Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1855-05-03
Oh AND NEw School PRrsBrrEK1-


THURSDAY, MAY 3, 1856
- 0LD AND NEW SCHOOL PREsBYrEKI-
xEs-rHE DIFFEREsoE.-To our inter-
rogatory of last week, we have received
three communications. One from
New School member, one from an Old
School, and an anonymous communica-
ton; the latter not for publication, but
merely to advise US to not meddle with
the matter which now agitates the pub
lie mind, with reference to the Old and
New School Presbyterians, and signed
.Won Nothing" In this liberal age,
voluntary advice is about the cheapest,
hence the lavish manner in which it is
bestowed. "Won Nothing" after find
ing fault with an editorial that ap-
peared in the Journal last winter, in re-
gard TO fox chase, branches out and
makes what he considers grave threats
toward us, should we give our columns
to the enlightenment of the members of
the two divisions of this church, and
outsiders, upon the subject at pre-
sent agitating these bodies and the
public mind. This would do very well
were we in the midst of the dark ages,
but in this enlightened age none iced
shrink from the light of truth, and this
individual shows a decided weakness
when be makes such threats for the pur-
pose of intimidating US. We invited no
controversy on the subject through our
columns, further than to arrive at the
facts upon which the split was made,
and as the difficulty was made public
by the parties themselves, we think the
public curiosity should be satisfied up
on the points that lead to the rupture.
We shall publish nothing that will have
bearing in favor of either party in a
legal point of view. We could give
"Won Nothing" an overhauling that
might change his luck, but we forbear.
The following is from the New School
member referred to, and we think the
subject is treated very fair. By this it
will be seen the difference is-YoungI
America against Old Fogy, one is pro-
gressive, while the other is conservative:
THE DIFFERENCE.
Mr.. EDITOR: You ask for the differ
ence between the Old and New School
Presbyterians, and as there seems to be
a general demand for information on the
subject, it is proper that your inquiry
should be answered. Allow me to re-
mark then, that whilst both bodies
hold the same doctrines Of Grace as en-
bracedin that system of Theology called
Calvinism, and the same form of govern
ment, yet there are shades of difference,
and shades which cannot be fairly pre-
sented in single newspaper article-I
will as briefly as possible mention three
of these:
/. There is Psychological difference.
They are born different. as one man is
born for a mathematician, and another
for poet. The New School are gene
rally of the nervous or sanguine tempe
rament, whilst the Old are bilious or
phlegmatic. Hence the New are more
progressive, and the Old more conserva-
tive. The one falls in with the esprit
of the age" becoming all things to all
men, the other resists the ''spirit Of
the age" in its desire to return to the
old paths.
2. There IS Theological diiferencs.-
The Old School maintain that Christ de-
hvers the elect by suffering the full and
absolute penalty of the divine law in
their stead; SO that these must be justi-
fed according to law. The New School
maintain that part of the penalty of
the law is reuorSe, which our Lord
could not suffer, and part is eternal
punishment which he did not,-but that
che sufferings of Christ so magnify the
law and express Gods adherence of
sin, that he can, in consideration of those
suferings, consistently pardon, justify |
and save-as matter of Grace, all who
believe in his Son. From this point diff
ferences branch off into metaphysics and
distractions, where Philadelphia Law
yers may expatiate for many years to
come.
5. There is difference in action; and
think I shall properly express this by
saying that whilst the chief business and
concern Of the New School is to bring
men to the Lord Jesus Christ, and SO
gather them into his church, our Old
School brethren are watching at the gate
with restless vigilence to keep the here
Jics out.
Still the lines are not accurately |
drawn, there is regular graduation be-
tween the extremes, and from assocla-
ton or other circumstance it comes to
pass that true New School men are
found amongst those called the Old, and |
some old School men in the body called |
the New. W. T.
Here is what is given by the Old
School member. We presume he did
his best-tO make little sport: