The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-09-08
THE BROTEERLY HAND.

have "held out a brotherly hand to all COM
muniOns that preserve pure the doctrines of
salvation"
The Churches called Reformed" we're
Presbyterian in their government and Cal
whistle in their theology; and we're estab
lished chiefly in Geneva, and other parts of
Switzerland, in France, Germany and Scot
land. They are now to be found in Eng
land, Ireland, Canada, Australia, and in the
United States of America; in which place
last named) they are by far the most num-
erous.
The remark made by D'Aubigue is in
general very true. The Reformed Churches
have for the most part held liberal, charita-
bic sentiments towards other evangelical de-
nominations. They have not cast them out,
or refused to recognize them as part of the
one Church of the one living and true God.
1t is true that they have had separations
among themselves. They have always held
that the doctrines of the Bible were immeas-
urably more important than any questions
of ecclesiastical order. And If choice
must be made between Church uniformity
and error on the one hand, and diversity and
truth on the other, they have not hesitated
to separate. No doubt the application Of
this principle has sometimes been carried too
far, and the multiplication of Presbyterian
bodies has been excessive. There is some
foundation for the comparison of Presbyte-
rianism to hickory wood; "sOund, heavy,
tough and very valuable, and easy 20 split. +"
But in it all they have on their forehead the
seal of genuine iberalty. They cordially
accept the truth that other evangelical bodies
are Churches of Jesus Christ. The ordina-
ton of their clergy and the administration of
their ordinances they acknowledge as valid /;
and in all suitable ways they are ready to
testify before the world practically their be
lief in the great fundamental Christian doc,
trine of the communion of saints. If there
is in all the symbols of faith in Christeudom
a more ample, explicit, scriptural declaration
on this subject than is to be found in the
standards of our Church, we have never seen
it.
The legitimate tendency of this is towards
a visible exhibition of this commun on of
saint" in all ways in which it can be safely
and hOnorsbly DONE 'The Biblical ten
dency of the Reform" remarks D'Aubigne
"must lead all the Reformed to attach slight
Importance to ecclesiastical differences, and
much to Bible truth; consequently to ex-
tend brotherly hand to al churches, and
all individuals who hold TO the Bible, 1t is
thus from sound principles that beneficial
consequences always flow. Let us remain
faithful to this spirit of true casholicity.-
Let us not forget these words of the Apostle
Zone Lord, one faith, one baptism, one
God and Father of all, who is above all, and
through all and in you all To uphold this
is the special mission of the Reform
1t is under the light of this great princi
pie that we welcome the recent movement in
London for Presbyterian Alliance. There
is this day far more substantial agreement
between the many Presbyterian Churches
represented in that Council, than exists in
the Church of England, or in the Episcopal
Church in this country. The points on
which we differ from one another are as
mole hills compared to the mountains be-
tween contending parties in each of those
sects. Let Us then do whatever may be
practicable for the more visible manifesto
ton of this unity to the world 1t is car.
dinal point in the Alliance that the peculiar
tiles of each particular organization are to
be left untouched We recognize each other
in the great matters in which we are agreed,
and undertake s'co0peratiOn in such work
within that sphere as providence may place
in our hands. That is all; and that seems
to our mind thing both safe and good. 1t
is ''brotherly hand held out according to
the old honored principle belonging to the
Reformed Churches from the foundation
Let any one take the life Of Calvin, and es-
pecially the three octave volumes of his let
tiers, and see how full both mind and heart
were of this subject. No man has been more
misrepresented and misunderstood. Calvin,
Ito use a phrase of John OEen) "would
not compromise the truth of God a single
particle, though the whole world should
stumble over it and break their necks." But
with all this uncOmprOmising adherence to
truth, he had heart as magnificent as his
intellect. His whole soul was enfamed, al
most consumed, with desire to promote
Christian fellowship among the Reformed
Churches.
While, then, our principles, as one Of the
Reformed Churches, extend the " brotherly
hand" to all evangelical Churches, except
where uabrOshery conduct would make it
dishOnorable, it seems to be a special duty,
rather let it be deemed a special privilege
to do so towards Presbyterian Churches, who
are peculiarly our "fellow citizens aud of
the household of God"
Removal to Baltimore. Let all concerned re-
voe,ober that our Executive Committees of Sus-