Cortropottlituct.
IFROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDNT.3
THE NATIONAL UNION CONVENTION.
BALTIMORE, June 9, 1864.
The National Union Convention fin
ished the business calling it together
and adjourned sine die yesterday evening.
Most of your readers are advised already
of its action. It was, in many respects,
the most remarkable political conven
tion ever held in this country. And yet
it was wanting in many traits peculiar
to such an assemblage. Delegates from
Maine to California came with their
miadsmadeup,upon atleast one part of
the business in hand, and that the most
important part. This obviated the great
motive for contention and division in
the deliberations of the convention.
Heretofore the nomination of a candi
date for the Vice Presidency has been
a matter of comparatively little impor
tance, the interest of all concerned cen
tering upon the nomination of the can
didate for the Presidency. On this oc
casion, however, whatever competition
existed was in relation to the nominee
for Vice-President. The general har
mony Which prevailed, is perhaps un
paralleled in the history of political con
ventions.
The.unanimous choice of Rev 'Robert
J. Breckenridge, D. D., of Kentucky, as
temporary president, was a feature of
the Convention which cannot fail to-se
cure the admiration of the entire loyal,
religious population of the country. It
is,the first time, I think, in the history
.of such conventions, where a clergyman
has been called upon to preside. The
task could scarcely have been assigned to
one.more.oompetent. When the vener
able and heroic Kentuckian ascended
the platform and. was conducted to the
.chair, the unbounded enthusiasm with
which he was greeted, was a fair expo
nent of the place he occupies in the
hearts of the loyal men of the .00untry,
while it was an expression of the re
gard and esteem entertained by the:
great mass of the American people, for
the sacred profession he so ably repre
sented. Dr. Breckenridge seemed to
feel .this; for it was among the first
things alluded to in his opening re
marks. No truly loyal Christian man,
.certainly no Presbyterian, need be
ashamed of the Doctor's speech. It
gave no uncertain sound upon the great
issues of the day, and as he seemed to
.speak the sentiments of the Convention,
it.is ;to be hoped that he also spoke for
the Christian Church in the United
States. There is little doubt but that
the calm dignified manner of Dr. Breck
enridge, in the opening ceremonies, had
a salutary effect upon the subsequent
harmonious proceedings of the Conven
tion. Occasionally he seemed to imag
ine himself 'at the head of the General
Assembly, then he would denominate
hiinself the " Moderator" and the secre
tary, the " Clerk," but the parliamen
tary tactics which ho understands so
thoroughly, seemed as applicable to the
Convention, as to the General Assembly,
anp not even Thaddeus Stevens or Ex-
Speaker Grow, could find occasion for
an appeal from ar.y of his decisions. It
may be interesting to mention that
among the delegates to the Convention
were several clergymen, and men of offi
cial position in the Church as well as the
State. I have always contended that
such men should be in the majority in
all such assemblages. If it were so, we
would have less official corruption and
wickedness, and little occasion for con
ventions to amend the National Consti
tution. Many members of the Conven
tion were men of acknowledged ability
and talent, while there were also those
more renowned for their noisy preten
sions than anything else.
The business of the Convention
reached a climax when Gen. Cameron ;
of Pennsylvania, arose in his place and
nominated Mr. Lincoln for the Presi
dency. A scene of excitement and en
thusiasm followed utterly beyond. de
scription. The vast Assembly arose to
their feet; cheer after cheer rang through
the theatre; the men threw up their
hats, while the ladies were not less vig
orous in waving their handkerchiefs.
When the vote was taken upon the
nomination, and the roll of the States
was called, one after another of the
chairmen of the delegations arose, and
with soraelword of commendation, cast
the entire vote of the delegation for
Abraham Lincoln. Only one delega
tion halted, the "radicals" from Missouri.
They evidently wished to vote for Fre
mont, but their experience among the
members of the Convention, had taught
them that the mere mention of his name
in such a connection would be received
with as much disapprobation as that of
the vilest copperhead in the country.
They, therefore, after being much push
ed, voted for Gen. Grant. Dr. Breck
enridge, who had opposed their admis
sion to the Convention, turned around
to me 'Snit said : " knew they would
not`vote for Lincoln."
The first ballot for a candidate for
Vice-President was not so unanimous.
The result, however, showed that An
drew Johnson, of Tennessee, was the
favorite, and on the second ballot, one
after another of the States, which had
cast a scattered vote, went over unani
mously to Andrew Johnson. And so,
amid enthusiasm, second only to that
manifested when Mr. Lincoln was nomi
nated, the man who has fought his way
up feom poverty and obscurity, was put
before the people as the candidate for
the second highest oificein the country.
Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson,
owe all that they are or may be, to the
liberal institutions of our free Govern
ment. They are fair samples of the men
which those institutions can produce.
The platform of the Convention is
certainly strong enough to hold every
loyal man, especially if he believes that
loyalty to his country means necessa
rily enmity to slavery. I appefid the
resolutions. They were adopted with
the utmost enthusiasm and unanimity.
Let us. hope they will befaithfully car
ried out:
Resolved, That it is the highest duty of
every American citizen to maintain against
all their enemies the integrity of the Union
and the paramount authority of the Consti
tution -and laws of the United States ; and
that, laying aside all differences and political
opinions, we pledge ourselves, as Union men,
animated by a common sentiment and aim
ing at a common object, to do everything in
our power to aid the Government in quelling
by force of arms the rebellion now raging
against its authority, and in bringing to the
punishment due to their crimes the Rebels
and traitors arrayed against it. [Prolonged
applause.]
Resolved, That we approve the determina
tion of the Government of the United States
not to compromise with Rebels, or to offer
any terms of peace, except such -as may be
based upon an unconditional surrender of
their hostility and a return to theirjust alle
gianCe to the Constitution and laws of the
United States, and that we call -upon the
Government to maintain this position, and
to prosecute the war with the utmost possi-,
ble vigor to the complete suppression of the
rebellion, in the full reliance upon the self
sacrificing patriotism and heroic valor and
the undying devotion of the American peo
ple to their country and its free institutions.
[Applause.]
Resolved, That as Slavery. was the cause,
and now constitutes the strength of this re
bellion, and as it must be,- always andevery
where, hostile to the principles of Republican
Government, justice and the National safety
demand its utter and complete extirpation
from the soil of the Republic. [Applause.]
And that while we uphold and maintain the
acts and proclamations by which the Govern
ment, in its own defence, has aimed a death
blow at this gigantic evil, we are in favor
futhermore of such an amendment to the
Constitution, to be made by the people in
conformity with its provisions, as shall ter
minate and forever prohibit the existence
of Slavery within the limits or the jurisdic
tion of the United States. ¶Applause.]
Resolved, That the thanks of the American
people are due to the soldiers and sailors of
the army and navy ([applause,] who have
perilled their lives in defence of their coun
try and in vindication of the honor of the
flag ; that the nation owes to them some
permanent recognition of their patriotism
and their valor, and ample and permanent
provision for those of their survivors who
have received disabling and honorable
wounds in the service of the country ; and
that the memories of those who have fallen
in its defense shall be held in grateful and
everlasting remembrance. [Loud applause
and cheers.]
Resolved, That we approve and applaud
the practical wisdom, the unselfish patriot
ism and the unswerving fidelity to the Con
stitution and the principles of American
liberty with which Abraham Lincoln has
discharged, under circumstances of unparal
lelled difficulty, the great duties and respon
bilities of the Presidential office ; that we
approve and endorse, as demanded by the
emergency and essential to the preservation
of the nation and as within the provisions
of the Constitution, the measures and acts
which he has adopted to defend the nation
against its open and secret foes ; that we ap
prove especially the Proclamation of Eman
cipation, and the employment as Union
soldiers of men heretofore held in slavery
[applause;] and that we have full confidence
in his determination to carry out these and
all other Constitutional measures essential to
the salvation of the Country with full and
complete effect.
Resolved, That we deem it essential to the
general welfare that harmony should prevail
in the National Councils, and we regard as
worthy of public confidence and official trust
those only who cordially endorse the-princi
ples proclaimed in these resolutions and
which should characterize the administra
tion of the Government. [Applause.]
Resolved, That the Government owes to all
men employed in its armies, without regard
to distinction of color, the full protection of
the laws of war—[applause]—and that any
violation of these laws, or the usages of civi
lized nations in time of war, by the Rebels
now in arms, should be made the subject of
prompt and full redress. [Prolonged ap
plause.]
Resolved, That foreign immigration, which
in the past has added so much to the wealth,
development of resources and increase of
power to this nation, the asylum of the op
pressed of all nations, should be fostered and
encouraged by a liberal and just policy.
[Applause.]
Resolved, That we are in favor of the
speedy construction of the railroad to the
Pacific.
Resolved, That the National faith, pledged
for the redemption of the public debt, must
be kept inviolate, and that for this purpose
we recommend economy and rigid responsi
bility in the public expenditures, and a
vigorous and just system of taxation ; that
it is the duty of every loyal State to sustain
the credit and promote the use of the Na
tional currency. [Applause.]
Resolved, That we approve the position
taken by the Government that the people
of the United States can never regard with
indifference the attempt of any European
Power to overthrow by force or to supplant
by fraud the institutions of any Republican
Government on the Western Continent—
I prolonged applause]—and that they will
view with extreme jealousy, as menacing to
the peace and independence of their own
country, the efforts of any such power to ob
tain new footholds for Monarchical Govern
ments, sustained by foreign military force,
in near proximity to the United States.
[Long continued applause.] J: M.
"'W. A:V second letter '"A.inoikg' the
Wounded" will appear next week.'
PHUT ELDELPHIA, THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 1864.
OF THE DELEGATES FROM THE GENERAL ASSEM
BLY AT DAYTON, 0., TO THE ASSEMBLY IN
SESSION AT NEWARK, N. WITH THE RE-
PLY OF THE IIODERATOR
Rev. James P. Wilson, D. D., delegate
from the General Assembly at Dayton, was
introduced to the Assembly, and said:--
MR. MODERATOR, FATHERS AND BRETHREN—
No possible duty could be more grateful
than that which has been devolved' upon
me and my respected colleague by the
General Assembly which we represent.
The last time I was ever in this General
Assembly was when it met in Ranstead
Court, in 1837. At that time I was a young
man, licensed but not ordained ; but I was
a close observer of events then passing,
for the: Church then dissevered was the
Church of my birth—the Church in which
my forefathers had ministered—the Church
in which I had been brought up—the Church
I loved. No man felt more profoundly than
I the events connected with that period ;
and I may say now, that in reference to
them my opinions are not changed. But
when I look around -me, and behold what
changes have taken place—changes affecting
men, and manners, and feelings—l am wil
ling that history shall-make her true record
willing that everything unpleasant may be
forgotten, and desirous that fraternal senti
ments may be warmly cherished. I greet
you in love ; and it comes from the bottom
of my heart; Great changes have taken
place in us and in you. New relations have
grown up, and great changes are still in pro
gress. Look even at that great subject of
slavery, which, twenty-seven years ago, was
one of the causes okneasiness—what changes
have taken place inregard to it, and how has
God's hand been laid upon us in connection
with it—in chastisement, I trust, and not
destruction. Another change that has taken
place in us,iS the denominational aspect which
our Church has assumed since you left us.
In regard to voluntary societies as agencies
for evangelical action, you were wiser than
we were. I frankly confess it: We have
abandoned that system, .and adopted yours ;
and, in that respect; now stand on your
ground. It shows what a change has taken
place. The Home Missionary Society,
which you first threw off, compelled us ulti
mately to do the same. They were willing
to receive money from all.our churches, but
not willing to use it for the equitable advan
tage of our churches, .not to permit us to
Control the missions, even in our own bounds,
which our funds supported. Our Presbyte
ries might designate missionaries, but they
could not be appointed until they had ap
peared before a committee of the voluntary
society, and been approved. We threw off
that trammel ; we found that " co-operative
Christianity," though very specious in name,
was, in the hands of such .people as we had
to do with, lather a one-sided affair.
In regard te the unity of the Church, our
opinions have perhaps changed for the bet
ter. The notion that the unity of the
Church was dependent upon external or
ganization, has lost ground. We now- be
lieve that unity is not organic, but spiratual.
Since the Assemblies have become divided,
this doctrine has been received. Ours feel
that organic union is not necessary ; and
it is evident that the time has not yet come
when external union is practicable. When
there exists a true spiritual unity—when the
Spirit unites US to the living Head, we en
joy the unity of the Spirit ; and men thus
united, can no more be divorced, than you
can separate what God has joined together.
This is one of the happiest days of my life.
For twenty-seven years- we have been sepa
rated. A chasm has been betiveen us. We
may not be ready to fill it up, or close it.
But let the dead bury their dead, and let us
walk up to the border, and shake hands, and
restore a spfritual union and fraternity. (Ap
probation.) Let us not attempt a prema
ture organic unity. There is a wide field for
your operations ; there is a wide field for
ours. Let us vie with each other in doing
good. We both have a Richmond before us
(applause)—let us both march onward,
separated, yet united—two columns, but
with one destination. It seems to me that,
if the spirits of our ancestors know what is
occurring in the Church below, they must
rejoice at witnessing such a sight as was ex
hibited last year and now—the sometime
severed branches of the same family—fra
ternizing with kindly feelings—welcoming
each other as brethren. When you left us,
we could hardly walk allase—we were in
connection with our Congregational breth
ren in the Home Missionary Society, and
thought we could get on with them; but we
found them more ready to receive than to
b awe • but since we have cut loose from that
connection, and followed your example in
an orgrnization of Church Conimittee, we
have been crreatly prospered.
It would''perhaps be pleasent for you to
hear what we are trying to do in regard to
the work of education, missions, publication,
and church erection. We have about sixty
laborers in foreign missions. The last year
we were in connection with a k•oluntary so
ciety, one-half of our churcheS did not give
a dollar. The connection seemed to remove
a sense of responsibility from them • but
since we have been doing our own work, we
find the advantage of it. The responsibility
is more felt, and ourfunds are more abun
dant. Our churches raised $50,000 for mis
sions the second year after we organized.
It was the eighth nominally, but really the
second. Now all our churches have wheeled
into line, and their resourses are being drawn
out. Dr. Wilson was exceedingly sorry to
say that they had a superabundance of edu
cation funds ; because the war and other
causes had decreased the number of candi
dates. Like you, we have too many unem
ployed ministers ; but this was not always a
bail sign. The law of supply and demand is
to hake a surplus, and before long this sur
plus will be needed. We shall want minis
ters for all the Southern churches when the
war is over.
Let us, my brethren,.remember our sub
stantial unity, in the seven points of unity.
We are one historically. We trace our
origin to that primitive Presbyterianism that
was obscured during the dark ages, blazed
out at the Reformation, and continues still.
We claim the same historical names—Knox,
Calvin, Henderson, Gillespie, and other glo
rious worthies. We areene body, one spirit;
one faith, one hope of our callino•r; one Lord,
one God and Father of all, one baptism. Do
we want a. stronger unity? Do we want a
closer tie to bind us in one great brotherhood
in Christ? We, brethren, will soon pass
away. Let us, then, look to those who will
come after us, and leave an example that
they may safely follow ; and we will hope
that they will carry on the blessdd work
when we have passed to that world of which
the Lamb is the light, and God the glory.
Remarks of Judge Allison.
[This i 3 the only full report of Judge A.'s
remarks which has been given.]
Judge Allison said:
MODERATOR AND ME-1111E1S or THE GENERAL
AssEmsLy—ln presenting myself in conjunc
tion with my reverend colleague, I feel that
tiiy, situation, wlnist jt is one of distinguished
honor, is attended with some embarrass
ment. To hail& -been :CliO,Seia :as &medium,
through which th,e,,Qhristia salutations of
the General Asseinhti'ek ilierresby teriau
ADDRESSES
Church, now in session at Dayton, Ohio, are
presented to this venerable body, may justly
be esteemed an honor. My embarrassment
arises from the fact, that whilst most cor
dially endorsing and approving, with a single
exception, everything which my colleague
has so well said in the address to which you
have just listened, yet in one particular I
find myself differing with him upon a ques
tion of no little interest and importance to
the Presbyterian Church. I refer to the
question of an organic union of the two
branches of the church. After twenty-five
years of separation, from 1838 to 1863, the
two divisions of the church find themselves
again united in the bonds of Christian fel
lowship ; each represented on the floor of
the other Assembly by delegates bearing
each to the other assurances of confidence
and affection mutually entertained. It is
right and proper drat fellowship and Chris
tian regard should exist between us, and it
cannot but be pleasant, after so many years
of estrangement and separation, to mingle
again our sympathies, and to feel that we
are brethren, looking. to the time when the
way shall be opened up for a happy reunion
of our churches. We are entitled to rejoice
over the fact, that such progress has been
made towards the accomplishment of :this
end that we can hail each other once more
as brethren. And lam certain, Moderator,
that I do no more than justice tomy church,
in giving expression to these sentiments,
and td say further, speaking more especially
for the great body of its membership, that
they not only approve of the restoration of
amicable relations between us, but that they
desire a union that shall be both spiritual
and organic, a reuniting of our now severed
and broken church, a fusion of the two
bodies into one.
We are not unmindful, Moderator, of the
fact that the proposition for an interchange
of delegates was your proposition made to
us, and by our church most cordially ap
proved and accepted. And when your re
quest was communicated to us, a request
which was in itself so kindly conceived, so
Christian and fraternal in its spirit: it
thrilled the heart 'of the church and rekin
dled,' in no slight degree, the dormant
affec t ions that long estrangement had almost
led us to believe had diec out forever. Nor
can I doubt, Moderator, that in proposing an
interchange of delegates, composed of a
representation of both the clerical and lay
element of the church, the specialty of
this plan had reference to the question of
our ultimate union. The recognition of the
ruling eldership as an element in the dele
gation, is not only appropriate but accept
able; for upon this question, which may be
postponed but cannot be avoided, the
churcheS themselves will claim to be heard:
As far as my acquaintance with the member
ship of both branches goes, it. enables me to
say, that in cordial assent to the essential
doctrines of the Presbyterian Church, they
are one ; the lines of separation have not
been so broadly drawn nor so sharply defined
among the laity as they have been among
the ministry. The laity as a body under
stood less of the philosophy of doctrinal
differences, and were content to yield an
assent to the system of religious belief as con
tained in our standards ; were satisfied with
the truth in its simpler and more practical
form, and on this account are less content
to be kept apart by doctrinal disputes,
which are not of the essentials of aChristians
faith and hope. The churches had never
ceased to respect one another ; and possessing
a substantial unity, though separate in or
ganization, a unity of faith, the pulsations of
the great heart of the Presbyterian Church
represented here and at Dayton are for
organic union. .1 do not say, Moderator, that
the fullness of time has come ; that we are
ready and prepared for an immediate fusion ;
but I do say, that the first step having been
happily taken, we should take : counsel
together, in the hope and expectation that
the two may in clue time become one.
It was my good fortune, Moderator, to be
present at Philadelphia a year ago, when the
venerable delegate from your body presented
himself to the General Assembly in Session
in that city, as the bearer of your most
Christian and cordial message. lie is, I be
lieve, in commission in this body, and better
than I can hope to do, he can report to you
his reception as your ambassador. He can
tell you how cordially he was received ; how
the deep fountains of feeling were broken
up ; how solemn and intensely thrilling the
scene of the first renewal of fraternal inter
mrse between brethren long alienated from
one another. I have never, Moderator and
brethren of the Assembly, beheld an audi
ence so absorbed in that which fell from the
lips of a speaker, so fixed and earnest in its
gaze, as that which listened to your delegate
as he eloquently, and,with the deepest and
most tender emotion, spoke from a heart
overflowing in its fulness, your kindly greet
ing and most Christian salutation. Upon the
countenances of the younger portion of the
Assembly Was depicted absorbing interest ;
while many of the more aged members could
not or cared not to restrain the tears which
so freely coursed down their furrowed cheeks.
There were those present who carried with
them the scars of the unhappy strife which
rent our church in twain ; and if I mention
to this Assembly the name; of Barnes and
Cox and Skinner and Beman, all save the
last commissioners to that Assembly, I need
do no more to convince you how deeply
some, at least, of the auditors could appreci
ate and enter into the spira, and depths of
such an occasion. To be frilly appreciated,
the interview to which I have but referred
must have been witnessed. It was a blessed
privilege to receive the baptism of such an
hour ; and to but few is it accorded to be
thus twice blessed in the course of an ordi
nary lifetime.
This, moderator, may be regarded as an
auspicious beginning, which justifies us in
hoping for a happy ending of our troubles.
It was as the sun long obscured, breaking
through the portentous -clouds that had hid
it from our view - and for myself, I devoutly
hope, that the blessed influence of a restored,
confidence between us, may result in estab
lishing a united, consolidated, Presbyterian
Church. And this may be se if we will it to
be ; the difficulties in the way may be over
come. The mountains which in times past
have risen up between usmay be made to dis
appear, so that we shall again become one peo
ple. Are we not one now inprofession of attach
meat to a common Lold and Master? have
we not the same standards and symbols of
faith '? Is not our historic life our joint in
heritance ? Why then shall we remain
separate, one from another ?
Two causes combined to bring about the
separation which resulted from the action-of
the assemblies of 1837 and 1838. First, a
difference of opinion as to the polity of the
Church, in regard to the mode of carrying on
the operations of the Chinch ; and second,
alleged doctrinal differences which were
, claimed to be of the life and essence of' our
faith.
The first cause of separation, moderator,
no longer exists. We have come to occupy
substantially your ground, we are in the
main doing our own work through our own
agencies ; we call these agencies committees,
you designate yours as boards, we think that
our mode in some respects is better than
yours ; and you liaA:6 had among yourselves,
those who thought with. us, upon this sub--
ject,But, there is nothing in,thisAifierenco,
that., ought to, eep,:, Us, .for one hoM. 4 a.part,
from ot•her, We iic no;ti•
upon principle, the name is of no impor
tance, and in acknowledging this change,
we confess that yours was a wisdom wiser
than ours. We were carried away with the
theory of co-operative Christianity, but we
found that co-operrtive Christianity, however,
attractive in theory, worked badly for us in
practice. Our union with the Home Mis
sionary Society, became a disastrous union
for us. The Congregational element with
which we co-operated, having obtained the
control of an organization originally Pesby
terian, discriminated as we thought unfairly
against us, and in favor of Congregationalism.
They learned well how to profit by the con
nection with us, understanding better, as my
colleague had said, how to receive from us,
than to give to us. And after a time, this
irresponsible organization undertook to set
itself up above the church, to ignore Presby
tery in the selection and appointment of its
missionaries, and claimed that applicants for
commission, after having been approved by.
Presbytery, should come before them for ex
amination, so that they might revise the
judgment of Presbytery. After that they
went farther, and insisted that all the
churches within the bounds of a Presbytery,
should contribute to their funds, or be wholly
excluded from all participation therein.
This point reached and the partnership was
dissolved, and as is too frequently the case,
having their hands upon the common fund,
they refused to share it with us, and to this
day, moderator, they have refused our ap
peal to their justice and have firmly held
our money in their grasp ; the thousands of
dollars of Presbyterian contribution is lost
to our Church, and is diverted to a purpose
not contemplated by those who donated it.
After such an experience, can you doubt the
sincerity of our conversion? -
Judge Allison then gave some statistics in
regard to the missionary operations of his de
nomination. Last year - they had 258 mis
sionaries in the Domestic - field; and this year
it had been largely increased—perhaps 300.
And since the Churchhad got directly to her
appropriate work, she was largely reaping the
benefits.
As to the second ground assigned for sep
aration, namely, essential docrtinal diver
gence, I desire to say, Moderator, upon the
very best authority, that which will not be
disputed by either branch of the church,
that neither branch has any confidence in
the existence of a difference in belief that
can justify a continued separation ; and that
authority is the consistent, uniform testimo
ny of all the ohurches and judicatories in
connection with both Assemblies, from 1838
—when the four Synods were excinded—
down to the present hour. Ido not pretend
to say that in both connections there are not
men holding extreme views as to the true
interpretation of our standards • but I do
affirm that, in substantial adherence to
those•standards, the great body of both the
clergy and the laity are in accord; and I un
dertake to prove it by the fact, that the
churches have, without a single exception,
so far as I am informed, ignored the exist
ence of substantial error on either side ; and
have opened wide their doors for the admis
sion of the members, in connection with
either Assembly, upon mere certificate of
church membership. Exceptions may exist
to this course, but I have never heard of
them. Certainly, Moderator, I am safe in
saying that the overwhelming current of
testimony stands recorded in favor of the
position which I have assumed. NOr is this
testimony to be lightly regarded. It is of
the highest character known to our church ;
it is the testimony of our ecclesiastical judi
catories, from the lowest to the highest of,
them. I begin with the lowest as first in
order ; the Session of the Church, which
stands sentinel at its door, for the purpose of
protecting it in its purity and orthodoxy, and
is required to - See to it that no unworthy
or hetrodoxy person is received to her com
munion. I cite next the proceedings of Pres
bytery,which keeps watch over the action and
records of the Session, and before which
these records are regularly brought in review.
I go one step higher, and appeal to the
Synod ; that, in turn, examines the records
of Presbytery ; and last of all I turn to the
General Assembly, the highest judicatory of
the church, in whose presence I now stand ;
the court of last resort ; to whom the Synod
must, in turn, account ; and I ask whether
these churches, with their multitude of
ministers and elders, these numerous Pres
byteries and Synods and successive General
Assemblies have not, one and all, either by
original action or by an endorsement of the
acts of the other, sanctioned, ratified and
approved of the reception of church mem
bers going from one branch of the church
into the other without examination, and
upon mere certificate of membership as the
only test of doctrinal soundness? I wish to
bring this fact to the solemn consideration
of the Assembly, as embodying the practical
judgment of both branches of the church, in
the highest form of expression, upon that
which has been insisted upon as a reason
justifying separation. I rejoice that the
controvertible fact is just what I have stated
it to be ; and that we all, . without being
aware of it, have been allowed by PROVIDENCE
t r make thistestimony against Ourselves. This,
Moderator, has entered into history ; it is be
yond recall ; this Assembly, even, could not
recallit if it would. For twenty-six years, to a
greater or less degree, we have talked of
differences, and tried to speculate about
them ; whilst, by almost every official act, we
have said there was not that in them that
could keep the members of one church from
admission to the other; that, in truth, we
were of one faith, and portions of the same
church. Neither has there been any difficul
ty. the ministers from one body crossing
the lines, and passing freely into the other.
I am not umindful of the fact that you pro
vided for the return - of ministers from
the exeinded Synods, stipulating for an ex
amination, however, by Presbytery ; but
am also aware that this was investing Pres
bytery with no new power or authority, but
that it is a right inherent in the judicatory
to pass upon the fitness of those who knock
at her doors for admission—not a dormant
right, but one which from time immemorial
has been exercised.
And thus, moderator and members of the
Assembly, do these seeming mountains of
separation fade away, when tested by the
judgment which we ourselves have for a
quarter of a century been constantly passing
upon them.
Judge Allison then referred to the advan
ces of the General Assembly (Old School)
towards fraternal intercourse; and made a
warm appeal for spiritual and organic union,
and his remarks called forth applause.
One other fact, moderator, let me merely
refer to, before I sit down i We have become
substantially one upon the great questions of
the day ; we are standing shoulder to
shoulder in support of the Government, in
its effort to suppress the rebellion, the most
causeless and therefore the most atrocious
that has ever existed: Both Assemblies
have affirmed the duties of loyalty andpatriot
ism,the onewith which tam connected, three
years ago, spoke out in emphatic language
upon the subject, by a unanimous vote.
Al
ready, therefore, we are the united Presbyte7
:rian Church in an tip coinproiniSliii
.Wir with
rebellion and wheal the authority of the
Ge#&.ll: - - , 74:n kali 41 liave been' again`
lished and the record comes to be made up,
as to who stood firmly by or who resisted le
gitimate, constitutional authority, will it be
said that one was of this and another was
of that Assembly ? Will not rather the joint
testimony of both churches, pass into history.
as a grand historic deliverance of THE Pres
byterian Church, represented by the Assem
blies now in session at Dayton and at New
ark ? This, moderator, is no slender bond of
union in a crisis like that through which we
are now passing.
In conclusion Judge Allison renewed the
assurance of the most cordial and fraternal re
gard from those whom he represented.
The Moderator's Reply.
The Moderator replied—Respected and
Beloved Brethren, many members - Of the
Assembly have anticipated my hearty re
sponse to the kind sentiments you have
uttered by the approbation which they have
expressed. And in reply to what you have
said retrospectively, and in the way of good
wishes for the future, I can but folloW the
path you have marked out. Our separation
from you is a matter of history ; and it oc-.
curred, not because we desired it irrespective
of what we deemed necessary, but because
thirty-six years before the General Assembly
had, in the love of union, formed a Plan
of Union with our Congregational brethren
which led us, thirty years ago, to .deplore
evils which you have since shaken off. And
it was simply the dissolution of that Plan of
Union which resulted in the separation.
You remember, brethren, that the prophet
Zechariah had two staves, Beauty and Band.%
and he first cut asunder Beauty, that it
might break his covenant ; and not till after
Beauty was sundered did he cut in sunder
Bands, that he might break the brotherhocid
between Judah and Israel. The beauty Of
our union with those brethren seemed marred
before we yielded to the sundering of the
bands. But although the bands of organic
union were cut, he felt very sure that the
more potent bond of spiritual unity, a, con
mon love to a common cause and a common
Master was as strong as ever. Six years ago
he had received a visit from a, distinguished
minister of your connection. He entered
my study, and, with much emotion, threw
his arms around my neck; and with that
warmth of salutation we met. He (the
Moderator) assured his friend and brother
'that he fully reciprocated his Christian affec
tion, and we felt that, although visibly
separated, we were spiritually one. .4 You
have written a book," said he, which
Seemed to bear severely upon us ; but I
rejoice to say that times are changing, and
that brotherly love seems likely to be
restored."
He (the Moderator) had been an inter
ested observer of your branch of the &arch,
and could truly say, for himself and in be
half of the Assembly, we have a growing
confidence in your faith and polity—a warm
and growing love for you as brethren. We
are visibly separated, yet one in Christ .Jesus.
"We are two, like the waves, and yet one,
like the sea." [Applause.] Whether the
time is near at hand for an organized union,
was a question upon which good men on
both sides might differ. But are we not
really one ? In doctrinal belief we are much
nearer one—in polity the same. You, per
baps, have been more decidedly anti-slavery
than we. We were always anti-slavery, yet
conservative—once trammelled, but now
emancipated ! [Applause.] War is a terri
ble calamity, but worth all that it costs, if it
shall result in universal liberty. He hoped
the halcyon days of peace were near at hand ;
that the unity of Christian brotherhood
through all churches was maturing. We
are a unity in, faith, hope, zeal and charity;
and he longed for the day when we may he
one organically, as we are one in spirit.
[Applause.] In behalf of the General As
sembly and the churches we represent, he
tendered them most cordially the right hand
of fellowship.
THE GREAT 'CENTRAL SANITARY
FAIR.
This exhibition of fancy articles,
works of art and skill, and various curi
osities, such as trophies, relics &e., is in
deed worthy of the title "great." On all
hands it is conceded to be in advance of
any enterprise of the kind yet attempted.
Aside from all consideration of its
laudable object, it is intrinsically deserv
ing a visit from every one who can pos
sibly make it. The vastness of the build
ings; the lavish splendour of the decor
ations; the profusion and taste in the
display of goods: the immense, rich
gallery of art., :ri itself worth the entire
admission fee; the fairy-like beauty of
the horticultural department; the ab
sence of any disposition to extort money
by trickery or unfair means; the ex
cellent arrangements for preserving order
join to recommend. the exhibition to
universal patronage. Any one who has
once walked up and down the grand
" - Union Avenue," will have a vision of
gracefubiess, amplitude and beauty,
inn oven with the memories of the time,
that will not soon be effaced and that
will be "a joy forever."
It is quite likely that the ambition of
the originators ofthe enterprise to excel
New York city in material results, will
be realized. We hope the intimation in
Governor Curtin's -opening speech, that
the families and the orphans of soldiers
at home should be remembered in our
bounty, will receive the- attention it de
serves; for assuredly the immense
sums of money reailized cannot all be
needed to supplement the services, of our
liberal government to our soldiers in
the field.
REV. 0. Si ARMSTRONG. 7-- We are
pleased to learn that Mr. Armstrong
was quite successful in his errand in be
half of the First church, Lansing, Mich.,
among our benevolent men': The im
portance of the work and the peculiar
circumstances of the church were so
well appreciated, that, notwithstanding
the extraordinary pressure upon every
liberal man in our church and city at
this time, a very respectable portion of
the amount required was easily raised.
This new proof of large liberality and
syMpathy with remote pOrtions of the
-church by our 'people' is• gratifyingto all
the friends . of:Christ'sTattse.