The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-10-30
4 CHURCH MOVEMENT on SLAVERY.

A CHURCH MOVEMENT on SLAVERY.
There in session last week. in New York, the gen.
eral Synod OF the Reformed Dutch Church. As every
reader may not be familiar with the organization, we
gather few facts from the New York papers;
The Reformed Dutch Church at present constituted
this country, vests its legislative authority in four
several assemblies: First conslstory which is the low
and consists OF minister and elder from each church
second, classic consist of representatives from
indefinite number of churches; third, particular synod
there two, one al Albany and at New York-con
of ministers and elders from each district; and
fourth general synodthree ministers and three elders
from al the churches, With delegates There is appeal
from this body
Several churches in North Carolina protesting the doc
rne Of this church applied TO the general synod for adj
mission separate Chassis that they might enjoy the
benefits OF its organization The debate the applica
ton gave rise much discussion The question Of slave
y the bone OF dscord Of the members being OPP
posed to connection with Shareholders The resolution
for admission in the following words:
esopsd That the synod cordially reciprocsie the fra
ernal feelings expressed by the Chassis of North Carolina
Of the German Reformed Church; that they regard with
vor their proposal Of forming an ecclesiastical relation
with orr church. and that they present duly
authenticated testimonials Of their accepting its standards
and constitution they shall be received one OF It's in
egral parts, and be fully incorporated with it. and
shall be known among the German Reformed Chassis
of North Carolina of the Reformed Protestant Dutch
Church Of North America"
During the discussion it proposed to qualify the
y
acoEpea That while this synod in any degree
sympahize with the system Of American slavery but mus
regard it as imbodyng the most serious injustice IT does
yet sincerely synpathize with such Christian men as ind
by preference but by the necessities OF the
aud with Christian regard the temporal and eter
nal interests of the slaves themselves
Some Of the abest members of the body advocated the
admission with great ability sustaining their positions by
pertinent Scripture quotations:
Tba PAY nr Eo-v dad ,rt Tho IF
ceying Christian shareholders into communion abiding to
the recognition of slavery by the Bible The laws which
God enoined upon the Hebrews respecting slavery he
remarked greatly mitgaied the evils of the system it
found in other nations; and neither in the Old or
New Tesaments is there The least ntimaton that the
laon is wrong. We must remember he said that il we
refuse ecclesiastical connection with these SHAREHOLDERS
also refuse ecclesiastical connexion with the slaves and
If sin in the do in the other II II be sim
full hold churc-fellowshp with the churches of this
Chassis it is equally SO to hold civil connection with hen
and we must dissolve the Union; and what American
desires this The speaker hoped that the synod would
extend the hand Of Christian fellowship TO them
Rev. DR. Beihune concurred in the above view.
DR.. Abraham Messler alluded 10 his experience in
nexion with slavery He had known the colored people
in New Jersey both slaves and freeen 1t is sim
gular fact The said that their condition. neither temporal
moral, bad been improved by their freedom He once
counted hfyour colored communicates sitting down at
at the Lords table in his church While their num-
Der has diminished few found in the churches
and he could only account for the fact by their removal
from the influence and o.. Christian families There
is much this question of abolition than appears at
first sight and it should be approached carefully. Tho
resolution by Rev. H. Cause disavowing all sympathy
with slavery offered preamble to the resolution
81 admission qualified by which it would receive his sup
port
After debate Of several days The above amendment
adopted, and Thursday the resolution as amended
laid on the table-yeas So nays Al. But the next
day the matter again introduced in another FORM and
finally disposed Of by the adoption Of the following
preamble and resolutions offered by DR.. Beihune:
Whereas evident from opinions expressed 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 cass
OF North Carolina with the courtesy and kindness due 10
respected Christian brethren: Therefore,
Rssoised That The commissioner from the Chassis OF
North Carolina be requested 10 withdraw hs papers
Resefped also That certified copy of the above pre-
snbe and resolution with the action Of the synod as
corded page SCI Of the minutes be sent TO the Chassis Of
North Carolina With Christian salutauons.
So the application eourteously declined As at
nseat constituted there are southern churches in
reckon with synod and the feeling is las we learn
from the Express) that IL North Carolina is admitted BOW
the door will be open slavery agitation within the Re
formed Dutch Church. which will result in rendng 1t in
twain just il has already the Methodist and Pres
byteran denominations. There also some minor OBJ
eciion the admission OF North Carolina ono Of which
Is that their Chassis possesses large property donated by the
German Reformed Church from which its members have
seeded they therefore wish to retain the name OF Ger
man Reformed in order to retain The property also
InroRrASr TO FalxrERs-A Mr. Beaumont has lately in
vented machine The distribution Of type which promi-
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mepts Each machine win distribute but size OF type
bat they may be 90 constructed be easily adapted to