The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1866-05-24


j. g. REAsoR, Clerks. eray fa 55s
The memorial, after brief discus
sion, was referred to the Committee
on Bills and Overtures..
Mr.. Van Dyke then offered the fol-
lowing paper, which was referred to
the same Committee:
This Assembly earnestly depre-
Gates the continuance of the division
now existing between the Presbyteri-
an Church in the North and South.
together with the strife among our
selves, growing out of this division, as
a rulnous and unnecessary schism be-
tween brethren who maintain COM
mon faith, tending to perpetuate the
evil passions generated by civil war,
to prevent the return of the harmony
and good will so essential to both
Church and State, and to dissipate in
futile contentious the resources and
influence of the Church, which ought
to be employed in common efforts for
the defence and propagation of the
gospel. In the. spirit of Cancellation
and brotherly Kindness. the Assem-.
bly, desires tho res 6lion Of the uni
ty of the Oh urch on the basis of the
principles upon which she was orig
inally organized, and upon which; un-
der the divine blessing, she so long
and so abundantly prospered Among
these principles we regard the follow
ing as fundamental: 0
First God alone is God of the con-
science, and hath left it free from the
doctrines and commandments of men
which were in anything contrary to
His word. hioe o SEA- -sltsf.ad
Second. All Church power, whether
exercised by the body in general or in
the way of representation. by dele
gated authority, is only ministerial
and declarative. That IS to say the
Holy Scriptures are the only rules of
faith, and no Church judicatory ought
to pretend to make laws to bind the
conscience in virtue of their own au-
thOrity, but all their decisions should
be founded upon the recorded will of
God.
Third. Synods and councils are to
conclude nothing but that which is
ecclesiastical, and are net to intermed-
die with civil affairs that concern the
commonwealth, unless by the way of
petition In cases extraordinary, or by
way of advice for satisfaction of con
science, if they be thereunto required
by the civil magistrates.
Fourth, All synods and councils
since the days of the Apostles, wheth-
er general or particular, may err and
may have erred. Therefore their de-
cisions were not to be made the rule
of faith and practice, but to be used
as help in both.
Fifth. Since the powers that be are
ordained Of God, it is the duty of
hEEEStlans fTEEnSftala spd t toS SaE Be nsuBect to theft
authority for conscience sake.
Tn accordance with these principles,
and with a view to promote peace
upon the basis herein set forth, 1t is:
:. Resolced, That the deliverances of the
Ave nreeeding Assemblies on the state OF
the country, Including the orders Of the
Assembly in regard to the southern STATES,
| not having been transmitted 70 tne res @
| c9rdinf to the requirements of the form
| of government, chapter ~, secuon 4, arS
not established as ru1es, ds anu any
are not obligatory upon the Cnurcn;
| Whatever may be their value as part OF
/ the past history of the Chdrch, and as an
/ embodiment of the opinions OF the veaeda- ael.a
| hIe Assembly from which they emanateo,
| these deliverances form no part OF our
| standard of faith and order, and Dnelr
4 adoption can not be insisted on as eeIlil esslt
| of fChurch membership or ministerial COM
munion." re 0 9Tts7a7t ~ sGo = ~ 9@9
! The Moderator presented a paper
| from Drs. Stuart Robinson, w us9n,
and Elder Hardy, of the. excluded
Louisville Presbytery, protesting
against the action of the Assembly,
and reviewing their own course. The
naper concluded by announcing that
q the signers would not participate any
further in the proceedings OF the As
T Dr. Boardman, of Philadelphia
l moved to refer the. paper to the Com
mittee on, Bills and Overtures, H'
: proceeded to speak upon the question
raised by the protest, and arepiled t.
DIR. Thomas. He thanked God tha
secession was dead; but he was no
g prepared to exclude every man IN tn
8 rebel army from Church membershII
$ because Of their being rebels. @ +
Z He thought the remarks of ID
: Thomas ill-timed and misjudged. III
q believed that the time would com
b when the minority here present woul
81 8 vet be in the ascendant IN the Pros
If byterian Church. He defended Dl
# Brooks's course in trying to plac
is himself upon the same platform g
q the Louisville Presbytery. He though
4 it manly proceeding and yet y
N Thomas had assailed him for tryln
+ to make martyr of himself Refer
to ring to the declaration f-testinion
1e pamphlet, he thought it was an incol
to sistent, rash proceeding; but for a
ne that they were our brethren, and "
to should treat them tenderly Instea
er of that, they had been treated wit
IN injustice. He referred to the comir
a, d. hither of the Louisville Commission
cir ers.