amtritint pusbottian.
THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 1867
ACKNOWLEDGMENT.
For Kolapoor Church, from Presbyterian,
Church, Beverly, N. J., $49.32.
FROM TENNESSEE, Missouri, lowa, Illinois
New York, as well as from places nearer
home, we have, lately been receiving new
subscribers, in larger numbers than usual,
at this time of the year. In many other
places efforts have been commenced from
which we soon expect to hear.
ROCHESTER LETTER.—We regret to be com
pelled to again postpone our latest Rochester let
ter. One of those deferred, will be found on
the correspondence page. Next week we hope
to resume them as usual.
A 0 - BEAT DEMONSTRATION in behalf of the
new Excise Law is in preparation under the auspi
ces of the City Temperance Society. It will oc
cur in the Horticultural Hall, on Friday evening
of next week.
BUTTONWOOD STREET CHURCH.—The 52d
Anniversary of the Sunday-schools under the
care of the Buttonwood Street Presbyterian
Church, Rev. Mr. Shepherd, pastor, was celebra
ted with great spirit on a recent Sabbath.
Three schools, numbering nearly seven hundred
children, were present, and, gave with fine effect
their beautiful songs. Addresses were made by
the Rev. Mr. Best, of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, by ex-Governor Pollock, and by the pas
tor. A very large congregation of parents and
adult friends crowded the spacious galleries and
aisles of the church edifice. The Anniversary,
despite the lowering weather, was a decided suc
cess, giving grateful evidence that the congrega
tion which has always been distinguished by en
ergetic labor in Sunday-school work, has lost none
of its enterprise and zeal. We were pleased to
learn that during the past year nineteen of the
scholars in these schools had made a public pro
fession of faith in Christ.
THE DRAWYERS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, one
of the oldest in our denomination, has recently
offered an example of liberality worthy the imi
tation of much larger and wealthier churches.
At a late meeting of the congregation, called
for the purpose of choosing a pastor, it was vo
ted unanimously to advance the pew rents fifty
per cent. on the former assessment, and to fix the
pastor's salary at $lOOO, and a parsonage, a good
substantial brick dwelling adjoining the Church.
Our excellent and able friend Rev. John Crowell
was then elected pastor, without one dissenting
voice. The State of Delaware affords no more in
viting charge than this, to an earnest faithful min
ister of Christ, if an attractive church edifice, a
pleasant home and a warm-hearted, united con
gregation are to be regarded as considerations.
E. WIIITEL.A.ND CHURCH.—At the last COM
mullion, several persons were added to the church
by profession. We are happy to say that there
have been additions at every communion season
since the commencement of the pastorate of Rev.
A. M. Stewart.
WHARTON ST. OHIIHCH.—On Thursday eve
ning week, a concert given by a few of the children
of the Sabbath-school, under the training of
Prof. Wheaton and Mr. W. C. Robinson, was a
very pleasant success. The church was filled to
its utmost capacity, and the musical talent dis
played gives promise of great usefulness to the
church in the future.
HARTSVILLE, PA.—Five persons united with
Neshaminy Church on profession of their faith
at its recent communion, on the second Sabbath
of May, all of whom were heads of families.
MODERATOR'S REPLY.—In reporting the re
ception of the Irish delegation in our General As
sembly, we did injustice to the opening part of
the Moderator's very appropriate reply, through
an oversight in correcting and filling our notes
in that one place, before transmitting them to
the printer. We quote it las should have been,
from the Evangelist:
The Moderator said it was one of the pleasantest
privileges which he could have, to be permitted to
address them on behalf of the Assembly. But he
regretted that it had not fallen on a better man.
Had it fallen to the lot of one of his predecessors
to perform this pleasant duty, he could have illus
trated it with eketehes of the history of that Church
from which 'hey came. Another predecessor, now
in the house, could have added reminiscences of their
beautiful land across the water. Hut as it fell upon
him, he could only do what he could to make their
welcome a pleasant and cordial one. It was said of
Andrew Jackson, that he was an Irishman in good
earnest, although he came to this country a few
years before lie was born.
But he must respond as an American. He
thanked them for their sympathy and kind feeling.
MEMOIR OF REV. Da. GOODELL.—A Memoir
of the late Rev. William Goodell, D. D. ' mission
ary to Constantinople, being in course of prepar
ation, his correspondents who may have any of
his letters which would add , interest to the
Memoir are requested to send them to his son,
"William Goodell, M. D., Preston Retreat, Phila
delphia," or to Rev. E. D. G. Prime, D. D., New
York. Observer office, New York City." In all
cases where the originals are sent they will be
returned if desired.
LETTER FROM OUR NEW CHICAGO CORRES
PONDENT.
MR. EDITOR:—It is said that the pastor of a
New England Church, opening his morning
budget of letters on one occasion, not many
years since, in the presence of others, exclaimed,
"I have a call to Chicago. Where is Chicago ?
can any of you tell me?" And this occurred so
recently that that same pastor still presides over
that same New England Church.
In undertaking the duties of a correspondent
from the North West for the AMERICAN PRES
BYTERIAN, I shall take it for granted that your
readers have all heard of Chicago, and have a
sufficiently definite idea of its locality. So much,
at least, they have doubtless learned from your
late accomplished correspondent, "WABASH,"
for whose valuable letters, I fear, those of his
successor will prove an unwelcome substitute.
One thing is pretty certain: that if there is any
body who has not heard of the Garden City it is
from no modesty on the part of its citizens, most
of whom are firmly convinced that she is pre
eminent among all the cities of the New World.
Let it be my pleasant duty to keep your readers
aware of such matters of general, and especially
of religious interest, as may, from time to time
transpire, here, and in the adjacent region.
The last few days have been particularly fertile
of events of this kind. Some of these, indeed,
are already becoming stale, in the swift succession
of affairs, yet are deserving of .a passing notice.
Among these stands conspicuous the recent
Four thousand strangers, it is said, have atten
ded these anniversary exercises. Without vouch
ing for the exact number, it is quite safe to say
that such a gathering of the tribes of that de
nomination was never witnessed on this conti
nent. The city may be said to have been del
uged, if not immersed, by the crowds which
flocked together from every part of the land. It
was literally a family assemblage, and gave one
some idea of the great Jewish festival, when old
and young, male and female, went up to the Sa
cred City. The hospitality of the people of all
denominations was drawn upon without stint, and
many were glad to sit at the tables of Christian breth
ren, when they in turn refused to invite them to sit
with them at the table of a common Lord. Not
only were the houses of the hospitable thronged,
but they overflowed into the church edifice itself,
which, in the intervals of public service, was
converted into a first class hotel, where some
three hundred persons were fed and lodged I--
not at all to the advantage of the splendid edi•
five.
I shall not attempt to give you a sketch' of the
doings of this great assemblage. Most of the
leading men of the body, from all portions of the
country, were present, both of clergy and raity.
The various benevolent missionary and education
al enterprises of the denomination were canvassed
by able speakers, and a decided impulse imparted,
no doubt to their several interests. Abundant
evidence was furnished of the growth and power
of this branch of the Christian church. Indeed,
we may well admire and imitate the denomina
tional zeal of our own Baptist brethren, while we
repudiate the narrow and exclusive basis on
which they seek to build the temple, of God in
the earth. It must be admitted, however, that
narrowness sometimes proves a source of power,
and that men of " one idea" are often the most
earnest of ivorkers.
The truly magnificent edifice of the First Bap
tist Church afforded such a place of meeting for
the vast numbers in attendance, as few cities in
the land could have provided. The pulpits of the
city were nearly all filled on the Sabbath by rep
resentative men from abroad, and with general
acceptance. On the whole, the occasion may be
rer , arded as a decided success.
QUARTER CENTURY OF THE SECOND C.BURCH
But an event which will probably more imme
diately interest many of your readers, was the
celebration of the 25th anniversary in the history
of the Second Presbyterian Church, of which
Rev. It. W. Patterson, D.D., is the well-known
and widely esteemed life-long pastor. I use the
term life-long literally, as applied to the existence
of the church, of which he is the first and only
pastor, and a*applied to his ministerial career,
which began with his relation to his present
charge.
Every one who -has visited Chicago has pro
bably been struck with the unique appearance of
the handsome church edifice, which stands at the
corner of Washington street and Wabash ave
nue. The peculiar character of its building ma
terial gives to the structure the appearance of
an age far anterior to the existence of Chicago
itself. In this edifice was gathered on Sabbath
evening last, an audience filling all its ample
space. The interior was most tastefully adorned
with evergreens and flowers, wrought, in some
instances, into legends befitting the, occasion.
D. K. T
After the usual preliminary exercises, and the
baptism of two infants, followed the Doctor's an
niversary discourse. The text was found in llev.
iii. 8. It would occupy too much, space, were I
to attempt even an outline of this deeply interest
ing historical discourse. It was largely a history
of the city itself, not ten years old when this en
terprise began, and of the growth and develop
ment of the various denominations, as well as of
our own. In place of the eight or nine churches
which existed here in 1842 there are now one
THE AMERICAN PRESBYTERIAN, THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 1867.
CHICAGO, June 7th,1867
BAPTIST ANNIVERSARIES
hundred and seven, of all denominations. It is
gratifying to add, that of evangelical churches
there has been an increase of about 1,800 per
cent., to about 100 per cent. of others. The
speaker was the only pastor now here whose min
istry in this city much exceeded one-half the
period under review. To any one acquainted
with the character of Western society, this fact
will speak volumes for the stability of both
church and pastor. It is a fact alike creditable
to the man and to the people. Two of the three
original elders of the church—B. W. Raymond
and Wm. H. Brown, Esqs.,—are still at their
posts, enjoying a vigorous maturity and the high
esteem of all who know them, and, like their be
loved pastor, giving good promise of years of in
telligent and devoted service to the cause they so
deeply love. Happy the church which is served
by such a pastor and such an eldership as is
" Chicago Second." Several of its original mem
bers—one half of them—are also, still with us,
hale and hearty, and affording a living refutation
of the charge, sometimes brought against our
goodly town, of being " unhealthy." The, mem
bership now numbers 420, with a congregation
strong in intelligence, piety, wealth, and influ
ence, as few others in the land are.
I ought to name as prominent among the stead
fast adherents and supporters of Dr. Patterson,
and active in promoting the interest of this occa
sion, our o*n "Long John." Though not, lam
sorry to say, a member in full communion, he is
seldom absent, morning or evening, when at
home, from his accustomed seat, confronting the
tall occupant of the desk with a stature which
overtops his own, and listening with an attention
which shows that he can appreciate, at something
of its worth, the thorough workmanship of his
long.time pastor. May he be able at last to give
an account of all the weighty truth he has there
heard !
A fitting sequel to these exercises was furnish
ed in the gathering in the same place on the fol
lowing Tuesday evening. The admission was by
ticket, invitations having been sent, far and near.-
The church and the adjacent lecture-room were
beautifully decorated, numerous portraits of pro
minent members of the congregation, now or for
merly, gracing the walls. The house was nearly
full.
The preliminary exercises were followed by an
address of welcome, felicitously extended to the
former members of the church by Hon. Mark
Skinner, and happily responded to by a former
officer in it, Rev. J. A. Wight, the genial "Am
brose," well known to your readers. Jeremiah
Porter, the first minister of Chicago, came next
with an historical discourse of intense interest to
his hearers. The picture he drew of Chicago as
found by him when, iu 1833, he first set foot
upon the ground where now stands the present
city of over 200,000 people, was in strange and
almost incredible contrast with what we see about
Next came the address to the pastor, by Lieut.
Gov. Bross, a member of the church, and the re
sponse by the Rev. Doctor, of neither of which
may I here speak at length.
The intellectual •repast thus concluded, was
followed by a more substantial one at a neigh
boring house, connected with the church by an
embowered archway, where the social festivities
were continued quite as late as good orthodox
New School Presbyterianism perruits. The
whole occasion• was conceived in the• happiest
manner, and carried out with a degree of taste
and liberality worthy of one of the very foremost
of all our Christian organizations, and will long
be remembered with pleasure.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT.—I wish to teturn my sin
cere thanks to Rev. Dr. Nelson's people in St.
Louis, for their kindness and liberality to my
family, and for their sympathy and support in
my missionary work. I was received by Dr. Nel
son, when I came to this State, with Christian
cordiality and hospitality. He and his people
have proved themselves fast friends in all my
labors. They have supplied me with books for
starting Sabbath-schools, and with household
comforts and clothing for my family. I have
met with the most hearty welcome from both
pastor and people. They are characterized by
the true spirit of Christ, and are earnest for
the spread of religion in Missouri, and watchful
of opportunities to do good in the great work of
Home Missions. They are models in this respect,
worthy of all imitation. The constant calls on
their benevolence and charity have only increased
their interest and zeal in the evanqlization of
Missouri. They are, indeed, a tower of strength
to our cause in this State.
I desire, also, to thank Rev. Arthur Mitchell's
church and Sabbath-school in Morristown, New
Jersey, for their contributions and sympathies
with me in my labors. This church not only
supports me in this field, but sends me books for
Sabbath-schools and words of hearty cheer in my
work. Two large boxes • of Sabbath-school books
have reached me from this church, and I am in
formed they can furnish me with still another.
I have been, from choice, a pioneer missionary
for twelve years—first in Southern Illinois, and
now in Southeast Missouri. I know how such acts
of sympathy and remembrance encourage and
strengthen the pioneers. in " the rough and tum
ble" of missionary life. If other churches
would pursue the 'course that Rev. Mr. Mitchell's.
is taking, we pioneers could fight the battles of
the Lord with increased courage and hope.
W. S. POST.
SULPHUR SPRINGS, Mo., May 24.
DISCUSSION ON REUNION IN THE ASSEM
BLY OF THE OTHER BRANCH•
The 11th and 12th days of the session of the As
sembly in Cincinnati were taken up mainly in dis
cussing the Basis of Reunion, which had been referred
to a Special Committee, who submitted both a ma
jority and a minority report. The majority report
is in substance the same with that of our Special
Com niittee.
Dr. Smith of Baltimore, in submitting a minority
report, said : "There is but a single point of differ
ence between the majority and the minority, and
that is, as to the matter of discussion. The majori
ty proposes to send the Basis of Union down. to the
Presbyteries and people, without anyjudginent being
passed upon it by this body. The minority desires
the Assembly to consider here, and pass their judg
ment on two or three points.
Dr. Smith then read the Minority report, as fol
lows :
The minority of the committee to whom was re
ferred the report of the Committee appointed by the
last General Assembly to confer with a similar
committee of the other branch of the Presbyterian
Church on the subject of an organization between
the two bodies, beg leave to report.
They have heard, with great pleasure and grati
tude to God, of the delightful spirit of harmony
which pervaded the deliberations of the Joint Com
mittee, and the gratifying degree of unanimity with
which their conclusions werereached. and cannotbut
hail these auspicious occurrences as the harbingers
of that ultimate union between the two bodies which
we all so earnestly desire. The time, we trust, may
speedily come when all branches of the Presbyterian
Chuch in this land, holding the same standards,
having the same ancestry, the same traditions, and
the same glorious history, will be one in fact and in
form, as well as in faith. And the action proposed
here to be taken is not designed to prevent or hin
der, but to hasten, in proper terms, such a consum
mation.
The subject is one confessedly of great difficulty
and delicacy. The almost uniform failure of all
similar attempts at organization, the frequent exas
peration and widening of the breach between the
bodies attempted to be united, and the multiplica
tion of the strifes and divisions among them,. which
have resulted from the best intentions and the ef
forts at union, when prematurely urged, warn us of
the necessity of moving cautiously, and pondering
every step. The reasons which should always in
spire such caution, operate with peculiar force in the
case before ifs. The generation which witnessed
the disruption, and the men who were the chief ac
tors in it, on both sides, are still among us. The
feelings excited by it have not yet passed away.
The traditions are still fresh ; and many it is to he
supposed, on both sides, still retain the convictions
then avowed, and hold fast to the position then
assumed. Under such circumstances the great dan
ger is, lest, by precipitate or unguarded action, we
kindle the embers of the old strife into a flame
throughout our churches and Presbyteries, and so
prejudice and procrastinate the result desired. Just
emerging from one sea of troubles, we ought surely
to hesitate, lest we plunge into another.
In order that the union between the two bodies,.
when formed, may be real and permanent, there
must be a thorough understanding.and hearty agree
ment. between them, as to the chief issues on which
they are divided, and nothing should be left ambigu
ous or undetermined, to become the occasion of future
misunderstanding and strife. It has seemed to th e mi-a
nority of yotir Committee that the basis of union as
found in the report. before us, is not sufficiently detail
ed and explicit, and they are unwDling that it should
go down to the churches with the public sanction of
this Assembly, to which all look for guidance and
instruction, as over them in the Lord. The basis
of this union is reported to you expressly and for
mally for your action upon it, and it is the preroga
iiv.3, and as it seems to us, the im perativeduty, of this
body, the highest court of the Church,' to express
its Judgment clearly and unequivocally for the
guidance of the Committee, and of the Church at
large, in their future deliberations.
With these views the. minority of your Committee,
with great reluctance, but under the stress of con
victions they dare not resist, have felt constrained
to differ with the majority upon a single point, that
of instructing the Committee appointed by the last
Assembly, and to be continued by the action of this.
They heartily concur with the majority in their en
tire report, and adopt it as their own, and. propose
to add to it the following instructions to the Com
mittee of Fifteen.
I. That they endeavor, if practicable, to secure a
more clear and definite statement of the Doctrinal
Basis. It is well known that the two parties differ
ed in their interpretation of our Doctrinal Standards,
upon points which both considered vital ; while both
professed to receive them as containing " the system of
doctrine taught in the Holy scriptures." There is
nothing in the basis, as proposed in the first article, to
show in what sense, or in the sense of which party, or
in what higher sense which is supposed to harmonize
both. our standards are to be. interpreted. What is
their true historical sense is the very question to be
settled ; both parties disclaim all the extremes from
which they are formally distinguished. If accepted
by the two bodies in the same sense, then either
can define that for the other, and there can be no
possible difficulty in the way of agreement upon a
clear and definite, statement as to the main points
at issue, particularly the great decisive doctrine
of Imputation and Atonement, as to its nature and
extent.
NORTHWEST
2. The Committee are further instructed to secure,
if possible, such an amendment or modification of
the second article as will insure the speedy and
thorough Presbyterial organization oral! the church
es, and admission o none but ordained min
isters or elders to a seat in any church court.
3. The Committee are still further instructed to
obtain, if possible, a distinct and formal recognition
of the right and obligation of every Presbytery to be
satisfied as to the soundness of every minister it re
ceives. With these instructions the minority con
cur in the recommendation that the Committee of
Fifteen be continued as provided for in the report of
the minority. JOSEPH T. SMITH.
E. ANSON MORE.
On motion, the order of the day—the considera
tion of the report of the Committee on Re-union was
taken up.
Rev. J. T. Smith, D.D:, moved that the minority
report be adopted by the Assembly,
Dr. Marshall rose to a point of order. Was it
proper to give the minority report the preference in
consideration to that of the. majority?
The Moderator said the Assembly could do as it
thought best.
Dr. Brownson hoped that the Assembly would
adopt the majority report and that the views of the
minority would be-added as amendments.
Dr. Breckinridge was opposed to both reports and
wished to speak at some time on the matter.
Judge Core desired to offer an amendment in re
gard to both reports.
Mr. Galloway moved to lay the motion of Dr.
Smith upon the table, but subsequently withdrew
that motion.
Dr. Smith took the floor in support of the minor
ity report. It ntight be 'expected, he said, that he
Minority Report.
Speech of Dr. Smith.
would put the house in possession oft he precise status
of the whole business before it, and this be would
now attempt. Upon the general principle, and upon
the desirableness of speedily bringing about a union
of all Christian Churches, not only Presbyterian, but
all other denominations, we are all of one mind.
Upon the desirableness of the speedy union of all
branches of the Presbyterian Church, we are all of
one mind. The only question that meets us is, are
we prepared for a union upon the basis that is pro
posed here? Are we willing upon this basis to en
tertain the proposition which is made, looking to the
carrying forward of the arrangement now in progress
in the same direction ? Is this General Assembly
willing to give the sanction of its influence to the
consummation of a union upon the terms here pro
posed? I beg of them to bear this distinction in
mind. We are not here to call in question the de
sirableness of this union, or to procrastinate or pre
judice it, or do any thing which may hinder it. We
are here only to see that when it is consummated, if
consummated it is, it shall be in terms that will
give occasion to no further strife or difficulty—that
it shall be a union in spirit and in truth. That is
the single point to which our attention is to be call
ed. We are all aware of the fact that from time to
time there are certain social and moral epidemics
that seem to sweep over the entire community—a
kind of monomania that takes possession of the
public mind. Just now we witness such an epi
demic as this. Across the water they want " the
Broad Church "—a Church so broad that in it all the
doctrines we, have b-en taught to revere shall be
swept away or laid aside in it. These belong, we
are told, to the mystery and traditions of an age long
since past. The world has far outstripped these,
and we are ready to meet together and select some
point of union that may serve as a rallying point.
Some of you may remember the earnest and elo
quent words with which that eloquent representa
tive from abroad, Doctor McCosh told of the dangers
now encountered by evangelical truth and evangeli
cal churches, by reason of the spread and progress
of Broad Church-principles and pretensions among
them. We little thought that at so early a day we
would have the same questions thrust upon us, and
find ourselves environed by these same perils. We
are again called upon to meet this question of Broad
Church. It comes especially to our Presbyterian
Churches. The infection seenis to be taken most
speedily by them. We have a telegram from one
branch of our Reformed Presbyterian Church, ask
ing for a union with them, and with my whole heart
I am persuaded this body is ready to say, Amen. We
recognize in them a body holding not only the same
standards, but . the.same principles of interpretation.
I see, also, that the United Presbyterians desire
,to
join us. [T] With reference to them, too, we adopt
not only the same standard, but the same principles
of interpretation. With reference to the Dutch Re
formed Church, we find a different ancestry, with
different traditions, but there is no feeling of discord
between us, and we extend to them not only the
hand of fraternal kindness, but we welcome them to
the same mansion in our Father's heavenly house.
Then, again, there are the Cumberland Presbyteri
ans. They are ready to welcome us as brethren
within the same walls, whatever may be our differ
ences and discords as to doctrine. Now, s;r, lam
not a 'prophet, but my judgment is very much at
fault if our Church ever consents to union upon such
terms as these. Then again, there is that portion of
the Presbyterian Church in the South, one-third of
the body formerly attached to us, and uniting with
us, not only in thesame standards, but the same prin
ciples of interpretation, but differing and dividing
from us on other questions—questions of loyalty and
freedom, and this gulf is to be bridged and every
Wall of separation broken down, that the whole
Presbyterian family may become one. That is the
consummation to be reached. Ido not wonder that
every heart thrills at the very mention of such a con
summation as this. Ido not wonder that telegrams
and all their influences have been brought to bear
upon this body. In the furtherance of' this consum
mation. we have a union with New School Presby
terians proposed. Hence the importance of ponder
ing the basis of the union we fix now, lest we make
it so narrow that we will shut out others of the
Presbyterian family. We must be careful lest we
offer articles of agreement with them which will
shut out other Presbyterians. This is a test ques
tion, and brethren, if they desire such a consumma
tion as this, ought to pause and examine carefully
every article that is here embodied, lest it be found
in the end that they defeat their own object.
Dr. Smith then proceeded to examine the proposed
basis of union, and to point out the differences exist
ing between the Old and New Schools. Although
-both bodies accept the same creed, yet they do so in
very different senses. The two Churches are not
organized on the same basis. The proposed plan of
union gives up a point for which our fathers con
tended years ago—it takes into a Church court com
mittee men not ordained with your elders. The
terms of publishing books were next noticed by the
speaker. The proposed plan, he contended, would
give the New School a chance to condemn 1,000 Old
School publications, while the Old School could not
condemn more than thirty of die New. New School
Seminaries are close corporations, and the Old
School could not control them. The guardianship
of the Old School Seminaries would have to be given
up under the plan of union now proposed. So of
the Presbyteries. No matter how erroneous in opin
ion, men must be received without examination.
The Old School would have to give up every thing
there. In this basis of union the Old School resigns
every thing of all the great doctrines—the Doctrine
of the Atonement and the matter of Church Polity
—all is given up by us. No wonder the New School
willingly accepts. Again, all these questions were
brought up by the Committee on Re-union. The
Old School gave up every thing in that committee.
This is the basis of union proposed. I ask. Is not
the affirmation made good that in this basis of union
we surrender every thing that is distinctive of us as
a religious denomination? Do you not surrender
the principles of interpretation for which we have
all along contended? Do you not. say it is no differ
ence what a man may teach upon the great cardinal
doctrines of the Church, upon the cardinal truth as
to the whole way in which man becomes justified
with God—do we not give up every thing that is
distinctive upon this question? Then, as to ecclesi
astical polity. Do we not altogether give up the
principle for which they contended, and which we
as earnestly resisted, that men who are not Presby
terians may be admitted to a seat and to adjudicate
with us in all the courts of the Church, excepting
only the General Assembly? Do we not give up the
principle for which we as earnestly contended that
every Presbytery has an inherent right to judge of
the qualifications of its own members? Severally
and in detail the right of every thing is given up,
and nothing is received in return. Ido not wonder
that those brethren so joyously hail such terms as
these. Do they come to us crying peecavi. and offer
to give up every thing for which we have contended
as against them? Would not we, too, have rejoiced
in a union such as this? Would we not stretch out
our arms and welcome all who came and planted
themselves"upon our basis of doctrine and polity?
Going over to their basis? I do not wonder that
those telegrams came to us about thewonderful unan
imity with which they have received the news ofthe
basis of union. And all this is aggravated by the
fact that the questions that are _here raised were
distinctly raised in the joint committee. There are
members of the committee here who can correct the
statement if it is not true. As I understand it, an
attempt was
,made to maintain our position upon
these several points, but it was distinctly and for
mally,rejected. Ido not know how it was done, but
I understand this was the general fact : our terms of