The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1872-05-29

churches, and your ministers cordial wei
come in our pulpits. (And, sir, if you con
tinue to send us as delegates those who are a
acceptable as your first representative, yo'
need not be surprised if some of our rich con
gregations not only welcome them to thel
pulpits, but try to keep them there) An'
so we would have our people, who ind ney
homes on southern soil, find also warm heart
among southern Presbyterians, and recognl
tion in your commonwealth of Israel. And i
one of your eligible churches should see lit tC
lay violent hands upon any of our ministers
and make him their pastor, | think there are
some of us could bear the infiction with
very great deal of Christian resignation
And why cannot we cooperate in the mission
airy work, and the work of evangelization
The issues of our Board of Publication should
not be unacceptable to your libraries, when
some of them bear the imprints of names, OF
at least of name, honoured. in your present
councils. Your own literature will make It's
way among us, as the bands of our fellowship
are more closely drawn; and as we know each
other better, we will love each other more.
Sir, I am speaking with the freedom of one
who feels himself among brethren and j
think am not exceeding my commission, and
have not mistaken the spirit of those whom ]
represent, If j say that we would be glad to
cO-operats With you md through you, j. that
one most important and most difficult work,
which Is peculiarly your own, in the lnStrue-
tion, the elevation and evangeization OF
that portion of your population who, in their
changed relations, are exposed to peculiar
dangers. Voluntary organizations, with fewer
claims, and far less facilities than those which
you could urge, are drawing largely upon the
benevolence of our people for this object.
But as yet we have heard little from you.
Our people do not understand what you are
doing in this direction, or would be willing
and Jealous to do, if the means were at your
disposal. Is there not some one among you
who could be spared long enough to set them
right upon this subject, and turn the current
of their liberality into another and safer
ehannel 1t is not for me to intimate your
course of action; but you will pardon me
for calling your attention to field of labour
and usefulness in which 1 think we are able
and willing to aid your endeayonrs.
ought, perhaps, to tell you something of ouI
Church and its progress. By the minutes of the
last General Synod, which have had the pleasure
to lay upon your table, you will see that we number
Synods, SO Glasses, 467 churches, $40 ministers,
6S, 4SS communicates Our contributions for the
year were, for congregational purposes, nearly a
million of dollars and for religious and benevolent
objects $685. 039. We have missionary stations in
India, China and Japan, and for this object last
year, expended SO, 900. We have two theological
seminaries, and two colleges under denominatonal
influence and patronage. The year now drawing to
asclose has been observed by US as centennial me-
mortal, during which we purposed, and doubt not
have succeeded in, raising million OF dollars tor
purposes of Church extension.
mention these facts to show that the Old Church
which was planted on Manhattan Island before the
foot of the Pilgrims touched Plymouth Rock, is not
dead yet but is rehabilitating herself for new en-
deavors to conserve and propagate that common
faith enunciated in the symbols found at Dordrecht
among the earliest and the most authoritative of the
confessions of the Reformers. AS the lineal de-
scendants of the churches under the cross, who, In
the thirty years struggle with Spain and Popery,
for themselves and us the heritage OF truth and
liberty we come to bring friendly greetings, to
this latest born of the churches of our own faith
and order, and to bid you God dspeed in your mission
and work.
thank you, Moderator and this Assembly, for
the cordial reception which you have extended to
me- and for your patience in listening to these re-
marks -
The Moderator responded.
With hearty good will we welcome you. as a
brother beloved in the Lord. We do so gladly, be-
cause of the warm-hearted reception which your
body gave to our delegate; because we love and ad-
mire your grand and noble old Church; and because
we recognize you as one with US. When you so
beautifully spoke of your former associates, and
mentioned the honored men whose character you so
delineated, our hearts were filed with
gladness Oh how good and how pleasant it is for
brethren to dwell together in unity, The memory
of the men you mentioned iSIEic1 fragrance in the
hearts of all these brethrel Pee names are en-
balmed in our best affections We hope to meet
those fathers where we shalf part no more for
ever. f
Let me say, that we, as a church, have no sympa-
thy whatever with that latitudinaran principle
which would gather conflicting and discordant ele-
ments in an organic union. 1t is not like the seam
less robe of the Saviour it is rather like the many
colored coat given to Joseph. There is no unity OF
principle; it is outward unity; 1t is not UNITY,
and not the exponent of doctrine.
We certainly would consider it anything else but
calamity for one of your ministers to take charge
of the very best Church we have. 1t would do my
heart good to see you occupy such place as tnat
which you once filed among us. Wewould rejoice
in it as blessing.
In regard to our cooperation in the great work OF
Foreign Missions, we would heartily unite with you
in that as in every other good work. In relation to
that peculiar delicate and difficult subject which
you referred to, hardly know what to say. You
know the dangers that environ it. You have gene
rously offered your money; can you send US men
to help in the work we desire to be done9
You are too familiar with our Church for me to
mention any of her pecuiarities. You were too in
tmately connected with the important educational
interests of our Church in this Synod, and with all
her operations, for me to give you any statistics
While it may be that some of us who come from
the borders of civilization may not have heard that
YOU have ceased to preach in Dutch, / know that
YOU who live in the light of civilization know what
we are doing. l am glad that your Church is max
ing such progress as it is. Wereoce in the advance
of the Redeemer's kingdom-that Churches, unlteo
with us in faith and spirit and in heart are enarg
ing their borders and strengthening their stakes.
In the work of winning souls to Christ, oul
Church desires to take an honored place, and We
are determined by the blessing of God to hold uI
that "blue banner" which has waved in the smoke
of many well-fought battle-feds where truth was
the ISSUE We are determined that this blue banner
shall not remain stationary-shall not be lowered
No, no, every instinct of the heart, every memory
of the past, every exgency of the present. every
hone of the future, make it our duty and our de
light to go forward in the work of winning souls
for Jesus. And now we wish to move with yor
shoulder to shoulder, and heart to heart, and tha
the blessing of God may rest upon you and upoI
your noble and faithful Church.
CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE SYNOD OF MISSOURI
The Rev. ". W. Trinble, of the Old Schoo
SYNOD of Missouri was introduced and said:
suppose that my heart was thrilled no less thai
yours with the eloquent remarks of the brother wh
has just addressed you, as he alluded to the day
when he was associated with the old Synod OF Vir
ginia, and when he and l were wont to meet yea
after year in that holy convocation. / was delight
ed to know that he still remembered the days, In
memories of which are dear to me in my far-ot
prairie home.
feel an embarrassment in appearing before yo
arf+ +ha