Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-10-23

Proceedings Of Synod Of Virginia Of the
PRESBYTERIAN IN Church-Delaware
collsge-Inte, esting report on Slavery
&C &c.
IcoRREsPoNDENcE OF THE STAR
SHEPHERDsrowN, Va, Oct. 81.
The Synod of Virginia, embracing the States
of Maryland and Virginia and the District Of
Columbia, met in this town last week, and
was opened with sermon from the Moderator,
Rev. B. Sunderland, D. D., of w Washington city,
from 2 Cor. 5, II.
Rev. Charles II. Read, D D, of Richmond,
Va, was elected Moderator; Rev. William I.
Eva. of Rockville, Md, and Rev Andrew II
rary clerks.
The following committees were appointed
On the Minutes Of the General Assembly
Rev. A. G. Carothers and Rev j. 7 Har-
grave
On the Narrative of Religion.-Rev. H.
Dunning, Rev. E. Newlin, and Col. G. w.
Hutchins, elder.
On Records of District of Columbia Rev.
DR. Boyd, Rev. p. Fletcher, and j. Quigley,
NJ. ID elders
Hanover Records.-Rev ]. Howard, w. T.
Eva, and j. Douglass, elder.
Winchester Records --Rev. w McLain,
Rev. H. Dunning, and Col. g. w. Hutchins,
elder.
Church Ell act 'on.-Rev J. c. Smith, DID,
Rev: II. Dunring, Rev T. Ball, Rev. A.
Ii. IL. Boyd, d d Rev. C. H. Read, D.,
and Rev. j. d. Nit shell
The comn'tte , on minutes of the General
Assembly ie commended the first Sabbath of
December to take up collection for publication
cause the first Monday in January Al day
| of fasting and prayer, and the last Thursday
| in February for prayer for colleges; adopted.
L. IL
| as a day of thanksgiving
Rev. A. G Carothers announced the cleo
| ton to the Presidency of Delaware College of
Rev. Ellis j. Newlin, of Alexandria, Va :;
after which the Synod unanimously adopted
| the following minute
Synod have heard with much pleasure Of
the election of the Rev. Ellis Newlin to
the Presidency of Delaware College, and while
We congratulate him on this new relation and
position, we recommend the College to the
confidence and patronage of the churches
under our caro- as offering some peculiar ad-
| vantages to the youth of our Southern country
| Col &. w. Hutchins, of Washington, Cor
daily invited the Synod to meet in the Assem-
bly's church, Washington, D G. Accepted
| unanimously. October, 1857, the third w ed :
nesday, at u o'clock p. m, was selected as
| the time.
The Synod of Mississippi and the Presby-
terry of Hanover addressed the Synod on the
| subject of Slavery; and Rev. DR.. Boyd, Rev
W. McLain, and Rev. H. Dunning were ap-
pointed to express the views Of the Synod on
the subject. The following report was pre-
| sented
"The Synod of Virginia agree in sentiment
with their brethren Of the Synod of Mssis-
sippi, that the agitation Of the subject of sla
very in the Church-and it may be added in
the State-has been productive of much evil.
| In our judgment this agitation is not only cal
| culated to ALLEVIATE the North from the South,
but it also interferes, to some extent, with the
Southern ministry in the discharge of their
duties to the colored population. 1t tends to
render the condition of our slaves more unde-
sirable by leading to the enactment of more
rigorous law by our Legislature, both with re-
spect to their liberty and their relis iOus in
struction. 1t is true that the discussion OF
the subject has been productive of good by
inducing thorough investigation Of the prin.
ciples essentially involved in the relation Of
master and slave
owe have reason to believe that one result
of this discussion in our branch of the church
has been general concurrence in the opinion
! that slaveholding is not san per SEA- prin-
cipie that lies at the foundation of the ex-
tremes of northern abolitionists. Our General
Assembly, in its action on the subject of slavery
has virtually repudiated the idea that slave
! holding is essentially sinful. We attribute
Of the question in that body. We believe also
that this discussion has contributed to give our
| Northern brethren more correct views Of the
| system of slavery as it exists among us-tha;
by the statement Of facts by Southern del.
egates many have had their prejudices re-
moved, and are disposed to leave the subject
| where 1T should always have been left, with
those who have the power to regulate it
" But notwithstanding much good may thus
have resulted from this discussion the Synod
| IT Virginia is fully persuaded that the evils
flowing from this agitation have counter
balanced all the good effects incidental to it,
We believe that nothing but harm can come
from any future agitation Of the slavery aues-
ton. We believe also that there are but few
comparatively in our church who desire the
introduction OF the subject into the General
Assembly. Tho great body of our Northern
ministers and churches are satisfied that the
| Assembly has gone as far as it could constitu-
uonally, and that the reiteration of past decla.
rations Of sentiment is both unnecessary and
inexpedisnt. There are doubtless presbyte.
| rles In certain portions Of the country which,
in consequence of an outside influence, either
political or ecclesiastical, brought to bear upon
them, may wish further action on the part OF
| tho Assembly. But they constitute very
| small proportion of the church In the present
state of public feeling on the general subject
no church that has Northern connection can
| uo ehlirely exempt from persons VINO Will de-
sire to speak upon it whenever an opportunity
is presented.
=" IDsomuoh, therefore, as the General As
sembly has never, either directly or indirect
ly, endorsed abolition principles, and as we
are convinced that the desire to agitate this
| vexed question In an ecclesiastical iudicature
Is confined to n small number of individuals
in our connection, your committee think that
no action on the part Of the Southern Synod is
at present called for. At the same time VIC
would say that if a Different state of things
| from what We believe now exists, should &C
cur, and if the General Assembly of our church
should hereafter adopt a course involving our
constitutional rights, we shall be prepared to
| unite with our brethren North and south in
adopting such measures as Divine Providence
and our best judgments, enlightened by the
truth and spirit of God, may indicate in the
premises.
"Your committee recommend to the Synod
the adoption of the following resolutions
L Chot 49, 81