The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1865-10-19

was formed, so as to make it agree with
our present political relations; so too as
to remove every thing sectional from it,
that as there is nothing sectional in our
principles, there may be nothing sectional
in our name; and thus to throw open our
doors to all in every part of the land, who
are one with us in holding fast by the old
landmarks of Presbyterianism without
regard to political sentiments, to unite
with us so far as they may see good in
the work of our common Lord. The Com
mittee, however, do not feel prepared to
suggest any particular action of Synod
or even to recommend any further action
on this subject.
Your Committee have thus attempted
to present general view of the actual
state of the church, in such particulars as
either demand present action, or, as new
and important, deserve to be considered.
A more difficult part of their duty still
remains,-that Of at least proposing what
this action should be. They are, of
course, limited to those things in the
general state of the church not otherwise
provided for in the regular business of
Synod. Even this, however, presents now
wider field than they shall attempt to
cover. In reference to the subject of
Domestic Missions and books, some spe-
cial action may be of advantage; and it
does appear to your Committee, that in
such very peculiar state of the church,
under such extraordinary providences as
are passing over us, the Synod should in
some way, express with unusual fumess
and earnestness, its views of the lessons
which these providences are teaching
We therefore propose the following de-
clarations and resolutions:
In REFERENCE TO OUR ALLEGIANCE
TO CHRIST.
The Synod regards the present state of
the church, and the present dealings of
Gods providence toward us, as special
call upon her ministry and people to hold
with a still more loving and earnest grasp
the acknowledged truth, that Christ's
kingdom is not of this world, and yet that
its authority extends over us in all our
worldly relations: that it is no part of her
duty to define civil relations, or to pro-
nounce upon merely social and political
questions, while it is, of course, her duty
to enforce upon all their obligations to
form all their opinions, and perform all
their duties on these, as on all other mat
ters under a sense of their accountability
to Christ as king. Both the interests of
truth and the comfort of Gods suffering
people, demand that all our pulpits should
bear clear and full testimony on this
subject, such as by Gods blessing shall
secure the thorough confirmation of the
Church's faith and hope, and the right
and ready application of this fundamental
truth in every exigency.
"a GIL TO CHRISTIAN LOVE AND
FORGIVENESS.
The Synod regards the present as
special call to the exercise of the broadest
charity consistent with truth, and of a
spirit of Christian forgiveness. However
greatly we may regard any brethren in
the wrong, and however deeply We may,
any of us, feel tnat we have been injured,
still we must not fail to love as brethren
all who love the Lord Jesus, and we must
ever remember our own frailties and sins,
considering ourselves, lest we also be
tempted" Let us put away all wrath
and clamor, and evil speaking; let us
Danish all revengeful and unkind and un-
forgiving tempers, and by our whole spir-
it and words and actions, labor assiduous-
ly to restore the reign of love and peace.
Even as Christ loved us, so let us love;
as Christ forgave us, so let us forgive.
"a CALL TO CONFESSION AND HUMILIA-
TIoN FOR OUR SINS.
In the Affections under which we are
suffering, especially the impovcrishment
and the consequent prostration of all our
church enterprises, both of sustentation
and extension, the Synod recognize a
solemn and imperative call of God upon
us to deep humiliation for, and hearty
confession of our sins, which have brought
down these judgments upon us, especially
the sins of self-indulgence, and covetous-
ness, and boarding up, under pretence of
providing for family and children, while
every interest of Gods church and of
perishing world were calling for earnest
self-denial, and holy conservation of both
persons and property to Jesus. Let not
this call be either misunderstood or un-
needed. Let all the church learn how
fearful thing it is to rob God, and that
we have robbed him. "He that covereth
his sins shall not prosper; he that con-
fesseth and forsaketh them shall find mer-
cy." And hence, therefore, arises
A CALL TO GREATLY ENLARGED
BENEvoLENCE.
In this general impoverishment and
prostration the Synod further recognizes
ttbe voice of God calling her and her peo-
pie to greatly increased benerO7ence. To
make it an excuse for doing little for
Christ's cause is to despise his judgments.
The amount of our benevolence is not
measured by the amount of the gift or
the labor, but its proportions to our
ability. The Lord in his providence has
wrested from us, by these political and
social revolutions, more, both of pecu-
mary means and human instrumentality,
if they had been sincerely consecrated to
Christ during the generation now passing
away, than would have been sufficient to
have placed in a position of gloriou:
triumph every enterprise of the church.
and to have poured the light of God:
salvation not only into the darkest por
! l.