Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-06-05
TO THE EDITOR OF THE ENQUIRER


TO THE EDITOR OF THE ENQUIRER.
SIR. The opinions held in common
by any considerable portion Of a con,mu-
nliy, Will Iii some measure affect the whole.
II Is OF Importance, then, io The whole,
and especially TO the legislator and states
man, to become acquainted with them.
The portion of Christians deuominated
Presbytcrians," form numerous class
In this state. To their well intentioned.
active and energetic zeal, ii is thought, the
Act tor establishing religious freedom
chletiy owes lis suggestion and enact
ment Their eXerions then, in so great a
cause, entItie them al least 10 some decent
consideration noO. Yet very little is
known by others, who are well informed
on other subjects, of the ieneis of this
poriIon OF the people, even as these tenets
regard the civil petty, or their { How cti-
Xens OF other Persuaslons and denomna-
lions. VIII il. then, with view of obvi-
ainS tins lgaorauce in part, be deemed
impairment, presumpiuous or intrusive,
TO submit for publication in your paper. a
few extracts from the Constitution Of the
PresDN terrain Church in these United
States They are offered as authentic in
formation SO TAR as they go-and that
which IS only 10 be relied on as genuine.
For The Constitution, having been ratified
ana adopted III 1898, having been often
printed and published, and having been
sleadiastly adhered to ever since, cannot
be intended 10 have reference to the coca
Slonal and fluctuating opinions Of lndivi-
duals, or of tile day. The extracts with
which leave is taken 10 trouble Won. are
tie Introduction 10 "thc Form of the
GOvernmeni and Discipline of the Pres
byferlan Church in the United States of
America )" the I'd and 4th sections of
chap. Xxx. OF Christian Liberty and Liberty
OF Conscience; and The ID aud 3d sections
OF clap. xHii. of the Civil Magistrate.
In The Introduction they sci up nothing
"cw-- but merely with the hope to pre-
vent those rash misCOnsiruciiOns and un-
candid reflections, which proceed from an
imperfect view OF ans subject: a. sell as
10 make the several parts of the system
piaIh' ana The whole plan perspicUous and
iuiy understood" they profess TO Law
down few OF the general PRINCIPLES. by
WHICH they previously had been. and we're
thereafter To be, governed: and declare
themselves unanimously of opinion.
" /. That God alone is Lord of the cop-
science and hath LETT it free from the dor.
iTine aud commandments ofmen which are
IN any thing contrary to his word or beside
II ~ matters OF faith or worship = Therefore
'Ney consider Tue rights of private Judgment,
I'D an matters that respect reig zion as universal
aud unalienable They do not even wish 10
see any religious consultation ai,ied 6v fbg cjrI
PorG, further than may be necessary for pro.
Itcu0n and security, and at the same tine e,,,I
and common TO al Othrrs.
" il. That, in perfect consistency v,i,h'tba
ABOVE principle OF common right, every Chris.
tlah chufch, OF nnion, or associatignofu articu-
laL cnul cues, IS entitled TO declare the Terms of
admission INTO ITS communion. aud lie ouaitica.
TONS Ot its ministers and members as well as
the Whole system Of its Internal government
which Christ hath appointed Thar. in The ex.
eicise OF TINS right they may. Notwithstanding,
err, III making the terms Ofthe communion ei.
inef TOO las or too narrow yet, even in This
case, they do not infringe upon the liberty. or
the rights OF others, but only make an iniI,ro.
| per use of their own.
III. That cur blessed Saviour, for the eJi-
tcatioD of tie visible church. wlichis his body.
hath appointed oh1ccrs, not ouly 20 preach tie
! gospel, and administer The mcrancHts but also
| to eNccrcise discipline, for tl. pre- rvaii.n
both OF truth and duty aud th4tit Is Incum-