, 1890-05-16


The business session began in the after
noon. President Robert of Lake Forrest.
Illinois, university, the retiring modera
tor, delivered an address on THE priv
leges and consequent obligations OF the
Presbyterian church" He reviewed the
work of the church. etc, at length. Hi:
reference to the absorbing topic of revis
ion was in enumerating the special priv,
leges of the church. Among these, be
said, was a ''clear cut. strong and scriptu.
raj creed, notwithstanding the few OBJ
iectionable passages, the alleged incorrect
interpretations of scripture and the aues-
tionable philosophy Of twenty or thirty
paragraphs in u standards.
They are a marvel OF skill and
dialectic acumen. They have been
classed among the best specimens extaut
of clear thought and cogent reasoning
They were prepared in troublous times
for the purpose OF uniting in one church
all the Christians of Great Britain and
Ireland. Every paragraph was heated in
the fires OF controversy and forged into
bars of gold, not only by the best theolog
ians of the church, but by the ablest
statesmen also of both houses of parlia-
ment. The shorter catechism has been
pronounced by many who have had no
sympathy with its doctrines the best COM
pend of scriptural truths this world has
ever seen.
The standards are not only clear cut, but
exceedingly strong. They are based
largely on Gods sovereignty. 1t is no
such sovereignty, however. as implies
a%rbitrariness or injustice, but such as
aliases the proud and encourages the
lowly. 1t is loudly proclaimed in these
days that the doctrines of our standards
are destitute of the breathings OF Gods
love. This is largely true. The tender
phase OF the divine character is not so
clearly set forth as it might be in this age,
but it must not be forgotten that the
church has been undergoing a process of
evolution from her infantile days to the
present time. Grace and truth came by
Jesus Christ, but these lovely qualities
could have come only after the way had
been prepared for them by the sterner
gu ilitie- of the law, which came by Moses.
The s'rong truths of the Calvinistic
creed are not to be looked upon, therefore,
as monstrosities. but,as the necessary an
tecedents to milder and more lovable
doctrines. These doctrines have been
drawn out of Gods word in such a way
as to forbid the making Of any essential
changes in them without doing violence
to that word.
Among other privileges of the church
enumerated and dilated upon, were a
government more in keeping with the
teachings of scripture than that of any
other branch Of the church-champiou
ship in the cause OF education. su-
penor mission appliances and conceded
-aottk H. tI,a l,ta- t n
Roberts said, in part: Ii may seem
doubtful at first sight whether riches can
be regar led as one of the privileges of the
church of Christ. In selves con
sidered they cannot be an indication of
moral power or usefulness. Nevertheless,
they do acquire, according to the best
known principles of ethics. morally as well
as strength. when viewed as a trust for
God glory and the good of the world.
1t Is often alleged that our church
WINS and controls more money than
any other in the land. One of
the congregations in New York city is
said to have possession of more than
800, 900, 900. The Presbyterians Of
Chiclgo have under their controi-not 10
their possession-$30O, 900, 900. This is
a fair sample of what is to be found In
other communities of the East and West.
1t is certainly a great privilege to be en-
trusted with so much of our Lords
money.
He spoke at great length on the duty
Of the church. Following are some Of
his points: There Is an evident looseness
not only in admitting men into our minis
try but also in giving church sessions un
limited license to supply their own pulpits.
In many congregations ministers are
hired by the year like a clerk and the
community in which they live regard
them not as permanent factors in their
social or religious life. The value of the
permanent passionate is beyond all compu
tation. Not a few Of our vacant churches
are allowed TO be overrun by pro
fessional candidates. Our wor-
thy ministers are frequently set
aside by men who are after the loaves
and fishes. They have a few fiashy dis
courses that please the ears OF the people
but when they are delivered they have
moth ing left worth listening to. Under
this practice piety languishes, activity
ceases aud Christian benevolence is left
uncultiyated. The number of candidates
who reject some OF the fundamental doc
trines OF our creed is said to be on the in
crease. At the present rate of increase
hhS uotAiihdi baatuS VI OuT CnuTCQ VIII
certainly be impaired.
The Presbyte. ian church is called upou
to conserve educational institutions. She
has been largely the means of establishing
and adding to their number as circum-
stances demanded. The public school
system has become the bulwark and
glory of u nation. But OF late it has
become the object OF assault by the Ro-
mish clergy. High officials of that politico
religio system are bent on destroying or
controlling it. The church we represent
is In duty bound to meet these enemies of
our common schools. They should, and
probably can be, improved in certain par
ticulars. But the system in it's main fea-
lures and fundamental principles must be
upheld at any cost, il needs be with blood
and treasure.
The country is today standing aghast
before the rising cloud OF ignorance and
immortality among the freed men OF the
South which threatens to overspread our
political sky with gloom. The North
west is trembling on top OF a volcano that
may at any moment shake into pIcces its
proudest and religious political fabrics. The
Southwest is groaning under the DONNA
ton of Rome. The Pacific coast is
threatened with beathenism. and inf1el-
ity. intellectual and practical is everywhere
striving to overthrow our protestant
Christianity. 1t has the tongue of the
orator and the ear OF the populace. 1t is
becoming every day more and more reso-
lutte, formidable and boastful. What but
Christ's gospel and the power of God
unto salvation can meet such a threat
enlng evil2 DIR. Roberts ae led that not.
withstanding all this, hopeful prospects