The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-08-18
CHRISTIAN oANDOR AND COURTESY.

CAAA@Ao AA&AAN C@N@N-
Resuming the subject under review last week.
we now proceed to notice the action OF the North
ern Assembly Of 1866.
Rev. DIR. Krebs offered an addition to the Pas
tora Letter, which was adopted. In this 1t is de-
elared that while slavery and rebellion and seees-
sion were "quashcd and abolished, yet the
spirit of these dead issues still survives ram
pant and rebellous, perhaps more rirntentg az the
yeli0ious form than ekeichere, &c, They declare
that the opinions held by US on these subjects were
such that before they could hold fellowship with
US, they must "reqare satisfactory eriienee OF the
practical repudiatioa of these heresies that they
are ''o6eascs to6jch are most expressly forbidden
Jg he LORD" The Pastoral Letter itself we re-
serve for more special purpose hereafter.
In another paper adopted lit was offered by the
Rev. DIR. Sehenck, they declare, among other
things. their readiness to receive them (us) back,
,oheneoer hel shah haUe complied loith the condo
tons lajd dot0a Jy the last General assembly on
page 500 of Us printed Minute" Those condi-
tons we're remuneration of our heresy about
slavery, and confession to them Of sin about the
war.
The Rev. Dr. j. T. Smith, of Baltimore, also
offered resolutions concerning US, which were
adopted The substance Of them was to enjoin
upon the lower courts great meekness and for
bearanee' in carrying out the measures adopted,
and in administering discipline upon US, and the
Assembly 50 expresses the earnest desire that the
way may be soon opened for areuniOn on the basis
of our communion standards, and on terms consist
emit ,7b truth and Righteousness.
OF course that meant as soon as they had ad-
ministered discipline upon US and brought us to
repentance for our great heresy (which they else
where declare to be "blaSphemy'' and for our sin.
la connection with this it is proper to mention
a significant fact Resolutions were reported by
the committee Of Bills and Oyertures and adopted
by the Assembly, looking towards a union with
the New School Church, and expressing their
earnest desire for reunion at the earliest time
consistent with agreement in doctrine, order and
policy on the basis Of common standard and the
prevalence of mutual confidence and love, which
are so necessary to the permanent peace and pros
perity Of the united Church. -
A third resolution provides for committee Of
conference with the "other branch" 'in regard
to tho desirableness and practcabEty Of reunion,
&c.
Pending motion to adopt the report, Rev. DIR.
III. }. Van Dy Ike moved that the report be sOamend-
ed as to include the eight hundred and fifty minis
tiers in the Southern States In supporting this
amendment he remarked, among other things;
There certainly is as good reason why we should
have conference with them as We should have
conference in regard to the soundness in the Faith
OF the "Other branch. His speech was inter
ruptcd repeatedly by eaptious objections; not
member ct the majority uttered syllable in favor
OF any such measure, and the amendment was laid
cn The liable, with apparent contempt, by an over
whclmiug vote. A digni6ed, prudent, respectful
and able protest pointing out the wrong done to
the cause of Christ, by this course, and the evil
effect it must have in hindering e" the restoration
of good viii between us, was signed by twenty
four members. Ii was admitted to record in sui
lea silence not a syllable OF good viii was uttered
in reply
That Assembly of 1866 presents strange face
respecting this matter. Their speech was about
on this wise You, Southern Presbyterans are
guilty of grievOus heresy, schism and sin" you
have committed Offences expressly forbidden by
the Lord. You can never get back to our fold till
you have repudiated these sins but, dear breth-
rem, DO come back, any how. So much do our
hearts yearn for union, that We have admon
ished the lower courts to discipline you, for these
dreadful sins you have been guilty Of and which
in their "spirit" VIC perceive "still survive ram
pant and rebelliOus, perhaps more virulent in the
religious form than elsewhere, to discipline you
"with great meeknesS and forbearance
There is nothing in the proceedings of the As
scmby Of 1867 of special bearing on the subject
before us In 1885, several resolutions were passed
expressly relating to the Southern Presbyterian
Church. After referring to the fact that certain
SynOds had formed separate organization they
resolve That the Assembly does hereby recognize
the organization into which these Synods have
formed themselves, as separate and independent
Church, sustaining to US the same relation which
we accord to other branches Of the Presbyterian
Church, and hereafter it is TO be treated accord.
ingly by al the courts under our care.
That the Assembly also takes this occasion to
say that while it cannot Justify these brethren in
separating themselves from the Church Of their
fathers, it regrets their withdrawal and expresses
the earnest hope that they may see their way clear
to return to their former relations.
Upon this action it may be remarked
L. That the exception made of the Presbytery
of New Orleans was far from a conciiatory act
When our Assembly was organized in 1861, the
whole of the Presbytery of New Orleans went with
us Subsequently, the Assembly North, when New
Orleans was under the heel of military power, Or
ganized an exceedingly feeble Presbytery there,
made up almost entirely Of foreigners. To this
day it has but one hundred and eighty-fOur mem
bers of the church, and is supported almost
entirely by the Board of Missions. 1t was entire
ly reasonable that we should regard the action of
the Northern Assembly as claiming for this Pres
bytery whatever legal advantages might be gained
by their name. 1t was justly regarded as an act
of hostility in the very moment of uttering their
resolution. The same thing is to be observed in
their emitting to name the Synod of Nashville
which had gone with US, but where the North had
subsequently set up a small affair under the same
name. Is this the bearing of equals, or of an as
sumed superiority?
.. 1t is remarkable fact that while we are in
vited back, it is with rebuke in the same breath,
for having left them--a novel style Of Cancellation,
truly
3. While a large committee had been appointed
to negotiate with the New School, it was deemed
ample that we should be told that we could return
whenever we might see the way clear. On this
point, however, more will be said at a future time
4. During all these years Of reviling the good
name of our Church by these Assemblies, what
WINS that Church saEing Of them2 We believe It's