The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-29
PRBsBYrERIANIsM IN NEW FORK.
Tho Causes Of Its Dechdence Discussed by
Presbyterian Minister.

| hEresDyterlan Minister.
| TO THE EDITOR OF THE SuH--Sir: Tho aues-
| ton. Why Presbyterianism Has Declined"
| recently discussed by ono OF your correspond
ents. j. NJ b." must be limited in order to
be answered. In the world and in the United
States 1t has not declined. but has signally
prospered. In the city OF New York. after
very vigorous growth extending up to the pres
| ent decade, IL does now seem to DO rctrograd-
| ing. The first reason for this dccadcnce given
| by your correspondent Is that Presbyterans
| are too much addicted to controversy. The
| Presbytery OF New York. however. has long
avoided controversy. 1t refused decidedly to
contend against the teachings OF DIR. Briggs,
and only recognized the decree of the General
Assembly by which he was suspended. and
now. In the case Of DR.. McGifrcrt. 1t proceeds
| not voluntarily. but under command OF the
supreme judicatory. to show disapproval OF
! false teaching, and Is humbly asking the man
| adjudRed hereto not to force II into con-
| troversy. But tho practice OF controversy.
| which had ever accompanied a healthy state
| OF Presbyterianisin. was renounced by the
| Iresbytcry before the appearance Of the de-
cline under consideration.
| II John Calvin expoundcd st. Paul more ade-
auately than any other commentator has ever
| done. PreshyterianIsm can exist only by con-
| troversy. because Christianity can exist only
by II. Jesus Christ lived controyerter. His
| Apostles were constantly controverting. A
| long as Christianity is what It Is and man Ia
| what he Is. there must be controversy, The
| Church was planted by controversy and has
| ever prevailed by controversy. II tho truth Is
to be maintained against insidious attrition
and against pretentous assaults made in the
name OF reason and learning there must be
| controversy within the walls OF the exalted
| city OF God In this world. In view OF her own
| re- ~ hnr fnr
is plain that for the Church OF Paul and Calvin
| and knox,. whose essential characteristic IL
pronounced fidelity to the Word OF God. 70 re-
| pnllato controversy would be TO commit sui
! eide. or transmogrify herself aud become q
miserable timoserver and sham.
The second cause OF the decline Of presby-
terianlsm, according to your correspondent. is
inordina,e zeal in the cause OF foreign mis-,
| men can meyer. ther directly or indirectly be
accuse OF decayin an orRani cation OF the dis
70 His disciples were promise to be ever with
the n IN the work OF preaching the GOSPEL to
1t is not true that the Presbyterian Church.
! as compared with other denominations. has
either generally or In our city neglected home
| missionary work. No people give moro money
Kind than do the, Pres yterians Of New York city
the power Of truth rather than on natural de-
vices for the propagation OF their creed. they
this rel lance. Alas for q Church whose progress
| depends on the influence secured by M inister.
Ss is
with money Into dscipleship is another Meat
| and drink are not the necessary means OF re-
- third cause Of Presbyterian decline -. NJ.
| b " finds in cold Calyinism" He grieyously
Ty be called oavnsm ' For the the e sSH ptHS
tineuisned essayist and historian Froude. who
Wa an ultra "a 4; Arminian. Calvintsm is alive
eral history IL AbOunda I'm good wOrka Tho
world Is enriched by the fruits Of it's labor. No
| preachers since the days OF the Apostles have
cessfpl than those ca led Calvnists. Caivinism
was the preaching Of Augustine before Calvin
| Whitefeld and Chalmers and spurgeon. 1t is
the doctrine Of the Westminster divlney which
| sets forth with unrivaed funess and clear
ness and earnestness and reverence both the
fern N. and W the p9Tsr of Fodness revealed
Gansm are syubme smd f
confessions OF faith are agow with the most
ardent sentiments OF worship
doctrine Of the living. sovereign. absolute. une In
subsection to moral government Of sin. OF
OF 81 ere OF % Of
truths have ever appealed to the people. at.
tracted their attention. won their faith, and
excited their em9tions as no other IDEAS have
few distinguished by sophistry and Worldly
ADVANTAGES. that turn from Caivinism. The
gladly. The things which It declares are often
hid from tie Wise and prudent and repealed
to give up Calvinism in order TO save her life
i to counsel her to go out Of existence in order
The preachers OF the New York Prcsbytery
to before the He
disease. Before. when Calvinism was preached,
the condition was healthy Would not a true
return to that which seemed conducive to
RroGEess to gaining popular favor and obtain
Your correspondent asserts that It is works"
and not bot, Hth that Ia the world is locking
and guidance? 1t is by believing that all
which is worthy Of the name work lives and
men do when not prompted by belief is not ra-
tlonal human performance at all. any, more
osophy faith and works. while distinct are In
sebarable and not opposed.
ship in the, Presbyterian Church. but the
adyersity to be accounted for has been coincl-
Isnt with decided depafture from the sim,
OF prsiatlsts and Catholics. i ornate form has
symp.am as 81 mHst Be az Ia
and The best form es Sh IS tha.
view Of this, end. it were better to err on the
side Of simp!iety than Of gorgeous display. lie
terianism would prefer the real and spiritual In
temple ~ the hearer and the preacher are
truly Presbyterian. no mere outward beauty OF
form can separate them. The right prcscrip-
ton for New York Presbyterianism is not more
form. but more Of the distinctive truth OF the
Gospel The remedy. compondiously expressed
Is Calvinlsm In our. puplts and in our heads
and hearts-more Of the good old religion"
~ The SUN since have been MON Der OF the
doctrines and the order OF Presbyterianism, BY
far. than has been done by that body itself
FRANCIS p. MUTUALLY
NEW YORK. June 20.