The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1906-11-28

IudC IL Is required Jnat person snail nave
such title in order to possess reason
able amount of common sense. If more
common sense was exercised, the Church
would not be in the high state of unrest
and uneasiness which obtains throughout
its bounds to-day. The conflict will grow
warmer and warmer. At Birmingham,
or before that city is reached it will have
risen to fever heat, and what will be the
result, regardless of whether the Articles
OF Agreement are adopted or not If
adopted, there will be split, and the split
will not be little one; there are thous-
ands of loyal Presbyterians who love God,
the peace of the Church and the salvation
of souls more than they love Articles of
Agreement, Federation or Organic Union,
who, believe, will save the day and save
the Church, the diplomatic arguments of
some of our D. DIS and Phi. DIS to the
contrary notwithstanding
These would-be friends appeal to the
rank and file, saying els it possible you
will not agree? Is it possible you are in
favor of isolation? Don't you know this
is a day of big things? Combination is
the rule of the hour; trusts, amalgama-
ton, federation, all in one,' cut down ex-
penses, save money, regardless of the re-
ligious interests of great section. Let
us join the American Presbyterian
Church, become one of them. 1t will be
d1st1nctively American, if not distinctive
ly Calvinistic." At least that is what the
editor OF the Interior and some others
say. May the good Lord deliver us, who
belong to the rank and file, from our
Would-be friends who travel in such paths.
This is the most serious matter that has
confronted our Church in it's history.
Some few of our good brethren in the min
istry seem to be ION the fence" Their
counsel is, BE quiet; don't get excited;
everything will come out all right" The
Good Book says, "Woe to them that are
at ease in Zion" tell you, friends, it is
time when we must rise and defend
ourselves against the allurements of the
things beautiful and might I not say the
things temporal held out to us by few
who are wrapped up soul and body in this
Federation Articles of Agreement idea
which has Organic Union for it's goal No
mistake about the latter whatever Some
OF the leading Northern papers say they
are in favor of Organic Union now, and
desire 1t, but 1T seems the Southern
Church is not ready, hence they will be
satisfied, for the present, with the adop-
ton of the Articles of Agreement. be-
cause that will insure a quick following
union. Since the combination idea has
reached the Presbyterian Church. which
is generally credited with being a most
sensible organization, suppose the next
proposition from some one will be the
dissolving of all the States, wiping out
State lines, having one great State known
as the American" State, governed by
one Great Council. with some great man
as the great President of this Great Coun-
ell. You say "Impossible!" I am led to
believe that If few strenuous editors"
can persuade our people to adopt the Ar
ticles Of Agreement, there is nothing i'm
possible.
I want to appeal to the rank and file,
including the women of our churches
who have votes in our congregational