The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-10-11
A Card from Hon. B. M. Estes,
Delegate to the Saratoga Assembly.

MeSSrS. EdGtorS,-Inasmuch as the
Church evinces some anxiety to know the
views and purposes of the delegates, ap-
pointed by the General Assembly at At
lanta, to visit the Northern Assembly at
Saratoga, and as my honored colleagues
have expressed themselves on the sub
ject through the Church papers, it seems
fitting that l also should give publica-
ton to my opinions and purposes in the
premises. was member OF the Com
mittee of the Southern Church in the
Baltimore Conference took part in all of
its deliberations, and gave my hearty
consent to the position that it took in
that memorable Conference. [ can see
no reason whatever to doubt that under
the concurrent resolutions of the two As
semblies last spring, Fraternal Relations
between the two Churches haze been eS-
tabHShed on the basis prescribed by our
Committee at Baltimore, and fully sane
toned by the Church
am entirely unable to see in what
respect the action of the Springfield As
sembly, as explained By the Havick
johnson resolution, comes short of the de-
mands of our Church, or conflicts with
the position of our Committee taken at
Baltimore although it may, perhaps, be
Justly claimed that, the time and man
ner of the introduction, passage and COM
munication of this resolution to the AS
sembly at Atlanta was unfortunate.
In my opinion, fraternal relations be-
tween the churches is a fact accomplished
on the basis demanded by our Committee
at Baltimore, and rejoice that it is so.
| greatly lament that this peaceful solu-
ton of the unhappy differences between
Christian brethren is unsatisfactory and
distasteful to some of the leading men of
the Church, and that measures have been
taken to disturb the settlement.
Embarrassing as this dissatisfaction
may make the duty of the delegates APP
pointed to bear the Christian salutations
of our Church to our Northren brethren
cannot doubt that their duty is plain
AS the matter now stands they have not
the slightest warrant TO do more or less
than bear these Christian saiutations. In
my opinion, however, there is con-
tingency that must arrest them, and only
one. Under the constitution of the Church
the jurisdiction of the church courts is
only ministerial and declarative," the
General Assembly is merely the repreSe7,-
tatiUe in one body of all the churches, -
and to it alone is committed the original
and exclusive power and jurisdiction to
correspond with other churches"
The Atlanta Assembly, as the represe,,-
tatjUe for the time being, of all the
churches, invested with this jurisdiction,
has declared the mind and will of the
Church in the establishment of fraternal
relations with the Northern Church. 1t
has appointed its messengers to formally
communicate its action and to bear its
Christian salutations. These messengers
have not yet fulfilled their duty. The
next General Assembly, as well as the
last, will be, for the time being, the
representative "of all the Churches. "
armed with the jurisdiction to declare
the will Of the Church, at that time upon
the subject Of correspondence with other
churches, and if before the delegates ap-
pointed at Atlanta have discharged their
duty at Saratoga, it should revoke or
annul the action Of the last Assembly, or
recall the delegates, they would unques-
tionably be bound to obey It's behests.
Therefore, as at present advised, am
clear that it is the duty Of these delegates
to 60 to Saratoga, at the appointed time,