The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1872-12-11
A Presbyterian General Council.

At the Presbyterian Ter Centenary celebration il
Philadelphia, Nov. Goth, of which briet account
is given in this paper, the Rev. DR.. McCosh read
oaper giving condensed view of Presbyterianisn
IN olher countries The concluding part, in which
ne proposes a general council OF Presbyterians
throughout the world embodies statistics and sug-
gestions of much interest.
SIT is reckoned that if you sum up the
Presbyterian churches throughout the world
shey embrace 10000 congregations, and a
population of 100000. If you add the
Lutherans, who in many parts of Germany
ire one with the Reformed, and who are, in
all respects, nearer Presbyterianism than
hey are either to EpiscOpacy or Indepen-
dency, we have population of 55,OOO,OOO
cut of 107,000,000 of Protestants, or an
actual majority of the Protestants of the
world. What power every one will say
for good if only these Courches can be made
10 combine in their action. Looking to this
immense community three grand ends are
s. be aimed az. The first is to separate the
Evangelical Churches from that rationalism
which is so marring the usefulness of Pro-
testantism all over the Continent of Europe.
The second is to deliver them, if not from
State connection, at least from State con-
5rol, which has ever been protecting ration
alism with its coldness and its deadening in
duence. A third and grand effort must be
made. We must unite the scattered ener-
gies Of these 34,000,000 for the overthrow
IF the powers of darkness, and for the
spread of the Gospel throughout the world.
Let US pray for this end, and at the same
ame labor for it.
1t has long been favorite idea of mine
that the Presbyterian Churches might be
brought together at Pan Presbyterian
Council, at which all of them might be re-
presented. Let it be understood that / do
not propose breaking up the separate church
es of British and Continental Europe or of
this country. | would no more think of this
han | would of separating the States of our
Union. In our General Government, and
IN our State governments, We have model
TO which we might look in settling the rela
ton which the several churches might bear
70 the central church organization. Some
grand principles might be agreed to; let
chem be few and simple. Of course there
must be doctrinal basis; but this should
not consist in new creed or confession
Let each church retain its standards, and
De admitted into the union only on condition
that these embrace the cardinal truths of
salvation. There must also be certain prin-
ciples of church order presupposed, such as
the parity of ministers and government by
councils ia which ministers
and elders have joint place. But the
node Of carrying OUT tsese prieeiples must
be left TO each organization--in this way Sc
curing what we have in the Church, as in all
the works of God, unity with variety. The
Grand Council should have authority to see
that these fundamental principles of doc
trine and of government are carried out il
each of the churches, and might cut off those
that deliberately departed from them in act
or in profession. But beyond this it need
have no other disciplinary power. Without
interfering at all with the free action of the
churches, it might distribute judiciouSly the
evaugelistc work in the great field, which is
the world, allocating sphere to each, dis
couraging the plantation of two churches
where one might serve, and the establish
ment of two missions at one place while hum
dreds of other places have none. In this
way the resources of the Church would be
kept from being wasted, while her energies
would be concentrated on great enterprises.
When circumstances require it the whole
strength of the Church might be directed
to the establishment of truth and the sup
preston of error and prevalent forms of
vice. More important than all, from this
heart of the Church might proceed an i'm
pulse reaching to the utmost extremities and
carrying life to every member.
l believe that the idea of such union
has occurred to many within the last few
years. do not claim to myself any supe-
riority of wisdom, but for the last ten years
l have been speaking and writing on this
subject in variety of quarters. was met
by right Irish cheer when 1 proclaimed it
in the General Assembly of the Irish Pres
byterans. I unfolded my views more fully
in an article in the Weekly Review, an able
organ of the Presbyterian Church, published
in London. believe 1 spoke of it at the
meetings of both General Assemblies at ST..
Louis in 1866. scarcely expect to live so
long as to see it accomplished. There are
some here who | verify believe will see it
with their eyes. l regret that I have not
sufficient influence in the old country or in
this to bring it about.
x My Scottish partialities
might lead me to think that Edinburgh, the
city of Knox and Chalmers, might be the
most appropriate place for the first meeting
of the Presbyterian General Assembly. But
if our common mother there say that her
children are not yet prepared to meet to.
gether, then let one of her daughters open
her house for the reception of the family
Let the largest Presbyterian Church in the
world issue the invitation, and let the meet
inp place be the City of Brotherly Love-"