The articles in this number are, The Kingdom of Christ; Knowledge, Faith and Feeling in their mutual relations; The Subjects of Baptism; Motley's Dutch Republic; Annals of the American Pulpit; The General Assembly. The first is substantially the discoure of Dr. Yeomans at the opening of the late General Assembly. Tbe text was John 18:36, "My kingdom is not of this world." It is assumed in the discourse that the kingdom there means the Church, an assumption that lies at the foundation of the wretched and pernicious theory, that the Church has nothing to do with political matters. This theory is presented with considerable plausibility in the discourse. Suppose, however, that Christ in that declaration to Pilate meant his moral and not his spiritual kingdom, then what becomes of the theory? It must seek support somewhere else, and and in vain, too, unless in a misinterpretation of Scripture. We believe that it is his moral kingdom that he speaks of, and that the declaration that it is not of this world, teaches that be is King not by the suffrages of his subjects, but by the appointment of the Father. The truth taught Pilate was that Christ was a King of a higher rank and by a higher designation than any of the Caesars; and that they too, however unwilling, were his subjects.
The other articles are interesting; the last, that treats of the General Assembly, contains a labored attempt to defend the mi
nority of that body in their opposition to the action of the Assembly sustaining the Government. It is but a rehash of what has been served up ad nauseam often before. We must say that the inconsistencies with which the article abounds surprise us. For instance, it is asserted "That those who throw off allegiance to the Constitution are guilty of a great crime," and immediately after, "That they are not amenable in this matter to the Church." There is then, one "great crime " at least, for which the church cannot call her members to account. If Jeff Davis is a Presbyterian in full standing in the church, and should come from the battle-field, his hands stained with the blood of our soldiers, and propose to sit down with Dr. Hodge at the Lord's table, he would not prevent him. What monstrous doctrine! But God be thanked, the time when it will be received, and acted on even in the Presbyterian Church is near an end.
Comments edit
Above the large space is page 291, and below it is page 292.