The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-09-06

on the next Assembly.
Meanwhile our mission will have been
discharged; and the Lexington Assem-
bly, will have to deal with the future of
the question, but cannot change it's past
history.
Many suggestions have been made,
and much gratuitous advice given the
delegates, as though the question of their
duty were open and doubtful. One says
to US" do not CO." another says, go,
but demand further explanations s.
others insist on our stopping at Lexing-
ton for further instructions before going
on to Saratoga.
Our duty is plain, we must obey the
authority which commissioned us, and
prescribed our functions. We are i'm
peratively directed by the commands of
the Church, expressed through its high
est organ of utterance.
What then did the General Assembly
intend its delegates to- do? Simply to
deliver message of fraternal greeting
We were not created plenipotentiaries,
and clothed with the power to frame
treaties. and demand explanations. The
treaty has been made, and the terms ad.
justed by the high contracting parties :;
we are merely heralds bearing the pro-
clamation.
With what propriety could we presume
to impose other conditions in a matter,
concerning which our Assembly declares
itself entirely satisfied. 1t requested Of
the Northern Assembly certain explana-
tions as a condition precedent to the ap-
pointment of delegates; their appoint
ment was the final and conclusive proof
of the satisfaction of the body with the
explanations given. What an arrogant
position would the delegates assume were
they to appear before the Assembly at
Saratoga, and say: "The Assembly which
sent us declared itself to be content, but
we are not content, and before we pro-
ceed to discharge our embassy we de-
mand further explanations On the
other hand in what an ignominious posi-
ton would we be placed, if, instead Of
frankly performing our duty, we should,
letting " dare not, wait upon, I would,
consume the allotted time, by waiting in
the lobby at Lexington, to learn whether
we might be permitted to carry out the
instructions of former Assembly of equal
authority, in a matter which in its nature
admits of no appeal The formation of
fraternal relations between the two
churches by interchange of delegates is
an accomplished fact; it became so by
the well nigh unanimous resolutions OF
the two Assemblies, and by the mutual
designation Of delegates.
This great and significant event can
never be obliterated from the records OF
the two Churches. The visits of the
delegations will be only the formal ex-
hibition of what already exists.
Some writers invoke the power of the
Presbyteries and urge them TO such hos.
tile measures as will defeat the purpose
of the last Assembly. So radical and
causeless a revolution in public sentiment
is scarcely possible. On the contrary, I
believe that the course of the Presbyte-
rles will show that the Church sustains
what has been done, and that the action
OF the Atlanta Assembly was the true
and fitting expression of the sentiment
which aminates the mass of our people.
The great body of our ministers off
GERS and members, as it seems to me. are
resolved to rid our Church of the re-
proach OF longer alienation from sister
Church, so nearly allied to us in doc
trlne, order, and history, and to exhibit
before men and angels the restoration OF
complete amity by the appropriate
method of interchanging delegates This
resolution had been silently gathering
force during several years, and at length
found expression in the decisive vote at
Atlanta, which instead of having been q
hasty action, as is alleged, was the inevi-
table result Of matured and widespread
convictions.
The Assembly was nearly unanimous
because the opinion of the Church, repre-
sented by it, flowed in the same channel
with mighty current, the progress of
which no impediment, contrived by pas
SION, prejudice or punctilio can long him
der; but like the propulsive tide Of the
Hellespont, it will flow right on and have
no retiring ebb, and when obstructed will
rise higher and higher and finally be-
come irresistible.
Deeply persuaded of this, and in full
sympathy with the movement. it only re-
mains for me, under the favor of the
Head Of the Church, and in harmonious
concert, as | hope with my honored col
leagues, to 60 forward at the appointed
time loyfully and resolutey to the dis
charge OF the high and sacred trust. CON
hded to us by the hand of the General
assembly, z, by the great heart of the
4 H., IL. 4 -