The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-12-08
REV. DR.. STANTON on PRESBYTERIAN
FRATERNAL RELATIONS"

FRATERNAL RELATlUNS.
We now come to the graVest charge to
which DR.. Stanton refers. All decent
people feel that there is hardly any sin
more completely revolving to the ear of
Christian civilization than blasphemy.-
By the divine law under the Old Testament
it was punished with death. Such was also
the Justinian law ; and it is now the law Of
Scotland, though not enforced. By the laws
of England, and in many of toe United
States it is still civil offence punishable by
fine and Imprisonment It's commission by
8 single person is bad enough, how much
more of it rests upon whole General AS
sembly. And, on the other hand, what is to
be said of one who lays it there by false &C
cusation? What then is the ground upon
which this charge rests ? 1t is found in the
Narrative of the Southern Assembly for
1864, and we give it here as quoted by DR..
Stanton.
1--WE hesitate not to affirm that it is the pecu.
liar mission of the Southern Church to conserve
the institution of slavery. and make 1t blessing
both to master and slave. We could not II We
would, yield up these four millions Of immortal
beings to the dictates of fsnatieism, and to the
menaces Of military power.
Upon this extract, DR.. Stanton, after
referring to the charge of blasphemy which
he had twice made in his Pastoral Letter, and
to other things Herewith connected, gives
the following comment;
81 now repeat that the charge of blssphemy
is true The meaning Of the term blaspbemy is
definite and clear. 1t is an indlgnlty offered to
God by words or IN writing" webster Some
indgnity offered to God or divine things, in words
or in writing" (Woroesterl Is it possible that
a greater indignity can be offered to God than
for large and intelligent judicatory Of the Chris
tan commonwealth, solemnly to affirm, and send
it forth to the world. that God has made 1t the
peculiar mission of His Church, or any part OF
His Church to conserve the institution OF slavery
Was il for such q purpose that Christ died He
the chief cornerstone of Church which has this
peculiar mission?' What words can possibly cast
upon the divine character greater lndlgulty
Let the reader now bear with US while We
strike this "accuser of the brethren" with
the "rod of correction though with little
or no expectation that this " folly which
seems bound up in the heart" of some can
be brought out. Note the following points {:
l. Taking the words as DR.. Stanton un-
derstandS them, where is the "blasphemy 2!
Suppose some one should ask him in reply,
was it not once part of the mission of
Gods ancient Churchman's so under his
sppointment-to "conserve the Institution
of slavery?" Was that blasphemy!
But passing this by, is every thing to be
held as blasphemy which is believed, by con-
struction or logical inference, to cast dishonor
upon God? If 50, where is the end Of such
charges and denominations among men y?
Upon that idea an accusation of this great
crime could be extracted from almost every
theological error, real or supposed, under the
sun. For example. the Arminisn may say
to the Calvinist, "Your doctrine, 1 think, if
logically carried out, makes God the author
of sin, and thus casts indignity upon him,
therefore regard you as 'blasphemer. "
The Calyinist might retort, 81 think your
doctrine logically denies the sovereignty and
supreme providence of God; this is a great
indignity offered to him; therefore it is bias
phemy.'" And so of hundred other things.
Only think in what predicament this kind
of constructive "blasphemy" would involve
society.
2 But more; DR.. Stanton has suppressed
the truth by quoting only part, and that
most material part of the authorities to which
he refers. For when Webster has given
what DR.. Stanton quotes, ne gives imme-
diately after, land manifestly intended to
show what kind of WORDS constitute an sin
dignity '') the following: "reprOaehfaI, con-
temptuOus or Irevereat words altered ina.
piiOusy against God" He says of the verb
"blaspheme that it means "tO speak of the
Supreme Being in terms of impioas irrever-
snce to rerils or speak reprOachtally of
God, Christ, or the Holy Spirit" Of the
adjective "blasphemous he gives" Con-
tanning blasphemy, aoickedly caluo'niOas, I'M.
Piousy irrerersat or reprOaehful towards
God" To the same purpOrt is Worcester.
Now DR.. Stanton knew all this; he had
all right under his eye, for he quotes these
and the reader can draw his own
conclusion as to the unfortunate talent he
displays for misleading such as may trust
him.
AS so much has been said about this
dreadful sin committed by the Southern AS
sembly, we have had the curiosity to exam
inc with some care its precise meaning. The
sum and substance is :hus given BY dis.
tinguished authority. "Three things are
to this crime.
l. God must be the object. Il