The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1862-11-04
The Methodist Conference ON the
State Of the Country, -

= -
resolutions were adopted by tho Detroit An
nusl Conference ofthc NJ. K. Church recently
held at Ann -A,bor: lio3 , -hlo ~ 'lai a
TO every thoughtful observer Of events,
whose heart is 10 sympathy with his race, the
current history of our country presents facts
for contemplation Of the most painful charac
ter, and questions for solution Of the deepest
interest. TIE annals of the past, however
stained by the blood of civilized humanity
furnish 20 scenes Of sanguinary strife mere than
those transpiring within the domain OF our
national life. The clashings Of ideas 10 the
world Of mind have been Transmitted into tho
forces of destruction on the theatre Of, mortal
combat The very lights Of civilization were
miugling with the lurid flames OF civil war
Institutions, Representatives Of all that is valua
bic in the pre- gressive life and treasured law,
and needs of humanity are being tried and
tested Ms by FIRE. The civilization OF th new
world is undergoing grand process OF purlfii..
caiion, preparatory to its elargement into al
the coming centuries. As people we are
engaging all our resources in great civil
struggIe that involves all the conditions OF
national growth and existence. Between the
embatted sections Of the country there are
funda entail differences that reach into the
central IDEAS and laws OF society. On the one
side ara the sublime and selfsustainipg sources
of modern Christian civilization; on the other,
the decayiug elements of an efficit social sys
tenn, conbinging the expiring energies OF
ftudalsm with the brutal demonstrations OF
unmitiga,ed barharism. The civilization OF
the North res,supou tho solid basis Of popular
. N: aIl Ia
GIVEN FREEDOM; the civilization OF the South
effectually excludes the institutes OF popular
education; il wickedly denies the most sacred
rights Of humanity; il seeks to annihilate ov
cry vcstige of republican liberty; so that its
success would bo tho triumph Of Ignorance and
the ascendencv Of every species Of wrong and
injustice, and the substitution Of tho viest sys
tenn of OPP, eseion for the noLlest heritage OF
constitutional Liberty ever enjoyed by the hu
mau race. The great fell disease Of the
South, wasting its vitality like the ioathsome
leprosy, heartiug its life into burning fury like
| the. poison Of the serpent, and spreading It's
death producing forces like tho terrible cancer,
is tie blood uourisbed disease Of American
! slavery. AL! the woes ofiho people, all the
calamlties Of the natios, all the anguish rush
ing like streams Of blood into the bosoms o
families when their faircst ap1 6ravest, fall
victims TO tho ,hunderbolts Of war, all th'
sorrows Of patriotism and religion that mus
stir the sympathies Of angels, and being int
action the all.powerfu sympathies of God, a.
proceed from tho monster evil Of oppression
that has struck its roots into the Jurisprudence
into the very religion and worship Of the ma
.tion. Now, amid the terrific desolation o
the war, there is AT least one reason for prals'
to God, and that is found in its dsiutegraiint
action upon the slave power. In every battl'
fought, tie artillery Of The Republic is turned
against the doomed institution of oppression
Holy Freedom, robcd in her garments o
beauty and ardorned with the sunbeams an
stars Of God, is now leading the hosts and en-
traucipg the hearts Of our soldiers. The CIV
ization Of progress will surely follow in nc
steps, and when bsrbarism has lashed lie
yi.iims, and impoverished the fairest surface
of the globe, and made the rich the tyrants {
, the poor, then when treason shall have lbs
its grasp upon the bones and sinews OF th
, enslaved millions, and for want of sustenanc
, shall have given up the ghost, the desert shs
bud and blossom as the rose. In the lnear
e time it bchooves every philao,rophst. ever
Q Christian, every loyal citiz,n. to s;and at d
' post and put forth all bis strength for th
0 cause Of his country. We propose for adoI
O ton the following resolutions:
e lit. That firm and unconditional loyali
a and support TO the gen raj Government a
not only due from every citizen, but are in
# peratively demanded by the exigencies of Il
Y hour, and that as Christian men and plniste
d we will cheerfully and conscientiously fuf
all our obligations to the constituted autho
ties O; tho nation, nd use every proper mea
to direct and strengthen public opiuion for I
4. the high brhests Of patriotism.
I'd. That we will cherish remembrance
the valor and herosm Of our fellow citiz
10 soldiers who have so nobly withstood the 4
to and are ready 10 fight unto death for I
to maintenance Of the Government; and that I
patriotic dead, slain in battle by tboussn'
ID shall live in our hearts with tie very marty
Ii. of our holy religion.
in Sd. That we are deeply interested in I
ed religious well being OF The army, and sfectic
a,ely counsel our bretbern Of this Confed
ence, serving as Cbaplains, to all possi
fidelity in tho discharge Of their lsbors.
4tb. That while The war j. prosecuted
the preservation Of the life and authority
the Nation, for the destruction Of the rebel
and treason, and fer the restoration Of c.
stilution aud laws to every part and portion
the national domain, believing .as we do u
slavery Is the prime cause anc strength OF
.o';;' rebellion, we r-joce in and hereby hear
'msh m approve Of the proclamation Of the Preside
o' based upon stern military necessity, in soler
" declaring the slaves of all States in REBEL
ser on the 1st OF January next, FOREVER FIR
ne and that we will pray that this great ac'
'oo emancipation may be carried into succes
no operation, and finally result in the freedom
every slave on this continent.
.5ib. That As the race is not TO the sv
'ye nor the battle to the strong, we state
"a" solemn conviction that the hopes Of our co
: try and the success IF our arms depends to
au greatest extent on the blessing and aid
"e Almighty God, that His existence, chsrac
yer yer authority and providence should be recogni
ere in every possible way by the acts and voic
'n' the Government and Of the peop'e; that
= now sest the Nations great cause upon
=" e eternal power and goodness, AID that We
=, " look 10 Him and direct the attention Of
-. IL - .I.l-r