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

shDAded Several days may eiapSe before gem
eral engagement takes place.
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DECLARATION or THE OLD SCHOOL
PREsBYTERIAN GENERAL. ASSEMBLY
ON THE SUBJECT OF SLAVERY.
In the opinion Of the General Assembly theso
iemn and momentots circumstances of cur times,
the state of our country and the condition Of our
church, demand PLAIN declaration OF its senti-
nents upon the question Of slavery in view ofits
present aspects IN this country
From the earliest period ofour church the Ger
eral Assembly delivered unequivocal testimonies
upon this subject, which 1t viii be profitable nov
to reafirm.
In the year l7S7, the Synod Of New York and
Philadelphia, in view Of movements then on foot
looking to the abolition OF slavery. and highly as-
proving of them, declared that s-inasnHch as men
introduced from seryile state to participation
OF ali the privileges ofcivi society without pro
per education and sFithont previous habits of In
dustry, may be IN many respects, dangerous TO
the community, therefore they earnestly recon-
mend - all the members belonging 10 their com
munon to give those persons, who are at pres
ent held in servitude, such good education as to
prepare them for the better enjoyment of free
dom. And finally they recommend
It to all their people to use the most prudent
measures consistent with the interest and state of
civil society IN the countries where they live To
procure eventually the final abolition OF slavery
in America
In 1875, the General Assembly assured all the
churches under their care that they view with the
deepest concern any yestlges of slavery which may
exist in our country. :
In 1915 the following record was made: ssT'he
General Assembly have repeatedly declared their
cordial appreciation OF these principles Of ciyi lib
herty which appear TO be recognized by the federal
and state governments in these United States.
they have expressed their regret that the slavery
OF the Africans and of their defendants still con
tinue in 50 many places, and even among those
within the pale of the church, and haYe urged
/ the Presbyteries under their care TO adopt such
measures as viii secure at least to the rising gen
Grafton Of slaves. within the bounds OF the church
a religious education, th4t they mag be prepared
! for the exercise and enjoyment OF liberty when
God in his Providence may open a door for their
emancipation.
! Ths action Of the General Assembly upon the
subject Of slavery IN the year 1878 Is uneauiyocal
and so well known that it need not be reeited at
langth. The following extracts however. we re
gard as applicable 70 eur present circumstances,
and proper now 10 be reiterated
We consider the voluntary enslaying of one
/ portion of the human race by another as gross
violation OF the most precious and sacred rights
of human nature, as utterly inconsistent with the
Law Of God, which requires ps to love cur neigh
hor as ourselves and as totally irreconcIlabe with
/ which enlolns that all things whatsoever We
would that men should do to you, do We even Sc 70
them. Slavery cTestes a paradox IN the moral
system: il exhibits rational, moral and accounta-
bile beings in such circumstances as scarcely to
leave them the power of moral action. Ii exibits
them as dependent on the viii Of others, whether
they shall receive RELIGIOUS instruction: whether
shey shall know and worship the true God; wheth-
er they shall enjoy the ordinances Of the Gospel
whether they shall perform the duties and cher
ish the endearmentS If husbands and wives, par
ents and children, neighbors and friends, wlleth-
er they shall preserve their chastity and purity,
or regard the dictates Of justice and humanity
Such are some OF the consequences of Slsvery--con-
sequences net immaglnary, but which connect
themselves with It's Very existence.
From this view Of the consequences resulting
from the practice into which Christian people
have most inconsiseently fallen, of enslavine
postiono OF their brethren Of mankind tits nanifes
tly the duty Of all Christians, who enjoy the light
o. the present day when the inconsistency of say-
cry, both with the dictates Of humanity and of
religion, has been demonstrated and is generally
seen and acknowledged, TO use their honest, earn
e and unwearied endeavers to correct the errors
of former times and as speedily as possible to eff
face this blot on our holy religion and to obtain
the complete abolition of slavery throughout
Chrlsteudom, and Il possible throughout the
world.
They earnestly exhorted those portions Of the
church where the evil Of slavery had been entaiied
/ Gpoa them, 10 continue, aRd II possible, To IN
crease their exertons to effect total abolition OF
slavery and suffer no greater delay to take place
/ to this most interesting concern than regard to
| public welfare truly aud indespensibiy demands
and declare that our country oughtto be governed
| in this matter BY no other consideration than an
1 honest and impartial regard TO the happiness Of
/ the injured party. uninAneuced BY the expense,br
I inecnveninece which such regard may involve
warning all who belong to our denomination Of
Chritans agains unduiy extending this plea Of ne
cessity against making it a cover for the love
and practice of slavery, or pretenee Tor not
using efforts that are lawful and practicable TO ex
| tinguish this evil =
/ Such we're the early and unequivoca instrsc
! tions of our church it il not necessary too min
utely 70 inquire how faithful and obedientta these
/ lessons and warnings those 70 whom they were
addressed have been. II ought to he acknowledged
/ that we have all much to confess and lament as
j to our shortcomings in tins respect Whether =
strict and careful application Cd this advice wouid
have rescuei the country from the evil Of Its con
dtion and the dangers which have since threatened
4 II, Is known TO the Omniscient alone. Whist We
do net believe that the present judgements OF our
| Heavenly Father and Almighty and Righteous
I Governor have been inflicted solely IN punishment
for our continuance in this sin yet it ia our judg
nent that the recent eyenteof our history and the
i prosent condition of our church and country far
nsh manifest tokens that the time has az te'gth