The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-03-22
CAN IT BE so?


Some few months ago our neighbOr, the
Southern Ourchman, announced to the world
that CaEvinism aOas dead. "Ah! that is
news" thought we; scan it be So" We had
not heard that Calvinism was even sick;
and here comes the CbWrchman saying it is
dead. That it dreadful let US see about it.
Calvinism is in the creed of all the Pres
byterian Churches of Scotland; of nearly
all in America, comprising all together mil
lion of members. There are also multitudes
of Baptists and COngregationalists who are
Calvinists. There are many EpiscOpalians
in England and America of that belief. DR..
Scott, the great commentator, and John
Newton, are both representatives of great
body snong the dead and the living in the
Episcopal communion, who are Calvinists.-
Calvinism is also found in the thirty-nine
Articles of that sect. See especially the
18th concerning " Predestination and cleo
ton" 1t is not very long since volume
came to our office from the pen of the Rev.
DIR. Keith, late professor in the Episcopal
Theological Seminary at Alexandria, Va,
which contained an excellent Calvinistic
treatise on the doctrine of " Election"
But still, with all these we'll known facts.
the Chwchman positively affirmed that our
dear old friend, whom from our youth We
had been taught to revere and love, was
actually dead. When that noted gentleman,
Major Downing was Furnishing before the
public during the reign of General Andrew
Jackson, some misc hieVOus wag published an
account of his dealt and burial. This was
Immediately and mo st positively cOntradicted
by the Major himse If, who declared that he
Enea0 there was moi sOOrd Of truth an at,
lust as soon as he heard 1t. Turning over in
mind all the ia cts of the case, we cannot
help thinking if Cslvinism is indeed dead, it
is the most bear ltiful corpse We ever beheld.
In fact, at the risk of disparagiug the opin-
ion of the CSu rchman, we cannot help apply
ing to it those lines of Besttie's Hermit,
a On the colo, cheek of death smiles and roses are
blending,
And beauty immortal wakes up from the tomb. !"
But now, what are we to think of it? AT
ter seeming thankful that Cslvinism is dead,
here comes our old friend, the Caurchman of
two weeks ago, and says: "We are very or
thOdOx about our views of sin. We thank
God we are P elagianS."
"Can ths be so" thought we. But
there it is. Did the Churchman omit the
little word not before Pelagians? If so it
was. supposed the next number would give
tie correct on of such an embarrassing blum
der. But there it stands; eve thank God
ags are Pezt ,gians." Now Pelagius was any
thing but SC orthodox " in his " views of sin,
and the 9th article of the Episcopal Church,
which treats of " Original or birth sin, gives
very plain hint about the way " PelGgsanS
do vaink talk" And it is particularly IN
fortunate that the Churchman should set
itself to giving thanks in that direction just
at this time, when there have been encour-
aging symptoms of late that some who had
" erred and strayed like lost sheep from
the good old doctrine, were disposed to re-
turn. We noticed that in speech of Henry
Ward Beecher before the late Council, called
and entertained by Plymouth Church, he de.
clared to them that since these accusations
agains him had exhibited such wicked
ness, he was almost ready to go back and
believe in the old doctrine of total de-
prayity. And then that most venerable and
respectable lady, Mrs. Darlington who seems
to be high authority with many has said
that she cannot see why there should be SO
much objection to the doctrine of total de-
pravity; that for her part she thinks it
very good doctrine, If people a0O@ld only hUe
up to ii. There seems to be general i'm
preston over the land that people, in high
life and in low life, are just now living up to
that doctrine pretty fully. And in view of all |
this We submit whether it is not wofully 'out
of season, for the Churchnsan to be coming
out Just at this time with such thanksgiv-
ing as We thank God s0e are Pelagians."