New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-05-22

cerely believe that they have cause for discomfort
with the actions or utterances OF FORMER ~, Tcrs
They are Presbyterians by conviction anu choic..
They profess the same loyalty TO our nsttutions as
that for watch peadng-and yet IL woud DE
utter fooishness TO ignore the fact that there are
Misunderstanding which conflict with the pea ace
and prosperity OF Presbyterian Zion. On tne
hand there are charges Of undue severity IN
the administration Of discipline. coupled with plea
time have not been defined. on the other hand.
there Is fear-must not say convection ina
and that this Church is contending for honor ana
life in the stand which she has recently taken IN
controversy has been nexpress!bly painful. and
there can be no doubt that II has waterway inter
fered with financial prosperity that Is 70 say,
with the prosecution OF our Christian "ork al NOME
and abroad -,
ton that no real Effort has hitherto been put forth
to secure a removal OF these misunderstanding by
brotherly conference and that arbitration OF diner
ences which We have so hsny approval as .
method in international controversies | venture.
thin. to submit tae inquiry irregular though u pc
at this point m proceedings. whether II would
be possible during the present meeting
which might AVIAN 10 throw light upon our present
perpleXitos and afford some clear indications as %
what Is desired In the way Of an extension OF Pres
byterian liberty ny such course we should az
least elicit some clear-cut positive statement as TO
what 10 really the object OF tAese agitatons, ana
should be enabled to draw the lines within which
all true Presbyterans ought 20 stand. II may be
dream It may be deluson, but speaking as II were
for the last time In such a place OF public author
ty appeal 10 the sound Christian sense or this
venerable Assembly to take some proper measures
20 ascertain what It is that divides ne ana what II
required for the abatement OF strife and tie recon-
citation OF parties at variance.
THE MIND OF THE CHURCH ONE.
And may | not add to this statement. or at least
express the conviction that the mind OF this Church
is practically one the rightful authority OF It's
constitutional government. TO the absolute
sacredness OF the inspired Word OF God and as TO
the truthfuness OF that system Of doctrine which
have found In the Scriptures? Here then. we
must stand, We cannot consent to unloose our
hold the Old Testament without impairing the
New Testament also. We cannot mpeach the testi-
mony OF our divine Lord without weakening Ills
claims 10 be the true and only Saviour OF men We
cannot consent to system OF teaching which as
credits the miracles regards the doctrines as obso-
lete and the sanctions az meaningless, with any
good hope OF keeping Lord In His place IA the
Redeemer OF n lost world Loyalty TO this Cnurch
ideal. We may well do anything for the restoration
OF peace except To consent to the tearing down or
the foundations which this Church OF Christ
stands. -four square 10 all the winds that blow.
1t Will indeed be peril for all the good ins,itu-
tons OF American life " ever the Presbyterian
Church loses its. solid grip upon the truths II was
organized TO maintain. /. ever the Presbyterian pull
pit comes - be generally regarded as chiefly field
FOR display or a base OF supplies rostrum for
the PRONUNCIATION OF erra,c opinions. The times
call for who believe the things which they
teach who stand by the pledges OF obedience and
service which they have given. and who would
this greatest Of all the centuries OF time. with the
life-movemens OF history maturing fast toward the
dawn of the latter-day glory. with the whoe world
waiting 10 hear the old. old story from this
Church which enshrnes the Apostles doctrines and
fellowship. may we rise 20 the grandeur OF our high
calling and may the Spirit OF the Holy Dove come
down and abide In our beloved Church with new
feryor and power from this meeting Of the Assem-
blV'