The New York herald., 1868-06-15
RELIGIOUS.


Addresses By Rev. Drs. Crosby, Adams, shedd,
Smith and Others-The Resolutions.
Sensible OF the importance OF the movement
tnaugurated by the two General Assemblies Of the
Presbyterian Church recently in session, which had
In view an organic union Of the two Churches COM
monty known as the Old and New School, John O.
Green, William E. Dodge. Abner L. Ely and num-
Der OF Others invited the ministers and members OF
these branches OF the Presbyterian Church to meet
last evening for prayer and conference In relation to
the proposed basis OF reunion at the church OF Rev.
DIR. John Hail. corner Of Fifth avenue and Nineteenth
street. The attendance was very large.
Rev. John Hall. d. D., presided.
Rev. Dr. CROSBY then offered up fervent PRAYER.
The presiding clergyman said 1t gave him pleasure
to preside over such q meeting land to be in the
midst Of the honored gentlemen who were present
this evening and who would address the audience.
The object or this reunion was to give encourage
ment 10 tne christian people who had represents
their stttlngs Their representative government
in perfect harmony with the great institutions OF the
country. IL was Intended also that this meeting
should make positive contribution toward that
c0nsummatlon upon which the hearts OF 80 many
OF the Lords people had been set-reunion among
the branches OF the Presbyterian Church In these
United States. Though the union would make vast
organization still great bodies were just capable
OF exercising and exhibiting magnanimity as were
small bodies There was now an absolute unanimi-
ty OF sentiment especially in the two great branches
a. 10 tine ue6lraDleneSS or the union itself.
Rev. Dr. ADAMS then addressed the meeting, saving
that the time had come IN this movement when ali
the members OF our churches and the ministry should
interest This was q representative organization
The pastors with their representatives formed the
presbyteries. These made the general assemblies.
Two years ago the general assemblies met In St.
Louis, and measures were then taken to form q
union: Fraternal relationships had already existed
general conviction that the time had now come when
the Old causes of disruption had been removed, and
that with the coming IN OF 2 new generation Of
form a reunion. This was inaugurated by the
Old School In a suitable resolution, which was
committee Of thirty was appointed. but with
very little confidence In the execution OF
am anything definite: In 1888 1t was recommended that
the union on which the committees agreed was de-
cided to be simply published without seeming to
published In accessible FORM There were thirteen
articles on which the basis Of union was to be made.
as in %
other places. This was now to be overturned to our
presbyters During this year 1t was to be decided.
It had been approved and endorsed by the highest
judicial bodies Of the country. II three-fourths OF
the presbyters In each branch approved of 1t 1t would
Ge lima aad t never been thrown before them
decided within the present year. He would
not advocate the measure or frame any
come when oil should have their voice and will and
testimony expressed and felt on this subject This
must 8ueCt vltally tne OF our country ana
the Kingdom OF our Lord. In view OF the claims of
the kingdom of Christ were to take action this
question to night. How easy 1t was to break, but
breach, but what can make 1t unite again, bark to
bark and fibre to fibre That was divine work. 1t
was by the warmth Of lively affections that this work
Dew. DR.. SHEDD remarked that he would only
speak briefly. The Old School not left to Itself
that large body OF $50 delegates. It was car
Hied on In Christian triumph and moderation.
The body saw that this was an important field
spirit Of the Lord was not absent from them The
questions were discussed calmly and fairly. Though
there was earnest and vehement debate there
no unkind words spoken. In settling this great
question it was important to understand how the
theme was looked at 1t was not to amalgamate all
the churches or all Chrisendom into one ecclesias-
tcai Organation It was to unite those OF Caivinisic
faith and Of the same p0lity. They would always
look with reverence on the Methodist Church Yet
1t was not proposition to unite this Calvnsm with
their Armenianism. 1t was a proposed idea unto
those of Calvinistc faith. There was no difference
o a ses Wsrs agreed 70
The difference was the question as to the
single ia. fact whether both bodies We're equally
question came then are they as jealous OF the old
Westminster symbols AS the question narrowed
down there was o far nearer approach to unanimity
on the union. These two churches that run
ming on parallel lines might then work together. If
this year rolled along under the guidance OF the Most
High and embittered feeling was called up, they
had been moved forward and as church they would
present an undivided front In behalf OF this great
After prayer by the Rev. DR.. Skinner, Rev. Dr.
Smith delivered an address. hymn was then sung
when Rev. DR.. Hatfield offered prayer.
THE RESOLUTIONS
The following resolutions were then read by the
Rev. DIR. PRIME and adopted
Resolved Tha. whatever may have been the reasons 70,
States fully convinced that such the agreement In
Church and 50 important Is It for the advancement The
nso% G Christ that the be has sSS @ for nk
reunion. . =, -. -, .,,.,
God that The two General Assemblies recenuy ia session At
Albany and Harrisburg have with such remarkable
sent dow" The Prcs5ysries for their ssncOn
esther their region. s.Ss SSn;dsr.,Iss
expression of their views the desrabeness the
bic The and ssnods occupying the same or s
Jacent ground should at their annual or semi gather
object. Ss ''N ''''' '' ''' '" '''''' '''
Rev. DR.. SUTpHEN remarked that the basis OF
union was reached only after very patient debate.
No one spoke against ultimate reunion. The ques-
ton at issue was not considered one OF fact There
testimony produced to the effect that both were
equally and thoroughly Cavanistic. Only by ques-
ti0ning the veracity or capacity OF the witnesses
could this be doubted. The sense in which these
standards were adopted was known TO the world.
IL was thought 1t would make it a latitudinarian
church either in principle or practice. But these
were easily explained away. Nothing new
would only be difference in adjectives. Moth
ing more would come In them than what were there
III lne Lnete WOulu Only come IN
what would be needed. The differences heretofore
were only philosophical. DR.. Guthrie had sad, III
were In this country would be In the New School,"
and Dr. Candlish had said "If IN this country
would be in the Old School," The history Of the
Church called them to unite. Nelson, In the battle
of Trafalgar, called upon his forces to be in &C
tion. This was necessary TO the most successful
working.
George II. Stuart, OF Philadelphia. Mr.. Carter and
q number OF elders addressed the meeting. after
which IL adjourned.
Rev. Henry Ward Beecher Churches and
Creeds.
In Plymouth cturch yesterday the Rev. II. W.
Beecher read the nth chapter OF Galatians and took
for the text Of his the twenysecond and twenty third
verses He said he did not believe in churches nor
In creeds nor in special forms of divine worship,
except and only 80 far they or any OF them might
make better men. He could not find IN the Gospels
nor In the writings Of the Apostles any command
that places OF worship should be adorned with
highly finished works Of art or painted walls or
stained glass windows and Gil that sort OF thing.
With regard to churches and the yari-