New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-05-22

ism rounded away little to adapt it to the
United States.
But The troublesome spirit was not dead. Tho
Strict COn5luctionists and the Liberal Con-
etructiunists existed. and whenever The old
questions came mp the old controversy came mp
with them. In 1887, the body fell asundcr again;
the bonds OF union, after a severe strain. gave
way at The same old weak spot The ordlna-
lion clause and four Synols. those OF Gcnesce,
Geneva, Utica, and the Western Reserve, were
set apart from the rest. The schism between
the Old School and the New School, as we
, know them, occurred a generation ago For
the last thirty years, the Presbyterian Church
has consisted Of two distinct bodies, wholly
independent of each other as to government
and administration Both increased III wealth.
and influence. Both had Synods, Prcsbytenes,
ministers, churches, and COMMITMENTS. Both
supported foreign and domestic Mi'siohs'
Boards of Education, Publishing Committees,
Church Building Committees, and all the appli-
ances for doing Evangelical work. The Ola
School in 1860. had six. the New School mad
five Theological Scmnarics. Judging by ex-
terror signs the number OF synods, Presby-
tcrics, churches, ministers, students, professors,
and communicates, and the amount OF money
raised annually, and the extent OF work ac-
counted for, the power of the Old School pre-
ponderatcs over the New.
If it were not that disputes are apt to bc
bitter in proportion az the subject OF them Is
hihing, it w0ud excite surprise that the
work of reunion between the wings of so pow
crful on organization should be thought diff
cult The present arrangement is in the most
rescnting one of the General Assemblies, have
charge of the details. These Committees are
composed of able, devout, and CONSCIENTIOUS
men. The spirit on both sides, has been sweet
and friendly. The terms seem to be fair. The
reunion of two Independent bodies on equal
terms is the end contemplated. If tine tendency
throughout Protestant Christcndom be, as
many say il is, toward unity, in this case it
ought to show its power. The resistance to be
overcome is less than it would be IN any other
denomination. TIE unitics are fundamental. The
divcrSitics are superficial. There is Il common
| parcntagc, a common history, common share
| in great traditions and in the ren0wn OF great
men. Spirit and aims are essentially the same.
The worl, to be done is the same; the inStru-
mentaiticS for doing it are the same. The
| Articles of Belief are unassailcd; the Creed Is
one for all, the catechsm, the ordinance, the
| symbol Both parties use the same weapons to
keep mt bay or defeat the same foes. Both
! have at heart the same Observation-Disclosures,
spiritual. social. There is no political breach,
| for both profess the ancient loyalty to republi-
can government, and to the cause of personal
! liberty. The grounds of difference were never
very deep never touched the sphere of vital re-
ligion. The occasions of dispute have passed
/ by, and the questions in dispute have, some OF
! them probably become obsolete. AT all events,
/ the Committee in their report, say they lave.
We shall watch, therefore, with more than
usual interest this new negotiation. The results
of it will show, better than anything else can,
how much truth there Is in the belief that the
prevailing disposition among Protestant Sects
i toward unity. We shall see to what extent
vital considerations prevail over Incidental
oncs--how much stronger faith is than feeling,
principle than passion, the law % attraction
which draws men and communities together Ia
"A common center for common purpose than
the law of rcpulsion, which multiplieS the scctS
/ Should the attempt succeed, it will hardly
predict success To other attempts made at
| greater disadvantage. Should it fail, il will
demonstrate the fact that individualiSm has
not done its work by great deal. but must
run itself ont much further before It's rccoll
comes.