The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-10-19
"The Purity of the Church. "

The Purity or the Church.
MeSsrs. EditorS,-Under the above
caption, the Christian Observer notices
my previous communication on 1.-The I'm
portance of Presby terial Examination =
and takes exception to the course have
pursued in calling public attention to the
matter, because thereby stigma is put
on the Church. I certainly had no idea
of damaging the Church in any way, but
decidedly the reverse; and [ am sure you,
Messrs Editors, would not have permit
ted my article to appear, if you had sup
posed such was its design, or that such
would be its effect. Possibly, I adopted
wrong method of action, in my effort to
reach right end. If-so, 1 greatly regret
it.
But, first, let us see how far I am Just
ly chargeable with making an evil report
about the Church, Surely there is no
impropriety in alluding to matters which
are notorious, which are subjects of &C.
clesiastical action, and which have been
blazoned in the newspapers. The reader
will remember the manner in which |
stated that l had learned the facts which
were given. 1t was by brethren on three
different occasions, asking my advice
about the proper course to pursue, and
from the published accounts Of the trans
actions in the Memphis Presbytery. But
I have not stated whether the erroneous
views to which referred were all held
by one and the same man, or by four diff
ferent men, At present | wish to affirm
nothing on that subject, except what is
already publicly known.
Now, when l wrote my communica-
ton, and mailed it to you, one of the
cases before the Presbytery of Memphis
was still pending. The brother who was
involved had advanced erroneous views
on three of the cardinal doctrines of Cal
vinism. I am glad to say that since my
former article was mailed to you, his case
has been adjudicated. He has with
drawn his erroneous statements, and has
accepted the statements of our standards
on these points.
Again: have lying on my table a
copy of the Cumberland Presbyterian
newspaper of recent date, which con-
tains one of long series OF attacks on
the doctrines of our Confession of Faith
relating to the plan of salvation, but es-
pecially on the portions of it which relate
to election, reprobation, human ability,
the freedom of the will, etc., etc. These
assaults on our standards are made by a
venerable member of one of our Presby-
teries; and when I wrote before, was
perfectly aware the first steps in judicial
action had already been taken by the
Presbytery of which he is member
Now, there are more points of diverg-
ence from the doctrines of our standards
exhibited in these cases which are public
and notorious than were named by me in
the paragraphs objected to by the Chris
ti0n Observer. Is it not evident, there
fore, that if the Church is suffering any
damage from these things, it is suffering
from those who are known to be unfaith-
full to their vows, and not from my al
luding to these things in newspaper
communication
/ have said three brethren asked my
advice; and [ may add that the advice
gave corresponds very nearly with the
course the editors of the Observer think l
should have pursued. But was [ myself
bound to do SO?
l may say, in the first place, that cir
cumstances must sometimes condition a
ministers duty in relation to such mat
ters. If he is perfectly certain that there
are reasons why he cannot proceed in the
case, with any prospect of good results
if he absolutely knows he is not the
man who can take such action, SO as tc
accomplish the ends Of all discipline
which is edifcation," instead of under.
taking the case, he is bound in conscience
not to pursue a course which must be fol
destruction
Again: these were matters which came
to my knowledge at second hand Tn
the cases where my advice was sought !
gave it according to my best ability and
there, it seems to me, according to the
book, my duty in that regard ended.
Still further: it was a physical i'm
possibility for me to do as the Observer
suggests. All the parties alluded to
above, and all the ministers who con-
suited me, with single exception, live
hundreds of miles from me. Private
conference was impossible. Correspon-
dence on such subjects to produce any