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

is they, and not L, who arraying themselves
against the official action of Church; for be it
remembered that organic union is not the subject
before the Church for discussion and that have
never advocated the reunion of the Churches North
and South. And L may add that whatever part I
may take III the discussion of the questions which
come before Church, L expect to abide by the
will of the majority in spite of what my critic has
to say concerning the spiritual despotism' of the
majority in Presbyterian General Assembly or
quietly retire from the service of the Church. 1 cha
lenge proof that have been, or am now dis
loyal to Church.
In passing L may say that l am really at a loss
to know what my critic means when he SAYS that
the great difference between the Northern and South
ern Churches" is that the will of the majority is
pihdlhg In the former, and by implication, not in the
latter This is new doctrine both in the Pres
byteran Church and in a Democratic State
repeat that my record is consistent, and know
that my conscience is clear Lest L should seem on
the other hand to criticse any of my brethren any
where within our own bounds l must add that in
what have said am not to be understood as con-
cedlng that those among who favor the reunion
OF the Churches North and South and there are num-
bers of such people, disloyal to the Southern
Church because they believe that such reunion NAV
be best for the Kingdom of Christ in the world.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY ACTION
My critic virtually admits the correctness of what
the Christian Observer said about the contents of
The Letter to the Churches" when it pointed out
IN its issue of February 2Sh that the logic of events
had really nullifed the four main things contained
In that Letter., which at the time made necessary
the organization of the Southern Church But he
omits to note what the authors of this very "Iet-
ter say concerning the Spring Resolutions passed
by the Old School Assembly of 1861 to this effect:
we frankly admit that the unconstitutionality
of the last Assembly (S6l) is not in itself consid-
ered a sufficient ground of separation" This very
statement the first Assembly of the Southern Church
approved.
My critic makes much of these "Spring Resolu-
tlons passed by the Northern Assembly in Nav
1861. He also points out how similar action was
taken each year till 1865, and he calls to mind the
1psO fdctO order little later which led to the Dec-
laraton Testimony, and he further makes reference
to actions on the part of the New School Assembly
during the same stormy period up to about 1867
Then he very boldly asserts that "These interpreta-
"on$ hare neuer been modified repealed or er-
Ptdined They stand to-day as part of the Iq,o of
the Northern Church," (Italics mine1
Italics mine.)
mad to read this several times before could be-
lleve my eyes Then 1 was compelled to conclude
that my critic should revise his ideas ecclesiastical
law and read up his Church History a bit Surely
someone must have misled him.
First of ALL let it be noted that these resolutions
OF various Assemblies, unconstitutional as many of
them were, became integral part of the law
OF the Northern Church They were simply an these
deverances, special orders of these several As
smblles; and as such they might form precedents
but not become part of the organic law of the Church
They could therefore, be set aside at any time by a
subsequent Assembly, taking action in opposite terms
done.
Then, secondly the stern facts of history Justify
the assertion that these resolutions have been mod
fed, explained" and repealed" as far as one AS
semby can repeal the resolutions of another my crit
lc TO the contrary Notwithstanding Let me show
this to your readers, not to make plea for the
Northern Church, to argue for organic union but
in the interests of the historic facts
In 1869 the Old and New School Churches planned
to unite. In the preliminary basis for that union
which was adopted by both Assemblies all of the
Resolutions above referred to were set aside bv the
action of both Assemblies taken in similar ters &C