The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-06-28

I was about to say, than we can count them.
We are crying out contantly, Who is suf-
fcient for these things?" We hail those who
are coming to our help, and I am very glad
to say that your body has contributed some
of our most noble and efficient workmen.
There is plenty Of room for more, We would
lot rob you, but our arms are open wide,
and our hearts have a sincere welcome for
all brethren who wish to labor for the up
building of the Master kingdom.
Ny brother, DR.. Yantis, has, have been
informed, said he could not see any reason
Why we were not in organic connection with
you. was somewhat amazed at this; but
not 80 much as | should have been, if had
not known his characteristic humor. He was
present last fall at the meeting of our Synod
at Kansas city. the largest gathering of the
body we have ever held, when this question
was thoroughly agitated, and it was decided
to remain as we are by vote so nearly
unanimous, that only one audible vote was
cast in the negative, and we counted on that
side, by way of courtesy, contrary to the
usual rule, two voices that had not uttered
themselves
There are two reasons why we should be
connected with you. First, because we are
Southern people At the same time, we are
Declaration and Testimony men, but that is
one of the motives which we viii not allow
to influence us. Our hearss turn to you,
you are our people. Your God is our God;
but in this matter we must not, we wiH not
be influenced by sectional prejudices. We
do not save ourselves at all by this, because
those on the other side of the line set US
down as belonging to you; so much so that
short time ago brother in the East wrote
to me, that if it had not been for the action
of the Assembly last year at Louisville, the
reunited Assembly might have been disposed
to appoint a delegation to pay their respects
to our Synod. So that you see we are placed
by some people in the boat with you. We
are not ashamed of the company.
There is another reason; and that is, our
Presbyterianism ought to be complete by a
connection with General Assembly. In
regard TO this there is diversity of opinion
among us. We feel that while connection
with General Assembly is desirable on
many accounts, it is not essential Situated
as we are, We can as We think better accom-
plish our work for the present. There are
reasons why we should not make the move
One great reason is that it would break us
up, so disintegrate us, that we could bring
to you but mere remnant, cripple us in our
larger towns, and in one instance rob US en-
tirely of Presbytery. These brethren who
are opposed to such move, are not opposed
because you are Southern people; but they
say, "Let well enough alone; there is no
necessity for this organic union, while we
are accomplishing the work by the favor of
God as we have been enabled to do" These
are men who have been arraigned before the
civil court for preaching the gospel without
swallowing Cesar'S oath. | mention this
merely to satisfy you that they are not of a
different way of thinking from you. If we
were to unite with you now, | am perfectly
satis6ed-and am in a position to Judge
with tolerable accuracy-that we should be
shorn of our strength. Many of our church
es would be broken up. do not say that
those who would not come with us would 90
to the Northern Assembly; do not preceive
| any indication of that | rather think that
they would desert the Presbyterian Church,
and make their home in the next best place,
as they think it, the Methodist Episcopal
Church South.
Allow me to say that while it would be a
very great personal qualification to me if
our Synod would take this move, l do not
see that We could benefit you. We are
working with you now. Your ministers
come to US without let or hindrance, feeling
that they are coming among their own PEG
pie. Whatever we are able to give to For
eign Missions goes to your Foreign Mission
airy Committee. We have depository of
your publications. We patronize your Sun
day School papers. Your Southern reli-
gious newspapers are taken very widely
through our Synod. We are working with
you. 1t seems to US wise policy, an allow
able expedienoy to stay as we are. We are
not certain that it would be wise to make
any move. believe that to be true which
men say, when you are not certain that
step would be wise, you had better stand
still. A duty is imposed upon us in the
providence of God, and by his blessing we
are enabled to discharge that duty. We are
prospered During the last year, as l was
told the other day by one who has been pro-
baby longer than anybody else a member
of the Synod of Missouri, we had more
members added to our communion than dur
ing any previous year. Our contributions
amounted to more than S105,O0O. This is
not what it ought to be by any means. l
am firmly persuaded that if this system of
weekly contributions were general, we could,
without feeling it burden, raise over $780,
600 in our small Synod. Now, we feel that
we ought not by any step of ours to imperil
this work. long to be among you, as an
individual. 1t would be great relief to me
in the work which has been imposed upon
me; but l have learned that the safe path,
the wise path is the path of duty. And if
you build monument to your Lee, I would
like to have inscribed upon that monument
one of the grandest utterances that ever fell
from the lips Of man, as he addressed his
son, "My son, remember that duty is the
sublimest word in the language" By that,
sir, we try to be governed 1 have nothing
more to say, except to pray God to bless
you and your Assembly, to have in His holy
keeping the Presbyterian Church in the
United States, to make her abundant in la
bOrs, and to keep her faithful in her glorious
witness.
EDWARD BREDELL, EsQ-Mr. Moderator,
you have heard two of our delegates, and
they have communicated to you all the views,
and feelings and matters in which you would
probably feel any interest. l will not oc-
cupy your time. l thank you for your cour-
tesy.