Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1854-05-20
PRo.sLAvERY PREsBYTERIANIsM.

Tho slavery question, the dreaded trouber of
our sectarian lsraels, has been intruding itself
again amsng the drowsy conservatives of the Third
Presbytcry Of New York. just as they had fairly
settled themselves to sleep in and peace from
former agitations in the conviction that they had
finally disposed Of this troublesome subject, il
breaks in again upon their quiet and puts to fight
their hopes Of rcposc.
In this instance, the question was introduced by
the noisy Opposers of agitation Mt the South. a
circular was received from the Presbytery OF Win
chester, Virginia, stating that the agitation of the
Slavery questioe had created great deal OF alien
alton between the Presbyterian brethren Of the
church at the North and South, and asking the
Prcsbytery to send resolution to the General As
sembly that it nexpedient, at tue present time
to agitate that question.
This circular was read by DR.. Hatfield, who
urged upon the Presbytcry the do-nothing policy
adopted by the Synod of New York and New Jer-
sey ut its last session. lie then offered the follow
ing resolution, which was seconded by the Rev.
Mr.. Mills
"Resolred, That without expressing any opinion
in respect to the statements OF the Prcsbytery of
Winchester in their circular Of Sept. 25 they be
referred to the action Of the Synod Of New York
and New Jersey on this subject at their meeting
in October last, precluding the necessity Of any
further action on tho part of this Presbytery."
The Rev. Mr. Smith opposed the motion. lie
did not like dodgng the subject and thought the
Presbytery should frankly meet it and give their
opinion, if they had one lie did not think they
were bound to concur in the action Of the Synod
DIR. Hatfield, himself, in view Of the recent Ne
braska conspiracy, seemed to doubt whether they
were not treating the subject too timidly, and yet
he said he would be satisfied to let this matter
pass for the present, as whatever special action
would be now taken on the subject might create
bad feeling, and might be soon brought up for
reconsideration, and thus, in the present feverish
state Of the question, he would prefer to have no
special action taken, until the excitement at pres
ent subsisting had somewhat subsided.
The Rev. DR.. Pennington, Pastor of the First
Colored Presbyterian Church, at the corner Of
Prince and Marion streets, said that "he could
conscientously concur in the resolution proposed by
DR.. Hatfield, as IL bound no individual 10 any par
ticar course, nor intertered ioh The action Of The
Churches" The resolution was then passed.
That DR.. Pennington, himself fugitive slave,
and professed aboltionst, should thus join hands
with popular, ease loving and pro-slavery clergy
men, to hold back the church from its duty toward
slavery aud the slave will greatly surprise and
mortify his friends in this country and in England
Identified as he is with tho slave, pledged as he
was TO the anti-sayery cause, and intelligent as
he must be, of the criminal responsibility of the
Northern church, and especially Of the Presbyte.
rian church, for the continuance Of slavery, and
for its corruption of the Northern conscience and
heart, we had right TO expect that he would not