Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1859-06-16
Old School General Assembly.

Since last wrote, important matters have
transpred. The North western Seminary has,
by an overwhelming majority, been located in
Chicago, and DR.. Rice, DR.. Willis Lord, of Brook
lyn, DR.. Leroy Halsey, of Louisville, and DR..
Scott, of Cincinnati have been just now elected
to the four professorships. This has settled q
question which has been agitated with some par
tizau boldness and zeal for considerable time
past. Indeed, it will be told the inquiries that
parties range under the banner of DR.. Rice, or of
DR.. MacMaster, according to their views of the
policy of the church in regard to the slavery ques
ton. DR.. Rice has been, during all his profess
sional life, an editor, and has stood before the
church as the defender of her conservatism, while
DR.. MacMaster, on the other hand, has been g.
qualy distinguished for his radioalism and aboli-
tion principles. You will perceive that this late
contest, in respect to this Seminary may be view
ed as it actually was, test of the comparative
prowess Of her conservative and radical elements
in the Old School General Assembly. The vote
for the first professor in the seminary brought out
the whole strength Of each, which stood thus
Rice 214 against MacMaster 45. Nearly five to
one, the members of the present Assembly are
conservative.
RUNNING UP THE ABOLITION FLAa.-Dr. Mac
Master was known to have threatened that, if too
hardly pressed he would hoist the banner of anti
slavery, and make the Assembly look face to face
at question which was secretly deciding every
vote and lying at the foundation Of every institu
ton. And he was eqnal to this threat, far as
furing his colors is concerned. Yesterday after
noon, for two hours and more he stood before the
General Assembly, denouncing the whole policy Of
the church in regard to slavery. He was heard
with great attention, while he thundered forth
both the wrath Of God and man against the iniqui-
ties of slavery. Dr. MacMaster is recognized by all
sides as an able, laborious and learned man.
His personal appearance is striking. He is up
wards of six feet high, with figure Aeshless and
a complexion bloodless. His shoulders are round
to the extent of deformity, and yet he stands g.
rect and walks with commanding dignity. His
head is small, and the cerebral developments
meagre, and consequently the observer is thrown
upon TWO facial features for the discovery of his
character. The eye is dark and firmly set, and
CLEANS with something like an unearthly fire in
his seasons of anxiety or excitement, while over
his whole countensnce was spread that remarka-
able cast which physicians recognize as the SYM
boil of almost perpetual pain. Such is the man
who did all in his power yesterday to blow up the
Conservatism of the General Assembly. Forty
five only stood by him, and doubtless his agita-
ton will have little influence over the destinies Of
q body so determined to pursue its old and we'll
trodden paths.
The members are beginning to thin off, It is
twelve days since the session commenced. 1t was
expected that what is called the commentary
question and the marriage question would pro-
woke stern debate, but as they have not yet been
called up, it is likely the Committees on Bills and
Overtures have chozen them off. If presented at
the close of the session. it means that it is not de-
sirable to have them discussed in full Assembly.