Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1856-05-06

For the Tribune.

being Stated Clerk. Of the criticism on that
extract do not complaint is only exercising
the right of speech, which right, l understand
the Democrat to conccde to all others May 1
claim the favor of small space in your paper
bv way of reply. The Democrat mistakes the
object of the Presbytery if it suppose they were
influenced in passing those resolution from any
political bias. They were voted for and passed
unanimously by body of men differing In their
political creed The design the Presbytery had
was to show 10 the world, by public act that
they wash their hands from any participation
in the eua and SIN of American Slavery. 1t may
not be known to the Editor of the Democrat
that our branch of the Church has often, IS nor
often, assailcd by enemies as being pro-
laperg because we do not sanction all the IN
cendiary movements set on foot Ia all parts OF
the land. While there is, perhaps, no body OF
Christians doing more for the good of the slave,
by instruction in the Sabbath School,-by
preaching the gospel to them,-by institutions
of learning for them,--in fact, by crery araAade
means Still, perhaps, there is no church so
much slandered and yilifed the Old School
| Presbyterian. As these ISLANDERS are often re-
peated within our bounds, it nothing more
/ than act of justice Presbytery owed itself and
to the world, to publish her real sentiments, Is
that we as Christian body, are opposed to
American Slavery itnow exists opposed to
extension AS contrary to the spirit of the gos-
poland that we consider it the duty especially
of Christians throughout the world to endeavor
by all suitable means to bring about the extinc-
ton of this d" institution Is there any thing
wrong in such views and such designs,-or un-
christian in expressing them
Having said this much in explanation of what
/ conceive to be some of the reasons for the ac-
ton of Presbytery,-let say l differ with
the Editor of the Democrat with regard to the
duty of the church-he saws -" 1t would in
our opinion, be better policy for the church to
take slavery it finds it, and make the best of
| it,-and again =" We regard it as the end of
christian duty when it makes the best of all So
ciety it finds 1.-THE churches by placing
themselves in opposition to slavery, only in
creases its evils &c" By these and other por-
tions of his remarks, understand him to affirm
that the church, or which is the same thing
| Christianity has nothing to do with slavery
answer If slavery is rrong (and he says it is)
then the church should cry out against it If it
| is oppression, the church should relieve the op-
pressed and reprove the oppressor. Chritianity
has to do with every moral question: and is to
rebuke sin and wrong wherever it is found
Do not understand me as advocating any but q
moral power belonging to the Christian
Church. The church does not, in my opinion,
fulfil her duty when {" she takes society as she
finds 1t and leaves it iii the same condition.
II there are evils in society it is her duty to
ercise that moral po1cer which she possesses -
| REFORM thenl-and ! cannot see that she steps
far aside from the path of duty when She in her
organized capacity, expresses her views with re-
gard TO any practice or law.
He asks is Presbytery opposed to all kinds
of Slavery? Where l authorized to answer for
her-I should say, ycs, it IS opposed to the spirit
of slavery-whether that spirit be manifested
by sending armed men from Massachusetts or
Missouri to illegally control the ballot box of a
neighboring Territory-or by that ill-gotten
power seeks to choke down freedom of speech
or control the Press.
He says " the democratic party are opposed
to slavery also that he " Looks upon it as an
, unnatural state of society" Yea more he pro-
, fesses that 1t goes further than Presbytery in
their resolutions IN the condemnation of slavery
am sure there Is no great danger of our falling
out by the way, unless indeed Prcsbytery re-
prove him for his too great lore of freoclom and
Notwithstanding co-workers in the same
good cause, both striving to put an end to OPP
preston still he seems to find fault with Pres
, bytery for our good morks l have never been
able TO comprehend the distinction some men
would make In endeavoring to point out the
, d'g OF the church; If the church preach against
poEgd'ny In heather lands, of the sin of idolatrv
, of the sin of human sacrifice, or the wrongs
done to the Indians of our own land no one is
f heard to utter any alarm,-but the moment she
utters word against the sin of An,cricap Saveyy
: expresses her opinion only in the form of simple
observation-disclosures is great alarm that the church
IS entering the arena Of nolstics is out of her
, sphere, dc.
The spirit of gospel is not to do rothinq-to
: told the hand, and shut the eyes, and act per-
feet indifference to all that is passing around
1t is to make the truth known and felt on all the
great moral questions of the day The Prophets
; of old did this when they cried aloud against
kings, and priests given up to idolatry The
; Apostles did it when they preached against the
customs of city people. The Reformers did
1t when they cried out against the immoral
practices of the Church and State And Won
might as well have no church as one whose lirht
on moral questions does not shine
I am happy to say, that the church of which
am member has ever borne her testimonT
against the ec1l and sin of slavery, and while
she has gone to the oppressed with the healing
balm of consolation-lifted him up and COM
forted him, she has not neglected to rcprorc the
oppressor. 1t Is true she has not sought 10 take
from Caesar the things that are Caesar s-nor
would she rob God to bestow on Caesar
Yours Truly.
b. PHILLIPS.