Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1857-06-19


tan faith and was calculated to render the condition
of the slave more undesirable and to sunder the ties
that bind our union together In this regard we
have been sadly disappointed In consequence OF the
political agitation of the subject, and of the pressure
brought to bear upon them by Congregational
Churches holding the most ultra Abolition senti-
ments, many of our Western Presbyteries have be-
come more urgent in demanding progressive action
of the Assembly. They have not been satisfied with
the past declarations Of the Assembly. They have
of saveholding clearly that they be made the
basis of discipline by the courts of the Church.
This action has now been virtually taken by the AS
sembly 1t has avowed that the relation of master
and servant-which necessarily involves the idea OF
property in the services of the latteris sin in the
sight of God, and an offence in the sense in which
the term is used in the Constitution of the Church -
This declaration has been made although conessedy
there is not the most remote auson to slavehoding
in our standards, and also with the knowledge of the
fact that when our Constitution adopted, twelve
out of the thirteen States, and many of them " o
composed the Assembly of 1889, if not slaveholdng
themselves, the representatives of Presbyterles
in which were churches whose members were slave
holders. We regard this action of the General As
semby O palpable violation of the spirit and letter
OF the Constitution of the Church. The principle
involved in it, if carried into practice would convert
the highest udicatory of the church into ecclesi
astlca dospotisn as tyrannical as that which has
distinguished the Church Of Rome 1t makes the
Assembly not only The Interpreter of The law in an
irregular way, bu, also the supreme legislative of the
Church. position which has been always repudia-
ted by the Presbyterian Church.
Apart, therefore, from the disastrous consequences
resulting from the agit,ion of the subject of Slavery
in the General MISUNDERSTANDING as it does,
peace keeping US in state # excitement untavora
BILE spiritual growth, and paraly zing our efforts to
advocate the cause of our Redeemer through the
channel of our admirable system oil gOvernment-we
consider that the Assembly has far departed from
the Constitution of the Church as TO render our ad
herence to it undesirable and impossible. Having
protested repeatedly against this agitation, and find
ing that our brethren determined TO continue it.,
have deliberately and praytully come 10 the con-
cluson that, however painful ii may re 10 US, the
good of the Church and of the country required a
separation from them. We shall b. Id our brethren,
who have disturbed our peace by the introduction of
this vsxed question into our udiciaries, alone re-
sponsible for the consequences of this division.
With these convictions 10 the necessity OF q
separation from once united and beloved Zion,
the only question that remains for US now TO settle
pertains to the mode of separation. The undersigned
satisfied that bit left to us, and that
is 10 invite all Constitutional Presbyte.ians in the
land who are opposed to the agitation of Slavery in
the General Assembly to unite in organization in
which this bject shall be utterly eschewed. We
do not restrict our invitation 10 Sou hern Churches.
We wish to have National Church THAT is, church
section of the Union Holding 10 the same confession
of faith, we shall have common basis as to ctrne
and government, and understanding that, however
we may differ in views respecting Slavery, the
subject is never to be introduced into the Assembly
either BY Northern or Southern men, unless indeed,
Judicial cases brought up regularly from the low
er courts. In The Judgment of the undersi gned this
course is only alternative. There is much of the
same Abolition spirit pervading other Churches that
adhere TO the standards of faith, that we could
not expect peace this subject by uniting with them
We are persuaded that although this question may
be suppressed in their udicator for while, the
Abolition spirit exists to such an extent as TO threaten
their dismemberment. The result may be that the
disturbing elements of the different branches of the
Presbyterian Church may be united in one body, and
that the conservative portions of the same may ul
mately be brought together, and thus prove more
efficient in promoting the Of the Redeemer, and
in diffusing through the land truly national spirit
AT present, however, The union of these Churches
woul not afford relief to those who are wearied of
this Slavery agitation. We are DESTROYS of forming
an organization where shall not be liable 10 an
other division from his exciting subject.
The Undersigned therefore, would invite all Pres
byterians, from all sections of the county, to meet
iii convention in the city of Washington, the 9th
day OF August 1857, for the purpose of consultation
and organizing General Assembly, in which it will
be distinctly understood the bject of slavery will
not be introduced We propose this course. instead
1Ao00AOAJ
the Presbyteres We represent. We would suggest
that the Presbyleries be called together soon as
possible and that, while the Presbyteries appoint
their delegates to the Assembly in the usual proper
ton, it is desirable that many ministers and elders
should attend the Convention as do 50. We
suggest also, that in of the Pfesbyleries desir
ing TO be connected with this new Assembly, should
find it impossible 10 be represented in the convention
it would be important tina, the convention should be
informed of their action.
Praying that God may override the di, fractions of
Zion for his own glory, and that we may be guided
in this crisis of cur history by His unerng counsel
we subscribe ourselves brethren in Christ:
Frederick A. Ross, D. D., Michael S. Shuck
George Painter, Isaac w. K. Handy,
VIM. E. Caldwell, James G. Hammer. D. D.,
John B. Logan, Henry Matthews,
Robt. P Rhea, Peachy r. Grattan,
Archer c. Dickerson, George w. Hutchns,
Thos. H. Cleand, Elijah A. Carson.
Finceius r. Gray.
Tho uodorcionod horoo IF tho Con