The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-07-03
RESOLUTIONS OF THE ASSOCIATE SYNOD ON
SLAVERY,
". p. Boa

PHILADELPHIA, June %, 1856.
To the Editor Of the National Era:
There is certain class of Anti Slavery mer
who seem to have peculiar delight in abusing
the Church of Christ. In listening to their as
sauts, have sometimes thought them better
entitled to the name of Anti- Christian thar
init Slavery. They are in the habit of de
nouncing the ach0le American Church as sus
tanning Slavery. 1t may be that, in some in
stances, this arises from ignorance; most Ger
tainly it is not true. The Associate Presbyte
rian Church (Seceders) has, from her very first
origin in this country, near the middle of the
last century, borne testimony against this sin
She excludes all shareholders from her com
munion, and admits no Pro-Slavery ministers
into her pulpits. 1t is true she is one of the
smaller Presbyterian bodies, hut still large
enough to exert very great influence; and we
believe she has had no small share in bringing
about the present state of feeling on this sub
ject. She numbers about 200 ministers, and
over 81, 200 members, chiefly located in the
Middle and Western States. The following
resolutions we're 1nani nously adopted at the
last meeting of her Supreme Judicatory, in
Allegheny, May 81. 1t may be proper to state
that resolutions to the same effect have been
passed at the last meeting of the Synod of the
T.H.B:.
PREAMBLE and Resolutions.
Whereas it is the duty of the Church of
Christ in her constituted capacity, az the pillar
and ground of the truth, to lift up her testimony
against all ungodiness and unrighteousness of
men, both in high and low places; and whereas
the alarming events which are now taking place
in our land are indicative of the sad drgenera-
oft he IN nj. oh II A.
the wicked and cruel system of Slavery is a
fruitful source of evil, the parent of civil feuds
and intestine wars, and fosters dominant spirit
that violates law, order, and decency and even
ruthlessly desecrstes halls of legislation dedi-
Gated to Freedom; and whereas the Associate
Presbyterian Church has heretofore borne her
testimony against this monster evil, so now she
deems it necessary to raise her voice in behalf
of Truth, and of civil and religious Liberty
Therefore,
l. Resolred, That slaveholding is a sin against
God and man-an impious invasion of the
Divine prerogatives and mans civil and religi-
Gus rights. =
2. Resolved, That Synod condemns the Flu
gitiye Slave law as a cruel and direct violation
of the Divine law, and solemnly protests against
the repeal of the Missouri Compromise, as de.
liberate violation of solemn compact, and a
s8u evidence tnat our government favOrS Sla-
very more than Freedom,
:. .Nesotae9, That the late gross and brutal
attack made BY q member of the House of Rep
Iesensatives, from South Carolina, on mem
Der OF the Senate, is a daring outrage on the
constitutional rights Of feemen and the sacred
rights OF private judgment and liberty of ex.
preston.
4. Resotoed, That while, as ministers of the
gospel OF peace, called to promote the peace
and happiness of our fellowmen, we have no
desire to interfere with things of purely politi
Cal character, yet We cannot but deplore the
present alarming state of things, also, in Kan.
sas, and regard them as resulting from the bad
policy Of the Government towards the settlers
in that Territory.
s. RESOLVED, That we regard the aspect of
the times as calling upon us for deep humiia-
ton and prayer to God, that he may avert those