The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-06-02
Northern Presbyterian General Assembly
Interesting Debate Concerning Reunion
with the Southern Church.

Interesting Depate Concerning Reunlol
with the Southern Church.
In the General Assembly of the Presby
terian Church North, now in session in Ne'
York, the following debate took plac
Saturday, May 22d. We copy from tn
Tribune :.
Anpverture was reported from the Pres
byterY of Philadelphia, requesting the AS
sembly to take measures to open CORES
pondence with he General Assembly of th'
Presbyterian Church in the South. An
other was presented from the Presbytery O
Louisville, suggesting that steps be taken tc
harmonic and unite with the Southern
Church. The Presbytery of Potomac also
overturned the Assembly to institute mea
sures promotiv Of union with the Southern
Church. The Committee ON Bills and Over.
lures, who had considered these papers, re.
commended tn Assembly to institute mea'
sures preparatry to a correspondence with
that Assembly
A commissioner asked whether the South
ern Assembly had asked for any action of
this kind, or itinsated that it would be ac-
ceptable td theS,'F?' If they had not, this
Assembly might damage itself by any pro-
ceedings in that direction.
The Rev. Mr. Carson, of North Caro-
lima, said that ;he churches he represented
in the South we're not prepared for this
measure.
The Rev. William O. Johnston, of Phila-
delphia, said that he, had conferred with
many of the Southern brethren, and he re-
joiced that the subject had been introduced,
and that the first movement had been made
in the Presbytey of Philadelphia, and he
felt sure that many in the South would re-
ioice if this acton should be taken. The
Southern Church agreed with this in its or
thodoxy. In this respect it had always
stood on high rantage ground. The speak
er hoped that 10 feeling or prejudice would
be allowed to Interfere with the right action
on this subject We must defer somewhat
to the feelingsof the Southern brethren, re-
specting the 6liverances of this Assembly
during and since the war. We may review
them. They we're uttered in haste, and un-
der some pressure of popular sentiment. A
wide field of usefulness for this Church is
opened in theSouth, but it can only be made
available by ropitiating the Church there,
and, to do tie good that should be done,
the Churchesshould be one. A wide mis-
apprehension exists at the South, as to the
extent to which the pulpit of the North had
been used a@inst them during the war
Political preaching was not so general as
they imagin,d. Were the real extent of
this explaineito the Southern brethren it
would remove much misconception, and
smooth the for reconciliation and union.
The speaker hoped the recommendation of
the committee would be adopted, and kind
ly correspondence opened.
The Rev. A A. E. Taylor, of George
town, D. c., member of the Potomac Pres
bytery, was strongly in favor of CORES
pondence by letter. He had met with many
Southern ministers who would rejoice in a
union of the divided bodies. But there
were serious obstacles to this end, and We
should proceed carefully. The proposed
union with the New-Scbool- Church would
be serious, if not insuperable obstacle
That Church had been more outspoken than
this; had rushed to the front in its opposi-
ton to the Solth, and had aroused grave
feeling againstit among the people. If the
desire to unitewith the New School was en-
tertained, this should be completed before
any steps weri taken to secure a formal
union with tn Church South. The one
project will intrfere with the other, and the
Assembly must choose which they prefer
Another seriou obstacle grows out of the
alienation proIuced by the action Of this
Assembly in pst years, especially that at
Pittsburg in 1867. Were the Southern AS
sembly approached on this subject, he pre-
sumed they would answer, that certain &C.
tions of this assembly must be set right
before they cold entertain propositions for
correspondence, and union. This course
will be Necessary to promote good feeling,
and without tbs there can be no union.
The Rev. Dr.. Blackwood thought and
hoped that thi consummation was nearer at
hand than maiy supposed. He testified to
the Christian courtesy and bearing of the
ministers in tb South. He had attended
their last Genral Assembly at Baltimore,
and throughout their whole sittings, which
he had carefully noted, not a word of bit
terness had dopped from their lips. He
had attended many Assemblies in this coun'
try, in Scotlald, and in Canada, but never
saw one married. by greater decorum and
piety.
The Modentor stated there had been a
private correspondence between the Stated
Clerk of the Assembly and that of the
Southern one, and that the Stated Clerk o.
the latter hadsaid, that the agitation of this
question now by the Assembly would com
plicate the pace of the Southern churches
The Rev. Mr.. Murkland stated, as the re
suit of numenus interviews with Southern
brethren, his convictions that, unless the AS
sembly rubs at its past adverse action, yol
need send no communications.
The subject was referred to specia
committee, appointed by the Moderator
Msnisters-Rev. A. A. E. Taylor, G. W
Musgrave, Robert Hays. -Elders-Gilber
Combs, James 1. Brown.
The New York NAV Anniversaries