The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-07-26
CORRESPONDENTS WITH THE RE-
FORMED CHURCH.


The communication from Rev. J. H. Bryson,
the delegate from our General Assembly to the
General Synod of the Reformed Church, will be
read with qualification by all. From this, as well
as from the address Of Mr.. Bryson before that
venerable body, and the reply Of Its presiding
officer, very agreeable impression will be received
as to the comfortable intercourse which may be
expected from the relations recently established
Ii viii be remembered that at the time of our ne
eessary separation from the Presbyterian Church,
North, and the organization of our General As
sembly in 1861, the most candid declarations were
published to the world as to our motives and pur-
poses, and Of our desire to cultivate friendly rea-
tons with other Christian denominations The
only notice thus received from the Church with
which We had been connected, was series of harsh
denuneiatiOns from year to year, in which our mo-
tiveS were impugued in the severest manner. This
was kept up for years after the war was over, and
in forms aud language aggravatng and insulting to
the last degree. After having so diligently misre-
presented and slandered US over the Christian
world the ear Of which from various causes they
then held, another spirit seemed, uuaccountaby,
to come over them-a special anxiety to absorb us
just as we were-unrepentant for the dreadful
sins so repeatedly and formally charged upon us,
and with the awful heresies so often proclaimed
against, unconfessed and uniorgivenI After re-
peated soundings, and finding no bottom on which
to cast anchor in that sea Of troubles" they
shifted to another This was to establish fraterna
relations Of Correspondence" Without enter
Ing now into any views Of the precise way in which
that proposal was met, or whether it was the most
sNilful and wise, the main purport of our action
eOmmends itself to the judgment and conscience of
our people generally 1t was believed and held
that whereas we had, in our General Assembly, so
studiously abstained from utteriug a word about
them, while they were filling the world with griev-
Gus misrepresentation Of US, and of the truth it.
SELF they ought not to have felt willing to approach
those whom they had thus injured, without hav-
inc first given some evidence that this their former
course was regretted. Failing in this, it was due
to ourselves and 70 the truth, to say that the way
was not open for Christian fellowship between us.
Any forms Of this kind would have been,a mere
hollow pretense, Of which al men of sincerity and
truth ought ever to keep their hands washed clean.
This Is the purport of the papers adopted BY our
Assembly in 1870.
The fraternal proposal Of the Reformed Church
comes in very different shape. We do not profess
to agree with them in all the details of Church or
der, or administration. We 90 not stop to INQUIRE
whether every thing they have put upon their
Minutes IS what our Church would approve. This
is not, and never has been judged necessary to fra
ternal correspondence. Its enough for US to know
that the Reformed Church, having long history
Of honor and renown in Holland, has been ever
known, since it was transplanted into the United
States, as one Of the most orthodox, one of the
pUrest ard best in the land. They are thorough
Presbyterians, distinguished for faithful adherence
to the great doctrines Of grace embodied in the ar
ticles Of the Synod of bort, distinguished for the
learning and piety Of their ministry. the good or.
der, steadastnesS and good report of their people.
They are, toe, the first body of Christians in the
land who have expressed desire (iu any way in
which, could be hOnorably met 70 have the great
doctrine OF the Communion Of Saints" recog-
nised by an interchange Of delegates On all these
accounts it should and it does give special satisac
ton TO cur Southern Presbyterians to see this cor
dial intercourse established So far as We can see
there is not another Chu' Oh North of the Potomac
with which so comfortable relations are practicable
Our correspondence has been very auspiciously in.
auguTated, as the addresses delivered by the re-
spectiye delegates, and the responses clearly indi
cate. May both parties be inspired. in all their
intercourse, with that holy love, wisdom and zeal
which viii make this covenant of real peace and
fellowship, to the glory Of God and the edi6cation
OF the Church in every Christian grace and every
good work