in this country. You would think me

mad if I were to describe my anticipations…”

th
During the period of the 17-19 centuries leading up to
slavery’s abolition in 1865, many Christian churches and
leaders were unrelenting foes that participated in and

led the charge for abolition of slavery. However,
because of the massive economic wealth that slavery

generated, they were not able to achieve abolishment

Copyright 2020 58