The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1874-07-08
General Synod of the Reformed Church

Last year the Northern Assembly, OF their own
motion, appointed committee to confer with
like committee of the Reformed Church pt ap'
pointed) on the subject of "organic union. Inc
Reformed Synod appointed committee ana this
year they presented their report. The majority
report, while indicating no practicable scheme LOT
such union, recommended the continuance OF the
conference on the same basis as before. The min
ority report recommended that the committee
which had been appointed for organic union De
discharged. This finally prevailed; the Commit
tee, however was continued with view to make,
if practicable, some such arrangement as was
agreed upon between the Reformed and the South
ern Church. The Christian Iateligencer of last
week contains report of the earnest and protract
ed debate on this subject. 1t was ably and cour-
teously conducted on both Sides If it did not so
far pass the limits suitably assigned to ecclesiasti
cal discussions outside of our own Church, it would
give US pleasure to make copious extracts. But
the account given in the letters Of Rev. DR.. Smith,
and other items already quoted will enable our
readers to form correct opinion as to Its general
purport. We beg leave, however to give the
speech Of Jonathan Sturges, a venerable elder
from New York city, whose presence and counsels
are always welcomed in the judicatories of his
Church, and who, we are happy to observe, is one
of the delegates to the next meeting of our Gene
raj Assembly. 1t breathes the kind, pacific, and
conservative spirit which hes-maEked his course
through life. Mr.. Seurges said;
"Mr President, do not rise with the expec
tation of saving anything to influence single vote
in relation to the question before the Synod |
would not do it If could. | have no ambition to
be leader in the Reformed Church. do desire
to be useful in the Church. l do desire TO main.
tain the Christian dignity of the Church | do de-
sire to prevent hard things being said 10 relation to
other denominations | do desire to exercise all
the influence have to foster feelings of fraternal
love aud unity between them and ourselves
| have not felt that organic union was necessary
10 secure this. The General Synod last year ap-
pointed committee of twenty 10 confer with sim
liar committees from those denominations which
had sent fraternal greetings to that Synod IN the
hope that it might lead to more cordial relations
between us. Who in that Synod did not cordially
respond to the hope, so lovingly expressed on all
hands, that the bonds of Christian fellowship might
be strengthened by the conferences which were thus
inauguratedl
1t was my privilege to be one of the committee
of twenty. | say privilege. | do consider it a
privilege to have taken part in the delightful In.
tercourse we have had with our brethren of the
PRESBYTERIAN Church, North and South, and what
ever course may be adopted by this Synod, l will,
during the rest of my short lite do all that can
to deepen the Christian love so warmly developed
during our conferences with them. L call the
brethren of our committee to witness, that from
the first consultation we had together to the last,
IL. Abok / hot M in
should be said, and that whatever we did should
be done in such way as not to lose the fraternal
feeling which was rendered to US by the delegates
sent to US by the different Presbyterian bodies
There are those, sir, IN all the churches who will
write and say bitter things Thank God they are
like spots on the sun, they cannot materially affect
the warmth of the great body itself. Mr.. Presl-
dent, the committee has finished Its work so far as
renorted to Synod The responsibility OF further
action rests with this Synod. If disapprOves Of
what we have done it can stop it where it is. II
that should be its decision, | only plead that IL
NAV be done in such way as not to wound (un-
uecessariy) the feelings Of those In our own and
other denominations who have hoped for differ
ent result.
am willing to give full weight to the argument
that further discussion Of the question OF closer
relations" with other denominations will disturb
the peace OF our Church. l am aware that there
is restless feeling in our Church. 1t is so in all
denominations. This is a restless age. 1t is not
well tor US to attempt to put down this feeling, but
let us rather do what to guide it wisely. 1t
will not do for US 20 sit quietly and talk about our
good old Dutch Church. That may do FOR us CID
men. Ola churches and old men are good things
in their v-ev hsz-s 80 80 -and 4
saey &c to be useful W must be careful tina
4 we DO noi exhaust cur energies in talking abou
our age and responsibility. Let US be cautious il
| all our movements but let US not be so afraid O.
being swallowed up, as to shun oil Intercourse will
! others | think, sir, that we should be able tC
take care of ourselves in the body of the Pres
byteran Church, but do not understand that any
one proposes to merge our Church in that of any
other body.
AS said before we cannot stop the discussion Of
| changes it is not wise to attempt it, and espe
ciaIly in regard to closer relations with the Pres
byterian Church. Why, sir, many of our congre
cations are largely composed OF Presbyterians-
All the present ministers IN the Collegiate church
in New York came to US from the Presbyterian
! Church, We must take things as We ind then
and act wisely. DO not think that the Presbyte
rian Church North or South is any more anxiou.
for organic union than We are. L have seen nc
evidence of it in any OF our conferences. | am mol
| in favor of it myself, unless it should come about
through pretty unanimous wish on the part Of
the people OF both denominations.
! Now, sir, one word more about this nightmare
| Organic Union, which has troubled this Synod
for two days and nights. There is not one word
about Organic Union in the majority report
Yes, but General Pruyn says that is what il
means, or at least that is what Mr.. Ganse means
We'll, sir think Mr.. Ganse generally means what
he SAYS General Pruyn asked him last evening
if he did not intend that think he gave q
candid answer. Believing that ultimate Organic
Union will be for the best interest of the cause Of
Christ, shall labor by fair argument and persua
sion to bring it about when 1t can come by the
spontaneous wishes of the people, and not until
then.
Now, sir, Mr.. Ganse speaks for himself and not
for the other members Of the committee. He does
not assume to speak for them. | have never in
any shape committed myself to Organic Union.
All that l have said was this: | am willing to
discuss the subject free from prejudice. | am
not in favor Of disturbing the peace Of the Church
BY any unnecessary discussion.
| believe there will be less disturbance if the res
outiou before Synod merely to continue Con-
ference Committee, passes, than there will be if it
does not pass. Therefore, [ hope the resolution
will be adopted.
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