Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1860-06-21

which reads as formerly, The buying and
selling men, women and children with the In
tention to .enslave them.
/ We have struck out the old chapter which
prohibited preachers and official members from
holding slaves when the laws would admit of
emancipation, and also the same prohibition as
to the ordaining of local preachers on 10. Our
Discipline now stands thus on the subject of
slavery:
!. We have no lao to prohibit slayeholding,
except by implication, either ministers or mem.
bers, and they (by implication) only for merce-
nary and selfish purposes. When it is eithe:
matter OF necessityor mercy, we cannot reach
the cases, nor do we wish to.
| 2. In the place of our former laws, we have
a declaration of sentiment nothing like as
strong as that contained in the discipline of the
old school Presbyterian Church which exists
10 the Stale of Maryland.
Our enemies shoule therefore let US alone,
and our friends should be sats6nd. We shall
i now be relieved from the disturbing and excl
ting interference of Messrs. Long and McCar-
ter. Their occupation is gone, and their pow
er TO disturb the Annual Conference broken,
and that, too, by their own friends. 1T may
not be amiss TO say, just here, that MIR. Longs
new friends ia the North are very tired of him
and his fanatcal operation. Not long since an
injunction was obtained to prevent him and his
friend Mattison from getting into one of their
churches in East Genesee Conference
II may with great propriety be asked /" what
has Induced the anti-slavery men OF the North
to take this step backward and make our dis
ciPine less anli-slayery than formerly. II will
be difficult TO give an answer 10 our border
people that they can understand as consistent.
They assign the following, concerning which
our people eau form their own opinions The
more ultra men of the North, East and North
West, have been sorely perplexing these abo.
iitlon abstractionsts aud logicians by contend
ing that, as the old chapter prohibited only
official msmbers from holding slaves, therefore
it aLtoaoed all sorts of saveholdiDg in the private
members, and therefore ours was slave hold.
ing church. Thus. while our enemies call us
abolitionists in the South, the fanatics of the
North denounce us as pros slavery! Verify, it
is difficult to please every body, and no sensi-
bic man will attempt it. For the reason as
: signed above, the Northern delegates were ex-
ceedingly anxious to get rid Of the old chap
ter" and knowing that they could not change
the General Rule on Slavery, and many ofthem
not desiring il, they determined TO take a
"declaration of sentiment" for their defence,
r at the North, and leave US to do as we please
on the Border. 1t put me in mind of the boy
who said elf cannot whip you, | can make
mouths at your sister," The leaders in this
fanatical movement having thus relieved them
selves OF what they felt 10 be great difficulty,
promise TO discourage all efforts to renew and
, perpetuate the agitation ofthe subject of slav.
cry 10 the future. Difficult as it is to rely on
the promises of those who have violated the
pledges of the past, must confess that / dis
cover evidences of sincerity at least for the
r present. DR.. Haven, of the lions Herald, has
published 10 his paper that it is all the church
will need for The next % years, and we should
now let the matter rest" As proof of thei
sincerity | will relate the following fact: Du
ring our session on Saturday evening, no
headed Yankee by the name of Twombly ex
pressed some dissatisfaction with the Pastora
Address, which referred to the action of tbs
|. Conference as settlement of the question.
i Immediately rose and asked I" II the delegates
from the Border were to understand that Mr.
q Twombly represented the men at the North
h If SO we wished TO know it," There was
!. general and spontaneous Reputation Of bis sen
!. tlnent, and he took his seat wiser if not
II better man.
!. | hope now we shall have peace, and that a
the subject of Lay Delegation 10 to be submit
If ted TO the votes Of our male members, il viii
81 take ths place of the slavery question and di
e rect the minds of the people, both North an,
3. South, 10 more profitable topic OF discussion
"A | will take the lIbeity of most affectionatel
n advising our people 10 Maryland to repair from
% all excitement and apprehension in regard (
/. this matter. They are ina much better an
rs more protected condition than formerly. The
n are now left in the hands Of their own friends
rs who can sympathise with their difficulties, an
who scm protect their rights. Let them
" therefore, be content with their present churc
D. relations, and be prepared to defend themseve
% from all interference with their religious priv
IN leges. May the God of all grace bless th
in Church, and give her peace from the attacks
IN all her foes.
IA Yours, truly,
= BufaLo Tune 9Th 1Q60 p CNONpE