The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-11-15

gress of this critical case whether our view
is mistaken one. An able pen has review
ed these proceedings of the Synod In the
Cincinnati Gazette of October Goth, in which
We find the following emphatic and signif-
cant declarations:
1.-THE breadth and extent of the issues involved
IN the proceedings Of the Presbytery OF Cincinnati,
and in the Synod of Cincinnati 90 far beyond the
particular case of Mr. McCune, which will stand
on its own merits by itself They relate to no less
than the general question Of the security OF the &c
cesastical rights of Presbyterian ministers, 10 the
enforcement Of UNCONVENTIONAL law, and to the
protection Of personal and ministerial character,
under the constitution. Is arbitrary power to
override the constitution? Ia 1870 the Synod OF
Cincinnati ITSELF ordered the principles OF MIR. Nc
Cune to be published and circulated throughout
It's bounds and so far, contributed to nocuate the
ministry aud churches Of the Presbyterian body
with opposition to the enforcement OF distinctive
UNCONVENTIONAL law. This, of itself, will account
for the action of both the Presbytery and the Synod
now and opens up the fact, that. In the McCupe
case when il shall come Oh, MIR. MeCune can rely
upon the action of the Sonod of 1870. II also may
account for the action of Synod upon Mr. Skin
ners complaint, which seeks only the enforcement
of Presbyterian law and order, and the protection
of his own rights as against arbitrary power, and
against the introduction Of SANDER al EGitatn and
without reproof in official documents Of the Pres
bytery. The uniOnism of the war, wherein, Tor
the time social, political and religious differences
were all broken down in the effort to save the
country, passed over into the Presbyterian Church.
and false liberalism was proclaimed by the Synod
of Cincinnati in 1870, at the time of the reunion
of the two branches of the Presbyterian Church
and the policy has been made upon that line ever
since. Hence the struggle now, not merely to pre-
serve Presbyterian faith and order in their distinc
tive character, but the struggle even to secure a
protection Of Individual ecclesiastical rights The
Synod of Cincinnati in 1870 ordered to be print
cd" their committees report on Christian
Union. which was prepared by Mr.. McCune, and
which contains, among other things, these words ::
I'VE speak not of voluntary usage, OF prevailing
customs, of mere recommendations, for these
things never produce UNCONVENTIONAL divisions
We speak of organic euscments, of denomination
al laws, for tits these and these only, that divide
the Church. These are the apples of discord and
wedges of division in the Christian Church. 1t is
these peculiar. distinctive, UNCONVENTIONAL laws
which give visible form and sharp outline and re-.
pellant and perUetuating power to divisions. Re
port, D. s. The resolutions were adopted. and
the report ordered to be printed" When Pres
byterian Synod can "Order to be printed, and
allow to be circulated and taugnt the ABOVE QOc-
trne, striking at the roots Of its own Standards it
is not difficult to account for its action in postpon-
ingtD the complaint of DR.. Skinner on the i'm.
agined ground that it may perhaps prejudice the
possible case of Mr.. Mcclure, although the two
cases have nothing in common, save the general
principles of poity which are involved in any and
every case in any and every court of the Church.
Ii is not surprising, therefore, that the Presby-
tery's Committee of Investigation should report
that in Mr.. McCune's course at Linwood and Mt
Lookout there was nothing disloyal to the Presby.
terian Church, nor even recommend disapproval
by Presbytery of his views. The poison of lstitu-
dinariansm and of non-enforcement of denomina-
tiona standards has been circulated through the
whole Synod by order of the Synod itself, and the
sad consequences now appear. Presbyterian gov
ernment fails Of its end, and he who seeks to lift
the standards is deprived of his own rights In the
courts of the Church, finds his name and character
DETAINED, and stands at the mercy of an extempo-
rized majority, by whom the Constitution itself is
turned into point of order" to be decided
against him. Thus the scenes of 1S30-lSS8 begin
to reappear.
Many members of the Synod are deeply dissatis
fed at the action Of the Synod in the case OF DR..
Skinner They feel he had perfect right to be
heard, and that the assumed possibility of preiu
dicing the possible McCune case, was only con,
venient argument without Just foundation. The
interest of other parties besides Mr.. McCune In de-
feating Dr. SINNERS complaint, are perfectly un
I derstOOd."