The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-06-09
OUR GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

The report Of the proceedings of this venerable
body will probably be completed next week. For
the time being most of our columns are occupied
with it, for no other subject presents matter in
which our churches have so deep an interest Let
it be hoped that it will receive a careful reading
from ALL Many things of deep Importance we're
brought under the action of this Assembly, and
are now before the Church at large, to be carried
out or to be submitted for farther examination.
Some of them we expect to notice in due time
1t will be seen that much attention was given to
the four great schemes Of benevolencc. This was
eminently proper and the facts and views present
ed in the reports and addresses on these subjects
are such as ought to stir the heart of the whole
Church. They are full of encouragement; they
indicate marked progress, and are tokens that
covenant God is with u.s. If he has led us through
paths Of trial, they have still been 'paths of
mercy and truth, and we are called upon to bless
him for it.
But we must not now indulge in strain of re-
mark for which there is not space. There are
many things connected with this Assembly, to af-
ford. at another time, themes of grateful contem.
pation. For the present we mention few things
which may be most appropriately referred to at
this time.
l. The Assembly was happy in the choice of its
Moderator. No one who knows DR.. Robinson
would expect him to be other than an able presd-
ing officer, courteous prompt, and efficient in all
the duties of his office. His election was timely
and we'll considered mark of confidence in our
brethren from Kentucky. whose safe anchorage in
a peaceful haven was an event very comfortable
no doubt, both to US and to them. The true Pres
byterian Church in Kentucky, and the cause of
truth everywhere is much indebted to the untir-
ing energy and uncompromising fidelity of this
courageous leader, for its escape, to so great an
extent, from being overawed by some las Dr. r.
j. Breckenridge who were ready to tread them
into the dust; or from being seduced by others,
Gas Drs. Humphrey and w. L. Breckenridge,)
who after defending the truth and their brethren
up to the Assembly of 1866, most strangely turned
their back upon both Immediately afterward and
proposed to do execution upon them in style, as
fraternal as that shown by Joab to Amasa when
he dealt with him under the fifth rib.
The american Presbyterian IN. ST. of Phnade-
phia, says ''the election of Stuart Robinson to the
Moderator's chair will not be taken as compliment
tary to the North" Perhaps we have committed
a grave offence But the american Presbyterian
surely does not consider that, however great the
obligation of our Assembly at Mobile to be ''com-
plimentary to the North in the selection of its
Moderator, the operation of consulting it would
have been very tedious. So we were obliged to
forego the complimentary" part. pardon thy
servants in this thing" and see if we ever do the
like again!
2. We remark upon the general harmony and
Christian spirit manifested. There was not, from
the beginning to the end, an unkind remark from
one member towards another In the discussion
of the question about cooperating with the North
ern Assembly Committee on the Freedmen, brief
references we're made to the action and spirit of
that body on this subject. Some of the speakers
made mention of facts well calculated to elicit deep
feeling, but their remarks were in general made
with much calmncss, and in no instance with any
malignant spirit.
It'll apparent that our Church is blessed to re-
markable degree with true Christian Unity. There
is not an orthodox ecclesiastical body of equal size
in this country, probably not another in the world
which is so homogeneous. This is fact of great
value, and for which our people should be most
thankful to God.
8. The business Of the Church was carefully con-