North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1852, 1851-06-04

The AMERICAN CHURCH CAsE-DEFENcE OPEN
ED. great crowd was collected yesterdy at the
United States Circuit Court Room, to hear the Hon.
Mr.. Choate of Massachusetts, commence his argu-
ment for the defence, in the interesting pen
ding before Judges Nelson and Belts. We have al
ready stated the grounds upon which this issue ari
SEES, between the Two divisions of that and
respectable denomination of Christians. We have
endeavored moreover to keep the readers Of the Ex
press advised of its progress, far, and have
orborne to make such comments OH its org nal ien-
denotes. as We thought SO peculiar and inter-
esting i'll its character seemed ~ call for. We. in
common with very many friends of the U Mon, have
deeply regretted that SO exciting cause of dssensiou,
involving principles and action that cannot but
view dangerous and denalionalizing, should have
sprung up purely sectional grounds, and have
been carried to such point OF lnigation We look
upon it tratrclda III lis tendences-as leading 10
the very door of disunion il directly ncu led Iing
and superlnducing H. 1t certainly takes the posi-
bty OF such result It's basis and that, in times
like these, is revolutionary and dangerous.
There might be much said upon the melancholy
spectacle presented By church quarrel about money
matters. Under amendment the first of the CONSTR
luton of the United States, and under thirty
nine and forty of the Sermon the Mount, it might
be reasonably nagi lined that free exercise OF opinion,
in matters OF conscience might be mutually tolerated,
among members of the religious denOm ton,
and that other modes than suits at law might be
sorted by such for the purpose of maintaining their
individual and relative rights. But with this Of
/
do. Ii tae reverend gentlemen whom we See pres
and taking deep interest in these proceed
ings force i'll the inculcaon,-'' But say
you, that ye resist evil; and if any will
thee law, aud take away thy coat, let him
have thy cloak, also ;'-it does belong to US to
preach d sermon upon the Our object is widely
different from this
We would say something upon the Righteousness
of the example, thus openly and widely exhibited by
| the very teachers of that religion which they call
:. peace earth, and good will towards men, ''-an
example, that is i'll direct contravention of the rule
laid down by the great Apostle, " Let every soul be
subject unto the higher powers" and that literally
braves his Injunction to - mark them which cause
divisions and offences, contrary to the doctrine which
ye have learned, aud avoid them.'' How the ad-
vocates of the best interests of the country in which
favored lot is cast expect TO make head against
those who are bent upon overwhelming those inter-
ess, when they the head, it were, of the OPP
posing host the very pioneers i'll The attack large
rbranch of one of the numerous Of religious de-
nominations
The subject is suggestive and fruitful, and shall
recur 10 it. Meantime, We are compelled to break
off where are.
The commencement of Mr.. Choate's argument, on
the part of the Methodist Episcopal Church, North,
was very eloquent and able. W. shall give sym
opsis Of the whole speech, in due time, under the
proper head. He will probably occupy all this day
NJ Y. EEpress.