Presbytery of St. Louis to have been regular,
not spurious or "pretended." He was amazed
that such a man as Dr. Rice should make any
difficulty about the pro re nate meeting. Nothing
was more common than these pro re nate; meet
ings for such purposes. Gentlemen insist that
charges should have been tabled. Well might
he pray, " Save me from my friends." His
friends had said, " If this complaint is not sus
tained, Dr. MoPheeters goes forth a branded
man, and cannot preach anywhere." They have
made his case a thousand times worse. He de- I
riled that we were bound to prosecute• any man
justly suspected of disloyalty or any sin, unless
we have the technical and legal points attainable.
If the Presbytery had undertaken to try him,
what a cry would have been raised 1 Parties,
whom I will not name, would immediately raise
the cry that this was a matter for the civil courts.
Such a case had actually occurred in one of Our
Presbyteries. A minister may avoid overt acts,
and at the same time exert his influence in such
a way as to really act disloyally, and yet you
could not lay your hands on any thing which
could be brought to trial. This was just what
Dr. MoPheeters had done. A large minority in
his church, and a large proportion of the people
of a large city had become so thoroughly con
vinced of Dr. MoPheeters' sympathy with the re
bellion; that the minority required him to be
loosed from the church. And the then pastor
was fully convinced of this, for he resigned.
Then W. W. Green gave notice of "" complaint,"
which was afterwards changed to "appeal and
complaint." In the case decided at New Orleans
in 1858, the pastor had resisted'the dissolution;
and even then Mr. Finley was not restored to his
pastorate. He denied that W. W. Green could
appeal, for he was not the regular delegate to
the Presbyterial meeting, and consequently be
did not act as a representative in Presbytery.
W. W. Green was simply a Commissioner to Pres
bytery in behalf of the .inajority. Mr. Strong
was the only one who had a right to appeal.
Why not call a meeting and go into it in a more
formal manner? Because it was probable that
a great change might take place in the minds of
many of the majority just as soon as the dissolu
tion was effected. But Dr. MoPheetera has freed
us from all difficulty connected with this matter
of appeal. He has asked us for the interests of
religion to take this matter up, and issue it with
out waiting for the result of the appeal before
the Synod of Missouri. He has brought the
whole case here, and this relieves us from all
constitutional difficulties. The attempt at first
was to override us by bringing up the whole
ease; now the effort is to set it aside until the
Synod acts. Tho Presbytery had the right to
dissolve the connection. - It was expedient. He
would in conclusion say a word concerning loy
alty. If a man is loyal, why not say it? I lis
tened to Dr. McPheeters' long speech, and heard
not one word to convince me that he was loyal.
In this crisis of our country it is the duty of eve
ry man; and epecially of every minister, to speak
out unmistakably. He did not understand how
a good man could allow the Church to be dis
tracted, and yet, if loyal, not say so. A friend
of his visiting him, olaimed tb be loyal. In the ,
slimming bad newls came from our army—that
friend was overjoyed. In the evening the tables
were turned ; glorious news came from the army ;
that friend was greatly dejected ; yet he claimed
to' be loyal. This was just the loyalty Dr.
MoPheeters and his friends seem to have mani
fested. Rebellion is as witchcraft: He hoped
the Assembly would not be so bewitched as to
sustain the complaint.
Mr. Powell said, when he came to vote he
would vote against sustaining this complaint.,
Rev, Mr. Lawson had no speech to make, but
was prepared to vote against sustaining the ap
peal.
Judge Linn said he would not weary the As
sembly, were it not that his views in some re
speots had not been presented. He would di
vest himself of all technical difficulties. There
was but one point before us. When this matter
was brought before the judicial committee he
was directed to the provision which would al
low this case to come up here. Then he inqui
red, Can a, wrong exist in the Presbyterian
Church without a remedy ? Can this man, con
sidered disloyal, be permitted to preach and dis
tract the Pine Street church for another year,
' without any remedy? Can it be possible that a
majority of the Session can overstep the action
of Presbytery, by calling Dr. MoPheeters to act as
supply ? Now, had the Presbytery good grounds
for their aotion toward Dr. MoPheeters ? There
is a principle underlying all this. Is it possible
that a Session can call a man suspected of any
crime, and then employ him, when the Presby
tery says he must not preach there ? Treason
Is an overt act. Disloyalty may be only nega
'tive, and be still as injurious. Suppose such a
course bad been pursued in all our churches,
Where would we have been ? If disloyalty is a
sin, loyalty must be a Christian yirtue, and the
minister should inculcate it. And if Dr. Mc-
Pheeters refused to do this, he failed, and was
objectionable. It is not necessary to sustain the
charge of disloyalty, that distinct charges be
tabled. It is said that Dr. MoPheeters and his
friends were detained by a military order, but
those who did attend had nothing to do with
this. And they sustained the Government in
What it did. This was not directed against Pres
byterians more than any body else. All the
Government milted,- was assurance that these
were really religious assemblies—that is, they
were not plotting treason. It is the duty of the
Presbyterian Church to stand by the Govern
ment, to secure the stability of the churches.
They are mutual supporters. Let the rebels pre
vail, and where is the Presbyterian Church ?
Then, indeed, we would grope in the dark. The
character of Dr. McPheeters has been spoken of
In the highest terms. To-day, in the soil of
South Carolina, is lying the body of a man whose
power has often been felt in this Assembly, and
whose logic has borne it down more than once;
yet be did more than any man ever did in tnis
Assembly to produce secession.
On motion, , a committee was appointed to re
port the business yet before the Assembly—what
must be attended to now—what can be deferred
till next year—and what postponed indefinitely.
The committee were—Dr. Beatty, - Krebs, Can
dee, Tustin, with Judges Lynn and Ryerson.
Closed with prayer by Dr. Tustin.
AIItERNOON SESSION.
The Asseibly met, and after prayer pro
oeeded with the calling of the roll.
Rev. Mr. Hudson insisted that the party
complaining had no right to come in under
the plea that he was not permitted to at
tend Presbytery. He insisted on the duty
of ministers in being -faithful to both
Church and country; and when a man
failed in loyalty to the country, he could
not expect the Church to get him out of
the difficulties in which he might involve
himself on this account. He would not
vote to sustain the complaint.
Rev. Mr. Marshall said he would vote to
sustain the complaint, not because a ques
tion of,loyalty was involved, but because
the Presbytery acted irregularly. He
would do nothing disloyal, or vote for any
thing disloyal.
Rev. Mr. Warner was fully prepared to
sustain the notion of the Presbytery of St.
Louis.
Mr. Graydon said the proceedings were
strange to him. He was surprised at the
latitude taken by the speakers. No ques
tion of loyalty or disloyalty was before
them. ;The question was simply, will we
sustain the action of the Presbytery of St.
Louis ? His views were identical with
those of Judge Ryerson. If Dr. McPhee
ters is guilty of disloyalty he is also guilty
of perjury. And will we convict a man of
this without trial ? This will we do if we
do not sustain this appeal. If Dr. Me-
Phaeton and his friends are disjoyal, let
them go, ohuroh and all. But. that is not
the question.
Mr. Lathrop would vote not to sustain
the appeal, if he ever got permission, which
seemed , doubtful. [Laughter.] The Pres
bytery acted solely in an adminstrative ca
pacity, and,not even in a quasi-judicial oa
paoity. The attempt made here to make
this a merely technical matter must be no
tieed. The object of the Church courts is
the good of the Church; and MM .: decision
on this matter will be regarded either as
reproving or rebuking Dr. MoPheetere.
Rev. Watson Hughes said his views had
been presented by, the Permanent Clerk,
Dr. Schenck. A pro re Rata meeting was
proper. If you take away the supervisory
power of Presbytery, you disable it at the
very point where nothing else can remedy
It. This general supervision is necessary.
Rev. Mr. Rookwell sustained most hear
tily the Presbytery of St. Louis. His
mind bad been led to this conclusion by
the statements of Dr. MoPheeters, himself,
and nothing since said had changed it.
Rev. Mr. Kean would not indulge in
hair-splitting distinctions. From the 'clos
ing remarks of the original parties, his
mind had been made up that the Presby
tery bad acted properly. And it had not
been changed by all the quasi's, .quoaci hoes,
and Carthago clelenda cgt9, with which we
* 0$ been entertained. He believed
;;`
the intention, the manner, and the results,
had been proper. Dr. MoPheeters had en
deavored to influence this house by assert
ing his intense desire to place the crown
on the head of King Jesus. But we must
remember that by Him, princes reign and
kings decree justice. After the rebellion
in the time of' David, tribe after tribe came
to acknowledge their allegiance, and the
tribe of Levi among them.
Mr. Ross and Dr. Reynolds would vote
against sustaining the complaint.
Dr. Elliott said he would not detain the
house to assert his loyalty. He would
leave this to be determined by the tenor of
his life. He had never been asked to take
the oath of allegiance, much less six times.
There had been statements made by sev
eral speakers, concerning the appeal of W.
W. Green, which were fallacious. They
had said that this appeal was now before
the Synod of Missouri, yet to be tried
there. But this was a mistake. Dr. Mc-
Pheeters, and those acting with him, have*
taken the whole matter out of the hands of
the Synod, and brought it here. It is not
in the hands of the Synod. It will never
be tried there. The whole affair is now
here to be determined by' us. This has
been alluded to before, but I have thought
it proper to elucidate it more fully. It
had been remarked by Dr. Rice, that he
was not prepared to call the proceedings ir
regular, but they were peculiar. ,What ho
meant by this, I cannot tell. For it is cer
tain that every requisition of the Book was
met. Dr. Rice declared he was going to
announce some great principles underlying
this whole subject. Dr. Elliott expected
he would enunciate something going down
to the very depths—if not below—of all
ecclesiastical organizations. What then did
he say ? 1. That the acts of a Presbytery
where a majority cannot attend, are null
and void. Nothing appears to convince us
that there was any insuperable or great dif
ficulty in the way. According .to their
Ordination vows, they should have done it;
even if made to suffer for it. This was the
way. Peter and Paul did, and also Luther.
2. The next question was, had Presbytery
the power to do what it did ? This was
illustrated by the power of Presbytery to
decline to put a call into the hands of one
elected a pastor, but against a large minor
ity. The expediency of this may be diffi
cult to determine. It is for the Presbytery
to settle this, taking into view all circum
stances and every responsibility. And the
same causes which should operate against
settling a pastor, should also operate in his
removal. Such a want of unity as existed
in the Pine Street church showed that he
was not the, fit man for that place. The
Presbytery did right. I have seen a min
ister dismissed against the almost united
voice of his people.
Rev. Mr. McOarrell was prepared to vote
at once against sustaining the appeal.
Dr. Beatty would only detain the Assem
bly for a remark or two. Many things not
connected with this case have been brought
in. To him it was a very simple question,
often coming ilp in our Presbyteries. He
would only add his assent to what had been
said by Drs. Schenck, Musgrave, and Elliott
—the complainants have brought the whole
case before us. ' The Presbytery was regular.
They had a right to act, and it was expedi
ent for them to-act. They had no right to
wait till after the •war was over. These
members of Presbytery who were unwilling
to attend Presbytery upon an oath taken
which enabled them to perform marriage,
were mere sticklers. He admired the cart
and forbearance of the Presbytery, and its
great deliberation. It has been said that
they judged Dr. McPheeters of his loyalty.
This was a mere extraneous matter. They
judged him because of the difficulties in
the church. He went against sustaining
the complaint.
It was moved that we take - the vote to
night at 11 o'clock, if ready. Lost. "
Dr. Mac Master said it was his opinion
that this complaint should be dismissed,
because the Presbytery did what it had 'a
right to do, and in a proper way. He re
ferred to Form of Government, chap. 8, and
stated that there were many precedents
under this chapter to sustain the action of
this Presbytery. Twenty years ago the
Presbytery of Ohio bad enjoined oil an ex
pastin not to preach within the bounds of
a congregation from which he had been
dismissed.
Rev. Mr. Virtue could not sustain the
complaint.
Rev. Mr. Pratt bad but a word to say.
He must go with the 'Presbytery. The
Presbytery had the. ease fully before it, did
right, and was in duty bound to do as it
did.
Rev. Moses A. Hoge said that he observ
ed that in almost all the judicial cases the
lawyers were in error, from the fact that
they applied the principles of the com
mon law to our Church courts, to which
they were not applic.able. The Presbytery
dissolved the pastoral relation simply on
grounds of the unfortunate condition of af
fairs in that church, without entering at
all upon the question of loyalty or disloy
alty. The Presbytery did what it had a
right to (b ib and did it properly. He would
sustain the Presbytery.
Recess until 71 o'clock.
After recess the Assembly met.
The calling of the Roll was resumed.
Rev. N. V. Morrow and elder William
Taylor would vote against .sustaining the
complaint. Mr. Taylor proceeded to dis
cuss the subject at some length,.contending
for the perfect legality of all the proceed
ings of -Presbytery.
Bev. J. D. Paxton said his views on the
general subject had been well expressed by
Dr. Schenck and others. But he would
say that to admit' this as an appeal was a
great mistake. There are four ways in
which a case can come up by review, by
reference, by appeal, and by complaint.
He said this was purely a case of com
plaint, and this could bring up the whole
case. Consequently the whole effort to
send this bank was altogether wrong.
Dr. Lowrie—During the time this ease
was in progress, a motion was made to ap
point a committee to visit the church and
examine into its state. But this motion
was laid on the table by a motion of W.
W. Green, one of these complainants. So
that if any undue. haste was manifested,
the fault was with the friends of Dr. Me-
Pheeters. He did not think the argument
concerning military interference amounted
to much. This was illustrated by the fact
that the members who went to the Assem
bly in 1852, were required, before entering .
Charleston, to give their names, ages, and
places of residence, and the business be
fore them. This was in a state of peace,
and should we complain if some assurance
be given that nothing improper will be
done in a state of war 1
Dr. Csndee said he had noted some
things wTich had already been anticipated.
On the whole, he considered the Presby
tery had acted wisely, and according to the
rules of the Church. Dr. MoPheeters had
no trial, nor was a trial necessary. If Dr.
MoPheeters had wished to carry. out the
principle for which he contendo, he ought
to have gone to the Presbytery at all haz
ards.
Rev. Mr. McKee was deoided in the
opinion not to sustain the complaint; as
was also Rev. Mr. Speer.
Rev. Mr. Steel did not propose to inflict
a speech opt's' the members. He regretted
that this Assembly had given an import
ance to this case which it never deserved.
It has had a magnitude beyond what any
rational man will admit in 'the retrospect.
There is not a shadow of a judicial case in
PRESBYTERIAN BANNER.---WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, i 864,
EVENING SEVION.
this. There is not a year in which a score
of our ministers might not complain of
greater injustice than Dr. MeTheeters.
He said brethren had spoken of the solem
nity of the vote they were about to give,
just as if they were standing on the pin
nacle and about to lainch away. (Laugh- .
ter.) He had been accustomed to be hum
bugged for sixty years, and ho liked it to a
certain extent, but he had never been hum
bugged so badly as in this Case. (Laugh
ter.) However, when coming into the
region of New-York he ought to have ex
pected to be humbugged. (Uproarious
laughter.)
Rev. Mr. Forman, of Missouri, would
have been pleased to say nothing. But
coming from the State he did, and sur
rounded by the circumstances in which he
found himself, he felt constrained to. say i
something. If the Assembly sustains
Dr. McPheeters' complaint it will simply
give him the privilege of preaching in
Pine Street church upon the invitation of
the Session of the °Much. And if the com
plaint is not sustained, the
,action of the
Presbytery excluding Dr. MoPheeters will
stand. He contended that the action of
Presbytery at the different meetings was
hasty and ill considered. He also insisted
that the wishes of the majority of the
Presbytery should be respected. If a ma
jority of the Presbytery had been present
last Summer or. this Spring, the ease now
before us would never have come up. -.
Rev. D. A. Wilson, of Missouri, said the
military order did not prescribe at all the
qualifications of those who were to sit in
Church courts. It simply had reference to
the loyalty of those taking it. And the
very persona who declined to take this
oath, took the oath which would allow them
to perform marriage. This oath kept no
body out of that Presbytery. They rept
-out of Presbytery because they did not
wish to be there. To sustain this com
plaint would injure our Church in Mis
souri. Union men there want outspoken
Union men for pastors.
Dr. Breckinridge read his written opin
ion, saying,' that it may well be doubted
whether this should have-been made a ju
dicial ease at all; but having been taken
up its discussion should have been kept
entirely within the record, to sit in judg
ment on our brethren is one of our most
solemn and responsible duties. Dr. Mc-
Pheeters is not on trial in form, but really,
both as concerning his church and his
oharaoter as a minister; The effort is to
put on him an ineffaceable brand. It is
attempted to drive him from his charge,
because disloyal, though protesting that he
has taken and observed the oath required.
The local military authorities had discharg
ed him, and be had resumed his duties.
Now, when the civil and military power
are satisfied with the loyalty ota man,
should not the Church be ? The argu
ments urged against the illegality and ir
regularity of the proceedings of Presby
tery had not been answered.. To approve
these proceedings would be to part with
the freedom'of the Church. The standard
of loyalty varies greatly. It cost him
something to love his country. But he
could not set himself up as a standard for
his brethren. It is knnwn to us all, that
in Missouri and in St. Louis, there is no
standard of loyalty. The Governor, one
of the,purest men, was chyged with dis
loyalty, as 'has been Gen. Schofield, and
also President Lincoln.
Rev. Mr. Clelland, of Ky., said, tows in
the border States, this is a most important
subject. It may drive the plowshare
through many of nurnhurehes. The only
kind of disloyalty the Church could try,.
was disloyalty to herself. -
Rev. Mr. Young, of Ky., said that, were
he not from the border StateS he would not
say one word.. His Presbytery' had dis
solved a pastoral relation after looking into
the state of affairs deeming . this best.
Dr. R. J. Breekinridge had protested, and
carried the matter up to Synod. The Syn
od of Ky., had referred the matter back,
and ordered the Presbytery to proceed ac
cording to the Book.
Rev. Mr. Lowe said he believed there
could be but one opinion- The thing done
was not wrong, but the way of doing it
was palpably wrong.
Rev. J. J. Walsh, of Furrnekabad,
regretted that so much time had been ta
ken up in this. matter. The last speakers
had presented false issues. We were here
as judges.
The Moderator then stated the question,
by reading the action of Presbytery and
the complaint. The vote was then taken.
The following persons voted:
To SusTAIN.--/Ifinisters : Bendel, Rob
erts, Beattie, Reeve, Rice, Junkin, Green
leaf, Kempshall, Craven, Rodgers, Maclean,
Miller, Johns, Cowhick, Reardon, Marshall,
Carson,Laverty, Baynes, Nixon, Flanagan,
Grove Pinkerton, Milligan, Forman, Breck
inridge, Hopkins, Clelland, Lapsley, Young,
Lowe. Elders : Ryerson, Brokaw, Essick,.
Archer, Graydon, Patterson, Kirkwood,
Hall, Crane, Lockwood, Pogue, Wilson,
Waters, Lapsley, Allen-47.
'To - Sliming IN PABT.—Ministers: Hays,'
Logan-2.
NOT TO SusTAni.—Haskell, Thorburn,
Miller, Harlow, Burtis, Krebs, Campbell,
Sheldon, Everitt, Bush, Colt, Cobb, Clark,
Schenck, Musgrave, Dubois, Wilson,Law
son, Moore, Hudson, Gordon, Warner,
Nimmo, Tustin, Hughes, Rockwell, Me-
Kaig, May, McElwain, Kean, Reynolds,
Elliott, Wortman, MoCarrell, Dr. Beatty,
Mad/faster, Thompson, Hamilton, Duncan,
Robinson, Virtue, Pratt, Hoge,. Morrow,
Grand Girard, Scovel, Rogers, Crowe, Pax
ton, Wright, Lowrie, Thompson, Hynes,
Allison,Templeton, Stevenson, Carideo,
Platt, Stevens, Johnson,
M'Kee, I. L. Cra
ven, Speer, Taylor, Wilson, Batohelder, Mos
Candlish, Steel, Wilson, Walsh.. Elders :
Eldridge, Shepherd, Houghton, Belknap,
Carter, elke°, Annul, Osborn, Rankin,
Davis, Stevens, Powell, Linn, MeCormie,
Christy, Hays, Fulton, Patten, Brown,
Ross, Stokes, Mercer, Rankin, Allen, Beall,
Foster, Briggs, Smith, Taylor; Evans,
Morehouse, Falconer, McGrew, Helphin
dine, Byram, Seawright, Gorrell, Mcln
tyre, Allison,,. Ayres, Pratt,' Ogden, Van,
Eman, Bell, Whiting, Welsh, McCandless;
Chambers-119.
Thirteenth :Day.
THURSDAY June .2.
•
Assembly met and spent the usual half
hour in devotional exercises. Minutes
read and approved.'
The Committee appointed to report as to
the business on the docket, recommend :
Complaint No. I—Presbytery of St. Claire
vile against the Synod of Wheeling, be
dismissed. Adopted. Also, No. 2—Com
plaint of the Session of the Seventh Pres
byterian church and the Presbytery of Cin
cinnati against the Synod of Cincinnati.
Referred to next General Assembly. No.
B—Complaint of Mr. Abbott against the
Synod of Missouri. Mr. Abbott not
present. Already the ease had been before
three Assemblies, without Mr. Abbott, or
any one to represent _him, being present.
Dismissed. No. 4—Memorial of the pas
tor and church of Bloomington, 111.,
against the action of the last Assembly.
Dismissed. No. 6-00mplaint of Rev. N.
West, Jr., D.D., against the Synod of New-
York. To be taken up by this Assembly.
No. B—Complaint of John Crozier and
John Mack against the Synod of. Illinois:
Referred to the next General Assembly.
From Committee on Bills and Overtures :
No. I—Subject of Honorary Members of
Board of Domestic Missions. Referred to
next Assembly. No. 3—Presbytery of
West Jersey on the subject of manses.
No action, became of action on No. 2.
No. 4—From Presbytery of Highland, I
asking a division of Presbytery. Granted.
Two new Presbyteries formed, Leavenworth
and Topeka; and a new Synod formed,
to be called the Synod of Kansas. No. 5
From Presbytery of Marion. The charac
ter of , this memorial has been already
given. Recommendation of Committee
elsewhere, given, adopted. Nos. 10, 15
and 22, relating to proposed changes in the
Book of Discipline, were referred. to a
speoial Committee, to report to next General
Assembly. No. 7—From Presbytery of
St. Clairsvirt&e. Recommendation elsewhere
noted aclop,ted. No. B—From the Direc
tors of Western Theological Seminary, urg
ing that young men should unite with Pres-'
by teries before, or as soon after as possible,
entering Seminary. Adopted. • No. 9
From Presbytery of Allegheny. Referred
to Committee on Psalmody. No. 11.--:On
the amendment to the Constitution of the
United States, from the Presbytery of Alle
gheny. Answered by the adoption of the
paper presented by Dr. Musgrave, recom
mending the churches and people to peti
tion for an:amendment of the Constitution
acknowledging God to be the Ruler. of Na
tions, and his Word as the Supreme Law.
No. 19—A Letter from Rev. John Mont
gomery, asking the . Assembly to appoint
a time and' place for next meeting of the
Presbytery of Lafayette. Granted, and
the time and place, suggested by the peti
tioner adopted. No.-14—Not proper for
action. No 18—Recommendation already
noted adopted. No: 19—From Presbytery
of Columbus. Referred to Synod of St.
Paul. No. 20—From the Synod of San-.
dusky asking whether baptism adminis
tered by Campbellites is valid. Answered
in the negative. Adopted. No. 21—
Upper ~Missouri and Platte Presbyteries
united =into one called Upper Missouri, to
meet at St. Joseph's on the second Thurs-
day of July next. Adopted. • No. 23--
Recommods Thursday the first • day of
September to be observed as -a day of hu-.
miliation and prayer, unless the President
of the United. States should appoint some
other day, because of sins 'as individuals,
as churches; and as a nation. A.dopted.
" Drs. Craven, Krebs, and Candee, and.
Judges Linn and Ryerson, were appointed a
Committee on Overtures concerning the
Book of Discipline, to report to next Gen
eral Assembly. •
- The Presbyteries of Upper Missouri and
Lafayettee were attached to the Synod of
Missouri, thus dissolving 'the Synod of
Upper Missouri.
The Board, of Publication was directed
to defray the'eifienses of the Committee on
the Book of Discipline.
Other things on the Docket:—The Re
vised Book of, Discipline was referred to
the next General Assembly. Report on
unempleiyo'ministers and vacant churches
adopted, and recommended that all judicial
cases be continued hereafter until finished.
- The Report on Freedmen, already de
scribed, came up, and after a ong and de
sultory lobate, was adopted.
Rev. Mr. Sheddon reported resolutions
commendatory of the American Bible So
ciety, and recommending it to the increased
liberality of the churches.
The Rev. W. J. R. Taylor, Secretary of
the American Bible Society, then delivered
an able and interesting address on the sub
jects embraced in the Report. The first
President of the American Bible Society
was Elias Boudinot, an elder in the Pres
byterian Church, and the present Presi
dent, James Lenox, Esq. is also an elder
of this Church.. Rev. Mr. Culbertson, one
of the missionaries of this Church, fell
with his armor on, just as he had finished
the revision .of the Chinese Scriptures.
Yesterday he had signed an order for three
thousand Testanients for the Cherokees.
Already the Society had distributed twenty
thousand copies of Scriptures among
the freedmen ; and the managers were
-ready to supply whatever number of copies
might be needed in this way. The foreign
work of the Society last year amounted to
$20,000--'this year it will: be $40,000.
Already we have appropriated $15,000 for
Bible work •among your own Missions.
Mast inviting openings are presented in
Mexico, Central. America, and Chili, and
all Spanish America. The war has in
creased the distribution of the Word of
God. Last ,year the Society distributed
more copies than during the first twenty
years of itsexistenee. The Bible has been
precious to multitudes in our armies. _ The
Society is.'now completing its revision of
the Spanish Scriptures, and also of the
Arabic. The latter will have access to
100,000,00 Q.
The Report was then adopted, except the
resolution which directed that a separate
eoluiun be appropriated in our Minutes for
contributions to this Society..
Closed with, prayer by Dr. Breekinridge.
AFTERNOON SESSION
The Assembly met, and was opened with
prayer by Rev. Mr. Frazier.
The following Committees on the Freed
men were appointed At Philadelphia—
Rev. W. P. Breed, Rev. Samuel F. Colt,
and Messrs. Morris, Patterson, John Mc-
Arthur, and Willard Hall. At Indianap.
olis—Rev. 3. IL Nikon, Rev. S. C. Logan,
and Messrs. laines M. Ray, Charles N.
Todd, Thomas Mclntyre, and Jesse
Williams.
The repOrt on the Assembly's Board of
14188i01113 was taken up, and the resolutions
recommended by the committee adopted.
The Committee on Correspondence re
ported as delegates to foreign bodies in
correspondence with this Assembly, as fol
lows :
To General Assembly of Presbyterian
Church, to set in Brooklyn—Rev. M. J.
Hickock,'Wand Hon. Martin Ryerson,
Priheips.lsolnd Rev. N. L. Rice, D.D., and
J. C. Henry, Alternates.
To General - Assembly United Presbyte
flak Church of N. A., Rev. D. 2c. Junkin,
D.D., and Hone Stanley Matthews,
pals; and Rev. John M. Lowrie, and Rob
ert Carter, Alternates.
To the General Assembly Cumberland
Presbyterian Chtirek r -Rev. N. C. Burt,
D.D., Principal; Rey. I. N. Candee, D.D.,
Alternate.
To Associate Reformed Syr4d, New-
York—Rev. R. K. Rodgers, D.D., Princi
pal; Rev. Alfred Nevin, D.D., Alternate.
The Assembly took up the report of the
Committee on the union between this body
and the, other branches of the Presbyterian
Church. The Report was read by Rev.
T. N. Haskell, who, in a few remarks,
recommended some advanced action on
the part of this Assembly. As a reason
for this, he said there was a warming
up, a flowing together of heart; yea, a yearn
ing for union on the part of the two bodies
now so nearly one,,but organically divided.
In view of which, he moved to amend the
report 'so as to take the initiatory steps, for
an organic union. Yet because of the late
hour, the amendmerit was withdrawn.
Dr. Elliott, from the Committee, advoca
ted the adoption of the original report. At
a proper time, which time he believed was
coming, and musttoon be here, and upon
proper basis he was in favor of retinion, but
for several rumen whioh he, enumerated,
the time was evidently not yet fully come.
But let the thing work another year—and
it seems to be working well—the people
look kindly on the passing events; and ere
long they will be frilly prepared. Organic
union:will follow of course; and then, too,
it will be mutual, and, he hoped, perma
nent.
Judge Bell *ail born an Old School Pres
byterian, and was born again in the region of
one of the exsoinded Synods, and is now, in
the providence of God, a representative from
the great State of lowa to this Assembly;
and his experience in both branches of the
Church was, that there is a growing one
ness of faith and order which must soon
merge the two denominations into one great
united and harmonious body.
1)r. Breckinridge wished to allude to the
views of the other body, as set forth on
this floor by its delegate, Dr. Wilson, of
this city, and which were identical with
those embodied in the report before us.
He therefore was in favor of the report, but
not of immediate organic union.
Mr. Miller, in justice to the Presbytery
to which he belongs' and in which the
overture which came up to this body origi
nated, would say that while he, of course,
preferred the action recommended in the
overture, and which goes farther than the
report before us contemplates, yet he goes
most heartily for the report as an evidence
of progress In the right direction.
Dr. Candee said there was not the least
doubt, from indications increasing on all
hands, that a union between the two great,
branches of the Presbyterian family, will
ere long be consummated. There is, as
has been stated here, a melting of heart,
yea, a yearning of heart, to.come together;
yet, there are minor matters that must be
settled, on the principle of elective affinity,
which will take time and prudence to ar
range, before a step fanther than the one con
templated in that report, can be properly
taken.
Dr. Schenck advocated the adoption of
the report, on the ground of its similarity
to the views transmitted to us from the
other great bratich of our beloved Church,
now holding its "session at Dayton, Ohio,
and which seems to intimate that only a
preparing of the way is as yet advisable, by
a comparing of views—an exchange of pul
pits, and a hearty prayer for, and a cotipc
ration with each other, and which will—as
certainly as the waves separated by a rook
come together again below—result in a
hearty' and organic union, as the final
result.
The report was then unanimously adopt
' ed, and is as follows
The Committee, to whom was referred
an Overture from the Presbytery of Miami,
and certain resolutions of the Presbytery of
Ogdensburg and Buffalo City, which relate
to a reunion of the two great branches of
the Presbyterian Church, submit to the
General Assembly the following resolu
tions, for their consideration and adoption,
viz.:
Resolved, 1. That this Assembly have
witnessed with unalloyed satisfaction the
happy influences of the correspondence in
itiated by .a former Assembly between the
two bodies, in promoting fraternal Chris
tian affection, and thus preparing the way
for a still closer union at some future day.
Resolved, 2.' That in view of the pleas
ing results which have already been devel
oped from the plln of correspondence now
in successful operation, the Assembly do
not deem it expedient, at present, to pro
pose any additional measure toward the
consummation of the object contemplated
by the Presbyteries whose action has been
submitted to their consideration.
Resolved, 3, That with a view still fur
ther to attain and strengthen that unity of
the spirit which is so essential to organic
unity, the Assembly express their concur
rence with the suggestions and counsels of
the. Assembly of 1863, as contained in the
third resolution adopted,by that body, and
recommend them to the prayerful consid
eration of the parties concerned.
A communication at this stage having
been received from the General Assembly
sitting at Dayton, a further action was
taken, in accordance therewithos follows:
In regard to the paper referred to them
since the preceding resolutions were re
ported, which paper contains a deo
laratien of the General Assembly of
the Presbyterian church in Dayton, Ohio
—being an expression - of their views
on the- overture of the Lawrence Presby
tery upon the reunion of the two General
Assemblies of the Presbyterian Church in
the United States of America—your Com
mittee would farther report the following
Minute recommending its adoption by the
Assembly, viz.: That while this assembly
receive in the spirit of fraternal kindness
the declaration transmitted to them, and
thank their brethren for the courtesy thus
promptly 'extended to them, yet having so
fully expressed their views on the same
general subject in the foregoing resolu
tions, they deem it unnecessary to add
anything further, and recommend that
these resolutions, together with this Min
ute, be transmitted by the Stated Clerk to
the Moderator of the General Assembly in
session at Dayton, Ohio.
On motion of Dr. Rodgers, the following
resolution was unanimously adopted, viz. :.
Resaved, That the cordial thanks of
this General Assembly • be, and they are
hereby tendered to the citizens of Newark
and its vicinity for their kind and abun
bant hospitality to the members during the
.
sessions of this body.
In response to which Mr. Wm. Rankin,
Jr., in a most happy manner, replied as
follows : MOderator, This occasion awakens
two important emotions : one of- pleasure,
that you came among us; one of sorrow
and regret that the time has so nearly come
for our separation. It was a matter of sur
prise to some that the last Assembly desig,l
nated Newark as the place of its next
meeting, as we had here but- a single I
church. This surprise was uncalled for,
inasmuch as we have here a dozen or more
Presbyterian churches (to say nothing of
other denominations), whose families have
extended to you - the same hospitality that
they would have done to the other General.
Assembly, had it met here instead of at
Dayton. It was appropriate that the Gen
eral Assembly should come to Newark. It
had never before met within the bounds of
this State. Here was the beginning of
Presbyterianism in our Commonwealth, and
here,it" has experienced its largest and most
efficient outgrowth. One hundred and
twenty years ago this very month, the first
Presbyterihn missionary to the heathen
was ordained and set apart to that great
work in this town,- in-the person of David
Brainard. Pour years later, the first Pres
byterian College ,in America was estab.
lished here, on the sqpure basis on which
it now exists at. Princeton, and here were
sent forth nearly one hundred graduates,
and among them some of the most favorite
of our Church and nation. During the
Revolutionary struggle, the .Presbyterian
minister of this town took rank with our
own Witherspoon ; and on his monument,
among other inscriptions to his blessed
memory, is this glorious record: He was a
zealous supporter of his country's rights.
Our churches have, through the genera
tions of the past, again and again been
bathed in revival seasons. Many pastors
settled over them have had a world-wide
fame as leaders in your former Assemblies,
and have been renowned for piety, for or
thodoxy., and for pulpit power.
To the incidents of our Church history
we have now to add the meeting here of
this General Assembly of the Presbyterian
Church in the United States of America.
If it had been our choice to designate
which of all the Assemblies held during
the last three quarters of a century would
moat happily reiect the fame of its doings
upon the name of Newark, it would be this
Assembly of 1864, illustrious in all time
for its dignity, its harmony, and espe
cially for its important and its final deliv
erance upon the inalienable rights of man.
We thank you, sir, for coming there, and
we now bid you an affectionate farewell.
The Committee appointed to bring in a
Minute expressive of the sense of the As.
sembly in Judicial Case No. 5, reported
the following, viz.:
The Assembly does not sustain the
complainant because the proceedings of the
Presbytery of St. Louis in this case appear
constitutional and regular, and, so far as
we can perceive,_ were judicious, equitable,
and for the edification of the Church.
These complainants, both in their language
and the necessity of their ,case, brought
the whole proceedings under our review.
' The question of the dissolution of the
pastoral relation between Dr. McPheeters
and the Pine Street . church, was -originally
brought in an orderly manner before the
Presbytery, by a petition from a minority
of said church, and a personal .tender of
resignation by their pastor, and after all
the constitutional steps had been taken,
with care and deliberation, Was decided by
the Presbytery, acting for the peace and
welfare of that church. -
That which was called an appeal and
complaint to Synod against that action
could not so suspend all future proceedings
as to prevent the Presbytery from consider
ing and acting upon the continued distract
ed- state of that congregation. And when
at,a subsequent meeting of that body, the
subject came before them, they did almost
unanimously deem it unadvisable that the
late pastor should continue his ministerial
labors in that congregation. Against this
decision of the Presbytery, Dr. IlloPheeters
and others have uttered these complaints
which we do not sustain.
The Assembly has patiently listened to
the history of this case from the opposite
points of view taken, but in their decision
have strictly confined themselves to the
facts on record, The resignation of the
pastoral relation, - and the distracted state
of the ehurch, seemed plainly to call for,
the action of the Presbytery, and being
upon the ground and conversant with all
the circumstances and demands of the
ease, they seem competent to understand
and decide what that action should be.
The question of the pastor's loyalty to
his National Government, which seemed to
be so largely a distinguishing element in
the uhurch, has not been properly before
the Assembly, as it was not pronounced
upoin by any Presbyterial action.
They judged it best for the peace and
prosperity of that particular church, that
the late pastor retire altogether, and cease
from his public ministrations to them, and
this Assembly cannot -decide otherwise;
and though many of the members of the
Presbytery were. absent from that meeting
which so decided, this could not invalidate
their proceedings, as it was a regular and
lawful meeting of that body.
The right and duty of that Presbytery
to order whatever pertains "to the spiritual
welfare of the churches under their care,"
and especially to heal dissensions, by seek
ing to remove the occasions of them, is a
distinctive and important, feature in our
Presbyterian polity. And when the pas
tor himself so far recognized the propriety
of his withdrawal as to tender to the Pres
bytery his resignation, it' was clearly com
petent for that body not only to grant his
request, but to order, if necessary, that he
cease his ministration to that people, if
they-believed that by longer continuing to
serve them the dissensions would be fo
mented, the strife become embittered, and
the spiritual interests of that church en
dangered; and when. the Presbytery did
at length so interfere and direct, without
pronouncing upon the rumors and side is
sues which were the occasion of the strife
and unhappy condition of that church,
they simply undertook to control the rela
tion of pastor and people, for the welfare
of the °birch, without impeaching, by any
expression, the moral character and minis
terial standing of that pastor.
They only ordered as a prudential meas
ure, that the resignation which he had
honestly voluntarily tendered to them,
should properly and certainly be carried
out by his ceasing in any way to keep up
this unhappy state of things, by ceasing to
minister to them as their pastor.
Unanimously adopted.
On motion of Rev. Mr. Miller, it was
Resolved, That this Assembly hereby
recommend to all the churches under its
care, the observance of the first eight days
of the month of January, 1865, to wit,
from Sabbath, January let to the 2d Sab
bath inclusive, as a season of special united
prayer, in concert with other •Evangelical
Christians throughout the world, for the
outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and the
coming of the - Redeemer's kingdom
over the . whole earth.
EVENING SESSION.
The Assembly took up judicial ease No.
6, being a complaint of Rev. Dr. West
against a decision of the. Synod of New-
York, depriving the Session of the Second
church Brooklyn„of the power of disci
pline over a member immediately subject
to their care, and ordering a. certificate of
dismission in good and regular standing.
1. The sentence appealed from was read.
2. The reasons of complainant for his
complaint.
3. The whole record and proceedings of
- the inferior courts, including all the testi
mony and the reasons of their decision.
4. The original parties were heard.
These being—(istpr. West, who was heard
until the hour of adjourpment, when, on
motion it was agreed to
_continue the case
for one hour. (2d.) The Synod of New-
York. Drs. Krebs, Campbell, and Junkin,
only, of all the members, availing' them
selves of the opportunity to be heard, and
they only to express their utter astonish
ment at the notion taken by that Synod in
the case (all but Dr. Junkin having been
absent at the time.)
The case then coming before the house,
it was, on motion,
Resolved, That no remarks are needed
in the case.
Resolved, That the eon2plaint be, and
hereby is, unanimously sustained, and - that
the decision of the Synod of New-York be
reversed.
_ It was then moved by Dr. D. X. Junkin
that this General Assembly be dissolved,
and that another General Assembly be di
rected to meet in the First church, Pitts
burgh, on the Third Thursday in May,
1865, at 11 A. M.
The hymn,
"Blest be the tie that binds,"
was then sung, after which the Moderator
led the Assembly in prayer and pronounced
the benediction, and the A.ssarably ad
journed. ,
For the Presbyterian Banner
Jefferson College.
MESSRS. EDlrons design in a very
brief article, to call the attention of the
Church to the preaent condition of Jeffer
son College, and to urge upon all the ne
cessity of placing it upon a much more
permanent basis than that upon which it
now stands. With the exception of Prince
ton, there is no institution of learning in
America that has furnished as many stu
dents to our Seminaries as Jefferson. Ex
amine the catalogue of any of our Theo
logical Seminaries and at once the truth of
this becomes apparent. Some of our most
influential and useful ministers are of its
graduates. Many of its sons have gone as
missionaries to foreign lands. So that it
is almost impossible to over-estimate the
advantages, the Church -has reaped from it.
Now, an institution that has . done so
much for Presbyterianism should be well
supported. The very reverse is true.
There are verf few colleges so poorly en
dowed as Jefferson: It has always been
crippled through want of funds. And it
is only the self-denying efforts of self-do-
fl ying men that have made Jefferson to la .
it is. Now I propos° a pidn t..-, re\
r.
~.
" Alma Mater."rqz
Let every graduate do all in his ? over
to contribute to an endowment flni
$lOO,OOO. Let the Alumni at their
ae
meeting appoint a member of each o i a , s to
remind other members of the elaim 9 of ca,
common mother. Let the ministers am oil ,
her graduates, urge the claims of J e ff ers , „
upon their flocks. If this plan be " rcel,,z,
ally adopted, before another year the c c
lege will be endowed with more than
6100,000.
I make the suggestion for the l,urpir
of directing attention to the subject. 4,
us all do what we can.
rtsigterian W)and,
PITTSBURGH, WEDNESDAY, JUNE JET
-;
THE PITTSBURGH SANITARY FAR,
This Fair was opened on Wednesday
last week, with one of the largest proec,.
sions ever seen in this city, and a patriotic
and philanthropic address by Gov. Cu ßrel.
The contributions received and the in.
terest manifested exceeded all expectatior.s.
During last week the different departments
were crowded day and evening; and this
week the attendance, if possible, has been
still larger. All ages and classes seem to
be animated with the proper spirit. Al.
ready sales, and contributions in money,
amount to over $200,000. And there is
every probability that the nett proceeds
will reach between $250,000 and $390,000.
Thu different committees have labored
most unremittingly. And the assiduous
attention of the ladies having the Refectory,
the Floral Department, and the different
booths in charge, cannot be surpassed.
The Executive Committee has been natl.
ring in its efforts to make the entire enter.
prise a complete success, creditable to this
whole region; and also the means of af.
fording relief to vast numbers of our sick
and wounded soldiers, for whom the corm.
try cannot do too much.
It is expected that the Fair will possibly
close on Saturday evening. We advise all
who can do so, to visit it, and contribute,
by their presence and means, to its noble
object.
I LEAF FROM THE SOUTH,
We are indebted to the politeness of Mr.
T. R. EWING, Agent of the Christian
Commission at Nashville, Tenn., for a copy
of the Southern Presbyterian, of April
28th, 1864, published at Columbia, S. C.;
Rev,. A. A. PORTER, editor. It is printed
on a half sheet of coarse, dingy paper,
making a very indifferent appearance, at
the rate of $5.00 a year. The printed
matter would make probably ten columns
of the Banner. We extract a few items
that-may interest our readers.
The Southern General Assembly is
called to meet at Charlotte, N. C. on Thurs
day, May 5, to be opened by a sermon from
the previous Moderator, Rev. JAS. A. LY
ON, D.D. The. Stated Clerk is Rev. Dr.
JOHN N. WADDEL j the Permanent Clerk,
Rev. Dr. JOS. R. WILSON, a native of
Steubenville, Ohio, and formerly pastor
of .Chartiers church, Washington County,
Pa.
The Committee on Revision of Hymn
Book,.is called to meet at the Same place.
It is composed of Rev. Messrs. B. 31-
PALMER, (Chairman) T. V. Moon', 1. N.
PRATT, THOS. SMYTH, J. B. STRATTON,
JOHN LEYBURN, (formerly editor of the
Presbyterian) and G. H. W. PETRIE .
The receipts of the Publioation Committee,
for March, were $3,003, and of the Educe.
tion ComMittee $7Bl.
There are six advertisements in the pa
per, four of which are for female teachers,
to - whom high salaries are promised.
- One of the editorials states that a very
deep and extensive revival has occurred
among the Confederate officers confined on
Johnson's Island. The Confederate Gov
ernment is represented to have asked per
mission from our Government, to send
Southern chaplains to the island, but " the
Yankee authorities, true to their character,
deny us the privilege of sending a minis
ter to guide these inquiring souls in the
way of salvation." Whereupon the Yan-
kees are denounced as " a barbarous and
heartless enemy." It does not appear that
a Yankee chaplain was desired.
In another column the editor states that
".Gen. Forrest continues successful in his
operations in West Tennessee and Ken
tucky." No intimation that anything
" barbarous or heartless" lad occurred un•
der the leadership of that distinguished
chieftain. (? )
Referring to the contest in Virginia, the
editor says Let every Christian impor•
tnnately intercede with Almighty God for
his favor and help in this critical moment."
The Presbytery of East Alabama ex•
presses its approval of a proposed union
between the Southern Presbyterian Church
(0. S.) and the United Synod, (or New
School.)
On the other hand the South Carolins
Presbytery vehemently protests against the
proposed union. They affirm that " The
glorious vindication of the doctrines of
grace made by our Church in 1837 was s
separation from undoubted heretics. The
parties now proposed to be introduced into
union with us continued in fellowship with
those heretics until driven out by their
legislation against the political institutions
of our country. This Presbytery cannot
understand how it is possible for the Uni
ted Synod to have held at one and the earns
time to the theology of BARNES, BE
WAN and BEECHER, and to the theology of
our Old School Standards." They insist
upon a " formal and distinct repudiation
by them of every one of the New School
errors," before the union be consummated .
An article entitled " The Enemy in Mis
sissippi," gives a sketch of the performance
of our soldiers and officers in that State,
which, if at all approximating to the truth ,
is most discreditable. Another article,
from the pen of W. R. ROBISON, Chaplain
15th Georgia Regt., contains a vigorous
protest against the vices and immoralities
of the Southern soldiers. The writerstatae
that "The worst passigns o f our fallen na
ture Seem to have usurped the arone of
reason, and savage-like, the soldiers mi'
blushingly`commit crimes unequalled OP,
opt in the annals of Yankee wars'°'
A GrtA.Dr,l2-,