Neill, Henry. A Letter to the Editors of the American Presbyterian and Genesee Evangelist. Philadelphia: King & Baird, Printers, 1858. First Edition. [9145]
Printed wrapper, 9 x 5 3/4 inches, 21 pp. Small bump and faint stain in the top right corner throughout. Good. Pamphlet.
Rev. Neill was the first pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church, Detroit. He had recently changed from New School to Old School Presbyterianism, and is writing to set the record straight as to why he changed affiliations and to correct the editors of the assumption that they made regarding it. He states that for himself and many in the Old School churches there is a deep dismay for the support that the New School side gives to the fanaticism of Abolitionism. He relates many particular instances where the New School side has refused to condemn the fanatics, and has withheld legitimate Christian support for Southern Presbyterian Churches. He states that the Presbyterian ministers of the South seek the salvation and education of the slaves, and to reduce their sufferings, and is exasperated that the Northern New School Churches will not support them.
"...may we not have erred in directing to so great an extent, our own thoughts and those of our children and friends to the sins, we were told, existed in the South? Have we not erred also as to the feelings which we entertained towards slave-holders, and the way in which we spoke of them and wrote about them? Some have asked, whether, what they were told, was true? Whilst a few are entertaining the inquiry, whether there is not piety and intelligence sufficient in the Southern church to detect their own failings, and sin enough in the Northern church and heart to occupy all its time and strength...Instead of suggesting measures for reform for the South, which, under the exasperation induced by unwarrantable interference, must be of no avail, why not aid and bless that Southern church, in their own measures for alleviating the bond-child's sorrows? ...and with such love as the abolitionist will pray to Christ to show to him, when the mountains of his transgressions rise up before him at judgment, love the slave-holder, and pity and instruct his maligner? Why not do unto others in the matter, of what you call, their sins, we would say to the anti-slavery zealot, as you would have others do unto you, in the matter of your own or your child's sins?"
"Out of what anomalous perversion of Christian doctrine or precept has arisen this false method of expostulation and rebuke! How many manacles have been rivetted; how many fresh stripes, inflicted; how many intentions to emancipate, quenched; as the exasperation occasioned by Northern insult, wreaked its vengeance on the offending occasion of this pitiless abuse! And shall not a Christian church, in sorrow for the human misery which it has augment, as well as for the iniquitous spirit which it has indulged and occasioned, repent of its alliance with abolitionism, and publicly renounce it?"
