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


Under this heading the Missouri Presbyterian
copies the brief article recently published in the
Central Presbyterian, about the visit of DIR. b. NJ.
Smith, of Union Theological Seminary to the con-
gregation of the Brick church, New York, upon
the invitation of its pastors. 1t says of this
at is more cheering than any thing we have seen
for many day, and we devoutly hope that it is
the forerunner of the complete and speedy resto-
ration of good feeling"
Every manifestation of this kind should meet
from us a recognition becoming Christian people
who acknowledge and value the unity of the
Church, and who are gratifed whenever they lind
any illustrations of that precious principle laid so
deeply by the Master and his Apostles in the very
constitution of his Church. namely that the chord
of suffering or of rejoicing struck in one part,
should ever find an immediate response in every
other part. 1t becomes US cheerfuly to accept
every token Of this kind at its full value, We
know that it has been alleged and published IN
New York, that about all the manifestations OF
kind feeling from that and other parts OF the
North, have either been received among us In sui
len silence, or with contemptuous filings in return
We shall attempt no answer to this SANDER our
people here, and all real friends at the North,
know the allegation to be untrue; upon others all
answers in the power of mortal man to make
would be lost.
1t is to be feared our cotemporary in Missouri
anticipates too much from single fact, or from
a few others like this which he seems to hail as
1.-THE forerunner of the complete and speedy re-
storation of good feeling" Upon the most calm
and deliberate survey we are able to make of the
whole field, we are not able to indulge such an ex-
pectation. The causes, we apprehend, which have
broken peace between the great body of those
churches and ours in the South, are nearly all
still in force and others, direct or indirect in their
operation and if possible still more malignant In
their character, have been added. Our solemn
belief is-and there are reasons, constant and CO.
gent in their character, for often repeating the
declaration-that the chasm separating our Church
from the great mass of Presbyterians in the North
is growing wider, instead of growing less. Of this
we think there can be no doubt, for the facts sus
tanning it are too abundant and palpabe. But in
so far as offices of kindness between individuals, or
between particular congregations can be pleasantly
and proftably interchanged, by all means let this
be done.
With the following part of the article from our
brother in Missouri, we entirely agree. 1t fits Dr.
Lord with uncomfortable tightness-but as it is
really a garment of his own making, he cannot
complain of having to wear it. But, then, Mr..
Mccormick is giving him so much to attend to,
that it would be unreasonable to ask him to con
Germ himself with such small matter as personal
consistency, though it has been held by most gen.
tlemen as thing closely connected with personal
honor, and, under all circumstances, a jesoel The
Editor says
by the way, Dr. Lord, of Chicago, impugns
the loyalty of Mr.. Mccormick. because that
gentleman made donation to the Union Theologi-
cal Seminary Of Virginia: What will he say Of
the loyalty of DR.. Spring and his colleague,
who extended special invitation to DIR. Smith to
visit New York for the express purpose of getting
help for that Seminary from the Brick Church p