New-York tribune., 1870-05-25
THE PRESBYTERIANS.
THE HISTORICAL ROLL--A NEW SYNOD IN ASIA
DEBATE ON THE AUTHORITY OF ASSEM-
BLIES-GREETING FROM THE BAPTIsTs.


First General Assembly OF the reunited Presbyterian
Church has appeared in the house. 1t s indeed "a for
midablc document" Dr. Adams remarked, occupying
10 large octave and particularly Interesting in the
large number Of delegations from corresponding (eccle
sasica bodies This will up for further mention
at later stage in these reports. At present mistake
made in yesterdays letter should be corrected. The
Reconstruction Committee whose report yet pending
are not identical with the Joint Reunion Committee Of
1862 That body dissolved after its work done
in November last, and new Committee appointed
TO consider and report upon plan Of reconstruction OF
Synods. That Committee is "a follows
n. S.-The Rev. Drs. g. W. Fisher r. W. Patterson +.
F. Hatfield c. r. Wing and j. r. futile. o. s-The Roy.
Drs. G.. W. Musgravc, c. C. Beatty Cyrus Dickson, the
Hon. w NJ. Francis, and Mr.. Henry Day.
Upon the resumption OF actual business, to-day the
Assembly decided by characteristic, that is to say
almost unanimous vote to take up and continue 10 its
clusion, the Reconstruction report The first debate
arose upon the 35th proposed Synod, that Of China
which to include all the churches in China, Siam,
and Japan. The Rev. N. A. Mcdonald OF Bangkok
Siam, expressed hope that Siam would he omitted from
this Synod, since its facilities Of communication such
that it would cost 800 for member in Siam TO
attend meeting in China, and it would be more con-
ducive to his health TO to America. This would
cost $500 MORE but the missionaries likely to
come here than to so to China Japan The Rev. c. f.
Preston of Canton opposed the establishment OF any
such Synod at all, being quite impractcable
would be Synod OF Great Britain United States, and
Mexico. Lot these foreign Presbyteres be connected
with the synods which have hitherto had them,
and be represented as they may be by such
members may proyidentay be present in this country
heretofore. The Rev ID. B. McCartee OF Ningpo,
China, said that he had not been disposed to object TO
this arrangement from the Committee, he felt that the
relations OF the missionaries with one another must be
chiefly in Presbyeres, and not in Synods. He had not,
for II years IN Asia, seen his near nelShbor the last
speaker until he met him in this assemby and he felt
that the expenses of travel indeed too great to
make such Recommendation possible; but he would
OH. fth hos 1ip
tary q. Domestic Missions Board advocated the pro
posed synod of China, as q hopeful aud Il determined
teriansm in Asia He thought tie number of Pres6y-
teries there required IT, and believed it would materially
help the extension of the Prcsb terian Church through
The Rev. DR. G. Hickman OF Albany opposed the
Synod financially impTactcable Dr. q. 4. Lyon (N.
S) Of Erie, Pcnn advocated il rs tending to more ex
tended PreSby yerianisn Dr. Robert Patterson (O So of
Chicago, after motion (OVCrrucd) Of another member
to attach China and Japan to the synod of the Pacific
hr d , d ~ "i' r Dr GV If fe Commitfee
The motion to refuse the Synod of China was then put,
biy voted in fine to establish the synod China just
proposed including China, siam, and Japan Dr. Beatty
moved to rccOn1der the Pcnn'ylNaa question iOl
smplicaon; carried. His alterations adopted viii
make the rennsyyania SynOds, beginning with ., Phi-
g. Pb1his comprise all of Eastern Pennsylvania the west
en lines OF Bran suys3 Lglme seh9yt Lebanon and York
(Scranon, pabshl being altogether struck ou. Harris
synod Of and east Of the vest lines of Mexican Cameron,
Of the Harrisburg synod and oHth Of Ee Synod and all of Western
il az ia be rcpor Ere: Comprise the counties Of
Coan Of Cambria Wemoeaud. aud ALE hany ami Ohio
a oa 70 Of re the % s I Lick Sls Geek @ part o. 'n' county lying east
The whole report on the new synOds, as altered in
parts, now adopted as whole, and the Assembly
proceeded to the second general division Of the Commit
ices report viz: The reconstruction of Prcsiy'erics
Dr. s. Spear OF Brooklyn read an extended arGlneit
against the report ON the ground Oi It's uconstitutOna
The Rev Dr Mus$rave replied to DR.. Spear that the
last two General Assemblies lad seemed To Justify the
present proessed action OF the General ASemhy aud
that the exigency OF the case was another 1sl' on
and further that there are reeedents for this acton m
within or without the boundaries on eAlsug SyhOdS Dut
in opposition to SynOds, and that in s very city
stances, too, unprecedented, and the demands
justly, such action as is now proposed. The Rev. Dr.
could Justify departure from the letter Of the law in
the present uncie but there seemed TO be propcty in
the action proposed. The morning hour here expired.
fraternal invitation received from the American
baptist Missionary Union (Which the stated Cierk ex
of this body sitting in this city, desiring the Gen
W fIe in G ne Gn new -? Beth Elem Church on Broad
st. The greeting was heartily welcomed and accepted 40
and repre- sentative Committee:
James McCoh %. 81 President Princeton College
w william Aa Mans '" 5ry r%'I29 ~ W. S,I rap sp
TO- 81 Elder Judge v liam stroag N. - Nes.s Robert Carter
or a. ST. Mr; EdTar Basol y.s W; B. caa5sl o. s. J. :?
Co. s Gen h B. Bshtir o. So Gov Daniel Hahes ~ s., and
The delegation intrusted by the Assembly with the
olive branch 10 the Southern Church departed last even
Ing. They are the Rev j. G. Backu5, d. d. tO 81, Char
man the Rev. H. J. Van Dyke, ID. ID. (O 81 and the
Hon. William l.. Dodge U. -
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The afternoon has been consumed in the discussion OF
Dr. Spears amendment to the Committees report That
amendment. as presented in full, is follows:
As the reorganization of Presbytcrcs, and fixing
their future boundaries the Assembly are OF the opinion
that this work. If done by the several SynOds Will DO
more likely tO bc eff cted 70 the satisfaction Of all the
parties concerned than II done 10y ihls Assembly Ac-
@ ed and dTd L his Aslcmblv And for the
purpose of securing uniformity Of action the parts of
&C. Oh ot"s l I, - , , eviut
within its boundaries in accordance with the follow
hyeres within the bounds of each synod az fixed by
tiis Assembly are hereby respectively appointed Com
mtee o designate the day not later than sept J. 1870
and the place when and where each Synod shall hold its
first meeting for the reorganization Of the Prc5byCries
within its bounds 20 nominate some one 10 preach the
opening and preside TIL the synod shall be or
Qluized by the choice Of "A Moderator aud report tine
same to this Assembly for its action.
This leaves the whole matter with the Synods, the
Assembly doing nothing more than simply providing for
conyening them at a suitable time and place and in an
orderly manner. The debate, though conducted with
great zeal and interest, and watched with unnagging
attention by audience who crowded every inch of the
galleries dhe floor being wholly reserved Tor the Com
mssiouers), was upOn theme that would hardly read
entertainngly Tine final vote on Dr. spears ainesd-
mcnt was ciiltd t niue ttr tn & yt i al - ioS'
a. TO seem az 1rst 10 require taxing Dy yeas ana nays
This tmcwastinS form, however, was avoided by the
the dSlcS Ol N!ltis, VINO ultimately
reported the decision: For DR.. Spear 2s3; Tor the Com
mttees report, 1-O. The decision Of pro5bytcrlal ar
rangenent Will therefore, be confined to the synOds, not
remaining with the Assembly.
SOUTHERN PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
LOUISVILLE, May 24.-At IA meeting of the
General Assembly yestetday the Key; Mr. heEi%Ie, &
Dr. Bowdcn, delegate from the Cumberland Plesby-
terian Church. conveyed fTdeTDal salutaOns OF the
bodies they represent TO the Assembly, and wero
sponded to by the Moderator. Richmond, Va; Hunts
Vile, Ala, and Little Rock Ark, the places put III
nomination FOR the next meeting. On the second ballot
Huntsville selected, and the Assembly viii meet
there the Church of which the Rev. j. A. Ross ID.
is the pastor Last night enthusiastic foreign mission