The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-09-06
Origin and Design of the Sub
Joined PAPER.

Joined Paper.
This document originated with few breth-
rem, who were convinced of the danger into
which our Church has fallen and impressed
with the belief that they ought to endeavor to
rouse the attention of our people to that danger.
1t was their opinion that if one man has the
right to address our office bearers and members
through the press, equally entitled are FIVE or
ten or twenty to do the same. They remem-
bered that on extraordinary emergencies there
have been conventions of the rulers of the
Church for conference and action. And they
held that not only is there no charm in extra
constitutional action, when the ordinary me
thods not available, but that whenever
needful such action may be the highest kind of
duty.
Our modest and honest attempt has been stig-
matised as secret circular We enioined
secresy on nobody. We did request that it
should not be given to any one Church paper
till we were ready to send it to them all alike.
We relied on the honor of our brethren to have
our expressed wishes respected. This is day
when Fraternal Relations are cried up on all
hands, but the Fraternal seems to be all for
strangers and not brethren Our Church. we
doubt not. will condemn this attempt to excite
prejudice against us as conspirators The signers
of this paper are not men of secret designs or
purposes. We love our Church and are moved
by the desire to serve her according to the light
given us J.BA.
To the Office Bearers and the Members of
the Southern Presbyterian Church
Daar Rratbrap &c roo,or - -
ment, to apprehend that our Church is by no
means at one on the subject of the action OF our
late Assembly touching fraternal relations with
our Northern Presbyterian brethren.
Previous TO the Atlanta Assembly while some
among us were anxious to have our Southern
Church move spontaneously forward somewhat
further In the line of a restoration of friendly
relations with the North, the large majority of
our people we believe were quite satisfied with
the position taken at the Baltimore Conference
which was confirmed by so many subsequent
Assemblies. This position they considered both
right and safe. Our Church already had fra
ternal relations with the Northern brethren.
maintained In what was held to be every way
the better form, namely, that of an annual ex
change of friendly salutatons through the tele
graph. More intimate relations thew did not
desire unless a solid basis for them could be had
by the removal of all offences and such re-
moval they had no hope after repeated negotia.
tOnS, Oh DelnB aDle 10 secure.
When the Atlanta Assembly decided to re.
open the question of our relations to the North.
ern brethren, many of those we have Just re
ferred to regretted the step, but were willing to
submit their Judgment to that of this high
court, and to hope that only good would come
| of it. But when the second or Herrick John.
son resolution. was sent from Springfield there
was dissatisfaction, not only on the part of those
we have just been alluding TO, but also on the
part of some who heartily and earnestly ap.
proved what had been done up to this point
and we are persuaded there is dissatisfaction
now on the part Of many all over our Church
even amongst those who have hitherto been
most anxious for the establishment of fraternal
relations in their fullest FORM
In the judgment of the subscribers. it will be
impossible for our people generally to admit
| that the Herrick Johnson resolution " only ex =
| PLAINS and does not modify" the Concurrent Re
solution of mutual withdrawal. Some of the
most unjust and unbrotherly and offensive ut
! terances against our Church and people re-
| spected loyalty and rebellion" So far as
| these were the result of excited passion. we
might freely agree to have them pass into OBJ
| livion. But when, in the very act of giving
/ and receiving the hand of friendship and con.
| hdence, after mutual retractons Of all that was
offensive, the Springfield Assembly tells ours
| that 1t must expressly expect from their with
drawal land 80, after twenty years for the ex-
Oi1oIieiO VI passion 70 cool ana pass away, must
| virtually and in cold blood renew those often
sive utterances it is impossi Die for us to accent
OF be satisfied with the declaration of our own
Assembly Of its perfect and entire satisfaction
| with this as the basis Of the more intimate fell
lowshiP proposed We cannot say that we are
! perfectly and entirely satisfied to have close fell
lowship with Church which thrusts into our
face its renewed denunciations of us because we
did not and will not make the kingdom Of our
Lord the loyal subject Of any human govern
ment. We cannot enter into intimate re- ations
with body which in the very midst of broth
erly hand shaking, and whilst protesting 10 EN-
brace US as dear and beloved and trusted breth.
rem, insists on coolly telling US that we are
traitors and rebels who deserve to be hanged
aud that our dead fathers aud sons and broth
erS' who laid down their lives for their country,