The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1865-08-03
The RepertOry on the Pittsburs AS
semblY.

of our own on the action of the late 60. s.
General Assembly, we copy the following
notice of it from the last Princeton Rs0|e'0,
presumed to be from the pen of Dr. Hodge
We are sure that our readers viii be glad to
see 50 able and manly protest against this
action, from so distinguished source. After
spreading out the different papers adopted by
the Assembly, which have already appeared
in our columns, the reviewer notices the re-
markable fact that the Assembly were IN
willing to deal with what they considered sin
in Northern Presbyterians, as they wished to
deal with it in Southern; and that Judge
Ewiug's famous denunciation Of the intOIe-
rance of the body was called forth only when
it was proposed to say that what was sin on
our side of the line, was also sin on the
other
The reviewer states, p. 5O4:
After its adoption, the Rev. Mr. Wood
moved an amendment, as an independent
proposition. He proposed to insert in Sec
ton V, defining the duties Of Sessions, after
the words concerning their conduct and
principles on the points above specified" the
words Z" and to take cognizance also of mem
bers of their own churches who have offended
in like manner"
To amend paper after its adoption was
certainly an extraordinary proceeding. If
the house were dissatisfied with it, the proper
course would be to reconsider the vote to
adopt it, with view to its amendment
This, however, was oyerruled, and DR. Woods
motion discussed. 1t was sustained by him
self, the Rev. Mr. Hart, (whO maintained
that the same rule ought to be applied to the
northern as to the southern churches,) Dr.
Howard and others, and strenuOusly opposed
by Rev. Mr.. Riheldafer, Rev. G. H. Taylor,
DR.. West, &c. This motion of DR.. Wood
seems to have been rather more than the
house could bear; it called forth a severe re-
buke from Judge j. K Ewing, who said
Moderator, 1 hoped we were done with
this question l have been in many pOliti.
cal conventions and l wish you to under
stand they were Republican conventions, for
have never been in any other-yet l must
say, have never before seen such a spirit Of
relentless persecution as is here manifested.
Have we not had enough Of this talk about
loyalty Are we not ready to quit aud be
done have heard of nothing else since l
came into this Assembly. If the members of
a church live in sin, it is the duty Of the ses-
sion to call them to account. 1t will be done,
if sessions are loyal, without this action. Ii
they are not, this action will do no good. II
is useless-it is worse than useless-for. Its
Saly tendency is to irritate and to drive away
those Whsp. we desire to see repent and re-
turn to the fold.~ Before asking them to
come back, we prescribe the Penance. 1t is
useless to pass this amendment. Let the
thing alone-let the thing alene, and give
these brethren time
The amendment was lost BY vote Of, ayes
81, nays SO.
Popular bodies, whether ecclesiastical or
secular, are In great measure the organs OF
public spirit They give utterance to the
opinions, temper, aud feelings of the commu-
mites to which they belong, and in which
they act. This can hardly be avoided. Their
members are members of the body polite.
The life of the community is their life They
read the same papers, entertain the same
opinions, and are animated by the same feel
ings. When, therefore, they come together,
they speak aud act under the same influences
which control those around them. 1t Is also
law of our nature, that numbers increase
excitement. A multitude of sparks, when
combined, make great heat. In all popu-
lar assemblies, in times of public agitation,
we may expect violent language and extreme
measures. The members may think them
selves very independent and very heroic, 1t
may be, but they are none the less swayed
by outside pressure, and made the organs OF
the spirit around them. We see the Baptist
aud Methodist conventions at the South bow
ing in prayer, rising, and unanimously en-
dorsing the action Of southern politicians ;
giving utteranee to the most extreme, and, to
northern minds, most obnoxious opinions and
unchristian feelings We see even staid
EpiscopalianS among the foremost and most
violent in asserting southern dOgmas, the
ministers in many cases going beyond the
politicians in their zeal and extravaganza.
Southern Presbyterian SynOds and General
Assemblies, to the great sorrow and chagrln
of their northern brethren, have been among
tue lOEenOSb III Tue dSS6ItlOu VI 6AIIOulc
southern doctrines, and in the manifestation
of sectional animosity. Even men from the
North living at the South, who were even
avowed technical abolitionists, have, in many
cases, become the most thorough. going advO-
Gates Of the desirableness of slavery, and Of
the wisdom and rectitude Of a war for its ex-
tension and conservation. Such is our poor
human nature
1t would betray great selfignOrance and
Selfconceit to assume that we here at the
North, and our Northern Synods aud Assem-
blies, are free from the operation Of this law;
that we are so elevated, so enlightened, SC
self-possessed, that We can rise above these
disturbing elements, aud think, speak, and
act simply under the guidance of right prin.
ciples, and correct feelings. If We are dis
posed to cherish any such selfcOmplacency,
the experience of all Northern conventions,
whether of New school or Old-scbool Presby-
terians, Methodists, Baptists, or Episcopa'
lians, would prove that we and our ecclesias-
teal bodies are as much swayed by the spirit
Of the time and of the community, as our
brethren of the South If we see and deplore