New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-05-25
,rNrRhL ASSEMBLY OF THE PRESBY-
TERRAIN CHURCH, NJ s.
FOURTH DAY.
IN v Trsbuna

az NeW.En2lAnd lie OAuy itPIeoShteu
where Cougregationslsts did not know the difference
between themselves and Presbyterians. Members of
his Church went to Chicago and thong DR.. Patter-
sons Church a very good Congregational Church.
His General Convention embraced 1872 churches, ID
assoein,ions and consocia,iops. They had enjoyed
he blessings of the revival during the past year. and
there had been average increase of ten persons to
each church.
Tie system of stated supplies instead of settled
pastor lad very much weakened heir churches. For
every two or three years there is change, ana Tue
churches are vacant for time to their inquiry "eare
undergoing a reform in this respect
We love the Home Missionary cause we INTEND 10 |
support il. II seems that cooperation IN tins cause
n.uft cease but it may terminate amct1ly, ana all re-
elimination should end II we separate let us separate
As friends. | have enjoyed great pleasure IN oelng
here and thank you for the courtesy have received
Nav the Lord eudow you with that wisdom which Is |
br,t tme then peaceabe, 10 guide you in your deber-
a,jops We desire you TO send delegate 10 us The
Moderator responded assuring him OF the Assembly
confidence ard reg ard for his body and that 1t mission
sry cooperation ceasee it will be terminated In an
honorable kind, and just way.
Tie Rev. c. ii. Taylor read a memorial from the
Preshytery of Alton requesting the General Assembly
10 sssume the entire work OF Home Missions for the
following reasons;
IL right and the Church is the only proper orga
niaaton, and not a society outside of the Church.
p Its expedeut; the state Of things in the Church
makes it peculiarly proper at the present tune.
a.
T. Larger contributions to the cause of missions Will
be mace.
s. In no other way can we discharge our duty to our
& T;nt the name of the Church Extension Commit
tee be changed to that of Domestic Missions.
T. That measures be adopted 10 enable the Preeoyte-
res to enter thoroughly into this work.
The memorial referred TO the COMMITTEE on
Chugth Extension.
Syracuse was selected the place for the next meet
ing Of The General Assembly.
About eighty members of the Assembly preached in
the various p1lyts in this city on the Sabbath
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The subect Of the voluntary demls-ion Of te minis
try has been under discussion to-day.
An overture was sent to The last General Assembly
inoung whether ordained person could in any CIR
ruinsiances hay aside the office Of the ministry.
Tie subject was referred 70 COMMITTEE who to-day
brought in a very elaborate and forcble report show
ing that it has teeu the Uniform Judgment and practice
O. former Assemblies to recognize II as principle OF
the PRESBYTERIAN Church that minister can he d.
vested OF bis Office except by course of discipline end
ing IN deposition.
Elder p. +. Smith thought otherwise. He argued
that tue Constitution did DOt intend To recognize as
ministers any who not pastors or preachers. IL
provides for eqOa ratio OF ministerial ana lay repre-
seutaiion; vet has come pass that men once pas
tors but now engaged IN secular empioyments, are
members of church jndcalories Ii an elder ceases to
he an acting elder be cannot be member OF the Pres-
byery And ministers, who have Laid ASIDE the work
oil the ministry, ought not TO be, either
Dr. Allen of Cincinnati thought thai minister who
found that be had mistaken lis calling, and had left It,
without any expectation Of resuning 1t, ought, IL he
wised be permitted to resign bis office as well as bis
work and have his name stricken from the roll.
MIR. Seofed defended the report he thought such a
change would be dangerous innovaton-contrary to
the VOWS of ordination and contrary 10 Presbyterian'
ISM Before man can be ordained, he solemnly COW
enants to herald the Gospel of Christ for life.
The Rev. Mr.. Seelye thought il would do injury 10
minister himself to be permitted 10 give up bis oi1ce
He feels sacredy bound t. Christ 10y this office aud II
be does exercse its work regularly or at all, still 1t
would be a stigma to give up the name and his rela-
ton 70 the Presbytery.
DIR. Wisner said the report is jndcous and correct
usage has been in conformity 10 the gospel. No
benefit is derived from lowering a standard If
minister is a bad Jet him be deposed. The law of
divorce has been let down in some States without
benrht to morals or the family institution. When |
thought of giving up the law to enter tue ministry L
was asked whether had ever looked poverty in the
face Ministers may be poor but their calling Is too
sacred TO allow them be turned aside from this
The minister ought t. continue in his work, bat f he
does not he should keep his Office unless he deserves
70 be deposed
The report was adopted.
The address in the evening of DR.. Hopkins Of Au-
burn before The Presbyt erian Historical Society was
racy and brilliant. severe thunder shower occurring
Ut the time diminished the size OF the audience. lie
tketched the early history of epscopacy in this country
For long time il was Church without Bishop.
Earnest and repeated efforts were made TO have a
bishop transported across tie waters for the Church,
which was spoken Of az being without soul At one
time Dean Swift about TO he made Bishop of Vir,
ginia. Not till after the Revolution was the desired
object obtained and then Mr.. Seabury went over to
England for Apostolic grace and obliged 10 take up
with que stionable article from Scotland. But at
ergth the regular ordination Of Bishop White OF Penn
sylvsnja settled the difficulty and lis excellent charac
ter blessed the Church.
TuEsDAY, May &2-Tbe Assembly met at O'Clock,
and spent the usual half hour in devotional exercise
tn, meetings well attended, and especially in-
teresing. The exercises varied and brief-many
persons taking part within the half hour They bring
the hearts Of the members closer to each other.
The reports of the Delegates to foreign boaies were
made.
The delegate TO the Synod of the Reformed Presby-
terian Church said that he kindly received by that
body, and he experienced much Satisfaction III meeting
with them, The members of earnest pety, |
and they cherish a sincere regard for this Assembly.
The delegate to the Synod of the German Reformed
Church mel that body at Harrisburgh in October ls
and was received with fratenal courtesy. Their fret
meeting was held in l746. This their 18th
ing: 100 ministers and elders presents their BUSH
n. a. was conducted with system and order He was |
pratihed TO them engaged IN the same cause and ac
iuated by the spirit with Ourselves delegate |
was appointed TO visit the Assembly.
The delegate to the General Association OF Massa-
rbusetts the Rev. DIR. Fowler, gratited with his
attendance on a body whose praise Is IN all the |
nburrbes As their meeting is limited to y days only
a few take part in the action and discussions which
take Mace and there does not seem 10 be the freedom
which il seen in Presbyterian bodies where all take
mart The Association passed resolutions approving OF
The Home Missionary Society and its object, and that
the doinps of the Executive Committee IN April last
based the only principle on wnlch cooperation can
be carried ON. And they dsapproved Of employing |
the funds for secaan purposes The delegate Thought
this was disrespeetfu TO the General Assembly as
implied design on their part 10 use the funds lor an
unwor. by purpOse. Great respect was shown 10 MN,
personally BY individual members OF the Association,
but there was no sympathy IN the Association, as
body with this Assembly and he saw no advantage
Ar0r eswas.t, rA..rW dn