The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1866-10-24
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
DR.. Van Dykes Church.

The following paper has been sent us, and
will be read with much interest. 1t explains
clearly the determination OF the session OF DIR.
Van Dykes church in regard to the points en-
braced.
Whereas The Constitution of the Presbyte,
rian Church expressly declares Confession of
Faith, chap. 81, sec. 4, that "Synods and
Councils are to handle or conclude nothing but
that which is ecclesiastical, and are not to in
termeddle with civil affairs which concern the
commonwealth" and also form of govern
ment chapter l, Sec ~ "that the Holy Scrip
lures are the only rule of faith and manners
that no church judicatory ought to pretend to
make laws to bind the conscience in virtue Of
their own authority, and that all their decis-
ions should be founded upon the revealed will
of God"
Whereas, Successive General Assemblies from
1861 to 1865, have assumed the right to decide
questions strictly civil and political in their ma
ture, involving the Interpretation of the Con-
stitution of the United States, the relation of
the States to the Federal Government, the prop
err policy to be pursued by the Federal Gov
eminent, and tie duty of the members of the
church in regard to the civil policy they should
support in their capacity as citizens of the
United States, upon all which questions the
word of God gives no instructions whatever;
and
Whereas The General Assembly of 1865
issued injunctions to all the Presbyteries and
Church Sessions under its care to enforce the
adoption of the opinions contained in these
political deliverances as a term Of ministerial
communion and church membership in regard
to persons coming from churches in the South
ern States; thus legislating where Christ has
not legislated, and making terms of commun-
ion which He has not made, exercising spirit
of partially, and throwing insuperable barriers
in the way of reunion and peace in the
church; and
Whereas, The Assembly of 1866 issued
decree excluding from their seats in Synod and
Presbytery all those ministers and elders Ito
the number of more than one hundred) who
had signed a certain protest called Declare
ton and Testimony" against the political de-
liverances of former Assemblies; thus violating
the express rule of the Constitution which says
process against gospel minister shall always
be entered before the Presbytery of which he
is member" Book of Dis. chap. 5, sec. 81
usurping prercgatives which the Constitution
recognizes as belonging to Presbyteries and
Sessions, oyerturning our whole system of APP
pelate courts, and visiting severe penalties
upon ministers and elders, against whom there
is no accusation of heresy or crime; and
Whereas, The Synod of New York and the
Presbytery of Nassau, have by formal vote
excluded elder Darwin G. Eaton, the chosen
representative of this church, upon the ground
that he is a signer of the Declaration and Tes
timony, thus indicting a grievous and gratui
tous censure upon an elder eminent for his
pety, ability and usefulness and restricting
the constitutional prerOgative Of this church to
choose its own representative from among those
who are in good standing as members of ses-
sion; therefore
Resolred, lst That this session while pro-
Tossing our firm and unalterable attachment to
the doctrines and order Of the Presbyterian
Church, and our sincere purpose to obey all
the requirements of the higher courts of the
church, which do not conflict with our allegi-
ance to Christ, our supreme head, do, at the
same time solemnly declare that the acts and
deliverance of the General Assembly recited in
the foregoing preamble, being unconstitutional
and without warrant from the revealed will Of
God, are null and void, and of no binding
force upon us.
ResoEued, 3D. That we will continue as here
tofore, to receive members into this Church