The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1906-03-21


nearer together now than when they first
formulated. They complete then in all their
parts; they are no more SO now. They
tagonfstic them they cannot be less so now. They
were thoroughly wrought out and understood then;
and certainly in this day, which is evidently not an
age of great theological acumen nothing new has
been discovered about them. One of the anomalies
OF the time is the apparent assumption by many
minds that the two systems occupy common
ground. 1t is well-nfgh marvellous to see men of
usually clear vision dazzled by the ephemeral bril-
lance of such an ignis factuus.
Again it will be questioned, why then if these
opposing schools of dogma come together does it
seem necessary for CalvnYsm to suffer by the
union? Is it, as faith not capable of taking care
OF itself? The insinuation is often very poorly dis
guised in these inquiries that if Calvnism is not
able to take of itself it served its day and
should retire as gracefully possible. We would
be willing to maintain that Calvnism, as such is
able to meet her antagonists any field and come
off at least none the worst from the contest but
when she goes forth prinked out in Saul's armor
our vision is not clear enough prophesy her tri-
umph. We are bold enough to assert with some
thing of dogmatfc postiveness that if she is honor
ed, believed in and heralded she will always win a
respectable following but when she travels in
cognito with yelled face, seeking to hide her denti-
ty and when there is so poor to do her reyer-
ence, her undoing is even then well-nigh ac-
complshed. What else could there reasonably be
but shame-faced defeat?
the true Interpretation of Gods word, the move
ments above mentioned cannot but bring alarm to
those who love the truth they and under
stand it, If the Reformed faith is worth preserv-
1ng we who love it and "set for the defense OF
Israel" ought to be acutely alive to every move
ment wherein peril may lurk. That it does lurl in
these proposals is maintained for the following rea
l. The very essence of the movement is the ILL
disguised tenet that outward unity is preferable
to sound Interpretation. There are many identified
with these movements who admit and indeed be-
lieve that the Reformed doctrine is that which is
set forth in Scripture they contend at the
tlne that the advantages of outward unity are so
great that we ought to suppress these dogmas in
order 10 hasten 1t. Let not" they say, "empha-
size our differences but our similarities" Thus we
snail gradually draw together and that outward
unity so much desired, will be fastened apace But
II is perfectly evident that in such reasoning as
ts true Interpretation, which, to the Calvinist
CalVlnlsm is subordinated to unity. According to
these advocates of union there is something more
important than sound exegesis-far more important
than proper account Of the scheme of redemption
that something is comprehensiveness. Time was
when men thought the all-important thing was to
know the meaning of Scripture-the mind of the
Spirit That is puerile according to the giants of
To-Day We need now great big comprehensive
self-conscious unsolated church. Although orr
Lord said 1.-The Kingdom Of God cometh not with
observation" we are saying THAT might do for the
hrst century, but not for the twentieth" We need
outward show and pomp and splendor-to startIe
as II were the forces Of the world by bigness and
10 rout them as the Chinese soldiers used to hope to
put to flight their enemies by beating drums and
blowing horns. 1t is even argued that the moral
effectiveness of great body is much more potent
AS though. having lost faith in the moral vieor ~
ulVlne truth we should seek to repair the loss by
the magnitude Of organization, forgetful of the
warning of God that it is mot by might nor nv,
power but by my spirit saith the Lord of hosts"
is this sort of spirit friend Of Calvnisn1- IF so
1t may be said Of Calvinism as it has been said of
some men, she may well pray to be delivered from
her friends. She has ever been fostered bv those