The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-11-10

rnd presiding over this August body his old f1end
Mr.. Stuart. Then stepping 10 tho front Of the
platform he sad:-"We reciprocats your prayers
for our welfare. Those prayers have been
answered. not directly, but more anspiciously
than most Of US could have anticipated. God has
answered them in the spirit Of love. The entrance
OF your deputation was . grateful surprise, and
every heart was opened at once. We are here to-
day for the purpose Of expressing our feelings,
loves and desires in response. IL may seem to
You remarkable indication Of Providence when
tel you that, when the Episcopal Church was
sssessbled in this city In 1856, the matter OF pro-
noting and cooperating in measures Tor the
bringing about better understanding. was
brought before the House Of Bishops. CON-
mittee was appointed to take advantage adv % any
might devise in promoting. nearer union.
1t is remarkable that / am the only
surviving member Of that committee. Tho
rest have all gone to the blessed union above.
am reioiced to think it is reserved for me TO stand
in this place to discharge the duty which believe
TO be OF the sort contemplated by the House Of
Bishops. The right hand OF fellowship was ex-
tended to us yesterday in prayer, and now in this
manner. greet you in the pane OF the House OF
Bishops, and greet you in the name OF the Lord
Jesus Christ, (Applause.) These are times when,
instead OF there being desire to magnify our diff
ferences, we should aim to bring about such
measures as will unite US In one advancement OF
the church Of Christ. The foundation which the
church builds upon Christ Jesus is sure one, and
we stand here to testify to our common standing
on that foundation. Let us be careful, however,
how We build thereon. We live in most solemn
age OF the world, aud we have serious evils to
face; we have to against infdelity we have
TO war against the power which has stood
against the Church, power which ut
this day has its eyes upon this country and that
the other side OF the water. 1t becomes us, there
fore, to unite our endcavors 10 further tina: which
we believe to be the effort 70 advance the truth.
May God bless us in our endeavors in this great
work.
Mr.. Stuart then ttaking Bishop Lee by the HANDY
said The last time that Bishop Mcllvane, Bishop
Lee and met, we were at the gates OF Richmond,
asking Jefferson Davis TO allow as TO enter Rich
nond and minister to the starving Union soldiers,
who had been battling for our beloved country
Now, that we have one united country. may we
not hope that soon We viii have one united
Church,
The Right Rev. Bishop Lee then said that the
deputation had come to express reeiprocation Of
the courteous and Christian greeting that had
been extended to our body. He felt, in common
with the gentlemen who had preceded him, that
the Interchange Of fellowship and Christian love
was unprecedented and unexpected. This GER
tainiy cannot be attributed 10 the viii or wisdom
of man, but 20 God, our Father.
During the afternoon session the President adj
dressed the Convention. congratuiatng it that
from its opening until the present moment not
Earring sound had occurred, save one, and that
was between the speaker and a man whom, for
the incalcnlable good he had done the Church,
ne esteemed ana regarded higniy, EeV. Dr IloDcIL
Breckenridge, who was prevented from attend
ing this session by sickness. He requested Rev.
Dr. Smith to lead the Convention IN prayer in
behalf of that gentleman.
Tie Business Committee made their report in
which it il recommended that the first Thursday
in May, 1868, be observed az day of humiliation
and prayer. The basis Of union adopted ID as fol-
lows
Fyyyt An acknowledgment OF the Scripture OF the Old
and New Testanents 10 DO the inspired Word OF Cod
the only ,nfalible rule Of faith and practice
Sccosd. That in the United Church the Westminster
Confession OF Path shall 10 received and adopted
containing tho system OF doctrines taught the Hcly
Scriptures.
Whilst the committee recommend the foregoing
basis OF doctrine, they wish to be understood as
the orthodoxy of the Heidelberg
Larger and Smaller Catech;sms, and the canons
Of the Synod Of bort.
Third That the United chorch shall receive and
adopt the Presbyterian form OF church government.
Fourth. The Book Of Psalms, which is Of divine in
spirstion s well adapted 10 the state of the Church
all ages and circumstances and should be used the
worship OF God; therefore We recommend that new
and faithful version OF the Book Of Psalms be provided
"a soon ~ practicable But various collections Of
Psamody are used 10 the different churches change IN
this respect shall NOS be required