The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-19
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES.

the South holds out TO the industrious.
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TIE PRESB YTERIAN CHURCHES.
The General Assemblies that represent
the larger divisions OF Presbyteriansm
are Just now in session, the one in Balti-
more representing the Southern and that
in Philadelphia the Northern branch.
Both gatherings are remarkable for the
number Of representative men who are IN
attendance upon their deliberations, all OF
whom, II Is TO DO hoped, will contribute
something Of wisdom, good feeling and
good nature toward the long contemplated
union from Which no much that is OF the
strength Of the spirit is predicted. In
nothingis the Presbyterian Church so weak
rs in this division, for which there is no
longer a justiiying cause, II ever. II, when
It's seeds were being sown, the saying oil
Christ, "Render unto Caesar the things
that be Ctcsar's and unto God the things
that be Gods" had been made daily
lesson, separation at any time would have
been impossible. Neither the Roman
Catholic, the Episcopal nor the Greek
Church could be affected by n
difference In the social or poliu-
cal compacts Of the countries In
which they exist. The slave-owner OF
the South was as acceptable at the altar
Of ST. Patrick's, New York, or Of Trinity
Church, MS the merchant Of Boston. The
Bishops Of the great Episcopal bodies,
looking back through the history Of the
world, saw and still see Christianity strug-
Cling through all conditions Of political
government, content II through It's spirit
ual supremacy II could move men away
from evil and turn them TO good, and that
continually. They see that M Christ's
kingdom was not Of this world, 30 II was
not their concern that republics existed
here and empires there; and they know
that in proportion as the Church had In
termixed and interiercd with governments
or social customs, II has become corrupt
and woak-a nero means TO ends for over
ambitious or ovcrzcalous men. They
have seen that mon are 10 be operated
upon by the spirit from within, and that
in proportion IA their convictions in the
the spirit are strong they become elevated
above all the grosscr communications Of
the earth, the things that are Of the earth,
earthly. Religion is not thing merely Of
name. Of declaration, Of inyoluted specu-
lation; II Is not the metaphysical product
of dreamer who is always going in and
out Of abstrusltics he is never able
fully 10 resolve. II il not system
Of philosophy, but matter Of
simple daily life that once laying
tn--.s- .',-a-map -puisliu tits believed. Of
cnmity with all that Is gross and offensive
TO spiritual liio and living. All who be.
lievc, then, in one faith should find no
differences 10 keep them apart and at en-
nifty. Looking above the divcrgcnccs OF
opinion that have grown out Of division
they disappear, and there remains 10 thc
true, heartfelt, helpful and hcalthiul Chris
,ian only "the bonds Of peace In right
cousncss Of life" There Is TO Prcsby
tcrians but one gospel, ono faith, one hap
tisni, one caicchism. one name. How
then can there he two churches? TIL,
man Of the world asks, and in the cchoinI
answer, two churches" finds justilca
ton for his position Of negatiyism TO I
Christian body that IL operated upon b,
the things Of tho world to weaken II as
vital, monl and spiritual force, draining
! H. power In the maintenance Of a killinl
= contention. How long Is such an exampl
; TO continue, or Is u TO be pcrpctuatcd a
an evidence that In the churcl
4 temporal divisions must needs com
and cnmiiics TO provo that what ma
touches oven Of divine things must b
tainted by the weakness that Is inherent 4
him and which the church has In vain At
tempted 10 conquer or subduc. II IN
church Is Of n supreme God, says tho ma
terisllri, God will cigu and amity, pcac
and concord prevail; u on the contrary |
Is Of the world Il will, like all mercl
human institutions. be subject to disputes
divisions and decay. For man changes
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