---
title: 'The Spirituality and Independence of the Church: A Speech Delivered in the Synod of New York, October 18th, 1864'
type: pdf
hasMedia: true
requiresPurchase: false
authors:
- 'Henry Jackson Van Dyke, Sr.'
date: 1864-01-01
collection: 'Archives'
subcollection: '19th century'
topics:
- 'Church-State Relations'
- 'Presbyterian Polity'
- 'Slavery'
scriptures:
- 'Ephesians 4'
- 'Ephesians 6'
url: https://confessional.org/archives/19th-century/van-dyke-1864-the-spirituality-and-independence-of-the-church-a-speech-delivered-in-the-synod-of-new-york-october-18th-1864
---

# The Spirituality and Independence of the Church: A Speech Delivered in the Synod of New York, October 18th, 1864

Argues for the church's spiritual independence and limits of ecclesiastical authority, rejecting church meddling in civil politics. Defends noninterference on slavery and political tests.

[Download](https://media.confessional.org/archives/van-dyke-1864-the-spirituality-and-independence-of-the-church-a-speech-delivered-in-the-synod-of-new-york-october-18th-1864.pdf)