The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1856-04-15

10 Withdraw from Presbytery on account OF
Slaverya
This is admitted to be serious question;
on both sides of which much may be said
Some churches are Withdrawing from their
Presbytcrics and forming new organizations;
while others feel it their duty to remain in
their present relations. Existing facts are ev-
idence that Slavery is occupying much tho't,
enlsting the sympathics of the virtuous a.
gainst it, and waking up an intense interest
in tie community.
Your committee rejoice to see our churches
manifest an increasing sensibility to this great
and growing evil, this sin of giant n,agni-
tudc. The remonstrance of two or three
thousand ministers of different denominations
III Iscw sngia"e, .o-.----- -.s'"sss-1'e-
braslsa bi'l'' was bold push in the right di-
rection. The friends of humanity have also
rcjoiced in the evident change of public SEN
timent on this absorbing questions in the
Northern States.
Itbecomcs a seriousquestion with christians
and christian churches what course we
shall adopt. They cannot feel indiffvrently;
nor should they do anything oquiet the con-
science Of the STAKEHOLDER, or afford him COM
fort in his sins. This would be decidedly
wrong. AS Presbyterians we ought to live
up to the regulations of our church so far as
| they are in accordance with the sacred scrip
lures.
Your committee are panied to admit that
slavery is to limited extent existing in the
| Church with which we are connected. We are
ashamed to have it SO. But we rejoice that
it does not exist among us unrebuked. But
if the Northern Churches have borne decided
testimony against this sin, and employed suit
able means to reclaim the guilty, your COM
mittee are unable to see sufficient reason
why church should break away from the
Presbytery on that account. Sufficient rea-
sons may exist why churches and individuals
may secede from their communions; such as
when the bodies with which they arc connec-
ted embrace fundamental error; or practice
and inculcate immoraltes which the word Of
God condemns. But let US suppose n case:
church at the North becomes very conscien-
tious and cannot remain connected with the
Preshytery, though decidedly ant-slavery,
because there are churches at the South con-
nected with the General Assembly, some of
whose members are involved in the sin of sla-
very. For this reason tho church leaves the
| I'reroytvty sVouuo rnuepenueut. W nat
then? The same amount of slavery remains
in the Southern churches. No fetters are bro
ken off; no unrighteous and wicked laws are
abolished; not single slave is set free; and
the southern churches can go on with one less
sister church to demonstrate with them against
that high-handed system Of iniquity. There
is certainly less impedment in their way Of
wrong doing, than if that anti-slavery church
had remained in their old connection. No
Church can exert so much influence in an iso-
lated manner as when their influence is COM
bined with other churches. Suppose again,
that Presbyterian Church should leave the
Presbytery and unite with Congregational
body. THIS, in the opinion Of your commit
tee would not relieve the tender conscience ot
our anti-slavery brother. Tho ecclesiastical
bodies of New England all correspond will
both of the General Assemblys; they sen(
delegates to those bodies and receive the sam,
in return and hold christian fellowship will
them.
: Your committee admit that the Congrega
!. tional bodies at the West do not correspon,
: With either Of the Assembly, yet they rejoic
to send delegates to New England and re
i ceive the same in return. In the association
of New England they meet Presbyterian
from the south, sometimes Shareholders, an
rs sit down at the sacramental table with then
a; What is the difference between keeping con
~ pany with thief, or fellowshiping those VIII
Of Of do keep company with him. Is there an
~ consistency in church leaving Presbytery o
to account Of slavery and uniting with a Coz
TO gregational bodyl Are not the Presbyteri'
"a "a at the North and West as strongly oppose
: to Slavery as the Congregationalists of Ne
a. England! Is it any worse to be represente
:, in the General Assembly than in the Gener
ps Associations of New England! Can chri
no tian church exert any greater influence on o,
be be southern churches by breaking away fro
them altogether than by remaining and kin
isr Ia ly and faithfully expostulating with them.
pe ,ps Your committee think that the churches
: the North may do much, ought to do mu
7 to rcvolutonizc the feelings and opinions
the churches at the South on this subject
st. Let the new school churches hold togeth
yes, and every year send up their Kind, earne
afs and faithful remonstrances to the General
SSS ssS sembly against this enormous sin and it wo
not be many years before stakeholder wou
= not be found in tho pale Of our church.
~ 4