Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1851-04-12
Pittsburgh. Pennsylvania.

Resolutions of the Reformed PresJwery Of Pits
6urgh, on tie Fugitive Stare BILL
Resolyed. That in the aforementioned enact
mont we see the legitimate workings of the Gov
eminent under a Constitution that guarantees sla-
very. and protects the STAKEHOLDER in the unjust
possession of property in his fellow man, and there
Is thus furnished additional evidence that our po-
sition as witness dissenting from this Government,
and refusing to incorporate with it, or in any way
to recognise it as the moral ordinance of God, is
the only consistent position that be occupied by
the servants and voluntary subjects of 'Messlah
the Prince
g. ReSolped That we are encouraged and shown
by the recent action of those udcatorles OF CHRIS
tan denominations who have faithfully condemn
ed the law and warned the people under their care
To refrain from aiding in its execution, as evncng
that the Church is awakening to a sense OF her
rights and duties, having, under Christ, guar
dian care over the moral as we'll as the spiritual
interests of men, and being under obligation to re-
sst by s.the weapons of her warfare, which are not
carnal, but mighty through God" everything
that endangers these interests, though emanatlng
from civil authority. We cannot withhold, how
ever our expression of regret that these Judlca-
tories did not 90 behind the law, and condemn at
least that part of the Constitution which the law
is founded and from which it receives its validity.
And with regard TO other judicatorles, we are
constrained to give uttefance 10 our greI ana pam
that any Courts claiming act in the name Of Christ
should be so faithless to him not only to with
hold their disapprobation of this law, but to allow
the people under their to act in relation to 1t,
according to their own convictions, members OF
the church, and as subjects of the Government,
thus leaving it to their discretion whether they will
obey God
g. Resolped, That while we have no apprehen-
sion that any of people will so far forget their
duty to God and to their nelghbor as IN any way
to aid in the execution of this unrig hteous law, OF
be less ready than before to feed and clothe and
shelter the fleeing captive, and to speed him in his
flight to place of freedom and safety neverthe
less declare that to be deferred by human penal
ty from doing any of the above offices of kindness
and duty to those from whom this unnatural bill
would compel us to ''shut up our bowels of com
passion would be highly aggravated sin against
God Fear not them which kill the body
laa X, 28.
a. Resolved, That should this most oppressive
penalty be inflicted on any for doing what oul
Saviour declares he will make the test of the right
eCus at the day of jud gment, it will be in violation
of the sacred rights of conscience and truly per
secution as was ever suffered under the most in
tolerant Pagan or Papal despotsm. Il was hun
gered, and We gave me meat; was thirsty, and "
gave me drink; | was stranger, and We took me
in; naked, and We clothed me. Inasmuch as "
have done it unto one of the least of these M
brethren, We have done it unto me. Mat. XIV
35, SO, 40.
Adopted: THOMAS SPRoULL,
AHeghany, Oct II, 1850 Pres Clerk