The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-11-02


Now we undertake to say that in the
union of the General Assembly (South)
and the United Synod no Liberty was
granted for none was asked or desired,
to hold and teach any "party" opinions
In the Church. The union was based
upon the ascertained fact that the two
bodies were in full sympathy in their
doctrinal views, and upon no other con-
ditions could it have been accomplished.
The first article of the plan of union is as
follows
1.-The General Assembly and the United
Synod declare that they continue sincerely to
receive and adopt the Confession Of Faith and
Catechisms of the Presbyterian Church as con-
tanning the system of doctrine taught in the
Holy Scriptures and approve of its government
and discipline"
Itwas previously ascertained by con-
ference between the special committees
of the two bodies that there was sub
stantial agreement between the two
bodies with regard to the Interpretation
OF the standards of the Church.
We can assure the Evangelist in an
swer to its question, Whereunto shall
such things grow?" that the spectacle
shall not be presented by the Southern
Church of discordaLt parties, each con-
tending for its distinctive views" We
can say, without "boasting of superiority
over other Presbyterian bodies" that our
Church is homogeneous body. Our
ministers, our ruling elders, and our
church members are as little troubled bv
"doctrinal agitation" as any body OF
Christians whatever. Those whom the
Evangelist calls the associates" of DR..
Ross, and who formerly composed the
United Synod, will be as prompt as any
in the Church to disclaim sympathy with
his views. The Evangelist will have to
look elsewhere for any encouragement of
a Esprit of inquiry" or other spirit, to
lead away from the teachings of our stan
dards which are sincerely received and
adopted. Of course we cannot "shut out
such questions as DR.. Ross and others are
raising" but we can very promptly and
unanimously manifest our disapproval as
the Synod of Nashville did-and, as we
are very sorry to say, the Evangelist has
not seen fit to do.
The treatment of this subject by the
Evangelist is in keeping with its treat
ment of the case recently tried from CAL
vary church, San Francisco, by the Pres
bytery to which it was carried up. This
trial excited great interest among the
Presbyterians of San Francisco, and last
ed seven days. 1t appears that there
was female teacher in the Calvary
church Sunday School whose doctrinaj
sentiments were such as to excite alarm.
among some of the members, and an elder
of the church brought the matter to the
Of the Session, which declined
to remove the teacher. The case was
taken to Presbytery, before which the
teacher laid written statement of her
views. In this paper she retracted her
formerly stated belief in the truth of the
narratives of the Old Testa
ment, speaking of them as perhaps pic
torlal representations, and saying she did
not know whether the whale swallowed
Jonah or Jonah swallowed the whale
did not know whether the sun stood still
in Gideon; would like to teach Christ
till her eyelids closed in death
but did not want to be asked anything
about whales or such things, saying they
seemed worthless to her."
The Presbytery, after long and pa
tent hearing of the case, reversed the ac-
ton of the Session, and sustained the ell
der.
A publication of these facts was made
in the Evangelist, which eulogised the la
dy as its welcome correspondent" and |
then pronounced judgment on the Pres
bytery as follows:
" But not to pursue the vexed matter; regard |
ing it at this distance, we can but greatly de- |
precate it, and protest that it was and is emf |
nently an affair that ought to have ended be-
tore 1t began The incompatibility of this elder
and teacher is inherent and radical; they can
not see alike and each being endowed with an |
almost ubiquitous activity, there is not room |
enough for them in any single church, however
large"
Hera ia q Proob1ytor,, ~. 1.-..