, 1874-05-25

Tho Presbytery OF Chicago. at ita resumed
naaslon, will necessarily begin to consider What
is to be done with Prof. Patton7" It is no
longer question botween Patton md Swing, or
the shades Of theology they represent. The
issue now is between small and oycrruled
minority. say one-dftl Of the presbytery, With
Prof. Patton NJ thoir leader, and the Prosbytery
four-tifths It It shall be carried into the Synod
and General Assembly, it may also become
fight between Old School ProBbyterianiam and
New. To avert, 1t possible, this widening Of tho
conflict prof. Swing Tithdraws from tho Church
ho chiefly loves,-unwillingly according to the
human standard, but perhaps wisely indeed, ao-
cording to the standard OF tho Christ he seryos.
He proposes to "malo up with his adversary
quickly" while they are on their way together
to The Synod, by not only parting with tho mantle
Of Presbyterian minister which DR.. Patton las
SO 1uthlossly demanded, but by giving him hia
cloak also oven to membership in a body from
which only the most captious desire him to de-
part. Wo do not suppose the Divine Master
doubted tho legal right Of Hia Apostles to stey
in any ho,se or city where they were dospitefu1ly
used hy Bomo small portion Of tboao to whom
they wero sont. Still Ho directs them not to liti
cato tho question, but to "sha!te the dust from
their foot" aud leave. In the aplris
Of this divine injunction Prof. Swing haa acted.
It ia too early got to pronounce upon tho wisdom
OF his action further thau to admit that 1t has
not been j" wor1dIy-wise." Its Immediate effects
| ombarrass his friends and delight his enomos.
| Whether Its ultimate consequences will vary
from these, depends in part On tie action Of tho
Chicago Prosbytory.
What ought they to do Their votes declare
that David Swing is good, valid, sincere, and
orthodox Presbyterian. Shall they finch from
this verdict II 1t Was true when made, ia il
made the losa true by the spirit Of modest self
sacrifice In which Prot. Swing would leap over
board from their common ship because 1t con
tains few to whom hia preaonco is unwelcome
II David Swing ia valid Presbyterian. Will
no greater eccentrictiea Of thought or diction OF
collateral ponts than Paul, Augustino, Calvin
Knox, or President AIcCosh may have enter
tanned, Or than Patterson, or swazoy, OF Pattor
himself entertains, though Of different kind
what shall be the action Of the presbytory to-
wards the otflcious. eolt-appointea Saul Of Tar
sus who concoiyos'he does Gol service In boin{
present aud consontiog to tho stoniug Of thi
Stephen To permit Swing to bo driven from th
Church by merely making it too hot inside 70
linn to atsy. is to admit that Presbyterian mn
jority Is powosless to defend !tsolf against til
assaults Of = faotious and heatan minority. TIL
Presbytery, feeling tho teeth Of Patton throug
tho!r pantaloons, have their choice either
throw away their Weapons and pat him on til
hoad till he xels1os hia grip, or to ruin hl1
i. through With thatr bayonot. Had he made oyo,
tures OF oonuiliatlon when ha course WIS 90 on
pi,atfcally condemned by tho Proabytcsy, the
might now talk Of conpromHo. but 10 propoa
compromise with ono who threateus to impoac
th6m before the Synod IL bonoatL the dignity
: Il religious body. It III the logical duty Of til
presbytory either to hack down from their r.
/ corded votdict, to acknowledge Swing . heroti
: aud Patton the accredited uhippar.in Of Il
j | Presbyterian Church, to sustain him a. hs pre-
assds tn tupssuh batoss thu asnaa W t1rty.d,