Extract from the minutes of Charleston Union Presbytery, at
their meeting on the 7th of April, 1836.
With reference to the relation which the church sustains to
the institution of slavery, and the possibility of attempts
to agitate the question in the next General Assembly, this
presbytery deem it expedient to state explicitly the
principles which they maintain, and the course which will be
pursued by their commissioners in the Assembly. It is a
principle which meets the views of this body, that slavery as
it exists among us, is a political institution, with which
ecclesiastical judicatories have not the smallest right to
interfere; and in relation to which any such interference,
especially at the present momentous crisis, would be morally
wrong and fraught with the most dangerous and pernicious
consequences. Should any attempt be made to discuss this
subject, our Commissioners are expected to meet it at the
very threshold, and of any report, memorial or document,
which may be the occasion of agitating this question in any
form. And it is further expected, that our Commissioners,
should the case require it, will distinctly avow our full
conviction of the truth of the principles which we hold in
relation to this subject, and our resolute determination to
abide by them, whatever may be the issue; that it may appear
that the sentiments which we maintain, in common with
Christians at the South, of every denomination, are
sentiments which so fully approve themselves to our
consciences, are so identified with our solemn convictions of
duty, that we should maintain them under any circumstances;
and at the same time, the peculiar circumstances in which we
are placed, constitute an imperious necessity that we should
act in accordance with these principles, and make it
impossible for us to yield any thing in a matter which
concerns not merely our personal interests, but the cause of
Christ, and the peace, if not the very existence of the
Southern community.
Should our Commissioners fail of accomplishing this object,
it is expected that they will withdraw from the Assembly,
with becoming dignity; not willing to be associated with a
body of men who denounce the ministers and members of
Southern churches as pirates and men-stealers, or who
co-operate with those who thus denounce them.
In conclusion, this Presbytery would suggest to their
Commissioners the expediency of conferring with the
Commissioners from other Southern presbyteries, that there
may be a common understanding between them as to the course
most suitable to be pursued at this crisis, and on this
absorbing question. And may that wisdom which is from above,
which is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be
entreated, be their guide in managing the important trust
committed to their hands.
_Resolved_, That this expression of our views be signed by
the Moderator and Clerk; that a copy be given to each of our
Commissioners to the General Assembly, and that it be
published in the Charleston Observer.
E. T. BUIST, _Moderator_.
B. GILDERSLEEVE, _Temporary Clerk_.
Resolutions of the Presbyterian Synods of South Carolina and Georgia,
December, 1834.
"_Resolved unanimously_, That in the opinion of this Synod,
Abolition Societies, and the principles on which they are
founded, in the United States, are inconsistent with the best
interests of the slaves, the rights of the holders, and the
great principles of our political institutions."
The following declaration of sentiments has been published in
Charleston, South Carolina, by the Board of Managers of the Missionary
Society, of the South Carolina Conference of the Methodist Episcopal
Church:
"We denounce the principles and opinions of the abolitionists
in toto; and do solemnly declare our conviction and belief,
that, whether they were originated, as some business men have
thought, as a money speculation, or, as some politicians
think, for party electioneering purposes, or, as we are
inclined to believe, in a false philosophy, over-reaching or
setting aside the Scriptures through a vain conceit of higher
moral refinement, they are utterly erroneous, and altogether
hurtful. We consider and believe that the Holy Scriptures, so
far from giving any countenance to this delusion, do
unequivocally authorize the relation of master and slave. We
hold that a Christian slave must be submissive, faithful and
obedient, for reasons of the same authority with those which
oblige husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, sisters, to fulfil
the duties of these relations. We would employ no one in the
work who might hesitate to teach thus; nor can such an one be
found in the whole number of the preachers in this
Conference."
One other document in reference to South Carolina, viz., the
resolutions recently passed by the "Hopewell Presbytery." On the
subject of domestic slavery, this Presbytery believe the following
facts have been most incontrovertibly established, viz:
I. Slavery has existed in the church of God from the time of
Abraham to this day. Members of the church of God have held
slaves bought with their money, and born in their houses; and
this relation is not only recognized, but its duties are
defined clearly, both in the Old and New Testaments.
II. Emancipation is not mentioned among the duties of the
master to his slave. While obedience "even to the froward"
master is enjoined upon the slave.
III. No instance can be produced of an otherwise orderly
Christian, being REPROVED, much less EXCOMMUNICATED from the
church, for the single act of holding domestic slaves, from
the days of Abraham down to the date of the modern
Abolitionists.
IV. SLAVERY EXISTED IN THE UNITED STATES BEFORE OUR
ECCLESIASTICAL BODY WAS ORGANIZED. IT IS NOT CONDEMNED IN OUR
CONFESSION OF FAITH, AND HAS ALWAYS EXISTED IN OUR CHURCH
WITHOUT REPROOF OR CONDEMNATION.
V. Slavery is a political institution, with which the Church
has nothing to do, except to inculcate the duties of master
and slave, and to use lawful spiritual means to have all,
both bond and free, to become one in Christ by faith.
Regarding these positions as undoubtedly true, our views of
duty constrain us to adopt the following resolutions:
_Resolved_, That the political institution of domestic
slavery, as it exists in the South, is not a lawful or
constitutional subject of discussion, much less, of action by
the General Assembly.
_Resolved_, That so soon as the General Assembly passes any
ecclesiastical laws, or recommends any action, which shall
interfere with this institution, this Presbytery will regard
such laws and acts as tyranical and odious; and from that
moment will regard itself independent of the General Assembly
of the Presbyterian Church.
_Resolved_, That our delegates to the approaching Assembly
are hereby enjoined to use all Christian means to prevent the
discussion of domestic slavery in the Assembly; to protest in
our name, against all acts that involve or approve abolition;
and to withdraw from the Assembly and return home, if, in
spite of their efforts, acts of this character shall be
passed."
From the official account of the proceedings of the Synod of Virginia,
I take the following