New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1858-05-07

The General Assembly Of the Presbyterian Church
of the United States met yesterday in the First Pres
byteran Church. About two hundred elders and
ministers were present, and more venerable and re-
spectacle looking body OF men we have never had
| the pleasure OF looking upon The Church was
crowded with large assembage Of ladies and gen
temen of the Presbyterian belief, to whom the As
semby being the first ever held in this city, was an
object Of the greatest interest.
After singing by the choir, the Rev. DR.. O. Van
Rensselaer, preached the opening sermon from II Cor
inthians, 18th chapter and 18th verse; Be OF
one mind, live in peace, and the God OF love and
peace be with you.'
The sermon was eloquent and impressive-inculca-
ting the necessity Of unity in the Church the benefit
Of leading religious life, and the duty of tolerance
to the religious views of other. In conclusion, the
reverend speaker congratulated the Assembly upon
the harmony which had existed in the Church for the
last twenty years. and upon the progress it had made
in that time. Twenty years ago it numbered 200
churches, 1000 clergymen and 10000 members.
Now it numbered 1890 churches, $500 ministers,
and 900 members
After the sermon followed an invocation to the
Throne of Grace.
DR.. John Leyburn, the Stated Clerk, then read the
list of the delegates present there being many yet
to arrive.
A recess was taken, for the purpose of examining
the com missions of the delegates. Some were found
to be irregular but all were reported upon satisfac
toriy. A question raised as to the admissahility
OF Rev. DIR. Haye, of Allahabad, Northern India
but he was recognized and received by the Assem-
bly,.
The election Of officers was the next business. For
Moderator we're nominated DR.. Robert L. Stanton OF
Chlicothe, Ohio; DR.. Howe, Of Columbia, S. c.; and
DIR. W. A. Scott of San Francisco. The first received
3s votes the second, So votes and the third log
votes. DR.. Van Rensselaer, thereupon declared DR..
Scott to be elected Moderator, and in proper terms
announced the fact to the gentleman.
DR.. Scott, in accepting the office, made brief ad-
dress expressing gratitude for the honor conferred
upon him, and dfidence to his capability of pro-
perIy occupying position so exalted. He said he
would rely upon the patience and urbanty Of the As
sembly and hoped for generous forbearance with
| his shortcomings. He concluded by expressing his
trust that all present would feel the presence of the
divine spirit and that the deliberations would be CON
Quoted with order and brothery love- that truth and
godliness might be promoted and the cause of the
Church advanced.
For the Office Of Temporary Clerk, were nominated
Dr. Jnnkin, Of Hollidaysburg Pa. Rev. Edward e.
SeeIye, of Sandy Hill, N. Y; and Rev. Z. Emerson,
of GreencastIe, Pa. The first named was elected.
motion was made that the sessions of the Assem-
bly, be held daily from A. NJ to halfpast 2 P. NJ
and that prayer meeting be held from to O'Clock
Am. Carried.
Letters from the Young Mems Christian Assocla-
ton and the Mercantile Library Association, were
read rendering respectively the use Of their libraries
and reading-rooms to the members of the Assembly
whilst in the city. The invitations were accepted
and, on motion, vote of thanks was returned to the
| two Associations.
On motion, the Assembly adjourned