The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-06-03
Address of Rev. Mr.. Breck, Of the Synod
of Kentucky, and the Moderators Reply.

Father and brethren OF the General
Assembly: 1t adds much to my difhdence
in addressing you to-day that my distin-
guished colleague, - hincaid, has
been prevented from attending the ses-
sions of the Assembly. His alternate,
the venerable Ex-Governor Wicklife, has
been detained by the in6rmities of great
age. 1t would have added greatly to the
interest of this occasion, could we have
heard these gentlemen on this floor.
We, of the Synod of Kentucky, feel
more closely allied to you than to any
other body of Christians in our land
There are common natural athnities be-
tween us. We have a common faith and
common interests. Your books are In
our houses-we sing your songs of praise
our children read your Childrens
Friend We rejoice in your success and
sorrow in your sorrow. Our hearts are
as entirely with you in your works as If
there was an organic union.
At our late meeting in Louisville our
delegation to your Assembly at Nash
vile, presented report of their visit,
and the welcome given them, which was
eminently satisfactory to us. This report
was received and approved and referred
to our Presbyteries. Action was deferred
to the regular meeting in October. Our
Synod is exceedingly anxious that you
should understand our position. The
important question of union with this
Assembly was brought to us for consid-
GRAFTON six months sooner than We anti
cipated, curtailing the time for working
out the great problems before us. We
had not contemplated action on this mat
ter earlier than the time assigned now.
The meeting of Synod in Louisville was
a called meeting. And some doubted
the right of action at such a meeting.
The Assembly viii see that under the
circumstances it was proper TO postpone
the question of union until fall. We
could not see that any urgency existed,
No immediate action was needed to testify
for great truths for which We have con-
tended for so long time. 1t was not
needed here. No special urgency exists
for the representation of our Churches
and Presbyteries in this body, Of course
We would respect your counsel and vel
come your assistance. But we did not
think IL necessary to ask your assistance
just nOw-nor did We suppose that We
could aid you much. Our difficulties and
trials are not worthy of mention COM
pared with yours. There is necessarily
much confusion among us. Our position
has brought upon us litigation, and the
heat of litigation has sometimes induced
compromise. But there is no urgency
or necessity for immediate union. There
are some grave considerations before us.
One is that we have not found that unity
of sentiment and harmony of purpose
that is so desirable.
Our afinities and associations are with
you in the great matters in which we have
been concerned. We have not, however,
been controlled by our destination. but
cOntending for the crOwn-rightS of the
King and Head of the Church. So when
the victory for truth was won, we were
not prepared for organic union with your
body. A sense of the value of such a
union has not returned to some as to
others.
So we found that to protect ourselves
from the charge of political partizau feel
ing, we must well consider our own posi-
tiOr and convince our people thatwe were
contending for Christ and his crown
rights. We have thought that when this
union is effected we should come with our
difficulties all settled. But many cases
concerning our church property are now
in the courts, and any change just now
would effect those cases. 1t is to be re-
GREETED that any one should have imputed
to us any improper or undue regard to
our pecuniary interests. Let the contest
through which we have passed and the
great interests at stake answer all such
imputations.
The battle is fought and the victory
won We would be recreant to our duty
if we did not now regard the property
interests in our hands. The question of
organic union is one of embarrassment.
| am not authorized to say what will be
our destination. But | can say that there
is a growing desire to unite with you.
The Synod of Kentucky has author
lied me to extend you warm and cor
dial invitation to hold the next Assem-
bly, in the City of Louisville, KY.
The Moderator, Rev. DR.. Waddell, re-
sponded:
1t is hardly necessary that | should say
that you are welcome in this Assembly,
and nothing gives me more pleasure than
to extend you cordial greeting. We
have sympathized with you in your great
struggle. You have the prayers of all
our Church. And whatever determine.
ton may be reached in the matter of
union, you bear our assurance that you
will always retain our sympathies and our
prayers. We welcome you to our Assem-
bly,, to our houses, to our hearts, as
friends and brethren in the Lord Jesus
Christ We bid you look up and 90 for
ward in the great work in which we are
all engaged.
A SECRET OF REvIyALs.-Mr. Fmney
tells of pastor who was constantly sue