Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-05-06
The Presbyterv Of Iowa.

1t is a fact worthy Of notice that while the
immoral and irre,igious in the loyal States are
opposing the pro >ecutiou of the war and the
measures adopted by our government to sup,
press shis terrible rebellion, the great body
Of protesting Christians are arrayed en- the
side Of God and humanity. A few days
since We took occasion to place before our
readers the position occupied by the Baptsts
Of this State We take great pleasure in
now publishing the resolutions recently
adopted by the Prcsby terry Of Iowa, relating
to the prosecution Of the war against treason,
and the extinction Of slavery. During the
present war it has been quito common amor 6
arlsss Of people whose religion is suborii-
nate to their politics, to withdraw from a
church Of one denomination and seek fellow
ship in that of another denomination, because
IN the discharge Of the duties Of his high
calling their pastor had spoken against treason
and slavery. People who have from their
childhood believed in the free agency of man,
have suddenly been converted to the theory
Of predestination or foreordination, upon
hearing their minister speak from the pulpit in
behalf Of his country and freedom. Many
persons have supposed the Prcsby terian
Church the place Of refuge for conservatives
and neutrals in the great struggle now going
on between Democracy and monarchy, free
dom and slavery, and hence they have gone
thither. That the Presbyterian Church in
Iowa is any less peaceful" or anti slavery
than any other, may be gathered from their
resolutions, as follows:
Resolrea, further, That we advocate and
heartily desire the steady, vigorous and un
finching prosecution Of the war which which
we are engaged in, and which has been wick
edly forced upon US, till the last armed rebel
shall be subdued, till treason, which has dsr-
ed to raise its hydra head, finds an ignomin-
ious grave, and that for this great consumma.
ton we will give our sympathies, our prayers
and our sacrifices.
Resolved, once more, That regarding Amer
ican slavery as the grand occasion or cause
in one way or other of ali our troubles, we
look with joy upon its waning power, upon
the heavy blows the monster is receiving on
every side, and arden.ly pray God when trea-
son is dead and buried that this cry ing sin,
this foul excrescence upon our body polite,
be buried with it, to sleep an eternal sleep.
Where will the Wallaces and Mshans and
kindred souls find rest? Ought not the con-
servatives TO secede from the abolition wing
OF their church?
This bold enunciation Of principle from the
Christian church is one of the most hopeful
signs of the times Where God is recognized
as the Supreme Governor and disposer of
events, there will be recognition of the natu-
raj rights Of man, and obedience to lawful
authority. The church is no place for timid,
weak kneed conservatives and neutrals. God
requires men to be positive in the right
Men'cannot be for Him on Sundays and against
Him through the week, and be favored with
His smiles. The:hand Of Providence is d.
recting the American people as it directed
oar fathers in the past. Guided by His un-
seen hand, we shall issue from the fiery Or
deal through which we now are passing, as a
people, purified and regenerated, and the
puny efforts Of maudlin politicians, whose
idol is slavery, and whose worship is akin to
treason, will not stay that hand.