Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1858-04-23
United Synod of the New School presbyter,.n..

The New School Presbyterian Church was the last
ecclesiastical organization which the devil of antsayerv
rent asunder
The Catholic, Episcopalian and Old School Presbv.
terrain are the only communions yet intact How lonp
they will survive the increasing intensity of sectional
agitation, is than venture to predict Bv
the genius of its constitution the first is independent Of
political opinions and the facility of accommodation to
the diverse humors and interests of mankind which has
exhibited in every passage of its history will probably
enable to harmonic with the opposing parties in the
slavery controversy Already the second is sorey vexed
by the lmpertinence and nteperance of Aboltionism
The Christian charity of its Southern adherents is the
main stay of its unity The Old School PRESBYTERIAN
Church mas enjoyed something more of quiet since the
schism of 1885, but is not altogether exempt from the
nroads OF the Evil One in the shape of Abolition nett
tions and resolutions. The deliberations of its last As
semby were interrupted, we belve by an attempt to
provoke debate upon slavery The fate of other
church cOmmunOns suggests doubt of the permanent
ascendancy of conservative principles in its councils
From the successive overthrow of the various ecces
astlcal organizations In the country Mr. Calhoun de-
duced gloomy prognostc of the union His argument
was equally simple and conclusive If these RELIGIONS
denominations Notwithstanding the unity of interest
conformity OF doctrine and fraternity of feeling which
prevail in their respective communities with the ad-
vantage of Christian grace moderation of temper and
purely unsesh object they were too weak to resist the
dssoving influence OF AbOlitiOnsm, how can we hone
to perpetuate the integrity of political organization
which embraces other elements of dscord and is sun
ported by little else than the cohesive force of public
plumber.
The Austrian Empire presents the anomalous specta-
Gle OF political system composed Of heterogeneous mem
bers but its unity is the result of military COERCION
In the absence of the principle of force it is impossible
to keep people under government if their feelings
habits and interests are incompatible. Community of
government is simply the exponent Of identity of char
acter and social Institutions. When that identity is de
strOyed, the political system will not long endure.
| The separation of the Southern from the Northern
members in the several Church establishments at once
attess the violence of the antsavery spirit and sewers
the strongest ties of political confedeacy. In either
vew the fact ustifeS the sad vacinaon of the great
statesman
During the recent session of United Synod at Knox
vie the New School Presbyterians of the South con-
summated an independent organization of ecclesiastical
government. The " Declaration of Principles" which
constitutes the basis of their association is beyond the
province OF the secular journalist in far it pro-
pounds system of dogmatc theology. In another
pect however it is legitimate subject Of criticism if
anybody chooses to urge objections against its political
doctrine. For ourselves, find nothing in the Dec
laraon of Principles from which, citizens of the
South, we are constrained 20 withhold our approval
So far the contrary it seems to that the New School
Presbyterians of the South have defined the relation of
the Church to slavery in terms of logical precision and
philosophical accuracy They contend that slavery has
the sanction of Scripture they deny that it is intrinsi-
caly sinful; but at the same time they claim the right
of the Church to take cognzance of cruetes practcd
in this and other relations of lfe All must allow this
to be legitimate pretension if it be not employed
pretext of assault upon the principle of slavery OF
such abuse there is danger since the United Presby
terrain Church consists exclusively of Southern members
The Declaration of Principles" by the Knoxville
Synod will be accepted by the people Of the South as
satisfactory explanation Of the moral relations of slavery
and as gratifying indication of the prevalence of a
wiser and truer spirit in the religious community.
Richmond South.