Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-11-26
WI SIS ASaS
FORENOON SESSION.

The Unfinished business OF Saturday Was
resumed, viz: The consideration of the re-
manning part Of the report of the Standing
Committee on Foreign Missions, as pub
lished in our report Of the proceedings of
Saturday.
The substitute Of DR.. Smith, authorizing
the Executive Committees to publish
monthly abstract Of news for the benefit of
the churches, was adopted. The sixth reso-
luton also passed, and the report was then
adopted as amended.
The order Of the day, viz the reception
of the delegate of the Associate Reformed
Presbyterian Synod of the South, Rev. ID.
Pressly, was taken up.
Mr.. Pressly spoke as follows; after
reading the preamble and resolution:
Whereas, The subject of union between our
| Synod and the General Assembly Of the Presby-
| terrain Church South has been pending for some
| years past and whereas after the maturest de-
liberation we are capable OF giving the SUBJECT
we are not prepared TO give an assent TO the
basis proposed; and whereas, no good can result
| from the continued agitation Of the matter be
| IL therefore
Resolved, That we respectfully decline farther
/ negotiation on the subject.
| Mr.. Moderator and Brethren of the General
AssembV: | appear before you as the delegate
sent cannot boast Ofts vast membership, Ofits nu-
merOusand well-endOWed colleges and semina-
/ ries or the immense fundamentally that Il is
welding in the conversion of the world. Ii claims
10 belong to one ofthe smaller tribes of the great
| Presbyterian Israel. The Synod IS composed OF
| ten Presbyteries sixty ministers, six probation
| ers and five students of theology, with cores
ponding number Of settled and vacant congrega-
4 tons,
But while the Synod does not pretend to pos
| sess vast numbers, OF pecuniary resources, or
1 ina va mn I'm hot ie min
| ted by a sincere love for Christ cTBcifed, the
/ only hope of lost world, by a supreme regard
for his revealed word, the only nfallible rule OF
| faith and practice 10 erTlng man; and by an
/ ardent zeal for the advancement of his mediato-
| rial kingdom the gTandest enterprise that ever
enlisted the affections of created intelligences
/ come before you with no special mis-
/ sion, with no oyertuTes in reference to
/ organic union. The subject of union with
/ your honorable body was disposed Of by our
/ Synod at its meeting before the last, something
4 more than twelve months ago. By an order OF
| Synod a copy Of the preamble and resolution
| containing ner action on this subject was trans
| mitted by the Clerk to our former delegate. But,
/ in consequence of some lrregularlty of the mail
| it failed 10 reach him. Hence. the action Of
| Synod was not ia due form communicated e
you. | have on hand paper containing the
the subject Of union between our Synod and the
| General Assembly Presbyterian Church, South
has been pending for some years past; and
whereas, after the maIurest deliberation we arr
Il
| pared to give an assent to the basis proposed
| and, whereas, no good can result from the con
tinued agitation of the matter. be it, therefore
Resolved that we respectfully decline furthe
agitation en- the subject.
In relation 10 this action of Synod [ wish {,
| remark that 1t was after the maturest delibera
ton" 1t was requested IN the annual report
that we're presented to Synod from differen
| PresbyteTies- There was no heated discussion
| but free interchange of fraternal views in re
| lation 70 it on the floor Of Synod When tn
4 4 IL 70 tal-r
one of the most solemn scenes transpired that
have ever been permitted to witness. The still
| ness Ofthe grave prevailed Every member fei
| that the decision then about to be made involves
the peace, the prosperity yea, the very existenc
| of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Churc
| South. The necessity of Divine guidance wa
| realized. A motion was unanimously passe
| that Synod lnyOke.by prayer the light and di
| rection Of Heaven, This prayer was made by
venerable and hoary headed father whose hear
has beaten in fond sympathy for more than fff
| years with the Church of Christ. After prayer
the above preamble and resolution were passe
| by vote Of fiOenfy TO hCeiDe. Some Of those VIII
| voted in the negative declared thTt while the
were not prepared to accept any basis that ha
been presented, yet they were IN favor OF keep
ing the question open By further negotiations o
the subject.
Again, Dir. Moderator, the action. taken b
| Synod, That we are not prepared to give al
assent to the basis proposed" What was tina
basis2 We believe that II was that the Psalm
Of David in house's. or the Scottish version b
/ NInhOuleu IN YOUR DOCK oil GTalSeA, ana Indl tn
Associate Reformed Churches. be guarded o
| protected in their time-h0n0red PsalmOdy,
| This arrangement would operate harmonious
where Presbyterles, SynOds and General Assem-
| blies would hold their meetings in cur (the As
| sOciate Reformed) congregations. But Whel
these church iudicatories Woald meet In you
(the .. S. Presby terian) congregations, wha
: | would there be done to crafty us in our time
! | honored Psalmody? Would not the songs ger
| orally used on such occasions be such as hay
| never been introduced into the, worship of th
Associate Reformed Church What then woul
we do? live decline TO join IN the song, VIII
| have we gained by the uni0n2 ii we Join in II
| song, is not the distinctive principle OF the A
| sooiate Reformed Church abandoned
beTe Rs, t@faf Reoed asd Old School opF Pre-
| byteran congregations exist in close pr0Ximlt
| 70 each other. and would become united upO
the contemplated basis of union. The queStio
| then presents itself, what system of songs shn
be introduced in their worship? How will IN
| plan of protecting the Associate Reiorme
| Churches in their time-honored psalmody opt
| rate? The decision may be LETT TO a plurRiit
| vote and the voice Of the majority is not alwa,
=" | Just satisfactory or safe. These remarks, NJ
Moderator, are not made in the spirit of col
| troversy. They are the expressions of Christie
candor. They are plain statement OF dithcu
ties that have presented themselves 10 those WI
have hoped aud prayed for union.
Although / come with no Overtures on the su
iect of union, vet we wish ever TO bear in mir
that we are brethren endsared by the pieasa
associations Of past history and by the power
L faith Divine. Exercising Ief0eLFAut6 III AoN
20 we hope ever TO follow the things that make +
y | peace and whereby one may edify another.
A The attendance ut our recent meeting OF o
Synod was full, considering the scarcity Of iun
| in the present impoverished state of the cOuntr
y and considering that the locality was far west
" the centre Of our geographical limits. ~
= meeting was characterized by great harmo
II and love. Although a more protracted seSSi'
Al ! than usual, vet not an emotion was excited
N | q word uttered that was calculated 10 lmpa
the happiness OF shake the confidence eXlst
between brethren. The Synod realizes the s.
consequences Of that great national conflict
which our country was shaken from centre
circumference. by which The resources Of I
a church were destroyed, by which tie ranks
the living were thlnned, and by Which the J
| gions of the dead were crowded. Nhile :
feels the poverty of her situation, she Is MAXI
a vigorous effort 20 rise from her PROSTATE co
| dition 10 meet the demands of the present a
, 10 enter upon a useful and eventiu future.
le Frskine College ana the Theological Semlna
AZ at Due West Abbeville District, South CaroliI
d, before the late unfortunate war were the :
jects Of her fond regard, and accomplished mn
N eood for the Church Of Christ and the world l.
as Synod has introduced plan by which We tond
hope that during the present year these lnsui
tons shall be re established upon permane
and successful basis The welfare Of the chuT
is inseparabiy connected with the prosperity
these Institutions Tho Synod has also weel
religious periodical under her care. IL rs call
s indicates that il Is the organ, the circulating
dium. the pulse OF the Associate Reformed IT
- nNforlQn Anurcn. AZ cIuaHaAtr lltlAA- a
- West South Corolina. the seat Of her Collie
vi and Seminary. and is represented rs having
20 | circulation sufficient 70 sustain Il.
rs The Synod is making a special effort to 2
= vance the interests Of her Sabbath Schools.
the accomplishment of this purpose, arran.
liz ments have been made 70 secure n suital
n | library and 20 issue paper 20 meet the wal
! Of the rising generation.
n In endeav0ring 20 foster her domestic mIssiI
%. arr operations, the Synod has not neglected
duty 10 the c0lOred people is0sss. In IN
former relationship as servants. they were
objects Of our Christian sympathy, having
many instances access 70 our family affairs q
oocapying seats In cur churches and ar0H
our communion tables. In their present con
ton as freedmen, our regard for their rchgl,
m | interest has undergone no abatement.
W hope TO see them reGlizing the blessings OF
~. erty, the rights Of property ana the means
Y" education.
Above an we fondiy hepe 10 see them en-
Ing the onsolations Of that glonous gospel
which life and Immortality are brought 70 iAs
A. There are many circumstance AZ our PRES
IN condition that cali for gratitude ana praise.
have passed through scehes 81 Eunering, va
and sorrow. but during the present year 3
Providence has blessed rs win irGiilui seas