Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1847-06-10

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE PRES
BfTERIAS CHURCH OF THEU.
STATES-GfD SCHOOL.

iron THE GAZETTE.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE PRES
BYTERIsN CHURCH or THEU.
srATES-OiD SCHOOL.
This body met at Richmond, Va, in the
FIRST Presbyterian Church, on the 10Th ulto.
|, was opened bysa sermon from the last Mod
orator, the Rev'd Charles Hodge, ID. d., OF
Princeton, N. Jersey.
The members consisted of One Hundred
and Fourteen Clergy, and Sixty Five Lay
men, the Representatives Of 100 Presbyteries.
Sixteen Presbyteries were not represented
The first debate Of any interest which arose
in the Assembly was on the question
"Whether an ecclesiastical judicatory has the
right to act by commission in the final adj
Indication OF a judicial case ?"--Inde6nately
postponed.
The next most animated debate arose from
the correspondence between this body and the
Presbyterian Churches of Ireland and Scot
land. The letters from these foreign church
es containing much Of aboliionism.
This discussion is reported to have been We
ry spirited, yet highly dignlfed, and it is said
that the General Assembly have never appear
ed to greater advantage than during its con-
tinuance. The general feeling Of the Assem-
bly, seemed TO have been that If the Irish and
Scotch persist in annoying the General As
sembly with this subject that they-ihe Gen
eral Assembly--would cut the matte, short,
and cease to notice them.
The Mcqueen case was again before the
Assembly. and the debate was spirited and
able Besides these there we're many other
Interesting and highly important discussions.
On the Sabbaths during which the Assem-
bly, were in Richmond, the following Church
es were kindly offered for their use, viz: LIST,
I'd, 4th. and Grace street Baptist Churches !;
Cen,uary, Asbury, Trinity, and Manchester
Methodist Episcopal Churches; United Pole
Green, Rockets; LIST, and I'd Presbyterian
Churches; and ST. James Protestant Episco-
pal Church.
1t is said that during the whole ten days of
the meeting not one word was said which
was calculated TO wound any heart All de
cisons were carried with almost entire una
nimity, except the married question, and that
by decided vote.
The great charm Of the meeting has 5eea
the religious element that has pervaded all the
proceedings. The call for religious services
was so great that public worship was held
every day in another Church besides that in
which the Assembly sat-
An Episcopal, and New Scool Presbyte-
rian Church being offered to the Assembly
for that purpose. worship was held in these
alternating. The New School and Old School,
during the meeting of the Assembly were
one. 80 that God would heal their divisions
and make them one again"
The Annual Sermons, on particular sub
jects, delivered before the Assembly are spo-
ken of in the highest terms. That by the
Rev'd J. W. Alexander, of ~ York on For
eign Missions, is said to have drawn tears
from crowded meeting, especially when he
alluded 10 the Fathers Of Virginia. All these
Sermons are to be published.
On the Sabbath before adjournment the Sa-
crament oithe Lords Supper was administer
ed. The house was filed with communi-
Giants.
Bishop Johns preached on the same day,
and the communion was administered after
cordial invitation TO Christians of other demon
nations TO partake.
A remarkably interesting account is given
in the n. York Observer of meeting Of the
Slaves, at which the Rev. c. c. Jones, of Ga.
preached to about fifteen hundred. 1t must be
read 10 be appreciated.
From all that has come TO our eyes, or ears,
we would form the conclusion that the meet
ing Of the Assembly in Richmond will be
long remembered not only by the Members, but
by the Citizens, as one of the most dignified
and most afIectionate Ecclesiastical! meetings
that has ever taken place in America.
Delegates were appointed to the following
Corresponding Bodies, viz -
General Association of Connecticut; Gen
al Consolidate of Rhode Island General As
citation of Massachusetts; General Association
Of New Hampshire; General Convention Of
Vermont; General Conference of Maine :;
Protestan, Reformed Dutch Church General
Synod OF the Protestant Reformed Church !;
General Synod of the German Reformed
Church.
The Assembly adjourned to meet in Balti-
more, in May l64S.
8utThe above facts are cued from the Pres
byieran and N. Y Observer. w. l..
FOR THE GAZETTE.