The New York herald., 1870-06-05
Ciosiug Meeting or tho Presbyterian General
Asse uiby.

ntely postponed. The Board Of Publication was
authorized to meet the second Thursday OF June.
in Philadelphia. Resolutions were adopted calling
attention or parents 10 the cateehlsng OF children.
The pay Of the stated clerk was fixed at $500, and
the salary OF the permanent clerk AZ 500 per an
mum. The payment OF hfty dollars each 20 the per-
manent and stated clerk OF the last Assembly at
Pittsburg, Tor extra work, was ordered.
The overture from the Walnut street church, of
Louisville, KY, was discussed, and the recommen-
the use Of '1 the Saance Of the appropaon
for the purpose OF amcahly settling the case. The
balance is $4,000 The report OF the loint com.
mttee on ministerial reilef was adopted, with slight
alterations.
The business of tho session closed with the sing.
ing OF the Doxoogy. The closing hours were Occu-
pied with speeches by several prominent commits
sione,s. Resolutions OF thanks TO the Moderator
the Committee Of Arrangements the citizens OF Phila
delphia and Others were adopted, and replies were
made by che Philadelphia ministers.
The Moderator officially dismissed the Assembly
at about haif- past twelve O'Clock.
On the adjournment many OF the commissioners
Immediately took trains for their respective homes.
MOrmoDism.
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALp:-
have read with great interest the opinions and
arguments on both sides OF the Mormon question, as
they have been very Opportuneiy published in the lib
eral columns OF your widely circulating ana popular
paper, and the ably written editorials thereon which
appeared In the HERALD last Monday and at other
times. MOrmonism has become a subject of great
magnitude and importance. 1t affects the founda-
tions of society in large and popuous territory.
The general interest which has been created in it by
the publication in the HERALD OF bill introduced
INTO Congress prohibiting polygamy In Utah. OF Mr..
Hooper's speech, OF the sermon Of Rev. DR.. New
man and OF Elder Pratt's letter 10 the
editor OF the HERALD in reply, indi-
Gates that there is possibity-perhaps we
might say likelihood, that viii long affect the
foundations or society throughout the United States
aud ultimately the Whole world. The influence OF
10000 people in the heart Of the nation tends to
leaven the whole mass. To check or destroy tnat
influence Is the great difficulty which is now under
the consideration OF our countrys representatives
The siniulness OF polygamy has hitherto been con-
beyond dispute; but the political bearings of the
subject at present nave placed 1t On The tapfs, and
arguments OF considerable force on both sides have
been adduced, not unminged with s0phism on
either. the disputants have quoted and ex
planned numerous passages from the Bib!e
but like many Other controversialists approaching
that book with precOnccyed theories to uphold, they
suit their own prejudtces 1t may In the end he a
matter Of prudence on the part Of Congress TO let
the theologians settle among themselves the points
o. divinity involved and for our Legislators 10 regu
late poygany as they would any Other social evil OF
our time AS an instance of the way in which theo-
logical dlsputants deal with Scripture, one OF those
gentlemen quotes the passage-"He which made
them ut the beginning made them male and fenaieo
retoris that the iac Of Adams csaren marrsnr e pser
their own brothers and sisters might as well be re-
ferrcd to in evidence OF Divine warran, for incest.
is d wonder that neither OF them interpreted that
passage as meaning that Adam ana Eve were made
nermaFhroultes. A HERALDlC READER.
The Rev. DIR. Mc(;lynn md That serm on.
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:-
Having observed In last Sundays HERALD letter
addressed to the Rev. DIR. McGynn, OF ST. Stephens
Roman Catholic church, over the signature Of "a
Catholic" in which 1t is asked IL the report In the
HERALD OF the 22d ult. Of sermon delivered by
that reverend gentleman was q correct one, this
unassuming individual also desires All explanation.
Fearing much that In this respect he would be
doomed to disappointment, knowing well, as do,
that works OF mercy and OF charity occupying his
entire time to the exclusion Of less important ones
would and do present fnsuperable obstacles In the
way OF the qualification OF the modest request OF
"A Catholic" by the Rev, DR.. McGlynn,
bethought myself that an occasion in which
/, too, might practise the grand lesson taught in
that important sermon, by giving in oil charity
the required information, as comprehend twas
presented. To his query then, Will reply that al
though the report was but brief synopsis OF tho
discourse delivered, and not as full as might be de-
sired, 1t yet was summarized with care ana fairly
reflected the salient points, "A Catholic" adds II it
was correct tnat Dr. McClYnn has given utterance
to heresy ana SANDER.
Let us see on what theological basis such an un-
charitable charge rests. The sermon had for its
thesis "Faith, Hope and Charity" three great
Christian virtues, and upon the last he dwelt with
charity-was the greatest that our charity must be
broad and generous; SO broad aud SO generous that
Its heavenly CHARACTERISTICS would extend to and en-
brace all mankind. and as consequence pass be-
yOnd the Confines OF creed TO the dssenter from
Catholicism as well as to him whose ears have
heard the divine teaching OF the humble NaZarene
Is this doctrine hereticaIp Upon what autaoritv9
Surely upon no Catholic one.
With regard TO conscience, this liberal sermon Is
unmistakably explicit II conveys the Idea THAI for
AL men conscience is the ultimate authority. Ii con-
science be not, what in our system is What
ator embosomed In uss Evidently none.
IL may err but until such time as Heaven
may decree shall have arrived for its enlighten-
tiousiy bound (that lis the only equitable bondj to
follow wheresOever 1t leads. This OF course pre-.
OF God az soon as manifested Now, then ifths
same conscience, with US Catholics, is not the autho
rity then must 1t not logically follow that we are
community OF hyp0crites, pretending to assent to
tenets which cannot Claim the sovereignty OF our
belief II we do believe II Is because nave con-
sciousness OF the rectude OF the things persons TO
whicn credence Is given. II "a Catholic" considers
this hereca In the category he Will be Obliged to cas
silly OF the greatest saints In heaven as well as
the most brilliant theologians who have ever graced
the records OF the Church. This Is the opinion OF
81. Alphonsns de Llguori, whose theological works
In most Catholic colleges are the standard class
books. II we would have our consclences respected
we must not ruthlessly trample on that hailowed
spot OF fellow man, nor rashly conclude that all
who do not worship at the same shrine with our
selves are evidently dishonest in their belief and
false to the promptings Of the warning voice within
AhS, iuucou WOulu NC utOst tdidCftuSs fOf nave We
not the frank confessions of many heroic souls who
sacrificing all they ever held dear for conscience
sake and Christs, passed over-the ray from above
Illuminating their path--to the serene and tranquil
penltude Of Catholic truth, attesting to the con-
uaryf
DR.. McGlynn does not believe In any such frozen
doctrine 1or the reason that it IS not Catholic;
does ne admire-and he is candid enough not to con-
ceal 1t-these modern Mokannas, VINO would force
after the ancient Mohammedan system, or as he ex-
presses II himself by the theological budgeon-their
views upon al for their acquiescence. lnqusltorial
N noua Vkofr tfla {nciA
the pale of the Catholic Church. be successfully ap-
Piled. AS far as their character of befng
uncoinpfomisihg expounders OF the truth
Is concerned, DR.. McGlynn will be found
among the ranks Of their admirers Finally.