New-York daily tribune., 1866-01-03
CONFEDERATE RELIGION.

Most of the ecclesiastical organizations OF the
States lately in revolt have chosen not to renew
their former iroternal relations with the like
organizations in the loyal States vherewlth they
formally dissolved connection at the outbreak
of the Rebellion. For this decision, they are
answerablc only to God and their own con-
sciences. 1t would be a bitter mockery to pro-
ieSs TO love where they really hate--to ccnfide
where they profoundly distrust. Still, some of
their assumptions and reaSonings seem fairly to
invite criticism. For instance:
The Southern PresbytcrianS (Old SCHOOL,
held a General Assembly at Macon, Georgia
three weeks since and, refusing TO reunitc with
the Prcsbytcrians Of the North discarded their
deliberately chosen designation, "The Prcsby-
terian Church in the Confederate States" and
took instead that of "Thc General Assembly of
the Presby bytcrian Church in the United States"
As that was already the established recognized
title of much larger body. we think this As
sumption unjustfiable; and it is certainly cal
culatod TO breed confusion and mischief.
intimate relations with Northern Presbyterians
than with other ecclesiastical bodies whose
creeds are not specially Objectionable, they
further
Rsoirej That our ministers and churches he and
hereby warned against all ministers other agents
who Lay come among us to SOW the seeds Of division
and 1t e ~ our congregations or TO create sclsm IN
our beloved Ion and owing 20 the peculiar for
prudence which now exist We enjun ~ upon oUr minis
ers and sessions to exercise special caution whom
they admit to Their IulP,s, and y cases Of doubt to
question Of the nature and erteut Of the oonriesy or
countcnance they may extend.
Re,oirff. Tina, the Assembly Wonld remind sessions
that il ease is proper Tor them 10 invite ministers
of oior denominations sta.cdly 20 occupy any OF our
pupiis without the consent of the ffesbyterict and
the known purpose Of such Minister at The earliest
suitable opportunity TO unite Win ~ ~ ecclesiastical
y .ltiOns.
Such is the sanctimonious wayoi saying that
any church which shall allow Northern Pres.
bytcrian TO occupy it, pulpit will get into
trouble. We do not think the caution was
needed but lis animus is unmi5takabc.
THIS General Assembly then proceeded to de-
liver the following testimony concerning
S!ayery:
"Tli. relation is now 0verthrcwn--suidory yiO
me'cy FOR veal or ior Jet history and the Judge OF
al ~ earth decide But there two considerations
~ yitsl Interest vhici still remain.
'One j.. that while the existence Of Slavery may, In
IT, e.sli aspects be- regarded civil question. On
-sue now gone. vet the hwiulscss oi the relation
question Of social morality and Of scrpural truth has
lot nothing OF it. Importance. When We sOlcmnly de-
clare TO !ou brethren, that the dogma which asserts
The Inherent ,nipllei Il ,s sosd,anc5 e, no % o61 M
word of God but by the voice Of bc Church in an ages
hat II !, one Of the most pornicous hres' Of modern
rinesi that ils counicoanec ~ any church Is ust
canse ot separation from ~ q. Tim. a. IJ) wC have
surely said enough 10 you away nom this nsdious
error ~ from a fatal shore.
Whatever. therefore. may have TO lament before
God either for neglect Of duty toward servants or
ior actual wrong while the relation lasted. not
called that II has been abolished bow the head
In humiia ion before men. or TO admit that the memory
oi many of dear kindred is 10 be- covered with
shame because. like Abraham. Isaac and jacob they
had ondseryans born IN their own houses. bought
with their money and who now. redeemed by the
precious blood az down together III she kingdom Of
God"
There arc several mis,tatcments of fact in |
this testimony. the most material Of which
(that respecting 1.-THE voice OF the Church in all |
aees) might be rclutcd by citations from the
recorded testimony of the Presbyterian Church !
alone. But the fact that Abraham, Isaac and |
Jacob" were Shareholders is cited most incon-
clusiycy. They were Shareholders after a sort, |
no doubt; but were not the first and the last !
named polygamists As we'll And will the
Southern Old.Schools insist that anti-Pclygamy
il - one Of the most pcrncious hcreses of mod
cm times" as well as anti.Savcry' If not, |
nhy not
The RI. Rev. John Henry Hopkins, Protest |
ant Episcopal Bishop of Vermont, O. has been
trying to coax his pro-Slayery brother, Bishop
Wilmer of Alabama, back into the silken bonds |
of church fellowship. Wilmer is sweet on the
good Bishop" of Vermont; but he won't be
coaxcd; and here are his reasons
Tie Southern deputies themselves mGy
very naturally be supposed TO have some sentiment IN
ih. matter Their SONS and brothers lie IN bloody /
graves their land is desoatc and strangers de,
~ their presence their cmnnoipttcd slaves garrison
their cities they live themselves. 40 yet under tho
ban; their representative man. gulltic than ihom
selves in bonds and may have to die an ignominous
death. Tho whole Southern people, therefore, are ai |
tls moment awaiting trin In the person of their rep
rescntatiyc head; they are denounced feIons and
shacked press 10 forbidden to speak word OF yndica
tiOn rcI1Oustruncc.
Your heart good Bishop will tell you tha,
men IN snch condition Ia no mood 10 join in luhi
late restoration which is sealed by their degrndl
tion. The peace for which he Doums will bo chanei. |
purchased by the loss OF their inheritance and they
are sitting In the deep valley OF humiliation.
"The men Of the South have no desire TO proong the
hopeless CONFLICT. They accept the failure Of theI |
efforts fact. and. Christian men, will render n
faithful allegiance 10 the powers that be- for God |
sake; but II Is asking too much OF them that they shall
swell the pageant which celebrates their suhugsion.
Some time. Bishop. must be given 10 the heart 10
school itself. our people in mood for ioy yous
congratulations 1ney not yet out Of mourning fol
their dead. II is easy for you 10 together and
to join heartily IN laudaiss for peace and reunion.
Yours the victorious section II easy for him who
trunphs forgive; and from stand point you can
ihnnh Tod with fll heart. We irving 10 forgive