The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-12
THE REV. J. J. BULLOCK,
A LEADING DIVINE OF THE SOUTH
ERIN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
Has His Say About the Race Question
And Says 1t Like a Christian Philos-
opher Who Has Had Experience and
Knows What He Is Talking About.

hocihB Vi Viz beHSIul hhSVhDyb AS'N ia
Baltimore last May, he was chosen mod
orator, and served with great favor during
the spirited session. lie also made most
favorable impression at the joint meeting
Of the two assemblies at Philadelphia.
The Tribune has already published inter-
views with the moderator OF the Northern
Assembly, and with Representatives, preach
ers in both assemblies on the question Of
organic union. DR.. Bulock's position is
conservative, but he looks forward to the
time when the two assemblies shall be
one.
"You ask me-" he said to the CORE
spondent, ''if am in favor OF the organic
union OF the Northern and Southern Pres
byterian Churches? My answer is, / do
not think the time has come for the con-
summation OF this union. The most cor
dial iraternal relations have been estab-
lshed between the two bodies. They are
one in all things essential 10 sound
Presbyterianism. They love each
other as members Of the same
grand old historic church. speak
for the great body of Southern Presbyte-
rians when say they sincerely rejoice in
the prosperity and growth OF the Northern
Church. They have no feeling OF unwor-
thy jealousy TO that powerful body OF
Presbyterian The Centennial celcbra.
ton was a grand exhibition OF mutual
love aud confidence between the two
bodies, and II gave powerful impulse to-
ward the closest and most cordial irater-
nal raiaNtnng fIln stntNfaeual Eanlipft
we are brethren beloved; hostilities have
ceased.
what would be the effect Of organic
union2"
Undoubtedly, the organic union Of the
two bodies, II IL could DO accomplished
with the full and cordial consent OF both
parties, would tend to an immense deyel.
opment Of Prcsbyleriansm in this great
country and throughout the world"
Then why not unite?"
"Ihere are difficulties in tho way which
need time and serious reflection and mu.
tual conference 10 remove. While both
bodies have the same system of doctrine
and the same ecclesiastical polity, there
are some important questions about which
there are honest differences OF opinion.
Until they are satisfactorily settled organic
union cannot be accomplished consistently
with principle and without dividing our
own branch OF tho Church.
SPIRITUAL CHARACTER OF THE CHURCH.
"Upon what does the Southern Church
insistF'
Upon a strict Interpretation OF the
spiritual character OF the Church, and she
objects TO her meddling with secular
things, unless incidental and necessary to
her own work OF propagating tho Gospel
OF Christ. She insists that church courts
must conflne their actions TO what the
Scriptures determine and nothing else,
and they must determine what they han
die precisely as the Scriptures determine.
They hold that the Scriptures are the
sufficient and sole statute book OF the
Church. IL was a departing from this view
that lod to the division Of the Church in
1861. Tho southern Church has now lis
own autonomy, and many think IL would
not be wise to place our cndowments,
seminaries, colleges and churches in the
hands OF body which feels at liberty to
make political deliverances and 10 handle
secular matters. In tho reunion the
Southern element would not DO more than
one.fith OF the body"
"But you have confidence in the North
ern Church,
1--WE have perfect confidence in the in
tegrity orthodoxy and piety OF our North
ern brethren, but times Of excitement may
come again, and our only safety would be
In the strict Interpretation OF the spiritual.
ity OF the church. Another serious din.
Guilty in the way Is the opposition Of the
Southern Prcsbyterians 10 mixed churches
OF whites and blacks. This question can
never be any serious menace 10 the peace,
prosperity aud social life OF the Northern
people, or In the Southern States where
the white population greatly preponder-
aics; but In some Of the Southern COM
munities the superior numbers OF the coll
orcd people would give them the constitu.
iional control Of the church, II organized
on the principle OF a mixed church, which
would be followed by certain amount OF
social mixture, aud then in the lapse Of
time by misccgcnation with its debasing
consequences. Tho great body OF South.
efn Pr,sbytcrians aro unwilling 10 place
our relations to tho negro race in the
hands OF our Northern brethren"
MAY not these difficulties be re-
moycd3"
"They may, In the not far distant ia.
turc, aud the organized union OF the two
bodies may be accomplished cordially, and
consistently with principle. In the mean.
limo they should maintain toward each
other the most cordial relations. cooperate
in building up one common Presbyterian.
ism, both at home and abroad. The two
bodies are not kept apart by any feeling Of
hostility. Hearty good will exists between
them. They arc today more closely united
and ircor from strife aud bitterness than
arc the business circles Of the two sections
II ia in the interest OF the unity, peace and
the greatest efficiency OF Prsbyicriansm
that these two bodies should illustrate the
true unity OF the spirit by keeping side by
side In the closest bonds OF sympathy and
iatcrnal corporation, while they are held
orgnnically apart hy conscientious conyc.
tons. Tho committees OF the two Assem-.
blics may DO relied upon 90 do everything
that can possibly be done for the unity,
peace aud prosperity OF the Church"
DANGERs THAT CONFRONT run CHURCH.
"what special dangers confront the
Presbyterian Church today2'
81 know OF none that arc not common
TO all evangelical churches. The war be.
tween the great powers Of Light and Dark.
ness, which has been raging from the fall
OF Adam to the present time, Ia waxing
hotter aud hotter. Tho world, the flesh
and the devil are putting forth all their
mighty energies TO bring this great coun.
try In subjcction 10 Satan, but the Church
Is wide awake, and Is armed and equipped
iot the contrast under the leadership Of her
Divine Head. Tho Presbyterian Church
in every timo OF trial has ever stood in the
forefront OF the battle, she has never been
W powerful ~ now. aud with the eflirient
aid OF her sister churches the result Il not
doubtful. She will conquer by the Word