The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-03-31

to refute them through the same Medium wneth-
err he be Scotch Irish" Dutch, Chinese, or jew
He can thus manufacture public opinion the other
way.
If the subject is secular, it has also such lmpor-
tant and direct moral bearings that we nave no
scruples about admitting its discussion into the
Central Presbyterian. Certainly there Is no more
reason for excluding it than articles on agrlcul-
ture, or on the thousand literary ana scientlnc
subjects which are to be found IN all churcn pa
pers, quarterly, monthly and weekly and all this
long before the top of House Mountain was
inhabited. What is its present populatlon0
The text of scripture with which our correspon-
dent closes is one of the most beautiful IN the 81
bic. But "Scotch- Irish" must have queer notions
about providence. The amount OF 1t seems to be
this: There are precious promises that proVl-
dence will provide for the protection and comfort
of Gods children, therefore they need use no
means for that end themselves This is not sound
Scotch Irish" theology, as our correspondent
may see by examining his Confession OF Faith.
Is there such thing as lightning rod on the
top of the House Mountain? We know there are
plenty under it. Would our friend on the top
scruple to accept the protection OF an umbrella
occasionally? Should number of his neighbors
find it advantageous to form an association Tor
mutual aid against House Mountain storms, (sup
pose it were called "The Great Equitable, House
Mountain Umbrella Society, y would he think 1t
immoral. or a dstrust of providence If 1t were
managed essentially upon the same principles as
life assurance company?
There are no doubt companies whose schemes
are more or less Objectionable, and there may De
agents for excellent associations, whose views on
the 'millenium'' are not altogether free from ex
travagance. But the principle itself is, SO lar as
we can see, sound one. There are, we presume
not a few of the good people under the mountain
from whose lofty peak our correspondent surveys
this lower world lis he not some solitary herinl'
from the cave of mountain afarY') who are
entirely satisfied with the principle on which Lille
Assurance proceeds, and with the exposition gwen
in the articles we have published. Ii any view IL
otherwise, it is their right. We have no +" axe to
grind" in connection with the matter; our only
aim is to let the public have full view OF It, ana
we repeat that if any are not satisfied with the
views presented by DR.. Baird they are welcome
to the use of the paper to any reasonable extent
for refutiug them
1t is only proper to add that the principle of life
assurance is no novelty, as has been fully shown.
1t has met, and does now, the full appreciation,
not in theory only, but in practice also, of thou
sands of the most clear headed, practical and re-
igious men over this and all Christian lands. Dr.
Archibald Alexander under the top OF
House Mountain, and having warm side for the
Scotch. Irish" was also warm friend to the
Presbyterian Insurance Company in Philadelphia
took a valuable policy in it, and in written COM
mendation of it most earnestly advised his breth-
rem to 60 and do likewise.