Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-11-23

might retire ana examine the papers OF tt'
other --.z
u O'CLOCK M.-Joint Committee met. DR.
Stedman read paper No. 2 of the Presbyterian
Committee which is as follows:
PAPER no. OF PRESBYTERIAN COMMITTEE. I
The Committee of the Presbyterian Church
submit to the Joint Committee the following
statements .Ha-s
After a full and careful examination of the
paper presented by the Committee of the Cum
bertrand Presbyterian Church, we are gratihed tC
find that the obstacles to organic union are moi
at the outset of as formidable q nature as Wa
had feared they might be, and we by no means
despair Of the ultimate accomplishment OF 0
union so desirable. 4
In reference to the specific points contained in
the paper under consideration, we would say
that the concessions of our brethren eontaine
in the first part of their paper are all that in
these respects we could desire. 49,,
In reference to the notifications proposed by
our brethren in the Confession of Faith and
Catechisms of our ehureh, we would say that
there are some ofthe changes proposed which are
merely of verbal nature, and which We be-
lieve we are warranted in saying that our church
would be willing to accept; but there are other
changes proposed. SO fundamental in their char
acter that we would not be able to act upon
them without further instructions from the
General Assembly Of our church.
j. o. STRDMAN, Chairman. 4
: On motion Of DR.. Kerr, the Joint COMMITTEES
took recess to 3 o'clock P. N. &siF 4
O'CLOCK R.M---Joint EolnEniftee met; meme
=
\ DR.. NcDonnold read paper No. 2 of the Cum
berland Presbyterian Committee, as follows
We submit to the Joint Committee our reply
to paper No. of the Presbyterian COMMITTEES.
We are greatly gratifed with the spirit of lib
erality shown in this paper. While it assures
US that some of the verbal notifications we
suggested would be made, it suggests that part
of our paper asks for changes involving doctTi-
nal points too important TO be responded to
without reference to the General Assembly.
Therefore We propose that that committee refer
these papers to their General Assembly and
ascertain there how far that body would be
willing to go IN the direction indicated in these
papers -
We take this occasion to express our gratifca-
ton with the spirit IN which these interviews
have all been conducted. and We now express
our hope that the differences existing between
the two churches are not sufficient to keep rs
long apart. S. j. BURNEY, Chairman.
DR.. stedman read paper No. 8 of the Presby-
terrain Committee in reply to paper No. of the
Cum berland PresbyteTian Committee as fol
lows;
The Committee of the Presbyterian Church,
in reply TO paper No. 2 of Cumberland Presby-
terrain Committee, would simply say, that in
their opinion they have now proceeded as far as
the appointment of our General Assembly JUS
tiles, and we therefore recommend that we now
close our conference. We would also unite in
the hope that the result of the Joint conference
christian fellowship, and ultimately in such q
union upon common basis as will be for the
glory of Cod and our united, permanent interest
and prosperity J. o. SFFDMAN. Chsirnan
DIR. Grey offered the following resolutions,
which were unanimously adopted:
Resolved, LIST, That this Joint Committee now
close its conferenees and thst its minutes be re-
fered By each committee to its own General AS
sembly. .-. -. .-.
Resolved I'd, That we return our thanks to
Almighty God for the manner in which these in
terviews have been conducted.
Resolved, 3rd. That we go hence bearing with
us grateful and prayerful recolleetions of each
other, and earnestly praving the Lord to pour
out his Spirit upon the Churches which we here
represent; and we do pray Thin to grant, if IL be
consistent with his will, that these Churches may
soon come together in one body.
On motion of DR.. Waddell, the Joint Commit
tee now engaged in feryent prayer and thanks
giving, in conformity with the spirit of the above
resolutions led by Rev, j. w. Poindexter.
After reading and approval of the minutes as
recorded,
On motion of DR.. Kerr. the Joint Committee
adjourned SINE die
Closed with prayer by the Chairman.
s. }. BURNEY,
Chm'n of Com,tee, on part of the C. P. Church.
A. ]. BAIRD. Clerk.
The following is DIR. Lyons letter referred TO ::
COLUMBUS. Miss, July Is, lS67-Rev. James
o. Stedman. DID. Ny Dear Brother: Your let
Ter, as Chairman of the General Assembly Com
mittee on Union with the Cumberland Presby
teFians, notifying me that a meeting of said com
mittee would take place in the city OF Memphis
ceived. ai.
Ii will be out of my power to be present on
that occasion, as have other arrangements that
will prevent 1T. This i sincerely regret. as |
should much like to hear the views Of my breth
rem on the subject Of so very important and
grave measure as organic union with our Cum
berland Presbyterian brethren, many of whom L
greatly esteem, and some of whom would be an
ornament to any church.
COalescenoe with that body would greatly
swell our numbers, or rather theirs, as, if have
been correctly informed, their numbers consid-
erably exceed ours. so that in the union cOntem-
plated Weshould join them, not they as, Their ele
ment would decidedly preponderate in the united
body. This, however, Is not to be taken into the
account, provided we are homogeneous in other
respects. Are we? This Is a. vital question,
We doubtless are sufficiently alike to live side
by side and to dwell together in peace aud hsr-
meny as neighbOrs. But are we sufficiently
pecially when We should be merged into them,
and lose eur individuality and preponderating
influence This greatly doubt.
So far as what are called the DOCTRINES are
concerned, Of course there can be no other BASIS
of union except our Z" Confession of Faith" As
to Presbyterian church order and politp, perhaps
we may be said 10 be one on that subject. al
though our practice In some instances. is
widely different But far as the quail cdtions of
theministry are concerned, we differ materially.
This as you know, was the original cause of
their separation from Us Here are obstacles to
the union, OF re-union, which ! do not see how
!
proportion of educated men amongst their min
istry, but judging from my own observation
do not suppose, at the largest calculation, there
is more than one In five who come up to the re-
auirements of our standards. What shall be done
With this large element Of partially educated
men, Surely we cannot require them to resume
their studies. and re-enter the academies and
colleges Of the land as students again And yet,
to receive them en- mGsse into our body would
be to place the whole numerical power of the
church in their hands; since they would doubt
less constitute q m liority Of the whole,
1t may be said that our Presbyteries some
times, By special act of dispensation, ordain
men to the work of the ministry who have not
had college education. This is true, In some
instances we have received men of large expert
ence, or eminent sits, without recurring strict
the Confession Of Faith. This, however, is the
exception 10 the rule. But in the event we merge
ourselves into a church where the majority or
the united body will fall short of the require
will become the rule. This is a very serious OBJ
stacle IN the way of the proposed union, and
must confess, to my mind, insurmountable.
But, nevertheless, suppose we get over this
difficulty by agreeing to unite with these h-eth-
rem on the condition that IN the future ail who
enter the ministry shall comply with the literary
requirements of our Book. This might some
what mitigate the evil, but there would be no
certain guarantee against 1t. Many of the Pres
byteries would be wholly composed, and many
others would inclade a majority Of men, whose
education did not come up to our standard, 1t
Eonld he unreasonable, therefore.t to SUPPOSE that
such Presbyteries could be a. cautious in
granting dispensations, and as jealous In
on this subject. as educated men would be-
Indeed, some Presbyteries, ii is 10 be presumed,
would be wholly incapable of exercising such
vigilance even were they so disposed, for the
want of qualifications themselves How. cosld
a PresbyteTy Of men, edrcgted only IN English
literature examine and pronounce upon can
didate 10 the Latiu, Greek and Hebrew Ian
guases2 The thing is impossible. Here, there
fore, are obstacles in the way of an organic
union, which. with my present light, au Ict
able TO overcome. Such a union, under present.
circumstances. would certainly Iolaer our stand
ard and igeakea our prestige as an. educated
denoEiaation; Of tine. too. when the present
advanced state ot learning and the character OF
the times imperiously demand that we should
take a step yorlVdrd instead of one BACKYARD.
| have very great respect for the Cumber-
land Presbyterian Church, and a high regard
tiers, and feel thas or Ghufct would be beth
tene6tte5 and honored by the acquisition d
such men, But at the same time, Edo not yei
see my way clear to recommend sn organic
Of such coalescence would overbalaece the
good.
L AN your feilow-servaut in Christ, with fra
teTnai affection, JANIS A. LYON
Rev. ]. r Wilson, d. T., gave notice
that he had had placed in his hands doc
ument from The Synod Of Kentucky to this
General Assembly, and he moved that tks
delegation fram Kentucky be now heard
BIZ the Assembly. ~
The Moderator gave the delegation
which then came into the house as limited
b. the Assembly, hearty Welcome a
brethren beloved in the lord.
Rev. 8. Robinson, DID, on behalf Of the