amiritaa LittsVgtfrian.
THURSDAY, JUNE 7, 1866
GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
(Continued from Page 175.)
le believed the way to
Rev. George 0. Litz
have books read was to circulate them by
means of colporteurs. They had employed a
eolporteur in the Wabash Synod, guarantee
ing him $5OO, and thinking that they would
have to contribute $250 of that amount. He
commenced on the first of January, and has
now more than paid all his expenses.
Dr. Hatfield informed the Assembly that
Dr. Gurley and Judge Clark were present
with the Assembly as commissioners from the
Assembly in session in the Second Presbyte
rian Church, and moved that they be received
at one quarter after eleven o'clock. Carried.
Rev. Mr. Bradford considered the Presbyte
rian Monthly the most valuable of all the pub
lications, and urged its extensive circulation.
Stated that all the publications of the com
mittee could be ,obtained at No. 9 North
Sixth street, in St. Louis, at Mr. Mclntire's.
Dr. Parsons bore witless to the avidity
with which these books were read in his
congregation, and to the manifestly good
resultsgrowing, out of their circulation.
Dr. Clarke stated that, having found in
Buffalo that the books of the committee were
too far off, they had already raised $l2OO
toward a fund to found a depository among .
themselves. Thought if this were done gen
erally in the Presbyteries the books would be
more within the reach of the people.
Rev. Mr. Griffes said they had commenced
the work in Tennessee ; had an experienced
colnorteur in the field there.
Rev. Mr. Ransom, of Michigan, spoke of
the great need existing in the Home Mission
ary Churches for these publications; the
congregations on thelbord'er were Mixed con
gregations of different denominations, and
several denominations were striving to get a
foothold among them. Many of the preach
ers with whom they were brought in contact
were without education, or without that ed
uction which Presbyterians consider neces
sary ; they come and go, and many of them
present their views and doctrines with a de
gree of plausibility which is attractive, and
often gain very much by misrepresenting the
views and doctrines of the Presbyterians.
Could they have a full supply of tracts and
publications of the committee, they would be
a great help in the work. The influence of
the Presbyterian Monthly was very much
needed there. Attributed the difficulty in
getting contsputions from the people to a
lack of intell _am
idince
ong them in regard to
these great eits.
Dr. Parkerauded to a publication of the
committee, "B wen's Daily Meditations,"
as being the best book for family devotions
that he was acquainted with, and urged the
necessity of religious German papers 'and
periodicals; considered the use of tracts very
advantageous in meeting points of doctrine
raised from time to time by other denomina
tions.
Mr. Rhodes had been very successful as a
colporteur, though he had entered upon the
work feeling himself unfitted for it; heard a
great many inquiries for German books from
those who said their children could read
English but they could not.
The report of the committee was adopted.
The Rev. Dr. P. D. Gurley and Hon.
W. Clark, Commissioners from the Old
School Assembly then appeared upon the
platform, and Dr. Gurley addressed the As
sembly as follows:
SPEECH OF DR. GURLEY
Mr: Moderator, and Members of the Gene
ral Assembly : The Hon. Mr. Clark and my
self are here by appointment of• the Assembly
which holds its session in the Second Pres
byterian Church in this city, to convey to '
you the fraternal salutations of that "body;
and this we do with all earnestness and sin
cerity. It is not a mere matter of courtesy
and form. I think I can' say it is an utter
ance of the heart. We recognize you as our
brethren in the Lord—bought with the same
blood—renewed with the same Sniritser
Tants of the same . Master—engaged in tht
same work, and going with us to the. mine'
Heavenly Home, and therefore, with altour
hearts, we can say, The Lord bless you and
keep you. The Lord make his face to shine
upon you and be gracious unto you. The
Lord lift np his countenance upon you and
give you peace."
We have heard of your growth—of your
steady advancement in strength and influence
—of your fidelity to Christ, and all the inte
rests connected with His glory, and especially
of recent and copious - outpourings of the
Holy Spirit upon your churches ; and as we
have heard these things, we have been ready
to say with blended joy and gratitude, " The
Lord bath done great things with you,
whereof we are glad." May He continue to
revive, and strengthen, and enlarge; and
bless you, and make you a blessing to the
world—is the steady and earnest prayer of
our heart.
I am glad and grateful to be able to say
that during the past year the Lord has not
left us without some tokens of His favor.
Miny of our congregations, schools, acade
mies and colleges have been blessed with His
holy Spirit which has been shed down upon
them like rain upon the mown grass, and as
showers that water the earth, and the result
is that hundreds of our dear youth, and
others, whoa year ago were dead in trespasses
and in sins, are now alive unto God, and en
gaged in his service.
It is the Lords doings, and marvellous in
our eyes. Bat as you have been similarly
blessed in this regard, and perhaps more
largely, we may well exclaim, as we stand be
fore you, " 0 magnify the Lord with us, and
let us exalt His name together."
It has been a great pleasure for us to meet
you as brethren in this city, to mingle with
you in conference and prayer, and to sit down
with you at the sacramental table ; and when
on last Wednesday evening—an evening
never to be forgotten—the two Assemblies
filled this house, and partook together of the
symbols of our R' edeemer's death, doubtless
we all felt that it was good to be here, and
that our little denominational differences and
distinctions were all swallowed up and lost in
that greatest and best distinction that "One
is our Master, even Christ, and we all are
brethren."
Yes, we are brethren. We have one Lord,
one faith, one baptism, one God and Father
of us all, who is above all, and through all,
and in us all ; and why then should we not
love one another with a pure heart, and fer
vently? And why should we not bear one
another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of
Christ ? We should, and I believe we do—
.. We share our mutual woes,
'Mit mutual burdens bear,'
And Wen for each ether flows
The sympathitiarettar."
hruo T teen-s • a
of. late on the subject
of our becoming'organi'cally one and why
may we' not a so at'no'very distant day?
We are bet: roughly -Presbyterian in 4loc
trine, M ment and -discipline. Our
forms of worship are the same. The means,
methods and agencies by which we seek to
promote the cause of our Redeemer and ad
vance His kingdom in the world, are now
substantially the same; and though, since
we became two bands, we have been called by
different names, you being designated as New
School and we as Old School, yet it is mani
fest enough that we have both been educated
in the same school—a school where the West
minster Confession of Faith, and the larger
and shorter catechisms are the prominent and
venerated text books, the teachings of which
we adhere to now as setting forth most clearly
and ably what we are to believe concerning
God, and what duties God requires of us.
Moreover, recent events have broug tit us
into a closer alliance and fellowship than we
have ever felt before. In the years of our
country's peril we have rallied together round
the dear old flag, and while the conflict was
going on, we have sung and prayed together:
"The Star Spangled banner—Oh, long may it wave.
O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave."
[Applause]. And when, at last, the rebel
flag went down, and with it slavery, 0 ! then
we lifted our hands and hearts together unto
God, and said: " Not unto us, oh Lord, not
unto us, but unto Thy name give_glory, for
Thy mercy and Thy truths' sake. Thy right
hand and Thy holy arm have gotten Thee the
victory."
These are recent events, and they have
brought us into the bonds of a nearer and a
heartfelt fellowship.
We know not how you may feel on the sub
ject, but as for ourselves we feel that the
time perhaps has now come when some prac
tical step should be taken looking to the se
curing of an organic unity, and accordingly
the General Assembly which I represent, on
yesterday, by an almost unanimous vote,
adopted the following resolutions, which,
with your permission, sir, I will read, and
then will leave them, as I am directed to do,
upon your table.
Resolved, That this Assembly expresses its
fraternal affection for the other branch of the
Presbyterian Church, and its earnest desire
for the reunion at the earliest time consistent
with agreement in doctrine, order and policy,
on the basis of our common standards, and
the prevalence of mutual confidence and love,
which are so necessary to a happy union, and
to the permanent peace and prosperity of the
united Church.
Resolved, That it be recomn;iended to all
our churches, and Church Courts, and to all
our ministers, ruling elders and communicants
to cherish fraternal feelings, 'to cultivate
Christian intercourse in the worship of God,
and in the promotion of the cause of Christ,
and to avoid all needless controversies and
competitions, adapted to perpetuate division
and strife.
Resolved, That a committee of nine minis
ters and six ruling elders be appointed, pro
vided that a similar committee shall be ap
pointed by the other Assembly now in session
in this city, for the purpose of conferring in
regard to the desirability and practicability of
reunion, and, if after conference and inquiry,
such reunion shall seem to be desirable and
practicable, to suggest suitable measures for
its accomplishment, and report to the next
General Assembly.
And now, sir, having expressed to you our
whole mind on this subject, as well as our feel
ings of fraternal affection toward you, and
the Church you represent, it only remains for
me to thank you for your courtesy, and to
ask, if you please, that you will extend a simi
lar courtesy to my associate, Judge Clark,
who is here with me.
SPEECH OF HON. W. CLARK
Moderator and Brethren:—ln the discharge
of the humble part which devolves upon me
touching the mission with which we are
charged to you, what better words or senti
ments could I utter, than those which pertain
to the reunion of our branches of the Church,
and the establishment of fellowship between
us? In doing this I shall not subject myself
to the charge of arrogance in speaking of the
ways and means by which this can be done,
nor in saying that this is the time when it
can be done. All this will be done by con
certed means, at a proper time, but I surely
may speak of the desirableness of the con
summation, and if the cloud is tinged with
light to cheer,l may look at it, and I may
ask ou to look at it also. And I think I see
the light there.
Mr. Moderator, if there is any blame which
lies anywhere respecting the divisions which
have pervaded us, 1 have to say. that the
blame is by no means all yours. But if there
is fault, let us see wherein it consists. If
there are obstacles in the way, let us endeavor
to ascertain what they are, and to study the
means by which they can be removed.
I may speak of facts, I trust, without dis
turbing harmony of feeling in the heart. It
has occurred to me that if St. Paul were to
write another letter to the churches, especi
ally to ours=and when I say ours, I mean
your branch, and that to which I am attached
also—he would say, " I hear that there are
divisions among you," and I believe it fully.
My friends, there is such a thing as the unity
of the Spirit, and the bond of peace, and this
means something. It should not be regarded
as merely theoretical, for if we should so re
gard it, we should dishonor a high precept.
My friends, I remember that a worthy puri
tan pastor once said, in his parting injunction
to a portion of his beloved flock, that he was
persuaded there was more truth yet to break
forth out of the word of God. This certainly
was a clear declaration that there was more
for =them to learn, and it clearly implied an
other thing—that there was more of grace to
be imbibed; and shall we notheed the injune
don ?
My friends, it has been s t aid by some that
divisions in the house of God were advanta
geous. For myself, I could never see the
force of it. I have to say here now to you,
that Ido not believe it It is a poor com
mentary on the precepts of the Gospel, if the
family of Christis to be divided into segments
in order that one portion may watch over the
other—constituteitself the guardian of the
other, so that it do not go astray—to keep it
in what it would consider the proper road. I
say that this is assuming—it is wrong—it is
derogatory to the Gospel and to the Saviour.
It is clear to me that divisions in the house
of God are not desirable, but prejudicial, and
in many important respects. The very name,
where one title is set against another z is die
advantageous, as well as to the condition of
society. When one is called by the name of
Apollos and the other by the name .of Ce
phas, it implies antagonism, and as a matter
of fact, antagonism has been the fruitful re.
I salt. Ido not suppose that members of the
Church are in all respects unlike other men.
Wherever there are divisions there are, at
least to some extent, criticisms, jealousies,
and a failure to accomplish that which union
would accomplish. Does it not result in the
divisions respecting churches and the minis
try that one might discharge all the work of
a single field in many cases were there are
two? Does, it not work prejudice, these
church divisions, as regards our literary and
theological institutions? Does it not divide
the resources of the Church, and consequently
weaken the cause? To my mind, all this is
clear, and we ought, if we possibly can, to
remove this objection out of the way; and it
seems to me that some concession, and some
thing of an increase of the spirit of charity
might effect this thing. My friends, how long
shall it be said that "They eat each other's
hearts,. Ephraim Manasseh, and Manasseh
Ephraim, and both Judah ?" It is timethis
religions misanthropy should be done away.
bly friends the angles have heretofore been
acute; can we not render them obtuse—oan
we not swell the obtuse angles into something
like a circle? This would certainly, as it ap
pears to me, be most desirable.
THE AMERICAN PRESBYTERIAN. THURSDAY, JUNE 7, 1866.
My friends, my ministerial brother, who is
charged with the chief portion of this mis
shoo, has alluded to the difficulties, the troubles
which have prevailed in our land for the last
four or five years, and they have been of a
degree never before equalled in this country.
They have created divisions, they have caused
separations by deep and dark lines—they
have divided the Church. Whether these
lines shall ever be obliterated ; whether the
chasm shall close up ; whether they shall
come together again, and be as aforetime, it
is not for me to say ; but if the agita.tiOns
which have divided society have wrciught ,
such results, why should they not',come with.
some healing . results too? If they hive
wrought divisions, why should they not bring
segments together? It seems to me that this
is reasonable, and that it may be reasonably
expected.
112 y friends, united we have a glorious mis
sion before us, and united we can accomplish
vastly more than we can by being separated
as we are now. It is said that large things
move slowly. I do net believe that this is
always the case ; but even if they do,, they
move with increased momentum, and with
surer results. It; then, with a broad guage,
and a grand trunk, we can assume that guage,
and travel upon that trunk, what may we not
expect to do.in scattering abroad the blessings
of evangelism, in attacking the strongholds of
spiritual _wickedness -in high places; in all
their forms, and in all places on earth,
whether liberalism, rationalism, deism, or in
infidelity, and all the various forms of heath
enism all over the world? To me it is clear,
Moderator and friends, that we shall accom
plish vastly more being united, than we can
do being separated. My friends, can we not
here set up _a standard, inscribe only" Truth
and Righteousness," and display on all its
ample folds the ensign of the Lion of the
tribe of Judah?" Christ is our greatteacher ;
we must go forth under his instruction. He
is the great Captain • we must go forth under
his lead, and fight these moral battles, and
then in the accomplishment,
"'When that illustrious day shall rise
And'an the armies shine,
In robes of victory through the skies,
The glory shall be thine."
[Applause.]
The Moderator.—My dear brothers, Dr.
Gurley and Judge Clark : It is with very
great and unaffected feeling that I now at
tempt to reply to the salutations and ad
dresses which you have brought us—on the
part of this Assembly. I count it one of the
very principal happinesses of my life, that I
should be the organ, in the providence of
God, for communicating such suggestions as
you have made to this Assembly, and to the
Church which it represents. You will per
mit me to say that we regard it as an especial
happiness that not only our,honored bro,ther,.
who has just addressed us, but that you. your
self, (addressing Dr. Gurley), who have be
come known to us in connection with the
conspicuous and honored position you lately
held in the Capitol of this country, and more
especially with the place you occupied during
the closing hours of our dear and martyred
President, should have been made the com
missioners on the part of our brethren of the
Other Assembly to bring to us these saluta
tions.
All that you have said, dear brethren, in
regard to our existing, substantial unity, in
respect to doctrine and order, and the desira
bleness of closer union, resulting in a true
and proper organic union between these
bodies, finds a response, as you already per
ceive, in the hearts of this Assembly. We
know that it is true, as you yourselves have
been pleased to acknowledge, that this body is
Presbyterian, and thoroughly so in all re
spects, both as to its doctrine and order. '
can answer fbr a very large number of the
churches represented in this Assembly—
those which are congregated so numerously
in Central and Western New York, and I
know those churches love the doctrines and
polity of the Presbyterian Church. These
two bodies thus being Presbyterian, have
been, in the providence of God, approaching
each other during all these past years. We
have come to feel.more and more that we
have great interests and great sympathies
that bound us together, and in accordance
with the demands laid upon us by the prov
idence of God, and the influences, as we be
lieve, of the Spirit of God, which is calling
for greater unity on the part of Christ's dis
ciples, we have felt that we were called upon
to meet
,all these kind advances which, you
are pleased to make, and 'to throw no 'obstacle
in the way of such a union.
Our dear and honored brother
,from Ireland
has told us, and we were / rejoiced, to hear,
how they were there drawing near to unifica
tion, and how those various minor details of
difference were disappearing and melting'
away.
This is the tendency of the times—the
mandate of Providence to us that the churches
of Christ should be brought nearer to each
other.
You have referred to the precious revivals
of religion, with which your churches have
been favored, and with-which ours have:been
favored during the past year. In the portion
of country, from which I came, in carrying
on these most precious revivals of religion we
have found it most fitting and propbr to work
with our brethren of other denominations.
Our Baptist and Methodist brethren have
come in most kindly, and, worked with us.
They believed with us in the alienation of the
natural heart from God, in the total depravity
of human nature, and the necessity of the
application of the atoning blood of Christ,
and in justification by faith in his atoning
sacrifice alone, and this haA furnished ground
enough for us to work tog t her in promoting
the interests of Christ's K titzdum. Now, if
we can work together in tit- - way, we of dif
feint denominations, it w' old certainly be a
shame if we who are menhirs of one family,
and one household, should not be prepared
to work together also.
I have regarded it for years as a foregone
conclusion that these bodies were to be re
united, but, as a Church, we had not hoped
for the happiness of seeingg this consumma
tion, so much to be desired,
brought so near
to us, as it appears to be at the present time.
We accept,
.with the most heady satisfac
tion, the sentiments you have expressed in
regard to that substantial unity which exists
between us, and-the desirableness of a closer
organic unity. There may be difficulties in
arranging details for such a unity, but those
difficulties can be obviated. You will permit
me to say that it will be desirable that neither
you on your side, nor we on ours, should be
discouraged, if there should be some want of
sympathy with this tendency in individual
cases in both Churches. We should be pre
pared to extend indulgence in such cases.
We should -not think it hard if there were
some indeed many of our own bietliien who
were not prepared for this unification. There
may also be found some in the other branch
of the Presbyterian Church, who are not yet
prepared for such a union, but let us have
indulgence toward these brethren.
Be pleased, dear brethren, to bear back to
the venerable Assembly which you represent,
the sentiment which you perceive upon the
countenances and in the actions of these
brethren,, the sentiments of affection, confi
dence, and friendship, and our earnest desire
for the closest possible unity with you at the
-earliest passible day. (Applause.). ,
Rev. H. B. 'Smith, D.D.,- read the report,
-of theiStandingtOonunitteeon Church Polity
in relation to overtures •Nos. 5 to 15, on the
subject of reunion of the two branches of the
Presbyterian Church, from the Presbyteries
of New York, 3d and 4th; Dubuque, Green
castle, Athens, Steuben, Alton, Monroe,
Keokuk, Long Island, and Trumbull. All
these Presbyteries, with different degrees of
urgency, recommend to this Assembly to
initiate or to respond to proposals looking to
an entire reunion of the churches represented
by the two General Assemblies now in. ses
sion in the city of St. Louis.
The General Assembly now in session in
the Second Presbyterian Church of this city
have also adopted resolutions appointing a
committee to confer with a similar committee
of our own Church ill regard to the desirable
ness and practicability of such a reunion.
Your committee recommend to this Assem
bly the adoption of the following resolutions :
Resolved, That this Assembly tender to
the Assembly representing the other branch
of the Presbyterian Church its cordial Chris
tian salutation and fellowship and the ex
pression of its earnest wish for a reunion on
the basis of our common standards received
in a common spirit.
Resolved, That a committee of fifteen, nine
of whom shall be ministers of the Gospel and
six elders, be appointed to confer on this
subject in the recess of the Assembly with
the committee to be appointed by the other
General Assembly, and to report the result at
our next General Assembly.
Resolved, That we enjoin upon the com
mittee, upon all our ministry and Church
members, to abstain from whatever may
hinder a true Christian fellowship, to cherish
and cultivate this feeling and purpose, which
looks to the peace and prosperity of Zion,
the edification of the body of Christ and the
complete union of all believers, especially of
those living in the same land, having the
same history and the same standards of doc
trine and polity.
Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions,
with the names of our committee, be sent to
other General Assembly, now in session in
this city.
The report of the committee was unani
mously adopted amid applause and demon
strations of great satisfaction.
Dr. Knox moved that a committee of five
be appointed, whose duty in should be to
nominate the committee of fifteen as pro
posed by the Committee on Church Polity.
Carried.
The Moderator appointed the following ,
members of the Assembly on that commit
tee:
Rev. Drs. Knox, Hatfield, Hotchkin,
Hon. John A.•Poote and Judge Williams.
An invitation was announced to the mein
bars to visit the Public School Library.
The Chairman of the Committee on Devo
tional Exercises gave notice that there would
be a farewell service in Dr. Nelson's Church
on Monday eveiling, at one quarter before
eight o'clock, in case the Assembly finished
its business on Monday.
Adjourned until Monday, May 28th, at Bfr
A. M.
Closed with prayer.
TENTH DAY.
MONDAY, May 28
Morning Session-
The Assembly met pursuant to abjournment,
at half-past eight A. M. The first half hour
was spent in devotional exercises.
Dr. Knox moved that the name of the Pres
bytery of Newuk, be also inserted in the over
tures reported on Saturday by the Committee
on Church Polity, which was agreed to.
Rev. P. S. Davis, of the Presbytery of Pitts
burgh, offered the following:— •
liesolved, That not less than $120,000 is
necessary to carry on the work of the Home
Missionary Committee for the ensuing year,
and that this General Assembly hereby pledge
our churches to use all diligence and faithfulness
in raising at least this amount.
Agreed to.
Dr. David Heron, of the Reformed Presby
terian Church, lately engaged in the missionary
work in Northern India was introducted to the
Assembly, and stated that there was one Pres
bytery. in Northern India, five ordained minis
ters, one Synod, three licentiates, and ten theo
logical Students. Be then gave a history of
the work in India, the prosperity of the Church,
tendered their Christian salutations to the As
sembly, and expressed the pleasure of his own
.Church in view of the prospect of an early
union between the two branches of the Presby
terian Church, whose Assemblies are now in
session in this city, and its hope that the union
would be upon such a basis that all the churches
of the Presbyterian family, itself among the
rest, could be joined therein.
The Moderator responded to the salutation
in a'few brief and pertinent remarks.
Rev. Mr. Davies offered the following tem
perance declaration, which was adopted :
In view of the general p . revalence and great
increase of intempeiiince in this country, this
General Assembly bears the following testi
mony, Viz.:—First, We rejoice in the renewed
diligence, shown by the Church in arresting the
progress of this great evil ; Second, That total ab
stinence from all intoxicating drinks as a bever
age is demanded from every Christian by the
condition of society, the purity of the Churches,
and the word of God ; . Third We recommend
that, on the last Sabbath in June next, minis
ters in , our connection preach on the subject of
temperance.
Judge Allison, from Committee on Mileage,
tendered the report of that Committee, which
was received and adopted with the thanks of
the Assembly.
The report of the Standing Committee on
Sabbath-schools, presented on Thursday last,
was taken up, and, after some discussion, was
adopted.
The following resolution was offered by the
Rev. Henry Fowler :—
Whereas, This Assembly, in its deliverance
on the State of the country, has affirmed the
troth that ,‘ our most solemn national trust con
cerns that patient race so long held in uri ,
righteous bondage;", :and
Whereas, The education of the Freedmen is
essential to their endowment with all the rights
and privileges of American citizens, and . is pro
motive to safe and permanent reconstruction;
therefore-'
Resolved, That the churches be recommended
to take up collections in behalf of the Freed
men supplementary to the regular collections
for Home Missions, said collections to be for
warded to that Association in behalf of the
Freedmen, as by the wisdom and integrity of
its mangement shall best commend itself to the
confidence of our congregations.
•
The resolution was adopted.
Rev. Thomas Brown, from East Tennessee,
having come from a Presbytery that had been by
reason of the late war prevented from forward
ing its share of the Commissioners' Fund, it
was moved that the Mileage Committee be
directed to make such arrangement as to the
expenses as might be satisfactory. The Mile
age Committee having already reported the
distribution of all funds in their hands, the ex
penses of the Rev. Mr. Brown from East Ten
nessee were met by voluntary contributions.
The following resolution was adopted with
reference to text books for Sabbath•schools:—
Resolved, Thht the Assembly recommend
that the Westminster Assembly's catechism be
introduced as a text book into all the Sabbath
schools under our immediate supervision and
control where it is not used.
The following trustees were elected for the
Presbyterian House : --Bev. John A. Brown,
D.D.; Rev. M. W. Baldwin,D.D.;. Rev.
Samuel H. Perkins, thihi Rev. Thomas IL
Brainerd, D.D. ; Rev. B. E. Adams, D.D.
The following Committee on Church Brec
tionwasalsOeledeth—Rev. J.Te*Smith, D.
D. ; Rey.: S.. D. Burchard, t aro Elder W,
voussioilyksom WITH THE FREE OHUROR Op
SCOTLAND.
Rev. g, B. Smith, Chairman of s pec i al
'Committee, to whom was referred addressee
from the Free Church of Scotland, reported the
following preamble and resolutions, which were
unanimously adopted :
" The General Assembly of the Free Church
of Scotland, in a letter to us bearing date May
31, 1865, having proposed to us a closer fellow
ship by the occasional visits of accredited depu
ties" from our respective churches, and the
same proposal having been referred to in the
address of the Rev. James McCosh, LL.D ;
therefore,
Resolved, That this Assembly cordially ac
cede to the proposal for an interchange of
deputies on such special terms as may here
after be designated, and that two deputies be
appointed to represent our church at the next
General Assembly of the Free Church of Scot
land, in Edinburgh, May, 1867.
Resolved, That the Committee having in
charge the correspondence with the Free
Church of. Scotland be authorized to make
these appointments in the name of the General.
Assembly.
Resolved, That we tender to the Rev. James
McCosh, LL.D., our sincere thanks for the able
and eloquent manner in which he has dis
charged his office as the virtual if not the tech
nical representative of the Free Church of
Scotland; that we offer him the assurance of
our personal honor and regard, and that we
pray for his continued and increased success
and influence in the great and useful labors to
which his life is devoted.
Resolved, That a copy of this minute be sent
to the Moderator of the Free Church of Scot
land, and to the h ev. Dr. McCosh.
Rev. H. B. Smith, from Special Committee
to prepare a reply to the letter received from
the Free Church of Scotland, presented the fol
lowing draft of a reply, which was adopted
without a dissenting voice :
The General Assembly of the Presbyterian
Church in the United States of America (N.
S.), in session in the First Presbyterian Church
in the city of St. Louis, Missouri, May 28,1866,
to the General Assembly of the Free Church of
Scotland, greeting:—
Dear Brethren :—The most welcome letter
of your Assembly, bearing date May 3, 1865,
and subscribed by your Moderator, the Rev.
James Begg, D.D., has been received by our
Assembly with heartfelt gratitude and approval.
We warmly reciprocate your affectionate Chris
tian salutations,, and respond with lively emo
tions to your expressions of sympathy and con
fidence, and to your proposals of a closer fol
lowship.
Though separated by the broad ocean, we are
bound together by no ordinary ties. No Church
of another land has a stronger hold than yours
upon our love and honor. The one reformed
faith is our common heritage. We express
that, faith in the same symbols; we have in
essence the same Presbyterian polity, and we
are equally engaged in kindred evangelical
labors at home and-abroad. There are also
between us many ties of'Common ancestry, and
we venerate the names of your early reformers.
Our ministry are still instructed-by the writings
of your great minds ; our faith is strengthened
by the bright examples of your heroic martyrs,
who fought a good fight for religion and civil
liberty, and in your especial conflict and sacri
fices for a free Church, yon have had these
twenty years our constant and warmest sym
pathy. We honor the high wisdom and extra
ordinary liberality which have made you pros
perous and strong, and the new testimony you
have given to the sustaining power of the Chris
tian Church, when contending for its righteous
liberties. It is a good thing that a sacred fire
kindled by the old Covenanters is still burning
in the heart of Scotland, and that their flaming
torches have been handed down from sire tp
fon. In all these things, dear brethren, we do
rejoice and will rejoice.
It is, then, with no ordinary satisfaction that
we have received your proposal for an inter
change of accredited deputies between our
Churches as occasion may serve. As you will
see by an accompanying minute, the Assembly
has unanimously resolved to appoint two such
deputies to represent us before your venerable
body in May, 1867. They will in due time be
named and commissioned, and we bespeak for
them a fraternal Weleome. We also invite yon
to send deputies to our own Church at its next
session in the city of Rochester, in the State of
New York, in May, 1867, assuring them of a
most cordial reception.
We have this year been favored with an ad
dress made in your behalf by the Rev. James
McCosh, LLD., of Belfast, Ireland, who comes
to us with ample testimonials from several of
the honored ministers of your Church. Al
ready known to us by his elaborate and thought
ful works, so important in relation to Christi
anity and some forms of modern infidelity, he
hardly needed any external recommendation
to insure him an attentive hearing. His elo
quent and sympathetic words have drawn us to
you by the cords of a common faith and love.
The sympathiei you express in the calamities
and sufferings brought upon us by our recent
war, in the assassination of our beloved and
venerated President Lincoln—a martyr to the
cause of human freedom, and 'your fervent
congratulatiOns upon the abolition of slavery
throughout our States, as well as your wise
suggestions derived in part from your British
experience, and in respect to the future condi
tion of the negro race, call for our grateful
recognition. These things have weighed, and
still weigh, upon the mind and conscience of
this nation. God has guided -us by his wonder
working Providence, bringing good out of evil.
He has surely chastised us for a national wrong,
and we'bow with patience yet in trust beneath
his mighty hand. He has indeed caused the
wrath of war to promote his own purposes of
grace and wisdom. And in the diffiulties and
perplexities that still beset our path. in the vast
social and .political as well as religious pro
blem that we are called upon to solve, we
humbly invoke and rely upon his wisdom and
grace. Here, too, 'we feel assured that your
prayers will mingle with ours.
You say that " the divergence of sentiment
formerly existing between us on the question
of slavery has now ceased," and "as there is
really nothing now to prevent a complete and
candid understanding between the British and
American Churches, we take the earliest possi
ble opportunity of giving utterance to this con
dition and desire of our hearts." We thank
you for these words. We unite with you in the
petition for these words. We unite with you
in the petition for the removal of all estrange
ments, and the establishment not only of our
old, bat, even of a better and nearer fellowship ;
and because of this, our common wish and par
pose, we are emboldened to say to you, with
the utmost Christian frankness, as well as
affection, that during the progress of our recent
and terrible struggle for the very life of our
nation, involving, as it did by a vital necessity
the emancipation of the slaves, we have been
at times deeply pained and grieved by the
apparent indifference of the British Churches
to the great principles and Manifest moral
issues that were at stake. From the beginning
of the great rebellion; we American Churches,
as with one voice, proclaimed the real nature of
the contest. Our own Assembly never faltered
or wavered in the declaration that it was essen
tially a conflict between freedom and slavery,
and that national unity was necessary to national
freedom. And we shall evermore regret that in
our darkest days, when we were in travail, in
the throes of a new birth, and when sympathy
would most have cheered our hearts, we had,
with few exceptions, such slight encourage
ments from so nearly allied to us in faith
and in the fundamental principles of lib
erty. But these dark hours are past, never
more, we trust, to return, and we are glad that
the clouds are dispersing and the mists vanish
ing away, and that we are coining to see, eye
to eye, and to know better each other's hearts
and minds. You allude to the interest with
which you "shall watch the future history of
the negro race in these our borders." The
views of this Assembly on some of the points
herei n involved are set forth in a declaration
just adopted, a copy•of which will be sent -to
yam:, The freedom:of this unhappy and long-,
suffering race has been bought at great pride of
blood and treasure. Slavery is now prohibited
Constitution. The
by an amendment to the
civil rights of the freedmen have been se
cured by law. Other guarantees will doubtless
follow in good time. This nation is under the'
most solemn responsibility as to the future
destiny of this class of its citizens. Mean
while our chief reliance must be in those social,
moral, and religious influences, which alone
can make men fit for freedom and truly, free,
and which alone can fully restore the union of
these States and bind them together in a com
mon brotherhood.
In those troubled times even when the horrors
of war were upon us, the Great Head of the
Church has given us great occasion to magnify
his faithfulness. Our . American Churches, not
less than our Republic, have emerged from
this conflict still strong in their faith and order.
The principles of our American Christianity
have received a new vindication. Our benevo
lent institutions have been constantly increas
ing, and we are now girding ourselves for the
great task that inlaid upon us, especially in
our Southern and Western States, among our
freedmen and our emigrant population, and
against the progress of Romanism, materialism,
and a false rationalism, in humble reliance as
we trust, upon the grace and wisdom of Him
who will not leave us if we lean upon his
mighty arm, and follow the guidance of His
all-wise providence. An increased desire for
Christian union, too, has been kindled through
out our land. Many of our Churches also
have been visited with a great outpouring of the
Spirit of grace, showing that the Lord is
amongst us as of old.
We, too, desire with you in a special manner
a closer fellowship between the Presbyterian
Churches in our own and other lands. We are
glad to see the advancement in this direction in
England and in Scotland and in your colonial
dependencies. The same spirit is at work
among ourselves. The two great branches of
the Presbyterian Church in this country are
drawing nearer together ; this year they have
touched each other, and one of our Assemblies
has appointed a Committee of Conference on
reunion. Our deputies will refer you to this
desirable object, and we fervently hope that
here as never before all Christian Churches
may forget their lesser differences and unite
together as far as possible in the work of the
Lord.
Dear brethren, beloved in the Lord, we send
to you these our Christian salutations, beseech
ing you to pray for us. We commend you
unto God and to the word of His grace. May
the one great head of the Church bless you
with all spiritual b! t essings. May oar Churches
and our lands live in amity and unity. May we
all live for the glory of God, in the kingdom of
his Son, our Lord, to whom be praise forever,
amen.
(Signed)
HENRY B. SMITH,
E. F. HATFIELD,
J. ALLISON.
Overture No. 14 was then taken up, and the
report of the committee, was taken up.
The question arising in this Overture was,
whether, after a second citation, according to
section 13, chapter 4, of the Book of Disci
pline, the judicatory before whom the party as
chargedwith the offence does not appear,
whether thejudicatory in such a case could not
proceed to trial in his absence, or whether they
should take testimony,An, d there rest the case
until he chose to appear for trial.
The report of the committee ably reviewed
the Objects of discipline and - itir , method, and
concludes that the form of trial in the Book
of Discipline contemplates that the judica
tory may proceed to hear the case and decide
it upon evidence taken, whether the party is
present or not, provided he receives the two
citations according to the Book.
Pending the discussion of the report the As
sembly adjourned, to meet again at 3 P. M.
Afternoon Session.
The report of the Committee on Bills and
Overtures was again taken up and finally
adopted.
Dr. Clarke, of the special committee, ap
pointed to confer with Bev. Mr. Miller, in re
gard to the establishment of a manual labor
college for Freedmen in North Carolina, report
ed that, after an ample conference, they had
agreed that the matter had not sufficiently ma
tured to come before this body, and asked that
the committee be discharged.
Voted that the committee be discharged.
Dr. Knox moved that the Committee of Con
ference have power to - fill such vacancies as
may occur during the recess of the Assembly.
Carried.
Rev. E. F. Hatfield, D.D., offered the follow
ing resolution, which was adopted :
Whereas, Mr. Joseph M. Wilson, of Phila
delphia has for soma time been engaged in col
lecting information regarding the histories of
Presbyterian churches, to be published in the
Presbyterian Historical Almanac, therefore,
Resolved, That the ministers and elders of
the churches under the care of this General As
sembly be earnestlyrequested co-operate with
Mr. Wilson in. his valuable labors in behalf of
the Church.
.
Mr. Wilson was then heard by the Assembly,
and was responded to by- several of the mem
bers, all of which advocated the work contem
plated in the resolution.
Communications were received from Rev.
Dr. Porter, of the Refcirnied Dutch Church of
North America, conveying the fraternal salu
tations of that body.
Also a communication from Rev. G. W.
Heaock, former delegate, to visit the Old
School General Assembly of last year.
Rev. W. E. Knox, D. D.,. presented the fol
lowing resolution, which was adopted:
The General Assembly having heard the state
ment made touching the National Temperance
Society lately organized in the city of New
York, and believing its spirit and policy to be
in harmony with our utterances for upwards of
fifty years past ; therefore,
Resolved, That we regard the New National
Temperance Society with favor, as well adapt
ed in the form, vigor and scope of its organi
zation to grapple with !he great national sin,
intemperance, and as such commend it to the
faithful prayers, liberal support, and earnest co
operation of our churches.
Rev. W. E. Knox, D.D., from the Commit
tee to Report the Names of Persons to serve
as a Joint Committee of Conference, reported
that they would nominate the following per
sons, and recommended their election by the
Assembly as a Committee of Conference in re
lation to a union of the two branches of the
Presbyterian Church, Old and New School :
Ministers.—Thomas Brainerd, D.D., Chair
man, Rev. Wm. Adams, D.D., Rev. R F.
Hatfield, D.D. L Rev. J. F. Stearns, D.D., Rev.
P. H. Fowler, D.D. Rev. J. B. Shaw, D.D.,
Rev. H. L. Hitchcock, D.D., Rev. R. W. Pat
terson, D.D.; Rev. H. A. Nelson, D.D.
Elders. —lon. Joseph Allison, Hon. E. A.
Lambert, Hoh. H. W. Williams, T. P. Handy,
Esq.,
R. W. Steele, Esq., W. H. Brown, Esq.
The above committee are a committee to
confer with a similar committee appointed
by the Old School Presbyterian Church on the
subject of a re-union of the two churches at the
earliest possible day, and to report the result of
their labors to the next General Assembly.
Rev. Dr. Hatfield reported that the following
delegates to corresponding bodies had been ap
pointed :
V. S. GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Principal, Rev. E. D. liorrris, D.D., E. D.
Mansfield, Esq.; alternate, E. P. Pratt, D.D.,
and F. V. Chamberlain, Esq.
CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CEEERAL ASSEMBLY.
Principal, Rev. Henry Little; alternate. Rev
Jos. Chester.
UNITED 'PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY Of
NORTH AMERICA.
Principal, Rev. H. L. Hitchcock, D.D. ; al
ternate, Rev. Richard Craighead.
GENERAL SYNOD REFORMED DUTCH PROTESTANT
CHURQII.
Prieipal, Rev. Joel Parker, D.D. ; alternate .
Rev. A. E. Campbell, D.D.
GENERAL - SYNOD REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH
Principal, Rev. E. J. Richards ; alternate
Rev. T. J. Shepherd, D.D.