The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1899-03-01
LPublished by Request.l
Tie Catholic CIIurch.
,yterian. Philndelphia.

Ino OaGnOlIc OnIEcns
Presbyterian, Philadelphia
No other Church las stronger
claim to be christened catholic"
than the Presbyterian. One of It's
characteristic and essential features
is its pronounced catholicity of
spirit. 1t laps shields with every
division in tho sncramental host of
Gods elect Antagonizing none, it
fraternizes with all.
Presbyterianism, equally with
Methodism, crowns manhood with
the diadem of freedom, but is ex-
ceedingly jealous of the throne
rights of God. Presbyterianism,
as steadfastly as Congregationulism,
stands for the right of popular re-
presentation, but more carefully
articulates the governing system
through which the rights of the
people are conserved, Presbyter-
tanism strikes hands with Episeo-
pacy in asserting a ministry de-
scending in unbroken succession
from the Apostles, but derives its
line from pre-Apostolio company
of presbyters, who led the Church
millennium before Peter cast net,
or John lay in his cradle. Presby-
terianism joins forces with the
Baptist in exalting the sanctity of
the sacrament, but prefers to take
it's type of sacramental observance
from the outpouring at Pentecost
on the hither side of Calvary, than
from that at the Jordan upon the
far side of the Gospel, who was less
than the least of those who are in
the kingdom Of heaven. Presby-
terianism exceeds in catholicity the
Church of Rome. Refusing to
yield ono whit to her in reverence
for the mother of our Lord; rejoic.
ing equally with her in rendering
imperishable the memory of tie
saints, she unchurches no one, but
welcomes to her communion "all
that in every place call upon the
name of Jesus Christ our Lord
both theirs and ours" The Presby-
terian can worship in the meeting
house of the Congregationalist, or
in tho cathedral of the Romanist.
The Presbyterian can sing psalms
in the Kirk of tho Covenanter, or
chant psalms in the Kircho of the
Lutheran. The Presbyterian can
fellowship with the Dunkards, who
wash the feet, or with the Baptists,
who dip the whole body. The
Presbyterian can shout Amen"
with the Methodist, or intone "Ah-
men" with the Anglican. He can
bare the sword and march in battle
line with any rank of the Church
militant, or grasp the trowel and
labor side by side with any who
build upon the walls of Zion He
can clasp the hand and sit at the
Lords table, herrt to heart with all
who love the Christ in sincerity.
He is not broad enough to belittle
the cardinal principles of his own
peculiar creed, but he is endued
with vision broad enough to de-
tect unity underlying seemed
ing want of uniformity. His con-
victions are knitted into the bone,
his principles are as much part of
his life as his heart blood, but he
never raises the banner of his de-
nominationaI beliefs above the
blood d-stained Cross of Calvary.
Presbyterian catholicity is no
mere flourish of rhetoric. tits the
blazon upon our flag. As with a
pen of iron it is craven into our
creed. Witness the sweeping lam
guage of the Westminster Confess
ion: The visible Church consists
of all those throughout the world
that profess the true religion to-
gether with their children" The
planet itself has not breadth enough
TO hold Church which is broader
than the Presbyterian. The girdle
of its catholicity is the equator.
HOWARD DUFFIELD.