The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-04-26
PRESBYTERIAN ALLIANCE.


ject.
l. Some difference of opinion was to be
expected. It might have been taken for
granted that no scheme for creating any
thing of this kind could escape the closest
scrutiny. Whether viewed as another Pres
byterian Church court, or as a sort of Pres
byterian voluntary association, or as an as
semblage of committees appointed by their
respective Church-courts for the purpose of
joint conference and joint report, (which last
We regard as the true view,) still it is new
movement, and Presbyterians are the last
people in the world likely to adopt it without
a close examination. That all should not
view it in the same light, as to its nature and
probable effects, is no more than every SEN
sible man might have looked for. This consid-
Grafton should restrain impatience and in-
spire the utmost iberality and forbearance
on both sides.
2. As to our Supposed isolation. For some
years past there has been, now and then,
mode of speech on this subject with which
We have no sympathy; it deserves nome
They say our Southern Church is isolated;
that we are standing off from intercourse
with the great body .lSsse Christian world,
especially of PresbyterianS, while our people
are yearning for their sympathy and COM
munion.
This is about as far as can be from the
truth of the case, and does our Church in
Justice. Whoever will read the declaration
made by our Assembly at the time of our
organization in 1861, and repeated many
times since, will fnd the most explicit and
liberal statement of our desire to hold Chris
tan fellowship with other churches. We
Immediately instituted correspondence in the
usual form with the Associate Reformed
Synod of the South, and the Cumberland
General Assembly. As soon as the war was
over, we welcomed the delegate sent by the
Reformed Dutch Synod, and have since
entered into co operative alliance with them,
closer than was ever known between any
separate Presbyterian bodies in this country.
We have sent delegates to the Free Church,
and to the United Presbyterian Church of
Scotland, and they to US. Other facts of the
same kind could be mentioned. If there has
been isolation, it was either because some
other bodies of Presbyterians did themselves
the discredit to keep aloof, or, as in the case
with the Northern Presbyterian Church, our
Christian honor forbids any frsternal inter
course with them as long as their dishonOr-
| ing accusations remain. 1t would therefore
be very gratifying to most of our people to
hear no more of this cry about our isolation.
On the one hand it is certainly not to be
sought for it's own sake, nor, on the other is
it to be given up for the sake of mere asso-
citation with others, irrespective of the prin-
ciples upon which such association is founded,
or the consequences likely to follow it. In
the case before US it is our judgment, for the
reasons heretofore stated, that our Church
might take part in this Alliance, without
sacrifice of principle, or prejudice to any
of her interests. In fact, if it we're on other
grounds convenient so to do, we think there
is reason to expect the result would be for
good both to ourselves and to others This
leads to another point
3. THE present discussions concerning Chris
tan Unity. For twenty years past this sub
iect has more and more engaged the serious
attention of the Protestant world. 1t is i'm
possible to deny that it has deeply exercised
many of the best minds of the age, and is
wonderfully stirring the hearts of multi
tude of the best Christian people. As al
ways happens at such times there is ten
dency towards extremes. On the one hand
not few are installing mere outward eccles-
teal uniformity for Christian unity, and are
running wild with the delirium. They would
run all Presbyterians, at least, into one
grand fusion to be speedily followed by one
grander " confusion worse COMPOUNDED. =
This is all miserable delusion. But it be-
comes US to consider well, that while the es-
sence of Christian unity is not in one organ
lied conglOmeratiOn, neither, on the other
hand, does it consist in ecclesiastical dSU'S
ions. Separate organizations may either
promote real Christian unity, or they may
hinder it, according to circumstances. That
the Protestant world has been afflicted with
unnecessary separations, who can doubt p
And we are obliged to own that Presbyte
rians have not been without reproach in this
respect. Episcopaliana have seemed ready
to sacrifice the precious truth of God, pro-
vided all would submit to sacramento
rianism and prelatieal ordination. Pfesby-
terians have in general held their dootrinal
convictions far above forms and modes. But
they have sometimes allowed minor points of
doctrine to divide them. This is now gene
rally admitted, aud whatever influences may
safely bring them closer together ought not
to be froWned upon bat encouraged. Under
this view is it not incumbent upon the Pres
byterian world to welcome this great move
ment in the hearts of Gods people, to recog-
nise in it the working of his Holy Spirit,
and to feel that it has voice and meaning
for Us? We want neither broad Ch@chism
on the one hand, nor narrOa0- Churchism on the