The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-03-14
SHALL WE DISPENSE WITH AN INTER
CHANGE OF DELEGATES?


referred to above in this paper, the writer
says:
." l. strikes US that perhaps this Triennial Coun'
eli nay enable Us TO dispense with our present Gus
tom of an interchange Of delegates with sister
churches. The practice is pleasant one, as ind
eating friendly. il not frsterus relations but after
al 10 does not amount to much, and the end sought
for would be more emphsticaly gained by the dit
fersnt churches taking part in q common Council,
ard there 90 operating for the good OF common
Church common good Of the Churehes?l and the
interests Of the Masters kingdom.
The point here specially mentioned has
been attracting attention in various quarters
for some time past. The plan at present
pursued was adopted early in the history of
the Presbyterian Church in this country, and
we sgree that there are some pleasant things
connected with the interchange of delegates
as an expression Of fraternal feelings between
Churches. Bat We also fully agree that
IS after sll it does not amount to much" 1t
becomes expensive, if the correspondence is
extended TO many ecclesiastical bodies. Taat
is one objection, but it might be Overruled if
there was large Overbalanco of good re-
sutiog which could be secured in no other
and better way. In the opinion of many
there is better way. They have an in
creasing disrelish to the gush and display
often attending the speeches delivered by del
egates and delivered to them. 1t is by no
means intended 20 say that these addresses
are not sometimes edifying examples of
Christian simplicity. Bat in general they
are-and it is hard they should be otherwise
ambitious efforts to make foe and funny
exhibitions. And the way compliments are
given and received might be a caution to any
two "mutual admiration-societies." "You
tickle me, and I'll tickle you" is understood
{, be the order of the day, and at it they 60
with wisness-rather, house full of wit
nesses. By the tine it is all over, plain
man who knew nothing of the transmusations
which the Wit Of man can work, might almost
say to himself, well, after all there are some
churches in this lower world very nearly
"without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing"
The truth is that from the nature of the case
these addresses, if they are not almost IN
ayoidably confined to mutual compliments,
will practically aud actually be so; and for
CHS reason it is that they " do not amount to
much :" and more than that, for this reason
they have become very distasteful to many.
IF the plan suggested by the Evangelist is
not adopted es a substitute for the present,
there is smother. Why not conduct frater-
nal correspondence By letter ? This plan
has two points Of superiority: first, because
3 letter would be more complete in it's char
acser, iuasmuch as is would be drawn up de-
liberately and carefully By committee
aud. second, because it would be entitled to
more authority and dignity. A speech lie
just What the party making chooses TO say,
and may fell to represent the sentiment of
MS Church; while a letter adopted by the
whole body would be very different thing.
This matter was brought to the attention
of the Synod Of Virginia last fall, but chiefly
from want of time was laid over aud referred
to a committee to prepare a memorial to the
General Assembly and report it to the Synod
next year. So far as we heard, the augges-
non of such ebaoge met with general favor.
But as this whole matter of correspondence
wis5 other bodies is lodged by the Coustitu-
ton in the hands of our General Assembly,
and which, therefore, they can modify and
control of their own motion, might it not be
a good thing for the one meeting at New Or
leans to briug it under candid cOnsidera-
ton? Or, if it would be more likely to do
50 upon some suitable suggestion, would it
not be we'll for such Presbyteries as favor
the change to make a representation to that
effect, il due form?