The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-05-03

stalled as pastor; for every association, con-
ference, consolation, and every individual
church amongst them is an independent
body. It is not so in the Presbyterian
Church; and this is one of the character
istics that distinguish us from them.
End. If there were no signifcancy what
ever in this enactment of the General AS
sembly, your memorialsts feel that its va,
lidity should be questioned; for, as we
have said, if the Assembly may act in one
case, they may in another. But this in
junction is not without significance. 1t SUBJ
verts the fundamental principle that the
Church is one family or body; that the Pres
byteries are but portions of the whole, set
off for convenience. The rule not only de-
nies this great principle, and places the Pres
byteries in the same relation to each other
as that in which congregational associations
stand; but, in effect, it AYERS also that the
ministers of any one Presbytely should
stand in doubt of all ministers in the Church,
but themselves. 1t, by authority, enjoins
upon the different parts of the Church not
to have confidence in each other. 1t re-
quires each Presbytery to question the piety,
the orthodoxy, the adherence to the Presby-
terial order, of every minister in the Church
except those only who constitute their own
immediate body. They are required to say
to every applicant, no matter who he is, or
whence he comes, owe cannot receive you
till we have examined you, and satisfied our
Selves in regard to you"
Is not this, in fact, the destruction of the
unity of the Church; nay, its complete dis
integration? 1t is true, we still meet with
our brethren of other Presbyteries in Synods,
and in the General Assembly, on fraternal
terms; treating them as equals, and claim
ing to be treated by them as equals; yet
when they propose to come into closer con-
nexion with us, by uniting with us in the
same Presbytery, we make it appear that
we really lack confidence in them, and must
needs put them through an examination be-
fore we can receive them. This certainly
is anomalous, to say the least of it. But a
still greater anomaly is this;-we refuse to
receive without examination, as co-laborers
with ourselves in Presbytery, the very men
whom we recognize as rulers in the Church,
and as ruling over us by their acts in the
Synods, and in the General Assembly.
Ifby this procedure ministers are not made
to feel, that they really are not of one family,
though formally united in one general body;
then there is unnecessary connexion between
cause and effect. So far as this is felt-and
1t is keenly felt By the sensitius,-it must
erode the bonds of affection by which mem.
bers of the same family should be bound to-
gether. Where there is lack Of confidence
and the rule, as we see, by authority enjoins
it upon ministers to be suspicious Of each
other-there cannot be true fraternal love.
The rule then teaches that the Presbyte,
rian Church is not compact, homogeneous
body, but very loose confederation, a mere
conglomeration of possibly discordant mate.
rials. The true principle is this--to exercise
great caution in introducing ministers into
the Church, whether by ordination or from
foreign bodies but when once introduced,
they are to be regarded as members not only
of that particular Presbytery into which they
are introduced, but of all or any Presbytery
into which they may be called in an orderly
manner. If they prove to be unworthy, there
is constitutional process for deposing them
Your Memorialists hope that your vene.
rable Body will take this matter anew into
consideration. The original design of the
rule which we desire to have rescinded, wa:
to meet the anomalous condition of thing:
that grew up under the Plan of Union o.
1901. The evils arising out of that Plan
eliminated in 1S35-37, and threatened the
utter subversion of the Church. Unconsti
tutional Presbyteries composed in large par
of Congregational elements, were very nu'
merous; and although they, in great measure
had been separated from us by the Erscind
ing Act, still, their fruits, heterodox minis
ters, abounded, and purer Presbyteries coulC
not guard against the entrance of sucl
amongst them, but by an act of this kind
The injunction, though unconstitutional
served that purpose; and though felt by some
to be unconstitutional was adopted because
perhaps there was no other way of meeting
the abounding evil. But the occasion fo
such an extreme measure has long sine,
passed away. The Presbyterian Church il
the United States is now eminently orthodox
evangelical, homogeneous. There is no oc
casion that we any more stand in doubt o
each other. We should embrace as brethren
stand shoulder to shoulder as brethren, AM
with one heart in full fraternal confidence
strive together in the ministry, for the ad
vancement of our Church, for the advance
ment of the cause of the Redeemer
All which is respectfully submitted.
Attest: JOSEPH R. WILSON, Moderator,
E. M. GREEN, Permanent Clerk
A true extract from the Minutes,
FERDINAND JACOBS, Stated Clerk.
GAINING KNowLEDGE.-Learning will ac
cumulate wonderfully if you add little ever.