Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-01-14

obedience to Governor Duo
Dacherous orders.
"a the firing was heard by tie hunters
Id butchers there were various surmiaes-
Il Some thought it was a salute to Governor Dun
more; others thought it was the troops prepar-
ing their guns; finally, Jeeob Warwick sus-
pectsd 1T was battle. Upon being assured
| such was the fact. he took measures at once to
rally the hunters and butchers, crossed over,
and opeoed fire on the enemy's flank. This
was seen and heard by the Virginians and they
| supposed Col Christian was coming up with
the reserves. and under that i'm preston two or
three companies were dispatched to open COM
muntcatio and sustain the onset. From that
moment the enemy began to retreat, and vic
tory was assured the inapsriled troops
.nrning the eortnnss ~ TN nanu was usea In
| sleeps in his obscure grave. six miles west OF
the Warm springs, va. One sees in this how
ity 10 duty on the part OF the most obscure and
emphasizes the guiding OF Gods hand in the
Revolution seemingly one OF the most impor-
tant struggles in Its consequence that has ever
| occurred.
Now, if it can be thus demonstrated that
the world is largely indebted to Presbyte-
rians, and specially the Virginia Scotch
Irish, for the blessings of the Republic, it
does seem it ought to do much towards
preparing the way for a favorable consid-
ion Of their doctrines and ecclesiastical
polity, on the part of all patriotic and truly
Christian people.
1t would thus appear, too, that data for
such demonstration should be diligently
and most carefully preserved. Moreover,
there is no history more interesting than
this in the bearing it has upon the history
of our own times. 1t deals with erents
that are opponents Of great ideas and eur
rents of useful thought. These ideas are
mostly ethical and religious, and have a
bearing more or less correct upon the rela-
tions between Christianity and the citizens
OF our country. The historical question is
becoming more and more prominent.
What have the principles of the Christian
religion done? What are the same doing
now towards purifying, consolidating, and
perpetuating the Republic9 Any sect that
expects to stay in this land can find no
practical subject more vitality interesting
than the study of such an inquiry, and
acting accordingly. For there are ques-
tions now pending whose decision involves
the most precious interests of our common
humanity, which cannot be intelligently
discussed without an intimate acquaint-
ance with this very history. At this mo-
ment there are two conspicuous phases of
ecclesiastical polity striving for the ascend
ancy in our country. All history gees to
show that whatever theory of ecclesiastical
polity may be adopted by the mass of the
IL.
government of that people; hence the great
Importance to be attached to the Church
policy likely to become predominant in the
religion of nation.
The adherents Of these rival systems
clamor for religious liberty and vie in their
devotion to civil rights Yet the principle
in which they have originated seems to be
studiously ignored, and the whole contro-
versy appears to most, as q mere war of
words about methods, to be accepted OF re-
jected by applying the maxims of expedi-
en"y. 1t is believed by most, if not all,
that the adherents Of each have at heart
the good of the country, but merely differ
as to what are the most expedient measures
Of attaining their cherished aims.
In the English mind it is fixed princi-
pie that organism, with or without differ
ent grades of officers, is essential to the
proper development Of religious institu-
tions; henco the ysarning for great, all
absorbing corporation to establish ordi-
nances and to enjoy them unawed and un-
disturbed by any rival corporation. Such
must be virtually everything or nothing
before matters in the Church assume a sat-
isfactory form. In this English phase, the
member is for the Church-not the Church
for the member.
The Scottish -Virginian theory places the
audiuiduol above the corporation; hence it
aecords to the individual the responsibility
of choosing for himself, untrammeled by
corporate influences, his doctrines of belief
and forms of worship; and this choice, too,
not to be disputed or disturbed as matter
between him and God, and in no wise to be
called into question by men in corporate
capacity. In brief, the Scottish Virginian
phase Of ecclesiastical polity, regards the
Church as existing for the member, and not
the member for the Church.
There was an apparent attempt to resus-
citate the Scottish-Virginian theory in May,
1775. at Charlotte, N. c., but the outgiv-
ings are 30 uncertain in their sound that
one fears the speakers and reporters did
not rise to the height Of the argument as
signed them, and did not effectively vindicate
the views and methods of the Scotch Irish.
Perhaps, if we could have seen and, heard
for ourselves, our impressions might haye
been quite different. AS it now appears to
US the whole modern question seems to be
one of mere priority and of more expedient
measures. The partisans of the Puritan
and the caTalier, and the friends of the
Scotch-Irish, as a general thing, rest main
ly on questions of chronology in their rival.
ry for precedence in the national heart
This ancient dust has been so copiously and
effectively thrown into our eyes, that now
there are persons in fullest possession of
the heart and confidence of the Church
founded by the Scotch Irish, that are no