The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1906-08-29


the Northerners secured for themselves, op-
portunity which they will eagerly turn TO account,
using and increasing their power, until the final
step OF railing into their unavoidable. 1t
not to give them that opportunity. They
bent upon subdulng us, and 1t Is the most obtrusve
and blatant folly enlarge their facilities ell
trapping The alliance is dangerous in Itself
transfer OF all affairs INTO the hands of
other than officers; it is specially dangerous
to give into the hands of those do not conceal
purpose to all the power conferred by the
Articles OF Agreement into instruments Or
game Union. 1t is safest not to trust these eager
ana rather INSCRIPTIONS gentlemen with any power
at all over our affairs We think you sagacious
cousellors OF the Church, to whom these
addressed be trusted to Judge in this state OF
things.
All this triiling with the truth of God-the wide
and deep detection from the faith of the Lord Jesus
ana the subsequent, II not consequent ooseness OF
hold upon the doctrines, the ethical precepts and
the administrative principles of the Church of God
indicates very serious condition of affairs which the
rulers and administrators and serious Law peonle nj
the Church must take into very serious and PRAYER
1ul consideration The kings of the earth have set
themselves once more, and the rulers opinion have
taken counsel together against the Lord and against
ms anoned saying, let break their bands asunder
ana cast away their cords from us. You, the Or
damned elders and deacons of the Church are under
the vows which you took at your introduction into
oce' 10 guard It's interests from injury-not merely
It's material interests, but its far higher and more
important interests-the spiritual concerns which
are dependent upon the truth. 1t is your solemn
and imperative obligation fence out error and Sc
cure pure instruction in the churches under vour
care. You are bound to vigilance against error and
resolute opposition to all the subtle and plausible
nonsense which is knocking for admittance at your
doors 1t will be pleaded to you that opposition to
churches OF the like avowed creed with your own is
unlawful, and a breach of Christian duty Be not
ueceiVed Churches which accept the same standards
DO not necessarily hold the same truths The de-
'eioPments OF the last thirty forty years have
mace that tact painfully evident Let not your con-
sciences be sophisticated by the merefact that the
same standards are held. In the case of the North
erh Presbyterian Church. even the adhesion TO the
westminster standards in appearance has been COM
Piicated' The Presbytery of Nassau and Dr. Carter
nave given us plainly to understand that tbe old
STANDARDS are held as mere symbols of an honorable
put erroneous past and that the real creed of tbo
Northerh Church is only to be found in the Brief
statement OF whatever the name is The admission
Vi the Cumberland Church is also demonstrate of
'ie rottenness OF the entire body. You need no
stronger warning not to allow the Church for whose
purity OF doctrine you yeritably responsible to
pass INTO any compromising relations whatever or
uhder any name of alliance or union Friends Of
n independence and Autonomy of the Southern
Presbyterian Church