The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-10-20

AANNN OAS4AA'h1NiOh w PNA"eo RNN'NV "
correspondence, or on the editorial comments
upon it. The discussions heretofore have
exhausted the subject A few remarks will
embrace all that we care to offer.
l. Nothing could be more unfair than to
charge DR.. Palmer with trying to evade the
point of DIR. Nelson's inquiry. Dr.. Palmer
understood his ground thoroughly, aud kept
it. No person should be expected to answer
catagorieally question which ought to be
answered officially. DIR. Palmer went exact
ly as far as he properly could, and courto-
ou8ly declined to go any further.
?. All who wish to know what would De
acceptable to our Church, have it already
presented clearly in what was suggested by
our Committee in Baltimore, aud which was
approved by our Assembly. There need be
no difficulty on this point. DR.. Nelson I'M
mistakably comedies that aspersions were
cast upon our Assembly by that of the North,
and that they ought to be removed from be-
ginning to end-from the past as well as
the present. If the Northern Church ID pre-
pared to do this, we should be sorry to think
the English language so poverty-stricken as
not to supply "a few plain words" to say 1t
in. If they are not ready for this, there IS
no use for any further debate.
8. But Just there is the rub: they are not
wiling to make TINS concession. Soms,ar--s
and they include large aud increasing
number. The majority feel far otherwise
Some take shelter under the vain plea that
one Assembly has no power to sit in jadg-
ment upon the acts of another; others that
they are since the union, new Church and
not responsible for the acts of former Assem-
bies. Others consider those acts as right In
themselves, and the accusations as perfectly
proper and just. DR.. Niccolls, as usual,
takes both sides on that point. AT Balti-
more he was ready to make lame apology
for these things, as "made in peculiar times
and under strange and exciting circum-
stances, when passions and feelings of men
were profoundly moved, and to ask the ex-
tension of our "charity and Christian for
giveness." (See pamphlet, page 72.) At
Cleveland he gives US to understand that
they were all just right, and therefore did
not stand in need of the exercise of any such
grace.
4. The declaration made by DIR. Nelson,
namely, that there is nothing in all their
political enactments but what properly be-
longs to the sphere of Church court, shows
plainly the condition of the Northern mind,
in its best estate on this subject. Will ne
please to consult the pamphlet sent him By
DR.. Palmer, and tell US if it belongs to the
Church to settle "the right of suffrage, or
"the erroneous Interpretation of the doctrine
of States rights" and other questions that
might be mentioned?
5. There can be no question that we ought
not to ask of others what We are not willing
to grant. That is perfectly plain. Now
this point will become practical just as
soon as it is shown that our Assembly has
cast any aspersions upon the Northern As
gembly. Drs. Hays and Cleland pledged
themselves before the whole Church to do
this. but as soon as the issue was joined
have confessed their inability to fulfil it, not
by a manly retractiOn but by an inglor'0NS
silence The evasion made in Northern
newspapers on this point is virtual comics
sion of their weakness. To make US out as
great trausgressors as themselves, they tell
us we also have uttered some political sent'
meats which are displeasing to them. Crav-
ing your pardon, gentlemen, it is not queS'
ton of political declarations. Oar Commit
tee at Baltimore and DR.. Palmers letters
make that as plain as monday, and you hno'0
1t. 1t is simply and solely question Of as
PERSONS on our ecclesiastical character
Please stick to that.
6. What are "fraternal relations worth
that have to be fought for? We have never
thrust this subject upon the other side; we
have acted throughout in self defence. If
DR.. Nelson and those who think with him
can bring their Assembly to remove the dis
honoring imputations cast upon ours, let
them do so. Let them make some plain
declaration which will admit of no ambiguity
or dispute. Note the fact that their papers
have already asserted that they can lea0e Out
the word "present, and still LEAVE IN the
whole of what they have said Christian
candor should frown upon all such trifing.
Whenever a plain, explicit declaration is
made, such as would render it consistent
with truth and with our Christian honor to
have good relations with the Northern Pres
byterian Church, we are sure it will be fully
met in the South. If the other side are
readg to do this, it will not be hard to find
words ftly expressing it. If they are not,
that is an end of the matter. Our Church
understands its righteous position, aud by
the help Of God will Steadfastly abide in it.
The Destruction of San Jose de Cucuta is
graphically described in the communication of Rev.
II. B. Pratt. Though long it will be read with
deep interest as the most complete and reliable ac
count of that terrible catastrophe. How easily may
He who of old laid the foundations of the earth.
oyertuEn them in moment, lift SO please Him.