The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-02-19
REV. DR.. VAN DYKES ARTICLES
ON REUNION.


te1Ton. 1t is probable we shall publish the
whole as they come out from week to week.
Among the reasons for so doing are these
While the precise points Immediately under
discussion may not. directly affect our Church;
the general subject, however in its great prin-
ciples does unquestionably concern us, and
many of our people would be very much
pleased to read an able discussion Of that ques.
non conducted in a Christian spirit Both of
these conditions, we guarantee, will be full
filled in what Dir. Van Dyke shall write; GER
tainly SO if the present. number may be taken
as specimen. We venture to write his name
in full, since the well known initials to his
piece seem to be a sufficient warrant.
Expecting to publish these discussions Of Dr.
Van Dyke, we do not care to pursue at this
time the purpose intimated last week Of re-
viewing the proceedings Of the Presbyterian
Coarention in Philadelphia, as fully published
In their pamphlet. 1t may lie at rest, for the
present, with these brief remarks:
/. We would not set at naught-for no
Christian should-any honest attempts to pro-
mote the true unity of the Church Of Christ
All good men are bound to pray and labor for
this.
. Much that was said and done in that Con-
vention in Philadelphia, last November, can
hardly fail to meet the approval of all ProteS-
tantS, and especially Presbyterians, Of what
ever name.
3. Voluntary associations am not the bodies
to negotiate Church unions. They have no
binding power, and will only throw the cues
tons involved-and they are many and diff
cult-into confusion. We trust our Church
will never be so unwise as to have any thing
to do with such irresponsible associations, how
ever respectable, except courteously but firmly
to decline their Intervention. If an organic
union, should ever be judged wise and practical
BILE, the only proper bodies to effect it are the
churches themselves acting through their reg
ulary appointed channels and not through con-
veutions and mass meetings.
4. We fail to perceive that this Convention
in Philadelphia has effected any thing valua-
bic towards promoting organic union among
the denominations represented in it. The
Cumberland Presbyterians formally declared
themselves off. Every thing shows that the
attempt will be au utter failure in the Re
formed (DutchJ Church, the Reformed Pres
byteriah, and in all probability, the United
Presbyterian. The only bodies where any
thing more decisive was attained were the
Old and New School Presbyterians, who had
previous and separate negotiations on foot
We say decisire, for it only brought matters
between them more towards a point-into
closer quarters; but what the result will be is.
wholly undetermined, and question on which
we find very different opinions from prominent
men on both sides. The end is not yet, by
great deal.
5. So far as the question of our organic
union with these bodies is concerned, there is
nothing found in the proceedings of this Con.
venton or in any existing state of facts, to give
Southern Presbyterians the slightest wish to
have part or lot with them.
To justify this remark we might bring for
ward, on the threshold, the fact that both in
point of feeling and of vital church principles,
there is great gulf between us. 1t might be
further remarked that at least one of those
bodies, and by far the largest there represent
bed, has ea-its statR4e beg a.s-ir1-;.,e-e~seeF
ling our Church which is a standing insult
Until they see fit 10 wash themselves clean
from it, we could no more, with any decent
sefrespect, sit down in council to talk of
union, than a gentleman could hold friendly
negotiations with man who was in the mean
time branding him everywhere as a thief and
liar. This is the plain truth of the case, and
there is no use in Disgusting it; we prefer, as
passion, but explicitly.
But not to open wider the volume that must be
unrolled to develope these matters fully, there
is one most significant fact to which it is pro.
per to call a moments attention. That fact is
this, that in Convention of about $50
delegates representing six denominations of
Northern Presbyterians, convened, under its
formal circular, to consider the great question
of organic union among all who bear the Pres
byterian name in this country, there was not
the slightest reference once made to the South
ern Presbyterian Church. Professions of
brotherly love for the whole world land the
rest of mankind, y were profusely poured out
great deal was said about other Presbyterians,
and very tender scene presented of love for
Episcopalians; against all of which we have
not word to say. But when president
Stuart, as the Presbyterian styles him, com.
missions Professor Hepburn to appear before
our next General Assembly and introduce to
their attention a matter which we are told
they must consider" will he be so good as to
put in few lines explaining just how it was
that in a volume of l59 pages, containing
full report Of three days proceedings-that in
such large Convention of good men prsvinc.
singing, weeping, celebrating about the ques-
ton of accomplishing what their hearts were
so set on-that amid all their yearning to ret
the Presbyterian Churches in the land into
one visible fold, they did not, from first to
last, even so much as once allude to their
dearly beloved sister Of the South reported in
their minutes as represented by one delegate.
What if this Church was absent? suppose
she was even thought to have erred. Can
that explain the fact referred to? When
eleven tribes of Israel once had almost ex-
terminated the tribe of Benjamin for uphold
ing horrid crime, they assembled in conven-
ton at Mizpah-theif ecclesiastical Philadel-
phia. And the people came to the house of
God, and abode there till even before God,
and lifted up their voice and wept sore; and
said, % Lord God of Israel, why is this come
to pass in Israel, that there should be to-doy
one tribe laching IN Israeli" Thus did pious
Israel, but thus did not pious Presbyterians
The best they conld do for their Southern sis.