Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-04-19
tnIttd PrehbYteriRn synod.

The United Synod Of the SIuthern Presby-
terrain Church, new school, which met AZ
knoxville Tenn the beginning OF the
month, brought its session to a close on the
9Th instant. The business Of most interest
before this Synod was a proposition for
union with the Old School General Assembly,
in consequence of the abolition action" Of
the New School General Assembly at Cleve-
land in May, 1857. After long discussion
it was determined to appoin. committee,
consisting of the Rev Charles III. Read, ID.
D. and Rev. NJ NJ. Marshall, principals,
and the Rev. A. II. II. Boyd, d. D. and
the Rev. Robert McLsin, alterna!es, 10 con.
fer with a committee OF the Old School As.
sembiy, with reference to union OF the two
bodies. The committee were instructed to
propose the following terms as being ndis.
pensable to Al honorable union, viz
First. We agree TO units rs ecclesiastical
bodies by declaring as this Synod nov does,
our approval of the Westminster confession
OF faith aud larger and shorter catechlsms
as an orthodox and excellent system of Chris
tan doctrine, and also cur adherence 70 the
plan OF worship, government, and discipline
contained 10 the Westminster Directory.
Second. Both bodies agree in declaring
it to be fundamental principle in the Pres
byterian church that no judcatory of the
church can, for any cause WhateCer, by an
act of legislation constltutonaliy condemn,
or exclude from the church other judicatories
or ministers, or private members, without
process Of trial, such as is prescribed in the
constitution of the Presbyterian church.
Third. Bo.h bodies agree that it is con-
sistent with the requirements of the West
minister confession Of faith to receive said
Confession according to the adopting act OF
1923, to wit: as containing all the essen
tial truths of Christianity, and also the
doctrines that distinguish the Calvnistic
from the PeIagian, Socinian, and Armin-
ian systems of teoogy. We agree Likewise
in believing that this system Of doctrine
includes the following truths, namely, the
Trinity, the Incarnation and Deity OF Christ,
the Fall aud Original Sin, Atonement, jus
tifoation by Faith, Personal Election, IF.
fectual Calling, Perseverance Of the Saints,
the Eternal Happiness of the Righteous, and
E;ernal Punishment Of the Wicked.
Fourth. Both bodies agree in declaring
that slave, holding, or the relation of mas.
ter and slave cannat, an any case, be bar
to membership in the Church of Christ
And whilst they admit the right of the
judicatories of the Church to take cogniz-
ance, in the way prescribed 10 the c0nsti-
tuition, of crueitles practised in the relation,
they hereby declare the opinion that as the
continuance er abolition of the systeG' OF
slavery in this country belongs exclusively
to the State the discussion or az itatiOn OF
slavery, further than pertains to the NOR
al and religious duties arising from the re-
latiOn, is inappropriate to the functions of
Church judcatOries.
Fifth. 1t is further agreed that in effect.
ing the union, the Presby terleS connected
with this Synod shall be united as Presbyte-
ries, and without an examination of their
ministers, with the Synods belonging TO the
General Assembly, to which, because Of their
geographical limits, they should be attached,
excepting that the SYNOD of Tennessee and
the North Alabama Presbytery shall retain
their name and occupy their territory.
Sixth. 10 the event of the General As
sembly agreeing 10 the above terms, the Com
mttee of Synod are directed to communicate
the fact to the Presbyteries in connection
with this Synod, and the Presbyteries are
hereby requested, by the United Synod, to
take action upon the terms of the union |
agreed upon by the Committee Of Synod and |
the General Assembly, and to send copy |
of their minutes to the United Synod that
will meet in Lynchburg on the Sd Thursday |
in May, 1859.
Seventh. That in the event no union il
agreed to, tn" Committee be directed to pro-
puse to the General Assembly the establish
ment Of a mutual correspondence in the fu-
ture between us as ecclesiastical !, dies"
II was further resolved that if the commit
tee should fail to agree upon union at the
ensuing meeting Of the Old School Assem-
bly,, to be held at New Orleans, that the
said Assembly, be invited to correspond with |
the United Synod upon the subject Of the
proposed union Of the two bodies.