The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1840-09-05
From the Biblical Recorder
TO ALL SOUTHERN sBAPTISTS.

From the Biblical Recorder
TO ALL SOUTHERN sBAPTIsTs.
We now give it.as our decided opinion
that the time has fully come when all
Southern B1ptis,s should stand erect. So
long as the question at issue with aboli-
,ionists was allowed to be debateable one,
we were clearly for discussion. Andal-
though our brethren received, in the mean
time, at the hands Of abolitionists, little
else than abuse, tlenunciation, and, wrath,
still we were decidedly in favor OF endu.
rance-hoping that time and forbearance
might possibly do what truth and reason .
were manlfestly incompeten. 10 effect
But now, since the abolitionis,s have in eff {
feet proclaimed their sentence Of non-fel-
lowship with the South, and have thereby
put an end to oil honorable or equitable
discussion on the subject at issue, it is full
time for the Baptists at the South TO take
their position accordingly. Beyond this
point, forbearauce can no longer be es-
teemed virtue-nor can it be productive
of any practicable utility. Southern Bap.
lists have now but a single alternative.
They must either :tamely surrender their
rights, their independence, and their self
respect, or they must meet their opponents
on equal ground, and declare on end to all
discussion, all christian fellowship, and
all religious cooperation. The former.
we are assured, our brethren at the South
will never do. The latter then they will
be compelled to do. We therefore give
i. as an opinion, deliberately formed and
stcadlastly maintained, that our Conven-
tions, A ssociations, Churches, &c. through
all the South, should lose no time, in an
nouncing to the world the .groundon which
they intend 10 stand, touching all abolition
lists, and all abolition principles and pro.
ceedings.
Under existing circumstances we are
aware of no practicable methodby which
our northern brethren, who are not. aboli-
tionists, can occupy neutral or common
ground. If they hold to the abolitionists,
they thereby in effect exclude their south /.
ern brethren; and it,. on th" other hand,
they mean to adhere 10 their southern
brethren, they must Of course break fell
lowsl,ip with the abolitionists. This places
our moderate brethren Of the North in q
position ofpeculiar delicacy and'responsi-
bi!ity. Much Of the peace and harmony
and efficiency of the denomination--not
TO say much OF the prosperity Of the church.
Of Christ, must depend on their decision.
As we have said on former occasion, we
trust that their decision may be such as
may be dictated from above, aad such as
may harmonize with the best interests Of
Christ's kingdom. on earth.
Respecting our northern brethren who
arc not abolitonists, VIC would therefore
recommend that no action Of any kind be
taken at present. They should be allowed
time to reflect, to deliberate, and 10 take
counsel in relation TO thenew and perplex-
ing position into Which they have been
thrown by the recent action of The Ultra
lists. But if after having had an ample
opportunity for action, we should find them
still in league with the abolit,onists, il will
then be fair to conclude that they have
deliberately taken their position. In that
case, we Of the South shall have no alter
native but 10 declare general rule Of non.,
intercourse, and to organize for ourselves
suchinstitutions for missionary and other
purposes, as our circumstances shall re.
qu.re. This will be an awful state Of things.
twill be not only the rending in train of
the Baptist denominatioHin this,coun!ry;
but il will be the dissolution of one Of the :
great bonds by which the South and the
North are heldtogether. The very thought
of such separation awakens the most
fearful forebodings. Siillitisamatter in re-
lation 10 which Southern Baptists har: now
no longer voice, and Of coDrse can share
no responsi bility. The questionislcft en-
tirely with the moderate Baptists of the
North. and ifthey in their wisdom shall
consider it expedient to incur 50 great an
evil for the purpose of conciliating or re-
tanning in fellowship few misguided fan.
atics, it must be SO. Ig any event, we Of
the South, however painful to ourfeelings,
must prepare ourselves to meet the ext
gency.
The Southern Patriot says, the Banks
in Charleston, lately known as the suspcn-
Jo5 Love cince rrsIym ntion ctlrtaiied their