~~~~~
VOLUME XXIV.--NO. 32.
DDING INVITATIONS EN
graved in the newest and best manner. LOUIS
'1) WA, Stationer and Engraver, No. lOt3 Chestnut
street. ap2l-ths tx-tt
E i i 3 H CLOSET — COS- iiitY — EARTH
commodes and apparatus for fixed closets at WM.
11110 Alta% 1221 Market street. Freedom from risk
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tilizer secured by use of the dry earth system. aO2 2tfil
MAR RI ED.
PADDY-17AREIS.--In !don't steam, N S., May 1701 ,
1970, by the !ter. Albert E, Purry." M,
D., to Martha Frazer, eldest daughter of, the late Sle
plum 'Harris, M. D. .
ELFRETR.—On the morning of the 11th instant, Ja
cob R. Elfreth, In the 82d year of his ego.
The relatives and friends of the family are rexpeetfully
- invited to attend the funeral ;. from hie hoe residence,
N 0,416 North Sixth etreet, on Sixth-day morning, the
0/th mat., at 10 o'clock. without farther notice.
---010110:—On the 17th lnet.vElizabeth-R.-Orme, relict
of Edward n. Orate, aged 10 Yea's.
The relatlvee and friends aro utvite o rt to attend the fu
-neral;-ott Friday, - My I/Att. - at mclock A - - - Mt, - frorn
thn nestitlenot of tier nom itelaw,';:o3', Ridge aventm. §
Tt OWLA Nllo.—On the 15th just.. Grace, Info nt dam ch•
rev of Lyorord and Emma M. Rowland. axed 13 mouths.
The relatives aud Web& ore respectfully invited to
attend the funernl, from her parents . ' re , ldenca. liar
/Oxon etreot,Frankford, on Friday, afternoon, at three
4t-elnek, ,
ptARGENT.—Itt Paris. France, on Weducaday, tko
infli inst.. Winthrop Sargent, of hew York, formerly of
Fblladelphta, aged 43 years
187-0 - 1870.
opENING-0-,
LLAMA LACE .1 MIK F:Tg.
Aiduatii LET-T-ES
LLAMA LACE' FROU V ILO
VOCKM ANEROII) tIARONIETERS,
for menurittg heights, EN-Irked In feet as well an in
inches. Price. 612 W. IV. Y. ldc A LLISTRIt.
No. 724 flhestnnt street.
Also, a general assortment of Mathematical end Opti
c al goods. any 14. tit rps
SPECIAL NOTICES.
Vinest Clothing
ESTAI3LIS'HMENT.
InII
The Onlyfull Line of
Diagonal-Coatings-
S
To be found in Philadh.
JOHN . WANAMAKER,:_
818 AND 820 CHESTNUT ST.
HIGHLY INTER ESTI:tiG AND
IL - rinstructlve Lerture.—Prof. Silnman'. of Yale
College; has conrented-to reneet, at the ACADEMY OF
31 r 473 to this city. on DION DA Y, the 234 bust., the in
tensely int/Irwin& lecture (111 the Won lers of th • Yo
.SHnite l'alky, which be Bare recently to an audience
of 3POO persons in the Cooper institute, New York.
?he Lecture to he Illnetrated.by aid of the magic tenter.),
from diagrams taken on the spot by the Profe4ser.
Tickets. SO cents. litrerred sesta, 7e'cents. For sale at
Gould's. No. ti 2.3 Chestnut etreet. myl3-4t rp§
u; -- EMPIRE COPPER COMPANY._
The Annual Meeting of the Stockholders of the
Empire Copper Company will be held at the °Mee of
the Company; No 324 Walnut str*ct, Philadelphia. on
FAIPAY, June 34,1874. at 12 o'clock noon. for the elee:•
Tire - nAl]iffectont,end - flie iiii-OredefiUthiii-bitii
ness an may legally come before the meeting.
M. H. HUFFMAN, eleerotarr.
PttiLelittLtonte, May 16.17170. my 18 to je.3§
PHILADELPH IA AND BOSTON
DIMING COMPANY —The Annual Meeting of
the Stockholder(' of the Philadelphia and Bo.ton
Com lathy. will be held at the office of the Cent
patty, N 0.324 Walnut street,'Phi ladelph ia,en Flap A Y,
June 3d, WO, at 1 o'clock, P. 31., for the election of
Directors and the transaction of such other business as
suay legally come before the meting.
AI. H. HOFFMAN, Secretary.
PIIILADRLPRIA, May 18, WO. mylStje3§
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYL
VANIA, FACULTY OF ARTS, May 7,1P70.
T o stated public examinations of the SENIOR
CLASS for DEGREES will be held daily (except SAT
URDAYS) frpm May Sith to 3lox 2"l&h. Irom 4 to ti o'clock
3'. M. FRANCIS 4., JACKSON,
my7l6trat !Secretary.
THE ACADEMY OF FT:4E .ILR.T§,
baripg been injured by the recent storm. the
Exhibition oath e life sized Fainting of
• SHERIDAN'S RIDE
is - postponed for a tow days
[OCEDAR CHESTS ANT) FUR BOXES
.-
ON' BAND.ANDII ADE TO ORDER.
M. TH.ALIIEIMER
vny3-tuts Smrp§l '207 CALLOWIIILL STREET.
111?" HOWARD HOSPIT-,A.,
ry L, IsIOS. 1518
and 1520 Lombard street, Dispensa DDepartment.-5 silica! treatment and medio . nse furnished gratuitously
- o the poor.
MISCELLANEOUis
lIA DQUART.ERS Fait EXTRACTi
TEETH WITH 'FRESH NITROUS OXIDE
AS. •
"AtISOLUTHL T NO PAIN."
Pr. F. R. THOMAS, formerly operator at the Colton
Dental Rooms, devotes his entire practice to Gin painless
extraction of teeth. Office, 911 Walnut Bt. mhs,lyrpi
. _
frHEO 7 O, TEABERRY TOOTH W.A.B H.—
It is the most pleasant. cheapest and best dentifrice
extant. Warranted free from injurious ingredients.
It Preserves and Whitens the Teethi
Invigorates and Soothes the Gums I •
• - Purities and Perfnmes.the.Breath I
Prevents Accumplation of Tartar I *.
Cleanses and Purifies Artificial Teeth
Is h Superior Article for Children I
Sold by all Druggsts.
A. M. WILSON, Proprietor
mhl ly rp§ Ninth and Filbert streets, Philadelphia.
FRESH CHARCOAL BISCUIT FOR
, DYSPEPSIA :
HARD'S FOOD for infants, just imported. Select Rio
Tapioca, with directions for use. Genuine Borm oda
.Arrowroot, and other Dietetics, for sale by lASI GS T.
SIIINN, S. W. cor. Broad and Spruce. ap 9 tf rp§
WRY THE " EALIITLEY " KID GLOVE.—
..11 No risk. Every pair warranted. If they 'rip or
tear another pair given in exchanee.
$1 WIPER PAIR.
4ENTB', 82 00. -
A. ,t J. B. BARTHOLOMEW,
Importers and Solo %gents,
23N. EIGIITIf tartlet.
ap3o t rp§
rpliE "BARTLES " KID GLOVE IS TFIE
BEST. A. Sr. J. lI.I3III2TIIOLOALEW.
ap3o tf 8010 Agents. 23 N. FaGlllTllstroat
•
Vs WARBURTON'S IMPROVED, V EN
-40... Mated and easy-fitting Dress Hata ((patented/ in all
'the approved fashions of the season. uhestnnt 'street
next door to th . Post-Office. oc6-tfrp
ARICING WITH INDELIB E. 'Mg.
Embroidering, Braiding, Stamping. &o.
M. A. TORREY. MOO Vilbert
WEDDING AND ENGAGEMENT
Rings of solid 181ratat tine Clold—a specialty; a
full assortment of sizes, and no charge for engraving
immes, &C. FARR & BROTHER, Makers
t
my 24 rp tf 824 Chestnut street. h9low Fourth
PERSONS IN WANT 011`.11TONEY„ WHO
'object visiting the Public Pawnbrokers, can obtain
. liberal !oars upon 'DIAMONDS,' WATCHES, JEW-
E`
---- 10LRY. -- BILVER -- PLATE; -- LIF - POLICIES; -- nud
other vALI - TABLEs. Private Parlor exclusively for
ladies; Itio,Pownbrokers' signs. Licensed by the Mayor.
-ts2' South' Itlinth street; near - Spruce•streot: Private
louse. • • my 2 Im rp*
TSAAC NATHANS AUCTIONEER N. E.
JL Omer Third . and Spruce street's, 'only one square
below'the jinehange. 8250.000 to loan, In large or small
amounts, on diamonds, env. r plate, watches, Jewelry.,
and all'gcLods of value. Otbro hours from BA. Z. to 7
P. Id. VW — Established for the last forty years. Ad
vances made. in ,large amounts at , the lowest „market
0 UY THE "'BARTLEY" KID GLOVE,
Ac J. B. 13 ARTITOLOHRIW,
ap3o Importorp, 23 Zi..ELQL(lll.street,
.. i, • . •'' , ; 1 . / . ',' I ri r ?, 4 : f i ",• ' )/ "' / '. `'. ' :"—,,, , . • - ,
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PRESBYTERIANISM,'
THE REUNITED GENERAL
ASSEDIX3LX,
OPENING PROCEEDINGS
THE MODERATOR'S SERMON
"One Spirit and One Body the Ideal of the
Christian Church."
• First Meeting,
The first meeting of the General Assembly
of - the - Iteunited - PreSbytertatt - Chtirch - , --- comz
posed of the whole of the late Old School and
New School bodies, commenced- this.morning
in the First Presbyterian Church ,on on Wash
illgtorksquare The buil; ng_wasLbriatitifull
- decorated with evergreens, which were taste
fully festooned around the front of the galler
ies.: Immediately over ..the „pulpit . was .the
text: " Now are they many members, yet but one
body," in letters formed of ivy leaves. On the
front of the organ-loft were the , inscriptions:
"1837-1870," also in ivy leaves. ' The pulpit
was almost covered - with flowers, a' beauti
ful bouquet of exotics being: on =aide' of
The vast edit - ice ... was densely crowded with
the delegates -and interested' spectators,-who
occupied. every available inch of space in the
pews, aisles, galleries, - pulpit steps and where
-ever-else-s-tataling-nr-sitting:roonrcouldlle-Ob-
tairied. The galleries are strengthened by
extra iron posts, six inches in diameter, in or
der to support the great strain on them and
to obviate all possibility of accident. ,
Many distinguished clergymen of the Pres
byterian Church are present at this assembling,
and it will be the most important
deliberative .• body ever - held in_ the
history of the Church. - Among the
-- delegate S -are tifejtbvs. - TholYert - Watts
and Mr. Si n from__Belfast, _lreland
Drs. Arnot and .Thalrie, - - of Edinburgh, Scot
bind ; - Rev. Etittiund; of ltirkerihead, Eng
land ; Dr. McLeod, of London, and - Rev. Jas:
M. Priest, a.coloreil_dclegatefrom._Liberia, in
Promptly- at eleven o'clock the exercises
opencd with a voluntary on the orgat4.per.
foriried by c.:E*erest,7:Esc i , the orga.nist. of the
church—At .the : close of the Voluntary, -. an
anthem eras film g, consisting of the I(Vtli Psalm
bf David, Which was rendered by a Quartette
choir. /Lifer the anthem, prayer was offered
by Rev. Dr. M.. W. Jacobus, Moderator of the
last,. Old School ~I.ssenably., The Id - nom - ring
Junin, entitled "One," and written especially
kir . the occasion by Francis De Haes . Janvier,
waf•thn sung to the tune of' "Old--Hundred s "-
(he whole great congregation joining. heartily.
in the singing: - •
Almighty - God—while, day by day, •
We falter. fail, and. Pau away
Thy changeless glory we adore - :=
- - --
In:mutable forevermore, . • • •• •
Tnough prone to err, and di agree,
And slight Thy.law of harmony ;
All controversy we,reeign,.
, And pledge ourselves, in union, Thine. •
Thine, and Thine only, would we be
One-with each other. one with Thee :
In God the - Fattier, Ged the :son,
lid God.t he Spirit, ever ono.
One, in the mission we - NUM '
One. in devotion to Thy wilt :, •
One., here; In fellowship and love
One, with Thy ransoniod church above,
Bey . . Dr. Philemon H. Fowler, Moderator
of the last New School Assembly, then read
the lesson from Ephesiana, IV. chapter, after
which Dr. - .lacotras - agaln - ciffeTed "prayer. Th. 3
I:7th Psalm; froni the "Church Psalmist,"
"I love Thy Kingdom, Lord!"
was then sung. ,
Dr. Herrick Johnson announced that ; the
Committee of Arrangements had fixed the
following as the hours for the meeting of the
Assembly each day :
Open at 9A. M. One hour to be pamed in
religions exercises, Take a recess from 1 P.M.
to 3i P. M., and adjourn at P. M.
Rev. Dr. Fowler then preached the Mode
rator
Sermon.•
"There is one body and one spirit, even
a s
ye are called in one hope of your calling.".--
.Ephesians 4:4.*
AU are agreed in their estimate of Christian
harmony. It commands universal approba
tion and admiration. But do we not dis
tinguish too much beitrieen Christian harmony
-and - Christiatruniop - ? --- Fricmdshityts — primary
and essential, but Is not fellowship needful ?
Circumstances set up limitations here.
Christians hale diversities of views and tastes,
and while. harmonious -in several cominuni
ties,-they might he dis.soiaaut lit one. Con
cord takes precedence of union, and, union
may therefore be surrendered for the sake of
concorl. Still, sects are evils. For whatever
reason permitted, they are evils. Nothing, in
the normal state of things produces them.
They come from human imperfections.
The redeemed in heaven form one com
munion, and so, but for, their infirmities,
would the elect, on earth. • Proceeding from
evil, sects must be evils. We must not ut
terly refuse to tolerate them, .for they avert
greater evils. We must not seek at once to
destroy them., They are so wrought into'
. Christendom that we cannot tear, them, out if
:we,would, and should we attempt it, we must
sacrifice much that - is sacred and 'precious.
We must treat them as other evils have lieen
treated, wound about communities and inter
, penetrating them.' We must leave 'them to
the extraction of gradually operating means,
or to the sudden ejection of. Providence. We
multiply them by trying abruptly to expel
them.. Even special •interest in a particular
sect is legitimate. God prizes it,as a fragnient
of the temple He set up ill the earth, and
which He will replace in the one beautiful,
massive pile at its reconstruction,. and as our
feelings towards it prompt us, so our position
in it requires us especially to care for it.
The argument which Romanism makes 'out
of Christian Union, and the illustration it
gives of it, may incline , Protestant minds to
disparage it. But me may concede its worth
without prejudice to ourselves or advantage
to our adversaries. r. And, we .must not con-'
found with it their counterfeit of it. They
have union without harmony. Their cohesion
is from compression. Genuine Catholicisth is
one spirit and one body. It is the attraction
of parts, and not their alligation.' -
We _cannot.' describe the organization' in
Which Christians maybe.eventually incorpo
rated, No'inore of . it may exist than is requi
site to a connection,"and within it may be va
rieties of politY and doctrine and practice, just
as theta are found in the several congregations
of Protestant denominations and still more in
- the several orders .of the ROmish , hierarchy._
- There musit be'a union ofsome kind,.however.
We talk Of 'sects as divisions of an aimy, but
facts do correspond to the. figure. '
'is a combination the' - divisions of an
-army, but an entire .!segxegation of the
*The preparation,ef this'discotirse was somewhat ad ,
vented before it t waiiiiiettcid that the Rev. tr,. Alison,
D. D. had chosen the same text when preaching in title
city may 51,1758, before." Tlie,BoYoroutt Synod of,Phlia
delphia and the Reverend Oommission of the Byndd of
New Tork,", on, the occasion of he fortner reunieh Of,
our Dhurob. 'lnstead of changing the text. however, aa ,
was the iniOultie tirstat has been. retained as sane=
tioned by • such an authority for it, rather. then niter•
dieted by inich an Use of it. .
Becht. Artillery, cavalry and. infantry*
are parts of a single organism, but
Pre.abyterianism Congregationalism, Menus
, dir ty ,, , Episcopa cy, are so many separate and
inch pendent organisms. The military unite in
in a legion ; the brotherhood co-operate in a
work. The one are allies, whilethe ether are
host. The one Catholic Church •is a. body
njib bead,..trunk, and limbs- --joinedF-tolether,'-•
,:lermay consist df various members, perform
it g Various otlices,Olut there must bet a union
between them.lt may comprehend the di
versities of existing evangelical denomina,
lions, bat it must band those whobelong Gott.
The interests of truth, it may be •presumed,,
will not-be-sacrificed in unifying - the - Ohnrch.
The faith of Christianity is of more come
quence than the union of Cbristians,.and the
faith of. Christianity will be maintained in the
oncoming,union of Christians. Varieties of
creed prevail now—many of them, however,
not broad enough to separate their adherents,
and others of them not as broad as they seem
to be; and the broadest of them expanded by
adventitiou.s• matter: Looked at with the eyes
of charity, differences will appear narrower,
andrthe removal of excrescences will reduce
them. The process is already going on. Di
vereities of belief, once exaggerated by trape_
sient - eircumstaticeKnow present sliall,proViir:.
tions,and the relief of varying systems of what
is extraneous to them brings them nearer- to ,
gether.
__Presbyter' n tolisintegratiom
(*and, its meets in Scotland and in this country;
the Established, the Free, the United Presby
terian Churches, the _Reformed Presbyterian
Synod, the Reformed Presbyterian Synod in
Scotland, the Synod of United Original Sece
ders, there, and the Presbyterian Church in
the United States, the Southern Presbyterian,
the C,umberland Presbyterian, the United
_Presbyterian, the Associate neformed-Presby-,
terian v the Rethrmed Presbyterian
General Synod, the, Refortned • Presbyterian
Synod, the Associate. Reformed Synod of New
York. the Associate Synod of North America,.
the Reformed Presbyterian Church Synod,
and - ehte - two - c - ReformediDuttileand,cierman)
Cltureffes, here.
There is an e - xplanation of..the fact that turns
it:to the credit of Presbyterianism. It may be
ascribed to the mental activity which the sys
tem awakens, and, with which it is congenial,
and to the appreciation of truth, and the sensi
tiveness and tenacity of principle — which it
elierish_es and with which...ie_synapathises_. I
quickens the minds of its adherents and active
minds affect it, and Minds in motion come
collision.winle. torpid Mill& lip in peace. They
value truth, and will contend kir lt,
who Cate littlefor it will repel no assaults upon
it They are keenly alive to right and wrong,
_ and cling to , the first with an_unyiehliag grasp
and thrust-oil thclast - with a vigorcas - repidie:
' And the causes which in Presbyterianism
operate for division faeitilate..union._ The eye
that qhick to discern error is as quick to re-
cognize truth. The heart that recoils from
wrong embraces right. Hence , the frequency
with which divided Presbyteria.fis have been
reunited. The Synod of Ulster and the Irish
Seceder Synod coalesced in the Irish "Presby
terian General Assembly ; the Seceder and the
Relief Churches in the United Presbyterian
Church of Great Britain; the Synod of Phila
delphia and the Synod, or- - New York in the
Synod of NOW York and_Plailadelphia ; the
Associate and ".' the - Assoeiate Reformed,
Churches in the United Presbyterian Church,
the Old and .New School in the Southern
General Assembly, and here we are once two
bodies of the same name, at a jubilee meeting
of the General-. Assembly and of the one .Pres
byte.rim." Church in the United States of
America- •
And the gathering of the dispersed goes
on._ A remarkable-convention held sessions
in this city, in 1867. .Many of the oldest and
best of the Old and New School Presbyterians,
the United Presbyterians, the As.sociate Re
formed, the Dutch Reformed, the. German
Reformed, the Cumberland Presbyterians,
consulted and prayed there about the practi
cability of collecting- our various households
together,_and_the-Lord-manifestly-appeared
among them. To their own surprise anti
hglit, and to the joy of heaven awl earth, they
quickly and quite unanimously and'most cor
dially agreed, with the exception of 'the Cum
berland Presbyterians, on very simple terms
of union. Progress has .been retarded by
casual circumstances,bnt nothing has.occurred
or appeared of evil omen and discouraging
.signitication. The oldest of us may hope to
sit at one hearthstone with all of our kindred
and name in the land.
TliFree Church Presbyterians of Scotland,
and the United Presbyterians; have brought
their deliberately conducted conferences about
a union to the eve of a happy conclusion, and
we cannot but hope that the Reformed Pres
byterians who were at first in this council with
their brethren, may be found in their goodly
company. Nay, are not changes in the State
removing obstructions in the Church, and
must not the rising *tit of fraternization
_mingle_Preshyterians_of_every_Tutme through
out Great Britain and. Ireland iu a single com
munion? • , ,
Most cordially do .we bid. welcome to our
kindred from Scotland and _lreland, bringing
congratUlations to it.:; from the old homestead.
From no quarter could they be So gradf.ving,
as from no quarter they could be so natural.
We accept them, not merely as .expressions of
interest in us the emigrant children of the
family, betas recognitions,of the happiness of
the union of Presbyterians, everywhere, and
glad shall we be of au early opportunity to
reciprocate these congratulations.\ And
,what
pleasure it would be to us to greet brethren
from France; Holland, Germany, , Switzerland
and every other country in: the world, the
representatives of - Pam-Presbyterianism !
The last division of, our Church was one of
the most • painful events in ecclesiastical his
tory painful because it was the division of a
Ohurch, and, especially painfut.bedau.se it Was
thp division of a large, noble, nowerful and
most useful Church—a.Church - ot pre-eminent
intelligence and spirituality, and which it is
not immodest to say, had done and was doing
more for the country anti the world than any
other in the land: may haVe- reconciled
ourselves to it by its unavoidableness in the
circumstances of the .case ; we may have
comforted ourselves in it .by the good for
which it was overruled; but it could not have
been averted, and if it has been mitigated, it
was deplorable and has proved disastrous. Our
denominational-,superiority.Suffered -from it.
We stood pre-eminent in character,in position,
in-influence and in nehievement, but we have fallen re
' actively and others have risen. It was a terrible blow to
us aud to religion. ,We need not ask whether there was
enough to justify it. Suffice it to'know, that there' was
enough to produce it. And yet how leird It 'has been in
telligibly to explain II! The division was an eruption.
We were constituted ecclesiastically, - as the nation is
politically, of the varieties of the race. r i vers - country
of Europe and over State of the Union wore represented
in us, hut Scotland, Ireland and New Ehglend contri
, buted meet largely to us. The ;leach and . Irish were
rigid in adherence to doctrines and strict' in the °Lowry.
:ince of rules, and'the New Englanders claimed and al
lowed latitude. and independence. Titus discora int,
they could hardlyshun collision,'and three OCCII.SIOOB for
it aeriVpresented.
First—Now England activity 'aninled itself. to the
abolition of elavery, and antipathy to New England
quite naturally resisted it. Thero wore numerous ex
ceptione to this, but it was extensively the fact, and
though others sympathized with New Englanders in
-their assault, they Were the leaders in it and it expressed
their spirit
Second—Now*England activity . also. kippliml- itself to
• theppvicat - inatilthir, -- rcild - Alit et ibo time when the
principal.constituents of, our Church were most Berl
nye new views of truth were promulgated. Tho New
rntand element assimilated to them, or kept quiet .
with them, while the Scotch and Irish element was re
reliant of Item, and the question of tolerance or intol-,
°Hulce of them introduced the questlem:of the extent to,
which our standards are adopted im,su s becriptions to
Third—New England activity is individual. Its ceele ,
slastioni polity is on o of isolation and yqiuutary 00-qPe
ration. Its Churches are indepondmit, and their mi m.
bars combine with - others-to promote religion and , be-
PoYolence at, Jorge, only as they list, Bence the origin
of sotiotiesTonoineral evangelisation.. Bootoh and Trish,
PreehyteriavYworo trained under ecoldsiastieni orga of. '
stations for the: promotion or religion and betiorateneo.
With them it was the wore of the Church to de the work
THURSDAY, MA.Y 19, 1870.
Tin is work /'on us to do, an well as it caution to heed
and tt lesson to learn. It consists of two parts, recon
struction kind evangelization.
Firet, the rennlon layirubon us a work al rerowarite
twit. I will not intriniu, on the part - unsigned to com
mittees appointed to retain to thin General A RHOTIIb Iv.
They aro charged chiefly with the necessary - changes in
the boundaries of our Judicatories, and with the combi
nation of our two sole or evongellAtic ~ L ttello loo -
further question arises, is any tnod Of:at-ton of our erete
sing iral adwinOralion. de,irable awl feasib e? •
Everything - distinct - I-rein onr polity is beyond inquiry.
.1113.-entertainn.thought,so.none Of--
us could, present a proposition looking the most ro-•
niotely to the leant, alteration of our Presbyterianism.
fully,approvn We ardently love it. Study and '
observatien anti -- OApertinent .commend it to our Judo ,
menta and hearts. But is our method 'of operation in.—
ennoble of llntovernont Has trial developed- uo faults
_or defects in t o organs we furnish for the funotluns of.:
our Church y
: For example; how is isp In reference to SaTif ruisina ?, L
Our.organization proolden for it. - Iliacal: it diktts'- •-
- terized by it: We define 'Presbyterianism at; a series
of•cotirts of rotten , and. control.P. -lint ours is , a sayer.
vhoeu lny,hpdlos. .Preskytertrs,Synods and' the Genera'
Assembly; eXerlse D' • 11l there not a , meaeuro: and to
there not a triOtboil of it that could be entrusted. to twit
• ,viduids. and that would ho useful to the elnirolf r" 'None!
-, or to!, could be reconciled to an EPI
so called. • 'rho parity of tho ministry is invivlablit
•of the Cheroh. and hence the zeal for Beanie or the
Church. 'I he two systems could get harmoniously co•
peente. Each sallied its supporters to Ibsen', see they
led tide conflict. New Englund alertness gave It the
telventage e for e time, and made it imperious, perhaps.
Church action for foreign miseinns was virtually.fere
hidden, and voluntary action for home missions ruled
itulteatories and determined ecclesiastical administee-
Dom
it title thelle circumetance e developed the discordancee
Lemur Chnerehethee,dideuet,rauketheetianteemmtestentm
e temeniiieniTifientageniem, and there was not unanim
ite of sentiment in regard to them on either side, Hail yet
we divided on them. euti it was our discordance from our
diverse, constituency that divided its on them.
It would be presumptuous, especially lu this presence,
• lied most Inopportune on this occa-ion, to distribute the
fault in the cese. Let that lie buried beneath the ob
scurity by which It is bidden, and let it' sink-deeper and
deeper w impenetrable darknese, -•
-- --A nititionet ni ceesary to detail the - proceedines in
which the division transpired. They are familiar to ea
ell and temed/1e to none, and we would expunge the
record rattier than freshen it. The canoes of division
heve been mentioned for the nee they serve. 'They estab•
lish the lealtimao of our reunion and : demonstrate lie
hrPefultuss. Antagonisms ehave ceased . and_ there. is
tintlitmeto separate us. ' . - • -
Tbe amelgurnatiou of its elements so remarkable in
the State is complete In our elinsch. -Mid° not reject,
norrepel, nor disown New England. Tenderly and
fervently do , we love tier.and proudly do we glory in her..
She Is 1 be dear-native land amity of us and the sacred
lend of the ancestore of more of us and the lotel of the
Puritan fathers to all of us. Her. very rocks aro jetrels
to no, and we " favor the duet thereof." Fier people
ate our people—the kindred according to the flesh of
portionlstile e brethren t ips i drit e em.
lint t
aijzrnoNi lm
that antagonized Preebyteriateime .and would not quietly
atingle with it, haeleen withdrawn from us. We did
. not ap et ft-or-drain Itit-thrust itself - ont - or was
plonked from us. Becoming sectarian and proeelyting
—I do not meat, to speak offensive
- e • exileelieeineß"Fit iiiTelisiTtlid to iiiy - narralleee-li=erim - -
ing sectarian and pronely ting, whatever might have been
our whit' in the matter, and whatever our n [meet. it
has insisted on departing : from
~us. and on leevinge
nothing of Der relattointhin witheas. • We are thus one
spirit in one body ; by uo mains bigoted, .sad yet. fatly
'Presbyterian ; of various nativity, ethic Alen and -de.
event, bat in complete accord ; with that portion of Neer
England remoetd from us that could not be, tolerant of
no, and with a large residuum part and parcel of us, and
with a heart and a plane for the much more that can be
accommodate to Mt.. _
All is quiet about voluntarysOcieties and ecclesiasti
cal boarde.-None of us doubt that fhe Church is consti
tuted for the evangelization of the world:and that it can , .
'not lawfully and wisely deznit the work on euy finbatitnte
irresponsible to it.
The polemic. that fireiLus have burned oat, and if we
would we could 'pot rekindle them.
- Ameriecin slavery is dead and bririetl ee and
ixtrimeler - er - itee - grite --- frweefird Failputt — Orthe Coen
' try stud of the Church, inspiring animosities among
brethren end stirring up strife, bet it Is exorcised now
and annihilated. and bat good . Presbyterian, whet true
American, what genuine man but rejoices at it r And
while 'kis demon of discord can never again divide-us,
why should we and our kindred at the. South- [Oolong
separate ' We belong together, and the violence that
sundered us has epent tie force. Tile neyeage of ear
hearts to them is, "Let us be one again. ' , Let
the clostegafethe grave of elavery beet heetilling-up-of
the chasm between us, " No terms of reunion are no
-verger:retie-condition-0 of any - kited: or
ylo or
W e bave none to offer andnone to exact. We
canoed be deprived of satisfaction in the remembrance
- nf our opposieion to elaveryeetheugh We rog - st much in'
its nietheds and spirit, and we must raise the shout ed ,
Victory met it. As liberal aswe would be free, we' ac
cord to our brethren the right to their sentiments in the
_remembrance of their_ attitude: and. course -towards_]
eels:very; and would - gladly - chime with - ellem And have
them chime with us in the pin no we know they would
ranee. as well as we, over its. irretrievable ' destruction.
Leaving heegoneeewith each and .with God. and there .1
li - eing uo hying issue to separate no, ":let us find grace
in the eight " of each other.
'Aire are the more confident of the legitimacy of our
reunien and of the bleseiegteeeepected. trent it. because •
the - ttirine head le'eo min - it/est in it: There vrefelmman
aspirations for it, brit noluman laboring in the lineup-
Coe of le and no human leading in the conduct of it.
- Look nt the removal of the causes bf the disruption._
verptit - away - the conteedium elementmw nsF
-
Did u e bring in the ecclesiastical system of evangelizae
tion where the voluntary system lied prevailed- Was
it any agency of ours that bushed theological debate and
heeled theological dieeentions and reconciled theological
dispede nu+ and liberalized bigotry and checked theoloei
.cal laxneeee Were - discussion and denunciation and
_petals opinion and-Chureh diecipline and - Mute legiela - -
t len the destruction of slavery; or did the Lord despatch
it by tee violence of .arms - -
And when ban-iers were levelteland repulsions abated;
bow-nenelly divine were the forest that impelled ue to
gel her. We did not inaugurate the war, and yet would
we have been united now lint for the war r Love for our
country: fenned• - be the •tenipeet to ii - mighty" Aamo e
spread through ue In se shieele sheet. Anxiety fur our
"center aroused the coneciousnese of brotherhood, end
forbade estrangement. Ted and sacrifice and miffering
for our country ate-oeiated_ue.in the. dearest -fellowehip,
and we could not live apart.
The working of God's Spirit ism,'" more notable then
the working of God's Providence. Nothing ides+ can ex
plain our dieposition to. White. It arose independently
of us, and to one snrpriee. And how eimilltatieously it
everywhere appeared. - - We were scarcely aware of its
existence helore it was guiversal. two' ninth it
•Aninlisfied and bore away. Whatever might be "our
varying eXplanatio[l9 of the division in other respects,
we are agreed-in the belief that feeling powerfully con
etriletted to_ iteand tinder theeinspirietion-ef-the-Spirit
all that feeling is subdued and quenched. Thee° active
in the separation, have been earnest for the reunion
The Moderator who presided at the divorce, declares
that there is no hindrance to the marriage.
And was ever ouch uniteimity known r With perfect
freedom to express our judgment and choice, all but
tin ee Presbyteries out of au hundred and forty-four in
one branch voted for the union, mid all the Presbyteries
amid every individual lint three, ant of three thousand,' n
the -other-branch. And eince the onnsummetion, the
few wte were doubtful about it, assent to it, and not a
minister, not ap elder, not a church member has left us
because of it,
Wolookalmost iq awe upon a union so manifestly
divine.' It is sacred in our eyes. God is identified with
it and gives sanctity to it.
Condsctog isitii.our union is a re. , pons ibil it y . It rejoices
our hearts and evokes our praise and excites our hopes,
but it also imposes duties noon us we must not neglect
Therr is is caution. to heed—a caution against pride and
self-indlciencYand indolence. Let us not glory in our
numbers and resources, and idly repose. upon them.
Never had we such occasion for humility and solemnity
--for co deep a sense of nnworthiness and nothingness
and responsibility I The Lord has given us the gladness
of this hour, notwithstanding our ill-desert ; and He
has laid a work upon us which at our peril. we omit or
slight, and Natick, must tax our energies And MAIMS to
the utmost. We may well be delighted, but can we fail
to I . .thonghtfill and earnest ?
There is a lesson to study, anti a costly 'lesson, and one
that sends blushes to our laces and pangs to our hearts.
Multiplying and distressing as it re, we must address
ourselves to it.' . ' We must learn how wicked and foolish
we have been.. It is not the time for. (trim inat ion owl
recrimination, but of general self-conviction. It is not
the time for COUGCMIIiIIif .theso or . those, nor for die
trir using blame, It is the time for recognizing and de
nim int: our fanitS ns Church. We must not little t hem
twat ourselves. We must not deny them to each other
and to the world. We must not bury them ht it tdivion.
Fathers stini brethren, we ginned in our disruption, and
Wt. ongl t to mourn over it.
And let us net lose the instruction of the lesson. Let
us guard against the mistakes and wrongs we have colll
- Particularly let ns cherish affection and COliti
dellee, and practice toleration.. We ran sofelt tore and
tarh other: :With all our varieties of lineage and
temperament and education, we are uuttninionsly
Cot
viniettc in doctrine null Presbyterian in polity: We
•• sincerely believe and adopt the confession of faith of
our Church ns containing h the system of doctrine taugut
in the Holy ft:criptures, and we" approve of the govern
ment and discipline of the Presbyterian 'Church in' theie
United States.' • - - • - -.-
There is n special reason for heeding the caution given'
to no and for leakning the lesson set for us. Thecanso
ea Christian union is at stake upon us. We sheikh,-
monstrate its practicability or impracticability. We
make the first„experiment on a large scale. ItEf success
or failure with WI, its happy or unhappy working, hall
tone it through the world or indefinitely vaitpones it.
Divided denominations tires coming together, and wo
mast draw thorn on or drive them' buck. Asehoil ding
Christendom is yearning for unity, and our pride, or
conceit, or idleness. or discord, must keep it divldea.
Strange, indeed, if there woo no jostling at first. Wo
are two 'hosts combining, and with minor differences of
training there may be minor &killings of movement.
Even single individuals jar when they join. Husband
and wile take time for adjustment to each other. So it
mac be with Fully in geMirel accord as wo are, the
slight distinctions that have existed among us mar pro
an., slight .concuesions„but witli fraternal , love and
fimilidencoandnrillntity good temper we shall quickly
harmonize. NVe have conducted ecclesiastical
business for example, in somewhat different
111iNieS, though • tinder' identically the
same constitution and TUN!). There have boon more
InhOritatitie»ege and part bunenteriness, so to if peek.in
the proceedings'of one branch than in thbse of the other,
and it will not be strange It' we appear to each other llll
perimis, or lax, informal, or precise, and if apparent
imperiousness and laxness, informality and precision
occasionally collide. But patieucedathers and brethren,
Wi shall soon smooth ouch other, aud.thus even friction
will-cease.
Mi!IMINE
among - no, and.- imperioneness N and
Inquteitive
ueee are intolerable by us. We must be freemen and
peers. And we would not sacrifice self-trainffig, self
meth-meta, self-reetraint for-the quickening and chock
ofet telehope, 'crook and eye, We newt, be, he will be,
laws to ourselvee. tut cannot individualism be recou
., tied with a mpervision by individuals. and would not
our Prolate terianiem be' helped - by ? Prelacy and
• Methodism - int-v.ly owe their efficieucy to it,and guarded
ageing exeoset and. abuse, endan-rinontelexemeeetperejee
- ihrieren"fe f rees. - twinh ourfitree
This would be no novelty in PreebyterianbiM,airit would
be no Intros ow upon it. Joint- Knox eat nth* el it /0
the Scotch Kirk, which he divided into ten diocsee, for:
each each of which a superintendent • has • appointed.
1-t Pooh of Dhaipline directed that those superintendents
should have their own kirke. besteee tne continuo
charge of others, and that. they should not " remain in
their own kirks above- three-or four menthe:bat - Mould -
Paselegain to their visnations." • Toeir duty was do. scribed eft not unly Keefe' where they - went, but to
" ex. !Mee the doct tenon. life, diligence and beharior of
the militsters,eldeis and deacons ; "to centiliter the order
of the kirk, the manuers of the people. how the poor are
pros ided. hew the youth are instructed, how tho .purity
und, d ie ti pint° of the kirk are keoped, hew heinous - and
horrible crimew are corrected e" and to administer and'
lire*, things out of omer with their council the best way
,1
they may."
The genius of Presbyterianism preeldes in the , study.
Our ns itrs are the thie hers and scholars of their pro
fession and partiCularly set apart fur the ineuicatlon of
principles and flectriues. Diligently do they proeeaute
their special mission, and they need little additional in
citement and guidance in it. We feel our shortoonsiogs
and deficiencies more in out-of-door work, and who of
nit but often need responsible counsel and help, endhose
eitivaluabliethey--wenkdbe-to the-enutortramoner-tree------'
Our churches suffer - from the lack prove:sight. ' Pee
tors tend well the folds over which they are severally
bete but, with here and there an exception, our. Presby-,-
hence find symels very imperfectly watch the .shepherd
lees Heckel. As ecolesiastical bodies do not and cannot
whisper-cautioneenileativie.. •ae.lencise• eemeet :tier
stimulus to theta of their members who call for Modell. ,
cite iiiiministretion of fetch an office, 80_ hay , are too
tete berseme for all the a eft rifle- of it niiiisimiary field;
They are compelled to 'undertake thenrhythe exights"
Mee of new settlements, and are occasionally aroused to
them in established communities, but their efforts .are
generally transient and fitful. And the result Is disas
trous. Scores and hundreds of churches die of neglect,*
aid scores and hundreds of opportunities for churches
are Jost. Episcopacy has an advantage here, and no-
Medlin Episcepacy is making the most of it. It takes
upp our expiring - flocks - and puts theallu well:tended;
And would not an arrangement . for. a kind and mea
sure ofsupervisiou, by lett Ividuale as Well' as by boil h-e,
abate au oil, of which both our churthes and ministers
are the victims? I can 'hardly bring myself to publish
the tact, for it seems like proclaiming either our weak
netts or our shame, and yet the stress of the case compels -
-me-to-ette-wethat-while-our laid-minutes-report 4,131- ,
ministers and 4 3.30 churches, more than 1,000 of our
ministers are stated supplies, or without permanent
engagements, and nearly titre are wholly unemployed.
and less than 1,600 are pastor's. and...mere then
1 eOO of-our churches Are. served_hyatated -and -
- nearly LIM levee nh regular supplies of any kind. ,'Oup-
pose that one-half of these un raployed ministers are
aged orinfirm; or otherwise -incompetent for.pulpit and
pectoral labor, we thou have four hundred ministers
qualified to prole , h and visit without_
..nelpits _and Tare_
the one - thousand vacant churches are
_email and feeble. but -the-greeter- t bele .need- of "care, --
end, with four hundred able-hod led and well-trained
ministere disengaged in our 'froundet, they ought to be.
1 lie hupeseibillly of a suppirt for these 400 nonistere
in these I,eee churches; la not the reason of thole being
.unemployed, un ELI ploy ed, for long-continued Cxperitnent by a sister
dot °lnitiation shewe that it can be furnished. Weiat_l
needed-, thengtenot'allellust Is needed, is RD accepted
medium of communication between the two, and also
some degree of authority to firing' theni to terms Left
as each church so much is loft, to protido for itself, and
left 101cach min - litter - 00 ninth hdleft, to-settle
our blinutee Will continue to. report their humiliating
tale. And is it not distressing to think of this amount
of cultivated and consecrated_ power-lying idle in the
inidel of Mite alionniliug waste; and , must 'there net
something faulty or wanting in the administration that
admits et it?
All modification, of our methods of eccleeitistical ace
may-se-rn_too_perilous-to:liti_riskorltebutemorei
be feared from a timid c e ithervatism than from a bold
amendment. Bone of tue, 1 *in-sure, are contentwith
our present d egree - ef efficiency. We make'no comPare
sons -with other ilenominations,bnt we are diaeatisfied
with eurselvee. „We have net the life, the elms'', the en
terprise that become a Christian cherch_in this day and
--in-this land. -
.
itiling,p in our methods and modes', however, - n not
adeenately help us. - T'he'Sgirit is'our rani AtEd.;HoM4-
elLu,perlect. a nutchinery,ios of no avail- wi,bont-a-prol
pelin:g force, and Vie _can tolerate" peer tnachinerY if
there be only propelling force, Of all Christian organ ,
izat ions ours depstnis
moat r
on the Spirit,.„..Neither so.
- rendition; nor - sentimetit l ' - nor, emotion; nO sectarian
tern can work - it.-'The Spirit is its sole motive :power.
Nut for the Bake of Presbyterianism, hut for the sake: of
the part unsigned to it, we must 'make, sure of Ills pres
ence. The want of it 18 onrwent. ofmnituatinn:_ttod_eo,
-ergs.--The great duty of the hour is to secure.t/ds. Mill.
isters and eiders and people most be intent itp:m It. The
days of our fethers, how brightly and-beantiftilly :they
shine with it, and how it illuminates our, own for
mer days I Holy Spirit, let :Us live beneath thy rare!
Be the light one heat and life of our Church I • •
Second, the re-union lays upon us au enlarged Work of '
erange Sizai ion. ,
Tkink of forty-two hundred ministers, and forty4our
, hundred _churches ould half a tniilion r of communicant-3.-
I KitaLtaost_is-here-1 , --Estimating--our-capabilities — lty
our nun - Mere, what must be our obligations ?
,
Think. too, of our means. .No body - of church mem
bers in our laud approach ours; iu wealth. Consisting
mutt largely of the industrious, enterprising and thrifty
portion of the community, they principally possess its
cempetency . Alai this is not locked up in the eeitere et
a few, but widely disturbed and actively circulitting.
Think of the material of which we consist ; think of it
not to glory in it, and may I nut speak of it to - beast of
it, but think of it as I would sneak. of it: modestly and -
Itunibly, only to appreciate toe responsibility connected
with it, Our people are the thinking, intelligent,
vigorous class the bone and sinew of society. of
,just. the
ar
Chacter and in just the position to be r:-!1 al itp.io t'o
the interests of the country and the world.
Think of our Ministry Rowell as of our membership.
It is a delicate subject for remark, and yet we cannot es
theate our duty irrespective of it., We recognize in our
ministrywhat is univereitily accorded to it, learning,
principle tal piety. 'The schools have traitiod it. Lit
.:nature,\ sc'ence and theology have inforno-d it. By u r_
lieity and b bit it grasps truth and right, and upholds
and promotes them. Integrity is its pillar. and Ilene,
the unbending and unyielding so conspicuous hi it. It
is nine-loving, God fearing,,Tesns-trusting: and if un
demonstrative, it is earnest. Paul is its model and iv pe.
Think of our polity, constructed for evangelization.
Especially think of its adaptation to the laud and the'
ago.—an ecclesiastical republic, a representative denim:, .
rt.cy. an American church exactly conformed to the'
Arnericau State, anal it free chili-eh - , to embody the up=7
riming and on-spreading ft , e-spirit of the world. --.-- - .
Think of the magnitude of the work of evangelization
and of the pressure and opportunity for it. Never was it
so displeYed to the Clituretn.: What .was the, world as
known to the apostles andearly Christians, compared
with the world as known to us! And hoW universally
and easily accessible it has become;-and how the ludo
sures in it are breaking-down and the obstructions r,i
th Mg ; and how Its antipodes approach ; and , how its
peopled mingle. This wonderful disclosure or tho XIICU,
aid this wonderful WI nr-communieatioil, proportion.
lady enhance enr duty? to it,. Providence his taken the
Hines of hernanity, and 'put them it quick and narrow
ferrying from us. Tho himilreds of milliiinS of the
heathen of the East are just across the channel a'r'm the
Christians of the West. The Orient almost touches the
Occident.
' Foreign missions have ceased to be an open question.
The churches, that were slow to recognize them,zmiloasly
prosecute them. Comparafively early as we - witFe in
them, and corn parativelr active and liberal as we , have
been, our short coining» affect us more than our doings.
We have fallen fur below the scale .of our duty to the
heathen world. We must be moire earnest. • Ldt ourte
union be the doubling at leant of.oltr foreign work:.
'There There in a difference in the degrees of nttention: . de ,
intended by different duties. The nearer objects lie to tie
the more chums they have upon us. Our principal work
of evangelization is at hare. It In closest to us, and, no
others can share in it with us, and there is an inimonsity
of it, and the present is iv critical tiros „ with it. Look at
our territory, comprehending mere than three Millions
and a half of square miles. Lock at our population.swol
len already to forty milli mit, spreading. like a flood over
the land ,and heaping up in towns. Our new communities
require right forming as much as nnevangelized cam
munition require reforming: Everything trotn foundaL
tion to top-stone ie yet to be laid, Churches are to he
gathered and organized, ministers' installed, sanctu
aries erected, 8011001 H and academies and colleges and
theological seminaries opened. .:Vral uo , time can be
lost. Everything depends an the present moment.
Error and evil HI rugglo for the arehiteeture. We must
art.'a end build; or' American society passes out Of our
hands.
4110 time had come for considering, evangelization in-'
dispensable to piety. It does as really helung to it as
devotion. • Every man, woman and -child• in our'com
muuluu feel as much bound to do and give what
he can for the conversion of the world tis to road the
Scriptures and pray. And we ministers Ought to accept
the promotion of the work as a part of our racial task.
We have regarded It too flinch tut (rubble of our sphere
andaunietimes even as all introsien upon it.. • We have
relinquished it to Secretarleaoind (coots,and possibly
repelled their approaches and forbidden their appeals:
'1 he limo lies come to loomme it as our business td enlist
the people in evangelization and to lead them on in
to look after its interests in our pAilshes
,and urge Ito
clainniand secure its supplies*.
The work ot , everigellaation turns attention to the
! training of the minlitry, as that le the getint 'agency for
prunioting it. Are we reol , predehers:Olvi pa Afars .for
the tinter. o 'Theological seminaries' graduate .the best of
their kind, bet 'loos their education develop A clue of
gifts particularly adtfnted to the present (rendition of
iociety 4! .Itlinfitere Mingle with . poonle more freoy_dn an
formerly. They are' members of the commdnity anti
meet all who belong td it' n terms ofdcomth tr , an aitize
TshipT - ithe -- ileitiltdrY. - 167 - 4.441114 7 41•01ilait ke r lk.,:bliange or
method. The pulpit is ; but one cirifj:no - shE It cannot'
set up its ba'teriei there , and ',reek content with
charging Mimi It-Must - Stour the country as -, woll
niinipte forts. While it loads the artillerielrinest corny
the smelt arms: , •Elaborattit preaching is necessary; ant
also; Impromptu and vfamiliarepeaking. .We neon to be
iyelljUrtitelted for the ' ianctuary, and reedy the
steamer and thastreot, , Something of the mariner of too
70pioitlottbruallnd4orugnin. ••!, , - •- • •• I ,
*The Ohttirch' hail Contributed for relit<
objecfkli reniarkablo, cOnaidering one leek of sot ,
4rietrand rtystcrit In the . oollgotions. Last 3rear -
tarried sa,arr 04.2 for ther Oxpehditures within our ,
) stegationiti and , 95,029 72i 43 for ObJellts.without ; their -
03014ptict18,4Pta.R0404?0401,.14.0rc PIA?, AI/
• •
PRICE THREE
And much ad the queetion has been disenesed i ollithokti
we note-omit:me to awl, : Is there not a less thorotighlf
educated class who' may be admitted to the ministry or
, commissioned for a quail ministry f Our stadents ister
schooled beyond humble pariahes. They are , net enfe
eble to them, and cannot be contented with them Amt.
•if our ety le of the ministry was • adapted 'to Citreiatire
theological seminaries are uuequal to the needftl
field, it cannot be multiplied enough.. Collmee eines
And has not the time come for organizing "teoinen's •
work? •It is invaluable now, but it Is not eystenistio. •
Rachdoes what her heart prompts and what nee, toseam:
dlate circumstances permit. No schemes of service are
constructed by us, and no special training farnisiked.
She teaches, v - hem mo inclined, in eunday and ihduatitial
and other charitable schools. and visits the ,negleetedi,•
and relives the needy and an ffering, but itie only see am'
incident.in her life, and on bar personal motion, autkae
cording to her convenience, and in such ways' as ohs
. herself may devise 'ore discover or learn andr'erithbat
more than such a general preparation as site may bawds
to have or acquire. It is wonderful that with amity ••de
sultory modes . she should have won"-
pliahed so much. Nothing but , the - comps
of -her . -nature . could • . have been ade
quate to it. The Church Is full of women, sighing 'for'
work.. They need occupation and desire: usefulness..
But they know not what to do, There Is no mph/Intent ,
open te hernommept of an ,occasional and caeneldhar
arter-nothing to keeethem steadily engaged:sail that..
taxes their powers' and - Pfliscipleeland raises their
Con. They need a species of profeseion.;• setae iirrenge.
melt by which theysliell preptiCeo foelabots of 'lave,.
and introduced into thorn 4 and
,niade regain r led perste- •
tebt In them; We would not' ['operate theme finite so
nor takeythem froncnietelsoineatieuttineethil-hent-r-----:"
Who are COIL partitively at leisure niftche - be•• gatiadred •
into societies, in which they shell ae.sociath fee metho
dical work. devoting themselves to menthe:al thelr
katairDPFS. and prosecuting it :intbject • toi•'.• Sonic, measurer
of rule.
_-_ 2l ie-eurtnert-ot-the-Debthere-deserveeisonsidera
Thetirst queetion that presents 'Moll , how to mak
this ample ; but innismolutily connected' telt!' it hie'th
question. how to make it ample, consistently ; with,-the
beet sentiments of 'the ministers and-the peoplee- • The -
Mode et it should be a means of grate to both. We vccrald
reconcile lie efficiency with the proper Independence of
the ministers and their special sympathy witirthelr
pyar
ticular parishioners and their sincere interest in all their
brethren, and in the whole Church ; and we 'Wouldalio
reconcile it with the attachment of the , people,witletheir, •
eeveral ministers, and their concern for , the-''redime-
try -and-ruemberehin of the• denomination at, - largo.: ---
The people are able and an/clout amply to - support
the tuimetry The only.. Kneen, of :a; deticieney he
given eased is . t he mode et raisieg amiappre erten:De - the •.
funds.'Sums have an abundance and:could havemore. - '
we others r from is lack. To some it is bounti
fully paid its a wi 11-earned compensation, and an offer
ing 01 gratitude andaffection and to others itis e tint
edly given a - charity. The_ pailty of_the ministry- is -
- tleas -- virtually -- dcetrayed - r -- amainferlorT — difisirelent, ----
eleemosynary class is created. The' seitre.spect of the
•minietry is tried, for applications for missionary' aid •
look like begging, and its reception like alms.takiiiig.
We cannotequalize situations. , They vary, in /maven.
-- Butonly - unavelditlaii diversities In the minion, should',
be allowed, anti the differences in the meant* . and: de
scription of ite support among us come-froni the eyeterix
raider which it is raised. Preneterianiamia a fra
ternity. Those who belong to- it extht, not as sepaxato
-unite,-but as-parte era whole. - Them'oereat ate trethree --
of the richest. Provision for.:,,the_tandlym
hit at a single table, and if It be not
beet rto draw • from a single store-room emus, we •
not make sure of similar' , fare and of its nal
,--eerear-enilieleney ?-.--• • Our-Scotch brethren' of thetletee-'-- -
Church provide for all their ministere by, the "
Sugton
tation Fund," as it is called. This is not a • permanent
investment, the income of which Is dietributed,•/elt -11
- 4 tum-that-la--eollected-ennually-.--like-the inner orour --
nlielionare societies. It is divided °gutsily, ever : xi:Moist
ter receiving a shere t tho parlehionera of each 'Making
such additions to it as they chose. Last - year theithetal
_mem
_:meet was .97L0.- The liumblest,paster-is--talus thus-insured a- - • :
competerit salary, add it is paid to-him without the de
lays and humiliations too cemmon here. If this be not
' a model far us to copy, may it not - suggest•ecomething.--
-that it would bq tvise!o r ite ..: • -
AO,Tillartes to etrangWizatioit are eriMlbeed, end we
• must - glye beed tenni. •Learnieg le the baudmaid of
religion. We have acted•on suck nn idea and the annals
oft lie petit maim honorable mention of its for it. Presby-
Tterienismisidentiliedwith - intelligence." Schools are its - -
nurseries; lied - ruction its trade.) :And • never cane
educational work more pressing than :now, • Roman- •
• him _.seekt • to :monopolize it.; < With echboltbi us •
invariably adynuote . -to -• Ca 'Mistake,. and., , nu
merous and multiplying seminaries, •: of " the
highest • __grades. - t . arim hods --of- ' teaehers - for --
them, they assail State systems' of instedetion. and V igi
'Aimee antlivlg or /dune can save tlins. • Primate .sp . 14:0 0 18
- are a public charge - . but - collesee and theological - ' swain
-.ltrielf domed oliatiou 61„) .and: -the l
needfu - -
oniargeneaut of times already , establisheil and the Men
ot many others that might to .be founded . ; mako
drafts upon Us WViakftilikliw-jnillion fund•wilt apt suf-'
flee to meet. rSiallT denominations; bate nntored'into
- Cote petition Wit if us, and those from whom we would
base least expected it, are fornildable rfeala, and to keels
abreast of them. we mu at uniciten_nuespeed. • .
are not•hurnant agencieg: 'n eetlf ill -an 'L . 1'1441'104 of- =-
evangelization. and in neglecting them do we ;Melon in
copying the Savior, who fed the• hungry and healed this
sick, and` the we net yield ite import. nt , advantage and
privilege to Romani= and Ritualism?, •
Different deuorn IiatIOUS eOC/Derate in the generdliiork
..of.evangel cation , but there is a . part to • o high ouch - he
especially(tempted. and to which each is especially as
signed. There le no doubt about a•• portion that belongs
to us. It lies In the three spheres of theology, piety and
- 'YE": great doctrines ef grace are COMMittel to par stern-'
ards/up. It devolves on us to keep and dieponsigetnetn.
Unr - Baptistbrothrantwhoproieset them, ` are . oecuped
with tile mode and subteen - of baptism, end 'ode emigre
gut iunal'brethreu with Moir eitutch policy ,Caw in
ism is cared for, it :mist be by ri, care for; it e ve will.
W ith all our hearts INT em brace it. •if not the :wholo of
Christianity, nor the whole of the substance of Chris
tianity, it is indispensable to Christianity. If moth. the
entire sanl of the moque' system of trntii, it is its spine,
and upholds it. And never wale lialvenien" men Irlaailtat
11111 U now. The theology of the day' is effeminate . and
flimsy. We must given' backbone. ' • : -
Our type of piety is distinctly defined. Intelligence,
principle and depth of experience cottilittito its distin
guishing traits.. Its emotions stir the soul , ,,ud;.ttre too
profound always to appear. Its feeling is interne', and
aroused by cemeideratton. It Is -conviction rather than
excitement. Truth is its inspiration and supply.
is not II& just the piety demands& by the times?
man thought is chaotic, Society is eureing. Tholight
and tloating must be shattered. 'The Magnet' alone
live. No open persecntiou is waged-,and Witutiss
beari lig is required. The hostility to truth is Auras and
bemusing lurions r and: nothing bet' the ,martyte spirit --
can encounter it. Presbyterian piety id Ain*. •It can
Yee,. prisous aril tacks and !staked, • : : •-•
The : popular Jed meat denies us the pathetic, but ac
cords nee the ethical. • Sturdy. yrs/top/a apprises -in , the
Portrait drawn ot, us. Anti whatileserietiomof meo are
more needed lung: BiShbnieity - is.the e . rinio of the day.
- The - fOlindatkalfrOf
•Driniey, Ow halite to get 'rich, the' spirit of on
'trove gam's, the passion for adventure, the frenzy of
fashion and plume ure, arc alir(1111i in the world, and fraud
' convulses it. W knoweth whether we are come in our- - -
integri:y for such it time Its this ?
Fathers and brethren, conflicting sentiments struggle
within us. We celebrate our union buoyant. with jay.
Leery face miles. Every rye op-trifles. Every Voice
rings. Every heart bounds. lint serious thoughts, gismo
ie. lieeponsibillty eubilues exhilaration. A sten of
duty sobers delight. We tremble meter elm obligationa,
while elated by our blessings. Could more bo eont-Tred
and devolved upon n church.? And yet responsibility is
not necessarily oppressive, Onportituity gives it wings
and lifts us up with it. - And wits ever oelporturtityi like
ours? ilow greed the work before as ! flow timely the
ago! Bow appropriate the field !. With blic it spit& of
religitin, a spark of enterm fee, it dpary,. ef, menitood,
zeal roust buret into a ' •
And what translated gpitita gathc•r, aboitt ns. lireba
and Brainerd, heady of the committee to prepare for
this festival—the Richardses, Fishers, I,llillors...A.lncin
tiers. who while on, oarthwould have been so glad to at
tend it—the °teens aid liTinionit and:RaXters end Elps-
. and junking and Wilgens and ,IhreChOrs, owe in, the
thickest of the conflict botireen - ins. but now-nearest nearest
genie'. at the table with'ini—tho Edwardses. Wither
spoOns, Smiths, Rodgerses. Wilsons ' and \V'addells of
the former period of, restored fraternity • • tho Alllsons,
, Crosses, Tennant° and Biafra of the tirst'disruption, and
the °Mendes,llutehinsiang•Dicklnaoas, Potaborgens,
Piersons, Burrs coeval with it, but not participutts in
it ; the Makendes, ilamptons.' lilacknishes. Androwses,
our American fathers; Win Calving, 'Z w (ogles, Illioxes.
our foreign ancestors ; Paul, our apostle, and his
asso
ciates. •
flt And while present at our lentil, and joyous with: - us,
how eagerly they will watch our work. Danny in, our
union, they are anxious for our fidelity. " Wher,•fore.
seeing we are commies& about with 80 great a cloud of
witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and tho. sin
which loth so easily beset ns and let Ile run with.
pittlel4Ce the race , that is set In•ore us, looking onto
Jesuit; the author and finisher of our fid•h !" •
The sermon, which occupied an hour and a
quarter in its delivery, was closely attended to,
by the large audience. At Its close Dr.Jaeobust.,
arose and announced that the sessiomof the,
Assembly -would be freely open to the ; public.
11 - e.then said,-:." The General Assembly of tho
rresbyterian: Church in the United States or
(America will.conie to order." . •
Tile Assembly was then opened with prayer
by thin Rev. Dr. Jacobus . , ..Moderattr of "the ,
last Old School Assembly, who afterwardsnn,.
nounoed that as many • commissions had: been
found•defective t be would appoint, a. Commit—
, tee on Commissions, composed of Riiii.George
'C. Heckman ' . D.., Rev. Samuel b.f.:-Morton.
and David Robinson,o Esq...to ,W.hrom all such.
commissions should be referred,. ,
The then
_Wok a recess P.
--A Chinese lady of rank in' San Francisco
walks attended by.throe nAide of honor _baar
ilig lighted fiticlCS. or; gunk, highly poi:hinted.
" lief - face la painted with areckless disregard
of expense, and her hair is saturated with oil.
Running tbioughltlicils not at the:hac k. of, her
heats is, an ivory. 0 --
duratkbell. - Oh her: he
'graCefully Waving In'the ' a flower,
=which; front the fertilising effebte - olf. 'lum
p:odd to hAVl)*;iejudged, to be.indigne:o l 47t,,B,e2r
o,hort,hlgbly l eolored dress is hefintlAhur
`eratiokierti•d and'her feet tine °noised in 'tha
‘`ttlgtoruaty estnoe4babedaina44ll4,7, .
;:--
MSS
~ a .. _
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