Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-07-01

that which consists in selling slaves 10 those
who will either themselves deprive these un-
happy people of the blessings of the gospel,
| or who will transport Them to places where the
gospel is not proclaimed, or where it is forbid
den to slaves to attend upon its Institutions %
| The foregoing testim monials tho subject of
slavery were universally acquieseed in By the
Presbyterian Church up to the time of the di-
vision in 1888.
| In 1849, the General Assembly made 4
declaration on this subject, of which the fol-
lowing is the Introductory paragraph:
ssThe system of slavery as it exists in these
United States, viewed either in the laws of the
several States which sanction it, or in its actu-
| al operation and results in society, is intrin-
| sically an unrighteous and oppressive system,
and is opposed to the prescriptions of the law
| of God, to the precepts and spirit of the
gospel, and the best interest of humanity
In 1S49 the Assembly explicitly reafirmed
the sentiments expressed by the Assemblies of
| 1915, 1918, and 1S46.
In the year 1850, the General Assembly
made the following declaration:
ave exceedingly deplors the working of
the whole system Of slavery as it exists in our
country, and as interviewer with the political
institutions of the slayeholding States, as
| fraught with many and great evils to the civil,
political and moral interests of those regions
| where it exists.
ssThe holding of our fellow men in the con-
dition OF Slavery, except in those cases when
it is unavoidable by the laws of the State, the
obligations of guardianship or the demands of
humanity, is an offence in the proper import
OF that term as used in the Book of Discipline,
chapter l, sec. 3, and should be regarded and
treated in the same manner as other Offences"
Occupying the position in relation to this
subject. which the trainers of our Constitution
| held at first, and which orr Church has always
held, ii is rith deep grief that ,rc no,r discover
| that portion Of the Church at the South has so
far departed from, the established doctrine of the
Church In relation to Slarery, as 10 nointain sit
is an ordinance Of God" and that the system of
Slarery in these United STATES is Scriptural and
right. against this new doctrine ue feel con-
strained TO bear solemn testimony. 1t is at
war with the whole spirit and tenor of the
gospel of love and good will, as well as abhor-
| rent to the conscience of the Christian world.
We hare no sympathy or Jfeliorship uith ii; and
,ce erhort all our people TO eseher it as seriou,
| and prenicious error.
We are especially panied by the fact that
| the Presbytery of Lexington, South, have
given official notice to US that a number of
ministers and ruling elders, as well as many
church members in their connection, hold
slaves 'from principle and ssof choice, :" ssbe-
lieving it to be according to the Bible right"
and have, without any qualifying explanation,
assumed the responsibility of sustaining such
ministers. elders and church members in their
position. We deem it our duty, in the e1er-
else of our Constitutional authority s'to bear
testimony against error in doctrine and immo-
rality in practice in any Church, Presbytery
or Synod" to disapprove and earnestly con-
denim the position which has been thus as
sumed by the Presbytery of Lexington, South,
as one whiclfis opposed to the established con-
victions of the Presbyterian Church, and must
operate to mar its peace and hinder its pros
perity, well as bring reproach on our holy
| religion and We do hereby call on that Pres
bytery to review and correct their position.
Such doctrines and practice cannot be perma-
nently tolerated in the Presbyterian Church.
May they speedily melt away under the illu-
minating and mellowing influence of the gospel
and grace of our God and Savior.
We do not, indeed, pronounce sentence Of
indiscriminate condemnation upon all our
bretffern who are unfortunately connected with
| the system OF Slavery. We tenderly sympa-
thize with those who deplore the evil, and are
honestly doing all in their power for the pres
| ent well being of their slaves, and for their
complete emancipation. We would aid and
not embarrass such brethern. And yet, in the
language of the General Assembly of 1918,
| we would eearnestly warn them against unduly
extending the plea of necessity; against max
| ing it cover for the love and practice of
slavery, or pretence for not using efforts that
| are lawful ard practicable to extinguish this
evil.''
/ In conclusion, the Assembly call the atten-
tion of the Publication Committee to this sub
ject, and recommend the publication, in con-
venient form, of the testimony of the Pres
byterian Church touching this subject, at the
eaalest practicable period.
| On the final vote the Yeas and Nays were
ordered, and the Assembly stood 166 Yeas, %
Nays and not voting. One of the nays sub
sequently changed his vote to yea, and three
others, who were not present when the vote
was taken, requested leave to record their
names in the Affirmative, so that the vote
/ really stood 40 Yeas to 25 Nays.
The Albany Journal advocates the employ
s-k.