New-York tribune., 1880-10-05
THE PRESBYTERIAN COUNCIL
WHAT SOME PASTORS THINK OF IT.


The Rev. Dr. William N. Paxton, of the FIRST
presbytcrian Church. at Twenty-frst-st. and Fifth
ave was called upon yesterday by TRIBUNE re-
,orter and WAS asked to express his opinion as to
what had been accomplished at tne Presbyterian
Coupeil in Philadelphia Dr. Paxton preached
e opening sermon at the assembling of the Council
AS 90 what all has been DONE" he SAIL " that
meeting of the brethren was grand success III
every way. 1t comprehended representatives from
Preshy terian churches OF every shade OF doc'Ihe'
and from every part OF the globe. The whole family
Of the P,esbyterian Church denomination, holding
To the Calyinlstic doctrine and po.iy was met TO-
gethcr here many interesting papers read
and there were many interesting discussions. AS 10
what was done, there was really no eAsch-
tive action taken The meeNhg was
simply for the purpose OF enabling III
the churches to meet together and to become ac-
quainted-thus making them more fraternal besides
giving them opportunity to compare notes as 10
their manner of working and the resulting.
The great idea was to express our unity before the
world, and to promote union and harmony between
the different divisions OF our OrganzauOn.'
Are there very great differences between the di'-
ferent d. visions Of the PreshyterlansT
mo The United Presbyterians hod to their IDEAS
about psalm singing. but otherwise thcy do not u-
fer from ms in anv material particular Ihen there
is the Dutch Church ] never could learn the aiI-
ference between 1t and our own. The fact 49, the
differences between the Presbyterian Churches seem
10 be almost immaterial and do not IN the
least prevent our cordial union on the
common grounds of our system. In the many
churches represented from foreign Lands. there
were no d inTcnces except those oil locality Inc
system was the same through all THINK that one
good result of the meeting was the demonstration
o4n GepO
branches must find great deal of encouragement
in knowing that they are members OF so power
ful an organization"
"Is not the main idea of these meetings to bring
about a complete union between all the branches OF
Presbyter.ansm Y
"An organic union would be impossible. but a
union of sympathy. Thought ana action Is possiOe'
and that is what striving to obtain. thInk
we will soon he practically united IN missionary
operations That is one great result already almost
attained committee which was appointed VIII
specially investigate the Mission question and re-
nor; concerning 1t at the next meeting OF the
Conncil. which will be held in Belfast IN touI
years"
Did the disposition of the assemblage appear 60
he in the direction OF holding strictly to all OF the
old Calvinistc doctrines. or TO become rather more
liberal regarding certain questions of the day :"
ooh. these were all Caivanlstc churches, founded
on the principles of Calvanism. and the tendency
was TO adhere 10 Presby yt6ranism and IFS declared
principles LOYALTY 10 the standards of the church
yas the over-rullug feeling There was little DIS
nosltiou TO introduce Innovations DO not beiltNe
that more than three CT four members IN the whois
body were in favor of any departure from tie OLD
accepted traditions"
The Rev Dr. Marvin r. Vincent, of the Church OF
the Covenant. was next called upon, but as ne hlu
MOI attended the Council ne had little to say about
it He Thought, however, that 1t would encourage
a dp4pcr fraternai feeling among the churches ny
extending acquaintance, ana that IL Woulu 10 soou
bv deVeODing discussion Oh certain topics
The Rev Dr. Philip Schaff Thought that the meet
inpS won q result in great deal of good lie SPOKE
enIhusiasflcav concerning the large attendance,
The excellent lpers read and the general interest
manifested in them. When asked whether ne
thnurht The church seemed disposed to cling the
old doctrines of CalvInism tnrOughOut. he rcDlied:
MANY Presbvterans hold 70 all OF The old ideas
but there are others who seem 10 think ttat the
church should advance with the general advance
nent of the times. Ca.yanlsm, OF course l. our
foundatIOn. but there are other ideas that nave
grown into the fabric that might be rccOns Gereh
REGARDING the prcpllety o; formulating s't crceS,
n committee for the consideration OF that sun
has been app0iated. which VIII report AT ihe heA'
meetIng of the Council.
"Do YOU think the different Presbyterian 0rgahl-
zltlous will ever unite and become one OOdJ, Wth-
ont d iffafeuc be ween the parts
tpink not. IL is truc that the ORGANIZATIONS
sspm to b. coming nearer 10 cach OIhet, anu SoHe
have made concessions; Ba' 90 n9t think az oi
game union possible alt hou2h ali the DIVISIONS ol
fine church NAV be IN perfect sympathy IT 4aihs
tbe great objects of their existence
several other prominent pastors were callea uppD'
hut some were still absent from the cliy anu others
were not at home last evening