X 54 amtrican ptobgitviari --..A N D GENESEE EVANGELIST. THURSDAY, MAY 29, 1862. JOHN W. MEARS, it.DJOUBNICINT OF THE ASSEMBLY. CINCINNATI, May 24, 1862 BRO. MEARS :—This evening brought the final adjournment of the Assembly. This speedy adjournment exceeded all our hopes,. It is due in part to the fact that the wheels of our eccle siastical machinery are now running so smoothly, that the real occasions for debate have nearly passed away. Every great fermentation is set tled down, and every great feature of church polity has passed from gi problem into a fixed fact. We now have, nui. only the unity of pur pose as it regards final ends, which we have ever had, but we have also what it required long years of anxious labor to bring about, a unity of views respecting the means of accomplishment. Thus the occasion for protracted sessions has passed. In addition to thin, the fact could not escape our notice, that the number of talking men was unusually small; that there were so few young aspiants for'oratorical honors, and that so little was said by those, young and old, from whom more in that line was naturally expected. Dr. Boman seldom spoke—never more than two minutes; Dr. Duffield, on two or three occasions, left the chair for a brief deliverance. Dr. Dick inson, Dr. Parker, Dr. Shaw, and others who could be named, whose claim to be heard is beyond all question, scarcely transcended a sug gestion or a motion; and the few speeches that were made were, in general, short and luminous, not needing to be supplemented, and provoking no reply. Prom first to last, the Assembly was harmonious on every important measure, and it was a working session; what, then, should pre vent its being short My last notice of its main points of interest brought you up to yesterday (Friday) noon. I find that I was mistaken respecting the disposi tion made of the Bible Society question in the report of the Committee on Systematic Benevo lence: Its was given its.place for general com mendation with other voluntary societies, lea*. ing our four denominational enterprises the kading objects. The queitions on which instruction was so licited by the Permanent Publication Committee were referred to a select committee, to report to the next Assembly. The other important re ports, together with the usual mass of smaller affairs which always throng around the closing hours, were deliberately disposed of to-day. I must, as usual, refer you to the reports in the dailies for the particulars, for although the As sembly closed without haste, I cannot, at this late evening hour, and without the expectation of another moment for writing before leaving the city, do the same. The usual resolutions of thanks were offered by Dr. Parker. The response was made by Dr. Thompson. It was characteristic, and all who know him know that this means much. The parting address came, of course, from the Mode rator. It was, as every one expected it would be, tender and solemn. It was also deeply seasoned with that ever present"element which came out more or less strong in every report presented dur ing the sessions, and in many of the business dis missions/. and which ran, a broad river of feeling, through all its hours of devotion—patriotism. These closing complimentary proceedings al ways come forth, as a matter of course, at the dissolution of a General Assembly, and there is much sameness in them. But they are anything but a form. A few days of genial and; holy in tercourse, talking, praying, and acting together for the dear Church of Christ, for whom onr tears fan, and our prayers ascend, and to whom " Our toils and cares are given, Till toils and cares shall end," brought now to the hour of a separation which, in most eases, is expected to continue. until we are gathered into the General Assembly in Heaven—all this forbids. the*ossibility of going through these•olosing forms as a mere formality. Only those who have passed through these scenes so often that they feel that not many more of them await their future earthly expe rience, can know what thoughts Jill the heart when, in such an hour, the parting hand is clasped and the farewell is spoken. From our 0. S. brethren at Columbus, the re ports of this morning are good, very good. The high-toned patriotic paper of Dr. Breckenridge is likly to go through, not unanimously as such things do with us, but with' such a majority as will convince blank treason that its last' game with northern christianity—that of "no politics in the church"—is played out. From last evening's report, it seems almost certain that that Assembly is going to spring up on us that other pleaiant surprise of which I have before spoken—proposal for fraternal cor respondence. The only question which seemed to remain was, whether a delegate should be at once appointed, or whether the thing should first be proposed to us.. This is doubtless the first fruit of the recent agitation of the subject of re union, and it accomplishes just enough to be, first an earnest of the organic union that will come in proper time, and secondly, to make us all batter satisfied to await God's own methods and time for bringing it about. GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE FRESBYTE- MAN OHITEOH. FOURTH DAY. Met at nine o'clock, opening with prayer. An hour was spent in worship. The roll of the As sembly was then distributed to the members. Dr. Thompson then announced that he thought great good to the spiritual welfare of the sick and wounded soldiers might be accomplished, if two or three of the members of the Assembly would visit each hospital every morning. He stated that the soldiers were always willing and glad to receive advice upon the welfare of their souls. He also, on behalf of the Managers of the eincionati Orphan Asylum, located on Mount Auburn, extended to the Assembly a cordial invitation to visit that institution at any time which may suit its convenience. The final settlement of accounts with the MN age Committee, was deferred until Tuesday. The first order of the day, the report of the Com. 'tattoo on Foreign Missions, was also laid over till Tuesday. Editor. TRIRD. MONDAY, May 19 The special Committee who were appointed to examine the accounts of the Treasurer; Anthony P. Halsey, submitted the following through Jadge Spencer, Chairman Resolved, That the accounts of Anthony P. Halsey, Treasurer of the Assembly for the last year, be accepted as correct. The same was adopted, and ordered to be printed in the minutes. The following special Committees were then appointed by the Moderator Committee to nominate delegates to corres ponding bodies—Jonathan B. Hubbard, Samuel W. Crittenden and Andrew Luce, ministers. Committee to nominate a Preacher on Home Missions—Henry N. Willard, R. H. Leonard and N. Kellogg, ministers. Committee on the subject of a day of prayer for the conversion of the world, and. a week of prayer—B. B. Beckwith and W. H. Smith, ministers. The report of the Committees on Records of Synods was made the second order for Thursday morning's session. The l'eport of the special Committee on Syste matic Benevolence was postponed. It was moved that the reports of the Com mittee on Infant Baptism and Provision for Dis abled Ministers be read. The Committee not being then able to report, the subjects were postponed. Closed with prayer, and' adjourned until 3 o'clock, P. M. AFTERNOON SESSION. Met at 3 o'clock, with a very good attendance. Opened with prayer by the Moderator. The minutes of the morning session having been read and approved, the Tenth Annual Report of the Presbyterian Publication Committee was pre sented. During the past year, (to May 1, 1862), twenty-three works have been added to the com mittee's list of publications, the majority of which were for the use of Sabbath Schools. The sales have amounted to 03,170 98, and grants of books and tracts to the amount of $936 64 have been made by the committee. If this be added to the sales, it will give a total of $14,- 107 63. Of the receipts of the year, $9,296 were for books sold, and $5,158 by donations—a sum smaller, by nearly $3,000, than that received the preceding year. The committee desire the co-operation of their brethren, especially of pastors and elders, in the circulation Of their publications. Much can be done by calling the attention of congregations-or individuals pointedly to the fact than such an organization as this is in existence. If it be said that the books and tracts are not accessible, we would suggest that frequent calls upon the book seller of any town for our publications, would be the surest way to induce him to purchase and keep them. In the absence of such a demand, he will not be likely to order them. It is im possible for the committee to send" out books to be sold-on commission. They have not capital to scatter for this purpose. Every pastor should. be provided by his people with a moderate sum to be used by him in the parehase of books and tracts, for use (as loans or 'gifts) in his pastoral work. The Business Committee cannot but ,say to the Assembly that, without expresi instruction so to do, they would be very loth to continue the management of this business trust in the absence of an endoirment for its operations. Hitherto, owing to the very limited sums contri buted by the church at large, it has been only by special efforts among the friends of the As sembly in Philadelphia, that the cause has been enabled to go forward at all. That an endow ment suitable to the magnitude and the impor tance of the enterprise should be afforded it, is unquestionable. Whether it can, at the present time, be attained, is for the Assembly to decide. Nathaniel D. Graves, from the Presbyterian and Congregational Convention of Wisconsin, being present, made, by request of the Assem bly, some interesting statements relative to the growth of the denomination in Wisconsin. He said that in 1839 there were but three churches in the State and six pastors. Since that time, however, one hundred- and seventy-nine have been added, all of whiph are, at the present time, in a most prosperous conditions The present population of Wisconsin is 775,600; the number of church members, 10,145; and the average number of members to each church is 51 In general remarks he represented that religious influences are felt throughout the State. which is not the case in most of the Western States, where the'worship of God is confined mostly to town and villages, and their immediate vicinity. " Wisconsin in religion compares favorably with the New England States, the population being Puritan in element, with their Yankeeism en larged." - The Moderator then returned thanks to the' brother from Wisconsin for the interesting infor mation presented by him. The Committee on the Polity of the Church reported overture No. 1, being a request of the Synod of Missouri for the appointment of a time and place for the next meeting ; as in consequence of file distracted state of the country, they failed tolfecure a meeting last year; and they recom mended that the Synod of Missouri meet at Olathe, Kansas, on the second Thursda - y of Oc tober, 1862, at 12 o'clock, P. M., to be opened by a sermon by the last Moderator, or, in case of his absence, by the oldest minister present. The recommendation was adopted; also overture No. 2, being a request from the Synods of Indiana and Wabash for the transfer of the church of Rockville to the Presbytery of Crawfordsville, and of the church of Bainbridge to the Presby tery of Green Castle. As the church of Bain bridge has signified by memorial to the Assem bly their desire'for the transfer, and as nothing has been heard from the church of Rockville, the committee recommended that the request be granted,' on condition that the church of Rock- I vile consent to the transfer, and give informa tion of the fact to the Synod of Indiana at their next annual meeting. The recommendation was adopted. On motion, the report of the Special Commit tee, who are to prepare resolutions expressive of the Assembly's views on the "State of the Coun try," was made the second order for Thursday morning. The Rev. A. W. Cowles, D. D., President of the Elmira (New York) Female College, gave a general description of the operations of that in stitution. It was founded five years ago, at a cost of $60,000, on the plan of the Mount Holy oke (Mass.) College. A short time ago the sum: of $25,t 0) was presented to it by Mr. Simeon Benjamin, on condition that the Trustees should intriran frtobtittian and vrtitt,ote (trrangtlifit hereafter be appointed by the Synod (Presby terian) of Geneva. No other business being presented, closed with prayer, and adjourned until 7f o'clock, P. M. DR. SMITH'S SERMON ON HOME MISSIONS. In the evening the annual sermon on Home Missions was delivered to a large and interested audience by Rev. Asa D. Smith, D. D., of New York. • The text was Rom. xv. 1, "We then that are strong Tight to hear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves." FIFTH DAY An hour having been spent in worship, the Moderator announced that business was in order; whereupon the minutes were read and approved• A communication from Rev. George Leon Walker, a delegate from the General Conference of, Maine to the General Assembly, as also a similar communication from Rev. C. E. Ferrill, a delegate from the General Assembly of Ver mont, were read and ordered to be filed. The Assembly listened to a report from the Rev. B. Graves, a delegate from this body to the General Conference of Maine. The-Assembly's Committee on Foreign Mis sions, throUgh Walter S. Griffith, Esq., of New York; presented an elaborate report of the work of missions during the year, together with a general retrospect. This is the FoUrth Annual Report, and in presenting it, the committee has to regret that on account of, the great troubles that are distressing the country, there was but little manifestation on the part of the churches, of energy in the cause. During the year half of the churches made no contributions whatever. The ministers engaged in the , great cause of foreign missionary labor number 54, out of 1358 ministers of the denomination of this country. Their work is conducted with the same zeal and fidelity that have ever characterized them. They are scattered throughout Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe, the Sandwich Islands and North Ame rica, as follows : Western Africa, 3; South Africa, 3; Western Turkey, 5; Eastern Turkey, 3; Central Turkey, 3; Syria, 6; Ne.storians, 4; Southern Asia— Ceylon, 2; Mahratta, 2 ; Madura, 6 ; Eastern Asia—Canton, 2; Fut' Chau, 3; Sandiich Islands, 5; in North America—Dacotalt In dians, 1; Senecas, 1; Ojibbewas, 1.. Eight now in of these Foreign Missionaries are now in this country., Fifteen of the twenty-two Synods and twenty seven of the 105 Presbyteries are represented in foreign fields, viz. : Synod of New York and New Jersey has 21 missionaries ; Utica, 2 ; Onondaga, 4 ; Geneva, 3; Genese.e, 4; Western Reserve, 5; Ohio, 1; Cineinnati,fi (all of whom belong also to the Presbytery of Cincinnati) ; Wabash, I ; Indiana, 1; Pennsylvania, 1; Illinois, 2 ; Peoria, 2 ; Michigan, l; Minnesota 1. In connection with the subject proper of their report, the Committee stated that the number of Presbyterian (N. S.) chaplains in the army is larger, in proportion to the numbers in the church, than that of any other denomination. The following are the numbers Methodist, 224; Presbyterians (N. S.), 94; Congregational, 57; Episcopal, 66; Baptist, 43; Presbyterian (O. S.), 24; Unitarian, 24 ; Catho lic, 22; not known, 8. Total, 472. In view of the falling off of contributions, and apparently of interest in the missionary work, the committee submitted au ably digested plan for the collection of funds, and urged upon the Assembly the necessity of putting it, or some good system, in force. A memorial from the Presbytery of iDetroit, on the subject of originating an evangelical mis sion in Mexico and Central America, was read and placed in the •hands of the Committee on Foreign Missions, for their consideration. The Committee on Systematic Benevolence submitted a report, presenting, as the principal objects of the benevolence of the church, foreign missions, home missions, education for the ministry, publications, and the American Bible Society., The report was referred to a special committee of three, consisting of David Torrey, Thomas A. Weed and A. J. Westervelt, for con sideration and report. Closed with prayer, and stood adjourned until 3 o'clock, P. M. AFTERNOON SESSION. Opened with prayer by the Moderator The committee to whom was entrusted the subject of nominating a Preacher on Home Mis sions for the next General Assembly, reported the names of Rev Z. M. Humphrey, of Chicago, principal, and Rex, Geo. C. C artis, of Chemung, alternate. On motion, a -fesolution was adopted to the effect that some plan should be adopted by which the fiscal and statistical reports of Sabbath schools could be embraced, through Presbyteries, in the annual reports of the Assembly. The matter was referred to a special" committee, whose duty it shall be to report and make recommendations to the Assembly on Saturday next. The committee to whom was referred the designation of days for fasting and prayer, re ported the same days as heretofore, viz :—The first Monday of January, for the conversion of the world, and the last Thursday in February, for students in colleges and seminaries. In addition to these days, the committee re commended the, observance of the second week of January, including the first and secand Sab baths, to be observed as a week of fasting and prayer. The report-was adopted. Dr. Thompson presented the following, which was unanimously adopted : Resolved, That we have listened with interest to the statements made by the Rev. C. P. Bush, in behalf of the Americat Prat society, of Bos ton, with special reference to the large amount of work accomplished by that society in furnishing religious reading to our soldiers, and that we cheerfully commend this work to the- considers Lion of the churches, as most important and timely, not only in its influence upon our brave troops exposed to peril and death, but also, through them, upon the welfare and perpetuity of our beloved country. The following was also presented Resolved, That the ministers who attend the General Assembly to discharge duties assigned them by the Assembly, have their expenses de frayed, the same as Commissioners. The Standing• Committee on Church Exten sion made a report on the Annual Report of the Trustees of the Fund, saying that they could not too highly praise the zeal and fidelity of tho: • gentlemen: They recommended that the Com mitte.: on Church Extension be discharged, and TUESDAY, May N. that two committees, tc be called the Committees on Church Erection and Home Missions, dis charge its duties. The committee advised the Assembly to appoint more missionaries:to the Pacific Stites. The field there is a large one, and but little cultivated, as yet. Considerable discussion ensued on the report, and it 'was finally laid ,on the table. Adjourned to meet ou Thursday morning. SIXTH DAY. WEDNESDAY, May 21 According to previous arrangements, the As sembly visited - Oxford and participated in the dedicatory services of the Oxford Female Semi nary. Excellent addresses were delivered by Rev. Henry M. Field, editor of the ~New York Evangelist, by Rev. F. S. McCabe, of Peru, In diana, and by Rev. 'JeerParker, D. D. The Assembly were cordially entertained, and carried free. over the Qineinnati, Hamilton and Dayton Railroad; they returned in the evening, much delighted, and having met with not a sin gle untoward circumstance. SEVEDiTII DAY.. I . TUESDAY, May 22 MORNING- SESSION. An hour was spent in devotional exercises. At half-past nine the assembly proceeded to busi ness. The minutes, having been read and ap proved, the Commit*aa-Nominations of Dele gates to other bodfes made their report, which was unanimously adopted, as follows : DELEGATES To the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterlin Church—Francis S. McCabe, of Logansport, and Charles EL Foote, of Wabash, alternate. To the General Synod of the Reformed Pres byterian Church of North America—Wm. Ster ling; of Harrisburg, and Wm. C. Clark, of Trum ball, alternate. To the General Synod of the Evangelical Lu theran Church of the United States—B. B. Hotehkin, of Philadelphia. and Wm. Aikman, of Wilmington,, alternate.: To the Synod of, the German Reformed Church of the United StatesL.--Joel Parker, D.D., of New York, and Joseph Vance, of Erie, alter nate. To the General AssOciation of Massachusetts —A. B. Lambert, of Troy, and S. W. Brace, of Utica, alternate. To the General As cation of Connecticut— Jas. W. McLane, of Brooklyn, and D. M. Seward, of New York, alternate. To the General Association of New Hamp shire—Sarni. Loonii4, of Catskill, and Stephen Bush, of Albany, alternate. To the General Catierence of Maine—Or. B. Condit, of Cayuga, and Wm. A Booth, of New York, alternate. To the General Convention of Vermont—Pe ter Snyder, of Watertown, and T. M. Hopkins, of Geneva, alternate.--; To the Presbyterian and Congregational Con .veution of Wisconsin 7 -Z. M. Hum phre, of Chi cago, and A. T. Norton, - of Alton, alternate. To the Union of the Evangelical Churches of France—Rev. M. Sat./tell. To the Synod of the: Free Presbyterian Church of the United States-- s it-D. How, of Cincinnati, and S. G. Speer. The Committee on Bills and Overtures report ed that they had receii>ed four overtures from Presbyteries of the Old'Sehool(?) Church relative to the reunion of the %hoots. The - conitnittee then Vitbinitted the resolutions which follow. The report-of the committee was accepted; but further .action upon it was post poned. THE RESO.LITTIONS. Resolved, firstly, That the temper of these overtures meets the hearty approval of the As sembly, entirely aocoidant as it is with that spirit of brotherly affection toward other de= nominations, and of cO:optration in matters of common incest, which has marked our whole history. 4 . Resolved, secondly, 1 at while we have ever regretted the acts oft , ~ deeming them at va riance alike with the cotistitution of our church and' the word of God, we have never cherished any unkind or exacting spirit, as has been evinced in various ways, particularly in the proposition made by us some years, since, to meet together with our brethren of the other Assembly, around the table of our common Itord. Resolved, thirdly, That it would , give us plea sure to unite in closeit fellowship with all persons who can stand with us on the basis of our confes sion of faith and book of discipline, and who sub stantially agree with us on the great moral ques tions of the day, especially in the matter of loyalty to the Government, and in the views of . slavery, set forth prior to the division, in 1818. Resolved, fourthly, Thilt while we bear in mind the prayer of our Lord that his disciples may be one, and while we can see some special advan tages to be derived from' a reunion of the two branches of the Presbyterian Church, we do not pereeive - that beyond previous declarations of our t. views; anything remain," ,9r us at the , present but to await humbly and tea ably the movemenfe of Divine Provide'nce.--- PUBLICATIONS. The Rev. Dr. McLane, from the Committee to whom was referred the Report of the Perma nent Committee on Publication, reported That the condition of the Publication cause is one which demands the*ost-earnestand serious attention of the. Assembly. Those to whose ma nagement this great intelest is committed are un willing to continue in th work unless some pro vision, adequate to the importance of-the enter prise, is made. Nor is itstrange that they should state clearly and definitely to the churches what its purpose and its pot/tyre in carrying forward this work, and the reasons which call for its vi gorous prosecution. The churches must see the necessity of sustaining the enterprise before they will gird themselves for the work. The report then reviews the history of the Publication cause, from its inception in 1852 in the present time, showing that it was originally intended mainly for the issue of " such tracts as would ,clearly and dist:in.:llly exhibit our pecan arities of doctrine, government and missionary policy ;" and that in 1857 the scope of the en terprise was enlarged so is to include the publi cation of "such works of 'an evangelical charaC ter as maybeyrofitahle to the church at large." The report maintains that light is needed by the churches upon the desirableness of this en largement of the functions . of the committee.'• If the Assembly commends to the patronage of the churches voluntary societies doing this very work, they will not =fait our committee in doing what is already done for them by others. The report judged that the churches were willing to support an agency for the publication of tracts and books on the peculiar doctrines of the de nomination, 'but doubted their willingness to support a general religious publication enterprise without more light and conviction than they now possess. The report next discusses the importance of uniformity in the house of God. It takes strong ground for the universal adoption of the book adopted, purchased and owned by the Assembly, " The Church. Psalmist," and against the intro duction, by irresponsible parties, of books unau thorised by the Assembly. After a tribiite of thanks to the gentlemen in Philadelphia, who have given so much time, labor and money to this cause, the report closes with the following resolutions Ist. That this Assembly take up• and consider the whole subject of the publication cause, and settle definitely and clearly its course of action for the future, and give to the churches the rea sons for that action. 2d. That the Assembly recommend to the Committee of Publication to use all possible means to secure the introduction of the Church Psalmist into all the churches. The discussion of the.report was mado the second order for Friday. — The next business iw order was the report . on "Hama Missions," which recommends that the Assembly raise raise the amount of $76,000, to enable it to commission three hundred mission aries and appoint exploring missionaries, whose field of labor shall be in the United States, par ticularly in the far West. The discussion of this topic being in order, Rev. Hiram H. Kellogg, of Bloomington, 111., arose and stated that his Presbytery sent him here to aid the great cause of Home Missions, and he intended to do so to the extent of his abi lity. The work of evangelizing the land is well worth our time, money and labor. If we place before our churches a good plan for this work, the funds to carry , out that plan will be forth coming. The time has come for us to occupy, with genuine spirit, the large field our Lord has given us." The venerable moderator, George Duffield, D. D., then called a substitute to the chair and took the floor. He felt an intense interest, the sub ject being considered, and the - venerable brother who . had just spoken (Mr. Kellogg) had ex pressed his own sentiments, long entertained. He, too, thought that the church would respond cheerfully and, with alacrity to the call for the necessary amount. All that is wanting is to pre sent the subject in a tangible shape, and there is piety enough.to respond to this call of the bless ed Redeemer. The Assembly will gain nothing by conducting this enterprise on commercial principles, which are strictly selfish. The ope• rations of the church should be conducted on principles of love. " Let us not love in word, but in deed and truth." Rev. Laurentine Hamilton, who is from San Jose, California, the centre of that vast field of the Pacific States which calls so loudly for Mis sionary aid, followed Dr. Duffield.. In an earnest and able manner he made to the assembly on behalf of the starving souls of that region, an 'appeal for their aid. He, demanded it, too, as their right. He spoke of the large number of ettled farmers, living on their farms and intend ing to die there, who are never permitted to .hear the. Word of Go& expounded. Then, referring to the mining population, who in vast nuntbers are to be found= there; the speaker dwelt upon the their miserable condition regarding the state of their souls. With them iniquity is active and outspoken, for there is no motive for conceal ment. Skepticism is most alarmingly prevalent. Out of all the adult population not one in twenty five is ever to be seen in a church. Mr. Hamil ton said that in California where nature con ducts things on the most gigantic scale, religion should correspond. He closed his address by again appealing for missionaries in the Pacific States. Several gentlemen then followed, advocating the proposed measure, which, upon the vote being taken, was adopted. The reports of the Committees on Education and Milage were Nreceived, and the former was made the third order of the day for to-morrow morning Closed with prayer and adjourned AFTERNOON SESSION. The reading of the minutes having been dis pensed with, the following resolutions, presented by the Special Committee on the State of the Country; through the Rev. Dr. Beman of Troy, together with the accompanying communication to the President of the United States, were read and passed by a vote entirely unanimous. WHEREAS, This General Assembly is called, in the providence of God, to hold its delibera tions at a time when a wicked and a fearful rebellion threatened to distroy the fair fabric of our Government, to lay waste our beloved country, and to blight and ruin, so far as the present life is concerned, all that is dear to us as Christians ; ; and, WHEREAS, As a branch of the Christian" Church, Presbyterians have ever been found loyal and the friends "of good order, believing, as they do, that civil government is ordained of God; that the magistrate is the minister of God for good; that he " beareth not the sword in vain," and they are, therefore, subject to this ordinance of God, " not only for wrath," or under the influence of fear " but also for con science sake," or under the influence of moral and Christian principle; and, nereas, The particular church whose repre sentatives we are, and in whose behalf we are now and here called to act, have inscribed on our banner " TER CONSTITUTIONAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH," having never favored Secession or nullification, either in Church or State, deem it quite becoming and proper in us to express our selves with great ehristian sincerity and frank ness on those matters which now agitate our country. Resolved, First--•Tlat we deem the Govern ment of these United States the most benign that has ever blessed our imperfect world, and should it be destroyed, after its brief career of good, another such, in the ordinary course of human events, can hardly be anticipated for a long time to come, and for these reasons we re vere and love it as one of the great sources of hope under God for a lost world, and it is doubly dear to our hearts because it was procured and established.by the toil, sacrifice and blood of, our fathers. Resolved, Second- - That rebellion against such a Government as ours, and especially by tb,ose who ,have ever enjoyed their full share of its pro tection, honors, rich blessings of every name, can have no excuse or palliation, and can be inspired by no other motives than those of ambition and avarice, and can find no parallel, except in the first two, great rebellions—that which assailed the'.Chrone of Heaven directly, and that which peopled our world with miserable apostates. Resolved, Third—That whatever diversity of -sentiment may exist among us respecting inter national wars or the appeal to the sword for the settlement of points of honor or interest betiveen independent nations, we are all of one mind on the subject of rebellion, and especially against the best Government which God has yet "given to the world; that our vast army now in the field is to be looked upon as a great police force, organized to carry into effect, the Consti tution and laws, which insurgents, in common with other citizens, have ordained by their own voluntary acts, and which they are bound, by honor, and oath, and conscience, to respect and obey, so that the strictest advocates of peace may bear a part in this deadly struggle for the life of the Government. Resolved, Fourth=That while we have been utterly shocked at the deep depravity of the men who have framed and matured this rebellion, and who are now clad in arms, manifested in words and deeds, there is another class found in the loyal States who- have excited a still aeeper Loathing, some in Congress, some in high civil life, and some in the the ordinary walks of busi ness, who never utter a manly thought of opinion in favor of the Government; but they follow it, by way of comment, by two or three smooth apologies for Southern insurrectionists, present ing the difference between an open and avowed enemy in the field and a secret and insidious foe in the bosom of our own family. Resolved, Fifth—That, in our opinion, this whole insurrectionary movement can be traced to one primordial root, and.one only, African Slavery ; the love of it, and a determination -to make it perpetual; and while we look upon this war as having one grand end in view, the restoration of the Union, by crushing out the last living and Manifested fibre of rebellion, we hold that every thing, the institution of Slavery, if need be, must be made to bend to this great purpose, and while, under the influence of humanity and Christian benevolence, we may commiserate the condition of the ruined rebels, once in fraternity with ourselves, but now—should the case occur— despoiler of all that makes the world dear to them, we must be, at the same time, constrained to feel that the retribution has been self-inflicted, and must add—Rat justitia mat ccetum. Resolied, Sixth—That we have great eon& _ 1 dente in Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, and his Cabinet, and in the com manders of our armies and our navy, and the valiant men of this republic, prosecuting a holy warfare under their banners; and while-we bless God that he has stood by them and cheered them on in what we trust will ever stand as the darkest days of our country's humiliation, and crowned them with many signal victories. Knowing that Ultimate success is with God alone, we will ever pray that the last sad note of anarchy and mis rule may soon die away, and the old flag of our country, radiant with stripes and brilliant with -stars, may again wave over a great, undivided and happy people. -- Resolved, Seventh—That we here, in deep' humility for our sins and the sins of the nation, and in heartfelt devotion, lay ourselves with all we are and have on the altar of God and = our country, and we hesitate not to pledge the churches and. Christian people under our care as ready to join with us in the same fervent sym pathies and united prayers that our Rulers in the Cabinet, and our commanders in the field and on the waters, and the brave men under their leadership, may take courage, under vthe assurance the PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH of the UNITED STATES are• with them, in heart and hand—in life and effort—in this fearful existing conflict. Resolved, Finally—That a copy`of these reso lutions, signed by the officers of the General As sembly, be forwarded to his Excellency, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, accom panied by the following respectful letter : To the President of the United States : The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, holding its annual session in the city of Cincinnati, Ohio, in transmitting the following resolutions, beg leave most respectfully to ex press in a more personal manner the sentiments of our church in reference to yourself and the great issues with which you are called to deal. It is with no desire to bring a mere tribute of flattery,-when we assure you, honored Sir, of the, affection and confidence of our church. Since the day of your inauguration, the thou sands of our membership have followed you with unceasing prayer, beseeching the Throne of Heaven on your behalf. In our great church courts; in our lesser judicatories, in our weekly assemblages, in the house of God; at our family altars, in the inner place of prayer, you have been the burden of our petitions; and when we look at the history of your Administration hitherto, and at the ,wonderful way in which this people have been led under your guidance, we glorify. God on your behalf. We give praise not to man, but to God. In your firmness, your in tegrity challenging the admiration of even our enemies, your mederation, your wisdom, the timeliness of your acts exhibited at critical junc tures, your paternal words, so eminently fitting the chosen head of a great people, we recognize the hand - and power of God. We devoutly and humbly accept it, as from Him, in answer to the innumerable prayers that have gone up from our hearts. We desire, as a church, to express to you our reverence, our love, our deep sym pathy with you in, the greatness of your trust, the depth of your personal bereavements, and to pledge to, you, as in all the future, our perpetual remembrance of you before God, and all the support that loyal hearts can offer. We have given our sonsto the army and navy. Some of par ministers and many of our church members have died in hospital and field. We are glad that we have given them, and we exult in , that they were true to death. We gladly pledge as many mire as the cause of our country may demand. We believe that there is but one path before this people—this gigantic and inexpressibly wicked re bellion must be destroyed—the interests of hu manity, the cause of God and his church demand it at our hands. May God give to you his great support, preserve you, impart to you more than human wisdom, and,permit, you, ere long, to re joice in the deliverance of our beloved country' in peace and unity. [Signed,] GEORGE DUFPLETZ, D.D. Moderator. EDWIN F. HATFIELD L D.D., Stated Clk WM. STERLING, Per. Clerk, pro tern. WILLIAM H. BROWN, Temp. Clerks FRANK F. ELLINWOOD, Dr. Thompsan presented an invitation fr om the gentleman in charge of the Observatory, re . questing the Assembly to visit that institutio n some evening before their departure . . _A series of resolutions complimenting the energetic Sanitary Commission upon the zeal an d efficiency with which they have conducted their labors for the good of the soldiers were then passed. Closed with prayer, and adjourned to meet this morning at 8/ o'clock. EIGHTH DAY. FRIDAY, May 23 MORNING SESSION. The Rev. George Constantine, a native Greek and resident of Athens, being present, made some fine remarks relative to the missionary cause in Greece. The Assembly then heard the minutes read, and approved them. The Committee on Leave of Absence reported the names of those to whore they bad granted leave of absence. Report ac cepted. On motion, the invitation from Prof. Davis to visit the Cincinnati Observatory, was accepted. The thanks of the Assembly were re returned and Saturday evening was fixed upon as the most proper time for the visit. The report of the Committee on Systematic Benevolence was read and accepted. Further action upon it, however, was -postponed. The reports of the several Committees on Synodical Records were received. The second order of the morning session, the report of the Committee on Publications, was then taken up, and a motion was made to adopt the following recommendations presented by them: Ist: That the Assembly take up and consider the whole subject of the Publication cause, and settle cl3arly and definitely its course of action for the future, and give to the churches the rea sons for that course. 2d. That the Assembly recommend to the Com mittee on Publication td use ill possible means to secure the introduction of the Church Psalmist into all the churches. , A long and tedious discussion upon these re solutions followed, and the matter was finally postporied until the afternoon session. Dr. Thompson presented a communication from W. S. Groesbeck and lady, requesting the plea sure of their company at his residence, on Satur day evening. Accepted. Dr. Thompson then read the list of appoint ments of members to preach at the different churches to-morrow. Closed with prayer, and stood adjourned until three o'clock, P. M. AFTERNOON SESSION. The business of the afternoon session was com menced by a short prayer from the Moderator. _The minutes of the morning meeting were read and approved, when the consideration of the re port of the Publication Committee was resumed, commencing with the first clause of the order decided on in the morning. Mr. Geo. W. Tew, of Buffalo, spoke at consid erable length, advocating the dismissal of the Committee, and stating that advantageous offers had been made by several eminent publishers, to the effect that they would liublish, at their own risk, any books, pamphlets, or other literary pro ductions, that the General Assembly would en dorse. He then went on to prove that, as the present system of this branch was conducted, to sell works of the. association to the amount of $9,000, and to give away their publications to the amount of $9OO, it cost the General Assem bly $4,400. He thought the same good might be accomplished in a more economical way by employing publishers; and, further, that by selling their works, they reduced this branch of the business of the society to a purely mercan tile operation. S. C. Perkins, Esq., of Philadelphia, in an swer to the last named gentleman, said that the operations of the committee had been spoken of as a purely mercantile business . ; but he did not regard it as such; and, moreover, he thought that if any society or body of men entered into a mercantile business for the purpose of pushing forward the kingdom of Christ, they had a per fect right to do so. He then went on to show several reasons why it was not expedient to transact the business of the Publication Committee by means of publish ing houses, when, on motion, it was resolved that the' further consideration of the subject be refer red to a committee of seven, said committee being required to report at the next meeting of the General Assembly. Rev. John W. Dulles made inquiry as to what would be the course of the Committee on Publi cation during the present year. The Moderator said that the question would be answered before the Assembly was finally dismissed. On motion it was Resolved, That the second clause of the mo tion of the morning should be struck out, and the following substituted : WHEREAS, The Publication Coratnitee have purchased the right, at considerable expense, of printing and issuing the " Church Psalmist," and the compiler of the book having given his right in the same to the General Assembly, on condition that they allow, him a moderate copy right for ten. years, only - four of which have al ready expired; and WHEREAS, These measures were adopted for the double purpose of furnishing our Churches with a more perfect collection of psalms and hymns than are else to be found in use, and of forming a bond of union among them ; therefore Resolved, That the General Assemblyhereby enjoin upon the several Presbyteries under their care, to institute at their next stated meeting an inquiry on the subject of psalmody, in order to ascertain what churches use our own book, and what churches use other books not authorized by any act of the General Assembly, and not an swering to the descriptions stated in our digest. Resolved, That each "Presbytery is hereby en joined to call the attention of the several sessions under its care, to the desirableness and import ance of securing a uniform system of psalmody by adopting our own book, and that they take such measures as may be deemed expedient to secure this object, and thus strengthen the bonds of union among our churches, and secure a con siderable fund to the Assembly. It vas moved and adopted that the word cc re qnire" be substituted for " enjoin" in the above resolution. On the application:of the Judicial Committee, that body was 'discharged from further duty, there being no business for them to transact. The report of the committee appointed to draw up a statement of the state of religion throughout all the churches of the Association, was read, adopted, and on motion it was resolved that said report should be published. In answer to several , inquiries, it was stated that the committee on mileag,e would be in at tendance after each adjournment of the meetings of the Assembly, Prayer was then offered by the Moderator, and the Assembly adjourned until 8.30 A. N. to-day. MAY 29,
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