The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-03-07
REV. DIR. ROBINsONs ARGUMENT.

REV. DIR. R0BINS0NS ARGUMENT.
We have been much interested in reading
carefully pamphlet just published BY the
Rev. Stuart Robinson, D. D., entitled
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH ORDER AND DIS
CIPLINE. An argument Submitted By DR..
START Robinson to the Louisville Prss6ytsry
Progress of the Revision movement"
The author has presented within the space
of twenty-eight pages an exposition of his
reasons for prefsrring the Revised Book to
the one now in use, and no one can read it
without observing how thoroughly it bears
the impress of his vigorous intellect.
DR.. Robinson sets out in the discussion of
the resolutions offered, with historical state
ment of what has been dOns--of the progress
made in this work during the past. he very
properly deVOtes about eight pages to this
part of the subject, about which there has
been such remarkable and persistent mis-
representation. DR.. Robinson presents the
facts of the case, and justly exposes the efforts
from certain quarters to induce our Church
to believe that the Revised Book has been
once and again rejected by the Presbyteries,
and that the present overture is the i'll con-
sidered attempt of few to thrust upon it
something which it repudiates. If those who
are trying to create this impression would
have the fairness simply to face the facts and
abide By them, it would not hurt their con-
sciences in the least, though it would damage
their cause very much. DR.. Robinson has
given this unworthy course no greater casti-
CATION than it deserves. He is entitled to
say;
"From this review of the documentary
history Of the work, it will be seen that this
revision, instead of being pressed by sgits-
tors on an unwilling and worried Church,
has evidently been the desire of the Church,
as represented By her ofice-bearers in her
supreme court, and in her PreSbyteries; and
that desire has been unattained hereto be-
cause of extraneous causes, not affecting the
merits of the work itself. Through the acts
of the Assembly in 1861, 1866, 1870, 1872,
and 1776, the Church has declared, and gen
orally by unanimous votes, the need Of such
revision, and has approved substantially OF
such revision as that before US. The only
instance in which the issue was ever squarely
made of giving up or going forward with the
work was in the Richmond Assembly, and
then the house distinctly voted against DR..
S. R. Wilson's proposal to discontinue, and
voted for DR.. Armstrong; resolution TO 90
forward, by a vote of about 3 to 2.
DR.. Robinson then proceeds to inquire
what changes the revision proposes in the
Book of Discipline; remarking here that
" the greater portion of the present book
probably two-thirds or three-fourth-remains
intact, with merely some changes in the ar
rangement." The most important changes
relate to "the definition of an Ofsnse -
show offenses come before the court -
show appellate jurisdiction Is simph6ed -
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS in supplying Omis-
sions -" pruning away redundancies.
Touching the Revised Book of Discipline
it is shown wherein its superiority over the
present one consists, such as the omission
of the chapter of preliminary principles "a
"distinct declaration of the doctrine of the
unity of the church." &c,-"a more defn-
ito statement of the duties and functions of
church officers" and various amendments
of the present Book concerning " Church
courts"
All these subjects, and various topics in,
cluded in them are brought under view, and
with judicious suggestions. The pamphlets
both excellent and timely, and for one We
thank DR.. Robinson for this earnest effort to
promote the welfare of our Church by elari
flying what is obscure and ineoDgruous in its
Government and Discipline, and strengthen
ing these bulwsEks of our Zion. This sIgu-
ment is reprinted at the special request of
members of other Presbyteries. We take
the occasion to say that 81 who are studying
this subject, or feel a special interest in it,
may find benefit from this production. With
out any special warrant to say SO, it may be
taken for granted that some copies are in