The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-11-17


According TO the official statement OF the Pres
bytery OF Philadelphia in their letter to the Pres
bytery OF Dublin, September, ITO, the whole num-
Der OF ascertained Presyterians at that time is
thus given:-I Virginia one small congregation
pahannock and York; In Maryland four congrega-
tions in Pennsylvania fve and In the Jerseys two
with some places IN New YORK, In comparison
great, even taking into account the increase OF
population. At this period, ITO, emgrants were
earnestly solicited from Ireland and Scotland, who
soon began to arrive from the former country in
large numbers. In consequence the Presbytery OF
Philadelphia became enlarged and the congrega
tions widely scattered. II was decided in ZIG to
subdivlde the body into four sub-presbyteries, all
OF whom constituted members OF the general body,
meeting was held in that city September
II, I7I7, and embraced thirteen ministers
and six elders. I In us they renewed their
preachers. Synod was established in New York
In 1745, the Church in the meantime increasing in
membership. difference then arose in tn or
ganiZatiOn which continued until 1853. when re-
union was effected, being the Synods OF Philade-
phla and New YORK, which was retained up to 177s
when they divided themselves into four Synods
preparatory to the first meeting OF a general
semDly in i7Se which was attended by isS preach
ers representing 419 churches. During
THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR
the Presbyterians went heartily into the cause
They remembered the prosecutions they had suf
fered for conscience sake under the English gov
eminent. Even recently Mr.. Froude, in his lee
lures on Ireland, has admitted that these men and
their sons seized the opportunity OF paying back
the debt they owed the cruel rulers OF Great
Britain. The pulpit and the press, the Senate
chamber and the battlefield tneir murdered
bodies desecrated churches and ravaged dwell
ings bear witness TO their zeal and special hate OF
the ruthless oppress0rs. In framing the constitu-
ton of the thirteen states or in settling their poty
a. independent States the separation OF religion
from the state was in some measure the result
OF formal petitions to that effect from large bodies
of clergymen Such was the fact In respect TO
Presbyterian ministers In Virginia. 1t was so in
New York. John Withersp0on, the most distn-
guished Presbyterian minister west OF the Atlantic
ocean and father OF the Presbyterian Church In the
United states was memper OF the Convention
When the Declaration of independence was under
discussion doubts and forebodlngs were prevalent
in the Assembly. 1t hestated and wavered He
rose to speak and his words suppressed all doubts
He said There is said to be
TIDE IN THE AFFAIRS or MEN;
a nick OF time. We perceive 1t now before us. To
hesitate is 10 consent to our own slavery. That
noble instrument on your table, which insures I'M
mortality TO its author, should be subscribed this
very morning by every pen in the house. For my
own part, OF property have some-0f reputation
more. That reputation Is staked; that property Is
pledged on the issue of this contest And although
these gray hairs must soon descend TO the sepuchre
/ would infinitely rather they should descend
thther by the hands OF the public executioner than
desert at this crisis the sacred cause OF my coun
try" -
THE PRESENT CENTURY
The Presbyterian Church has had an efficient and