VY.JAES A LL I S ON
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JIOILS ALLISON & CO., Proprietors.
TERMS IN ADVANCE.
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I`..rect all lettere to
JAMES ALLISON & CO.,
PITTSBURGH, PA.
For the Prdsbyterian Danner.
Letter from Siam,
BANKOK, Feb. 25, 1864.
p ea r 13anner :—We Americans here
breathe a little more freely since the recap
tkiu of the last mail. Indeed we had been
ho i n g a dearth in the way of news. The
Ittle steamer Chow Paya, which has been'
supplying us so faithfully with our mails
the lust three years, has•been obliged to
.• into dock for repairs; and•to wait on a
song vessel for mails at this season of the
fo3r against the monsoon, and in such ex
,'sting times as these, is rather trying on
the patience. We have been in the habit
ufreceiving the substance of the semi
monthly overland mail, several days in ad
53occ of the mail itself, by 'telegraph via
limebay to Singapore. The liat news we,
na d before• the steamer stopped, littui one of
I pso telegrams, which gave the folleiVing
in:eresting news : 14 Federals defeated' qv ,
it ywhere. Roseanne defeated---losi 814.
0 4, Meade defeated. Three Confederate
victories in Texas?' Under the burden of
igh news we were obliged to remain for
;anal weeks. 0 •
we had long since learned to use our ab
!traction in reference to the telegrams, for
t hey were generally either . carelessly or
wilfully distorted in favor of the Confeder
ates; but still we knew there must be some
f ou ndation for the news. We were amply
repaid, however, for our suspense, when the
neat mails brought us suchmenies as Grant's
great victory at Chattnenteitasy And tlleot•e.
pulse and retreat Longstreet trcui
ville. v
We are just havag ; our shire of the re
bullion here now. You have doubtless long
since heard of the tnagnifleent reception
to the Pirate, Semmes, and the _Ala
4ania,by the authorities at Capet Own. It
is said that even the stumps of cigars
thrown away by that arch-pirate, were col
;mod by the Governor's son and others,
and laid up as precious, The Ala
-4lnia made her way thence. to the. Straits
of Malacca, where she destroyed' several
'me vessels, with very valuable : cargoes.
She coated at Singapore, and was even re=
ported in the Gulf of Slam. Marty ship
owners at home had sent their vessels east,
=opposing that the pirates would not be
able to leach these waters;. but when the
Alabama made her sudden appearance here,
Ship-masters were taken by surprise, and
were obliged tdrernain in whatever neutral
port they might .be, for they can neither
get cargo 'nor insurance. Many of the
finest American ships are now lying in this
river, waiting for bettor times, among which
is the N. B. Palmer, owned by A. A. Lowe
S: Bros., New-York. She is acknowledged
to be the best merchant vessel afloat any
where, and has carried more missionaries to
tha East than any other vessel. Several
Inc vessels have been sold to the Siamese.
The stay of some or those vessels here,
however, appears to be providential for us,
for we find among them some real good,
warm-heartad Christians, who have sought
as out, and worship with us. The master
of one of the 'vessels has his wife and
daughter on board, and is a good old fash
ioned Methodist. He keeps up prayer
.
meetingsregularly on board, besides Sab
bath services, and has been blessed during
the last voyage with a revival on board, and
several hopeful: conversions, among whom
is his daughter,. youns girl about fifteen.
One of the converts is a Seotehman by
birth, and has been well trained, when
young, in the Soriptures, and also in the
Shorter Catechism ) but has latterly been a
rery hard care,: and was not inside of a
house of worship for eleven years. He
sow appears full of Christ, and is perfectly
delighted when talking on the subject of
religion. The master of another vessel
was originally a sailor boy, but was con
rerted, and concluded to study fbr the min
istry. Ho accordingly passed through Yale
College, and partly through Union Semina
ry, but his health failing, he again tcrek to
the sea. Ho is now master and part owner
of one of' the finest clipper barques afloat.
lie also holds a license from the Fourth
Presbytery, New-York, (N. S.). whir* en
ables hint to preaeh,on board, and wherever
else in the providence of God be may be.
called to do so. He has given us several
discourses in our 'mission chapel here, which
would do honor to any pulpit; and brought.
out to hear 'him, a number of seamen and
others who otherwise would not have been
present. I mention these eases, because
they are so rare among seamen, and espe
cially here in the East; and it does our
heart good to meet with these here, who
will worship with us insincerity, and sym
pathizo with us in the great work in which
we are engaged.
Notwithstanding all that has already
been written concerning this people, and
notwithstanding they have' had embassies
both to England and France, very little as
yet appears to be known of their manners
and customs. I was amused the other day
to find in the Youths' Department of no
lees a paper than the N. Y. Observer, dated
Nov. 5,1863, the following statement : " In
the country of Siam, a kingdom al Asia,
he who tells a lie is punished according to
law, by having his mouth sewed up." How
such an absurd story got afloat, it is impos
sible now to say, but I can only remark
that if such were to be the puniahment for
lying, the consumption of rice throughout
the kingdom would soon materially de
crease, for they are emphatically a nation
or liars. I also saw a statement equally
ridiculous ' not long since,
in a number of
Harper's Weekly:. Mostbooks concerning
Eastern countsfes, are written by mere cur
sory travelers, whose business is book mak
'V. They are totally ignorant of the lan
guages 'of the countries through which
they pars, and do, not remain sufficiently
long to learn the customs of the people.
The book must be filled up, and in the ab
sence of better material, they give publici
ty to such stories as meet their ears.
.Ells Majesty, the first king of Siam, is
sometimes rather whimsical, and hp lately
been indulging himself with a little miff
with the missionaries. Dr. 8., of a neigh
boring mission, is in the habit of publish
ing annually a calendar for the use of the.
European citizens hero. Among the news
items last year, he gave she number of
wives and children of the kings of Siam,
and perhaps rather imprudently .took roooa
-510r; to give them a .short lecture op
_,the
evils of polygamy. This did not suit the
royal palate of the first king, so this year
when Dr. B. milled again fi'r the additions
to hie family during the year, His Majesty
refused for a time to give them. He and
Dr. B. then got into a controversy in re
gard to a new system of Rocoanising East
ern languages by hfr. Bunsen, a Prussian,
ante for not adopting which, his Majesty
rather blames the missionaries. This peo
ple can't discriminate, and when they ho
noree offended with one of a certain class
of people, they include all. His Majesty
Paid some very hard things about all the
missionaries. The clouds have, however,
pasted away, and the royal sun again shines.
At , member of our mission:, Ire-_.lately,Bo/Tad tO make a visit home hi h h
W e n
raluoisid to do at his own expense, but his
fund& were in America, and 'to - get them
out hero at the present rates of exchange,
would be &killing bulbous i• so he &terrainode 3t ~
#O, WM, - the MO 9011m7.
' l 'i .7 t.ltiltei
: 1 1'ttStrt)l . /tTi41t: .. .,, -- H ,:__..,_
_. +
VOL. XII. NO. 37.
amount here, and run the risk of exchange
improving. He accordingly called on his
Majesty, and found him very gracious in
deed. He offered to lend him any sum he
needed o for any time, without interest; and
as a donation, offered to pay his passage to
Singapore. A feeling of gratitude, too,
which is such a rare virtue among the Si
amese, also came up in his Majesty's heart.
When hewas still a prince, Rev. J. Cass:
well One of, the early missionaries here,
spent much time in teaching him the-Eng
lish language, of which he has now consid
erable knowledge. His Majesty now feels
truly ,grateful for the faior„ and not long
since, he sent $l,OOO to America for the
use of Mrs. Outman and children. He has
now also instructed oir brother, when he
goes home, to pay her $5OO more, making
in m 1141,500 whteh his Majesty has sent to
the destitute • family, of his old teacher.
This , is very •little in proportion to his
great wealth, but it is considerable for a
heathen king, and especially a Siamese,
among whom gratitude is generally a mi
nus. quantity.
- DNB. has, also lately, called on his rMaj
estli; received some presents from' him
in t -701 fairor. During his cdriversa
t,lori, hoWever, with our brother, Dr. H.,
his Majesty took Malden to express his
hatred for the Bible He has evidently
received a little Colerisoiiim from some of
those here, who ought to assist in teaching
him the,only way of life. ' tie, said the
Bible was .only a it collection of, old men's
fables." Whether the Gospel . will ever
take .hold or not upon the heart of His
Majesty, none but its great `Author can tell;
to all human appearances, it'is very doubt
ful. It is still his cuitom, as it was of all
former kings, to gild in idol every day of
his reign. At the proper time a small
idol is'brought to him
' which he gilds, with
his ()Wu hands, so that the digs of his
reign are numbered by idols. 'He also
gilds every day a volume of their. sacred
books. .
The whole city and surrounding coun
try has been absorbed for some time in
preparations for the funeral services of the
young princess, Chow Fa, only daughter of
his Majesty by his late Queen consort.
The child, seven, years old, died some
months since" and her body has been lying
in state. The preparations are on a grand
er scale than any we have previously seen
here. His Majesty says he is now in his
sixtieth year and must make , a special ef
fort, but there , is probably another reason.
There have been quite a number of deaths
of late in the royal family, and this special
effort may be to acquire a great amount of
merit, and try to avert coming calamities.
Governors of provinces have been called
in, and-men levie#:from almost all parts of
the kingdom to work on the edifice. The
funeral- edifice is placed upon an artificial
mountain, about one hundred and fifty-feet
high. The edifice on the top of the moun
tain is in the form of, a. cross, something
like other buildings on similar occasions, a
photograph of one of Ithich I send you.
On several promontories around the edifice
were placed, in golden urns, the ashes of
the King's ancestors. The ceremonies
lasted about two-weeks. To bring out the
ashes of each one of the ancestors required
a procession. Then came the corpse itself
in a large pro#ession, and was placed in
the - edifice. After the burning; it again re
quired several days to remove all the relics
back again to the pal - ace. The grounds
around the edifice were richly ornamented
after the Siamese style, and around in
many places were theatres, rope-dancers,
&c. Several picas of, new gold coin were
distributed, in :addition to the usual pres
ents given on such occasions to priests and
others. Fire-works were also kept : up ev
ery night, and the match applied by the
royal hand, The whole expenses will prob
ably exceed $158,000. When will this
people receive the Christian religion,. and
bury their dead after the simple, Christian
manner? Yours truly, 1110 D.
For the Preebytertan Banner
CIIATTANOOGA,
1 1 11.88 RS. EDITORS:_ I haveno doubt it;
will gladden- the hearts of many of your
readers, to hear of the good. work in pro
gross in the Army af - the ,Outnberland.
God has been pouring out hie Spirit hore,
as well as elsewhere in the army. There
is preaching everrnight in 'the Post Chap
el, in this place, end almost -every night,
there are some preciouS souls inquiring the
way of life through a eruoifie&•.Saviour.
Notwithstanding the. army has moved for
ward, last Sabbath the chapel was filled
both in the morning and it malt with sol
diers.
It was a strangely interesting congrega
tion. No -little boys nor girls, and -no
women. Nothing but the bronzed faces of
war-worn veterans, were to be seen in that
audience. The attention, teo,yrae marked,
indicating clearly thafGed_was ;there. 0,
how- it gladdens the ChtistintOs' heart to
• see the answers to tha-prayers-Which have
been aicending ,from many congregations,
in times that are past. Verily, God is a
prayer-hearing, and prayerranswering God;
Sand here we•have the evidence.
At Ringgold, in Georgia, 'a more power
-
Tl4l work of grace has been going forward,
than here., ,Quite a number have been
baptized, and. some Ave hundred conversions
are reported. At Cleveland, also, a good
work was in progress when the army
moved. Oti the.night of the last Sabbath
of April;thare were eighty inquirers in one
congregation in .Cleveland.. Gen. How
ard's Division lay here, and 'this Christian
hero not only attended Divine service him
self, bit rose. and exhorted his men to be
folloWers of jeans. Would` to . - God • that
we had many such Generals Then would"
God be :honored, and high-handed wicked
ness would skulk away, abashed,Trom their
presence.
Let us pray that God would make all
our Generals Christian men. He is able
to do so. And let us pray that this •work
of grace ) which is now in progress, may go
on increading in-power until all ; our, soldiers
shall'llecolne good soldiers of Jesus Christ.
I)iope that our good people at home will
not forget to send the Presbyterian Banner
to the soldiers. r see very few copies of
the Banner hde. For this I am sorry,
and I hope means will be placed at the dis
losal of the Editors otthe Banner, so that
the delegates of the Christian Commission
may find the Presbyterian Banner in Chat
tanooga as well as elsewhere.
S. P. tJNICAID.
Pride.—Mr; Astor ; the wealthy million
airo of .New-York, was reluctant to sell
some goods to a" mpg except for
cash. The merehan'tqpsid , _for them, and
took them on his shoulder to carry them
out of the store. Mr. Astor looked in sur
prise ; but before the merchant had gone
many steps, he called him back, saying :
You, may buy ou credit to any amount.
lowa trust you, , sir. A man who is not
ashainedilaydo his Own " work is kip to ape
-6" IT O lesson for false
pride. 4".
There is ne ein , a man may , be tempted
to) Vail's lint flita - Nroit9 l: ;: 6ol rfrat iTCre
,lfietidetb4niadvdting.-
PITTSBURGH, WEDNESDAY, JUNE L 1864.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE GENERAL
ASSEMBLY,
IN SESSION AT NEWARK, N.J.
Fourth Day.
MONDAT, May 23,1864. -
Assembly met and. spent the first half hour in
devotional exercises ;
.prayer, being offered by
the Moderator, Dr. McAlester, and elder Hast
ings. Special prayer was made for the son of
the pastor of the church in which the Assembly
is meeting, who is very low from disease.
The Minutes of Saturday were - read, corrected,
and approved.
The Permanent Clerk read a telegram from
the New School General Assembly, stating .that
that body cordially and unanimously seceded to
the request of this Assembly, and would' unite
with us in prayer for the'country next Wednes
day afternoon. . . •
An appeal and complaint from a decision of
the Synod of Illinois was referred to the ju:dicial
Committee.
Dr. - Tuitin ,rose to a question of privilege.
One of his colleagues from the Synod of Balti
more had,'in the missionary meeting held in this
schwa last night, denonneed the war which
this country is now engaged, as wicked, tmneaes
eery, and cruel. If he spoke of the war as
waged by the Southern Confederacy, :well
enough. But—
At this point, Atr. Hays arose and said he meant
no such thing as was attributed to him by the ven
erable Doctor. His language was altogether in
tended to designate the rebellion of the south.
Mr. De Lancey called attention to the fact
that this was altogether out of order, since the
remarks in question were made in a meeting out
side of the Assembly.
Rev. Mr. De Lancey, from the Committee on
the Bofird of Edgcation, made a report on that
Board, commending its faithfulness and success
during the year, recommending that the annual
appropriation be increased—that of Academical
students, from $BO to $100; College atudents,
fiom $lOO to $120; Theological students, froth
$l2O to slso—making favorable mention of
Ashmun Institute ; calling the attention of the
Board and the churches to the necessity of do
ing something in the way of educating the
Freedmen; and also advising that the funds en,.
trusted to the Board by the Piesbytery of Cik
cago,' for the promotion of Education among
the French on the Kankakee, bo returned to the
Presbytery, to be used as originally appro
priated.
Dr. Chester, Secretary of the Board, spoke of
the difficulties encountered lent year, and of his
desire not,to trespitss on the patience of the As
sembly. Many of the young men under the
'care of the Board have • gone into the army.,
From one of our Colleges, seventeen of our can
didates have fallen in defence of our country.
In another College the entire Senior Class went
into the service of our country. During the
year the standard of education and qualifications
had been raised. The rule requiring--examina
tion or recommendation every year, before re
ceiving any farther appropriations, had worked
well. The oldest Theological Professor in our
Church had remarked that, after a careful ex
amination of the workings of the Board for
forty years, he was convinced that no other arm
of the Church's benevolence had done so much
for the ,Church and the world. In the znost.in
tluential Presbytery in the Church, which had
had in all more than. one 'hundred and' thirty
candidates under its care, there had not been a
single failure. All of them were preaching the
Gospel, or had gone to their reward. - •
The Doctor made a direct;appeel in favor of
authority being granted the <Board to establish
Chriatian schools among the' Freedmen. The
Board, according to its constitution,. required
the authority of the Assembly before money
could be , appropriated. No other claim .would
draw more largely the benefactions of the
people to this Board. Most happy results prom
ised. The Ashmun Institute had been most sue- . ,
cessf 'ul. Three of its students were now at the
head of three educational institutions in Africa.
Dr. Nevin recited an instance of a young man,
a candidate for the ministry, - who had gone into
the army, but after being severely wounded so
as - to be unfit for service, has returned to his
studies. The Dr. had long known the workings
of the Ashmun Institute: Simon the Cyrenean,
who, according to Melville and. Barnes, was a
black man, had borne.the.Saviotir's cross.
Mr. Ernst moved that the Report be seamend
ed that the appropriation for theologioal stu
dents be increased from $l2O to $l6O per an
num. He thought this was nothing more than
reasonable. $2OO, when compared with the
value of gold, was only, $lll. It was in the
theological course that the most difficulties were
encountered. Ordinarily, $3OO was as little as
a theologioal student could get along with—slso
for boarding, and $l6O for clothing and books.
Rev. Mr. Dubois felt grateful to :Drs. Chester
and Nevin for the remarks, in favor of Ashmun
Institute. The Freedmen had pressing claims
on us ; and he believed the beat means to reach
.and help them was through Ashman- Institute.
One great object was to train colored young men
to be teachers.
Here the Moderator reidinded the speaker that
it was proper to take the vote on tbe amendment
of Mr. Ernst, unlesS le wished to speak to that
point.
The vote on the amendment was taken. Lost.
Rev. Mr. Grimes moved that vie add $26 to
each of thi appropriationsrecommended - by the.
Board and the Committee. This would give the
Academical $126; the Collegiate $146, and the
That:dogleg sli.6. He knew .of some of our Btu-,
Aleuts reduced to great straits from want of
proper styport. Some of theth were ooinpelled
to engage in employments of a most laborious
character, to eke out a support.
• Rev: dr. De Lancey had bee.teinformed by the
officers of the Board, that . this sum! over and
above what was recommended, would .seriouslyr
_
cripple',its - operatton, unless the Inns were
greatly increased.
Rev. Mr. Cowhick thought the motion should
be separated, and give the $25 to the Theolog
;teal .stUdent. The Princeton scholarships,
founded by individuals, now averaged more than
Rev. Mr. Miller, 'of Ogdensburg, moved that
this whole matter be referredj-to the Board
itself.
It was moved to.hear Dr. Chester on this sub-
Sect. He remarked that the Board, after full de
liberation, had concluded , that that ,was the ut
most ,that could be done this year. Another
year the Board might do better. This year the
Board could expend $50,000 most judiciously in
behalf of the Freedmen.
Rev. Mr. Hays was opposed to any increase
beyond what the Board recommended; - if there
was the least danger of interfering with the
work of the Board among the Freedmen. His
Presbytery was doing something in that way.
It had ordained and installed a colored man, a.
short time ago, who had undergone a better ex
amination than any other young man since he
had become a member of that Presbytery.
Rev. Mr. Speer thought that young men could
do something in vacation to supplement the ap
propriation. This would aid in fitting them for
the active duties of life.
Rev. Mr. Con - kick called for a division of the
question, and that the Board raise the. sum for
the Theologicarstudent to $175 per annum..
Thits" ; was adioosted by Dr. A. G. M'Candless,
because,-when the Theological student comes to
the Seminary his funds are generally altogether
exhausted, and he has nothing leftt
Dr..Musgraie was in favor of the a.ppropria
tion of at least $176 to the Seminary student.
.
There was another cause for the diminution of
the number of theological students. • It was
owing to the fear of the want of support, and
the difficulties in the way. He had been afraid
that outside objects might interfere with the le
gitimate work of the Board. Re was a loyal
man ; he was in favor of the Administration ;
he was in favor of old Lincoln. [Cheers.]
Formerly he had been an extreme Conservative
hating the shadow of Abolitionism. But he
frankly confessed that the Rebel Confederacy,
and the wicked and cruel war it. wad waging
against our Government had - made him an Abo
litionist. [Cheers.] Buthe opposed the perver
sion of funds given to educate young men for the
ministry, to any other object. i If you wish to
educate the Freedmen, do it. lam in favor of it.
But raise. a separate fund, or establish a. new
Board.
Dr. Musgrave Thep moved, as an amendment
to the motion ' for reference - to the Board, that
the Board increase the sum to Theological !stu
dents to $176, it their fundi - will permit - -
Dr. Lowrie moved to take 'WO the reoomniersda
dons seriatim.
Dr. Junkin opposed, because in this way the
whole morning would be spent.
The Moderator decided that any member had
a right to call for this mode of
The first recommendation was adopted: Also,
the second. The third,, which expressed plea
sure in the increased interest In our schools and
colleges, ;and. especially in the Ashmun Institute,
was next considered. ' •
Rev. Mr. Dubois resumed. He had been'speak
ing of the advantages of Ashmun Institute, with
respect_ to the Yreedmen. .At the. hognn niag ,
they ha!l feared that. students eonld not .he
laitteriti Ai:4* TrokWAY 0004;
a fte r i ti aiing, might not find employment.. Now'
the trouble was to keep the students long
enough, there were so many calls fortheir labord
as teachers of colored schools. c One of their
students was now teaching's verylargi4lchool in
Alexandria, 'Va. Another Professor wri4needed.
If the Beard could help a little More,
,the use
fulness of the institution would be 'greatly in
creased, Colored teachers were the beSt,'when
properly prepared, for colored people: He 'be
lieved-ice were near the time whewtlWhate'and.
curse of our country, slavaiy, Would be removed.
Recommendation adopted. • -•
The fourth was instructing the Board to,otab
lish schookt among the Fieednien.
Rev. Mr. 'De Lancey said„ the 'Board Simply
asked the countenance of _the;Assembiyfor What
it was abundantly able te:(l,9 from its organic
constitution.
. .
Rev. Mr. Logan thought 'that
,the resolution •
did not go far enough. There wae more to be
done than could be done lhreagh„this Board.
He was afraid that we woUl d7i* aside the.
Board from its proper work 4:educating men for,:
the 'Ministry, and ut the same time we *Quid,
Coma fir short of our duty, to this pookle. ' fie
believed that more money eqn;d„be,raissiii fcir_l
this object from the Preslatf:riali'pliorch; than ,
for any other. He hoped this Ot t enibly would;;
make some, suitable arrangeme to do its - ibity : :,*
in this respect before rising..;. ; ''' was ha tioß ;
3 64.,
of racarriicg the whole mattifri.
,lielfieei,liafin:
to.aspe&al Ceinutitted, , . A.- '. '. ' " `,'
Rev. Mr. De-Lancey said 4lie Board had all
the means' of entering iirtedtately upon the
Work. He had passed hur whole , life in the
Beath. file knew the wants Of this whole class.
This was a question forced upon the Church, arid"
it was just this: Is the bill& man to be saved, or
to fade away as did the red man.
On motion of Mr. Logan, the whole matter of
the Freedmen was referred: to a Committee of
five.
The resolution recommending the observance
of the last /Thursday of February as a day of
prayer for Schools and Colleges,
and for the
youth of the•Church i was adopted.
Rev. A. A. E. Taylor spoke : of the success of the
work of our Church among the Germans in the
West and North-West. There were difficulties
in the way of securing proper preachers. He.
recited the efforts of a Hollander, a. man of con
siderable.self-educmtion, who became a minister
of our Church in 1852, opened a school to edu
cate - evangelical German ministers, and has sent
forth ten young men thoroughly trained in the
Calvinistic doctrine. Thiele Mr. Van Vliet,.and
his young men had given the greatest satisfac
tion as to doctrine and Christian experience.
Other ministers had been brought in. . These
students had given, no trouble. The people aie
sending to him for ministers. He is unable to
supply the demand. An appeal has been made
'for a.'house fOr his school. The students are'
Supported v by the Board of Education. And had
it not been for this Board the, one, thousand mem
bers and three thousand hearers in our Ferman
churches in the North-west would not; have been
there. Mr. Van Vliet's, school had been placed
under the care of two Presbyteries, that the
Church Might have confidence in it. These
Germans are accessible; they - are becoming
••wealthy,' and they will at :length become noble
and useful Christians.
The whole report was then adopted as amend
ed, except the part concerning Freedmen, which
was now referred to a committee, which consists
of Drs. Mudgreve, Nevin, Rice, Rev. Mr. Logan,
and Thomas Archer. - ,
Mr. De Lancey moved that the resolution
passe& at Rochester requiring the Boards to
bring up their records to the Assembly, every
year, be repealed, on.j,ocount of the difficulty of
'bringing them to the Assembly, and the danger
of losing them.
Dr.v Deatty hoped we- would not pass such a
sweeping, resolution without consideration. Be
believed the resolution wise, and that it Ahould
be retained. .
, .
Dr. hiusgrive said that it was as easy to bring
the records of the Boards as those of the Synods ;
nor was there any more danger, of loss in one
case than in the other. We rauskretain our ec
clesiastical control. If we are to retain the con
fidence of our people in the Bisardaywe. must.
retain our supervision. He movealhat the_mo r ,
belaid on the table. :Carried. •
A letter was read, from . Rev. S. Irenaens
Prime, D.D., stating that citizens of Now-York
had made provision for an excursion to-. New--
York by the Assembly on Thursday afternoon,
stating that carriages would be in readiness et
the ferry, at 2i P. M., for an excursion .up
Broadway through Central Park, and then re
turn. The invitation was accepted, and the
thanks of the Assembly were returned.
The Stated Clerk was directed to invite the
General - Conference, of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, the General. Assembly of the United
Presbyterian Church,' and the. Synod of the Re
formed Presbyterian Church, to unite . with this
Assembly on Wednesday-afternoon, in praye •
the country.
Dr. Rice asked to be relieved from the duties-of
Chairman of the Committee on the Superannuated
and Disabled Ministers' Fund, on account of his
duties on the Judicial Committee.. Request
granted, and Dr. Dart appointed in-his plade.
Closed, with-prayer by Br. Breckinridge.
ViTiMiCtON SESSION
Asttembly met and was opened with prayer:
The paper of Dr. Mac Master, of which notice
was given:on Saturday, was made - : the second or
der of the day for to-raorrow, morning. .
The Committees on, the Synode otAlbany,
Buf
fale, Pit.tsbuf.gh, New, Jersey, Obie, .Wheeling,
and Sandusky, -with the exception•-of a protest
*gag* the : - action of, the last Assembly,in the
case et +- •Mr, Anderson, on the ground that a low
er' Court could not protest against the action of a
higher, Cincinnati, Northern Indiana, Illinois,
Baltimore, Chicago, Wisconsin, .St. Paul, and
lowa, reported, recommending -the approval of
their Records. Adopted. -
Tice Committee on the Synod of Kentucky; re- .
potted, recommending the approval of their Re-'
cords with the exception of, a censure passed up
on Rev. Mr. Morrison; because he had.calledLup
on the military power.to restore the Records and
keys of the church of Mt. Pleasant.
Mr. Ernst said he had been a. member of the
Synod of Kentucky at its late meeting, and this
action of the Synod was not objected tobyeither
party. Therefore, he did not think the excep
tion should be taken. .
Rev. Mr. Allison, of Illinois, explained, say
ing, that in the church of Mt. Ileasant,"ditlicill
ties had arisen. The, disloyal had taken posses'-
sion of the Records and keys;. and would only
return them upon compulsion, and as the milita
ry was the only power then in exercise, it was
only this that-could be appealed to.
Rev. Mr. Taylor, of Pa., said that amsar was
the only power then re n cognized, and conseqpent
ly it was to Csesar we must apptal.
Rev. Mr. Young said, that the keys could have
been obtained. There was no needfor the pas.
tor to seek military aid. The booli was accessi
ble, anti the doors were not locked. Moreover,.
the Presbytery was about to meet.
- Dr. Rice thought we had better not enter. this
case, since we could not discuss its merits. And
since neither. Mr. Morrison nor Dr. Breckkridge
objected, we hid better let it pass.
Dr. Lowrie called for 00 - reading of the Rec
ord.
It was read. .
Dr. Maclean moved that the Records be ap
proved, with the exception of the censure passed -
upon the Pastor for invoking the aid of thEmil
itarY powers, since the Record does not give.the
facts upon which a judginent 'could be formed,
and consequently this assembly is unable:to form
a competent opinion.
Dr. Beatty said it was dangerous to approve
such a record as, that of the Synod. Brethren
should reflect on what they were doing by a vote.
Dr. Rice replied, that in approving this record
we do not approve every act. The Records were
then approved.
The Records of the Synod of Sandusky,were
recommitted as = were also the minutes of. the
Synods of Misiouri and Philadelphia.
The Cemiiiittee•on the Itlinutes of the Synod
al' New-York, reported, recommending their ap
proval, with the exception of an order from the
Synod, directing the Second church of Brooklyn
to give certificates to pertain persons, or to try
them in a regular manner.
Put upon the docket, after some .desultory de
bate. • . -
The Records of the Synod of Allegheny wane.
approved. • -
The second order of:the day s Report
'on Psalinedy, was taken Pup. Its; adoption• was_
moved:
The paper was read. by Dr. Backus„ . -
Dr. Beatty said that the *hole subject came
up properly under the - first resolution. He
would mention one or two things for the could-,
eration, of the house. The first . was,Ahe _matter
of expense._ The. best musical t alent ; required
jixpenditure t The Board of Publication. is to
bear the mtpense. - This is right, 2. He, loved
the old Book, but he helieved our Pealmody was
susceptible of, impravement. At thasama time
It might be deteriorated., Our musical testes are
various. _.Some coral= iltkether hymns which
are highly yalued ,by othors., 3. • It 'has : been.
urged:that we should not enter, upon new
Book now, liatianse Opur, relations to the other
Pf:41 3 1) fAnzilY.• gild it
was true that this very matter affected our rola
tione to other branches, and especially to one
for whioh we had a Teri high regard,. and with
which we had entered into correspondence. He
did not oppose, but ho mentioned Abeie things
for their consideration.
' Dr. Nevin was opposed to the introduction of
Chants. It was engrafting a fragiaent of Bpis
copacy upon our system. - Our Scotch Irish
Presbyterians could not sing them f •nor would
they. Ho had Veen brought•up on the - principle
44 that man hath perfect blessedness.". He. ad
mired the course of, the , Moderator , in using the
Psalms in - our Book instead of the Hymns; they
were one degree nearer sod.
Rev: Mr., Taylor favored trpeSdy action, and
referred to some of 04 hymns. in' onr present
BOCic,•which were not appropriate•forpraisC,
The hour for devotional' exercises having ar
rived, 'Mr:.!Taylor ceased, he' living
when this subject is resumed.' •
Closed with pray by the-Mtiderator. • '
Day. •
Fifth'
: Trrisniy,'May 24.
Assembly Met, and wati,opened Writhprayer by
the Moderator.. The first half hour was spen(in
devotional' exercises,Rev: Mr. Steele; and Rev.
Dre. Greenleaf and golikins leadinglifPrayer.'
Minutes of yesterday were read; corrected, and
Approved.
Dr. Breekinridge, from the CoMmittee on Bills
and OVertures,reportect the following papers: No.
8: from the Board of Direetbra of the Western The
ologidalSeminary, asking the GeneralAsaembly to
recommend Young men studying-fol.-"the iniuietry
to unite with Presbyteries previous to entering the
Seminarieg. The Coininittee recommended; the
adoption of the suggestion. No. 13; a letter
from the Rev. Mr. Montgomery, from the Pres
bytery of Fayette, which has not met for several
years, owing to the troubles in that region, ask
ing the General Assembly to appoint a time and
place fel. next meeting. 16. A Memorial from
the Presbyteries of Salem andthe Synod of Balti
more, concerning the Book of Discipline. The'
Committee recommended its reference to the
next. General Assembly. - 17. A Memorial from
the Presbytery. of Ogdensburg and Miami, pray
ing that measures' be taken by this Assembly to
initiate the means Whereby a union may be af
fected with the New School General Assembly.
This was at once referred to a.Special Committee
of five—coniMittee to be appointed by the Mod
orator. 18.- From the Presbyterian Historical
Society, asking the approbation of the efforts of
this. Society toward erecting `a fire-pioof build
ing for,the preservation of its treasures, and to
ward a proper endowment for the success of, its
objects. The Committee recommended the Soul
etyto the consideration and benevolence of the
Church. 19. A paper from the Preebytery of
Columbus, asking permission to transfer Rev.
Mr. Hendren to the. Presbytery of Lake . Superl,
or, since that Presbytery is now without a trite
rum to receive him—recommend that it be grant
ed. 21. From the. Presbytery of Platte, or some
of its members, requesting to be united , With the
Presbytery of Upper Missouri—recommended that.
it be granted. 16. A Memorial from the -Pres
bytery of New Lisbon, concerning the Freed
men ; also a paper from the Presbytery of Lou
isville, respecting the Board of Domestic Mis
sions—referred at 'once to the Committee on
Freedmen. 6. Report of the Committee on Bills
and Overtures, on the Memorial from the Pres
bytery_ of Newton, on the subject of Slavery, was
read , 4 1;ly Judge Stanley Matthews, and recom
mended the adoption• by the General Assembly
of the following paper:
/n the:opinion of the General Assembly the solemn and
momentous circumstances of our times, the state of our
country and the condition of our Church,' demand a plain
declaration of its sentiments upon the question of slavery
in view of its prese-nt aspects in this conutry.
In our early flays our Church in America delivered :une
quivocal testimomocupon this subject, which it will be
profitable now, to reaffirm: -
In the year 17f7,•the 'Synod of New-York and Philadel
phia, in view of movements then on foot looking tothe abo
lition of slavery, and highly approving of them, declared
that inasmuch as men introduced from a servile state to .a
participation of all the privileges of civil society; ?with
out a proper edifeation, and without previous habits, of in
dustry, may be in many respects, dangerous to the commu
nity, therefore they earnestly recommend to all the mem
bers belonging to their - communion to give these, persons
who.are at present held in servitude, such good education as
to prepare them for the better;enjoyment of freedom. * *
And finally they recommend it to all their people to use the
most pradentmetentres consistent with the interest , and - the ,
state of civil society in the countries where they live, to
procure eventually the final abolition of slavery in
America." •
In 1795, the General Assembly "assured all the thatches:
under their care that they view with the deepeetconcern any ,
vestiges of slavery which may exist in our country:' '
In 1115 the following record watp made.: "The General
Assembly have repeatedly declared their cordial approbation
of those principles of civil liberty which appear to be receg
nized by the Federal and State.governments ierthese United
States. They have expressed their regret that -the elavery
of the-Africans and- of their descendants still continua,
se many ; Plates, and even among those within the pale of the
Church, and have urged the Presbyteries under their care to
'adopt such measures as will secure, at least to the rising gen
eration of slaves, within the bounds of the Church, a.
- ligious education, that they may be prepared for the exer
cise and enjoyment of liberty when God in his providence
may open a door for their emancipation."
The action of the General Assembly upon the subject of '
,Slavery in the year 1818 is unequivocal, and so well known
that it need not be recited at length: The following ex
tracts, however, we regard as applicable to our present Mr;
cumetances, and proper now to be reiterated:
. "We consider the voluntary enslaving -of one portion 'of.
the human race by another as a grqss violation of the most
precious and sacred rights of human nature, as utterly 'in '
consistentwith the law of God which requires us to love our
neighbor as oureelvee, and ea totally irreconcilable with the
spirit and prinpiples of the Gospel of Christ which eejoin :
that's all things whatsoever ye would that Men should do to
you, do ye even so to them." Slavery creates- a 'Paradox iti
the moral system; it exidbits rational, moral. and account , :
able beings in inch circumstances as scarcely to leave them
the power of moral action: It exhibita 'Gwen Ss dejmndent.
on the will of others, whether they 'Shall) receive' religions
instruction ; whether they shall know and wametip the true
God; whether they shall enjoy the ordinances of .the Goa.
psi ; whether they shall perform the &GCS and cherielt.the
endearments of hnsbandifand wives, parents and children,
neighbors and friend/3'i . wheth4r they shair..preserve their
chastity ;tad purity, or regard the dictates of justice and Mt: .
-manity.; Such tiro 'some of the consequences of slavery—
consequences not imaginary, but which connect themselves
withits very existence. a" s * *,
"From thin view of the , : Conrequences resulting from the
practice, into which Christian people have most inconsist
ently fallen, of enslaving; a „portion of ' theit brethren of
.mankind, * * * it is manifestly the, duty of all..Chrir
tiara, who enjoy the light of the present day, when the in
consistency of ala Very - both with the dictates of humanity
and of religion, has been demonstrated and is generally
.seen and acknowledged, to use their honest, alined and un
wearied endeavorp to correct the errors of former times and
as
. speedily as'poesible to efface this blot on Our holy re
ligion, and to obtain the: complete abolition of Slavery
:throughout Christendoin, and if posaible, -throughout the
world." .
.
They earnestly exhorted those portions Of. the, Church
where the (Mil of slavery had been entailed upon thein, triton
tinue, and, if possible,, to increase, their exertions to effect a.
total abolition of slayery, and to Huffer no greater delay to
take place in this meet intereedixtt cencern than a regard - to
public welfare truly and indispensably demands; and de
clare "that our country ought to be governedin this matter
by no other consideration than an honest and' impartial re
gard inthe happiness of the injured'party, uninfluenced by
the expense or inconvenience' which such .a regard may In
volve; warning " all who belong to our denomination of
Christians agttinst unduly extending this plea of necessity;
against making it a cover for the km and practice of Ida,
very, or a pretence for not using efforts that are lawful and
pramicable to extinguish this evil", •
Such were the early and Unequivocal inetructiona of our
Church. It is not necessary too minutely to inquire how
faithful and obedient to these lessons and warninge those to
whom they were addressed have been.: It ought - toe ao
knowledgedthat we have much to confess and. lament as to
our ShOrtcominge in title reapept. Whether : a"strict and
careful application of this advice would have rescued the
country, from the evil of, its condition and the dangers which
have since threatened% is known to the Oniniscient alone ;,
nor dO N 703,811111116 the right' confidently' to - declare that`the
prevent judgments' orour HeavenlY Bather. and Almighty
and Righteous Governor have been inflicted soldy, in pun
ishment for our conscious continuance in this sin; Malt it
our judgment that the recent events of our history and the
present condition of our Church and country furnieb niam
fest tokens that the time has_ at length Tome, theprovi
deuce of god, when it is his will that every,vestige of ha,
man dewily among ns should be, effaced, and that erery
Christian man ahould address. himself with industry and
earnestness to his appropriate part in the performance of.
this great duty. -
Whatever excuses for its. postponement may .heretofori
have existed, no longer avail.S.'''Sibert the country was at
peace within itself, 'and the,Cheirch, was unbroken,_ many.
consciences were perplexed, in, the presence of this great
evil, for the want of an adequate remedy. ' Rlavery was so
formidably intrenched behind the ramparts of pzrsonal -in
terests and prejudices, that to attack it with a view. to,its
speedy overthrow appeared to be attacking the very exist,
'lettuce of the social order itself, and was characterized as
the inevitable Introduction of an anarchy worse in its coin--
sequences than the evil for,which it seemed
,to be:the only
cure. ,But the folly and weakness of men have been the
illustrations of flod'H wisdom and power. Wader the MAU
ewe of the most incomprehensible infatuation. of wicked ,
ness, those whe were mod deeply.interested in the Darned:v.'
Mien of slavery, have taken away, from every good man,„
every motive for ihrfarther' toleration. The spirit of sla
very, not content with its defences„ to be found in the lave
of the States, the preVidens of the Federal Constitution, the
prejudices in favor of exist ng inseitatione, and the fear of
"change, has taken arms against lair, organized a bloody re
' bullion against the national authority, made formidable war
upon thefederalfinion,, and in order to found , n emnire
upon the corner-atone of slivery, threatens not only our
extatence sea people, but the annihtlation of the principles
of free Christian goveinnient; and thus has rendered the
continuance: or negro , slavery,ineompatible with the pre
'sedition ofsur own liberty and independence:! •
• Trt the struggle of the nation for existence against tide now-:
WIG and wicked treason, the:highest national' authorities=
have abolished slavery !pedant* of the, rebeiStateaand
decreed its extinction by military force. They Ude alluded
those formerly held aa slaves to be soldiers in the national
. analeat They have taken measures to organize the lettered
the freedmen, and Instituted measures for their supportand.
government in their, new Condition. r lt la their declared
policy mot to content the rehrganizationiinsivil
meat within the. Seceded States;; upon. any other hisiktileni=
that of emancipation: In the loyal -States where. skier'
has net, been:abolished. measures of ernanbipaUen,in.differ:
antdets prog.ress, have been 'set on rod; end are'ear
their consummation; and for an amendinent tit
the yederar Clenetihrtion,. prohibiting slavery In All•the
States and Territories, are now pending inthe national
grad •So that, in our present situation, the Interests - of
peace and:of socdatorder are identified with•the meted-of
the read Pf elltelletnetleM, Tile diffieldtfils which formerly
Seemed .insimenountable, in' the, providence of God appear,
now to be almost removed. The most formidable remaining.
obstacle, we - think, will•he fonad to be Gierilrividilingnese
the human , heart to een. and. accept -the truth. %vamat the
prejudices of habit and. f interest; and to act toward tiled.
who have been heretofore degraded as slaves with the chai r '
ity of Christian principle in the tidal's - wiry efforts tolmprove
and elevate them.. -
In view, therefore, of its ,former . testimonies upon" the
subject, the General Annimbli &di hereby dertnitkanirittis
its gratitude to Almighty God felle great deliverance
btu prepared for ear Country frod/he,eyiltizoillnlit of - she ,
very ; Its nordialapprohation Fctila.muit t ris tati4 bl i the
national aid State atifirdilialt 4 fdettextdrpidldn, ;al Xhe root
bitter ,
niz'Oxibli boo ephisiefeliMitn4 irii; and
WHOLE NO. 606.
bloodshed, and the long list of horrors that follow in their
train ; its earnest belief that the thorough removal of this
prolific source of eiril and harm will be speedily followed by
the blessings of our Heatenly Father, the return of peace,
union and fraternity, and abounding proeperity to the whole
land and recommend .to all in our communion to labor
honestly, earnestly and unweariedly in their respective
spheres for this glorious consummation, to which human
Justice, Christian love, national peace.and prosperity, vrery
earthly and every religious Interest, combine to pledge
them.
The report was ordered to be printett, and was
made the order of the day for Friday evening.
Pr. Backus moved to have evening sessions
hereafter, beginning this evening Carried. •
The order of the day was suspended, to re
ceive. the report of the Committee on Theological
Bentinariee, which was read by the ohairman,
Dr.-Tonkin..
The. Asseinbly proceeded to receive uominti 7
tions. for this, Profeiaorship.a TheologY in the
Wentern TheologiOat 'Seminary.
Dr. Krebs nominated the ROY. A. A. Hedge,
D.D., pastor:of the Presbyterian church at
Wilkesbarre;
Pr. Krebs spoke of lair high, reputatiuu as a
selfolaiand an anthar.:.
Dr. Nevin nominated Rev. SohnM LawheiD.D.,
of Fortirayni, Ind.; and spoke At' hisffine scholar
ship, his adaPtedness,. and,abo,as to the doubts
of himself and others about giving a single fam
ilk the teaching of theology for the greater part
of the Church. •
•
•
Rev, Me. Colt spoke of Dr. A.A. Hodge's emi
nent qualifipations, of his Undimbted loyaltY„
the feet that he Lad sacrificed his congregation
and 'Big. library ar Fredericlistinig that, he might
escaptfroni; the smoke of "this wicked rebellion.
"Dr. Beatty said it was from no desirato
tate to the ASsembly, but for its= information, that,
he.vrould say, that taking all the interests of the
Seminary into account, the choice of the Direc
tors and its special friends was Dr. A. A. Hodge.
His attainments were not disputed. And as
that Seminary had been involved in trouble on
this question, he would say that Dr. Hodge's loy
alty was undoubted— ,That Seminary and all
connected with itdersitiyal.
Dr. Elliott, Sema - Professor in that Seminary,
said that it was only at the request of others he
would say a word on, this subject. The minds
of the Directors and patrons hid beendirected
to Dr. Hodge after long, careful, and prayerful
inquiry. He had been a missionary, and the
Western Theological seminary had been founded
priniarily to educate' missionaries. Dr. hedge
would be most cordially received by the Faculty
and all the 'friends of the Seminary.
Dr. Candee reprobated the tendency to•make
our Seminaries mere. close Corporations. This
was the work of the Church, and the entire
Church had aright to partake in the deliberations
and decisions concerning any or all of the Semi
nariei of the Church. lie nominated Dr. E. D.
Macinaster—a man of the profoundest erudition
and the widest comprehension of all the subjects
of theology. Dr. Claybangh, an eminent Profes
sor of the Associate Reformed Church, said he
'never understOod the 9th chapter of Romans un
til after he heard its, exposition by Dr. Mac--
master.
Dr. Burt nominated Dr. Edwards, of Philadel
.
phut -
, speaking of him as a man well known in
the Church, a thorough Presbyterian, and an
able theologian.
Dr. junkin spoke in favor of the election of
Dr. Lowrie as
. a writer of high repute, a diligent
student, • and as being a native of Pittsburgh,
who knew the hang of things there.. He was op
pssed to this dictation from Seminaries. He was
the' friend of all the Seminaries.. It was an im
putation on the Assembly for any persons to
speak of themselves as the partiodlar friends of
any Seminary. •
Rev. Mr., Platt said Dr. Young had advised
his students to go to a Seminary where there, was
some Professor of acknowledged controlling influ
ence., This was right, and the Assembly should
;keep this in mind in the present election to fill a
vacancy in one of our most important Semina
ries.
Rev. Dr. Elliott led in prayer. After this,
Dr. A. S. Mac Master suggested that Dr. Can
dee should withdraw the, name of his brother
from the nominees. He did not wish to be a.
candidate for any existing. Seminary. If in, the
future a Bewinary should be opened at Atlanta,
Ga., or Chattanooga, to train ministerst.e . preack
the—Gospel in hevast — regien opening up to
in that quarter, he would willingly be a condi-,
date for such a place. But now he knew his
brother Wu not, a candidate for any place in the
Church. , .
Dr. Candeo then asked permission to withdraw
the name of Dr. Machfaster. Granted.
The ejection 'was appointed for Iri.day morn-,
log.
Dr. Backus presented the report of the Com
mittee on the Board of ?Olio-aim.
• Dr. Schenck,. the Seeretary , , then spoke of the
success of the'Board during the year ; of the in
crease in the cost of boo - It-making; of the- ad
vance in the number and character of its. Sab
bath Salad books ; of the, work of Colportage;•
of the pubteations of our Board in the army, the
hoSpitals, and among the prisoners , and -freed
.
jekst; and alio of the vast numberi of oar tracts
,boOks - distiihnted by chaplains and the
.Chtistian Commission. •
Re gays said he could bear witness to
the blessed;
sied effects of the publications of our
Board, as distributed among the sick and wound
ed in the hospitals in Baltimore, by the Chris,
'tian Commission. . • .
. . .
Dr. Junkin bore witness to the happy effects
of the works of the Board among the Sons of the,
Sea. The " Soldier's,Pockef-Book?!. lad taken
the place, in great -Measure, of. the f,,Episcopal
Prayer-Book among the men.
Rev. Mr. Colt was a Chaplain, and -knew the
blessed effects of the " Soldier's Bocket-Book,"
an editiori.of whiehliad been published in Ger--
man:. 240,000 copies had been distributed. All
the churches should take an interest in. this
Board,'and contribute to it, especially now when;
from 'every church had gone forth the armed• eons
of the land. ,
. .
Dr. Musgrave-was glad to be able to express
his gratification that the changes. effected last
year had worked
,so well. All,the grievances
had been removed— The Board had his sympa
thies _and„ prayers. He thanked God_ that he
could say so.
Dr. Beatty had been the Chairman of the Com
mittee on the-Board of Publication, and he re-..
joked that the Board had at once adopted, the
directions of the. Assembly,,,and had heartily
gorie to work according to their snggestions.
Dr. Waters had been a Colporteur s of the,
- Board in the valley of the Mississippi.: The offi-,
cers of the colored regiments entreated for books
for their Mon. The colored schools clamored for_
them., Among pipe theusandprisoners at, Rock
Island thei had been most gratefully received.
Dr. De Lancey had :witnessed the happy effects
of our
,bitelts among the.rebel._ prisoners in. ,Bos
ton harbor. He , would" correctthe .imp assion
that none of the slaves, could read . Idol irithin
the last few manthi. In almost every commu
nity in the South there were one or two slaves
who could iead. The last time he, had preached ,
in Dr. .Palmer's church New Orleans, it was
to his colored dongregation t And the singinglras
led by a colored
_choir, using tune-books. He
made these remarks to correct a false impression,„
and also to statelhat there were Some negroes
now who were able_to read to,those who_were•un-•
able to read for theraselveo.:
The report was adopted :
The Assembly, s,djourned.yrith prayer .by Dr.
Elliott.
ATTENOON sisilow-r8 o',clLocyr
, .
Asmitbly met and . ,was opened - with piayer by
The order of the day being the hearing of Del
egates from Corresponding bodies,the Modera
tor introduced the Rev, J..T. Pressley, D.D., of
the-United Presbyterian Church. Re appeared
as a representative from one of the smaller tribes
of our Prbsbyteria.n Israel. Re brought the sal
utations ~of 'the United .Presbyteriab. Church,
wishing peace, prosperity, and still greater en:.
largement. Unhappily the Church is divided.
But,it is one of the encouraging symptoms, that
etrifeaand asperities are being removed. And
fraternal intercourse may -tend to. d 6 this still
more. The. United Presbyterian Church was the
result of •a successful effort to unite 'the Associ
ate and the. Associate 'Reformed' Churches. At
:one time the wall- of separation seemed high ;
but the mountain had been made a plainv and the
parties now lived in peace and unity as one
branch of the Chureh.. This may encourage .to
still farther efforts toward union -among the dif
oferent branshes of ',the great Presbyterian...fan:li-
Differences May be unavoidable now, but
'thereAre many:things in which - _sra can: coilper.
ate asidn:losdng Spirit may lie always
fed The United Pxesbyteriaii'Church, like your
its.noneiction of the need of:an
-odiniated ministry, and kaarthree 'Theological
-Schools; one at Monmouth, one at Xenia,.
Ohim.and. one. at. Allegheny, Pa. We are trying
-to do what,we can.iuthe Home, Mission field..
We have Foreign Miaidons'in. Syria, Egypt, in-
SU, China, and Italy: The most prospermis is
the one in.-Brypt ;-end..there is much to encour- -
,ag'e-int the work. in Italy.. . The distraetions 'oft
.the country are exerting a hurtful, influence. on
;vital go"dliness... I conclude with assurances of
81110 a, regard to:you:and:All your-churches. _l.
The ,Moderator replied:Able my privilege and
1. on, o eg
o t prose- the high' . Chrlitiastregards:of
:this,...itthionitblytki:youraelf end the lhurch -7471. k
represeut-f-We lase: been long acoustonied
THE PRESBYTERIAN BANNER.
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regard yours as in many respects a mod '3l Church.
You area Bible-reading Church in se family
and in the sanctuary. Your preaching is Bible
preaching. You are a Sabbath-keeping Cbureh.
You are a witness-bearing Church Yoar wit.
nesses slain in the street have borne testimony to
the truth. You instruct your children in the
Bible and .Catechism,•and to this last 'fact you
owe much of your success. Youaro's, mission
ary Church. And we hope the time Is not' dist
ant when you, with us, shall see the Truth ex
tend from sea to sea s and from the river nuts
the ends of the earth.
The Moderator then, introduced Rev. Dr. De
merest, of the Reformed Dutch Church, who
said Grace; mercy arid peace be unto you.
vwe years ago it was preposed by our Synod to
cents, lending delegates, and to correspond by
letter. But, you preferred the delegate. And of
the propriety of this, your.delegate, (the old man
eloquent,) Dr. George Junkin, convinced us.
We recognize in you a strong and powerful
Church. We regret that many formerly with
I you are not here now. Yet we rejoice that you
and that other great branch of the Presbyterian
Church are being drawn closer - together. The
Dutch Church is the oldest. in this country. The
first persons who came to Manhattan, brought
with them the pastor and the teacher=the
Chnrch,and the School. It may be asked, Why
has nelathiesChnrals, grown more rapidly? For
mOrithan century, the ministers, though hay
-Mg the zeal of a Paul, could not go beyond the
• bedside of the Dui& gettlenterits. This , was
,owing .to the we of the:Dutch language.; and,
until - this was done - away with, growth was ire
, pessibles But now we have a Theological Semi
nary With three Professork and about, fifty stu
. dents; a College for the endowment of which
$120,000 has been paid in; and an Academy in
the West, which will soon be a College and s
Theological School. We haVe all the Boards you
-have; we have entered upon the work of Home
and Foreign Missions; and now 1 say to you and
to all, the Presbyterian Church in the United
States, Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity
within thy palaces.
The Moderator said: The nationality of your
Church was different from ours. Your Church
is mainly composed of descendants of Holland.
ere. Ours is composed of English Puritans and
Scotch Irish Presbyterians, Huguenots, and
Dutch Caliiniste. But the Puritans had to come
through Holland to reach this country But we
are one in faith. Our Confessions are substan
tially the same. In your modesty you Bay you
are small. May you by the blessing of God soon
become great and powerful.
The Moderator then introduced Rev. Dr. Wil
son, of the New School General Assembly. He
said the last time he had been present at the
meeting of this Gen. Assembly, was in the year
1887. He ,was then a young man, licensed;
'but not ordained. He had been - a close observer
of the proceedings then. His views now were
as then. But when he looked round and saw the
changes which had been effected, he conffissed to
a change. And he now was willing that every
cause of difference should be taken away. New re
lations had arisen, and, new combinations must
be formed to meet them. Slavery was no longer
a disturbing cause. Its destruction was certain.
You were wiser than we. We went into the vol
untary Societies ; but we made a mistake. We
now have adopted your system of Ecclesiastical
Boards. Symbols and forms are not necessary
to Christian unity. There is a unity of spirit
which we may cultivate. He was not in favor of
large, overgrown Churches. This was one of
the happiest days of his life. The chasm of
twenty-seven years has been bridged over. We
come # to the borders and shake hands. We are
one. The disruptien of this Church was almost
the prelude to national disruption ; may the re
union be the prelude of national restoration.
(Cheers.) When we left you, we could not walk
alone, but we have now set up housekeeping for
ourselves. - Those with whom we walked. were
very willing to receive our money, but very un
willing 'to pay any out for us. We have about
sixty Foreign missionaries ; the people are wok
big up to, this matter. Our Home Missions are
all we could desire; and our Board of Publica
tion is doing a good work. This year we have a
redundancy of funds for .Education. This is
bad. We have too many unemployed ministers,
but this can be remedied. We have the same
origin, the same history, the same great names—
Calvin, Knox, and Chalmers—are composed of
the same people, and we have the same Christian
hope. We are one in Christ, and should be uni
ted in the same great work as we expect the
same great rest at last.
The Moderator then introduced Judge Allison,
of the same Church, who said his present posi
tion was one of great' embarrassment, but also
of distinguished honor. He endorsed all that
had been said by Dr. Wilson. He had been all
his life in. the Presbyterian Church. And now
after twentysseven years we were brought nearly
together. fie was gratified at the proposal from
this Assembly that the laity should also be repre
sented. However much better the ministry
might iMderstand the philosophy of this matter,
there was an intone() desire in the hearts of the
people for union, not merely in spirit, but an or
ganic union. ( Cheers.)' It was high time to be
gin to talk about this. He looked forward to the
time when this union would be effected. (Cheers.)
Your delegate_ to our General Assembly had been
listened to with an eagerness never surpassed.
Young men were alive with hope, and tears trick
led down the cheeks of aged warriors, such as
Boman, Skinner, and Barnes.' We cannot but
regard the tender which came from your dele
gate as auguring areal organic union. The log
ic of events is driving us to be one. Our polity
is essentially the:same as yours. Your wisdom
was wiser than- ours. We confess it. When
the,,Home Mission Society refused to extend aid
to applicants appointed by Presbyteries, unless
• also appointed by their Committee, we left them.
We adopted your plan.
'And though when at St. Louis we adopted a
COnunittee of Missions, and Committees on oth
ei subjects some members attempted to draw
very. fine subjects;
between Boards and Com
mittees, as certain persons among you once did,
but it amounted to nothing. • Nothing could have
been kinder than your recommendation last year,
that, the:members of the two bodies seek to live
together in fraternal union. And this spirit
would leadsto., the complete union of these two
ssreat bodiesein one great Assembly. (Cheers.)
There never has been any difficulty in ministers
or members passing from one body to the oth
•er, :And facts have been bringing us nearer.
•He hoped•the history of former difficulties would
scion be buried, or remain as warnings to be
pointed at, that old difficulties might be avoided.
-We. never anticipated that we would have to
stand shoulder to shoulder in defence of our
country, against the most wicked of all human
rebellions. But are we not standing as one
Church inthis gruel work, whether at Dayton or
Newark? And y standing together in this,
must., we zeparate when peace has smiled ?
I trust this Aseembly will vindicate again its loy
-any. as mine has already done, without one dis
senting voice. May these two bodies soon be
again,blend into one.
The MOderator remarked : This Assembly has
.by surniiitakable indications, assured you of
her
,siimpatliss, respect, and love. The division
in, 1887 was a matter of history ; it never could
be made otherwise. That division was the result
'of the Plan of Union in 1802. Incongruous ele
ments had been, brought together, and they
worked badly. lam content to let the history
of the division remain as it is. Six years ago
an eminent minister of the Church had thrown
his arms around him saying, I know where you
- stand, for you have , written a book ; I stand on
the same platform, and am only separated by ec
clesiastical lines. You and we are much nearer
together than we were in 1837, in the matter of
doctrine.: Then you were more anti-slavery than
we. ,We were anti-slavery,, but conservative,
keeping quiet*. order to prevent a schism. But
events have: placed us on the same platform.
And.if this war, terrible as it is, shall result in
universal freedom, the cost will not be too great.
And he believed the end was near.
Letters were read from the delegates to the
United Preshyterian General Assembly, and to
the Synod of, the . Dutch Church, and the Rev.
Dr. Tustin made a report in person, detailing the•
• events of the disruption, the long separation, and
the steps which at length led to this correspond
ence.
-
Closed with prayer..
- EVENISCI SESSION -7k o'ox.ocs.
After recess the Assembly met.
Rey. Dr. A. S. hianlifaster read a paper calling
on ourchiraies and people to observe the say
-oath day_ Of, July as a day
. of humiliation, fast
ing,
_arid prayer, enumerating as reasons for the
,observance of such a day—our complicity with
slavery as a Church and nation, the growth of
covetousness, corruption of manners, vice, dis
regard of human life, disobedience of children
to parents and its kistdred desecration of
the 413b04, 144d : profanity, corrupting the Word
of Ond,ja_theeorrnaudments and ordinances of
men,,neglent.of_ the Bible and of public worship,
unfaithfulnessof ministers, and worldly confor
mity. He moved that this paper be adopted.
Thialiaa:seconded. •
pi. VinoMaster,proceeded. Is there a call Tar
"a 'day such as this paper recommends.? Some
may say that_ thsrc la a greater call for thanks
giving. If it be 80 appoint such a day and I