, 1859-05-28

Presbyterian General Assembly. Kc,x-
School.
From the journal and Stat<smaH of Wilm;nc-
ton, Delaware, we make the following extracts
from the proceedings Of Saturday.
After the devotional exercises in tho morn,
ing, Rev. Dr. Thurston was heard, as delerate
from the Maine Congregational Association. HI
gaze an interesting account Of Christian Efforts
in that State.
CHURCH ERECTION FCSp.
j. v. McLanc, D. D., ef Brooklyn, presented
the Report Of the Church Erection fund.
The CAUSES arising from the commercial dis
asters hlndcriug churches from building. are
partly removed, and increasing numbers have
been encouraged to arise and build. 1t be.
comes more clear that such fund was really
needed.
The annual meeting was held in June, 1855,
AL the unpaid subscriptions, excepting sloA.,
hare been received. The fund amounts to
*l"' .6>4'.. The portion unused is safely In
vested or deposited, drawing six per cent inte-
rest: Up to the present time, no part Of the
fund Has been lost; it has been increased, willie
all the applications within the rules hare been
promptly met. Delays in making cra,;,s ar,
earnestly sought 10 be avoided, and iii. utmost
expedition has been used. Some del;svs have
''"""rred, anu more care Is to BE- exercised here
after.
Whole number Of Churches aided, l19: *43.-
lls,were appropriated. Two Churches decline.,
the grant. and one othcr is supposed to have de-
cf'ned. These grants arc partly in loans nnL
partly in donations. 81 have been aided this
year.
In mnny eases but for this MD the attempt to
build would not have been made. Tie fund has
houses OF worship. clear of ofalliucumbrancc, This
Is condition Of all assistance rendered. .t.rcr
cent. Of the Fund has secured over $3pn.taU
worth Of Church property.
Tie work done, has answered the end de-
signed, as seen in the character Of the houses
erected, namely, small churches, frequently
erected BIZ the personal labors Of the individuals
transferred to new Synod, it is regarded as
CARRYING its Indebtedness with it.
Individuals in Missouri and Kansas have cor
responded with the committee asking aid. but.
as they are not in our connection nothing could
be done for them. The Board express anry
ttlcir entire confidence in the Fund Is arrau.cd
aud established BY the Assembly, and in i,s
greut usefunes. to the whole church. Well NAV
tue Church rejoice in this part Of her work,
Sothing stands out in greater prominence in oil
the records Of piety, than the interest taken br
true Israel Of God in the honor Of lis house.
A Arcrort was made adverse TO the application
of Harmony Prcsbsytery for division Of tic
funds Of the Assembly.
AMERICAN HONE MISSIONARY soc1E7r.
The Committee Of Conference with the \. II.
They have been unable 10 obtain definite and
accurate statistics on some points. About sew
esteeu per cent. Of churches and twenty.ri,.lt
per cent Of Missionaries, aided by the 4. II. N,
=. are In connection with our body The num-
bet Of Presbyterian Churches and Missionaries
aided is diu,inlshing-whi1e contributions. if
they are nut now less than in former times.
arc not what might be expected Of u.s. Thc
state Of affairs is such as to demand deyout con-
sidcratiou.
We arc not doing Justice to ourselyes or 10 the
general cause; our church is adectiunateiy at-
tached to the A. II. N. s. 1t WIS originally
Presbyterian Society. The principle of co ope-
suffered, For sererai years our institution was
uadlsturbed, but a change lnls come. mutual
confidence between us is impaired. and the plan
Of uninn has been abrogated. Petitions and
complaints in regard to it are coming in year By
year to this Assembly,
There has been = general dlsapprobatinn
among Presbyterians Of the changes made in
the last few years in its policy. We would be
slow to conclude that the time has come for Sc
pufatiou. There would be great difficulties and
loss in abandoning what is more truly our own
than any Other society 10 the land: II we can
restore confidence, rell-but anything is prefer
able to 4 uuion without the tr1ae bond Of union.
We owe it to ourselves not to waste time and
strength in useless complaints. The time is
now como to secure adjustments to enable US to
rz,-operate Or say, "if thou wilt take the left
hand then will 60 to theright. or il thou de-
part to the right hand then ! will 60 to the /
left. Let there be no stzlfe pray thee be-
tween u.s.
Dr. Thurs.on, the delegate from Maine, asked
whether = much has BEEN eontr,bnted BY the
Presbyterian shIrche';H .ns = r. oeeo app1opH-
li.ved tha. The proporsionsP Pf contributions and
referred to the Church Extaasion Committee.
Mr. Spencer, Of Chicagf remarked that be
could giire, in part, the fatisties requested;
Instructions hare been iassed TO the gents OF !
the A. H. ". s., to make e1eful Investigation. |
into these matters. Ir: S. ha. come across one
Of these for the northern !a1 (24 couusiss) Of |
Illinois. For five years from 1883, in thas'
session, the Congrcgationalc lchatches: hare con-
t1ibuted $s,l9s. The Presbyterian ss,a16. The J