The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-06-28
For the Central Presbyterian
Fraternal Relations.
A Calm Review of the Situation.
(BY THE Rev. DIR. BRowN.)

Assembly on this subject, as taken finally
In 1875, and confirmed by succeeding AS
semblies, and having also referred to the
first paper proposed by the committee of
correspondence and the discussion there
on, it is now proper to notice
3. The second paper presented by said
committee and the action to which it led.
The discussion on the first report ex-
tended over part of two days. AT the
close Of the second day Col G. F. Collier,
of Petersburg, Va, near the end of his
very able speech sustaining the report.
offered an amendment in the form of an
additional resolution, to the effect that if
there was anything upon our records con-
tanning offensive reflections upon the
Northern Assembly, we We're prepared to
express our regret and withdrawal. This
suggested to the chairman Of the Com
mittee the advantage in some respects
OF giving the whole matter a new shape
which, being revolved during the night
IN all its bearings, he was prepared to
propose the next morning. When the
Assembly met it was found that a num-
Der of brethren on both sides of the pre-
vious debate had in their hands resolu-
lions moving IN the same general line
Upon motion of the chairman, these pa
pers, together with the original report
were referred to the committee, which
was at the same time enlarged by the
addition of five members representing
those opposed to the report. The com
mittee had hardly been five minutes to-
gether before it was found that they
were in complete agreement. They
speedily made report as an answer to
the overtures, which, emitting the pre-
face, is as follows:
In order to remove all difficulties in the way
of that full, formal and fraternal correspond
ence, which on our part we are prepared to ac
cept we adopt the following minute viz:
That while receding from no principle, we do
hereby declare our regret for and withdrawal
of, all expressions of our Assembly which may
be regarded as rejecting upon or offensive to,
the General Assembly of the Presbyterian
Church in the United States of America.
ResolUed That a copy Of this paper be sent
by telegraph to the General Assembly now in
session at Springfield, Illinois, for their prayer
full consideration, and, n,utGtiS mutGndis for
their reciprocal concurrence, as affordlng basis
for the exchange of delegates forthwith"
The introduction of this report was re-
ceived with manifest heartiness in our
Assembly, and was, almost without dis
cussion, adopted with only three dissent
ing votes, and was Immediately trans
mitted to the other Assembly. After an
earnest debate in that body the following
paper was adopted with only two dissent
ing votes. (The PREDATORY part, which
was merely repetition of ours, is omit
ted).
While receding from no principle, we do
hereby declare our regret for, and withdrawal
of, all expressions of our Assembly which may
be'regarded as rejecting upon and offensive to
the General Assembly of the Presbyterian
Church in the United States and we renew the
expression of our warm fraternal regard for all
who compose its communion, and our readiness
to exchange delegates forthwith"
This was in itself completely satisfac-
tory. But serious trouble soon came
up. 1t seems that while the above paper
was under discussion, the following reso-
luton was adopted
" Resolved That in the action now to be
taken, we disclaim any reference to the acts of
former Assemblies concerning loyalty and re
bellion, but we refer only to those of schism,
heresy, and blasphemy."
This resolution was adopted unani-
mously; but it was not communicated by
that Assembly to ours. In fact I now
find from the report of their proceedings,
that it was expressly stated and under.
stood at the time that it should not be
sent; that it was for themselves alone.
/ cannot but regard this as extremely i'm
proper, whatever the motive. 1t seemed
to bear on its face a most serious modif
cation Of the paper officially sent to us
This must have been plain to the minds
of many there, for their Moderator, DR..
Herrick Johnson, took the responsibility,
personally, not officially, of sending a
copy to DR.. Smoot, the Moderator of our
Assembly. And suppose we had sent
back telegram to this effect" Your Of
fetal paper is perfectly satisfactory, but
we have private information that Just be
fore its adoption you passed another pa
per directly and seriously bearing upon
1t. Before proceeding further we beg the
favor Of an official copy of said resolu
ton" Who could have complained?
Yet the predicament Of that body, (noi
the most comfortable as it is) would GER
tainly have been most unenviable and
perplexing.
But we were disposed to put the best
possible construction upon this unhand
some act-willing to believe there was Nc
wrong purpose behind it. And here il
may be as well to say beforehand thai
the key which opens to the right under
q i r L