The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1873-10-08
SOUND WORDS FROM KENTUCKY.

The Kentucky Presbyterian is a monthly
periodical of which the first number was pub
lished last August. 1t is edited by the Rev.
John L. Mckee, D. D., and Chas. f. Beach,
both ministers in connection with the North
ern Presbyterian Church. Its special object
is to promote the interests of their Church in
Kentucky. The number for September con-
tains an article concerning "The Baltimore
ASSEMBLY and the Church South," which
embOdies so much truth and good sense that
we are sure it will be read among US with
pleasure. 1t ought to open the eyes of that
portion of Northern Presbyteriaus who have
for years been misguided by the New York
Observer, and one or two other papers, into
the belief that great uprising was prepar-
ing among our people, that 9 the leaders" as
they are pleased to designate few of our
ministers, would be soon crushed by it, and
the ardent longings of the mass to get once
more into the arms of the smother (step-
/
mother?) Church, would be soon grati6ed.
A lively Imagination can sometimes do Won
ders, but is liable to have its wings clipped
| by an unexpected hand, and end in broken
bones. The editors of the kentucky Pres
6yterian declare that their part of the Church
in that State is essentially unit in favor
of re union" "We shall not consent to
sacrifice any principle of our faith, or in any
manner to compromise our dignity as an &C.
clesiastical organization, for any good, real
or imaginary, which can result from union
with the South. But our people are in favor
of union upon terms alike honorable to both
parties"
All very good; but what are honorable
terms? There is the question. We are
among those who are fully persuaded an or
ganic union exceedingly undesirable upon
any terms, but are ready for fraternal rela-
tious whenever the way shall be honorably
opened-which we do not think has yet been
the case. But let US observe what these
Kentucky brethren say as to the position of
our people on this subject. After expressing
the opinion that we are not ready for re-
union, they go on to enlarge upon the que8
ton as follows:
Doubtless there is here and there an individual
in that body, who is not in sympathy with the
policy which it has adopted on this subject and
this may be said of the Church North. As rule
these men belong to the class who write letters to
the newspapers and make a noise in the world.
They are the agitators of the Southern Church.
But though they occasionally make themselves
heard, they are an uninfuential and hopeless
minority. If we are to wait for union until it shall
be received through this influence, it will not be
witnessed by any man now living. The Southern
Church, as body has no inclination TO union
upon any terms which the Northern branch can be
induced to accept. This feeling is by no means
peculiar to the ministry. 1t is shared, in full
measure, by the influential portion at least of the
membership. Unless the position Of our Church |
shall be essentially changed, we unable to know
any reason to anticipate union while the present
generation remains on the stage.
And this leads US to say that the action of the |