The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1874-12-23

RESULTS OF THE LATE GENERAL CONVENTION
My work tonight is to exhibit to you the
results of the General Convention which has
just closed its labors. l propose to direct
your attention to this thought-the failure
of that Convention to meet the duties and
responsibilities of the Reformed Church, and
the first great failure to which l allude is in
her attitude toward other reformed churches.
NO RECOGNITION OF OTHER PROTESTANT
CHURCHES.
You seek in vain among all the proceed
ngs of that body for one recognition of the
Protestant churches around her. Look for
one resolution, for one act, for one senti'
ment. for one speech recognizing the pre-
sence of the great Protestant Christendom
around her; this Protestant Christendom
that is covering heathendom with her mis-
sionaries, that is graphing with vice in this
city, that is exhibiting the fruits of God in
these grand churches around us, in these be-
nevolent institutions, in these reformatories,
the grandest work of Gods Spirit in the
Church Of Christ You look in vain for one
ect. ore sp.iment, cne thought recogniging
the existence of the great Protestants around
her, There is not one thought. More than
that, how Strikingly did that Convention ig-
more the greatest religious event IN our age,
the late Evangelical Allisnce-the greatest
of Councils since the Day of Pentecost;
greater than the Council of Nice; men
speaking dozen different languages; schol
ars like Arnold, great orators like Arnot of
Edinburg, and the Swiss and German di.
vines in that great Council. Even from
India, afar off, was sent converted Brah-
min. All met in the spirit of love, standing
on a common platform, in the great doctrines
of faith. For that great event of this cen
tury the General Convention of the Protes-
tant Episcopal Church had not one word of
sympathy, not one allusion.
More than that, canon which has stood
on the statute book of that church since
1868, which requires every minister to ex-
clude from his pulpit all non-Episcopal d.
vines, under the penalty of being tried, was
permitted to stand not voice uplifted to
ask for its repeal, not one protest against it.
And every Episcopal minister has placed his
neck under that despotism that makes him
deny to his Christian brethren that they are
ministers of Christ.
CORDIAL RECOGNITION OF THE GREEK
CHURCH.
Now beg you to mark the difference, on
the other hand, between this attitude toward
the Protestant Churches about her, and her
attitude toward the Greek Church. On the
first day of the session resolution was of.
fered inviting Greek priests to take seats in
the body of the Convention. Now remem.
Der that there is only one Greek priest in
this country, and he holding service in a pri-
vate house in this city. The resolution was
passed inviting Greek priests to take their
seats by the side of the members, and recog
nizing their equality. This Greek Church
that is as corrupt as the Church of Rome;
that teaches transubstantiation in her doc
trines more offensive than does the Church
of Rome; church that worships the Virgin,
wofships the saints, that baptizes the little
infant eight days old by dipping it three
times, then administers confirmation, and
then, tremble to say it, administers the
Lords supper to the little infant eight days
old, with spoon, mixing the bread and
wine in spoon for it; that is the Church,
the Protestant Episcopal Church invited to
sit on an equality with her. But these no.
bic divines of New York, these men of Gods
own calling, whose work he has recognized
and blessed; these men were totally ignored,
passed over, forgotten by the Church-the
one Church in the land which has the name
Protestant in its title. Sitting in city
filled with great divines of Protestant church
es, and never extending her hand in sympa,
thy or love, or recognizing their existence
What is worse, all this conduct is based on
one theory, the fable of Apostolic succession
or a more gigantic fable never existed
the dogma that there can be no church
without bishop, the dogma which cuts off
the whole of Christendom excepting the cor
rupt churches of the East and West, turning
them over to the mercy of God, as one of the
delegation in that body said to Mrs. Tying,
in the city of Peoria. He said that there
was no salvation out of the Church of Christ.
She knew that his mother had been a most
sanity woman, and yet a Presbyterian. She
asked, "Whst, then of your mother"
"0h!" said he-and let US believe he was
sincere, and not acting the hypocrite-" OH"
said he, drawing his handkerchief out and
placing it to his eyes, and sobbing, "My
mother, must leave her to the uncovenanted
mercy of God" How different is this mani,
festation from that of the reformers Of the
sixteenth century, who courted the friend
ship, society and love of the great Protestant
divines, who loved them, who took John
Knox into their counsels to help prepare the
revised Prayer Book, who, in the presence
of Bishop Hall, spoke of the continental
churches as the dear, sister churches of the
continent. Imagine Protestant Episcopal
Bishop now, calling the Presbyterian and
Methodist Churches dear, sister churches.
Is there no degeneracy from those days?
REFUSAL TO GRANT RELIEF TO BURDENED
CoNSCIENCEs.
The next point is her stern refusal to
grant any relief to the burdened consciences
within her fold. There has existed for the
past hundred years body of men of whom
the world has never been aware. am glad
to give them praise tonight. allude to
that body called Evangelical clergymen in
the Church of England, Evangelical because
they cling to the Gospel, to justification by
faith, the simple access of each soul to Christ
without mediation of priest or sacrament,
salvation coming direct from Christ, the
Church of God, the blessed company of an
all-faithful people, not hierarchy; that
evangelical body of clergymen have been the
life, the holy seed and sustenance of the
Church of England. DR.. Pusey has paid
| theu nerhans the hiohest comnliment ever