The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-07-05

Church, II would not give one hour of brotherly
love for whole eternity of contention. We love
peace, We love quiet, we love Gods people. If L
had it here nOw In response to the first part OF your
address | would read old John Wickhfs transa-
ton Of the 18th chapter of First Corinthians as the
full response to that branch of your remarks. We
cannot forget that you come to us from the old
Church of Holland, Our ministers have studied
your MaeStricht, Rivetus, aud Admetus. They
are aS commonly read among US as among your
selves. We cannot forget the great Universities
of Holland, Franecker and Leyden and other
places which filed the world with such light and
knowledge. The mother of your branch of the
Church was the Church in the bosom Of which sat
the Synod Of bort, or Dordrecht as your people
call It. and then not only did they compile what
we all receive, the Heidelburg Catechism, but an
authorized exposition of that Catechism, which
has stood TO this day an impregnable wall against
loose theological opinions
1t is known to some perhaps to all OF our mum
Der, that there is little nest within our borders
where you have more influence than we-a little
body Of persons Of German origin-not low Dutch,
but still having warm afirmitieS to you, We vel
come you to come and preach the gospel In North
Carolina, where that little nucleus is; come and
preach it In Alabama-preach it anywhere We
welcome you, provided always whatyou yourselves
have before provided-that your pplpits are to
publish salvation by grace through faith In Christ
Jesus-salyatiOn without the deeds Of the law, ac'
cOmpaned by the blessed truth that faith without
works is dead.
You haye-relerred in terms, that greatly affected
many of Us, 70 the dark cloud that swept over this
land You can hardly have come to this place
without seeing the memorials where Northern and
Southern men met In fatal conflict. L know how II
has been IN the very heart of your own Church.
remember that while lodging, Just after the battle
of fredericksburg, with one of Dutch name
greatly honored in New jersey, my friend took q
ride for his health through rural district, and
told nc when he came back that there were seven
ty-twO families in one small yicinage cast into tbs
deepest gloom by that dreadful eOnfict. We have
reason to know and to feel IN this land that Robert
when he said that war is the temporary abolition
Of all the principles OF virtue. God grant that
we may never see even the partial abolition Of the
principles of virtue any more
Ii viii be no doubt the pleasure Of this body 10
8 more formal manner 10 respond TO the KIND re-
presentations which you have made, both from
your minutes aud your lips. Many of Us have nc
better friends than your Tayors your DewlttS, anc
many other honored names. They are friends Of
the human race; they are friends OF God, W.
honor you for your inyariable and answering sym
| pathies shown towards sound doctrine, and these
who adhere to it We believe that God has RAISED
up this Church, at this time, in this part OF tn
land to hold up that standard high-that staudarC
Of truth for which your Church historically aud t
this time contends. | welcome you most cordially
to this body, and ask you to sit among US as Ions
as it shall suit your convenience, and especial!
until we can take some formal and friendly action