The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-06-08
a Very Christian Assembly.

Very Christian Assembly.
The General Assembly Of the New
School Presbyterians adopted the
snh9olned declaration and resolutions,
on the 25th ult., without a single dis
ssnting voice. One member did have
the grace to suggest that the third
resolution, calling for the blood OF
the chief fomenters and representa-
tives Of the rebellion" ought not to
he adopted; but he was not listened
to. When men, protesting to be
Christians, are governed by such
feelings as this action of the Assem-
bly, manifests, it is not surprising
that such men as Thad. Stevens,
Chandler and Sumner should thirst
Tor, and demand, the blood of the
brave but unfortunate men who sur
rendered to the armies Of the United
States upon the faith of the promises
contained in President LincoIn's pro
clamatlon; but who have since learned
that those promises were q snare and
II delusion.
The Committee ON the State of the
Country proposed to the Assembly the
following declarations:
This Assembly records its deyout
gratitude to Almighty God, that he
has delivered us from the calamitios
and horrors Of civil war, and restored
peace throughout our borders.
That He has so far quelled the
spirit of secession that the supreme
and rightfnl authority OF our bcnefi-
cent National Government is now re-
stored in all our States and Terrific
RES, and We remain, as we were in
tended to be, one nation, with one
Constitution and one destiny.
That he has SO overruled the pro
gress and results of this unparalleled
conflict rs to make it manifest that
our republican institutions are as
well fitted to bear the stress and
shock OF war as to give prosperity and
increase in times of peace.
That, by His wise and constraininp
Providence, guiding MS in ways we
know not. He has caused the pas-
sions and wrath of man to enure to
the welfare of humanity, so that a
whole race has been emancipated
from an unjust and cruel system Of
bondage and advanced to the rights
and dignity of free men; so that now
involuntary servitude, except for
me, is illegal and unconstitutional
Wherever our national authority ex-
tends.
That He gave to our people such O.
spontaneous, impassioned and un-
bought loyalty loyalty that can
neither be forced nor feigned-such
resolute and abiding faith, and such
supreme consciousness of our ma
tlona1 unity, that we were able in the
a:9est hours to bear with cheerful
patriotism our heavy burdens and
our costly sacrifices, so that our very
sacrifices have knit us more CLOSELY
together and made ns love our conn
try more.
T" That He has purged and enlight-
eLed our national conscience in re-
spect to our national sins, especially
the sin of slavery; and has also made
Us recognize more fully than before
the reality of Divine Providence. the
snreness and justice of retribution
for national guilt, and the grand fact
that q nation can be exalted and safe
opiXr as it yields obedience to His
rleRteous laws
That He bestowed such grace upon
our churches and ministry that, with
singular nnanimity and zeal thew
upheld our rightfrl Government by
their nnwavering Lestimonyand ef1ec-
tnal suPplications, identifying the
success OF the nation with the welfare
OF the church.
That, above these things, He has.
according to His gracious promise.
watched over His church and kept it
safe during these tronblous times; so
that not only has our American
Christianity been vindicated, our
faith and order maintained intact.
and our Christian benevolence en-
hanced, but our purpose and plans
for the future have also been enlarged
IN some proportion to the needs and
growth of our country; while, to
crown all these favors with His special