Arizona republican., 1919-05-24
The Presbyterians


 The memory of the writer runneth not back to he time when Presbyterian church North and the Presbyterian church South not trying to get to- gether. There was always something in the way, and we have suspected that much of it that old Scotch sturdness with which the church in both branches is permeated.
 It is now more evident that there will be reunion and that the schism sixty years will be healed The church was split by the same blow which struck the nation apart It is perhaps inaccurate to call it a blow. It was deliberate rending force in both the nation and the church. Both gave way with luctanca- And such a break be mended only by time. Each branch of the church believed the other to be grevously wrong. This belief was a prejudice and prejudces die slowly
 The Presbyterian church has been less affected by change than any of the other evangelical churches. It has held more closely to the old landmarks vithstood the 'fsms" If it longer able to support the old doctrines it remained respectfully silent concerning them. They embalmed but not destroyed. We yet have the creed, and Presby- tcrian boys and girls still commit to memory the Shorter Catechisrn" for which they are the better mentally and spiritually.
 The Presbyterian church has always stood against the storm of higher criticism" which have all but wrecked many fragile structure. And think the value of the church the rests on SLaDuity and Soudlty. we do not mean that world of change, a church should remain unchanged and unchangeable but it should rot veer with every mind of doctrine and become the plaything of shallow though, perhaps, brilliant thinkers, who are sue oeeded tomorrow by other and different shallow and brilliant thinkers.
 To the Presbyterian that grand rolling hymn of Timothy Dwight is full of meaning;
 T love thy Church, o God;
 Her walls before Thee stand
 Dear as the apple of thine eye
 And graven on Thy hand"
 There are some institutions which must be of slow development. We think any institution must change slowly. Otherwise it cannot properly be called institution Of these is the church which must accommodate itself to the changing of the peo pie, but not to changing popular whims.
 A mission of the church and the only mission which some people recognize is to stabilize the world If it goes quickly with every hysterical movement of the world it fails of that mission Instead of a stern mentor it becomes a yielding follower and syco- phant It loses the respect alike of itself and the world and ceases to be of either worldly or a spir itual force
 The impatient. may critcise the Presbyterian church of both the north and the south for not more quickly reuniting and especially may the church be criticised for the seeming relutance with which it gives recognition to womanhood in the officaldom of the church. But these subjects are now under earn est consideration in the general assemblies of both branches. and believe that both will be decided favorably. When the privileges of woman have thus been recognized that recognition will be full and com pete, will the foundation of deepest convic- ton, and it's place will be secure in contrast with the outward recognition given women as a political ex pedent and which is, after all only recognition of the privilege of voting, of her true place in the scheme Of things.