Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1860-12-14
Slavery In sne Church.

The reader will fin0 In another column
short extract from the preamble and the res
olutions adopted at the Convention of the
laity within the jurisdiction of the Balti-
more Conference OF the NJ. E. Church held
on the 9th inst.
The decided and unequivocal position ia
ken by the laty. cannot fail to prove
source of congratulation to every true friend
of Religion, and the prosperity of the church.
With this significant demonstration on the
part of the membership, we cannot enter
tain doubt that the Conference, in March
next, will promptly break off its connection
from the General Conference, erase the
clause in the Discipline on Slavery and thus
present the Church free from the unnatural
and irrelevant embarrassment resulting from
this obnoxious chapter
The section in tho Discipline which re-
lates to slavery, is, in part, IN the following
words:
"Question What shall be done for the
extinction of the evil of slavery?
Ansuer. We declare that we are as much
as ever convinced of the great evil of slavery !:
therefore no Shareholder shall be eligible
to any official station in our church here
after, where the laws Of the State in which
he lives will admit of emancipation aud per-
nit the liberated slave to enjoy freedom.
Whenever any travelling preacher becomes
an owner of slave or slaves by any means,
he shall forfeit his ministerial character in
our church, unless he execute, fit be prac-
ticable, legal emancipation of such slaves.
conformably to the laws ofthe State in which
he lives"
1t is very plain to every fair thinking and
wel-informed mind that this declaration of
sentiment on the subject Of slavery is clear
ly and violently in conflict with the opinions
Of the people Of the State. if, indeed, itdoes
not classify the Discipline itself as an ''in
cendiary document" especially repugnant to
the legal cnactments of the Commonwealth
We are very sure no political association
would be tolerated in the State, which had
for one of the rules Of Its government dec
laration 80 pregnant Of mischief as is this
While we feel an almost nsurmountable re-
luctance in attacking the polity of any &C.
cesiastcal body, yet we would be untrue to
our convictions of duty did we not frankly
assert our belief that this feature of the Dis
cpline is not only at war with the laws Of
our State, but the firm convictions of the
people, and if not speedily erased, must
destroy the jurisdiction of the Baltimore
Conference within the limits of every slave
holding community.
It will be at once observed that the char
acter Of the slavery chapter is aggressive in
its spirit, and would seem to convey the idea
that there must be q constant enquiry aud
agitation as to the best means Of e:rtirpating
the great cuz Of slavery." We are ready
to acquit the ministers Of that Conference
who are and have been among us, Of any
real sympathy with the purpose suggested
in the chapter We believe it is more a
dislike to commence the work Of change in
the Church code, which orr sinated with the
great lights Of the Church-respect to their
pety and Difference to their many sacrifices
and arduous labors-than any coincidence
of sentiment, that has up to this time retained
this obnoxious clause in the Discipline -
! Hence, we are of the opinion that the de-
mand is the more imperative for its erasure.
It's retention accomplishes no possible good
it is considered sound but by the fewest
number OF the ministry--at the same time
it is crushing out the vitality of the Church,
and gradually instiling an active and EN-
Filtered antipatby into the public mind e
gainst that denomination.
There are but two leading thoughts sug
ges.ed in considering this question. frs
IL the ministry do believe slavery is g
''qreat evir' which ought to be "ertirpa,
ted," and are anxiously making enquiry
how that end can be best accomplished. then
under the laws of Virginia, they assume thu
character of 5ncendiuries, aud are liable te
suffer the penalties attached to the statutes
against such persons. AS good citizens
acknowledging their obligations to the civi
law. it is their duty to leave that people, the
enactments of whose State conflict with them
religious convictions.
Second. If they do not believe in the
literal meaning of the clause, then they
ought at once to erase il, for it is destroy
ing thu influence of the Church, diminish
ing its strength, and making it a by-woro
and renroach in the mouths of every one =
Especially is it the great lever which the
enemies Of the Church are welding with as
tonishing effect, to arrest it's onward march
and the agency by which the channels Of
thought are being justified with poison a.
gainst it.
If the ministry are honestly Of the opin
ion that it is their duty to ''extirpate" sla
very, then, as law-abiding citizens, they
should not seek jurisdiction in communities
where the practical application of their be
lief would become criminal under our stat
utes. If they are not convinced that tht
slavery clause is right and desire the sue,
cess Of the Church. they ought to lose NJ
time in wiping it clean out from the article!
of their creed.
I We do not mean. however. to enter intt
II II.