New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-04-16
nsuniou of the Presbyterian Churches.
No. IC6 FIFTH.AvE., New.York, April 9, |

20 Nf EdHOrs Of me NeT- f0Fh ODstftT
DEAR SRs MY for asking the favor OF the in
sertn your journal of the accompanying correspondence
are the first place that have been requested by friends
OF TIE Reunion of the Churches to have it so published,
conscutvey; and secondly my desire still to contribute
anything my humble way toward the great cause
Of tn reunion Of glorious old Presbyterian Church the
seyeHuce of which into two bodies have viewed with tie
profGndes, regret.
onnot decline to cast in my mite OF help in the maj
struggle the result Of which at the approaching meeting
Of tn General Assembly, WILL in my judgment, decide that
question least for the next quarter OF century And,
for Oh or reasons, il may not seem strange what
lack . ability TO portray the magnitude OF the "sth OF
dsusoa in measure compensated by my zeal Tor
the frsaAing and "Iepentng OF that great In-no be-
fore tan but before God-yiz while myself, originally
Southern man, my interests, residence and associations
have ong been Norhern-having contributed something,
too With view in part TO cementng and staying the
good old Church. in anticipation Of aud against, the
saver and other agitatons.
Lamentations CAME the Church was rent asunder and
SLAYER abolished.
Thewar ended-thc great sectional cause of agitation
removd-the peaceabe Union of the States restored
shoudno the union of the Church be also restored and
its foundations immoyaby fixed But howl The very
idea the reunion of the Church implies that it can only
able to both North and South andor the great purposes
of the Church. harmonious cooperation in works of love
and the salvation OF snnersthe exercise of mutual char-
~ and frbeaance in consideration Of the exciting circum-
stances Of q times would indispensable. And thus,
with tie necessary removal by the General Assembly OF the
Pittsburgh Assemby's conditions to the return CT the
Southern Churches they also submitted in the sub
Joined correspondence may return without the esendinS
of past teliyerances 5 a condition precedent.
And is further respectfully submitted that this CORE
sponden,e pr0res that the action Of the Southern Assembly
is not only no barrier to reunion, as held by The Pr6y
terrain AMI other journals but designed TO be favorable
TO reunion And accordingly, the basis indicated IN
this coespondence-the only one, as humby believe
now of,n TO reunion-yiz. the repeal lin effect OF the
Pittsburgh Assonblys terms the return OF the South
en Chsrchc and al other acts and deyeances upon the
subject lc TO the responsibility o. those By whom enacted
subject 70 review, consideration and modification by the
Assembly in the future in the Pas-I hope committee
,r he appointed for that purpose by the General Assem-
Dis Al 10 next meeting to confer with like committee to
be APPOINTED by the southern Assembly. am, very re-
s,cc,s,rv Sc c. H. MCCORMICK.
letter addressed by Mr. Mccormick to the Rev
Prof b Smith with Mr. Smiths response have already
appeared n the TRIBUNE lie correspondence has since
been continued foowsl
No l56 FrPrrtAyE. NEW. YORK. Jan. T. 1866
VI IL "
prAaslr wnte again to request the publication in The
prsaa OF the letters just returned 10 me with reason
%y letter vas Written aud sen. before tie paper issued
with yo4r notice that you would insert h3ihng innI au
rglf Oh that ground Be- admitted while desire 1t more par
cuar be- o. the you have taken OF the position OF
TIE southern ChurcFs think are mistaken IN regard
ing ao Assembly action as conclusive that they are
ilalposef return 70 In conversations with several
southern here prior meeting o. their Assem-
notice be by their Assembly OF the IN
happy differences between them anu while the Conied'
NJ. letter ana the modification Of DR. smiths have some
upon this point and without reference to the action oil
am l oay an1lous 10 see the Church united again as
~ NO doubt are that viii consent TO the publ
,atou therefore my letter herewith and VIII send
o,T conv Of DR. Smitf n You have preserved the
~ 60, lno, ,stprprd 10 me) II YOU can't reconsider OF
you will ro'urn 10y letter to me- TruIy I %r6rcx
No 600 Chemist. PHILADELPHIA, Jan s. 1866.
DEAR sm We return the letters ncloei and respectfully
ne tber uublcaon We have 10 present hope that the
nde of the Cburohos can changed and certainly the
poston Of the southern Church Preelades any further
reunion effort but orr determination 70 'Ho co"
irover,y !. 6Xed aud we have stated IN our columns
wv siincerev yours EDiIoEs OF PRESBYTERIAN.
fTbe following Is the letter which with Dr. Smiths, the
editors q The Presbyterian declined 10 publish'l
NO Ie5 FRTHAvE. NBw- YORK. Dec. %. 1865.
lawns u.t observed the statement in TIE Cen.
trs Pryisa that had refused TO publish the letter OF
which appeared In your paper be proper that should
correct slight MISREPRESENTATION upon that ponmore espe
caly as Il has been noticed by other journals also.
The particular position taken Ia DR. smiths letter as pre-
se no Good could result nom the publication in the
Sorb va. that the deverance Of the Northern Assem-
bes during the war IN relation to the sousherh Ohurohe'
Agreeing with you that the General Assembly would poba
bly, disposed 10 esend all the dyerances and con
derng that by indispensable 10 the reunion oil the
Church aefward represented to DR.. Smith whereupon
he promptly modified bis letter accordingly as published IN
a. lea
ect further action thereon should have been taken by the
Northcra Assembly In his own language Then, amy
humble view prime and essential step toward that reunion
the prospects OF which delight IN contemplating Is to
be taken by Southern Presbyterans And so far om
beng assured that you would have published this letter
aodi6sd herewith ncloso copy OF IT. trusting that as
by The Ne York EoaagH the most temperate ut
rnce has emanated from Southern minister Tor sew
era years yet be laid before the readers OF oy
, .---. -, A.
her upon tho merits of the Important pending question De
tween Northern and southern Churches Us TO the terms OF
reunion. while myself believing that the whole political
action the Assemblies from 6l 10 % was erroneous or I'M
called for and that the whole should therefore be rescnded or
mn1fded DO not think "prnciy" ts interest Of The
Clnrch demand this condition either TO present united
Of the Church North or the return to II OF the southern
Churchea Whether not held by Dr. Hodge the inter
yenng action OF the Assemblies oil o. % and o. was egt
mate te ground that II only related to the Church North
and as correct should the deyeranee OF 1900 Dc
so modified admit the honorable and consistent return OF
the Southern Churchesvz In accordance with the old
be for committed during their absence while the rec
ors Church must In the turs as IN the past be open
hone that view will taken by the Southern churches when
tho responsibility OF action In the premises sha ost upon
thrnwhen the General Assembly shall thus base opened the
WAY for their return. - - al,
Deprived OF the great influence OF the Presbyterian Church
in favor peace during the by the action OF the General
Assombly In -6 the struggle ended and the
unop Of the states rostored-ihat p0aHs North and South.
fast harmonzng under the established TACT a we are 70
be- one peopet must be commentary upon the Church
o. Christ II under such circumstances Chr6aHf OF the same
whose banner Is love- cannot agree TO owen 10
eN G. III. MCCORMICK
bav Via
p,5v,aas prior 20 the question of the rig Of
the Church determine and make deiveranccs on
subjects outside Of tho Church. 1t not presumed tna' the
sesment OF suk differences would be insisted upon as con-
aon n reunion a there must enough BIO settled without