Threescore years and ten - Softcover

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1884 Excerpt: ... made themselves accessory, before and after the fact, in the crimes committed by those who were deluded by their teachings and maddened by their exhortations. In May, 1861, the Rev. R. M. Palmer, of New Orleans, a distinguished Presbyterian and a D. D. in the Church, preached a sermon (which was published) entitled, "Slavery a Divine Trust." His first proposition was, "that such a trust became the pledge of divine protection, and fidelity to it determines the fate by which it is overtaken." His second proposition was, "that slavery should be conserved and perpetuated (as then existing) with the full scope for its natural development and extension." His third proposition was, "Southern slaveholders were constituted guardians of the slaves." His fourth proposition was, "that to conserve and perpetuate slavery was to defend the cause of God and religion." "Who shall entice Ahab, King of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth Gilead? I will entice him, and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets." That a lying spirit prompted this sermon does not admit of a doubt. There is one notable fact which must not be overlooked with a view to the animus of the secession clergy of the Presbyterian Church. In view of the terrible calamities resulting from the attempt to perpetuate slavery by the sword, and the utter overthrow and discomfiture of its champions in church and state, clearly showing the hand of a Divine Providence in the result, it would be expected that Christians who had been so active in the struggle on the wrong side, would have not only seen their error, but would have confessed it and sought reconciliation and peace with those of like religious faith. Has this been the case? Ev...