1111
card to Boards. On the other band, I do . not
Aiscard the theories of Dr. Bodge; on the con
trary, I endorso them entirely aiskcirculate them
among my ,pupils. Dr. Hodge luts even had to
send to my room for the book when, he wanted it.
With regard to the " Divine right" Presbyte
rianism, I probably go farther than Dr. Hodge,
but not so far . as Dr. Thorhwell . ' But an article
has appeared in the Princeton 2teviete, on the
Eldership,. to- which lint opposed. If Dr.
Hodge endorses it, we differ, and that is the first
point of diverfienee. But what of that ? Do
you expect men lb agree en all points? When I
first went to Princeton, six years ago, Dr. Hodge
took me by tbf Afoul, and 'he has given mo his
aid and counsel ever since. Those is perfect
harmony among the Professors nt. Princeton.
There alwkys ,has been, and I believe there
always will be. ns long as the present Professors
remain tegetlet. What! I at enmity with Dr.
Hodge l hid rather go to Africa, and die
there, than ,live in a state of alienation from my
beleved , brother',. Dr. Hodge.
Dr. KAEns then proceeded with the discussion
of the unfinished business, contending that the
Boards, as now constituted, were not chargeable
with the defects alleged against them, and read
ing a lecture about matters and things in geneial
to all who undertook to oppose, or investigate,*
change the policy of the Boards..
S PVENTI-1 DAY. • -
Thursday Morning, May 24-0 0'00414.
Assembly twit., After the usual devotional ex
ercises, the Minutes of yesterday were rend and
approved. •
Dr. ATiVATiIt, from the Committee on Mr.
Chiniquy and his Colony, eported. Report re
committed; with instructions to report more
definitely the work to be done for this people,
and the amount of money necessary. • Major
Preston was added to the Comniittee.
Dr. Knurls, Cliairmum of the Committee on the
Report of the Doard of Publication, reported as
follows :
Eclotred, That.thls Assembly recognize in its Board of
Publlcation,sui agency of incalculable importance for aiding
in the spread of Divine truth, and rejoice to learn that it has,
during the last year, published over one million copies, being
the largest number ,by tints hundred and forty-one theusand
copies, ever issued In any year of the Board's existence, and
equal to nearly en eighth of the entire number ineutal by the
Board during its wimp: lilstory.. ,
Resoleed, - That' Bid Asseuibly hereby expreeses its appro
bation of the Board'ei continuing to make grants of books. to
needy Sabbath Schools. ministers, and feeble churches—and
to Individuals for
. gratuitous distribution. And it would
earnestly ret-6toritei2d the Special Distribution Fund of the
Board, from which these grants are made, to the coneidera
tion andlhe contributions of the churches, end of pious In
dividuals; and especially recommends to Sabbath Scitonle to
aid the Board la this work of making grants or Sabbath
School books and libraries to moisten and other needy
echoole.
Resoluta, That the Assembly would renew its former
recommendation.' to Sabbath Scheele; to give the preference,
in procuring libraries, to the books of our own Board.
Resolved, That the Assembly expremes its gratification
with the activity and energy, with which the work of cl
portage hue been prosecuted by the Board, in increasing the
number of Its colporteura in the field during the past year
more than twenty.flve per cent., and in accomplishing by
t vise eolporteurs, a larger amount of work than In any
turner year of the lkmrd's existence, thus carrying by their
Woke and tracts, and by the conversations and the prayers
of those devoted and self-denying laborers, the words of
eternal life to Vast numbers; of our fellow men in every part
of title great country and . the adjacent British Provinces.
Rejoined, That the Assembly approves of the employment
by the Beard of,n supervisory Claaa of colporteurs, er District
SuperintenderdsoM likely to glee still further activity and
extension of tide inmortant work of colportage.
Ruolred, That the Assembly approves of the very decided
improvements recently mode by this Board, in the Sabbath
School Visitor, and it dues hereby earnestly recommend that
paper to all our diarrhea and Sunday Schelde.
Rerired, Thatoyhi let the Board nod its officers have at all
times cheerfully recognized the right of the members of the
Aisombly to make Mutative into its operations and ate-man
agement, and readily throws open its affairs to the inspection
el all persons In the. Church who have the rights Individ
nOs to demand it, it has In all times past given, and new
giTes,anch replies as have been in a high degree satisfiwtory;
u.../ the As.crubly rejoices In the evidence afforded of energy,
efficiency. and program, with all reasonable economy, which
has been manifeett.4 by the Board, in every department of the
great work entrusted to Its hands.
Report. alcepikl.•
During the year there have been published
81 new bouks, of n•6ich hare lteen printed 108,500 . eoples.
63 new 12mo. Tracts 289.000 •
7 new 13mo. Tracts 15,000 •
O( the Sermon before the last General As
sembly. by I'. V. Moore, ILD
Preebytertan Family Almanac for 1860
Totnt copies of new
. publications
Roptints of former publications: •
Copies of books.
Copies of Tract{.
Total copies of reprint of books and Tracts.. 641,760 "
Total copies of publications during the year,
March 1.1.8.30-t0 1,067,1150
Total number of copie4 of hrioks and Tracts
published by the Board since its,organtza-
lion * 8,700,138 "
This exhibits the largest number of new books and Tracts
evw issneltin one yew, as, well as the largest aggregate of
publications'ls,V HUM/ copies.
The total . q;^ . dtsiithastina N c4a follows
Saks of volumes at the Dopoottory •
Halos of vol itgas by. Colportou rm..—
Given by Colpoiteuro
tiranted by the .Executlso Committee....
. Total of ; volumes distributed
which is an increase of 54,712 volutuca on the distribution of
the prerlen . yulr.
Tho distribution of 'tinges of tracts has been as followa :
Stles'at the Depository 880405
Distributed lip Col parte u tit 2,1614511.1
Grsithal by the Executive Committee 41:4=2
Total pages of tracts distributed
Doing an ineresele of 88D,770 pages in the disfribution 'over
the year before.
The net valuc of those igenes of the year is as follows:
•
Saha n
tho De $42,141.49
Sent to Sendonnee. Xuthors, and Zditora 4010.77
Sales by Colportage 47,517.72
Home and ' "4.427.12
Sabbath School 1114t0r..—...,
• Total • • ' • $103,527.79
•
The Catalogue nide rof the above aggregate of the year's
distributions iaover UAW); the difference being made up
of discounts allowed bablergymen, theological students, Sab
bath Sehools,infokeellers, Synodical depositories, Foe.
•
Dr. liazrs, in remarking on the Report; said
that the balance slice/ had been presented to the
Committee, but it,was not thought advisable to
read it..rik.tlWAspirribly. To do this would be to
allow all :publishing houses to know the
state of our business. If we could clear the
house it would he.proper to read when none but.
the Assembly Were present. But any member of
the Assembly could see it.
Mr. SCIIENCAC , , , Secretary of the Board, was in
troduced. lie,said . the Board was in an unusual
state of prosperity. That by the adoption of
the cash syStem; they obtained the printing of
their publicatiotislOrty Per cent less than any
other publishing house. And to illustrate the
fact, 'ho held tip `for comparison two copies each
of several works, the one being pablished by the
Board and' the other by a private house, and in
each case, there, was a difference in price in
favor of the Bciiird, of from , thirty to forty per
cent. • .
Dr. W. S. !WHITE moved the adoption of the
.report, and spoke of the good effects produced
by the circulation of the books of our Board
among the people, and the beneficial effects of
colporteura' service on pious students in Hamp
den'Sydney College and the students of the
Theological Seminary at the same place.
•Rev. Mr. Yoiisa.inquired if it was not possible
to publish the Yitifor semi-monthly.
Dr. SCIIENCR replied that this would double
the price, and the Board on this account had. de
termined. to issue. it •as a monthly. It ;would
gratify the. Board if the Assembly would give its
advice on the subject.
• Dr.:Rai:as• said, that in full view of all the
features of the
,seas, the Committee had declined
to recommend, the publication of the Visitor
semi-monthly.
Rev. Mr. ; Youpto moved that the Board be di
rected to issue the Visitor twice a month.
Dr. KREBS read , from. the report the reasons
given them for kmonthly publication.
A memberloped no change would be made.
It is a good thing now. To publish it .semi
monthly would . increase the cost and diminish
the circulation. , ;If the present Assembly orders
a semi-monthly,,thenext Assembly will be asked
to order.a weekly,. and then a daily. •
Dr. Boaanniproaid that he disagreed with the
majority of..,the .Executive Committee on this
matter. Memberk had better pause ; they would
be called to,accetint upon their return. He be
lieved that the Church would prefer a semi
monthly. 'People would rather give sixteen dol
lars for the.squii-monthly improved. Visitor than
twelve dollars for it in the old form.
Adjourned..., !Closed with prayer.
'•; Afternoon Besalon--3 O'Cleek.
Asdembly,tnet..:%ened with prayer.
The memoritit of Mrs. RICHARDSON was al
lolled to be Withdiawn.
The ReOrt of Alto Committee on Theological
Seminarics.**de the second order of the day
to-mertovi - morning.
The consideration of the Report on the Board
of Publication wutst . continued.
AN
Dr. BOARDH said the Executive Committee
wished to know from the Assembly whether a
monthly or 'shMl-monthly issue of the Visitor
should be Made:
Dr. SOO% of California, was in favor of the
paper being lashed semimonthly. We wanted
the beat and inet4 attractive paper that could be
got up. The Pfesbyterian Church would . not be
tuttistied with, a paper of inferior quality. The
paper must be' good and cheap.
The Rev. Mr. DOTY wished to have the paper
twice a month. The republication of old stories
in book form would not do. The religious news-
Jutiper was the thing wanted by the young. The
books are but seldom.
Rev. Dr.- Doageox was in favor of even a
weekly pape r, and would vote for it to-day. They
needed a paper every Sabbath. Children would
not read books as when we were children.
The, oirc*lation ,of this paper in our Sabbath
Schools, where children from all ranks were
gathered, would aid in making not only Chris
tians, but . Presbyterians • the children were dis
appointed when the sem i-monthly did not come.
'He believed the Church would Make a wise and
, happy expenditure, if they to-day would under
take to issue a weekly Sabbath School paper.
Dr. Warrn believed that one of the crying
evils of the day' was a multiplicity of news
' vapors. He did not wish the children to have
ig Sabbath School paper every week. The paper
- 4agidoett meetly, of little scraps and good stories.
.iihnsed to the change because he did
iiiikwish to, f ;titer in children'the habit of reading
•
sowsp . " ap . bra excludirigy.
.•- •
.
Mr. TAYLOR said it. was not.a question of one
paper every Sabbath, but of a Presbyterian
paper every Sabbath. They,Would IttiV.e a paper
of name kind. Parents and otheri • reed the
papers, and great good had been done in this
way. Ho wanted Sabbath School papers of a
Presbyterian cast.
Mr. ERNST said if the Committee had corres
ponded with the superintendents of the Sabbath
Schools, they would have been able to have
formed a more correct judgMent. He had used
this paper in hip Sabbath School from the be
ginning, and was grieved when he learned of the
change. If the paper continued to be a monthly,
it would cease to be taken in many schools. It
was not trashy ; it contained sound and whole
some reading. . •
Mr. Ksmrsitatt said we were launching out on
a sea of debate, and moved the previous ques
tion. Motion lost.
It was then moved that.the paper be published.
semi-monthly at twelve dollars. . .
Mr. CLARK said the laymen Ware interested ,in
this; every teacher was interested in this thin mat-.
ter.
. Dr. BoaansmN said that the members of Con:
gress'were charged with voting themselves ferias.
D. would no doubt be pleasant for Ministers and
; Sabbath Schools to Vote themselves papers Mid
;Sabbath School libraries.' The Board could' not
stand this; ruin would be inevitable. Already •
this, paper coats the Board one thousand dollars
'a year.
Mr. Warms asked, if even admitting what
had been said, the children should be nog!
Meted. • • •
Mr. Firzmona thought he saw right_ through
the'subject, (taking ou 'Ms coat.) . Let-ifs pUb
litth'a bi-monthly until we circulate one hundred
'thOusand",popies, and then publish a weekly'. '
(Laughter:).
• Mr: BRADFORD said that he wished to have
'the paper twice a month ; it Would be better to
have it once a week. The circulation of the
Sabbath School paper in his school hadincreased
the attendance greatly. He had to supply ' them
with a paper every Sabbath: The'eldere on this
floor could increase the circulation to one hun
dred and twenty thousand during tlm• year, lif
they could go home and tell their schools that
this paper was now to be issued semi-mogthlVt ;
Mr. SPENCER said that this was a ml* iritie
ter than dollars and cents. The Pr esbyterian
Chbroh was not to stagger at the hissfor - one
thousand dollars in•addomplishing a great' Work.
Various remarks were • then made,. but the
" noise and confusion " were so great that' we
could not hear what was said. • " • ,
The amenclment , was lost and the reporttidopti.
ed. The eldership voted for the semi-monthly
almost in a body. . •
It was made the first order of the day for Mon
day afternoon, to fill all vacancies in the'lloards:
It was made the second order of the day for
to-morrow afternoon, to appoint the time and
place of nest meeting. ' .•
The folloliing Committee was'appointed on the
Bose and. Foreign Record: Walter Lowrie,
The unfinished business was taken viz.;
the consideration of the Repoit of the Committee
on the Board of Missions.
Dr. BOARDMAN' took the floor.
He contended that the time chosen for the
discussion was most. propitous, because - never
in the history of the Church bad God so signally
blessed the operations of the Boards. We had
reason to lament that we had given so little and
done so little, and yet what we had done had;
been accomplished through the agency of this
system. And yet we hear from a learned Pro=
lessor in one of our Theological Seminaries, that
our system is not in accordance with the Word of
God, and that in the establishment of these
Boards, we are invading the prerogatives of
Jesus Christ.
He referred to the. division of the Church in
:36 and 'BB, and said that the New School breth ,
ren had at length learned by bitter experience
the truth of the principles they discarded then,
and for which we are now contending.
In reference to Dr. Thornwell he stated that
he was an eloquent speaker, Who charmed:V.
his tones, and'he.hoped it would be saidof lain;
as one of old, that his voice is as one who.. 1114:(
well upon an instrument, and the people love to
hear his words, but they do them not. And so
he hoped it. would always be as long as he
teaches the doctrines he has•advocated here.
As he understood the brother, his doctrine was
that the Church 'was absolutely prohibited : by her
groat Head from creating any agency that, was
not, absolutely necessary, and that agenisy t too t
must, be of the simplest form. .".
3,000 "
20,000 "
415,1,00
195,250
446,:k0
Dr. Thdrnwell had said that in creating. Boards
we were casting . a reproach upon the Bavinur.
The-speaker could hardly, credit his hearing—ii
was an astonishing declaration. They contend
ed for a "Thus saith the Lord" for- everything:.
Where do they get their authority for a Board
in a Theological Seminary? And yet, two of
these gentlemen are here as representatives of
Theological Seminaries. How do they sleep'
quietly upon their pillows while these Boards
remain?
The speaker referred to the paraphernalia of
theTabarnaele, and styled the speech of Dr.
• Thornwell as Levitical in the extreme... lie did
not belive that Presbyterianism hi all its details
was found in the Bible, although its fundamental
principles were. He referred to Dr. Iktirdls.-As
sembly Digest in high terms, and stated that
had carefully examined that book, and from be.
ginning,to j end he could not find a t single . foot
print or ligament of this High Church Presby- .
terianism. ; .. •
Dr. BOAIID3fAti was called on to coptinne -his
remarks,
but was compelled to.Aecline, owing to
physi c al exhaustion.
Dr. B. N. &atm obtained the floor.
Adjourned with prayer.
.241,050
.124,038
. 14.020
. 6,101
WE
:t . 445.22 t
Friday Morning, May 2:1--9 O'clock.
Assembly met rind spent the first half
devotional exercises,
The Minutes of the last session were read' an d
approved. • -
. .
. The Judicial Committee reported the ap peal of
Joseph - Templeton, from the Synod of 11iiiiseuri;
recommending that it be.dismissed, as the appall.
was without date or signature. Also, the appetl
of John Turbitt, from the Synod of - DinolS;
placed on the docket. Also, the appeal tend
complaint of Messrs. Koons and others, fiON
the spiod of 5 13altimore. In this case the oeri
sons appealing prepared a paper, some time ago;
*containing gross charges against a minister,lnd
laid it before the Prqsbytery of Carlisle,'.while
- .they at the same time refused to appear as'pros-.
'eenters. The minister was tried and acquitted,
and the Presbytery required those who had pre-'
pared the paper, but who were . unwilling at
tempt to substantiate it by evidence, to be re. ,
buked and admoriiithed. They Appealed to the
Synod of Baltimore; but that body in the. main
.Sustained - the decision of the Presbytery; and
from' this action they appealed to the General
Assembly. Report recommended that the :only,
paper to be - read in the cgse, itas the one laid by
thetie persons before the Presbytery at fitst. • Re-.
port accepted and adopted, and theconsideration
of the ease made the third order of - the day for
this afternoon. •
Also, that the appeal of James H. Spilman
from the Synod of Kentucky, be made the order
of the day for Monday afternoon. Adopted.
The Moderator stilted that the Chairman'of the
Conimittee on Theological Seminaries was unable
to. report this morning.
Dr. Paints than read 'a notice stating that
tickets for. the excursion to Niagara, to-morrow,
were, now in the hands of the Committee, and
also gave various notices connected . therewith;
giving information that those going on ex
cursion would be expected to pay for thei.i din
ners at. the Cataract House, but that in consider=
ation' of the fact' that the members Of this
Assembly are remarkably. abstemious, awi . very
light eaters, the charge to them :would.' only be
half the usual price, viz:, fifty. cents. [Laughter.]
The Report of the .Committee on Vileoicgical.
Seminaries was then presented. The Report-was
in substance as follows:
• .
There have been added to the Library, 2 / 3 .5 volumes.- Whole
number of volumes in Library, 18.113. Willi remtrd - to the
erection of new building, the Committee wee amitortzed to
proceed with its erection whenever the bequest of Mr. Brown,
of Baltimore, is made available, provided the coek.of the
building does not exCeeil 830,000.
. .
No. of new etudents during the year 84
Whole No. of • " •• • • 180.
Many of therSenfor Clan are devoted to the great' work of
Missions. Certificates of haring completed their fnll warn of
studies have been given to thirty-seven students...
The Committee ouggeet That the Amienibly appoint Boyne
one to relieve Dr. from rho duties of the Rhetorical
Department, the duties of two Departments having fallen
upon him in coneequence of the death of Dr. Alexander; and
the Committee further auggeat the name of the Rev. C. Blister
Bodge, for the Chair of New Testament Literature and Bibli
cal Greek.
They further suggest that licensee be withheld , from
sholents until the close of the vacation in order to secure
twwyears study, before being. licensed. '
ITLBTEIt 211EOLOOICA1. lIENINAIti: •
No. of new I/tn.:lollft '• ' • • '4ft
Whole No. of •'
Comiiirted full course • • 27
•
.. ..
Five new Scholarships have been founded.- •.
... •
The Committee recommend thet the ktofeetiorehips of .80.
clestastical History and of the. Compoidtion and 'Delivery of
dosrmons, ha divided lum two Professorships:.one of Biblical
and Ecclesiastical history, to he tilled by the p,resont iticum
beht, the other to be filled by some one elected thereto by
the present General Assembly.
EN TON THEOLOGICAL HEYINART, TA.' ' '
Whole number of students
New students. • 24
Completed full course a
Library inereised by 100 volumes
ltev. Thos. E. Peek has beta elected to the Professorship of
Church .. lllstory and Government. and he ines accepted the•
swam The Assembly are asked to confirm his eitntion.!
Report accepted:
It was made the order of the day for Tuesday
morning at 10 o'clock, to proceed to : the election
of Professors in the Theological Seminaries of
Princeton and Allegheny.
Upon motion of Dr. SPRING, the .Moderator
led in prayer for the Divine direction in this
election.
.
Dr. ATwarss. pricanted the Report re-commit-.
ted yesterday, concerning Mr. Chiniquy slid his
• . • „ ;
EIGHTH .DAY.
IMUCCETON BE,VII.IiART.
PRESBYTEMA:'. BANNER.-SATURDA Y; JUNy,
•
tteport accepted, and Anitdei the biditr of the
day for Monday evening.
Mr. CUINIQUY Was invited, to addiess the As
senility on 'Monday evenini.
The Committee on Church Eiiiensioulben re
ported.
The Report of this Coinmittee._was-itublisbed
by us last week.
Dr. llainn said that the Committee'on - Church
Extension asked to have the tuune ohangiid, be
cause the Now School' had it Committee• of the
same, name ;.heeause, the name..Cemmittee was,
rather a disparaging one in the estimation of the
people, when compared;';with..the term Board;
and because the phrase. Church E,xteresion.waa not
.definite enough, and might be applied Ao,:all the
various schemes of the Church.; And. - therefore
asked that the name be changed to•thal,of.Board
of Church
. Brection..
Mr. COEi ,th,o Secretary, then set forth, in a few
words, the claims of. this agency. • , „.
~On motion of Dr. B. M. ;TR, the•name was
changed to that of Church Builekg.
:Report adopted.
The unfinished business was taken up, Dr.
SMITH having the floor. :
Adjourned to 8. ; 1'..M.,., ; ~• ,•:..
'• • • • '•' 1, 8 O'Ohiik.
, The Assembly met, ; and opened . with
prayer. • • " •
Rev. Dr. Drexsox, in tiehnlf of . .ioseph M.
Wilion, of Philadelphia, compiler and publisher
of ther rrerrbyterian Almanac, presented the Gen-
A..sembly with four hundred copies 'of the
•ItiOgural Addresses of the ,Prefessors of the
NOrth-west era Seminary... ' .
These were accepted, ;and
lthO thanks of the
Assembly were tendered to M. Wilson.
• .4oports of Committeeti on Synodical Record
were CalletifOr. ' ,
. .
' The Peventh Presbyterian church cof,-Philadel
phis *asfeliesen for the place of neit *eating.
2lieliteport of the Committee on,the - F4hd"for
StVersitinuated and Disabled Ministe*was,yead.
The wants of this Fund were set forthlx:D*
13oAnnuAll and CIIEESEMAN. The are
many; there is much suffering;
of the largest Presbyteries din* out more'ilian
iive. Many touching instill*: 4f, the
'suffeimgs of disabled and superatinnitiaff' . fainia.
508 are continually brought to light.. • ,
"The ,Report was ordered to be printeff Vii, the
'Appendix to the Minutes,' and the attention
:the Presbyteries was earnestly tO
Matter.. •.• 4 •
The p . reiehing of t h e tioinlon,fm Chiure r. itlx
tension, was .postpon e d ? .': '4lll
Sabbath evening, dna ille•Asserabli enfet.
,upon the of tl.ie Ae4lisortkoeb'q
'Discipline this evening.' • 4
The Judicial' Committee
.rePei . teff *okin'Tith
respect to several cases pennin g, and ler:their,
dismission. itePert adopted. , • ' •
The unfinished business v - aslaieri 13 . 0r.13.
M. S?tirn still having the floor. •:,
He said that what we wanted was : 1. The rel.
view and.control of the reeCoide of the' Boards:
This could be easily done. The recordtt, of•a,
year could be examined in le* hiturs.
2. That the Secretaries shill be .- elicted:or font..
years.' This would keep from them 'gip 'fear. of
the June election. 3. A reduction 0r . ,t.44 size of
the Boards and a change of function ' Thirteen
members were *yie . wouhrOpk:lozip . thnin
quasi General Assemblies. This change was
needed in the Boards:of Domestic; Mis
sions and Educatikin. If this plan were adopted
the beneficial effects would soon be • seam- 41 , less
five years. Re Would like to see this s p . O.Or
laid on the table . for the considfrationernnother
paper, bit woul d talie`adeantoge of h iS post= . •.•. .•.
tion to make 'such a motion.
. . .
Tho s previous , question waa called, by Dr. BLav
isier: The Mo t ion . .preirailig: • The 'vote was
thei r takei the:yeas and nays...
Rev. SAINRML J. BATED, D.D., was exeide4 from
•ioting, bec ause lie did not know what: organic
change me ant
.; lio was in favor of some change,
big not of an orgeritie change. .
Rev. R. F...Saairts,•of the PresbYtery . of Cr . ?
liala c was excused for the same reason.
Also, Mi. JANNIER,. of the' PresbYteiy .of
Lodians.
The result was, ayes, 234; noes;; 51i; •
°used; 3.
So the .13oard,.leihaka withesit: any organic
change.
Dr. SPRING ; vialied. that the remainder of the
,
Report be indefinitely postponed.
Dr. BOARDMAN reminded the Assembly that
. ,
thisiDoald was a subject of great agitationfor the
last two . years. It rma still an open :tin:Cation
*heater the Church ipproved the action of• the
'Beira,. taken some months ago, concerning its
management. lie deprecated; this preieeding as
zniktliievous and unworthy
,Of this AssaiOly.
Adjourned to 74 o'clock. ' ' '
Evening Besiklonl.l4/o'qedu
Assembly met. .
Dr.lbi. M. &oil. moved thaftietiviseitooli
of Diseipline be adopted. i
,
' •Dr. lkativErir opposed the adoption Of the ar
ticle on Appeal's, as amended- It opened a wide
door for all manner of trouble' on the part of a
disaffected person, or a person under cenaute.
Dr; BROWN moved to consider the Revised
120ok,"'ierinint chapter by chapter, and voted on
**tailor', by section. Adopted. The first chapter
was.read: • •
Dr. THORNWELL Was requested'to state what
changes had been made. The.flint section was
adopted.
It was moved to adopt the second section.
Mr. J. H. moved to insert the old pbrase,
"Member of the Church," instead of "professed
believer," as now proposed.
Dr. BOOOCK opposed the change ; common sense
taught us that we could not discipline those who
were merely baptized, and who had not made a
profession of faith. Be would consider' it an
honor to be a member-of an Assembly that would.
relieve'a Session from the requirement of doing
*hat it could not do. Nothing on the face of. the
earth required the - Church - to exercise its author-:
ity. The Revised Book would be exceedingly
_valuable if it did 'nothing more- than make.zthia
change; you cannot discipline•those whti• do not!
acknowledge your authority. •-• ; •
.Mr. Rion said that it surprised him that :any'
one should wish to bring the principle:s of the
Church down to its practice. The Chitral 'wanted
this•as•the last defence' of ,the :doctrine. of in
taut baptism. iWe:could not afford to discard,the
children of the-Church. The object of discipline
was not punishment, but benefit. , To adopt, the
idea of the previous speaker, was to give - up the
whole doctrine of infant baptism. - The most' de
plorable results mustfollow. We surrender all
that we claim for our children through the cov
enant of grace.
Rev. Mr. CONDIT said that those who bad gone
before us, considered their children members
the Church, and it. was the duty of parents, to
consider their children, and -treat them so, as
members of the Church, subject to its, watch and
care. They were not to be turned loose: upon, the
world as having none to , care for them,. ...k•hap
tined child, if; slandered ; had a right to ask the
,f.lhuroh:t4 investigate the case, and protect his
`character. He would not remove this' ancient
land-mark.. Ile could not, believe that. theio.Gen
evil Assembly would cast off our childreigibe
cause we had been remiss. ' ••:- .
Dr. AIIhISTRONO said there was a mistaken 'no
tion about baptism. The child of the :believer
was born in the Church, and baptism was simply,
a public recognition of the fact. Adopt. the
idea that the baptized child is a proper subject
of discipline, for his offences,. and you excom
municate him—just put him where he was before
—you shut him out from the communion, wheie
he had never been. To cast him
,away from.the
Church altogether is what.you have :no..xight: to
do. The faithful urging of the relations of the
:baptized to Christ, is a potent means•oftbringing
them to consider their duty. • . _
Adjourned till Monday morning! at 9 iiVelciek;
•
Clased with prayer. .!: 4i.:
NINTH . DAY.
_Monday. Morning, May 28-9 trollogt.
Assembly met.
The; devotional exercises this morning:were
made unusually solemn by a statement from the
Hon.. WALTER LOWRIE that, according•to recent
intelligence from China, the great city,of Hang
Chou was invested, by the ;rebel% and. would
be probably. captured. Our missioni:at :Ningpo
•and our mission at San Poh are each- enly,ifitty
miles distant. The American Consul, who: is :a
pious man, had directed our missionaries- at
those places, to make an inventory of their go . ods,
and to be prepared to remove. at :moment's
warning. The lives of our brethren-are not,sup,
posed to be in danger, -but if the ; •rettels obtain
possession of those places, the missionary work
there will be greatly retarded for the present.
The prayers .of the Assembly and thet.wbOle
Church were staked in behalf of our brethren and
their,, work, which has made groat progress
lately at Ningpo. .. 1. • : • • ' '
The - Minutes were read and approved. , -•-.
McCaliater, Jackson, Stewart, Gifford,
Campbell, Witherow,levetiworth, Fisk, ,Elliott,
Wilson, and Foreman, having been absent...on
Friday afternoon, obtained leave to record, .their
votes—all voting.-in the affirmative :except -the
.first, who voted in the negative. . 01 . „
• Dr. TIIORNWELL gave notice, .in-behalf. of him=
self and others in rho minority,in the ,vote,laken
on _Friday evening, of their intention to en%er
protest. . • '
On motion, the protest was rend.
The following. Committee was appointed to.an
ewer the protest: . .
Drs. Brown„ Hodge, and White,. and
Clark and Burn. *.
The Committee on Bills and Overtures reported,
recommending that the .prastiee of having
preachers for ,each of the Boards, at. each meet
ing of, the Assembly, he abolished.
The appointments already made were rescinded.
Committee recommended that , the request:of' the
Presbytery
. of potter, . for a , neW krefiby feu; to
include, severaliponnties in .loTra.:,lx),:granted.
,Thitkis 811 . ktply4.. division of the , Presbytery. : Of
Ciadicr: Pe Luther iro-
pointed- to ilireachr thes„operihit sermon: of die,
new PreabAry, wtdiSh iko bil(*alled TOTedo. ,
Also';: ifirerttire thQ chords of
tthePrOSbylefr
. Blodiiiihgtanc...
This overture inquired Whether a Presbytery has
a, right to dissolve a church' without inquiry and
against the expressed wish of the people ; and
whether the act of a Presbytery is binding on an
individual or a Presbyterywhen it comes back
overthe Presbytery, after .,
the Synod rest:ores- i
church chill fins Veen ' '
, Mr. CORNELISON saidbe.was the representative,
of the Presbytery of Bloomington. This was
the first, intimation given that suell an Overture
had been presented. The reasons for the action
of the Presbytery. were not beard, but would,
have been. it' it had been known that such- a
-paper ,as this would have !been' sent to the As-
Asembly. He would give the, reasons.
• • .Called to • order by 'Major PRZEITOP, beam..
;travelling out of -the road. :• • . • •
Mr. C.. replied; that by, thisviruling no reply
was possible... . .• .
Dr..T.nosnwELL thoughtthatalfseAeserably had
no right to decide the matteiti the.present state
'of the. ease. ThO matter,should come :up. as • a
complaint or appeal. 1 • •••• • • • • • •
.riteportaaid on the - table : .
.. ,
Abst. that the. Church; of. Yellow chapel. be set
,ilterifrOm the Presbytery •:•of Potomac.•to•thaVof
Sast-Hatt over. ~. 1 5 nased. :; • ,
She Overture from the churches ofaedford
and Shellsburg; asking. to- be`detached ~ f rom the
Presbytery +of Carlisle to that of Huntingdon,
was permitted to be Withdrawn. From the Fres
:bytery. of .Albany stating. that the Rev. JAMES
•lusLAND,;a,foreign minister,. had presented reg-'
ular papers and passed the regular probation.- The
Presbytery, was, directed to!plticelis name onithei
roll.•. • • : • .. ,, f1•••••, , .. s• •• •
The Overture from the Synod oflllinois asking
rif aPresbytery.liad.a right to dissolve a church,
when a respectable minority opposed, was an
zwered in the. affirmative. Adopted., • : •
Overture from the Presbytery of St Paul, ask
idg' for: a Synod- to , be; formed. out of• 'the
Presbyteries ,of St., haul's, Chippewa, and
Superior.,.• The request ~ , was .granted, and
the ; first, meeeting: was'. directed •to , be held at
St.. Tsang on the 2d, Thursday of:September,
to bemonstituted with ti sermon by, the Rev. J. 41.
Ittura.DAvynn... 'A new .Presbytery,,•to be ealled
Owatsinhay Waif, constitute& r. The, first meeting
;is to be held:atl Lake city, on .thelst Thursday
of -Septembei,.to be opened;: with a sermon by
the .Rev. r Also, from two Presby 7
teries, Redstone, (the Ramo of. the. other. not
heard,l recommend i ng the Board AA: Publication
to pub' lab. a tune,book for general use, and, that
the :Hymn' books.bo sold at, cost. Referred to
Board of Publication.' ,1 •
..TheOveiture from the Synod of Philadelphia,
respectinglthe.rulejn our .book. with regard to
marriage with a deceased wife's sister, published
by,us some time - ago, and presented.4o , therlast
General Assembly, it was proposed to answer by '
.recommending that this -mat ter be sent; down-to
,the,Presbyteries,, and tluit they be..orderect-to
reply tothe next Geneiml Assembly-4n writing ,:
.Dr. •M. SMITH doubted .our conatitutional
.right t ,toinake the• change in the way.proposed.
?But in addition, , the Synod of Philadelphia was,
divided on;the subject:. Oveiture, canto up
.owing to peculiar eircumstatom.. . • . ••
„ ,Alr.-STEVENS said thattiteould,not havepas.sed
in.full Synod. ;In full Synod it was laid, on the
table; but when comparatively thin, it was taken
.up and. passed.. ; •
Dr.,DloxsoNttncl• others. thought the speaker
was•out of 'order. , • • • •
Permission to proceed was allowed. Ile said
the vote had been taken while inost.of the me.ut
bers were absent, on Saturday. .evening,That they
might preach ! . in ..the. surrounding, country •on
Sabbath. „..• ••• .• •••
.1. DR: BOARDMAN • that this memorial...was
thoroughly discussed atthe meeting of the Synod
in Philadelphia, in 1858; and Teased. by. .a large
majority.
Dr. B. BAIRD denied. our, constitutional
right:to pro'ceetijn. the way recommended by the
Cummittee r and read from the Adopting Act•du
tit4PPort of hittviewo...Thie,memorial came from
a-Synod, and •not from- a.Presbytery. And lie
oanec the-Presbyteries had:notasked.the change,
he supposed the Church:did•noturish it.
„Dr. 8.11. Ebnrn said that if the memorial WBB
a specimen of the reasoning of the' mother Synod,
that;Synod male forgetful.. She did not rea
son -thus•twenty 7 five7wirs ago. :11/1 ,
. Dr.- Honor. said that Dr. Baird was mistaken.
The'resolution read by Dr.. B. did .belong to the
old Synod, but -was not printed,' owing to some
strange•oversight.• -Therefore the Scotch method
lias•been acted;on in,all changes Made. Thatis,
the Movements originated in the -Assembly, aid
were sent dOwn to the-Presbyteries, thus ntillify
ing the rule of the old Synod. If we follow. out
the course laid down-by Dr.,Braid, Dr. Thornwell
ne well putslais Revised Book of Discipline
at once in-his trunk:: • - •
. . .
Dr. Tnonynliit-:moved..4 o. lay •the :memorial
and the* Report. Committee on ,the table.
Passed— '• f. • , • • , r
A : notice. was reatl inciting the members •of the
General Assembly to be present at the. Review and
Parade of the Genesee River Fleet, with a display
of fire-works this evening, at Sk o'clock. The
courtesy.was.duly acknowledged. • •, :
ip /.
1 5 . .... ,:$
>C -.1.,:i -.*: -.,.1 , 1-:•11 •
.:t.
~, • • triati.• :. i .. . anntr.
BATUBDAI,
A Carintion.---In our notice of the open
sermen; before the N. S. General As
sembly,instead of "the Theological Review,'
read. " the Presbyterian, Qnartarly." It is
latter "journal which laborss:6 ardently
in Ecclesiastical affairs.
Pittsburgh Annual COliftrenCe.--The rain
iite§, of the late meeting of our Methodiat
brethren, are neatly published.., ;The sta
tisti'es are MI. and' ell arranged. The to=
tal number of members is; 36,926, being
au inerease of 1,075 duriOg the last year.
ACKNOWLEDGAIENT
--Presbyterian, cbureh, :Ebensburg, Pa.,
Any.' D 'Harbison, for the Chinicfny Colony,
Kankakee ,and. St. Anne, ,
M. W. STAPLES, Treasurer.
P. S.—Our wants are great. Much
suffering will be experienced unless we
have° speedy relief. Our treasury
hausted. .We arealready 'debt for pro-
visions.,' M.W.S.
TEE ASSEMBLY
Our regular reports bring the trausac
tiona of the. AsseitilAy up to 'Monday., '
.1 By telegraph we , learn that on Tueiday
(29th} it was, voted ':unanimously that 'the
subjects of tempe:rance, slavery, &c., needed
in, further ' action. The' new Synod of
Sandusky was erected. The amount raised
liy 'SibScription for 'Father CRINIQUi: is
$750,` , The Rev. Dr. PAriiER, , :of ~New
Orleitne,' was elected to , the Chair • Frac
ticat Theology,-and' Rev. ' ,WiSTAn
HoppE, son of Rev: Dr HODGE, to' the
Chair of, New TeitaMent, .Literature and
Biblical. Greek, in the , Princeton , Theolog
ical Seminary: A Fifth Professorshipwas
created in the Theological Seminary .;at
at
'Allegheny City; and Rev. 31.PAx
:WON, pastor of the Firsi church; Pittsburgh,
Was: elected - Professor. Rev. JOSEPH T.
...• . ,
SMITH, DA, of the PresbyterY Balti 7
'more, was elected to fill the vacant Chair
'it Danville. ."'. ,
MUM
iiolffE 'AND IoRETN'REC(IRD.
r TheJlitie` nuMber of the Record is mulch
occupied` with. Matters, irbieli,appear before
-the General Aesembly, and which WC pre
sentin other edhunne. Ne,Shalltherefore
give in this place only the acknowledgment
of raceEpts.' !nese were, durin4;the month
of April,: •
For Domestic; MisSions, at Philadelphia
43,974; at—Lonisvillc $1,087, at •New Or
leans 40f• ter Education at Philidel
-Thia411,699, Pittsburgh„ $323, at Louis
rille $l5O • for Forei an Missions, 'sl.7;-
: ,914,;,.f0r Publication,. Donations $2,226,
Sales $6,608T for 'Qhrtirch` Extension, $61.0.
.A,Jarge,p.or,tipq. , reported
for'idueation' was paid to candidates , in= the
r'eg on wliter it gOntributW.,",
WM
THE NO B'o3lool/ qIVBIAL ASSEMBLY.:
[CONTINITED.] •
• t}
On '1 ue'sday of last Week, Rev.'T. W.
WYLIE, delegate from the Reformed Pres
byterian Church, addressed the Assembly.
Dr. WYLIE gave a succinct history of the
body, to belongs: It now em
braces siAty , ministers and ninety„congre
outions.
Rev. W. A. PAss'Avi.iT, of the ,Evan
gelical Lutheran 'Church, appeared on be
half of the , General Syno4 of that body.
The Synod exnbraces one hnndied and six
ty' thousand coununkants. There are
twelve Synods not in connexion with this
one, having ,seventy-five thousand commu-,
nicants. Tho average annual increase in
the various branthes of the' Church is thir
ty, thousand. Number . of ministers tWO
thOusand ttmhundred; churches, three
thousand one Inindred;, colleges, ten,;:sem
inaries, nine; also several Academies, a
book concern, and two foreign emissions:
On Wednesday,,Rev ? •T,_lioon presented
the Christian salutations of:.the churches
of Nassachusetts. The churehes are pros
perous: They have six hundred ministers
in the General Association, and eighty
thousandmembers.. • ,
Dr. , STEARNS read a long and , very able
reporton,' the subject of Home .MisSions.
It will ddubtlesi be printed, and it should
be extensively read. Old , School , men as
well as New, may derive 3 instruction from
its historical researches, and its many ju
'dicibus,reniarkiw'
It Was 're',4Olird'-that the: bounds of the
Synpd of,Pennqlyania, be, so extebded
to include Maryland and. the District of
'Columbid i rond that the Synod: of Virginia
he stricken 'from '
0n the subject of distributing the book,s
ssued at their Publication House so as to
make ,them-=really to accomplish their in
'tended' . end, the' Assembly make a vastly
important suggestion. •It isa
'eth 't • in" Syn
eds or Rresbyteries a small summit of cap
inioht be ,invested in the Committee's
publications, andAhese put into•the hands
of some suitable person in a central posi
tion for - sale. The :receipts'from sales be
ing re invested 'from time to time, a per
:petual stock could, be , maintained."
~On'-Thursday, liev.,Dr. WOOD, on behalf
Of the American Board. of Conxmissioners
for - Foreign 3 , l:issions, add re , slqed
senibly; earnestly and nffectionately, and in
t..
many words, exhorting pastors , and elders
to cotiperate earnestly, in, this great and
good cause. This Board is doing , a large
Work, but it is innelf 'embarrassed with
debt. 4 prefesses to be !‘ Amerieart,'' and,
for many yeara, Evangelical ChTistians gen
- erally.wrought in this' connexion.. But its
'proclivities.• were strongly Congregational,
,
'
fleece first the Old. School= Presbyterians
established. a separate, Board. The Re
formed Dutch ; Church drew off. And : now
the New School are in the' attitude of per-
Sena contemplating a' departnre. Still,
some very' - cordial resolutions "were passed,
with promises of ,coßperation.
Dr. ;; Cußigs, from' the .Conirnittee
Ch - urch Polity, reported: First—That El
ders ought not.to,,,participate in the laying
on of hands ,in cases of ordination. See
ond—That all communicants have a right
,to vote in the selection of, Elders Dea
. cons, save in exceptional cases. 'P liiref
That business "transacted by a Presbytery,
consistin,g of less than a quorum, maybe
Considered valid,,. unless objected to by a
fall board at, a subsequent meeting.
In the _evening .the Asserahly and -con
-eregation united in the •celebration,of the
lAcsr4's Supper- • ,
riday,and Saturday forenoon were oc- i
cUpied mainly with the ,subjects. cif Educa
tion, and Domestic Missions. The after
neon SaturdaY was occupied in a visit
to Oakland, ,a very pleasant vicinity of
Pittsburgh, where the" members enjoyed a
delightful' pie, nje.
On Sabbath• the pulpits were again occu
:pied, very generally by ministers bdonzing
to the Assembly. This Christian recogni
tion of ministerial character, is,' One of
many pleasing evidences, that the Evan
,gelical churches -are agreed as to the doe
'trines which belong to man's salvation, and
'the duties to be performed by the people
Monday and Tuesday were occupied still
in matters of ,Church polity, and especially
in discussing the subject of Domestic
Irdissibns: The connexion of the 'Assem-
My with the American .sfrine Missionary
:SOciety, works'very ttnhapp'ily. Congiega-
tionalism - and Presbyterianism do well as
neighbors; but put them iinder one , roof,
,
and let their interests be commingled, and
'they will quarrel. A separation is' essen
tial
to harmony. It. is, wonderful to see
With what' ardor the New School brethren
now use the very
,same arguments which
were used by the Old School in 1831 to
1837.
,A iarge Committee was appointed
to 'confer, with the Eastern-Associations on
the-subject.
Rev. JAMES M. EDMIINSON, Of the Cum,
berland Preibyterian' Church addressed
the Assembly. ,
The. Aggenibly,adjourned in die, on
Tuesday evening.
The. General Assembly met in the Second
United Presbyterian church, Philadelphia;
••
on the• 23d of May. ,Rev. p c ., Rp.r.a.Joi. , is,
Moderator of the last Assembly, preached
the opening sermon:"` The"representation
from, the Presbyteries,was very full. Rev.
- Dr. CLokiv . was 'chosen Moderator.: He
had 99 votes, while Dr.VALLACE had 71.
Amon.. the Rules adopted is one which
requires a majority of all ; the ,Delegates
appointed by the Pfeshyteries to constitute
a i quoruni.? This is 'good'iule. It:-will
keep the members from, running away, and
thus:Pi:elientibusineSi'frdne beiria , done by
-a. lean minority, toward the close - of a ses-
sion.
The Assombly has , its Organization,
Bourds;'und . ooremitte,es, very` much after
thepanner of, our,own.
Sundry reports were made, and much
busin.ess proposed, but thore was very little
consummated up to the time (Saturday) to
"WhICIC our reports "reach. We' nkte two
resolutions, unanimously adopted, viz.:.
Quest: Are Sessions 'in r„eCniving
persons from that denommatm of. t Arkans
called 'Christians,' tO.reqUire, that,:' they
be re-baptized . Ans. Such. applicanti
should. be regerded as unbilptized. portionsnaeniiieb. eoniiininity'of
Aryans ,I•
the"tree
.esu
s,
,fidhatpremeuf, by ybattYer,iaai
thiky
UNITED PRESBYTERIAN ORURO.
. .
May-he called;,- is not entitled to be con
sidered as .a patt- of •the visible Church of
Christ.
U 2. Quest. Does not Art. XV. of the
Testimony condemn the ' Independent
Order of Odd Fellows;' and are Sessions
to require, as .a condition of admission to
the Church; from those who are connected
therewith, 'that they , withdraw oaii the
order? . Ans.-Your. .Committee no
hesitation in giving an affirmative answer
to this inquir3r. Those who become/ and
continue members of this Society, not only
violate' the' declaration in the, Testimony,
but also act in opposition to 'the =pies
tiOnably Scriptural 'doctrine laid down in
the 'Confessien of 'Faith, chap. xxii; jOf
Lawful Oaths and Vows.!"
,Egy,.,, - C=
- The ,person •: and !voice of. this •beloved
and - honored • brother 'been. 'greatly
inissed General Aiiembly. His
I prenvi c attendance, his energy,in,bueiness,
and his wise' eounsels, were always effective
iu the -forwarding of business.' His. in- -
.
in
fluence *as ••eVer proinotive of unity, good
fellowship; and rectititde. 'He; now lies on
a bed., of. death • • and :'while he .awaits
1: departure, , the'. Assembly address , :to hinr
thei-follewing•affecting letter C• •
To 'THE Rix: COrittLANDT VAN RiNiEtVp,Bit,
Beloved Brother in Christ Jesus
General' Assembly has learned, with, deep
solicitude of the afflictive dispensation which
detains you from its present' sessions. It
.has pleased Him whose way' is in the sea,
and his path in the great watera " to' visit
you with a painful
illness. We cannot
permit you to suppose that the Church
which you have loved and served so well,
is unthindful of you in this season of trial.
And we should do injustice to om.selves,
not, to assure you of our united and cordial
symPathy.
We are well aware, that one who feels
"hiniself drawing near to eternity, and around
whose,educh of Suffering the light 'of that
"'better country." is shedding its heaven]
radiance; can stand in no need 'of earthly
censolatipitS. NOr would we offend your
Christian humility by enlhrging upon the
services you have rendered to the cause'Of
Chriat. ' But we may, nay, we must, 'snag:-
nify the grace of God in you, which has
.wrought so effectually to the furtherance
Of the Gospel amongst us, through your in
strumentality. We cannot accept yOur
resignation of the important office you haye
just without bearing our kir
mal and grateful testimony to the manner
in which its duties Ave been performed.
With devout thankfuldess to God, and
under 'him, beloved Brother, to you, we
record our sense of the 'eminent wisdom,
fidelity and effieiencY, and the noble dis
interested liberality with.which you have,
for fourteen years, conducted the:affairs of
our "BOARD OF sEDVOATION." Under
your administration it has risen from a
condition, of comparative - feebleness to
strength and 'power: Its plans hate. been
matured and systematised. Its sphere has
been' ,greatly ~enlarged. It 'has .assumed
new=, and most beneficent furictiens. Your
:luminous pen has vindicated the• principles
Which lie at the 'basis of true Christian
education, And by your numerous publi
cations, your sermons and addresses, your
extended correspondence, and your self-de
nying activity in visiting every part of the
Church, you have, by God's blessingrac
complisbed a great work in elevating' this
, sacred cause.to. its just position ? and gath
eringaround it the sympathies of.our whole
communion.. , . Nor may we forbe,ar.to add;
,that in,prosecuting these manifold.offiCial
labors, you have greatly endeared yoUrself
personally to the in nistry and:Membership
of the Church. •
_Rejoicing as we do-in the auspicious re
sults ofthese unwearied' exertions, we mourn
this day, the sacrifice they have , cost us.
While.the Church is reaping the harvest
-7--a harvest - which we folly believe she will
.go' on gathering, until the Master `comes to
present her unto himself,. a glorious Church
—the workman who has done so much to
prepare the ground; and sow the seed; falls
rexhausted in 'the -furrows. There, dear
Brother, we doubt not you would choose to
fall—upon that field, to.the culture,of which
you had dedicated your life.
- On behalf of the Church we represent, we
once.more-thank you sincerely and grate
fully,
lift
your labors and sacrifices.
We lift up our hearts in.humble and fervAnt
supplication to our common GOD :and
FATTryn, that his presence may be with
you in this hour of trial:, We hear with
joy; that he does not forget, you; that he
giving, you strength according to your day.;
and, that your, peace flows like a river. , We
plead with him, that if it ; be possible, this
blow may still be averted; ,and your health
restored., But we desire, to commit ,you
into his hands. That
,Saviour in whpm
you, trust, will not forsake you. The
vine ; Comforter will comfort you and yours.
Your covenant, God will be the God of
your children. , ,„
To Him, the TuIV NE ejEIIOVAIE, we of
fectippately commend Jou—praying that
his rod' and his staff may comfort you,
and that whenever the,summons shall come,
an entrance may be ministered unto you
abundantly, into the, everlasting 'Kingdom
of OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS QIIRIST.
. On behalf of the General Assembly .of
the Presbyterian Church, in session at
Rochester, N. May 23,1860 ., ,
Jones. ; Yy.OMA.NS, Moderator.
147//i4 Lord, Stated Clerk,
aVextc:ncler T Permanent Clerk
G., Trermike, Temporary'
~ [Bigned also'by the whole Assembly.]
THE MAY MEETINGS IN LONDON.
For'a very•sUccinct but luci&aceourit of
a portion of these interesting gatherings 'of
most wise, deVOted; and laborioni - Chriitian
Men, see our London Letter. The brevity,'
comprehensiveness, and of the des
cription is attractive, while the evidence of
suece4s :in , works for God's glory , and; man's
benefit, :Can l net but rejoice - every pious
heart.
e, London City Mission :is.,nn example
for all cities, and its success should induce
Christianiln every'eity to use God's'ap,-t
pointed. means torthe enlightening' of the
poOr and: ignorant j'We commend the t 54,...
feet , specially - ! - to tie , brotherhood in ; Pitts
burgh. Can we :not hawk City Mission.
True, we have a small force emplo3redi,"and
Usefully.' But it shouldle, and might be,
increased ten, fold. All that , we do for the
general,,cause,of missions . nhould be done, :
butdeaf ears should never be turned to,the:
home cry :" 1 - £'6 'cannot so feel as: le 're
lieve destitntieris at our own doers, we ha
not the fall spirit Of :our ,Maiter,
. 0- iiillAlii(coLlii64;ioL; -- i:
The Annual Conunene' ement at this 11-
stitntion took place'ditring the sec`Ond`Week
in May. , Dr. PALMER J of New ;Orleans
preached.. Six young 'gentlemen-,took the
degree of A. B. -
itev: Pußv4br?.t retired from the
I:!i'esideney, in aceoidaeee"*i*:l-ii s re ' s i
.-c ~,-1 6
,nation, which was textAcTed aAd-aeeepted
some time ago. , , ,
Reir. Dr: IV Bt. L. , BIttOKIIIRIDGI was
dulyinaugurated. The, True . Witness speaks
q , -ithe,oCp,asjoi‘ m havin g been, one of great
interest, tuma represents theprospects of the
eicilleke , aS 'highly *hulloing.
ENTOM TORRESPONDENCE.
ROCHESTER, IV,. Y., ...Thy 21, 1860
Yesterday the pidpits of all the differ
ent churches in this, city were occupied by
members of the ASSenably; with the excep
tied 'of the Episcopal and an Old Side Cov
enanter church. To' say any thing as to
tho Character and ability of the sermons is
unnecessary, and might appear invidious.
It is enough to say that much Gospel truth
was declared, and to express the hope that
the preaching of the Word will not prove
ir(vain.
This morning the members came togeth
er irreatlY refreshed in body and mind.
The devotional services were well attended.
An Elders' prayer:meeting is held every
morning after the exaniple of last year.
The principal inhject,' .of Consideration
this morning has been the Report of the
Committee; on the Annual Report of the
,Board of :Domestic Missions, , which was
presented by Dr. W.ll. 'St'orT, of phi
cago. This, report mentioned. the alleged
progress of the past year, deplored the fact
that somany churches had contributed no
-thing, called the attention of the Church
-to thedor of.providing for the preaching,
,
- of the Gospel 'to those in our country that
do not speak the English language; roe
.onimended to the Board the utmost econo
niy in the outlay required for the distribu
tion of the : funds . of t i lie 'Church So as to
avoid even suspicionthe of e*trav,agance,and
recommended that mipisters should be sent
nt once- to Pike's Peak, and the adjoining
e b o' on
Dr. SCOTT set 'forth the various featUres
'of the' Committee's report, in a brief
speech. :With regard, to the expenses of
the Board; he Said that those things folly
reported, appeared correct and necessary;
that from this fact, the Oommittee believed
that such was the " : case .wish - those not so
- fully reported. But still a clear statement
of till expenses would have been better,
- since the aggregate of expenses vas a pret
ty heavy per-centage on the whole amount
"of Contributions.
Afterwards Dr. HAPPERBETT made a
somewhat :full and lengthy statement of the
progress, wants, and prospects of the
Board.
'ln our regular report will be found the
rejoinder of Dr. ADd-FA!., who showed, that
after deduetino• $25,000 of leoncies and
$lO,OOO of miscellaneous rceipts; the ex
act meaning •of which he did not know,
nor did anybody else outside of the Board,
or'possibly the Executive Committee, there
only remained a little over $83,000 from
the churches 7;, no great sum from a denomi
nation numbering over thirty-four hundred
churchei,:aia nearly three 'hundred thou
sand meMbers. About seventeen hundred
churches had done something for the
Board, anitlabont seventeen hundred, had
dene 'nothing He said•that it Was_not fair
for Dr.. Ind'PERSETT to compare the pro:-
gress of last year with the average progress
from 1824. the time of the organization of
the Board: For at that time,, and for
yeari afterwards; most of our churches con
tributed, to the Aineri r can Heine Mission
ary , Socipty, and not ,to our ~,own Board.
The Doctor condemned very pointedly the
habit of spealdpg, of the great ; advance the
Board.had made, when really but little had
been dime.. - A.
ROCH,ESTER, .2V: Y., May 24;1860.
The week- thus far has, been an eien i tfui
one, in the way of Jong and
,ablespeeches,
but no great results have yetheen r reached.
The dicussion of. the'week :'has been con
tinued, for the racist parti bY the same per
son& Dr& Smill, , TuonNw.Li r aid AD
GER have, been the speakers on one . side
and Drs. HODGE and. KTIEBS on the,other.
The great idea i)f ourtSchithern brethren,
is, that the Church ehould'do its own work
in its oven 4 way, and :they insist that this
can be done much anpre, 4 consistently with
our pi neiftles,„). of„ Government, •and. , much
more effectually, by. a•Ohinnulteethan by a
Board., 'rhippositiou they have endeavor
ed to maintainf by going intthaAiill-consid
eration of Ahe''nature-'of the-thiirch, its
4 'gin; and deVelopineet.:
Aixinnent has been used, hid; not
!infrequently, rhetoric an d . doubtful analo
gy have.beem employed to a great extent.
Those 'Who'take the other side, kdmit the
truth of the keneral principles' nssuined by'
their opponents,but deny that the' g4rds,
as now constituted, are oppesed to any Fin
cipleof, genuine Presbyteriaithtn; and urge
with great force, that theiargument against
the Boards, is equally strong against Com
mittees. The'arguments .of Dr. HODGE
were especially concise, conclusive, and
The Assembly. has manifested the great
est , patience?'in listening to the :long
speeches, and in allowing a wide range to
the arguments of Drs. tIEORNWEI f i I 5A117124
and .:A.T".;G:ER.... : .These brethren see.med.,to be
burdetted =with -a deliverance. they:were con
strained to make And the ASsenyblY wish
filo- to gratify them as as possible, has
been sitting patiently liotening to them, in
a greater ,orless degree , from..,day to day.
In the' meantime the3r-, have =manifested a
remarkably' kind.'" and conciliatory spirit,
and have, not' ;ifoliteit , y,of the proprie
tiee4.,Clirtstian4l;i4:
In, this Way. Dr. ZUORNWELL, Dr. B. M.
SA T 714 Dr: tr. -B.- ADGER, ;Dr. lElonGz, and
Dr;'Xitrais, have consumed-the greater part
or the entire time, exceitt what was ispent in
COnSideringthereports ef.the Boards. But
Et must` be said, that in s all,',Dl s . - :.TOVGz did
not 'occupy Mwe than : an *lnt, and then
in the plainest:lnt most forcible statement
of principles, and., in- •the ' , briefest defence
possible. < ,-=
our - readers most not suppose that
the other members of the Assembly have
beeirinterelyNearers,i 'The Committee on
Bills iiikd r O z iertiireS, and the Com
mittee,
haVe' been
„..,constantly engaged in
matters , of gre4.,interest, requiring most
careful investigation, and in which great
principles-ire ;involved. The Committees
ifearda'and the Committees on
Theoldvical Seminaries have else been as
siduously attentive to their duties. And it
is!not al iMprobable that the men who
will• Make rthe deepest mark-on the records
,of . AssemblY, are men whose voices
VaVe - 41.een heard only in the Committee
T 3olll n, jnst as in Congress, the most useful
methane not , those who are on the floor as
spettliersleiery day.'
lesterdai Ibrenoon Will never be forgot
ten by thii9e :Oho were present. The action
Prtthe ;tii,kiird of, Ellueation. upon the resig-
0