the chnnnel through which He operates, is the word
of God and its living teacher, deeply imbued with
its solemn and affecting truths. The loving pious
heart of the faithful praying teacher, is not to be
confined within her machinery of forms any more
than is the Spirit of God Himself, who lives and
breathes in him,
'Hence it is not at all surprising that the Sunday
School Library, so important an appendage and aux
iliary of the system, but so often containing injudi
cious, unsuitable, and even injurious books, should
usurp the place of the Bible, become the great at
traction to, the children, and actually create a dis
taste for the serious reading and study of the Scrip
tures. A very large portion of the Sunday School
literature of the day is novelistic, of fictitious cha- ,
racter, fabulous biography, and posititely injurious,
tending to create skepticism, because of beau ideals
of piety, never actually met with in the ordinary
walks of life. Widely, too, has the Sunday School
usurped the place of the public preaching of the
word on Sabbath afternoons by appropriating it for
its exclusive accommodation. Thus, unintentionally,
but indirectly, it has sanctioned and facilitated the
tendency of the day to substitute for the sentiments
and habits of our fathers those that will demoralize
us, Our fathers regarded the Lord's day, not as a
day of pastime, but as a sacred day, wholly to be de
voted to God's worship. The foreign population
with which the infidel atheistic revolutions of 1848,
in the continental nations of Europe, have almost in
undated our large cities, have brought with them the
sentiments and customs there prevalent in relation
to the Sabbath.. Already do they here make war
upon its religious observance, and openly denounce
all protection of it by law as a trespass on their li
berty, demanding that it be made merely a day of so
cial and festive recreation. No careful observer of
the times can fail to see that the Sabbath, notwith
standing the noble efforts of a few, is fast losing its
hold upon the hearts and consciences, even of a large
portion of oar churches, which have substituted a
night service for public worship in the afternoon. It
is an historical fact of deep significance, that, in the
days of the noble army of 1•Ton-Conformists, of Eng
land, to whose firmness and fidelity we, as a free peo
ple, are mainly indebted, under God, for some of our
most valuable ideas of civil and religious freedom,
in this very way the despotic authority, a tyiannous
Church and State, the enemy of vital godliness,
sought to break down puritanical influence and teach
ings, and to corrupt the masses. The book of sports
and opposition to Sunday afternoon preauhings of
the word, went hand-in-hand together. It makes lit
tle difference in its practical results whether it be by
the tyranny of the court of King Charles the First or
the people, the Sabbath ceases to be a sacred day,
wholly devoted to the worship of God. We shall find
ourselves, ere long, in a fearful revolutionary struggle
for our dearest rights and liberty, if we let the. Sab
bath afternoons be desecrated, as in Germany and
continental Europe, and become a season for social
amusement and festivity. -
It falls not within the limits either of our design
or of guy time to suggest methods, or to dilate upun
the nelessity of guarding against the naspent evils
and perils connected with the neglect, deficiency, and
mischievous influences at work among us, in relation
to the moral and religious instruction of the, young.
Present developments are replete with omens of evil
and peril sufficient to excite our fears for the future,
if more is trot done than is now attempted to inter
weave with our whole system of public instruction,
and through the mass of the young, as an all-per
vading element, the religion of the Bible, that of:
Christ and his apostles, as of' divine authority, the
true, only rightful Lord of the conscience. Christi
anity is the safeguard of society, and the Sabbath
the day to be consecrated wholly to its teachings..
If, through neglect or error, it should withdraw its
protection, and a generation be allowed to grow up
that repudiates its authority and disregards its teach
ings, and dishonours the Lord's day, it is easy to fore
see the anarchy and ruin that will await us.
6. The last source of evil and cause of peril we
notice is the disguised infidelity at present seducing
from the simplicity of faith, Open, foul-mouthed
blasphemous rejection of the sacred Scriptures is not,
the infidelity of the times. It is the insidious Hy
pocrisy, which, under the pretext of critical investi
gation and philosophical theories of the nature of
the Inspiration of the sacred writers, from which we
have most to fear, A more rational and liberal
Christianity, as it calls itself, like sappers and miners,
is secretly laying its train for demolishing the foun
dations of our hope, which rests, implicitly and ex
clusively, on a "Thus saith the Lord." Questions
and investigations as to what in the Bible is human,
and what is divine, form the instruments with which
it works.
The skepticism of scientific and literary men has
done much to injure the popular faith in the Scrip
tures, and especially with many of our liberally edu
cated young men. The Bibleis too coarse, or too
old-fashioned, or too contrary to the teachings of
modern science, or too replete with ancient barber
isma to be suffered to assume, according to the plain
common sense obvious import of its language, the
unqualified control of men's belief. There must be
a court of review and appeal established in every
breast, which shall render judgment and give its
imprimatur only to those parts of Holy Writ which
are to be believed. Man is flattered by extravagant
laudations of his own reason, the supremacy of his
own conscience, and his lofty capacities to work out
for himself a religion and creed better suited to the
advanced stage of modern civilization, the refinements
of luxurious wealth, the discoveries and generaliza
tions of modern science, the taste for the iesthetical
than he even would have been in the infantile, rode,
and barbarous ages of Mosaic antiquity, whose habi
tudes were those of prompt undisputed submission
to absolute authority. The well bred affectation of
polite literature and polished society, and commercial
idolatry of wealth, have induced a mood of mind
which renders the Bible altogether an unwelcome
visitant at the table, in the home, the social circle,
or the counting-house. As it hasi been well and
truly remarked by a popular writer, "There is a
stage ofintelleetual and literary sophistication, com
mingling false tastes, and the sardonic frivolity of
luxurious modes of life, which will never consist with
the feelings, the tastes, the habitudes that belong to a
devout reading, stndy, relish and home use of the
Bible. Whoever has had near acquaintance with
leisurely cultivated life in this its advanced stage of
refinement,—and whoever has felt the potent in
fluence of such an atmosphere upon himself for a
length of time, and has learned to relish the ironies,
the mockeries, the spiritnalisms of the region, with
its soft intellectuality, and its Epicureanism, will
think that a thousand leagues of interval are not
too many between such a region and such a home,
where there is feeling and truth, within which the
Scriptures—prophets and apostles—might be listened
to, and where those ministers of God might make
their appeal to the deeper principles of human
nature."
Theories of inspiration do more harm than good.
What know we of the terminal lines between the soul
and the body? How preposterous to attempt to have
them! Every man, woman and child has a conscious
ness of both, and never suffers, by mistaking one for
the other. So, the plain unsophisticated Bible reader,
needs no critical treatise or appreciation of aesthetics,
or scientific theory, or high priest of science, or rhe
torical or dramatical descriptions to give adaptation
and efficacy to the sacred Scriptures, and make them
subserve the great purposes of moral, religious and
saving,instruction, for which they are given, which
they have subserved for thousands of years, and which,
in despite of all the helps and medicaments and pre
tensions of Theological Empirics, they will continue
to subserve, till they have every where heralded the
coming of the Lord.
Theories of Creation, theories of Inspiration, theo
ries of Millennium, may find favor with those who
substitute reason for faith. But for all that is essen
. Mel to the light, life, liberty, purity, lustre and blessed
ness of a walk with . God, the Bible will stand forever
conspicuous, as it ever has been, the brilliant pharos,
by which the confiding Christian, like the mariner on
the deep, may steer his bark safely on to the haven of
everlasting rest. There is no need of a new theory of
Inspiration or of a new principle of Biblical interpre
tation." We take the Bible proved to be and us en
dorsed of God, in whatever way its statements and
teachings come to us, as good and true according to
the plain obvious common sense meaning of its vari
ous styles of language interpreted by itself---just as
good and true as is God Himself. It has been proved
to be His revelation, the word of God, and will con
tinue to prove itself so, by its own enduring and undy
ing light, without the twinkling d fliekering illumina
tions of philosophy and fcience falsely sb-called. The
orics do but render its light obscure by the clouds o
joy and mist they create." This only is needed that
every hypothesis and theory, better or worse, should
be put out of view—should be laid aside—shonld be
forgotten."
A spurious Christianity has arisen, which is spread
ing over our land, akin to the apostaerready to cul
minate in undisguised infidelity and atheism in the
"continental churches of Europe established by law,
and is rising high above the horizon in England. It
strikes from the Bible its grand central sun, the brig,ht
ness of his Father's glory, and throwin t ,c , a path of
death over a lifeless, soulless form of false phase of
Christianity ushers in a night of darkness. Denying
the eternal Deity of Christ, the necessity, reality and
efficacy of His atonement and righteousness, and of
the renewing and sanctifyine• agency of His Holy
spirit; smiling at his second ' cotniug, and thus shut
ting out the world, as far as its influence goes, from
he blessedness of faith in llirn, it would exclude us
from the only hope of fallen ruined, man, for his own
or the world's future, that "When He who is our life
shall appear, then also shall we appear with Him in
glory.
This is God's own great remedy for the perilous
times of the last days. The hope of it has been the
consolation and joy of his people in all ages. "God,
who at stindry times and in divers manners spake in
times past to the fathers by the prophets, bath in these
last days spoken unto us by 'His Son, whom He bath
appointed heir of all things." Believing in the sim
plicity of faith, the word of His testimony, we rejoice.
in the coming of a glorious future, "though the earth
be removed and though the mountains he'carried into
the midst of the Sea." He shall take possession of
His inheritance. "We shall reign upon the earth,
made kings and priests unto God." Rev. T, 10.
The same word of God, the gospel of the Kingdom,
which, as ministers of Christ, we are commissioned to
preach in delivering this plain authoriative testimony is
mighty through God,to the pulling down of strongholds.
It has in ages past, wherever it , has been received, illu
mined, vitalized, and, rendered prosperous and happy
every region and nation, whether darkened by idolatrous
ignorance or bewildered by philosophic subtleties, and
only ceased to exert its conservative and elevating this ,
power when the Bible was thrust from its prop& plaee, and
faith in Jestis discarded for the dogmas of priests, the
metaphysics of the schools, the teachings of man. Hence
may we learn our itzsrossinitxkiss.'
Without entering into the details appropriate te this
general idea, of the 'redemption , of Christ being God's
remedy for the crimes' and woes of earth, , let us, for a
few moments, in, conclusion, ponder those devolving.on
us, as ministers-of Christ in these days of peril.. Ap
prehending the, various =sources and ,causes of evil ,
work, it behooves us, in our several relations and
spheres of influence, to stand up for the ; truth as it hi
in Jesus, and firmly and faithfully testify. against the
evils of the day. The ministry of reconciliation are
sent of God in Christ's stead, to teach the nations till
He come, and beseech men to be reconciled to Him.
They are His ordinance for forming a correct public
sentiment by the preaching of the Word, by rebuking
the vices and errors of the times, whether erelong the
masses or the parties that bear rule, by setting exam-,
pies of holy living and unwavering attachnient to Christ.
We are not to float at ease on the wave of false and cot.-'
rupt public opinion; btit to contend earnestly for the
faith. We are set for the defence and cOhfirmation of
the Gospel. It is a warfare'in which our responsibilities'
are "many and weighty,"—our weapons are'not carnal,
but mighty through God. Our , sufficiency is of
Him, and if faithful, to our .trust, and in our work,-
whatever may be pair toil, or however adverse and full;
of peril the times, like the great Apostle of the Gentiles,' •
whether gathering the sheaves of a plenteous harvest, or
sighing, over the abominationsaronnd us, or wearing out
our lives in efforts to edify the Cleirclf and honor Christ
—we shall ever find occasion , of , thanks unto,God, who
always causeth us to triumph in 'Christ, and znaketh
manifest the savour of His knowledge, by us in every.
place," 2 Cor. ii: 14, "being , unto God a sweet savour
of Christ," v.' 15. Philosophical, dramatic, " sensation
preaching fall not within the range of our , commission.
The Lord Jesus Christ holds us responsible as His wit
nesses "by manifestatian of the truth" to ',commend
ourselves not to the taste, the humors, and the fashions
of the day, but "to every PAWS conscience in the sight
of God," 2 Cor. iv: 2. We are to preach the Word,
appeal "to the law and the testimony," are-to be advo
cates for Him in the court of conscience, established in:,
every breast. The word which we preach must not be
"yea and nay, for the word and promise of Christ is
not yea and nay, but the word of God, which alone effec
tually worketh in them that believe." There,have been
martyrs for this word in times post. If need be, for
the honor of Christ, or' the salvation or men, we too
must be willing to be such in perilous times of the last
days. Tyranny and oppression on the one hand, and
lawlessness and anarchy on the 'other, are alike rebel-"'
Hon against God and the sovereignty of Christ in the
earth. if we through tear or favot become abettors of
evil doers, and suppress the truth, we perpetrate trea
son against the throne and government of Christ.
Most sedulously should we watch the interests of
Education. The Sunday school must be guarded and
nourished; but especially must we seek to gain for the
rising generation their early training in virtuous homes
through the power of intelligent, believing mothers'
love. There can be no adequate. substitute or security
for this in training the young in the great principles of ,
morality and religion as held by the Protestant faith.
Its great radical facts to be received by our faith,
such as the Deity of Christ, His miraculous incarnation,
His expiatory sacrifice, the reality and necessity of re
generation and sanctification by the Spirit through the
truth, justification by faith through the righteousness
of Christ, and the covenant relations and obligations of
baptized youth to God and His. Church, in order, to be
taught effectually, must be inculcated by parents and ,
preachers co-operating, according as we stand pledged
to God and to each other to maintain and testify. A
corrupt literature, a perverted press, in the absence of
moral and religious education in our public schools,
will soon train up a generation of evil doers if the
church and ministry of Christ stand not fast by His
greet bastions, the sacred Scriptures, the word of His
testimony, against the power of the adversary. The
piety of children and youth were the occasion of His
rejoicing, and it should be an object of our earnest
prayers and efforts. "The joy of the Lord" should be
the motto on our Edneational banners which it be
hooves the ministry and Church of Christ; as far as pos
sible, to see flung to the breeze, and floating over our
schools and colleges, and all the institutions of learning
in our land. Generations morally and religiously
trained must constitute our strength and safety, if, as a
nation, we are to be preserved till the coming of the
Lord.
Finally, beloved brethren, suffer us to stir up your
pure minds by way of remembrance in a few closing
words of exhortation. We live in perilous times. These
perils enhance our responsibilities. Darkness covers
the earth, and, gross darkness the nations extensively,
as Isaiah predicted it would be before the Redeemer.
shall come to Zion anti his glory be seen upon her. The
world's future is in His hands. A fearful work of
judgment it is predicted will he accomplish in the earth.
In our own beloved country it is an hour of peril and
suspense. Beacon lights flash along the horizon, indi
cating the blackness of the clouds that have been and
are still rolling over us. What if the Lord bath made
us first in these last days, to drink of the cup that is to
be passed round among the nations to which He will
send it, and with whom He " bath a controversy.'! We
have already drunk deep of it, and become drunken,
and shameful epuing has been on our glory. Yet does
He stay his rough wind in the day of his East wind.
The future of our own land is in His hands. It is
well that it is there. But who feels not a deep solici
tude to know what that future shall be Y;' Are we, as a
people, to be swept from our moorings, driven into the
currents of revolution and ruin, and drifted along with
the anti-christian nations of Europe, to be dashed upon
the breakers? Loud and lofty bare been and ,are the
trumpetings of our nation's glory ! Cheering and Vomit
ful the promises we make
,to ourselves, on the ground
of the justness of the nation's cause in its righteous war
against rebellion, of the millions of enslaved emancipa
ted by proclamation, end of the prosperity to ensue to
us by the advancement of the best and lasting interests
of freedom, humanity and religion. God be 'praised for
all the favor He bath shown us, and the proof that He
bath heard the cry of those oppressed and in distrees.
It encourages to be often at His mercy seat, there to
plead, "Lord, spare us, and give not thy heritage to re
proach." .
But it is pertinent to ask, are we, as a nation, the
heritage of the Lord? Many of our Revolutionary fa
thers fondly believed we were, as they told us of what
wonders be wrought in their day. But merely as an
organized nation, with its constitution, rules, and in
stitutions of government, we can claim no more than
others having the ordinances of civil authority sanctioned
by the providence of God; who yet perished, or even those
of European and Oriente. nations, over which hangs the'
towering, cloud of coming .wo and desolation.
The only people that, as an organized nation, could
lay just claim to be the heritage of the Lord, has long
since been broken to pieces as a potter's vessel, and the
fragments scattered over all the globe. The Jews, both'
Israel and Judah, transgressed the covenant of Godi
and walked not, in his statutes, until his wrath came
upon them to the uttermost, and there was no remedy.
From among the Gentiles, God hoe ever since been ga
thering in their stead, a people for the glory of his
name. Just as a nation comprises those ealled and
chosen to be saints, can a plea 'be made, that indirectly,
because'involving snob, calla be called the actual-heri
tage of the Lord. It is for 'their safety, and ultimate
dominion, or reign with Christ on the earth, that he
now manages the affairs of the nations wherein they
dwell, acting by commission of the Father, as the great
Trustee and Administrator of God's Covenant, for the
world's redemption. The safety and future prosperity
of our country, therefore, will depend upon the preva
lent numbers, piety, influence, and fidelity of ministers
and Christians in it—the people. f the Lord. For the'
development and power of thia element of our strength,
this, safeguard of the nation's life, as ministers of Chriat,
we must meet and carry out the varied responsibilities
of our high and holy vocation. As watchmen, we must
not utter an uncertain cry. As ambassadors for Chrlitt,
we must make no compromiies with the wicked and tin
believing. As pastors, we must take heed to the word
of God. As his servants and ministers, we must occupy
and labor till he come. And as his witnesses, we must
bear witness to his truth, honor, deity, and sovereignty
in the earth. The immediate sphere of our labor, lies
within our own portion, or branch of the church of God,
and indirectly with those who, in good faith, co-operate
with us. Peculiar responsibilities here meet us, per
sonally and collectively. Goa has given us a place and
name among' his tribes—to some extent, made us
praise in the land, and, blessed us with the tokens of his
favor and presence. In the presence of Christ with us, -
consists our security, and the potency of our influence.
With his presence, we. need not fear. His providence
may be safely intrusted by ,us, with the deliverance of
our country from its presentperils, and the welfare, ; or
trials and chastisements of the future. The loyal &up
port of just and rightful government, end not the strifes
of party, is all that, as ministers of Christ, we have to
do with political affairs, While we cease not boldly and
autericint (eg tr o ni t tr i. n and 6entort grangtliot
zealously, to preach the gospel of the grace of God, and
labor for the salvation of men.
Let us be faithful to. Him, in fulfilling the trust which
He bath committed to us. We have much to do, to
build up the waste places, to counteract the evils of war,
and direct and prosecute the good works of benevolence
required by the exigencies and perils of the times. The
interests of our bleeding country, the preservation of its
liberty and institutions of civil rule, the suppression of
inexcusable and demented rebellion, the perpetuation
of the Union—that has, been so long, like the sun, ra
diating light and heat, and ministering life to our land:—
and the re-establishment of itsrpeace, unity, and pros
perity, are all objects dear to every loyal heart, and that
commend themselves to ours, by strong and sacred ties
and obligations. In the manner in which these respon
sibilities, in general, have, been met by ministers and
people in our, connexion we stand, as a church, con
spicuous for its patriotism, its loyalty to the Union, its
appreciation of liberty, its abhorrence of oppression,
in
slavery, and tyranny, every form, and its devotion to
the cause of humanity. God grant that we may ever
abide true and faithful to these great interests,
Bat great and important as they are, there are others
of still weightier and. grander moment. ' "Peace on
earth, good will to men, and glory to God in the high
est," are the' watohivords from , heaven, and the great;
objects and ultimate ends of bur glorious Saviour's Me
diatorial rule, To these, let us, as a church and minis
try, 'ever consecrate ourselves, with the heroism of faith,
for their-promotion and diffusion:— peace with God, and
union with Christ,'for the lost and ruined,of our race—
pence and union among ourselves-,peace and union, in
the 'spirit of forgiveness, with, brethren who once walked
with us, but cast us out—peace and union with others,
who also once walked, in union with us, but withdreW,
and repudiated the,plan of our fathers—yea, peace and
union, as far as pessible, in unity of Spirit and bonds of
brotherly love, with all who compose the body of Christ;
the cause of Christian missions, at home 'and abroad,
both in co-operation with others,, and by instrumentali
ties of our own—the rebuke of vice and ungodliness,
! and especially, of the evils of intemperance, the lawless
', mess and desecration of the Sabbath, it induces—the re
formations needed in society—the education of youth,
and their rescue frotn the snares spread for 'their feet
prayerful and earnest effort for the salvatioa of men,
the' honor of Christ, and the`Preservation and power of
his'gracious presence, by hie Spirit among ne--are all
objects,that should ever elevate our aims, and direct'our
energies, far above the'strifes of party, the din Of bug
nem, The booming of cannon, and the roar of war.
!Just as, by .the bleSsing of God,. we -succeed in de
veloping and promoting the piety of the church, over
which God has made us overseers, by establishing and
increasing the faith of her members, ,by exciting and
directing their benevolence,- do we secure and give effi
ciency to one important-element of our country's safety
and prosperity. The children and people of God form
an invaluable leaven in society;. their godly converse.-
,tion, edifying example, moral heroism, and consistent
character, tend 'to wield public sentiment, rebuke im
morality, and counteract the pernicious Strifes of party.
For their sakes God saves a nation other Wise justly ex
posed to his destroying judgment% and even overrules
ter good, the miStakes 'and errors of incompetent, un
worthy, and unfaithful rulers. Our branch of the
church heretofore, has cetitrilmted its influence to, such
results, if notes acceptable 'to partisan politicians, cer
tainly as potent with intelligent, reflecting, and virtuous
citizens, as any other in the land. May it ever continue
to - do so. And may God grant us all, as the servants
of Christ, to be as true and faithful to him—yea, much
more so—than as we have been citizens, loyal to the
government! The , evils and perils , of the. times- have
swollen greatly, and torrents of corruption threaten to'
sweep the nation to destruction. : Be it our aim and
honor, to stand firm like the rock, to resist the dashing
billows! -
Atthe conclusion of the, sermon s the. Assembly
.
was organized with prayer.
Rev. Dr. Duffield took the chair. aS Moderator.
Rev. Henry Darling, the Permanent Clerk, and
Rev. E. F. liatfield, Stated Clerk, officiated as Secre
taries. , .
On motion, the Apsembly 'adjourned till 4 P. M.
AFTERNOON SESSION
The Assembly convened at 4 o'clock, and was
opened with prayer by the Moderator, Rev. Dr. Duf-
'The Clerk read the minutes of thernortling session.
The roll of commissioners to the Assembly was
read. '
On motion, it was ordered that the cases of those
delegates present, without commissions, be referred
for' decision to a committee of two.
The Moderator, Dr. Duffield, stated that the As
sembly was now .prepared to receive nominations for
MOdorator.
• Rev. AMA. Adair nominated, Rev. John C. Sthith,
D. D., of Waehingtun,-D. C.
Rev:Dr. Cox nominated Prof. Hetiry'l3. Smith, of
New York Union Seminary. " •
Rev. Dr. P. U. Fowler was also nominated.
The nominations being cloeed, Rev. S. G. Spees,
D., and Rev. C.'S. 'Armstrong were appointed to act
as tellers.
The roll was then called, and the delegates voted
Diva voce.
Prof. Henry B. Smith, having reeetved'a majority
of the votes east, was declared duly elected Modera
tor.
Rev. Dr. Cox and Rev. Dr. Skinner were appointed
a committee to conduct the Moderator' elect to the'
chair.
Dr. Smith being conducted to the platform
Rev. Mr. Duffield addressed him as follows:—It is
my duty to inform you, and to announce to this
House, that you are duly elected to the office of Mo
derator of this General Assembly. For your gui
dance in performing the duties of your office, and for
the direction of this Assembly in all their delibera
tions, it is my duty, before I leave this seat, to read
to you and to this House, the rules contained in the
records of this Assembly, which, I doubt not, will be
carefully observed by both in conducting the busi
ness that may come before you. [The rules were
then read.]
I hold in my hand certain documents which de
liver to you, and which relate to matters that have
transpired since the adjournment of the Assembly.
The action of the General Assembly which met at
Celumbus last year, was not communicated, at that
thne, because this Assembly had adjourned hefore it
could reach them. The Moderator of that'Assembly,
Dr. Beatty, addressed a statement of the action of
that Assembly to the retiring Illoderater. A copy ,
of his letter and of the letter of the retiring Modera
tor in reply, are put into your hands,, with there_quest, that at an early day, it may be specially
brought before the attention of the Assembly, so
tbatilf they see proper, the correspondence desired
may be initiated during the progress of' the,Assetn
flaring now read these rules of order, for yourin
struction as Moderator, and for the direct
ion of Mem
bers in the transaction of business—praying that
Almighty God may direct and bless all the delibera
tions of this General Assembly to the glory of His
name and for the edification and comfort 'of the
Presbyterian Church in the U. S. I resign my place
and office as MODERATOR.
PROF. &tyro on taking the chair, said:—l, tender
this reverend Assembly my sincere thanks for'the ho
nor' they have conferred upon me id placing me in
this position. When I recollect the long roll of 'illus
trious names of those who for more than seventy ears
have occupied this post—when I think of their Mini
ruble qualities as presiding - Officers and the services
they have rendered to the church—then, in proportion
to myestimate of*the honor'orbeing pladed in the line
of their succession, is my consciousness of my own im
perfections and' omparative unfitness for this respon
sible post. I should be most ielnetant to assume it,
did I not feel that I may;rely upon the bame kindness
you have shown in calling me to the office, to sustain
and give me counsel in the process of the, business
that will be brought before us. ,
We have heard read the rules by which we are to be
guided. Let me invoke, brethren, your special atten
tion to those rules—rules of courtesy—rules of order—
rules designed to facilitate the diSpatch of biisiness so
that time may not be needlessly consumed.
We are met together, fathers and brethren, in an
important epoch in the history of our church, because
an important epoch in the histdry of our beloved coup
try. We are in the midst of the crisis and juncture
of our nation's destiny; and under these circumstances
in which we feel how small is the power and how vain
the wisdom of man, it is especially b.ecoming a church
of Christ congregated together to .Liear upon its heart
the welfare of its country and ociinmend it in every
prayer to the favor and blessing of Almighty God, that
the institutions we received from our fathers may be
handed down, and, the great fundamental interests of,
this republic may be perpetuated. The Presbyterian
Church has been from the beginning a loyal, church;
and every day we have fresh occasion to bless God for
the manner in which be has led this branch, et the
church, when we see how the principles for which we
have stood through evil report and through good report
are, receiving fresh vindication in the advancing pro
vidence of God.
Brethren I invoke your kindness and, courtesy in my
endeavors to administer the duties of this office; and
I pray you above all• to join with me in invoking the
blessing of the great Head of the church, without whose
presence all our.deliberations are vain, that he would
come here and inspire us with His own Spirit, giving
unto all of Us that wisdom which is from above, which
is first pure, then peaceable, full of mercy and good
fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. So
shall the deliberations and conclusions of this General
Assembly recound not only to our welfare as a church,
bn t also .to the welfare of' our "and, to, the weleare.of
the whole kingdom of Christ, throughout the earth
to the glory of God ' s name.
The Afederator..stated that; the first business in
order was the election of ten clerks.
, The Assembly proceeded to the .election—when
Rev. Herrick Jo nson, of the Pittsburg Presbytery,
1
and Rev. Henry Niles, of the Niagara Presbytery—
were chosen.
The Docket w then read by the Stated Clerk.
Rom. OTIS AL Zit of Albany, moved that the rules
of the last Gener Wasembly be adopted as the rules
for this Assembly in its deliberations ;
..The Motion w, agreed to,
On Motion Of Lev. Dr. Cox, the subject of printing
the roll was refer 'qd to the Stated Clerk.
Rev.. Da. SPEAR moved that it be the order of the
day immediately after, the devotional exercises on
Saturday"morning, to commence hearing the reports
of the permanent , cowittees.
Hob. Mr '. All en moved to amend so as' to .provide
that the reports of e permanent committees, with
the exception of that ori Church Erection, be present.
ed on Friday morning after the appointments of the
standing committees and tbe usual routine' business
of the day, end that the committee on Church Erec
tion report on Saturliay morning.
The amendment or Mr. Allen was adopted, and the
resolution as amended was agreed to.
Rev. J. W. Dull i ef, Chairman of the Committee of
arrangements, sub, itted a report recommending that
the Assembly meet it 9 o'clock in the morning, and
sit till one o'clocklthat they reassemble at 31 o'clock
in thejafternoon, a d adjourn j !tt, Eli o'clock, and that
the hour for the evening, sessiOns, if any should be
held, be '8 'O'clock. ) ' '
The report of the 'committee was adopted.
The Moderator t
he
n laid before the Assembly docu
ments in regard to he correspondence with the Gene
ral Assembly, (0...8.) which. were read as follows:
Steubenville, Ohio, June 6th, 1863.
Rev. Dr. Geo. Diffield, Moderator.
..„‘
, REV'. AND DEAR.Buonnit:—l have the great plea
sure of communicating Co you as Moderator of the
General Assembly ,of the Presbyterian Church recent
ly met in Cincinnati,i the accompanying document,
being'a minute adopted. by the General Assembly of
the Presbyterian Church which met in Columb w3 .
- ,The expressionsof all the members with regard to
a correspondence with'Your branch of the Presbyterian
family were of thej kindest character, and the action
was had with entirdananimity. It was much regretted
at the tine that, as your Assembly had closed ita ses
sions; we could'not have presented this to you before its'
adjournment. We !hope that you will lay it before
your Assembly at so early a period of its next meet•
ing, that, if 'agreeable, commissioners . may be sent to
our next meeting t.t Peoria s Ills., and be assured that
.
at the earliest iuformation of a favorable action by
you, we shall be Pleased to nominate commissioners
to your Assembly.i - ' '
`I am instructed, by our assembly to accompany
this with our Chriedian salutations to you and to - the
body over, which you preside. With earnest prayer
that such spiritual blessings may be bestewed, from
our covenant God, upon the whole . Church which
you represent.
1 I remain, Dear Sir, with respect Wand esteem,
your brother in the'lnipe of the Gospel.
CHAS. C. BEATTY, Moderator
' of the Gen. Ass. of, the Pres. Ch. U. S. A.
ACTION 01' THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AT COLUMBUS, O.
"In the General Assembly of the Presbyterian
Church in the.Unitel States of America, in session
at Columbus, Ohio, he . matter of a, fraternal cor
respondence, by Commissionera, with the General
Assembly of the Presbyterian Church,- (N. S.), in
session at Cincinnati, 40bio, being duly considered,
is'decided as folldws: ' -
" This Assembly having considered several over
tures sent to it by 'a few of the Presbyteries under
its care, proposing that Steps should be' taken by it
towards' an organic union between this Church and
the Church under the care of the Presbyterian
General Assembly (N. 5.,) ;'and, having determined
against "the course- proposed in said overtures, has
also been informed that the other General Assembly
has, about the same time, come to a similar conclu
sion on'similar overtures laid before it by a certain
number of its own Presbyteries. Of its own mo
tion, this General Assembly, considering the time
to have come for it to take the initiative in securing
a better understanding of the relations which• it
judges are proper to be maintained between the
two General Assemblies—each body sending to the
other, one minister and one ruling elder, as Com
missioners, year by year: the said Commissioners
to enjoy such privileges in each body to which they
are sent as are common to all those now received
by this body from Other Christian denominations.
The Moderator will communicate this deliverance
to the Moderator of the other Assent*, to be laid
before it, with our Christian salutations. ' •
,
Copy of a letter addressed by the Moderator of the
General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church con
vened in Cincinnati, Ohio. REV. G. DUFFIELD.
To the Moderator of the General Assembly of the
Presbyterian. Church, convened at. Columbus, Ohio,
Rev. Cho& C. Beatty, D. D.
Dersorr, June 20th,1862.
Rev. CHas C. Bssirtr, D. D.
Moderator of the General Assembly of the Pres
byterian Church, etc., I'
Rev. and Dear Brother:
On my return, to this city from a visit into Ken
tucky, made after the adjournment of Gen. Ass. at
Cincinnati, I had the .pleasure to •receive your very
courteous and fraternal communication of the 6th
inst., with the accompanying copy of the 'delive
rance' of the Gen. Ass. over which you preside, re
la.tive .to the matter of a.-correspondence by commis
sioners with the body, I have the honor fur the time
being to represent. "-
. Had not the Gen. Ass. at Cincinnati adjourned.on
Saturday evening, the 2.lth ultimo, before hearing of
the action of the Gen. Ass. at Columbus, it would
have; been made any „pleasing duty to have an
nounced the prompt cordial acceptance of the
proposal you have• communicated fur " a.stated an
noel friendly interchange of commissioners" be
tween the two , bodies, and also the names of delegates
to, attend the next meeting of, the Gen. Ass. at Peo
ria, 111. It is the unanimous desire for such inter
course.
It will afford me pleasure at the eatliest period
of the sessions of the.next General Assembly at Phi
lade., D. tolay your eominunication, with the ac
companying document, before that body, that the, in
terchange of commissioners, as proposed, may take
place before the adjournment of the neat two assem
blies.
I have, directed the . Stated Clerk to transmit to you
a certified Copy of the action of the General Assembly
at Cincinnati, evincing the entire cordiality with which
such a, correspondence will be commenced and che
rished.
Had not my return to this city beep delayed, I
should in accordance with the sentiments of many
members of the General Assembly, at Cincinnati,
have expressed fraternally my own and their great sa
tisfaction in the prospect of intercourse between bodies
too closely and vitally united to remain permanently
estranged to each other. A fit, of sickness since my
return has prevented an early' reply to your favor
awaiting me.
Accept, my dear sir, my Christian salutations to
yourself 2nd the Generkit Assembly over which you
preside. Our prayers ascend for your peace and pros
perity. •
With sentiments of respect and cordial esteem, I re
main yours in thaiutficiency of the Gospel.
• Gaon° E D UFFIET.,D,
.
Moderator of the,General Assembly of, the Presbyte
rian Church of the If. 8. A.
The doctiments Were on motion, referred to a special
committee - of five.
The assembly then - adjourned till to-morrow morning
at 9 o'clock:, •
FRIDAY MORNING, MAY 22.
The Assembly mst at 9'clock, and spent , a half
hour, in devotional' exercises. , •
Professor H. Smith, the Moderator, offered
an appropriate prayer in . opening the proceedings.
This was folloWecl by the reading of the tenth chapter
of the Gospel according to John, and the singing
of the twenty-seventh hymn.
The Moderator desired that these initiatory reli
gious exercises should be the key, note of all the
proceedings of the Assembly, and that in all of their
work they Would do all for the glory of God.-
, Dr. Mills, Secretary of the Education Committee
remarked that the Assembly met, on historic
tround--theyniet in the First Church erected under
the denomination, here. It was the place of meeting
of many distinguished General Assemblies. The
speaker was present as a member' of the General
Assembly in 1840, compoied of eighty-seven mem
hers, who met in the 14,trire room of this Church.
Of these members he recognised but one other mem
ber now present, and that was the venerable father
before him, the Rev. Dr. Cox.
Dn. HutrusaxoN made: a few remarks concern
ing the progress of the work of evangelization in
Buffalo, New York, which he said was most satis
factory.
REv. • Du. Cox said' he could corroborate the
words of his brother from Buffalo. He said that it
was seventy-four years since the General Assembly
first met in this church. It was then situated in
Market. Street, Our Government was then form
in.a, and it was regarded as a ridiculous assumption.,
General Washington was elected President, of the
United States ) but could, not be inaugurated on the
4th,of March. This was done, however, on the 30th
,of April. , The , General Assembly met soon after,
And Dr. , Rodgers the Moderator, addressed a most
)
patriotic letter to General Washington. Thus the
two nationalities of Church and State were reared
together, and all was happy, harmonious, and pa
triotic, Until the troubles of 1837, which succeed
ed in bisecting the Presbyterian Church, nothing
but union and truth was known in the Church. It
should be so now, and the speaker hoped that if any
committee were to prepare an expression of the feel
ings of the Church on the national questions, he
should be happo let them have copies of the let
ters of General Washington and Dr. Rogers as ex
amplars of their report. The present condition of
affairs brought to his mind the antithesis of the
prophet Daniel, where he says: "Jerusalem shall
be builded in troublous times."
At 91 o'clock, the Assembly was opened for busi
ness by the reading of the minutes of yesterday af
ternoon.
STATE OF THE COUNTRY
On motion of Rev. Dr. Spear, it woe
Resolved, That'a committee of five be appointed to
prepare, and submit to this Assert - 11)1y for adoption, a
suitable minute in respect to the state of the country.
The following named gentlemen were appointed
as the committee:—
Rev. Albert Barnes, Rev. T. EL Skinner, D. D.,
Rev. Samuel T. Spear, D. D., Hon. Otis Allen, and
Mr. W. S. Griffith.
CoOqIIIITTNE ON CORRESPONDENCE. The follow
ing gentlemen were announced as the Commit
tee on the Communication from the General Assem
bly of the Presbyterian Church met at Columbus,
May, 1862:
Rev. S. T. Spear, D. D., Rev. S. H. Co; D. D.,
Rev. S. H.' Gridley, D. D., Mr. W. A. Booth, Ron.
ChaunceYN. Olds.
PLACE OF 3.TEETINO NEXT TEAT;
On motion, the Assembly proceeded to consider
the subject of the place of the next meeting.
Rev. Dr. Cox nominated Phila. He considered
this the metropolitan city of this branch of the Presby
terian Church, and thought that it would be best,
generally, for,the Assembly to meet there. He be
lieved that 'their presence here next year was ear-
dially desired by the Presbyterians of Phila.
Hon. Mr. Allen, of Albany, had no objection to'
Phila., as the place of meeting, but could not admit
that Phila. was the metropolitan place of ,the Pres
byterian Church. He, thought that Central New
York, on account of the
_glorious revivals that had_
taken place there, stood prominent above almost any
locality.
Rev. Dr. Specs nominated Dayton, Ohio, as the
place of meeting. He confessed his attachment to
Phila., omaceount of the many associations connected
with it;, but ho, thought the General Assembly'
should go, from year to year, to different parts of the
country. Many of the Western people who could,
not attend the Assembly, if held at an eastern point,
would be glad to attend its sessions, if held west of
the Allegheny Mountains. He would be glad to sup
port Milwaukee for the meeting of the next Aesem
bly, if that should be proposed; but in the absence
of such a suggestion, he was in favor of Dayton.
The people of that city would extend to the Assetn
bly a most cordial welcome.
Rev. C. Brown (Phila.,) expressed himself in favor
of Dayton.
Elder R. Scarritt nominated St. Louis, Mo.
Rev, j. Crowell nominated Newark, N. J.
Rev. Mr. Huntingdon nominated Rochester, N. Y.
Rev. Mr. Norton declared himself in favor of
Dayton. In large cities, the meetings of the As
sembly did not excite as much interest, or do as•much
good, as when held in smaller cities. He was sure
that the Assembly would be very hospitably received
by the people of Dayton.
Rev. Mr. McLlean, of St.Lonis, advocated the claims
of that city.
Rev Mr. Huntington withdrew the ; nomination of
Rochester, it having been suggested to him to do so -
from the fact that the American Board of FOreign
alone are to meet there this year.
REP. Da. Cox withrew the nominations of Philadel
phia.
The roll being called, there were.s votes for. New
ark, N. J., 10 votes for St. Louis, 181 votes for Dayton,
Dayton, Ohio, was therefore fixed as the place for
the next meeting of the Assembly.
On motion, it was Resolved, that a committee be
appointed to make arrangethents for the next meeting
of the Assembly at Dayton.
Revs. Joseph Chester and Mr. E. P. Starr were ap-•
pointed as the committee.
STANDING COMMITTIES
The Moderator announced the appoiritment of the
following cam mittees ;--
Judicial COmmittee—Ministers ; S. H. Cox, D. D.,
S. H. Gridley, D. D., G. S. Pierce, D. D., R. S.
Crampton. Elders :J. W. Fairfield, Spencer Kel
logg, S. H. Matthew. •
Bills and Overtures—John C. Smith, D. D., S. 0,
Spees, D. D., Seidel; Baines, Allred Eddy, F. A.
Noble, J. M. Gillette. Elders: Ambrose White, W.
A. Booth, J. A. Foot, W. D. Wolcott, S. H. Lee,
M. D.
- (Aura Polity—Thomas H. Skinner, D. D., W. S.
Leavitt, J. B. Bittinger, Charles S. Le Due, M. F.
Liehenan, Charles' Brown. Elders : Otis Allen, John
L. Knight, D. Gillmure, C. N. Olds, George Kellogg.
Foreign Missions—Ministers: Albert lames, W.
H. Hawks, C. S. Armstrong, James Thompson, H.
B. Eldred, George Foot. Elders: W. S. Griffith,
S. Hewson, N. C. Taylor, S. J. Sayles, John W.
Sayre. •
Home Missions—S. T. Spear, D. D. Walter Clark,
D. D., Thompson Bird, D. M. Moore. Elders: Alex.
Duncan, S. Kelsey, W. C. Harp, W. D. Moore, A.
Dallas.
Education—George E. Day, D. D., W. M. Hoyt,
IL Whittlesey, A. Smith, T. A. Darrah. ,Elders
L. H.
.Sargent, L. G. Day, Q. R Noyes, T. R
Loomis, D. B. Westlake.
Publication—Philip Fowler, E. W. Fume', Joseph
Chester, W. B. Parmelee, S. a Galloway.'Elders:
W. J. Redstrake, G. T. Huntingdon, David A.
Smith, D. Thomas, Finley Stevens.
Narrative—John Crowell, F. S. Howe, G. D. A.
Hebard, F. W. Graves. Elders: L.. Russell, W. J.
Wilson. M. D., Hon. L. Paine, Charles Emden.
Leave of Absence—David B. Gregory, L. L. Carr,
W. J. Essick, John M. Boal. Elders: D. D. Dayton,
M. D Oliver Ford, M. D., E. P. Searles, M. D.
Devotional Exercises—Jeremiah M. Miller, J. E.
Cary, Jos. Gord n. Elder: W. B. Tenbrock, H. W.
Avery, W. D. Moore. ,
Mileage.—George W. Lane, Benedict D. Stewart,
Edgar B. Starr.
INVITATION OT PHILADELPHIA. UNION L.E.paus AND
VOLUNTEER REFRESHMENT SALOON
REV. D. Pox :—I hold in, my hand a document
which I approve;and which has been handed to me
with a request to bring it before the Assembly. It
comes from an organization of this city ef - very great
respectability in every way—in its personelle, its
plan and its objects. It was presented to me by
Rev. Dr. Brainerd, who requested me to,bring it be
fore you.,_ . The invitation is as follows:
To the Moderator of the General Assembly:
bra :—The Directors of the Union Leagoe of
Philadelphia, have the honor to inform you that the
names of the members of the General Assembly have
been placed on the list of visitors admitted to the
privileges, of the League .House, ifor. one month.
Attest, Geogn'n H.,Bouza, See'y.
Phila. May 20th, 1863.
This invitation ; is extended cordially, and if the
Assembly be pleased to accept it, we might, to-mor
row afternoon, at 5 o'clock, {Dr. Brainerd designates
that time,) go from this place and visit the hall of
the'Association: The Doctor informs ine that on
many accounts it is one of the most suggestive and
agreeable places to which members could go. Ido
,not believe it is in the heart'of a loyal church like
this to refuse to accept such an invitation.
Hon. Mr. ALLEN; I desire that the question, on
this matter be divided. lam in favor of our adopt
ing a vote of thanks to this Association for tender
ing us the use of their room, 'library, papers, Ste.,
as a meanslof intelligence; but as to our adjourning
as a body to attach ourselves in any manner to any
political or any other organization except something
strictly ecclesiastical—to that I have serious ()Wee.
tions.•
- On last Monday morning at 9 o'clock, in the Uity
of Albany, I presided over a Union League prelimi
nary meeting, which was immediate) , followed by
the adoption of a call, signed by NO names, fora
meeting which has since been held. As a citizen I
go into this Union League movement with the great
est zeal ; but I have come to Philadelphia for strictly
ecclesiastical business. -In my own church we have
men who belong to different political parties from
myself; that makes no difference; if I choose to at
tend a. Union League, 1 will; but when they have
commissioned me to come here, and the Church has
taken collections to send me here, I think I am out
of place, if I attend any political gathering whatever.
I expect to renew the performance of my duties as a
citizen as soon as I return to my home, but I am
here in this Assembly'on strictly ec.ilesiastical biisi
nese. I hope the question will be diViAed, and that
while we adopt a vote of thanks 'to this association,
we will not attach ourselves to any political organi
zation whatever.
At the suggestion of Rev. Mr. Adair, Rev. Dr;
Brainerd, who was present, was called on to address
the Assembly, and said
It is hardly necessary for me to add anything to
what has been said. 1 appreciate the objection Of
Mr. Allen. lt was net,the design that this Assent
hip should visit the rooms of this association' as au
eeciesfilstical body;- but the invitation was given" to
them, that the members might meet together infor
nuilly, and go from here to visit the Union League
House.
I will relieve the difficulty of Judge Allen hY BEV
ing that there is no obligation in this League but
loyalty to the country, and about that there cannot
be two parties. Nothing more than simple loyalty
to the country is-the obligation of ita-members. If ,
the association were anything beyond that, I would
not presume to invite the General Assembly to Visit ;
its rooms.
While
,I am on Abe floor, allow me to say, Mr.,
Mederator, that I have laid on your table a paper,
(Unfortunately not signed.) inviting the General As
sembly also to visit the Refreshment Saloon at the
foot. of Washington Street.
We have fed 500,000 soldiers passing through this
city. This benevolent enterprise began by plain,
poor women, carrying their coffee to the side-walk
for the soldiers; afterwards a boat-shed was taken
for the 'purpose of accommodating these worthy men,
and the , arrangements have extended by gratuitous
labor and contributions, until now a regiment of
soldiers can be fed at one time. I think that every
member of the General Assembly will be - pleased to
visit that place.
I will state in regard to the visit to' the hall of
the Union League, that the matter was designed
simply .to be informal—not that we should go as
members of the General Assembly, but as individu
als. I, designated 5 o'clock to-morrow afternoon as
the time, that I might go with members and intro
duce them.
The Permanent Clerk read the invitation from the
Union Volunteer Refreshment Saloon, as follows:
To the Presbyterian Convention. GeAtlemen :
It would give us much pleasure to have you visit
oar saloon and hospital, not that it has any archi
tectural beauty to recommend it to notice; it is only
the purpose tsewhieh it is dedicated—the feeding of
troops and caring for the sick and wounded passing
through our city, to and from the'seat of war, that
claims any merit. If you should propose so to do,
we would le happy to know the time.
The Moderator put the question on accepting the
ievitation,of the Union League to visit their rooms,
and it was agreed to unanimously. ,
Rev. Dr. (lox. I move informally, (I hope it will
not go upon the minutes,) that the members meet
here, to-morrow afternoon at h o'clock, so that they
can go in an orderly-and convenient manner to the
rooms of the Union League,
Hon. Mr. ALLEN. If it is informal, we. - want
no motion of this kind—what has been said is
sufficient. I hope for myself that we shall not
take any formal aztion on these political organize
tions.
Rev. Dr. SKINNER. I cannot see the force of
the objection raised by Mr. Allen. I regard this
as a matter not connected with party politics at all;
it relates to a subject next only in importance to
the direct interests of the .Kingdom of the Lord
Jesus Christ It is a matter concerning the salve-,
tion of our dear country; and I hope we shall not`
be backward as an ecclesiastical body in expressing,
in the most decisive and emphatic manner, our
sympathy with the interests of our beloved country.
Rev. Mr. CROWELL. Why should. we go on
Saturday afternoon, when the members will, be,
scattered in every direction. If We go this after
noon probably three times as many will be able to
go. move an amendment to that effect.
Rev. Mr. Arum. I wonder that there shmild
be any hesitancy in relation to this questien.l
sympathize fully with the views of Di. Skinner.
I entered the house of this association for the first
time this morning, and I was Overwhelmed with
the grandeur ' the magnificence of everything. No
one can visit that place without realizing that it is
not merely the politicians who are engaged in pre•
-
serving the interests tAls our country. This is a
movement of the first men of our city—the men
of money - the men'who have never mingled in
political life, but who feel that their all is at'stake,
and who say, "God helping us, -sve will take care
of-our country." This is not one of your political
club-rooms. Going there you will• see among the
decorations the flag of the nation, and you will also
see some of those fla g s that have been tattered on
the battle fields of the country. You will see
everything to indicate that the men of wealth and
influence in Philadelphia—the thinking, mini, un
political men, who have never dabbled in politics,
are now earnestly uniting for the salvation of the
nation. From this association and this house there
is to emanate an influence which 'shall be vastly, in
strumental in strengthening the cause of the coun
try in this perilous hour,
As soon as I had visited the club-room this morn
ing, I suggested to Dr. Brainerd that he should
secure an invitation from the association for the
General Assembly to visit the place, tor I wanted
my brethren to share with me in the satisfaction of
knowing that there is such aplace and such an as
pciation in our city. This Union, League is now
-issuing documents, some of which are going to
Great Britain to make her people and her states
men understand that we are still a nation and that
We are not going to Consent to the dissolution and
destruction of our country. By such associations
as these, the energies of those patriotic men who
have not dirtied their hands, with, politics, arebeing.
united in the firm purpose to stand by, this Goiern r
ment. When the question is whether we shall,
give our countenance and encouragement to such a.
Movement as this, we ought not to allow ourselves
to be deterred by any intimation that it is politi
cal.
I hope that we shall visit the rooms of this asso
ciation in a body, and I would that our wives, our
daughters and our sons could so along with us. I
would that we could have anewimpulse of patriotism,
such as there was in the time when theollall of in
dependence was made memorable.
REV. MR.. CLARK, of Illinois—Mr. Moderator, I can
comprehend no scruples against our accepting this
invitation, and going to that house ecclesiastically,
which would not bear equally against our passing
resolutions ecclesiasticallY. it strikes me that in
accepting this invitation. as an ecclesiastical body,
we simply extend the right hand of fellowship to
others who are willing to act loyally in conjunction
with us. I think, we should here pledge them our
support and co-operation.
REV. C. BaowN, of Philadelphia.—Perhaps Bro.
Cher Adair may consider that I belong to the slow
coach line, when I declare that notwithstanding the
very fervid address which he has made, I cannot al
together agree in his conclusions'. lam not a party
man; I am no politician whatever; but I am a
Union man; I am a Union League man. I think,
however, that after what Judge Allen has said, we
maybe well satisfied from the fact that, he has pre
sided over a Union League, that a man may oppose
this action, and still possess a thoroughly loyal heart.
The remarks Which that gentleman made have great
weight on my rti;nd, and I fully coincide with them.
I think that we can adopt a plan which will suit the
feeling of all, and accomplish every purpose. We
have already accepted the kind invitation , given us
by this League, and have thus shown our apprecia
tion of, the merits of this organization. Why, should
we not' simply have it understood that at a given
hour the members of this Assembly, accompanied
- by-Dr. Brainerd, will visit the ball of this association;
in respon - se to the invitation. Por one, I cannot con
cur in voting as a General Assembly, to go to any
meeting or any house of 'this, character, however
highly I-may appreciate its purposes, I ,would be in-.
dined to say that such action would not be entirely
in place for the General Assembly. I might go
further, and say that I think that the Presbyterian
Church of the United States, should be remarkably
cautious in acting as a body upon such invitations
is 'this. I trust that any member who cannot vote
in favor of our going as an ecclesiastical body, to
that place, will not be considered as wanting in, loy
alty, or as not concurring in heart with the object of
the Union League.
MR. LIsIAVITI", of
.the Hudson Presbytery.—Mr.
Moderator, the time is coming when we' shallnofre
gret. any decent or' earliest thing that we may have
'done to express our ownloyalty, or to encourage the
loyalty, of others. The time is coming when we shall
regret any decent or. earnest thing that we may
have been afraid, to do:
Rev. Dr. SMITH, of ',Washington, D. C.--Mr. Mod
erator, I have been pastor of a church in Washing
ton City for sow twenty-four years, and I know
"considerable Mont the views that public men take of
ecclesiastical action. I agree with the suggestion
made by Hon. Mr. Allen. Ik think that we have done
everything that is necessary , to be done with respect
to the invitation of the Union League, when we have
respectfully received that invitation, and voted to
accept it. Beyond that, I think the General Assem
bly had better leave the matter just as it is. There
is danger that by. action of the kind proposed, we,
may be understood as being an ecclesiastico-politinal
body. I think that we ought to avoid that. The
General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church stands
in such a ; position that its loyalty cannot be ques
tioned: We gain nothing by going to any club-room,
however magnificent it may be. Prom what I know
of the impressions which votes of this kind make
upon our public men, I think that when have ac
cepted and acknowledged the invitation, we. have
gone far enough. I agree with the suggestion made
by Mr. Brown, that this had better be left, as a mat
ter entirely voluntary with individual members, and
that the General Assembly should:take ,no action
whatever as to going to that room. ,
Rev. GitAvEs.. It seems to me that'the
bers of this Assembly eaiint, make S, distinction be!.
tween their loyalty as indMdtuds and their Invalti.
members of this ecclesiastical body. ' It is to be taken
fOr granted that every minister and elder is loyal.
Now, it seems to me that this League has been or
ganized, not for the purpose of assisting any political
party, but to stand . by our country, to? stand by our
rights, and to stand by the great God that gave us
this land. Now, sir, it is proposed that, after we
have accepted this,invitation, we shall decline,as-a
body to go there inour official capacity. Now, what
the League desires,'as suppose, is our sympathy.
Row do we propose to give that sympathy ? By a
declaration that we accept Ale invitation, but donut
think it expedient as an ecclesiastical body to go
there as such, but that members may go as individa
als whenever they please: I, for one, hope that no
such distinction will be made in this body between
our loyalty as a General _Assembly and our loyalty
as individuals of the body politic. Ibelieve that we
should carry out our principles. We ought to repu
diate any fear of aivakening the jealousy of political
demagogues. Let us show- by our action on this
subject that we are not , ashamed to have it, known
that we are for our country, at all times. I hope that
the propositiem for the Assembly to visit thaLeague
House in a body will be adopted. •
Rev. Dr. BRAINERD. As I have been the ,oceasion
of this discussion, may Ibe allowed to say that it
would be perfectly satisfactory, I think, to the mem
hers of the League, to have this matter hereafter
take an infoTmal direction. I shall be glad to be
here at five o'clock, either this afternoon or to-mor
row afternoon, so that all who are disposed' may ac
company me; and.l will also accompany - membors
to the : Refreshment Saloon. While 1 say this, I can
not recognise the existence of any political parties,.
when the questiowat issue is allegiance to the coma.'
try. There are in that League a great many Demo
crats as well as Republicans. I would be sorry that
it should be supposed by any one that I have thrown
in here a proposition, the adoption of which would
commit men to a political party. I thinlF. that Wash
ington and Albany are the places where there would
be extreme sensibility on that point, [Laughter.]
'Ain. ALLEN of Albany. That gentleman
who does not know that this Union League is as
emphatically a
. political 'organization as a Wide'
Awake" Club m'lB6o, 'has a great deal to learn.
itsv. DR. SKINNER. do not feel, Sir, the force
of Dr. Smith's remarks, to the effect that our pub
lic men are to be unfavoriblY impressed' by our ee
clesiasticaLsetion.- Sir, in my heart of hearts I have
the conviction that our public men are to have a new
irepression made upon their minds, and that we are
not - yet , to take the sentiment of our public men as
the standard and gauge of that feeling which be
comes us as citizens of the United States. I think
that if by ecelesiastieal action we can do anything to
rectify the sentiment of our public men in respect
to this great national struggle, it is our duty to do
it. Sir, ram convinced that there is a meaning in
our eccieSiastical action in this case, and I:want that
meaning to be expressed emphatically. I do not
agree altogether with the idea which has been ax
pressed* by my dear and venerated brother, Dr.
Brainerd. I-desire that we shall make this visit as
an ecclesiastical body, to express our sympathy with
those who have consecrated themselves, their lives,
their all, to the salvation of our nation.
Riv. MR.. CLARK, of Illinois. If we visit this
League House at all, either as individuals, or as an
ecclesiastical body, we go • not simply for our own
gratification; but to add a moral force to a righteous
cause. If we go for the purpose, of giving moral
force to the sacred cause to which that League is
devoted, and td which we devote oar influence
our eocltsiastical resolves Of loyalty; we wish to
make that moral force as strong and as effective as
possible. The moral aid which we may give in go
ing individually and informally will be something;
but it will be light as 'a feather in comparison with
the moral power of this Ag.einbly going as an As
sembly. I hope that if we are willing to do any
thing 'at 'all, we 'shall not shrink from doing the
most that we can., =;
Rev. Ammar .BA'aries. I apprehend, sir, that. Dr.
Brainerd' has put this matter in precisely the right
light. As I understand the question, the Union League
did not eon tem plate a Visitor the body formally to their
house: . By an 'examination of their invitation it will
be foubd that it states that the names of the Assem
bly 'have been entered on their books as visitors of
the League, their privileges to extend for days.
That League is in the habit of issuing invitations of
this kind to gentlemen of the city and elsewhere;
have such an invitation in my pocket. It is designed
that the members shall enjoy the advantage of the
hail as a reading room, or place of resort. I appre
hend that-the Union League did not contemplate
that the Assembly should go there as an -Aseenibly;
the meaning of the invitation was that at any time the
members of the Union League would: be hippy to
see gentlemen of the Assembly. All that would be
necessary in such a case would be that there should
be some Method of certifying the position of the
members of thp Assembly who might go there;
therefore, Dr, Brainerd nflers to conduct them i and
introduce them in that Capacity, so that 'they may
go at any tithe afterward when they may feel dis
posed. = . ..1 think there is force in the objection made
in regard to going as an ecclesiastical body—not as
to the spirit of the proposition,- but from the fact
that it is not what is contemplated by the League.
Rev. Dr. Smin., We have decided as an eccle
siastical body, first, to render our thanks to this
Union League for their invitation; we have done
this with no scruples, no difficulty, and nos. dabbling
in, the dirty stream of politics," as it is
,galled. In
the second place, we have decided to accept the in
vitation; and we have done it as an ecclesiastical
body ; and 'no one is alarmed. Now r sir, we come
to the detail of that idea; and the simple question
is, how shall' we regulate the animal locomotion
thither., Are >we afraid to go as an ecclesiastical
body lest polities and religion should be unlawfully
combined ? I hope , not, sir. We have committed
the error (if there be any error) in accepting 'the in
vitation atall;, and if our, going
,has an organized
ecelesiasticak, body headed, by the Moderator and
Stated Clerk, and all theclerks. if you please—if all
this will add's, single ounce to the practical influence
to be rendered by this body,•l hope that we shall go
in this manner.
Sir, I . protest out and out 'against this doctrine
that there is a necessary:repugnance between reli
gion and politics.. [A. voice, “Amen.l Politics is
the science of human government, involving its !e
-lotions to God, its relations to man withitie doctrine
of duty and retribution under that 'goveintuent;
and, sir, I believe in that kind of, politics that
pretiehee loyalty on the Sabbath do.y-4oyalty in the
pulpit; loyalty anywhere, and loyalty 'everywhere.
In an 'hour like this it does not-become us to be
specially sensitive Jest some fossil remains of an old,
antiquated fogyism should perchance be re-animated
and be a - filleted with a fit of tic doloreaux. This is
an hour of peril; it is an hour when every man
should show, his colors.. I hope that the ,General
Aideliably-will fix a time when we -shell' convene
here, and following Dr.:Brainerd and.: .the Modera
. tor, go •to that place; 'and we will bailor the Union
League. If'that be politics, then Isay in the name
of-God,' let it be politics. , ' 2'
HON. JOHN A. Poem, of ..Olexeland. I have
the very highest regard for Mr. Smith, and for Dr.
Barnes; and if the queition hadnotbeen "so special
lyiand promptly Made, -Imight have felt that we
could take the course which has been suggested by
them; ,but under the circumstances it strikes me,
that Upon a queluion of that kind, it -*mild not do
to flinch.. I .would not back down for a:-.nioment.
I concur in every sentiment which has been uttered
by the gentleman who has just 'taken seat, as
well as by Dr. Skinner. This in :a time - Of peril—it
is ',time of peril in the Free States,. To a great
extent we do not know how strong, oyalty is, or
how-weak it is. With regard Witty own constitu
ency, I know that .I represent them when I go not
only as.an individual, but as. a. representative to a
Union' League. The crisis of the country demands
that we should act boldly and decisively. Let the
faint-hearted, if they choose, decline to join in our
action as an Assembly upon this invitation ; I am
in favor of Our aCeepting the invitation; and visiting
the house .as; a =bodyi The cause =in which. this
League is engaged is, one for which we have, given
our onlYsOns, and we may at any moment tuar that,
their life-hided has been poured out in behalf of this
cause. Shall we then flinch when a, question of
this kind is pointedly and decidedly made? It is
a duty Whibh we owe to ourselves and our constitu
ents; toil:larch to the very verge on this question
of loyalty. This is not a question of party; the
question is simply 'whether we shall give all our in
fluence to foster and build ,up loyalty to our coun
try, and to our. God.
REV. MB,. TAYLOR, of Steuben Presbytiry. The
qnestion is now, Whethpr we shall make ourselves
consistent or inconsistent. Two General Assemblies
preceding this, have passed - resolutions of loyalty.
If this Assembly should now decline to accept this
invitation of the loyal League, (an organization not
'Kindest, ) then when the question shall come up on
t , hereport,of the committee on the state of the coun
try, the same arguments used here now may be
ernployed to show that we sheuld not meddle with
that subject."' ]for the sake of the consistency of
the body, I hope that this invitation will be accept
'
The-Moderator. The question before the house is
on the'mption made-by Dr. Cox, that the members
of the Assembly meet informally- to-morrow after
noon ,at 5 o'clock, and accompany. the Rev. Dr.
Brainerd.to rooms.of Lqyal League.
ifev::'llr.. Crowell. r,understatid" that that was
amended.
The Modeiator. Thetiiiis v eti'amendment to fix
MAY 28,