The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1874-04-30

Instead of saving at seems to be ques.
tion of Presbyterian principle" he should
have said of Scripture principle among
Presbyterians; for Presby yterianism openly
processes to be founded wholly on the
Scripture, and to have no principles not
thence derived. Most Presby yterians, it is
believed, and multitudes besides, think,
moreover, that God has revealed his will
on the subject here specially involved, as
on many other subjects, in the volume oi
nature as well as in the volume Of Scrip
ture.
Q. Your reporter is mistaken in repre-
senting certain resolutions adopted as "a
compromise platform"
The resolutions were adopted, without
opposition, as presented by the committee,
with single verbal alteration which does
not alter the sense, and which was sug-
gested by member and accepted by the
chairman without action of the Presby-
terry. The first resolution Is: "That we
arc in hearty sympathy with the spirit
and motives that animate the present
Woman's Temperance Movement"
Surely this indicates room enough in
the shell to satisfy any reasonable lobster,
however lively and wide awake to the de-
mands OF the times. And yet neither
"Rev. McGifert, of Parkersburg," nor
CDR. Scott, of the University" said a
word against this, nor against any OF those
resolutions, as published in your paper:
It was when an additional resolution
was offered with the view Of committing
the Presbytery to more explicit declara.
ton respecting certain measures con-
nected with the"Women's Temperance
Movement" in many cases, that the mem
bers named, and others, did determined
"" and successfully oppose-not '"any
such action" as that respecting the "Wo'
mems Movement" bat respecting the
measures referred to, viz: saloon and
street praying. They seemed to think
that God could hear the united prayers
OF those pious women from the churches
as we'll as from the saloons, and would be
fully as likely to, send answers TO the
prayers from the former places, as to those
from the latter; and that for ladies to e1.
pose themselves to such sights and sounds
as they often encountered at the saloons,
was contrary to another "tangling" deltv:
erance of that same Paul: "Let all
things be done decently and in order,"-to
say nothing of the direction of the Savior
himself, not to "cast pearls before swine" :"
This additional was not postponed"
as the reporter no doubt understood; but
it was efectually disposed Of by beng
laid on the table, by very decided ma
jority.
is unanimous in encouraging the great
temperance movement; OF encouraging
the noble women, and also the noble men
engaged in it; and about unanimous in
discouraging all overstrained measures
for promoting this or any other cause,
however good. The pill OF saloon pray.
ing, even when well sugar coated, as in
that tabled resolution, could not be poured
down the Presbyterian throat after stren-
uous efforts (much to be deprecated in all
such cases) TO that effect. Stripped OF the
coating, Cery few OF the members would
voluntarily take it down..
8. The Evangelist ordained is repre-
sented as too venerable by far. He is not
"an aged man;" his father yet lives; and
he himself has much good service in him
yet, and is likely to perform it efficiently
and faithfully.
4. wish to protest strongly against
the sentiment implied about meeting the
public expectation" The language used
implies not merely the fact, in view
OF the reporter, that the ex-
pectation of "the public at large"
was not met. That would be
legitimate. But it Is farther implied
that there was delinquency on the part
OF the ffeSDyGerY III QOG meelluR LuI5
public expectation-a failing to come up
towhat the public atlarge had right to
claim. .
The reporter has here, unconsciously,
I believe, given utterance to most per-
niclous error. The "public at large" as
is too common in the political world, is
here put in Gods stead in the Church
also.
AS Luther said, 81 slap the spirit on
the snous." The Presbytery-and so with
the Conference, classes, &c, of other de-
nominations-is not accountable to the
public at large for its decisions, but is &C.
countable to the Head OF the Church
through his church courts. What right
has the "public at large" to expect any
thing of the Presbytery, except that each
member will conscientio iousiy consider Tor
himself every measure, and vote accord
ing to his own judgment, in the fear and
as in the sight of God. Public expecta.
ton, indeedl scout the idea with all
its trimming and time.serving conse-
uuences. I glory in the Presbyterian
Church, as not accustomed to spread her
sails for catching. the popular breeze, nor
for sailing always in smooth water; but
very much accustomed TO push boldly
out; Through rude and stormy seas" il
need be, guided by the compass of Gods
own truth, as she understands 1t, and by
nothing else. mas. A MEMBER.
/ 7 ! gl..s,SJ OK 1924 .aaaEf ~