Pamphlet Collection 
 Duke Divinity School 
 
REPORT 
 
 PRESENTED TO ' 
 
 ( 
 
 m PEESBTTEElf OE MECKLEHBtJEGH, 
 
 AT 
 
 MALLARD CREEK CHURCH, 
 
 JC J. r 4 , 18 8 8, 
 
 BY 
 
 THE REV. A, W. MILLER, D. D„ 
 
 CHARLOTTE, N. C. : 
 Journal-Observer Steam Job Presses. 
 18 8 3. 
 
REPORT 
 
 — ON—- 
 
 Fraternal Relations. 
 
 , — w — ^ — — 
 
 ^he Committee respectfully recommend to the Presbytery of 
 Mecklenburgh disapproval of the action of Atlanta Assembly, 
 touching Fraternal Eolations with the Northern Church, on the 
 following grounds : 
 
 1. Because of its unauthorized, arbitrary reversal of the settled 
 position of the Church ; taking into its own hands, and summarily 
 disposing of a matter so grave in its character, and so far 'reaching 
 in its consequences, without giving the Church, thro' the Presby- 
 teries, opportunity to carefully consider the proposed change, and 
 express its mind in relation thereto. 
 
 2. Because of the humiliating attitude in which it placed the 
 Southern Church* The Northern Assembly having repeatedly re- 
 fused to retract its slanderous charges against the Southern Church, 
 then, for a Southern Assembly suddenly to abandon the only posi- 
 tion consistent with self-respect, maintained for 17 years, and to 
 take the initiative, and supplicate the Northern Assembly for a re- 
 traxit, and even go so far as to draw up the form of it for them, 
 and invite them to sign it, and offer as an inducement that they, 
 the Southern Assembly, would sign it too, mutatis mutandis ; was a 
 crouching posture of self- degradation , worthy of a spaniel but dis- 
 gusting and disgraceful in a man, in a Christian, and much more 
 so, in a Court of Jesus Christ. 
 
 3. For the Southern Assembly, in the so-called "concurrent 
 
resolution," to confess, hypothetically, a sin, viz., libeling the 
 Northern Church, which that Asembly knew had never been com- 
 mitted, was a hypocritical trick, worthy of a Jesuit. The framer 
 ©f that resoliution,, himself, affirmed, that our charges against the 
 Northern Church were not slanderous, but true, and he quoted 
 the declaration of one of its leaders, (Dr. Humphrey,) that the 
 Southern Assembly, had never slandered his Assembly, and 
 that the former had nothing to regret or withdraw. It is idle for 
 our Assembly to seek refuge from the charge of dissimulation, un- 
 der the- words : 11 provided, or if we have defamed the Northern 
 Church," when our Assembly well knew there was no ground 
 whatever for that "provided^" for that "if." 
 
 4. Acquiescence by the Atlanta Assembly in the offensive and 
 insulting action of the Springfield Assembly, in regard to the 
 "concurrent resolution," has fixed a stigma upon, the Southern 
 Church. 
 
 We quote from the Northern Assembly's Etecoi?d v and from the 
 Northern Assembly's Minutes. 
 
 "Dr. Herrick Johnson on the floor:; "I want to call the- attention 
 of the Assembly to the possible significance of this action, to the 
 inevitable inference that will be drawn from it, on the part of a 
 great many of the loyal men in this country, — to what I believe is 
 the natural inference and the irresistible inference, if the record 
 be once considered. What do, we declare in the resolution now 
 before us that we regret ? "While receding from no principle, we 
 do hereby declare our regret fo#, and withdrawal of, all expres- 
 sions of our Assembly, which may be regarded as a reflection upon 
 and offensive to the General Assembly, &c." Now, what words 
 are they to which reference is made by the Southern Assembly, 
 and by ourselves ? You say by your action, "All words of either- 
 General Assembly, that have been offensive to the South we with- 
 draw and regret ? r Do you know what that means, when you> 
 cover the ground of the Old School ar¥i New School Assembly?' 
 Let me read some of the words : "ResoAvedi, that inasmuch as the 
 Presbyterian Church, in her past history,. ha£. frequently lifted u,p, 
 
(5) 
 
 her voice against abuses, and has shown herself a champion of 
 civil liberty, as against the despotism and anarchy of the civilized 
 world, we should be recreant to our high trust,were we to withhold 
 our earnest protest against all such unlawful and treasonable acts. 
 Eesolved, that inasmuch as we believe, according to our Form of 
 Government, that God, the Supreme Lord and King of all the 
 world, hath ordained civil magistrates to be under Him, over the 
 people, for His own glory and the public good, and, to this end, 
 hath armed them with the power of the sword, for the defence and 
 encouragement of them that are good, and for the punishment of 
 evil doers. There is, in the judgment of this Assembly, no blood 
 or treasure too precious to be devoted to the defence and perpetu- 
 ty of the Government in all its constitutional authority." "Those 
 are two resolutions passed in 1861 ; both of them were exceeding- 
 ly offensive to our Southarn brethren. We here, by this resolu- 
 tion, declare our regret for, and our withdrawal of these resolu- 
 tions. (Cries of, "Never! Never!") He reads again : "K^solved, 
 that the rebellion against such a Government as ours, and especial- 
 ly by those who have enjoyed their full share of its protection, 
 honors, and rich blessings of every name, can have no excuse or 
 palliation, and can be inspired by no other motives than those of 
 ambition and avarice, and can find no parallel except in the past 
 two great rebellions, — that which assailed the throne of Heaven 
 directly, and that which filled our world with miserable apostates ,; 
 "That was exceedingly offensive to our Southern brethren. And 
 now the action of the Old School Assembly : "The Church of 
 Christ has no authority from Him to make rebellion, or to coun- 
 sel treason, or to favor anarchy in any case whatever. On the 
 contrary, every follower ofChsist*has the personal liberty bestowed 
 on him by Christ to submit for the sake of Christ, according to his 
 own conscientious sense of duty, to whatever government, how- 
 ever bad, under which his lot may be cast. If in any case, trea- 
 son, rebellion and anarchy can possibly be sinful, they are so in the 
 case now desolating large portions of this nation, and laying waste 
 great numbers of Christian congregations, and fatally obscuring 
 every good word and work in those regions." 
 
'•These resolutions are on record, recognizing the duty of the 
 people to sustain the Government, and endorsing the war as 
 against rebellion and treason, and these resolutions, we all know, 
 were offensive to the Southern brethren. Now does this action 
 mean, that we are ready to express our regret for, and our with- 
 drawal of, these resolutions? (Fervent voices, ''no !") If "No," 
 and this Assembly will say "No," then I will vote for the majority 
 report without amendment. If the Assembly says, "Yes" then I 
 must oppose until I die." (Great Applause.) *'I ask a suspension 
 of the rule that we may adopt the following resolution : "Resolved, 
 that in the action now to be taken, we disclaim any reference to 
 the action of preceding Assemblies concerning loyalty arid rebellion 
 but we refer only to the action concerning schism, heresy and 
 blasphemy," 
 
 Eev. Mr. Tully, of Florida, inquired, if this resolution was to 
 accompany the reply to the South. 
 
 Dr. Johnson. It is no part of our action in reference to the 
 Church, South. 
 
 The rules were suspended, and the resolution adopted. 
 
 Eev. Mr. Lawrence, of Biddle Institute : This is not to be em- 
 bodied in the returned answer ? 
 
 Dr. Johnson. No, sir. 
 
 Mr. Lawrence thought the matter had been ingeniously handled 
 by the Moderator. 
 
 The resolution was passed unanimously, with hearty applause, 
 and Dr. Johnson led the Assembly in the Doxology. 
 
 "The Eeport of the Committee was then adopted, and is as fol- 
 lows : The Moderator is instructed to telegraph to the Moderator 
 of the General Assembly in session at Atlanta, Ga., that his tele- 
 gram is received with warm enthusiasm by this Assembly, and in 
 order to remove all difficulties in the way of that lull and formal 
 fraternal correspondence between the two Assemblies which we 
 are on our part prepared to accept, we adopt the following, to wit : 
 While receding from no principle, we do hereby declare our regret 
 for and withdrawal of all expressions of our Assembly, which may 
 ^ be regarded as reflecting upon and offensive to the General Assem- 
 
(7) 
 
 bly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States, and we re- 
 new the expression of our warm fraternal regard for all who com- 
 pose its communion, and our readiness to exchange delegates forth- 
 with." This report was adopted with great heartiness, only two 
 or three dissenting. 
 
 Dr. Phraner of Sing Sing said, "this report could never have 
 been adopted by such a vote as it was but for the preceding action" 
 (the Herrick Johnson resolution.) It is almost certain, that the 
 ''concurrent resolution" would not have been adopted, had not the 
 Johnson resolution been previously adopted. But the Johnson 
 resolution was not intended by Springfield Assembly for the Atlanta 
 Assembly. Their Moderator told his body : "It is no part of our 
 action in reference to the Church, South. And so is not to be em- 
 bodied in the returned answer". Had it been formally embodied, 
 of course, it would have imperilled, if not killed outright, frater- 
 nity ! And if not virtually embodied, they would have imperilled, 
 it not killed themselves ! for they would be subjected to a consum- 
 ing fire, originated by, (to quote their language,) "the inevitable? 
 the irresistible inference that will be drawn from the concurrent 
 resolution, on the part a of great many of the loyal men in this 
 country." 
 
 But the presiding genius was equal .to the emergency. A Janus 
 faced Paper, the first part looking to the Horth, the second to the 
 South solved the difficulty. But the first part "was not intended 
 for the Church, South." It must not come officially from Spring- 
 field to Atlanta, The former Assembly must not send it to the lat- 
 ter. The second part only, must be sent officially, that the bargain 
 may be complete. Still, in order that the bargain may not subse- 
 quently be renounced, by the discovery, sooner or later, of the 
 trick of withholding the first part, it was necessary it should be 
 brought, somehow, to the notice of the Southern body. And so, 
 after the second, or "concurrent" part had come first from Spring- 
 field, and Atlanta had sung the Doxology over the concluded bar- 
 gain, there came a private telegram from Dr. Johnson to Dr. 
 Smoot, as follows : "As matter of information, and in justice to 
 all parties I would say, that our Assembly's action on your basis 
 
(8) 
 
 for fratenal relation was taken mutatis mutandis, with great hearts 
 ness, only two or three dissenting. Pending our action, the follow- 
 ing resolution was passed : 'Resolved, that in the action now to be 
 taken, we disclaim any reference to the action of preceding Assem- 
 blies concerning loyalty and rebellion, but we refer only to the ac- 
 tion concerning schism, heresy and blasphemy.' We were led in 
 prayer after final action, and sang the doxology amidst grateful 
 and profound feeling. "We shall welcome word from your Assem- 
 bly concerning delegates." Dr. Johnson, as Moderator, told his 
 Assembly, "this resolution. is no part of our action in reference to 
 the Church, South." Dr. Johnson, privately, tells Dr. Smoot, that 
 "in justice to all parties" he acquaints him with the resolution. If 
 "justice" to the South required this, it required it, officially, "as a 
 part of the Northern Assembly's action in reference to the Church, 
 South." The consistency between these two Johnson declara- 
 tions has not been made to appear in his many "Attempts to make 
 it plain." 
 
 This unofficial telegram staggered the Atlanta Assembly, at first 
 as well it might, and, with any other than a deluded Body, would 
 have instantly terminated all correspondence. But the old say- 
 ing was verified in this case : Quern Deus vult perdere prius de men- 
 tat: The Southern Assembly notifies the Northern, that if this 
 action does not modity the concurrent f ©solution they are prepared 
 to send delegates forthwith. The response comes from Springfield; 
 "The action referred to does not modify, but it explains the concur- 
 rent resolution, and the explanation is on the face of the action. 
 There is nothing behind it or between the lines." 
 
 Some excellent brethren affirm that this is a misstatement, and 
 others that it is a direct falsehood. We do not agree with them. 
 "We hold that the Northern Assembly's representation is exactly 
 true. The Johnson resolution does not modify but explains the 
 Concurrent Resolution. Bear in mind, that the former was adopted 
 first, and by an unanimous vote, and, without which, the latter 
 would not have been adopted at all. The former, in their estima- 
 timation, far exceeds in importance the latter. And the latter must 
 
not be allowed to qualify in the least the former ; but the former 
 must interpret the latter. Now, the* former retracts offensive 
 expressions, touching schism, heresy, blasphemy, but refuses to 
 retract the charges of treason and rebellion. And, therefore, when 
 they in the Concurrent Kesolution state that they "declare their 
 regret for and withdrawal of all expressions regarded as reflecting 
 upon or offensive to, the Southern Church," this is, by the Johnson 
 resolution, necessarily restricted to expressions touching schism, 
 heresy and blasphemy. For it says so in so many words. Evidently 
 again, for when the Moderator called upon them to say whether 
 they were willing to declare their regret for, and withdrawal of, 
 the confessedly offensive resolutions of 1861, the Assembly cried 
 out: "Never! Never!" The Johnson resolution then does not 
 modify, but simply explains the other resolution, and the explan- 
 ation is, as they say, on the face of it j and thore is nothing behind 
 it, or between the lines. It means just what it says. Put the two 
 in one, and it reads thus : "Whilst w r e refuse to retract anything 
 relating to treason and rebellion, we do retract any expressions 
 reflecting on, or offensive to, the Southern Church, relating to 
 schism, heresy and blasphemy." 
 
 The duplicity and falsehood consisted in their designing to 
 deceive and mislead the Atlanta Assembly. They believed that 
 that Assembly would put a construction upon their language, 
 different from their own, and they intended that they should. And 
 so it turned out. The serpent beguiled them, and they did eat. 
 They hypocritically affirm, that it is their desire "to remove all 
 difficulties in the way of a full and formal fraternal correspond- 
 ence," after declaring that they would never withdraw the charges 
 of treason and rebellion, and "that they would be recreant to their 
 high trust, were they to withdraw their protest against all such 
 unlawful and treasonable acts J" This is what they call a "Con- 
 current Kesolution ;" This is their way of "removing difficulties!" 
 These are "Fraternal Eelations," with a vengeance ! 
 
 Yerily, "the matter was ingeniously handled by the Moderator." 
 Much more "ingeniously " than ingenuously, — no mean specimen of 
 Yankee diplomacy and duplicity. "After final action they sang 
 
(id) 
 
 the Doxology amidst grateful and profound feelings ! i !" 
 
 The response of Atlanta was as follows : Resolved, 1st, That 
 this Assembly does hereby declare its entire satisfaction with the 
 full and explicit terms in which the Gen. Ass. of the Pres. Ch. m 
 U. S. A., has expressed its "reciprocal concurrence" in the paper 
 transmitted to said Assembly on fraternal correspondence. 
 
 Resolved, 2d. That we do unfeignedly rejoice and render thanks- 
 giving to God in an event suited to take away the reproach of 
 alienation between bodies holding the same standards of faith, and 
 tending to bring peace to our borders." 
 
 The mockery and insults shown to the Atlanta Assembly were 
 acquiesced in ■ delegates appointed ; and a Southern Assembly put 
 thereby a stigma upon the Southern Church, exposing it to the 
 contempt of the world. 
 
 5. "Receding from no principle;" thus begins the Concurrent Res- 
 olution adopted by both Assemblies, and involves the whole in a 
 contradiction. "Receding from no principle," should, consistently, 
 forbid all that follows, and forbid any so-called "Concurrent Resolu- 
 tion." Emphasis should be laid upon these words ; "Receding 
 from no principle." But they have not been marked as they de- 
 serve to be. This is the heart of the whole subject. "Receding 
 from no principle " is the porch that prevents the erection of the 
 "Fraternal" House — or, if erected., dissolves it into air. The Pa- 
 per gives us a Porch, with an Air-Castle joining it ! 
 
 What, then, arc the principles of the Northern Church? We 
 have already given the action of 1861, as quoted and re-affirmed 
 hy the Springfield Assembly, declaring that the Southern "Rebel- 
 lion" can only be paralelled by the rebellion of the Devil in Heaven, 
 and of Adam in Paradise. The O. S. Assembly of 1862, declared 
 it to be "the clear and solemn duty of the National Government to 
 preserve at whatever cost, the National Union and Constitution, 
 to maintain the laws in their supremacy, to crush force by force, 
 &e., &c." In 1863, it said : "J^o causes now exist to vindicate 
 the disloyalty of American citizens towards the U. S. Govern- 
 ment." In 1864, it said : "Under the influence of the most incom- 
 prehensible infatuation of wickedness, those who were most interested 
 
(II) 
 
 in the perpetuation of slavery have taken away every motive fqr- 
 further toleration." In J865, it said: "This Assembly regards the 
 Civil Eebellion for the perpetuation of negro-slavery as a great 
 crime, both against our National Government, and against God, 
 and the secession of those Presbyteries and Synods from the Pres- 
 byterian Church, in such circumstances, and for such reasons, as 
 unwarranted, schismatical and unconstitutional. — This Assembly 
 will recognise loyal persons as constituting the Churches, Presby- 
 teries apd Synods, in all the bounds of the schism, and will use 
 eaimest endeavors to restore and revive all such Ghurches and 
 church courts. — Where any three ministers, who entertain the 
 views above mentioned, belong to the same Pesbytery, such min* 
 isters are hereby authorized and directed to continue their organ- 
 ization as a Presbytery." In reply to the protest of Dr. Sam'l E. 
 Wilson, that this action is "calculated to promote strife and dis- 
 cord among the brethren in the South themselves, and to widen 
 and perpetuate the breach already existing to so sad an extent 
 between the Northern and Southern portions of the Presbyterian 
 Church/' the Assembly said : "They recognize the fact that the 
 directions given by theni will involve much personal affliction, and 
 perhaps, in some instances, temporary hardships. But for this 
 they are not responsible. Those who have sown the wind must 
 expect to reap the whirlwind. Duty to the Great Head of the 
 Church forbids that the Assembly should compromise with heresy 
 and sin ; nor can they walk in any way as 'more excellent', because 
 apparently more peaceful, which involves suoh compromise- They 
 know no scriptural way by which those who have gone out from 
 us, proclaiming heresy, can be restored to the bosom of the church, 
 until after recantation, or those who have fallen into the grievous sjn 
 of treason, but upon confession and repentance." ^Minutes, 1365.) 
 
 The Assembly of 1866 ordered, that every Minister from the 
 South, applying for admission into a Northern Presbytery^ who 
 "was concerned at any time in aiding or countenancing the rebel- 
 lion and the war which had been waged against the XL S., be re- 
 quired to confess and forsake his sin in this regard before he sljall 
 be received. And if it be found, that he holds either of these idoc- 
 
(12) 
 
 trines, viz ; that the system of negro slavery in the South is a 
 Divine institution, and that it is 'the peculiar mission of the South- 
 ern Church to conserve the institution of slavery as there main* 
 tained,' he be not received without renouncing and forsaking these 
 errors." 
 
 The Assembly of 1866 also said ; "It appears that six General 
 Assemblies in succession, including the present, have with remark- 
 able unanimity, maintained the same position concerning the 
 rebellion, and concerning those engaged in it. After carefully 
 reviewing the whole course of these years of strife and alienation, 
 we find nothing to recall or modify in the deliverances which 
 have been made." 
 
 The New School Assembly of 1863 said : "Since the existing 
 rebellion finds no justification in the facts of the case, or the Con- 
 stitution of the U. S., in any law, human or divine, the Assembly 
 can regard it only as treason against the Nation, and a most offen- 
 sive sin in the sight of God, justly exposing its authors to the 
 retributive vengeance of earth and heaven. This rebellion in its 
 origin, history and measures, has been distinguished by those 
 qualities which most sadly evince the depravity of our nature, 
 especially in seeking to establish a new nationality on this conti- 
 nent, based on the perpetual enslavement and oppression of a 
 weak and long-injured race." In 1865, that Assembly said : "Ke- 
 garding the forcible secession of the Southern Aristocracy as trea- 
 son against a most benificent G-overnment, and as treason rendered 
 peculiarly malignant and wicked by the fact that it was commit- 
 ted with the avowed purpose of sustaining and perpetuating the 
 system of Slavery, — a system in direct opposition to the Gospel 
 and the principles of religious liberty — the Assembly condemned it 
 in the name of God, and pledged to the Government a hearty sup- 
 port in the effort to crush it. Each succeeding Assembly reit- 
 erated this action. Our churches with entire unanimity responded 
 by word and deed, to these sentiments. Our record as a church 
 we commit to the calm judgment of posterity, in the full assurance 
 that there is neither a line nor a word the Christian patriotism of 
 the future will desire to erase ; not a single sentiment befitting our 
 
(13) 
 
 relation with this great conflict it will find unexpressed." 
 
 In 1865, that Assembly directed its Presbyteries not to receive 
 Southern Ministers, unless they give satisfactory evidence of sin- 
 cere repentance of the sin of rebellion. 
 
 In 1865, it used these words : "Let it not be said that, as a 
 Church, we have nothing to do with civil legislation. The day 
 has gone by, when an intelligent christian wi.U affirm the doctrine 
 that what is wrong in religion is right in politics. - - - We 
 desire to pledge to Andrew Johnson, as our constitutional Chief 
 Magistrate, our confidence and support in his efforts to vindicate 
 the majesty of law ; maintain the National Government in its just 
 supremacy ; destroy the spirit and counteract the workings of the 
 evil system that created this war j inspire a just appreciation of 
 the crime of treason, and a true loyalty to the Government in the 
 breasts of the masses of the white population of the South, and 
 extend to the colored citizens of that section the practical enjoy- 
 ment of those personal and political rights announced in the Dec- 
 laration of Independence, but denied them by a despotic aristoc- 
 racy." 
 
 Here then are the principles of the Northern Church, from which 
 they declared in 1882, they do not recede. Tho' from the exist- 
 ence of the U. S. Government, two opposing theories respecting 
 its nature and powers, have existed, dividing the country, the one 
 held by the North, the other by the South, yet an ecclesiastical 
 Assembly assumes to decide between them, and determine what 
 is political orthodoxy, and what political heterodoxy, and to pre- 
 scribe the former, and forbid the latter to its members, enjoining 
 the one as a duty, condemning the other as a sin, an offence to be 
 visited with ecclesiastical penalties. The Southern Assembly, on 
 the contrary, carries out the teachings of the Confession of Faith. 
 "Synods and councils are to handle or conclude nothing but that 
 which is ecclesiastical, and are not to intermeddle wilh civil affairs 
 which concern tjie commonwealth, unless by way of humble peti- 
 tion in cases extraordinary." The Northern Assembly eschews 
 this principle, proclaims itself the "champion of civil liberty," to 
 use its own language, and declares that they "would be recreant 
 
(14) 
 
 to their high trust were they to withhold their earnest protest 
 against all unlawful and treasonable acts." They offer themselves 
 as allies to the government in crushing secession and slavery* 
 The Assembly proved itself to be a Political Propaganda ; and as 
 their ablest Divine, Dr. Chas. Hodge, declared, "they violated the 
 Constitution of the Church and usurped the prerogative of the Divine 
 Master: 1 
 
 They were indeed guilty of this, and as they reaffirmed; in 1882, 
 the action of past Assemblies, they are still guilty of this. 
 
 Here there is an "irrepressible conflict" between two principles* 
 as represented by two Churches. If we "do not recede from our 
 principles" we are bound to testify to the spirituality of the 
 Church, and to testify against those who sacrifice that spirituality, 
 and to do this in plain, unmistakable terms, of condemnation, and 
 which expressions, therefore, our principles forbid us to retract* 
 which if we do, it would be false to say, we "recede from no prin- 
 ciple." But this is what we did do. The Atlanta Assembly sug- 
 gested to the Springfield Assembly its own terms of reciprocity: 
 "receding from no principle." And this was the very reason why 
 the Southern Church separated from the Northern, because of its 
 unscriptural principles, from which it would not recede; and its 
 condemnation of which the Southern Church was, and is, solemnly 
 bound plainly to express! 
 
 The Northern Assembly also declare that they " recede from no 
 principle." Then, as their principle's led them to condemn us for 
 schism, heresy, and blasphemy, as well as treason and rebellion, 
 it is evident that, tried by their standard, we are still guilty of the 
 former, as well as the latter ; and if so, what great objection could 
 there be to their continuing to say so ? Our guilt is implied by 
 their principles, whether expressed or not. Why should the ex* 
 pressions be withdrawn if the guilt continues ? If they withdraw 
 the expressions, is it true then, that they " recede from no princi- 
 ple," when their principles require them to condemn, and to 
 express their condemnation, of schism, heresy, blasphemy, as well 
 as treason and rebellion ? What are principles worth without ex- 
 pression ? It is certain that the Southern Church has not repented 
 
(IS) 
 
 of the " sin of slavery," and does not expect to, and that it does 
 not believe it to be a sin at all. Yet the Northern Assembly of 
 1882, whilst withdrawing offensive expressions — " heresy," " blas- 
 phemy "—characterizing thus the Southern view of slavery — 
 at the same time . endorses and re affirms the offensive 
 action of 1861, which condemned and stigmatized both secession 
 and slavery ! THEIR PRINCIPLES AEE VASTLY MOBE 
 OFFENSIVE THAN THEIR EXPRESSIONS. Apart from 
 the former, we forgive the latter, when retracted. Their insult- 
 ing, offensive principles, if not abandoned} it is our duty never to 
 forgive. If one man says to another, in substance if not in so 
 many words : " Whilst not receding from my principles, which 
 still constrain me to regard you as a rascal and a criminal, yet my 
 former denunciation of you as suchj I regret and withdraw " j 
 would the other be constrained to express " his entire satisfaction 
 with the full and explicit " retraxit, and upon the resumption Of 
 " fraternal relations " would he " unfeignedly rejoice " and sing 
 the doxology ? 
 
 The charges against us of treason and rebellion have never 
 been withdrawn, but are still preferred ; and the charges of schism, 
 heresy, and blasphemy are still implied, for our slanderers declare 
 that they do not recede from their principles — shewing thus how 
 groundless is the assertion that " the Springfield Assembly came 
 up to the Baltimore platform," improperly lowered though that 
 was. " Are we willing," as has been well said, " to taint with this 
 infamy the memory of our dead martyrs, to wear this livery of 
 shame ourselves, and then transmit it as an heirloom to our chil- 
 dren?" 
 
 Touching the principles of the Northern Church in regard to 
 slavery, our General Assembly of 1865 spake the words of truth 
 and wisdom s " While the existence of slavery may, in its civil 
 aspects, be regarded as a settled question, an issue now gone, yet 
 the lawfulness of the relation as a question of social morality and 
 scriptural truth, has lost nothing of its importance* When we 
 solemnly declare to you, brethren, that the dogma which asserts 
 the inherent sinfulness of this relation is unscriptural and fanati- 
 
(16) 
 
 cal ; that it is condemned not only by the Word of God, but by 
 the voice of the Church in all ages; that it is one of the most per- 
 nicious heresies of modern times ; that its countenance by any Church 
 is a just cause of separation from it, (1 Tim. 6 : 1-5,) we have 
 surely said enough to warn you away from this insidious error, as 
 from a fatal shore." 
 
 The doctrine of Abolitionists is here truly described as " one of 
 the most pernicious heresies of modern times, and its countenance 
 by any Church is a just cause of separation from it," and the Scrip- 
 ture quoted, in proof, is 1 Tim. 6: 1-5, which reads thus: "Let as 
 many servants (douloi, slaves, and so admitted by Dr. Hodge,) as 
 are under the yoke, count their own masters worthy of all honor, 
 that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed." Cal- 
 vin's comment is this : " Slaves who have unbelieving masters are 
 ready enough with the objection that it is unreasonable that they 
 who serve the devil should have dominion over the children of 
 God. But Paul throws back the argument to the opposite side, 
 that they ought to obey unbelieving masters, in order that the 
 name of God and the Gospel may not be evil spoken of; as if God, 
 whom we worship, incites us to rebellion, and as if the Gospel ren- 
 dered obstinate and disobedient those who ought to be subject to 
 others ! /" 
 
 " And they that have believing masters, let them not despise 
 them, because they are brethren ; but rather do them service, be- 
 cause they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. 
 These things teach and exhort." 
 
 " These things teach and exhort." " He means," says Calvin, 
 " that these are matters on the teaching of which he ought to 
 dwell largely, and wishes that doctrine should be accompanied by 
 exhortations. It is as if he had said that this kind of instruction 
 ought to be daily repeated, and that men need not only to be 
 taught, but likewise to be roused and urged by frequent exhorta- 
 tions." 
 
 " If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome 
 words, even to the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doc- 
 trine which is according to godliness, he is proud, knowing nothings 
 
(17) 
 
 but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof eometh 
 envy, strifes, railings, evil surinisings, perverse disputipgs of men 
 of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain 
 is godliness ; from such withdraw thyself" or draw x)ff, or away 
 from, have nointercourse with, as the word signifies (Aphistaso apo). 
 
 Calvin remarks: " Paul forbids the servants of Christ to have 
 any intercourse with such persons. He not only warns Timothy 
 not to resemble them, but exhorts him to avoid them ,as danger- 
 ous plagues ; for although they do not openly resist the gospel, 
 but, on the contrary, make a false profession of adhering to it, yet 
 their society is infectious. Besides, if the multitude see that we 
 are on friendly terms with those men, the danger is, lest they in- 
 sinuate themselves under the guise of our friendship. We should 
 therefore labor to the utmost that all may know, that so far are 
 we from being agreed with them, that they have no communication 
 with us" Here, then, is solid Bible ground on which to stand — 
 have no intercourse with those whose doctrine as to slavery, as well 
 as other points, differs from that of the Apostle here, and is con- 
 demned by him. This forbids not only organic union with Aboli- 
 tionists, but also Fraternal Relations with them. With Ministers 
 and members ©f the Northern Church, who are in her but not of 
 her, who are not representatives of that communion and have no 
 sympathy with its heresies, but condemn them, we may, of course, 
 fraternize consistently. But with a Church condemned here by 
 the Apo3tle as heretical, we may not, as such, affiliate. The com- 
 mand is, " have no intercourse with them." Had our Church planted 
 herself firmly on this Bible-ground, and maintained her position, 
 she would have saved herself a world of trouble, and at least have 
 commanded the respect of her enemies. But what has she gained 
 by a compromising, half-way, Laodicean policy? Only the con- 
 tempt and insults of her foes. It was said at the close of the war, 
 that to pursue the narrow path of rigid principle "would leave her 
 •out in the cold, forsaken by the world." But light and heat come 
 from the sun, not from the world. Had she followed Christ, her 
 Sun, content with His smiles, and regardless of a frowning world, 
 He would not have suffered her to lack light and heat. She would 
 
as) 
 
 have walked in His light and been warmed by His love. The 
 Pillar of Cloud by Day and of Fire by Night would have afforded 
 her both guidance and pioteetion against all her foes. The Holy 
 Spirit would have made the Crown of Thorns upon her head, a 
 Crown of Glory, a Diadem of Beauty, and clothed her testimony 
 with such power as all her adversaries would be unable to gain- 
 say and resist. Butshe evaded her Cross and lost her Crown. 
 
 6. The doctrinal character of the Northern Church forbids any 
 fraternal relations with her. By reason of the union of Old and 
 New School without any change on the part ot the latter, the 
 present Northern Church is, of course, the representative of all 
 the heresies of the New School. Dr. Hodge declared that " by 
 this union, the Old School Church was dead, and, said he, if truth 
 be lost, all is lost." The New School is the predominant power in 
 the Northern Church. The controversies between the Old and 
 New School that are now, in their Presbyterian Quarterly Beview> 
 the organ of both parties, agitating the Northern Church, threaten 
 to rend it at no distant day. Broadchurchism, or skepticism, as- 
 sailing the inspiration of the Scriptures, is rearing its impudent 
 front, defiantly, in that communion, and alarming and vexing the 
 souls of the righteous within her, who fear the Lord and shrink 
 from laying an unhallowed hand upon His Word. The heretical 
 element in her, now predominant, will ( not " consent to wholesome 
 words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doc- 
 trine which is according to godliness." And are we to affiliate 
 with this ? " From such withdraw thyself," have no intercourse with 
 them — is the decisive injunction of the Head of the ChurcK, Which 
 will be obeyed by all who fear the Lord. 
 
 7. When a separation between Churches is caused by opposing 
 principles, no such relations can be allowed, which may destroy or 
 weaken the testimony which truth requires should be maintained 
 against error. The Louisville Assembly of 1870' justly observed : 
 " It may seem to some that any hesitancy on our part to enter 
 into correspondence with any Church, is out of accord with the 
 spirit of the times, which finds expression in formal protestations 
 of amity and unity between, ajl evangelical; Christians. But a 
 
(19) 
 
 little reflection will make it manifest that this want of accord is 
 only apparent, not real> so far as relates to any unity which is 
 founded on a common reverence for the truth of Christ. For, in 
 every case of reparation between brethren of the same Church, on 
 account of errors held, or supposed to be held, on the one side; 
 and the purpose to testify against the same on the other, a formal 
 recognition of each other may be incompatible with the very end 
 held in view in the separation. It may involve an utter obscura- 
 tion of the testimony of the witnesses. Thus it will be remembered 
 there was no official correspondence between the two bodies into 
 which our Church divided in 1837-38 for the space of twenty-five 
 years, though each held official correspondence with other bodies 
 even less near to them in doctrine and order. Nor, indeed, was 
 such correspondence even proposed until it was suggested as a 
 preliminary to organic re-uniOn. The Christian instincts of both 
 bodies suggested that such Correspondence must involve the incon- 
 sistency, on the part of each, of standing apart from the other, 
 while under not only the same articles of faith, but the same con- 
 stitution — each bearing witness against the other while affecting 
 relations of Unity." 
 
 If the essentially different character of the opposing principles 
 of the Northern and Southern Churches constitutes no valid bar- 
 rier against fraternal relations, then neither against organic union. 
 If two Churches, so opposite, should fraternize, they should also 
 unite. If the separating principles are sacrificed on one side, what 
 is there to prevent union ? If they should not unite, they should 
 not fraternize, especially where, as in this case, the fraternizing 
 is avowedly designed by the one Church to prepare the way for, 
 and terminate in, organic union. 
 
 The following plain utterance of the Presbyterian Journal ex- 
 presses the mind of the entire Northern Church : " We do not 
 hesitate to say that it is only as a step towards re-union that we 
 care for this Fraternal Eelation movement." And yet such an 
 admission will have no effect whatever in opening the eyes of 
 those who are voluntarily blind to the dangers which beset us. It 
 
(20) 
 
 is- very evident that the work of disintergation has begun among 
 us. A member of the Atlanta Assembly was not ashamed to dis- 
 close the mercenary motive which influenced him and many 
 others : " We need," said he, " the material aid which fraternity " 
 — (and of course, union,) — " would bring us. Asking for favors 
 on the one hand, and refusing fellowship on the other, is about 
 the most inconsistent thing we can do, and that we are doing every 
 day." Another Southern minister writes to the JV. Y. Observer : 
 u Afew hundred dollars, sent in a quiet way, to relieve and encourage 
 our poor churches, almost disorganized and ruined by the war, 
 would accomplish the happiest results." 
 
 A few hundred dollars-, sent in a quiet way ! ! 
 
 The Philadelphia Presbyterian parades the following : " A minis- 
 ter in the far South, writing to a friend in Philadelphia, says : 
 1 Dr. Dabney will make as egregious a failure as he did in the 
 Park case. He cannot controul the Southern Church. It is folly 
 for him to try. Dr. Smith, of the S. W. Presbyterian , cannot con- 
 troul us. I tell you, we are coming ; we are in dead earnest.' " 
 
 Yes ! they are in " dead earnest." Their policy is settled. Their 
 course is Northward. " We are coming," is the cry. And through 
 the open door of " Fraternal Relations " will they, and a multitude 
 more, enter the Northern Church. The only question is, How 
 many, or how few, will be left behind ? for re-union is now only a 
 question of time, and it is useless to shut our eyes to inevitable 
 destiny ; for where a road is continuously travelled, the end must 
 be reached sooner or later. The Southern Church, as a whole, it 
 is now impossible to save. There is not virtue enough left in her 
 to save her. Decisive action only can save a remnant. The longer 
 that is deferred, the smaller this will be. The establishment of 
 Fraternal Relations means Union, and Union means Death. We 
 may say, with Dr. Hodge, " by this union, the Old School South- 
 ern Church is dead. If truth be lost, all is lost." Fraternal Rela- 
 tions being established, prompt Secession on the part of Presby- 
 teries that continue loyal to Christ alone can save them. And 
 this Confederacy of Presbyteries, reduced to a handful, it may be 
 
(21) 
 
 like Gideon's Band, yet, like Gideon's Band, marshalled under a 
 Divine Leader, shall go forth, in unbroken phalanx, to the help of 
 the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty, and afford, 
 another proof, that "not by might, nor by power, but by my 
 Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts," do the soldiers of Christ " subdue 
 kingdoms, stop the mouths of lions, quench the violence of fire, 
 out of weakness are made strong, wax valiant in fight, and turn 
 to flight the armies of the aliens" ! 
 
 "Strong in the strength which God supplies. 
 
 Thro' His eternal Son, 
 
 Strong in the Lord of Hosts, 
 
 And in His mighty power, 
 
 Who in the strength of Jesus trusts 
 
 Is more than conqueror." 
 
 The Committee recommend the adoption of the following Eeso- 
 lution: 
 
 Resolved, That the Presbytery of Mecklenburg disapproves of 
 the action of Atlanta Assembly, 1882, concerning Fraternal Rela- 
 tions with the Northern church. 
 
 Kespectfully submitted, 
 
 A. W. MILLER, Chairman of Committee. 
 
 Mallard Creek Church, 
 
 Mecklenburg County, K C, May 4, 1883. 
 The above resolution was adopted almost unanimously, only 
 two dissenting. 
 
APPENDIX, 
 
 The remaining history of "Fraternal Eelations" shows, the 
 measure of our humiliation to be complete. The Northern dele- 
 gates appeared before the Lexington Assembly and entertained 
 that body with a profusion of studied gush ; one speaker com- 
 paring the two churches to two belligerent clouds, dreadfully 
 charged with electricity, approaching each other, intent on war 
 and ruin, but having prudently relieved themselves of their excess 
 of "brimstone" by "much agitation, thundering and lightning, as 
 with the voice of great guns, until the electrical condition of both 
 was equalized, and then the clouds uniting and blending into one 
 in the blessed wedlock of the skies, sailed majestically on, pouring 
 out of their united fulness a baptism of life upon the thirsty fields." 
 
 Alas, for "the thirsty fields " ! They will be thirstier than ever. 
 No "baptism of life," no refreshing rains can they receive, for 
 there's nothing but wind in those clouds. 
 
 Before the Saratoga Assembly appeared two delegates, who dis- 
 honoured and disgraced the Southern Church. The one a dotard, 
 who professed to have so "fallen in love with the Northern Moder- 
 ator, that he proposed to capture him and make him the Modera- 
 tor of the Southern Assembly at Yicksburg." The other, a traitor, 
 who, not only "overleapedjthe past," but overleaped the Southern in- 
 to the Northern Church, at the very time he professed to represent 
 the former, having, according to the Saratoga correspondent of the 
 Boston Congregationalist, already accepted an invitation to De» 
 troit. 
 
 The pressure for an explanation of the Herrick Johnson Spring- 
 field Eesolution being felt in the Saratoga Assembly, Dr. Crosby 
 offered the following resolution: 
 
 "Whereas, some differences of opinion have been manifested 
 concerning the true import of the Eesolution adopted in May, 
 1882, by the two General Assemblies, sitting respectively in At* 
 lanta. Ga., and Springfield, 111. 
 
 Resolved, That this General Assembly understands that Eesolu- 
 tion to declare the steadfast adherence of each of those General 
 Assemblies to all the principles which its predecessors had affirmed 
 upon the question on which the two Assemblies had held opposite 
 convictions; while each Assembly avowed its regret for and with- 
 drawal of all aspersions, which either may have been understood 
 
to oast on the christian character of ministers, or- constituents, of 
 the other Assembly; and in this sense this Assembly cordially af- 
 firms that Kesolution." 
 
 But even this was too much for the irrepressible Dr. Herrick 
 Johnson, who immediately rose, objected to the resolution and 
 moved its reference to a committee-^of which he was made a 
 member. The following is their report; 
 
 "The committee to whom was referred the resolution regarding 
 the bearing of the deliverance of last year's Assembly in behalf of 
 fraternal relations with the Southern Church, respectfully report, 
 That fraternal relations having been happily established between 
 the two Assemblies on the basis of the withdrawal of all imputa- 
 tions that may have been officially made from either side against 
 the Christian character of the other, no further action of this As- 
 sembly is necessary." 
 
 Here is a contemptuous refusal to give the desired explanation ! 
 Fraternal Eelations were "established" at Atlanta, and the North- 
 ern Assembly has nothing more to say! And so, Dr. Niccolls stated 
 to the Lexington Assembly : "There has been some unfavourable 
 criticism upon the terms on which this fraternal correspondence 
 has been established ; and more especially on the explanatory res- 
 olution in the action of the Assembly which we represent. Our 
 mission to you is not one of apology, explanation, or confession. The time 
 for that is past." 
 
 The time for tJiat is past! Saratoga declares, that fraternal rela- 
 tions were established on the preceding year's basis of withdrawal 
 of all imputations. What the "Springfield withdrawal" amounts 
 to, we have seen. And no further explanation of the unsatisfac- 
 tory "explanation"' is to- be given. The time for that is past I The 
 matter is closed. "No further action of this Assembly is necessary," 
 says Saratoga. The Southern Church asks for an explanation, and 
 a slap in the face is the only response. And, as they "recede from no 
 principle," there could be no other response. Thus writes a Pres- 
 byterian from Saratoga to the Boston Congregationalist : "I find 
 that there is a large, though quiet, element, which is not going to unmake 
 history by going bade upon the glorious national history of the past 21 
 years." 
 
 Dr. Herrick Johnson, in supporting his resolution, said: "I 
 trust that, with this, all rancour, arid bitterness, and alienation,, 
 and suspicion, and necessity of explanation, will go down to the 
 fathomless sea of oblivion forever, and that henceforth whatso- 
 ever things are true, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever 
 things are honest, whatsoever things are lovely and of good re- 
 port, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, we will 
 think on these things." 
 
 We challenge an- instance that equals this for shameless, decep- 
 
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 tion, astounding hypocrisy, and audacious assumption of incom- 
 petency on the part of the Southern Church to see through it all ! 
 If his resolutions contained " things that are true," "just," " hon- 
 est," "lovely and of good report," we would love to find them, 
 and, with complacency and delight, would " think on these 
 things." But instead of this, we find things that are false, tricky, 
 dishonest, scandalous ; and as the Master bids us " be wise as ser- 
 pents," we intend to be ever on our guard, and ever to think on 
 these things ; and the " ingenious handling " of Dr. Herrick John- 
 son. 
 
 The Saratoga correspondent of the Gongregationalist adds these 
 words of comfort for the sycophantick South : 
 
 "Many Northern men feel that organick union is to be de- 
 precated rather than sought. The Southern Church is as poor as it is 
 proud, and would simply enlarge the Home Missson field of the Assembly, 
 which has already more work upon its hands in the West than it can do." 
 
 If one drop makes a cup overflow, we would suppose that this 
 drop would suffice not only to make the Southern cup of " Frater- 
 nal relations" overflow, but utterly to empty it! 
 
 Is this one kick enough to arouse us, or, lost to all Christian 
 manhood, will the Southern spaniel continue to crouch at th 
 Northern Master's feet ? 
 
 Those only who are asleep, may be aroused. But the grea 
 majority are n< asleep. Not stupor, but apostasy, characterizes 
 their state. "Words of warning have not a feather's weight wit' 
 them. It is impossible to save the Southern Church. It- is has 
 tening to, and soon to be engulfed in, the Northern Maelstrom 
 Only a remnant can be saved. And only prompt, decisive actio 
 can save that. The critical time has come. 
 
 It is now, or never. 
 
 A. W. M. 
 
 Charlotte, N. C. 
 
1920 
 
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