The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1872-12-11
MINUTES of the Presbytery of Ouachita, con
vened at Carolina Church, October Is, 1872
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN,
ORGANIC UNION.
BY REV. ]. S. aRAsTY, D. D.

1t was felt In every bosom lin the General As
sembly at Richmond, Va, that the delegate HIM
self (Dr. Van Zindt,) and that noble communion
which he Representative symbols, IN doctrine, 10
principles, and In witness for the truth-are so es-
sentially one with ourselves-the line OF demarca-
ton Oimpa pable and the elements OF attraction st
large, that organic union between the bodies Is az
event Of unavoidable tul6llment. Mutual conf
dence, identity OF aim, obterates the thin shadow
Of ecclesiastical divergence, and already an effort
has to be made to subsantiate any difference thai
divides the one from the other. With this homo
geneity of government. this oneness of faith and
If spirit, it is impossible, l repeat In the nature
of things that We can long exist apart
DR.. Brown says:
This simply fills us with amazement, and coming
as it does from an esteemed brother representing
our Church on such an occasion.
1t is my purpose to explain as briefly as possible,
the ground Of that assertion before the Missouri
brethren, which simply fills with amazement'
the ear of the Central
l. 1t will be remembered that the Reformed
Church sent their commissioner to Huntsville,
Ala. "They were the first that found an opening
in the barrier of separation and extended frater
nal hand, which, as with equal qualification and
promptitude, we grasped, it sent thrill of JOY
through our entire body"
3 The Assembly at Huntsville appointed Rev.
j. II. BrysOn their delegate to visit the Reformed
Synod, which was to meet on the 9th of June fol
lowing, in Albany, N. Y. Mr.. Bryson says:
My reception was an occasion of intense interest,
as | was to respond to their friendly overture.
. | was instructed to give assurance that they
were ready, through the fraterna alliance now 81
avorably established to cooperate with US in every
suitable way to advance the interests of the glo-
rious kingdom Of our common Lord and Master
The General Synod then proceeded to appoint
DR.. Van Zandt to attend the next session of oar
General Assembly, to be held in the city of Rich
mond on the 10th of May, 1872.
8. Dr. Van Zandt was present in Richmond,
and said
am here to-day to strengthen the bonds Of ouI
unity. My presence here Is itself eVl
dence that the line of separation between us is NOT
an impossible barrier.
Although DR.. Van Zandt said, Though there
are no differences between US sufficient to hinder
our cordial cooperation as united Church; though
in doctrine identical, and in order not dssimiar
and as l believe, one in spirit. yet should regard
mutual fusion into single Church as a calamity
TO both, yet it is added Immediately afterwards,
What changes Of time and the logic of events
may bring about in the future, it is not for us to
forecast.
OF course the two Churches were not ready for
mutual fusion into single Church at Rich
mond. Nor will they ever be ready, until all pre-
odd
But minor differences can be safely trusted to the
"logic of events, when two great denomination,
are standing face to face, identical in doctrine
not dissimilar in order, and one in spirit"
4. DR.. j. R. Wilson represented the General
Assembly of the United States upon the floor OF
the General Synod of the Reformed Church thai
met in Brooklyn. DR.. Wilson said:
Having already published this in full and fire
quenty, it Is here, for the sake of breyty omitted
ZEN. PRLs.
In response to DR., Wilson, the President of the
Synod said;
Dear brother, the warm welcome which | en-
deavOred to express when you took your seat among
US, has been In feeling growing warmer during The
intercourse we have had, and now eliminates III
ardent love foF>you and the body which you repro
sent We have beard your statements with
profound feeling, and cannot shut our eyes to the
prOvidential circumstances OF our and your history
In addition, the Synod proceeded to appoint
commissioners who are to confer with like num-
Der appointed by the General Assembly in the
United States, in reference to the matter of union
Now let it be recalled, that all these utterances
and advances had been made previous to my ap.
pearance before the Synod of Missouri, and does
1t not seem strange that DR.. Brown should declare
that my statement-that my opinion of the future
based upon this logic of events simply fill,
him with amazement?"
1t is true that am only plain, unpretending
pastor, and have never been admitted to the fami
y secrets f secrets there be) Of this party or that
| could only make up an opinion upon the facts
that were revealed to the public. But to an un-
suspectng presbyter, like myself, this repeated in
terchange of ecclesiastical courtesies these mutual
declarations of love, this solemn assertion of one
ness in doctrine, principle and spirit, did seem to
porteud some serious business in the future. And
|, in turn, am simply amazed when DR.. Brown in
timates by implication, that these overtures were
pleasant ecclesiastical flirtaton-this and no more.
Well, if the Central is right, then beg every,
body's pardon, and will hereafter yield my com.
mission to one who is not only cOnversant with
words in their ordinary drift, but moreover and
especially, in their Pickwiekian sense.
But says DR.. Brown:
When it is remembered that the Presbyterian
Church and the Dutch Reformed have been of like
faith from their origin, and have Been for more
than one hundred years, living side by side, with
congregations In cities aud neghborhoods in New
York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, mingled to
gether, and yet have remained as distinct organiza
lions, we are unable to see how it just now comes
co pass that between them away up in the North
and US away down in the South, an organic union
has become IAN event Of unavoidable tulilment. ="
So that 1t is impossible in the nature of things
chat we can long remain apart. This simply hlls
US with amaZement
Yes, but the United Synod stood aloof for long
time. and the union came at last The same is
true of that portion of the Associate Reformed,
which recently united with our General Assembly.
But the Central responds. 1.-THE Dutch Reformed
are a,oay ND there IN the NORTH and zoe are a,oay
doon here IN the South." To this l can only re-
oily, Alasl 1t is no conclusive proof that two per-
sons cannot be married because they have lived
long distance apart for many years, and possessed
all the while the self-same advantages Whenever
the counting begins in earnest and the parties
identical in sentiment and spirit, wedding is
unavoidable, although one may live "a,oay up
there IN the North" and the other ''a,0ay do,on
here IN the South There is power in true af-
lection to annihate distance.
Through 1.-The logic of events, strange things
have happened in these days. A prediction ut
tered in 1860, that in FIVE years the North and
South would stand face to face in bloody conflict;
that from Portland to New Orleans every port
should be blockaded, slavery disappear, negro suf
frage be naugurated, the doctrine Of States rights
overturned the entire South humbled and impov