The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1850-11-13


pressils to % vide an estent - il hap
pdy tie case In the United States, the
acu # eseiesiasticsl bodies must ever
Be = matter Of great interest and im-
portance; and when they are connected
with great pablo measures, vitality af-
fecting the well-being and peace Of the
eoantry. tthey attract the notice Of still
wider Circle than that Of those who ire
b. profession subject 70 their authority.
osrs i pre-eninently government u
public opinion; and - the sentinents
q men holding the pastoral relation
mast, In the nature II things. exert q
powerful effect upon the hocks they
govern. il u peculiarly gratifying when
We find their sentiments distinctly
avowed in favor Of sound. moderate, and
conservative principles.
Weharebeenledto these remarks from
having seen certain resolutions recent-
~ adopted BY church body denomina-
ted, officially. the Synod Of Patsburg.
A Synod, according to the Presbyterian
Ecclesiastical government, is. we be-
liese. body constituted By the union
Of two or more Presbyteries. and hold
Ing . middle place between the Pres
bytery Il local association Of the min
isters and elders within specified dis
trict Of country and the General As
scmbly, or Grand Congress Of the
whole denomination. represented by de-
legatss chosen BY the Prssbyteries, Al
Synod. therefore. IL . numerous BODY,
uniting the pastors Of many churches.
and laymsn ofrespectability associated
with them in the government Of an ex-
tensiye portion Of the church. The off,
eial resolves and acts Of such . body
cannot but represent the collective sen.
timents Of . very large mass Of talent,
standing. and high moral principle. In I.
Pennsylvanis the Presbyterian denom- |
nation il strong. and exerts ! powerful
influence.
These considerations give great
weight TO the resolutions which we are
about to quote, and their importance is
Of the more consequence at the present
moment, IS they relate to . subject that /
has so deeply sgitated the public mind
in all the Northern States, and especi-
lilly at Pittsburg.
They were preceded by q debate
which partook, in : modified degree, Of
The character Of those in our National
Councils. characterized, on one side.
by ardent zeal and = somewhat ultra ,
spirit. denoppcing. in no measured
terms. the fugitive slavela lately pas
sed by Congress. and going, in some ,
instances. so far As to recommend re- ,
sistance Of the law. Happily those adj
vocating opinions like these formed but ,
small minority Of the body; their re-
solutions and attempted amendments |,
allied, and the Synod, by very deci- ,
led majority. adapted the following /
wise. and creditable re- ,
Iolves; /,
!. Resoived, That it is inexpedient ,
or the Synod at this time to give any
ormal expression Of its mind in rela- |,
ion to the law aforesaid. leaving every i
nan toactasa citizen in conformity with n
us obligations IS Z citizen and chris !
ian. in the wisdom and meekness Of /,
he Gospel. d
2. Rs,olved. That il be earnestly re- !
commended to oil our churches and peo- l
lie to observe with special fcrvor the /
postolical Injunction 70 pray for our i
ulers and all in autlsosity. that they |,
nay be just, ruling in che fear Of God; !
md that, under the Divine favor, our Z
Nation and Government raay he pre- =
erved in their integrity, and happily \
uided to the fulhllLent Of its glorious a
ocation. Ia
We hail the tenn which brcs thesin i
hese resolutions, a. aHo.,iine 4 hap i
y augury Of future peace. Nothing n
enders disorganiziny spiri. 30 for d
lidable as the cornevicn IL has .orae- Il
ines exhibited with the religious 4
rinciple in the human breast. That .,
rinciple is by its very nature indomi- il
lble. Il disowns oil attempts AZ con- Al
-ol from mere human a. s..ioritv, end /,
till more from any cosiiera.ions ofez- I
ediency. Its appeal il TO higher law. a
md whenever feeling Ike this alice c,
self with political notions and politi- 81
Al combinations iLiEical to the pub Al
c peace and sSety, Il becomes one oil D
,e most dangerous ele:..cnts Of q sion &,
nat can be conceived. After all the 81
nbelief and indifference manifested ol
'ward religion, relipious fsc,..n,. OF :,
ny kind, where they DO caist, an. the :,
Iost powerful springs ofhrn,an .ioa.; Al
I'd whoever can enlist them q Lis 10
de in N attempt to chsa-e ill., exist 81
6 state of things in ems community. ii
IS an ally Of the MOST formidable char in
ter. But. on the other hand, where N
e lovers of order and Of peace seek al
defences to preserve them against "a
sault, they have. in the same feeling, b
friend Of the most potent energy. II h
then, most happy when ! great pub Of
religious body, exerting, and deser- v
dly. strong and wide influence over ei,
g. -