Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-11-02
ECCLESIASTICAL GOOD SENSE.

ECCLESIASTICAL GOOD SENSE.
In country where religious feeling prevails tc
SO wide an extent as is happily the case in thu
United States the acts of ecclesiastical bodies mus
ever be matter Of great interest and importance
and when they are connected with great public
measures, vitality affecting the welbeing and peace
of the country, they attract the notice of still
wider circle than that of those who are by profes
sion subject to their authority. Ours is pre-emi
nenty government of public opinion and as the
sentiments of men holding the pastoral relation
must, in the nature of things, exert powerful eff
feet upon the focks they govern, it is peculiarly
gratifying when we find their sentiments distinctly
avowed in favor of sound, moderate, and conserva.
tive principles.
We have been led to these remarks from
having seen certain resolutions recently adopted
by a church body denominated, officially, the
Synod Of PiHsburg. A Synod, according to
the Presbyterian Ecclesiastical government, is
we believe, body constituted by the union Of
two or more Presbyteries, and holding middle
place between the Presbytery Ia local association
of the ministers and elders within specified dis
trict of country and the General Assembly, OF
Grand Congress Of the whole denomination, repre-
sented by delegates chosen by the Presbyteries.
A Synod, therefore, is numerous body, uniting
the pastors Of many churches, and iaymen of re-
spectability associated with them in the govern
ment of an extensive portion Of the church. The
official resolves and acts of such body cannot but
represent the collective sentiments of very large
mass Of talent, standing, and high moral principle.
In Pennsylvania the Presbyterian denomination is
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 pre-
sent moment, as they relate to a subject that has
SO deeply agiated the public mind in all the North
ern States, and especially at Pittsburg.
They were preceded by 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, de-
in no measured terms, the fugitive slave
law lately passed by Congress, and going, in some
so far as to recommend a resistance of
the law. Happily those advocating opinions like
these formed but small minority of the body !;
their resolutions and attempted amendments failed
and the Synod, by very decided majority, adopt
ed the following temperate, wise, and creditable
resolves:
l. Resolued That it is nexpedent for the Synod at this
time to give any formal expression Of its mind in relation to the
law aforesaid, leaving every to act citizen in
formity with his obligations citizen and christian in
he wisdom and meekness Of the Gospel
Res0lued, That be earnestly recommended to all
churches and people observe with pecaevor the apostolic
cal injunction TO pray for rulers and all in authority,
hat they may be just ruling in the fear Of God and that
lnde the Divine favor Nation and Government may be
rserved in their integrity, and happily guided to the fulfil
sient Of its great and glorious vocation.
We hail the temper which breathes in these re-
solutions as affordng happy augury of future
,eace. Nothing renders disorganixing spirit SO
ormidabe as the connexion it has sometimes ex-
libited with the religious principle in the human
'reast. That principle is by its very nature in
II disowns all attempts at control from
mere human authority and still more from any con-
iderations of expediency. Its appeal is to higher
aw. And whenever feeling like this allies itself
With political notions and political combinations in
mical to the public peace and safety, it becomes
me of the most dangerous elements Of action that
an be conceived. After all the unbelief and indif-
erence manifested toward religion, religious feel
ngs Of any kind, where they do exist, the most
powerful springs of human action; and whoever
an enlist them on his side in attempt to change
he existing state of things in any community, has
N ally of the most formidable character. But, on
he other hand, where the lovers of order and of
,eace seek for defences to preserve them against
assault, they have, in the same feeling friend Of
he most potent energy. 1t is, then, most happy
when great public religious body, exerting, and
leservedly, strong and wide influence over the
riends and professors Of religion, puts forth that
influence in favor of the supremacy Of the law, the
maintenance of just and wholesome subordina-
ion to the Constitution, and in open opposition to
he spirit of fanatcism which seeks, by plausible
appeal to religious principle, to cover and defend
lesigns in open hostility with the plainest require
nents of the Religion of the Bible.
Amongst the losses which the next Congress will
sustain by the retirement of valuable and infuen-
ial members Of the present, we regret to have to
add that of the Hon. CHARLES S. MoREHEkn, of
Kentucky, who has served his State and the O0bn-
Try several years with eminent ability and fidelity,
but who declines reelection.