Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1861-05-25
GENERAL ASSEMBLY,
ph;la .'e1Dhta. Mas I6, 1861.
or 7,ttr PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN THE t"I
VI TED SIXTIES Of .7AfEERIGs

Phiia 'e1,2hta, May is, 1861.
The General Assembly Of the Presbyte-
rian Church in the United States met ac-
cordiug to appointment in the Seventh
Presbyterian Church, Phladelphit, ana
was oponed with a sermon by the Rev
DR.. YEoMANs, last moderator We WISH
we could publish The sermon entire
After the sermon, the MODERATOR
called the Assembly to order, and the
Committee Of Commissioners reported sio
Commissioners present.
Tho Stated Clerk reported that he had
received oficial notice Of the organiEatlon
of the Synod of St. Paul, consisting OF the
presbvterics of st. Paul, Lake Superior,
Chippewa, and Owatouna, in accordance
with the order of last Assembly, anu O.
the following new Prcsbytcries; Wyaconda
by the Synod of MissOurij Toledo, by the
SYNOD of Iowa; Central Presbytery OF
PHILADELPHIA, by the Synod of Philade'-
phia; and the prosbytcry of Western AT
rica, in connection with the Syaed of New
Jersey. -,
The Assembly adjourned till half,past
three o'clock, P. NJ. Closed with prayer
81 o'clock, 7. ~
Assembly convened with prayer by the
Moderator. DR.. Hall, from the commit
tee on elections, reported additional Com
missioncrs report accepted, and the Conn
missioncrs admitted to their seats,
The Moderator announced that the cleo
ton of Modcrtor was the next business III
order The following persons were then
nominated DIR. Anderson Of the Synod
of Wheeling; Dr. Backus, of the Synod of
Baltimore Rev. DR.. Wills Lord of Synod
of Chcago; Rev. DR.. NJ. W. Jacobus, of
Synod of Pittsburg.
DIR. Anderson and DR.. Stockton obtain
ed leave to withdraw their names The
Assembly proceeded to the election, which
resulted in the choice of the Rev. DR.. John
C. Backus of the I'resbyter of Baltimore.
DR.. Dakus being conducted to the platform,
the retiring Moderator, the Rev, Dr. feo-
mans, addressed him as follows'
"lly DcW Brothcr-It is with very
great pleasure that announce to you that
you have been chosen Moderator Of Gen.
oral Assembly, and I entertain the pleas
ing belief that it will be as gratifying to
you, as profitable to the Assembly, that
their choice has fallen upon you, The re-
sponsibities of the position are great,
and its duties arduous; bnt trust grace
will be given TO sustain you, and that with
Divine aid, you will be enabled to conduct
the Assembly through its deliberations
with satisfaction to yourself and the AS.
sambly, and in such manner as to advance
. the glory Of God and the best interests of
our beloved Church. | need not repeat
the rules by which the deliberations of
the Assembly will be guided. In this
book (handing him a copy of the Consti-
tuition of the Presbyterian Church) you
will find them recorded; and l doubt not
f your ability and tact in administration tf
f the duties of the chair, l with unfeigned
; pleasure resign it to you
DR.. BACEUs then in substance said
"Fathers and Bre,hcrn Of the General
p Assembly, accept my grateful acknowcdg.
, mcnts for this token Of your Kindness Al ID
i confidence, 1t is with unfcigncd difiidencc
{ that | accept yuur call to a position so
arduous and responsible; but ] doubt not
that the same Providence that has called
me to the situation will give me grace and
, trength to perform its duties acceptably to
God and to my brethcrn. And il the times
in which you are called to deliberate, and
| do preside ever your deliberations, are
= marked by circumstances Of peculiar diff
) Guilty, 1t will be incumbent upon us to seek
, and rely upon Almighty God icr peculiar
humility and wisdom. Relying upon the
gracious aid of Gods Spirit, and the con-
sideratc forbearancc and co operation of
c my brethren, l can only promise my best
5 efforts to perform the duties of the homer
able and responsible position to which
you have called me-"
= The Assembly proceeded to the election
> Of Temporary Clerk. Drs, Hornblowcr,
) Imbrie, Lord, and Montfcrt were nomi'
y mated and excused. Rev. d. j. Waller
d Rev, i. Morril Miller, Rev, DR.. McPhail
Il were then the nominees. After ballot
ing, Mr.. Waller having a plurality o.
y votes, was on motion unanimously nppoin
}. ted
% H@'On Thursday last the House o'
e Representatives of this State passed the
y loan Bill of $4,000, 900 by a unanimous