The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1873-10-08
NOTES ON DIR. LEYBURN's ARTICLE.

Robert Hall says OF John Wesley that ne
was "the quiescence of turbulence; while he
set all in motion, he was himself perfectly
calm and phleguatic." The great leader of
the late rebellion that spread over so much
Of China, called himself Tse-ping.wang, the
Great tranquility. Our brother in Balti-
more starts out, not for "a pitched battle, "
but to " offer few hints in the interest of
fraternity and peace; !" yet his whole article
is for some reason or other "pitohed" against
his own Church. From beginning to end
there is nothing but complaint against his
Southern, and nothing but apology for his
Northern brethren. He has perfect right
to bis opinions, and has had an opportunity
to express them. Having, in common with
our people generally, different view Of the
case, we exercise the privilege of making
some notes on what has been presented, TAX
ing up his nine points in their order.
1 and ,. We are blamed for the discussion
that has been going on. But who began it !?
Hardly had the Baltimore Assembly taken
It's action before the Northern Presbyterian
editors and correspondents we're busy with
the subject And though the paper itself
said nothing in terms about organic union,
their religious newspapers uniformly and with
emphasis gave it that Interpretation; were
full of laudatiOns about the loving, generous
spirit of their Assembly, and very decided
in their opinion as to the undoubted duty of
our Church to accept this magnanimOus offer
without hesitation. Some of them were so
eager to operate upon public sentiment
among US, that they underwent the trouble
and expense of sending their papers broad
cast over our churches. If DR.. Leyburn ex-
pected US to sit still and say nothing, he
has views different from those entertained
either by US or by our readers. Our papers
have stood their ground, as was their duty.
Editors and others have given information
aud counsel to our people, and with excellent
results.
8. As to the motives of the Baltimore
Assembly. We should be sorry to think
that al were moved by ambition, or other
things no better or that in any case the
motives were purely evil, Most assemblies,
under such influences as have long been at
work in the matter before us, act under
mixed motives. But on the other side, when
their apolOgist feels himself warranted in
pronouncing their motives wholly good, and
says he is positive" they are so, because
he was present and conversed with a good
many at the time, and has since met "a
number of their leading men" in private, he
must excuse our readers for an innocent
smile at the distance between the premises
and the conclusion. His amiability is more
apparent than his sagacity.
T. If "passiOn has subsidized and reason
has resumed its sway" and sour enemies
regret the "hard names they called US in
that crisis, why can't they say so? That
would end the matter. DR.. Leyburn puts
our case unfairly. If man had been &C
cused of the worst sins from 1861, to 1866,
and then gravely informed that by viz
tue Of a resolution framed concerning a
totally different matter and with another
party, all these accusations had become
'null and void" since 1870, what would he
think Of it? But that is exactly the action
of the Northern Assembly towards our
Church. The idea that it has at all settled
the trouble is simply and supremely ridicu-
lous. The attempt to dispose Of grave
difficulty among equals by such an indirec-
ton, instead of an open, manly way, could
have DO other effect than to increase it. And
the republication of these offensive acts.
these " insulting words, which Dr. Ley5urn
disreGshes and condemns as an "unfaiiness,
has been rendered proper and necessary by
the very course pursued towards US.
5. As to the bad temper Of the South,
ern Church cOntrasted with that of the
Northern. Certainly there is danger of
erring here, and if insult and prOvocatiOn
expose men to sin, no Church in modern
times has had greater temptation. That
we have always spoken and acted in the
South as became "the meekness and gentle
ness Of Christ, is more than any one can
venture to claim. But our Church is by no
means sensitive as to the opinion of what
our brother calls ''the great family Of Chris,
tians." All Christian denominations in the
SOut% are so well used to the ISLANDERS and
vituperation of multitudes at the North, and
Of their sympathisers in Europe, that they
do by no means think il impossible to &" live
and move and have a being" without the
light Of their cOuntenanee. 1t is said "they
wish to bury the past, and we are unWil-
ling. The accusation does our people wrong,
come from where it may. All that they are
concerned about is that it shall not be buried
in dishonored grave. On that point they
are very determined and very unanimous.
It is alleged that the union Of the