The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-06-01

DIsUNIoN OF THE CHRISTIAN CONF EpERAcY.-The
session of the new school Presbyterian General
Assembly had reached its ninth day on Saturday
last, and was to be continued. All Detroit was ex-
cited by the singular discussion going on upon the
slavery question in that city, and the members of
the Assembly seemed well aware Of having taken
up subject that does not come within their
province. Two reports had been made about the
slavery question. The minority report was in favor
Of ENGRAVING the question upon the religious tenes
of the sect, part Of the general platform. A
Rev Mr.. Spear made speech in favor of it. He
confined himself chiefly 10 the point, whether OF
not Christian could be slaveholder-and used
considerable soShstry upon the fifth section of the
first chapter in the "Book of Discipline" This
defines offence against the church TO be " some
thing contrary TO the word of God or which, il not
in its own nature sinful may tempt others TO sin"
Starting out from this standpoint theoegians
call il, he went at slavery with all possible en-
phasis, but with very little discretion, and con-
cluded harangue with series of sophsms that
showed great lack Of moral principle. The Rev.
Mr.. Townsend opposed the nonsense with some
common-sense views, which were pungent in their
application; and several other speakers fired of
their big guns, amidst much noise and confusion.
The scene showed that there is split in the
Assembly, and that the whole ecclesiastical body
will lie shattered TO fragments by the political
bomb-shell thrown in, 10 create an effect. The
Presbyterans will find out their mistake, we fear,
when II is too late TO apply remedy
The movements Of the Presbyterians in the
West, and, TO some extent, here at the East, with
occasional sales of patriotism and politics by
other sects, andby portion Of the Methodists and
Uniiarians, are beginning to aid in the unholy
work Of breaking up the Union, which, once
accomplished, would bring the reign Of nhdelity
and total abandonment Of faith in God, in man,
and all humane government. The Presbyterians
and Ccngregationalsis, together with a small por-
ton Of the Bsptists, are pushing forward TO their
own destruction, as well as that Of the county
Our whole safety seems TO depend, anomalous as
II may appear, upon the Catholics, the Epscopa-
lians. and the truly pious and independent men all
over the country. This will place a wide gulf be-
tween the people and certain rules Of religious dis
cpline. The Prcsbyterians are getting crazy, and
fast losing their hold on the popular mind. Prot.
Dwight, DR.. Edwards, and, more recently, Df.
Stuart, of Andoycr, with some other brilliant lumi
nares, have given boundaries to the topics Of the
church. which might have saved the descendants
Of the Puritans. in the integrity Of their faith but
they have been carried away by religious, young
America, ana nothlng Out CONFUSION VIII DC TIC rc-
suit. There was never more fatal error commit
ted than the ambitious young Becoher, of Brook.
lyn. has recently shown, by attempting to prove
what The principles Of the early Christians were.-
The apostles never interfered with politics. They
did not interfere with slavery Paul wrote episiles
TO Philemon, about the puiative slave Onesimus, but
he did not give Mr. Bcecher any cue for his dis
courses, or for mixing NJ the Church Of Christ
with the cabinet at Washington-as totally oPpos-
cd TO each other as any two things can be-
The early Christians were wise as scrpcnis and
harmless as doves. They did not mnglc religion
srd politics in ono cup. II was no; till the time Of
Constantine that that experiment was made, and il
was made on a scale that ough, to be lesson to
the laiiy and clergy for all time to come. Europe
shuddcrcd and was convulsed under the shock, and
10 this day has felt the effects Of the folly. The
Catholics and Episcopalians claim to be the imme-
diute recipients Of apostolic doctrine and ia refer
ence TO this subject, no doubt they are. They do
not NEEDLE with politics, but permit the civil laws,
governors and all in authority to exercise their le
Ultimate sway. Many other seets, by losing sight
Of Truth. are in danger