The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1886-10-27

and the members of his church there:
The following paper was unanimously ad
opted by the Synod Of MISSOURI in session at
Fulton by standing vote on Thursday, the
l4th of October
1t bas come to the knowedge of this
Synod that many brethren belonging to
the Synod in connection with the Gen
eral Assembly of the Presby terian Church
In the United States, are under a misap-
prehension with regard to the position of
this body touching the spiritual or non-
political character of the Church, and
also touching the rights of individuals
under the constitution of the Church.
Owing to this misapprehension, and to
the continued separation of the two
Synods, many of the congregations on
both sides are greatly weakened, our
educational institutions are partially
paralyzed and all of our interests are
seriously, crippled. With the hope of
healing forever the breach between US.
we once more affectionately extend the
hand of fellowship to our separated
brethren and cheertully reaffirm the ac.
ton unanimously taken by this Synod in
1878 as follows
Q) We affirm the spiritual character
OF the Church as separated from the
Kingdoms ct this world, and, having no
other Head but the Lord Jesus Christ,
as entitled to speak only where he has
spoken, and to legislate only where he
has legislated; we also recognize the
rights of conscience, and the right, of
respectful protest on the part of the
humblest member of the PRESBYTERIAN
household of faith, and declare the obli-
CATION OF all our judIcatories to be sub
lect to the authority and to follow the
doctrines OF our ecclesiastical constitu-
ton
90 We distinctly and particularly
affirm our belief in the following princi-
pies and statements found in our stand.
ards, towit Synods and councils are
to handle or conclude nothing but that
which ls ecclesiastical, and are not to in
termeddle with civil affairs which con-
Germ the commonwealth, unless by way of
humble petition in cases extraordinary
or by way of advice for the satisfaction of
conscience, if they be thereunto required
by the civil Magistrate Confession of
Faith, Chap. 81, Sec. ~: That God
alone is Lord of the conscience, and hath
lett it free from the doctrine and com.
mandments of men, which are in any,
thing contrary to His Word, or beside it
IN matter OF faith or worship That
all church power whether exercised by
the body in general or in the way of re.
presentation by delegated authority, is
only ministerial or declaratlve that is
to say, that the Holy Scriptures are the
only rule OF faith and practice, that no
church Judicatory ought to pretend to
make laws to bind the conscience in vir-
tue OF their own authority, and that all
their decisions should be founded upon
the revealed will of God Form OF
Government, Chap. l, Secs. l, ~ and
that process against a gospel minister
should always be entered before the
Presbytery of which he is a member.
(Book of Dis, Chap 5, Sec. 2
The report on this paper elected
thrilling discussion, conducted in good
spirit by Messrs. Farris, Nesbit, Camp.
bell, Hollifeld, Morton, S. Mitchell, Clag-
gett, Fl. B. Boude, DR.. Brank, &C., and in
which Rev. A w. Nesbit was especially
blessed In securing unanimity and peace
The report of the committee consisting of
two members from each Presbytery, of
which Dr. r P. Farris was chairman, as
finally amended and adopted by unan-
imous rising vote, is as follows
The committee to whom was referred
the communication from the Synod of
Missouri of the General Assembly of u.
>. A, and other papers, respectfully re-
port unanimously: In response to the
communication from the other Synod EN-.
bodying the action of 1878, which was
never addressed to US, and which is new
before us for the first time:
ResoIUed / We unfeignedly rejoice that our
brethren Of the other Synod have affirmed 40
distinctly and clearly the principles for which
we have contended since the painful separation
twenty years ago
"a Ihat IN the same spirit Of Christian can
dor we express the conviction that so far as the
Two Synods are concerned the barrier arising
out OF difference OF Interpretation of the Comics
sion OF Faith, Form of Government Rules of
discipline IS removed By this distinct afirma-
tion and yet with no purpose OF forestalhng
any action Of the General Assembly of the Pres
byterlan Church in the United States TO which
our allegiance IS unatered and to which il be.
longs to correspond with other churches
Sd. That should the General Assembly of tne
Presbyterian Church in the United States Of
America approve and adopt this enunS alton of
It's Synod, we most earnestly desire that it NAV
seem good to our Assembly to recognize as sat-
sfactory such proclamation Of oneness with MS
as to the nature and province of the Church az
q spiritual and non political body called out
rom the world TO witness for Christ and his i'm
mutabe truth
4th That the hindrances referred to having
hr 81. "A