Weekly hawk-eye and telegraph. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1855-1857, 1856-10-22
synod of Peoria.


This body, which has been in session for Sc
veral days in this city, adjourned on Tuesday
evening. 1t organized second presbytery in
Wisconsin, to be called the presbytery of Co.
lumbus, and recommended the general assem-
bly, to constitute synod for Wisconsin, They
also resolved to employ an exploring missionary
to visit destitute sections and organize churches
where they were needed.
The following are the resolutions passed on the
subject of
l. Resolved, That the system of slavery ex-
isting in the United States is, without qualifca-
ton, a sinful system. 1t is a system which Is
pernicious alike to master and slave exercising
ON the one hand the most "boisterous passions"
and compelling on the other ''the most degrad-
ing submission 1t is an 'unremitting despo-
tsm," grounded in force and propagated oy
force, and is therefore, in no sense natural
relation. We reject as unchristan the doctrine
that human beings below q certain grade of in
telligence are rightfully enslaved. We reject
with adherence the doctrine that the Bible JUS
titles American slavery. The system which re-
CARDS and treats the intellectual and moral crea-
lures of God as destitute ofall right; which sub
iects them absolutely to the will of their mas
tiers; which rates them as mere articles OF mer-
chandize; which makes marriage nullity and
the Bible sealed book to them; which neces-
states the forcible separation of families, and
represses with violence any assertion of freedom
or manhood on the part of the slave; which
hold as chattels in perpetual bondage three
MILL rns of human beings and degrades great
er number of the white population; is not, and
cannot be in accordance with the law and the
word of God The system which tends to en-
slave and corrupt christianity in its teachers,
leading to perversion of scripture, and to the
avowal of revolving doctrines, openly declaring
its hostility to free principles and tree insttu-
tons; and insuring to comparative few the
exercise of a crushing despotism over the many,
is and must be opposed to the Gospel OF Christ.
We reject as anti-scrptural the doctrine that
this system is in any wise to be justified because
| of any good to the slave, which the overruling
providence of God may bring out Of it.
| 2 Resolved, That we contemplate with sor-
row and shame the efforts which have been
| made by the supporters of this system to enlist
| the Federal Government for the extension OF
slavery into our new territories, that disregard
| ing the principles of the founders OF the gov
| eminent, setting at naught venerated compacts,
| and demanding the enforcement of barbarous
and despotic laws and the subversion of the
| very foundations of our free institutions
S. Resolved, That we honor and deeply SYM
pathse with those noble men in Kansas who
have, at the risk of property and OF lite ITSELF
stood firmly against such fearful odds in the de-
fence Of freedom.
4. Resolved, That it is the duty of Christ's
ambassadors, while standing aloof from mere
party questions in politics, to declare and ap
ply the principles Of Gods word with all bold
ness, as the rule of life for citizens, rulers and
nations.
S. Resolved, That We are bound to labor un-
ceasingiy, in the use of all proper means. to ex-
cluie slavery wholly from the Church Of Christ.
and to prevent the extension of the system and
secure its overthrow and in view Of the great
interest involved in the conflict between free
dom and slavery, which is now forced upon us,
We are specially called upon to pray with all
proper application, that God will graciously In
tcrpose to aver. threatened calamities and over
rule present agitations, for the establishment
of truth and righteousness in our land.