The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-06-01
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENTS.
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
Lou1sy1LLE. X, May 2Sd, $50.

LOUISVILLE, KY, May 29d, 1870.
The roll Of our General Assembly was remark
ably fun on the first day, but has now been
rendered almost complete by the addition Of other
members The whole number, if every Presbytery
was fully represented, would be lie; OF which we
have ll2 present. We have four Presbyteries in
Texas, Of which there is only one not fully repre-
sented. This is therefore the largest attendance
we have ever had, and the fact speaks well for the
growing interest felt through all parts, even the
most remote, in the affairs of our beloved Zion.
Having the opportunity for observation through
several days, | am prepared to say that this As
sembly viii compare quite favorably with those
which have preceded it. 1t has been my privilege
to be present at all the meetings Of this our high
est iudicatory since its organization, except the
one in 1862 Each successive meeting is composed
Of almost entirely different persons. There seems
70 be no concert or effort to send picked men. On
this account the material of each successive Assem-
bly, is substantially the same. No one can fail to
see how large a share of the bone and sinew of the
country has been incorporated into the Presby
terrain body There is not a single meeting have
attended in which it did not seem to me that the
ministry and eIdership were competent to deal
wisely and well with any question pertaining to the
Church which might be brought up, while there
were always a gOOdly number whose fine abilities
in debate would add dignity and reputation to any
body in the land.
The report sent on viii furnish information from
which the readers of the Central Presbyterian can
understand what is going on-they will excuse me
for not falling into that beggarly phrase so common
bur 50 an English, and which would say, as being
done" Our business has been thus far progress
ing 6nely, under the superintendent of a very
competent and efficient Moderator. We have,
in the earlier part of the meeting, given
full time to the committees to prepare their work
the hours of sitting being from A. NJ. till p.
NJ Nothing so eOnduees to the real despatch of
business, as well as to its most satisfactory trans
action. as thorough work in these committees.
The only speech of much length-and that not
unduly long-was from the Rev. DR.. Lyon upon
reading the Memorial of the Synod of MissiSsip-
nj, in regard to Presbyterian University in the
South. As so much has been published on this
subject, viii only say that the speech was one of
marked ability, and though do not agree with
the main views Of the esteemed brother, and
think they admit Of conclusive answer, yet all
must honor the zeal, energy and ability with
which he discusses the whole subject. The matter
Is in the hands Of an able committee-Dr. Palmer
being the ehairman-and we shall have it up
again, and possibly in shape to elicit further de-
bate.
The pulpits Of our brethren of the Baptist,
Methodist, and some other churches were filed
yesterday by members of the Assembly. do not
conceive 1t in good taste discuss the comparative
merits of sermons or preachers on such occasions.
No doubt Christ was every where preached, mot
OF envy and strife, but of good will, and there
in let all rejoice. The account of the meeting of
the children of Presbyterian Sabbath schools in
the new, spacious and beautiful Lecture-room of
the Second Presbyterian church, Or. Robinsons 81
IS spoken Of as one of great interest, in which adj
mirable addresses were delivered by DR.. j. Leigh
ton Wilson and Rev. Allen Wright ChOetaw
Indian Chief, who is a member Of this Assembly.
Ii is surely a gratifying spectacle to see the long
fruits Of our missionary efforts. Please extract
the account Of this meeting from the Courier
JoagRaL
To-day we had excellent addresses from the Rev.
Mr.. Bowden, delegate from the General Assem-
Div Of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and
also from the Rev. Mr.. MeElwee, of Lexington,
Va, delegate from the General Synod of the As
sociate Reformed Church in the South. They
brought out responses from our Moderator in his
best vein, and the whole was listened to very evil
IDENTIFY with the highest qualification by the As
sembly and others present
Information has reached us that the Rev. Dr.
Van Dyke, of Brooklyn, has been appointed by
the General Assembly in Philadelphia as delegate
to this body, and that he will be here tomorrow
or next day. The precise character of the resolu-
tons under which he is appointed is not yet known
here. DR.. Van Dyke will receive hearty wei
come out of regard to the affection due to one per-
sonaly so worthy, who has borne noble testimo.
ny to precious truth, through much "evil re-
port, and whose sympathy, together with that of
his congregation has been manifested for us in so
many ways, in the day of our distress. Due re-
gard will also be given to the message he bears
from so large a body Of Presbyterians, however
grieyous we regard their errors and the wrongs
they have done US. Whatever is incumbent upon
cur Assembly under the law Of Christian charity,
and out Of regard to the great interests of the
Reaeemer's kingdom, l trust it will not be back
ward to do. But / am well persuaded it will hold
itself welbalaneed in all that is submitted for its
consideration, and viii not recede an inch from any
Of the great principles which lie at the foundation
on which it has stood through years Of darkness
and FIRE and tempest
But shall be able to tell more about this mat
ter after few days.