The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-05-31

it was precisely upon this point and the
principle involved in it that the whole
design of conference failed to agree. In
accordance with the language used by
our General Assembly as late as last
year, ait never has been with our church
question whether we should not, in
some form, acknowledge a Christian
brotherhood with the Northern Pres
byterians More Catholic and Christian
sentiments towards all evangelical
churches, more especially those of the
Presbyterian order, are no where to be
found than in our minutes of 1861 and
1865. But the question simply is as to
the form and extent of tie acknowledge
ment. This statement is established by
well known facts:
l. AT the close of the war, when breth-
rem of the Northern church were present
in our Synods and Presbyteries, they were
invited to sit as corresponding members.
2. AS soon as a Christian salutation
was sent by their Assembly, it was unan-
imously reciprocated. But
8. In 1876, and subsequently, we de-
clined proposal for an interchange of
delegates which would recognize each
other as corresponding bodies on the dis
tinct ground that this has always been
regarded as the most manifest and visible
contamination, and the most complete
evidence of such relations. Like the
sending of ambassadors between nations,
this interchange Of delegates carries with
it the fullest significance of fellowship,
and we declined it unless our aggrievances
should first be removed.
This proposition has been confirmed by
the action of the Assemblies of 1875, 1876,
1877, 1878, and 1881. To accede, then,
to the requests now presented, would be
nothing less than surrender of this po-
sition. Having been most carefully taken,
and its rightfulness reaffirmed so DELHI
erately and repeatedly, it should not be
yielded now except under most control-
ing considerations.
And this introduces a second reason for
not granting the request here referred to,
viz:
2. Because the position aforesaid was
right and proper. If it was wrong, no
considerations of consistency are worthy
OF regard for moment. The only up
right way of dealing with acknowledged
wrong, is to confess it, and as far as pos
sible to repair it, But as to the righteous
ness of our position, we may safely refer
first, to the fact that we have never in a
single instance assumed an aggressive at
titude towards the Northern Presbyterian
church, but on the contrary have explicit
ly declared mo grievances experienced
by us, however real, would Justify US in
acts of aggression, or a spirit of malice
against any branch of Christ's visible
kingdom"
Second, To the fact that no instance is
known to us in modern times in which
one part of the denomination of Christians
has heaped upon another such extreme
and odious accusation, extending as
they do to heresy and blasphemy."
Third, To the fact that any retraction
even the least, has not only remained un-
offered, but has been repeatedly refused
The lapse Of time changes many
things, but can make no change what
ever in such record of aspersions. II
true, we are not worthy of their conf
dence and respect. If untrue, Christian
honor, manliness, and truth require them
to be withdrawn. So long as they re-
main upon record they are perpetual
offence, and an impossible barrier to the
kind and degree of official intercourse re-
ferred to in the papers aforesaid.
8. A third reason for not acceding to
this request, is because it would inhict a
grievous wound upon the bosom Of our
own Church. Even supposing it could
be agreed to hold in allegiance the con-
sideration already presented-to waive
the whole question of consistency and of
right-there is, to say the least a great
multitude in our communion, and among
our very best people, who would feel
deeply aggrieved by the step proposed
They have intensely sympathized with
our beloved Church in all her sorrows
and trials, and when our General Assem-
bly, has through all these trying times
indicated her Christian honor against
the aspersions of her assailants, they
have rejoiced to recognize in it the pro-
lection of their own. Will the time ever
come when that protection shall fail ?
Can the sending of delegates to the
Northern Assembly furnish any compen-
sation for the infection Of such an injury
upon our own body?
In reference to the cooperation sug-
gested in the work Of foreign and home
evangelization, it may be answered
l. As to cooperation in the foreign
field, our Assembly Of last year, in re-
spouse to our Presbyterian alliance, has
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