The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1857-10-17
Against Dueling.

The following is from one Of a collection
of sermons preached before Charles l.
But how is this doctrine of the forgive
ness of injuries received in this world 2
What counsel would men--and those none
of the worst-give thee, in such case2
How would the soberest, dscreetest, we'll
bred Christian advise thee? Why, thus:
If thy brother or thy neighbor have offered
thee an injury or AN afiront forgive him2
By no means thou art utterly undone, and
lost in reputation with the world, if thou
dost forgive him. What is to be done, then?
Why, let not thy heart take rest; let all
other business and employment be laid
aside, till thou hast his blood. How? A
mans blood for an injurious, passionate
spirit-for disdainful look Nay, that is
not THAT thou mayest gain among men
the reputation of discreet, well-tempered
murderer, be sure thou killest him, not in
passion, when thy blood is hot and boiling
with the provocation; but proceed with as
great temper and settledness of reason,
with as much discretion and preparedness,
as thou wouldst to the communion. After
several days respite, that it may appear it
is thy reason guides thee, apd not thy pas
sion, invite him kindly and courteously into
some retired place, and there let it be de-
termined whether his blood or thine shall
satisfy the injury.
O, thou holy Christian religion Whence
is it that thy children have sucked this in
.,a,..t,y, .ll..s s,Ips7so- s,,.., f.eaJ
spirits? For if we shall inquire Of the hea-
then, they will say, they have not learned
this from us or of the Mahometans, they
will answer, We are not guilty of it. Bless
ed God! that it should become most sure,
settled course, fol man to run into danger
and disgrace with the world, if he shall
dare to perform a commandment of Christ,
which is as necessary for him to do, if he
have any hopes of attaining heaven, as
meat and drink is for the maintaining of
life That ever it should enter into Chris
tan hearts, to walk so curiously and exactly
contrary unto the ways of God! That
whereas he sees himself, every day and hour
almost, condemned and despised by thee,
who arthis servant, his creature, upon whom
he might, without all possible imputation
of unrighteousness, pour down all the walls
of his wrath and Indignation; yet he, not
withstanding, is patient and lOng-sufering
towards thee, hoping that his long suffering
may lead thee to repentance, and beseech-
inc thee daily, by his ministers, to be re-
concled unto him; and yet, thou, on the
other side, for distempered, passionate
speech, or less, should take upon thee to
send thy neighbours soul, or thine own, or
likely both, clogged and oppressed, with all
your sins unrepented of--for how can re-
pentance possibly consist with such reso-
lution-before the tribunal-seat of God, to
expect your final sentence; utterly depri-
wing Yourself of all the blessed means which
God has contrived for thy salvation, and
putting thyselfin such an estate that it shall
not be in Gods power almost to do thee any
good. Pardon, beseech you, my earnest
ness. almost intemperateness, seeing that it
hath proceeded from so just, so warranta-
BILE ground and since it is in your power
to give rules of honor and reputation to the
whole kingdom, do not you teach others to
be ashamed of this inseparable badge of
your religion--charity and forgiveness of
offences. Give men leave to be Christians
without danger or dishonor; or, if religion
will not work with you, yet let the laws of
that state wherein you live, the earnest de-
sires and care of your righteous prince, pre-
vail with you.
AN EXAMPLE TO THE CHURCHES.-The
colored Presbyterian congregation in Nat
chez, writes Rev. Thomas H. 'Clelland to
the Witness, have a large, comfortable
brick church building, amelodeon choir, etc.,
all in quite city style. They have a
regular minister who breaches to them
every Sabbath, and better behaved and
more attentive congregation can scarcely be
found. This congregation have been for
ten years in the habit of giving to the cause
of missions. The following facts stated by
their minister will show. what they have
done: I'm these days when the Boards are
so much in need of funds, case like this
might seem as an example for dilatory
churches. The collections are voluntary on
their part, and were commenced ten years
ago, the average amount collected during
that time is a little over fifty dollars per
annum; the aggregate is FIVE hundred and
four dollars and eighty-four cents. Last
year the amount was seventy dollars and
eighteen cents Here is Il church made
up entirely of colored people, most of whom
are slaves, which is actually doing more for
the cause of Missions than one-half of the
churches under the care of the General AS
sembly. VIII they not rise up in judgment
to condemn those who have greater facilities
for doing good, but do not employ themF