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

North Then he adds; "Now after having
swallowed these large camels, it does not
seen consistent to strain at gnats; or even
at putatiVe camels.
The complete refutation of all that is ma
terial in this paragraph has been so often
published, that an elaborate exposition Is
unnecessary. The essential points are these
a. A large part of the United Synod
never came into our union at all. There
were elements in it that could not harmo
nize with us. The Presbyteries of the Dis
trict of Columbia and of Ozark in Missouri,
did not unite. And majority of the min
listers in East Tennessee did not. Just as
soon as they could they "went unto their
own Company" and are now in the " happy
family" So much for that.
o. Our union was formed after doc
trinal declaration had been unanimously
adopted by the two committees, to ascer-
tain whether the parties were sufficiently
agreed in regard to points which had
formerly given trouble. 1t was drawn up
with the avowed purpose of cutting up the
New Haven heresy by the roots. 1t was
adopted by every Presbytery of the United
Synod 1t was not made term of our
union, (which was upon the Westminster
standards only but the omission of the doc
trinal propositions was on the following
grand solely, viz:
That, believing the approval of those
propositions by the Committees of Confer
ence, and extensively among both bodies,
has served a valuable purpose by presenting
satisfactory evidence of such harmony and
soundness of doctrinal views as may ground
an honorable union, the Assembly does yet
Judge that it is most prudent to unite on the
basis of our existing standards only, mas
much as no actual necessity for other dec
larations of belief in order to happy union
now exists" Minutes for 1864
81 After careful and repeated inqui-
ry, we do not know of a single minister in
our connection who holds the New Haven
theology; and if any one did enter our union
entertaining those sentiments, he did so under
declaration expressly cOndemning them
Moreover, should any one be now or hereaf-
ter brought to trial for avOwing them, no
man could plead that there was an under
standing at the time that the united church
should give them shelter.
Now, what kind of union was effected at
the North? Just this
a. Laborious efforts were made, again
and again, by the committees to see if the
parties were sufficiently agreed. Every eff
fort failed, and they were on the very point
of abandoning the union as utterly impracti-
cable.
a. Finally they gave up all attempts to
ascertain whether they were well agreed, and
determined to form their union on the basis
of the confession both parties had always
adopted, but about whose doctrines they had
for long years had most uncomprOmising
controversy.
81 The last thing the Old School AS
sembly at Albany said was, that in consent
ing to this union, it was with the distinct un-
Outstanding on their part that nothing they
had hitherto condemned should be allowed in
the united church. And the last thing the
New School at Harrisburg did, was to de-
clare that they entered the union with the
distinct understanding that everything they
had allowed was to fad full federation =
"And so they wrapped it up" There was
union-with drawn swords! DR.. Leyburn
refers to the comparative soundneSs of that
couglomeration. We beg to refer him to
the protest of Drs. Charles Hodge, John G.
Backus, and others, entered upon the Min
utes of that same Assembly at Albany. We
propose to give others the benefit of this in
teresting document at an early day. Aud
now for minister in our church to profess
that these two unions were formed upon the
same principle, can only be accounted for
upon the idea that his assertion has been ad-
ventured greatly in advance of his informa-
ton. Certainly if any one can persist in 1t
after careful examination, he need have no
difficulty either in "straining at gnatS or
swallowing camels" of whatever shape or
size: they are about as much alike as black
and white.
a. Mr.. Gardner has published another
letter of which we may hereafter give the
substance. In the mean time we commend
it to the special attention of our brother in
Baltimore. He does not represent all the
NOrth-that he does represent substantially
what has been and is the prevailing views
and purposes of his Church, we see no good
ground to doubt. Aud this remark is made
upon information we have no reason to dis
trust.
(8.) We search in vain for any conforma,
ton of this paragraph in the plain facts of
the case. The men who ruled from 1861 to
1867 are the predominantmen still. Search
and see.
Co., The Reformed Dutch Church is re-
ferred to, and establishment expressed that
our Southern Church should EXPRESS so warm
an affection for them, while it turns away
from the mother church. We are advised to
search their records and see what offenders
they have been. We have searched them
carefully and long ago. They differ from