The Ecclesiastical Disruption of 1861 [pp. 321-351]

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1876.] THE ECCLESIASTICAL DISRUPTION OF i86i. 35r
voked imputation upon the whole body of Northern Presbyterians. So, also, in the very latest action of the Southern
Church-the sentiments of the Baltimore Committee, passed
upon by the General Assembly of I 8; 5-do we find imputations
of a similar character. The Committee declare: "We do not
besitate to say, that a church (especially in this country, where
separation from the State is, at least, theoretically complete,
and still more, a Presbyterian Church, which, holding its noble
standards, ought to know better), might so cover itself with
disgrace by defiling its garments with things it is forbidden to
touch; or, might, also, in matters purely ecclesiastical, so deplorably subvert its own fundamental principles, as to forbid
any intercourse whatever. It is the right of every church to
judge of each case by itself; and it is especially our right to do
this now, and no cause of offense, when invited to a conference, which must, of necessity, bring such considerations under
review." If it be said that the case here put is hypothetical,
the reply is, that it would be utterly without pertinence, unless
it were intended to make the impression, in the absence of any
disclaimer, that it presents a close parallel with the position of
the~Northern Church as viewed by the Southern. It is what
the lawyers call "a legal innuendo."
We here leave the subject. It gives us no pleasure to make
these exhibitions. Truth and justice alone have constrained
them. They speak for themselves, and the times demand that
they should be gravely pondered; for it is the boast of the
leaders of the Southern Church, that they stand to-day where
they have stood for the last twenty years, and will stand,
there until the grand assize of the world shall sit.