The New York herald., 1868-05-24
Presbyteriau.

church-nearly three times as many brought IN by
Ier missionary labor as compose the entire church
at home.
Presbyterian.
Rev. Herrick Johnson d. D., has entered upon his
iaDors as pastor of the First Presbyterian church,
Philadelphia. On the day that he preached his in
troductory sermon Rev. Albert Barnes whom he
succeeds, made an interesting statement OF his
thirtyeght years of ministry among the people, and
commended his successor to them, asking Tor MIN
the same sympathy and support which he had re-
The Cherry Fork Penn.) Convention was recently
attended by two o. ST. three N. s. and fve u min
listers. large audience was present during the de,
liberatOns. The meeting continued two days and
one night, holding five sessions. Among other reso-
lutiOns the following was adopted 1.-THE Presbyte
rian denominations in this country are as nearly
agreed in doctrine and practice as the Christians
were In the days Of the ApOstles;" therefore,
Resolved That these denominations ought to into
sent Views and PRACTICES but making it's distinctive prn
cipes laws for the conscences and conduct of Others
Rev. John N. Freeman was ordained and installed
pastor of the First Presbyterian church at Peekskill
May IA, by the Second Presbytery Of New York.
The new Presbyterian church OF Watkins, erected
by the liberallty OF the late Mr.. John Magee, was
dedicated on the l4th inst Sermon by Rev. George
d. Stewart, Of Burlington, Iowa. dedicatory prayer
by Rev. ID. Megie, OF Pen Yam.
Rev. A. d. Lawrence Jewett was installed as pastor
OF the First PRESBYTERIAN church Of New Brunswick,
Nj, on the 7th inst.
the Third Presbyterian church, Cincinnati, 10th inst
The Rev. James McFarane was installed pastor of
the Presbyterian church at Port Washington, n j.,
on the 30h OF April, by committee of the Presby-
terry Of Monmouth,
On Sunday afternoon, May 10, German Presby-
teran church was organized at the mission building
of the ThrOOp Avenue Presbyterian church, on
Throop, near Flushing avenue, Brooklyn by com
mittee OF the PreSbytery OF Nassau-Rev. John Han
cock, Rev. John Lowrey and Elder G. L. North.
After preliminary religious exercises in both the
German and English languages some twenty-five can
dilates were examined and received by profession;
large number will also be received ut another meet
ing by letter. Rev. Mr.. Josch will be pastor.
New School Presbyterian Action ON PROPOSE
tions for Reunion-Interesting Proceedings.
AT the morning session of the New School Presby-
terian Assembly, now holding its sittngs in Harris
burg, Pa, Rev. DIR. William Adams, of New York,
presented the report Of the Joint Committee on Re-
union with the Old School branch, whose assembly
is now in session in Albany. correspondent writes
that the Assembly tiptoe with anxiety to hear
this important documents the more so from the fact
that it had become known that Dr. Patterson, OF
Chicago, was intending to present minority report
of dissent. DR.. Adams read very deliberately and
with admirable emphasis the whole report which
the oint committee have had printed for distribution
after the reading. DR.. Adams occupied an entire
hour in the delivery OF the report and was frequently
applauded IT Il was probably presented at the same
chairman of the Old School part of the committee.
DIR. PArTERsoM's MINORITY REPORT ON REUNION.
sented minority report, stating that he had been
absent in Europe during part OF the latest sessions
ana presented his dissent, somewhat hastily drawn
up, with great regret.
Dr. PattersOn's report begins with statement of
his own regret at feeling 1t his imperative duty
present an expression of dissent from the views
given by DR.. Adams from the rest Of the committee.
He had been present during more than two days of
the March meeting but having remained with the
committee OF this Assembly until he supposed that
their positions had been firmly taken on all the most
vital points he had felt at liberty to return to his
family aiter MS long absence. He then goes on to
say
But unhesitatingly believe that an outward,
organic union on any basis not broad enough to al
low all the various types of theological opinion that
are now generally recognized by either Of the separ
ate churches as not imparing the integrity Of the
system of doctrine taught in the confession would
prove an untold curse instead Of blessing And |
believe with equal strength of conviction that any
union effected under a miisapprehension as to the
any considerable minority Of influential ministers
and churches, on either side, would be attended with
degree OF fiction and conflict that would fearfully
reard the chariot wheels Of Presbyteranism and OF
salvation for generation to come. am profoundly
convinced also that would be unwse to enter into
u union in the present case, without clear and ex-
plict terms which confessedly provide for the full
measure of liberty In the United Church which we
now enjoy and exercise In our own body. The
necessity for such terms arises from the following
facts:
l. We are the smaller body, and would be unable
to protect ourselves In case our more numerous
brethren OF the other body should cOnstrue either
the confession or the constitution more rgdy than
we now do In relation TO well known questions.
2. The letter party has always the advantage over
the freer party In church that adopts extended
concession and form OF administration, we see in
the Lutheran and Episcopal Churches and in all the
different branches OF the Presbyterian Church. A
small but adrot and pertinacious minority in Pres
bytery synod or General Assembly may Overbear and
control the great majority by pressing the letter and
refusing to allow any quarter for generous con-
struction.
3. We the accused party and are entitled to be
openly recognized rs no less enthusiastically erect
than our brethren, II we are to be reunited with
"A ia npal nj q
against future invidious distinctions that would
surely IMPAIR If they did not destroy, the harmony
OF the united body.
A. II has of late been openly declared by influential
parties In the Old School Church that in case OF re-
union, while certain leading men In our church may
be tolerated IN the new relation, no other ministers
holding their views should be permitted come into
the united body. And, as far rs have been able to
learn not a single Old School paper or Presbytery
has in any direct way declared against the exclusive
principle. Nor has II come to my knowledge after
considerable number Of leading Old School men have
been willing TO say even privately, that they are pre-
pared to concede the liberty for which we contend
circumstances, that We must have confidence
in our brethren, and that no technical
ia noi nosS or sucS WIN coadan a there
hearts of the parties to be united For the great
question is, how are we to have unequivocal evi-
dence that there Is such basis for conIdencey No
glittering generailties' about brotherly love and
mutual trust can give us the needfui assurance.
But our doubts viii be dispeled the moment
our brethren are willing to accept terms of
union that clearly and explicitly provide for the
In the united churches, of all the vari-
Gus types OF theology now publicly recognized by
either OF the separate churches not imparing the
integrity OF the Reformed or Caivinistic system.n
DIR. Pattersons report then proceeds to give his
objections to certain Of the articles reported by DR..
Adams. give merely the number of the articles -
l. To article one Dr. Patterson says in obiecton:-
This was so constructed last year as to provide for
the reception and adoption OF the confession OF faith
IN the united body ''as 1t is accepted by the two
Dodies.n This clearly recognized the equality OF the
TWO bodies to their methods OF receiving the
ession But the doctrnal basis has been 80 altered
As merely to provide for the allowance Of "various
methods Of viewing, stating explaining and illus.
tratng the doctrines OF the confession which do not
impair the integrity OF the Reformed Calvinistc
SYSTEM leaving entirely unsettled the vital ques-
tons. Whether all the various views that treated
as allowable by our church as body are TO be al
i0wed In like manner In the United Church, and the
lurther question, who Is to decide what views
do, and what "do not impair the integrity OF the