UNION OF THE FREE AND REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Clutha Leader, Volume III, Issue 123, 17 November 1876, Page 6

UNION OF THE FREE AND REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The recent union of the Free Church of Scotland and the Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, which took place on May 25, was celebrated by a congratulatory and commemorative meeting in the First Reformed Presbyterian Church, Broad Street, below Pine, Philadelphia. Mr George H. Stuart occupied the chair, and after a psalm had been sung 1 and a prayer offered by the R<-v. Dv Fisher, of the German 'Reformed Church, a portion of the Scriptures was read by Rev. Dr T. W. Wylie, the pastor of the church. The latter gentleman said the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Scotland is a very small flock, the number being about one-twentieth that of the Free Church. It may seem a strange thing that so much importance is made of it. There are, however, circumstances that give a great interest to the event. It vindicates the principles for which the old Covenanters so long contended and shed their blood. They maintained that the Lord Jesus Christ was the g-o---vernor of nations. When the Church of Scotland was established, in 1688, a great many refused to go into the Establishment because these great principles did not form a part 'of it. This event indicates there is a spirit of union prevailing- in Scotland which it is trusted will soon extend throughout the land. This union is only the beginning ! of the end. He felt that this had great, interest for our own country, as during the persecutions many of the Covenanters were banished to this country. It shows us that there is a platform broad enough and strong enough for all to follow. He was sorry that the occasion had been missed a few years ago of the Reformed Presbyterians uniting with the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church at the time of tho union ot the old and new schools. The event, I however, had only been postponed. Editorials from the Edinburgh papers relative to the union were then mid by Mr Stuart and Rev. Dr J. W. Faires. Extracts from the speech of Rev. Dr M'Lauchlan, Moderator of the Free Assembly, were read by Rev. J. Henry Sharpe, and extracts from the speech of Rev. Dr Goold, Moderator of the Reformed Presbyterian Synod, by Rev. Di 1 Wylie. Dr Philip Sohnff,' professor ot the, Union Theological Seminary, then addressed the meeting. He said Scotland hud written some glorious chapters in the history of the Church, and iD some respects he regarded it ns the most rt>mark»il>le conntvv in Europe. John Knox was the Luther of the. North, the man who feared God, and devoted all his energies to the glory of Christ. In 1643 the National Covenant of Scotland became the Solemn League and Covenant. That document bound the English and Scotch together in their common war. Subsequently the reig-n of the Stuarts brought in fresh corruption. Another glorious chapter of Scottish history was tire Disruption of 1843. Tlie Free Church of Scotland has done a great work. Separation may be necessary to maintain a great principle, but' when that principle is recognised it is the duty of the Christian Church to labour for union and harmony. Christ has come to make an end to all war and unite us to our Heavenly Father. He alluded to the union of the old and new school branches of the Presbyterian Church, after 30 years' theological war, and said it was caused by the Spirit of God. Mr Stuart announced that on Tuesday last a union had been effected between the English Presbyterian and United Presbyterian Church, After a few remarks iby Rev, Dr Simpson, the meeting adjourned. — Philadelphia Inquirer.