Grass Valley telegraph., 1855-11-27
The slavery DiacusSIOa,

c. Briggs addressed the citizens of Grass
Valley on Friday Evening last, on the sub
jcct Of Slavery" The Rev. gentleman Cd.
ened bis address with few predatory remarks
np0n the connection of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church with Slavery, and the recent
division of that body of Christians into
two distinct organizations, wherein portion
OF the Slave holding Churches formcda new
Conference. under the name of the NJ. e
Church South. Leaving this part of the
subject the lecturer proceeded to take gen
Sra view 1f tbs estia Ih 4 -. Ais.ie.
ltl"nity, aud Slavery inconsistent with our
Constitution and unsupported by law or
justice. With regard to the first position.
the lecturer proved in most conclusive man
ner that the Bible nowhere sustains slavery
rs principle Of right, but merely recognized
ii as a great existing fact and, as such,
through inspired lawgivers, simply regula-
ted It, as it did polygamy, and some other
practices which we all acknowledge as di-
rectly antagonistic to the Divine Teachings
Passing from Slavery as connected with the
Bible, he took up the second proposition
and quoted from the writings of Madison.
Jefferson, Adams, Randolph and others to
prove that it was inconsistent with the Con-
stitution of the United States, and that the
Trainers and adopters thersof looked upon its
eventual abrogation, as the necessary re-
of 4boA
took the ground that Slavery has ever exist.
ed as great acknowledged fact without any
statutory authority whatever. That no e.
nactlng statute ever called it into being, or
ever endorsed its existence as MATTER of
right. All legislation, with which we are
acquainted. either ancient or modern is sim
ply designed for its regulation, as pre-ex;st.
ing fact The lecturer took occasion to denv
the commonly received opinion that any con-
siderable portion of the people at the North
were in favor of any interference with the
institution in the several states where it now
exists. The lecturer expressed his own most
hearty disaprobation of any such interference.
He said the great idea which is now moving
the North to political action upon this matter
is solely with reference to its further exten-
sion over territory now free The address of
the Rev. gentleman, throughout was char
acte.ised with his usual ability and elo-
quence, and the entire matter was conceived
IN spirit of kindness and good will and
addressed to the reason rather than feelings
OF his audience. The house was crowded to
oVerfowing.
On Saturday evening, pursuant to notice
given by posters, that the Rev. Mr.. Fisher, of
the NJ. E. Church South, would reply to Mr..
Briggs the house was again crowded to its
utmost capacity to listen to- that gentleman.
Sir. F. commenced by cursory review of
the EdlVision of the Methodist; Christians
wherein he took some unimportant excep-
tons to the remarks of Mr.. Briggs on that
su9jet. He insisted upon it that there ,cere
hIndrances thrown in the way of methodist
preachers approaching the slaves, contrary
to Mr.. Briggs personal experience, as rela-
ted by him IN his lecture of the evening pre-
Tlous Mr.. Fisher also objected to the infer
ence drawn by DR.. Bond, and incidentally al
luded to by Mr.. Briggs, that the II. E. Church
South, in striking out the article in the Gen.
eral Rules referring: to Slavery, were desi-
rous of re-opening the African Slave Trade.
tie followed Mr. Briggs to some extent in
his bible argument, but we could not see
where he made any particular issue with that
gentleman. Mr.. Fisher admitted that Slave
ry, so far as it is brought about and retained
by the avarice' and cupidity of man, is a
acrOng and san, and gave his hearers to un-
derstaud that the church South tolerated it
only because of the fact that they cannot rid
themselves of it wit hout snbjecting them
selves to the ban of the civil authorities, and
thereby placing themselves in position to
destroy their usefulness to the slaves in a re-
iigious point Of view. This position ofcourse
puts the NJ E. Church South in direct opposi-
ton to the extension Of Slavery, as nothing
bat avarice and cupidity could operate rs an
jnducemcnt to such policy. The position is
one which should be taken by every Chris
tia1 ana pnilaathroplst, and does all honor
to that respectable body of Christians, es-
p2eially under their peculiar and anomalous
condition The speaker proceeded to state
that the civil condition of the slave cannot
be changed, and it was their duty as Chris
tiau organization to so conduct themselves
that they might be able to approach him with
the word Of God and show him the way to
salvation 1t was of more importance to the
Slave to be set free from the thraldom Of sin
than to be removed from his earthly bondage
especially where the latt9r could be effected on
ly by Introducing discord & confusion into all
thesocial aud political relations which exist in
ccn1 -ction witA slavery. The lecturer said