The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1872-11-20

of false conception of Christian union,
and which consisted in ga desire for an in
discriminate fusion of all evangelical church
es into one grand conglomeration." A lit
tie farther on he expressly diSclaims the idea
that organic union between the Church he
represented and our own was contemplated.
"It is not from any desire or purpose to alb
sorb your organization into ours, or to be
absorbed by you, that we have extended our
fraternal greetings, and opened this CORES
Pondence. Though there are no differences
between us sufficient to hinder our cordial
cooperation as a united Church; though in
doctrine identical, and in order not dissimi-
lar, and, as 1 believe, one in spirit, yet l
should regard a mutual fusion into a single
church as a calamity to both. What the
changes of time and the "logic of events"
may bring about in the future, is not for us
to forecast. But at present we believe we
have a mission which justifes our distinctive
organization, and we are willing to concede
a like conviction to you.
This was on the 218t of May, On the
10th of June, DR.. Van Zandt presented to
the General Synod of his Church a report
of his mission. No man living could have
more acceptably fulfilled it in the meeting of
our Assembly. His report breathes the best
spirit of brotherly affection. But in regard
to organic union we find a considerably mod
fled tone. He says:
"Your delegate was impressed with the
conviction, that if it should be deemed de-
sirabe and practicable to extend our borders
by forming an organic union with any other
Church, the General Assembly of the Church
South would be found nearest in accord with
our doctrinal standards, and open the widest
and most promising field for the work of a
united Church. Your delegate was careful
to intimate to the Assembly, that the only
union sought for by this correspondence,
was the unity of the spirit in the bonds Of
peace. But he is persuaded that if the time
should arrive, when our mission as a Church
can best be fulfilled by a union With some
other, our brethren of the South would not
be averse to entertaining the proposition OF
a nearer alliance.
Here, it will be observed, is sudden and
remarkable change in regard to Z" the Situa-
ton" In the short space of twenty days
"a mutual fusion into single church, is
transformed from "a calamity to both, into
something wearing most inviting counte-
nance. The report was followed by DIR.
Wilson's address as given above; and in due
time came the action of the Synod.
1.-THE following preamble and resolutions were
unanimously adopted:
Whereas, The Corresponding Delegate from the
Presbyterian Church in the United States (SOuth,
expressed to this Synod the interest which his
Church feels in the hope of closer relations with
our own; and
Whereas. So formal an overture from so large
and respectable body of kindred faith and order
is deserving of the most courteous attention.
~.
ReSOlred, That a committee Of five ministers
and three elders be appointed to consider carefully
the matter of the desirableness and feasibility OF
the proposed relations, aud to report thereon, il
possible, to the next General Synod.
Il may be observed that as the General
Synod and our General Assembly are in
very friendly correspondence, there is also a
notable and friendly correspondence between
the report'Of DR.. Van ZandtS the speech Of
DR.. Wilson, and then the paper adopted by the
Synod. They seem just to fit into each other.
Was it from "the eternal fitness of things?"
The change of view from the calamitous to
just the opposite, seems to have been sur
passingly rapid, That it was all with the
best motives no man may question. Under
lust what kind of influences it was wrought
upon all or upon any, we do not undertake
to say. But this we must say plainly and
emphatically, that so far as concerns this
part of the address of our respected and be-
loved delegate, it was a grave mistake, and
outside of anything properly belonging to
the commission with which the representa-
tives of our General Assembly are entrusted
upon such occasions. But this point and
others kindred thereto, are reserved for fu-
ture remark.