The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-04-19
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN
SYSTEMATIC BENEVOLENCE.

The action of our last General Assembly
on this subject is not likely to stand long
without modification. The rule is too rigid
to work without keeping up fiction between
the Assembly and the PresbyterieS; the time
that will be required for its enforcement is
too long, for the case of single delinquent
church may come and probably will come be-
fore too successive Assemblies, possibly be-
fore more, and at last (if facts enough can be
carried in memory it may be acquitted. A
single such case will be practical reductiO
ad absWdum of the rule. Theimpatience of
commissioners to return home is already
strong temptation to slight their work, and
source of danger to the church. If we re-
quire them to spend much time on the sup
posed case we shall be troubled with more
hasty actions than the safety of our church
will allow.
In addition to these considerations the
rule in some of its features and principles
has filed the minds of many brethren with
doubts as to their constitutionality. The ap-
pointment of our ASsembly'S commission
ers to visit Presbyteries is at least most
extraordinary thing, and this engrafted upon
permanent plan. The recommendations
Justify US in anticipating formal cens~re
upon Presbyteries who fail to comply with
the rule, to be inflicted by the Assembly
The connexion between the recommends
tiOns and the preamble require US to con-
el1ds that such must be the ultimate result
For the rule is but the practical application
of the principle contained in the preamble;
and if the principle contained in the latter
be accepted, then the application will go on,
as circumstances require, to the utmost
length of the principle. What says the pre-
ample?
Touching the second cause of evil men,
toned, the Committee are fully persuaded
that the time has come to assert the binding
force upon the lower courts, of the Assem-
bly's orders to take up collections for speci-
fed purposes. =. If it be true that the
solemn ipiunctions Of the Assembly-tha
the church sessions afford the opportunity,
at or near to certain times, to make their
offerings for specified objects-be merely Of
the nature of advice, which may, without sim
full disobedience to lawful authority, be set
aside, then is it difficult to see wherein our
system of Presbytery differs from Congrega.
tiOnsl Independence and YOluntaryism."
Here the Assembly claims the right of its
own motion to prescribe both "objects and
" times for collections, and Presbyterie'
must obey both prescriptions or be guilty o.
" sinful disObedience, and chargeable witt
abandonment of sour system of Presby
terry for "COngregationalism and VOlun
taryism"-
Is this our system of Presbytery I
so then We have not before learned it; ant
we have created power to be welded by
majority of any Assembly over our conSci
euces, much greater than our Constitution
seems ever to have thought of. The Assem-
bly, has no right to sit in judgment upon tn
conscience further than the Scriptures JUS
tify; and no right to make a rule so gran
and so binding, it cannot be 6 set aside
r by Pre8byteries without sinful disobedi
ence before it has formally overturned tn
Presbyteries and received their favorabl
answer. And if in this particlar matter
may authoritatively bind Presbyteries t
: "specifed objects and "times, it may i
: like manner prescribe the same to be give
e by Presbyteries, sessions and people; an
f we shall soon have tithe-law or some othe
9 regulating, under fearful pains and pena
e ties, what each person shall give to the Lord
: and other laws equally unfounded in OF
= Constitution and oppressive to Presbyteriei
g Sessions, ministers and people. ShOul
u coming Assemblies place themselves upon IL