The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1867-02-13

succeeded in erecting spacious building
for the accommodation of their respec-
tive pupils; each building being much
larger than the brick Academy in which
DR.. Hoge had taught by precept and by
example. Not a vestige of the old Acad-
envy, or the Presidents house, or the
College hall, built of wood, remains.
Few can now tell where they stood. So
has passed the generation of men that
built them. "The fathers where are
they?"
The division in the Virginia Synod
greatly affected the congregations in its
bounds; some much more than others.
In some congregations, those who were
in the minority of the whole Synod, we're
the majority, in some cases almost the
whole; in other cases, the congregations
were more evenly divided; and in others
the minority was small. The same was
true of those who approved of the doings
of the Assembly; in some cases the con-
gregations were United; in-othsjR more
or less evenly divided, in others they who
approved were the minority. Conse-
quently the disagreeable effects of the
division were more clearly seen, and
deeply felt in some congregations, than
in others. There was excitement every
where. In some cases unhappily, there
was bitterness. Everywhere there was
"call for that charity that thinketh no
evil, that sufereth long and is kind"
AS the difference of opinions and actions
rested on constitutional questions, there
could have been found examples of pecu-
liar trait in human nature, that the more
difficulty there was in stating clearly the
difference, the more tenacity there was in
holding to the opinions expressed. But
the clearest heads in the Virginia Church
were on opposite sides. Friends separa-
ted, relations were divided; and new con-
gregations were formed. 1t would be
wrong to say there was no bitterness in
those divisions, and unjust to charge ma
levolence. All would say there was
strong feeling, and vigorous action; and
all degrees of ability, and talent, and
requirements were put in requisition.
In the Seminary, DR.. Baxter was a
leader in favor of the Assembly of 1887;
his associates, Goodrich and Taylor, who
had been put in the chair of History, and
Ballentine, opposed the acts respecting
the Synods excinded. The President of
Hampden Sidney opposed the doings of
the Assembly. The congregations in
Prince Edward and the adjoining coun-
ties were greatly agitated, and many
were divided.
The new congregations required in
creased attention. Double the amount
of ministerial labor was given to the
same population. Each division of the
Church pressed on with vigor; both
preachers and elders, and the greater
part of the private members engaged with
spirit in doing wn6f seemed 2rnper AID
prudent for the advancement of the cause
which to them appeared the right.
Your grandfather believed the doings
of the Assembly unconstitutional; and
injudicious, even if they were constitu-
tional. DIR. Baxter contended that the
actswere both constitutional and judicious.
Neither of these two men hoped to gain
the other except by conviction of truth,
and by time. They had mutual res
pect for each others 6rmness of purpose,
strength of convictions, quickness of in
tellect, and manly frankness. Neither
believed the other capable of a mean ac-
ton, though each believed the other mis-
taken.
Your grandfather put forth all his
powers of mind and activity of body to
sustain the congregations, greater or
smaller, that agreed with him in the pro.
-priety of separating from the majority of
the Synod, and constituting the New
School, or Constitutional Synod. His
powers and influence as preacher, were
acknowledged. Always provided with
horses of speed and endurance, he rode
far and often, in attendance on ministe-
rial calls. He was untiring in the per-
Torrance of duty. He displayed the
activity and zeal of his early ministry in
Berkeley, which his removal had some
what impaired.
The Directors of the Seminary were
unanimous in sustaining the Assembly,
and the majority of the Trustees of the
College agreed with them. The Old
School preachers, the majority of Synod,
were active and jealous. And in looking
back now after period of some thirty
years, we say with Paul, Ito the Phillipi-
ans, i: 49,, "Christ was preached, and
we therein rejoice and will rejoice" and
we draw veil over any strife or envy
that may have been acted out by either
Old or New School. May Gods mercy
hide all the errors. Yours, truly,
G.. G. r.