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

70 understand questions pertaining TO our
present duty in the eventful times upon Us.
For example, let the lesson be considered
which is to be learned from the controversy
carried on by the Old and New sides. While
it was pending, population gained on the
Church. When it subsided, and ministers
and people gave themselves to prayer and
the ministry of the Word, the Church gain
ed on the population.
This aptitude for controversy owes its
origin to the conflicting theories Of rigid or
ganism on the one hand, and the flexibly and
wise adaptation of unchangipg principles to
changing circumstances on the other.
The influence of the former of these
theories is very perceptible in much that is
spoken and written pertaining to the limits
Of theological belief It declares the sum
of essential, saving knowledge is complete,
mo place for expansion or Development
1t is not orderly or safe to attempt anything
| in the way ofwoik or regulation, unless
there be beprecedeias or authority.
According to the latter theory, which is
the one implied in the scottish Virginia view
of practical Church work, the sum of saving
doctrines is complete. The truths of morals
and religion are fe,O and all known; but
there is no limit to their apprehension and
application. For illustration, no advance in
mental power or scientific discovery will add
to the statement that six and six are twelve.
In some directions progress is at an end. In
morals, emphaticaEy it is SO. In morals
the limits of all progress and higher attain
ment were attained by the unequalled mind
of our Teacher-the Lord Jesus Christ.
In music no one can ever add aninth note
to the scale; yet in every generation gifted
composers can find noblest scope for their
tuneful powers IN combining the eight notes
in new relations to each other, resulting in
sweeter songs and more touching melodies
than ever heard by previous lovers of music.
So in morals and theology, principles and
doctrines are known and numbered; yet
there is ample scope for the genius of Scot
tish- Virginianism to arrange, combine and
apply to the needs of fallen humanity, and
thus present the blessings ofreligion as fresh
and pure as the dawn of each new day, to
the praise and glory Of Gods amazing grace.
1t is well known historical fact that no
people more successfully withstood the upas-
ike overshadowing OF the Moslem power
than the Hellenists. The reason given is
| that all classes vie in the veneration shown
ancestral examples. Now in Davies, J. 81.
Rice, VIM. Graham, Alexander and Baxter.
we have Christian philosophers worthy of
| atfectionate remembrance and emulation.
We are making history, whether We will
| it or not. But it is in our power to modify
the character Of this history, and have Its
| verdict favorable Or unfavorable to our
memory. Historic research will be turned
upon US in coming years, and q decision
reached, and this record will be referred to
for examples of imitation Or warning. Just
as the history may be, that we are making
The statistics of the past decade, so much
relied apon as indicating the tendencies of
the history we are making, indicate that one
of the needs of the present is general and
mighty revival Of pure and undeflled religion
The Gospel 10 the power of God unto saliva
tion 10 every one that believes, and there
should be no doubt of its final success; hence
vain regrets and Respondent, formal services
are not the way to meet the duties of the
eventful present. Neither is it time for
selfcomplacency in merely holding our own
in Christian effort.
| Historical research shows that profession
alism, literary pride, and love Of the honors
that are awarded by men, on the part of the
"Angels of the Churches" and worldliness,
selfindulgence, and love Of money among
the members, were thu bane of the apostolic
churches and the source of their weakness.
Now, may it not be a pertinent inquiry
for. us to consider whether the historian of
the future, whose provinces it will be to re-
view the history We are making, shall draw
similar inferences in reference to US and our
people?
| Itshould not be overlooked that influences
are in tireless, energetic operation in the
great Virginia Valley and regions adjacent,
which, unless successfully wthstood, fcrs-
shadow period when it may be needful to
look elsewhere for missionaries to rekindle
the. Pickering flame of expiring Scottish
Virginia Presbyterianism, as men of apos-
tolic spirit are now sent to the remnants OF
''the seven churches" In 1864 the Synod
of Virginia sent letter to the churches, in
which occurs tue following important word
of counsel: "History and poetry and psi
oiical literature call loudly for able hands
and willing hearts; everything in Gods
beautiful world can be pressed into the ser
vice of the Church and the country; and let
those who have genins cons crate it to God
and their country, and look for their reward
whc9 ChliissS5 snail come"
Your committee earnestly wish it to be
remembered, the purpose that constitutes
the heart and soul of the methods and plaEs
according to which this historical service in
Lexington Presbytery will be conducted in
the good providence of God, is that of col
lecting and preserving material for such q