Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1864-05-17
.THR GRRERAL ASSEMBLY, OF THHE
PREARYTRHEAN CEEURGEE.


Presbyterian Church, in session at Charotts n O on
this 9TH day hsd received tbs report Of thecOmmltee
of conference with the United Synod as presented by
Dr. Dsbney in reference to the union Of the bodies
Afer explaining the action Of the COMMITTEES he gave
his views In an able Sddress in favor Of the union Dr.
Adger Of South Carolina made able address in oP-
position to the report in which he dssied the right Of
| the General Assembly to constitute such union. He
nsiae that the constitution of the church had such
power. he doubted, slso whether the Presbyteries
could other denominations but surely the Gen
eral Assembly, delegated body, has such power.
He then into the examination of ths precedent,
especially the plan of uuion Of 1901 which declared
unconstitutional in 1887 During the discussion the
hour Of adjournment came and he declared bis inten'
ton to resume the argument the next morning. On
the 5ih day, after hearing the reports Of several com
mittees the order Of the day lesr the delegate
from the Associated Reformed Synod Of the SOuth.
The Rev Mr. MeDonsld then addressed the Assembly,
presenting the cordial and christian slutsiions of the
body he represented. This body was comparatively
small comprising from seventy five to eighty ministers
and shout hundred and hfty churches. Since the
beginning of the war the number of Hoenhstes sswel
as students for the ministry, Ia sms and most of them
are now In the tented field in defense Of their country
rights Some Of the choicest victims offered on the
them They bad one literary college and one theologi.
cal seminary which had been successful operation for
ssriss Of years They had been useful in training up
faithful ministry. II they wera distinguished for
anything it was atschment to the aAt cardinal doc
ginss embraced in he Westminster Aasembys confess
sion Of faith and catechisms He had nothing official
TO communicate the subject of union between the
two bodies but declared that cordial and fr2ternRI
union a contamination TO be devoutly wished Tor.
The negotiations this end ought be continued but
great prudeRce would be required in conducting them
After assuring the Assembly that the synod would
daily receive delegate from this body, be invoked
Gods blessing upon this charch and the dongu of this
body.
DR.. Kirkpstriek, being temporarily in the chair, in
the name Of the assembly assured Mr.. MeDozs aid that
every statement Of frAternsl regard expressed fully
reeProeaied. The unhnshsdabusness being the report
Of the committee union with the united synod, il
WAS taken up And sitter DR.. Adgsr closed the Rev. Dr.
Hose, Of Richmond addressed ibs assembly. We came
from presiytery which had taken early and deep
interest in this matter, and from city in which the
largest and influential churches OF the united syn
cd loested. After reviewing the providence Of
God in this matter, showing that obstacles thus
moved he argued the matter constitutional grounds,
/ showing what were the opinions Of fathers as
to the power Of the assembly unions with other
bodies. which homogeneous in doctrine and poty
Among other preeedents he cited Illustrating the
views Of the proper mode Of forming ueh unions, that
Of the synod Of New York and PhladeIphIsi that Of
the Relief and Secession churches of seotlsnd-thAt
Of the Associated Reform church Of The Charleston
presbysry and the independent Presbytersns of
South Carolina These cases not all analogous to
the qndsr consideration, but they show what the
practice Of the church has BEEN to the mode Of ad-
mitting other bodies into the communion Of the Presby
etisn church lie sdvoested union on the ground
OF ths Advantages likely to come TO both bodies by
combining their strength in resisting and In ad
vEncing the great enterprises of beneyolenee In the
church. Many difficulties once in the way are now re
moved. BE followed by Mr.. Barnett, Of Georgia
who presented definite proposition to ascertain how
far agree He argued his points with great clearnss
and ability He believed the assembly hsd the eonstr
Onal power to reeei the synod. The assembly the.
adjourned. On the six tn day Dr.. Palmer of New OF
leans addressed the assembly He had INDUCED tH,
hope that all the branches of the Presbyterian churcE
might yet come; but prepared to vote fo- al
/ ion with this.synod. for several reasons.
l. They did not the time OF the separation of the
old school sympathizs with the general aEserl
| bly, In its efforts to maintain the truth.
3. They seem never to have made a clear and unrs-
served subscription to the confession Of faith After
expanding and arguing these points, he said he had no
doubt about the power of the General Assembly to rs
esivs = synod. Yet be doubted whether they could
receive composed the United Synod was equvil
lent General Assembly. Ho objected 10 the doe
rinal basis proposed by the committee. The plan Of
union seems TO make new church. and thus destroys
the identity Of the new body with t5is assembly After
a free discussion by a number Of other spesKers DIR
Dsbney took the ioOr and in elaborate speech q
great eearness and force Of argument gave his u,s
sons, az member Of the General Assembly, for pre-
ferrng that the union should be contaminated on the
plan proposed by the COMMITTEES Of conference Dur
ing the night session the debate was still CONTINUED
Before adjournment IT proposed that committee,
consisting Of minister and elder from sach synod be
appointed TO whom the report Of the committee and he
memorial of severriss. yteries should be referred
DR.. Lyon was appOinted caairmsu, and the moderate
announced the humea of the committee. On tHe sixth
day sfter hearing reports and other business Dr. Lyon
in half Of the committee appointed last night the
saiOn with the Emitted Synod reported recommending
s formation Of the union, with mOdiaeatlons Of the
paper submitted by the COMMITTEES OF confersnee seS-
era members expressed their dissent from portionl
the paper, and Others the ground Of the
constitutional right Of the assembly to set such
subject In view Of the Importance Of the step It
moved that the assembly unite in prayer The venera
bic Dr. White of Virginia then led the assembly ia
most fervsnt prayer Almighty God FOR Hs guidance
and blessing The assembly then discussed and ystsd
the report, item by item, and then adopted 1t
whole Here the ayes snd recorded. and per
mission given to any members wishing to record tbeir
assent dissent.
providing for the union was adopted, Only some six
voted mo- and they constitutional grounds
because their objection some portion Of the report
forbid them voting yea Thus after earnest, thor
Ough and candid discussion there was singular unanim-
y with the assembly in iis husl vote. The hand Of
God is In it all May the union of these two bodies Of
the Presbyterian family be for The good of Zion and for
tine glory OF God After further business. the
semby adjourned. TAe remaining session was spent
in hearing reports Of commltess and in the regular
routine Of business. After harmonious and de-
ghtful meeting the assembly adjourned the ninth
day to meet In Macon Ga on the third Thursday of
May 1855. TEXAS RANGER.
" Col William Butler, Of South Carolina.
has been appointed brigsdisr-gsnerAl in tho pro-
visional army. Gen. Batter is brother Of The
distinguished cavalry general NJ. C. Butler. He
was captain in the United States army, and as
soon as he heard Of the secession Of South Car
olina he resigned bis commission and hurried
home from the far West, where be was then Bta-
toned, and offered his services to his native
stAte. He was Immediately appointed captain
in the Ist South Carolina infantry, then under
tbs command Of Msjor-Gsn. B. A.. Anderson,
who has so often won distinetion--tbs most re-
cent instance being that of his leading the sd-
vance Of the army successfully against Grsnt,
as commsmorsisd by General Lees official dis
patch Gen. Butler rapidly rose to the conimind
Of his regiment, which, though drilled as infant
". and eleiting the highest eaeamium ftom