The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-06-28

of expediency, they think it best not to take
such position as will give offence, and
alarm our brethren who come to US from the
other side Of the line. We are also engaged
in some enterprises which require powerful
and united exertion and strong effort upon
the part of the Presbyterian people of God,
and we want to embarrass them as little as
possible. We want to collect the whole
strength, and advance the interests of the
whole people. l thank you brother MOdera-
tor for your patent and kind attention
DR.. Pryor. would ask the brother what
effect it would have upon their church pro-
perty?
DR.. Yantis--Two years ago this question
was urged very much by some of our breth-
rem. I took the pains at that time to con-
suit some of the ripest lawyers in the State
some of our Presbyterian brethren, law
yers who had been engaged in all the impor-
tant lawsuits about our property; and |
took the position that if we would wait until
the union between the Old School and New
was consummated, it would set US free, and
we should lose no property. Now, do not
know what would be the result suppose
the majority would take the property with
US. That is the way Missourians are very
apt to do, Laughter. do not know
whether the law would give it to US or not,
but we would be very apt to have it. Re-
newed laughter. wanted to wait until
that marriage took place at Pittsburg, when
we should be free to 90 where we pleased.
RESPONSE OF THE MODERATOR, (Rev. DIR.
Plumer)-It gives me great pleasure as the
organ of this body to receive these brotherly
communications, and while you were asking
the question why we were not one, it occurred
to me that even l could suggest a plan which
could hardly fail to be acceptable to your
people. That is that the Synod of Missouri
receive into its bosom the Presbyterian
Church in the United States" Laughter. I
DR.. YANTIs-I viii close that bargain
with you to-day.
The MoDERAToR-An then assume the
name now borne by this body, or some other
suitable pane.
DR.. YANTIs-It is bargain; close it.
The MODERAToR-Well, sir, if you could
only speak for Rebecca, it would be sale
Her parents agreed but they said, "You
must ask the damsel.' Laughter. And
we hope you will propose to the damsel on
our part, marriage. We are willing to
come into that relation or any other that is
friendly. But this little pleasantly aside,
l wish to say that the Minutes of the last
session of this Assembly amply disclose the
temper of this body towards the Synod which
you represent. They are ample; 1 have
just read them over. We wish you grace,
mercy and peace. Our hearts are with you.
Our churches would not hesitate to call any
of your ministers whose services they hoped
to procure; and we know that your body
would not hesitate to call any of our minis,
tiers on any score whatever. Under these
circumstances can do no more than to bid
you most cordial welcome among US, and
hope that in due time We may come together
IN formal manner, to the glory of God and
the good of many loving hearts
! The Rev. r, NJ. Farris, D. D., and f. Bre-
dell, ruling elder, who were also delegates, did not
arrive till later period aud were received on the
odd of May.
ADDRESS OF DR. FARRIs.
Mr.. Moderator, you must allow me to ex-
press the pleasure have in meeting you
again after the lapse of fifteen years of vi.
cissitude and trial, in which you and we all
have had our share, and yet. no more than
our share. l am thankful to see you still
abundant in labors, your bow abiding in
strength. Brethren | am glad to meet you,
to see and to hear how you do. l would be
very glad to be among you as commission
a. rather than delegate from correspond
ing body. l understand that my excellent
colleague, my dearly beloved friend, DR..
Yantis, who addressed you last Saturday,
was somewhat embarrassed" as he ex-
pressed Though | must say, have never
seen him embarrassed Laughter because
though he was sent here by the Synod of
Missouri, he could not tell what he had been
sent for. We were appointed to bring to
you the kind regards, and fraternal saluta-
tons of the Old School Synod of Missouri.
What is the Old School Synod of Missouri?
To answer this question, must carry you
back to 1866, when the "ipsO tiactO, as it is
called, was set to do its work, especially in
Kentucky and Missouri. AS the result of
that We are to-day all that is left of the Old
School Presbyterian Church. Of course, we
do not dispute your claim. You understand
what mean when say that we are all that
is left. We were put in this position. By
the providence of God, work was laid upon
US, and in His fear, we trust prompted by
love to the Master and to souls, we set about
TO accomplish that work. I@lated though
we were, cut off from all substantial sympa-
thy, we knew that we had yours; we were
just as well aware that we had none from any
other quarter.
am happy to report to you that God has
blessed US. We consist of about 90 ministers
at work, including 6 licentiates. We num-
Der 100 churches, and about 5000 commun-
cants. We have a College with an endow-
ment of about hundred thousand dollars,
of which about $4,000 bears interest. The
work of endowment however is pushing for
ward promptly, and we expect in few years
to be firmly on our feet, abundantly able to
support our faculty, which at present con-
sists of six Professors, with DR.. Nathan L.
Rice at their head. In the College proper
we have about 100 students. In connection
with the Institution, there is Theological
class under the direction of DR.. Rice From
this school We are recruiting our ministerial
ranks; it has not been in operation more
than two years, and already we have six
young men at work, cheering our hearts and
melting US to go forward. We have also
paper, the circulation of which is confined
mainly to our own borders, and which, not
withstanding the division of the Presbyterian
ranks in Missouri, is better sustained by the