Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-12-14


To THE EDITOR OF THE STAR Permit the
undersiened, for the oenent Of such of your
readers ss may not be informed OF the present
attitude Of the Presby terian Church in the
United States OF America, 10 make explain
atory remark or two win respect 70 the fol-
lowing announcement contained in the STAR
OF Saturday evening last:
"The General Assembly Of the Presbyterian
Church I'm the United States ad loarned at Nash.
VILE yesterday, 70 meet in Baltimore on me
third Sunday in May next The action of the
assembly year Ago in excluding colored peo-
pie from the ministry has been res Gin ded. and
all persons having the requisite recommenda-
tons Will hereafter be admitted,
.sThe General A Assembly," the highest court
Is not "the General Assembly" proper of the
Presbyterian Church In the United States OF
America, out merely that portion OF the church
which ider tined itsen with the southern Con-
federacy. Ali the dtscordant elements Of Pres
byrerianism IN the South, embracing New
School and Old School, were concentrated
and bsrmohiDed during that fearful struggle
through which we have recently passed. and
which, in the retrospect. appears more like a
horrid dream than q dread ful reality. The
Nashville Assembly differs from the Old
respect to the cause and the MANNER of disnlem-
beTment. The former was chiefly, n not ex-
clusively, on pCliacal grounds the latter on
theological opinions and ecclesiastical polity.
The one was voluntary, the other the result of
legislation. Without meaning TO express any
opinion on the various subjects involved. AZ
may De ndImleeefy rem erke0, as a mere blCtteL
Of history, that the Old School General Assem-
bly, has been recognized, BY the judicial tribu.
nails OF the country. a. the true and legitimate
General Assembly Of the Presbyterian Church
IN the United States Of America These seyersl
Aese bifes srli cling TO the same venerable cog
nomep and are unwilling to be called by any 9th
er name, while at the same time they all adopt
the same symbols Of religious belief as the b.
sis and expoeitors of their theological opin ions
The causes, real or imaginary, by winch we
have been dismembered, are. thanks 10 ne
great Pedoem0ker in HeoueR, rapidly passing
away ike the shadows OF the night before the
orient beams. and We hope, ere long, TO see our
ecclesiastical warriors. whose life long motto
has been-
.Sure i must fight
III would reign"
frow weary Of their ponoerous armor, while
thev retire amidst many good rights" to en-
10Y temporary respite. and repoee amidst the
olive groves Of peace. With respect 10 the
particular question, referred TO In the above
notice OF the action OF the Nash Vile Assem-
bly,, IL may be simply remarked, that accord
ing TO the recollection of the undersigned, Il mas
never been raised In the General Assembly
either before or since the division. We have
always licensed and ordained all colored men
who have Possessed the religious Qualidca.
tons fer the acceptable and successful dis
charge OF the duties OF the ministry. TINS has
been also the uniform custom Of the New
school Assembly since the separation. The
question referred 70 il OF Southern origin, and
mas been, in our opinion, wisely disposed OF
by the resembling act Of the recent Nashville
Assembly. Very respectfully,
TFa SKPTINUs TUsrIH,
Senior Member OF the Presbytery of Potomac
"The Snuggery," Dec. 2, 1867.