The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1862-04-17
THE GATE CITY,
KEOK u X:
THURSDAY, APRIL II.
x..k.k Pr..sy,.ry ;. slavery.

Keokuk Rrsshytery on 0lavcTY.
Our contemporary undertakes, in TWO
column leader, to instruct the keokuk
Presbytery in their duties, and to en-
tighten them in regard to the Constitu-
ton of the United States and the law Of
God. The public, of course, will recog-
nire the competency Of the editor topper
form this service, and the.peculiar propri-
ETY. of his appeal to the Scriptures in de-
Tense of slavery, having SO fully conform
ed his own conduct to the perfect law Of
God.
In view of theexpressions of the church
on the subject of slavery in former times,
some persons will see cause to regret that
our cotemporarary had not made his ap-
pearance in the world at an earlier day,
that he might have enlightened our fathers
and prevented them from falling into gross
errors. For, by inspecting the records Of
the transactions of the church, it viii be
discovered that the Presbytcry Of Keokuk
have expressed in very mild form, the
errors in regard to slavery. which were
held BY the church almost universally du-
ring the last generation. In the year
1918. the General Assembly Of the Pres
byterian Church, made very full deliv-
erance upon the subject. This was pri-
or to the division into the Old and New
School, and the views then presented still
stand unrepealed on the records of both
branches ofthe church as the voice of the
great Presbyterian body of christians.
We make brief extract from the
views then promulgated as q. fair sample
of the entire testimony of theyehurch as
to its views of the law Of God, and its
own relations to slavery
The General Assembly Of the Presbyterian
Church, having taken into consideration the sub
ject OF Slavery, think proper to make known their
sentiments upon it to the churches aud people un
der their care.
We consider the voluntary cnslaying Of one part
OF the human race by another, as . gross violation
OF the most precioas and SACRED RloHrs or mr..
MAN NATURE ss utterly Inconsistent with the Law
OF God. which requires us TO love our nerhbor M
ourselves; and as totally irrcconcilable with the
spirit and principles of the Gospel OF Christ, which
enjoin that "all things whatsoever We would that
men should do to you, do you even so TO them -
niasery creates paradox in the moral system--
II EXHIBITS RATIONAL accountable, and immortal be-
angs In such circumstances scarcely To leave
them the power Of moral action. 1t exhibits them
~ dependen. on the will of Others, whether thew
snail receive religious instruction whether they
shall know and worship the true God; whether
they shall enjoy the ordinances of the Gospel !:
whether they shall perform the duties and cherish
the endearmcnts of husbands and wives. psrents
and children, neighbors and friends whether
they shall preserve their chastity and purity or
gard the dictates Of justice and humanity Such
are some OF the consequences Of HiAvery-conse-
quenees not imaginary-but which connect them
selves with it, very existence The evils to which
the slave u always exposed, often take place In
iact ana In their very worst degree and form: and
where aii OF them do not take place, as We rejoice
u say that IN many instances, through the inau-
encc o. the principles Of humanity and religion ON
the minds Of masters, they do not-still the slaye
Is deprived Of his natural right degraded ~ : bu
man being, and exposed to the danger OF passing
into the hands OF mater who NAV inict upon him
~ the hardships and injuries which inhamanity
and avafiee may suggest.
From this view of the consequences resulting
from the practice into which christian people have
mosI inconsistsntiy fallen, Of snslavinE y portion
OF their brefAren Of mankind-for sGod hath made
OF one blood all nations Of men to dwell on The
lace Of the carth.itis manifestly the duty of eli
ehyftians who enjoy the light of the present day,
when the Inconsistency Of Slavery, both with The
dictates of humanity aud religion, has been demon.
sffssed, and 10 generally seen and acknowledged
10 use thear honest earnest and unwearied endeay
ors TO correct the errors of former times and as
speedily ~ possible TO ErFAcs rHs BLOT OK oun
HOLY RELioIoS throughout Christcndom. and Il
possible throughout the world