New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-10-31
THE PRESBYIERIAN CHURCH on
SLAVERTEXIENSION

To NE Editor Of The W Y Tribune.
SIR: At time when the most strenuous efforts are
making to extend the of Slavery over territory
now free and to perpetuae where local laws have
already established it; when the Bible is so often
quoted and distorted in attempts to vndcate the sys-
tenn of bondage and ecclesiastical action and aactton
are appealed to in such way that it might be sup
posed that churches the sronghcds of Slavery
would be glad to see transferred to your columns the
action of Me highest judicatory of the Presbyterian
Church on this subject
Action was had prior to the organization of the Gen.
eral Assembly, by the Synod of New-York and Phil
adelphia in 1877, when the following overture was
presented.
1.-THE Creator Of the world having made of one
flesh all the children Ofmen, it becomes them as mem
beers of the family TO consult and promote each
Others happiness. Ii is more especially the duty oil
those who maintain the rights of Humanity, and who
acknowledge and teach the obligations OF Christianity,
to use such are Ill Their power 10 extend tue
blessings OF equal freedom to every part OF tho human
From full conviction of these truths, and senii-
be that the rights of human nature are too well under
stood TO admit of debate, overtuIed,
"That the Synod of New-loIk and Philadelphia
recommend in the warmest terms To every member OF
tier body and TO ali the churches and families under
their care TO do everything in their power consistent
in the rights of civil society to promote The ABoL-
irIoN or SLAVERY, and the instruction OF negroes,
whether bond or free.
On this overture the Synod came 10 the following
judgment:
"Tbc SYNOD Of New York and Philadelphia do high
" approve of the general principles in favor of unver.
sa Liberty that prevail in America, and the interest
which many of the States have taken i'll promoting the
| abolition Of Slavery.
They also recommend the education of those still
held in servtudc 50 TO prepare them for Freedom,
| and that masters
Grant them sufficient time and sufficient means of
n0curipg their own liberty at a moderate rate, that
hereby they may be brought into society with those
habits OF industry that may render them useful cltl'
zens and finally they recommend 1t To- all their peO-
pe TO use the most prudent measures, consistent with
he forest and the state of civil society in tue coun-
ties where they live, TO procure eventually THE FINAL
| ,RoI ITIOS OF SLAVERY IN AMERICA.
| In 1893,
tho General Assembly assure all the churches un-
der their care that 'ity rew riN The deepest concern
am rcstiae> Of Siarry rl,ct may cr'st :" o"T
| cgWrtry.
Further action was taken in 1875, which, for the
| sake OF brcvity, we omit.
In 1915, in answer to a petition addressed to the
Assembly on the buying aud selling of slaves, the 'o
| lowing minute was adopted
| q slbei General Assembly have repeatedly declared
their cordial appreciation OF those principles of civil
liberty which appear 10 be recognized by the Federal
and State Governments i'll these nIted Siaies lhey
have expressed the regret that the slavery OF the ATT
cans and of their descendants continues i'll so many
Places, and among those within the pale OF the
church, and have urged the PresbytcIes under their
10 adopt such measures as Will secure at least TO
c rising generation of slaves within the bounds Of the
churth. religious education, that they may be pre-
pared FIR the exercise and enjoyment Of liberty whea
God in His ROY dence may open door for their eman-
cpation. Although in some sections Of our country,
under certain circumstances the transfer slaves may
unavoidable. yet they consider the bu,iag and selling
= @Grts Sy rag = frobic, aud all undue severity in
management OF them as at ,rih tie SPIRIT
u the GosPf. And they recommend il to the Pres.
tytuIos and SESSIONS their care 10 make OF
| r -htC Gus conduct"
! But the matter not allowed TO rest here The