It was hoped that the severe trial to which the professing witnesses of Christ were subjected at that time, would have taught them a lesson not soon to be forgotten.  It was thought by many that the church was now purged from the leaven which had almost leavened the whole lump.  The Synod met in 1834, when a perverse spirit was evident in the midst of its members.  The Colonization and Abolition Societies, with other associations—­the exfoliations of Antichrist—­had evidently gained an ascendency in the affections of many of the members.  The altercation and bitterness with which the claims of these societies were discussed, evidenced to such as were free from their infection, that some of those present viewed these popular movements as transcending in importance, the covenanted testimony of the church.  As the practice of occasional hearing was on the increase in some sections of the church, Synod was memorialized on that subject, but refused to declare the law of the church.  The old spirit of conformity to the world was still more manifest in 1836, when Synod was importuned by her children, from the eastern and western extremes of the church, by petition, memorial, protest and appeal—­growing out of the practice then generally prevalent of incorporating with the voluntary associations of the age.  The response of the supreme judicatory was in this case as ambiguous as on any former occasion.  The backsliding course of the factious majority was but feebly counteracted by dissent from only two members of Synod; a respectable minority having been outwitted by the carnal wisdom of those who were prompt in applying the technicalities of law.  Hope was, however, cherished, that this check so publicly given, together with the practical workings of the system of moral amalgamation, would induce even reckless innovators to pause—­to consider their ways and their doings.  This hope, however rational and sanguine, was totally disappointed in 1838, when the table of the supreme judicatory might be said to be crowded with petitions, letters, remonstrances, memorials, protests and appeals.  The just grievances of the children of witnessing and martyred fathers, were treated with contempt—­“laid on the table,” “returned,” with the cry “let them be kicked under the table,” &c.  And when some attempted to urge their right to be heard, they were called to order, treated with personal insult, or subjected to open violence.  A few of these, having thus experienced the tyranny and abuse of the ruling faction, declined the authority and communion of Synod, and established a separate fellowship.