The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1906-07-04


heavenly look upon their countenances the ex
preston of seekers after truth and various Other
unmstakable indications were shown to point out
who they were. But was particularly Impress
ed with their numbers There seemed to be so
many of them. Pray, who are these?" | in
CURED. why" says the Colonel that's the
great Carter and Coyle Contingent" "Now. who
on earth are they and what do they stand for?"
"Oh, they do not form any separate organiza-
ton to themselves, but merely a sort of annex 70
one of the largest bodies in connection with tbe
Hippodrome, and constitute very strong and
very numerous element of that body. Every fell
low who kicks at the Sovereignty of God. or who
isn't satisfied with Gods plan of salvation as he
has revealed it to his church. or feels comnetent
to revise and enlarge that plan and give God
some points that he had evidently overlooked in
his purposes of grace and mercy towards man
KIND, or VINO wishes to pose as original think
er, who feels qualified to sit in Judgment ON
the Word OF God, clip and cut and tear it in
pieces suits his own inclinations or taste all
these with many more like them, naturally fall
in with this large and strong contingent In other
days they would have been classed with heretcs
mbeleVers or enemies of religion, but in these
days and IN this encampment they are charitab,
regarded as men of enlarged and liberal ideas"
and advanced thought"
But why don't the PRESBYTERIAN Church handle
such fellows and discipline them-men who OMEN
reject her confession and repudiate her doc
rlnes?' L innocently asked
For two very good reasons" replied the Colo
mel; they are not able to do it, and thew are
AFRAID to attempt it, lest they might get handled
anu ulSclplined themselves. The Contingent is
too strong for Them
But they have such a heavenly look" saws 7
and such an angelic expression on their connie
hances that 1t doesn't seem as if it would he
very dlihcult to keep them in ranks or refrain
m men from beng so noisy in their defiance of
Presbyterian faith and doctrine"
Now, don't be taken in by that heavenly look.
Stranger laughed the Colonel, "for that whole
crowd, Critics and all, are pretty savage and
domineerng set of fellows, as YOU would soon
md to your cost, should you run afouI of one
OF them" 9''@
But, Colonel" l thoughtlessly persisted, isn't
'here orthodoxy and backbone enough in that
great Dig church to tackle even such a strong and
al u, contingent as that Garter and Coyle
'onDihation and bring them to terms?"
AT which the Colonel broke out into an IN
roanous laugh, and with look of mingled mir,
ana contempt, turned upon me- with the question
OItnodoXy-stranger, where have you been 1iv-
ing all this timer | thought it best to remain
silent and did so. That word was evidently an
obsolete word with him.
And the contingent passed on
Dut here, who these, thinks to myself as
saw another large body of men rapiuIv coming
INTO view. They moved with considerable pre-.
uS'on, and evidently knew how to keep step and
aux but their movements were attended with
considerable noise and demonstration their
"'aPons looked bruised and mutilated and not
%'I htted for doing accurate work. their cartridge
oo%eS but scantiy filled, many blank cartridges
al'u powder short. On their banner appeared in
oou,picuous capitals the letters &C p" What on
e~ 90 those letters stand for, thinks to myself
O'yenne Pepper" Chicken Pie" Cotton Pick
0S' or what?
No. said the Colonel, who had overheard NV
musings to myself; none of these. The letters
a." stand for the men their diet but simply
~, ther creed-Curious Patchwork"
rn out explain yourself, Colonel for / still don't
. understand