The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1906-09-05
THE AVERAGE MAN AND UNION.
Lunenburg, Va.

THE AVERAGE MAN AND UNION
There have been earnest outspoken advocates
and opposers of the question at issue: but the
average man has been silent. The way this silent
man votes will determine the question.
Some of these men favored the Charlotte reso-
lutlons when they first published; some were
opposed to them from the beginning, and some
have simply been waiting for further light in
order to make up their minds. In the interval one
point has been clearly developed-There is line
OF cleavage in our Southern Presbyterian Church.
This is manifest under any representation that
may be made. lake the worst view, that those
who favor union actuated by selfish purposes
are hoping for worldly gain and willing to use
"artful devices" to accomplish a wicked purpose
while those who oppose the union are Southern
1rreconcilables, actuated chiefly by sectional pre-
Judice Or take the best view-that those who
favor the union are men of high devotion and of
beautiful Christian spirit who wish to obey Christ
IN all things, and believe that he would approve
and bless with greater usefulness, this wished for
contamination, while those who oppose the union
are men or equal devotion to the cause of Christ
and believe with all their hearts that in this dav
stand should be made against broad c hurchism
and that the of truth will be served best bv
the continued independence of the Southern
Church.
Under the worst view, or under the best there
is difference of opinion which, if pushed to the
issue, Will result in such painful scenes as now
mark certain sections of the late Cumberland
Presbyterian Church-pastors separated from
their people, brethren divided from brethren i,
the Presbyteres, the civil arm invoked: or in the
Apostle Pauls phrase, brethren "bitng and de-
vourng another"
Certain ,humiliating things, and fraupht with
evil consequences, are already appearing among
us-an endeavor to divide the edership against
the ministry; the taking of apparently eouivoca1
positions by men formerly trusted; the writing
OF private letters to elders where the pastors posi-
uoh IS not Known or not satisfactory to the
writer; charges and counter-c charges of bad faith
or loose handling of documents etc etc
lhe appearance of these conditions will nroba
oily decide the vote of many an average man.
And they should decide it for the following rea
son; 1T would seem an unreasonable thing to move
INTO ne1ghbor's house at the expense of alien
atne members of ones own family The union.
and any form of union, can be viewed as privi
iege only, not as duty. What of duty there &c
IN view of our Saviour's PRAYER would he of force
III regard to any other Christian church as truIv
as IN regard to the church with which union is
sought 1t is question of expediency or privi
lege, not OF duty. The duty, the solemn obligation
growing out of official covenant &c for ever,
officer to study the "peace and nuritv" of 49,
church to which he belongs There can he M
obligation to split church in order TO mite
WIN any body OF men under heaven Now This
position is true, whether the opposers of milo,
are perfectly right in their opposition or not
Both opposers and advocates are hound 70 doot
with consideration and tenderness eve, u,;th 49,
ratings and prejudices of their brethren. And
."e average man is not going to force the WEDGE
between the factions of his own household
sometimes conditions so into1erabIe that
t,.en are Justihed in going to war; that after con-
Ilict and slaughter there may be broader neace
to those who remain; but has cond;+io, go
arisen in which nation would be justified IN oo.
ing 10 war against its own 1ova1 peon1e in ord.r
to unite with strangers?
:. ne average man does not wish to be soldier