Continved from Eourth Page
What shall we publish? As we have already seen, we
began this work fur a definite purpose, and confined our
operations to a very small circle; and very few beyond
our own limits took an interest in our issues. A reason
fur this course then existed. It was a struggle for life.
We must write and publish in defence, or " be trodden
Hader foot of men." Brethren, whose theological train
ing and modes of thought were different froth ours, be
came alienated, and held us up before the public as
liereties of no common type; and we must either vindi
elite ourselves by our own publications, or leave the
Christien world to inter that the charges were correct.
Your Committee speak only offitcts, and not of the ani
mus of those connected with them. But that day has
gone by, the relation of things has changed, and we
must change our policy and action. Having commenced
the work of publication for a specific purpose—and that
a good cue—and having continued it for that same pur
puse, and other superadded ones, and being now in a
pebble!' from which we cannot recede, we should look at
the length and breadth and character of the work we
are to prosecute. The demand for mere " doctrinal
tracts," or tracts for refuting "calumnies ngainst us," or
any other publications which are restricted to our
church, and inspire no interest and do little or no good
anywhere else, has ceased. It is a fact of the peat. We
the nk God,—of a day gone by.
Your Committee fully accord with the recommenda
tions of the Assembly of 1867. After speaking of "the
power of the press" in its relations to "true piety," it was
Resolved, " that the Publication Committee he encour
aged to publish not only such works as may present the
peouliarities of our branch of the Christian Church, in
doctrine And practice, but from time to time such works
of an evangelical character as may be profitable to the
church at large." On this basis the Publication Com
mittee have noted ever since that period. And this is
as it should' be. Reformations do not and should not
ten iel backwards. This is the beautiful order estab
lie tad by God. It was last year, only, that this thought
wet suggested, that it might be well to reverse this or
der. We admire the processes of nature. whether viewed
by the [esthetic or utilitarian eye—" the seed"—‘. the
blade—then the ear—after that the full corn in the ear ;''
end there is shouting among the reapers when the har
vest is come, and the golden sheaves 'aro gathered in,
met the garners are full. This is nature's law—God's
le wof progress ; and it is unseemly to reverse it. Your
Cularnittee recommend that we continue to give further
illustrations of this law in the publication enterprise.
Onward should be our motto.
It has occurred to your Committee, that there is no
necessary antagonism between what is deemed or
called denominational Publlcations, and works, of an
evangelical and practical character, which go to make
up a true Catholic and Christina literature. , They
speak of our churches alone. There is little secta
rianism nmong them. They have so little home-attach
ment., that they seem to love their neighbor better
than themselves. A few controversial and doctrinal
tracts, the publication of which had become an eccle
siastical necessity from the acts of others, which we
trimici have controlled but could not, are exceptions to
the above remark. Several such tracts have been is
sued in times past, and others may be demanded in
the futuro,—but aside from These, works which pre : -
stinted. our type of orthodoxy,—which embody our
principles of exegesis,—which set forth our form of
Calvinism, and our philosophy of its exposition and
defonce,—our theory of Qod's moral government,
embracing Adam and his first sin, and our connexions
w; th them both—the atonement for a fallen race—broad I
in its provisions and infinite in its merits, laying the
foundation for the offer of a free salvation, and leaving
the shiner without excuse, if he shall reject "the Lord
that bought him," and finally perish,—the nature of
sin and regeneration,—the divine purposes in con
tie Oen with the freedom of man as a responsible moral
gent, as explained in our school of theology, and kin
dred doctrines. are the very materials we need to form
au evangelical and Christian literature. Such reading
is needed for ourselves, and needed. If we had mare
of It, we should have less Armininnism and more of
Calvinism, in all the evangelical churches. Inquiring
which; would become settled, and skeptics would be si
lenced. And yet such publications are both denomina
tional, and Catholic. They supply an experienced
want among ourselves, and they are equally needed
by the community at large. And they are adapted to
convert sinners in other oongregat'ons as well as in
our own. Such productions are recommended to our
I 'ir•lico lion Committee. By multiplying such, by the
:ency of the Press, and sending them forth broadcast
tipiin the world, they will furnish a course of religious
nailing adapted to the promotion of knowledge and
growth in grace, in our own Zion, and they are broad
and unsectarian enough to answer the deniands of the
reading Christian public in general.
'I he Sabbath School Books already issued, have
been received with much favor; and other volumes of
like character should be added to the list i—ancl if,
at any time, Tracts or books more restricted in their
scrape, and more denotninational in their materials should
scented to be called for, they should be added at the
iliso.retion of the Committee.
in the judgment of your Committee, the organize
that of the Publication Committee is well enough as it
is, though it may be a question deserving thought,
whether a reduction of its numbers from fifteen to
eler en might not add to its efficiency, and despatch in
business. The Institution is in the right place, and the
labor and munificence which it has called forth from
the Philadelphia brethren, richly entitle them to the
blessed Christian privilege of still further gracious
nos in tire same direction. And your Committee che
rish the hope, that the time is not far distant when
these labors of love will be imitated by that other great
eity'which proudly boasts of being the emporium of
the Empire State.
Though your Committee have already drawn, per
hhps too long, upon your time and patience, yet there
is one essential point more which must not be
otniteed,—it is the question of " Ways and Means."
Iti ail great movements in the State, and so also in the
church, this is the question which taxes the brain of
the government—and the purse of the people. The
great error of the church, therefore, has been that she
has expected the full "tale of bricks," without fur
nishing " the strew "necessary for completing the work.
Moans are needed, adapted to the end proposed ; and
an. American can no more make Books without money,
than an Egyptian could make bricks without straw.
Where, then, shall this material instrument be found ?
We must have this, or all the speculations your Com
mittee have indulged in, will fall to the ground, or be
dissolved into air. The collections of last year amount•
ing to some four thousand dollars, to adopt no severe
langunge, were no honor to the church. A few such
H an ual efforts of " masterly inactivity," would ruin any
specific p'nn ever adopted for the reformation of the
world, What, then, shall be done to inspire new life, and
insure united, energetic, and triumphant action in the
Publication cause?
lour Committee are of the opinion, that finnual col
lections for this object should continue to be pressed
upon all our churches, till this denominational enter
prise can stand upon its own feet, and do its own work,
without this kind of extraneous aid. And this timewill
be hastened. or retarded, according to the liberality or
scantiness of the contributions. Let the waters flow
freely into this fountain from all the churches—from
the wealthy, in generous streams, and from the de
pressed and poor, in little sparklinerills, and that
fountain shall soon be full, and in its turn it shall
lignin send out the liquid treasures to irrigate and fer
tilize the garden of God, till it shall blossom and bear
fruit abundantly, Only let the churches eater into
this cause with deep sympathy with its designs, and a
ge fund is secured by little-effort.
Your Committee mention another source of income
to this cause, which might furish an increased work
ing capital, without casting the churches anything.
It requites only genuine . loyalty to oiSr own denomina
tion. In all our history as Presbyterians, the General
Assembly have always claimed' e exclusive right of
raying what Books of Psalthody might, and might not
be used in our churches. Watts, and Barlow's and
Dwight's editions of Watts, were sanctioned by the
same body. In 1820 the Assembly - before the division
of the church, undertook to prepare a Book of Psalms
and ilymns which, in time should supplant all others
and become a bond of union among our churches."
This was deemed a great interest to secure. No
t:hurt:lt con exist and prosper without many such
bonds; and that whose tissue is formed by inter
weaving pocky and music, is at once the sweetest and
the strongest.—ln England almost every prominent
minister among the Dissenters t.as made a Book of
Psalms, or Hymns, for his own congi.egation. They
approach the independent way of doing things for
ttich Paul reproved the Corinthians ; When ye come
ti. , ;,etlier, every one of you bath a Psalm, bath a doe
trine." We might almost suspect that both; of these
be onged to the same sect, or denomination, while
who rebuked this disregard of church order, was,
no doubt, a sound Presbyterian.
Another thing was enjoined upon the Committee
wl o mado the first Book, which should constitute a
Innid of union in the Presbyterian church: the Psalms
nod Hymns must be separately arranged. Your Com
mittee think this is a sound injunction. Taste, and
pit ty, mod reverence for the Scriptures, require it..
It appears almost profane, to place David, who wrote
I'-alms under the inspiration of God, on a common
let el with modern composers of spiritual songs, who
wrote merely under the inspiratiori of human genius.
This injunction Of 1826 has been reiterated by our
A::iemblies at various sessions since.
tad your Committe would add, that all our Assem
bli fs since we have been a distinct body, have recom
iiit tided the use of one and the same book as a bond of
onion. And yet, what are the facts in the case? We
have in use in our churches more than one dozen diffe
tent books to day. Your Committee could give the
mimes of more than this—say fifteen or sixteen. They
It are this matter just here. They speak as unto wise
mon; judge ye what they say. If this Assembly could
h u big about an entire uniformity in the adoption and
t.e of our own book, and our only book as Preshyte
linos. they would accomplish one of their best acts as
II deliberative body—secure a strong bond pt union
among us, and help to fill the empty treasury of our
Poblioation Committee. The experiment is worth a
trial.
One thing more by way of sustaining the grand
agency of publication in our , Church. Your Commit
tee would recommend *the raising of a fund of 40,000
dollars, during the current year for the cause of Pub
lication, to be disposed of by the Committee, mostly
for printing and circulating books, and a part, if they
think best, for extinguishing the debt on the House.
The mode of raising this fund is submitted wholly to
the superior wisdom of this': Assembly. Place this
amount in, the hands of the Publication Committee,
and you give them a place to stand upon, and, under
God and by grace they will move the church first and
then the world,—and skeptics and timid believers shall
say, with a faith and confidence equal to that explained
by the old astronomer, when he arose from his knees
upon which he had been bowed down by an arbitrary
power which would crush out thdught from the mind
of man,—they move. Not in a whisper, as lie did,
but in a voice distinct and loud like thunder; and an
gels shall tune their sweetest harps, and a choir of
saints and angels shall sing the "new song" in hea
ven.
Your Committee are well aware that this report co
versa large field, and does not present any points for
definite action, hence they append the following reso
lutions.
1. Resolved, That the Publication Cause should now
be considered one of the established institutions of our
church.
2. Resolved, That true loyalty to our own home inte
rests and policy, demands of all our ministers and
all our church members devoted attachment to this
cause, and its cordial support.
3. Resolved, That as far as we and our churches are
concerned, we will endeavor to see that collections be
made annually in our congregations, and will use our in
fluence in every legitimate way to induce our brethren
everywhere to do the same, that our fund from this
source may be. greatly increased.
4. Resolved, That inasmuch as the "Cnoscu PSALM
-IST" is our own denominational book for conducting one
of the sweetest and sublimest sots of devotion, and as
the ownership of this book was purchased by the or
der of a former Assembly for the large sum of Ten
Thousand Dollars of the original Publishers, subject
to a small tax or tariff, by way of "copy-right" to the
compiler, for ten years only,—loyalty to our church
demands that it should become as speedily as practi
cable the only book of Psalmody used by our denomi
nation; and that in all cases of change in this branch
of worship, we recommend the "Church Psalmist" as a
substitute for any discarded book; and this for two
reasons, that it may serve as a strong bond of union
among us, and give the Publication Committee no
in
considerable income for the promotion"of those inte
rests entrusted to their hands.
6. Resolved, That this General Assembly, following the
example of former . Assemblies, totally disapprove of
those books of Psalmody, which in their arrangement
blot out the distinction between those songs of devo
tion which are Clod-inspired and those which are man
inspired.
Roared, That we enter at once upon energetic mea
sures for raising the sum of 60,000 dollars, to be appor
tioned according to some judicious plan, among our
churches, and that this fund be employed by the
Publication Committee as may seem to them best for
the furtherance of the great interests they are prosecu
ting, under God and the General Assembly.
All which is most respectfully submitted by your
Committee. N. S. S. BEM AN, chairman.
The report of the committee was accepted.
A motion being made for the adoption of tile res
olutions appended to the report, remarks were made
by Rev. Dr. Boman, Rev. Dr. Cox, Rev. Dr. Spear,
and Hon. Mr. Allen.
The resolutions submitted by the committee were
adopted.
Nomination of Delegates to Foreign Bodies.
General Association of New Hampshire. Rev.
S. W. Fisher, D. D., Presbytery of Utica, and Rev.
Lewis H. Reid, of Presbytery of Onondaga, alter
nate.
General Association of Connecticut. Rev. Geo.
E. Pierce, D. D., Presbytery of Portage, and Rev.
Henry B. Eldred, of Trumbull, alternate.
General Association of Massachusetts. Rev.'
Albert Barnes. and Rev. Wm. W. Williams, of
Presbytery of Keokuk, alternate.
General Convention of Vermont. Rev. Lyman
Gilbert, D. D., of Catskill, and Rev. Jonathan Cope
land, of Presbytery of Champlain. alternate.
The General Conference of Maine. Rev: Jonathan
Sewall of Presbytery of Troy, and Rev. John Waugh,
of Presbytery of St. Lawrence, alternate.
General Assembly Cumberland Presbyterian
Church. Rev. A. T. Norton of Presbytery of Al
ton, and Rev. Prof. Saunders of Presbytery of 1111-
nois.
To General Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian
Church of North America. Bev. Hah4ey Dunning
Presbytery of the District of Columbia, and Rev.
Merrick Johnson, Presbytery of Pittsburg, alternate.
To the Synod of the German Reformed Church in
the United States. Rev. D. B. Emerson, Presby
tery of Wilmington, and Fred. F. Judd, of the Pres
bytery of Rockaway, alternate.
To the ..'resbyterian and Congregational Conven
tion of Wisconsin. Rev. John Sailor, Presbytery
of St. Joseph's, and Rev. B. G. Riley, of Presbytery
of Columbus, alternate.
General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in
Boston. Rev. Jas. P. Wilson, D. D., of the Pres
bytery of Newark, and Rev. S. T. Spear, D. D., Pres=
bytery of Brooklyn, alternate. Elder, Joseph Alli
son, of Philadelphia; Elder, W. E. Dodge of 'New
York 3d, alternate.
Delegates were appointed last year to the General
Evangelical Lutheran Church, which tneets hi-annu
ally, and therefore no appointment is necessary this
year.
Church Erection
Rev. Mr. llowAno from the Committee on Church
Erection; submitted the following report, which was
accepted.
Report on the Church Erection Fund.
The Committee to whom was referred the annual re
port of the Trustees of the Church Erection Fund, would
report, that the important Julies of administering and
guarding this fund, appear to have been discharged dur
ing the lust year with the setae prudent, prompt, and
business-like tidelity, and with the same Strict adherence
to the plan of the Assembly, which have characterized
the action of the Board, Hum the time it web first en
trusted with the management of this fund.
A large portion of the original fund, and the whole of
its accumulations. amounting together to about fifty
eight thousand dollars, remains unemployedin the hands
of the Board, and is believed to be securely invested.
Three requests have been presented to the Committee.
One, that the surplus of the fund over one hundred thou
sand dollars be appropriated in large sums, where there
is urgent necessity, by way of loans and donations. An
other, that a loan of four hundred and sixty-six dollars
be changed into a donation of the sameivamount, .And
the third, that interest due the Board on a loan, be re
mitted. As the granting of these requests invhlves in
each case a change in the admirable plan of the Aasem
bly, the Committee unanimously recommend that they
be denied.
It has come to the knowledge of your Committee that
six churches, (two in Kansas, three in Illinois, and one
in Michigan,) which obtained loans from the fund
through the Synodical Committees of those *States, have
never completed the buildings on which mortgages have
been given to secure these loans. Your Committee
therefore would recommend that the. Synodical Commit
tees be instructed and earnestly enjoined to see to it,
that the requirements of the plan of the Assembly be
rigidly conformed to by every church that applies for
and receives a loan or a donation from this fund.
The term of office of the following trustees expires
this year, ustuely Asa D. Smith, Jas. W. McLane and
Wm. A. Booth. Your Committee recommend that they
be re-elected. Respectfully submitted,
G. A. Rowan', Chairman.
PHILA., May 28, 1863.
The Assembly then adjourned until Monday mor.ti
ing at 9 o'clock.
The Assembly, after spending an hour in devo
tional exercises, was openecl fur business at 10 o'clock.
The minutes of the last session were read and ap
proved.
Church Election Report.
The Assembly then proceeded to the consideration
of the Report of the Standing Committee on Church
Erection, submitted on Friday last.
The report ofthe committee was accepted.
The pending question being upon the adoption of
the report,
Rev. Messrs. Le Due and Thompson, of Minnesota,
Rev. Mr. iVaterbury. Rev.. Mr. Brownlee, or Kansas,
Rev. Mr. Stewart, of Michigan, and Prof. Day, dis
cussed the report, contending that the Church Erec
tion Fond had not been so beneficial to needy Wes
tern churches, as it sho uld be, and that some change
in the present system was needed. Some of the cl;-
.legates contended that the committee had done wrong
in denying the relief which had been asked by seve
ral Western churches. • The actiun of the committee
was defended by Rev. Messrs. Howard and :McLane,
and Hon. J. A. Foote.
On motion of Rev. Dr. Spear, the report was
amended by adding thereto the following:
Resolved, Thick a committee of live be appointed to
inquire whether any changes in the plan of the
Church Erection Fund are desirable to add to its ef
ficiency, and if so, what, and to report to the next
General Assembly. ,
The report, thus amended,„was adopted.
On ifiotiun, the thetas of (lie Assembly were una
nimously tendered to J. W. Benedict, Esq., Tree.
surer of the Church Erection Fund, fur the faithful
and gratuitous discharge of the duties of his office.
MONDAT, JUNE 1, 1863
24,ittrtiritit grtolltterian and, Gentott (6raitpliot
Personal Explanation.
Rev. Dr. SPEES (having obtained leave to make a
statement.) said that he bad been very sorry to learn
that a remark which he made, and a vote which be
gave, when the resolutions on the State of the Coun
try were under consideration, had been misunder
stood, and had given serious offence to some brethren.
When the Assembly had under consideration the
amendment proposing that the resolutions should be
read from the various pulpits, be had opposed the
amendment, and had declared that he should not
read them. He said that he seriously doubted at
that time, and still doubted, whether the General
Assembly hue the constitutional right to enjoin upon
pastors that they shall rend the deliverances of this
body. There are, he said, three ways in which the
deliverances of this Assembly may be brought before
our congregations. First, by reading the resolutions
in the pulpits; secondly, by making them the sub
ject of n. sermon or address; and, thirdly, by intro
ducing them in a sermon or address on a subject to
which they are pertinent. Ali that. I meant to say
the other evening, was, that I did not expect to rise
in my pulpit-and say to my congregation, "This is
the deliverance of the General Assembly on the sub
ject of our country." Ido expect to bring that deli
veranee before my congregation in the other method
indicated. I expect to preach a sermon upon the
doings of the General Assembly, and to introduce in
that connexion its action on this subject.
Now, sir, I don't need any endorsement with re
gard to my loyalty, either to my country or my
church. Any man who knows me knows myloyalty.
Sir, I have never seen the General Assembly in a
prouder position than that which it occupies to-day;
and 1 have never known the General Assembly to
take any action on any subject which I was not will
ing to bring, and did not bring before my congregation.
I expect to do the same now. But, sir, I do not
wish to do it in the manner in which the amendment
would seek to enjoin me to do it. I Only wish to be
left to my own discretion in the matter. That is all
that I meant to say; and if I have hurt the feelings
of any brother, I intend this as an apology.
Rsv. C. Bitowx said that he would give in a sin
gle sentence, the reason for his action on, the occa-‘
sion referred to. He voted against the amendment,
because he knew that the people would be fully sp=
prized of the Assembly's action, before the pastors
would have an opportunity to bring it to their atten
tion.
Report on Foreign Missions.
The report of the Standing Committee on Foreign
Missions being .presented by Rev. A. Barnes, was
accepted and adopted. It is us follows:
The. Committee recommend the adoption of 'reso
lutions that, in the judgment of the Assembly the
system, of foreign missions they are now prosecuting
in connection with the American Board of Commis
sioners fur Foreign Missions, and in which sixty
three of their ministers are directly engaged, de
mands the undivided energies of the churches and
increased contributions ; that while there is every
reason to be gratified with :the :operations of the
American Board, it would be unwise to contemplate
any measures looking towards a severance of the re
lations with that Board, and that a separate Foreign
Missionary action cannot -be inaugurated without
imperiling these, relations, and that they can - do
more through the agency of the American and Fo
reign Christian Union than by attempting to esta
blish separate uiissionaryaction as !a church. The
report was adopted.
Report on Narrative.
The report of the Standing Committee on Narra
tive being presented by Rev. Mr—Crowell, was ac
cepted and adopted.
Relief to Western Churches.
Rev. Mr: How.san offered the following resolution
which was adopted:— •
Resnlved, That this Assembly commend to the
churches in connexion with it, the pecuniary neces
sities of those of our churches in the West whose pe
culiar and urgent need cannot be met, under its char-
ter and rules, by the Church Erection Fund; and
that the Synodical Committees be requested to de-
Signate such churches by endorsing the written state
ments of their - affairs which they may make.
Appropriation of Church Erection Fund
Rev. Dr. SPEAR offered the following resolution,
which was adopted:—
Resolved, That the Board of Trustees of the Church
Erection Fund be authorized, in case any . SyllOd shall
be under the necessity of drawing upon the fund for
more than its present apportionment, to appropriate
to such Synods so much of the unappropriated por
tion of the fund as they in their judgment may think
proper.
Farewell Address of Rev. Dr. Tustin.
Rev. Dr. TUSTIN, delegate from the General As
sembly, meeting at Peoria. being about to leave this
Assembly, had opportunity for some farewell remarks.
lie spoke es follows:
Mr. Moderator and Brethren of the Assembly: I de
sire in a few brief words, before your final adjourn
ment, to express my unfeigned gratitude for the fra
ternal recognition extended to me, as the clerical re
presentative of the Assembly now in session in Peoria.
I am grateful for the spiritual banquet in which 1 was
permitted to participate on the occasion of that recog
nition. I hope sir, that
" While life, or thought, or being last,
Or immortality endures"—
never to lose the impressions of that precious occasion.
My soul, sir, has been feasting ever since on the
honey comb, which we found in the carcass of the lion
we had slain. I am grateful, sir, for the affectionate
salutations, which I have received personally from
scores of the friends of Jesus, the tones of whose
voices, I had never heard before. lam grateful, es
pecially grateful for the privilege of uniting with this
Assembly and other Christian friends. in celebrating
the holy rite of the commemorative supper. Amidst
the highestand purest joys which we can experience
on this hither side of the grave, let us never for a mo
ment forget our obligations to Jesus, the source and
foundation of all our enjoyments.
And now that we expect to separate in a few hours, I
never to meet again in this, vale of tears, permit me to
express my earnest good wishes for the present and
future welfare of the officers and members of this As
sembly. My prayer is already up before the Throne.,
that God will take each one of you by the hand and
conduct you safely along the chequered journey of
life, whidh none can cane walk successfully alone—and
that when you shall have done with the duties and ob
ligations of the present scene, you may all be per
mitted to join in the deliberations of the General As
sembly and church of the first born, whose names are
written in heaven—in that bright and glorious world
where change comes not—where separations are nezer
known, where we shall never be called, under any
circumstances, to take the parting hand, or to pro
nounce the tender, affecting and sometimes painful
word, Farewell.
In returning to our several homes, let us:carry with
I'3ml/zit of the spirit of the Master, and resolve..upon
renewed and more entire consecration to his service.
And while the two invincible columns of the sacra
mental host here represented, march forward side by
side under the guidance of the great Captain of their
salvation, against the common enemy, let them fling
ont their banners to the breezes of heaven and inscribe
upon their ample folds in golden capitals.
"Distinct as the 6ittours
But one as the ;est."
Beloved Brethren in the discipleship and ministry
of Jesus, Farewell! •
The MODERATOR pro fem., (Rev. Dr.. Fowler,) re
sponded to Dr. Tustin as follows:•
.DEAR BaornEn.:•—The circumstances in which the
overture from your body was accepted by this Assem
bly, the manifestation of feeling made at the time,
and the words of greeting extended to yon by the
occupant of this chair, assure you of the cordiality
with which the proposition for correspondence with
your body was accepted by this. Allow me. to say
that that cordiality has been increased by the truly
admirable manner in which you have discharged the
delightful and yet delicate part assigned, to you.
In parting with you, we beg you to bear with you
the assurance of our most earnest wishes for your
prosperity personally. We pray that with increas
ing years you mny bear increasing fruits. Be good
enough to tender to the body which you represent
our assurance of sympathy with them in spirit, and
readiness cordially to co-operate with them in the
common objects that we propose as churches of the
Lord Jesus Christ. One with • them in substance of
doctrine, corresponding to them in orhanization„
agreeing with them in our plans of usefulness, we
feel ourselves to be one with them as brethren and
servants of the Lord Jesus Christ; and the prayer
of all our hearts, is, may grace, mercy and peace - be
multinliod unto you and unto the dear brethren hod
churches which you represent, now and ever more.
Hour of Meeting.
On motion of Rev. Dr. Spear, it was
Ordered, That the hour of meeting this afternoon
be 3 ins tend of 4 o'clock.
The Assembly then adjourned with prayer till
3 tir P.M.
AFTERNOON SESSION
The Assembly met at 3i o'clock.
Reports of Delegates to Corresponding Bodies.
A letter from Stephen Bush, a delegate appointed
by the General Assembly to visit the Gene - rat Ass°.
ciation of New Hampshire; a letter from Z. M. Hum
phrey, a delegate to the Presbyterian and Congre
gational Convention of Wisconsin; and a letter from
Rev..J. W. McLane, a delegate to the General Asso
ciation of Connecticut, were read, ace.epted, and or
dered to be printed in the appendix of the Minutes.
Trustees of Church Etietion Fund and Presby
terian House.
Aaa D. Smith, W. A.,Pooth; arid J. W. McLane,
were elected by the Assenitily Trustees of the Church
Erection Fund.
Rev. Thos. J. Shepherd, Rev. Daniel March, Rev.
Wu). T. Eva, Chas. S. Warts, and J. C. Farr, were
elected Trustees of the Presbyterian House.
Report of the Committee on Bills and Overtures.
Rev. Dr, SPEES, from the Committee on Bills and
Overtures, reported various overtures, with accom
panying recommendations - to the Committee.
Overture No. 2 (No: 1 baring been previously re
ported,) was a communication from the Presbytery
of Lexington, Mo., stating in substance, that they
had formally seceded tram. this Assembly, and con
nected themselves with the Presbfteritin Church of
the South, but that they now desired to return and
be reinstated in their connexion with this Assembly.
The Committee, in their report, stated that a mi
nority of the Presbytery bad, without interruption,
adhered to their Synod and the General Assembly,
and have been recognised as constituting the Pres
bytery. The name of the' Presbytery had never been
dropped from the rolls of the General Assembly,
The Committee recommended that no action be taken.
The report of the Committee was accepted and
adopted.
Overtures Nos. 3 and 4 were memesials praying
the General Assembly to adopt such measures as, in
their wisdom, they mightdeem"proper, to' secure the
reunion of the two bilehes of the Presbyterian
Church.
As this subject had Mtn fully considered by the
Assembly, and had been acted on, by the adoption
of resolutions on the 22d inst., the Committee recom
mended that no further action be taken.
The report of the Committee was accepted and
adopted.
Overture No. 5 VES from the Publication Com
mittee, praying the. Assembly to make a declaration
of trust with regard to the Presbyterian house pro
perty, and proposing the form of such a declaration
for the aduption of the Assembly.
The Committee recommended the adoption of the
overture, and the appointment by the Assembly, of
the following named legal gentlemen to attend to the
legal formalities in connexion with the creation of
the trust:--Samuel H. Perkins, Samuel C. Perkins,
and Hon. Joseph Allison.
The report of the Committee was accepted and
adopted.
Overture No. 6 was from the Presbytery of lowa
City, on the subject of manses.
The Committee recommended' that it 'be referred
to the Committee already appointed to report on the
subject at the next General Assembly.
Ihe repoit of the Cominittee was accepted and
adopted.
Overture No. 7 was frem the Presbytery of lowa
City, on the subject of Education.
The-Committee, recotwiended that it be referred
to the Permanent Committee on Education.
The report of the Committee was accepted and
adopted.
Overture No. 8 was on the subject of Sabbath
schools, Sabbath services, and the relations of see
eitins thereto.
The Committee recommended that it be referred
to a special committee, to report on the subject at
the next General Assembly.
The report of the Committee was accepted and
adopted.
Rev. Joel Parker. D. D., Rev. henry Darling, D. D.,
Rev. T. Briiinerd, D. D.,Eldere E. T. Huntington and
M. W. Baldwin, were appointed as the committee.
Overture No, 9 suggested the adoption of certain
standing orders of business, for the purpose of eco
nomizing the time of tbe Assembly, and ensuring a
full consideration of the various interests committed
to'the care of the Permanent Committees.
The Committee recommended the adoption of the
overture.
The report of the committee was accepted and
adopted.
Overture No. 10 was on the subject of Sabbath and
Industrial Schools.
The Committee recommended the adoption of the
overture, or, in other words, an endorsement by the
Assembly, of Mission and Industrial Schools.
Hon. J. A. Poore made anme remark ' s illustrating
the admirable working of such schools, as they had
come within his experience.
The report of the Committee was accepted and
adopted.
Overture No. 11, the only remaining one in the
hands of the Committee, suggested the propriety of
discontinuing the stated manual sermons on various
subjects of benevolence connected with the church,
such as the annual sermon in behalf of Home Mis
sions, Publication, etc.
The Committee recommended that each annual
sermons be discontinued.,
After some remarks by Rev. Dr. Spees and Rev.
Mr. Adair,' in favor of the report, it was accepted
and adopted:
Delegation to the President of thetrnited States.
On motion of Rev. D. .Spear, it was
Ordered, That such of the members of the General
Assembiy, as propose to visit Washington, be ap
pointed a committee (with authority to select their
own chairman.) to convey to the President of the
United States the action of the Assembly'on,tbe state
of the country.
Reception ; Of Delegite, from Reformed Presby
terian Church.
Rev. Dr. T. W, J. WI -4 s-was introduced . as ade
legatefrom the Reformed Presbyterian Church, and
spoke a's follows
Mr. Moderator, fathers' and brethren, I am grate
ful for the opportunity you afford • nie, at this ad
vanced period in your sessions, to appear in this
Assembly. A few years ago,'Fir, I had this honor;
and as I appear before you, I cannot but think of the
change of circunistances in which we-are found.
With us, as with you, honored and beloved fathers
and brethren have gone from theitlabor-to their re
ward; but still, with us, as with you, the church
goes on with her appropriate work, for Christ. her .
head, lives and reigns. You have heard, as we have
heard, the call to antis; and hundreds, I' might say
thousands, of your suns, as of ours„ have gone forth
to the- field of deadly conflict. You, as well as we.
have given your cordial support to this lamentable
war, the result of a most nekrioue rebellion; Old as
I have heard, or read your noble utterances on this
subject—as you, have spoken once and again, and
the third time, in regard to it, with no uncertain
sound. so that none could misunderstand your posi
tion—l have felt that tlie'spirit of the old Covenant
ers lives among you, and that, though you and we
might perhaps fur a time Still occupy distinctive po
eitions, we are of the same lineage, and we have one
ancestry. '
-Mr. Moderator, our chiich is one of the smallest
of the tribes of our American Israel. Our operations
-orlon a corresponding-iefle; and we cannot ther&
fore present before you rords of what we are doing,
which would at all compare in magnitude with the
work in which you are engaged. YOU will, however,
we are sure, be glad to learn that we are endeavor
ing, in our humble Way, to do something fur the
glory of God, and for the good of our fellow-men.
We have a Foreign Mission in India, whiCh is in a
prosperous condition. One of its stations (and I
mention this as a remarkable circumstance unparal
leled,'l believe,. in the history of nations,)—one of
its stations is supported by a Native ruler. - This
Native prince invited our missionaries to come, ten;
dered them support, provided accommodations for
their use, and by his actireco-operation, the work
of missions is carried on. ',This, sir, seems to be an
evidence that the time is near at hand in that land,
when multitudes will be horn as in a day—when we
shall find the princes, as Well us the people, turning
to the Lord.
We have during the last year met with a severe
loss in our Foreign Mission. Our senior missionary
has been called away from earth to heaven. He
was a man worthy of remembrance; and precious
as I know your time to be, you will permit, me, I
feel confident, to spend a few minutes in referring
to his history--remarkable as showing how well it
is that in all things we should endeavor to keep the
commandments of God. This distinguished and
beloved man came over to this country from Ire
land many years ago in ; a,cry humble condition of
life. He obteined a 'situp On in the employment of
t
a wealthy merchant in this city. While acting in
this capacity,he was one Sabbath morning directed
by that merchant to clean his carriage, Which had
been used late on Saturday` and which he desired to
have in readiness fbr church. Dr. Campbell (for it
is he to whom I refer), at that time an t bscure
young man, declined' to do as he was commanded.
His employer threatened him with immediate dis
missal. Still he was firm. He felt that the com
mand, "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it
holy," was binding on him, and he chose to obey
God rather than man. He expected to be dismis
sed on the knowing day. But his employer had
his attention specially culled to him by this very
circumstance; he felt that he had in his service a
man of honesty and integrity; and he respected him
the more that he chose to incur his displeasure
rather than disobey God. Instead of ejecting him
from his situation, he raised him to a higher posi
tion. Finding that be had education and talents
superior to the place he occupied, he' took him - into
his counting-room; he made him his confidential
clerk, and by his agency carried on his extensive
businass with England. Thus there was given to
him the opportunity to prosecute his studies; and
devoting himself to - the work of the ministry and
foreign missions, he became prepared to'go out and
preach the Gospel to India. He was sent thither,
and labored there for early thirty years faithfully
and successfully. He has now laid down the sword,
and, we doubt not, wears the crown of eternal glory.
' Mr. Moderator, Ido not wish to 'detain you; but
it would be interesting to you, I feel sure, to hear
something of thf recent meeting of our Synod. One
important measure which has been before that body
I desire especially to submit to your attention. We
feel that in this clisis of our country's fate we ought
not to be satisfied with the mere restoration of the
former condition of things, but we ought to endea
vor after something better than we have ever had
before. It has, therefore, been thought that proba
bly, in Divine Providence, the opportunity is now or a
will erelong be presented to mend our Constitu
tion. Confessedly it has imperfections; for it pro
vides for its own amendment. We desire to_find in
it a recognition of the sovereignty of God, and of
the Mediatorial authority of the Lord Jesus Christ.
We believe that Messiah is the Prince of the kings of
the earth, and that all nations should serve Him;
'that to Rim as Mediator (for it is only in this capes
city that Ile could receive a gift,. as - God lie already
possessed all things)—to Him as Mediator, has
been given all power in heaven and in earth. We.
feel that alio should be - recognized, and that this is
the time when we ought to endeavor to übtain such
a recognition.
Then too, we feel, sir, as we dOtibt not yen
. feel
that that Constitution should be purified from the
very savor and smell and odor of slavery.; and we
desire that it should contain no such provision (in
our view in direct untagonieni to the word of God,)
as that which says that the poor panting fugitive
should be delivered up to his master. We desire
that, whatever that document contains, that may be
construed cr tortured to sustain slavery, should be
removed from it.'ln regard-to this subject we have
taken action which, when submitted to you, will,
we trust, meet with your approbation and receive
your hearty concurrence.
Another subject came before us, and kfeel that in
presenting this, I speak to those 'who sympathize
with us. If, as one of your ministers has wittily oh
served, the letters "N. S." appended to your title .
mean "No Slavery," I am sure that'you will be
ready to go with all those who are opposed to that
dreadful curse "of our country. Now, sir, you are
aware that in the progress of this war, MultitUdes of
those unhappy men who have suffered the miseries
of bondage have been thrown upon 'our humanity
and benevolence. They have come within the lines
of our armies ; their' masters have run away from
them—not they from their maSters-as manyof them'
have. told me. ' and they 'are in a condition most de
piorable in reference to their physical wants and the
dark cloud of ignorance Which rests- upon
What is tube done fur these and • for others like
them who will need our care when the Emancipation
Proclamation, ne, we' mity anticipate, shall be en
forced throughout all the Rebel States? 'What shall
vre do for them? We certainly, Sir, ought to send,
the schoolmaster to teach them and the minister of
Christ to.preaeli to them a full, free Gospel; and we
trust that you will unite with us in this work: Ethi
opia is literally stretching forth her hands to God.
As dry and thirety ground pants for the reviving
rain of heaven, these children of Africa are earnest
ly desiring to receive instruction. Nothing do they
crave so m uch as this. And, sir, it is the burden on
the American church at this time, inure than aught
else, we believe, to provide for them. We mayfeel
that we are coiled upon to send missionaries to China,
or India, or Africa. or to the Red men of our own
•country: but here, accessible to us, nt our very
doors, are those who - need to be evangelized. Our
Synod resolved to commence this work—to , do what
it was competent for us to do for this purpose; and
we trust that it will nut be regarded by you, power-,,
ful and influential as you are, as an unsuitable or
unbecoming object of effort.
Mr. Moderator, I thank you for your kindness in
listening to Me tus far. I can truly assure you of,
the good-will felt toward your Assembly by.the Re
formed Presbyterian Church. The feel that they
.are nearly akin to you ; they feel that they occupy.
substantially the same platform, and that they are
staving for the same great objects.. They wish you
success in the work of Gud, and they implore upon
you, individually and as an Assembly; the blessing
of God, the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost.
The Monzairou pro tem.,.(Rev. Albert Barnes in
the chair.) I am, Dr. Wylie, very unexpectedly
called upon,lu occupying 'this seat temporarily, to
say a word in reply to your kind and courteous ad-.
dress. From the temporary position which I hold
here, I. am not authorized to give utterance to
the sentiments which the 'permanent Moderator' of
this Assembly might express in reference to the
rieWs . and feelings of this body. But I am sure, I
speak their united sentiments when 1 say that theY
reciprocate all that you have said in declaring your,
desire as a church for Christian intercourse with ifs_
in our efforts in promoting the cause of religion, in
advancing the welfare of our country, in striving for
freedom and fur the triumph of the principles of
humanity in our land and throughout the world.
We are essentially of oae body. I need not, say
to you, personally what our feelings are toward each
other, or haw you are regarded in this city by the
ministers of our denomination, or bow your church
is regarded in reference to the position which it oc
cupies and the great purposes which it contemplates.:
With the same great principles of doctrine, of church
government and order--the same views jn referenCe
tu practical religion—holding the same great doc
trines of justification by faith and redemption,
through the Lord Jesus Christ, as expressed in
our excellent standards,—we are united by the
strongest ties. There were principles of our church
speak of your church and Mire originally—there
were principles of the Presbyterian Church, as ex
hibited at the time when the Reformation began to
be developed, which may yet have a wider applica•
eability than they have yet had, and may have an
important 'bearing on these times, which even our
fathers did not contemplate. In some respects you
hare, I confess, gone in advance of us. We would
all be willing to acknowledge that you as a body
hare, from the beginning, taken positions on im
portant questions to which we have been Certainly
coming, and which we have now reached by the
unanimous convictions and feelings of a body in
whose name the Moderator of this Assembly would
appropriately speak.
I may say in reply to your remark bearing on this
point that all the wisdom of this country will be re
quired to adjust things as they cony grow out of this
unhappy war. Not merely the might of arms by
land and by sea—not merely all the patriotism of the
country as evinced in battle on land and ocean—not
merely all the 'wisdom of
,the President and the
Cabinet, rind the high officers of state, will be re
quired, but all the wisdom that there if?' in the church
may he needed to adjust matters in reference to the
points which you: haveindicated, so that our insti
tutions in this, land shall be what we earnestly de
sire them to be.
Of course, it would not become me to speak of
any measures contemplated in reference to the future
of this nation; but there are great changes in pro
gress—tbere are great changes to be procured—
there are great changes desirable, I think we would
all admit, in reference to certain things in our coun
try; and the wisdom of, the chureh as well as the
wisdom of the patriot and the statesman, will be re
quired to bring about events which we all feel to be
desirable and such as we think God, in liis infinite
wisdom and goodness, desires and desigi3s be'
brought about as the result of this unhappy appeal
to arms. In the midst of the dreadful state of things
which is upon our country, we believe that God Al
mighty reigns,„upon earth—that le was the God of
our fathers-7-that He loves,this country—that He in
.
tends to promote its welfare, and acComplish vest
objects, as the result of the present state of things
in this land. I may . say, I think without impro
priety and with hearty sincerity, that we shall go
with you in - every effort you may make in your
church to bring about these objects; and in refer ,
epee to that and all other things which you contem
plate, alike in our own country and in foreign -mis
sions, we shall bid you "God speed,” praying that
the blessing of the Almighty may ever rest upon
you and upun the denomination which yuu represent.
Special Committee on Church Erection Fund.
The Moderator announced the appointment of
the following named gentlemen•ai the special com
mittee to inquire and report to the next ii eneral
Assembly whether any changes in the plan of the
Church Erection Fund are desirable: —Rev. J. Few
Smith, D. D., Rev. Robert W. PatterSOn, 1) . D.,
Rev. Philemon H. Fowler, D. 11, Hon. Wm.
Strong, and Oliver H. Lee.
Prayer by the Churches.
Mr. }L JOHNSON offered the following resolution,
which was adopted:
Resolved, That the first entire week in January be
observed as a week of. prayer by the Churches in
our connection, the subjects of prayer to be at the
discretion of the respective churches; that the first.
Monday in January be'observed as a day of prayer
for the conversion of the world; and that the last
Thursday in February be devoted• in like manner to
the spiritual, interests of students in Our colleges
and other Seminaries of learning.
Reports on Synodical Records.
The various committees on Synodical Records
were called in their order, and, made reports which
were approved.
Report fibm Judicial Committee.
Rev. Dr. GRIDLEY, from the Judicial Committee,
made a report in regard to the complaint of S. Ed-
wards Todd: The report, after reviewing the cir
cuwstancvs, recommended that the case be remand
ed to the Synod of Onondaga, with instructions to
remand the same to the Presbytery of. Cayuga for
definite and full action thereon.
Rev. Drs. FowLett and SPEAR stated that they be
lieved the report to be erroneous in ita conclusions,;
but from the brief time allowed they did not feel at li
ber:ty to make any lengthy opposition to its adoption.
They believed that the precedent which the action of
the committee would tend to establish. was a bad one.
Rev. Dr. GRIDLEY defended the report. ,
The report was accepted and adopted.
United States Christian Commission.
Rev. 11. Jorissort offered the following resolution,
which was adopted:
Resolved, That this Assembly cordially approve of
the spirit and aims of .the United States Christian
pommissiou--an organizatiOn designed to furnish to
the officers and men of our army and navy the best
possible Christian ministers for body and soul in their
circumstances; and we cheerfully and heartily coin
'rneud this work as most important and most timely,
not only in its influences upon the brave men in the
field, but through them upon the cause they advocate,
and the country they defend.
• Resotved, That this "Issembly recommend to our
Churches, in securing contributions for the purpose of
supplying the army with religious reading, to forward
the same to our Publication Committee, with the re
quest that the money be invested in publications adapt
ed to the wants of soldiers in the field and hospitals,
the same to be forwarded through the agency of the
Christian Commission.
Committee Discharged
The special committee appointed by the last Assem
bly to consider the subject of raising a fund to be ap
plied to the aid of disabled ministers and their families
were discharged.
Rev. J. Glentworth Butler, Rev. George F. Wiswell,
Hon. Joseph Allison Ambrose White, and Samuel H.
Perkins were appointed a committee to report on the
subjef•t to the next Assembly.
The committees appointed by the last Assembly on
special cases of Infanta3aptism, the Church Erection.
Fund, and the Relations of the General Assembly to
Sunday School and the Religious Education of Chil
dren, having failed to make any report, were severally
discharged.
Publication of minutes and Treasurers'
Reports.
On motion, it was
Resolved, That the Minutes of the Assembly,
with the usual Appendix., and thelßeports of the
Treasurers of the Permanent Committees be printed
under the direction of the. Stated Clerk.
Incidental Expenses of the Assembly, Eto.
The Janitor's, bill, the bills for stationery and
printing, the travelling expenses of the delegates to
foreign bodies, and the salaries and travPiling ex
penses of the Stated and Permanent Clerks were
ordered to be paid.
"Daily Presbyterian" Reports.
Rev. Mr. CLARK, of Illinois. I move that the
thanks of the Assembly be returned to the Editor
of the American Presbyterian for furnishing us with
a daily report of our proceedings during the sessions
of the Assembly.
The motion was adopted.
Meeting for Devotional Exercises.
Rev. Mr. enowELL moved that when the As
sembly adjourn this afternoon, it be to meet at
eight o'clock this evening; to spend an hour in de
votional exercises, previous to the final adjourn
ment.
The motion was agreed to. '
Calling of the Roll.
On -motion, the roll was called, and the meMbers
present answered to their names.
The Assembly then adjourned, with prayer.
EVENING SESSION.
The Assembly met at 8 o'clock, P. 3f., and spent
an hour in devotional exercises.
At 9 o'clock the Assembly was organized for
business.
Resolution of Thanks. • '
Rev. Mr. CROWELL offered the following resolu
tion :-
Resolved, That our thanks be tendered , to the
Committee of Arrangements, for •their kind and
efficient labors in providing for the order of this
Assembly and tile comfort of its members; to the
Trustees of this "Congregation, for the use f their
house of worship; and to the choir, for their excel
lent music.
Resolved, That similar thanks be tendered to the
Railroad Companies for returning free our mem
bers who have travelled over,their roads;
and espe
cially to the Atlantic Railroad Co., for the excur
sion which they provided for this Assembly.
Rev. Dr. CLARK, of Buffalo, and .Mr. SCARRITT,
of St. Louis, Mo., made brief speeches, in acknow
ledgment of the hospitality extended by the people
of Philadelphia to members of the Assembly who
had come from abroad.
Rev. ALBERT BARNES. Perhaps, as Chairman
of the Committee of Arrangements, it maybe pro-•
per for me to say a word before these resolutions are
passed, and the rather as the labor, whatever there
was, in making ;arrangements for the members of
this Assembly has devolved on others much more
than on myself. My associates on than committee
have given themselves with untiring diligence and
fidelity to the work which the Assembly entrusted
to them, and I am very bappy,to learn that their
labors in this respect have met the approval of the
Assembly.
A few remarks from me may also be appropriate
as being the pastor of this church and the oldest
pastor in. this city at the present time connected
with either branch of the Presbyterian Church, and
the oldest pastor in the city with the exception of
two, neither of them connected with our bodies.
I have lived here long enough to see a change in
the pastorate of every church in the city, except in
those two instances. It affects me very much when
I think of what I have seen in the General Assem
bly at this time and at formei times. It has so
happenetl that I have not for nine years been pre-
Sent in a General Assembly of either branch of the
church ; but though I have seen many General. As
semblies in years that are gone by, I might say that
I have never attended an Assembly which has left
as pleasant impressions on my mind as those created
by this. I cannot, of course, fail to contrast the
proceedings of this body with scenes which I wit
nessed in this house years ago—in 1838 and in times
'antecedent to that.
But let "by-p.ones be by-gones." Those things are
passing away from our remembran . ce. This meeting
of our. Assembly will be recollected hereafter, not only
on account of its deliberations and resolutions, but as
connected with the kindest expressions of affection on
the pert of.those from whom we have been separated.
so long. Everything in• this AsFembly his been:plea
sant; and if rnemliers cherish kind recollections. of the
hospitality of Philadelphia, we shall all cherish kind
recollections of their association with us in our fami
lies and in this house.
I trust, also, that our meeting here hai resulted - in
something more than-the establishment olkind'feel
ings between us—something more than:the recollec
tion of hospitality- on , the one side, and Ypleasant ac
quaintance and-converse on the other.- This'Assem-'
bly stands before tWe world, I think, in a position
different, in some reenacts, from that which has bent'
occupied by any previous Assembly. I think there
is advancement; I think there is progress; I--think
there has been- an intensity of interest, a depth 'of
feeling, a unity of purpose; an attachment to' the
church and the great - causes in which we- are en
gaged. a devotion to - our country, such as will give
this Assembly a marked place in the history of our
church and of our nation. • • -
With these feelings on our part, you are 'about to'
take leave of-us. •It has always been to me a very
affecting moment when I have come into, this house
after a General Assembly has adjourned;_ and when'
I come into this house again, Isbell have those feel-'
ings renewed. I think of the men whose faces I
have seen for days—some of-whom I havelnown in
earlier years—some of whom I have known by'repu
ration, not personally—and _with- many . of whom I
have formed, fur the first time, a pleasant'acquaint- ,
a ne e, never perhaps to be renewed.
The prayers of the people 'uf this city, in whose'
families you have been, will accompany you. They
will pray for the Divine blessing to rest upon you.
We shall be interested in knowing, so.far as we may;
of the success, prosperity, and happiness of all the
members,of this Assembly. And though we shell
not meet again upon earth—though I may never' be
in another Assembly here—and 'though, undoubt-
edly, some members of this body will never again he
gathered with their brethren in a convention of this
'kind upon earth, yet I do most humbly trust. and
pray and believe, that we shall all be gathered to
gether at last, in the general assembly and church
of the first-born, whose names are written in heaven.
[The resolutions of thanks were adopted unani
mously.l - - -
Philadelphia 'Ladies and the Soldiers.
Ron. J. A. FOOTE, of Ohio, made some remarks,
commending in 'enthusiastic terms, the ladies of
Philadelphia for their untiring attention to the wants
of the soldiers.- He suggested that a vote of acknow
ledgment might be appropriate.
Rev. H. E. Naas offered the following resolution,
which was adepted:
Resolvedjh at the Assembly hereby express their
high admiration of the manner in which the ladies
of Philadelphia have contributed, and are contributing
to the comfort of the soldiers who pass through this
city, and of those who return as sick and suffering
to its hospitals; and that,.as citizens of the country,
and in behalf of those Whoth we specially represent,
we present to these ladies our `hearty thanks.
Thanki to the liod,qator
Rev. Mr. OnoweLL offered the following resolution
Resolved, That the thanks of the Assembly be of
fered to the Moderator, Rev. Professor Smith; for the
able and impartial manner in which he has presided
over the deliberations of the Assembly, and for, the
dignified- and Christian courtesy which he has ex
tended to the commissioners.
The question on the resolution was put . by Rev.
Dr.. Darling, and it was adopted unanimously.
Tus MODERATOR. Brethren of the Assembly, Ido
not know when I have regretted the partial loss of
voice so much as now, when I am called upon to re
spond to such a.vote in reference' to my action while
occupying this, position—the most honorable in which
:you could have plaeed.me.,and tbe reemory_of which
I shall cherish with gratitude as long as I live. I
took, this chair with fear and trembling. I. have
been: sustained in it every day and every hour, by
your constant, forbearance and courtesy, for which I
tender to you my hearty thanks.
We have reached the termination of our labors as
an Assembly of Christ in session which has, I
trust, abounded in bleseingslo all of us, and which
will be fruitful to the cherish here represented. Few
deliberative bodies can look back upon so prolonged
a session and nut. be able to recall a single word of
discourtesy or of acrimony—a single word incon
sistent with Christian ,charity and love. I know not
that such a word has been uttered by any member
of this Assembly during. -these sessions. Let us
thank God that he has giveo us such a spirit of mu
tual respect and mutual love> It is because the
Spirit of God has been with us that. such has been
the tem.:of this Assembly.
We have met together , here from all parts of our
land, representing diversities of interests, and yet
we have' come to,,results, (almost all of them well
nigh unanimous)
.upon Some of' the most important
questions in, respect to: both church and state that
could, be brought before an Assembly of Christian
ministers and ruler's in-this land and in this time of
struggle in our nation's history. Ay this unanimi
ty, we shall, I doubt not, be-rentemhered for a long
time in the annals of our.church.
Here, too, we bare been permitted to renew. some
old frieudships and to form some neve ties. Imper
fectly, acquainted before, many of us have been
brought-together and boupd to each other's hearts
for all time by the circumstances under which we
are here• met. We now, part, a band -of Christian
brethren closely united, in heart for life.
Before us have beenbrought the great interests of
our church. Through God's blessing we have seen
progress in every one of those interests;, all of them
exhibit increase, above the report of last year. We
have had.before us also the conditionnf our beloved
countv—dearer to us mow in her hour of trial and
calamity, than she ever was in the zenith of her
material prosperity:—bound to' our heap more
firmly when traitors are arrayed against her. We
have laid upon 'her altar our devotion as her sons,
giving to her- our prayers and the_promise of: our
constant efforts in order that the National power
may be supreme;r the National Union restored, and
the, principles ofi freedom and justice disseminated
through all the„borders of our Republic. In -the
name of our Christianity, we have renewed our loy
alty to our• country and our loyalty to, the cause of
human freedom. The banner of our country , we
honor and love more than ever before—the fairest
banner that floats in the sky, and higher than which,
we know only one symbol—the Cross of our,aseended
Lord.
It has been our happiness to meet together, too,
in this city, whose very name recalls, the Apostolic
exhortation, "Let brotherly love continue." We,
have shared in the far-famed generosity and hospi
tality of this place, so well known for its devotion to
all ; that concerns the welfare of mankind—so pa.
triotie in its, spirit—so renowned as the •place where
Our Constitution was adopted, and likewise so .well
known for,its intelligent, cordial and constant adhe
sion to the interests of the church which we repre
sent. We bless the inhabitants of , this eity,and
assure those families that have received usao cor
dially that we ' ,bless them for their kindness. We
assure them of our prayers. And may they, too,
pray for us, and may we all continue in prayer for
each other, until at last we may meet around the
throne of our Saviour in 'heaven, there to unite in
the song of the redeemed—in the prayer which
shall ascribe all „glory to Him that sitteth, upon the
throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.—Amen.
Final Adjournment
The minutes of the session having been read and
.
approved, Rev. H. Johnson moved that the :General
Assembly be now dissolved. .„
The motion was agreed to.
The MonettAron. By virtue of the authority dele
gated to me by the church, I do hereby dissolve this
Assembly. and require another General Assembly,
chosen ,in the, same manner, to meet at the city of
Dayton, in the State of Ohio, on the third Thursday of
May, A. D., 1864.
. After an appropriate prayer by Rev. A. Barnes, and
the singing Of the doxology, the benediction was pro
nounced by the ,Moderator, and the Assembly ad
journed finally.
Remarks on- the Publication Cane:
On Friday,morning, May 29th, the Assembly hav
ing under consideration the Report of the Standing
Committee 'on Publication, the following remarks
were made:
Rev. Dr.:Simms. The Publication cause, Mr.
Moderator, ranks in the church in which you and I
are worshippers, as co-ordinate with the Foteign
Missionary, the Home Missionary, and the Educa
tion cause. These four causes are to' be considered
as occupying in' importance the first rank. I think
that it 'is very material to the suceess 'of this im
portant enterprise that we should
that
a more
massive kind of literature than that which we have
been in the habit of publi'shing. ' have had corres
pondence with the publisher of the works of the Cal
vin Translation Society' at Edinburgh: and he made
the offer to the New School Presbyterian Church,
that the sheets of Calvin's Institutes should be sent
over.to this country, beuttd. by us, published. by us,
and circulated through our denomintitien, at a rate
somewhat," think, under two dollars, $LB5' per co
py,, embracing three massive volumes, closely and
elegantly printed on excellent paper being alto
gether better by far than any edition of Calvin's In
stitutes that has been published' in this country.
When 'this proposition was made, "I :wrote to my
friend, Mr. Dulles, in respect to it, as I felt very de
sirous that we should publish this work. Ile wrote
to me that the managers 'of the Publication House
were ready to publish it, but - had not the means to
do so. I regretted that the proposal of this house in
Edinburgh was not acceded to by us. I believe that
if the money could be obtained, we could still actu
alize tl at proposal, =and I hope that we shall do so.
The publication of such yolks is very desirable. We
have now a very valuable literature, but it is not of
that niassive,'solid kind which I think it very im
portant that we should be engaged in 'distributing
among our churelies and ministers.'
Rev. - .Dr. DARLING. It is always, sir ' with great
relucienee that] occupy a moment of the time of
any B rent deliberative body; and I never rose'With
more diffidence than Ido at this moment, knowing
that the time of this Assembly is exceedingly pre
cious. Yet =1 have some thoughts 'to, present upon
this subject which I cannot in conscience permit to
he-unsaid; and I would not say a Single word but
for the fact that I have bean . a'member of this com
mittee from its organize.tion,oind of necessity pos
sessed some facilities for understanding its work an 4
appreciating its excellence, which are not possessed
by-all duly brethren'. It is now eleven years since
the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church
established this Publication Committee—a sufficient
length of:time we should suppose for this 'cotinnittee
to have grown in strength, and to hive performed, a
great andtgood work for the cause of Christ. But I
beg that brethren will look - for one itioment at the
report which has been presented by the Secretary of
that committee. We have upon oar roll 1466'
churches;' but of all those 'cliurehes only 169 have
given anything to this cause during the past Tear;
and the'en Eire receipts of the Committee, exclusive o f
the sale of books, are a little less than $4,300. Now, -
I submit to this Aseernbly that the time has"etune
wheti we should look - this cause directly in the' face,
and inquire whether it is worthy to, be sustained.
If lie, sustain it; . if not, lit us not"live poor rate."
JUNE 11,