, 1877-08-12
PAN-PRESBYTERIANISM.


PAN-PRESBYT
how IT IS VIEWED FROM AN EPISCOPAL
STANDPOINT.
London Spectator, July 81.
The Council of Prcsbyterians from all parts
OF the world, which has held session in Edin-
burg for the best part Of fortnight, has now
closed its sittings, and it is well worth while for
English Churchmen to strive as they may after
All understanding Of its doiugs and pretensions.
True, the positive amount Of what was trans
acted stands In an inverse ratio to the arrogance
Of the claim which was advanced. There was an
intlritudc Of talk, such as seems to be an iney
irablc concomitant Of I'LL such gatherings, though
the outcome Of measurable work was slight.
Trumpets were blown loudly, and with lusty
breath, but it Is more than questionable whether
many Jerichos were shaken BIZ the sound. Yet
it would be mistake to deprcciate the signiti-
cance Of the assembly: or wholly to condemn its
assertion Of place and prerogatiye. That asscr-
ton was sufficiently high, but it is not all un-
real, Along with a good de2l OF empty bras-
giug and vanglorious parade, there was i'm
pressiye demonstration Of substantial unity aud
living force.
Three hundred and thlrty-three delegntcs,
commissioned from fort y-nine separate churches,
met in conference. OF old time, mystic sig
1liticancc would certainly have been attributed
t4 these peculiar numbers, but they were reached
accidentally. Some churches, whose representa-
tiyes would have been admissible, sent nooe
Those who sent, did SO in accordance with the
rule that clergyman and lay elder should De
returned for every 100 congregations. OF the
persons deputed several did not appear, but still
it WIS truly suggestive convention. Its mem-
bers came from a1l ends OF the earth. The
United States was very strongly represented.
Not one of the British Colonies was without It's
delegate. OF European nationalities only Rus
sia and Turkey lacked some one to speak for
them. Tie asse,nb1nge had ycritable tecumcn-
ical character, and the exhibition made Of the
cosmopolitanism that belongs to presbyteri-
auistu, Of its capacity for maintaining wig
orous life under the most diverse aud trying
conditions, was very striking. 1t was tit the
OF the North" The American and Colonial
churches are all Of Scoto-1rish descent; and
even as Carthage loved Tyre because from it
the founders OF Carthage came, Us many Of the
early churches cherished warm affection for
the mother church Of Jerusalem, SO 1t was meet
that tue farscattcrcd children OF Knox should
assemble in tho city that was lis home and the
cradle OF their testimony. 10 4 stranger edu-
Gated iu the idea that Presbyterian and dis
putant are interchangeable terms, but the chief
cultivate the habit OF prohtless janglng, that
the sarcasm launched By Samuel Butler more
than 200 years ago, which described the whole
sect as being
ttThat valiant crew
OF stubborn saints, whom all men g1nnt
To he the true Church militant,
is true, no spectacle could be more astonishing
than the unanimity, the Difference, the mutual
respect which were shown. Perhaps these
amiablc and engaging qualities were TOO care
fully aud too ostentatiously displayed. Sober
onlookers certainly have that conviction.
There was shown nervous dread OF anything
that might arouse feeling or promote con-
troyersy, which spoke Ill as to the strength Of
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