parties and papers, I should not advert to them here.  I have always supposed, that some extravagant and evil principles would be occasionally promulgated for party purposes and political effect, and that the people very well understand this, and therefore will not be led very far astray by them.  And whenever such evil principles have been put forth in the name of religion, by men whose fanatical phrensy contemned the Sabbath and other institutions of God, (like some of our Northern fanatics, “men of one idea” and not capable of two,) I have very seldom adverted to them at all, but have supposed it best to leave them to be counteracted by their own extravagance and by the character of their advocates, and let them die by their own contemptibility.  But now, principles, contrary to the plain meaning of the texts before us, come to our ears from some more respectable quarters, and in the name of religion.  I should be a traitor to the high trust of this pulpit, if I did not caution you against them.  Forbearance and delicacy must sometimes have limits.  We owe duties to truth and Christianity, which tenderness must not make us violate.

The “New York Evangelical Congregational Association” recently passed the following Resolution in respect to the “Fugitive-Slave Law,”—­a Law regularly enacted by the Congress of the United States:—­

“Resolved, That we cannot recognize this Law, as of any binding force upon the citizens of our country.”—­(I am thankful that these modest men did not go on, like him of the triple crown, to absolve “the citizens of our country” from all allegiance to the government, and give our rulers over into the hands of a majesty fit to take care of them.)

A religious paper, edited by Congregational clergymen, holding respectable stations, Pastors of churches,—­a paper professedly devoted to the cause of Christ,—­holds the following language in an Editorial article, under the caption, “How to oppose the Fugitive-Slave Law":—­

This religious paper says,—­“To the fugitives themselves ... this Law is no Law ... and to resist it even unto death, is their right, and it may be their duty....  To each individual fugitive, to every man or woman, who having escaped from bondage and tasted liberty, is in hourly peril of being seized and dragged back to slavery, we say,—­Be fully prepared for your own defense.  If to you death seems better than slavery, then refuse not to die—­whether on the way-side, at your own threshold, or even as a felon upon the gallows.  Defend your liberty and the liberty of your wife and children, as you would defend your life and theirs against the assassin.  If you die thus, you die nobly, and your blood shall be the redemption of your race.  Should you destroy the life of your assailant, you will pass into the custody of the criminal Law ... under an indictment for murder; but the verdict of the community, and the verdict of almost any jury will be, justifiable homicide in self-defense....  Or should a different verdict be found, and you be condemned to die as a murderer, your ignominious death shall be luminous with the halo of a martyr, and your sacrifice shall be for the deliverance of your people.”