The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1906-10-31

the otner Boards; second, to deal with
differences which may arise between the
federated Churches; third, to deal with
any other matters of interest common to
any two of the Churches which may be
referred to it by the Churches concern
ed; and, fourth, to promote concert of
action in matters of common interest"
AS to the first point, the Boards of the
different Churches can cooperate, and
are cooperating without the help of an
expensive Federal Council. AS to the
second point, differences between feder-
ated Churches are apt to be between diff
ferent local, organizations, having indi-
vldual rights, and in our Church at least
having such rights guaranteed by a con-
stitution which DEGREES that Presbytery,
Synod and Assembly are the courts to
deal with them. A Federal Council, with
the right to deal with such matters even
when referred to 1T by our Assembly,
must first be made a part of our system
by an amendment to the constitution.
1t should be noted that another Sec
ton of the plan provides that the Council
shall not interfere in matters of worship.
government or discipline, but it is just
this that makes the plan indefinite and
contradictory. One section provides that
the Council shall deal with cases which,
If they involve anything, involve indi-
vidual rights which in another section
it is forbidden to touch. We speak here
with some hesitation. Upon first read
ing the plan the Council seemed to have
no authority at all. Every sentence was
guarded. 1t could advise" recon
mend,' deal with things referred to it,
etc. Other readings show that it may
initiate and that it renders final de-
cision." Were the plan in operation there
10 70 I,
ers of the Council. Such bodies are
always jealous of their rights. More
over, their rights grow by assertion A
council of federated Churches would in
evitably face the issue faced by our gov
eminent in the issue between State rights
and central authority.
The third and fourth purposes of the
federation are to deal with other mat
tiers of interest, and to promote concert
OF action. This may mean more than at
first appeared. 1t sounds like the speech
of one of the small tribes of the proposed
federated Israel; a church which LAYS
stress on the iniquities of the government
and the duty of the Church to correct it.
We have some fear that this dealing with
"other matters" and promotion of Con
cert might involve us in political action
Our Church is large enough and wise
enough to initiate and direct its own pol
icy in such matters.
Unless it can be shown that apart from
all difficulties there is some positive ad-
vantage in this plan of federation over
the present cooperation, we see no rea-
son for its adoption. 1t is the creation
of a new wheel in our church machinery.
an Assembly superior in some matters
to our General Assembly. The expense
might be endured if any certain good
were to come from it. The inequality
in representation might also be endured
if shown to be unavoidable The indef-
niteness and contradiction might be cor
rected. But the important facts remain
that such Council could do nothing to
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