Presbytery of St. Louis to have been regular, not spurious or "pretended." He was amazed that such a man as Dr. Rice should make any difficulty about the pro re nate meeting. Nothing was more common than these pro re nate; meet ings for such purposes. Gentlemen insist that charges should have been tabled. Well might he pray, " Save me from my friends." His friends had said, " If this complaint is not sus tained, Dr. MoPheeters goes forth a branded man, and cannot preach anywhere." They have made his case a thousand times worse. He de- I riled that we were bound to prosecute• any man justly suspected of disloyalty or any sin, unless we have the technical and legal points attainable. If the Presbytery had undertaken to try him, what a cry would have been raised 1 Parties, whom I will not name, would immediately raise the cry that this was a matter for the civil courts. Such a case had actually occurred in one of Our Presbyteries. A minister may avoid overt acts, and at the same time exert his influence in such a way as to really act disloyally, and yet you could not lay your hands on any thing which could be brought to trial. This was just what Dr. MoPheeters had done. A large minority in his church, and a large proportion of the people of a large city had become so thoroughly con vinced of Dr. MoPheeters' sympathy with the re bellion; that the minority required him to be loosed from the church. And the then pastor was fully convinced of this, for he resigned. Then W. W. Green gave notice of "" complaint," which was afterwards changed to "appeal and complaint." In the case decided at New Orleans in 1858, the pastor had resisted'the dissolution; and even then Mr. Finley was not restored to his pastorate. He denied that W. W. Green could appeal, for he was not the regular delegate to the Presbyterial meeting, and consequently be did not act as a representative in Presbytery. W. W. Green was simply a Commissioner to Pres bytery in behalf of the .inajority. Mr. Strong was the only one who had a right to appeal. Why not call a meeting and go into it in a more formal manner? Because it was probable that a great change might take place in the minds of many of the majority just as soon as the dissolu tion was effected. But Dr. MoPheetera has freed us from all difficulty connected with this matter of appeal. He has asked us for the interests of religion to take this matter up, and issue it with out waiting for the result of the appeal before the Synod of Missouri. He has brought the whole case here, and this relieves us from all constitutional difficulties. The attempt at first was to override us by bringing up the whole ease; now the effort is to set it aside until the Synod acts. Tho Presbytery had the right to dissolve the connection. - It was expedient. He would in conclusion say a word concerning loy alty. If a man is loyal, why not say it? I lis tened to Dr. McPheeters' long speech, and heard not one word to convince me that he was loyal. In this crisis of our country it is the duty of eve ry man; and epecially of every minister, to speak out unmistakably. He did not understand how a good man could allow the Church to be dis tracted, and yet, if loyal, not say so. A friend of his visiting him, olaimed tb be loyal. In the , slimming bad newls came from our army—that friend was overjoyed. In the evening the tables were turned ; glorious news came from the army ; that friend was greatly dejected ; yet he claimed to' be loyal. This was just the loyalty Dr. MoPheeters and his friends seem to have mani fested. Rebellion is as witchcraft: He hoped the Assembly would not be so bewitched as to sustain the complaint. Mr. Powell said, when he came to vote he would vote against sustaining this complaint., Rev, Mr. Lawson had no speech to make, but was prepared to vote against sustaining the ap peal. Judge Linn said he would not weary the As sembly, were it not that his views in some re speots had not been presented. He would di vest himself of all technical difficulties. There was but one point before us. When this matter was brought before the judicial committee he was directed to the provision which would al low this case to come up here. Then he inqui red, Can a, wrong exist in the Presbyterian Church without a remedy ? Can this man, con sidered disloyal, be permitted to preach and dis tract the Pine Street church for another year, ' without any remedy? Can it be possible that a majority of the Session can overstep the action of Presbytery, by calling Dr. MoPheeters to act as supply ? Now, had the Presbytery good grounds for their aotion toward Dr. MoPheeters ? There is a principle underlying all this. Is it possible that a Session can call a man suspected of any crime, and then employ him, when the Presby tery says he must not preach there ? Treason Is an overt act. Disloyalty may be only nega 'tive, and be still as injurious. Suppose such a course bad been pursued in all our churches, Where would we have been ? If disloyalty is a sin, loyalty must be a Christian yirtue, and the minister should inculcate it. And if Dr. Mc- Pheeters refused to do this, he failed, and was objectionable. It is not necessary to sustain the charge of disloyalty, that distinct charges be tabled. It is said that Dr. MoPheeters and his friends were detained by a military order, but those who did attend had nothing to do with this. And they sustained the Government in What it did. This was not directed against Pres byterians more than any body else. All the Government milted,- was assurance that these were really religious assemblies—that is, they were not plotting treason. It is the duty of the Presbyterian Church to stand by the Govern ment, to secure the stability of the churches. They are mutual supporters. Let the rebels pre vail, and where is the Presbyterian Church ? Then, indeed, we would grope in the dark. The character of Dr. McPheeters has been spoken of In the highest terms. To-day, in the soil of South Carolina, is lying the body of a man whose power has often been felt in this Assembly, and whose logic has borne it down more than once; yet be did more than any man ever did in tnis Assembly to produce secession. On motion, , a committee was appointed to re port the business yet before the Assembly—what must be attended to now—what can be deferred till next year—and what postponed indefinitely. The committee were—Dr. Beatty, - Krebs, Can dee, Tustin, with Judges Lynn and Ryerson. Closed with prayer by Dr. Tustin. AIItERNOON SESSION. The Asseibly met, and after prayer pro oeeded with the calling of the roll. Rev. Mr. Hudson insisted that the party complaining had no right to come in under the plea that he was not permitted to at tend Presbytery. He insisted on the duty of ministers in being -faithful to both Church and country; and when a man failed in loyalty to the country, he could not expect the Church to get him out of the difficulties in which he might involve himself on this account. He would not vote to sustain the complaint. Rev. Mr. Marshall said he would vote to sustain the complaint, not because a ques tion of,loyalty was involved, but because the Presbytery acted irregularly. He would do nothing disloyal, or vote for any thing disloyal. Rev. Mr. Warner was fully prepared to sustain the notion of the Presbytery of St. Louis. Mr. Graydon said the proceedings were strange to him. He was surprised at the latitude taken by the speakers. No ques tion of loyalty or disloyalty was before them. ;The question was simply, will we sustain the action of the Presbytery of St. Louis ? His views were identical with those of Judge Ryerson. If Dr. McPhee ters is guilty of disloyalty he is also guilty of perjury. And will we convict a man of this without trial ? This will we do if we do not sustain this appeal. If Dr. Me- Phaeton and his friends are disjoyal, let them go, ohuroh and all. But. that is not the question. Mr. Lathrop would vote not to sustain the appeal, if he ever got permission, which seemed , doubtful. [Laughter.] The Pres bytery acted solely in an adminstrative ca pacity, and,not even in a quasi-judicial oa paoity. The attempt made here to make this a merely technical matter must be no tieed. The object of the Church courts is the good of the Church; and MM .: decision on this matter will be regarded either as reproving or rebuking Dr. MoPheetere. Rev. Watson Hughes said his views had been presented by, the Permanent Clerk, Dr. Schenck. A pro re Rata meeting was proper. If you take away the supervisory power of Presbytery, you disable it at the very point where nothing else can remedy It. This general supervision is necessary. Rev. Mr. Rookwell sustained most hear tily the Presbytery of St. Louis. His mind bad been led to this conclusion by the statements of Dr. MoPheeters, himself, and nothing since said had changed it. Rev. Mr. Kean would not indulge in hair-splitting distinctions. From the 'clos ing remarks of the original parties, his mind had been made up that the Presby tery bad acted properly. And it had not been changed by all the quasi's, .quoaci hoes, and Carthago clelenda cgt9, with which we * 0$ been entertained. He believed ;;` the intention, the manner, and the results, had been proper. Dr. MoPheeters had en deavored to influence this house by assert ing his intense desire to place the crown on the head of King Jesus. But we must remember that by Him, princes reign and kings decree justice. After the rebellion in the time of' David, tribe after tribe came to acknowledge their allegiance, and the tribe of Levi among them. Mr. Ross and Dr. Reynolds would vote against sustaining the complaint. Dr. Elliott said he would not detain the house to assert his loyalty. He would leave this to be determined by the tenor of his life. He had never been asked to take the oath of allegiance, much less six times. There had been statements made by sev eral speakers, concerning the appeal of W. W. Green, which were fallacious. They had said that this appeal was now before the Synod of Missouri, yet to be tried there. But this was a mistake. Dr. Mc- Pheeters, and those acting with him, have* taken the whole matter out of the hands of the Synod, and brought it here. It is not in the hands of the Synod. It will never be tried there. The whole affair is now here to be determined by' us. This has been alluded to before, but I have thought it proper to elucidate it more fully. It had been remarked by Dr. Rice, that he was not prepared to call the proceedings ir regular, but they were peculiar. ,What ho meant by this, I cannot tell. For it is cer tain that every requisition of the Book was met. Dr. Rice declared he was going to announce some great principles underlying this whole subject. Dr. Elliott expected he would enunciate something going down to the very depths—if not below—of all ecclesiastical organizations. What then did he say ? 1. That the acts of a Presbytery where a majority cannot attend, are null and void. Nothing appears to convince us that there was any insuperable or great dif ficulty in the way. According .to their Ordination vows, they should have done it; even if made to suffer for it. This was the way. Peter and Paul did, and also Luther. 2. The next question was, had Presbytery the power to do what it did ? This was illustrated by the power of Presbytery to decline to put a call into the hands of one elected a pastor, but against a large minor ity. The expediency of this may be diffi cult to determine. It is for the Presbytery to settle this, taking into view all circum stances and every responsibility. And the same causes which should operate against settling a pastor, should also operate in his removal. Such a want of unity as existed in the Pine Street church showed that he was not the, fit man for that place. The Presbytery did right. I have seen a min ister dismissed against the almost united voice of his people. Rev. Mr. McOarrell was prepared to vote at once against sustaining the appeal. Dr. Beatty would only detain the Assem bly for a remark or two. Many things not connected with this case have been brought in. To him it was a very simple question, often coming ilp in our Presbyteries. He would only add his assent to what had been said by Drs. Schenck, Musgrave, and Elliott —the complainants have brought the whole case before us. ' The Presbytery was regular. They had a right to act, and it was expedi ent for them to-act. They had no right to wait till after the •war was over. These members of Presbytery who were unwilling to attend Presbytery upon an oath taken which enabled them to perform marriage, were mere sticklers. He admired the cart and forbearance of the Presbytery, and its great deliberation. It has been said that they judged Dr. McPheeters of his loyalty. This was a mere extraneous matter. They judged him because of the difficulties in the church. He went against sustaining the complaint. It was moved that we take - the vote to night at 11 o'clock, if ready. Lost. " Dr. Mac Master said it was his opinion that this complaint should be dismissed, because the Presbytery did what it had 'a right to do, and in a proper way. He re ferred to Form of Government, chap. 8, and stated that there were many precedents under this chapter to sustain the action of this Presbytery. Twenty years ago the Presbytery of Ohio bad enjoined oil an ex pastin not to preach within the bounds of a congregation from which he had been dismissed. Rev. Mr. Virtue could not sustain the complaint. Rev. Mr. Pratt bad but a word to say. He must go with the 'Presbytery. The Presbytery had the. ease fully before it, did right, and was in duty bound to do as it did. Rev. Moses A. Hoge said that he observ ed that in almost all the judicial cases the lawyers were in error, from the fact that they applied the principles of the com mon law to our Church courts, to which they were not applic.able. The Presbytery dissolved the pastoral relation simply on grounds of the unfortunate condition of af fairs in that church, without entering at all upon the question of loyalty or disloy alty. The Presbytery did what it had a right to (b ib and did it properly. He would sustain the Presbytery. Recess until 71 o'clock. After recess the Assembly met. The calling of the Roll was resumed. Rev. N. V. Morrow and elder William Taylor would vote against .sustaining the complaint. Mr. Taylor proceeded to dis cuss the subject at some length,.contending for the perfect legality of all the proceed ings of -Presbytery. Bev. J. D. Paxton said his views on the general subject had been well expressed by Dr. Schenck and others. But he would say that to admit' this as an appeal was a great mistake. There are four ways in which a case can come up by review, by reference, by appeal, and by complaint. He said this was purely a case of com plaint, and this could bring up the whole case. Consequently the whole effort to send this bank was altogether wrong. Dr. Lowrie—During the time this ease was in progress, a motion was made to ap point a committee to visit the church and examine into its state. But this motion was laid on the table by a motion of W. W. Green, one of these complainants. So that if any undue. haste was manifested, the fault was with the friends of Dr. Me- Pheeters. He did not think the argument concerning military interference amounted to much. This was illustrated by the fact that the members who went to the Assem bly in 1852, were required, before entering . Charleston, to give their names, ages, and places of residence, and the business be fore them. This was in a state of peace, and should we complain if some assurance be given that nothing improper will be done in a state of war 1 Dr. Csndee said he had noted some things wTich had already been anticipated. On the whole, he considered the Presby tery had acted wisely, and according to the rules of the Church. Dr. MoPheeters had no trial, nor was a trial necessary. If Dr. MoPheeters had wished to carry. out the principle for which he contendo, he ought to have gone to the Presbytery at all haz ards. Rev. Mr. McKee was deoided in the opinion not to sustain the complaint; as was also Rev. Mr. Speer. Rev. Mr. Steel did not propose to inflict a speech opt's' the members. He regretted that this Assembly had given an import ance to this case which it never deserved. It has had a magnitude beyond what any rational man will admit in 'the retrospect. There is not a shadow of a judicial case in PRESBYTERIAN BANNER.---WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, i 864, EVENING SEVION. this. There is not a year in which a score of our ministers might not complain of greater injustice than Dr. MeTheeters. He said brethren had spoken of the solem nity of the vote they were about to give, just as if they were standing on the pin nacle and about to lainch away. (Laugh- . ter.) He had been accustomed to be hum bugged for sixty years, and ho liked it to a certain extent, but he had never been hum bugged so badly as in this Case. (Laugh ter.) However, when coming into the region of New-York he ought to have ex pected to be humbugged. (Uproarious laughter.) Rev. Mr. Forman, of Missouri, would have been pleased to say nothing. But coming from the State he did, and sur rounded by the circumstances in which he found himself, he felt constrained to. say i something. If the Assembly sustains Dr. McPheeters' complaint it will simply give him the privilege of preaching in Pine Street church upon the invitation of the Session of the °Much. And if the com plaint is not sustained, the ,action of the Presbytery excluding Dr. MoPheeters will stand. He contended that the action of Presbytery at the different meetings was hasty and ill considered. He also insisted that the wishes of the majority of the Presbytery should be respected. If a ma jority of the Presbytery had been present last Summer or. this Spring, the ease now before us would never have come up. -. Rev. D. A. Wilson, of Missouri, said the military order did not prescribe at all the qualifications of those who were to sit in Church courts. It simply had reference to the loyalty of those taking it. And the very persona who declined to take this oath, took the oath which would allow them to perform marriage. This oath kept no body out of that Presbytery. They rept -out of Presbytery because they did not wish to be there. To sustain this com plaint would injure our Church in Mis souri. Union men there want outspoken Union men for pastors. Dr. Breckinridge read his written opin ion, saying,' that it may well be doubted whether this should have-been made a ju dicial ease at all; but having been taken up its discussion should have been kept entirely within the record, to sit in judg ment on our brethren is one of our most solemn and responsible duties. Dr. Mc- Pheeters is not on trial in form, but really, both as concerning his church and his oharaoter as a minister; The effort is to put on him an ineffaceable brand. It is attempted to drive him from his charge, because disloyal, though protesting that he has taken and observed the oath required. The local military authorities had discharg ed him, and be had resumed his duties. Now, when the civil and military power are satisfied with the loyalty ota man, should not the Church be ? The argu ments urged against the illegality and ir regularity of the proceedings of Presby tery had not been answered.. To approve these proceedings would be to part with the freedom'of the Church. The standard of loyalty varies greatly. It cost him something to love his country. But he could not set himself up as a standard for his brethren. It is knnwn to us all, that in Missouri and in St. Louis, there is no standard of loyalty. The Governor, one of the,purest men, was chyged with dis loyalty, as 'has been Gen. Schofield, and also President Lincoln. Rev. Mr. Clelland, of Ky., said, tows in the border States, this is a most important subject. It may drive the plowshare through many of nurnhurehes. The only kind of disloyalty the Church could try,. was disloyalty to herself. - Rev. Mr. Young, of Ky., said that, were he not from the border StateS he would not say one word.. His Presbytery' had dis solved a pastoral relation after looking into the state of affairs deeming . this best. Dr. R. J. Breekinridge had protested, and carried the matter up to Synod. The Syn od of Ky., had referred the matter back, and ordered the Presbytery to proceed ac cording to the Book. Rev. Mr. Lowe said he believed there could be but one opinion- The thing done was not wrong, but the way of doing it was palpably wrong. Rev. J. J. Walsh, of Furrnekabad, regretted that so much time had been ta ken up in this. matter. The last speakers had presented false issues. We were here as judges. The Moderator then stated the question, by reading the action of Presbytery and the complaint. The vote was then taken. The following persons voted: To SusTAIN.--/Ifinisters : Bendel, Rob erts, Beattie, Reeve, Rice, Junkin, Green leaf, Kempshall, Craven, Rodgers, Maclean, Miller, Johns, Cowhick, Reardon, Marshall, Carson,Laverty, Baynes, Nixon, Flanagan, Grove Pinkerton, Milligan, Forman, Breck inridge, Hopkins, Clelland, Lapsley, Young, Lowe. Elders : Ryerson, Brokaw, Essick,. Archer, Graydon, Patterson, Kirkwood, Hall, Crane, Lockwood, Pogue, Wilson, Waters, Lapsley, Allen-47. 'To - Sliming IN PABT.—Ministers: Hays,' Logan-2. NOT TO SusTAni.—Haskell, Thorburn, Miller, Harlow, Burtis, Krebs, Campbell, Sheldon, Everitt, Bush, Colt, Cobb, Clark, Schenck, Musgrave, Dubois, Wilson,Law son, Moore, Hudson, Gordon, Warner, Nimmo, Tustin, Hughes, Rockwell, Me- Kaig, May, McElwain, Kean, Reynolds, Elliott, Wortman, MoCarrell, Dr. Beatty, Mad/faster, Thompson, Hamilton, Duncan, Robinson, Virtue, Pratt, Hoge,. Morrow, Grand Girard, Scovel, Rogers, Crowe, Pax ton, Wright, Lowrie, Thompson, Hynes, Allison,Templeton, Stevenson, Carideo, Platt, Stevens, Johnson, M'Kee, I. L. Cra ven, Speer, Taylor, Wilson, Batohelder, Mos Candlish, Steel, Wilson, Walsh.. Elders : Eldridge, Shepherd, Houghton, Belknap, Carter, elke°, Annul, Osborn, Rankin, Davis, Stevens, Powell, Linn, MeCormie, Christy, Hays, Fulton, Patten, Brown, Ross, Stokes, Mercer, Rankin, Allen, Beall, Foster, Briggs, Smith, Taylor; Evans, Morehouse, Falconer, McGrew, Helphin dine, Byram, Seawright, Gorrell, Mcln tyre, Allison,,. Ayres, Pratt,' Ogden, Van, Eman, Bell, Whiting, Welsh, McCandless; Chambers-119. Thirteenth :Day. THURSDAY June .2. • Assembly met and spent the usual half hour in devotional exercises. Minutes read and approved.' The Committee appointed to report as to the business on the docket, recommend : Complaint No. I—Presbytery of St. Claire vile against the Synod of Wheeling, be dismissed. Adopted. Also, No. 2—Com plaint of the Session of the Seventh Pres byterian church and the Presbytery of Cin cinnati against the Synod of Cincinnati. Referred to next General Assembly. No. B—Complaint of Mr. Abbott against the Synod of Missouri. Mr. Abbott not present. Already the ease had been before three Assemblies, without Mr. Abbott, or any one to represent _him, being present. Dismissed. No. 4—Memorial of the pas tor and church of Bloomington, 111., against the action of the last Assembly. Dismissed. No. 6-00mplaint of Rev. N. West, Jr., D.D., against the Synod of New- York. To be taken up by this Assembly. No. B—Complaint of John Crozier and John Mack against the Synod of. Illinois: Referred to the next General Assembly. From Committee on Bills and Overtures : No. I—Subject of Honorary Members of Board of Domestic Missions. Referred to next Assembly. No. 3—Presbytery of West Jersey on the subject of manses. No action, became of action on No. 2. No. 4—From Presbytery of Highland, I asking a division of Presbytery. Granted. Two new Presbyteries formed, Leavenworth and Topeka; and a new Synod formed, to be called the Synod of Kansas. No. 5 From Presbytery of Marion. The charac ter of , this memorial has been already given. Recommendation of Committee elsewhere, given, adopted. Nos. 10, 15 and 22, relating to proposed changes in the Book of Discipline, were referred. to a speoial Committee, to report to next General Assembly. No. 7—From Presbytery of St. Clairsvirt&e. Recommendation elsewhere noted aclop,ted. No. B—From the Direc tors of Western Theological Seminary, urg ing that young men should unite with Pres-' by teries before, or as soon after as possible, entering Seminary. Adopted. • No. 9 From Presbytery of Allegheny. Referred to Committee on Psalmody. No. 11.--:On the amendment to the Constitution of the United States, from the Presbytery of Alle gheny. Answered by the adoption of the paper presented by Dr. Musgrave, recom mending the churches and people to peti tion for an:amendment of the Constitution acknowledging God to be the Ruler. of Na tions, and his Word as the Supreme Law. No. 19—A Letter from Rev. John Mont gomery, asking the . Assembly to appoint a time and' place for next meeting of the Presbytery of Lafayette. Granted, and the time and place, suggested by the peti tioner adopted. No.-14—Not proper for action. No 18—Recommendation already noted adopted. No: 19—From Presbytery of Columbus. Referred to Synod of St. Paul. No. 20—From the Synod of San-. dusky asking whether baptism adminis tered by Campbellites is valid. Answered in the negative. Adopted. No. 21— Upper ~Missouri and Platte Presbyteries united =into one called Upper Missouri, to meet at St. Joseph's on the second Thurs- day of July next. Adopted. • No. 23-- Recommods Thursday the first • day of September to be observed as -a day of hu-. miliation and prayer, unless the President of the United. States should appoint some other day, because of sins 'as individuals, as churches; and as a nation. A.dopted. " Drs. Craven, Krebs, and Candee, and. Judges Linn and Ryerson, were appointed a Committee on Overtures concerning the Book of Discipline, to report to next Gen eral Assembly. • - The Presbyteries of Upper Missouri and Lafayettee were attached to the Synod of Missouri, thus dissolving 'the Synod of Upper Missouri. The Board, of Publication was directed to defray the'eifienses of the Committee on the Book of Discipline. Other things on the Docket:—The Re vised Book of, Discipline was referred to the next General Assembly. Report on unempleiyo'ministers and vacant churches adopted, and recommended that all judicial cases be continued hereafter until finished. - The Report on Freedmen, already de scribed, came up, and after a ong and de sultory lobate, was adopted. Rev. Mr. Sheddon reported resolutions commendatory of the American Bible So ciety, and recommending it to the increased liberality of the churches. The Rev. W. J. R. Taylor, Secretary of the American Bible Society, then delivered an able and interesting address on the sub jects embraced in the Report. The first President of the American Bible Society was Elias Boudinot, an elder in the Pres byterian Church, and the present Presi dent, James Lenox, Esq. is also an elder of this Church.. Rev. Mr. Culbertson, one of the missionaries of this Church, fell with his armor on, just as he had finished the revision .of the Chinese Scriptures. Yesterday he had signed an order for three thousand Testanients for the Cherokees. Already the Society had distributed twenty thousand copies of Scriptures among the freedmen ; and the managers were -ready to supply whatever number of copies might be needed in this way. The foreign work of the Society last year amounted to $20,000--'this year it will: be $40,000. Already we have appropriated $15,000 for Bible work •among your own Missions. Mast inviting openings are presented in Mexico, Central. America, and Chili, and all Spanish America. The war has in creased the distribution of the Word of God. Last ,year the Society distributed more copies than during the first twenty years of itsexistenee. The Bible has been precious to multitudes in our armies. _ The Society is.'now completing its revision of the Spanish Scriptures, and also of the Arabic. The latter will have access to 100,000,00 Q. The Report was then adopted, except the resolution which directed that a separate eoluiun be appropriated in our Minutes for contributions to this Society.. Closed with, prayer by Dr. Breekinridge. AFTERNOON SESSION The Assembly met, and was opened with prayer by Rev. Mr. Frazier. The following Committees on the Freed men were appointed At Philadelphia— Rev. W. P. Breed, Rev. Samuel F. Colt, and Messrs. Morris, Patterson, John Mc- Arthur, and Willard Hall. At Indianap. olis—Rev. 3. IL Nikon, Rev. S. C. Logan, and Messrs. laines M. Ray, Charles N. Todd, Thomas Mclntyre, and Jesse Williams. The repOrt on the Assembly's Board of 14188i01113 was taken up, and the resolutions recommended by the committee adopted. The Committee on Correspondence re ported as delegates to foreign bodies in correspondence with this Assembly, as fol lows : To General Assembly of Presbyterian Church, to set in Brooklyn—Rev. M. J. Hickock,'Wand Hon. Martin Ryerson, Priheips.lsolnd Rev. N. L. Rice, D.D., and J. C. Henry, Alternates. To General - Assembly United Presbyte flak Church of N. A., Rev. D. 2c. Junkin, D.D., and Hone Stanley Matthews, pals; and Rev. John M. Lowrie, and Rob ert Carter, Alternates. To the General Assembly Cumberland Presbyterian Chtirek r -Rev. N. C. Burt, D.D., Principal; Rey. I. N. Candee, D.D., Alternate. To Associate Reformed Syr4d, New- York—Rev. R. K. Rodgers, D.D., Princi pal; Rev. Alfred Nevin, D.D., Alternate. The Assembly took up the report of the Committee on the union between this body and the, other branches of the Presbyterian Church. The Report was read by Rev. T. N. Haskell, who, in a few remarks, recommended some advanced action on the part of this Assembly. As a reason for this, he said there was a warming up, a flowing together of heart; yea, a yearn ing for union on the part of the two bodies now so nearly one,,but organically divided. In view of which, he moved to amend the report 'so as to take the initiatory steps, for an organic union. Yet because of the late hour, the amendmerit was withdrawn. Dr. Elliott, from the Committee, advoca ted the adoption of the original report. At a proper time, which time he believed was coming, and musttoon be here, and upon proper basis he was in favor of retinion, but for several rumen whioh he, enumerated, the time was evidently not yet fully come. But let the thing work another year—and it seems to be working well—the people look kindly on the passing events; and ere long they will be frilly prepared. Organic union:will follow of course; and then, too, it will be mutual, and, he hoped, perma nent. Judge Bell *ail born an Old School Pres byterian, and was born again in the region of one of the exsoinded Synods, and is now, in the providence of God, a representative from the great State of lowa to this Assembly; and his experience in both branches of the Church was, that there is a growing one ness of faith and order which must soon merge the two denominations into one great united and harmonious body. 1)r. Breckinridge wished to allude to the views of the other body, as set forth on this floor by its delegate, Dr. Wilson, of this city, and which were identical with those embodied in the report before us. He therefore was in favor of the report, but not of immediate organic union. Mr. Miller, in justice to the Presbytery to which he belongs' and in which the overture which came up to this body origi nated, would say that while he, of course, preferred the action recommended in the overture, and which goes farther than the report before us contemplates, yet he goes most heartily for the report as an evidence of progress In the right direction. Dr. Candee said there was not the least doubt, from indications increasing on all hands, that a union between the two great, branches of the Presbyterian family, will ere long be consummated. There is, as has been stated here, a melting of heart, yea, a yearning of heart, to.come together; yet, there are minor matters that must be settled, on the principle of elective affinity, which will take time and prudence to ar range, before a step fanther than the one con templated in that report, can be properly taken. Dr. Schenck advocated the adoption of the report, on the ground of its similarity to the views transmitted to us from the other great bratich of our beloved Church, now holding its "session at Dayton, Ohio, and which seems to intimate that only a preparing of the way is as yet advisable, by a comparing of views—an exchange of pul pits, and a hearty prayer for, and a cotipc ration with each other, and which will—as certainly as the waves separated by a rook come together again below—result in a hearty' and organic union, as the final result. The report was then unanimously adopt ' ed, and is as follows The Committee, to whom was referred an Overture from the Presbytery of Miami, and certain resolutions of the Presbytery of Ogdensburg and Buffalo City, which relate to a reunion of the two great branches of the Presbyterian Church, submit to the General Assembly the following resolu tions, for their consideration and adoption, viz.: Resolved, 1. That this Assembly have witnessed with unalloyed satisfaction the happy influences of the correspondence in itiated by .a former Assembly between the two bodies, in promoting fraternal Chris tian affection, and thus preparing the way for a still closer union at some future day. Resolved, 2.' That in view of the pleas ing results which have already been devel oped from the plln of correspondence now in successful operation, the Assembly do not deem it expedient, at present, to pro pose any additional measure toward the consummation of the object contemplated by the Presbyteries whose action has been submitted to their consideration. Resolved, 3, That with a view still fur ther to attain and strengthen that unity of the spirit which is so essential to organic unity, the Assembly express their concur rence with the suggestions and counsels of the. Assembly of 1863, as contained in the third resolution adopted,by that body, and recommend them to the prayerful consid eration of the parties concerned. A communication at this stage having been received from the General Assembly sitting at Dayton, a further action was taken, in accordance therewithos follows: In regard to the paper referred to them since the preceding resolutions were re ported, which paper contains a deo laratien of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian church in Dayton, Ohio —being an expression - of their views on the- overture of the Lawrence Presby tery upon the reunion of the two General Assemblies of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America—your Com mittee would farther report the following Minute recommending its adoption by the Assembly, viz.: That while this assembly receive in the spirit of fraternal kindness the declaration transmitted to them, and thank their brethren for the courtesy thus promptly 'extended to them, yet having so fully expressed their views on the same general subject in the foregoing resolu tions, they deem it unnecessary to add anything further, and recommend that these resolutions, together with this Min ute, be transmitted by the Stated Clerk to the Moderator of the General Assembly in session at Dayton, Ohio. On motion of Dr. Rodgers, the following resolution was unanimously adopted, viz. :. Resaved, That the cordial thanks of this General Assembly • be, and they are hereby tendered to the citizens of Newark and its vicinity for their kind and abun bant hospitality to the members during the . sessions of this body. In response to which Mr. Wm. Rankin, Jr., in a most happy manner, replied as follows : MOderator, This occasion awakens two important emotions : one of- pleasure, that you came among us; one of sorrow and regret that the time has so nearly come for our separation. It was a matter of sur prise to some that the last Assembly desig,l nated Newark as the place of its next meeting, as we had here but- a single I church. This surprise was uncalled for, inasmuch as we have here a dozen or more Presbyterian churches (to say nothing of other denominations), whose families have extended to you - the same hospitality that they would have done to the other General. Assembly, had it met here instead of at Dayton. It was appropriate that the Gen eral Assembly should come to Newark. It had never before met within the bounds of this State. Here was the beginning of Presbyterianism in our Commonwealth, and here,it" has experienced its largest and most efficient outgrowth. One hundred and twenty years ago this very month, the first Presbyterihn missionary to the heathen was ordained and set apart to that great work in this town,- in-the person of David Brainard. Pour years later, the first Pres byterian College ,in America was estab. lished here, on the sqpure basis on which it now exists at. Princeton, and here were sent forth nearly one hundred graduates, and among them some of the most favorite of our Church and nation. During the Revolutionary struggle, the .Presbyterian minister of this town took rank with our own Witherspoon ; and on his monument, among other inscriptions to his blessed memory, is this glorious record: He was a zealous supporter of his country's rights. Our churches have, through the genera tions of the past, again and again been bathed in revival seasons. Many pastors settled over them have had a world-wide fame as leaders in your former Assemblies, and have been renowned for piety, for or thodoxy., and for pulpit power. To the incidents of our Church history we have now to add the meeting here of this General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America. If it had been our choice to designate which of all the Assemblies held during the last three quarters of a century would moat happily reiect the fame of its doings upon the name of Newark, it would be this Assembly of 1864, illustrious in all time for its dignity, its harmony, and espe cially for its important and its final deliv erance upon the inalienable rights of man. We thank you, sir, for coming there, and we now bid you an affectionate farewell. The Committee appointed to bring in a Minute expressive of the sense of the As. sembly in Judicial Case No. 5, reported the following, viz.: The Assembly does not sustain the complainant because the proceedings of the Presbytery of St. Louis in this case appear constitutional and regular, and, so far as we can perceive,_ were judicious, equitable, and for the edification of the Church. These complainants, both in their language and the necessity of their ,case, brought the whole proceedings under our review. ' The question of the dissolution of the pastoral relation between Dr. McPheeters and the Pine Street . church, was -originally brought in an orderly manner before the Presbytery, by a petition from a minority of said church, and a personal .tender of resignation by their pastor, and after all the constitutional steps had been taken, with care and deliberation, Was decided by the Presbytery, acting for the peace and welfare of that church. - That which was called an appeal and complaint to Synod against that action could not so suspend all future proceedings as to prevent the Presbytery from consider ing and acting upon the continued distract ed- state of that congregation. And when at,a subsequent meeting of that body, the subject came before them, they did almost unanimously deem it unadvisable that the late pastor should continue his ministerial labors in that congregation. Against this decision of the Presbytery, Dr. IlloPheeters and others have uttered these complaints which we do not sustain. The Assembly has patiently listened to the history of this case from the opposite points of view taken, but in their decision have strictly confined themselves to the facts on record, The resignation of the pastoral relation, - and the distracted state of the ehurch, seemed plainly to call for, the action of the Presbytery, and being upon the ground and conversant with all the circumstances and demands of the ease, they seem competent to understand and decide what that action should be. The question of the pastor's loyalty to his National Government, which seemed to be so largely a distinguishing element in the uhurch, has not been properly before the Assembly, as it was not pronounced upoin by any Presbyterial action. They judged it best for the peace and prosperity of that particular church, that the late pastor retire altogether, and cease from his public ministrations to them, and this Assembly cannot -decide otherwise; and though many of the members of the Presbytery were. absent from that meeting which so decided, this could not invalidate their proceedings, as it was a regular and lawful meeting of that body. The right and duty of that Presbytery to order whatever pertains "to the spiritual welfare of the churches under their care," and especially to heal dissensions, by seek ing to remove the occasions of them, is a distinctive and important, feature in our Presbyterian polity. And when the pas tor himself so far recognized the propriety of his withdrawal as to tender to the Pres bytery his resignation, it' was clearly com petent for that body not only to grant his request, but to order, if necessary, that he cease his ministration to that people, if they-believed that by longer continuing to serve them the dissensions would be fo mented, the strife become embittered, and the spiritual interests of that church en dangered; and when. the Presbytery did at length so interfere and direct, without pronouncing upon the rumors and side is sues which were the occasion of the strife and unhappy condition of that church, they simply undertook to control the rela tion of pastor and people, for the welfare of the °birch, without impeaching, by any expression, the moral character and minis terial standing of that pastor. They only ordered as a prudential meas ure, that the resignation which he had honestly voluntarily tendered to them, should properly and certainly be carried out by his ceasing in any way to keep up this unhappy state of things, by ceasing to minister to them as their pastor. Unanimously adopted. On motion of Rev. Mr. Miller, it was Resolved, That this Assembly hereby recommend to all the churches under its care, the observance of the first eight days of the month of January, 1865, to wit, from Sabbath, January let to the 2d Sab bath inclusive, as a season of special united prayer, in concert with other •Evangelical Christians throughout the world, for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and the coming of the - Redeemer's kingdom over the . whole earth. EVENING SESSION. The Assembly took up judicial ease No. 6, being a complaint of Rev. Dr. West against a decision of the. Synod of New- York, depriving the Session of the Second church Brooklyn„of the power of disci pline over a member immediately subject to their care, and ordering a. certificate of dismission in good and regular standing. 1. The sentence appealed from was read. 2. The reasons of complainant for his complaint. 3. The whole record and proceedings of - the inferior courts, including all the testi mony and the reasons of their decision. 4. The original parties were heard. These being—(istpr. West, who was heard until the hour of adjourpment, when, on motion it was agreed to _continue the case for one hour. (2d.) The Synod of New- York. Drs. Krebs, Campbell, and Junkin, only, of all the members, availing' them selves of the opportunity to be heard, and they only to express their utter astonish ment at the notion taken by that Synod in the case (all but Dr. Junkin having been absent at the time.) The case then coming before the house, it was, on motion, Resolved, That no remarks are needed in the case. Resolved, That the eon2plaint be, and hereby is, unanimously sustained, and - that the decision of the Synod of New-York be reversed. _ It was then moved by Dr. D. X. Junkin that this General Assembly be dissolved, and that another General Assembly be di rected to meet in the First church, Pitts burgh, on the Third Thursday in May, 1865, at 11 A. M. The hymn, "Blest be the tie that binds," was then sung, after which the Moderator led the Assembly in prayer and pronounced the benediction, and the A.ssarably ad journed. , For the Presbyterian Banner Jefferson College. MESSRS. EDlrons design in a very brief article, to call the attention of the Church to the preaent condition of Jeffer son College, and to urge upon all the ne cessity of placing it upon a much more permanent basis than that upon which it now stands. With the exception of Prince ton, there is no institution of learning in America that has furnished as many stu dents to our Seminaries as Jefferson. Ex amine the catalogue of any of our Theo logical Seminaries and at once the truth of this becomes apparent. Some of our most influential and useful ministers are of its graduates. Many of its sons have gone as missionaries to foreign lands. So that it is almost impossible to over-estimate the advantages, the Church -has reaped from it. Now, an institution that has . done so much for Presbyterianism should be well supported. The very reverse is true. There are verf few colleges so poorly en dowed as Jefferson: It has always been crippled through want of funds. And it is only the self-denying efforts of self-do- fl ying men that have made Jefferson to la . it is. Now I propos° a pidn t..-, re\ r. ~. " Alma Mater."rqz Let every graduate do all in his ? over to contribute to an endowment flni $lOO,OOO. Let the Alumni at their ae meeting appoint a member of each o i a , s to remind other members of the elaim 9 of ca, common mother. Let the ministers am oil , her graduates, urge the claims of J e ff ers , „ upon their flocks. If this plan be " rcel,,z, ally adopted, before another year the c c lege will be endowed with more than 6100,000. I make the suggestion for the l,urpir of directing attention to the subject. 4, us all do what we can. rtsigterian W)and, PITTSBURGH, WEDNESDAY, JUNE JET -; THE PITTSBURGH SANITARY FAR, This Fair was opened on Wednesday last week, with one of the largest proec,. sions ever seen in this city, and a patriotic and philanthropic address by Gov. Cu ßrel. The contributions received and the in. terest manifested exceeded all expectatior.s. During last week the different departments were crowded day and evening; and this week the attendance, if possible, has been still larger. All ages and classes seem to be animated with the proper spirit. Al. ready sales, and contributions in money, amount to over $200,000. And there is every probability that the nett proceeds will reach between $250,000 and $390,000. Thu different committees have labored most unremittingly. And the assiduous attention of the ladies having the Refectory, the Floral Department, and the different booths in charge, cannot be surpassed. The Executive Committee has been natl. ring in its efforts to make the entire enter. prise a complete success, creditable to this whole region; and also the means of af. fording relief to vast numbers of our sick and wounded soldiers, for whom the corm. try cannot do too much. It is expected that the Fair will possibly close on Saturday evening. We advise all who can do so, to visit it, and contribute, by their presence and means, to its noble object. I LEAF FROM THE SOUTH, We are indebted to the politeness of Mr. T. R. EWING, Agent of the Christian Commission at Nashville, Tenn., for a copy of the Southern Presbyterian, of April 28th, 1864, published at Columbia, S. C.; Rev,. A. A. PORTER, editor. It is printed on a half sheet of coarse, dingy paper, making a very indifferent appearance, at the rate of $5.00 a year. The printed matter would make probably ten columns of the Banner. We extract a few items that-may interest our readers. The Southern General Assembly is called to meet at Charlotte, N. C. on Thurs day, May 5, to be opened by a sermon from the previous Moderator, Rev. JAS. A. LY ON, D.D. The. Stated Clerk is Rev. Dr. JOHN N. WADDEL j the Permanent Clerk, Rev. Dr. JOS. R. WILSON, a native of Steubenville, Ohio, and formerly pastor of .Chartiers church, Washington County, Pa. The Committee on Revision of Hymn Book,.is called to meet at the Same place. It is composed of Rev. Messrs. B. 31- PALMER, (Chairman) T. V. Moon', 1. N. PRATT, THOS. SMYTH, J. B. STRATTON, JOHN LEYBURN, (formerly editor of the Presbyterian) and G. H. W. PETRIE . The receipts of the Publioation Committee, for March, were $3,003, and of the Educe. tion ComMittee $7Bl. There are six advertisements in the pa per, four of which are for female teachers, to - whom high salaries are promised. - One of the editorials states that a very deep and extensive revival has occurred among the Confederate officers confined on Johnson's Island. The Confederate Gov ernment is represented to have asked per mission from our Government, to send Southern chaplains to the island, but " the Yankee authorities, true to their character, deny us the privilege of sending a minis ter to guide these inquiring souls in the way of salvation." Whereupon the Yan- kees are denounced as " a barbarous and heartless enemy." It does not appear that a Yankee chaplain was desired. In another column the editor states that ".Gen. Forrest continues successful in his operations in West Tennessee and Ken tucky." No intimation that anything " barbarous or heartless" lad occurred un• der the leadership of that distinguished chieftain. (? ) Referring to the contest in Virginia, the editor says Let every Christian impor• tnnately intercede with Almighty God for his favor and help in this critical moment." The Presbytery of East Alabama ex• presses its approval of a proposed union between the Southern Presbyterian Church (0. S.) and the United Synod, (or New School.) On the other hand the South Carolins Presbytery vehemently protests against the proposed union. They affirm that " The glorious vindication of the doctrines of grace made by our Church in 1837 was s separation from undoubted heretics. The parties now proposed to be introduced into union with us continued in fellowship with those heretics until driven out by their legislation against the political institutions of our country. This Presbytery cannot understand how it is possible for the Uni ted Synod to have held at one and the earns time to the theology of BARNES, BE WAN and BEECHER, and to the theology of our Old School Standards." They insist upon a " formal and distinct repudiation by them of every one of the New School errors," before the union be consummated . An article entitled " The Enemy in Mis sissippi," gives a sketch of the performance of our soldiers and officers in that State, which, if at all approximating to the truth , is most discreditable. Another article, from the pen of W. R. ROBISON, Chaplain 15th Georgia Regt., contains a vigorous protest against the vices and immoralities of the Southern soldiers. The writerstatae that "The worst passigns o f our fallen na ture Seem to have usurped the arone of reason, and savage-like, the soldiers mi' blushingly`commit crimes unequalled OP, opt in the annals of Yankee wars'°' A GrtA.Dr,l2-,
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers