North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1863-09-30

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bringing forward those passages Of scripture which
you charge me with not producing. wish to add
that reply to the Bishops pro-slavery political
tract, or sermon, has published in the Philsdel-
phia Inquirer of the End inst.
am astonishei at your audacity In supposing
that wouli stutify myself by consenting to accept
your proposition, to discuss question which would
require me to prove negative. You are wonder.
fully magnahimous" in asking me to prove th =,
American Slavery is not consistent with tho BIZ
BILE. It will be sufficient for me to show that it ID
not consistent or inconsistent with the Bible, when
you shall have proved that it is. Do you accept OF
my invitation or do you refuse 1t is for you "a
elect
am thankful that you concede at least by impli.
cation, that Slavery is Bible question: and comes
within the sphere of ministerial duty. Let this
cessoh be forever protest against the hue and cry
rased by you and your sympathizers that the quss-
tion Of slavery 10 purely political and therefore
should not be introduced into the pulpit. If it be
purely political why do Bishop Hopkins and his pro-
slavery brethren attempt to prove that it ia right,
from the Bible.
Your statement as to the propriety Of discussing
which you attempt to defend this staten ent urprse
me. "Improper !" to discuss the question of slave
ry suppose it was not improper" for few pro-
slavery politicians tn request the right to publish
pro- slavery pamphlet written by q pro slavery
Bishop, and entit cd "Bible View of Slavery ?''-
You undoubtedly deem it very proper, and the acme
of patriotism tn circulate this same prosla,ery pam
pile. as political tract 1t is supremely right
cording to certain class of political philosophers
to advocate that slavery is Bible institu ton, but
supremely wrong to show that it is not These gen.
tlemen certainly very liberal in concedng to
ministers the liberty of preaching what they-the
politicians-deem to be right But woe to the min
lister who steps beyond the boundary thus fxed-de-
nunciations, threatenings, and prosecutions await
him.
You remark that the institution Of slavery is
older than our government, recognized by It," "It
is therefore to be regarded consistent with the BIZ
ble until prored otherwise Let test this argu-
ment. Vas not the slave trade, older than gov
ernment and it rot recognized by it, but was it
consistent with he Bible? Rumseing and gamr
bling older than government, tho former is
legalized In ,st if not ALL of the States, and the
latter In some OF tnem arc tney tneTeIorc 10 %
recognized consistent with the Bible until proped
otherwise? You appear to take it for granted that
no law can exist in this country which is proved to
be inconsistent with the Bible. Is this a fact q
Slavery sir has been shown thousand times to be
inconsistent with the Bible. The verdict of nearly
the whole civilized world is against it, and the diff
ferent branches of the Christian Church protest
against the righteousness of American slavery
Public sentiment on this as we'll as on other sub
jects is progressing, The clamor and oppositions
raised for partisan purposes cannot arrest it. Sun
stand STILL is not the watch word Of the christian
and the phtnthropist.
have only to add in conclusion. that have nei-
ther time nor disposition to devote to any Of
your wanderings. If you do not consent to
discuss the question proposed, l shall on my part
dismiss the subject Mess duty should demand ex-
plauation in self defence.
Yours Respectfully,
ii BRow wNsCoMBE
Tunkhannock Sept 24th 1863.