The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1878-01-09

AA40ANoo A4N NNLAANOAAeAy AAoAhboAAAD 49,
sembly had the power to do Just what they
perpetrated. For DR.. Hodge personally we
entertain the greatest veneration; and Tor
the noble exposition he has made Of theolog-
zeal truth the Christian world owes him
lasting debt of gratitude. But on questions OF
either secular or ecclesiastical politics ne al
ways seemed to have something like genius
for going wrong. We do not think ne could
ever have fully studied them. His discus.
sion with Dr. Thornwell, beginning in the
Assembly of 1860, and continued in the
Princeton az Southern Reviea0s, and which
included the fundamental points of Presby-
terian government, presents a remarkable IL
lustration. 1t is some comfort to believe
that the theory of inherent poWers, and Ia'0
FIJI because not forbidden, under which that
infatuated Assembly of 1866 acted, is now
very generally regarded as perversiOn OF
the Constitution, and is remembered With
modification and shame by so many Of the
best people in the Northern Church. We
have no idea that if now proposed for adOp-
ton IN tbesi it could gain a respectable
following Yet this is the theory which
brother Shanks found in that unfortunate re-
port of DR.. Hodge in 1843, on Commits
siOns, and to which he has delivered himself
over bound hand aud foot. That Assembly
of 1866 is at once its illustration aud its ut
ter condemnation. We DO not suppose for a
moment that the respected pastor Of Falling
Spring has gone over to the "csmp Of the
Philistiues" with any other than the most
innocent and loyal intentions, and he is there
fore entitled to the most fraternal indulgence;
for we know that the great apostle when re-
ferriDg TO his enormous traDsgreSsions as a
prosecutor, considered that even case ap-
pareutly so desperate as his, was still not be-
yond the reach of divine mercy, because he
''did it ignorantly in uubelief."
4. This theory thus repudiated, Except
under the stress of specialir fuenceS,) by both
branches of the Northern Church, has met
with the same condemnation in our own
When the Synod of Kentucky united with US
in 1867, it presented letter addressed to our
Assembly which contains Statement of
doctrines and principles for which the Synod
of Kentucky and its Presbyterie8 have con-
tended in the controversies with the General
Assembly, as adopted by the Synod, June
18th, 1861" Two extracts, among num-
Der which might be made, will be enough:
"The Synod and its Presbyteries have
maintained, that while the source of power in
al the courts alike is Jesus, the King, who
rules in them and through them, yet the
Constitution of the Presbyterian Church, in
accordance with the Word of God, assigns
to the courts respectively their several pow
ers and duties, and presoribes the mode in
which these powers are to be exercised. In
this respect it is a solemn covenant before
God between the people, the ofioe-bearers
and the courts. The claim, by any court,
to exercise powers not assigned to it is a
breach of the covenant" Again; "The
Constitution is supreme, and this
Constitution not only assigns their powers
to the courts, but presori6es the mode of their
exercise, and thus fully protects the great
Protestant doctrine of private Judgment and
liberty of conscience.
Our Assembly declare cOnceA ming this pa
per their cordial approval Of, and sincere
concurrence substantially in the SynOd's
statement of doctrine and constitutional prin-
oiples, as contained under the four heads of
the third division of their Letters" and more
to the same purport.
5. DR.. Thornwell is everywhere regarded
as one of the sblest ecclesiastics we have ever
had in the Presbyterian Church. Does be
sanction the principle we are opposing? If
space permitted, pages might be quoted
against it. Let the following one stand as a
specimen: at is because we love the liberty
WhereWi,h Christ has made Us free, that We
renOunce and abhor the detestable principle
of Prelatists, POpes and loose Presbyter'aDs,
that whatever is not forbidden is lawful. -
We stand upon the principle tina. whatever
is not commanded is forbidden. The Church,
ike the Government of the United States, is
a positive institution, with positive grants of
power, and whatever is not given is sOith
held" (ThOrnwell's Works, vol. 4, PIP. 258,
259)
g. Finally, as indicating what the current
OF sound Presby doctrine is on this sub
ject, it is appropriate to notice that our
Book of Church Order in defining "distinct
| ly" "the sphere of action of each court"
says, the jurisdiction of these courts is lin,
tied by the express provisions of the COnsti-
tuition.
With this statement Of facts We now sub
nit to the judgment Of all who feel any in
teress in the subject, whether the view Of
our Church Government presented by Mr..
Shanks has not been thoroughly discredited
and repudisted. Next week the special ques-
ton of the la8fulness Of Commissions will be
brought under review.
HAMPDEN SIDNEY.-It will be seen from
the communication of Rev. DR.. Atkinson
that the amount of $4,000 for an increase
of endowment has been raised. This an
.nouncement will be received with mnch graf
.fnaAinn. The result il owing chiefly TO the