New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-06-05
Slavery and The Church.

The New School General Assembly of the Pres
byte-ian Church, after long discussion, adopted,
on Wednesday the following declarations intro
duced b. Dr. DUFFIELD. The vote stood o. TO p
20 msiorty in the affirmative. Absent 70
! The ,ys,cm of slavery. ii exists in these United
States viewed either In the laws OF the several States
which sanction IL in ita actual operation and results
In ,ocety 10 utrpsc8ly unrghteous and oppressive,
and il orpo,ed prescriptions OF the law OF God TO
pr and precep,s OF The Gospel and to the oes In
teresls OF humanity.
The testimony OF the General Assembly. from A. d.
lTs7 10 A 1918 inclusive. has condemned H. and II
remains still the recorded testimony OF the Presbyterian
Church United States sgainst IT, from which we
do not recsde.
a We cannot, therefore withhold the expression Of
deep regret Slavery should be continued aud counte
nanced cy any the members OF our Churches and we
DO earnest: eXhort both them and the Ihnrcrcs among
whom IL exists TO use all means their power 10 put II
away from them. lis perretuaton among them cannot
fail 10 be regarded by muuuies Influenced ny their exam
ple as sanctoning system portrayed and maintained
bv the statues several Savsnodng states wherein
thew dwell Nor CAN any mitigation oi It's seventy,
prompted BY the humanity and Christian feeling or Eny
who continue to fellow such bondage, be
regarded either testimony ssabst tile system or as III
the least degree changing its essential char cter
But while believe that many evils incident 10 the
sy,tsm render important aud obligatory To bear tes
topy sgaust IL yet would we DOT undertake to deter
mine the degree OF moral urptude on the part OF isd
viduais involved by it This will doubtless be found 10
vary In the sight OF God accordiog to the degree OF go
all the enbaasu aud obstacles in the way OF enlan
cipatops nerposed By tine statutes Of the savehodna
States and by the social ufue affecting The views
and conduct Of those involved in It, pronounce
a Judgment OF general and proniscuous condemnation
imply ing thar restitution of Christian principle aud iee
Ing h.ch should exclude from the table OF the Lord all
WHO should stand in the legal relation OF matters 30
slsve. IT Justify US in withholding eccles-tcn and
Christian fellowship from them We rather sJmpahize
with and would seek to them u their embarras
ments believing ths, separation and secession among
the churches aud their members. not the methods
God approves and functions for the reformation OF his
Church.
s. While. therefore, feel bound To bear testimony
against Slavery and exort beloved brethren TO re-
hom speedily possible by all Apprnpri-
and available do II the same ic condemn
all divsve and schsmaticI tending tn d. sroy
the unity and disturb the peace OF our Church. ard depe
the spirit of denunciation and tnfcting seventies
which would cast from the fold those whom we are rather
bound BY spirit of the gospel and the obligations at
our covenant instruct to COUNSEL TO eXhort ana mus
lead in the ways OF God and toward whou even though
they may exercise orbearance and brotherly love-
d As q court Lord Jesus Christ, we possess no
legislative authority and the General Assembly OF
the Presbyterian Church, possess judiciary su
thoriiy. We have right TO institute aud prescribe
test OF Christian character and Church membership not
recognized and sanctioned 10 rhe sacred and
In our standards by which have agreed 10 walk We
must therefore leave this with the Sessions Pres
byteries and Synods-the udicatores TO whom pertains
the right ud smeut in the administration OF dis
cipne they may judge It to be- their duty constu-
tonally subject the General Assembly only IN the
way OF general review and control.