The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-11-01
From the National Inteligencer.
A CHURCH MOVEMENT ON SLAVERY.

A CHURCH MOVEMENT ON SLAVERY.
There was in session last week, in New York.
the General Synod of the Reformed Dutch
Church. AS every reader may not be familiar
with the organization, we gather a few facts
from the New York papers:
"The Reformed Dutch Church. as at present
constituted in this country vests its legislative
authority in four several assemblies. First. a
! consstory, which is the lowest. and consists
of minister and elder from each church ::
second, Chassis can consist of representatives
from an indefinite number of churches; third.
particular synod-there are two one at Al
bany and one at New York-consists of minis.
tiers and elders from each district; and, fourth,
a general synod-three ministers and three
elders-trom all the churches, with delegates
There is no appeal from this body"
Several churches in North Carolina protesting
the doctrines of this church applied to the Gen
eral Synod for admission as separate Chassis,
that they might enjoy the benefits of its orgaiza
ton The debate on the application gave rise
to much discussion. The question of Slavery
was the bone of discord, some of the members
being opposed to q connection with shareholders
The resolution for admission was in the follow
ing words:
ResolUed, That the Synod cordially re-
ciprocate the fraternal feelings expressed by
the Classis of North Carolina of the German
Reformed Church; that they regard with favor
their proposal of forming an ecclesiastical rela-
ton with our church; and that so soon as they
present dulyauthenticated testimonials of their
| accepting its standards and constitution they
shall be received as one of its integral parts,
| and so be fully incorporated with it, and shall
, be known among us as the German Reformed
Chassis of North Carolina of the Reformed Prot
estant Dutch Church Of North America"
During the discussion, it was proposed to
| qualify the admission by the following amend
ment:
Resolred, That while this Synod cannot III
any degree sympathize with the system of Amer
| lean Slavery, but must regard it as embodyin
the most serious in ustice it does yet sincerely
| sympathze with such Christian men as, finding
| themselves in the midst of that system, are
shareholders, not by preference, but by the
necessities of the case, and with a Christian re.
gard to the true temporal and eternal interests
| Of the slaves themselves"
| Some Of the ablest members of the body ad-
vocated the admission with great ability, sus-
tanning their positions by pertinent Scripture
quotations.
The Rev. DR.. How contended for the proprie-
ty of receiving Christian Shareholders into CON-
nunion, abiding to the recognition of Slavery
| by the Bible. The laws which God enioined
| upon the Hebrews respecting Slavery, he re-
marked, greatly mitigated the evils Of the sys-
| tenn as it was found in other nations: and nei-
Their in the Old or New Testament is there the
| least intimaton that the relation is wrong. We
must remember (he said) that if we refuse
ecclesiastical connection with these shareholders,
we also refuse ecclesiastical connection with the
| slaves; and if we sin in the one case, we do in
the other If it be sinful to hold church fellow
| ship with the churches of this Chassis, it is
| equally so to hold civil connection with them,
| and we must dissolve the Union; and what
| American desires this The speaker hoped
| that the Synod would extend the hand of Chris
tian fellowship to them.
Rev. DR.. Bethune concurred in the above
view
Dr. Abraham Messler alluded to his expert.
| ence in connection with Slavery. He had
| known the colored people in New Jersey, both
as slaves and as freemen. 1t is a singular fact
| (he sadly that their condition, neither temporal
nor moral, had been improved by their freedom.
| He once counted fifty-four colored communi.
| cants sitting down at once at the Lords table
| in his church. While their number has not
diminished, very few are found in the churches,
and he could only account for the fact by their
removal from the influence and care of Chris
tan families. There is much more in the ques-
| ton of abolition than appears at first sight, and
| it should be approached carefully. The resolu-
ton by Rev. II. Cause, disavowing all sympathy
with Slavery was offered as preamble to the
resolution Of admission-qualiied by which, it
would receive his support.
After debate of several days, the above
amendment, was adopted, and on Thursday the
resolution as amended was laid on the table
yeas 90, nays ~. But the next day the matter
was again introduced in another form, and was
! Of hy4 bo &c ~ fOl1
ing preamble and resolutions, offered by DR..
| Behune:
Whereas it is evident, from opinions ex-
pressed upon the floor, that the Synod cannot
unite cordially in receiving the Chassis of North
| Carolina within the limits of our church and
whereas the Synod desires to treat the Chassis Of
| North Carolina with the courtesy and kindness
| due to respected Christian brethren: Therefore,
"Resoiced, That the Commissioner from the
| Chassis of North Carolina be requested to with
draw his papers.
| "ResOtred, also, That certified copy OF the
| above preamble and resolution, with the action
of the Synod, as recorded in page 58l of the
minutes, be sent to the Chassis Of North Carroll,
ma, with our Christian salutations."
| SO the application was courteously declined.
AS at present constituted, there are no Southern
churches in connection with the Synod, and the
feeling is, las we learn from the Erpress.) that
if North Carolina is admitted now, the door viii
be open to Slavery agitation within the Re-
formed Dutch Church, which will result in rend-
ing 1T in twain, just as it has already rent the
Methodist and Presbyterian denominations.
There are also some minor objections to the
admission of North Carolina, one of which is,
that their Chassis possesses large property do,
mated by the German Reformed Church from
which its members have seeded; they there
fore wish to retain the name of German Re-
formed, in order to retain the property also,