The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-05-23
From the Ne,c York Express.
Presbyterian Genera Assembly, New School.

From the Ne,o York Erpress
Presbyterian Genera al Assembly, New School.
This body assembled at Utica, New York, on the
18th, but its proceedings as yet have not been of
general interest.
Rev. Albert Barnes. of Philadelphia. was unani-
mously chosen Moderator.
The city Of Washington was designated az the
next place of meeting.
SLAvERY.-Oniy four memorials on this subject
were presented, viz one from the Chicago Pres
bytery, asking such further action on the part of
the General Assembly will promote the "speedy
abolition OF this great moral and political evil"
and proposing pastoral letter to the churches;
one from the Grand River Presbytery, Atating that
sscommon fame" represents that members Of the
Presbyterian church at the South who hold slaves
entirely neglect many of the duties of that rela-
ton. and requesting the General Assembly to in
qure into the matter, and, if they find the report
well founded, then to enforce proper discipline.
The third was memorial from the Presbytery
Of Belvidere asking the Assembly to express their
Il. Does the late law Of Congress respecting the
delivery of fugitive slaves to their masters require
ns individually 70 violate the law ofGods
"2. What is the duty Of Christians in reference
The fourth was. memorial from the Presbyte-
rian church in Trumansburgh, New York, repre-
senting that the enterprise OF the American Colo
nizaon Society is the most efectual means of sup
pressing the slave trade, the most BILE mode
of emancipatng the slaves in our own country,
and that il presents no antagonism to any other
mode Of chrstianizng Africa or emancipating
slaves at home.
These memorials were referred to the Committee
on Bills and Overturcs, consisting of Drs. Riddle,
of western Pennsy lvania, and Condit, of New Jer-
sey; Rev. J. G. Wilson, of Indiana and Mr.. Jacob
Gideon, of the District of Columbia; J. M. Pant,
M. D., of eastern Pennsylvania, and 8. Willard,
M. D., of Cayuga.
DR.. Riddle remarked that there was occasion for
peculiar feelings Of gratitude to God for the una
had IN tho
above result, and in general terms expressed the
. hope that the whole Assembly would concur with
out any lengthy discussion on the report.
Rev. Mr.. Dickinson, of Grand River Presbytcry,
(the associate of the Hon. Joshua Giddings, who
was providentially prevented by bodily injury from
being presently said If this action Of the Assembly
shall go forth, fear flame will be kindled in the
region which represent. Unanimity in this ac-
ton is greatly to be deplored. The memorials
peculiar and expressive of opposition to the Fugi-
tive Slave law. Nearly ten thousand slaves have
been aided and fed by our churches in their flight
to the dominions of the Queen. They come to us
as children of God, some of them belonging to
ministers in connexicn with this Assembly. They
come SCARED and furrowed with the lash. They
have long been slaves, yet they are the ransomed
Of God. Our Presbytery and churches feel for
these fugitivcs from bondage.
We would fain ask whether the now school min
listers teach them to read the Bible, since there is
not much confidence in slave testimony. Common
fame reports this. Our Prcsbytery wishes inves.
tigation into the matter. My Presbytery would
not be satisfied with referring the subjects to
the lower judicatories. We want to know whe-
Their slaves sent TO school, whether they have
a right to improve their immortal minds. We teach
our children to read. We have academies on the
Western Reserve. We would like to treat slaves
as Paul did Onesimus-as brethren beloved. We
would not like to their backs, received
from Presbyterian ministers. We do not care to
argue the question of the sin of slavery, per se,
already enough discussed. We do not ask debate
of five days. a. last year. But il the subject is
n will coll
and never called up again. If there are fifty or
seventy thousand slaves connected with church,
we want to know it; and if they are not educated,
If they do not, like the Chinaman, know whether
the world is Eat or round, wish to know it. We
feel that wrong is inflicted upon those who bear
Chrisps image. We wish only mild action now.
desire committee to be appointed to report the
number OF slaves, whether they can read the Bible
or 60 to school, or have the elements of education.
We do not ask the number of stripes ON them. We
regard the neglect Of education moro than stripes.
light. move substitute for that part of the
port which relates TO the Grand River Presbytery,
referring it to committee of three, to port next
year the number of slaves, &c.
desultory discussion followed. Without dis
posing Of the committees report, the Assembly
adjourned till Monday.
The Committee on Church Polity having reported
in favor of receiving the Milwaukee Prcsbytery
into cennexion with tho Assembly, and with the
Peoria Synod, the Assembly was engaged the
greater part OF Monday in the discussion of that
question, which eventually was adopted in the af-
firmative with great unanimity. The Assembly
then resolved to hear the delegates from Massachu-
sets and New Hampshire; whereupon Mr.. Horton,
representing the former State. presented the copy
OF a resolution adopted by the General Association
Of Massachusetts, expressing their conviction that
the Assemblies Of the Presbyterian Church should
use their legitimate power and influence for the
speedy removal of slavery from the churches under
their supervision.
The Assembly then adjourned until 81 a. m, on
Tuesday.
LsERAL.-Mr. Hamilton, of the firm of Brown,
Shipley Co. Liverpool, has handsomely pro-