GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
SESSION OF 1843ri.
[CONTINUED FROM PAGE 171.1
EXPENDITURES.
To missionaries and secretaries,
including travelling expenses, $75,226 03
Other expenses, 3,577 75
Balance, 14,67.3 88
Dr. E. E. Adams suggested the need of a
periodical to disseminate the spirit which
these statements excited. He felt likegiving
up his church and going into the missionary
field, and he would be glad to do so for one
half the year. ' It would be a good thing if
the fathers could leave the cities and villages
of the East, where people are preached to
death, and go to the field.
Mr. Copeland believed the cause could be
better served in the papers than in a periodi
cal.
A motion was made and carried to refer
the recommendation for a periodical to the
Committee on Publications.
An earnest discussion ensued on the pro
per way to arouse feeble churches.
Rev. Mr. Adair believed that a great deal
could be done by the Presbyteries in which
the feeble churches were situated. The cler
gy could do much if they would. Let
doctors of distinction go down directly to the
points of labor, and throw the influence of
their high positions over the feeble churches
and. show them that they are cared for, and
under God that they can live. If this could
be done it would be found that these very
feeble churches would sena up to us some
young men for the great work before us.
At this point, on the suggestion of ,the
Moderator, the Assembly rose and sang :—.
" Ye Christian heralds, go proclaim
Salvation through Emanuel's name,
• To distant climas the tidings bear,
And plant the rose of Sharon there."
Mr. Mears, of Philadelphia, thought that
the Assembly would do well to resolve itself
into a committee of the whole on Home
Missions, nay, the church itself would do
well to become a Committee of the whole on
Home Missions. If we could get an ade
quate impression of this work, and carry it
back to our people, we would do a greater
work than any. General Assembly ever had
an opportunity to do. We ought to ask our
people for $250,000 and 200 men this year:
to ask our pastors to come to the field them
selves as they did for the army. He was glad
the committee made no distinction in the
color of those with whom it would la
bor : yet the greatness of the work among
the freedmen demanded that it should be
made a separate work. It would be financially
an advantage, and would bring forth more men
for the specific work.' The other branch of the
Church have an efficient department for freed
men. The N. S. has no specific agencies,
and the contributions of its members go to
these other agencies. We should take a dis
tinct mission. He would not suggest that it
be taken from the Permanent Committee.
He wished to contribute his mite in swe - ling
the impression of the grandeur of the work.
God help us to rise to the comprehension of
the work in its true magnitude I
Rev. Mr. Thompson (colored) said that he
had remained quiet heretofore because he
felt that so young a. member of the Assembly
would do better to listen than to speak, but
on the suggestion of Mr. Adams he had a
word to say. In the providence of God a
great field was opened before us, and he be
lieved that that section of it which embraced
the freedmen was especially opened for our
Church. The record of this Church brings
us into peculiar relations to the freedmen.
We can do more for them than any other
Church, but we are slow to move toward the
work. The Old School are organized and
working efficiently, but they have not occupied
the position that this Church has, and have
not its influence. They are just coming
around to a point where we have been for
four years. The Methodists and the Roman
Catholics are proselytizing among us ; but to
the negroes a Roman Catholic means an
Irishman, and our people are not necessarily
Methodists. Methodism does not elevate ;
it really degrades our people, not on account
of its own nature, but on account of theirs.
It acts on their sensibilities and they do not
want to have these acted upon. I find tha
black men are better as Presbyterians than
as Methodists or as Baptists, and this is one
of' many reasons why we should push oui
operations among
the freedmen.
Mr. Noble, of Minnesota, renewed the mo
tion to refer the work among the freedmen
to a special committee. The question of what
shall be done among these 4,000,000 free men
was a distinct topic, worthy of a special com
mittee. He believed the admission of' our
colored brothers was a step which would gain
the benediction of' God, but there was more
to do. The children of Mr. Reeves, from
Philadelphia, can not attend the schools of
that city; he cannot ride in the cars.
Mr. Mears, of Philadelphia, reminded the
brother that Judge Allison had declared the
legality of the right of the negro to ride in
the cars.
Rev. Mr. Reeve (colored), of Philadelphia,
urged upon the New School Presbyterian
Church to enter with energy and warm hearts
into the wide field open in the South, to open
churches there just the same as it did among
white Americans. lior we are Americans,
are bound to the country, and mean to stay
here. (Applause.) Some-of the best mem
, bers I have in my church are refugees. Some
of them are going home, and they will want
loyal men to preach to them. Another thing;
sympathy in the North for colored people is
a good thing, but what we want is even-handed
justice—to be treated as other people are.
We do not want them treated when they are
organized in Sunday-school, as we saw them
treated yesterday—placed in the rear where
they were subjected to ridicule, while more
recently-established schools preceded them,
so that they finally left the procession.
(Applause.) I want you to preach to our
people just in the same way as you do to your
own, and not to lay such stress upon "you
people" and "you,"as if they were so differ
entto the white people. Treat us as sinners
when you pi each to us, but not as black sin
ners. Colored people have often as great a
prejudice against white preachers as white
people often have against us, for they feel
that the preacher is likely to insult. them
before he gets through. I believe that you
need us here just as much as we need you.
I think that men with white skins and men
with black skins can live to g ether on this
continent and help to establish theßedeem
er's kingdom not only here, but in all parts
of the earth. (Applause.)
• Our people, are not naturally Methodists
or Baptists; they are, iu all essential points,
Calvinists. The only thing that bad kept
them alive during the years of terrible op
pressicu was the belief in the eternal pyrpose
of God. They were as much Calvinists as
their Presbyterian masters, only one believed
God had one purpose, and the other believed
he had an entirely different one. He believed
that the blacks had a work here just as much
as the whites, and that was the reason why
he had sternly opposed all schemes of coloni
zation.
Mr. Reeve proceeded at some length,
with great fervor and foree, producing a
striking effect on the Assembly.
The motion of Mr. Noble was amended to
read that that part of the report on Home
Missions which referred to the freedmen, be
referred back to the Committee on Home
Missions for a special report on the subject,
and that Mr. Reeve, of Philadelphia, be added
to that committee.
In reply to a question put to him, the
Rev. Charles H. Thompson, colored, of New
ark, said that in the establishment of
churches in the South it was better to organ
ize them of colored people only, for when
colored men becanie mixed up in white con
gregations they became of little use, as they
seemed to lose all their individuality.
Rev. Mr. Sawyer, of Tennessee, by invita
tion, gave some of his experiences as Superin
tendent of Freedmen, showing the manhood,
independence, and self-reliance of colored
men. He believed that President Johnson
would like to have an out-spoken declaration
from the various deliberative bodies on the
subject of giving the negro the franchise,
which would strengthen him, the President,
is carrying that matter right thrdugh.
Rev. Samuel R Hail, recently returned.
from New Orleans, as representative of the
American Bible Society, offered a - few re
marks regarding the slow progress which
must necessarily be made in the work of
Home Missions among the. whites in the
South, in consequence of the strong prejudi
ces which exist there. There is no change in
the masses of the people in New Orleans on
the question of secession and rebellion. Gen.
Hurlbut had told him (the speaker) that re
bellion existed strongest in the religious cir
cles of the South. The intellect of the colored
people, the speaker'believed, had been greatly
underrated, and, in concluding, he expressed
his belief that that dillibed race would yet
become---must. becomelge dominant race of
the South. Adjourneduntil 3P. M.
Before the Assembly adjourned Mr. Cuyler
asked them to step to the front of the church
and be photographed, and the Secretary read
an invitation from Mr. Fredericks, of New
York, to every member to call and get.his
photograph taken, gratis.
We introduce the following note, not hav
ing time at present to tkst its historical accu
racy. It is from the Brooklyn Union, which
carefully reported the proceedings of the As
sembly.
$93,477 66
The First Colored Delegate
To the Editor of the Union :—Allow me to
correct a statement made a few days ago to
the effect that Rev. J. B. Reeve, of Phila
delphia, colored delegate to the Assembly of
the Presbyterian Church now held in this city,
was the first ever admitted to that body of the
Christian Church. The Rev. John Glouces
ter, Sen., late of Philadelphia, founder of the
Presbyterian Church among colored persons
in America who had four sons, ministers 'in
this body ofi the Christian church, three of
whom graduated with honor from our several
institutions, was a delegate from Philadelphia
Presbytery to the General < Assembly, over
thirty years past, and although it has been a
long period since the act has been repeated,.
yet it must be said in honor and in justice to
the Presbyterian Church.that this recent act.
has not been the first to admit to her suprertit
councils a Christian brother who has a col
ored skin. J. N. E.
WEDNESDAY, )LAY 24-AFTERNOON.
The report of the Standing , Committee on
Home Missions being still before the Assem
bly :
Rev. Dr. Parsons, of St. Joseph, Mo., re
verted to the spiritual destitution of North
western Missouri, and made a powerful appeal
for men to labor there. They must have men,
and they must have them as soon as possible.
They could not offer them any of what had
been called the luxuries of missionary life
there, but they could offer them plenty of la
bdr, plenty of self-denial and self-sacrifice.
They could offer them the work of laying the
foundations of the Church there, of winning
crowns of victory in the matter of loyalty to
the Government and loyalty to God. Thei
could offer them good dinners, and a little
money. In all that great territory there were
only five churches and a membership of 130.
If they could not have college men, let them
have the men.they could get. If they could
not do better, they would be satisfied
with a system of ecclesiastical colportage.
He quoted an example of the feeling in
Westminster, one of the towns in his sec
tion, by a dialogue between two females—the
one representing the conservative pro-slavery
class, and the other the radical pro-slavery
class—showing the intolerance of these peo
ple. His church was thirty-five members
strong, and was gradually increasing, but they
were almost discouraged by the want of sym
pathy and encouragement showed by those
around and about them. He asked whether
the General Assembly would refuse to send
men to them because they had no educated
men ready? They would like to have liber
ally educated men if they could get them, but
if they could not they wanted the next best
class of men. They wanted men and they
wanted money. They were bound to build
their church, and if the fathers and mothers
refused them, then they would turn to the chil
dren. Thefchildren had built the "Morning
Star" to carry the Word into distant places,
and why should they not be able to build a
Western star to twinkle in the Western sky ?
Dr. E. E. Adams, from the Cituittee on
Home Missions, then read tre following
amendment, with the recommendation that
it be embodied in the report:— -
The committee would recommend that the
Permanent Committee on Home Missions
appoint an agent or agents to visit the South
ern States, for the purpose of organizing
churches among the freedmen, and, if possi
ble, of finding and employing ministers of
their own race to labor among them in word
and doctrine, and to do all that the necessities
of the case in connection with the great sub
ject demand. And we invite our churches to
offer special contributions to the committee
fbr this branch of their work.
The Rev. Mr. Pa , ch then addressed the
Assembly. He said it was all very well to
speak and pass resolutions, but the great ne
cessity of the hour was action. Resolutions
were all very well, and if resolutions would
have done it this continent would long since
have been Christianized. A single day' sexpen
ses of the national Government, in this war,
and one-tenth of the men employed, would
suffice to evangelize the whole country.
The speaker expressed a, desire to see boun
daries set to this work, and boundaries that
should not cramp the laborers. To give, in
order to fill a river, was a useless undertaking;
but to fill a lake, however large, was felt to
be practicable, and was likely to be undertaken
with courage - and spirit. He referred to the
case of th Morning Star, the missionary
ship built by Sabbath-school children some
years since, as an evidence that when a defi
nite, properly limited object is
. presented,
there will be no difficulty in arousing the ne
cessary interest to accomplish it. Now let
us put a limit to the Home Missionary work,
but let it be in this wise :—" We will send a
minister into every Southern pulpit, and then
we will send a minister into every place where
there ought to be a pulpit." By this means
we shall give ample scope for all the talent
that would otherwise shrink back.
Mr. Patch proceeded to speak of the great
want of ministers in our church, and regarded
our standaili of qualification too high. Said
he: "Now I know - that Paul is considered to
have held the doctrines of the Presbyterian
Church,and so he is taken as an example of
what rises minister should be ; and where
,we can't follow Paul, 'why then John, who
was an elegant literary gentleman, a scholar,
THE AMERICAN PRESBYTERIAN, THURSDAY; JUNE 1, 1865
is followed; but poor Peter hardly has a rep
resentative in our church. I know he denied
his Loi d, and I know also that he repented,
and was received back into full favor again
with the Apostles ; but he did one thing which
a ministerlif our church now-a-days wouldn't
think of doing—he went a-fishing. (Laugh
ter.) That is, when he "found he couldn't
get a support by preaching, he turned around
to his own business and got it, and the Lord
blessed him abundantly. For his own part,
he did not see why, if
. some pastors went - on
excursions to Europe, others should not go
a-fishing or a-farming. Now our young men
are educated to believe that they must give
up their whole life to the ministry, and so
they lose all their vitality; but I say we must
make use of men who perhaps haven't been
so well educated, but can reach the hearts of
men.
The great number of unemployed minis
ters on our rolls was here referred to, and the
question how to put them into effective ser
vice considered by the speaker, with many
homely and keen thrusts. They must, he
thought, be willhig to labor with their hands
rather than fall back upon the dignity.of
their profession, and be employed less than
half their tinge. The speaker believed that
our weak and vacant churches would gladly
acquiesece in some plan of itinerancy by
which the vacant ministers might be sent by
the year under the authority of Presbytery to
fill their pulpits. The speaker thought our
methods of ministerial training were defec
tive- He-had two boys whom he was educa
ting for the ministry, and he • began with
them when a year old. One of them, when
two years old, rose from his bed one morn
ing, and beheld, for the first time, the ground
covered with snow. In his night-clothes,
and with bare feet, he went out and tramped
around the house. Coming back and seek
ing admission at the door where his father
(Mr. Patch) and a brother minister were
sitting, the brother exclaimed in surprise,
" What do you mean by allowing the child
thus to expose itself?" " Don't you under
stand," says the father,"l am training him
for the ministry! (Roars of laughter.) I
am training him to go barefoot and in the
snow, that he may be ready for the hard
ships of the calling."
The speaker, believed that their best minis
ters would be found among the returning sol
diers. There were among them individuals
who bad gathered`in the three or four years
which they had been in the army a knowledge
of human nature and a fund of' illustration
which Would qualify them better than four
years of closet study for the ministry of the
Gospel. One reason why the Areihodist
Church and the Baptist Church had so suc
cessfully struggled kith these difficulties •and
surpassed us on, theSe fields was that theo
had accepted just "such preaching material.
We of the Presbyterian Church 'must have
helpers. Our feeble churches never : will be
full unless we follmto a certain extent the
example of the iVlet odists, and form the_va
cant churches into circuits and appoiht preach-.
ers to. them. , As. it was at present, many
churches would > die out if some such
course was not pursued. The argument of
'the speaker was full •of peculiar and forcible
illustrations, which caused great amusement
as well as made a -deep impression on the
Assembly:.:
-The
Rev. Mr. Shaw, of Cleveland, 'Ohio,
.was the next. speaker. They were, he said,
just beginning to find out the magnitude of
the work before them, but God would make
their resources sufficient. The material
would not be wanting. But the demand - was
such that they could not wait till the laborers
were prepared. Ile question was how
was - the work to bO , done? The , firrt-thing
to be done was to rightly understand their
Presbyterial responsibilities, to go and visit
these vacant fields, and to regard the weak
churches as just as truly under our care as
if we were actually in pastoral relations to
them. The other thing, was to understand
and fulfil the obligation to furnish ministers
to the vacant churches.
A hymn was then sung.
The Rev. Mr. Dickson continued the dicus
sion. He said there was a want of energy in
the churches. There were many which were
sinking gradually for some one to care for
them. He insisted on the necessity of the
pastor being identified with the church, and
giving his whole time to it instead of only oc
cupying the desk on Sabbaths.
The Rev. Mr. Dunham said the course
which had been advised was the course which
had been pursued in his Presbytery for the
last three years, but they had only, been en
abled thereby to keep a feeble life in the
weaker churches. They were kept alive, but
they were growing weaker all the time. They'
had therefore abandoned it and engaged a
Presbyterian missionary. What was wanted
was some one that would be on hand in each
church to see to its interests, and become
acquainted with the people. And they also
wanted the pastor, to come in personal con
tact with the people—to visit the fitmilies,
ando from house to house. Laymen, also,
who feel inclined to the ministry, should have
means provided to fit them for the work of
gathering the harvest of souls.
Dr. Hamilton said that the Methodists and
Baptists had won the ground west of the
Hudson from them, and had won it fairly,
too. The Presbyterians had lost the ground
by their own folly, and by the fact of their
refusing to license competent men who had,
not enjoyed a liberal education. They 114
failed for the want of raising up and calling
the right kind of men. He was in favor of
educated men, and they wanted all hey
could get of them, but they could not
get enough. The fact was that they
wanted to manufacture Christianity here and
send it out west like other articles, but they
could not do so. But let them accept the
services of those zealous and earnest men
who offered themselves, for they could not do
without them.
The Rev. Mr. Ricord did not wish to imi
tate the denominations mentioned in their
manner of raising churches or in the sort of
churches which they raised. He had, seen
many of those churches which had been
started and which soon fell to pieces. The
work which was done by, this sort of brethren
was of a transient nature, and would not stand
the test of tine. But the work done by pro
perly educated ministers would Withstand the
assaults of Atheism, and would endure. He
was against putting these men in the churches
unless they were under the supervision of
properly-trained ministers. G He was for stick
ing by the old land-marks / la nd then the work
would stand.
. The Rev. Mr. Jewell, of Albany, wished to
call the attention of the Assembly to the one
thing, which he believed bught to be . taken_
into consideration by the commissioners of
the Church. He believed what they wanted
was more of Divine power in their ministry.
The religion in the feeble-churches was not
of the kind which pushed', here and pushed
there like the goat in ScriPture, but was of a
i e,
kind that had to be pill d this way and
pulled that way. Let the' religion become
of an aggressive character and they would,
instead of licensing men to preach it, find it
hard to keep them still. They were not alone
f
in their troubles in this matter. Other
branches suffered, too. Thy all had religion
as a disppnsation of grace, but they should
pray for it to come to them in a dispensation
of power. They needed rare prayer.
The Rev. Mr. Johnson, of Bloomington,
was in favor of looking for young men of zeal
and supporting them till eir studies were
finished.
The Moderator suggeste that the discus-
sion must come to an end some time or other,
and that the time for adjournment had nearly
arrived.
After some remarks by Messrs. Gaston and
Ricord, Mr. Wishard, of Michigan, offered
as an amendmendment that, in view of the
weight of the responsibilities onthe churches,
the Assembly recommend that the pastors
and elders of the various - Presbyteries meet
to pray over and consider the solemn queS
dons of the hour, and that the Home IVlis
sionary Committee furnish them with suita
ble topics for prayer and discussion.
The Moderator was of opinion that the
amendment ought to form a - separate resolu
tion, and the suggestion was acted upon.
The Rev. Mr. Patch offered as an amend
ment that the word " license," ordered to be
stricken out in the morning, be restored to
the report. '
The Rev. Mr. Jewell moved that the word
"commissioned" be substituted in the place
of the word 'licensed, and this amendment
was carried.
The report was then adopted; after which
the Assembly adjourned.
The illness of Dr. Thornton A. Mills, al
luded to yesterday,- has proved only -tempo
.
rary, and he was present in the Assembly,
nearly free from any effects of his indisposi
tion—so much so as to have been able to
write a note giving this information.
TILURSDATY, NAY 25-MORNING.
The Assembly convened this morning at 8
o'clock, and, after the usual devotional exer
cise' proceeded to transact such business as
the limited time previous to their departure
on the excursion would admit of.
The minutes of the previous meeting having
been read and approved, the Rev. Mr. Hovey
moved the adoption of the report of the
Standing Committee on' 'Education, and the
same was adopted.
The Moderator then stated that the Rev.
B. J. Relyea, Delegate from the Association
of Connecticut, wag present, and desired to
address the Assembly. Permission hiving .
been unanimously accorded, Mr. R. proceeded
to make a brief address, expressive of the
cordial feeling existing among the Associated
Churches of Connecticut, and their unity of
sentiment with the General Assembly now in.
session. There were 285 Congregational
churches in Connecticut, 61 of which were on
an independent basis, but all were duly rep
resented in the Association.
In response to the address, the Moderator
eloquently and briefly expressed the senti
ments of the Assembly towards their worthy
brethren of Connecticut
COLLEGIATE EDUCATION AT THE WEST
"Whereas, Through the wise and timely
agency of the Society for the Promotion of
Collegiate and Theological Education at the
West, and which had its bri 4 in in the darkest
portion of our educational history in the new
States, so many of our institutions of learning
have been aided in their infancy, and not a
few of them saved from - absolute ruin,
or
raised' from a state of 'feebleness or peril to
one of strength and of readiness' for efficient
action in the net , age now opening upon the
nation : Therefore,
Resolved. Thatthe great services which the
Society has thus been enabled by Divine bless
ing to render to the cause of Christian learn
ing at the West, deserves a grateful recoglit
don by this Assembly.
The report of the Committe on Bills and
Overtures on the subject of a memorial in re
lation to the freedmen of the South, was
made the the order of the day for Saturday
morning.
The records of the Synods of Western
Pennsylvania Cincinnati, Missouri, Pennsyl
nia, Albany, fndiana, were approved. Ad
journed to meet at half past three P., M.
THE EXUEWON
By the courtesy of the congregation of the
First Presbyterian Church Brooklyn, Rev. C.
S. Robinson pastor, the Assembly and their
friends, to the number of about five hundred,
were ftirnished a delightful excursion around
the entire bay, as far as Fort Lafayette, giv
ing them a view of the city, shipping, vessels
of war, the ironclad Roanoke, the French
fleet, Blackwell's and Randal's Islands,
Staten Island, and many objects of interest.
Dodworth's fine band, and several excellent
vocalists were aboard. A bountiful lunch
was provided. The her was everything_
that could be wished. 11111 e social enjoyment
was general and great, and the Assembly re
turned fresh and elastic to their work.
One of the Brooklyn papers which is re
porting the proceedings of the body, thus
characterizes the personal appearance of the
members:—
" They are quite a study, the members of
this same General Assembly, as they pass
along Lafayette Avenue in' the direction. of
Montague Street, at the foot of which the
steamer lies. Sunburnt men there are, like
Jacob Patch of Saint Joseph—from the pra
iries of Missouri and Illinois ; tall, grim, in
telligent ; able to wield an axe or the Bible
with equal effect ; men from desolated Ten
nessee and Kansas, stamped, every one of
them, with the lineaments of sadness and
long suffering—witness Thomas J. Lamar, of
Union Presbytery, Tennessee. Specimens of
another class are also to be found here, who
are so well known, in these favored regions of
Few York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania,
That it is unnecessary to do more than allude
to them. Their strictly clerical attire is spot
less; perfect in its neatness and precision,
and they carry about them an air of refined
comfort which no other residents of any com
munity can ever hope to acquire. Your par
don, brothers John B. Reeve, of Philadel- -
phia, and Charles H. Thompson, of Newark,
New Jersey, types of the new era, but your
telling speeches in the Assembly the other
day should have entitled you to rank first on
this list."
THURSDAY MAY 26-AFTERNOON.
- MINISTERIAL RELIEF.
The Committee on the Ministerial Relief
Fund reported resolutions to the effect that
the attention of church members should be
directed to the straitened circumstances of
many of the faithful ministers who have
toiled for many years on small salaries, now
left in the decline of life without proper sup--
port ; and that every Presbytery_be directed
to appoint a standing committee, where duty
it shall be to inquire into the necessities of
disabled ministers, and of their widows and
orphans, and bring their cases to the notice
of the Executive Committee of the Relief
Fund. The Presbyteries are earnestly re
qested to make annual collections in aid of
the fund.
RECEPTION OF DELEGATES
Rev. Dr. Hickok, of Scranton, represented
the Assembly that met in Newark in 1864.
Report of his speech hereafter.
Elder Charlton Henry, from the same body,
said that while his denomination rejoiced in
the success and progress of all God's people,
they rejoiced especially in the success of our
own denomination. . The day was not far dis
tant when the two denominations will be one.
They had the same discipline, the same forms
of words. They subscribed to the same words
and the same confession of faith. They both
hold firmly to the confession with the allow
ance of diverse interpretation, as they both
hold the Bible With diversity of interpretation.
The differences were not so great as they used
to, be. The pastors exchange pulpits with
great facility, and the people did not know
any difference in doctrine. Many of the min
isters of the New School were from the schools
and seminaries of the Old School. The polity
of the two churches was the same.: Should
they not then be one? Should they not have
an organic union? Many would be in favor
of it. But it was not a question for a majority
to determine. There must be almost entire
unanimity. But they must remember the old
tnotto,festina lente. Let them continue doing
as they had been doin g c , for the last few years,
and it would be seen, to the joy of the faith
ful, that the Presbyterian Church was one in
organization as it was in spirit. They must
not, however, be too much in a hurry, for if
they were they would fail. They we're living
in wondrous times. This fair land had been
the theatre of the most gigantic contest the
world ever saw, but he believed that it was a
means of preparation for a better and nobler
life.
These addresses were received with the
warmest applause.
The Moderator said that the presence of
the two delegates was doubly welcome, coming
as they did with such words. The two
branches of the Presbyterian Church had
loved each other and loved each other still.
Rocked in the same cradle, they have the
same history, they were twin sisters. In re
ference to organic union, the New School stood
where it had always stood; its position was
known. It mighthe, while the two remained
distinct bodies, that the Old School might sur
pass them in schools, in seminaries, in colleges,
in literary institutions, in the outward signs of
prosperity; but the New School was deter
mined on one thing, that the Old School
should not surpass them in love, in the up
holding the doctrines of the Calvinistic
Church, and their devotion to the Cross. Ic
was the heart's desire of the New School that
God might_ prosper the other branch as be
fore, and it was the speaker's prayer that the
choicest blessings might, descend on their
heads.
The Rev. Dr. Elmendorf, of the Reformed
Dutch Church, was the next speaker. He
opened with a tribute to the late Mr. Seeley,
whose alternate he was, but who had been
cut off in the prime of manhood and useful
ness. All those who had read the prayer of
Christ that all the churches might be one
must know the blessings which unity would
bring. He would like to see all abstract ques
tions left and all denominations joined in a
unity which the world must confess,
and
heaven too. The closeness of some of the
denominations in outward forms was such
that limas almost impossible to distinguish
a difference, yet he thought it of doubtful ex
pediency to urge organic union. The kingdom
of Christ might be harmed rather than bene
fitted thereby. He did not believe that his
Church would merge the stream of her his
tory in any other. He gave statistics of the
Reformed Dutch Church, showing that during
the past year $30,000 more had been raised
than during;any previous year. But after all,
much remained to be done. He blessed God
for the spirit which permeated the two
branches of the Presbyterian Church. These
.discussions on minor questions should not be
allowed to interfere with the work. In the
words of Robert Hall, " While time was lost
in settling differences, the tlovely fruits of
peace and riohteousness ,perish." In his
opinion, the Union of the two branches was com
plete. Not only the people hilt the churches
required denominations. Dr. E., referred to
the easy mode in which transitions were made
from our own to his branch of the° Church
and back again by ministers. Whit was con
sidered perfctly orthodox, old -style, in one
branch of the Church, when a charge of rela
tion had been made, was equally acceptable
and was considered new style ine the other
branch, and vice versa. And he would say
confidentially, that the brethren passing from
one style to the other, did not burn their ser
mons. [Great Laughter.] It seemed that
Princeton, New Haven, and, Auburn had be
come convertible terms.
No one denomination might glory in one
man, for the great men belonged to them all.
In this spirit the Dutch Church sent her
cordial congratulations here. She viewed
them as a distinct branch of the great tree
which God had planted, and which must
grow till it filled the whole earth. • The prayer
of the Dutch Church was, that the blessing of
Jacob might be theirs—God Almighty bless
them and make them one people.
The Moderator in respoir said that Hol
land, reclaimed from the sea, was like the
Church reclaimed from the world. The dykes
and bulwarks which guarded Holland were
like the guards and bulwarks with which the
Word of God was defended. The Church of
Holland typified constancy—not Dutch obsti
nacy, but Christian constancy. As it was in
the beginning, so be trusted might it be to
the end.
The Rev. Theodore Monod, from the Union
of .Evangelical churches in France, next ad
dressed the Assembly. He supposed that the
most of those present were acquainted with the '
Evangelical Union but for the information of
those who were not acquainted with the Union,
he gave a brief sketch of its origin in 1849, since
which time their churches had increased from
three to thirty-two, and they were still making
progress, and their principles were meeting
with favor. The great body of men in France
were looking for the time when there would
be a separation of Church and State in
France, and then there would be a large in
crease in the number of free churches.
He wished to offer the congratulations of
the Union to them, but before doing so he
wished to know in what spirit the congratu
lations would be received. It might be that
the American
. people would feel like the
Western man, who, having been engaged in
a hard struggle with a bear, his wife mean
while standing by and rendering no assistance,
did not, after overcoming Bruin, feel very
much affected by the congratulations of his
better half. (Laughter.) The American
people might say that the congratulations of
France were very lien,
and that was all. But
the speaker wished to controvert an opinion
which prevailed here, that the French people
were against the North in the great struggle
through which the nation had just passed.
But let them look into the matter. Take
the press for instance. The paper there which
had the largest circulation, La Siecle, was
on our side, and had always been: so. The
Journal des Debats, which circulated chiefly
among the educated classes, was our friend
also the Revue des Deux Zfondes, the Revue
Nationale, and many others which the speaker
enumerated. All these had been so from the
beginning. Of course there had been acts of
the Government which seemed. unfriendly,
but they did not speak the sentiments of the
people, who had nothing to do with the Gov
ernment, except, now and then to turn it over.
(Laughter.) Not only most of the people,
but most of the reading people, had been on
our side. (Applause.) Even among our
selves, the speaker maintained, were papers
in sympathy with rebellion, and he believed
the New York News still existed. In all the
free churches, not one man woman, or child
could be found in five - hundred' ed who was not
in favor of the North. They had been pray
ing for us all the time in their churches and
in their families; and now they congratulated
the Americans. They thanked God that we
had gained such a victory.. The strength and
stability of a democratic form 'of government
had been demonstrated. America had shown
that she could make war and win ; that she
could nominate and elect a President in the
midst of the war; that she could lose a man
in whom the naton was embodied, and still
be as strong as ever, though in deep mourning.
The Speaker referred to the reception of
the news of Mr. Lincoln's death in France.
The people were astounded, as though struck
with a thunderbolt, and many were in tears.
They loved Mr. Lincoln for the principles he
represented, and for himself, " and there was
great sorrow throughout the land." .They
had expressed in that sorrow the national
feeling, and the pastors told their people that
he who took Mr. Lincoln's place in the coun
sels of the nation should also now take his
in the intercessions of the people of
God. `Mr. Monod referred eloquently to the
of the black race from bondage,
and expressed his gratifiation at seeing,
among the Commissioners representatives of
the race which had so long been trodden
down, but was now raised up by the hand of
God. As to the unity of the churches, he
was of the same mind -as the brother of the
other denomination who spoke:before, and
looked for the union of the churches before
long. He believed the Assemblies were get
ting nearer and nearer. Though there was
a problem in mathematics which, demon
strated that two lines could be always coming
nearer and yet. never meet, he believed that
the two Presbyterian straight lines must in.-
evitably meet. He had another message,
and this was from the Evangelical Missionary
Society of France, whose objects and needs
Mr„.Monod eloquently advocated, and closed
his address with a expression of his confidence
that suitable action would be taken.
The Moderator responded in an appro
priate speech. He concluded by offering the
right hand of fellowship to M. Monod, which
he said was the Genefal Assembly of the
Presbyterian Church shaking hands with the
Church across the ocean.
Dr. Adams then offered a preamble ex
pressing the gratification of the Assembly at
the greeting of the French Churches, and the
following resolution :
Resolved, That this Assembly commend
Rev. T. Monod, and the object he represents,
to the confidence and care of'the churches.
The preamble and resolution were adopted.
The Assembly adjourned till B'3o next morn-
mg.
in the evening, according to appointment, the
administering of the sacrament was observed.
The Moderator officiated, assisted by several
members of the Assembly. The church was
crowded with a full congregation.
FRIDAY, MAY 26-DIORNING.
DELEGATES FROM CORRESPONDING BODIES
After devotional exercises these were heard.
Rev. Mr. Kimball delecr b ate from the General
Association of Massachusetts was the first to
speak, and an interchange of fraternal feel
ing between him. and the Moderator, as the
representative of the General Assembly, then
took place.
Rev. Dr. Buddington representative 'of the
American Union Commission next addressed
a few remarks to the Assembly, in explana
tion of the objects of the Society in afford
ing relief to the destitute Union freedmen
and refugees of the South, and in reorganiz
ing society in the desolated portions of it upon
a Union basis. They were also engaged in the
establishment of common schools. At Nash
ville 2,500 colored children may be seen in
the streets going -to school, and to-day, the
speaker said, it is better to be the son of a
black man than the son of a white man in the
South.
Communications were read from the
churches of Vermont and Maine, conveying
their Christian salutations to the Assembly
and assuring it that they were shoulder to
shoulder with the Presbyterian Church in
the evangelization of the world.
On motion, all the future addresses made
during the session were limited to a period of
ten minutes.
CHURCH ERECTION
The report of the standing Committee on
Church Erection was read by the Rev.. Dr.
Pratt, chairman of the committee. The com
mittee strongly recommended that no altera
tion be made in the employment of the funds
at the disposal of the trustees as at present
instituted, and that it be strictly employed
for the purpose of loans, and never in any
case for donations.
In submitting the report for the discussion
of the Assembly, he took occasion to enter
into a somewhat minute explanation of the
plan which was recommended by the report.
Careful investigation had satisfied him that
it was wise and would bust conduce to the ob
jects sought to be attained. In conclusion he
cordially commended the report to the accept
ance of the Assembly.
Rev. VIE Brownlee, of Kansas, spoke to
the report and objected to the plan as inimi
cal to the Church in his State, and he hoped
that a reservation would be made - in favor of
Kansas, urging that the peculiar circum
stances rendered it right and proper to do so.
Some special action, he thought, should be
taken in reference to that State.
Rev. Mr. Johnson spoke to the same effect,
and declared that the administration qf the
fund was oppressive and injurious.
Rev. Mr. Copeland complained that the
fund was too much tied up and surrounded
with conditions and preliminaries, that sub
verted the purpose for which it was founded.
- Rev. Dr. Eldridge concurred in the views
expressed by the brother from Kansas. He
had quite generally heard the same feeling
expressed throughout the Western country.
He was of the opinion that the present mode
of disbursing the fund militated against the
work of the Church in those localities where
we should most desire to extend it. He did
not believe the contributprs of the fund desir
ed to have it accumulate at the expense of
the oppression of any clinch.
Rev. Mr. Bishop, of Indiana, said that in
his Synod no difficulty had ever been expe
rienced, although the fund had been largely
availed of. He believed that the working of
the fund under the present plan of manage
ment had a good effect, as it taught the
churches to do business in a business way.
It was a mistake to regard this fund as sim
ply a benevolence. As a strictly business
transaction he found it to work well, and
could find no fault with it.
Mr. J. C. Benedict, the Treasurer of the
fund, made an extended explanation of the
manner in which the fund was administered.
Rev. Dr. Spear spoke with great earnest
ness in defence of the report and the plan re
commended in it. He had had a long and
familiar acquaintance with the subject from
the beginning. And if the brothersfivm the
West supposed that it was any part of the
business of that committee to o_ppress them,
they were greatly mistaken. The remarks
that had been made by some of the delegates
attacked the fund as much or more than its
administration; this he considered wrong.
A good many of the complaints were such
because they have not complied with the con
ditions which the use of that fund imposed.
Mr. Walter S. Griffith, Rev. Mr. Pike, of
Minnesota, Rev. Mr. Wyckoff, of Tllinois,
and others spoke on the subject, and pending
the discussion the Assembly adjourned until
3 o'clock this afternoon.
-(Conclusion next week.)
Olin YOUNG FOLKS; An Illustrated
Magazine for Boys and Girls. Contents
for the June number :—Among the
Lions ; The Robin ; Three Days at
Camp Douglas, No. III; Lessons in
Magic ; The Wild Goose A Business
Letter ; Birdie's Day wih the Rose
fairies ; Our Dogs, No. IV ; Winning
his Way, No. IV ; Farming for Boys ;
The Turning of the Leaf ; Afloat in the
Forest, No. VI ; Abraham Lincoln ;
Round the Evening Lamp.