Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1845-05-31
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.


The Presbyterian General Assembly, in ses N Cuein-
nat has decsvey disposed the SLAVERY QUEsros which
has divided two ohe large church Organizations in our
ty and which has approximately solicited the attention Of the
Presbyterian Assembly for years The various petitions
ON the subject referred early in the session to select com
mttee called upon the Assembly take steps for the meor-
alton OF the condition of the slaves asked for full discussion
OF the subject and the adoption measures to obtain the
peal OF laws orbdding the teaching OF slaves to read and
lastly setting forth slavery BE- moral evil calculated to
bring upon the church the of God and calling for the
exercise OF discipline in the Of those who persist in main
tanning or jusiying the relation of master to slaves
The committee made full report the subject on Tues
day OF last week. and the following brief extract and the con-
Guiding resolution, show in the dearest manner the grounds
upon which the Assembly reser the report and resou-
tons were adopted by nearly unanimous voteo entertain
these questions
The Church Of Christ is spiritual body, whose jursdic-
uon extends only TO the religious faith and moral conduct
her members She egsae where Christ has not e
glsated nor make terms Of membership which he has not
made The question, therefore, which this Assembly is call
ca upon TO decide is this Do the Scriptures teach that the
holding OF slaves, without regard circumstances is sin
the remuneration Of which should be made condition Of mem
bership in the Church Of Christ
It is impossible to this question in the affirmative
without conradicng Of the panest declarations Of the
the Apostles Is admitted fact That they did not denounce
the relation itself sinful as inconsistent with Christianity
that shareholders admitted membership the churches
organized by the Apostles that whilst they were required
treat their slaves with Kindness and RATIONAL accountable
immortal beings and If Christians as brethren in the Lord
they were not commanded emancpate them that slaves
were required to be obedent according the
ssh with fear and trembling with sngeness of heart as UNI
% are facts which meet the Of every reader of the
New Testament This Assembly cannot therefore, denounce
The holding OF slaves necessarily henous and scandaous
sn calculated to bring upon the Church the curse Of God
without charging the Apostles Of Christ with connvng at such
s introducing into the Church such Sinners and thus bring
ing upon them the curse of the Almighty.
In saying, however, the Assembly are not to be under
stood as denying that there evil connected with slavery
Much less do they approve those defective and laws
,y which In some of the States ii is regulated Nor would
hey by counenance the traffic of slaves for the
ake OF gain the separation of husbands and wives parents
md children, for the sake of filthy ucre or for the
hence OF the MASTER cruel of slaves in any re-
pec Every Christian and phanthropist certainly should
eek by all peaceabe and lawful the repeal of unjust
md oppressive laws and the amendment of such as are deec
i've protect the slaves from cruel treatment by wicked
men and secure to them the to receive religious nsuc
ion Nor is this Assembly be understood as
ng the idea that masters may regard their as
property not as human beings RATIONAL accountable mnor
al The Scriptures prescribe only the duty Of servants
'ut masters also, warning the latter discharge those duties
knowing that their Master in heaven neither there
pect of persons with him.
w, Christ
us inspired Apostles did not make the holding OF slaves bar
communion, we, court of Christ have authority TO
10 SO since they did not attempt from the Church
y legislation we have authority to legsate the sub
ec We feel constrained further say that however desi
able may be to ameorate the condition of the slaves in the
Southern and Western States or to remove slavery from our
ounfy these objects fully persuaded be
ecured by ecclesiastical legislation Much less can they be /
ataied by those indscrnate dnunciatons against slare
oers oifoW regard to their character circumstances
ych hare, 10 great ertea characterized the none
lents Of modern a6oitionist, Which, far from re,aoring
he eri complained of tend only opeetuate and aggra
ate them The Apostles of Christ sought ameioate the
onditon of slaves not by denouncng and excommunica
their masters but by teaching both and slaves the
orous doctrines of the Gospel and enonng upon such the
ischarge Of their relative duties Thus only the Church
Christ as such, now improve the condition Of the slaves
ur country.
As extent of the evils involved in slavery and the
est methods of removing them, various opinions prevail and
ehc the Scriptures Constitution authorize this body
present any particular course pursued by the Churches
that the Ministers and Churches in the savehodng States
awakng to deep Of their obligation extend the
lave population generally the means of Grace and many
laveholders not professedy religious favor this object We
nesty exhon them to abound more and in this good
york. We would exhort every believing to remember
hat his Master also in heaven, and in view of all the
umstances in which he placed, the spirit of
oden rule Whatever ye would that should do unto
on, do We even the same to them
" In view Of the above stated principles and facts
Resolved First that the General Assembly of the Pres
ytean Church in the United States originally organized
nd has since continued the bond Of union the church.
the conceded principle that the existence Of domestic
avery, under the circumstances in which is found in
'uhem portion of the country bar to Christian com
lunion. i,
Second That the petitions that ask the Assembly make
holding Of slaves in itself matter of discipline, do virtu
lily require this udcaory dissolve itself and abandon the
rganzaion under which, by the Divine blessing it has so
ong prospered The tendency evidently separate the
Northern from the Southern portion Of the church result
which every good citizen must depore attending the dis
outon Of the Union Of beloved country and which
enlightened Christian will oppose bringing runous
md unnecessary schism between brethren who maintain
Common faith"
After an Intellectual motion to postpone the subject the prece
ling report and resolutions adopedayes l64,
ION liquet 3, excused l.
Thus Of the largest church udicaores in the country
mas decsvely disposed Of question which, than any
'the threatens the harmony the stability Of the union
'f the States The resolution, will be perceived embraces
the ground occupied by the antaboonsts of
he free States generally -Ne,cnk Advertiser.
tt
AN EXTRAORDINARY DISCOVERY.
farmer Of Howard county, Missouri, whilst quarying
stone hill side, accidentally discovered by striking the
Earth with hoe, that spot the declviy hollow He
forthwith commenced digging there and in short time came
10 regular wall, evidently built by human hands He tore
down portion and found that had blocked the mouth Of
cave which has since been explored distance Of three hun
lred yards and branch from this main passage has been
penetrated two hundred yards About thirty yards from