The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-08-07
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF
NEW YORK.
To the Editor of tie National -Bra:

To the Editor of tie National Era:
SIR: Among the various actions taken by
church courts recently, on the subject of Sla-
very extension, elected by the recent frauds
and violence in Kansas, and by the shameful
Developments in That corrupt centre of the
slave power, which we cell the National Csp;-
tai, perhaps none has been so outspoken, man
ly, and decisive, as that taken at the late meet
ing of the General Synod of the Reformed
Presbyterian Church in New York. This
church, which claims to be the same organiza-
ton with that to which the old Scottish Cove
nanters of the days of Charles II and his sue
cessors belonged, and which holds to the same
old " confession or faith,R without alteration OF
amendment, has always been the banner church
on the subject of Slavery. AS early as the year
1900, it resolved that no stakeholder could be
admitted to communion in that body, and this
resolution it has repeatedly resiiirned at tho
late meeting of the Synod of the church in New
York, a committee was appointed to bring in a
report on the whole subject of Slavery and Sa.
very extension. This report, strongly condem-
natory in substance of the policy of the present
Democratic party, and the present "Demo-
craticD Administration, is to be found in the
published minutes of the Synod. Not having
seen it noticed in any of the political papers of
the day, and thinking that such a document
must be of interest to your readers, copy the
body of the report as adopted. After disposing
Of some preliminary matter, the committee
says
"Your committee recommend to your Rever-
end Body that the whole ground of the Reform
ed Presbyterian Church upon the subject of
Slavery in these United States. up to the close
Of the last Synod, which is throughout con-
demnatory of it, be now and here reaffirmed.
And as, at present, strenuous efforts are being
made to extend the empire of Slavery to Terri,
tories now free, and to have this accomplished
by the General Government, the following res,
olutions are proposed for your adoption:
"Resolred, That the obvious design of the
trainers of our National Government was to
localize Slavery, while permitting it's existence
for the time in the States where it existed, in
hopes that it would soon become extinguished.
RESOLVED, That as it would be most unbe-
coming for our Republican Government itself
to eytend, or to contribute in any degree to the
extension Of human Slavery to our free Terri.
tories, or in any other direction, so it would be
alike an infraction and violation of the law of
God, and of the fundamental law of our
country.
"Resolued, That while this Synod would not
60 ont of its own proper sphere to interfere in
mere party politics, it feels itself bound as q
witness for God and the right, and against all
that dishonors Him, and contributes to the
establishment and perpetuity of wrong, by
whomsoever promoted or advocated, to take
GONE action in the premises; and therefore,
while deeply regretting the present state of
things in Kansas, it decidedly condemns the
apathy, or inaction, or concurrence with the
lavless propagandists of Slavery in that quar-
ter, of the General government, in relation to
the contest, if not civil war, there in progress
and it enters its solemn protest against the
whole of this high-handed iniquity, and trusts
in and prays to God, that He will so arbitrate
the case as to break the slave power and prin-
ciple, and so save our beloved land; turning
the counsel of unprincipled politicians into
foolishness, and not only bringing her back to
her original principles and probity, but effect
ing in her radical and thorough moral ref
ormation."
rhe report and resolutions were adopted, we
understand, unanimously; and so we may con
slider this extract as fairly representing the
sentiments of the whole church. Set the Re-
formed Presbyterians down, then, as Fremont
men, out and out. The aEthnr of the above
report, Rev. DR.. William Wilson, of Cincinnati,
one of the most talented men in that church, was
one of the first clergymen to come out against
the dominant power which now sways at ASH
ington, and through the whole Federal Govern.
rnent-the aristocracy of Slavery. W. R.