The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1906-07-25
ON POLITICAL DELIVERANCES?
By Rev. Luther Link .

By Rev. Luther Link.
1t is contended by the Observer in more than
one editorial, and by Dr. Beattie in his reply TO
Colonel Young that the Concurrent declaration.
of 1869, which united the Old and New School
Churches in the North, embraced in its terms the
Spring Resolutions of 1861 and other political de-
liverances against the Southern Church. and that
that joint action rescinded all those offensive and
otherwise Objectionable resolutions. The langu
age of the reply is: "The effects of this action of
the two assemblies to nufy their former
uncaed-for actions regarding the Southern
Church" The editorial of April II, speaking OF
the unconstitutional resolutions of the Assem-
bes," says: They therefore all, the Spring
Resolutions included, rendered null and void"
The words, null and void, taken from a resolu
ton i'll 1873, which is supposed to apply this lam
guage to the resolution of 1860 in explanation of
its effect. The resolution which in 1860 united
the two churches this "No rule or precedent
which does not stand approved by both bodies
should be of any authority until re-established in
the united body except in SO far such rule
precedent may affect the rights of property found
ed thereon" The first thing that strikes us is
the curious of the subjunctive mood where the
indicative would be expected. Why say SHOULD
be" instead of shall be-? This, if strictly con-
strued robs it of any value which it might other
wise possess. But waving this let us ask the
question, How can the terms of this resolution
be made to apply to any actions against the South
ern Church? Nothing special is mentioned, and
besides, what right have to conclude that the
political deverances which were INDUCED in by
both branches of the church contemplated in this
action were referred to rules and precedents
which did not stand approved? Shall we presume
that either of the parties the union were ready
IN 1909 to acknowledge that what they had done
between the years OF and GO 81 was wrong,
III the absence of any specific acknowledgements?
lhe only application of the phrase "rule or pre-
cedent which is credible is that which applies it
to the case in hand viz the matters of difference
between the two Churches seeking to unite That
this is the true account of the matter is manifest
III the fact that the next year when they sought
to establish union with the Southern Church they
failed to mention that they had actually withdrawn
anything. The concurrent resolution which was
intended for the Southern Church was, like the
original resolution which it copied, intended TO
take effect upon union with the Northern Church,
but that union did not take place, therefore the
prepared resolution cannot be considered ac-
ton at all But the author of the editorial OF
April II, strangely forgetting the nature of the
resolution, and overlooking the future tense OF
the verb, allows himself to be misled by the word
re-afrm" and takes it bona hde RECESSION oil
the political deliverances of the Northern Church
Nothing could be further from the truth. What
they meant to say If you will to us
we will take it all back. Somehow the Southern
Church not greatly moved by the proposition
The same kind OF proposition made again
in 1873, with the tense of the verb slightly varied
as to make it more ambiguous and misleading
This is the resolution which is quoted as decar-
ing in many words that the political actions
against the Southern Church null and voiu'
The first part of the resolution is alone in dis
cusson: First, that in accordance with resou-
ton unanimously adopted Tin 1869 by the two
bodies constituting the reunited Church, all aI
ton touching the brethren adhering to the BODY
popularity known the Southern General Assem-
bly,, together with all action touching the bretme'
adhe"ing to the body known as the Old Scnoo'
Of Lice hoc e;o he
and is now null and void, and therefore OF no
binding effect and not to be pleaded as pre''
dent in the future"
We must not forget that this resolution was "