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

raternal relations between the Northern and South
Churches initiated in 1873 the Northern As
semby referred back to the action of 1869 in the fol-
lowing terms:
'Flrst-That in accordance with a resolution
unanimously adopted tin 1869 by the two bodies
constituting the reunited Church all action touch
ing the brethren adhering to the body popu arly
known as the Southern General Assembly together
with all action touching the brethren adherug to the
BODY known as the OId School Synod of Missouri
has been since the reunion and is now null and void
and therefore, of no binding effect and not to he
pleaded a precedent in the 1utuIe"
'Second-lhe Assembly also expresses confidence
in the soundness of doctrine and in the Christian
character of these brethren
These quotations should be put beside those which
my critic makes in order present the whole of the,
history in regard to the resolutions of the Nothe n
Assembly from 1861 1861
Brief aluson should also be made to the conc,r
rent action OF the two Assemblies in 1882 when fra
ternal relations established between them The
paper passed by both Assemblies is as follows:
"hhe recedlng from no principle, hereby de-
clare our regret for, and withdrawal of all express
slons OF our Assembly which may be regarded as re-
fectlng upon offensive to, the General Assembly
OF the Presbyterian Church CO. S. A. or IT, 81 and
renew our expression of regard for all who
compose Its communion, and readiness to ex-
change delegates forthwith
on the heels OF this action came the telegram from
the Moderator of the Northern Assembly known rs
the Herrlck Johnston rider" to the effect "That
In the action now being taken we discaim anv refer
ece TO the actions OF preceding Assemblies touching
loyalty and rebellion, but only to the schism
heresy and basphemy." This message naturally
produced some hesitation the part of the South
ern Assembly and it elegraphed TO the Northern AS
semby to ask whether this 'rder" "modifes the con-
current resolution" adopted by the two Assemblies
the Northern Assemblies declared that the ..rider"
does not modify but explains the concurrent resou-
lions There is nothing behind it or between the
he ans of no
made in the following terms: "That this Assembly
does hereby declare its entire satisfaction with the
ful and explicit terms in which the General Assem-
Dry u b A has expressed its reciprocal concurrence
IN the paper transmitted to the said Assembly on
haternal correspondence" Thus fraternal relations
were established, and delegates were appointed In
the Southern Assembly of 1883 an attempt to reopen
the question raised by the Johnston 'rder' failed
Then the Northern Assembly of 1888 Indirectly gave
an Interpretation of its action in 1892 as follows:
mat traternal relations having been happily es-
tablished between the two Assemblies upon the basis
OF the withdrawal of all mputations that NAV have
been officially made either side against the Chris
uan character of the other further action of this
Assembly Is necessary" Then lest there should he
any doubt about these imputatons the Northern As
sembly of 1904 removed all aspersions and charges
OF any and every kind made by previous Assemblies"
ms Is the present status between these churches
IN regard to "aspersiOns and charges made by the
Assembly North, against the Assembly South and
TINS undoubted fact must be recognized in all discus
sion of closer relations between them
The SPIRITUALITY THE CHURCH
My critic justly makes much of the spirituality
ana non political character of the Church But some
additional facts of history be added to those he
adduces to bring the whole story before your readers
In 1874, the Rev j. II. Brooks ID. d., of St Louis
one of the sgners of the "Declaration and Testi-
mony,' and several others connected with the Old
school Synod of Missouri sought to unite with the
Northern Church. In doing so, they presented an
elaborate Overture" memorial" i'm which the
VA School views in regard to the authority of the