Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1849-06-08
ANTI-SLAVERY BUGIE, SALEM, o.

righteous endeavors to effect the cx,irpo.
tion of the evil.
4th. Enjoining upon Christians 10 alb
stain from buying and selling slaves, UNI
due severity to them, or the separation
OF the members of families, by any act
of theirs.
9th. The Assembly knows of no mem
bers of the Church participating in the
evils alluded TO, but if there are any, the
attention of the proper church judica,o-
ries is called 10 tho same"
Pending the motion to adopt, the following
substitute was offered
Resolved, That Slavery is a great sin
before God and man, and should be trea-
ted by the Church in the same way as
other gross immoralities.
This, however, did not suit the Assembly
they greatly preferred The language of the
report. 1t was more kind, and courteous,
and conciIiatcry 10 call all Orthodox men,
stealers "christians,'' and enjoin upon them
to abstain from +" undue severity" to their
slaves, allowing due severity to run its free
course and be gIorided. The first three pro-
positions are unexceptionable but standing
in the connection in which they do, they are
evidently designed TO be understood only in
a Pick wickiln sense. To talk about slavery
as unrighteous, aud yet permit their church.
members 10 hold slaves and breed slaves
uttering no word Of censure against the prac-
tice, is an absurdity worthy Of an ecclcsiasti-
cal body.
In the Old School body, we understand
the vexed question was disposed Of in a very
brief time. The following resolutions are
the sum and substance of all the bondman
may expect from that great assembly Of or
thodox Shareholders and their abettors.
Resolred, That the principles of the
Presbyterian Church, on the subject Of
! slavery. arc already set forth in repeated
declarations, 50 full and SO explicit as to
need no further exposition.
RcSolred, That in view Of the civil
and domestic nature of this institution,
and competence of legislatures, alone. to
remove it; and in view of the earnest,
inquiring and deep agitation on this sub.
ject VIC now observe in one or more com
monwcallh Of our country, where slave
ry exists; it be considered peculiarly i'm
proper, and ineXpedient for this General
! Assembly TO attempt or propose any
measure in the work Of emancipation.
Reso,red, That all necessary and pro-
per provision is already made for the just
exercise Of discipline, upon those who
neglect or violate the mutual duties OF
master and servant and the General
Assembly is always ready to enforce
these provisions when the unGuilh(ulness
of any inferior court is made manifest by
record-on appeal, or complaint.
Resolved, That we rejoice to believe
that The action of lormcr Assemblies, so
far from aiding or allowing the iniquitous
oppression Of man by his fellow man, has
been steadily promoting ameIioration in
the condition Of Slaves, by winning the
confidence of masters in .our freedom
from lanaricism, and by stimulating the
slave and his master alike to labor in the
religious instruction Of the blacks.
ReS01rcd, That il be enjoined on Pres.
bylcrics situated in sIavehoIding states,
TO continue and increase their eXcrrions
for the religious instruction Of the slaves,
and TO report distinctly in the Annual
Assembly the state OF reIigion among than
class Of their population.
The vote for the adoption of these %resolu-
tons was almost unanimous. The following
Protest was, however, entered against them
The undersigned, claiming the right
guaranteed 10 him by the form of gov
eminent Of the Presbyterian Church,
feels himself impcrarivoly called upon
from u sense Of duty 10 God, 10 the
Church, and the slave, to protest against
the judgment of this Assembly, aS cX-
pressed in the report adopted by il. on the
subject Of slavery.
The reasons for this protest arc as fol-
lows:
/, The true position Of our Church in
regard to this subject, which is one of
overwhelming importance, is not known
with certainty, either by all its ministers
or members orlhc world at large. Some
affirming that the Church sanctions sla-
very as an institution having the moral
appreciation Of God and others that it
condemns it.
2. The fact that there is a spirit of
" earnest inquiry and deep agitation on
this subject instead Of rendering ii inn
proper and inexpedient" for this Gener-
al Assembly TO express its sentiments
d~efnirly upon it, is in the opinion of the
undersigned the very reason, why its
sentiments should be expressed, as by
this means the members Of the Church
would be enabled to know their duty as
moral subjects, in connection with the
great question. 1t is the light Of the d.
vine truth alone, shining through the Iiv-
ing organization Of the Church, that is