Wichita eagle., 1890-02-25

THOMAS CHALMERS
JOHN KNOX JOHN CALVIN
Without entering into controversy it i.
enough to say here that there was a time in
the primitive church when the words for
presbyter and bishop were used indiferently
for the same Office, and as to the fact or time
of a presiding bishop having superior author
ity the polemics may decide. Suffice it that
the Paulicians and others insisted on retain
ing the authority of elders, and the exact pc
riod when presbyterian government ceased
entirely df it ever did cease) is matter of
such controversy that, according to one au-
thority, no less than II 900 books and pam
phlets thereon have appeared in Great Britain
and Ireland.
For the purposes Of modern history the
first epoch is that of the birth of Jean Chau-
win, who made his name somewhat less
Frenchy after his location in Geneva, and Is
known as John Calvin. He was born at
Noyon, Northern France, July 10, 1909, and
died at Geneva May ~, 1864, having lived to
see the principles of the Reformation tri-
umphant in large part of Europe He was
a man of wonderful learning and inexorable
logic. He began life as Catholic priest, but
reasoned his way to another faith, and for
mulated in writing the views till then but
vaguely held by the Protestants. From his
school in Geneva went out such men as John
Knox, and others who revolutionized the
Netherlands, .protestanized Scotland and
changed the whole civil polity of England
Dec. 3, 1857, may be assumed as the second
great epoch; for on that day "The First
Covenant" was drawn up at Edinburgh and
subscribed by the most powerful of the Scotch
noblemen and large array of barons and in
huential country gentlemen. The queen at
once opened war on the Covenanters, and
John Knox hurried from Geneva, landing at
Leith May 2, 1859 "The Second Covenant"
was then drawn and signed, and on Dec. 20,
1860, the first general assembly of the Church
of Scotland met in Edinburgh. The conflict
with prelacy continued with short intermis-
sions, and often with unrelenting fury on
both sides, for 129 years-till the accession Of
William of Orange. But it was not till 17O7,
when the legislative union of England and
Scotland was completed, that the Presby-
terian church of Scotland was really recog-
nized as national and Independent.
''The Presbytery at Wandsworth" IN 157a
marks the third great epoch. 1t was tho
formal organization of Presbyterianism in
England. Seventy-five years later the Pres
byterians dominated parliament and tho
country, but only for short time. The next
great epoch was 161S-19, when the celebrated
Synod of bort convened at bort, in south
Holland, condemned the doctrines of Armin-
ius and affirmed those of Calvin. In the
meantime James l had planted" northern
Ireland with Scottish colonists and a presby-
terry was established at Carrickfergus in 1912.
Izc- Al e Al
century Presbyterianism was completely
dominant in Holland, dominant in the hearts
of the people in Scotland, contesting the
ground in England and making rapid prog
resin Ireland, and it was evident to far see
ing men that great conflict was at hand.
1t is well to warn the reader at this point
against the too common error of confusing
political and religious persecution. As the
Presbyterian polity is simply universal suf-
frage and representative government, with
the right of appeal to higher tribunals and
local independence in purely local affairs, the
strongly monarchical party of the Seven
teenth century was quick enough to smell
"RepublicanisIn" in it land it isn't easy to
prove the contrary, and to such monarchs as
the Charleses and Jameses, and II respec-
lively, it was insufferably hateful So the
fight was inevitable. But there was first an
at comprehension" in that cele-
brated Westminster chamber.
July l, 1913, it first convened; Feb %,
1919, it finally dissolved. Its official desgna-
ton was the Westminster Assembly of
and to it all English speaking Pres
byterians acknowledge great Difference. This
was the fourth epoch-rhe great central
epoch. Down TO this time, as above in
dicated, James ! and his son Charles / had
hated the Presbyterians for Republicans at
least as strongly as they detested them ss
dissenters; but Charles found himself 50 en-
that he consented to the assembly.
This consent be withdrew, but the fight be-
tween him and parliament was on, and the
latter body authorized the assembly.
In the assembly were 12i clergymen. 10
lords and 20 lay commoners, but many Of
the clergymen withdrew on account of the
kings opposition. or the actual participants
most were Presbyterians, few were Episco-
palians OF Calvinistic views. ten or twelve
(it is disputed which, were Independen:s-tha
IS, Congregationalists-an six subscribed
themselves as Erastians Five commission
ers from Scotland soon arrived and laid De
fors the assembly the Solemn League and
covenant. WHICH was SUBSTANTIALLY AdOpIesl-
The body then proceeded 70 discuss and set
tie every point Of church government, doc
.rine and discipline, producing also that eel
ebrated Confession of Faith" which has
been the subject of recent controversy.
The asse,nbiy's work was adopted by the
Long parliament. and thus Presbyterianis1n
became in theory the state religion only. TIE
under the lead of Oliver Crcul- |
well, bad hecoTr7- supreme il rse government !
hey abolished lie house o. lords cut nI |
ne head of King Chsrses, and finally Gis- |
lolved parliament, and there was no gov /
,rnmenF BAT Protector Cromwell and the |
army. So toe Presoyterians were about as
,iad TO see Charles Ii take the throne 81 any /.
art OF his subjects. Taey were soon tired ot j
i'm, for over 2,o0d ministers had TO give up /
heir benches or ahjcre their principies IN |
Scotland sae PresbyteriaI.s we're horribly /
James II siccs-<led Charles II, .
hen came the revolution OF l6SS. and IN i6Ss1 /
{ was formally agreed tbst England WIS 10 !
,e officially Episcopal and Scotland officially I
'resbyueEiar, with mutual liberation ~ both /
Irs.a-sd durin- these years had sudare6 al /