The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-10-06
Editorial Correspondence.
ABOUT THE COUNCIL.

1nere are more than one hundred PreS-
byterian churches in Philadelphia, and
on last Sabbath the preaching in the
most of these as well as in many churches
of other denominations was by delegates
to the Council. There were so many dis
tinguished preachers announced for the
Sabbath that it was difficult to select
programme for the day. In the morning
and in the evening the churches were
crowded and perhaps never before did so
many people here attend church in one
day, and the general testimony was that
each one had heard the best OF preachers.
For our part we thought the sermon of
DR.. VIM. Graham, of Liverpool, professor
elect in the Presbyterian Seminary of
London, which we had the privilege of
hearing was, in conception and express
sion, model presentation of the precious
gospel Those who heard Dr. Mcintosh
or Dr. Knox OF Belfast, or Dr. Flint of
Edinburgh, thought they were peculiarly
fortunate, and so of the hearers of many
Unfavorable criticism was disarmed and
faultfnders could not be found The
preaching certainly has given satisfaction.
The papers read before the Council
have not in all cases been equally fortu-
nate. One of the very best of these
that by DR.. Flint on Agnosticism-called
o,+h 4, IL, l. !
to very spicy discussion. The general
treatment of the subject elected the very
highest admiration, and was such as to
add to the reputation which DR.. Flint
has earned as one of the ablest of Scottish
divines. But in the close of his address
he was understood to speak disparaging-
ly of church discipline as a method of
dealing with error, and to this there was
an earnest protest From the discussion
which followed and in which DR.. Arm
strong of Norfolk, Va, DR.. Boggs of At
lanta, Ca, Drs Grant and Caven of Can
ada, and others participated, it was evil
dent that the Council had no loose views
on the subject Of discipline. Nor is it
certain that DR.. Flint meant to affirm
more than that error should be met not
merely by resort to discipline, but by
an appeal to broader and more solid
learning. In this discussion, and in all
others, it has been gratifying to observe
that the sentiment of the Council was
with remarkable unanimity in favor of
conservative principles and of the most
pronounced orthodox views
In some Of the addresses there has been
shown an erratic tendency, but not more
than would be found among an equal
number assembled from any branch of
the Church, and far less than was appre-
hended in a body which represents so
largely the Reformed Churches of the
world.
The Pan-Presbyterian Council has
given evidence that its influence will be
felt as conservator of soundness in the
faith. And if in any part of the Church
in any part Of the world there has been
any departure from the truth the evil
will not be encouraged, but be checked
by the work Of this Council. On all the
great subjects which have Of late years
sgtated the Christian world and in re-
gard to some Of which it has been thought
that even the Presbyterians Of Scotland
and America were yielding ground
such as, the Inspiration Of Scripture, Flu
ture Retribution, the Relation of Science
to Theology, Sabbath Observance the
Utility Of Creeds and Confessions, the
Vicarious Sacrifice Of Christ-the Council
has given no uncertain sound tits true
that no formal dogmas have been set forth,
for this was aside from the objects Of the
Council and was not needed. What DR..
Humphrey and Dr.. Watts said on the
subject Of the Inspiration and Authenti-
city Of the Scriptures; Drs. Calderwood
and McCosh on Revealed Religion in Re
lation to Science and Philosophy; DR..