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

mucn-Or now nttle-cOnSeQuence so far
as the doctrinal position of our Church may
be concerned, is to be given to the views
of the Rev. DIR. F. A. Ross, as set forth
in series of articles published by him
in the Cumberland Presbyterian, and re-
published in pamphlet form under the
title Reproduction, in which he openly
rejects the teachings of our standards on
the subjects of predestination, the nature
of sin, the consequences of the fall, and the
insufficiency of the light of nature to Sc
cure salvation. We desire to speak with
all kindness of our venerable brother
whose eminent services to the Church we
profoundly appreciate; but it is proper
to say that he stands in this matter
without following in the Southern Pres
byterian Church.
DR.. Ross is now very old man-seve-
raj years past eighty-and his best friends,
perhaps all his real friends, regret for
his sake that he has come forward at this
time of life, after very long and some
what conspicuous ministry, to disavow
his belief in the creed of the Church
which he accepted at the time of his or
dination, and which he was supposed to
hold through long ministry.
He intimates in his pamphlet that he
is too old and has lived too long in the
gospel ministry to be cast out of the syn
agogue." At the late meeting of the
Synod of Nashville, held in Knoxville,
Tenn, he offered resolution to ask the
General Assembly to consider whether
a new vers on of our Confession of Faith
is not called for at this time" and after
being courteously heard in long speech,
without word of reply from any one
the Synod unanimously voted down his
resolution. In the meantime the Presby-
terry of Columbia, of which he is mem
Der, has taken steps to investigate the
matter and has appointed committee to
report to the body for its future action.
While those who are best acquainted
with the significance of DIR. Ross course
see little in it, except matter of regret for
himself, it has been made the occasion for
representing the Southern Presbyterian
Church as threatened with serious dis
turbance by doctrinal agitation, and as
placed in specially embarrassing" po-
sition.
The NeaO York Evangelist of last week
devotes its leading editorial to the sub
ject of Doctrinal agitation in the Church
South, and with evident satisfaction in
Inmates that there are parties in the
Church which can hold and teach diverse
doctrines without challenge. 1t says:
Strongly as the Southern Presbyterian BODY
has fancied itself to be established theologicaly
and much as some Of its members have been in
clned to boast of its superiority over other Pres
byterlan households in this regard there are
not wanting indications that this doctrinal
quletude is not altogether perfect and complete 4"
1t does not utter word of regret,
much less OF condemnation, at the spec
tacle of venerable minister Openly
repudiating" the creed of his Church,
when that creed is the creed also of the
Church which the Evangelist undertakes
to represent. 1t proceeds to say:
"Whereunto may such things grow? 1t is
well known that in the union between the orig
inal Southern Church and the United SYNOD
formed by DIR. Ross and his Southern associa es
after their secession from the New School BODY
at Cleveland in 1857, full liberty was granted
the latter party to hold and teach their New
School opinions without challenge Their right
to do this is as unquestionable in fact as the
right OF either party in our own Church to hold
and teach Its distinctive views within the limits
OF the common Confession. Will this right be
questioned? Will DR.. Ross or any other min
lister in the Southern Church be arraigned, or
even held under suspicion, for entertaining the
more liberal view as TO the nature or scope of
the atonement2 On the other hand. wilt the
rejection Of the dogma of reprobation, and the
general questioning Of the doctrine of predes-
tination, be permitted to pass in silencef Will
mot the Church South put its hands upon its
ears and refuse even TO listen TO such piece of
rashness as proposal TO revise the Confession
OF Faith? We pause and.ask, Whereunto may
such things grown
1t is quite obvious that the spirit of inouirv
which is pervading the Presbyterian Churches
of Scotland, and is so largely manifested in our
own communion, cannot be restrained bv 20
imaginary line as that Of Mason and Dixon
No claim Of special orthodoxy, no rigid type of
ecclesiasticism, no provincial secusion. can shut