The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-06-01
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The following letters from Messrs. Birney and
Tappan furnish the latest intelligence respecting
the doings of the Old and New School Assemblies
of the Presbyterian Church. They will be read
with deep interest at the present time. We copy
them from the Emancpator.
PHILADELPHIA, May II, 1889.
BROTHER LEAvlTT,-4 esterday, attended the
opening of the (old school) General Assembly, and
heard Mr. Plummers sermon 1t was written out,
and read from the manuscript. AS a composition
il was chaste; the conception was good; and, as
a whole, think it was superior production. He
recommended moderation-a thing not often OBJ
served in acrimonious church broils, by the tri-
umphant party. 1t seems strange to hear how
southern ministers tell of oppression they speak
of the oppressor, as if he was either mere alb
stracon, or the nhabitant of every land but their
own,-of wrong and injustice with as much sang
troid, as if they neither perpcrated it themselves
on the poor negroes, or were not the apoooists Of
those who do.
This morning, at the General Assembly of the
New School, tho committee on overtures reported
the slavery question among others. No small
CONSERVATION is excited. Onmy way to the meet
ing met one of the D. DIS of this city, who had
to postpone the subject to next Tuesday. He was
a great deal moved-and went so far as to say,
that if the slavery question was to be acted on by
the New School, he, with his congregation would
at once cease their connection with it. When |
arrived at the meeting the question had just been
taken to postpone till Tuesdav-when it is to be
hoped great battle will be fought (or the adver-
saries are fierce and determined) and great bat
tie won by the friends righteousness and free
DOM. .--
Surprising efforts are being made to persuade
the anti-savery members just to pass by the
question this year-just to let the body become
organized, and put on an embodied character and
that, in due time it will be taken up and disposed
that they arc in crisis. BY this cry, fear,
some of our friends have already been beguiied.
But others with whom | have conversed | am
sure have not. They know that many of the
soundest parts of the Church are only waiting to
see what action the New School will take on the
subject of Slavery, TO decide what course they will
take. They will make those who appear to be
more the friends of OrganizGion than of the cause
Of righteousness, take their coMrSe-either for the
North and liberty, or for the South and slavery.
Such men as Stewart and Rankin and Gale, and
others whom ! might mention, will not be misled
by the cry, that this is not proper time for intro
ducing the subject into the Assembly, for decision
They will not be frightened by the cry already
put forth by the leading southern members, in the
discussion to-day, that slavery must not be discus
sed there
The friends of the slave occupy most response
Bile station in this new body Now is the time for
them to act with effect. At the very outset of the
organization it is best to settle all dissentious ques-
tons, ifthey would hereafter live in harmony. It'll
would be far better in my judgment, for the New
School to be broken into fragments at once, and
be prevented from organizing at ALL than for slave
holders, for moment, to find in it covert from
the coming indignance of the Christian world. II
look with great interest to what may be done next
Tuesday.
An 'lnterlocutory meeting on the slavery qucs-
ton is to be held between this and Tuesday.
Yours, truly,
JAMES r. RIPNEV