The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-11-11

that ruin might stare us in the face, false ru
lers and w-makers may be appointed over us
in fact, all of the meteors may divide and
fall, but the fixed stars, of which the Synod
OF Virginia Was one, must never fall or be cut
in twain.
r. j. Kirkpatrick, Esq, of Lynchburg, fol-
lowed in an able argument against division
of the Synod Its business does not require it.
He had attended several meetings, and had
always found three days sufficient to accom-
plsh It, Its size does not necessltate It, This
has been exaggerated. Deduct from the min
listers those who are superannuated or engaged
in other pursuits, and from the churches those
that exist only in name on the roll, or are not
entitled to representation, and it will be found
that we can never have a body twice as num-
erous as this one. The necessity for division
does not yet appear. Indeed. there are strong
arguments against it. He objected to Mr..
Mcllwaine's resolution for the following rea
sons There are few who had considered the
subject 1t had but just been brought to their
notice. five deem it inexpedient, why should
we direct ourselves to discuss it in Presbytery?
Again, there are difficulties in the way of
every line of division A division by boun-
dairy running east and west puts Union Semi
nary entirely within one of the Synods; a
division into three gives East Hanover Pres
bytery preponderating influence in one, and
Lexington Presbytery like influence in the
second, and makes the third Synod consist
of the Southern tier of Presbyteries lying
in long, narrow strip, which might appro-
priately be called the shoe-string Synod
Again, our State is in an inchoate condition
as to her internal improvements. He gave a
glowing description of the public works, which
he hoped would be completed in few years,
but his hopes suggested that now is not the
time to take this great compact mass of Pres
byterianism and divide it up, only to be
moulded over again short time hence
Again, the influence of the Synod, undi vided,
on the Southern Church is of most benef-
cial character Again, the force of the bonds
that this large united body affords was urged
and the opinion of one of the ablest states
men cited, that if we divide this Synod, we
both weaken the State and lower the standard
of piety. And yet, again, he argued the times
forbid division now. Did any of its advo
Gates ever hear of bees swarming in cold and
pelting storm? They select mild and pleasant
weather for it. Let us learn wisdom from
them-let us meet together in these times of
sorrow let us crave not a sundering of those
hallowed ties that unite us-but an outpouring
of the Holy Spirit Let us fill our land with
revivals; then, and not till then,-when our
churches are filled and our hearts are warmed,
we will he ready to divide. Let US pray for a
revival for union, for strengthened for divi.
sion
TThe Christian Observer refers in another
part of its report, to the "keen stroke of wit
one of the most cutting we ever heard-which
Major Kirkpatrick, apparently unintentionally,
let fall upon us. We hardly think there was
anything in this whole debate-eminently good
tempered throughout-that was "cutting' to
any one. But if it was so, as there was no poi
son upon the point of Major Kirkpatrick's blade,
we were enabled to enjoy, with others, both the
flash and the stroke. Give and take, is fair
rule.-ED. Cen. Pres
Req. DR.. B. N. Smith thought the earnest
ness of the discussion proved the existence of
an amount of feeling on the subject that ought
not to be repressed, and therefore wished a
reference to the presbyteries. He explained
that the division of West Hanover Presbytery
took place just before the war commenced, and
it was the aodr which prevented the realization
of the benefits that we're anticipated from it..
He also stated that after division each of the
Synods would be the average size of Synods
connected with our church.
Reu. e. B. White, d. d., demonstrated
earnestly against the proposed measure. He
apprehended, in view of our unsettled condi
ton as people, that the new Synod formed
east of the Blue Ridge. might dwindle away,
and become at length hardly more than little
committee meeting, of which we would be
ashamed-while that west of the mountains
would be small body in consequence of the
difficulties of travelling. He thought large
Synods were needed to make an impression on
the community He considered it fallacious
to argue that because tyranny had severed our
State, therefore our Synod should be divided.
He urged that by division, its grand old
historic associations would be lost. They would
belong to neither body. Divide diamond
and neither fragment will be worth one tenth
part the value of the unbroken gem. IF divi-
sion must come, he demonstrated against it at
moment when we were in imminent danger
of being crushed by secular power. He further
plead that there was political element in
West Virginia similar to that in Kentucky,
and that the proposed division was an invita-.
ton, or encouragement to such divisions in
the former as have wrought desolations in the
churches in the latter State And in conclu
sion he plead with the members to consult the
promptings of the heart and conscience in
acting on this important subject, no less than
what might be considered the cold, unfeeling
dictates of the understanding.
Rev. DIR. Hammer deprecated much that
had been said on both sides The debate,
which had DOW consumed three half days,
proved that the Synod was not ready for the
measure He therefore moved that the whole
subject be laid upon the table. This motion
was adopted and the subject thus disposed of
for the present, at least.
Other matters before the Synod Of Virginia
will be noticed next week.
East Hanover Presbytery.-A special
,naot;nn ;s aallod hu the Mnderator To he