The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-04-04
ALARMING DISCOVERY.

The New York Observer has made an
alarming discovery about our Southern Pres
byterian Church, and of course gives the
alarm to its readers Some one in cur
Church has been writing q series Of articles
under the signature of Moderate" which
have been extensively published, and IL
which the subject of " fraternal relation"
is discussed 10 maoy Of its manifold bearings
In regard to some of the most emphatic
points made by the writer, our opinion is
that most of bis brethren would not agree
with him, while in others they would be
heartily of one accord. We suppose the
Observer would eschew the whole from be-
ginning to end. 1t seems to be especially
scandalized at the following which it quotes,
and upon which it animadverts in high style.
Moderate says
"Sinoe the overthrow of the States and their
independence. there remains no other bulWark
against the food of Yankee innovations 10 religion
and morals, save our ecclesiastical separation anC
independence. Hence it appears that it is not q
solemn duty and responsibility, that We may pre-
serve our separation aud independence jealousy,
for Chrst's sake; and especially against our form
er associates.
Whereupon the Observer exclaims, as if in
fit of holy astonishment-" Read that quo
tatiOn again. Pause and think it over. Get
into the sense of it, bat not into the spirit of
it; understand it fully, &C., &c.
Very well: what does it mean "Moder-
ate has earnestly maintained in his articles
such positions as these:
l. That the Northern Church has griev-
Ously wrOnged the Southern in the scanda-
lous and slanderous imputatiOns which it has
put upon it-and which it has never yet re-
moved. Further, that in the matter Of
church property it has acted the part of
spOiler, and has refused to settle the strife,
as proposed by US, and as Christians are
bound to do.
2. That in the manner in which the Old
and New School Churches were united, the
truth of God was compromised, and the door
opened for an indefinite amount of latitude
narisnism.
8. That the cases Of Swing and MoCune,
the cOuntenance shown to wOmen-preaChers,
and many such like things demonstrate
loose sentiment prevalent in that Church
To this may be added the political rancOr to,
wards the South, of which Northern Presby-
terians are full sharers.
In consequence of these things Mode
rate " thinks it unbeeoming in US to be any
more mixed up enthusiastically with such
bodies than Christian charity and the duties
springing from it require. Be it observed
that he has not uttered word in denial OF
what he considers proper fraternal rela-
TONS" he fully approves of the course Of
our Southern ministers, churches, Presbyte-
ries, SynOds and General Assembly, in
which, according to the sphere and cfiee Of
each, the standing of the Northern Church
has never been denied, but acknowledged.
But he contends that, for the causes men
toned, We ought to have no entangling al
hsnees that We ought to remain separate and
iadependent, and clear of evil Influences
Had the separation and independence of the
Confederate States been permanent that
would Of itself have done much towards this
result, since among many Protestant demon
nations there has generally been a tendency
to make their organizations corerminOus with
those Of the civil government, and what is
shut out from the latter, is thereby somewhat
excluded from the former But as this sep
aratiOn and independence failed in regard to
the State, cur brother thinks the only other
protection from the evil Influences he breads
is for our Church to prsserus its separa-
ton and independence"
This seems to horrify the Observer. It
says:
- 1t has been no secret among those familiar
with the discussion Of plans of reuaion, and fra
ternal relations, that this has been, all along THE
obstacle 70 complete restoration Of good feeling and
cordial cooperation. But it has not been so dis
tinctly avOWed before. We signalize the avOWa,
that friends Of Christian and civil union, among
ministers and laymen Of che South, may have be-
fore them the reason Why some who lead the South
err Church are determined to perpetuste the d.
vision, and preserve the separation. Ii is high
time that this spirit vas Quenched forever
The Observer is ike some cid women We
have known, rather slow in cutting its eye
teeth. The dreadful fact which it announces