The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1868-06-02

action of the Reformed Presbyterian
synod I'm the Case OF George H
Stuart.
The action OF this body at Pittsburgh
last week, in suspending from its com
munion George a. Stuart, Of Phtladet-
phIa, on charge of singing hymns IN
stead of psalms and communtng WIN VIE
other denominations, naturally enough
excites considerable feeling at Fhlla-
delphia, where Mr.. Stuart lives, ana
where he seems to be highly regarded:
He will be remembered as President OF
the Christian Commission during the
war. The philadelphia EEening Iele=
oraDE, referring to the action of the
SYNOD, speaks as fOlloW5:-j
When we referred to the suspension
nj Mr.. George 81. Stuart, because he
communed with members of Other de-
nominations, and Joined in singing
hymns of worship to the God whom
the Synod recognize, we stated u as al
most impossible that this should be the
real cause OF such an action. The ar
rival of our exchanges confirms our
recent fears, and shows that not only
was the suspension ordered, but that q
bitterness OF feeling was eyinced by the
majority which was both ungentle-
manly and unchristian. The certih-
cate of a physician, that Mr.. Stuart
was confined In his bed by severe sick
ness. did not prevent the assertion that
he was purposely absent In order to
carry ont prearranged plan. While
he was thus away, without an oppor-
tunity for defense, the Synod suspended
him from his church relations, and de-
clarcd bis seat In that body vacant. He
was Judged unheard, and by. accnsers
who accepted the evidence, who allow
ed no cross-examination, and voted IN
with the decision, we
should Judge, of a previous caucus. IL
is not because we are willing to
Mr.. Stuart that we state
these facts. II is to show how intoler-
ant and unchristian spirit of bigotry
can become, and how the precept Is
forgotten that OF the virtues the great
eat Is charity. ,..-..,
Notwithstanding the Encouraging
experience OF both New York and
Pittsburgh, we do not lay aside our
hone to see the day when spirit OF
charity so mild, SO extended, so truly
the essence OF all religion will abound
and make each recognize IN his fellow
a high position, II each act rs his con-
science dictates. The repeated rebuke
OF our Saviour given to those who
sought to build wall and hedge in the
influence the illiberal spirit
of the day. For both Jew and Gentle
were alike welcome. It was the heart
and not the form by which BE judged
a man, and il thar was right, 1t mat
tered little whether the disciple was OF
the Sanhedrim or OF a tishernan's par
ty, il had nothing to do with the well
come which he received. But latter
day experience teaches us that the
single rule OF faith has been numbered
with various forms. 1t seems that re-
ligion Is not true religion If uttered In
HYMNS; religion Is not true religion If at
the mention Of The Lords name every
nearer does not bow. Prayers uttered
kneslinE are more eGticRctous than those
gives sanctiiy additional to that i'm
parted by the light of gas, and while
the benediction can close u SERVICE a
doxoloSy ruins il all. Yet these fool
| ish idens are those now held by GER
tain class. If not large class, of church
members. Each shuts out from bis
sacred penctrdiid all who do not con
serve 10 his peculiar notions, and, ont
minister is tried and censured for preach
ing to II congregation not confirmed By
| a Bishop, while a lHyman Is suspended
by the non. confirmed because he sings
"a hymn and takes the Lords Supper
along with those who do not think the
| doxology n crime. Sincerely we de-
plore this feeling. 1t sayors rather OF
the days when auto dn Je were meted
out TO such as differed with the MAORI
ty, and when thumb,srcews aud racks
were the means or conversion. The
people who to-day set themselves up
as better than their brethren, who mis-
Judge their brother, and claim the right
or way to the straight and narrow
road, would, had they lived in the fif-
teenth instead of the nineteenth centu-
ry, have said amen to the sentences OF
tho Inquisition.