The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-06-28

10 nave oeen the hrSt TO express regret
and make retraction. DIR. Humphrey,
OF Louisville, declared in the debate in the
Northern Assembly Or. Hatfield assent
ing): 1.-The Southern General Assembly
from the beginning has never adopted a
resolution touching the Presbyterian AS
semblies in the North offensive to u.s.
They have studiously abstained from
these deliverances. And, to their honor
be it said, they have nothing to with
draw. The withdrawal must come from
US. But, notwithstanding this we were
ready TO make the declaration sent for
reciprocal concurrence" There was no
humiliation in this, and it skillfully rolled
over burden upon those who had for
seven years persistently refused to make
the concession asked, which they were
wholly unable to bear, had they wished
to do SO. Judge Moore, of Chicago, said
truly in their debate: "But now that
Assembly (the Southern) have made an
advance" DR.. Briggs said "who asked
them? You nor l did not, it is true;
but that makes it the grander and more
sublime in them to do it. We cannot af-
ford to stop one single inch short of what
they said" It was to the honor of our
Assembly that the way to an adjustment
was opened by US. 1t was magnanimous
that in the face Of all verbal difficulties
we put the best possible Interpretation
upon the papers on which we acted.
(3) 1t aoas safe. Suppose we had taken
the other way, and cut the negotiation
short upon the assumption that part OF
those offensive things were still retained.
And suppose farther that the plea should
come from the other side that such was
not their meaning and that they had
said plainly that the explanatory resolu-
ton did not modify their paper of re
ciprocal concurrence that they intend
ed, and did sweep away all offensive ac-
cusations. | venture to say that in that
predicament we should not soon have
heard the end OF it. Whatever our de
fence, founded upon certain words and
phrases, the blame would have fallen
heavily upon us from all quarters, and
we should have had some unpleasant di-
visions among ourselves. AS it is, the
Assembly was almost completely har-
monious, and it is believed our people
will be also as soon as momentary misap-
prehensions are corrected. But our posi-
ton is safe in another respect. Beyond
all question the Northern Assembly has
now, in regard to three things" heresy,
schism, and blasphemy made the rep
aration we asked, and which hitherto
they have refused. The "few plain
words" have been spoken. In regard to
utterances about loyalty" etc., suppose
the worst. Suppose we were mistaken
in our charitable Interpretation suppose
we lind at least that many of their peo
pie and papers say so; then simple but
ettectual remedy is open. 1t would be
competent for our delegates, and 1 think
it would be their duty before taking their
seats in the Northern Assembly next
spring, to call attention to this fact, and
ask an official construction. That would
at once settle the matter one way or the
other. 1t would have been competent
and appropriate for our Assembly itself
to do this at Atlanta, but for good rea-
sons, not necessary to state in this COM
munication, already long, it was not ex-
pedient.
(4) 1t a0as consistent. The only change
made in our position was in taking the
initiative, in the answer to the overtures,
and in offering it, (remember it was con-
ditional upon withdrawal on their part)
as basis Of reconciliation. This was not
an essential thing, only circumstance
however important. In the only essen
tial particular we stand precisely upon
our old righteous foundation. For my
self | can say that l was disposed to yield
any thing unessential, and so declared
and so acted in our Assembly, as all there
can bear witness; but the principle, the
point essential to the protection of our
Christian honor and righttul good name,
| would never yield. In this I claim
peculiar to myself 1t is only
what our whole Church has claimed, the
basis on which our whole last Assembly
stood united, even those who at first
seemed prepared for something less, or
opposed for different reasons to the first
report Of the committee.
The Summary.
The sum Of the whole may be stated in
the following particulars:
/. The position of our Church, so thor
oughly considered and 30 long held, re-
quired a retraction of the offensive impu-
tations already mentioned
2. This demand up to the present year,
was distinctly and repeatedly refused.
3. While not aware of any voluntary
offensive words on our part, we did never
theless voluntarily declare, in advance OF
2 o -, 49,, 49,. T. 4.