NARRATIVE OF THE GENERAL AS SEMBLY. Reports have been received from 79 different Presbyteries. In a summary so brief as this narrative should be, it is difficult to present a just and graphic view of the condition of our portion of the great field. The Christian life of 136,000 believers and the labors of 1600 ministers for one year, or a biography covering 187;000 years of toil and struggle, and suffering and victory, must bet given,witl3in the limits of a few moments. It is no easy task. Only salient points can be noticed, and the vividness and interest of details must be sacrificed to the imperatives of comprehensiveness and brevity. And bow shall the choice be made among so much material? It is easy to discover atid record abundant evidences that our churches have-not been so devoted as they might have been. It is easy to give a sad and sombre tone to such a portraituris as this. Everything de pends upon the spirit in which we look upon the facts that conic under view. "Everywhere the light and shade By the gazer's eyes are idade," We might chronicle and lament the ravages of vices, the pretensions of' error, and the triumphs of sin, yet we are called upon to report the condition of progress, not of Satan's kingdom, but of Christ's. Not merely to fight the Devil, but to serve the Saviour, is the mission of our church. Evil is to be overcome with' good, and the progress of the good is the best, and the brightest ; and the greatest thing.) There are many encouraging tokens in the general condition of our denomi nation. The characteristic spirit of our church, which litters itself with distinct ness and emphasis in the reports from the Presbyteries, is genial, broad, generous and earnest. It is the spirit, not of law alone, which - would be -bondage, nor of liberty alone, which would be - license, but it is the spirit of law and liberty—the spirit of the Gospel. It is noticeable that from. year to year there are evidences ,of increasing one ness. The different parts of the church, though widely separated, are blending in warmer sympathy and in a more cordial unity. Thereis more of thrift, and there is more of -church loyalty throughout our body, and though our catholicity wits never broader than now, yet there was never "so deep and cheer ful a, , Conviction in the brain and heart of our church that we have a-special and distinct-mission, and need not to lean on ether denominations, but only on God to accomplish that mission. The Presbyteries and churches are girding themselves for more earnest work. They ttre engaging in the great enterpriseeof benevolence to which they are committed with increasing interest and liberality. They aro giving themselves with more and more hearty loyalty to the support 'of 'our own proper church-work. Our. committees are encouraged.. and: stiMulated by the responses of the churches; which point them forward and promise them increasing support. The, general tone of the reports from the' Presbyteries is thus cheerful and inspiring.. There nro, indeed, not a few lamenta tions over. the prevalenee of profanity and intemperance, and Sabbath desecra tion, but such lamentations we expect to hear continually in this fallen world, until the full anthem of the final triumph of the ".church shall drown forever the harsh - discords of the world's sin. and the world's suffering. . With respect to the cause of temper an•ce, there is doubtless sufficient OCCEL- Blon for the almost universal anxiety and complaint -which are conspicuous in the reports•of the Presbyteries. We are in a period of reaction and transition on that subject, and must seek broader and surer ground than has sometimes been occupied, and give ourselves to more careful and intelligent and prayer ful efforts to remedy the awful evil - Which is destroying so many hopes and desolating so many homes. It would be interesting if our statisti cal tables could be made to show how much is contributed each year not only to missionary enterprises, but to the no less important work of building or improving houses •of worship, or of les sening or cancelling church debts. An almost unexamplefamount 'of this work has been accomplished during the past year. We, have reasons for 'profound gratitude and hearty rejoicing that such a liberal spirit and such great enterprise have been shown by so many of our churches. Perhaps there never was so favorable a time for the removal of church debts as the present, and it is to be devoutly hoped that the good work begun so nobly will be carried out to the end. The marked unanimity of ourpeople in supporting the Government and in con fronting slavery and its rebellion, is au occasion for special thankfulness. The loyalty of our people as a body, without malevolence, is deep, and thorough, and enthusiastie. It is not a passion but a principle. Frctm every quarter there conies to us the warmest utterances of patriotism and .of .devotion to liberty. Many of our churches aro suffering severely from the loss of their best young men, who have gone to the front at the call of their country. But those who remain are praying, and feeling, and thinking as never before. There are doubtless excesses in ex travagance and in worldliness, and there is great need of special watchfulness against these things. But your corn- Mittee are psrsuaded that, extravagance and worldliness are not the general or prevailing characteristics of the present condition of the church. There are some who look only _upon the surface of society- and see only the giddiness of those who have acquired sudden wealth, or only the thoughtless ness of those who are not softened but hardened by adversity, and such as take this Euperiluial view are NA to speak in tones of sadness and despondency con cerning the condition of the church and of society. But in times of such pro• found and universal agitation, when the Divine power is stirring society to the lowest depths, it must be expected that the scum will rise to the surface. Yet deep down beneath that surface there are the profoundltud thorough workings of such a tuition as no other nation ever knew, and there never was a time when the majesty and sovereignty of God, and the entire dependence of man, were so deeply felt by our people, as now. There never was a time when we knew so well . as now, while our sons and brothers are grappling with the foe, what it is to pray without ceasing. No less than fifty-two of our churches are reported as having experienced revivals of religion, while many others speak with peculiar hopefulness and expecta tion of their spiritual condition, or are rejoicing in the first drops that betoken the nearness of abundant showers. Many of these revivals have been ex ceedingly deep and powerful, so that great multitudes have been added to churches. The prominent characteristic of these works of grace has been the ingathering of children and youth. Much special labor has been expended in their behalf. In 1.1 - tica, in Rochester, in Cincinnati, in Newark, hopeful conversions among the children have been numbered by the hundred. There is a growing feeling apparent in the churches, to which frequent allusion is made in the reports from the Presbyteries, that we must give greater emphasis_ and practical prominence to the Ahrahamic Covenant; that we must more distindlY recognize the proper position of the baptized children within the church.; that we rust do more for these children, and expect more from them. While interest m Sunday schools, as a general rule, is steadily increasing, yet it is evidently a growing, conviction that the Word of God should be preached to the children, and that the pastor's official relations to them should lstwe this open and habitual recognition. There are 'many items of interest upon which your committee "would have been glad to report to the Assembly. But a certain want of definiteness, which is ge,nerally characteristic of _Presbyterial Narratives, makes this im possible. It would be pleasant and profitable to know how many of onr brethren have gone as chaplains to the army; how many have fallen at their posts of duty; but these and many other questions which our hearts ask, we have not the data for answering. The review of the year is indeed encouraging. Our beloved church is making such progress as calls for devout gratitude - to God. We have reason to rejoice in her position, in her prospects;and in the vastness of her undeveloped resources, which we pray the Great _Head of the Church to help us to call forth and ,cop,secrate to God and humanity. The following ministers have-departed this life during the year : Gardner Hayden, of the Presbytery of Troy. Rosewell Pettibone, " St. Lawrence. Peter Snyder, " Watertown. Chauncey E. Goodrich, " Utica. Orlo Bartholomew, f t it • Ira Ingiaham, . " Geneva. Francis S. Whiting, " Chemung. Lewis M. Shepherd, " Lyons. Joseph Rosenkrans, " Onoadaga. Caleb Clark, " Cortland. Ralph S. Crampton, " Rochester. Clifford S. Arms, " Hudson. Daniel Beers, " Long Island. David Oliver Allen, D. D., " New York 3d J. Parsons Hovey, D. D., " " 4th James W. McLane, D. D., " Brooklyn. Thomas S. Ward, " Montrose. " rhilada. 3d. John 0. Blythe, Horatio S. Howell, " 44 4th. Moses Jewell, " Dis. Columbia Reuben Armstrong, 44 Detroit. Caleb Pitkin, " Portage. Warren Isham, " Lake Superior Phineas Kingsley,. " Cleveland. Enoch R. Martin, " Madison. GENERAL ASSEMBLY. Seventh Day—Thursday, B;3D A M. The Assembly met, and spent the '-first hour in devotional exercises. The Mileage Committee made their report which was adopted; and the committee in structed to pay the bills of the commission ers in full, and the balance to the Stated Clerk, for the contingent expense's of the Assembly. It was resolved that the price of the printed minutes be hereafter 60 cents per copy, including postage. The reports of the different committees on Synodical Records were adopted. The Assembly proceeded to the order of the day, bsing the report of the Standing Conimittee on Publication, which was' accepted. The report was presented through Rev. Dr. Curtis, the chairman —with the following remarks : REPORT ON PUBLICATION This cause was better known now to our brethren than formerly. During the past year, it has lost no old friends, while it has made many new ones. Having watched it through the long and weary night, we are thankful to God that it looks so well in the morning. Many books and tracts, mostly original, have been issued through the past year. As John Milton, in his defense of the Liberty of the Press, said, " that he who took the life of a good man, takes the life of immortality itself ;" so he who gave to the Committee the means to stereotype books, multiplies immortality itself. There has been an increased sale also of the publications, as well as an enlargement of the business of the Phblication llouse. The circulation of the issues of the' Com mittee is very important, and they would suggest the placing of . them in the pews of the churches. In the Chairman's own Church, Dr. Brainerd on Theatres, had been of great service, as well as Dr. Tuttle on Dancing, The atticittitt: of , sales exceed by 40 per cent. those of theipreviouS year. The effort to obtain a permanent fund, hasresult ed in securing $30,000 of the :endowment necessary; and the Cotamittee mould highly commend Rev. George. A. Howard for his efforts in this direction. They recommended further' that all lega cies left, 4y tueixibpa l s of this Chureli be left to be distributed through this board 431 . Trustees.' • They urged the completion of the Endow ment Fund. As a denomination, we have resolved that this arm of our service he neither cut off nor left a withered and im potent thing, We must hare this to •T 0 • 1:64 redeem ourselves from reproach. We must take the dead flies out of the ointment. He who does not provide for his family has almost denied the faith. The ministers are to blame. They should take their columns and go to the front. They are bound to preach benevolence as well as anything else. If there be any secret place of thunder in the press, let us give the Church the means to operate it. Every church which has not, completed this proportion of the $50,000 should take up a collection on the'fourth Sunday in June. They also offered the resolution that the Social Hymn Book be published with 400 hymns. Also that the members of the committee whose terms of office expiie soon be re-elected, viz: Rev. N. S. S. Beman, D. D. ; Rey.. Albert Barnes ; Mr. F. L. Bodine ; Rev. George Wiswell; with the addition of 'Alexander Whilldin, Esq. A They recommend, besides, that flye mem bers of the committee be a quorum 4o transact biisiness. Also the following : ' In order to unify and focalize the ,sympa• thies and contributions of all our'people in behalf of the Endowment Fund, . Resolved, That the General Assembly re commend to every congregation in connec tion with it, which has not already contrib uted its just proportion of the $50,000, or made arrangements to do so, to take up a collection for this purpose on the fourth Sabbath of next June. • . Resolved, That as the term of office of the following Trustees of the Presbyterian House expires during the session of the present Assembly, namely : Rev. Thomas Brainerd., D. D., Rev. Ezra E. Adams, John A. Brown, Esq., M. W. Baldwin, Esq., and Samuel IL Perkins, Esq , the Assembly select these gentlemen as members of the said Board of Trustees for the ensuing-three years. Dr. 'Crosby objected to the Publication .Cause for two reasons. He was willing to state openly that his church had no sympa thy with the cause. He wanted the Assem bly to see that he was at. least 'frank. His first reason was simply financial. He was net a financier himself, but he had consulted •others who were in the book — tradeonnd he Chad found that the works published• by the committee could be issued at a cost 16 per •cent. less. His second reason was that the life of such an organization depends on its ultia-denominational publications. This he, `for one, did not like. He was no secta rian, but he felt that in only such a state of things could the Publication Board exist, and his object in rising was simply to explain his vote. ' Rev. Thomas' S. Hastings replied. He liked the Doctor's frankness, and he regret ted that there was use so little of it in religious,kdies. He had been through a great triarof spirit on, this question. He objected to the hymn-book of the Presbyte rian Church, and, for his part, had not used, and did not intend to use. it in his `church. However, he had stated the . case to his people when the call for aid came, and he found them assessed $l5O ifor the expenses of house-keeping in the Presbyte rian Church, he had laid the matter fairly before them, and they had done the work required. _ While he shook hands with Dr. Crosby on denominationalism, he thought that the Congregational societies didn't show enough respect for us sometimes, for the very reason that we were not careful enough about hav ing our own doctrinal publications. . - Hehad figured over the matter with publisTrAM as well as Dr. omM:inland he l laidtigbite soon as we put our-Committee on, the right basis, as soon as we gave them ipeans to lubricate the machinery, all would go well, and we would publish as cheaply as any one. He was inClined to say that, ina.Sruuel as the other denominations have so furnished themselves, in order, to be respected, we should make cur effort one worthy of our history and the future before us. He said frankly all he felt. When he presented the cause to the session of his own church, they said: " Let us be loyal to the church in which we stand ;" and they were. Father Rankin, of Ripley, Ohio, always felt that a small society cannot pUblish so cheaply as a large one. We see this in the Bible Society, where they sell us for twenty -five cents a Bible which would otherwise cost a dollar. In time we can have as large a book concern <as any other body in the country. As a denomination we need to publish books which a society composed of all denominations would not publish. If we say from the pulpit that the Presbyterian government is theibest, we-ought tq be Wil ling to print it. He hardly approved of the form iof gov ernment in the Congregational Church. If a sick man should call for the elders in a Congregational Church, where would he find them ? Now,.a Church without government could get on, but it couldn't get on well. He be lieved that in apostolic times they did have teaching and ruling .elders. He would not admit with Dr. Scott that the ruling elders are idle ministers. Paul wouldn't recommend a loitering, lazy minister to be " counted worthy of double honor." 'Once he had known the Congregationalists freer by far from sectarianism, but now, here in the west, they are veiy much inclined to that fault. As a free Church, he had once made an overture to them, but they refused to so cept or entertain it until he renounced his form of church government. He believed Presbyterianism to be the doctrine of the Bible. If these doctrines of ours are the best, as he believed, they ought to have a society to set them forth. Until that time we, though a vast denomination, could say nothing. Calvin's system he 'be lieved to be the only one which could reform the world. He had no doubt that, according to its doctrines, God was on the throne, and that repentance and belief in him, and the appliance of the means of grace, were needful for salvation. Just as far as a the'Presbyterian Church, in his judgment, was best, he went for it. He was surprised at the Rev. Doctor. He looked upon him with amazement. Dr. Crosby rose to explain. He- loVed dearly all the doctrines of the Presbyterian Church; and believed that at the Millenni um they would be spread all over the earth. The only point he made was in the`manter of their promulgation. At this point Rev. F. Starr, Jr., made a humorous and characteristic speech, ren dering efficient aid to the friends of the enterprise. Rev. John W. Dulles had listened with interest to Dr. Curtis' report. We must have, been in the depths, before we could sing our de profundis aright. We must have been in the mine to know what light was. When he heard ; frotn Richmond. how the prisoners, with :only an old jack-knife had dug that hole thraugh the earth, and how they - had dragaed the dirt out in .an old spit-box tied with. a string, the committee could appreciate how the first man must have felt when Ite.saw Some one had said that this attenapt of, the Publication ComMittee was like taking a six-penny corkscrew to tunnel the Hoosic Mountain with! However that be, it was certain that the committee had done enough boring. It was right for Old School, Metho dists, Baptists, and Episcopalians to print whatever documents they chose, but it was a great sin for the New School if they pre sumed to take care of themselves. The times, however, have changed. There is no longer any cry of sectarianism. The time was that the Philistines had or dained that there should be no black-smiths in the land of Israel, lest they should make spears and swords for them. So there had been those who had feared to allow us to have the means to spread our doctrinal publications. This Publication business had been looked upon afterwards as a toy. It was rather an expensive one, no doubt, but the idea seem ed to prevail that if they wanted it they should have it. But this toy had" been neither amusing nor cheap. It was, however, something which was necessary.• The Gen eral Assembly does not do badly when it does what - the common sense of mankind leads them to do. The $50,000 of endowment, was not, a large sum for, the work done, nor for the, ability we had to raise it. This was needed to be put ,right into the business, and not, as some thought; to be laid away at interest. Lieut. Greblphad once been a Sunday school scholar in the Moderator's own church, in 'Pine street. He went through West Point; and at Great Bethel, being in command, he was put in a very dangerous place, full in front of the enemy's battery. He was asked as the balls came thick and fast, " Why don't you dodge ?" "I never dodge," he answered. The speaker thought it a good motto for the cause in which we were engaged. We should be willing to meet all responsibilities. He had seen at Gettysburg a tomb, a slab of marble supported on four pillars, and cracked through the centre by around shot. Curious to know whose grave might be there, he had leaned forward and had found on it, aboVe a coat of arms, the inscription, audace.s juvo;" " I help the bold.' Let our brethren take this motto as they go home to collect from their congregations the money we need. If we are bold we can do anything. In conclusion we would say that, though we are Calvinistic we can advocate this without I)igotry. , Rev. George Duffield, Jr., felt like the lit tle boy going down hill. He was almost afraid to trust himself to speak, lest he shouldn't be able to stop. But he wanted to meet the objection, that this was an ultra sectarian movement. It was not. To the best of his belief, 4.t had begun in 1840, in Detroit, in the Presbyterian and Congrega tional Convention. It was in those dayi when we met together, and when we didn't know whether the Committee ad interim wouldn't prove a committee of interment. The lloderator—" t was a member of that committee?' Mr. Duffield—"The Moderator has been in more honorable positions thaii that since." t(Laughter.) That convention hadmet to look at this field of the west. Calvin Stowe said about that time that they had everything, even Mo hammedanism, in Cincinnati. At any rate, they found that they must preach, must prtby, must have books and tracts. The . first move about books and tracts was made there. He thought lie could confidently appeal to the Moderator if that was a secta rian root. He was not going into the history of the matter. Re •recalled the time when he had wept over this poor little sister, the young est of them all, and the Moderator would remember What times they had seen to gether. Row they had knelt down and . prayed4at aod would support and bless it. 11V . hiltrieffiaad-knowfilt good deal about the matter. They had been bankrupt over and over again. They had been despised and neglected by all. Synods had treated them in the coldest way when they -men tioned their errand. He had therefore great satisfaction in the report of the Committee. He thought Dr. Hastings' sentiments would in time be those of the church. If the Brooklyn and New York churches would look -long enough, they would come around as he did. He was now a western man. When he came from the east he had identified himself with Michigan and he hadn't looked back to Egypt. In view of all he saw about him, he felt that we wanted such an institution as this still more than ever. 'We have been assured that the best way to, overcome error is to teach the truth. It is false. God gives novictory to those who won't stand -up against error. We must come ,to the grapple fairly and give the reason of the hope that is in us. We must have our own ammunition and this commit tee is what will furnish it. Atidacesjuvo? If that was so the com mittee ought to be helped, for if ever men faced the music and shouldered the work, they have. They have done the Church a great service. And now, when we have the first encouraging reports, it seemed to him that such words as Dr. Crosby's were. a little out.of place. HO hoped that they might, however, only form the 'background of the picture, against which it .might stand out on blighter colors than ever. When at one time he was Secretary pro tern, the chairman of the committee had said that he did not see how he could help but be positively ashamed of himself. How did he have the face to write when there was nothing to write about ; to report to so grave a body as the General Assembly on just nothing at all? And he had said that he - meant to, keep it before the people, he Meant to show them what there was to be done. lie sincerely congratulated the Moderator and the Secretary on their former connec tion with the committee, and hoped that the church will go into this with the spirit it has shown in all other matters, The Report of the Committee was finally adopted Thursday, 3 P. X Opened with prayer. Rev. Mr. Rankin moved that the well known hymn No. 284, in the Church Psalm ist which had been altered, should be re stored as, it was in the uriginal, viz: Whet% God the mighty maker died, For man the creature's sin. Also, that line-- DA drops of grief eau ne'er repay be substituted for Bat floods of tears can ne'er repay Dr. Crosby thought there were a hundred points more -which Jni,ght be mentioned. Redid not believe in imposing a hymn book upon congregatiens. Dr. Hatfield said it was a broad subject, and had better be referred to the Publication Committee. , Pesolved,—That, the Church Psalmist be re ferred to the Publication Committee for revision in case of alterations of the original text of hymns. _Rev. George A. Howard,.as Special Agent of the Publication Committee, had leave of the house to make an explanation. It had been stated this morning, that other Pub lishers, sold cheaper than our , Committee. It was not so. Other publication houses were, 'on an average. just sixteen 'per cent -high6r than ours. We ielk.at:'aAess price than our Old School brethren, and - at an average - put down the prices as low as any other publishing house at the present time. HOME MISSIONS. The order of the day, viz : Home Missions, was taken up. The Secretary, Dr. Kendall, stated that there was great need of men, es pecially among the freedmen. Rev. Thomas S. Hastings thought there should be more money appropriated. We wanted $140,000 more than we did $lOO,OOO. Rev. Edwin Wright, made some remarks in regard to the operations of the church in Missouri. He had never seen a disloyal New School Minister. They are not ashamed to say that they are anti-slavery men, and to pray for our government. He seldom hears ministers in Missouri out of our branch of the church who do this. They would in time need there all the funds that could be appropriated for their use. Rev. Mr. Babb moved an amendment on the verbal arrangement of the resolutions, which was adopted. The moderator made some remarks, showing that those who were most affected by.this rebellion were not the blacks but the poor whites of the South: Idle, listless, inured to hardships, they could be thoroughly controlled in camp; and wel comed with great delight the frenzy of the battle. There are some' two thousand of these at Newbern. We ought to try and convert themt while we are fighting their leaders. He was willing to be one of ,one hundred to go down on the borders to take up stump speaking and endeavor to convert these men to Christianity. Rev. T!r. Kellogg wanted the amount made larger. We should need it all. The motion was made and seconded that we substitute for $lOO,OOO not less than $150,000. Dr. Patterson hesitated about the amend ment, only because he was afraid the sum couldn't be raised. He should, therefore, go rather for $125,000 than the larger amount. ' The amendment was put and carried, and the report adopted. Rev. W. E. Moore presented a report on a periodical, which was adopted as follows : REPORT UPON THE SUBJECT OP A PERIODICAL The Committee report— That such "a publication is . greatly needed and widely called for. A publication ably edited, and in full sympathy with the spirit of the Gospel, in its-adaptation to the times in which we live, seems necessary to set be fore all our people the mutual relations and claims of the various schemes by which our church seeks to do her own work of giv ing the Gospel to a lost world, building up 'God's people through an educated ministry, Missions at home and abroad, permanent places of worship and the Press. The claims of the Master upon us as an evangelical church and the means devised -by the As sembly to meet these claims, must be set before our churChes frequently and persever• ingly to insure their intelligent and liberal co-operaticn. To this end the Committee recommend the Assembly to direct the Publication Com mittee, to establish as soon as possible, a monthly Periodical of not less than 24 Bvo. pages, under the general supervision of the editor of that Committee. Such publication to be the organ of the General Assembly through its various com mittees for furthering the ends for which in stituted.. Leaving the details to the various com mittees in con ferences, we would recommend generally that the periodical contain depart ments especially devoted ,to the cause of Education, Home and Foreign Missions, and Publication, each department to be under the control of the Secretary of the Commit tee to which it pertains: The profits or losses of the publication shall be shared by the respective committees in such ratio as may be agreed ukontua_the genetal principle oflheir,aespective use o the magazine. The Committee recommend that the price be placed as low as possible, and would sug iest fifty cents per annum rigidly in advance. Also that the Assembly urge upon all our ministers and elders to take such measures as shall give it a very wide circulation in their respective congregations, so as to secure as far as possible the general intelligence and hearty co-operation of all our people in the efforts of our church to evangelize the world. E. D. .tansfield, Esq., pre,sented the Audi tor's Report. MINUTE -ON THE TERCENTENARY OF JOIIN CALVIN. The following minute was introduced by the Chairman of the Committee, Rev. Prof. EL B. Smith, D. D., and adopted by the As sembly : The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ owes it to itself and its Divine Master to pay a fit ting tribute to the memory of the great the ologians and. Reformers, who, endued with grace from on high and illumined by the study of the S. S., have reformed the faith and restored the order of the . Gospel. This Assembly therefore gratefully wel , mes this tercentenary of the decease ofJohn falling as it does within the period of -its regular services (May 27th,) as a suitable, occasion for expressing our reverence for the character ? and recognition of the influence of the great theologian, and chief organizing spirit of that Reformation of the Sixteenth Century, by which Christianity was revived and saved. We honor him not alone for the comprehensiveness and - penetration of his intellect, the steadfastness of his will and the multitude of his labors, but also, and first of all because in life- and death he hon ored our Lord. His enemies were the ene mies of the Reformation ;' his cause was the cause of Gad. Among all the ileformers, John Calvin stands pre-eminent for the variety of his personal endowments and the extent of his historic influence. No one more profoundly studied the . Holy Scriptures. His commen taries are models of exact interpretation, seizing th*spiritual sense and the logical connection of the Word of God. His institutes, in their first form the un matched product of a youth of twenty-five years of age, systematised the doctrinal positions of the Reformation so that even Roman Catholic writers have called it "the Koran or rather the Talmud of heresy!' die revived the Presbyterian system of church order, and in the office of ruling el ders, gave it such a popular and represen tative character, that it made the church strong, not only against the attacks .of Ro manisin, but also against the encroachments of the State. From the days of the apostles no such ecclesiastical discipline had been known as that by which he transformed the city of Ge neva into a Christian republic, for two cen turies the home of sacred learning amithe citadel of OrthodoXy: syStem penetrated all the Reformed countries, and their wisest men learned from his lips, forms of sound words and rules of holy living. He organiz ed the Church of France_; planued the first foreign mission of the Protestant church; trained many of the early English and Scotch reformers ; exercised " the care of souls" throughout Europe; and matured a systein which has most deeply penetrated the centuries that have, led the way ,in the thorough application of Christianity to all the relations of human "life and human so eiety. Its % reforming _power, did not cease with the age of the 4eformatipn. • Our Puritan and Presbyterian atiCestiy. derived from it in a large degree, those prin ciples which m vie them strong in contend ing for civil and religious freedom. Oar early chutches confessed the Reformed faith. Calvinism was resuscitated , on this continent in the theology of Edwards when it was dying out on die continent of Europe. The history of the Church of Christ, since Calvin lived, is the best vindication hi s principles and eulogy of his character. Hi s influence has so penetrated this l an d that we are peculiarly bound to cherish the memory of the great Reformer of Geneva. As an Assembly of the Presbyterian church, we cordially celebrate this tercen tenary in the hope and with the prayer that it may help to revive among us that rever ence for God's-holy-truth, that sublime and self-sacrificing devotion to 444'3 that honest opposition to whatever 'opposes the faith and order of the Gospel, that - commingling of the highest Christian faith with the purest Christian life, that zeal for the propagation of apostolical piety, and that constant and earnest effort for the union of the various branches of the one Reformed faith, by which such lustre is thrown, brighter and clearer, as time recedes, around the mem ory and the example of John Calvin. We trust-that-this anniversary may serve to draw nearer together, the various branches of our Reformed Church, in this and other lands; and that the use of one common and time-honored historical name may be reviv ed, that we may thus feel more fully the unity of the Spirit in the bonds of peace. We exhort our ministers and elders and the other members of our churches to a re newed study of the life of the Christian Re former ; and we also recommend to their liberal patronage the project for the erec tion of a Hall of the Reformation in the city of Geneva, as a memorial of this Tercenten ary celebration. We further propose that this Assembly, under the presidency of its moderator, unite in the commemorative exercises to be held in this city, on the evening of the ith of this month. It is also hereby ordered that 9 copy of this minute be transmitted to the Commit tee on he Memorial Fund in the city of Ge neva. The Report was,adopted. N. B.—Contributions and communica tions to be sent to Mr. G. Merle, 290 . Water Street, New York. THE COMMITTEE TO AUDIT The report of the Treasurer of the Gene ral Assembly, reported that they had exam ined it with the vouchers and found it cor rect. They recommended its approval and that it be printed in the appendix to the minutes. MINUTE ON DEATH OF A. P. HALSEY, ESQ. They further report the following, which was adopted. Mr. Anthony F. Halsey serv ed for twelve years as Treasurer of the Gene ral Assembly, for several years as Treasurer of the Church Erection Fund and for many years as Treasurer of Union Theological Seminary, to whose interests he was greatly devoted. Distinguished as a treasurer, he was also distinguished as a genuine Chris tian. He was an office-bearer of the church and a man of pure, meek and humble spirit. In memory of his services and Christian character, the General Assembly put this minute upon its records. The Committee also recommended Mr. William A. Booth, for Treasurer of the General Assembly, to fill the vacancy occa sioned by the death of A. P. Halsey, Esq. The recommendation was adopted. Rev. J. Glentsvorth Butler read a report on church erection, concerning the distribu tion management, and assessment of funds, which was accepted. On the adoption of this report Walter Griffith, Esq., made a full and-cri-ear - atatement of the inannerjp_whieb this fuzid 11 : a4-been - adrainistarea. He was opposed to any cha n ges in the line of invest ment and appropriation,as he Considered that it had so far been very carefully looked to. After some further discussion Dr. Hatfield moved that the report be amended by strik ing out the part relating to raising the sum obe loaned, from $5OO to $750. Adjourned. Eighth Day—Friday, Nay 27, 8.30, A. M. The Assembly met and spent the first hour in devotional exercises. After some debate, the Report of the Standirg Committee on Church Erection, was adopted, except so much of it as went to alter the rules as to-amount of appropria tion by loan and donation. :Upon the ques tion of the adoption, Rev. hir. Kellogg said that he did not regard the judgment of the Committee as infallible. He thought that his stand-point was as good as that of any one, for viewing the subject. There were tnany churches which were in very great want - on account of its funds. They needed, to his knowledge. to be so supplied. Five hundred dollars was not enough. Hehoped the appropriation would be increased. The churches had been forced to come back on the generosity of Christians. He cited in stances in support of the doctrine, in which church edifices had long stood unfinished, for this very reason. He knew if the appro priation was proposed -by the Committee, there could be no two-thirds vote obtained for the amendment. He hoped, however, that this opposition would not be made. Rev. J. G. Butler said it was perfectly ob vious, that from the state of the house, that this could not be carried. In lieu of Dr. - Haifield's motion, he wanted this para graph to be entirely struck out. Dr. Poor said the cause was getting un popular because of the stringency with which it was bound up. A church, if it borrowed $5OO, was compelled to give a mortgage for the amount. To raise more than this they would have to mortgage again, and that on church pfoperty, the poorest security in the market, as was well known. They would rather mortgage at first for as much as possible. He liked the Old School plan best. They - looked at the value of the church. If they will raise a certain sum, they will help them after they help themselves. We are building up a lot of churches ; little ones, like little turtles, struggling along with a-load on their backs. The whole economy of the thing was wrong. Rev. Mr. Whitaker referred to the discus sions in 1854 on this subject. He would sooner see money put into a live man than into a stately church. There are wide re gions in Missouri which have not even a log school house to shield the worshipers. Rev. Dr. J. Few Smith was earnestly de sirous that the resolution in regard to increasing the amount would be carried. He wanted -the proposition. 'tried, at least for a year. This plan of. increasing the do nations and loans was a good one in his opin ion. It was necessary' to have an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the body, but he:', still hoped that, the plan would pass. Mr. Griffith had said yesterday that:he Was opposed to the resolutions, but he waived his objections 3,nd • was willing to have them tried fora year. ii=gi Dr. Patterson, believed the whole system was erroneous. He -believed also that we ought to, make this a matter of donation, and not of loan, each year from the churches, just as all. other bodies did. (Applause.) - We, have an amount exueeding the returns of lest year now in our - tiati,tlS: 'He hoped that 14"4: would-be morei The motion to increase the maximum of loans from $5OO to $750, and of donations from $2OO to $3OO was lost, although the vote was, yeas, 93; nays, 33. About 2-5 votes in the affirmative would have been 'faeces-
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers