New-York daily tribune., 1859-05-25
TIE NEW SCHOOL GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

WuNIsCTos, De. May %, 1874.
Tie pulpit, of the Presbyterian and Methods;
churchos III this town were supplied yesterday b.
members Of the Assembly. Many went on Saturday
afternoon By steamboat to Philadelphia to pend the
Sabbath. This mornings session la, been occupied
principally in hearing the reports Of the delegates
appointed by the last Assembly to other ecclesiastical
bodies in correspondence with THE and also in hear
ing the delegates from those bOdie.. Dr. Thurston
Of Maine was heard last week. One fact i, very
tce able that nearly oil the reports aud remarks re-
cognize the existence Of disturbing element in
those great charities in which tue gationalst
and Presbyterians have so long coOpeiated This
fact s viewed in widely different ways. The one
class look toward separation in this respect a. near
hand and not to be regretted. Another class admit
the tendencies Of events to such issue and lament
IT, A third class are not merely 10th to admit the
necessity but they resoutely resisting il. There
can be no question that much uncomfortable fiction at
tends the operation Of the present pan i'll Illinois,
Iowa Michigan Wisconsin and Nebraska, and when
the truth is known, probably it vii be seen that the
blame is not all on side.
II has been one pleasing fact in all the comnunca-
tions made to the Assembly this morning that cor
dial confidence has been expressed in the New England
Congrcg cgaiionalsts. The most pleasing exercise
the address of the Rev A. f. =. Perkins the Delegate
of the General Association of Massachusetts,, who. in
happy manner, expressed the saluatOn- of the Con-
greOatOndlSts of Md~-d hrSetf- to the General AS
semby and the churches under their He states
the results Of the great revival in their church, aug
menting their aggregate number over seven thousand,
and in many other respects adding to their efficiency.
A. TO temperance, he said they in Massachusetts had
not lost their interest, but looking earnestly to
learn what was 20 be done and how 70 do II. A 20
Slavery they congratulated the Assembly on their pre-
sent noble position and their past record on that subject
Astothe Home Missionary difficulties in very select and
careful terms he showed that his brethren in Maachu
se,ts still held to the cooperation in that noble work
that many times their Congregational brethren in the
West complained of unfair dealing from the Presbyte.
rans and of want ofsympathy for them the part Of
those at home and in fact, that some had thought that
New England had contributed the larger share to the
funds of the A. II. VI. Society, but got the
smaller share Of the benefits but upon the whole,
was the general determination OF Massachusetts Chris
tans to be thankful that through this insrumenahty
Inanv seemed walking toward heaven, caring but little
about the question of their Church preferences. Mr.,
Perkins further said that there were many in
| Massachusetts, in which they helped their feeble
churches without regard to the Home Missionary So
cety, and that he could not blame, nay, he must ap
| prove, the General Assembly in similar course to-
ward It's feeble churches which are not included in
! the rulcs Of the Home Missionary Society Notwith
standing such cases Mr.. Perkins his brethren
| at home would cooperate with them in Home Missions
| a. oDs tley could and should that ever become
impossible then they would separate with peace aud
stand side by side with their Presbyter brethren in
| the conflict with their common foes.
One thing in Mr. Perkins address deserves
| special notice, VIZ; that III a very quiet way he
| passed a fine encomium the Andover Theological
Professors as accepting in their obligation of Office the
Shorter Catcchism,' and certainly not varying
from it more widely than perhaps some in the Presby
terian Church.
This address was compmented with applause fact
quite unusual in the sessions OF this grave body This
fact shows how and extensive is the attachment
here felt for the good men of New-Engand and what
pain must attend any separation from hem.
The Rev. BENZ. j. WALLACE read the report Of the
Church Extension Committee, which shows that
about $4,000 have been disbursed the last year in
meeting those exceptional cases which the Home Ms
sionary Society refuses to touch. The same gentleman
read the report of the Trustees Of the Presbyterian
House which shows that institution 10 be in a sound
condition. and that il is realizing the expectations Of
it, friends in AL respects.
In speaking of tlc reports this morning, | ought
to mention that the Rev. RoBERr BoOTH OF Stamford
made report delegate 30 the General Association
of Connecticut which WAS very interesting, and
rpprcscnted well class Of people IN the Assembly
aud Church. Ie told the Association that many III
this church do not approve the ot such Presby
ferries a. the Alton and that many with him have
solved to cling the Home Missionary Society To the
last lie believes in the logic of events, and admits
the tendencies of things bnt at the same time VIII do
nothing to hasten contamination which he dreads
aud would defeat If he could. In tins, Nr. Booth l.
not alone in the Assembly, the churches they repre-
seut. a warm discussion Of The whole maeris close
at hand
Monday AHcrHoon.-The report Of the Rev DIR.
Duied ON the Tune Book read aud referred TO the
Committee OF Publication.
A motion Was made 10 appoint. the first Monday o
the next wear day Of fasting aud prayer for the
conversion of the world. This motion drew out the
usual discussion the propety or Improperly OF put
ting this of to the SccOnd Mond,y OF the year. Mr.
TAYLOR Of Cleveland suggested that 80 tar from
changing this tme-honored day that the whole hrst
week in the year be devoted TO prayer for that cause
The first Monday selected.
Tie fourth Thursday in February was also sc; apart
as day of prayer for colleges.
The Committee BlS and Overtures reported an
overture from the Presbyterv of Dakoah recommend
ING that il be referred to the Committee on Church TX
tension. ,
The same Committee reported al overture from the
Fourth Presbytery of Philadelphia asking whether
some feasible moce Of employing lay preachers may
not bc devised. The answer of the Committee admits
the importance Of the agency but advises that the
matter be referred to the Pesbyteres for their action
in any particular cases that may arise Further that
our laynan be admoni-hed of their responsibility IN ali
WAYS To advance the cause oi Christ. /; also suc-
gested that the matter be- specially attended to IN the
Asscmbys narrative.
The Assembly listened 10 some interesting stale
mepts from the Rev. Dr. Perkins of Orcomiah.
The Assembly appointed the Rev Dr. Steafns oi
Newark Principal. and the Rev. Prof. Henry Smith,
Of Cincinnati Preacher on Home Missions next year.
The Messrs. Lacy and Hastings were appointed
Commtc to draft minute expression ct the Assem-
blys qualification in having heard the Interesting
statements Of Dr. Perkins.
The Assembly united with DR.. HAD lftD AZ prayer,
aud sung '' From Greeulands icy mountains with
great eject.
The Assembly adjourned until tomorrow morning.