will observe it. But still this does not prove
that there is n o need for a day of humillauon.
Such a day is eminently proper in review of the
sins of the past, in the way of preparation for
great mercies, or in anticipation of signal deliv•
trances. This position was supported by refer
ences to various deripture passages. Now as to
th Note. Tn.d ay there are 1;000 000 of mon
the field, Nor th and South. A member of this
b dy told us the, other day he had three sons in
toe army. He himself had an only eon in the
front of Sherman's army,, baptised years ago, in
Pittsburgh, by a venerable member of the Synod
of Allegheny, now in the house. And this
son may now be lying bleeding and man
gled. But this Is only one of thousands
of similar instances, and it may be that
great battles are only beginning. And suppose
that Gen. Grant should today annihilate the
rebel army, :would there not. be cans. for humili-,
atign, because of the thousands of desolate homes
Which even such a victory would occasion?
Again, the State of the Church is to be taken in
to account. If the Union were reconstructed,
what are we to do with the Church ? Sohism has
occurred in all its branches. One third of our
own churches have sloughed off. Can we take
tbem back, all covered with the blood of our
sons, and make them members and moderators
of the General Assembly 1 This is a question to
be mat. It could not be urged that the late proo
laoaation is a sutlioient argument against such a
day, for in that case it would only be necessary
to continue such things, to prevent all humilia
tion and fasting.
Dr. liaollaster reviewed the proceedings of
the last five General Assemblies.
tr. Juokin inquired if it was proper in advo
cating a day of humiliation and prayer, to re
view the proceedings of the last Ave General As
semblies.
Dr. Mao Master replied that he was only giv
ing reasons why a day of fasting and prayer
should be appointed.
Dr.. Musgrave moved to refer the paper to the
Corathittee on Bills and Overtures.
Rey. Mr. Johnsen said, that many things
had been said, which were not according
to his taste. But we of the North-West feel that
it is about:tittle to set ourselves right on some of
the causes'of the war. Among the people in the
North-West there was beginning to be a convic
tion that the Old' &hoot Presbyterian Church
was falling short of her duty. Be believed the
whole ; Church needed just such a paper as this.
Dr. Nevin said 'it was extremely difficult to
speak just now. But he felt that there was need
Of a day of prayer and fasting. Be was in fa
vor Of the reference.
Judge Ryerson, from the Committee on Min
istate' Salaries, reported an tiddress to the
ehurches, reminding them of the increased ex
penses of living ; of the increased wages of
hired peraonwand officers ; of the difficulties in
the way , of persons living on fixed salaries ; of
the' feat that, with few honorable exceptions,
there has been no corresponding increase of sal
aries; that this had been an inadvertence; that
`rte coul.i not believe that Christian people would
eat thus unjustly toward their pastors ; exhort
ing the people to make immediate exertions to
remove this evil ; and that it was vital to the
Church and our country that the hands of the
ministry be strengthened, and that the ministra
tions of the sanctuary be clothed with all possi
ble effieleney. To this was added a recommen
dation that the attention of the proper authori
ties be called to the case of ministers serving
the Church in Colleges, Seminaries, etc.
Dr. A. G. M'Candiess said the paper would
commend itself to the hearts and consciences of
the elders Many ministers. especially in coun
try districts, labored faithfully and hard for.less
than a day laborer.
Judge Linn said the Committee was in doubt
as to the proper mode of authentication of the
document to - tht, churches. Soule member must
make - the suggestion. Be believed that a simple
sense of justice would lead all the elders of the
Presbyterian Church to adopt the suggestions of
the iteporL
Mr. Wallace said he thought the Committee on
Salaries could very easily urge upon 'he churches
the duty of increasing their contributions to the
Domestic Board, that the salaries of the home
missionaries may be increased.
Adopted.
The Committee on Foreign Correspondence
reported, expressina the sympathy of the As
senility with the efforts of the Christian people
of Genevain their endeavors to erect a large
Memorial' Hall for the proclamation of the great
system of truth which Calvin developed, and
also commend this enterprise to the liberality
of the ohurches and appoint Wm. Rankin, Jr.,
as treasurer of ;his fund. •
Adjourned with prayer by Dr. Hurtle.
Sixth Day.
The Amn:ably met, and was opened with read
ing the Scriptures and prayer. The first half
bouts wee epent in devotional exercises, Dr. Du
bois and Rev. L. Merrill Miller leading in
prayer. -
Tee .minutes were read, corrected and ap
proved. - • '
The Permanent Clerk read a letter from the
Clerk of the Methodist Episcopal Conference now
in session in Philadelphia, acknolledging the re
eeipt of the invitation from this body to unite in
prayer for the newt, this afternoon, and stating
that the Conference aooepted the invitation.
Judge Ryerson moved that . the letter on Pas
tor's Salaries be printed and circulated at the
expense of the Board of Publication. Adopted.
Tile Judge also moved, that in view of the claims
soon to be made on the Christian churches,
Presbyteries enjoin ministers to preaeh on the
Subject; to present the claims of all the Boards
of the Church "regularly ; and that the Presby
teries make diligent inquiry as to the faithful-
IMO of the pastors in this particular
Rev. Dr. dlaelean,, from the Committee on Bills
and Overtures reported. paper No. 2, a com
plaint of the Bission of the 7th oburih of Cinoin
,cuts, and a complaint or appeal of the Presbytery
of Ciocinnati versus the Synod of Cincinnati, in
the case of the. Misses Brown. No. 8. A com
plaint from Rev. Mr. Abbott, versus the Synod of
Missouri. Mr. Abbott is not present, nor is he
represented by any one. The Committee reoom
menttthat it be referred to the next General As
tembly. No S. Complaint of Rev. N. West,
*craw the Synod of New-York. Foundi in order,
and the Assembly recommended to take it up in
order. No. 7. Appeal -of Rev. John B. Bays,
*frog the Synod of Illinois. Mr. Says not pres•
ent,'and bas left our Church for the "Episcopal
Church ; therefore, the Committee recommend
that the appeal be dismissed.
Dr. Conde% from the Committee on the Board
of Foreign Missions, reported, mentioning the
care and caution of the Board in the manage
ment of its funds; the encouragement to greater
efforts ; !mom among the . Indians in this coun
try, and among the-people of South America;
and the protection afforded our missionaries in
China and India; the fact that the twenty-six
Synods who had given their donations this year,
bad all increased their benefactions, except four;
that there'had been.a large increase in the re
ceipts over the previous year ; and also that
there is a reeler increase in the number of native
helpers, and in the growth of the native churches.
Rev. J. C Lowrie, D.D, one oethe Secretaries
of the Beau', was invited to address the Assem
bly. Dr. Lowrie thanked the Assembly for this
kindness. The last year had been one of great
success, calling for great thankfulness. He then
spoke of the death of a valuable laborer; Rev.
Henry Rankin; of the late murder of Rev. Levi .
3anvier ; of the death of several most estimafile
female laborers; of the cost of Exchaege; of the
threatening aspect of affairs at Cerise°, from
Spanish interference ; of the outpouring of the
Holy Spirit pan several missionary stations; of
the desire of the Board for counsel; of the duty
of the Assembly to Weigh well these resolutions.
since they involved great expenditure. All the
Stations are calling for additional laborers. New
schools must be established, and the course of
studies in others must be enlarged. This was
particularly 50 in Lahore (India), and in Pekin
(China). In the latter place God has greatly
blessed our work. In this Province, now en
tirely open to us, there are about twenty-eight
Millions of people, having among them only ten
miesionaries of all Christian denominations.
Several of oar best misionaries in Evils, are in
impaired health; and provision should be made
for all possible contingencies. If we are to en
large oar operations, .there must be a great in
crease to the funds of the Board. $35,000 were
paid last year in the way of Exebange, and if,
by any possibility, Exchange should remain as
now, SUMO will be reqnired to meet the in
*mewed -rates of Exchange. But, with God's
blessing upon our arms, Exchange will soon
some down. There has been a very marked in
crease, which gives encouragement for the future.
Some of our I:Aerobes make princely donations,
but these come from a few persons. We must
seek to bring out the full power of the Church,
by leading all to contribute. It is a matter of
groat importance that alt the churches and all
'swoons in the ohurches, unite heart and soul in
this great work. We must reach the churobes
and the people in the churches, or we cannot ad
vance. The Board will do whatever the churches
order, if the means are supplied. Our whole de
pendenoe for encases is on God.
Bev. Mr. Platte said, we must all teach our
people three things—let; 'the need• of more
prayer; 2d, the duty of the youth; Bd, the grace
of giving. That We may do this, ourown hearts
Inuit be filled with love to Christ; and then 'we
'will belittle to•lmpart the same feeling`to others.
Rev. Mr. Haskell said the missionary work is
Ono 4,0 which every Christian commits himself.
And he would especially impress on the mind
Of the Assembly the duty of syMpithy with the
missionary in Complete dedication to God.•
have stood on heathen ground where One of my
WEDNESDAY, May 26.
table-mates was stricken down by two murder
ous assassins.
Mr. Rankin, Treasurer, said, we have supplied
our missionaries, until the lst of October, with
drafts payable in Liverpool four months after
date. The missionaries sell these drafts to na
tive bankers for gold, which is all that is consid
ered money there. The drafts are sent to Liver
pool, the Treasurer in New-York is notified, and
be must meet the drafts. The amount now on
deposit in New-York is about $60,000, and this
is about the amount now due on the missionaries'
drafts. But as Exchange is now, $120,000 is
needed to meet this 1 1 .60,000. Last year $20,000
were needed in this way, and were supplied.
This year $60,000 will be demanded for this end.
We cannot send out more missionaries unless
this expenditure is provided for by increased.
contributions. Our bills must not go to protest;
for this would ruin our credit, and thus disable
our missionaries. .
Rev. Watson Hughes said that it was good pol
icy when a missionary had broken down in the
Foreign field, to bring him homer Then he
might recover se as to be useful 'here. He knew
of such instances.
Rev. Mr. Rodgers remarked that new missions
could not be founded, or old ones enlarged, un
less' the Church would increase its donations.
An experience of, ten years as an agent had con
vinced him that our contributions, both small
and great, oame from a few. The people must
be educated to this in the family, the Sabbath
School, and the church. Be had found that
wherever pastor and Session were alive to this
work, the people were.not behind. There was a
special temptation, just now, to neglect our duty
to this Board, in the , urgent demands for our Bolt
diers, which are all right and commendable; but
we mast not neglect the duties we owe toward
evangeliiing the world.
Rev. Mr. Walsh said he was one of that un
fortunate olaas termed returned tainionaries. He
was about to say that the Church must not sup
pose that native agency would accomplish at
once, all that the Church now expected. Time
was required. The native converts described
by Paul in his epistles, were just about smolt as
our converts in India. Men immersed all their
life-time in the abominations of heathenism,
were not to be prepared at once for pdstors and
and teachers. He believed we had reason for
thankfulness. The funds, he thought, would be
supplied. The missionaries never doubted the
success of our Government and army. He de
sired the Assembly to unite with him in a mon
ster petition, and to lead their 'churches to unite
with him. This petition waeLnirayer for the
Holy Spirit. This was needed more than all
else.
Rev. Mr. Speer said the increase' in funds
since the Assembly at Peoria, wat because we
then resolved to increase them. He wished this
Assembly to be a practical one, and to determine
to raise the funds, and then to go to work and
raise the funds. He held in his.hand a coin of
China which, from the charaotera on it, proved
that the Nestorian missionaries had at one time
visited and labored with success in China. The
silver and the gold bore witness that the earth
was the Lord's. One-sixth of the entire con
tributions to our Board last year came from the
single city of New-York; that is, $30,000. Can
noteach of usury to make our individual church
pay twice as much to Foreign Missions this year
as last year. He moved that the Church raise
$300,000 for the Board this year.
Dr. Junkin said his theory was that the prince
of the power of the air originated this war. We
did not believe enough in the power of the devil.
One great object of the devil in this war was to
dry up the streams 'of Christian benevolence
toward Foreign Missions and other good works.
We ought to pray that hie devices maybe brought
to nought, and that the wealth brought to many
by this war may be largely turned into the trea
sury of the Lord. If we had, faith in the state
ments of missionaries; of travellers, and of the
Bible, concerning this great matter, we would
certainly be stirred up. Satan in his devices
distracts our minds, our counsels, and our
churches. He has turned the mind of the
Church aside from its true niiesion, to other
things which do not properly concern the
Church. We do not preach enough about the
kingdom of Clod.
Dr. Nevin said he had received Mr. Simpson,
who was drowned in -Africa, info 'the Church.
His mother was in the habit of sending $5O
every year to her son; and though very plain,
and in limited circumstances, she since his death
sends regularly her $5O every year to the Board.
Mr. Carter, a member of the Executive Com
mittee, would -call attention to the difficulties
which have encompassed our path for the last
three'years. During the last year, every dollar
we sent abroad' cost us about one . ' dollar and
Seventy cents._ We now send abroad our own
drafts • these come back and must be met. He
referred to the ordination of six young Chinese
it one time, by a little Presbytery, -and the cele
bration. of the Lord's Supper there afterwards,
in a most touching and tender manner. The
last year had been our most successful one; hitt
every step seemed to be in the dark. Let us
have faith and hope in Ood. The silver and the
gold are his.
Rev. Dr. Elliott hoped the motion of Mr. Speer
would be 'adopted. Satan sometimei outwits
himself—just as the Setiessionists, who started
this war to sustain slavery,"have themselves' de
stroyed slavery. And in the crisis through
which we are passing, God is training the peo
ple to benevolence as never before. The people
have' given unexampled 'contributions to the
country, and more than ever to the Church.
Those who have given most to the country, have
also wiren most to the Church. Good is being
brought out. This is a day of God's workingin
a way we.never witnessed before. He will work
out the problem in a way-that will cause all our
hearts to rejoice. - •
Riv. Mr. Hynes said he believed it was possi
ble to raise the'amount specified, if the subject
was fairly presented.
Rev. Mr. Haskell said care was to be taken
lest, after having passed such a resolution, there
may be a reflex influence, which-will lead us to
be satisfied with lower results than are antici
pated.
Mr. Rankin feared that this resolution, if
passed, would not. be 'fully niet. Every , year
resolutions were passed which were not fulfilled.
But if every representative from- the Pregby
teries will address himself to this work in his
church and Presbytery, it will be done.'
Dr. Candee said the Committee did not make
the recommendation suggested by Mr. Speer,
merely on account of the reasons given by Mr.
Rankin. The Comitittee believed the; Church
able,to add to its former gifts so that $500,000
'Could butt once raised. He believed there was
no difficulty in securing the $300,000, this year.
The benevolence of -the people, °idled out so
largely by our wounded and sick soldier's, would
also constrain them to'give to the Church. Min
isterEi often stood in the way of the benevolence
of the Church. .They were 'afraid to appeal' to
their people as they should. The ministers
must take the lead. He ha& practised on this,
and God bad blessed him ever Rime. He had
dedicated one-quarter of his income to the Lord
thirty-six years ago, and the Lord-had rewarded
Mr. Carter remarked that• one-half the income
of the Bible Society last year, $120,000, was
from betifiest43, while but one-tenth of the con
tributions to our Board• of Foreign Missions was
derived from this scittroe.
Mr. Speer's • motion - was adopted, and the
whole report adoPted. • ':
It was made: the second Order of the'day to-
Morrow, to appoint the,place of next meeting ;
and. , the Report on Psalmody was made the third
order.. The camplaint'of'Dr. MoPheeters versus
the :Presbytery of St. Louis, was Made the order
of the day for:Thursday evening.
Nominations to fill vacancies irethe Boards and
Seminaries were now made.,
Closed with,prayer by Dr. -Maclean.
MEENOON ISZSSIOS.
The Assembly met and spent the afternoon in
prayer and devotional exercises in - behalf of our
country; according to previous appointment.
Recess until 71 o'clook;
ZYENING IiZZErION.
The Assembly met, and according to previous
arrangement, (Norge H. Stuart, Esq., was heard
in behalf of the Christian Commission. In the
introduction be remarked that he felt himself
unworthy of the high privilege of addressing
such a Court of Jesus Christ. This was espe
cially so now when coming from a sick room,
and oppressed under a sense of the responsibil
ity resting upon him. He then proceeded to ex
plain the object' of this noble institution, and
its facilities for usefulness; and to say that the
Association had already sent two thousand' vol
unteer delegates to the field; had received and
expended over $BOO,OOO in money, and $1,000,-
000 worth of stores.. They had given - 700,000
copies of portions of the Scriptures, donated -by
the American Bible Society and the British and'
Foreign Mtge Society, from the latter of which
16,000 copies of portion's of Scripture had been
received, with the promise of as many more as
might be needed. -We have also. distributed
750,000 copies of.psalm and hymn books, 60,000
library. books, 200,000 magazines, 4,500,000
pages of religious newspapers, and 25,000,000
pages of tracts. To-day we have 55 centre Sta
tions, 160 outer Stations, and 16 Agents direct
ing at this moment 500 unpaid delegates.- In
two weeks in;the army„of the Potomao, 64 chap
els had been erected. In addition to -these we
have eighteen large tents, making s e v e nty-two
:places of worship, in.which eight thonmnd reli
gions services were held during the last Winter.
He' then gave a most thrilling account' of. the
labors of the Christian.Ocrmzolasion in the late
terrible battles. of the.Axmy of: the -Ponnitao.
The most intents interest was manifestad. The
deepest 'feeling pervaded the entire anilines.
He stated that within twenty.diretha Christian
PRESBYTERIAN BANNER.---WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 1864.
Commission had reoeived $300,000 in money, and
$lOO,OOO in stores.
The Moderator announced as the second order
of the evening, the consideration of the Report
on Slavery, from the Committee on Bills and
Overtures, and that Judge Stanley Matthews had
the floor.
Judge Matthews said the Assembly had just
listened to the President of the Christian Com
mission on the horrid results of the war in which
we are engaged. It is now to be determined
whether this Assembly shall lift its potent voice
against the accursed cause of this wicked war.
He spoke of his regret that in the providence of
God it had fallen to his lot to open this discus
sion ; of his inexperience in such a presence ; of
his need of help from on high. Then he referred
to the action of 1787, 1796, 1816, and 1818, and.
said that it was remarkable that at the first
meeting of the Assembly since 1818, when the
application of its principles was possible, there
should be a • man a member of this Assembly who
was also a member of that, and voted for that
action. No Assembly has ever proposed to re- .
peal the action of 1818. When it was •Charged
that the action of 1846 repealed it, the very next
Assembly expressed itself most unequivocal
ly. Their action was in favor of the abo
lition of slavery whenever in the providence of
God it could be • done. According to the Gos
pel, and the deliverances of the Church, it was
the duty of every Presbyterian to labor for the
abolition of slavery, as Boon as the way could be
opened up. From 1818 until now there had
been no general movement toward the re
moval of slavery which gave any promise of suo-
COSS. There is an unwritten history which may
go far toward explaining the need of a deliver
slce now. Many leaders in the Churoh fail to
carry out the act of 1818, and - have perverted
oven the Word of God and turned their backs
upon their Churh and said, with the fallen an
gel—
"Evil, be thou my good."
They declared slavery to be a good, and that it
should be perpetuated. As a consequence, rebel
lion followed against this , good Government—civil
war, with all its fearful results. So that now
the time specified by the General . Assembly in
its earlier deliverances, has come. And so the
Committee, in this report, deolares, that it is
God's will that every vestige of human slavery
should now disappear.
Time was when it was considered immoral and
wicked to attack an institution existing from gen
eration to generation, as• causing unnecessary
excitement, and awakening bad feeling. That
objection does not bold good now. Those mo
tives are now transferred to the other side.
Emancipationists are now the conservatives, the
men who support the Government; and those
who oppose, are the men who array themselves
against the Government. -It has been 'said that
in this matter we are uniting politics and the
Church. Much of this kind of talk has been heard,
but it generally came from those whose politics
were on the wrong side. He then proceeded to
answer the objection made, that this report, in
endorsing the means by which the , Government
declares slavery abolished, is committing our
selves to a position which only a legal tribuntil
can decide, and makes us partizans. This argu
ment would apply to any of the deliverances of
the Church on this subject, in former years.
The subject of slavery entered more or less into
all political parties. If the Church cannot act
now, it never can act. According to this doc
trine, whenever an immorality becomes so deep
ly imbedded in the body politic,
as to receive the
sanction of law, the mouth of the Church must
be shut against it.
Polygamy, in Utah, exists by law. It enters
into politics. Therefore the Church must not
declare it to be sinful to have more than one
wife. The Assembly the Case before us, only
acts upon the presumption that the acts of the
Government are constitutional. Every citizen is
bound to presume that the law requiring certain
duties of him, is constitutional, and he must not
decline this presumption upon his peril. This
deliverance does not require any one to act uw,
differently from what he must act at all events,
until the law is tested in courts of law. As citi
zens we are bound to regard them as constitu
tional, so must every Christian. This deliver
ance does not bind the conscience or conduct of
any one any more than it is now bound. Only
rebels in arms desireekto oppose , the acts of the
Government in this particular. It may be said
that there are slaveholders in States now loyal.
lint the President's Proclamation does not affect
such. It may be possible for men to have legal
rights which, as a Christian; he is bound to re
linquish. But it is only by wresting the paper
that this construction can be put upon it. He
left the matter with the Assembly. He believed
its decision would rejoice the heart of every
Christian and patriot, and tend to restore the
peace we so ardently desired.
Dr. Nevin moved that the report be adopted.
Leave was granted to strike out the word "con
scious."
Dr. Nevin said he had_but a 'word to say. He
would only mention one thing more to relieve his
conscience- The action of 1845 was dubious.
If this action would still leave any doubt as to
that action being unrepealed, he wanted some
thing additional. For his own part he believed
the resolution of 1845 had been virtually re
pealed. . .
Adjourned with prayer by Rev. Dr. Reynolds.
The Assembly met, and was opened with
prayer by the Moderator. The usual half hour
was spent in devotional exercises.
. I * . 'At the close of these,. Dr. Cando called atten
tion to the fact that the Minutes, as approved
-yesterday, stated that he withdrew the nomina
tion of Dr. E. D. McMaster, as a candidate for
the vacant obair in Allegheny, and moved that
it be inserted that this was done at the sugges
tion of Rev. A. B. MaoMacter, D.D. Carried,
The _Minutes of yesterday were read, cor
'reined, and approved. •
- The Committee on Mileage reported . that
$1,085 had been paid,- and that members asking
pioportion from this sum had traveled, in
coming to the - Assembly, seventeen thousand
miles. -
Rev. Dr. Tustin concluded hie report of hie
visit to the New-School General Assembly of
last year, which was begun the other day.
At• the-close of the report, Dr. Beatty moved
that the fidelity of the delegate „be apivroved.
Carried.
The Rev. Dr. Rurtis, from the Committee lin
Disabled Ministers- 7 this being the Order of the
day—reported, expressing gratification at. the
increase of these funds and at the fidelity with
which they have been administered, and recom
mending that Dr. Jones, the Secretary, be heard.
Dr. Jones read his Annual Report. From
this it appears that during the year, $13,160
have been distributed to eighty-eight persons.
Of these, forty-eight were widows, thirty-seven
ministers, and three families of orphans. Many
of the facts detailed in this repori are of the
most affecting character, and should be known
to the Church, that it Inay provide for its gallant
leaders, in sickness and old age, who have given
their all to the Church. It is as much the duty
of the Church to care for these, as it is the duty
of the Government to provide or its retired offi
cers and,ittvalid soldiers. The amount now in
the treasury, or rather in the treasury at the first
of May, was $B,OOO. This is just about enough
to, meet the demands which will be made up to
September. Without a working, balance, many
would suffer during the Summer, before relief
could reach them.
When Dr. Jones had ended, the Committee
recommended this interest to the churches—to
their andnal munificence; and that while lega
cies and special gifts for this purpose may be
funded as a sort of endowment,yet the chief de
pendence must be on the regular contributions of
the churches.
Rev. L. Merrill Miller said he was a witness
to two things connected with this Fund: the one
was its need, and the other was the delicacy
manifested by the applicants. Re referred to a
minister, one of the founders of the American
Bible Society; and whose voice had often been
heard' in this Assembly. Surrounded by those
living in affluence, he had subsisted on potatoes
until, by accident, the fact was discovered, and
relief administered.
1 1 Judge Linn regarded this as one of the sub
jects too much, neglected, . and mentioned his
gratitude at the Report just heard. But how
long mlist these appeals be made? We are be
hind all' ur sister denominations in this partic
ular. If we had no 'higher interest than our
own Church, we should arouse ourselves to duty
in this particular.. We boasted of our Theolog
foal Seminaries, of our, educated ministry, and
last week the Assembly had gone to Princeton
to. see the corner-stone of an edifice connected
with the Theological Seminary there, laid. The
;minister should be free from worldly cares. We
put, this in or& call. But are not ministers ettm
bete(' with care when they think of their families,
when they themselves may die or be disabled?
Does not,this use up their brain-power ? If we
had no higher Motive, the Olevation - of the min
iaterial iotolleattutl status should be a suffioient
inducement. The delicaoy of ministers was
great;, they were reluctant to accept this aid.
The present system has done much to bring re
lief to many. - But he was in favor of a perma
nent fund to which they could apply as a right.
This was the Moravian system, and- it wan
the proper one.;-;'He appealed to the eldev
ship to see to it that this reproach aliallbewiped
Away. The eldership should not permit any
ihing to stand in their way in `this thing. For
his part, he wished to secure a disolpleis reward
.by giving at least a cup of cold water to a ser
vant; of „the Master, in the name of the disciple.
Mr.. Charlton Henry maid there was a sense
of delicacy, and he believed it to be false deli
cacy, in' anything - Perisinint giministerial" sup
port. But he appealed to the eldership , to take
Seventh Day.
TISUREIDAY, May 26
hold of this thing. Every minister who entered
the Church should be made to feel that his tem
poral support was certain. He was in favor of a
permanent fund.
Mr. Foster coincided with the previous speak
er, and hoped that the elders would go from this
plaoe more deeply imbued with a sense of the
importance of this matter than ever before. Let
them go to work vigorously and persistently.
Bring up every member of the Church to this
work.
Mr. Osborne - was gratified to see this subject
occupying the attention of this body. It had
been, neglected too muoh. He illustrated this
by the wants of a New School minister in his
region, in Western New-York. It was a disgrace
to the Presbyterian Church to allow their min
isters to suffer for, want of support, or in antici
pation of want when old or disabled. It was a
shame to call a minister upon what would barely
support him.
Mr. Carter said for thirty years he had been
in close correspondence with ministers, and it
often pained him to see the straits to which old
friends were sometimes reduced. He referred to
a time he himself had'' ' witnessed of want in a
minister's family, and to the.readiness with
which relief had been obtained so soon as the
facts were knoWn. The people were willing to
give to this object when presented. But the
fund should be at once increased. The son of
Dr. John Brown, of Edinburgh, who had given
his fortune to this object in Scotland, said he
rejoiced that throughout all Scotland, daily
thanksgivings went up for his father's benevo
lenoe. In passing through Scotland, two years
ago, he was struck at witnessing the comfort in
whioh the aged and disabled ministers lived,
when contrasted with the condition of the same
class here. lie never had applied to his ac
quaintances for help for a miniseer without ob
taining all he asked.
Mr. Wallace said this object had his heart and
his hand. He was in War of the report ; but
he hoped to see permanent fund. We are ac
customed to look to our ministers to instruct and
lead the people. ` But, owing to delicacy, they
had failed in this respect:
Dr. Junkin expressed himself gratified at the
discussion, :and he was also favorable to' a fund.
Bat he did not want the subject removed from
the yearly care of th 'Assembly. There was
truth in the charge that ministers had failed to
teach the people their duty here. He had offend
ed here. He confessed his fault. On one occa
sion he was so pressed that he gave notice he
must leave, on account of the low salary. Be
fore leaving, he preached on pastoral support,
for the benefit of his successor. On .the next
day, instead of agreeing to, leaving,''as he
supposed they would,h,is salary was increased,
ten acres of ground were purchased, and money
raised fora manse.
Mr. Eldridge said he had seen. much of min
isters' wants. No minister can go into, the pul
pit and preach properly when burdened with the
cares of present temporal want, and also with
anxieties for the future. .
The report, after amendment, was adopted.
The Committee was directed to make the appro
priations larger for the present year.
The First Presbyterian church, Pittsburgh,
was unanimously chosen as the plaoe of next
meeting, upon nominate` of Dr. Elliott, and mo
tion of Dr. D. X. Junkixi. ,
Dr. Breekinridgerepated Overtures' Nos: 20,
22, and 23. e.
-Rev. Mr. Lawson'reported, recommending the
approval of the 'Minutes of the Synod of San
dusky, with the lieeption of a protest against
the action of the late General Assembly, on the
ground that an inferior court cannot protest'
against the decision of a higher court. •
Adjourned with prayer by Rev. Mr. Cowhick.
AFTERNOON SESSION
The Assembly met and was opened with prayer
by the Moderator.
The Report on Overture No. 2, on the subject
of Paisonages, proposing questions to each
church, was read and adepted, as follows':
Overture Number 2—Being a Memorial from Jo
seph M. Wilson, of Philadelphia, Pa., (well known
in connection with the Presbyterian Almanac,)
behalf of Manses or comfortable homes for Pres
byterian ministers.'
Whereas, The importance of providing Man
ses for the comfortable accommodation of Pres
byterian ministers and their families, is a, duty,
the performance of which cannot be longer de
layed, but the magnitiicrebf the operation de
mands a careful scrutiny of the state of the
Church, and a thorough knowledge of her eon
ditjon in this respect ; therefore, •
Resolved, That the churches under the care of
this General Assembly berequested to reply to
the following questions -
1. Please give the name of your church, with
the year of its organization.
2. What has been (about) the annual rent paid
by your minister for a house to live in, or,
3. Have yon a manse'for your minister, there
by securing him a comfortable home.
4. If you have a Manse; ho* long has it been
finished, and (about) what amount in rent does
your minister -annually' save by living in the
Manse."
6. What was the .plan you adopted to awaken
the interest of the people, and thus secure the
erection of a Manse.
Please let yourgtnswer to this question be as
full as possible (as khese replies will be publish.
ed) and you thereby aid your brethren who have
not yet erected a Manse.; but will: do so as soon
as they see how it can be done by showing them
how it has been done.
6. Eve you a Glebe attached to your Manse ;
if so, what is saved to a minister's family., by
tilling a few acres.
7. -Please give, a description of your Manse,
its size, and accommodations, with specification
of its cost as far as possible, with diagrams of
the arrangement of the rooms, the attention paid
to ventilation, the capacity 'of its library, and
such other suggestions as will increase the val
ue of these returns.
Resolved, That the ministers, elders, deacons,
trustees, or members of the churches under the
care of this General Assembly, be earnestly re
quested to make early,and full replies to these
questions, adding any information or making any
suggestions, that may tend to awaken an interglift
in behalf of Manses or:oomfortable homes for
Presbyterian ministers. . .
Resolved, That said relies, suggestions, and
information, be sent to' Joseph M. Wilson, of
Philadelphia, Pa., to be by him arranged and
classified in time to be presented to the next
General. Assembly of the Presbyterian Church.
Resolved, That Joseph M. Wilson be author
ize.d to supply the Stated Clerks of the Presby
teries in connection with this General Assembly,
with a sufficient number of copies of this Over
ture, as there are churches Within the bounds of
said Presbyteries, with _the understanding that
the Stated Clerks will attend to their distribu
tion among the churches.
Resolved, That in order to the fulfilliterd of
the objects contemplated, the Presbyteries be en
joined to make inquiries from time to time, test•
-
ing the diligence of the churches in reply to the
questions contained in this Overture.
The order of the day was then taken up, viz.,
the Report of the Committee on Psalmody.
Rev. Mr. Taylor, of Pa., having the floor; re
stoned.; he urged- immediate haste. Ile called
attention to a Sabbath 'School Hymn Book' hav
ing the imprimatur of the Board, though not
published, which he "denounced as -having in it
Unitarianism; and Pantheism, giving illustra
tions or its contents. This he urged as a reason
for no delay. The, book could be prepared in
five or six months. The enterprise of the world
could accomplish it, and =the enterprise of tit;
Church' should be equal to it. He was opposed
to uniting a tune book and Hymn Book in the
same 'volume. There was now' great progress in
music, and some liberty must be allowed to the
congregations. = Many 6f the people in our
churches could do nothing more with a tune
book than with a Hebrew Bible or a Greek Tes
tament. We want 'a small, portable suppleikent.
Nor is there any need of a book' of Chants.
Those who - wish to chant can do so,directly from
the Bible. We must not cut sup the Bible into'
bits, if we would make them acquainted with the
whole Bible.
He moved to strike out the second resolution.
Not seconded.
Mr. Haskell said the first resolution expressed
a want felt throughout the entire Church. This
need was not only in our oli , nohurch, but in all
Churches. The tunes added to the hymns would
be a great gain; since it would introduce a uni
formity not known, now. There are hymns
which thrill Chrrstian hearts in all parts of the
world, which are not in our book. The trouble
is not what is in the old book, but what is not in
it. This supplement will enable us to secure all
these, and at the 'same time retain the old. A
proper knowledge and atyle of music cannot be
acquired without a tune book to be used in the
family, the prayer-meeting,' and the - Church.
The chanting of the Hebrew: Scriptures was an
ancient custom, and all who have heard it must
have admired it.
'Bev. Mr. Tully was in favor of the first reso
lution as reported. , ' The Committee has made an
able report, and• rain with it heartily. In'my
early ministry I was sent to a church where
Rouse's version was used. I was trained In the
old 'Secession' Church of Scotland; so that I
cannot be charged with being an innovator. The
Scotch Churches are drifting to us in this' par
ticular. In the Presbytery of Albany I oould
go to five churches lying in one line in each of
which a different book was used. An d When the
Presbytery met we foutid'etilra different book In
that house, while atilt otter books were propOied.
Therefore the memorial came - up from the Pres
bytery of - Albany, in answerlo *Mob, this Corti
mittee was appointed " garthePiti q uiries assured
me that the want was &general- one, and the de
sire for a tune book was strong; and` wide-spread.
If we would have good singing; we must all do
as the old Scotch rairileter paid, 4 4 Bing in, mint
oat, and sing all the 'gither." We must not be
alarmed at the charge of innovation. Some la
dies had been terribly alarmed when Dr. Chal
mers' church began to give out two lines, and
tried to persuade the Dr. that only one line
should be given out, because the Bible said,
." line upon line, line upon line."
There is a freedom allowed in many things by
our Church, which is higly commendable. We
allow churches to use Rouse's version, organ or
no organ, gown or no gown. And ie present
aotion is of the same liberal kind. In Canada,
last Summer, I observed that even the Scotch
churches there had their tune books in that re
gion. In his own':church, he had the music as
well as the hymns. The words and music be
came so wedded together that the people must
-sing; you cannot stop them from singing. Now
there are about fifty hymns thus wedded to the
music. We want an enlargement. We could
have published a work.of our own; but we are
conservative as a Presbytery, and came up to
the General Assembly in the way we have done'.
The Rev. Mr. Porter was delighted with the
last speaker. He was with him in all his points.
He would simply add -a word in favor of the
tunes. He could sing almost anything if he had
the tunes. But without the music he was often
at fault. Mr. Robinson's book was used in the
State church, at Albany, because the people
would have a book with tunes.
Dr. Junkin said that he belonged to the class
called the boys, and therefore he would speak,
since the discussion hitd in great measure fallen
into the hands of that class. He was reminded
of the remark of Dr. Alexander to his classmate
Elijah P. Lovejoy, when the latter had given a
very glowing and poetical description, of the Cre
ation, in his peculiarly shrill voice, You can't
beat Moses." So none of our young men can
beat David,
was
and Paul. The true idea
of Psalmody was not merely praise, but also ex
perience, and also for admonition. Dr. "Junkin
then proceeded to criticise with some severity,
Mr. Taylor's remarks on some of our hymns.
He deprecated any diminishing of respect for our
noble Hymn Book. He said the argument for;new
book from the diversity of books now in use 'was
not valid, The book as it is, is a good one. Nor
did he believe there was such 'a general cry for
a new book as was intimated. And if the work
contemplated were committed to himself and all
who had spoken on the subject, he did not be
lieve they could make a better book than the one
they hid now. It was certain they could not
excel Moses, David, Isaac Watts, or James Mont
gomery.
He would not oppose the tune book, though he
saw no great necessity for it. ,
Bev. Mr. Hoge said. the discussion for the most
part . , was, whether it was desirable or not to
have good music. In our churches there had
been restlessness. Other Churches had congre
gational singing, and he attributed this to the
want of the 'general use of tune books. - He had
-no 'sympathy with those who feared' all changes.
He-did not believe the Presb,yteilan Church yet
perfect: We are behind other denominations.
The new music introduced is generally of •such.a
character as our people cannot sing.
The first resolution was then passed.
Dr. Backus moved the adoption of the second
resolution. Carried.
The third, fourth, and , fifth resolutions were
also adopted. -
The whole report was then adopted, and is as
follows •
The lest General Assembly; In the appointment of the
Committee on Psalmody, proceeded .on the assumption of
a growing desire in all parts of the Church that our
Psalmody should be enriehed from tbo large stores of lyric
poetry which have accumulated since our hymn book was
compiled." And in view of an overture from one of our
Presbeteries, asking for a Book of Hymns with tunes
affixed, the Committee were directed to take the whoie sub
ject into consideration, and to report to the next (1. e., to
this,) Assembly, what changes, if any; should be made in
our present .Book of Psalms and Hymns.
` They were also to consider the expediency of arranging
portions of the Word of God in a form suitable for chanting
in our congregations. ,
In accordance with this appointment, six of the Commit
tee (Drs. Prime, Boardman, Blackwood, Shields, and Burt,
with the Charman,) convened in Philadelphia, last October,
and again the same persona, (excepting Drs. Boardman and
Blackwood, and in addition Drs. Lord and Dickson, with
elders Foote, Carter and Kinnecent„) nine of the Committee,'
went to New-York just previous to the meeting of the As
sembly. After endeavoring to consider the whole subject, the
Committee have unanimously agreed to recommend this re
port:
It is our conviction that the wishes and interest of the
Church demand immediate and earnest attention to this mat
ter ; we are, at the same tired, compelled to, recognize the,
fact of great diversity of View* and preferences in regayd
to this. That there is a warm attachment to our present
Book of Psalms and Hymns, cannot, think, be denied.
It has become to a large portion or our people endeared and
sacredly associated. ' Yet of these friends of the book it is
indisputable that a large portion desire to have it enriched,
by a supplement. Valuable as it may be, and comparing
not unfavorably with other books of the sort, it is felt by
'many not to be what the Church is entitled to have.
At the same time we have no doubt there is in most,elf
not in all, parts of the Church a strong andincreasingdesire
to have what is good and suitable in our present book, en
riched by important modifications, and especially by the
substitution of some *absent and indispensable hymns for
many in the book that may be now dispensed with. 'We be
lieve it can thus be made a model book for the purpose of
worship; and in our opinion this felt necessity cannot be
disregarded without serious detriment to our Church. We
recognize in the multiplication of books of hymns with
tunes, and in the prevalent supply of our Sabbath. Schools
and to some extent of our social services, with a very undo
sirable and oven noxious psalmody—a psalmody in which, -
as one- of our Committees Sarcastically observed, "If only
there were a little : religion, there would be almost - , a
little of everything," In this and other such indications we
recognize - a restless purpose to have this °eery of the
Church somehow responded to. -
The principal question would seem to be "who shall sup
ply the want?" Shall we yield our churches, families' and
Sabbath Schools in this vital matter, to the control of par
ties outside of our communion and sympathies as a Church?
Shall we expose our Church mysteries and the devotions of
the People to multiform inflnences aver., from our system
and in which poison is 'often sugar-coated; or shall we
resolutely and faithfully retain the control of three tendon
.
thanComMittee express the opinion that a small, rather
than a large collection, for the purpose of public and social
worship, will beet meet all , the wants of the Church. We
presume It will not be deemed expedient to attempt: pro
vidin4 in the propceed book a treasury of sacred poetry ad
equate to all the needs of Christian experience and chris
tian virtue. We think it unsatisfactory, therefore to
use the argument on behalf of a large rather than a
small collection, that there is in...great a diversity of tastes
and prejudices, because this pies would forbid any limita
tion, and preclude any law of just taste. We assume that
there are some settled principles, and that, with a becoming
regard for our peculiarities as a people, our aim must be to
correct errors of taste and practice, in this important part
of Divine service, and construct a book which may rather,
educate ourselves to excellence here, than pander to perni
cious influences, so prevalent under the guise of musical at
traction.
A book of atumt five hundred hymn", wisely selected and
representing every phase of truth and experience, would
tend to familiarize our people with what isor rare worth in
'Sacred music, and avoid the evil of a multitude of common
place hymns of little or no devotional appearance.
In our opinion there are two aims for the proposed books'
to provide for the worship of Coil. in psalms and hymns and
spiritual ems; and that this worship :hall be rendered by
all present in this service. Admit that there may be occa
sional exception!, when some other end may be sought by
means of Mum and songs lu the Church: but do we not
agree that usually the worship of God is the proper end of
psalmody in public or social worshint and are we not pre
pared to iresist that this duty of praising the Lord is in
cumhent sikon all present, and may not properly be deputed
too few.
If this Assembly accede to these views, it is evident that
our object Is greatly simplified, anksan be accomplished
.more surely by 'selecting what the Church has approved and
loved, and by adopting hymns and, tunes from °then
sources of corresponding quality and fitness to Chris,.
Van exnerience. Pursuing such an' end by' such it'
method, it will be found, we think, that a book of the
size already indicated will exhaust the existing* supply, and
amply meet all the wants of the Church. We can at once
gratify those who desire What they have not in this respect,
and avoid great and radical changes. Such a book may
easily be made to answer the demand of a supplement for
our present book, and, et the same time, with suitable tunes
affixed, will moat, all reasonable and maturely considered
calls of those in the Church who ask fora small selection,
either to be used in all religious services, or for the less for
mai occasions of our social meetings and Sabbath Schools
By this plan we hope that all classes may be satisfied, and
our psalmody truly improved without such a revolution as
could disturb any portion of the Church. , '
The tendency, we believe, will be to induce general par
ticipation in this part of worship, and to make it sound and
devout:" Our people may thus be gratified and advantaged
by what will really benefit and edify alt.
The Committee, after a careful consideration of the sub
ject in all its bearings, are of thei 3 Opinion. that we offer the
only plan which can hope to'command and relieve the vari
ous preferencee which prevail in our Church.
We therefore respectfully, recommend thisAsset:ehly to
resolve, •s
1. That a selection of Peeling and Hymns be made from
our present book and from ether sources, and published with
suitable tunes; and that all the hymns in this seleethin, which.
are not in our present book, be.publialied as a supplethent
for the' tote of thowywho prefer it; and that the hymns of the
new selection, in addition to their own numbers, shall. re.
tain the numbers in the old book, so that both may be.used
In. the same congregation without embarrassment.
2. That in accordance with the recommendation of pre-.
vions.Assemblies, and respdruiive to the wish, of the chunk
there shall be made a careful selection' from the .Bible of
paasagai to be arranged for 'chanting, and that this shall. be
fitted to be bound both with the selection of hymns and tines,
and with.the supplement, at the option of the churches:::
8. That the volumes thus provided for, shall be furnished
with complete Indices, atter the style of the best improve.
meets In this - respect. .
4. That a Committee of five be. appointed by . thin Assem
bly, who shall have power to employ all neediul talent and
meansiat the expense of the Board of Publication for the
accomplishment of these ends as perfectly and speedily! as
possible, and report the results to, some future Assembly..
5. That the Board of Publication be instructed to defray
the perional expenses of the present Committee, incurred In
performing this service.
It was moved "that the Conn:tate° prepare a
suitable book, for the use of Sabbath Schools.
Dr. Nevin moved an amendment, that it be a
separate committee.
Mr. Van Doren said a book was needed, of
large type, for sonial meetings.
Dr. Candee said that the committee could not
prepare a better book for the Sabbath School
than we have. ,The Visitor gives 'us a choice
hymn every week, and the other books now in
use had, among some mighty foolish things, a
great mass of precious treasure.
The amendment was voted doirn. " The resolu
tion was lost. The whole report' was then adopt
ed unanimously. -
1 " The Moderator was directed to appoint a com
mittee to nominate a committee for the work oon-;
templated in the paper.
After devotional exercises the Assembly took
a realms until 7i o'clock.
EVENING, SESSION
The Assembly met after recess. The order of
the day was taken up,- which was 'Judicial Case
No. 5 . . This consisted of a:complaint against
the Presbytery of Rt. Louis, by Rev. Dr. Me-
Pheetets. A complaint against the same Pres
bytery, from W. W.' Green and others. And also
a memorial from certain ministers and elders of
the Presbytery of St. Lone, concerning this mat-
Rev. Mr. Hynes wished to offer a.papormhioh
he !apposed would free lhe - Aeserably from all
trouble in this oonneotiort,'by getting - this paper
oat of the bowie. Lein was not graded'. The
true state of this case seems to be this: At a
meeting of the Presbytery of St. Louis, held May
16th,. 1863, measures were taken to dissolve
the pastoral - relation between Dr. McPheeters
and the Pine Street church, if the way be clear,
at his own, request, owing to difficulties in that
church, arising principally out of the belief on
the part of many that Dr. McPheeters was not a
loyal man. At a meeting of the Church held May
27th, 1863, the majority present, by a vote of 91
to 66, protested against the dissolution of the
relation.
At a meeting of the Presbytery, held June
22d, 1868, the Pine Street church appeared be
fore Presbytery, agreeably to the citation to ap=
pear and show reasons, if they had any, why the
pastoral relation should not be dissolved. Dr.
MoPheeters asked leave lo withdraw his resigna
tion of the pastoral charge, which had been pre
viously placed in the hands of the Presbytery.
This was refused, and the relation was dissolved.
In the meantime Dr. McPheeters, because of his
suspected disloyalty, had the hand of military
power laid on, him, and he was thus forbidden to
exercise his functions as a minister of the Gospel.
Dr. McPheeters also afterwards appealed to Syn
od. This appeal was still pending, and Dr. Mc-
Pheeters claimed that the Synod had not de
cided on the appeal against the dissolutton of
the pastoral relation, and again entered uPon'his
pastoral duties. But Presbytery, at a meeting
held April 6th, 1864, on account of the troubles
in this church, passed the following resolutions,
in obedience to a memorial from members of the
church
" 1. By action of Presbytery of June' 1868,
the pastoral relation between Dr. 'McPhee
ters and the Pine Street church- was dissolved,
and. Dr. MoPheeters ceased to be pastor of that,
church, and ceased to have the right to exercise,
discipline or perform the functions of the pasto
ral office in that ohurch.
"2. That inasmuch as this action was taken
by Presbytery, in the exercise of its, power to
ordain whatever pertains to the spiritual wel
fare of the churches under their care, and in its
solemn judgment the interests of Pine Street
church require that Dr. McPheeters shall cease
to 'exercise the functions of minister to- that
church; therefore, Resolved, -&o."
The complaint of the Elders . Of Pine Street
church who still adhered to Dr. McPheeters, was
first read; then the complaint of Dr. MaPheeters.
Both of these complaints were against the two
resolutions of April 6, 1864, recorded above.
After the reading of the complaints, it was
proposed to read the memorial. This, after, a
protracted desultory conversation, was refused,
on the greund that it was no part of tlifi case.
Closed with prayer. .
Eighth Day.
FRIDAY MORNINct, May 27.
The Assembly . met, and half an hour was spent
in devotional exercises:_ Minutes of yeaterday
read and approved. '
The. Clerk read a letter from the General As
sembly at Dayton, Ohio, in "acknowledgment of
the communication sent a. few days , ago by this
body.
The Moderator announced the following com
mittee to nominate a committee to prepare the
new Book of Psabnody: Rev. Dre. Schenck and
Backus, and Elder Todd.
The Moderator then said, oiiing to the fact
that Dr. Burt, Chairman of the Committee on
the Narrative, was required to leave to attend the
funeral of a near'relative, he desired to read the
Narrative now. Permission was granted.
T. Charlton Henry moved that Judge Mat
thews' paper on Slavery be made the first order
for this afternoon. Carried.
Dr. Burt then read the Narrative, which will
be published as soon as practicable. The Nar
rative was adopted.
The Committee on the Annual Report of the
Board of Domestic Missions, and to which were
committed Memorials from the Presbyteries of
New Lisbon and Louisville, reported. The me=
mortal from New Lisbon contemplates the speedy
occupation of the South by our Domestic mis
sionaries, as our armies shall advance. _This
was commended to the special attention of the
Board. The memorial from Louisville was a
complaint against this Board for obtaining from
the War Department protection for our mission
aries ; and also permission to occupy tempora
rily our churches in the districts wider hdlitary
rule. The Committee regarded this memorial as
a misunderstanding and misrepresentation of the
proceedings of the Board.
The report' congratulated the Church on the
efficiency of the operations of the Board last
year; of the increase of its funds and of the
opening fields for increased usef ulness. The
Committee recommended an increase of appro
priations to the missionaries wherever necesary,
and also called special attention to the duty of
the Board and the Church in the reclaimed parts
of, the South, and particularly among -the freed
men.
The Secretary, Dr. Janeway, referred to the
greatness of the field—that in twenty years this
country would have & population of sixty mil
lions; that there were members of this Assembly
who would live to see one hundred millions of souls
in this country ; of the need of additional funde for
the enlarged work; of the want of men of the
right- stamp ; that this Church must awake in
the matter of home missions, or be left in the
rear of the advancing hosts ; that the Home
Missionary Society separated from the New
School, raised last year $lOO,OOO, and-the New
School $70,000, though it has but lately entered
upon the work in an independent oapacity. The
great need of the Church is the missionary spirit
which will instruct the people; they are not
properly instructed as to the wants of the coun
try. If God would only pour out his Spirit upon
the ministers, and then upon the people, the
work would soon be done.
Rev. Mr. De Lancey remarked that it gave him
great pleasure to move the adoption of v this able
report. • He was afraid that we were in danger
of losing sight of this central truth, that there
was nothing else in creation so dear to God, as
his Church. He had never heard so much mate
rialism in prayer, as since this Assembly con
vened. Nor was it to be wondered at; our
country was dear. But along with the highest
devotion to country, we must not be unfaithful
to the higher kingdom of Jesus Christ. Let us
not then forget, as a reason for the adoption of
this report, the love which God bears to his
Church. But a second reason for the adoption
.of this report is,: that in the present circum
stances of our Church and country, this is - the
primary arm of the Church. From the Home
Missions come our additional laborers for the
Foreign field, and the material for our schools,
colleges, and - publications. 'A third reason for
the adoption is, that we should not forget the im
portance of Home Missions in large cities. To
have planted ten churdes in New-York ten
yearsago, would have been better for the Church
than the establishment of one hundred churches
which could be named. In the district in which
he labored, only one in twelve attended church..
In 1816 every original church in that city had
abandoned the faith of its fathers. Another
reason that, the report should he adopted is, the
great issues now beforens in the .South. 1. If
God should grant us victory,. the almost entire .
South will have. to be supplied with new minis
ters. In Texas, over a space as large as all
Great Britain, not one minister of our Church is
now found.• Before the war, the Presbytery of
New Orleans had twenty-six ministers, now
four-fifths of them had gone to the eternal world,
or had better in God's name, be dead. 2. The
poverty of the churches, as they will be found
upon the close of the war. Some one may say
these wretched people have ruined them
selves, and we are under no obligations to send
them the Gospel. But the. world was ru
ined by'rebellion against God, yet God sent his
Son to save it. And the Church is - bound' to
give the` Gospelto the worst of men. Paul was a
debtor to the Barbarian, and so are we. If we
do not this work, God will have somebody. else
do it, and those who will do it, will have the re
ward.
Rev. Mr. Lowe said he had often wondered
why his Presbytery had sent him to the General
Assembly. This was the fifth time he had been
so honored. But he thought ho began to under
stand why he was sent; it was because he
- would never speak - unless when compelled.
(Applause.). The children of this world' were
Visean their generation. Wall Street was lay=
ing its hand upon California; but the old Scheid
Presbyterian Church was not doing so. Re - was
from California, which abounded in all the vsl-
:cable minerals. California could pay the Na
tional debt ten times over. And if she can do
so much for the country, what can she not do for
the Church P The gold and silver van be gath
ered up in wagons. (Laughter.),
*The Moderator remarked that the subject was
Missions, and not gold.
Mr. Lowe replied : as gold nothing to do
with Domestic 'Missions ? I thought it had. .The
appeal of the Secretary sounded very like it.
What! gold nothing to do with Missions! • This
will be news to the churches. (Applause.) WhY,
air, gold is inabundance there, andif you want to
get it you must send' the Church for it. Why, Mod
erator, if you had all the gold there, you would
be the richest man in the world. (Laughter.)
You, Mr. Moderator, will not, interrupt me. Old
friend, who have known nie from boyhooti, you
will not interrupt me, whatever others rosy do.
Mr. Lowe then read a memorial from the
Synod of the Pacific, detailing the history of
the planting- of our Church" on that coast, its
past, growth, yfresent condition, and 'future pros
peOts ; also making mention of what other de
nominations are doing: From all this it - appears
that a great work is to be done there; that the
laborers are few, and that the Board has not
been able to do for California what it should ; do.
What was wanted Was not an agent to traverse
the State,but men to preach the Gospel Broad
Church lowa, and loch onstail NA 'Ono' of
every kind, are rife. So that the Gospel faith,
fully preached is greatly needed.
On motion, the reading was stopped.
The resolutions were then considerederiat,„.
Moved that the first resolution be adop ted. —'
Judge Ryerson said that while all the best!
lent operations of tile Church had a hi g h pie :
in his esteem, be was free to confess th at
Board of Domestic Missions had the first T h e e
in his heart. It has been strongly imp rmed
his mind for many years, that God had a, gree
work for this country to do in the world. B o
that this country may do this work, it must he
thoroughly evangelized. Be had as high 121 °
opinion of Republican institutions as any 04
But he had no reason to believe that they cord i
be permanent unless imbued with the spirit o f
the Gospel. Something must restrain the b ed
passions of men. In despotic governments, ;hi e
can be done by bayonets; but we have no Bock
means as this. This is a great missionary f le i i
This thought often almost overcame him, w e ,
it not for faith in God, he would give up ill des.
pair.
Soon 4,000,000 of men of another
race
will be thrown on us. Throughout the mo il
South we must in great measure suppl y the
means of grace, As our armies move on, the
Church should follow. Among the sins
should confess, are also our wrongs to the
diens. What remains of them are throws oa
our hands. The first act of rebellion spi net
this Government was the imprisonment of th e
missionaries to the. Indians, by the authorities
of Georgia. Not only would he have this e a •
tion restored; but also that wherever the flag
floats, there the Gospel of Christ may be °
preached*
Rev. A. A. E. Taylor 'would not take mo t h
time. He was from beyond the Mississippi i n
the very midst of the Mission field. Vast multi
tudes were orowdinginto all the towns and neigh.
borhoods. They come from all quarters, and
bring all sorts of things with them—lnfidelity,
Catholicism, Mormonism, and Spiritualists,
Away out in the prairies he had been compelled
to defend the Bible against Bishop Coleneo.
ciety is unformed. Young men come from Penn
sylvania and New-York, and not having th e
strong restraints of home, are liable to be car
ried away. We need live men; and we have
them. The constant grinding will make a man
sharp, if be has any steel in him. All reeek.
Lions Will fail unless the Presbyteries require the
oburcheb to obey them.
Rev. Kr. Hoge was aware of the impatience of
the house. But no more important subject could
come before this house. The field was large,
and the Wachs cast upon our care made it still
wider. The funds of the Board must be in.
creased. More men of the right character must
be had. It will cost LIB far more money not to
sustain the Board than to do it. Had one-fourth of
fife money now lavished in war, been expended
ten years ago in building churches and school
houses, and sending out preachers of the G6s
pel, this huge rebellion would net, could not
have occurred.
Dr. Musgrave did not intend to make a long
speech, but thought it due to the Board to say a
'word about California. 1. The cost of sending
out missionaries to the Pacific coast is very great
—in some cases enormous. 2. None who have
gone out have utterly failed. The Board will
send out any number of properly qualified men
who may offer. 8. Considering the vast amounts
of gold and silver, of which we heard this morn.
ing, it might be expected that large contribution
would be made to the Board. But the entire
contriVutions from the Pacific coast last year,
were $204. Only $25 came from California, and
this was from a member of a church in Oregon,
who happened to be in California when he made
the donation. The magnificent church in San
Francisco, giving its pastor a salary of $7,000,
did not give one cent. What supports h mission.
ary in California will support several in other
places.
Rev. Mr. Fraser said that Dr. Musgrave had
made certain statements.. Now for the record.
Thit Board during the year bad 4 missionaries in
California, and got $204 ; in Wisconsin 33 and
got $303 ; in lowa 55, and got $481; in Indiana
33 and got $7lB. The mines of California are
now mainly in the hands of very wealthy men
in San Francisco. The miners are poor men,
and for them the Gospel must be preached. The
mines of that State are not under the control of
the Church. San Francisco is one of the finest
missionary fields in the world. If the Board
could send a man of commanding power to that
city, and support him for one year, another
church equal to either of the two noble churches
we now have there, could be formed. We need
a man for Sacramento ; another for Virginia
City ; and another for Nevada City. But this is
the point—men must be supported. .There is no
need of sending them without supporting them.
The New. School sent twelve ministers out during
the year, and gives them $lOO per month until
their expenses can be met by the people.
Again, fully one-half our chtirches supported
in part by this Board, give nothing to its support,
and many of them nothing to any of the Boards.
Begin with the old churches and bring them up
to the work. In. Philadelphia are two ohurchee
receiving aid from this Board, but paying nothing
into its treasury.
The hour of adjournment having arrived, Dr.
Craven gave notice that to-morrow afternoon
eight churches would be open in which the Sab
bath Schools of the city would hold their anni
versaries, expecting to be addressed by members
of the Assembly. He reported speakers. Vari
ous notices were given.
On motion the Assembly remained in session
ten minutes longer, to elect members of the
Boards of Theological Seminaries, and the Boards
of the Church. Tellers were appointed.
On motion the election of Professor of Theol
ogy in the Western Theological Seminary, now
took place.
Additional tellers were appointed.
Dr. John M. Lowrie asked leave to withdraw
his name as a candidate. Permission granted.
Dr. Lowrie moved that Rev. Mr. Blackburn,
of Trenton, be appointed to attend the United
Presbyterian General Assembly in his place, be
cause he could not leave this Assembly for that
duty, and his alternate was unwelL
Adjourned;with prayer by Dr. Musgrave
tirtsigitrian
fiIIISBURGE, WONDER, JUNE 1, 1864 ,
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S ACTION ON SLL
VERY.
All intelligent men who watch for and
reflect upon the signs
. of the times, have
looked with unusual interest, during these
last three years of momentous events, to
the proceedings of the leading denomina
tions of our country, as represented in
their highest .courts, for expressions of
opinion upon the principles involved in
the great contest in which we are engaged.
Such expressions of opinion may, perhaps,
of themselves, have but little effect in con
trolling or influencing the course of events;
they do not even bind the conscience of the
individual member of the Church which has
adopted them, as* the articles of his creed,
or the Standards of his faith; nevertheless
they have-been justly regarded as invaluable
exponents of the state of public feeling.npon
the subjects they embrace. It does not
surprise us, therefore, that the secular press
should have noticed, as widely as it has,
not only in past years, but especially at the
present time, the proceedings of the Pres
byterian Assemblies upon the subject of
A.merfean slavery.
Our readers will look with unwonted
anxiety to the Assembly at Newark, to 83 -
certain the views of that venerable judica
tory of our Church, upon a subject of suoh
present importance. On our first page,
this week, will be 'found in fall the paper
proposed by the Committee on Bills and
Overtures for adoption by the Assembly.
The discussion of the paper was made the
order of the day for Friday evening. We
will not be able in our issue of this week,
to present that portion of our report which
contains this discussion; it having been re
calved at too late an hour to be set up be;
fore we go to press. We can, however,
readily indicate to our readers the changes
made in the proposed paper before its final
adoption. They are some eight or nine in
number.
In the second paragraph of the report sai
published on ourfi.rst page, instead of "In
our early days our Church," &a, this amen
ded paper reads, "Freon the earnest period
our Church"
In the tenth.•paragraph, it the tenth Hu i
eiteaC of rs nor' do we maw .the light