The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1857-07-08


composed the Assembly ,of1Ts9, ifnot slave
holders themselves, were representatives OF
Presbyterians in which wefe churches whose
members were slaveholden We regard this
action of the General Asset hbly as paIpabe
violation OF the spirit and letter of the consti.
tuition of the church. Theprnciple involved
in it, if carried into practice, would convert
the highest jud:catory OF the church into an
ecclesiastical despolism as iyrancal as that
which has distinguished lhsChurch of Rome.
Ii makes the Assembly nolgpiy tho interpret
er of law il All irregular wsy, bot also the
supreme legislature of the churcb--a position
which has been always repudiated by the
Presbyterian Church,
Apah, therefore, itOm Asssas,rons son-
sequence resulting from fh5egita,ion Of the
subject of slavery in the General Assembly,
destroying, as il does, our peace. keeping us
in state of excitement unfavorabs 10 spirit
ual growth, and paralysng our efforts TO ad-
vance the cause OF The Redeemer through
the channel OF our admirable system Of Gov
ernm ent-we consider that the Assembly
has so far departed from the Constitution of
the Church as TO render our adherence 10 il
undesirable and impossible. Having preles'
ted repeatedly against this agitation, and
finding tina, our breibern are determined 10
continue il, we have deliberately and prayer
fully come to The conclusion that, however
painful it may be 10 Us, the good ofthe Church
and of the country requireds separpioDfrom
them. We shall hold our l4e,hren who have
disturbed our peace, by ihs Introduction of
this vexed question 10 tns indica,ories, as
alone ro'psasihio dsftAs. 7 sPfihi. is
division. -
With these convic lions as 10 the necessity
Of separation from our onceunied'and be-
loved Zion, the only question tina. remains
for US now TO settle, pertains 10 the mode of
separation. The undersigned are satisfied
that but one course is le(ito us---and that IS
10 invite all -Consl iiuhonal Presbyterians in
the and, who are opposed 10 the agitation Of
Slavery in the General Assembly, 10 mite in
an organization in which this subject shall be
utterly eschewed. We do noi restrict our in-
vi,ation TO the Southern Chuuhes. We wish
TO have National Church->tha at Is, q Church,
the constituent rarts OF which will come from
every section OF the Unton. Holding 10 the
same confession of Faith, we shall have q
common basis as to Doctrine and Govern
meni; and an understanding that, however,
we may differ in our views ,espectng S!a.
very, tue sbtjSt1s- introduced
into the Assembly either ty Northern or
Southern men, unless, indeed, judicial cases
are brought up Regularly from the lower
courts. In The judgment of the undersigned,
this course is our only alternative. There is
so much Of the came abolition spirit pervad.
ing other Churches that adhere 10 the same
standards OF faith, that we could not expect
peace on this subject by uniting with them.
We are persuaded that, although This ques-
lion may be suppressed in heir judicatories
for while, the abolition spirit exists to such
an exlent as to threaten their dismember.
rnent. The result may be that The disturbing
elements of the diG%eai branches of The
Presbyterian church may % united in one
body, aud that The conservative portion Of
the same may ultimately be brought logelh-
er, and thus prove more eiiicfaui 10 promo.
ting the Gauge of he To- sl aod in diff.
fusna through The lard aTuly rational spirit.
At present, however, the union of these
Churches would no, afford relief TO those who
are weared Of this slavery agitation. We
are desirous of forming an organization where
we shall not be liable 10 another division from
this exciting subject.
The undersigned, therefore, would invite
all Presbyerlans, from all sections of the
country, 10 meet in Convession in the civ of
Washington, on the, 9Th day OF August, '57,
for The purpose of consultation, and oforgan.
izing General Assembly in which il will be
distinctly understood, the sehject of slavery
will not be introduced. We propose this
course, instead of organizing on Assembly q,
once, as being due 10 the Presbyterians we
represent. We would suggest that the Pres
byierians be called together as soon as possi-
BILE, and that, whilst the Pfesbyterians ap-
point their delegates 10 iha<A4ssmbly ul-Alie
usual proportion, il is desirable that as many
ministers and elders should attend he Con-
vention as can do so. We suggest also, that
in case sny OF the Pfesbytegians desiring 10
be connected with this new ASSEMBLY, should
end ii impossible 10 be represented in the
Convention, ii would be important that the.
Convention should be informed OF their ac-
lion. = ~
Praying that God may ore<uie thedistrac-
tions of Zion for His own glory andhhat we
may be guided in this crisisasl our history by
bis unerrius counsel, we subscribe ourselves
your breIhfenin Christ. NJ s.is.- ,.t4s
Fred. A. Ross, d. D., Eichael;S Shuca,
George Painter, Isaac w. Il Handy, VIM.
Il. Caldwell, James G. Hsmaer, ID. d., John
b. Logan, Henry Matthews, RobertP. Rbea,
Psachy r. Grafton, Archer C. Dickenon, G.
w. Hutchins, Thomas HsCleland, Elijah A.
Carson, T. r, Gray. -
The undersigned; thourh-rs6f members OF
the General Assembly now in session in
Cleveland, have been present during its dis.
eussion of slavery. Being fully convinced
that there IS no prospect Of the cessation OF
this agitation in the Assembly, and that the