The Brownington Congregational Church where Alexander Lucius Twilight preached.

This week’s Tidbit highlights Alexander Lucius Twilight’s Sermon 14, which is currently on display in our new Alexander Twilight exhibit. Mr. Twilight gave this sermon on July 10th, 1853, and it encapsulates his views on slavery and freedom. He believed that all people, regardless of race, could act of one’s own volition and had the right to freedom. However, Mr. Twilight argued that when people were a danger to others; then, they revoke their right to freedom. As we end Juneteenth and come upon July 4th, we are reflecting on the rights of Black Americans at the time of the founding of this country, at the time of Twilight, and in the present day. We hope you enjoy the following tidbit.

“That man has no right to the service of his fellow man without his own consent unless it is a forfeited right. Freedom of action and freedom of conscience go hand in hand and cannot be separated. If we destroy the one, we destroy the other, also but if we retain the one, we most surely retain the other also they cannot be separated. But man may by perversity of conduct, forfeit his high prerogative of freedom of action, by rendering himself a dangerous associate or dangerous citizen. His privilege then must be taken from him for the good of others. But this is an exception made by his own free and voluntary action, of which treatment he has no right to complain. This must be the treatment with those who are dangerous to the peace, property and lives of community. But subjugation by war and superiority of physical or intellectual strength never gave man the right to reduce his fellow man to his service without his own consent.”