Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1845-06-05
49, .--4-l--~--s--s----lsi'
SLAVE RY.

we expressed some views last week upon The
Slavery controversy now asiiatiog several OF the
Christian Churches in this country We mention
ed then that the subject would likely come before
the Presbyterian General Assembly (old School)
then in session at Cincinnati. II was introduced
and disposed of by that enlightened Christian boz
dy in the true wsy-and the only way in which ii
should be met when brought into the Conventions
OF the Church. The General Assembly deserves
the thanks of the Union for their prompt, engh.
tened and patriotic action. Their action will not
only preserve their Church in union and harmony,
and the better enable them to propagate and dis
semnste the principles and doctrines of christian
OF or beloved country'-the only true asylum Of
civil and religious freedom upon the globe The
day The Church withdraws herself from the "even
tenor Of her way" and become. embroiled in the
polluted politics of Abolition and misguided fana-
ticism, that day sne lights the torch of destruction
to our liberties and the cause of the Bible in this
land. IL one goes down in blood the other must
go with it. Let the Church every where act as the
Presbyterian General Assembly has DONE and all
may yet be well upon this fearful subject. Their
duty is plain--the compromises of the Constitution
are known to all--none can mistake them. The
Church can find employment enough for her most
active exertions in looking out upon world lying
10 wiekedness, superstition and ignorance, without
interfering with institutions in their own land over
which they have control, and whose miseries, if
any they have, they utterly and entirely unable
to alleviate or control.
The people are already too familiar with threats
10 dissclre the Union. The time was when it was
treason almost to hint such an idea; now it is q,
common as household word" The more it is
talked about the less hdeous does it appear, and
therefore instead of familiarizing the people with
it. every effort should be made ITO frown down It's
frat dawning." 1t was this consideration more
than any other that filled Our minds with fearful
| forebodngs when we behed the action of the
Methodist Convention in Louisville and the Bap-
tist Convention at Augusta, Georgia. The South.
ern States might assemble 10 Convention. and upon
similar principles and views, withdraw from the
Northern Ststes-establish q Congress of the
United States Of america, South. The conse.
qucnce Of course would be dissolution of the Uni.
on with all its direful train of evils. Better far
for all of the Churches to follow the example Of
the Presbyterian General Assembly. Here 10 their
acton-honor to them-Iet the christian patriots
Of the "Union of our beloved country" say Amen
! and Amen:-
10 the Presbyterian General Assembly,
at Cincinnati, on Tuesday last, the Com
mi,tee TO whom memorials on the subject
OF slavery had been referred. submitted a
Report, acc ompanied by the annexed res
olutions:
Resolved, First, that the General As.
sembly of the Presbyterian Church of the
United States, was originally organized,
and has since continued the bond ofunior
in the church, upon the conceded princi.
pie that the existence of domestic slavery,
under the circumstances in which it is
found in the Southern portion of the
country is no bar to christian communion.
Second, Tha. the petitions that ask the
Assembly to make the holding of slaves
IN itself a matter OF discipline, do virtual.
ly require this judiciary 10 dissolve itself
and abandon the organization under which,
by the divine blessing, it has SO long pros.
pered. The tendency is evidently to
separate the Northern from the Southern
portion of the church; result which eve.
ry good citizen must deplore as tending
to the dissolution of the Union of our be-
loved county, and which every enlght-
ened christian will oppose as bringing
about ruinous and unnecessary schism
between brethren who maintain CON-
mon faith.
After the reading of the Report several
Intellectual attempts were made to post
pone. Then amendments were offered,
with view of rendering it less defensive
of slavery, but were rejected by decisive
votes. The vote on adopting the report
was taken, and resulted as follows: Ayes
l64; Noes IL; non-llquels B.