Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-04-29

o.
Eprefne in HIS Church. I'd The definition
OF the Church--al Believers. with their
children. 18th. That God alone IS Lord OF
the conscience. 9Th. The duty OF all men
10 obey the powers that he, but that the
civil Authority has no right 10 control
the Church or favor one more than an
other. 9th. There Is emphasized the
Calvinistic system OF doctrine. which mas
developed a race OF men who are noted
for the morality OF their ljyes and for the
sturdineSs OF their character and thelr
thrift. A mans religion IL the cher iac'
about him. and determines all the rest
But what form of religion best makes
man what he ought to be? This system
has made in England and Scotianh
statesmen who. when revolutions nave
arisen, could come forward and duei tne
tumult and peace and prosperity wouiu
reign again. Since France drove OUT ,ho
Huguenots. who held these same prln-
ciples she has had no such statesmen
none who could queil the tumuits'.
PARENTS. WITH THEIR CHILDREN.
"One thing that is very prominent IN
our standards is that the Church OF Goa
on earth includes children as wei as
narents. And hence 1t is that Presby-
.terians pay so much attention 10 the
training OF their children. ] do not wish
10 appear TO euogizc the Presbyterian
Church. because ! am a member OF that
Church. All OF the authorities j shal
quote shall be the utterances OF those OF
other denominations"
Dr. Hoge then quoted from n number OF
prominent men in other churches 10 snow
I'm what high esteem the Presbyterian
Church is held by others, as the de-
fender and supporter OF those great prin-
clples which so 10 make God-,earing
and God-honored people.
Continuing. DR.. Hoge said:
'"rhe reason for the emphasis given
10 the training Of children is because the
farnily'is the unit. And when every DINER
form of government fails and fails' the
family remains with its government.
Among the ancient republics, when there
was so much to admire in art, eloquence,
poetry. and learning. there was never
recognition Of childhoods possibilities.
There was no true mothers love shown
there. such as is shown by the humblest
Presbyterian mother.
AN EDUCATED MINISTRY.
"The Presbyterian Church demands an
educated ministry-hence. wherever the
PRESBYTERIAN Church plants itself there
will schools and theological seminaries be
planted. Another characteristic of the
PRESBYTERIAN Church is the eldership.
These men receive such training in the
study of the constitution of the Church
and by sitting in the Church courts that
they are best fitted for the legislative
halls and judicial benches. No one can
ever estimate the influence exerted by
the 10000 elders of the Presbyterian
churches of the United States.
Here is another interesting fact
,,.Ic ma N
is lord of his own conscience. The strik-
ing characteristic of Presbyterians is the
firm. infexible manner in which they
have stood up in every land and cline
for the rights of conscience. Take as
an example our forefathers. What did
they leave behind? And what did they
bring with them? They left the lands
on which they dwet and the houses III
which they lived: but they brought with
them their principles. They could not
bring the martyrs monument but
they brought the martyrs life and cha-
racter. They could not bring the docu-
ment of the Solemn League and Cove
nant.' but they did bring the principles
and sturdy character of the Covenanters.
.The Huguenots, who were of so much
value TO this country, were imbued with
the principles of Calvinism. 1t was a
Huguenot who wrote the articles of
capitulation at Yorktown. 1t was
Huguenot who first signed his name to
the Declaration of Independence.
THE Scotch-Irish. who composed one
fourth of the population al the time OF
the Revolution and have done more for
This country's liberties than any other
class Of people, were. and are, FTesby-
terians. Another Presbyterian element
came TO us from Holland. What shall
we say Of a people who had no land 10
cultivate until they reclaimed II from the
sea? And yet they did say to the sea-
grhus far shalt thou come. and no
farther These men brought their prin-
ciples with them, and were a blessing to
this land.
Is NOT DYING OUT.
az close by saying that among the
things we hear stated is that the Calvin
istic doctrine is losing its hold upon the
world. We find this most frequently in
the novel and comic journal, and there
Is nothing more comic in the comic jour
nal than the statement that Calvinism
is diving out. Such statements show
gross and inexcusable ignorance on the
part of those who make them. Mr.. Spur
reon. who was the most popular preacher
in England for many years. was very
strong Calvinist, as was shown by his
preaching and his writings. A professor
i'm the Baptist Seminary. in Louisville,
said at one time most of the Baptist
preachers were Armenians, but now
nearly all of them are Calvinists. Does
This look like Calvinism is dying out?
''rhe Presbyterian Church has trained
millions for Christ. We cannot do much
by eulogies of our forefathers. Our
eulogies do not go down into the grave
nor up TO Heaven, where they are star
crowned. But let our praises be the
transmitting Of their principles to our
posterity. Thus will our Church pe
handed down. as l believe II Will De- u
the last moment of time"