The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-04-05
THE pAN-pREsBYrER1AN COUNCIL.

Our readers will find in this paper, as was
promised last week, the remaining part of
the article from the Southern Presbyterian
Review. They are requested to give it a
careful inspection this will obViate the ne.
ces8ity of quoting it to much extent. Taen
let them Judge whether the following re-
marks present satisfactory answer. The
sections are taken according to their num-
Der, beginning with the
5th. Exposing our Church to peril from
contact Vit6 the latitudiaariaa spirit pyevail-
ing Ia other Presbyterian bodies. Concern
ing what is advanced throughout that sec
ton there is this to be answered
a. A general answer is, that the au-
thOr's view would involve bis church in a
strange and lamentable inconsistency, Our
Assembly muss not send delegates to this
Presbyterian Alliance because the leading
bodies in it are sell tainted with Broad
CEwcIism." And yet ne knows perfectly
we'll that this same Assembly actually has
sent, or has signifad its readiness to send,
corresponding delegates 60 nearly all Of them.
His course of argument would make cur
Church stuldfy itself: We shall become
tainted if we touch this concern as q whole,
but it is altogether safe to be brought
into contact with nearly all the parts Of
which it is composed! Way did NOS the OBJ
jectOr drive bis nail to the head while he was
at it, and say, our Assembly ought to have
nothing whatever to do with any of them
That might indeed compors With MS own
views, but not with the consistency, and, We
trust, not with the fixed purpose of our
Church. But for a more particular answer
we remark
a. That in general the Presbyterian
bodies of the world are no more latitudina-
riau in doctrine now than formerly. The
Old School Presbyterian Church is indeed an
exception, to certain extent, and TO On ex-
tent we exceedingly regret. By iss union in
1870 it became, notformally or ayowediy, but
really, and under the circumstances, Of neees-
sity, considerably 5rOaasasd. Ths churches
in Scotland are as orthodox as they have
commonly been, and far more so than in the
days of DR.. Witherspoon, and during the
reign Of Moderatism. So of the churches in
Ireland and England As to France We
think the writer is far away from the re
cord. Let the matte; Of their present Con-
fessiOn Of Faith be as il nay, all who have
watched the history Of the Reformed Church
there for the last tgsasy years, know what
contest has been going on between the Evan
geical and railroads.&c. parties, which end
ed last year IN the triumph Of the former,
and the secession Of the latter. And why ?
Because the Evangelical parry required the
adoption Of declarations so orthodox that
they could not stand the test.
As to a certain remark heard by the
writer and "applaudal 10 tho echo, if our
impression is correct it Vas made in Canada
two or three years ago. Tao several bodies
Of Presby:erians there, ali orthodox, though
unhappily divided upon very minor questions,
were about to unite. The remark, under
slch circumstances, deserved al the applause
it received.
g. TIE Consensus Of the Reformed
Churches, we maintain, has we'll defined
meaning as to their doctrine and order. The
volume, Corpus Confessionum, " is every
where quoted when we wish to demonstrate
their agreement iu all essential things. That
this Consensus would not define all minute
points may be admitted BIT the Alliance
does not contemplate such discussions.
a. It is said that the Sc creed Of the Al
lance, as to doctrine aud order, muat be
the result Of concessions. This whole class
Of objections proceeds from the idea tia.
this Alliance must not only be able to stand |
upon tie general agreement Of the Reformed
Churches, but unless it can square itself upon