ering forth the most violent threats against the discussion
of the subject of slavery, the meeting closed with the following
resolution:

On the motion of Captain LYNCH,

"_Resolved_, That the thanks of this meeting are due to the
Reverend gentlemen of the CLERGY in this city, who have so
promptly, and so effectually, responded to public sentiment,
BY SUSPENDING THEIR SCHOOLS IN WHICH THE FREE COLORED
POPULATION WERE TAUGHT; and that this meeting deem it a
patriotic action worthy of all praise, and proper to be
imitated by other teachers of similar schools throughout the
State."

The following document will speak for itself. I commend it to the
consideration of ministers of Christ throughout the world.

CHARLESTON PRESBYTERY ON SLAVERY.

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