The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1906-05-09
229t

conviction OF responsible authorities of n Constituent
church; which view is to prevail Is it not likely
that trouble will ensue AS the right of the Conn
ell to extend its advices is construed bv Article :
to extend the entire work of each Constituent
Church 1T becomes clear that the risk of division
OF sentiment will be extended every department of
Church enterprise. 1t is certain that the two Ar
ticles are very likely to result in a large amount of
trouble, though the functions the Council are
merely advisory. How much more serious the hazard
will be if the function of that body should become
authoritative either by Grant or Construction
Article provides that "The Council shall nrop,o,o
the Cooperation of the Constituent Churches in the
Foreign Missionary work, and also in their general
work IN the United States of America in connection
with Home missions, work among the coIored neo-
pie, Church erection, Sabbath-schoos Publication
and Education; and may initiate movements HAVING
TINS Cooperation in view subject to the approval of
the Churches concerned
Council may also advise and recommend in otber
matters pertaining to the general welfare of tbe
Kingdom of Christ. This Article extends tba So Al
vices OF the Council to the entire work of the Con
''"en' ChuIches; and, not content with this enor-
nous junction. undertakes to advise and recommend
III other matters, indefinitely considered pertain-
ing TO the general welfare of the Kingdom of Christ
The work of other churches at home and abroad
pertains to the general welfare of the Christian
Kingdom; and this paragraph warrants the Conn.
ell In advising and recommending concerning their
operation There is something comic i'm this ire
mendous assumption of capacity in the Council All
those enterprises of the Churches mentioned in this
Article should be distinctly Withdrawn from tho oon
Germ OF the Council, with the exception of limited
competence to advise those sections of tbe Mis-
slonary work where two or more Constituent
churches find their work co-terminous and work of
Sabbath-schools in which the KNOWLEDGE and exner-
fence OF other bodies might be of service. Perhaps
adVlces on Church erection strictly limited to the
Mission fields (weaker ones) might be allowable
There cannot be reasonable doubt that the pro-
gramme of the Council as defined i'm the Articles ia
enormously too eXtensive:-and if it should happen
that Tho Il.
sion of its powers by amendment provided for in
Article II, it may extend into tyrrany impossible
to be borne without convulsion The delegation of
power is far easily made than retracted. The
utmost caution is necessary.
Article provides that ..Tbe Council shall ho
power to deal with the questions which may ariso
between the Constituent Churches in regard TO mat
ters within the jurisdiction of the Council (which
IS proposed to be extended to all the enterprises of
the church, which the constituted agencies of the
Churches concerned, have been unable to settle and
which may be brought to the attention of the Coun-
cll by the Supreme judicatories of the parties
theretO and such questions shall thereupon be de-
termined by Council or by such agencies as it NAV
appoint. If determined by an agency such as a com
mittee or commission, there shall be a right of ap-
peal to the Council for final decision. Every final
decision shall be transmitted by Council of the Su-
preme Judcatories of the Churches concerned which
shall then take such steps necessary to carry
such decision into effect"
1t is apparent the surface of this article and
especially of the last paragraph that the language
Is the language of authority not advice. This is a
second suggestion that the draught of the articles
subsequently defined as Articles of Agreement
probably written before the meeting of the Confer
ence, and when high ideas of the Importance and
authority of the body proposed to be created
INDUCED.
1t IS probable that these expressions will be APP
pealed to prove that an Authoritative and not Adj
visory Council created by the Conference Such
language is certainly unsuited to mere advisory
body