The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-03-30

In order to see the full force of the OBJ
lection to the Revised Book now under con-
sideration, it viii be necessary to examine
carefully the language used in chapter 9Th,
"Of Church Courts. Section 2nd treats
"of the jurisdiction of Church Courts, and
paragraph iv of this 2nd section reads thus
-"For the orderly and efficient dispatch of
ecclesiastical business, it is necessary that
the sphere of action of each court should be
distinctly defined. The Session exercises
jurisdiction over single congregation; the
Pres5ytery over what is common to the min
listers, sessions, and congregations within
| prescribed district ;-the Synod over what
belongs in common to three or more Presby-
teries; and the General Assembly over such
matters as concern the whole Church; and
the jurisdiction of these courts is limited by
the express provisions of the Constitution.
Every court has the right to resolve questions
Of doctrine and dis seriously and rea-
sopably proposed eneral, to main,
sSia truth ANA riS IS, condemning
erroneous opinions and practices which tend
to the injury of the peace, purity, or pro-
gress of the Church; while each court ex
ercises EXCLUSIVE ORIGINAL JURISDICTION
over allmatters specially belonging to it, the
lower courts being subject to the review
and control of the higher in regular grada-
tion. Hence, these courts are not separate
and independent tribunals; but they have
mutual relation; and every act of jurisdic
ton is the act of the whole Church, per-
formed by it through the appropriate organ.
Without now stopping to comment upon
the obvious inconsistency Of the statement
that "each court exercises eTcIotsive original
Jurisdiction over all matters specially belong
ing to it, and yet that these different courts
''are not separate and Independent tribunals,
I will now ask the same careful examination
of paragraph vi of section 6th-defning the
powers of the General Assembly, which,
among other things, declares that "the Gen
eral Assembly shall have power to suppress
schismatical contentious and disputatiOns
according to the canOns provided therefor"
VIII DR.. Robinson, or some member of the
Committee of Revision inform me where these
''eanons" are to be found? have looked
for them in vain in the Revised Book OIL
what effect, then, is this supposed limitation
of the powers of the General Assembly ?
Just none at all
Take the next in order of the enumerated
powers of the General Assembly :-"to re-
ceive under its jurisdiction other ecclesiasti-
cal bodies whose organization is cOnformed
to the doctrine and order of the Church
in doing aohich the provisions Of the COnsti-
tuition shall be carefully Observed" Here,
again, is supposed limitation, but what
does it amount to? For where do we find
any ''provisons of the Constitution" upon
the subject? If they are in the Revised
Book, they have escaped my scrutiny
Now, under its general claim of "eTclusive
original Jurisdiction, - what is to prevent the
General Assembly, by simple vote of that
body, from receiving the entire united
Old and New School Presbyterian Churches
into our connection, without referring the
subject to the PresbyterieS? Is not their
organization conformed to the doctrine and
order of this Church," "
DR.. Robinson may say that this is an i'm
probable suppositiOn. Answer: l grant it
is-but is it impossible? The sad history of
the last four years speaks voice of warning
that we ought not to disregard. "Fore-
warned, forearmed," is a good motto, and
never more valuable than at the present
time. For myself, l had rather see the Gen
eral Assembly abolished altogether, than
have it clothed with such exclusive and ex-
uaordinary powers. F. J.