The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1872-06-06

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DETROIT, Mich, May 9Th, 1872.
DEAR COURIER Since my last let
ter much important business has been
considered by the General Assembly,
and much work is still before 1t.
The question of the demission of the
ministry was disposed Of by sending
down to the Presbyteries an overture
for their action providing for the lay
ing aside Of the Office of the ministry
for other causes than those implying
censure. In order that it may become
law It must be sanctioned by p of oil
the Presbyteries. The various Boards
of the Church, through their standing
committees, presented their annual re-
ports showing an enlargement of the
chuch's operations in every depart
mont.
The question Of Representation in
the Assembly was, after spirited dis
cussion, re-committed to the committee
having it in charge, with directions to
report at the next General Assembly.
This leaves the number of delegates to
the next Assembly the same as at pres
ent.
Baltimore was chosen as the next
place of meeting.
Perhaps the the most interesting and
enthusiastic meetings Of the Assembly
| were those In which the corresponding
delegates ffoms foreign bodies were
heard. Delegates were present from
the Established Church of Scotland,
the Irish Church, the united Pcsbyte-
rian Church in this country and Cana
da, and the National Council of the
Congregational Church.
Friday evening was devoted to hear
ing terccntcnary addresses by DR.. E. II.
Humphrey, of Louisville, and DR.. S. II.
Hopkins, of Auburn Seminary, con-
corning the founding Of Presbyterian
ism, and the life and times of John
Knox, who died 500 years ago.
Since Saturday morning All intense
| ly interesting and animated discussion
has been going on, on the question 81
tcrm-service of the Eldership. 1t
comes up under a complaint against
the synod of Philadelphia for refusing
to sustain a complaint against the
Presbytery for approving the records
of a church that had elected two elders
for term of service of three years.
The effect of sustaining this COM
plant will be to say that the constitu-
ton of our church does not allow an
election of elders for limited term of
service. 1.-THE complaint is not sus-
tanned, the Interpretation of our STAN
dards will be that churches may, il
they so desire, adopt the limited term
without. A decision will be rendered
tomorrow.
The generous people of this beauti-
full city Of Detroit, have rendered the
| sojourn of the delegates in their
midst, an almost constant ovation. On
Thursday night, by special invitation
of the Governor of the State, the menu
bers of the Assembly were invited to
grand collation. at his private resi-
dence. Fully six hundred guests were
present in response to his invitation,
and were entertained with a munifi-
Gene rarely equaled.
Saturday all invitation was extended
by the members of the City Council
to visit the public buildings of the
city. They have some things of which
they are justly proud. The City Hall,
costing one million Of dollars, is one
Of the finest county buildings in the
country, and the House of Correction
with its four hundred inmates, is the
model institution of its kind in the
United States. On Saturday, through
the liberality of Mr.. j. d. Hayes, OF
this city, the afternoon was devoted to
an excursion on the large Lake Steam
er the ar. N. Rice" The Commits ;
sioners, the Common Council and a
large number of citizens, including
ladies, went on board at half past two
O'Clock and passed up the river, round
ing Belle Island in full view of Lake
st. Clair; dropping down the river
some fifteen miles they came to Wyan-
dotte, where are extensive Iron Mills
and Silver Smelling works. At this
point the party went ashore visited
the several points of interest,
after which the good steamer return
ed to the city. The military Cornct
Band from Fl. Wayne accompanied the
cxcursionists and added to the enjoy
ment Of the occasion by their excellent
music. The evening still remained and
| was spent by the commissioners in at
tending entertainments given by four
Presbyterian churches of the city, when
the alumni Of tho different institutions
had an opportunity ofreviving old as
sociations. This week the pressure of
business has become SO great that night
sessions arc being held in order to clear
the docket. The Assembly will prob
ably adjourn OH Wednesday, and then
your correspondent will lose no time
in reaching the home of his childhood
in the Buckeye State.
Yours Ever, III. B. X.
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