Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-04-26
THE DISRUPTION OF THE PRESBY.
TERIAN CHURCH,

THE DISRUPTION OF THE PREsBY.
TERRAIN CHURCH.
| WASHINGTON CITY, ID. G., April u. IS,;s -
To tie Editor Of the EreniRg .SfaT-Iear Sir a
clerical friend and CO. o-Presbyter a few days
since, IN correcting, through the medium Of
@ .ne nsar, an unintentonal error which ap-
| peared in one OF the journals of this city re-
| spectng the relative position OF the taUo tsea-
erdI assemblies IF the PrcsJye-idR Church aBout
70 hneet an ~ LoHiS, No on hte I'm proziRsO, took
occasion TO express a wish, in behalf of him.
self and others, that the undersigned would
furnish 10 those who might be- Interested in The
SUBJECT brief statement Of the disruption of
| the Presbyterian Church-the present stains
OF the two bodies, with the probabilities of re-
union. In complying with this request and
10 prevent Misrepresentation, il is proper 70
say that IN the following statement no refer
ence rs had 10 the Southern organisation, which
is OF very recent origin, and the result of dif-
ferent influences and agencies. With respect
10 the two Assemblies referred TO, IL NAV be
stated, In strict accordance with the facts OF
the case, that in the year OF our Lord 1877
alter bitter and protracted theological CON-
roIersy, alike, IN some OF it's respects. dis
SIeoltable 10 all concerned, the Presbyterian
Church was torn asunder. Prom that time
down 10 the present, as I have had occasion
elsewhere 10 remark, we have been two dis
trnct peoples, bearing the same name, reioic-
ing IN the same sublime symbols OF faith, but
separate IN our action, and, until recently
ahenated in our affections. During the long
ano weary years which have interviewed not
ore Official word of friendly greeting, 70 our
shame be IL spoken, has passed from one por-
tion OF our dismembered Zion TO The other
Unul comparatively recent period we have
stood like cold and glItteung icebergs within
our respective circles, seemingly more anx-
ious 10 avoid friendly contact than damaging
COLLISION. Under the influence OF heavenly
INSPIRATION, as doubt not, IL wss resolved by
the General Assembly 20. S. which met in
columbus, Ohio, in the year ls69, 70 propose
70 me Assembly OF the other branch (N. 81,
which should meet in Philadelphia Penn. an
he ensuing year, the Inauguration OF a friend
~ correspondence between these two bod .es
ny me annual interchange OF appointed dele
gates, consisting Of one minister ana one ruling
"ioer from each Assembly. This propositio6
was met by the n. :. Assembly, which neId
Is sessions an philadelphia IN the year IsG3. in
spirit emIpently creditable to the piety the
Intelligence, and Christian courtesy of that
body.
1t was my good fortune to be the frs, clerical
fttegGt6 10 bear the Oiire branch, aud 70 tender
words OF friendly greeting from one Assembly
10 the other. 1 have shared generously and
iar beyond my merits, in the honors or the
church- and IN the patronage OF noble friends
outside the range OF ecclesiasticaI sympathy
shd courtesy. But these several intimations OF
respect and good will all fade into compara-
i've I'VE Insignlhcance when placed IN competition
win TINS crowning glory OF nv waning life
Inc reception which H. iec School ASses abba
extended 10 me as the clerical delegate from the
otneI BODY, was such as i never expect 70 en-
10Y again, until through abounding mercy 10
me chlef OF sinners, may possibly NEE; with
when am graciously permitted 10 enter the
Geheral Assembly, which holds it, harmo-
NOUS and semplternal sessions in the bright
ana cap aclous mansions Of our " Faiher's
House above.
From the time that this interchange OF dele
gates was proposed by US, and accepted by the
other branch, the heavenly spirit which orr
slnated the measure has been tsrmeating the
hearts OF Gods people until few can be found
ats hallowed influence.
With regard 10 the Hltimotc rc-HaiOH Of the
usmemoered portion Of our beloved church. 4
has nnwa
name has become somewhat conspicuous an
THIS great movement, l am by no means favor
able 10 hasty, nconsiderate or preclpitaTs ac-
uon L would greatly prefer TO see the heads
and the hearts OF the people thorouehly edu-
Gated on the topics involved, so far as tbey are
OF any real importance, before the organic EN-
orace Is either extended or accepted. Mybe-
hef Is that the most formidable Obstruction
20 the accomplishment Of this glorious ebiect
VIII be found among the Bishops and other
clergy OF both branches Of the church, who
took leading part in the great eccleslastical
conflict, which eliminated in the disruption
OF onr beloved Zion, ana who are stiIl held
WIN WIN some happy exceptions, like Milo in the
cloyen oak. by their honest though not inlalIi.
bic opinions and prejudices.
In all my intercourse with the member.hip
ol ooth divisions Of our sismembered Zion 4
nave found the sentiment and desire in tavor
OF reunion 10 be almost, if not entirely, uni-
Nersal L wish L could say the same of the
ministry. trust, however, that as these ven
eraole and beloved brethren approach still
nearer the portals of light and love, their
atfrGiSES will become 80 far modified and their
pTSndtoes so far relaxed. that they will consent
TO ne patient and quiescent spectators, IL they
cannot sympathize in the rapturcus loy OF the
nuptial hour
But should nothing more be accOmplished
than has already been achieved, in the greatly
improved feelings of these once alienatad
bodies. i shall feel thar have been rewarded
a thousand fold for whatever agency nav
have had, be IL Little or much, in brinring
about this happy result.
devoutly pray that the spirit Of God NAV
descend and rest upon the brain and the heart
OF all ;hose who may deem il necessary or
expedlent 10 employ their tongues or their pens
IA The discussion of this deeply in nieresting sub
lect IN the approaching Assemblies, so that no
iresh root Of bitterness may spring mp 10 disturb
our present peace or blight our happy Gntici-
panons.
In this glad honr OF our nations ioy ana
triumph, TO say noting of its solicitudes, WHY
may not the faro PTeSbyteTieS. District and Poee-
Htdo. occupying the very heart OF the nation
most appropriately set an example OF Christian
and forgiveness which will CHALLENGE
he admiration and imitation Of our brethren
throughout the length and breadth Of the lard
SEPTINCs TUsTIN,
Member n the pofopnao