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

We use the term "Organic union, as it
has been applied of late, to the fusion Of
separate churches into one. And it is not
proposed to discuss the question in its gene
raj relations, but only as it concerns our own
Southern Presbyterian Church, and more
especially with reference to our union with
the Reformed Dutch Church" This
matter came up in an imposing, and in an
unexpected way last spring, in the able and
interesting address delivered before the Gen
eral Synod of that body by our delegate,
the Rev. JOS. r. Wilson, D. D., and in their
action founded upon it. 1t was the candid
opinion Of judicious brethren at the time
that there ought to be some expression Of
dissent in regard to the initiation Of the
steps then taken. We were, however, strongly
appealed to for the grace of silence; and
seeing that the matter had gone so far as
the appointment of a committee of inquiry
on the part Of the Reformed Synod, it was a
delicate subject to discuss. We were disposed
on this and some other grounds to let the
question 50 by, at least until it should as
sumo a more definite shape before our judi
catories. But some things within few
weeks past have very much modified this
view. One is the exceedingly strong Ian
guage used by our delegate, the Rev. DR..
Grasty, before the Synod of Missouri, and
referred to last week, in which this union is
represented as inevitable. Another is the
pamphlet Of the Rev. DR.. Laws, to which
also reference was made last week, in
which we are told that this important
matter is now pending and in a most
favorable aspect, and that, sit may be
set down as highly probable that this union
VIII take place Besides, time ard again
it is referred to by at least some Of the
papers Of our Church, not so strongly, but
still as a coming event which, in these things
that have already been said and done, may be
considered as having cast its shadow before
it. Thus it is that designedly or not, the
idea is pressed upon the minds of our Pres
byterian people that this union is to be looked
upon as pretty much foregone conclusion.
And this being the state Of things, it is the
opinion Of more than one that it is high time
some things should be said by way of caution
and to " give US pause. This is the design
of what We now propose to offer for the seri-
Gus consideration of all who feel an interest
in the subject. It proceeds from no indifer-
enCe to that unity Of believers which was so
dear to the heart Of the Saviour; that would
be wrong to his kingdom and a sin against
his people. Nor does it arise from indifer-
ence towards our brethren Of the Reformed
Church; it has always been held in very high
esteem by sound Presbyterians outside of its
oWn communion. Nor shall q word be ut
tered which can b possibility be construed
as uakind towards any brethren whose official
acts may be referred to; for they well know
that this is not a question Of personal friend
ship. IL is proper also to say that we do
not propose to discuss all the objections to
the proposed union; the time has not come
for that; and if the time never comes, per-
baps ell the better. There are, however,
certain aspects Of this question which may
now be contemplated; which, indeed, it would
not be wise longer to postpone. Our con-
Germ at present is with these.
We beg leave in the outset to call atten-
ton to the way this question Of union be-
tween our Southern Church and the Re
formed Church was initiated. This was
done, as already mentioned, in the address
Of our delegate, the Rev. DR.. J. r. Wilson,
before the General Synod Of the last named
body. Aud that no mistake may be made,
the entire part Of his speech referring to
this matter is here given. 1t is as follows:
"You VIII suffer me, in this connection, to ad-
vert more particularly to a subject which, at the
present hour, occupies the pens aud fills the tongues
of many good people. ] allude to the subject of
organic ecclesiastical uniOn-an organic complaint,
it Is Co be feared IN the cases of not few sekly,
sentimental Christians. As to the possibility of
such a union, TO be instituted between this Synod
and our Assembly, some Of Us in the South have
been vcnturing to dream. Nor has our dream
been altogether rebuked By the waking thought
lt possesses certain coherency and substance, and
may bear examination. l am not, indeed, author
ized TO lnaugurate measures which look to so de-
sirab.e an end. i know, too, that you are not en-
raged 10 deVising any scheme by which such a
hn cd nj
I am not passing the boundary of prudence when
say that the Assembly with which you are now in
aUspicious correspondence is ready TO Join hands
with this Genera. Synod whenever The favorable mo-
mcnt shall hayeccme TORS sealing the matrlmonaicon-
c. 81 are .acdng aloOf from other churches
independent atutude, rot because Of any
of yet because We see good no.
s.vos Wedo behold ~
hnlcf, n commlngied with
what i- cen a-a In us, would serve 20 produce
compound OF aD excellent Sort wherein none of
your pecuiartIeS need be lost, and wherein some
of ours might be helped TO brighter conspicuous
ness / believe this, that If your Church shall
soon overlap the line by which it has been separa-
ted iron our kindred Presbyteriansm and unit
Ing with Us shall contribute its due share to the
solution Of certain ecclesiastical problems now
peculiar TO our position and constituting part of
cur specified mission you will have found an out
lat Co the working Of your organization which viii
communicate a stimulus 90 your energies such as |
you have lot hitherto telt, and raise you to a point
eff usefulness from whose outlook the future viii |
be seen Co grow before your eyes with the purest
and fles5 promise. Do I step beyond the limit Of /
propucty when I ask you to think Of this matter /
and Co discover whether a way may not be opened /
for our actually coming together IN such union /
as shall be st once serviceabe to yourselves and |
beneficial 90 usl
Meanwhile, there is another word whose signi6- |
Il