Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1860-12-21
STANTON VIRGINIA, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 81, 1860.
NO. 81.
Tne K'resDyterisans offs. Carolina.
The PRESBYTERIAN Synod of South Carols

jTlfe pressyterIaaxss offs. Carolina
| The Presbyterian Synod of South Carroll
ma, on Saturday last, disposed of tue Seccs-
sion question by adopting unanimously the
report of the committee of nine, to whom il
was referred. AS matter of interest. no
less to the general reader than to that par
ticnlar religious denomination, We give the
report entire;
This Synod is one ofthirty three, which
compose the Old School Presbyterian Church
lin this country. From our brethren of the
whole church, annually assembled. we have
received nothing but justice. and courtesy
The act Of 1878 vas adopted by the South
of that day as well as by the North, aud has
Isince been virtually rescindea
Our General Assembly in 1915, at Gin
lcinnati, took action with almost entire una
lnimity, which has been acceptable to the
South, inasmuoh as it declared that they had
no authority TO make any laws on the sub
lJect OF slavery, not fAassal ss the Wori Of
| God, and which has resulted IN harmony
Of our whole church on this subject, unbruk
en- in the least degree. to the present time
cit is not for US, then. to inausurata as
q Synod any movement toward a separation
from the Northern branch Of our Church
This is not the time for such movement
which would be in advance of the ac ion of
the State. FOR are we the proper body to
take such step. 1t can only begin in the
Church Sessions, where Presbyte ian sovei
laieaty lies, and must Issue forth through
the Presbytcry.
with regard to the political duties of
our churches as composed Of citizens Of this
commonwealth, the Synod Of South Carol-
ma is not called upon as Synod, even in
the present extremity. to give advice OF in
structon. Political iusermeddiipg BY pro-
fessed ministers of the Gospel, aud especial
ly Of bodies Of ministers, has been fraugbt
with evil for many years to cur country,
snd has contributed perhaps, more than ans
other cause to bring the country to It's pres
ent condition. This Synod. composed Of
ministers and ruling elders, would not now
be found initiating the bad example so often
set us by ecclesiastical bodies at the North.
But there is now grave and solemn ques-
ton before the people Of this State, affecting
It's very life and being IS a State, aud that
question, Of course, has its religious aspects
aud relations, upon which this body is per
fse'ly Competent to speak, and il its deliver
auce therefore should have poIitical bear
ing, that is result For which re canuot bs
held responsible.
There is involved, at this imme7ato
iuncure, duty to fod who gave US our
rights duty to our ancestors, whose blood
and suffering procured them for us--a duty
to our very slaves. whom men that know
Them not, nor care for them as we do, would
take from our protection. 'Ehe Synod has
no hesitation, therefore, IN expressing the
belief that the people Of South Carolina are
now aoEemnIy called upon to initiate their
Revolutionary forefathers, and stand up for
their rights We have an humble oi,a
b;ding confidence that that G cd whose truth
we represent, in this conflict will be with Us,
and ezhorting our chayches and people to
put their trust in God. and go forward in
the solemn path OF duty which his Provi- |
denoe opens before them. we. Ministers and
Elders Of the Presbyterian Church i'll South
Carolina Synod assembled, would give them
our benedctlon, aud the assurance that we
shall feyent!y aud increasingly iinplore for
them the care and protection OF Almighty
God"