Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1867-06-13
Che gepnblifam.



chanting scene feast the eye, except it be
some OF the regions of middle Tennessee,
or northern Alabama, which this region
very much resembles. The winding val
leys, carpeted with richest verdure and
watered with bright, dashing and perennial
streams, the gradually rising hills upon
whose sides whole neighborhoods and viii
Iiages are planted, and whose tops in the
distance appear in the hazy blue of the
mountain, are the same.
Let me endeayor to interest your readers
with an account of some of the things
have seen ard heard since left Plymouth
two weeks ago.
Ten days of this time was spent in at
tendance upon the General Assembly of
the " S. Presbyterian Church, in session
at the city of Rochester. This was de-
clared by those who have the best means
of knowing, TO have beel in most respects,
the most interesting and able, asst was the
largest assembly of this denomination yet
held. cannot of course attempt anything
like detailed account; few ofits leading
features however may be glanced at.
The first subject of Importance was that
Of reunion with the o. S. Presbyterian
church, subject much agitated in both
branches for the last ttwOyears They have
been separated since 1887, but adhere to
the same confession of faith. the same or
der of worship and church doctrine
Slavery. that curse of the Church as well
rs of StIte, bein, removed, there remains
no good reason why the separation should
continue. Accordingly both assemblies at
their session last year appointed commit
tees composed OF their ablest men TO meet
in joint session and try whether plan Of
union coull not bc devised. The re-
port of this committee was read to our
assembly on Saturday morning, the 18th
inst. by DR.. Adams, of New York City
The Intense interest of the occasion had
drawn large audience, and rs the yener-
able AMI eloquent Chair;nln of the commit
tee proceeded 20 nuke the report. a hush
in which the dropping Of a pin would have
been almost a disturbance settled upon
floor and gallery where were seated n
thousand people. We thought, rs the
reading proceeded. OF Millions description
of the silence in PandemOnium when the
ruined Arch-Anycl eSslyei to speak
From wing to wing a''d BALI enclosed him round
with all his peers; stteniion held them mute"
There was universal feeling of satisfac-
iion at the favorable conditions agreed up
on by the committee. The disposition fo T
union Is strong; every s!luion TO the sub
iect during the assembly elected the most
hearty applause. Unless some unlocked
event should give new turn to affairs, the
General Assembly of the Presbyterian
Church ofthc L. 5. y. in the year 1869 or
1870 will be a grand love feast of reunited
bret hren.
1t will be vain for me to attempt in the
short space of letter description of the
reception of the foreign delegations, cspe-
cially that from the Presbyterian Church
of Ireland Dr. Hall, of Dublin, looking,
as he ascendeded the platform, more like a
grclt boy thln a man, mTch less a Doctor
of Divinity, thrilled us with al eloquence
as surprising as it was iDinitsble. | trem-
to respond But before our beloved Mel
son had spoken IL minutes we fel, him to
be fully equal to the occasion. How the
heart swelled with emotion and the eye
brimmed with tears as he described to those
foreigners the unbOuned joy of the eman-
cipationists in his own State when the vote
Of their convention was announced making
Missouri free State forever
Another occasion of great interest was
when the Rev. Mr.. Adams, of Charleston,
South Carolina, addressed us. He hap
pened not TO DC one OF the +. F. VS., though
he might have belonged to them in times
past-timcs happily to be known no more
Reader, he was as black as a coal pit; his
head as woody, his lips as thick, his ivory
as bright, his heels as long as any you ever
saw. or heard portrayed by Anglo Saxon
politician. And yet, believe me, there were
few addresses delivered before that Assem-
bly,, more elegant in language, brilliant in
wit, and forcible in statement In two
years effort he has gathered church OF
colored people, in Charleston, numbering
], POO, and they are now building house
of worship to accommodate congregation
Of three thousand. Goodbye negro inferi-
ority, as goodbye slavery.
We had the rare privilege of hearing two
OF our most distinguished preachers-Dr
VIM Adams, of New York City, and DR.
I. F. Cuyler, of Brooklyn, but time forbid;
to speak mere minutely of them. But lei
ne say, ss rne result of my observation
here, that the men who occupy the mos
prominent positions and minister to the
largest congregations, are not distinguished
as speakers, but rather as workers.
There was rousing temperance meet
ing on the Saturday evening previous to ad
journment. Some startling statistics were
presented in regard to the fearful ravaget
of intemperance. 1t is already sacrificing
more men and money per year than die
our great war. 1t is stretching forth it.
corrupting hand to control high places. Il
is gaining over the press and even the pull
pit to be its advocates. This alarming
work of destruction and increase of power
call loudly upon every friend ofhis country
and religion to increased activity and yea
in the cause Of temperance. Much is al
ready doing here. Sons Of Temperance
Good Templars, and Templars of Honor
are organizing in all the cities, towns and
neighborhoods, and Bands of Hope are tc
Ho = L. T