The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1865-09-28

gated to us by the Head of the Church, and
would violate Chap. 3lst, Sec. 18th, of our
Confession of Faith, which says "Synods
and councils are TO handle or conclude a0th-
ing 6ut that which as ecclesiastical, and are
not to intermeddle with civil affairs which
concern the Commonwealth, unless by way of
humble petition in cases extraordinary, or by
way of advice for satisfaction of conscience,
if they be thereunto required by the civil
magistrate"
2. Resol0ed, That, as Presbytery, we arc
ready and willing to re-unite with the General
Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the
United States, whenever that body is willing
to receive us on such terms as are laid down
in the Word of God, and the time-tried stand
ards of the Presbyterian Church
g. Resoyced, That Presbytery exhort Chris
tians, for the honor of religion and welfare of
souls, to cultivate in all our Churches the
spirit of harmony. Where division exists,
let it be healed. Where hard feelings exist,
let them be smothered In all our Churches,
let the world, looking on, be constrained to
say: 81" See how these Christians love one an
other" To promote ends so desirable, Pres
by terry recommend that vacant Churches make
prompt and yigoroSe Efforts to sup .ts.s
selves with the means Of grace.
4. ReSol0ed, That, as the Holston Presby-
terry of the United Synod is of one mind and
destiny with ourselves, and as the woPres-
byteries have already been united by the
Joint action of our General Assembly and the
United Synod, that we now, on our part,
heartily concur in this action, and that we
select Bristol as the place, aud the first Fri
day in September next as the time, for our
next regular meeting. This time and place
being selected for the purpose of meeting
said Presbytery, then and there to consum-
mate said union-it being also the time and
place of their next regular meeting.
5. Resolved, That we hereby order that
copy of the foregoing preamble and resolu-
tions, be furnished by the Moderator to the
Christian Observer and Central Presbyterian
for publication.
UNION OF TWO PBEsBYTERIEs.
BR1sTo1, Tenn, SEPT. 5, 1865.
The two Prcsbyteries of Holston (Old
School and United Synod) met in this place
on Friday, lst inst, as by previous arrange
ment, and after constituting separatelyi APP
pointed 9 o'clock, Sept. I'd, for consummating
the union of both into one Presbytery.
At the hour appointed the Presbyteries
came together, and there being an equal
number of ministers in each, constituted a
new Presbytery, to be known as HolstOn
Presbytery, by electing Rev. J. r. King
Moderator, and Rev. j. D. Tadlock, Stated
Clerk
Rev. James King was called upon to re-
turn thanks to Almighty God for this con-
summation.
Some time was spent in devotional exer-
cises1s6ited to the occasion recognizing the
leadings of Providence in thus bringing to-
gether hearts that have, though ecclesiasti-
cally separated, long sympathizod and often
labored and prayed together for the diffusion
% t,s.si irpths oe she GasYel Of Gbrist a
.Presbytery during its session adopted the
following resolutions
lst. That in the judgment Of this Presby-
terry the union Of the two organs Of our
Church at Richmond into one, is absolutely
essential to the complete fusion of the differ
ent Presbyterian elements that have recently
been united into one body.
ID That in case union between the
" Christian Observer" and " Central Presby-
terrain" can be effected, an arrangement
which would retain Drs. Converse and Brown
as the editors of the united paper, would be
satisfactory to this Presbytery, and receive
our cordial support. le
Sd. That this Presbytery fully concur in
and adopt the deliverances Of the two Presby-
teries before their union on the subject of
LOYALTY; that we consider obedience 20 the
Government Of the United States duty
made plainly imperative upon US in the Word
of God; that while we discard that spirit of
trucking servility which would lead us to
worship Caesar instead of God, we believe
that we are second to no ecclesiastical body
in that true spirit of subsection to "the
powers that be- which springs from loyalty
to the Great Head of the Church, and which
leads men to "render unto Caesar the things
which are Caesars 5" as well as "unto God
the things that are Gods"
PASTORAL LETTER.
The committee to prepare pastoral letter
to the churches within the bounds of the Pres
bytery reported, and the report was adopted,
which is as follows:
To the Churches ,0ithin the bounds Of Holston
Pres6ytery, 9reetjag: ea ri
Dear Brethren in Christ-Sufer a word cf
exhortation. Our lots are fallen in times of
great responsibility The command sounds
out to us all with solemn emphasis, 600
work in my vineyard to day" The sublime
proyidences of God unite with the commands
and promises of the Gospel in summqning US
to gird ourselves for faithful, laborious and
sell.denying work. The present condition of
the Church within our bounds presents the
vision of the weeping prophet when he ex-
claimed, 90 that my head were. waters, and
mine eyes fountain of tears, that might
weep over the slain of the daughters of my
people" The harvest work is great. Let
US realize it. There is work for every one,
for all There must be no idlers. Remem-
Der the price of redemption. Therefore let
us exhort you, that there may be no occasion
for rcproach, that you by word and deed ex-
1 Il. L L 20 I 20 bo