The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-09-01
LETTER 10.

Dear Sit was my purpose to say a word
or two about Dr. Breckenridge, of Kentucky,
in these letters from Richmond. Then why
not? you may possibly ask. In looking for
ward on my paper we 6nd the sheets have
been nearly filled, and just space enough is
left on which to close this correspondence.
We will simply say that the Doctor is a mem
Der of an Influential family that many years
since removed to Kentucky from about
Lynehburg, on James River. In 1911, his
brother, Cabell Breckenridge, was married
to a granddaughter of DR.. Witherspoon,
and in this way some branches of the family
are lineally descended from Knox, our illus
triOus Rsformer. | am glad to find any
link Of connection between Scotland and
Kentucky, though few years since the red
men were prowling in its western forests,
and there was no civilized man to hear the
lowing of it's buffalo herds, nor any white
lady to watch the deer skipping through its
glades. Our Doctor lost a son in the late
war, we believe near Lebanon, Wilson cOun-
ty, Tennessee. Many preachers can sympa-
thiEe with him who experienced like be-
reayement. The earbines seemed to cherish
spite against the sons of the clergy. Per-
haps their sires cried out rather too loudly
for the war The Doctor was barrister
before directing his attention to the law and
the Prophets. He married into the distin-
guished Preston family, settled in Baltimore,
has travelled in Europe, challenged Bishop
England to a controversy about Papisry,
has written a scorching letter to Sumner,
acted prominent part in the division of the
Presbyterian Church in 1887, and performed
many other wonderful deeds, the spying out
of which would not suit me in my present
hurry. Many were surprised at the part
taken by the Doctor in the late war, for
thisr reason: His family were all devoted to
the political views of Thomas Jefferson, the
third President Of the United States, a man
who was haunted all his life by the thought
that the General Government might become
the vortex of the States His fears have
been realized. The harpoOn of Uncle Sam
has struck six and thirty whales, and they
are foundering up the Potomac. Wish they
maynOt die in long agony. Aud Dr. Breck-
enridge has contributed something to this
mighty result. Socrates was accompanied
by a sort of spectre, which many have sup
posed was nothing but sound judgment; /;
and Jefferson might have only been an acute
perception of cause and effect. In 1920,
when many in Congress opposed the intro
duction of Missouri into the union, he said
mournfully, "the knell of that Union is toll
ing" Hark, It's a solemn sound. The
evening has come. IT'S the curfew of Will
liam the Conqueror.
To the question of your last letter. Will
the Northern and Southern branches of the
Presbyterian Church reunite after the tenn
porary separation produced, by the four
years war? The Episcopal Church, yor
say, is re,cemented. Why nOtthe Presbyte
rian? Yes, the Church Prelatioal is reunited
in name, but not in Christian affection. Tht
harmony restored is one dictated by policy
The body at best is small, and incapable o
bearing a division. 1t cannot fly if robbed
of its Southern wing. The reconciliation
was effected when the dominant power il
Congress was denying all representation t
eleven States in the Council of the Nation
On this account EpscOpacy may lose tn
confidence of the South. This, however
may be only an objection on the part of Tor
Melrose, for we wish no harm to any calm
themselves Christians. There has been
time when Presbyterianism has been IN
in this country, when Rodgers and DaVie
were heard gladly in Virginia, when tn
Smiths presided over Southern Colleges
when KollOck and Larned could charm tn
ear of Georgia and Louisiana, and then tn
influence of Rice extended into New Ems
land, and the Hoges, Baxters and Speec'
of the Blue Ridge, were appreciated in tn
General Assembly. The sunny South r
fected its superior luStre on the North
But that happy state of things can never
renewed. There are too many obstacles
be overcome before such result can tai
place. The Northern Church have change
the whole framework of Presbyterianism.-
They have turned the Constitution into
zero; they have given away to party Wh
was meant for mankind; they have becoI
the patrons of war; they have wished t
Government to run the fire of the churche
they have prescribed new terms of cOmmu
ion; they have committed acts of unexa