Year: 1879

the union of the Scotch Presbyterian churches,
previously known in this country as the
I" Secedersr and the Associate Reformed"
Both bodies represented more or less directly
similar small organizations in Scotland which
dissented from the mother church, although
chiefly on matters which seem OF very
minute consequence. We doubt, indeed,
whether many of the church could define to-
day these ancient boundaries over which their
forefathers fought so fercely; the chief dlifer-
ences apparent now between the Presbyterian
and bis seeding brother is that the latter per-
sists in regarding hymns as mere anthems to
Satan, and observes the Sabbath with an al
most Hebrew strictness. A lawsuit involving
a large amount Of church property, which
depended Oh the right of members of a kindred
and still smaller Scotch Presbyterian organ
izatOn to sing Wesley's and Moody's HYMNS,
instead of Dayd's Psalms, if they chose, has
been going on for years in the Philadelphia
courts and was decided recently in favor of
the modern hymn-book and liberty.


A fourth General Assembly met at Mem
phis. These are the Cumberland Presbyterians,
who left the orthodox main body seventy
years ago because the Cumberland Presbytery





partially educated ministers. The liberal
Kentuckians declared that their field was too
white for the harvest to wait until the bar-
vesters should polish their scythes with Latin
and Greek. They also threw open the gates
OF salvation TO all sinners without the slightest
regard to the precedence of the elect. The
dOctrinal divergence of this church is prob
ably greater than that Of any of the truant
children of the grave old mother who now
holds council in Saratoga. 1t numbers about
One-ffth as many members and ministers as
the parent body


The business transacted by the four Assem-
blies has related for the most part to what
may be called the personal affairs Of each
church, and was not of National interest. In
two an earnest protest was made against the
increasing laxity in American observance of
the Sabbath. The late alarming symptoms Of
charity shown by protesting Christians to-
ward plays and players also called for anxious
reprobation. The Assembly at Saratoga made
one manly and bold step forward when they
declared against the whole system of dead
headIsm and sponging on behalf of ministers.
When only such clergymen are permitted to
come to these great yearly conferences as are en-
abled to pay their way on railways and in hotels
they certainly will contain a body of more
contented and self-respecting men. All of the
churches are apt to forget that their ministers
are or ought to be gentlemen-men of refine
ment and educatOn-and that it is not fair to
force them to take the position of dead-beats
or religious beggars before the secular world.
Their resolution will do them no harm. Many
so-caled sOuless corporations will still, no
doubt extend the courtesies Of their roads to
these men at work for their Master, and the
hospitalites of Christian homes will always
be warm for them but courtesy and hospi-
tality will be all the more warm and ready
for them because they have refused to ask
for them. There is downright religion in true
manlincss; and this action is worthy of q
church which, however lacking 1t may have
been in charity and the gentler graces, has al
ways been most masculine and fearless ser
want OF Christ, veritable Joab among the
Leaders of the host.