The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1867-02-20

derstood to be of very pleasant nature
1t was known that they conversed freely
on the conditions and prospects Of THEN
respective churches; and of their adhe
sion to the faith and practice of the stan.
dards of the Presbyterian Church. The
relation of the two churches became a
subject of conversation in Farmville, at
the Union Theological Seminary, and
the congregations near. There was all
evident disposition to treat the whole
subject with delicate kindness. Mr..
Leach and his guest had both been de-
cided and strenuous in their respective
courses, Private friendship was not per-
mitted to suffer; and the host and his
guest had often met to spend few hours
in social intercourse and conversation,
without agitating the subjects that were
full of excitement, and had divided many
friends. This truce had been beneficial
to both: neither could recollect that the
other had by speechs~or word even, or
unkind allusion, broken in upon the sa-
credness of an early friendship. This
previous condition of living, prepared the
friends, at this time, to talk calmly over
the subject that had once set the church
on fire. Neither feared that the other
had any unworthy motive for the discus
sions on hand.
The West Hanover Presbytery held its
Spring session in Farmville. DR.. Leach
and his guest, were, by etiquette, invited
to seats. Following the example of the
Assembly that had met in Augusta, some
resolutions were passed tending to pro-
mote kind feelings between the two
churches, in the vicinity, and therefore,
extensively.
Your grand father became more and
more interested; as he talked over the
matter, the blessedness of hearty union
loomed up more and more magniicently
to his view; he felt, and said, it was: ga
consummation devoutly to be wished. !"
But the manner in which it should be
done; the time to make the first move;
the persons to make it; and the platform
or principles, on which it should be pro-
posed and accomplished; these were all
delicate questions, in the solution of
which, much caution, prudence and ex-
perience were called for, with spirit of
prayer and dependence on the Holy
Spirit for guidance and a blessing. On
all these questions his mind was much
exercised; he spoke with caution, but
with more earnestness on the advantage
of an honorable union.
Happily, during the summer of 1862
there was no appeal by newspaper es-
says, sermons, or public meetings, or adj
dresses, on the subject of the much de-
sired union. The general sentiment was,
that as the larger i,ody, the Assembly at
Augusta, had begun the good work, by
Ier puggcstions, iss-was proper for the
FfaTge BODY TO TdSfr slks- firstsstep.ipsruny
movement for union, IN any part of the
church.
During the sumner, DR.. Wilson, of the
Seminary, advanced in private the idea
that the only safe ground for union to
be proposed, would be, The Confession of
Faith. 1t met with favor at the Semi
nary: and your grandfather at once en-
braced it, saying he was ready at once
TO meet his brethren there. He also
added-that, in his opinion, whatever
was done should be done by the two bo-
dies, as such, and not by fractions of
either-so that the work should be COM
plete, if done at all: no fractions left to
claim the name of the original body: that
if there were dissentients they should go
and choose their associations; and the
name of Old School and New School
should cease at the South. From this
time onward, till the consummation of
the union, your grandfather often said
to his exiled guest-when speaking of
the state of the country, or condition of
the church, or of advancing years, or the
death of friends-"I wish to live, if it
may please God, to see two things; the
union of the two churches and the ac-
knowledged independence of the South
ern Confederacy." To which his friend
as often replied-"Of the first 1 am
very confident; and of the second |
am very hopeful" The fears of DIR.
Leach about the independence of the
Confederacy arose from its comparative
physical weakness, being so outnumbered
in the armies; and for the churches, the
many sources from which fiery discus
sions might arise, and the various foun-
tains of bitterness that might be unhap-
PLY opened through inadvertence, or in
discreet zeal.
In the winter and spring of 1868, an
opportunity occurred in Richmond for the
minds of business men to be turned to
consider the advantages of union of the
two churches. These appeared to be
many and great. An elder in DR.. Reads
church, well skilled in financial matters,
expressed an opinion, practically, Of the
advantages to arise from union of the two
churches in Richmond, and throughout
Virginia and the whole South. The sem
timent once uttered found no opposers,
but many advocates in Richmond and
Lynchburg.
In this state of feeling, West Hanover
Presbytery sent to the Assembly brief
memorial, asking the appointment of a
committee to meet with a committee from
the United Synod, should such be ap-
pointed, to consider, and, if practicable,
adjust terms of union, to be reported to
the next Assembly. This memorial was
kindly entertained; and, by means of the
tclerranh. the appointment of committees