The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-01-10
FoR THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
PHILADELPHIA Presbyterian uersas the Contra

Mr.. Elitor,-Ia an subscriber to both the Phil
adelphia Presbyterian and the Central, and have
watched with no little Interest, the occasional spats
between the editors Of the two, in reference to po
icsl questions. Irta that question in its personal
aspects it is not ny purpose at present to enteF
as the respective editors are sbundanty able to take
care of their own matters without any interference
from others. But there is one view of the matter,
which it seems to me has not been presented as it
should be, and as its merits demand, by either
party 1t is the light, which our present political
complications cast upon the doctrine, in reference
to political matters, SIS held by the Northern and
Southern Churches. The Northern Church took
the ground in our late civil wsr, that it was the
duty of the Church to help the State in all great
emergencies when great moral principles were at
stake, ard civil and religious liberty were eudan-
gered. The Church was bound, they told US, to
come in and instruct her members what course they
ought to pursue, which side they ought to take,
and what principles they ought to advocate in that
grand struggle; and because the Southern Presby-
terian Church did not do it, they cast her out as
evil, and called upon all her ministers and mem.
bars to repent and confess their sins before they
were willing to receive them back again into their
Christian affections. The Southern Presbyterian
Church held, whether she acted mp to her princi-
pies or not, | stop not now to discuss, that the
Church in her ecclesiastical capacity had nothing
to DO in these great political struggles. These
we're the doctrines held by the respective Churches,
as | understand them.
Well, let US see how the Northern Presby terans
are acting now. Our Philadelphia brother says
you have come over to their ground ask has
he not come over to yours, and is he in position
to throw stones at you for Inconsistency, even sup
posing you are inconsistent? Here the country is
in another great struggle for representative govern
meut. Il is not an ordinary struggle for party as
tendency but the very principles of liberty are at
stake. The question is shall party that has been
beaten in an election, by chicsnery and fraud, and
lying and fase.eweariDg, get or retain the govern
ment In It's hands? care not which of the parties
has done this, the principle is the same in either
case. Nobody can deny that one or the other, or
it may be both, have been guilty Of an amount Of
lying, and pc, Jury and deceit and treaohery, sufi
Gent TO condemn whole world. Men high in po-
stion in both Church aud State are swearing in
direct opposition to each other, and bringing
CHARGES of corruption and fraud against each other
that make the very hairs of our head stand erect as
we reed them. Where now stands our friend of
the Philadelphia Presbyterian Is he battling
for the right and showing his Christian readers
which side they ought to take in this great strug
gle, when the very foundations of our government
are trembling and ready to orumble. | have watch
ed his columns with eager interest, but not line
can ind in which | could gather my duty in this
great struggle. have just risen from the perusal
Of his last number, and l would not know from it
that there was a tremendous conflict going on in
the land He is as dumb as an oyster on that SUBJ
iect. have asked myself has he been converted
to the Southern Presbyterian doctrine, or is it be-
cause be finds his readers divided in sentiment and
can not say any thing without giving offence to one
or other party, and therefore deems it prudent to
say nothing at oil |? If it is from conversion to
our doctrine, hail him as a valuable acquisition,
and heartily welcome him to our ranks but if it
is from ttmidtty, he, at least, ought to cease to
throw stones at others, until he has gained courage
enough to speak out his mind, without fear, favor
or affection, on these great questions, which are
now oonvulsing the whole community. 1t cost
nothing TO throw stones at the rebels during the
late uupleasantness, because they were not enrolled
on his subscription list or found in Northern
Church paws. Now it may cost good many sub
ecribers, to throw stones either. at Republicans
or Democrats, though one or the other of them
must be as great sinners as the Rebels were. The
poet tells US of some men who
Compound for sins they are inclined to,
By rating those they have no mind to. |