some of the consequences of Slavery,-consequences not imaginary-but which connect themselves with its very existence. The evils to which the slave is always exposed often take place in fact, and in their very worst degree and form: and where all of them de not take place, as we rejoice to say that in many instances, through the influence of the principles of humanity and religion on the minds of masters, they do not-still the slave is deprived of his natural right, degraded as a human being, and exposed to the danger of passing into the hands of a master who may inflict upon him all the hardships and injuries which inhumanity and avarice may suggest.

"From this view of the consequences resulting from the practice into which Christian people have most inconsistently fallen, of enslaving a portion of their brethren of mankind-for God hath made of one blood all nations of men to dwell on all the face of the earth'-it is manifestly the duty of all Christians who enjoy the light of the present day, when the inconsistency of slavery, both with the dictates of humanity and religion, has been demonstrated and is generally seen and acknowledged, to use their honest, earnest and unwearied endeavours, to correct the errors of former times, and as speedily as possible to efface this blot on our holy religion, and to obtain the complete abolition of slavery throughout Christendom, and if possible throughout the world.

"We rejoice that the church to which we belong commenced, as early as any other in this country, the good work of endeavouring to put an end to slavery* and that in the same work, many

"In the minutes of the Synod of New York and Philadelphia, for the year 1787, before the General Assembly was constituted, we find the following, viz.

"The Synod of New York and Philadelphia, do highly approve of the general principles, in favor of universal liberty, that prevail in America and of the interest which many of the states have taken in promoting the abolition of slavery: yet, inasmuch as men, introduced from a servile state to a participation of all the privileges of civil society, without a

proper

of its members have ever since been, and now are among the most active, vigorous, and efficient labourers. We do, indeed, tenderly sympathize with those portions of our church and our country, where the evil of slavery has been entailed upon them ; where a great, and the most virtuous part of the community abhor slavery, and wish its extermination, as sincerely as any others--but where the number of slaves, their ignorance, and their vicious habits generally render an immediate and universal emancipation inconsistent, alike, with the safety and happiness of the master and the slave. With those who are thus circumstanced, we repeat that we tenderly sympathize.-At the same time, we earnestly exhort them to continue, and, if possible, to increase their exertions to effect a total abolition of Slavery-We exhort them to suffer no greater delay to take place in this most interesting concern than a regard to the public welfare truly and indispensably demands.

"As our country has inflicted a most grievous injury on the unhappy Africans, by bringing them into slavery, we cannot, indeed, urge that we should add a second injury to the first, by emancipating them in such manner as that they will be likely to destroy themselves or others. But we do think that our country ought to be governed in this matter, by no other consideration than an honest and impartial regard to the happiness of the injur

proper education, and without previous habits of industry, may be, in many respects, dangerous to the community: Therefore they earnestly recommend it to all the members belonging to their communion, to give those persons who are, at present held in servitude, such good education as may prepare them for the better enjoyment of freedom. And they, moreover, recommend, that masters, whenever they find servants disposed to make a proper improvement of the privilege, would give them some share of property to begin with; or grant them sufficient time and sufficient means of procuring, by industry, their own liberty, at a moderate rate; that they may, thereby, be brought into society with those habits of industry, that may render them useful citizens :-And finally, they recommend i to all the people under their care, to use the most prudent measures.consistent with the interest and the state of civil society, in the parts where they live, to procure, eventually, the final abolition of Slavery in America.” ”

ed party; uninfluenced by the expense or inconvenience which such a regard may involve. We therefore warn all who belong to our denomination of Christians against unduly extending this plea of necessity; against making it a cover for the love and practice of slavery, or a pretence for not using efforts that are lawful and practicable, to extinguish the evil.

And we, at the same time, exhort others to forbear harsh censures, and uncharitable reflections on their brethren, who unhap pily live among slaves, whom they cannot immediately set free; but who, at the same time, are really using all their influence, and all their endeavours, to bring them into a state of freedom, as soon as a door for it can be safely opened.

"Having thus expressed our views of slavery, and of the duty indispensably incumbent on all Christians to labour for its complete extinction, we proceed to recommend---(and we do it with all the earnestness and solemnity which this momentous subject demands) a particular attention to the following points:

"1. We recommend to all our people to patronize and encou rage the Society, lately formed, for colonizing, in Africa, the land of their ancestors, the people of colour in our country. We hope that much good may result from the plans and efforts of this Society. And while we exceedingly rejoice to have witnessed its origin and organization among the holders of slaves, as giving an unequivocal pledge of their desire to deliver themselves and their country from the calamity of slavery; we hope that those portions of the American Union, whose inhabitants are by a gracious Providence, more favourably circumstanced, will cordially, and liberally, and earnestly co-operate with their bre thren, in bringing about the great end contemplated.

"2. We recommend to all the members of our religious denomi nation, not only to permit, but to facilitate and encourage the instruction of their slaves, in the principles and duties of the Christian religion; by granting them liberty to attend on the preaching of the gospel, when they have the opportunity; by favouring the instruction of them in Sabbath-Schools, wherever

those Schools can be formed; and by giving them all other proper advantages for acquiring the knowledge of their duty both to God and man. We are perfectly satisfied, that as it is incumbent on all Christians to communicate religious instruction to those who are under their authority, so that the doing of this in the case before us, so far from operating, as some have apprehended that it might, as an excitement to insubordination and insurrection would, on the contrary, operate as the most powerful means for the prevention of those evils.*

"3. We enjoin it on all Church Sessions and Presbyteries, under the care of this Assembly; to discountenance, and, as far as possible, to prevent, all cruelty of whatever kind in the treatment of slaves; especially the cruelty of separating husband and wife, parents and children, and that which consists in selling slaves to those who will either themselves deprive these unhappy people of the blessings of the Gospel, or who will transport them to places where the Gospel is not proclaimed, or where it is forbidden to slaves to attend upon its institutions.-The manifest violation or disregard of the injunction here given, in its true spirit and intention, ought to be considered as just ground for the discipline and censures of the church.-And if it shall ever happen that a Christian professor, in our communion, a slave who is also in communion and good standing

shall sell with our

and may

be

"The following intelligence has been recently received, relied on as authentic-The legislature of Antigua, having held a conference with the missionaries (of the united Brethren, commonly called Moravians) to induce them to extend their missions there, and finding it out of their power, voted them one thousand pounds to build a church and house, and three hundred pounds per annum, for the support of missionaries at one station; granting and offering, as much crown land as should be wanted for that or other stations; and in the despatch to Lord Bathurst from the government of Antigua, it is stated that the legislature lamented their limited finances prevented their doing more; as they were persuaded, that to the labours of those missionaries among the negroes, they were mainly indebted for a state of profound tranquillity, while other islands had been exposed to revolt and insurrection. The brethren have about twelve thousand negroes in their congregation on that island.”

church, contrary to his or her will, and inclination, it ought immediately to claim the particular attention of the proper church judicatures; and unless there be such peculiar circumstances attending the case as can but seldom happen, it ought to be followed, without delay, by a suspension of the offender from all the privileges of the church, till he repent, and make all the reparation in his power to the injured party.

"Passed by the unanimous vote of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States, and signed by their order, by

"J. J. JANEWAY, Moderator.

"Philadelphia, June 2, 1818."

X. Contents of the Dig-durshuna, No. VII:
(Now in the press.)

i. Manners of the ancient Britons; ii. Account of the City of London; iii. History of the art of Printing; iv. Of the Echo ; a dialogue; v. Natural History of the Beaver; vi. Brief account of the life and exploits of Alexander the Great.