The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-04-29

Communicated

Within the past week sweeping asser-
tons have been made from one OF the
pulpits of our city which call forth the
though that Presbyterianism, at least.
is by many not fully understood.
In defense Of the glorious history OF
this church a few words OF lighter
ment cannot be amiss. 1t Is asserted
that h Episcopal church is the only
true Church-the only one which has
come directly from Christ and His
Apostles. If so. what las become of the
Roman Catholic and PRESBYTERIAN
churches?
we Will not deny the claim of EpIsco-
palians to Apostolic Succession. though,
the majority Of educated peuple agree
with Macaulay, who was one of their
creates members. that ali unbroken
nne from the Apostles is an impossible
ity: but as this is their fouudation for
cialfnlng that their Church Is the only
true one. we take this opportunity to
SHOWS that We too may. if We wish.
make a similar claim.
Presbyterianism came directly from
the hands Of Christ through His Apos-
tle' andrew, who went to Scotland and
eslaplished there the Church which
nourished for years as The Culdee
church, and which lives still as the
Church Of Scotland and h Presbyte-
rlan Church Of the world. Romanism
IN the early centuries advanced north
ward. 1t entered Britain and climb d to-
ward Scotland, but only the southern
part OF Scotland was converted. In the
northern part, the Cuidee Church con-
tinued until the days of much persecu-
ton, then it was overshadowed; but as
all students of history know, it was not
lost. Among the fastness of the noun
ain n the security of its islands,
this onble Church still lived on in Sc
cret uneil the days of the Reformation.
when II came boldly forth, not as a dis
senter. but simply to stand for what
1T had always been.
England first threw off her yoke of
Catholicism under Henry the VIII who
made himself head OF ner Church. The
people and the Church then became the
play Of kings and queens until under
Edward the VI. the Book of Common
Prayer was compiled and the Church OF
England fully established. In West
minister Abbey in 1913 assembled those
famous divines who spent five and q
half years in compiling the powerful
Westminster Confession Of Faith. Thi.
brought legal recognition 10 the Church
of Scotland.
It is not the object Of this article e
touch on doctrinal topics, but we may
say in passing, that there is TO essen
tial difference between his Confession
and the Thirty-nine Articles.
Does the APOSTLE succession OF The
Episcopal Church come through ca,
tholicism? II not, where does it CONF
from? Apostolic Succession in the Pres
byterian Church comes directly from
the hands of the original Church. I
this succession is the one necesSar.
thing to make a Church, then why ar,
we not considered side by side with on
Episcopal brothers? Why are our min
listers, though recognized as the hes
educated clergy in the United States
not considered worthy to occupy n
Episcopal pulpit? Why is the Comnaun
ion from the hands of a Presbyterian
elder any less holy han from the hand
Of an Episcopal priest? The Episcopa
priest is in direct descent from III
Apostles, so is the Presbyterian minis
, ter who, in turn. confers any virtue th9
may exist in this to the other elders
he being the chief elder, or bishop
In form of worship and in government
the two Churches are vastly different
but in creed they are one-tE
but in creed they are one-on the
and also in possession of the book Q
books-the Bible-and yet we are to-
there is but one Church.
PRESBYTERIAN.