The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-01-04

MOST oil the eCCleSastlCal OrRaulhhllOub VI 'he
States lately in revolt have chosen mol TO renew
their former raternal relations with the like
organizations in the loyal States wherewith they
formally dissolved connection ut the outbreak OF
the Rebellion. For this decision they are
answerable only to God and their own con-
sciences. II would be bitter mockery to pro.
fess to love where they really hate-to confde
where they profoundly distrust. STILL, some of
their assumptions and reasonings seem fairly to
invite criticism. For instance:-
The Southern Presbyterians (Old School) held
a General Assembly al Macon, Georpia, three
weeks since and refusing to reunite with the
Presbyterians OF the North discarded their de-
bePately chosen designation, 'The Presby yterian
Church of the Confederate States" and took in
stead that OF "Hhe General Assembly of the
Presbyterian Church in the United States T" As
that was already the established, recognized
title of a much larger body we think this
sumption unushfable; and it Is certainly calcu-
lated to breed confusion and mischief
After resolving to have no more cordial or
intimate relations with Northern Presbyterians
than With other ecclesiastical bodies whose
creeds are not specially Objectionable, they
further
Reso yed That our ministers and churches be and
hereby are warned against all ministers or other
agents who may come among us to sow the seeds OF
division and strts in our CONGREGATIONS or to create
schsm in our beloved Zion; and, owing to the pecu-
liar for prudence which now exist we enjon
it upon ministers ana sessions to exercise special
caution to whom they admit to their pulpits, and
in cases of douot TO refer to the judgment Of the
Presbyteries the whole question OF the nature and
extent of the courtesy or countenance they may ex
tend.
Resotyed That the Assembly would remind ses-
sions that IN no case s 1t proper for them to invite
ministers other denominations steadily occupy
any of pulplts without the consent OF the Pres
byteTies, ana the known purpose OF such ministers
ut the earliest suitable opportunity to unite with us
in ecclesiastical relations.
Such is the sanctimonious way of saying
that any church which shall allow Northern
Presbyterian to occupy its pulpit will get into
trouble. We do not think the caution was
needed, but its dnin.us is unmistakab This
General Assemly then proceeded to deliver the
following testimony concerning slavery:-
"This relation is now overthI Iown-suddenlY, vic.
lently; whether justly or unjusty, in wrath or in
mercy, for veal or for Woe let history and the Judge
rations of vital interest winch still remain
Zone IS that while the existence OF avery may,
in its civil aspects, be regarded as civil question
as question OF social morality and OF scrptura
truth has lost nothing OF Its importance. When we
soemnlY declare to you, brethren, that the dogma
which asserts the inherent siD1ulness OF this relation
is unscrptura aud ianatical; that it is condemned
not by the word OF God, but by the voice OF the
Church In all ages; that it is one of the most perni
cious heresies of modern times; that its cOunte-
nance bv any church is just cause of separation
from it H. Tim. g. 1-5l we have surely said enough
to warn you away from the insdious error as from
fatal shore.
Whatever therefore, VI may havegto lament be-
fore God, either for neglect of duty towards our
servants, or Tor actual wrong Wnle the relation
lssted, we are not called, now that it has been abo-
lished, TO bow the head in humiliation before men,
or to admit that the memory OF many OF our dea"
kindred is to be covered win shame because, like
Abraham Isaac, and Jacob they had bond servants
born their own house, or bought with their money
and who now, redeemed by the same precious blood
sit down together in the kingdom OF God"
There are several misstatements of fact in
this testimont, the most material OF which (that
respecting the voice OF the Church in all ages"
might be refuted by citations from the recorded
testimony of the Presbyterian Church alone.
But the fact that abraham, Isaac, and Jacob"
were Shareholders is cited most inconclusively.
They were shareholders after sort, no doubts;
but we're not the first and the lastnamed poly
gamists as we'll? And Will the Southern Old.
Schools insist that anti-Poiygamy is zone OF the
most pernicious heresies Of mouern times" as
well as anti-SlayeTy? ltnot, why not?
The Right Rev. John Henry Hopkins, Pro-
testant Episcopal Bishop of Vermont (O, has
been trying hard to coax his pro-slavery
brother Bishop Wilmer, of Alabama back into
the silken bonds of church fellowship. Wilmer
is sweet on the ''good Bishop of Vermont; but
he won't be coaXed; and here are his reasons:-
"The Southern deputies themselves may
In this matter. Their sons and brothers lie in
bloody grave their land is deso.ate, aud strangers
devOur it in their presence; tier emancipa ed
slaves garrison their clhes they live themselves as
yet under the ban; their representative man, no
guiltier than themselves, is in bonds, and may have
to die an ignomiuous death The whole Southern
people therefore, are at this moment awaiting triat
denounced felens, ami q shackled press is
torbio den to speak word of vndieation or remon-
STRANGE.
Your own heart, good Bishop will tell you that
men IN such a condition are IN mold to JOIN in
iubilae over restoration winch is sealed by Their
degradation. The peace, for which lie Deums will
be chanted, purchased by the loss of their inherit
ance, and they are now sitting IN the deep valley
'The men OF the South have no desire to prolong
the hopeless conflict. They accept the failure OF
theif efforts q TACT and, as Christian men will
q
for Gods sake bur it is asking too much of them
that they shall swell the pageant which celebrated
their subjuaation.
"Some time, Bishop must be given TO the heart to
school itset Our people are in no mood for Joyous
congratulations hey are not yet out OF mourning
for their dead 1t is easy for you TO come together
and TO JOIN heartily IN laudates for peace and re-
UNION Yours Is the victorious section 1t is easy
for HIM VINO triumphs to forgive; and from your
standpoint you can thank God with full heart
We are trying 10 forgive and forget and lifting up
our hearts from the dust, we trying to say, Thy
will be DONE
"Excuse some Of us, Bishop for preierring Just
now to stand aloof from the discussion OF these
subjects Our wounds are too recent to bear rough
handing We have no heart tor them. we have
no wish to discuss them, for there can be no tree
discussion Nor can we, by our silent presence Dt
falhess to the memory OF our dead, nor consent to
stand by while others inscribe traitor ON theiI
graVestones."
-Supposing this were sound logic, would il
not condemn the loyal that is, Tory Episcopa
lians Of our Revolutionary era for uniting, az
they generally did IN organizing the Protestan
Episcopal churches in the United States? The,
might have stood out and insisted on maintain
ing the former state OF ecclesiastical dependence
on England. By uniting with "RebeP EpiscopS
lians like George Washington and John JAY t
form an independent American Church, the
NAV or may not have consented to 'stand b
while others inscribed traitor on the grave