Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1863-09-12

VOLUME 27.

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"poabc and goodwill to men," they seem
to me strangely regardless, on this impor-
tant subject, of their highest obligations
But it is not for me to Judge them. To
their own Master, let them stand or fall.
Thus, then, have examined the vari-
Gus topics embraced in your inquiry, and
the conclusion which have been compell-
ed to adopt must be sufficiently manifest
The slavery Of the negro race, as main.
tanned in the Southern States, appears to
me fully authorized both in the Old and
New Testament, which, as the written
Word of God, afford the only infallible
standard of moral rights and obligations.
That very slavery, in my humble judg.
ment, has raised the negro incomparably
higher in the scale of humanity, and
seems, in fact, to be the only nstrumen-
tality through which the heather posterity
Of Ham have been raised at all. Out of
that slavery has arisen the interesting col.
ony OF Liberia, planted by slave holders,
to be a place Of refuge for their emanci.
pated bondmen, and destined, as hope,
to be rich benefit, in Its future growth
and Influence. to Africa and to the world.
| do not forget, and 1 trust that do not
undervalue, the missionary work of En-
gland and our own land, in that benighted
continent. But believe that the number
Of negroes Christionized and civilized at
the South, through the system of slavery,
exceeds the product of those missionary
labors, ia a proportion of thousands to
one. And bus the wisdom and goodness
of God are vindicated in the sanction
which his word has given, and the SEN
tence originally pronounced on Canaan as
a curse has been converted into a blessing.
have now gone over the whole ground
covered by your kind application, and
would only here repeat that on the ques.
ton Of slavery, which lies at the root of
all our present difficulties, have obcyed
the rule of conscience and of duty, in op.
position to my habits, my prejudices, and
my sympathies, all of which would tend
strongly to the other side. need hardly
say that am no politician. More than
forty years have elapsed since | ceased
even to attend the polls. But as Chris
tian, am bound 10 accept the doctrine of
the apostles for my guide. And as a citi-
zen, 1 am bound to sustain the Constitu-
ton of the United States, and defend those
principles of law, and order, and friendly
comfy, which every State should faith
fully regard in its relations to the rest. n
In conclusion, would only say, that
am perfectly aware how dstasteful my
sentiments must be, on this very serious
question, to the great majority of my re-
spected fellow. citizens, in the region where
divine Providence has cast my lot t.
would assuredly be far more agreeable if
/ could conscientiously conform to the
opinions of my friends, 10 whose ability,
sincerity, and zeal | am ready to give all
| just commentator. But it would be mere
moral cowardice in me to suppress what
, | believe to be the truth, for the sake of
, popularity, 1t can not be long before
shall stand at the tribunal of that Almigh-
| ty and unerring Jud ge, who has given US
, the inspired Scriptures to be our supreme
directory in every moral and religious duty.
r My gray hairs adm5nsh me that may
, soon be called to give an account of my
stewardship. And I have no fear of the
. sentence which He will pronounce upon an
!. honest though humble effort to sustain the
/ authority of His WORD, in just alliance
;, with the Constitution, the peace, and the
c public welfare of my country.
y With the fervent prayer that the Spirit
!. of Wisdom, unity, and fraternal kindness
4 may guido, our National Congress, the
C Legislatures of the several States. and the
). sovereign will of our whole people, to a
i happy accommodation of every existing
J. difficulty,
!. remain, with great regard,
Your faithful servant in Christ,
. JOHN II. HOPKINS.
+ Bishop of the Diocese of Vermont.