The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-06-23
For the Central Presbyterian.
Something About the Last General
Assembly


Assembly, which in my judgment, tended to put
it in false position before the world, by reason
of the possible misinterpretation of the meaning
of the act. The objection which 1 made to the
act has also been misunderstood; and certain
statement made by me concerning DR.. Thorn
well, by reason of its not being full enough is
also liable to be misunderstood. For the pur-
pose of correcting any such Misunderstanding
write this article.
The act of the Assembly to which 1 objected
was the appointment of member of that body
to occupy the pulpit of Unitarian church in
Charleston, upon the invitation of its pastor 1t
is thought by some that the ground of my obiec
ton is not good one because of its inconsis-
tehcy with the command of our Lord to preach
the gospel to every creature. 1t is probable
that those who think thus have mistaken the
real ground of my objection. L would preach
the gospel in theatre, surrounded by an Opera
troupe, or in temple in India, surrounded by
Buddhist priests, or in Unitarian house of wor-
ship, surrounded by ministers of that faith but
would not assume, or appear TO Others to as
sumo the attitude of worship, when that wor-
ship is conducted by a priest of Buddha or
Unitarian minister, for by such an act would
be doing honor. or at least appear to be doing
honor to a false God
In justification to my objection to the act of the
General Assembly, did not intend to make it
appear that DR.. Thornwell refused to unite in
worship with Unitarian family in which he was
guest he himself leading the deUotions. ought
to have stated more fully the facts of the case.
A Unitarian minister, also guest of the family
was expected to conduct the religious services
and DIR. Thornwell refused aoder those circu1n-
stances, to participate in the worship, upon the
ground that he and the Unitarian minister did
not worship the same God. I contend that the
principle by which the DR.. was governed was a
right one And it was because the act of the
General Assembly was apparently in violation
OF that principle that objected to it. At the
suggestion OF one of the members of the Assem-.
bly,, there seemed to be tacit understanding
among those who voted in favor of the act that
1t was merely one of courtesy to man who had
made kind offer of his house of worsbip IN tba
Assembly, and not an endorsement of the man
as minister Of the gospel, or of his Chnrch as
Church of Jesus Christ. But 1 objected to the
act, not simply because the world, and the he.
HeVers IN the Unitarian theology might put
wrong construction upon it, notwlthstandino the
tact understanding of the members of the As.
semoly OF its true meaning; but also because of
the attitude in which the appointee and renre.
sentative of the Assembly was placed in q I'M
tarian pulpit by reason of the acceptance of the
invitation. Either there was another taeit nm
Outstanding that the Unitarian minister mnst
not on the occasion of the occupancy of his mil
pit by the Presbyterian minister. take leadino
part IN the religious services. or else il wos
tactly understood that if he should do an tho
Presbyterian minister would ioin. or amman IN
Jo'n IN the worship as conducted by the Unita-
rIan Upon the former (tacie understandings
the act of the Assembly was very discourteons
treatment OF a courteous invitation JJpon the
latter Ctae'9 understanding, the principle for
winch l contend, and upon which DIR. Thorn
well acted, would be violated
would as soon bow my head To tho " ~,
secrated Host" borne through the strast 81 :,
city in Papal procession, as preach in NJ
'arian pulpit with the expectation or intention
Oh assuming, or appearing to assume the attitude
Oh devotion, when an avowed Unitarian was
leading IN prayer. would preach in Baptist
church without discussing the subject of Ran
Clsfn' or IN Methodist church without discnss-
ing tne subject Of Election, but l could not
preach IN Unitarian pulpit if it was under.
'Iood 'hat the discussion or declaration bv me
81 me d'v1n'ty Of Jesus Christ as Presb,,tc,,ons
understand that term, would be disoonrteons
act-and such discussion or declaration wouId bo
50 regarded, unless I had given the minister 10
understand beforehand that intended so to do
ana ne given his full consent The General
Assembly acted unwisely, to say the least. T.
,'au " good opportunity to give in respectful
language such an answer to the invitation a.
taohse nave been noble testimony Of their at
~ ,'H' 70 their God and saviour.-an answer
e. e. W Ills blessing might have had saving
G CO.. upon the deluded worshippers of a false
p TIP.