Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1864-06-10

come IN the prorde7,ce Of God irhca itfs His qc5H
that crefy restigeof asl9reg among ussb0uld
Be e6dce,i, and that ererg Cisssiaa man should
Gsz1ress himself aotb Industry and earnestaess to
hss appropriate port "a tie performance d tkls
great duty
Whatever excuses for Its postponement may
heretofore have existed, they viii longer avail
When the country was at peace within itself, and
the church was Hnbroken, many consciences were
perplexed in Che presence of this great evil for
the want OF an adequate remedy. Slavery was so
fornidabIy intrenched behind the ramparts of
personal interests and prejudices that to attack it
with view to It's speedy overthrow appeared to
be attacking the very existence CT the social or
der itself and was characterised as the inevitable
introduction of an archy worse in itsconsequenees
than the evil for which it seemed to be the only
cure. But the folly and weakness of men have
been the illrstration of Gods wisdom and power.
Under the influence Of the most incontprehensi-
bic infatlla1ion Of wickedness, those whe were
most deeply interested in the perpetuatlon OF sa-
very hare taken Gu1dy eUe3 0otUe for Us further
liberation. The spirit OF American slavery, not
content with It's detcnses 10 be found in the laws
OF the States, the provisions OF the federal con-
stitution the prejudiees In favor OF existing nsti
tuition, and the fear of change, has taken arms
against law. organized a bloody rebellion against
the nati0nal authority, made formidable war upon
the federal MON, and in order TO found empire
upon the corner stone of slavery, threatens not
our only existence people, but the annihlla-
ton of the principles of free Christian Govern
ment; and thus has rendered the continuance
of negro slavery incompatible with the preserva-
ton Of our own liberty and Independence
In the struggle the nation for existence against
this powerful aud wicked treason, the highest exc
cutiye authorities have proclaimed the abolition
of slavery within most Of the rebel States, and
decreed its extinction by military force. They
have enlisted those formerly held as slaves to be
soldiers in the national armies. They have taken
measures to organise the labor of the freedmen
and instituted measures for their support and gov
ernment IN their new condition. 1T IS the Presl-
dents declared policy not to consent to the reor
ganiZation of civil government within the seeded
States upon any other basis than that of emanci i
patton In the loyal States where slavery has not
been abolished, measures of emancipation, in diff
ferent stages of progress, have been set on foot
and are near their conSummation; and PROPOSE
ton foran amendment to the federal constitution,
prohibiting slavery in all the States and terrific
ries- are now pending IN the national Congress
So that. In present situation, the interests Of
peace and of social order are Unidentified with the
success Of the cause OF emancipation. The diff
culties which formerly seemed insurmountable, in
the providence Of God appear now to be almost
removed. The meSt formidable remaining OBJ
stacle we think, will be found to be the unwil-
hngneSs of his human heart to see and accept the
truth against the preudces Of habit and of inter
est and TO act towards those who have been
heretofore degraded as slaves. with the charity OF
Christian principle in the necessary efforts to I'M
prove aud elevate them.
In view, therefore of its former testimonies
upon the subject the General assembly does here
10y devoutly express its gratitude to Almighty God
that He has oyerrued the wickedness and caami-
ties of the repelioH, so that He has worked out a
deGyerance Of our country from the evil and guilt
of slavery; its earnest desire for the extirpatioI
OF slavery as the root of bitterness from which
has sprung rebellion, war and bIoodsed, and the
long list OF horrors that follow in their train it.
earnest trust that the thorough removal of thi,
prolific source of evil and harm will be speedy fol
lowed by the blessings Of our Heavenly Father
the return OF peace, union and fraternity, ant
abounding prosperity to the whole land and rec
Ommend to all in our communion to labor honest
ly earnestly and unweariedy in their respecty,
spheres for this glorious consummation, to which
human justice, Christian love, national peace an,
prosperity. every earthly religious interest, com
bine to pledge them.