The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-08-23
SOUTHERN PRESBYTERIAN REVIEW and
THE PRESBYTERIAN ALLIANCE.

TIE PRESBYTERIAN ALLIANCE.
1t will be seen from his communication on
the first pape that the Rev. Dr.. Adger is the
author of the article in tho Southern Pres
5ytsrian Rsviesc, upon part Of which some
criticisms were offered in the Central Pres6y
tsrian of the 9.h inst. As ne considers him
self "very upjustly treated, We do not hesi-
tate to give him the advantage Of speaking for
himself in the Central, after having spoken,
in the same way, through the -Rsvis'o. Moth
ing Ike full reply to all the points here
presented, or to others suggested by the ar
ticle in the Rsvisa0, is proposed. Now, as
before, there are many which are purpOsely
passed by. A few obses7ations however,
seem to be called for.
l. The disclaimer here made, as to any IN
tention to misrepresent anybody or anything
connected with the subject in debate, is full,
candid and Chris.ian-all that any one could
ask. But so far as we are concerned, it has
no special application, since cur remarks
contained no such imputa:ion; on the con-
trary, in one place (which ought to stand for
all places it was explicitly disavowed.
?. DR.. Adger, however, does not admit
that he said anything whatever 20 which any
one has right to object. Bat that is for
others to judge as well as himself. We know
that he knogs that there are those among his
brethren whose opinions he cannot Disregard,
who view his article in the same light in
which it was represented in this paper. In
fact what we said was about the miidest Of
all the utteranees which have reached our
ears.
He did not mean so and SO ;>thea ne ought
not to have said 50 and so. Bat he did say
it; at least, in what seems to many the nat
ural meaning, he did represent some Of his
opponents in q very ridiculous attitude, and
solely so, as they conceive, because ne mis-
represented them--thOugh not Intentionally.
Besides this they consider that the subject
in debate was in many important respects
presented in an unfair snd incorrect manner.
3. As to the word "jugglery," gentle
man so well acquainted with the use of words
ought to know that il never has an innocent
meaning; "witehery'' has, for it may sigoify
merely harmless fascination. The other 81
ways conveys the idea Of intentional trick
and deception.
4. The mind of the brother must still be
in state of confusion as to the order of
events. For example, note tho expression
land It's connecticut at the bottom OF the col
umn-" which enabled Us to meet them, and
saved their proposition from entire defeat "
Enabled as to meet them - Why, the re
cord shows tia. at the conclusion Of DR..
Hoge's speech the ''us" did not meet his pro-
position st all they voted against it, to the
number Of thirty-nine, Dr.. Adger included
It was not until tie resolution was offered
the next day, that he was ready to ground
the weapons of his rebellion.
5. We shall not argue the question how
far the Constitution of the Alliance was
changed By any action Of cur Assembly. In
our view it was not modified in one single es-
sential particular. Whist was done vas to
this amOunt,-it simply declared as the sense
of the Assembly that the said Alliance was
not what our objeotirg brethren understood
it to be- 1. would be strange indeed if it
were otherwise. Would the Assembly adopt
the absurd idea of becoming partner in
concern, whose constitution it had repudi-
ated Any one must see that rejection of
that constitution in it's essential character
would be a rejection of the Alliance itself
And yet We appointed delegates to it. DR..
Adger is one Of them, and We earnestly hope
be will attend it, that the Alliance and our
Southern Church may have the benefit of his
long experience, his learning and his &C.
knowledged worth.
6. Asto "peY5oaal.tjg8. Re intended none
beyond the limits Of such criticism as the
writer Of the review had provoked. It was
l1OOL "a 4S-OS---4Co "a VFCty HOVVHlS3 NVs sLO
least of which is the one DR.. Adger himself
refers to. We ought at all times to avoid
everything Ike divisions aud animosities,"
among ourselves especially, aud most of all
now. Let our brother 5e assured that our own
feelings were very far from those of ho8til-
ity, and therefore there was no desire, for its
own sake, Of Boualing bis. But, at the
same time, it may as we'll be understood, if |
it is not, that no one can deal With his bre.h-
ren, whether ne intends it or lot, after the
manner Of that review, without being made
TO feel the Inconvenience Of his course. That
is all; and with this We shall be more shan
satisfied to let al Who feel any interestin the
matter form their own opinions concerning it.
"a RENARKABLE HISTORY. On the 4.h