The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1883-07-12
DIR. McKim,s Views.

LIZ iISIA1AA v 1OWo.
We publish on the fourth page of to-day s
VIRGINIAN a letter from the pen of Rev.
DE-. McKim. 1t recently appeared in the
New York Times. 1t will be perceived
that it was not originally intended to
reach the eye of the public, but was adj
dressed to fellow minister and written
with the frankness of friendship. We shall
not undertake to discuss the theological
views presented by DR.. McKim, further
than to say that he reaches his conclusions
by a logical argument which has for it's
basis the word of God. He steps forth
boldly as one who has the courage of his
convictions, but who, recognizing his
weakness as a man and the gravity of the
subject with which he deals, is slow to
beckon others along the way he marks out.
There is no faltering, however none of
the trembling hesitancy of a doubtful ex-
pertinent. The lamp which guides his
footsteps sheds no uncertain light. To
him it points out clearly the path of right
as God gives him to see it, and it is the
consciousness of absolute reliance in that
guidance which seems to have impelled
him to an apparent departure from the
well beaten track of theological thought.
His boldness, however, is said to have
cost him the Assistant Bishopric of Vir-
ginia. He was prominently mentioned in
connection with that position, and when
his name was proposed extracts from the
letter we publish to-day were potent agen-
cies in bringing about his defeat. We are
very sure that had the paper in it's entire
ty been read, the Council would not only
have been satisfied with it's orthodoxy,
but impressed with the profoundness of
thought and the depth of research it exhib-
it's.
The election of DR.. Randolph to the posi-
tion was no disappointment to Dr. McKim.
Had his wishes been consulted no other
choice would have been made. He had
been approached on the subject upon
more than one occasion, and whilst, in
obedience to a sense of duty, he would in
all probability have accepted the tender,
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continue in his present field of usefulness.
He is now in charge of prosperous and
growing congregation in the city of New
York, with every promise of contributing
more and more each year to the church's
service. To have been forced to return to
Virginia would have been to interrupt his
labor at a time when it's results were man
ifesting themselves in an encouraging de-
gree. Apart from higher considerations,
which would have alone controlled, DR..
McKim's personal interests would have
prompted stay in New York. He is a
young man yet, whose varied talents,
learning and effective ministry will find a
wider theatre for exercise in a great city,
and there, too, his growing family would
have better opportunities of being educated
When his name was first suggested in con-
nection with the Assistant Bishopric. he
wrote urging the election of DR.. Ran
dolph, his relative, and man whose abil-
tiles and deep piety rendered him pecu-
liarly fitted for the responsible duties of
the position We hazard nothing in saying
that the New Y ork divine rejoiced in the
selection of the Council. and would have
been disappointed had it's choice fallen
upon himself. Our people feel more than
all ordinary interest in DR.. McKim, in
asmuch as his wife is anative of this city,
a daughter of Rev. r. III. Phillips, and
for the further reason that among the Cit
liens OF Staunton he has many warm
personal friends and admirers. To these
latter. especially. we commend his letter.