The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1843-04-21 00:00:00

SLAVERY

•••. • •• 1 •
An overture from the Presbytery of Berwick next came
under consideration. It proposed that the Synod should co-
operate with other bodies of Christians in endeavouring to
put an end to slavery, by issuing remonstrances, when
they were at all likely to be attended to.
The Rev. JOHN GARDNER, of Woodside, said that this
subject was connected with so many political movements,
and as. he should strongly condemn any interference with
politics on the part of the synod, he should at once propose
that the overture be not adopted.
The Rev. Jou?: WATSON, of Belford, moved the adoption
of the overture, contending that no political feeling whatever
had actuated the members of the Presbytery of Berwick, and
thought they ought to imitate the conduct of the Society of
Friends and other religious bodies, in doing all they could to
put an end to slavery.
The Rev. Dr. BROWN seconded the moths of Mr. Gard-
ner. Ile contended that all the great political parties in the
state, as well as the great body of the people, were earnestly
and anxiously desirous to do all they could to put an end to
the abomination of slavery, and that there was, consequently,
no plausible grounds for a religious body like theirs taking a
new movement.

The Rev. Mr. MuNito said that he also was of opinion
that they should keep themselves free from anything having
the semblance of a political movement. This distinction was
not always obvious ; but one which presented itself to his
mind was this :—Whenever a legislative question directly
affected religion, then they, as courts, had a perfect right to
interfere; but when any piece of legislation, positive or ne-
gative, touched religion only indirectly and inferentially,
he did not conceive that they, as courts, were required to
come in with their particular addresses. They left the ques-
tion, whatever it might be, to the general feelings and senti-
ments of christianity which they diffused amongst their
people, and if the subject was in opposition to those senti-
ments. the people would remonstrate against the evil. For
instance, in the matter of the corn-law. The corn-law, say
the advocates of its repeal, does affect religion, because it
impoverishes the people, and thus prevents them from at-
tending the house of God ; but the tact was, that this effect
was inferential and secondary, and therefore, as a court.
they should do wrong if they interfered in the matter. But
if the question were as to the establishment by Govern-
ment of schools wherein were to be taught religious prin-
ciples directly opposed to what they conceived to be true,
then, as a court, they should have a right to interfere.
He did not know that slavery affected religion directly.
That it did indirectly, was evident from the fact, that
wherever slavery flourished it was hostile to virtue and to
the graces of religion. There was no precept in the gospel
that abolished slavery ; but who imagined for a moment that
the religion of our blessed Saviour intended that the souls
and bodies of men should be bound in chains? On these
grounds lie thought that they should be travelling out of their
way to entertain the question of slavery, more particularly as
it had been removed from their own doors as a nation. In
America, many of their own and of all other communions
were desirous of removing this stain ; but we might be
interfering in a way that would thwart, instead of promoting
the object they had in view. Yet their opposition had this
advantage, that it was guided by a direct and practical know-
ledge of slavery in all its details ; whilst we, coming on with
a clumsy and half•ignorant measure, could do no good,
and would probably do harm. Let them encourage their
brethren in the faith of the Gospel, and round and round the
pendant world, as this Gospel circulated, freedom, valued
freedom, would also circulate, and, as a natural consequence,
the fetters would drop from the hands of the slave.
The Rev. Mr. Saw Errs warmly supported the overture.
He observed that many members of their own communion
brandished the whip over the back of the slave, and held to
his lips the bitter cup, and that it was, therefore, incumbent
on them, by earnest remonstrances, to do all they could to
prevent members holding slaves. He contended that legisla-
tive provisions and the force of the law would be utterly in-
efficient for the abolition of slavery, unless there was a moral
preparation to act in conjunction with that law.
The Rev. Mr. WaTsoN after some further conversation,
proposed that the motion should be thus worded :—" Where-
as slavery, though opposed to the spirit of the gospel, is still
enforced by professing members of the Church of Christ, it

is humbly Os;ertured that the synod take steps to co-operate
with other religious denominations, both in this country and
in America, to denounce this utwhristian practice, by send-
ing remonstrances to those chargeable with the offence, when
this may be expected to be of avail."
The Rev. Mr. WALLACE received the motion thus modi-
fied, and it was put to the vote.
There appeared for this motion, 25; for the amendment of
Mr. Gardner, 8.

ELDERS AND DEACONS

The clerk of the court next read an overture from the Pres.
by tery of Lancashire, that a law should be passed that in fu•
tore all ruling elders and deacons should, in accordance wit!
the original practice of the Church of Scotland, be set spat
to their work by the laying on of hands.

. . ..
The Rev. Mr. CAMPBELL proposed the adoption of the
overture.

The Rev. Dr. BROWN asked whether Mr. Campbell con
sidered this essential to the validity of the office of deacoi
and elder.

The Rev. Mr. CAMPBELL said that he did not consider it
essential ; but, at the same time, he should not like to take
upo❑ himself to say what was essential to the constitution of
a church. Ile thought that the proposed form was a better
form than the present one, inasmuch as it was the Scriptural
form.

The Rev. Dr. BROWN observed that Mr. Campbell had
failed to point out any good result which would follow for
the adoption of the overture.

The Rev. Mr. HAMILTON proposed that, as the overture
was a very important one, it should be printed, and lie over
for consideration at the next meeting of Synod.
The Rev. Mr. CAMPBELL pointed out that the laying on
of hands was only departed from, at the period of the Re-
formation, with the intention that it should be temporary,
and said that there were many passages of Scripture showing
that, in the time of the Apostles, deacons and elders were
appointed to their work by the laying on of hands. He said
it had been cast against them that they had laymen officia-
ting in a ministerial capacity ; but such was not the fact.
The elders were really ministers—men set apart for the mi-
nisterial work.

After sonic further conversation, the motion of Mr. Ha-
milton was agreed to.
The business of the day concluded at a few minutes before
five o'clock.

A public meeting was held in the Music-hall, on Wednes-
day evening, to receive au explanation of the principles and
proceedings of the Church of Scotland. The business com-
menced precisely at seven o'clock, at which time the large
room was densely filled with a very respectable auditory.
On the platform there were a considerable number of the
ministers at present in Liverpool, in attendance at the Synod.
The Rev. ALEXANDER MITRDOCiI, moderator, was called

upon to preside. and was perfectly prepared to say, if he could succeed in
The CHAIRMAN returned his acknowledgments for the making the presbytery ordain him, that zeal for the honour
honour they had done him in electing him to preside over a
of God and desire for the salvation of souls was his chief in-
meeting of such respectability, assembled for the object of ducetnent to enter on the ministry. It had been objected
meeting a deputation to explain to them matters connected to them that they pleaded in the court, and that then they
refused to accede to the sentence, Even one of the judges
with the interests of civil and religious liberty. They were
all aware that the liberties which had been enjoyed by
the church, and enjoyed by the church of their father accused them of profligacy, and of thimble-rigging tricks.
Now, the fact was that they obeyed the court so far as they
land, and which were supposed to be inalienable from
ever admitted its jurisdiction. They admitted the right of
that church, and inseparable from the existence of any inde-
ihe courts to say whether the parish was vacant ; and whether
pendent church, presumed to be a church of Christ, had been there should be a new presentee ; hut, then, they said that
so far as this action might be directed to the object of finding
called in question ; but the Church of Scotland had made a
whether the opposition of the people was a good reason for
noble, high-principled, and vigorous stand in defence of the rejection, and that, notwithstanding that reason, he must be
liberties of her Christian people, and of the great principles mnister of Auchtarardar, they openly denied the right of
of her own government and discipline, and for the good and the court to entertain the point. They were guilty of no
salvation of souls. (Cheers.) All this they were well aware profligacy v and thimble-rigging ; when, at the end, they just
of, and that the church now stood in the same appearance as carried out the principle which they had avowed from the
did the burning bush in the wilderness before Moses, when first, viz., that of following out the sentence so far as they
it appeared to be enveloped in flames, and yet to stand allowed the jurisdiction of the court, and of not attending to
without being consumed. The Church of Scotland, be trusted, it, in so far as they objected to its jurisdiction. The church
appeared to the eyes of that great and important meeting in proceeded to act as though there had been a vacancy. It
the same light, though enveloped in the flames of persecu- 1839 she resolved, nothwithstanding the decisions of the
tion ; for that she was so, was not now a matter of question. civil courts, to act on the principle of never again thrusting
They believed that—her principles being founded on the a minister on a reclaiming parish. Her grounds for this
' Word of God, and her rest being on her great head, the were—lst, the supremacy of the divine law; and secondly,
thed
Rock of Ages—she would come out of the flames that the law of the land ought not to regulate the business of
in principles ; and that whatever might be the resultuinnac regard
would Christ's kingdom, and that, as far as regarded that, they
to her mere temporal interests, her spiritual interests were under no obligation to obey the law of the land. They
flourish, and that she would yet be honoured in her father were bound thoroughly to disregard it, and to look on it as
land to be the instrument of good to the souls of men. the mere opinion of certain parties. They were a branch of
The Rev. Mr. HAMILTON offered up praYe_r• the Church of Christ, notwithstanding their connection
The Rev. Dr. Cur.iNitNou.tx, of Trinity
Chairman,
Churcli
with the state ; and if so, then they were bound to
Edinburgh, having been introduced by the . stepped apply to themselves the principles applicable to the re-
forward amidst applause. He said he had the honour
gulation of the affairs of Christ's church, and entitled to
of appearing before them as one of a deputation of the
expect and demand that all who regarded them in that light
Church of Scotland, whose duty it was in the peculiarly
should also feel called upon to apply to them the principles

t4o6o4it•tit4 i;ealrA

ai;*crt2d that flu %VON
(lard by which Christ's b
ecclesiastical office-bearer

the persons to interpret
management of Chri't's
understood and properly

and made it manliest
they had done. On these
courts had been in accordan
come to any other conclu
Their opponents were not i
they seemed to think that an
submissive to the state, arid t
little more than a municipa
the law of the land. They (t.
" Is this established church
Christ, or not ?" Their oppoo
a church of Christ, were oblii:;
said, " If this is so, this is di
regarded, and these the prinei
gulated." Then, again, then
lished church could not be in
that was quite true in a certa.
never dealt in express and ci
dependent on the state for all
from any other church. Theil
and no further ; they should r
taken away all that formed t
admitted the extreme of Era, a'
voluntaryism on the other.
They did not admit that the ste
over ecclesiastical things ; but th
ought to be the object of the ma
attention.; ,It was erastianisin to
jurisdiction in ecclesiastical matter
to say that he should exercise
;illy.
the honour of the welfare of Christ's
distinction. Those who held the au,
find it difficult to explain what precis
of authority in ecclesiastical matters
city of the crown implied. The bet
of the Church of England honestly
plained it away, whilst the more seen.
were very willing to admit that it did
of ecclesiastical jurisdiction in the m.
Church. There were three grounds on
selves warranted to disregard the dccisi
in so far as it said that they were b,
Young on the reclaiming parish of At
first place, they said that the law of the
between the Church and the State, as sot
not impose, or profess to impose, any of
intrude ministers on reclaiming congrega.
no such obligation. They said that the deci,
foundation, and that they knew of no law wh
t
ooTt.frfie:te?pei
knew
Caalso:ar rotoi
.gotildfint
solo,
earlisaves,e.To n
iaen
no ity, this
rgenevn,
daootwtt:
matter
em to
ne
elusively final, and of course the House of
r
SlOll. In civil matters the courts of lase
them, and they willingly submittedto
i their
in ecclesiastical matters the Con rtof .zssenh
coordinate with the civil courts. Five On
judges, and those five the ablest and most 1,
Scottish Bench, concurred with them in opinic
denounced the decision of their brethren to the
opposition to the spirit and letter of the ',-
violation of the constitution of tli '
quoted, in support of his staterne.
by Lord Moncrief. After some further
part of the subject, the rev. gentleman be
the attention of the audier,
question, mid spoke of the earein,
thin which it required from them. It l
beautifully said that the ministers of the
taken up a position on the well-trodden
saints and martyrs. This was quite true
for the consideration of the meeting waS'
ciples were true, and whether they b'
asserted in a proper manner. The
a speech of two hours' duration;
tinned bursts of applause.
The meeting was afterwards briefs,
W. B. Kirkpatrick, of Dublin, the Re.
Rev. Mr. Gardner, and the Rev. Mr. b,
thanks was passed to the Rev. Dr. Cunning/.
lar compliment was passed to the chairman.
the 124th Psalm was sung, the benediction was p.
and the meeting separated at a quarter past ten o'c

ice the import

THURSDAY

The Synod resumed its sittings
the Rev. William Murdoch, moderator.
The Court was opened, in the usual mann,
and prayer; after which the Synod took into c
the best means of increasing the Mission Fun'.
agreed that the ministers and elders of e•
should be urgently recommended to adopt
increasing the Synod Fund, the ultimate ant.
which is the advantage of the Mission Cause.
On the suggestion of Mr. BARBON, of Man
spoke strongly in favour of it, it was resolve
Moderator and ex-Moderator, with a lay assistai.
be respectfully requested to visit the several Presby
enquire into the state of the various Missions, with
increasing their efficiency.
REPORT ON BILLS.
The Report on Billsft , by the
itsv. Mr.
read and agreed to ; aer whichwas rp
Synod should adjourn
Et} alf-past five o'cl'
TH ACTORY BILL

great

Mr. LAun laid upon the Synod
tions on the Factory Bill now before Parlion.
I. That the Synod view with alarm and so.
ranee which prevails among a large proportion r
jug classes of this country, and would cheerft
any legislative measure calculated to remedy
evil.
11. That no measure can be adequate tof
which does not provide a Scriptural as well as
cation,whilst, at the same time, in respect to sp
instruction, due regard must be had to the civil
liberties of all the subjects of this realm.
111. That the synod having had its attention
educational provisions contained in the bill nc
liament for regulating the employment of ch
tories, is compelled to declare its disapProbatior
embodied in those provisions, but especially ,
the following particulars :-
Ist. The constitution of the Board of Manager
2d. The irresponsible Dower vested in the Cleri
as to the selection of books for religious instr,
3d. The privilege conceded to the Clerical Ti
not to the minister of ally other communion o.
ting divine service, and of communicating rel
struction in the school-room to the adherents of
church.
of charging the cost of books fo
4th. The power
the ordinary expenses of the school, upon the
instruction selected by the Clerical Trustee, nit
rate,without any correspondent privilege being cc
to other bodies of Christians, nor even to th
schools whose certificates of attendance, are prop,
be admitted as leg
gal.
sth. The requrin of the schoolmaster to be tom
to communicate religious instruction according i
catechism and liturgy of the Church of Esglao
subsequently his appointment to the veto of the t
by which it is in effect declared that
.none but a IT
arid have tended gr,
of the Church of England can he eligible to that oi
th a zeal and disint:
6th. The non-ae.mssion of certificates of attendant,
schools conducted by Protestant dissenters.
7th. The injurious effects likelyamtoorle
tpir,coduced of
Sabbath-schools of all classes of dissenters, insti•
which, during more than half a century, have
pi
ucati e
poorer
whichthestl p effectspbleyshttahi
re.
elackb e e
nu
op
fo
carried
oi educationent
v i
ness worthy of the highest commendation, hut w-
the regulations of the proposed bill would be al
not entirely destroyed, in favour of a party
wi
glect of this important duty has until very recen
almost inexcusable.
th
Ilii.b'errlaialta,nidn
eoorntl,eir,rteob tenne;tetlsmeheexmigeenoefieesti of
Vall!)Ilee., ant;dreogradtiel
trot of the government; and, in the opinion
nastLct's
after due deliberation, to be established uncle
nod, the plan recently adopted in Ireland
modification, would be best adapted to tit,
and circumstances of this country.
V. That the Synod petition parliament in ter
resolution!, and recommend it to their corn terms of
be taken into consideration at a future sittin,!,.
Thesefnrw resolutionsar dP e
tit ioswaesr
were
speedilylai
laid
o
DEPUTATION' FROM THE CHURCH OF C.OTL
The Rev. Mr. CAMPBELL, one of the deputatioAND,
Church of Scotland in England to the General Al: em
the Church of Scotland, was then called upon ; and he
the deputation had been received with he
the ,-•
diality and kindness. The General Assembly ii.,dieate:
a deputation to represent her at this session, aPisPi:
Dr. Cunningham, who was present, and severalecls—s.
from various causes, had been unable to attend.nth'n'r,,-
geneman concluded by introducing to the c:\,,i 2"
The Rev. Dr. CUNNINGHAM, Nvllo del' ':—.l—
• i„,
able speech explanatory of the exact position a
between the Church of Scotland and the •n of the qt
country. In elucidation of this question, he courts (
Synod a variety of documents, historical' he
laid befo
the privileges of the church ; and and legal, sl
he fo
civil courts could not, according to the spirit
urged th
Union, interpose between the church spirit of the
He concluded by announcing that, and her ancient
stances, a separation had been determined under
all the c
jority of the General Assembly. rmined upon by ti
The Rev. Mr. CAMPBELL then
illoved, and it was s
ed, a resolution to the effect that the
the statement of the deputation from Synod, basin'
and the documents being laid the Church of Y"
deepest sympathy with the presentuPcm the table, ear
and resolved that that feelin, should
conditio,,
Wiwi front the Synod to the' General
h
ne expi.
Dr. Buows, of London, i neral Assembn,
expressed opposite views to thosen a speech of Mt-
and made an earnest appeal to the of the General A.
separation. the Synod not to coast
After some discussion, the motion was
o
paders were ordered to lie table for a rt
.._
by the committee ; and, in the
the table bra ri
by time committee ; and, lit the rncantinr
Cunningham.
Synod were voted to Dr. eantiunni
REPOU'r OF THE IP '
The Rev. Mr. MUR 'lst! DEPUTATION
deputation sent last year to
brought up the
byterian Church in I the general asst.
the spirituality Ireland. He gave a pleasing
of that church, said
satisfaction in stating that it was making the ,reatesi
sions upon the darkness • d destitution°t.
an of the reg
Anti-Christ.
The Rev. JoSIAS WILSON, from the Presbyterian CI
in Belfast, then addressed the Synod, On the part 0,
deputation of which lie was a member, and said that he sh
Gond
go back warmed and refreshed with odly
that the tills,:
edification bl
proceedings of this Synod. He mentie
aries sent fort by e Belfast Synod had met with
greatest success hin lheth
South and
West of Ireland; and I
had in many places established churches for the worshij
the living God.
The Rev. Mr. KtrocrArnrcK, a member of the same
potation, stationed in Dublin, next addressed the sync),
an encouraging speech, and mentioned several factthes, slsontuml.
the extension of the Presbyterian Church in
Ireland.
The Rev. Mr. PATTERsoN-, of the Irish deputation, r
addressed the synod, after which the deputation were form.
thanked by the Moderator for the information they had cc
municated.
THE DEPUTATION FROM THE 'WELSH
REPORT OF

he folio

mbly of

When
CALVINISTIC METHODISTS.
The Rev. JAME,i HAMILTON presentc.d this report
which the Rev. Mr. EnwAttps, and two other tninist
made each a suitable relply.
The Synod adjourned at half-past five o'clock with pre
In the evening a !meeting o❑ missions was held, a
which the Synod resumed, and remained sitting
went to press.
_ _

))Ject of

r, who

view to

Otis to

aofpatipleerc,
hwurilcill.i is
teriln
a iTabilieiz c4aeads mic of fu
pwhat,, i
ss e de ennao umi
un
ka
it
g proposesensd e. :nob
A standing provisional committee sits at No. 7, No
now
abefrfoeree Ase:sbity
gratuitously Edinburgh,
aa:10
Hi,: stuhees
friends of
Church ere,i
land, at an expense of £300,0t10. The plans ,.
church are given, and various directions
for bu
withcommunication 6O O churches
for cot'
Wien in earnest, a
nev, &C. Tbe whole document shows ni •
zealous in the cause they have espoused.

ling m

evervt

have 50

exceed

for them

and says

;y have naa
We do not

and are a

t. and

cable pz
or soul

s. aria

),,,ern-

n to.the

that iflt t
1 princi-

d wer

dicularl
It

Old Gla.s

r to

g tO Er

last ter.