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

not one in doctrine with the Northern Presbyterian
Church. Its Confession of Faith it's Catechism,
and its teachings are not in harmony with that
body or it's teachings. 1t is estimated that forty
five cent. of the members of the Cumberland
Church are opposed to this union, and it is certain
that many churches will protest and withdraw
but this unfortunate disturbance seems to quicken
rather than delay this wrong against this large
minority, who cry out bitterly against this strange
proceeding, which demands the amalgamation OF
churches which harmonious, neither in doc
trne, nor faith, nor practice. VIII similar con-
dition in the Southern Presbyterian Church be
helpful to the cause of Christ in the United States
and especially in the Southland?
The great doctrinal difference between the
Northern and the Southern Presbyterian Churches
grows out of the declaration in the Confession of
Faith, Chapter 81 Section 4, which declares, Syn
DDS and Councils to handle conclude moth
ing but that which is ecclesiastical; and are not
to intermedde with civil affairs which concern the
Commonwealth, unless by way of humble petition
in cases extraordinary, or by the way advice or
satisfaction of conscience, if they be there
qured by the civil magistrate"
This is short sentence but it contains a vital
truth The way the Northern Church nterprets
this clause Judging by it's actions and it's political
dellVerances makes that organization a spiritual
despotism. 1t declares that the will of the ma
jority when once expressed by the supreme judica-
tory is binding and must be obeyed, the
expense of the conscientious conviction of a minis
ter or church member. 1t is simply substituting
for papa infability the infallibiity the decree
of a majority Here is where the great difference
arises in the Northern and Southern Church, and
which, if these were united, would, in the future
produce another disruption.
When the political deliverances of the Northern
Church We're first made they were declared by
some of its ablest and pious members to be
'repugnant to the word of God, and usurping the
prerogatfves of Christ"
The Northern Church demanded. it's ministers
and members, under such circumstances even
though such action is violative of the Constitu-
ton of the Church and usurps the prerogatives of
the Divine Master that they shall quiet their con-
sciences set aside their convictions and submit
On the other hand the Southern man says 81 will
not obey any order of any Church Court which 1
believe to be repugnant to the Word of God or
which usurps the prerogatives of Christ"
The position of the Southern Church is = safe
guard to human conscience and private judgment
against the cruel and brutal power and conduct
OF the majority The notification and disregard
of the right of protest against any decree of the
General Assembly brought on the unfortunate di-
vision of the Northern and Southern Churches
RMS is not a political question at all. 1t is q
question of pure Christianity, and the highest and
noblest attribute of the Presbyterian Church the
right of free conscience. The aspersions made -bv
tn Northern Church upon the character and lives
of the men composing the Southern Presbyterian
Church have really nothing to do with this cues
ton
The two Churches have exactly the same clauses
in their Confession of Faith but let us look how
differently they with precisely the same fnbib3
ton
In 1861 the Spring resolutions were passed nv
the Northern Church. These demanded loyalty
to the United States Christian duty Great
and good men protested that in deciding political
questions and in making condition of member
ship in the church depend upon political questions
the church had violated the Constitution and
usurped the prerogatives Of the Divine Master I'm
1862 the same action was had. I'm 1863 the same
q ion was had. I'm 1864 even more radical action
was mad. In 1865, it was required that those
who were sent out as missionaries sbouId declare