The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-06-05
The Presbyterian General Assembly In
Philadelphia.


The Assembly met at O'Clock A. NJ. and was opened
with prayer The roll was called and the journal read
was spent In devotional exercises.
Rev Mr. FAIRcHILp, Of Charlottesville, Indiana, an
nounced that one Of his colleagues from Crawfords-
vile, MIR. James Hanna had been seized with cholera
while coming hther and died in fourteen hours after
wards, on board steamer, on the Ohio river. Mr. F.
paid high compliment to the deceased as an active
and efficient churchman. On his motion a committee
Of two was appointed, consisting of Messrs Farchid
and Post to prepare suitable memorial of the
favor of devotng Thursday next to the administration
of the Lords Supper which was agreed to- and four
O'Clock P. M was fixed upon the hour
Rev. II. g. LUDLOW mentioned that during the alb
sencs OF one OF the members here his wife had been
seized with cholera. He took this occasion to urge
upon the Assembly the despatch of business and a
speedy adjournment, as in many sections of the South
and disease was raging and the brethren must be
under fearful feelings while away from their families
Rev. DE- Billiard conceded with him. and said that
when afcton was among their brethren their pastors
should be amid them and that they desired DO So
The House then took up the subject Of fixing upon
place for the next meeting Of the Assembly.
Mr.. MITCHELL thought that some other place than
Philadelphia should be tried. He thought the hospi-
talties Of this city had been tested long enough and
he hoped that It would have rest for five years
He suggested New York, and Rev. Mr.. Hatfield alse
passed resolution, inviting the Assembly to meet in
that city.
Rev. DR.. Bullard suggested st. Louis, and thought
West which had so long been sacrificing to them He
thought also, that it would benefit many to pay visit
I
Other members nominated Cincinnati. CHICAGO. Do.
troit Buffalo, Brooklyn and Pittsburgh and strong
reasons were given for each of the Western cities.
Rev Mr.. Wentz finally nominated Philadelphia and
sad that there place where the meetings Of the
Assembly would have q better effect
pcr"t vSse then taken % and stood as follows
Buffalo 2.
The Assembly then went into an election for dele
gates TO attend corresponding bodies which resulted
in the choice of the following -
To the General Association of Conuecticut-Rev
Messrs Judd Billiard, and Little
General Convention of Vermont-Rey DR. Beman
General Conference Of Maine-Rev Il. f. Hatfield,
Congregational and Presbyterian Convention of
Wisconsin-Rev. ID. p. Hoyt, and Rev. MIR. Boardman.
Evangelical Lutheran Synod-Rev Dr. Leach, dele.
gate; Rev. G. II. Reed, alternate.
Gilbert.
Evangelical Association of Rhode Island-Rev. H
General Association OF New Hampsbire-Rcv. Messrs.
Beman and r.. Wright
General Association Of Massac husetts-G NJ Judd.
ID. d., and Artemus Billiard, d. d.
Rev. DR.. Beman from the Committee on Bills and
Overurcs, reported several papers ruling elders
slavery return Of the church to the former constiu
ton, &c.
On slavery, there a large number of oyertures
one of which, from the Presbytery Palestine threat
ened to separate from the church. unless sometime "a
done to relieve the church from the odum of slavery
All these papers call for the separation of the church
from the evil and odum Of slavery and speak in strong
terms OF the reprobaton Of the church having any con-
nection with IL.
The papers on ruling elders and the return of the
W were referred to the
Committee on Church Polity. Those on slavery were
referred to special committee Of seven
Rev Mr. LEACH, Of Virginia, moved this reference
and said that he was opposed to the policy pursued by
the old school assembly Of sitting these memorials on
slavery In the committee on bills and overtures He
however was opposed to any definite action on the sub
Ject OF slavery The Presbyterian general assemblies
since the year 1873 had uniformly condemned II as
EVIL, and that was all that he thought could be done
lie repudated the idea that the church ut the South
was pro- slavery They thought slavery political and
social evil and II they had been left alone thew woud
doubtless have acted upon the matter. But through
the interference Of the jealous anti. slavery
brethren Of the North this had been kept back The
reverend gentleman spoke In mild but dignied terms
oil reprobation OF the manner in which some of tho
antsavery men had conducted their Opposition 70 ala
very and OF the vile terms that had been used bv them
to designate their Southern brethren He asked tho
indulgence Of patience towards the Southern church.
in the hope that 1t would get rid of its own evils and
opposed the proposition to sunder the church for anti
slavery reasons But II this vrulent spirit was mani
rested he Of the opinion that the South
ern bytercs would not always trouble the General
Assembly with their presence. II the behest went forth
that the Southern Presbyteries should break of all
connection with slavery and they TO attempt to
sf, sf3lf n s 21RSsts!s3 fE
would be obliged to fee the State.
Rev. DR. BSMAS coincided with the hope of the re-
verend gentemanfrom Virginia. that the matter would