The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-03-02
ROBBERS OF CHURCHES.

u
this most painful operation; and no wonder,
ROBBERS OF CHURCHES.
Tbs appeal of the elders of the Presbyterian
church at Jacksonville, Florida, was published last
week. As the documentary evidence on this sub
iect was laid before the last General Assembly,
and was fully published in the newspapers we
have had good opportunity OF knowing the ground
taken by both parties, aud therefore of under
standing the merits of the cas-. In view of it all,
we do not hesitate to declare the solemn conviction
that a more niquitous piece of fraud and church
robbery cannot be pointed out than the one per
prerated by a small fraction Of the Jacksonville
church, and formally sanctioned by the Central
Presbytery Of Philadelphia. The Board Of Mis-
sions published to the world through its Secretary,
Dr. Janeway in 1865, that whilst it would not itself
institute legal proceedings to wrest from us our
church property, yet wherever miuOrities might
be able to do so, they would rejoice in it, and we
have here, it seems, fulilment of the promise.
We exposed this most uncbristian declaration at
the time, and regret the necessity of holding up to
a righteous reprobatiOn again, any proceedings
which may have been taken under its encourage
ment.
Uuhappily the condition Of affairs in Florida at
present is such as to make any further struggle in
viudcation of the rights of oar church there useless
Our brethren in Jacksonville have now done right
in making their appeal to the churches at large
for aid. They are wholly unable to bear the bur
den of erecting such an ed6ce as their position
demands II Jacksonville hasnot already been made
the capitol of the State, by act of the Legislature,
there is every reason to believe it soon will be-
At any rate, it is the leading and most growing
city in Florida The little church there, adheriug
to US through great trials, has steadily grown
amidst them all, under the faithful pastoral care
Of a beloved brother, the Rev. 4. L. De Veaux.
IF they can secure a house of worship, they have
every reason to expect a steady and healthful
growth. They have gone as far as duty required
in seeking legal protection of their rights; the
prospect of success in the present political bias OF
unworthy judges seems hopeless. If We remember
rightly one Northern Methodist has, up to this
time, ousted the whole Southern Methodist Church
from the exclusive possession of their house Of
worship in Stanton, Va, two have disposessed
the whole Methodist church in Lewisburg, West
Virginia. What then more reasonable than that
three for that was the number) Northern Presby
terians in Florida should be deemed quite enough
to rob the whole church of their property-reius
ing any equitable compromise or division, when it
was earnestly sought from them?
One of the names appended to that appeal is
well known in North Carolina, and to many in Vjr
ginia, as well as other parts of the South. None
stands higher in Florida than that of James NJ
Baker, tor many years a reyered Judge in that
State, and one of its Senators in the Congress OF
the Confederate States during the whole period Of
the late war; from early life an exemplary member,
and long a valued ruling elder in the Presbyterian
church. Without disparagement of any others, it
may be allowed US to say that the name of that
good man alone would command the implicit con
6dence Of all who know him, in any statement of
facts to which he may append it.
We hope that our brethren of that church will
90 forward with determined will, trusting in the
favor of God and his people. The outrageous
wrong which has been done them, and their ina
biity to build a church, give them clear ground
of appeal to our Church and friends everywhere.
We invite them to use freely this paper as far as
it can help them, and hereby pledge them our
earnest advocacy. Let them select the wisest aud
most efficient means of presenting their wants to
our people; let their Presbytery take up the mat
ter at its next meeting: let it be brought before
our General Assembly in some suitable way. We
cannot doubt that before next fall they will have
the means secured for building a substantial house
of worship Let the robbers in Jacksonville make
che most Of their booty, and their counsellors in
the Central Presbytery Of Philadelphia rejoice with
them as one that diyideth a spoil. If they can
stand the operation, we can.
And by the way, we are reminded that the very
remarkable paper adopted BY that Presbytery
bears the name of Sc w. Musgrave" as its
Chairman. The name of this gentleman is also
appended as Chairman to the paper adopted by
the last Old School Northern General Assembly !
10 favor Of organic union with US! And more
yet after expressing in this minute, adopted by
his Presbytery, warm appreciation of what any
air minded man acquainted with the facts would
be obliged to pronounce shameful iniquity in |
his faction adhering to the Northern Assembly |
and after advising them to hold on their way, his
minute winds ap most piously with an expression
If hope that there will speedily be an "orgaajc
uion of all branches Of the Presbyterian fqnlily III
his on. common country!
Christian unity is precious truth would that |
he world were full of it. And organic union also
S surely good thing wherever practicable. But
ome people have a way and tone in talking about
6 now a days, and even in connection with certain
strange doings, that gives some others kind of
old chill, not unlle that which traveller in parts
# Italy feels upon beholding four or FIVE of its
'banditti' deyoutly crossing themselves and say
ng prayers TO the Virgin Mar" as prepare
ion for doing the ,gorE Of robbery after the most
pproyed fashion-just as a squad have been per-
litted, in the inscrutable providence Of God, to
10 in jacksonville, and over which DR.. Musgrave
nd his Pre>bytery rejoice in the city Of Jrotirg
PIE l.