The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1856-08-27

GOV. WRIGHT, OF INDIANA,
Upon the Connexion Of the Methodist
Episcopal Church with the subject
of Slavery.
Ny DEAR Sra :: BY the appointment
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, her
gene: al conference meets on the first day
of May, in your city. AS Ne: :bolist,
result of her action upon all those ques-
tions of church policy affecting or grow
ing out of those agitated issues connect
ed with the policy Of the political parties
of the country. just such questions
will be presented to her for her action
and determination, and her very being,
rs we'll as her influences, are dependent
upon the exercise of moderation, and
wisdom, and Christian charity, in the
position she takes at the present general
conference. Upon this subject, and TO
you as Methodist, beg leave to sug
gest few thoughts which are not un-
worthy of the consideration of that body,
and which are eminently proper for the
careful reflection of every member of the
Methodist Episcopal church, at this
time.
The church of Christ, in its early his
tory, elained no right as an ccclcsiasti-
cat GoGly, te interfere IN any way with
the civil government. This was true IN
the very Foundation of Christianity, as
announced by its immortal founder him
self. When tue Son of Go | was doomed
by the Roman law to its most degrading
condemnation, to suffer its most exeru-
ciating pain, He did not SO much as re-
sist it, because 1T was law, nor did He
charge the law with injustice or oppres-
sion. - Whsn Plate entered into the
jadx~cut bail again, and called Jesus
AID said unto hia,, Art til u the King of
the Jews? - Jesus answered,
My kip gdom is not of this world, if my
kingdom was of this world then would
my servants fght that should not be
delivered TO tbe Jews, but low is my
kingdom not Il om hence.
TO this end was l born and for this cause
came into ihe world, that l should
bear witness unto the truth" JOHN,
xviii, S5-37.
Christ found the Roman kingdem en-
lhroned IN power, and the Jewish people
subject TO its dominion. Yet in no ill.,
6LtDC6 ol0 11C NOubbSA bhC OVn0 W IL
bellion or incite them to throw off the
Roman yoke. By line.l descent, He
was "THE KING OF THE JEWS" yet He
never asserted his temporal power, but
refused to be crowned in that right.
By tho Roman law, the amphitheatres
were opened for the amusement of the
people, who we're attracted thither to
witness the fights of wild beasts and the
butehery of men. Victims we're sla2ght-
cred after every victory, and the Roman
empire itself was extended by fraud and
violence of every kind human life was
sacrificed; human liberty was held by
ne more certain tenure than the Whinn Of
the sovereign power; protected by no
written or definite constitution, aud re-
garded by no fundamental law Prop
erty Eas subject to the seizure of kings,
and Roman citizenship, so highly csti-
mated by the Romans, was not sufficient
to secure justice to the citizen; indeed,
it existed more in form than in fact
Slavery vas not mere accident Of So
ciety, but constituted one of its essential
elements, and very powerful ono in the
government; that slavery, too, was of
the most cruel character, and gave to
the master absolute discretion over the
life of the slave. Under republican
government, in a Christian age, this
condition and character of society seems
revolving, as it was unquestiouably un-
Just. At this day, among civilized men,
It can fnd no apologist. But the Lord
Jesus Christ did not make war upon the
government, nor denoance the rulers as
such, notwithstanding all these wrongs
were obnoxious to the doctrines of the
Gospel, and the character of His mission,
for He looked upon cruel legislation in
its true character, as a result and not as
cause. All these enormities had their
foundations laid far deeper than mere
Legislation. They we're the result Of
human ambition, human hate, remorss-
less despotism; all Of which were the
result of heart clothed with impurity,
:" Deceitfsl above all things, and des-
psrasely Wicked"