Obr ''resbtptirriau
New Series, Vol. IV, No. 21.
gmtritan Ittsirghtian.
THURSDAY, MAY 23, 1867.
LIBERTY AND PEACE; EXCLUSIVISM AND
A doctor of divinity in one of our strict
er Presbyterian churches, recently remark
ed to a member of another strict denomina
tion, that " the New School Presbyterian
Church is at present the quietest household
that he knew of." The fact is worthy of
notice, and may furnish food for meditation
to those two great classes of professed be
lievers, each of whom pursues an ecclesiasti
cal policy at variance with our own; as it
very plainly sets aside many of what they
regard foregone conclusions in Church mat
term.
In the first instance, it may be worth the
attention of rigid f 3 übscriptionists ip sissima
verba men—who can sec no, peace for the
Church except. in the unqualified adoption
alike of the great principles, and the minor
details, of the doctrinal system embodied in
the Church's creed, These men find union
only in uniformity; security only in rigidi
ty... It is one of their favorite arguments to
draw an imaginary picture of the scene
which must ensue, if their rigidity of doc
trine were to relax; to portray the Babel
of confusion that would supersede the good
order of God's House, when, by yielding
any thing, they would, by some mysterious
logical process, be obliged to yield all the
lines of defence that they have drawn around
the Church. What measure of success they
have had in their policy, experience has
shown and will show. Their great object
—uniformity—is, indeed, always within•
their reach while they have access to a ceme
tery, but in dealing with living beings they
are more likely to mar than mend God's
handiwork. If God had meant all men to
be of one kind, we presume He could have
saved our precise brethren great trouble in
making them so, but so long as human na
ture retains the variety- which He has
stamped upon it, so long will there be varie
ty and difference in the modes by which
even thoughtful men apprehend great fun
damental doctrines, while all such will agree
in all essential respects. New School Pres
byterianism, in recognizing this fact, has
subserved, not defeated, the great ends of
His manifold Providence, and the peace and
prosperity of His-Church.
But on the other hand—for we sail be
tween Scylla and Charybdis here—the peace
enjoyed by our branch of the Church is no
leas a rebuke to the false "liberalism" that
in our day abuses a noble word to the
Devil's service. These so-called " Liberals"
have a profound '• faith in [Liberal] hu
manity and its capabilities," excepting, al
ways, when it professes to hold fast to any
dogmatic statements of belief. To mention
the word " creed" is to wash all the rose
color from their spectacles. They reject to
tal depravity, save in the case of the West
minster divines, et id genus ovine. Humani
ity may be trusted in any and every thing,
until it comes into contact and combination
with positive Christian doctrine, The only
chance of agreement is by renouncing that,
and proclaiming what Sandy Mackaye in
Alton Locke calls "union on the broad prin
ciple o' want o' breeks." How far this kind
of "free thought" may plead the un-Chris
tian rigidity of the opposite extreme in ex
cuse for their vagaries—how far the blood
of them that are lost may be demanded at
the hands of those who virtually caricature
the Christian faith by a most un-Christlike
intolerance, no man can say. But we do
know that our own Church has a peculiar
vocation in this very direction—to manifest
before the eyes of all men that a working,
living, growing, Christian—aye, and Calvin
istic--4;hurch needs no such barriers of de
fence, and can recognize every healthy de
sire of humanity as something sacred. In
doing so wo assume no new role in the
Church's history. Scottish Presbyterianism
in its most heroic age, went far beyond even
the "New School ' Presbyterianism" of
America in this liberality of practice, and
for one hundred and eight years never re
quired subscription to any creed, and yet
was never troubled with doctrinal dissension
or heretical defection. When in 1688 a rigid
adherence was required by law, there fol
lowed the age of Moderatism and semi-So
&lnman indifference.
When we look beyond our own bounds,
we find no such state of peaceful activity in
most of our sister Churches. Among our
Old School brethren, we find that the old
issues as to the power and rights of the civil
magistrate in relation to the Church are
being raked up from the ashes of the past;
although it was thought that the revision of
the Westminster Confession had laid them
at rest forever. A turbulent minority,
trained in the heresy-hunting temper which
a narrow Church policy is likely to foster,
denounce the loyal deliverances of the re
cent Assemblies as Erastian ; while the
somewhat revolutionary proceedings of the
Assembly at St. Louis have re-opened the
question as to whether the power of the As
sembly is derived from the Presbyteries, or
vice versa. On this last issue, we find the
ultra-disloyal ranks endorsing the theory of
Constitutional Presbyterians in maintaining
the former position. 'Even in doctrinal mat
ters, the peace is not altogether undisturbed,
The influence of other philosophical schools
than that on which Princeton theology rests,
is making itself felt, and Realism, in a new
and more refined form, is claiming some
thing more than " equal rights with the
theology taught at Princeton and Allegha-
ny."
In the Cumberland Presbyterian Church,
which holds with unyielding tenacity to a
Semi-Arminian creed, the troubles entailed
upon the Church by the war are still felt,
and threaten a. dismemberment of the body.
The disloyal party are in power, and for
the clear and decided utterances of former
years, are substituting others as ambiguous
and undecided as the theological position
of their own Church. •
in the United Presbyterian Church, the
compromise by which the union of 1859 was
effected, seems likely to go the way of all
compromises. The Associate Church went
into the union with one understanding; the
Associate Reformed with another. The
former secured the adoption of the present
strict "close cOmmanion" TestiMony, as a
basis of union; the latter stipulated that
that basis should be . conformed to the belief
and practice of both Churches. In the
eight years that have elapsed, no change
has been made in that creed, but the pecu
liar energies of the more rigid party have
been taxed to the utmost, to impress the
stamp of their own views upon the United
Church, and,as we should have expected, with
such success that every existing organ of
the Church chimed in with their views.
When at last one pastor, Rev. W. C. Mc-
Cune of Cincinnati, fell back on the liberty
secured him by the Adopting Acts of 1859,
the Assembly of 1866 ordered his trial, and
that of 1867 will have to decide an appeal
from his acquittal by his own Synod. The
rigid party have an immense preponder
ance in the Assembly, and it only remains
to be seen how far they will carry their ad
vantage. •
Among our Covenanter brethren of the
General Synod, the question of strict adhe
rence to distinctive principles (on Psalm
ody, Communion, Secret Societies, &c.,) or
of pushing over them in the direction of
Presbyterian re-union is hotly agitated. The
terms of acceptance of the, standards, pre•
scribed by the Church, are broad enough to
allow of considerable latitude of opinion,
but some of her members are not quite so
liberal as these are. To swamp the discus
sions in the columns of the Banner of the
Covenant, which allows both parties to be
heard, a rigid monthly organ has been es
tablished, under the editorship of two Scotch-
Irishmen—one of them quite recently impor
ted and formerly connected with a much
stricter body in Ireland. The General Synod
met in the city of New York on the 15th,
and a warm time was expected, and possi
bly a division of the Church.
Among the Covenanters of the Synod, so
called, in distinction from the General Sy
nod, there is more peace on national ques
tions than there had been for some time
past, as the " too liberal" deliverances made,
during the war, in regard to allowing
church members to take "the army oath'
have been finally retracted. Mutterings of
a coming storm, however, are heard in an
other direction, and the stricter members
in this city have organized themselves into
a Church within a Church, under the desig
nation of "the Renwick Reformation Socie
ty;" and the prosecution on a charge of
"looseness," of one estimable pastor and
some prominent members is hinted at.
We have not space to follow up this sad
PHILADELPHIA, THURSDAY, MAY 23, 1867.
story of division in the ranks of the Church,
which might be made to embrace German
Reformed, Lutherans, .piscopalians, Uni
tarian, Universalists , the
minor Methodist
sects, &c. Certainly, itetokens great in
tellectual
tellectual life, and is far better than a dull,
unthinking acquiescence in an established
order of things, or than a blind conserva
tism with the motto pieta non movere. But
better far is the harmonious and healthy
activity of a Church, whose members are,
bound together: by mutual .confidence and
sympathy, and in which reigns the sweet-
ness of, charity combined with reverence for
all the essentials of truth. May our Church
long abound in the wisdom that is first pure,
then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full
of mercy and good fruits.
EDITORIAL CORRESPOWNCE FROM THE
ROCHESTER, octturday, P. M..
The forces of our representative body are
now all gathered, and the denominational
work all in the hands of the appropriate
committees. The brethren are enjoying the
usual Saturday afternoon recess, some pre
paring to preach on the morrow, some sur
veying the beauties of the country, some
doing up the neglected correspondence of
the week.
The AsseMbly is declared to be the
largest ever gathered, by one,—the commis
sioners an.d delegates numbering two hun
dred and thirty; the Assembly at Brooklyn
in 1865, having numbered two hundred and
twenty-nine. The strength of the Assembly
is, however, not only that of numbers.
The elders are in full farce, and they and
the ministers comprise men of distinguished
abilities and long experience in
,responsible
stations in Church and State.
There are such men as Dr. Nelson, the
moderator, genial and conciliatory, yet firm,
clear and deliberate; biinging with bim
none of the seenairly bo r lilashing character
we might ex sect; to pertain to a representa
tive man of the New School Church of the
West, but rather the tempered gravity and
sweetness that would be nurtured by a quiet
pastorate in the East. The election of such
a man by acclamation is a proof of the, discern
ment of the body, and of its appreciation of
solid, sterling traits of character, as well as
its sympathy with the West, and especially
with the loyal churches of the State of Mis-
More like an ideal leader of the Church of
th'e West, is thepastor of the Third Church,
Pittsburg, Rev. Herrick Johnson, who
with his Elder, Judge Williams, forms one
of -the strongest delegations *sent from any
Presbytery. Eminent for ability and grace,
in the pulpit and on the floor of the house,
is Dr. Wm. Adams of New York, whose
ringing voice and engaging manner, and
clear good sense, would secure him a ready
hearing whenever he rose, even if a less in
teresting. subject than the Report on Re
union, were in his hands, or a less impor
tant position than as Chairman of the Com
mittee on Bills and Overtures were assigned
to his charge.
Ably represented is the Presbytery of
Cleveland and Portage by Dr. Goodrich and
Professor Hitchcock, with such an Elder as
T. P. Handy, Esq.; Brooklyn too by Drs..
Cuyler and Robinson, with such an Elder as
Fisher Howe, while such men as Dr. Dar
ling, of Albany, Dr. Hawley of Cayuga, Dr.
L. M. Glover of Jacksonville, Dr. Wisner of
Lockport, and such young men as Vincent
of Troy, Aikman of Wilmington, Erskine
White of New York 4th, H. Augustus
Smith of Philadelphia 3d, and many others,
join to make an Assembly ripe in mature
wisdom, and full of promise for years to
come.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
There are such elders, besides those named,
as the good Stephen Torrey of Montrose in
our State; Moses W. Dodd, the publisher of
New York; Wm. A. Jessup, Esq., brother
to the missionary in Syria, son of Judge
Jessup, and a young man of like spirit with
the past and present generation of his emi
nent family. And not behind these are
Farr, Tenbrook and Birkinbine of our city.
Our remote Presbyteries are well repre
sented. Four Presbyteries in the Synod of
Missouri; every one of the three Presbyte
ries of Tennessee, and three of the Presby
teries in the Synod of Alta California, have .
their delegates promptly on the floor of the
Assembly.
The Moderator's sermon is published in
full in our paper of this week. It was in
hand full early enough_ for last week's pa-
per; but we felt that courtesy forbade our
putting it print at a date which might have
given it publicity before it was out of the
speaker's mouth. It is universally spoken
of as an exceedingly eloquent and able pro
duction, with views, however, of that posi
tive character which are sure to excite dis
t',
sent, and to make, at the, same time, a clear
impression upon the minds of the audience.
Our readers can form their own judgment df ing
its character. Leaving their report with the General
The reports of the Permanent Committees Assemblies, and the ministers and churches
all showed most marked progress, save in of our denomination throughout the land,
one important matter, of Foreign Missions. your committee cannot disregard the provl.
dential auspices under which their rccom-
Home Missions especially showed a greater . . . .
mendations await decision. The present is
proportional advance than had been gained thought to be a favorable time, now that
in. any corresponding period. The new sub- many questions of former controversy have
jects of Church Erection (as re-organized by lost their interest, for adopting a magnani
the last Assembly) and the Sabbath School mous policy, suitable to the necessities of
cause were ably presented by Dr. our country and the world. The Presbyte
rian .
nan Church has a history of great renown.
and Rev. C.P.Bush for the respective commit- It has been intimately associated with civil
tees, and brought matters Of new interest and religious liberty in both hemispheres..
'before the Assembly. But more interesting Its republican and representative character,
than all was the report of the joint Commit- the purity of its clergy, the simplicity of its
o
tee on Union. The liberality of the terms of order, the equity of its administration, its sympathy with our institutions,
its ardent
the proposed union was, generally conceded patriotism in all stages of our history, its
to be far greater than there had been any flexible adaptation to our heterogeneous
reason previously to expect. Our readers will population, its liberal support of colleges
find the report of the joint cominittee entire and seminaries designed for general educa
tion and theological culture, its firm and
in another' part of our. columns. The .dis- steadfast course in the extension of the Re
'cussion, if there is any, will take place on deemer's kingdom, and this by means of re-
Wednesday of next week, and we shall try vealed truth and the special effusions of the
to keep. our readers fully informed of all Holy Spirit, in distinction from.all trust in hu
that occurs at that time.
man arts and devices, all unite to promise,
"
if we are wise and faithful, a future for the
The accommodations for •the General Presbyterian Church in these United States
Assembly are ample. All the commissioners greater and better than all the past. Amid
and delegates,-all the secretaries, 'editors and all the changes which have occurred around
others in any way connected with the body, us,
.we are confident. that nothing true or
good will recede or decay; and it becomes
or by duty in attendance upon the Sessions,
all those who love the same faith, order and
are hospitably and conveniently entertained. worship, abounding in love and hope, to
The arrangements in the Brick church, for 'pray that God wonld count them worthy of
accommodating Committees, are excellent. their calling ; that they may fill all the good
The letters to and from members of the As- pleasure of His goodness and the work of
sembly are quietly received and distributed faith with power, that the name of our Lord
•Jesus Christ may be glorified in them and
in
.a post-office in one, corner of titer', they in Him, accordirw.te o, -- of our
to which, however,, none. of ;SUBSTITUTE!.
appointees are eligible. W, LEAD PENCIL COMPANY,
properly be expected from the EV S
Arrangements has been done, Z NEW 'YORK
largely through the two churches ot.,
nomination. While many persons -.IIME,
tendance not connected with the body, are
hospitably entertained by their friends in
the city, this part of the ;business has not
been regarded by the Committee as obliga
tory upon them
The cold weather is .a drawback to the
enjoyment of the members. The season is
fully one month behind. Many of the far
mers are just putting the plough into the
ground. On our way throng'', the hills of
Northern Pennsylvania, for a distance of
ten miles or more we saw heavy drifts of
snow scattered along, a quarter or half a
mile apart. They had lain there for three
or four days, and judging from the present
temperature they are not yet melted. In
and around Rochester the apple and cherry
trees are barely in blossorn,and the horse
chestnuts are barely in leaf in the streets.
One is reminded of the beautiful apostrophe
in Tennyson's In Memoriam..
Dip down upon the Northern shore
0 sweet New Year, delaying long,
Thou dost'expeetant nature wrong
Delaying long, delay no more. ) •
What stays thee from the clouded noons,
Thy sweetness from its proper place?
Can trouble live with April days,
Or sadness in the summer moons?
Bring orchis, bring the fox-glove spire,
The little speed-well's darling blue,
Deep tulips dashed with fiery dew,
Laburnums, dropping wells of fire.
THE ASSEMBLY OF THE OTHER BRANCH.
The Old School Assembly met in Cincin
nati, May 16th, and Dr. Staunton preached
a sermon on the eomprehensiv nature of
Paul's knowledge of "Christ and Him cruci
fied," especially as in relation to the
Church's duty to " the powers that be." His
declaration that all doctrine and duty centre
in Christ, must have been as distasteful to
the "No politics" men as it was to Rabbi
Wise of the Jewish Temple, who preached
a sensation sermon on the next " Sabbath"
in reply.
The case of contesting Commissioners
from loyal and de-facto-ed Presbyteries was
referred to a committee consisting of Revs.
Dr. Breed, John Crozier, and Elder T. New
ton Wilson.
Dr. Gurley, of Washington, was chosen
Moderator, and his competitor for that honor,
Dr. Howard, of Pittsburgh, was made Tem
porary Clerk.
Genesee Evangelist. No. 1096.
May 17.—The Scottish delegation tele
graphed that they would be present on Sat
urday and wished to be heard on Monday.
Dr. Gurley presented the report on Re-union
which after stating the circumstances in
which the Committee met and the cordiality
which pervaded their deliberations, presents
in full, the joint report agreed upon (given
in another column) and concludes by say-
11,_This Company is now fully prepared to furnish
the nt
May Thaqual in Quality to the Best Brands
committee
one hundre6bininir fi h tt a i s n
gta,kventiferieratfaltaoirnys,
an
n i o n w a ves si te c d th
ture of $65,14 Public to give their pencils a fair trial.
,AND GRADES ARE MANUFACTURED
ly- $8,249. been bestowed on the inanufttetnri
.GON DRAWING PF
May 20—The ba,r the use of EngineerpOrtGd
358,220 volumes ana pages of
tracts disposed of, with receipts of $145,701,-
52, an increase of over $16,200. The Hymn
nal was . reported completed and recom
mended to the churches for adoption.
A proposition to send to New York for
the minutes or journal of the joint Commit
tee on Re-union, for the use of the commit
tee that has the report under consideration,
was laid on the table. This was a rebuff to
an opponent of re-union.
A HUMANE MOVEMENT :—A meeting was
held on Monday, May 6th, at the rooms
of the Board of Trade of this city, to consult
on the protection of dumb animals against
the barbarities which so often shock the
feelings of passers along our streets. The
movement comes none too soon. The occa
sions which have excited it are of daily and
even hourly occurrence. Horses and mules
before the heavy freight cars, with loads
beyond their strength, are pummeled with
out mercy; live calves, tied in agonizing
postures, are piled into the butchers
carts, and there left lying until the
convenient time for slaughtering them
comes, and as we are informed, cattle
and sheep coming in from the West, remain
in the cars two and sometimes three and
even four days without drink. The meeting
mentioned was attended by
. citizens of the
most respectable and influential class.
Among the active participants in the pro
ceedings were Mayor McMichael, chairman,
H. M. Philips, Esq., Wm. A. Porter, Esq ,
and ex-Governor Pollock. One committee,
S. Morris Waln, chairman, was appointed to
draft the charter of a society for the preven
tion of cruelty to animals, with the view of
obtaining its passage by the legislature; and
another, Samuel V. Merrick,• chairman, to
issue a pertinent address to the public on
the subject. We look for some effect from
this fair beginning.
Factory, Hudson City, N. J.
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