The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 184?-1851, 1845-11-26
oxford PresbyteFy.


The following Report of the Oxford Presby.
terry, on the subject of Slavery, we insert at the
request of subscriber. The Report, we be:
lieve. was dawn up by the Rev. JoHN MAR.
THUR, formerly Pastor of the Presbyterian
church of Cadz, but now Professor in Miami
University:
"Whatever diversity Of views may be enters
tanned among US about the proprietyoi excluding
from christian fellowship, in the present clrGum-
stances Of our country, men who hold slaves we
all agree in regarding slavery as great evil
which the application Of the principles of the
Gospel is destined TO destroy, and for the de-
struction o. which christians ought earnestly TO
pray and labor We believe that the supreme
ludicatory of our church, Instead of shrinking
| from an expression of its views on the subject, or
'lleavng its position underlined or doubtful, ought
to glory in fearless ayowal of IFS unwaverlng,
luncompromsing hostility TO system, alike con-
ldemned by the moral sense of man, and by the
whole spirit of the Gospel and enter into set
tied purpose 20 proceed firmly and vigorously in
4 its opposition TO it. and never TO rest satisfied
with any thing short of its complete extirpatlons
\ 1t should pointedly and solemnly warn such Of
l its members as are not partakers OF this evil
against being drawn into il by the tamperlng
prospect of gain, and exhort such asare enlanged
in it, to spare no efforts in relieving themselves
at 40 early period as possible, from this dangers
Gus condition. 1t should urgently press upon
synods, presbyteries and sessions, in our slavez
: holding states, the necessity of employing meas
t ures combining promptness and vgor with mod
eratlon and pru dence, not merely for the correc-
: ton Of the mutitudjnous abuses, but for the final
0 overthrow of this system of oppression. That
) the public mind of our country manless ali ln-
d tense sensitiveness upon this subect-that there
has been in the discussion of il, deporable,
perhaps unparalleled lack of the spirit of kind
T. ness--that the injudicous plan of deluded or
G false friends of emancipation may have kindled
L into unwonted energy the unfeeling selfshness,
y and Unsuitable avarce OF lis enemles-should
/ not, we believe, divert the church for moment
from the course which has been suggested. We
e are persuaded that this hgh-wroughi excitement
II of the public feeling can be allayed only by
fearless exhibition Of ruth, in the spirit of love,
e Such declaration OF its views by our Gener
9 al Assembly, would no more array it against the
m civil authorities of our county, than would a
= warning 10 its members against irequentng IL
o censed theatres, or gambling rooms.
7 Domestic Slavery is not one OF the institutions
y, LOT the commonwealth in which we liye--an cx-
N emption for which we are truly thankful, aud in
IN which, as lovers of our country, we wish all the
Is commonwealth of this conederacy to be sharers,
God has made US TO differ in circumstances from
II. our Southern brethren. For this difference we
+; have no reason TO boast; but we earnestly long
that they may be put in possession of the advan-
as tages which we enjoy. we therefore deeply re-
MS gret that the report of the last General Assembly
SIS on slavery, passing over the other important and
It. practical aspects o the subject merely discuss
r. es the abstract question, Does the holding Of
slaves, without regard TO circumstances, dIsqua7
~ lify for membership in the Church Of Christi
ID Even according that the negative OF this propo-
Ell silion bad been fully demonstrated, il no more
follows that the church should do nothing for the
al subverson of slavery, than it does hat because
ne a man may taste alcohol without sublectlng hm-
n self 10 ecclesiastical censnre, therefore the church
us ought to do nothing toarcsI the tide of intempe
oi rance.
ne We moreover regret that the noble sentiments
e. contane IN the report Of the committee on sa-
Is very, oi the General Assembly of the Free
IT, Church of Scotland, were so feeby responded to
he in the reply of our General Assembly-a docu-
ment, which, as well as The report of our Assem-
nd bly,, seems too much like an apology for slavery,
e. 1t would have afforded US unfoigned pleasure,
o' had the Supreme Court of our Church promptly
re adopted as lis own, the following language of
ty}the report Just alluded to, of our Scottish breth
lu ren -
?" "Slavery is, in its own nature in all lis forms
40 TO be regarded as a system Of oppression which
~ cannot be defended, Natural reason, sound po-
ou licy, a sense Of justice between man and man, as
nv ~ we'll as the whole tenor and spirit of the Divine
'' World, and especially of the dsPcnsatlun of the
~ gospel, concur in condemning ii; and it is the
glory Of christianity, that hitherto, in proportion
to its advancing prevailing influence, slavery has
os been mitigaed, relaxed discontinued, and finally
extirpated and abolished"
en- T. L. THOMAS, Moderator.
TO T. E. HUGuEs, Clerk.