Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1843-08-10
THE SCOTCH CHURCH.

THE SCOTCH CHURCH.
The last number Of the Edinburg Magazine
contains well written article upon the disruption
which has recently taken place in the Church Es-
Enlistment OF Scotland, in which the scceders
are represented in light rather to their disadvan
tage. The writer seems to be iberalst, and
his censure Is not Of the secession, but Of the
reasons and motives which prompted it, and the
inconsistency OF the seceders themselves in adhe-
ring to the principle of a connection between
Church and State, while they would abure State
control.
The writer says, stlet not, however, Volunta-
rles and Dissenters* at distance Imagine that
this fell matricon has been committed from apv
dislike to the principle of State Church, as one
directly opposed to the religious liberties of man
kind and the interests OF pure Christianity. The
new seceders hold directly the reverse of this
and the "General Assembly Of the Free Church |
OF Scotland''-the resonant title which the body |
has assumed-was not three hours old before its |
FIRST Moderator, DR.. Chalmers, took pains to pro.
claim deadly animosi:y to Liberals and Dissenters
whom he denounced In no measured terms, as Sc
ditious, disconnected, restless men, dangerous
alike TO Church and State; with whom he and
his party would take neither part nor lot" 1t
was not then, argues the writer, from dislike to
ministers receiving State pay, (which the Doctor
lChalmers) regards as most important element
In the maintenance of religion, the very pabulum
of Presbyterianism,'' that the disruption has ar-
sen; shut because the Established Clergy, while
eating the bread which the State provided for
shem, could not be as much above its control as
the ministers Of independentbodies of dssenters''
The writer declares that the whole contest from
first to last, has Bon for clerical power. He
mentions as pregnant fact, that not one news.
paper In Scotland, religious secular, has advo-
Gated their cause until they established press of
their own; and also that the old dssenters from
the establishment until they seeded were against
them, both in reference to their objects and the
manner of their struggle.
10 read the sayings and doings Of the seceders
contends the writer, stranger would imagine that
there not Dssen,er or DISSENTING Minister
In Scotland; whereas the church of the Presby-
terrain Dissenters numbers among its aGherents
nearly hall II not full half Of the urbane inhabi-
tants of the country, while its substantial meet
Ing houses and manses rise in every valley.
These DR.. Chalmers denounced, and some of
his followers, while using their houses of worship,
told them they must not presume 10 think them
selves and their focks on footing of equality
with the new Free Church and its flock.
The writer asks if what they asked for was
freedom to choose their own ministers, why did
they not join this old church, which, choosing to
enjoy spiritual freedom, had century ago volun-
tarly renowned the secular advantages of the es-
Adjustments
But he finds some cause for graduation in their
movement. He says the old Dissenters NAV
comfort themselves with the reflection. that in
spite OF DIR. Chalmers premature and ndisrreet
vtuperation of their body, and his steadfast love
of an endowed establishment, his party i'm hayinp
thrown oil the yoke of the Stale Church, and
placed their dependence on popular support must
lnfuse some popular elements into the Constitu-
ton of their free Church, and that it must be TO
some extent free for the people as well as the
Clcrgy.''
Another consolation drawn from what has oc-
CURED Is that the government will be forced to
modify the establishment to suit the spirit of the
age-In which he predicts the power of the clergy
will not be extended Thus every party will
have cause of congratulation, he says to which
he adds:
"Ihe leading metropolitan martyrs, even in
their secular interests, will not, we imagine, be
much worse off in their attics, than when they
were craving or permitting the aid of the civil
power; OF which they so jealous, to distrain
the goods, and impr!son the persons, and violate
the consciences of their fellow-townsnen and
feilow-chrlstans to obtain payment Of their own
stlpends. We have never heard Of any protest
OF theirs against the exercise of the civil power
in such fragrant cases for their own pecunary adj
vantage. That .7nnuity Iac alone and it's hide
GUS consequences to relig ion and social morality
wonld, 1t occurs to us, have been much better
cause for martyrdom-for forsaking the Church
and trusting to Providence--lhan any that has
yet been assigned by the reverend Edinburgh
Doctors, Founders of the Free Church."
We have nothing to do with this matter. but sol
far as 1t effects the general question of Religious
Liberty and the divorce of Church and State In
Its bearings on these, the recent movement in the
Scotch Church is highly interesting and becomes
a Legitimate subject of discussion with us.
Richmond Compiler.
*Thosc who dissent from the doctrine Of Church and
State, and advocate the of voluntary contrbu
lions by the people for the support OF religion.