The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-01-05
CHARLESTON UNION PREsBYTERY.

Early in this century, but at precisely what time
we are not able to state, Congregational Assocla-
ton was formed in Charleston, South Carolina
1t continued till November 18th, 1922, when byits
own action it was dissolved and its members were,
by previous agreement, received into the Presby-
terry of Harmony On the 23d Of the same month
these with some other members residing In and
around Charleston, were erected by the Synod of
South Carolina and Georgia, into new Presby-
terry, under the name of Charleston Union.
In 1899 the majority of this body having refused
to adhere to the Old School Assembly, as then
constituted, the minority was recognised by the
Synod and the name was changed to that of the
PfeSbytay Of Charleston.
In 1852 the Presbytery of Charleston Union
laid before the General Assembly paper express
ing its wish for an organic connection with that
body After mature consideration it was provided
that, upon a formal declaration by that Presbytery
of its adhesion to our Assembly and our standards,
it should be enrolled by the Synod of South Caro-
lima. This was done; whereupon the Presbytery
was received by the Synod and Immediately incor-
porated with the Presbytery of Charleston.
This brief statement is preliminary to the re-
cord we now make of the fact that at a meeting
of the survivors of this Presbytery Charleston
Union) held in Charleston, December 9th, 1869,
it was resolved to revive that organization. We
are not able to make out from the printed circular
sent US, how many ministers enter into this new
organization, or whether any churches co0pera.e
with them. The names of the Rev. w. Q. Dana,
who appears as Moderator, and of the Rev. Dr.
Forrest are all that are mentioned. We suppose
there are three or four ministers and about many
churches.
Their grievances spread over four large printed
pages, seem to be two In the first place the Gen
era Assembly of last spring, in answer to an over
ture, declared it was not in accordance with our
standards for one of our ministers to remain the
permanent supply to church of another demon
ination-for example Congregational Church. !"
This action was approved by the Presbytery Of
Charleston. The Synod of South Carolina also
last fall expressed the opinion that the Presby-
teries should make diGgent and faithful inquiry
into the proftableness of established pastoral rela
tions within her bounds, and interpOse their coun
sci and authority to secure the dissolution of such
as are manifestly injurious to the cause Of Christ
In regard to this we may remark
l. That with great respect for the highest judi
catory of our Church. we consider its action last
spring to be wrong in principle, unwise and unne
cessary 1t is manifestly not contrary to the stan
dards of our church for our preachers to minister
to congregations outside of our connection. If it
were, then no one could be chaplain to univer
sity, or in the army or in the navy. The princ
pie is not altered by his supplying an organized
church, which belongs not to his own denomina-
tion The point is, can he lawfully labor among
those outside of his own church organization p
That he can, no one will dispute. The question as
to the place, and length of time, is one of expe-
diency, not principle; one belonging to his Presby
terry, aud which they are to determine in view of
all the circumstances. If aggrieved by their
judgment, he can carry it up for the judgment Of
the Synod and the General Assembly. We ven.
ture then to say that the decision was wrong in
point of law And we think it was also unwise.
There were not probably more than half dozen
brethren employed in this way. If the action Of
the Assembly was expected to operate upon the
churches to which they ministered, and constrain
them to come into our connection, it was miseal-
culation, unless human nature is different from
what it used to be. 1t may be safely predicted
that the effect will be just the other way How
FAR any such relations may, in some cases, be iniu-
rious to the cause Of Christ, we presume not to
say; but we do know some in which our brethren
are doing noble service to that cause. 1t may
be otherwise, in some instances, for aught we
know. If so, had not the Presbytery plain and
abundant authority in the premises, without going
to the General Assembly, 1t will occur to many
that there is ten times more prOpriety and neces
sty for seeing that all our ministers are, as far as
possible, giving their whole time to the work to
which they have been consecrated; that none Of
them are, without good cause, turned aside to Sec
ular employments, than to be specially concerned
whether half dozen brethren, supplying, and
some of them with great zeal, fidelity and success,
churches outside of our connection, may not be
misdirecting their labors.
We know that this is the light in which this
matter is regarded by eminent and judicious breth-
rem, and the hope is entertained that the next AS
sembly may be induced to modify and guard this
action of the last.
,. As to the course of those brethren in Charles.
ton who have united in this proceeding, we can
find nothing to justify, but everything to condemn
it. They were solemnly bound, by their covenant
engagements to the church with which they were
connected, to use all possible methods for having
their grievances removed, if they exist. They
have done nothing of the kind, but hasten into a
sehism. This is substantially repeating the very
course taken by the old Charleston Union Presbyte
~. See Minutes of Assembly 1852, page 223; or,
Baird S Digest, page 79S. With such course no
one who respects orderly government can have
any sympathy.
The other ground on which they rest their pro-
ceeding, is if possible still less tenabe. 1t seems
that the proposed Book of Order does not please
these brethren. They describe it under the mild
terms of "unmitgated, despotic radicalism,"
"lawless despotism of majorities, wholesale
infraction of our standards, " that it "ordains
complete system of ecclesiastical despotism.
Leaving this kind of language to speak for itself,
there is one consideration to be mentioned. The
Book of Order is not yet adopted. Surprising
then their objections well founded, how is their
secession justified? In regard to perhaps the most
important question presented in it these men say,
sit is already condemned by the intelligence and
sound Judgment of all conservative elders, that
''their votes will ultimately seal its DOOM" If SO,
then that seals the doom also of the course these
persons have pursued in their premature and I'M
manly fight 1t is impossible for the calm judg-
ment of any community to sustain such proceed
ing.
But it is no part of our purpose to enter into
minute review of the paper which this new organ
zatiOu has adopted and sent US. Many of its ale
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