reli-
und ;
cna-
gi0U9
d, liaa
is to
to be
omises
failure
to say,
have
have
rn and
ith the
South,
will be
I merit,
vorks of
orks of
s of se-
e North
unt -will
oin indi-
roughly
gricultu-
he paper
II form a
Ic to the
tliri
e a btaml
nal of the
lake it hit?
our t omi-
acqnaint-
sca-boanl
vill be c,s-
iladelphia,
New-Or-
i only the
n and do-
current of
f moment
ns ol jndi-
pocts, and
ti'j-al chur
artici:-;^'
chit chr.l f;f
o amu.se a
time th.'
aracter an I
neighbor.',
f unity be •
‘o ru(‘Ot the
to establish,
nd popular
at no exer
t only most
he promisps
atronagc of
d her bister
orlal slicrt,
ball l>e
ished men.
The pri'’c
dtdiv’cry of
DGK,
RROLL.
ublisheJ, a
gs:
pubtr ^vor?^
book niost^
1 classes of
le important
avord to ac-
letallnrgi^t,
ir respective
ty, the mas-
e iht ni irom
nmonly gov-
utine.
^ l)ry.=alier.-?,
e character-
wliich pass
est dovelop-'
open an ex.-
1 these kin-
be desirous
ve branch ol
plausible
Law to be-
of those pfi"
isc tc liliga-
\ a clear ex-
ay dissuade
net industry,
ury of fnany
ader, intent,^
s of many ot
in ctfecting^
r to which
e their pa-
g the nution^
nt object of
and usually
f each arti“
second Lon-
. It will be
pe, and will
ued in twen-
rs) at twen-
e dollars, a-
he numbti^s
e from the
c opportuni'
erms extra."
turing town,
lited States
ed with the
e Roy Sun-
vcrtisement
gfj one copy
containing
WatchniaD,
r
Itnbtira
tiievQonicoi.
JOSEPH W. I1A3IPTOX,
r. granted under the Constitution, being derived from the People of the United States,
VOLUME 2, i
may be resumed by them, whenever perverteti to their injury or oppression.”—3Jac£ison..
-£ditor and Publisher,
T E R 31 S
CHARLOTTE, N. C., JULY 5, 1842.
The McchUnbiirfr Jefirsonian'^ is published weekly, nt
'Tiro Dollars and Fifty Cents, if paid in advance; or 'I'hrce
Dollars, if not paid before the expiration of three months
from the time of subscribing. Any person who will procure
^:.r subscribers and become responsible for tht-ir subscriptions,
shall have a copy of the paper gratis ;—r>r, a club of ten sub-
scribtrs may have the paper one year fur Tvr.cnty Dollars in
advance.
No paper wiil be di?conthuied wiiile the subscr:l)cr owes any
thing, if he is able to pay;—and a failure to notify the I-'ditor
of a wish to discontinue at least onk month bf fore the expira
tion of tlie time paid for, will be considered a new engagenit-nt.
Original Subscribers will not be allowed to discontinue the
paper before the expiration of the first year without paying for
ii full ycar’.s subscription.
Adi'criiticmcnts will be conspicuously and correctly in?crt-
«a at Oan Dollar per square fur the iirst insertion, and 'I'lcen-
ty-Jive i'ents for each coniiiiuaucc—cxcejU Court and other
judicial advtrtidcnients, which will be charged ficenty-Jiveper
'■ nt. higher than the above rates, (owing to the delay, gene
rally, attendant upon collections). A liberal discount will be
n.ade to tiiose who advertise by the year. Advc rtisemeiits sent
in for publicarion, must bo marked with the nuniber of inser
tions desired, or they v.-:ll be published until fudnd and charg
t'd accordingly.
Let'ors to the Editor, unle.''s coiitaining money ;n s-inv
of I 'ivc Dollars, or over, must come free of jiostago, or tlie
ninount paifl at tlie oflice here will be charged to the writer^
in every instance, ami collected as other accounts.
VALUABLE LAND
A7' PRIVATE SALE.
The Subscriber wishing to sell a partjof his
lands, now offers for sale a valuable Tract of
Land, with good improvements,
CONrAININO 425 ACRES,
of which there is 150 acres in cultivation, of whicli
there is 50 acres in Cotton, and the balance timber
ed land. Also, j.^ on the lauds a new GRIST
MILL and COTTON-GIN propelled by water
power. The above land is situated in Mecklenburg
County, on Mallard Creek 7 miles Northeast ot
Charlotte, hiuI inferior to none m this section of the
country, lur the production of Cotton, grain, &c.
As to the location o{ the abov’e described lands, as
respects the abundance of good v.’ater, health, and
fertility of soil combined, it cannot be exceeded in the
country. As I am determined to sell, I would res
pectfully invite those who wish to make a purchase
of Kuch as is above described, to call and view the
land and judge lor themselves. Terms of payment
made easy. M. S. ALEXANDER.
Ol....tf
('11
Carolina liiii,
1 JlLO TTE. NOR TH-CAllOLINA.
Weekly Alnuiniic lor July, IS 12.
DA vs.
DJIASJ'JS.
B Tuf.sday,
VVfdiii ^dny,
7 Thuriday,
H Friday,
•J Saturday,
lU Sunl:iy,
I 1 Monday.
4 49 i 7
■i 49 I ~
4 49 I 7
^ 50 1 7
4 50 7
4 51 7
4 51 7
i
11 !
11 I Last Quarter,
10 New 310011
10 1 First (Quarter,
9 Full Moon,
9
D. H. M.
1 1 M.
8 4 0} M.
15 11 ai M.
■2-2 2
State of North Carolina,
AI E C K L E X B U R G COUNTY.
Suptrio2' Court nf Lau', February Term, 1842.
iMAIlY N. TETER
'S. ^ rcliiion for Divorce.
r
ER )
> rclili
ELAM J. TETER
IX this case it appearing to the satisfaction of the
Court thai. Mie Dt*fi*nd.int, Klam. J. Tcter, is not
an inhabitant ot tins State: It is therefore (irdcrcd.
that publication be made for three months suc
cessively in the “Mecklenburg Jelfersonian,” and
Charlotte Journal,” commanding the said Defend
ant to appear at oor next Superior Court of Law
and Equity to be held for our said County at the
Court-house in Charlotte, on the Fourtli ]\Iondny in
August next, then and there to pleail. answer or d’-
mur to tlip. —‘ —
l;c tai:cn pro C0iil0:-s0j and the petition heard ex- ^
parte.
Witncs.'. JciTitinp'^i It. lu rr., Clorlc of our said )
i'ourt at (jllier. the llh Monday *n February, ISl::?.
Issued t!.c rJ'jLh of April. 1812.
J. 13. KERR
rrinJer’s foe
THE above Estabiishmenf, silun-
ted on main-street, north of th* Court
IIon.se, in the Town of Charlotte. N.
C., is still kept open by the undersigned lor the ac
commodation of the public. The proprietor feels con
fident of his ability to give entire salislaction to all
who may patronise his Hou.^e. TJie travelling pub
lic will find at the Carolina Inn every comfort, con
venience and attention necessary to refresh and re-
invigorate both man ami horse. Particular pains
will be bestowed on the Table, Bar, and Beds—
tiiat every thing shall be in the most sumptuous and
neat order;—and the Stables will always be sup
plied witii abundance and attended by faithful, ex
perienced Hostlers. In short, the subscriber is de
termined to keep up the accommodations at his
House in a style unsurpassed by any similar estab
lishment in the interior cotmtry. All he asks from
the public is, to give him a call.
Drorers can at all times be supplieil with conve
nient and well enclosed LOTS, on moderate terms,
and furnished with grain at a low price.
JENNINGS B. KERR.
Charlotte, June 2, 05...r
M. P.
State rd' Xortli Carolina.
I\I E C K L K X P> r R G CO U N T Y
Uipcjior C>vrl of Lnv\ Fchruari; Term. IS
)
Pctilion fjr Divorro.
DELITIIA r. SPECK
VS. .
Vv'ILLIAM II. SPECiv. )
I N this case it appearing to the .sati.-faction ol the
Court that the l.)efendanl, llillui/n Jl. Spcck.! is
not an inhnbil.ant of this Slate: It is theretbre Or
dered, that publication be made for three months
successively in the ‘‘Mecklenburg JeUei-.^-oninn.”
and ‘'Charlotte Journal;’- commanding the faid De
fendant to appear at our next Superior Court of
Law and Equity to be hehl for our said County at
the Courthouse in Charlotte, on the Fourth iVtontlay
ill Auetus* next, then and there to plead, an.swer nr
demur"to the said petition ; otherwise jtidgment will
be taken pro conlc.sso, aiul the petition heard ex-
parte.
Witness. Jcnnin^!^ B. Kerr. Ch*rk oi our snid
Court at otHce, the 4th Monday ia February, 1812.
Issued the 2Gih ol April IS 12.
J. D. KERR. c. .M. s. r.
Printer's fee
State of North Carolina^
M E C K L i-: N B U R G C O i: N T V .
TRAVELLEllS,
T AKE XOTll E,
Ti:tIOTIlY it. HUGHES
HAVING olifaiaed the MANSION HOUSE for pub
lie accommodation, intbrms his friends and the jnib-
lic generally, that lie is now prepared to receive and
entertain all who may favor him with their patron-
age.
His TABLE shall always be v/ell and plentifuriy
supplied with every thing the country allbrd.s, to
please and satisfy the palate even of an epicure.
His BAR will be found furnished with a choice
selection of Liquors, Wines and Cordials, both for
eign and domestic.
His STABLES sliall be constantly attended liy
faithful and attentive hostlers and supplied witli
abundant provender.
N. B. The Stage OfTice is kept, at the Mansion
House.
Charlotte, X. C., May 23, 1813. »Jl....'>in
Courl of Pleas ayid Quarter
Trm. IS 12.
\pri
WILLLVM CARSOX
IX
ABRAM F. ALKXANDl
AttachnH'.nl levied
on Lauti,
Dr. J. M. Happoldt
HAS removed to the Oflice directly op
posite AI;i]. Josi'ph Smith’s Hotel, v.dn're
he may be fouml by his friends and the
])ublic, and consulted at all times, unless
protessionally engaged.
A report has been industriously circulated
for relrttive to bis charges'. They have been
pronounced extravagant. He takes this opportunity
to state to the public, that he holds himself ready at
any time to compare chnrges, and weigh his service
with any of the Faculty. He wishes it to be dis
tinctly understood, that his CHARGES sJiull inciU
caspji he IlnASONAin.i;.
Jan. 4, 1812.
THE MARRIAGE (QUESTION.
The recent decision of the Presbyterian General
/ysembly, deposing the Rev. Archibald McQaeen,
01 this State, from the Ministry, and excommunica-
ting him fiom the Church for the alledgcd crime
of incest in marrying Mary McCloud, a sister of
his deceased wife, has awakened a degree of inter
est beyond the hounds of that Communion There
are many v.-|io wish to know the grounds of that
decision, and the reasoning by which the luembers
of that body made the connection in question inces
tuous. To meet the curiosity awakened on the sub
ject, we subjoin the opinions of several of the mem
bers as reported.
Oa Thursday, June 2d, after Rev. CoUn Mc-
Ivcr concluded his defence of the Presbytery of
Fayetteville, which had deposed Mr. 3lcQueen, tiie
roil w’as called for the purpose of allowin*^ mem
bers to give their opinions in the case.
T/ie Rci\ Mr. Dunicnt, of the Synod of New
Jersey, saiu, in substance, that his private opinion,
as fortned from a review of all the arguments in
the case, and a careful examination of*^the Scrip
tures, was against such marriages, and so firmly,
that he could not enter into a contract of the kind
himself, nor-could he sanction it in any of his fam
ily ; neither would he, as a Minister of the Gosple,
be engaged in solemtiizing it, if he were aware of
the fuct. But this, continued Mr. D., is a matter of
consciencn, and, in my opinion, is not cognizable
before ecclesiastical tribunals. My conscience is
not to be the standard for other men. If they choose
to contract matrimony within this degree of affini-
"’liy so be it ; >f it be not against their conscien
ces, I see no reason why I should set myself up in
judgment against the act, and denounce my fellow-
men as criminal, for that which, to say. ihe least is
doubtful. Considering the dubious nature of tlie
ofience, if offence it be, 1 would much prefer leav
ing it to the mens coiiscia recti of the individual.
It is a question between him and his God, and I
very much doubt the power of this court to sit in
judgment upon it.
The Rev. Dr. Ilodgc said that lie heard it as
serted that there was no sUch crime as incest; and
from the coursc this discussion had taken, he was
inclined to think that this sentiment, or something
i akin to it, had its advocates even among the learned
’ and pioas brethren of the Presbyterian Church. Ii
has been insinuated that incest is only a crime by
virtue of the municipal law. Dr. II. combaUed
this doctrine by copious references to the Bible, and
asked whether, after examining these authorities, it
can be said that the prohibition of a man marr3’ing
his sister, or his mother, lests only in virtue of po
sitive enactment, and therefore is not in itself crim
inal. There are a class of ofT't>nces wliich rest al-
^ 'J .TLj luive uj'jir
foundation in the nature of things, and are from this
very circumstancc, bad. Theft has its origin in the
formation of society. Wilhoiit society there can be
no right of property, and without a right of pro-
pert}’ existing som.ewhere, there can be no theft.
And will any person, therefore, contend that iheft,
restmg only in po.^itive enactment, is not bad in it
self? Just the same thing occurs in relation to the
law of marriage. This law, to some extent, is
founded in positive institutions, must exist with soci
ety, and cannot be abrogated, without at tlie same
time dissolving society into its original elements.
And the divine /aw has guarded the offspring of so
ciety, the right of property, and the institution of
marriage, with equal care ; for the same iaw which
says, “ thou shah not steal,” also commands man to
abstain from committing adultery, incest, or any act
which is calculated to interfere with the institution
of marriage. Those laws were not, therefore, ab
rogated with the liOvitical dispensation. They
were addressed to the Jews, not as Jev.'s, but as men
—as husbands, fathers, and brothers. They are as
binding now as they ever were, and wiil continue
to be binding to the end of time. There might
have been a time when the laws in relation to mar
riage vvere inapplicable; when, as in the case of
the iirst family, it was necessary for the children of
the same Parent to intermarry in order to people
approach nigh unto any of his near kin;”*and then
it proceeds with giving examples wich is prohibited.
1 aken. altogether, said the Dr., after he had quoted
the several passages, the plain declaration appears
to be, that a man niay not marry a near kinswoman
of his wife. And, continued Dr. H., some of the
rnost positive cases of incest are not expressly men
tioned in the passages alluded to; and yet it is said
that, therefore, those positive cases are permitted bv
the Bible! Such a construction of the law would
be absurd ; it would permit acts which all the world
joins in condemning as the most open and notorious
incest; and it would involve the whole law of mar
riage in the greatest difiiculty. It is my deliberate
opinion, that God, in this Chapter of Leviticus, and
the cases therein contained, first gave the law, and
then followed it by giving the rule of interpretation.
As to the severity of the punishment, he did not
think that a matter which should enter itito our con
sideration j and indeed his opinion was, that no oth
er punishment could reach the case. The appel
lant adopted the doctrines of the Confession of Faith,
with his eyes open, and by his recent act he has
disavowed those doctrines.
Rev. P. O. Studdiford could not vote to sustain the
action of the Presbytery; although, in his opinion,
the brother did wrong not to pay deference to the
feelings of his bretheren in the Lord. He said he
could not look upon the article in the Confession of
Faith, as sanctioned by divine authoritj'. If this
wore an ofience, he could not view it in any light
but as an offence, against a law of man’s enactment
The gentleman went on to contend, that when a
man dies, his wife is free; that death dissolved the
marriage and all its ir»cidents; all connections
which might by possibility resuk from it. He con
cluded by construing the passages in Leviticus,
which forbid the taking of a sister of a wife, while
the wife was living-, and also the takingof a woman
and her daughter, as only prohibiting certain forms
of Polygamy.
Rev n M. ]V. .hatia so.\d he came to this Assem
bly with his mind made up to sustain the appeal;
but, after hearing- the arguments, this resolve is
somewhat shaken; and he cannot now, in view of
the whole question, with the lights which had been
shed upon it, vote to allow Mr. McQueen to remain
any longer at the sacred altar.
R ev. Mr. Brecke7iridge, of Baltimore, sustained
the sentence of Presbytery, and concluded a long ar
gument by saying—
As to the severity of the punishment, I can see
no other alternative but to turn him out of ‘.he
Church at once, or to try him every week for con
tinuing to live in the state which our Church must
pronounce to be sinful. Besides, he has no cause
of complaint: he has sinned with the law before his
•J 4e itkkntx ti iC> UV’wX*
taken by the consequences.
Rev. Mr. Lea, of Ohio, said he mu.«t sustain the
Presbytery on the ground that the brother has vio
lated the Confession of Faith. He was not, hower-
er, prepared to say that his offence was of such a
heinous nature, as it had been represented. So far
from being forbidden, it was enjoined by the Jewish
law ; men were subjected to the greatest indignities
if they did not obey the injunction; and this was
sufficient to show that at no time could it be an of
fence of any great moral turpitude.
He then examined the origin of the relationship of
sister by affinity. Our sister by blood, said Mr.
Lea, is in reality our sister: but our sister by
marriage, five minutes before that relationship was
constituted, stood in the same position to us that was
occupied by all womankind who are strangers to
our famdy and our blood. Thus it is evident that
the origin, head and front of this relation is riarri-
age. Our wife is the cause of this connection of af
finity : and when that cause is removed by death,
the efl'ect is also removed. But the brother has vi
olated the standards, to which he sub.®cribed upon
entering the ministry; and if it is doubtful by the
law of God, whether the act, for which he has been
suspended, be prohibited, there is no doubt as to the
meaning of the Contession of Faith. As therefore
he has disavowed the rule which he undertook to
support, he should no longer be suflfered to remain
a minister of the Presbyterian Church!
Rev. S. S. Templeton.—It is a hard task to con
firm the decision of the Presbytery, when we reflect
upon the effect it will have on tlie wife and children
of brother McCiueen, and other brethren in the
church. Yet I believe it ought to be done. AVe
all suhiocts of a soncral naluro, is forever Imiding. : f'''? Church, who arc living in this
connexion, and under these circumstances it is hard
to enlbrce the law. It is almost virtually an “ er-
we have suffered our Alinisters to
the wuild; but v/c are not to argue, from hence,
that they are imperative now ; that because God,
under peculiar circumstances, and for a specific ob
ject, allowed the Jews to marry their brothers’ wid
ows, that therefore it is right to do so now, when,
none of these circmnstances exist. The Levitical
law in relation to this matter, as also in relation to.
■L
IX this rase, it appearing to tfie .catisfartion of the
Court, that the Defendant, Ahram Ale.rnndrr.
is not an inhabitant of this State : It is lherett)re or
dered, that publication be made for si.K successive
weeks in the “Mecklenburg Jeflersonian," a paper
published in Charlotte, notifying said Defendant to
be and appear at our next County Court ol Pleas
and Ctuarter Sessions to be held for the County ot i
Mecklenburg, at the Courthouse in Charlotte, on j
the 4th Monday in July next, then and there to}
plead or replevv, or judgment final will be rendered i
iigainst him, and the land levied on condornneil ti>
the satisfaction of the Plaintifi s debt, interests and
costs.
Witness, Charles T. Alexander, Jr., Clerk ot our
Gaid Court, at ollice the 4th Monday in April, 1812
and in the year of our lndependen«'’0 the sixty-sixth
‘ C. T. ALEXAXDER, Jr., c. m. c. c .
Price adv'. 5.G0.
uicUuci| vt>.
inform such of hit-
friends as desire
WOULD
his professional services, that he has removed
his Office to Mr. Johnson’.s brick house, two doors
above the “ Carolina Inn,” wdiere lie may be found
at all times, unless necessarily absent.
Charlotte, February 8, 1842. 48...f
Trust Sale.
Notice.
The Boad of Commissioners for building a
Court-hottse are urgently requested to meet in
Charlotte, on Saturdny, the lG// of As
business of great importance will come belore the
Board, it i.s earnestly hoped that every member
without fail will be present.
STEPHEX FOX. Chairman.
June 25, 1812.
By viitue of a Deed of Trust from John Sloan
to me, I w’ill on the Ath Monday of July ne.rL,
at the Court House in Charlotte, expose to public
gale, about Twenty Acrcs ot WOOD LAND lying
about a mile and a half from Charlotte ;—also, the
undivided interest of the said Sloan in the Lemons
gold mine Tract. Terms of sale made known at
the time. ALEXAXDER, Trustee.
,Tune 2S, 1312. ti8...
'i’he Doctor then recurred to the Confession
Faith of the Presbvterian Church, and said, it is
admitted on all hands, that our book is clear upon
the subject, condemning unequivocally all such mar
riages as that of Mr. McClueen’s. And it did ap
pear to him that this Court were concluded by this
admission. Ijike the temporal Courts, we are
bound to ascertain what the law is, and the state of
the facts as applicable thereto, and having done so,
our only duty is to pronounce a corresponding judg
ment. The Rev. gentleman then cited some cases
in support of his position, arriving at the conclusion
that the A.ssembly had no discretion in the matter,
that the act for which 3Ir. McQ-ueen had been sus
pended was against the Constitution of the Church,
and therefore the judgment of the Presbytery must
be affu'med.
But the defendant, continued Dr. Ilodge, has ap
pealed from the Constitution of the Church to the
word of God. The question depends upon the in
terpretation of that word ; ^
the Church is not according to the word of GJod, it
STOCK OF GOODS
For Sale,
FOR RENT.
THE HOUSE formerly occupied by Dr. P. C.
Caldwell, now in possession of Col. J. H. WHEE
LER. For terms apply to the EDITOR ,or ADAM
ALEXANDER ‘
The subscribers, administrators on the Estate of
William Alexander, deed., and surviving part
ners of the firm of Alexander and Brother^ will of-
fnr at public sale at the Store Clear Creek,
'Tuesday the V2th of July vext, the STOCK OF
GOODS belonging to the late firm. Ihe Stock
comprises every article usually kept in back country
credit, to be made known at the Sale.
Itrms, ’ ADAM ALEXANDER,
C. T. ALEXANDER,
Par's.
Charlotte. June 4. lSI?r
post facta laic
transgress from time to time, and have thus far giv
en color to the impression that the law has become
obsolete. If it be hard to confirm this decision, it is
much harder not to confirm it; for it is in accor
dance with the word of God and the standards of the
Presbyterian church.
Rn\ Benjamin M. Smith, of Virginia, contend
ed that the Scripture settles all the cases of affinity
within which a man may not marry, and this case
among the rest, by necessary implication. And
there is no hardship in the sentence, for a man who
acts in the face of the Confession of Faith must not
complain if the Confession is sustained by his breth
ren. Mr. S. asserted that the wife of Mr. McQueen
occupies a disgraceful position before the Christian
world, and this Assembly would be doing her a
o-reat service, if their censures could induce him to
for if the Constitution of i .
Rev. Benjamin F. Stanton, ot Virginia.—This
is not bindino-. The decision of this case will there- j debate has taken a wide scope, Mt. Moderator. A
fore turn upon the construction to be given to the | great many aiings have been said that cold be an-
18th chapter of Liviticus. If the cases mentioned j swered ; positions taken that cou»d be shoun to be
therein are to be taken as specific instances which j
excluded all other, then it is clear that Mr. Mc-
Q,ueen has committed no offeuce; but if, on the oth
er hand, those cases are given only aa examples of
the degrees within which marriage shall not take
place, then it is equally clear that the appellant is
guilty of the offence for which he has been sus
pended. .
We must interpret the law by a comparison only
with itself This is decidedly the best and safest
rule of interpretation that can possibly be resorted to;
and, examined by this rule, I cannot see how the
cases mentioned in Leviticus can be considered in
any other light than as examples of the degrees with
in which a man may not The law com
mences with the c?)iiim3nd. that “ a mao ehail n»?t
fallacious If I could express a wish at this time,
it would be, that the brethren would all speak out
this subject; that those brothers who have
been so eloquent to-day, would give their opinions
to the world, and I think, Mr. Moderator, they
would be put to greater difiiculty to maintain the
positions they have assumed than, perhaps, they are
aware of. This is a question that will go forth ana
exercise a great influence in this world. If Mr.
McQ,ueen be guilty of the horrid crime of incest,
for horrible it is, in every aspect in which we can
view it, there is no punishment that could be too
severe for him. But, Mr. Moderator, the question
to be decided here is, whether the act for which
brother McGlfcen has been suspended fiom ttie min
istry, be in^RSt ? The brother,, in hi^ reply to the
Presbytery, says that it is not, or that it is doubtful^
and that in view of that doubt, he ought be acquit
ted. The Presbytery, m their reply^, allege that it
is doubtful whether the Bible docs forbid the bro
ther’s act, or in other words, it is doubtful whether
the brother be innocent, and they would, therefore,
cinvict him, and have judgment to follow at all
events. If, Mr. Moderator, this be a crime, it would
seem strange that so large a portion of the Chris-
tain world cannot see it. Sir, it becomes us to be
modest in our judgments, for if this be in reality the
horrid crime of incest, and we are so blind as not
to see it, we, who take the side of ths brother, de
serve the sentence of this church for participating
in his oftence. Is this assembly prepared to take a
position they have nevef*hCfore taken? No As
sembly that has ever before, sat has ever declared
this act to be incest. The very fact that the Pres
bytery who condemned brother ?ilcU,ueen, felt pain
in passing sentence upon him, proves that there :ii
a great doubt upon the subject; and they shovl'
have hesitated long and prayerfully before they r?*'
this stigma upon his fair fame; passed upon lur.i
sentence of excommunication from the church cf
Christ; heaped infamy upon the head of her, who
has acted innocently in this matter ; and gave to his
helpless children the heritage of bastardy. But
the article in the Confession of faith is held up be
fore us to influence our judgments; and from what
I have heard to-day, I begin to doubt the propriety
of confessions and authoritative creeds.
I have not long been in this Assembly, and I
have seen here to^ay what I never saw before, and
what has struck me with astonishment. On this
floor, in the presence of learned and pious fathers
of the church, I have seen the Confession of Faith
put in the place of the word of God. Mr. Modera
tor, I fear we do not distinguish the fundamental
doctrines of this confession and those that are minor
and indifierent—things of no essential importance.
There is nothing '■'■jure divino'^ in the mere forms
of this confession, as is proven by the fact that in no
less than fifteen particulars the}' are neglected ; and,
sir, it is universally conceded that in some of them
they ought to be disobe^’ed, to be consistent with the
enlarged morality of an enlightened age. The de
cision of this body is to come under the review of
an enlightened world. AVe should be sure that acts
of the kind chargcd upon brother McQueen are of
fences, and that they commend themselves as such
to the judgments of all mankind. I hold, sir, that
a vast majcrity of the people of the United States
look upon this' as no offcnce; and I am assured that
if we pass laws, or make decisions that are contra
ry to the opinions of all the world, our decisions
and laws will fall into contempt. The Rev. gen
tleman then went on to say that the.se arguments
were only applicable v.'iien the points were indifJer-
ent; but when, on the contrarj’’, they involved doc
trines clearly laid down in the Bible, and where
there was no doubt upon the subject, the opinions
and practices of the world v/ero to go for nought.
He contended that the Bible did not forbid the mar
riage of a deceased wife’s sister, and that the opin
ions and practices of some of the most pious and
learned men the world ever saw, furnished very
good and conclusiv'e commentaries-upon those passa
ges which the brethren wished to strain so as to cov
er the case now under consideration.
The infallibility of creedSj continued the Rever
end gentleman, is a doctrine v,»hich none but the
church of Rome has ever asserted. If we receivo
the interpretations ot the framers of the Confession
of Faith, as infallible, we do what they themselves
never dreamed of asking at our hand.s. Why, sir,
the church of Rome, that mother of harlots, as we
are wont to designate her, claims nothing more.
And yet her doctrines, and this one in particular,
we are wont to denounce as anti-christiain. No,
sir. This confession is but the marked declaration
that the framers believed thus and so; and among
other things they asserted, as a fundamental doc
trine, that the consciences of men were to be free
and untrammelled.
But brethren tell me that the Levitical law Is now
in force. If such be the case, A’hat right have they
to dispense with any portion of it ? VV^hat right
have they to dispense with the punishment of death,
which that law annexes to certain ofTences; and, it
their construction of the law be correct, to this of
fence also? Or do they undertake to judge for all
the world, to suit perhaps their own convenience,—
what portion of it is in force and what obsolete?—
Do they claim that right for the framers of the Con
fession of Faith ? Sir, if the Confession of Faith is
to be received as the only true exponent of the Bi
ble, then I want none of it.
After referring to the gentleman who had been
prevented from being sent to this Assembly becausc
he entertained doctrines favorable to Mr. McQueen,
and because ho had written a pamphlet upon the
subject, Mr. S. continued:—This pamphlet was sent
down to the Presbytery of Fayetteville, when this-
subject was under discussion; so conclusive are its
arguments, that no members of the Presbytery could
be so wanting in common sense as not to rise from
its perusal with the conviction forced upon their
minds, that the act of Brother McQueen was perfect
ly allowable. The enlightened opinions of all man
kind, at the present da v, arc against this prohibition,
and this Presbytery deciding against the brother
have shown themstivcs a ccnlury behind the age.
There is a law upon the subject in Virginia, and I
was informed a few days siuce by an eminent mem
ber of the bar in that Slate, that so much was pub
lic sentiment opposed to the law, it could not be car
ried into effect. No person could be convicted un
der it, or if they were the fine imposed was but no
minal, and the defendant lost no partical of his re-
spectability. And what, sir, is the use of laws, if
public opinion attaches no odium to their violation,
when the man who has been tried and perhaps con
victed of breaking them, loses no caste, and in the
next moment after, is received into the bosom of the
family of the judge who passed sentence upon him?
We have been told, Mr. Moderator, that the
world was destroyed on account of the pcevalence of
this horrid crime of incest. Now, sir, the Bible, I
believe, gives a very succinct account of that event;
and I should like those brethren to put their finger
upon the passage which warrants that construction.
All sorts of abominations were practised by the An-
tedeluvians, and no doubt incest was ftmong the num
ber ; but can a passage be shown where the divine
, iwi'^cation wae ag^.ain«^t thetr. !bTrn3?r\-'
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