The daily morning journal and courier., 1896-01-13
ABOUT PRESBYTERlANISM
LECTUREBY REV. v. Y. DICRERlTlN AT THE CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH.


 terian churoh--Good People and Patrl- otic Citizsns-Points in Common With tho Universalists.
 At the Church of the Messiah last evening the Rev. w. r. Dickerman de- llvered the fifth of his series of lectures, the subject being "The Good Things of Presbyterianis1n." This interesting se- ries of lectures is attracting much in- terst and the church was we'll filled las. evening.
 The Rev. MT. Dicksrman said:
 If l were to choose texts to apply to the Presbytenlans should choose these; Let all things be done dscently and in order" and Speak thou the things which become sound doctrine."
 The history of the Presbyterian church is most interesting one. It existed in the early Reformation, but found it's earliest expression ill the in stitutes'' of John Calvin. He opposed the hierarchy in the Church of Rome by a representative body for church gov-
  government to oppose to the govern ment of the Roman church.
 This church had it's strongholds in Switzerland, Holland and, most of all, in Scotland, where John Knox became its great leader.
 It reaped great honor by training the common laity to oppose the nobility and catholicism.
 In 163S covenant was made by the Scotch Presbyter,ans to oppose to the death the prelacy of the established church,
 On July l, 1643, a covenant was held at Westminster, controlled by the Pres byterians, at which was drawn up the celebrated westminster Confession" which is still the basis of the doctrines of the church.
 The Presbyterian church from it's start has been peculiarly subject to di- visions, and these have frequently oc- cured in both England and the United States.
 The first church of this denomination in the United States was founded by the Huguenots in Philadelphia in 1706; the first synod in 1729.
 In the Revolution they were as ever strongly on the side of freedom.
 The doctrines of the church are drawn from the ''institutes" of Calvin. It makes full and frank declaration of the authority of the scriptures as the basis of it's doctrines, and denies any errancy of the scriptures
 It holds to the distinction between the visible and invisible church, and to bap- ,tis,n as a sign of grace rather than a means.
 They are very strict Sabbatarians in Scotland and their influence in this country has been strongly exerted in behalf of Sunday observance. Their most important doctrine is the complete sovereignty of God, and to this we Uni versalists take a fancy. The theology of the Presbyterian church is more per fected than that of any other denomina- ton.
 ffThe Westminster confession has five great points of doctrine
 First. Total depravity and this doc- urine is in raart supported by modern science and has limit of heredity in it. We believe in depravity, but not i'll total depravity.
 Second: Unconditional election, that God saves some for His glory.
 Third: A particular atonement, not general atonement. but only for those chosen.
 Fourth: Effectual grace; That which God wills. He will do for His elect. Fifth: Perseverance of saints; that is, all He elects will be saved. There are no backsiders in the Presbyterian church.
 The government of the church is based on the federation idea, and is mere in harmony with American ideas of government than any other church. It has three orders of officers, the pres bytery. ruling elders and deacons. It has the presbytery a local assembly, the synod and a general assembly. I would choose their church polity for that of the Universalist church rather than of any other Our polity resembles it, but is nearer that of the Congrega- tional church.
 There are 20,0OO,OOO Presbyterians in the world. and 3,5Oo,000 actual commu- nicants. In the United States there are 1,229,000 con1rnunicants.
 The Presbyterian is a sadder man than the Congregationalist. He is pes- simistic
 Blue is the color of this denomina- tion; the deep, profound blue of the ocean, while the color of the Congrega- tionalist is lighter, a. sky blue in which stars shine The Congregationalist looks up to God; the Presbyterian looks down to the total depravity of man.
 The Presbyterians are great lovers of education. and are noted for their order in all matters and 1t is always a pleas urs to move among them on this &C., count
 They are a conservative and careful people, and have served grand pur- pose by checking extrTavagant ideas in religion, and they insist that people should think accurately and train their children with great care. In these things we are thoroughly in harmony with them.
 The next will be or s'The Good Points of Methodism" ]"
 The City Guard Masquerade.
 Alt tine medtfng of the aTuaIn genents