The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1878-03-20
BY AN OCroGENARIAN.
No. 81
EZRA STILES ELY.

EZRA STILES ELY.
Nv acquaintance with the Doctor runs
back to the year 1914. The year is i'm
pressed on my memory from the fact that
in MS prayer before sermon ne alluded to
our y. val victories. About such things it
ha. been my rule never to pray, being a
O.sksr about war, but in nothing else fol-
lower of George Fox or William Penn. His
text was from the one hundred and nine
teenth Pealm-"I have taken thy testimo-
nies as an heritage forever, and they are tie
rejoicing of my heart" This was super
excellent discourse. It pleased the George
town people. We heard hin afterwards IN
the church of DR.. Neyins, on Monday morn
ing. The Synod had adjourned, and as ne
was to start for home in steamer, he kept
pulling out his watch. Under such fix
ture he Orghs to have declined the invitation
of Dr.. Neyins. Steamers are slaughter
houses, but he reached the boat in time, and
was safely landed in Philadelphia.
The Georgetown pastor had invited the
Doctor to oficiste in his stead on a succeed,
ing Sabbath to the one which has been men-
toned. But when the Sabbath was nigh at
hand, be sent a gentleman to spOlOgize for
his inability to fulfill the engagement. He
was q candidate for the pulpit of the Pine
Street church in Philadelphia. There were
difficulties in the way, that is, the people
we're divided in their opinions. lie had re-
ceiVed 8 letter which had rendered bis pres
ence necessary. 1t vas an important con
zrega.ion, which had erjoysa the lahoFs Of
Duffsld, MIledoller, and Alexander. 1t is
unpleasant, however, TO briug church dIfi
culties into view, Soue Papists allege that
they are never troubled with such things. A
mistake, for they have had fights innumers-
bic. Hume gives sn account of pugelstic
contest between the Archbishops of York and
Canterbury, in the presence Of Synod
The quarrel was which of the two diguitariee
~ss the greater ia ;he kingdom of heaven,
and the kingdom of heaven means the
Chures. But Dr.. Ely vas peaceably set
tied, and the dissentients built in Spruce
street. Il is good for brethren to dwell TO-
gesber in unity. Il is said that the anOint
ing oil ran down to the skirts of AarOn's
garments. We once heard a professor Of
Theology ask how could this be, seeing that
the garments would be stained. Why the
oil was on Aarons head but the perfume
descended, aud spread itself abroad. This
is easily understood
When Dr.. Ely took charge Of the Pine
Street church, the dispute about New EOg
land HopkiDsianism had reached its culmi
nation. The writer has never read tht
works of Hopkins, and he is lily qualified tt
give an opinion on the merits of the cOntrO
yersy. We noticed in the Assembly o
1919, that the door of Spruce Street churcl
was placarded with advertisements of publ
cations on the subject. Among them was
pamphlet by Dr.. Janevay, of the Arcl
Street church, denying all distinction be
tween natural and moral inability. w
snnnoss that this was intended as arejoinde
70 some op,s who had advocated this distinC
tion. Dr.. Ja2ewsy was one of the soundea
P,esbvterians 6St sinners Of the deepes
dve are still possessed Of powerful minds
They can navigate ships, build rsil-cars an
steamboats,, excel in mechanical inventions
rear superb cities or secluded villages, stud
finance or embelish grounds. The squad
French Deists were possessed of talents; Or
from the total depraVity of their hearts, the
talents were perverted. Caesar was gre'
sinner. but q first rate soldier. Themistocle
Eoaminondas, and Mltiades performed orr
liant deeds. TIE moral character Of Byro
was perfectly infamous, and yet ne Wro
some fine poetry. We may be asked,
Won deny the total depravity Of all our race
Not I indeed, but total depravity resides
a fallen heart, rebelliOus will, aud mis-
rable, wrecked conscience. These men we
rational and responsible agents. They M
knees to bend, hands to lift, and tongues
ask. In the fall universal, they fell ava
from the love and alteration of the Triu
God. But are they responsible for de-
+bov did not commit. Well, the deseendaU
of Ham did not commit the deed Of tht
Sire, nor did Jews, scattered like cbaf
eighteen centuries, clamOr for the crucifzic
Aud yet they have justified the deeds,
consequences of which they suffer. I
space marked out for each Of these artic
fOrbids any discussion Of Hopkinsian pc,
liarities but the differences between Il
system and Calvinism are stated in