The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-05-31
(From the Atlanta Constitution.)
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

The Right Hand Extended Toward
the Northern Presbyterians.
"Oh, for closer walk with God,
A calm and heavenly frame,
A light to shine upon the road
That leads me to the Lamb.
What peaceful hours 1 once enjoyed,
How sweet their memory still,
But they have left aching void
The world can never fill.
AS the words of the above closing hymn filled
the building with their cadence they seemed
to find a lodgment in the hearts of all present.
There was much caucuslng along in the aisles,
in the vestibule and on the church steps from
which it was evident that movement of some
significance was on hand. " 1t will never do, -
said one prominent gentleman "to accuse the
Northern lurch of the sole want of charity be-
cause of the Incorporate expressions of some of
its Assemblies. Why, here" said he, taking up
little book and reading, " is an arraignment of
the Northern Church, made by the Southern
Assemblies in 1870, which rivals anything the
North has said to us 1t says that in the
providence of God the Southern Church has
been made the special witness for the crown
and kingdom of our Lord when both were
practically disowned, and that upon this issue
she was separated from her old associations
Could we do more than declare that the North
ern Church had dlsowned God Again this
luth 10 plldSlLSu III dS
lows: We can hold no official correspondence
with the Northern Church unless the Saviour is
relnstated in the full acknowledgment of his
kingshipin his own Church Further then this
1t went on to arraign them as giving shelter
to every creed, lying between the extremes of
Arminianism and Pelagianism on the one hand
and of Antinomiansm and Fatalism on the
other. There is much to forgive, and we
should do right whether others should do so
or not" This last sentiment was assented
to by the group surrounding and when the house
was called to prayer by Rev. J. A. Wallace,
it was pretty well understood that important
developments were in store. The services began
with the 3l3th hymn, prayer by Rev D. o.
Byers the 320th hymn, prayer, and the 3l7th
hymn The minutes were read and approved.
Rev. j. Henry Smith and Rev. Mr. Wither-
spoon were announced as fraternal delegates to
the Reformed Dutch Assembly, which convenes
at Schenectady, New York, next Tuesday.
Bishop Stevens, of the Reformed Episcopal
Church, was presented as fraternal delegate
from that body, and II o'clock to-day was
made special order to hear him.
Along the skirmish Line.
DR.. Pitzer arose to question of privilege in
which the highest interests OF the church were
concerned For two DAYS a heated discussion
the spirit of God has been leading us to a con.
clusion. The only thing in the way of frater-
nal relations is the existence of mutual imputa-
tions upon Christian character If these were
withdrawn the path of peace would be clear.
The paper offered by Colonel Collier on yester-
day went to the heart of the matter. If the
Northern Assembly be willing to make amends,
so should we.
DIR. Hopkins asked for a specification of any
charges imputed to Southern lips.
DIR. Pltzer, as a question of privilege, asked
the house to pass resolution stating upon a
mutual withdrawal of charges frateTnal rela-
tions might be established, and that the North.
ern Assembly be notified of this fact
DR.. Brown rejoiced that such paper should
have come from such a source; in fact he was
preparing similar one himself but he opposed
the motion as question of privilege.
DR.. Lefevre raised the point OF order, in
which he was sustained by DIR. Hopkins, that
this resolution touched the essence Of the main
issue.
The Moderator ruled that DR.. Pitzers reso
luton was in order as a question Of privilege.
DR.. Letevre again arose to a point of order,
to the effect that the entire question in all its
scope was out of order. A previous Assembly
had decided to conduct its foreign CORES
pondence by letter, instead of by delegation
the only exception being in favor of the Dutch
Reformed Church. This phase of the question
was debated at some length and for time it
looked as II the whole matter might be shelved
Dr.. Pitzer renewed his motion for the postpone
ment of the regular order, in order that this
resolution might be considered He was salts
ned that If the matter could be gotten before
the house, 1t would rally to its support the en-
tire membership. DR. Hopkins hoped it. would
be defeated
tthis juncture DR. Brown usually regarded as
one of the staunchest opponent of fraternal rela
uons under all plans heretofore proposed, said he
was In the act of writing out similar resolution
when that OF DIR. Pltzer was read He moved
that the matter under its new aspect, he referred
to the committee on foreign correspondence. and
that for the purpose Of considering this question
that the committee be increased by FIVE mem.
bers. Mr.. Roger Martin asked that the entire
question be recommitted. He was opposed in
/ toto, to traternal relations in any shape Where
no offence has been committed no apolopv is
necessary. These resolutions before as are all
IN the nature Of apologies. There should be no
haste In deciding a matter Of importance. Let
us ventilate this subject if it takes a month.
Numerous calls were made on the chair for the
regular order, but the Moderator steadily ruled
mat the question Of postponement was entitled
70 precedence. Ir. Palmer and DR.. Kerr offer.
ed resolutions looking in the same direction AZ
that OF DIR. Pitzer. Mr.. Martin called for vote
on the question to recommit which was sus.
Ialned and the committee were again in the
possession OF the subject. The Moderator an
nounced as the five new members OF the com.
mlttee: Dr. A. W. Pitzer, Rev. j. II VIRGINS
Rev. r. 2. Kerr, DR.. F.. 7. Palmer. Colonel G.
+. Collier. The question then went over. await
ing the committees report.
Bills and Overtures
Dr. Farris announced that the committee on
IL