The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-05-27
CITY INTEL LIGR NC e.
THE ASSEMBLY.
EIGHTH Days SESSION.

Cburch-Reports from Committe ees-The Re
construction Business.
The United Presbyterian Assembly convened this
morning at O'Clock, in the absence OF the Mode
Tator Rev. Dr. Beatty in the chair.
The Devotional Exercises,
The usual preliminary devotional exercises opened
with the singing of the 36th hymn from the Assem-.
6lys pamphlet hymn6ook % book. Ppayer was Snered Oy
was read by the presiding oficer. communica-
tion was then received from the N, Z. Assembly by
Rev. w, j. Paxton, Of st. PauIs M. K. Church.
Mr.. Paxton, in presenting the communication,
MADE short address, which was replied to by the
acting Moderator. Prayer was offered by Rev. Il.
A. Ferney and an address made by Rev. W. Paine.
The devotional exercises closed with the singing OF
the Coxology.
Business Resumed.
Dr. Backus having taken the chair the minutes
were read and approved.
The Finance Report.
The report of the Finance Committee was received
and put upon the docket
Reception of the Delegate from the Reformed
Dutch Church.
Rev. James Demorest, the delegate from the Re-
formed Church in America, was received, and spoke
regard this meeting OF the General Assembly of
North America with peculiar satisfaction. short
to extend sautatons to the "New School" Assem-
bly,, and brother delegated with me was deputed
to extend sautations to the "Od School," But now
these Assemblies do not exist, but in the place OF
them there is the united Assembly. This constitutes
a new era in the Church. We rejoice with you in
the beautiful harmony which has been effected
Evermore may you rejoice In this great union May
greater glory result from your great union. In
Christian union there is something which unites
hearts together We have the same Master to serve,
the same Gospel to preach, and the same battles to
Gght. bond of Christian affection exists between
you. Our Church is not prepared to join any eccle-
better by herself She thinks she has vet
performed the work which ought to be done. Her
mission R IN t operation at home @ ana
Reformed Church resolved to cut loose from the
American Board of Missions, and inaugurated
movement in the work of foreign missions.
The result has already proved the wisdom of that
act. snce that time she has placed in the foreign
fn1d fhonh hnnh thn 1Dnlnr nf mis- aippa
she ever sent out in the same space OF time before
Thus missionary spirit has been developed and
Of
ground in China, India, and Japan. In China and
India the work is in the most iourishlng condition
We have also Board OF Education doing a good
work. The Church that l have the honor to repre-
sent has two coeges, both of which are more or less
But what shall be the name under which all shall
rally? The denomination l represent thinks her
Church name good one, perhaps the best that can
be devised, and as she is the Oldest OF all the
churches In the United States, it would not consist
with propriety to give up her identity. Besides
having discarded her foreign connection to mis-
sGns 81 she mas name e. that @ seems TO Se exactly
origin and history too noble to be ignored. Sne
traces back first to the Reformation and then to the
Apostles. Notwithstanding these sentiments the
American Reformed Church is not exclusive She
does not wish to stand aloof from other Christian
wide enough to embrace all those who accept the
doctrines OF the word of God.
She wishes to preserve her ecclesiastical polity be-
cause she believes to be the best But there is
close resemblance between your Church and the
one represent that we are but one household in
the Lord. We greet you as ambassadors of Christ
We hope that we comprise with you part of the
General Assembly of the nrst-born of the Lord in
heaven. God is about doing a wonderful work in
the world. What means the overturning of the old
ideas and the progress of liberalism? What means
the gathering of forces in the Eternal City and the
confusion in their ranks? What but to manifest to
the Church the unity of the Church of God? The
Church is ready TO engage in the destruction of all
barriers between different branches. What means
this great influx of strangers into our land? Here
we are obliged to battle all kinds of error supersti-
tion, and darkness II we are but faithful watchmen
we can do great work even here, and the more so
II we work as brothers.
Reception of Antoher Delegate.
Rev. David Cole, from Yonkers, New York the
associate delegate OF Mr.. Oemorest, from the Re-
formed Church. was introduced, and made the fol-
loving address,
the Presbyterian Church. We have only 460 churches
and about 500 ministers, including those who are
we are everything to ourselves, aud everything
within our own spheres. We perhaps overrate our
Importance, and as questions will naturally present
themselves this way minds looking to prospective
union and consolidation OF the Church Of God We
am aware. We are the Oldest Evangelical Church
on the American continent Our history is glorious
one. we come come from tae martyrdoms OF Holland.
preceded our coming here. We have made great
mistakes since we came upon this continent, and
which is owing to the fact that we are so crcum-
scrbed In the United States. The first great mistake
was that which Immediately succeeded the English
surrender in 1864. Emigration from Holland came
at that tine and great iunux began to
take place OF those connected with the English
Charch. The demand began to exist Immediately for
preaching in language other than the language OF
our fathers-the Holland language. An application
was made to our body TO give at least one sermon
in English in the old church at Castle Garden, New
York, every Sunday. But our fathers thought it
sacrilegious TO present the Gospel In the English
sermon every other Sunday. Not succeeding in this,
they asked for one sermon month, and this also
they refused to comply with. The Importation of
the church known as the Church OF England began
to take the lead. We made another mistake in the
lal lUna
fast to the great Church of Holland and Chassis OF
Amsterdam There also began to be party in this
country which clamored for the education OF its
ministry, and the building of colleges and seminarles
on this soil. On this originated a great diiliculty
which almost tore our Church asunder at that
period.
name the word "Dutch," the impression being
that we were either Holland Dutch or else German
in our preaching. Only about three years ago did
we succeed in getting rid OF that unpleasant appen-
dage. Our limbs are now free in this and in other
particulars. You have been told what is the cOnd-
ton OF our boards and institutions OF learning. One
of our colleges celebrates its centennial next year.
1t will then have about half million endowment
The Church generally does not know our history,
fore thrown arc out these thoughts The opy
difference between your Church and ours
is in church polity. We can subscribe to
body the General Synod; you call yours the General
Assembly. We have always holden fast to the idea
of thoroughly educated ministry. We have the
same ordinances. Our ministers can exchange with
yours and do do it, We have heard with a great
thrill the news of the flowing together OF the two
great branches OF the Presbyterian Church. You
will ask me whether there is the smallest prospect
OF our uniting with you in an organic union.
on account OF several large bequests
forfeit If were TO lose our name there are great
impediments 10 union at present But / can say
that think there is time notvery far distant when
either you will come over to us we will come over
to you. Uaughter) / think that those who are
tired OF the excessive form OF the Episcopal Church