fmcricait Uwisinjttrait.
TIJURSDAY, JUNE 11, 1868.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
[CONTINTJEU PROM INSIDE.]
so justly eulogized here by our venerable father and
brother, ' Dr. Skinner, the Did School majority adopt
ed the following resolution respecting those doctrinal
St3>t6TH6tltS *
Resolved, That duly certified copies of this. paper
be sent to the respective Presbyteries to which the
sinners of the protest belong, calling their attention
to°developments of theological views contained in it,
and enjoining on them to inquire into the soundness
of the faith of those who have ventured to make so
strange avowals as some of these are.
I have not heard that any of our Presbyteries ever
called the protestors to account in obedience to the
injunctions of this resolution. Perhaps it might be
well for this Assembly to inquire into the matter,
seeing all the unrepealed acts of the Old School ma
jorities have now been discovered to be laws of our
Church. . ..
I will only add in this connection that the well
known doctrine of our Church on the right of exami
nation, or the principle involved in this alleged right,
was declared by our Assembly in 1840, as follows:
(Digest, p. 134-4.) “ Our Constitution requires that
no member of the Presbyterian Church shall be
thus disfranchised without a regular trial and con
viction” &c. I am aware that some of our Pres
byteries have been tempted to save themselves
trouble by refusing to receive ministers having valid
letters from co-ordinate Presbyteries. But I have
yet to learn that the occasional breach ofalaw,
proves that the law does not exist—or thaUiAe has
been any real necessity for such the
system. I have had a pastoral
bix years in the West, and have never yetpOUnd our
old constitution insufficient for the protection of-a
Presbytery. a. ‘
I have, Mr. Moderator, said this much, on this one
question, not because I expect to change the minds
of brethren here presmt, but because I wish to be on
record as protesting against what I deem a false and
injurious principle, and because I do not wish to be
understood as standing where I do on this subject
without some show of rational conviction. If lam
to be a Presbyterian I wish to be such on principle
and in consistency With the essential principles of
the system. If I were a Congregationalist I would
try to be self-consistent on that ground.
Now, Mr. Moderator, it only remains that I should
say a few words in conclusion. I said two days ago
that I could vote to approve the report before us,
with the exception of the 10th article. Subsequent
events have revived my solicitude respecting the
question, What sort of ecclesiastical administration
we are to have if the re-union shall be effected ? I
do not forget the monstrous assumptions of 1837 that
were reaffirmed by the other Assembly two years ago
at St. Louis. I'have been reminded, too, of the
spirit that so needlessly drove out the fathers of the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and that revealed
itself in the domination of an overbearing majority
backed by metropolitan wealth and combinations in
1837 and 1838. All that is past I can freely forgive.
But having no jealousy of particular men, I confess
I distrust human nature under temptation, and
armed with the power of a system containing few
checks add balances; and many a question has been
suggested which it would be agreeable to be able to
repress and banish from thought; but unwelcome
reflections have their uses., It may be that not a
few are asking, Is it so that by some mysterious con
tagion, an approximation to re-union has diffused
among us the same spirit that has elsewhere so often
trodden with iron hoof upon feeble minorities ? Or
is there some vice in our systein that makes prosperi
ty peculiarly dangerous, and opens the door for a
terrible centralization of power in the highest judica
tory of the Church, from the chief centre of commerce
and wealth ? Or is there some. hidden virus in the
very doctrine of organic union, in the broad view of
it, that is now advocated among Christian people, to
the disparagement of primitive simplicity, and the
revival among Churches, as well as individuals, of
the old question, who shall be the greatest in the
kingdom? You may crucify these reflections, and
bury them now, but I tell you they will rise again
after three days.
Shall 1 speak as a fool when I say that we who
have dared to express some distent from the judg
ment of the great majority of our brethren, as to the
particular plan of union now before us, have tried to
do something in a feeble way for the love of our
Zion, and have made many and painful sacrifices for
the defence of her interests in days when one man
could turn the scale in favor of the continued exis
tence of our dear Church in a vast section of the
country? Does any one know where originated the
movement for the readjustment of our' Home Mis
sionary policy, that has, in a few years, carried up
our annual contributions to this cause, from $31,000
to $130,000 or $150,000, and that has been like life
from the dead to our denomination, in spite of all
the powers that were encountered by the early advo
cates of the new policy ? Has it been suspected
whence came the scheme for a broader and more gen
erous policy in ourj Church Erection enterprise, by
which an annual loan and donation of $3,000 or
$4,000 a year has given way for the donation and
distribution of $40,000 ? Are not the head, the
hands, the feet, and the uncomely members all need
ful in the body? And is it well for any to boast
themselves against the members, as if there could be
no sincerity or true devotion to Christ and His king
dom, but in one definite line of conviction and
action?
Mr. Moderator, I shall ask to be excused from
voting on the question before ns; not because I do
not desire true Christian union, but because I am
unable to say that I approve of the present Plan of
Union, I know not why we cannot all love one an
other while profoundly penetrated by differing con
victions. If confidence be the great duty of the hqm:,
let it be extended in all directions, and let the wearar
share in its benefits with the stronger; and let us
all be ashamed if our confidence in Almighty God is
not controlling enough and settled enough to keep
us calm while the waters are troubled and some
heavy shadows still linger on the bosom of the
deep.
Rev. William T. Eva said he was proud to belong
to a Presbytery at the head of which stood one whose
name was glorious in the annals of the Church
Albert Barnes. He had come here only because Mr:
Barnes had not been able to come. He agreed with
Dr. Skinner as to the position of our Church on doc
trine and the importance of Be-uiori. The whole
question had now been discussed and every delegate
present was ready to vote. He believed in union
and desired it with all his heart. It would come
sometime, because the hand of God was in it. The
report of the Joint Committee was a noble document.
He was sorry that Dr. Patterson had asked to be ex
cused from voting on the question. He
gest an amendment to the report of the special con
mittee which would allow Dr. Patterson and those who
agreed with him, to vote against the tenth article
and yet not vote against the report as a whole. His
amendment should be in the form of an additional
• resolution, to come after the resolution , reported by
the committee, as follows:
Resolved, That the vote be takenby yeas and nays,
so that any person who may desire to do so may
have the privilege of expressing his ; dissent from any
one article of the terms of union; and thdt said dis
sent shall be entered_ as part of the record in the
THE AMERICAN PRESBYTERIAN, THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 1868.
minutes of the General Assembly, and that after
wards, the object being to secure unanimity, the vote
to be taken on the question as a whole, viva voce.
He did not wonder that there was a want of con
fidence after the announcement made on Wednesday
in regard to an Old School member of the Joint Com
mittee.
Rev. Dr. Prentiss proceeded to speak on the
general issue.
Elder J. L. Ketchum, of Indianapolis, said he
should be obliged to call the gentleman to order if
hp did not confine himself to the question before the
Assembly, which was the resolution preseted by Mr.
Eva.
Dr. Prentiss continued in answer to some of the
arguments of Dr. Patterson.
A delegate again called him to order, as not confin
ing himself to the question.
Dr. Prentiss continued: I move as an amendment
to the amendment offered by Mr. Eva, that after the
vote is taken any member of this Assembly who
chooses to do so may sign a statement to this effect
and that it be put on the record;
" The undersigned members of the General Assem
bly sincerely desirous of securing the adoption of the
report now before us as nearly unanimously as pos
sible, respectfully ask that this statement be entered
upon the records of this A ssem HI
“ Ist. That by article 10 it concede for
the future a right which some
has heretofore existed.
" 2d. That some of us no
such right ought to be demanded, but that we make
this concession as a'sacrifice of our own views and
irefereuces to the sacred and precious cause of Pres
byterian union."
It seems to me that this covers the whole case;
that it meets the views of every brother of this As
sembly who dissents from the'provision that any
Presbytery may examine. Some think that there is
no such right. They are willing to acknowledge the
right only as a concession. Some believe that it
Wught not to be demanded. But we make it as a
sacrifice to the sacred and precious cause of Presby
terian union. Now, sir, it seems to me that the As
sembly should deem it proper to allow such a state
«is not a protest. It is a frank statement
concession. If the Assembly would al
simple, unvarnished statement tb go on
signed by the parties, it seems to me that
adapted to secure that object.
. Nelson asked if any names had already
i to that document? -
Dr. Prentiss replied that ’there were a number to
whom it would be satisfactory. There were more,
he thought, whom he had not the honor to consult.
Among the signers were Drs. Nelson and Stillman,
Mr. Lambert, Mr. Thatcher, Elder Yurann, Rev.
Charles H. Marshall and E. D. Morris.
Rev. W. A. McCorklc, of Detroit, said that if this
paper were adopted the Assembly would tie itself up
ana concede that for the future article 10 should be
the rule of the Church. If that were the intent, he
could not vote for it. If the Assembly would give
him brother Eva’s resolution he should most heartily
vote for the basis after taking the vote as required
in that resolution.
[The hour of twelve having arrived, there were
cries of ” Question 1 Question!”] '
Rev, Mr. Eva said he could not vote for the amend
ment to the amendment, because it, in express terms,
conceded the right which he did not believe existed.
The effect would be to tie up the united Church to
this practical point. The amendment which he pro
posed Obviated both these difficulties,
i* Rev. Geo. Dkffield, Jr., said he believed.' 'that' Dr.
Prentiss, in offering his resolution, was truly actua
ted by a desire to secure harmony and unanimity, if
possible. If he . would'allow those who'could not
concede that right, except in the united Church if it
saw fit to declare it, who felt that they must go back
to their presbyteries and' .there settle the question
untrammeled—if he would allow them to vote under
Mr. Evk’s resolution, they.'wOuld be satisfied;
Elder Elisha Taylor, of Detroit,, moved to suspend
the orders for the purpose of taking up a proposition
to vote upon the tenth article-alone. Agreed to.
Mr. Taylor then moved that when the Assembly
proceeded to vote on the Basis of Union that they
first vote upon the tenth article by yeas and nays,
and then upon the basis as a whole.
Rev. C. F. Muzzy, of Batavia, N. Y., moved to
amend by substituting Mr. Eva’s resolution.
Mr. Taylor accepted the amendment.
Hon. William E. Dodge asked the gentleman, as a
lawyer, if this would not be entering on the record the
Assembly’s disapproval in advance? Would not the
final action have the same effect as voting aye on a
question on which many had perhaps before voted
no? '
Mr, Taylor explained that it was possible that he,
as a legislator, would like the general effect, of a law
and should be anxious to. vote'fbr it. But he might
see reason to object to a particular section. Yet, as
he was in favor of the bill as a'whole, he should only'
desire to record his. vote against that particular sec
tion and oh its'final passage, vote for the bill as a
whole.
Mr. Dodge asked if he understood the gentleman
to mean that he committed himself for the sake of
union, and virtually said—Gentlemen, you ‘ have
heard my objection,'and understanding my objection
to the tenth article, I do vote aae on the filial re
port ? . :
Voices: Of course.
Mr. Taylor said that Mr. Dodge’s vote and his had
nothing to do with the adoption of this report. ' At
home there was a feeling against this tenth article.
Hence he wished a full expression of dissqnt there
from. But as an elder and member of this Church,
he thought the article was right, and he should vote
for it. [Applause.] He hoped that every Presby
tery WmJHbe brought to vote for it.
ReimßgE&dler said there was another solution of
this Before proceeding to vote, let the roll
he let every member have the privi-
his dissent from any article. -
JuSK- McOorkle, of Detroit said they were
not goiiyto take any rule of proceeding from Con
gress in this Assembly. If they were not to be free'
here he did not want to vote. He was not clear that
when this came up in the Presbytery he should vote
against this article. But he could not vote for it
now. He was, however, not afraid of the Basis of
Union. He was not afraid of Dr. Hodge, or of any
of his Old School But he did not want to
be asked to vote for a thing as true, when he did not
believe it was true.
Dr. Prentiss asked if he was willing to vote for the
Basis in this form: “Aye, notwithstanding my ob
jection to the tenth article ?”
Mr. McCorkle replied that Mr. Eva’s resolution
suited him better. He was not sure that the Pres-
byteries would adopt this basis. [Voicjjs: “Oyesl”]
He was not at all sure. He could not nimself vote
for it; yet he did want to send it down to the Pres
byteries. He did not wish to vote in such a way as
would look as if he were against re-union.
liev. Alexander Porter, of lowa, asked what would
be the effect of the vote against this amendment?
Would it vitiate the whole vote ?
The hour of half-past twelve having arrived, the
hour of adjournment was postponed, until one
o’clock.
Rev. John Be Wilt, of Irvington, N. Y.,"said that
the communion of the Lord’s Supper would
brated at three o’clock. He thought .this vexed
question should be settled before uniting in commem
orating this last supper of the Lord with his disci
ples. If this could not be done before the : adjourn
ment of the morning session, he should make a_mo
tion to postpone the corrimuhion services. r ‘
After some further’discussion, ;
■ Rev. Joseph D. Kritm, of Seneca Falls, N. Y., said
there’was a way to stop this unnecessary and
that was by calling the previous question.
Rev. A. Porter continued with his remarks. He
was in favor of the whole report.
Mr. Krum then called the previous question.
Mr. Eva’s resolution was then adopted, with modi
fications as suggested by Dr. Butler.
Elder William C. Foote, of Yonkers, N. Y., sug
gested that before proceeding to vote on the question
now before the Assembly, the Throne of God might
be implored for guidance. The Assembly adopted
the suggestion and Mr. Foote offered a most im
pressive prayer.,
Adoption of Joint Committee's Report.
The roll was then called on the tenth article, there
being 243 names on the roll.
Hon Frederick H Hastings, of Albany; Rev Wm
Waith, of Lancaster, N Y; Rev Thomas Ralston
Smith, DD, of N Y City; Rev Wm T Eva, of Phila
delphia; Elder Samuel T Bodine, Esq, of Philadel
phia ; Rev Joseph Vance, of Erie; Rev Frederick A
Noble, of Pittsburg; Rev Wm A McCorkle, of De
troit; Rev Ira M Weed, of Washtenaw, Mich; Elder
Daniel B Green, of Washtenaw; Hon Hiram L Mil
ler, of Saginaw, Mich; Rev Charles S Adams, of
Cqldwater, Mich; Elder Eli K Miller, of Richland,
Mich; Rev C Solon Armstrong, of Lansing, Mieh;
Rev Henry B Eldred, of Kinsman, Ohio; Rev War
ren Taylor, of .Athens, Ohio; Rev David E Beach, of
Granville, Ohio; Rev Edward D Morris, DD, Wal
nut Hills, Ohio; Rev A Alexander Jimeson, of
Hanging Rock. Ohio;,Elder Matthew Newkirk, of
Ohio; Elder Wm H Moore, of Cincinnati; ; Rev Evan
L Davies, of Hamilton, Ohio; Rev. Charies H Mar
shall, of Indianapolis; Rev H L Little, of Bowling
Green, Ind; Rev John B Fowler, of Elkhart, Ind;
Elder, Daniel S. Beavler, of ; Fort ,Wayne, Ind; Rev
Geo Duffield, Jr, of Galesburg, 111; R.ev;George M
Jenks, of Apple River, 111; Rev Robert W. Patter
son, DD, and Rey Arthur Swazey, of Chicago ; Rev
Henry , A Nelson, DD, of St Louis; Rev Timothy
Hill, .of Kansas City, Mo; Rev John M Brown, of
Osage, Mo; Elder John De Clue, of St Joseph, Mo;
Elder Jason Yurann, of Kansas; Rev Thomas
Brown, of, Kingston,, Tenn ; and Elder Merrill N
Hutchinson, of New York —37, dissented from the
tenth, article.
. Eli R Miller, of Richland, Mich ; Rev Henry A
Nelson, DD, of St Louis; Rev Timothy Hill, of Kan
sas City, and, Elder Jason. Y.urann, of Kansas—4—
dissented from the second article also.
At one o’clock the Assembly proceeded to vote
upon the report .of the special committee approving
dhe basis of unipn as reported by the Joint. Commi
ttee.
. Rev Dr R W Patterson, of Chicago; Elder Rich
ard Edwards, of Pittsburgh; Rev.J Ambrose Wight,
,of Bay City, Michigan; and Rev Arthur Swazey, of
Chicago, asked, .to be excused from voting on the
adoption of the report as a whole. Granted.
The whole basis, of union was then approved by a
unanimous viva voce vote, the delegates rising to
their feet-, singing:
“ Praise God from whom, all blessings flow.”
Rev. Dr. El. B. Smith, of New York, moved that
this action be communicated to the Old School As
sembly at Albany by telegraph. Agreed to.
Hon. Wm. E. Dodge, offered the following:
Resolved, 1. That the thanks of the General As
sembly are due and are hereby tendered to the Di
rectors of the Pennsylvania Central, Northern Cen
tral, and Hanover Branch and Gettysburg Rail
roads, through Samuel T. Bodine, Esq:,: one of the
Directors of the Pennsylvania Central Railroad, and
a member of this Body, for their signal generosity
In placing at .our disposal,' without charge, their
lines of railway, for the excursion'to Gettysburg
battle-ground. ' ' ' Y .!
2. That we hereby express our thankful acknow
ledgments tb J. N. Diißarry, Esq., Superintendent
of the Northern Centrd.l Railroad, for the'accom
modations of travel, by means of which . our com
fort and safety were secured.
3. That we beg to assure the good citizens of
Gettysburg. that ,we shall ever 1 gratefully remember
their bountiful entertainment, and the generous
hospitality ot those wh.o provided it.
4. That we hereby express to His Excellency,
John W. Geary, Governor of Pennsylvania, our
grateful appreciation of liis kindness in accompany
ing us, and the pleasure we had in hearing his
graphic narrative of the conflict in which he bore a
part, so eminent and honorable.
5. That we hereby record on the minutes of the
Assembly our gratitude to our Heavenly Father,
that his ,care of us during the journey 1 was such that
not one event occurred to mar the pleasure afforded
by the excursion.
6. That in view of all which, yesterday, we saw'
and heard, it is bofh our duty and privilege'ever to
render devout thanksgiving to Almighty God, who
inspired our soldiers with valorso devoted and imbued
their leaders with wisdom so discerning, and crown
ed thejjjfarms with such signal triumph in that crisis
of the war, when the life of the Government seemed
dependent on the result of the battle of Gettys
burg. ■
The resolutions, were unanimously adopted.
The Assembly then, at half-past one o’clock, ad
journed until three o’clock.
FRIDAY AFTERNOON, MAY 29.
After the commemoration of the Lord’s Supper.
The report of the Standing Committee on Church
Erection was read by Rev. A. Swazey and docketed.
The Committee on Mileage made a very favorable
report. Tli ey had received over $B,OOO and had
paid all bids of delegates in full, except those from
California, which were referred to a special Com
mittee.
Rev. Leon Pilatte, of Paris, a delegate from the
World’s Evangelical Alliance, was introduced and
addressed the Assembly briefly.
Rev. Dr. Nelson offered a resolution providing for
the appointment of a committee of three to nomi
nate a joint committee of five to act with a similar
committee on the part of the Old School eommitteee,
if Such be appointed, in re-arranging the boundary
lines between the various Syiiods iinder the terms
of re-union, which was adopted. The committee
will be announced to-day.
The Committee on Devotionai Exercises reported-'
appointments for the following Sabbath. ’
In the evening a delightful reception and enter
tainment, prepared by the ladies ofthe First Church,
was held at the Governor’s mansion.
SATURDAY M©RNIN«, MAX 30.
Rev. T. J. Duryea, D.D., led the usual morning hour’s
devotional exercises. liev. Dr. A. A. Wood, of Geneva,
spoke in feeling and eloquent terms of the martyred
dead on whose.graves the chaplets and memorial offer
ings of loyal hearts. were about to be laid... Rev.
George Duffield, Jr., led in a most earnest prayer
for the soldiers’ orphans, thanking God that he had
given our soldiers courage and strength to conquer for
right, and justice, and human liberty.
At half-past nine resumed business.
The Moderator announced Rev. Dr. H. A. Nelson, Rev.
Dr. J. G. Butler, and Hon. Wm. E. Dodge, as aCommittee
of three to nominate a Committee of five to act in con
junction with a similar Committee of the Old School
Assembly, if such should be appointed, for the re-ad
justment. of the boundaries of Synods and Presbyteries
under the terms of re-union.
The Moderator said Kg had received a communication
to the General Assembly which should have been read
yesterday, and which was as follows: .
Rev. Dr. J. F. Stearns,
Dear Sir: By virtue of a resolution passed at a
meeting of the “Grand Army of the Republic” of this
city, a cordial invitation is extended through you to
the Rev. Gentlemen ofthe General Assembly of the
Presbyterian Church of the United States to partici
pate in the decoration of the graves of deceased sol
diers and sailors 'on the 30th inst. > > i
It is earnestly desired that you meet with us and
Harrisdurg, May 28, 1868
desist by your presence in the prosecution of this
work.
Jac. Meese.
Post Adjutant.
Rev. Huntington Lyman , of Marathon, New York,
;hen offered the following:
The General Assembly now in session at Harrisburg
accept the invitation extended to them to participate
in the honors this day to be paid to our brave de
fenders who periled and lost their lives in ** the high
places of the field.” They heartily concur in the re
memberance, and in the sentiment so. beautifully ex
pressed in symbolical forms, to be this day observed.
The great press of business upon us, we regret to say,
must excuse us from participating in a body in the ob
servances proposed. We will, however, cherish the
buried heroes forever, and in our deepest hearts com
mend the stricken survivors, the widows and orphans,
and bereaved parents, to the blessing of Him in whom
dwells so much fullness that He can repair the losses
so apparently irreparable; and that a Committee of
four be appointed to represent us on that occasion.
The proposition was adopted.
The Moderator appointed on the said Committee the
Rev. J. T< Duryea, D.D., of Brooklyn, N. Y., Rev. Samuel
W. Fisher, D. D., of Utica, N. Y., Rev. W. A. McCor
kle, of Detroit, Hon. Wm. E. Dodge, of New York.
Yours with respect,
Bills and Overtures.
Rev. Dr. If. B. Smith, of New York, from the Com
mittee on Bills and Overtures, presented a paper in re
ference to the Lyons Female College of lowa, with the
resolution of the Committee recommending the said
College to all the friends of education and religion.
Adopted.
Also, a communication to the Assembly from a Con
vention recently held in Pittsburg, having for its ob
ject opposition to secret societies and, the support of
the temperance cause, transmitting the credentials of
the Rev. Dr. John Marsh, of Brooklyn, as a delegate
to the General Assembly. The Committee recommend
ed that Dr. Marsh be heard in behalf of the Conven
tion. Adopted.
Also, a memorial from the Union Presbytery of
Tennessee, asking the sympathy and co-operation of
the General Assembly for Maryville College, in that
State. This institution had been tried and found faith
ful in the midst of the divisions and calamities of the
years of conflict just passed. It had been established
for fifty years and had sent forth onaJijmdred and
twenty ministers. The Committee recffimended the
college to liberal aid. Adopted.
memorial to
Rev. Frederick A. Noble, of Pittsburgh, Chairman of
the Special Committee to whom was referred the duty
of preparing a memorial to Congress on the subject of
the application of the criminal laws of the United
States to the Indians within bur States and Territories,
and the appointment and support of officers to enforce,
such laws at all settlements and forts where the In
dians come in contact with the white population, re
ported a memorial in substance, as follows, which is
to be signed by the Moderator and ! the Stated Clerk of
the Assembly, and forwarded through the hands of
Rev. Dr. Williamson, to the Committees on Indian Af
fairs in the United States Senate and House of Repre
sentatives :
It sets fortk the impossibility of justice being done to
criminals or procured by injured persons within the
bounds ofthe jurisdiction of Indian Chiefs, and suggests
the following remedies for this state of things: (1) The
subjecting of the Indians to the criminal la ws of the
United States and of the States or Territories. (2):
The placing officers to enforce the laws in suitable
places among the Indian population. The reasons as
signed for this proposed action are : (1) The inherent
justice and scripturalness of the measure. (2) Its ac
cordance with the equality of all men before the law.
(3) Its tendency to prevent wars and remove tempta
tions to corruption. (4)'lt will facilitate the'spread of
the Gospel (5) and their civilization.- It eoncludes by
speaking emphatically of our failure hitherto to act
on high principles in our treatment of this people. The
report was adopted, u : . , . .
Place of Next Meeting;'
Bon. Win. E. Dodge invited the Assembly to‘ come
to New York and occupy the church of the 1 Covenant,
over which-the Rev. Dr.-Prentiss i presides as pas
tor,.... .... .-.
Rev. Charles C. Wallace, of the Presbytery bf Sierra
Navada, invited the Assembly, to rnco.t in San Fran
cisco, California. ,
Mr. Dodge suggested that it would-he appropriate to
wait, till the completion of the Pacific Railroad before
taking into consideration the invitation of Mr. Wallace.
[Laughter.] The particular reason why he had sug
gested the Church of the Covenant was that the Old
School'Assembly had resolved to-hold their next,meet
ing in New York, in the “Brick Church,” presided over
•by Dr. Murray, and the two churches were within a
stone’s throw of each other, affording facilities for a
grand re-union of both,Assemblies at a moment’s no
tice. (Applause.)
Some one hoped that no stones would be thrown.
Mr. Dodge's invitation Was afcedpted.
Home Mission's.
Rev. Dr. H. A. Nelson read the report of the Stand-,
ing Committee bn Home Missions, of which the follow
ing is an abstract:
The review of the past year gives ample occasion
for fervent thanksgiving, and at the same time for deep
sorrow that- the Permanent Committee, have, not been
able to secure the .men and'money necessary adequate-’
lyjto occupy the-fields, that are so rapidly, opening."
The main interest of the report turns upon the work
among the Freedmen. The Standing Committee recom
mend that the .Permanent Committee.be authorized to
employ an assistant Secretary.—a layman being sug
gested—for this work, Special collections are also re
commended for this object, Allusion is made to the
.state of Dr. Kendall’s health, impaired by,his intense
application to the arduous duties of his office, and re
quiring a respite which he’is hpw enjoying. Dr. Hat
field ably discharges his duties as Corresponding Se
cretary in his absence. They recommend that the As
sembly heartily approve’the action of the Permanent
Committee, in thus relieving Secretary Kendall, that
they offer devout- thanksgiving to God blessing
that has attended the Secretary’s labors
during- the last seven years, and .that
God will be with him and keep him wher
ever he goes, and will bring him land. -
The terms of service of Rev. Drs.
and .Ralston. Smith, and Messrs, Aikman
having expired, they recommend their re-elfection. The
places of Drs. C. S. Robinson and H. Crosby having
been made vacant by resignation, they recommend
that Rev. Edward W. French, and Rev. John DeWitt,
bd appointed to fill their unexpired terms.
Rev F. A. Noble,' of Pittsburgh, spoke at length in
support of the Report—particularly that part relating
to the Freedmen of the South. He referred first to
the greatness of the field, and to its openness to this
Church especially, which he was told by Southern men'
was the only one which could go freely among those
people. He expressed the disappointment felt by many
at the failure of this body to enter upon the work as
inconsistent with its record. He compared the two’
churches of freedmen under the control of this body
to the sixty which were under the care of the other
Branch, whose record on this subject was too well
known to be recalled now..
. Mr. E. A. Lambert, of Brooklyn, warmly supported
the report. Forty-eight churches, with a membership
of 20,577, during the past year gave $68,506 55 to this
cause, being $3 33 per member. One thousand five
hundred and seventy-six other churches, with a mem
bership of 140,962, had given only $62,786,. 14, being,
only thirty-seven cents per member. Why this dispar
ity ? Seventy-six churches which contributed over
$B,OOO for, the year ending May, 1867, had not,contri
buted a cent during the past year. The amount of
contributions per member was' one cent and six' mills a
week. Only one cent contributed every day'by each
member would amount in one: year to $600,000, or
two-fifths more than was raised for all benevolent ob
jects combined in 1867. The receipts over 1867 were
$5; 780 53. The increase of i contributions from
churches was $6,091 09. Inorease from legacies,
■ $399 94. The amount contributed by Sabbath-schools
was $7,761 71, being'an increase of $3,721 94.
Rev. J. S. Walkeri of Neena, Wisconsin, favored, the
part of the reportMvhich refers to the Freedmen.
There should be no more of the church’s money squan
dered on agents that were not directly responsible to
the church. Men and money were needed for the
home missionary work. One reason why so few young
men now entered the seminaries for the ministry was
that ministers, especially missionaries, were poorly
paid. They preferred serving the Lord as laymen,
without subjecting themselves to the poverty of the
ministry. Dr. Guthrie in a letter to the Free Church
of Scotland had taken this view of the matter. He
had said (quoting from Matthew Henry) that “a scan
dalous maintenance wodld make a scandalous minis
try,” and had added that “poverty in the manse
would bring poverty in the pulpit.”
Rev. J. M. Brown, of Missouri, said that in his
Presbytery here were thirteen churches in a popula
tion of fifteen thousand scattered,over an area of one
hundred miles, in which there was not a mile of rail
road.
Addresses were also made by Rev. Mr. Sheldon, of
Kansas, and Rev. John Rankin of Cincinnati.
Delegate from the Lutheran Synod.
The orders were suspended to receive the Rev. G.
F. Steiling, corresponding delegate from the Lutheran
National Synod, who said :
Mr. Moderator and Christian Brethren : I come here
fresh from the meeting of the General Synod of the
Lutheran Church in the United States. At this meet
ing, whicii closed its sessions a few days ago in this
very city, I was honored with the commission of bear
ing to you its fraternal greetings. I could not have
been chosen to discharge a more pleasing duty. And
I perforin it the more cheerfully to-day, for the reason
that we were ourselves greeted by your own represent
ative, who, in words most befitting, extended to us
your heartfelt and Christian sympathies. Indeed,
from the spirit of that delegate, and from the spirit of
the opening discourse of your ex-moderator, and from
the spirit of every prayer and address made in my
hearing, during the sittings .of this. Assembly, I am
driven to conclude that cold, and exclusive, and bigot
ed must be the hearts that cannot fraternize and fel
lowship with you. Discarding the narrow dogma that
the Lutheran Church is the Church, we recognize all
other denominations of evangelical people as sister de
nominations, who, though distinct from us, are yet
parts of that, one true Church which our blessed Loid
redeemed with His own precious'blood. . In the name
of that General Synod, therefore, I greet you as breth
ren beloved in Christ, and express to you, for its mem
bers and friends,its reciprocated regard and affection.
Perhaps the largest and the happiest Lutheran Cdn
vention that ever assembled upon this continent, was
that of which I have j ust spoken. We came together
in peace—we transacted our work in peace—we .’parted
in peace. To you this latter remark might appear
strange. But had you felt, as did we, the fatigue Of
years of unhappy'conflict, you would be able to under
stand it well. God forbid that I should impose upon
you the unpleasant tale of bur family broils. I simply
desire tci* state that' the General Synod has at lfength
become liberated from her last enemies. “They went
out from us, but they were not of us; fbr if-’they had
been of us, they would'nO doubt have continued, with
us.; but they Went out, that they might b® madhjmkSi
fest that they were not all of lis.” Within this same
organized body there was one end with two opposite
methods. Hence has come disruption. Out of‘one
have.come two; and another grand division of Luther
ans has been added to. the several grand divisions that
already existed in this 1 Country. Having thus failed
.to,decide this controversy by the facts of history,- by
the logic of debate, by teachings of the Boly'Scrip
tures even, the General Synod henceforth intends that
these two methods shall .establish their claims to true
Lutheranism by their own respective practical‘work
ing, The end we seek to accomplish’is, thfe glory' of
God in the salvation of the world. Our; President,
upon taking the chair expressed this well when'be
said: “We have arrived at that peribd in '.tße'.history
of the Church, When it is definitely settled’what yve
are to believe, and we can now turn our’ whole atten
tion to this principal question : What is best adapted
to the upholding of the Redeemer’s kingdom? IJw
question is not now : What do we believe ? Do we h'old
to the Augsburg Confession of Faith? bat it is: Stow
shall we best fulfill our mission as ministers of Christ ?”
From this time forward, therefore, Mr. Moderator, we
.mean more’diligently to do the-work which 14) e Great
"Master has assigned us. ■ We intend, as did the youth
ful Jesus, to go about our “ Father’s business:” • Wa
are’willing to have bur method tried by what it can do
for the kingdom- of -heaven. > And L.think I utter the
Sentiment of every friend of ■ the General synod, when
I say that,'.-so far as' we are concerned, -we shall “light
it out on that line” if it takes us until the Millennium.
1 But now, whilst these separating tendencies have been
going on-in the Lutheran Church, if affords us pleas
ure’to know that uniting tendencies are going on in
the Presbyterian Church. Anijl since ours have finally
ended in disruption, we, pray that yours may ultimate
ly terminate, in union. When bodies' cannot agree, it
occurs to. us they had better remain apart, whetibodies
may agree, they ought i.o. conje together. We have
heard that large majorities in btith the Assemblies
now in negotiation have declared,‘through their Joint
Committee, that there is no longer any occasion for
disagreement, and, as a natural con’sequtmcp, no long
er any occasion for separation. Besides this declara
tion, there has gone up toward heaven, both froln’Hkr
risbUrg and from Albany,- at the identical hour of the
day, the voice of prayer—-a voice formed by the blend
ing of hundreds of voices—that He, who by His sa
crifice broke down the middle. wall o.f partition, be
tween Jew and G.entile: that. He, who .hlood
tore away, the veil between God man, will, also re
move whatever harriers may yet'lift themselves up
.between you, and,permit you at,last to dwell toge&er
in one common' fold. * * 1 Mr. Moderator,
you will please excuse me. If I am troubled’ with
union on.the brain, then there are many of you'that
are afflicted with the same distemper 1 Who knows
what might not be the result of. such' a coalition on the
part of the Old and New School Assemblies ? ■ During
our late political troubles many opposed,the secession
of the States on the ground that if that. -light, were
conceded to one it would necessarily.concede.it to; all
the rest; In such an , event the - bor.d that held the
States together would be but a rope of sand, since
cession might, go on to the breaking up of the entire
government. Might not the same kind of an.argument
be .used here, only in the, opposite direction? The
,union of the-Presbyterian ‘pliurches might inaugurate
the union of other Churches.' May he the different fam
ilies of the Methodists would catch the spirit ; may
he the Baptists woujd. Slay b'e that even we Luther
erans, after, a much shorter ’ experience thah ’ thirty
years, would follow the example, and forgetting' dif
ferences that are merely non-essential; embrace each
other once more as brothers of the’same household of
faith ! Who knows whether this process would-then
stop even here ? - Might not still grander divisions of
the Lord’s hosts, now passing under different names,
see clearly enough to lay aside distinctive and assume
common < denominat ions, thus breaking in upon’ the
boundary of sect itself ? The indications are that .the
enemies of an evangelical Christianity are training
and mustering their forces for another determined on
set uponHhe, Church of Jesus, Christ. The victories of
the . cross.,have not been peaceful hitherto ; ye can
scarcely expect that its final victory will be-'Perhaps
since anti-Christ is concentrating, Christ may he , go
ing to concentrate. By having the organization of the
Ohuyph simplified, the power of the Church ‘ may be
magnified ; and by having the power of the church
magnified, the ultimate triumphs of the Church niay be
gloriously won) Let us, therefore,’take unto’ ourselves
the whole armor of God, that we'lnay be able to with
' stand iffthe'evil day, and haying’ done ail, to ‘stand.
May God bless you, my dear 'breiSreh,'aud : crqwn
your present deliberations with the fruits of abundant
• success. lam authorized to express the hope that the
ecclesiastical correspondence between your Assembly
and our General Synod will be ’ continued.We shall
■be happy, sir, to bail a delegate at our .next conven
tion to be held in Cincinnati, in May; -1869. , .
The Moderator said: Allow me to express to you the
deep interest which I know this Assembly have feit-in
the statements; Whioh you have made to us vin regard
to your honored Church; that;we recognize and jieci
'pj*ocate .the :expressions of . .fraternal kindness and
sympathy witji the Vfork.before us, which, youdiave
been pleased to present. If you and 1 represent'lwo