The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-06-21

chose poor fishermen. Poverty is not an
evil. Let us discharge our
duties where God has placed us, and trust
him for the results. In another genera
ton the vast sums of money now distrib-
uted at the North will cease to flow. We
shall then be on an equality, and how
know we not that riches and prosperity
may be ours Wait patiently, God will
work out his purposes. To make big
Church, the North should not desire to
absorb us. To make a big Synod, the
Virginia Synod should have no desire to
absorb that Of North Carolina. Each may
do better where the people are under
stood and the ministers personally known.
Let each preach sound doctrines and each
be Jealous and emulous to bring souls to
Christ.
But now the deed is done, delegates
appointed Though former Assembly re-
solved not to send delegates to but one
church,. Imagine our delegates start
ing on their errand; look at them as they
enter the Northern Assembly; vocifer-
Gus applause greets their ears. Imagine
the venerable and beloved DR.. Brown
magestically standing and slowly saying
Moderator, Brethren, and DR.. Vanzandt
(Van DykeD, come to bear to your AS
sembly the greetings Of the Presbyterian
Church in the United States. l remem-
Der with pride that our Alexanders have
filled your chairs of instruction at Prince
ton, that osr Hoges have occupied your
most favored pulpits, and that many men
whom you have delighted to honor came
from the South. We are not strangers.
We may be on our way home; we come
to the Church which we have aided in
building. Werecognize it as our mother
Church. We come to heal all animosities
and do away with all alterations. We
offer the olive branch of peace. DR..
Brown speaks as a man on his guard he
chooses his words with caution, as he
knows so well how to do. He knows all
the points in controversy, for he has been
the Southern leader. We have trusted
him and.are willing to do so again.
But while he is speaking l imagine I
see In his face that he remembers that
telegram marked personal" his face
reddens, but he is discreet only saying
that he thinks it strange that a religious
Assembly should decide authoritatively
to whom allegiance is due, whether to a
sovereign, State, or to the United States,
formed by those States. A question in
dispute ever since the foundation of the
government. He reflects pensively upon
that telegram consigning so many of his
friends to a traitors grave. He stops
suddenly, wishing them God speed.
Great applause and Misunderstanding
Now turn to our own Assembly. The
Northern delegates arrive, are housed
and entertained at the best house in Lex
ington. They enter our Assembly (Ner-
gal, Sharezer Sanger, Nebo, Sarsechim,
Rabsaris, and Rabmagl with courtly
grace and shining garments and bland
smile. They make their obeisance, and
thus we may imagine Mr.. Rabmag to say,
Moderator and Brethren, as delegates of
the largest and richest Presbyterian fold
in the United States, we come to bring
you the olive branch Of peace and good
will. We have been too long estrayed
by our little sins of pride and obstinacy.
We have longed for peace and prayed for
1T. When you seIt In your resolutions
last spring we joyfully accepted and
hailed them as the harbinger Of better
day. We sent them back to you as orr
though (sotto voce) we sent
you an additional one which said that
you were traitors and rebels. eve said
it in go, and now, after this heat and
passion is gone, we say it AGAIN. Breth-
rem, we hail ourselves as being fortunate
in being the messengers of good news
We have always loved you. We have
heard of your sunny land, of your open
hospitality, Of the polish and politeness
Of your men, of the grace and refinement
of your ladies. But the one-half has not
been told; all SO far exceeds our expec-
tations. You may need material aid.
We are ready to give it. Call upon us
to build your waste places, and they
shall blossom as the Garden of Eden.
Brethren [ could speak to you for hours,
but feel how inadequate are words to ex-
press the feelings Of myself and colleagues.
Brethren, we love you (faint applause).
1t is not our custom to make noisy de-
Thus the scene closes, but
it may be that before then many of our
late delegates have heard hornet close
to their ears. How they are to make re-
ports to their Presbyteries and explain
how they stigmatized their late comrades
To many it will be an uphill business. I
trust that this whole matter may be re-
viewed, and if others shall view the " Per-
sonal Telegram" as l do, that we may re-
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