The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-08-16
For the Central Presbyterian.
The Nelson-Palmer Correspond

4tOAh Gue ulluuS VI manly OF, your readers
that in the summer of 1875, not long after
the Baltimore Conference had been held,
there was a notable correspondence be-
tween DR.. Henry A. Nelson, of Geneva,
n. Y, and DR.. B. M. Palmer, of New
Orleans, in regard to the relations be-
tween the Northern and the Southern
Presbyterian Churches. The correspond
ence was frank, fraternal, and conducted
on both sides in the very best spirit. 1t
was begun by DIR. Nelson, who stated
that the position of the Southern Church
as declared by her representatives. in the
Baltimore Conference, was misunderstood
or misrepresented at the North and he
desired that DR.. Palmer, who was mem
Der of that Conference, would cooperate
with him In an effort to correct the err
roneous impression that had been made.
DR.. Palmer's letters were remarkably
strong and clear, and were regarded as
very satisfactory exposition of the pro-
ceedings of the Conference.
In his first letter DIR. Nelson said 81
do not understand you of the South to
demand that we of the North should re-
tract or express regret for the substance
Of those deliverances, which were made
before the reunion. I have understood
you to expect us to adhere to that, as our
honest conviction then, and as our unal-
tered conviction now. Ihave understood
you to ask only an expression of regret
tor whatever their may be in the Ian
guage' of those deliverances, inconsistent
with sincere recognition of, and respect
for our brethrens opposite convictions,
and full confidence in their moral integ-
rity and Christian character"
In reply, DR.. Palmer said: al take the
liberty of enclosing to you copy of the
proceedings of the Baltimore Conference
IN pamphlet form for convenience of re-
ference to the passages which shall in
dlcate. Upon turning to page 80 you
will find statement by our committee
as to the political utterances of your AS
sembly, to the effect that these consti-
tute most weighty grievance to us, and
also serious hindrance to establishing
traternal relations, etc. But upon turn
ing to page 81, you will discover that
this difficulty was raised for the express
purpose of being waived; and upon turn
ing back to page "a, you will find the
points which have debarred the South
ern Assembly from holding official inter
course with the Assembly North reduced
to two unjust and injurious accusations
preferred against tie Southern Pres5vte-
RAN Church, and the course pursued IN
regard to Church property. The case
lies within nutshell Your political de-
hVerances are declared to be a grievance
because they were directed against us;
and hindrance to fellowship, because in
our jugdment church court was incom-
petent to make them, and a Presbyte-
Ran Assembly was positively inhibited
by It's written constitution from doing so.
Being put in providential relations with
all this action OF your body, we are
obliged to consider how far an official cor
Tespondence will weaken the testimony
we feel constrained to bear in favor of
the non-secular, and non-political char
acter of the Church and kingdom of our
Master Some of US have been a good
deal troubled with this difficulty. But
IN the Baltimore Conference it was con-
cluded to waive it entirely, upon the
ground that simple correspondence does
not imply endorsement of the opinions
held by those with whom we are In com
munion 1t is acknowledged by your
committee (see page 43) that this politi-
cal action on the part of your Assembly
would be bar to organic union and
with this our committee (page 63) fully
agree, maintaining that, as they seem
immovable, they present an insuperable
obstacle to union. They add on page
"a We have not said that we refuse
fraternal relations for these causes, or
that they are an insuperable obstacle
but only that they constitute a serious
hindrance How they constitute this
hindrance | have Just explained; but the
above language plainly shows that great
as the hindrance may be, it is dropped
out Of the court, and the points Of set
Element Gre reduced to only two, as be-
fore stated. Thus we leave to you all
your political utterances untouched, but
under protest. You alone are response
bic for them, and you may bind them to
you as crown Of glory to the end OF
time, 80 far as we are concerned. We
have expressly waived them, as touching
this matter Of fraternal correspondence !;
and only insist that the charges affecting
our Christian integrity as a Church, shall
be Withdrawn. l say nothing about the
property question as this was never