Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1845-04-09

IL III thio Juok Ca ChPCStdiou VIC dio ~ W
disappointed, we shall experience unutler.
able regret.
We have, with all frankness, but will
entire kindness and respect, defined oul
position. If our brethren in alabama
With this exposition of our principles and
feelings. can cooperate with US, we shall
be happy 10 receive their aid. If they
cannot, painful 10 US as will be their with.
drawal, yet we shall submit 10 it, as nei
her sought nor caused by US.
There are sentiments avowed in thi:
communication, which; although held tenn
perately and kindly, and with all due es.
leem aud Christian regard for the brethren
addressed, are, nevertheless. dearer 10 us
than any pecuniary aid whatever.
We remain yours truly,
In behalf of the Board,
DANIEL SHARP, President.
BARON STow, Recording Secretary.
Rev. JESSE HARTwELL, President Ala
bama Baptist State Convention.
From The Religious Herald. Ertra,
TO THE BAPTIST CHURCHES in THE
STATE OF VIRGINIA.
Dear Brethren accompanying this
communication you will find letter ad-
dressed by The Board of the Baptist Tri.
enniaI Convention to the Rev. Jesse Hart
well, President OF the Alabama State Con-
venlion, in reply to a preamble sno reso.
lutions, recently adopted by this body. OF
the expediency of pressing the Board TO
an expression Of their views on the SUBJ
jcct Of slayerys under the exciting and en-
barrassing circumstances under which they
were placed, we forbear to express an
opinion. For ourselves, feeling au ardent
desire for the conversion Of the heathen,
and sincerely deprecatins disunion in the
denomination, we were willing to cooper
ale with the, Board, until in the regular
course of action, some decision should be
made adverse to, our rights. Conidiug
fully in their wisdom, moderation and in
,egrity, we did not believe that such de.
cision would be made. These, so fat, as
we are informed, are the views entertained
by The brethren whom we represent. ,BuI
the letter Of the Board has dissipated all
misconceplion ON this subject. From ii
we learn that no stakeholder under any
circumstances, would be appointed by the
Board as missionary, or even as an
agent Hhis is plainly implied.) 10 collect
funds from slaveholdinS churches, CONCERN
ing this unexpected resolution of the
Board, we wish to speak with candor and
courtesy but we must also speak with
frankness and firmness. I, is an outrage
on our rights. This. will clearly appear
from The following considerations - o=
l. The decision Of The Board is uncon-
stitutionoL. The Triennial Convention
was formed, and, from its organization, it
has been sustained by Shareholders and
non shareholders. They have met and
acted in the Convention itself, and in its
Board, on terms Of perfect social and reli-
gious equality. No mau, who is at all ac-
quaiuted with the history Of tho Conven-
ton, can entertain auy doHbt that the
Southern Baptsts would have indignantly.
refused 10 cooperate with it on any terms
implying their iaferiorily. But the uni
form action of the Convention has placed
The matter beyond cavil. Shareholders
have presided over The body-have been
appointed as Vice Presidents, and as men,
bers Of the Board-a STAKEHOLDER was
elected as delegate TO represent The Con-
vention at the meeting of the English
Baptist Union-and in general, slavehold-
ers have been held by the Convention it.
self as eligible to The highest Offices and
trusts within its gifts. And we are now
to be told by the Board, that if "any one
should offer himself as missionary hav.
ing slaves, and insist OIL holding them as
bis property, we would not appoint him."
"Fhe appointing power, for wise and
good reasons" we are told, "has been
con6dcd TO the Acting Board.'" Very
true! But what is the Acting Board I
An agent Of the Convention. Ii was or.
ganized to carry out the views and plans
of The Convention. II derives its whole
power from the Convention, consisting
partly Of shareholders and partly of non
Shareholders; Convention distinctly re-,
cognizing the eligibility of shareholders to
the highest Offices of trust. If a member
of the Board. should console ntiously de.
cline retaining such power, we should re-
spect his .scruples. though we deem them
erroneous. But for the Acting Board,'
iu violation Of the constitution, and the
spirit of the missionary compact. and dis.
regarding the Precedenls set by the Con-
venlion for their guidance, to employ
their, power according to their private
views and scruplesf is in our view fla
grant breach Of lrust-a breach no, the
less 10 be. deplored or censured because
they hold themselves accountable TO the
Convention for the discreet and faithful
discharge Of this trust.''
2. The decision of the Board is mani
fest violation Of the compromise resolution
adopted at the last meeting Of the Conven-
ton. This is The resolution
Resolucd, That, in cooperating 10.