The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1906-04-18

unanimously approved of pap r. dra,Cn up not by a
Northern, bit by Southern Synod, in which the
spirituality and Lon-potical cha acter .. the Church
is asserted in the very terms in which the Southern
Church has always maintained it. The action of
this Assembly follows:
"First-We affirm the spiritual character of the
Church. separated from the Kingdoms of thisj
world and having other head than Jesus Christ,
as entitled to speak only when he speaks, and to,
legislate only when he legislated.''
"Second-We distinctly and particularly affirm our
belief in the following principles and statementA
found in the Standards Then follow the severaI
quotations which need not be copied at length. BY
this official statement the Northern Church may be as
sumed to stand to-day | call the attention of your
readers to these facts matters of history. They
represent the official actions of that body though in
nterpretating and applying them the Northern
Church may not be as careful as the Southe n.
THE KENTUCKY SEMINARY
My critic makes ausion to the Kentucky Sem
mary which needs correction His statement is that
the Southern Church is "a partner in a theological
seminary ohch by contract TO omit any teaching
of its distinctive principles (Itaics mne) This is
not correct for there such contract expressed or
implied The only contract and basis of teaching is
the Charter, anS in it there is such restriction
Sec w. of the Charter provides that the education
and training shall at all times be in accordance
with those Standards which now common Q9Ol)
to both of the said churches; but said Seminaryf
shall not adopt, authorize or pursue any course of
education or training which not in accordance with
those Standards which are now common to both
Churches, and notifications thereof which may here
after be made by both and shall thereby become COM
mon to both said Churches"
This is the only contract and it implies no such re-
strlctlon as my critic supposes The Seminary is
pledged to the Standards as they were in 1901 and
Its basis of teaching must remain the same till both
Assemblies concur in the changes made Youn
readers may rest assured that the interests of tho
Southern Church quite safe in the hands of this
seminary Not only the Charter provisions. but the
personnel of the faculty and the type of Presbyterian
ism in Kentucky, which both sides is conserva-
tVe give assurance that the interests of the South
ern Church will not suffer in the hands of this In
stitution
A CLOSING WORD
In all of my thinking upon the subject of "closer
relations have had in view, not the reunion of the
Northern and Southern Churches, but the 6rinqinq
together IN federdtiUe lCa1 all the Pyesbtero
Churches in this country that thereby these Reform
ed Churches might more clearly evince their unity
and be more effective in practical work without los
ing their autonomy or silencng their testimony to
the truth with this desirable end in view have
sought to cultivate kindly feeling among them all
I'm their relations with each other
Then there are practical reasons why we sbouId
cherish brothery spirit, and be ready to cooperate
III the foreign field, or in educational work as the
providences of God may open the doors And es
pecally in this country, where we are on common
ground. This is most desirable. If the Cumberland
union IS fully effected the Northern side will I've
nearly equal in numbers to the Southern side in tbe
Wnoe south and two one in the Western section
OF the South. For our sakes we must cultivate
the true Christian spirit and not exhibit the attitude
OF ISOLATION To cherish this spirit is ChristIike and
mighty eXpedient and it is quite consistent with def
mite convictions concerning the truth as we undcr
stand It, and need in no way impair our loyalty to
the Southern Church. 1t is only bv having tbis
spirit that we can hope to hold the attention Of mon
so that we may have an audience growing ever wider
upon which we may make or testimony for a definite
type OF Presbyterianism tell for good.
Louisville. Ky.