Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1850-11-04
Oct. 81, 1850.
RELIGION AND SLANERN

RELIGION AND SLAVERY.
We yield to none in our respect for the reli-
gion Of the Bible, and the institutions necessary
for the dissemination of IFS teachings throughout
the whole world Its divine oriqin its sublime
truths, and its benefcent aims, give to the cha
racer Of those of our fellow. whose vocation
il is, to eXpound lis doctrines and to enforce its
preeeps, a sacredneSs that secures them per
sonal influence, both with individuals and in
communities which attaches 10 them in no other
calling of life. This influence, if exercised with
IN the legitimate sphere of the pulpit and in con-
iormlty with the true spirit of the Bible. may be
made most potent for good but if it be cxerted
upon subjects with which it has no appropriate
conaeNon, and in Spilt of flnaticism and
error no mind save that of the OmniScient, can
July comprehend It's almost resstless power for
evil. 50 long as Ministers and Churches con
line their action within proper limits, so long
as their purposes are sane, and such as are war
ranted by the teachings OF Revelation and the
! dictates OF common sCnSe,-So long as they do
notmicrlcre with matters wholly foreign to their
jurisdiction, we freely accord them the sanctitv,
and pay them the venearon, which is their due
But when they act without the divine chart
which secures 10 them all of respect and au-
thorty, which they are entitled to cnjoy,-when
they outrage common sense and promulge here
50 and MULTIPLICATION they quit the batlelields
rendered sacred by the banner of the Cross, and
seek 10 use the weapons appropriate only in the
Christian warfare, in the fierce struggles of the
political arena, ii is time that they should be re-
, I,,1,. ,,,l
the consequences of mad and misguided reli-
gIons zeal, The history of the world will show
that religious tanatciSm has enlailed more of suE
ierng and disaster upon society, and upon oul
race, than all other forms of human madness and
a folly combined. Religious hatreds have been the
herces-rclglous prosecutions, the sorest -rel
gous wars the hloodieSt religious expressions
: the most grlevous and memorable. Society there
fore should closely watch, and fcarcssly check
n the Chmch, in its slightest advances beyond it,
d rightiul domain BY SO doing, religion may be
kept pure and indebted and the country be say
. ed from woes incaculable.
!. We have been led to this train of reelection b,
IS the fact, that the Synod of the Old Side Presby
terians OF Pennsylvania, and the New York State
n Baptist Convention, have at their recent meeting
e respectively passed resolutions denouncing tn,
N present law for the recovery of fugitive slaves
!, as opposed to the spirit of the Declaration of In
r dependence, vioatve Of the Constitution. and il
t. conflict with the Law of God They moreove
s stand pledged TO do everything in their power, t.
IN effect speedy repeal of the law, This lorma
declaration of opinion by the highest judicial as
~ sembeS of two organized churches in the tw
I,,r, Il SiNI., e l., II
- omlnous to the peace of the country, and NOR
., threatening TO the harmony OF our Union, thar
all the bravado and demonstrations of forcibIe re
Is siStance, which have been made by the motle
!? azzaroni ofthe Northern cities. We deeply la
Of mentthis action. We lament because it is found
at ed in error. We lament it, because in it we Sc
Nv the germ OF aprnciple, which, if pushed to its ex
ID treme bearings would gather an army of deude,
$ zeaots, and send them upon a crusade of deliver
., ance to Southern slaves, more fierce and blood,
ID than those i'll which it was sought to rescue tn,
ct sepulchre of the Saviour, from the hands of th,
. ntieI. We lament it because nothing short o
the existing law for the recovery of Fugitive
j. and ITS faithful execution, will meet the expecta
tons, or protect the rights of the South as secure,
by the Constitution; and unless this be done, III,
/ consequences are likely to be SUCH as will strike
! dismay TO the hear, of the Patriot and as huma
y. nifty shudders 10 contemplate.
p We invoke the Northern press, therefore. t,
.. denounce the recent action OF those ecclesiastical
bodies. We call upon it 10 rebulle this interfer
it ence OF the Churches with affairs wholly foreign
II to the objects ofther organization And we en-
n treat the sensible and patriotic citizens of IN,
'e North, by every means which they possess, I,
y counteract the mischievous results which mus
" ensne, should so unhappy turn be given to til,
Is religious sentiment of its people
= We would inspire no hostility 10 those denomi
" nations particulary.-They exist in Virginia an,
be the South, and are regarded with the same sen
umens, which we entertain for other classes O
christians. We have no fault to fad with thci
- = religious doctrines upon matters to which the,
are rightly applicable, but we object TO and de