The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-06-09

years on actual duty as a professor in two
important theological seminaries, who has
been pastor and a preacher of the high
est reputation and usefulness during half
a century who is DOW, at the age of sew
enty-seven, preserved in uncommon vigor
of body and mind, who is surrounded,
wherever he appears in the pulpit, by
crowds of delighted hearers, who is in
tensely active and abundant in labors both
of body and mind, whose pen is so prolific
in books, tracts, and articles for religious
newspapers, who has written good book
on Pastoral Theology, and has had so long
and ample experience in this very de-
partment; now that such one should be
regarded as unsuited, in virtue of his ex-
treme years, even to engage in the ardu-
GUS work of rescuing from its perilous
position this embarrassed and struggling
school of the Church, must strike null
titude of people as strange and incom-
prehensible. They will be ready to say
that DR.. Plumer is competent to give edi-
flying instruction not only to students,
but to most of the pastors also
5. But at the same time this Board of
Directors is composed of Christian gentle
men of the highest character, whose in
tegrity and motives are not for moment
to be called in question, and for whose
superior opportunities of Judging correct
ly in the particular point involved a
claim was strongly, and not unreasonably
urged by the brother who spoke for them
before the Assembly. That body (the
Assembly, evidently felt itself under a
very painful embarrassment One who
was present, and who has had much ex-
perience in Judging by the ear, is of the
opinion that the vote adopting the report
of the committee was about thirty for
and ten against it. A Director who earn
estly supports the action of his Board
agrees with this, except that he thinks
there were not more than six in the neg
alive. AS there were at least hundred
and twenty members entitled to vote, it
is manifest that about two-thirds of the
body failed to express any positive opin-
ion. 1t seemed to come at last to about
this-that whatever views these silent
brethren land probably some of those
voting in the afirmative) might entertain
of this matter, as an original question,
yet as it came before them from the Board
and from the committee, it was best upon
the whole not to disturb it. Having been
done, there was no way by which it could
be practically and benefcially undone,
either as respects DR.. Plumer, or the Board
of Directors, or the interests of the Semi
nary.
But there are two remarks which seem
to US eminently practical.
One is that the troubles which have
come upon this Seminary should not
ALLEVIATE any of our people from its sup
port. AS to the merits of those questions
which in the past few years have so I'M
fortunately "ministered strife, we have
nothing to say. Let it, however, be re-
membered how liable at some time all
human institutions are to be thus over
taken. Injustice may be done, or thought
to be done, to this man or to that, and
their respective friends may be disposed
to say, under feelings of resentment, 1--WE
will have nothing more to do with this
Seminary" Now, this is all wrong. The
interests of the institution, or rather, of
religion as connected with it, rise high
above personal considerations. Let all
gather around the Seminary in the day
of its calamity, and sustain it with strong
hands and united hearts May the Lord
say of it, II will bless thee, and thou
shalt be blessing"
The other remark is that we wish to
be understood as retaining from express
ing any opinion as to the merits Of this
controversy in its incipiency. There was
a minority report, and dissent signed
by several members of the Assembly, pro-
testing strongly against the action taken.
Who is right and who is wrong in their
judgment with regard to the matter, will
qoon caoaa to he ranoaro barad All oor