The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-02-07

Souu VIZ A0ONASOu 1CuloS oBoio NS"A w 49,
Presbyteries for further action; but on tn
other hand, thirteen of those opposed, memo
rialize the Assembly for the discharge of th'
Committee of Revision, and four others
making seventeen in all, beg the Assembly
not to continue to press the subject, but tc
postpone it indefinitely. A large proportion
of those that want the discussion to cease,
suggest that the results of the labors of the
committee be preserved for future reference.
"The strongest feeling in favor of the
New Rules exists in the Synods of South
Carolina and Georgia, which gave half the
votes in its favor. Three out of four Pres
byteries in South Carolina, and five out of
six Presbyteries in Georgia voted in favor OF
adopting. But every Presbytery in the
Synod of Nashville, four out of five in the
Synod of Memphis, six out of seven in Ken
tucky, seven out of eight in Virginia, two
out Of three in Alabama, and three out Of
five in the Synod Of Miseissippi-thOse three
whose territory lies in the State of Missis-
sippi-have refused to adopt it at this time. !"
1t may be we'll to read the mild yet strong
language of some of the Presbyteries. Here
is Atlanta
"Resolved, l. That we respectfully decline
to adopt what is known as the New Book,
or enter upon any detailed criticism of the
distinctive features thereof.
go That to secure the future harmony and
we'll being of the Church, now SO seriously
threatened by this pending controversy, we
do earnestly pray the Assembly to postpone
indefinitely the further consideration of this
disturbing question, and TO discharge the
Committee of Revision
Here is Tuscumbia:
Re8ozOed, That this Presbytery, in re-
sponse to the call of the General Assembly
to examine and criticise their New Book of
Discipline, agree to adopt the action Of the
Presbytery of Chickasaw on that subject,
and make it our own, which action was to
this effect: That while we commend the dill
igence of the Committee on Revision, and
highly appreciate the result of their lsbors,
we deem it inexpedient to prosecute the sub
iect of revision any farther, inasmuch as con-
tinued agitation of that matter might lead
to results disastrous to the peace and unity
of the Church.
Is such language to pass unheeded? Is
our Zion to be kept in perpetual anxiety by
this discussion or is she to be rent asunder
by getting the New Book saddled upon US ?
Is this wise Is it fair? Is it to the glory
of Christ
Hear Paducah. The Rules of Discipline
sent down by the General Assembly were
unanimously rejected:
"Becau8e we believe the present book, long
iu use, has answered all our purposes SO well,
that no change is called for or likely to i'm.
prove it,
Central Ohio says: "It is the sense of
this PreSbytery that all efforts to change the
Form of Government and Book of Discipline
are inexpedient at this time"
Winchester respectfully declines either
to adopt or further to criticise the Revised
Book of Discipline, and earnestly requests
the General Assembly to discharge the Com
mittee of Revision
So l might go on and fill column after col
umn with the decisions and warnings and en-
treaties of our church courts. 1t does not
take from the force of these deliverances
that they are all made in the kindest and
most respectful terms. 1t fact it greatly in
oreases their force. Good manners are great
ornaments and great comforts. Surely the
Church will heed such earnest and humble
entresty. The Presbyteries even "beg" their
brethren to heed their distress and arrest
these sgitations.
s. There is yet another point, on which l
wish to make candid and solemn statement.
When l was licensed in 1926, l solemnly
professed and promised, among other things,
thus:
"I do promise to study the peace, unity
and purity of the Church"
How could l, with my full and honest be-
lief that this whole movement is fraugbt with
disturbance to the peace and destruction to
the unity of our Church, do otherwise than
lift up my beseeching voice, aud do all car
to arrest the evils threatened?
In 1927 was ordained to the full work
of the ministry, and, in manner and under
circumstances the most solemn, declared
among other things that " sincerely re
ceived and adopted the Confession of thi
Church, as containing the system of doctrine
taught in the Holy Scriptures" and that
did "approve of the government and disci
pline Of the Presbyterian Church in theS
United States" have never revoked, no,
desire to revoke any of these pledges ant
professions.
Now there are three ways OF subscribing
to formularies. 1. Some regard subscrip
ton as mere form. Thus SOCipians hav
entered the Established Church Of England
and Arians, the Presbyterian Church of Ire
land. Thus heretics and hypocrites hav
crept into Office in many an orthodox com
munion. 2. Some subscribe standards fo
substance of doctrine. Thus one might &C
cept our Confession as being on the Who'll
Calvinistic, but reject entire sections.
The third mode of subscription is when on
heartily approves and cOrdiallyreceives, with
out evasion or mental reservation, the whol
standards in their plain grammatical sense
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