, 1873-05-25

not to say an unchristian, act in 1870, when they
promptly snubbed the delegates sent to them
with fraternh greetings from the Assembly,
North They have, however, appointed dele
gates to confer with the Reformed Outch)
Church, with q view to mora intimate follow
ship; and perhaps union in the no distant future.
As stated last week, the Reformed Church
differs only in the names Of it's Eleor-
ship and ecclesiastical bodies from the
Presbyterian but, + in all essentials Of
doctrine aud practice, they are virtually tho
Same. This body also took action looking favor
ably to union with the Cumberland Presbyto-
rians., All this shows that there is a gradual re-
ceaing from the high ground occupied by tho
Southern Assembly in 1870. Time and better
understanding Of Christian duty will, in q very
fov years more, undoubtedly heal all the iu-feel-
ing occasioned by the War. '..: 49,.
The Assembly in session at Baltimore seems
to have been controlled by tho brosdsat
ar7 most catholic spirit in regard to
all the other branches Of the great
Presbyterian family. Ths delegates from other
branches of the Church-tho Church South sent
none-were most cordially received; and, when
the delegate from tue Cumberland Church OK,
byterians in the country would coon bo en-
bracod in the single General Assembly, the senti-
ment was received with great applause. But
tho most remarkable action WIS had on Wednes-
day. The Rev. DR.. Nicol1s, from the Commit
tee on an overture from tho Presbytery OF
Austin, Texas suggesting some action, il possi
bic, to conciliate the Southern Church, reported
in substance tho following declaration:
c-%rF}1+ .Ira1 r1>aaa aY
the Presbyterian Church IN the North, neither Of
which responsible for the conduct Of the other all
action before tue reunion touching the Southern A.
scmbls or The Old School Synod OF Mscou7i, Ia now
Seeos,d-The Assembly express confidence in the
sounduess OF the doctrine aud Christian character Of
these brethren, and hope that more intimate COM
1union will tend to remove the barriers that time has
established between us and them.
1Nrd-With regard to civil magistrates and the re1a-
ton OF the Church and State, tue Committee set forth
the declarations contained in tho confession Of faith
and form Of government Of the Church.
fourth-Thoy recommend the appointment Of two
oommittees, to confer with similar COMMITTEES from
the General Assembly Of the Church, South, and the
Old School Synod Of Missouri.
adopted.
Under this declaration, not only the Southern
Church and the Old School Synod OF Missouri,
but the Cumberland, the Reformed putch), and.
II they are willing to become modernized In the
use Of their pBalmody, the Scotch Presbyterians,
can ali combine in one united, powerful organl-
cation. It is difficult to see how more liberal
or thoroughly Christian platform could have
been adopted. The Assembly appointed a Com
naittee, Of which the Rev. Dr.. Rice, of ST. Louis,
is Chairman, to confer with any dele
gates from the Southern Church on the sub
ject OF reunion, and the Rev. Cyrus
Dickinson, OF Now York, DR.. R. ". Patterson,
Of Chicago, and Rev. G. Il. Foote, Of st.
Louis, are the Committee to confer
with representatives from the Synod OF
Missouri. It may require two or three years to
consummate all the plans now before the Church;
but that the result will be union OF nearly all
the different branches Of Presbyterianism into
ono compact and powerful body there cannot DO
q particle Of doubt. It is claimed that
h1r. Jefferson followed the Mecklenburg
declaration Of tho North Carolina
Presbyterians, made several years previous to
the Revolutionary War, in framing the Declara-
ton Of Independence. The ideas, certainly, Of
the two documents are very similar, and, doubt
1ess tho influence OF this Church upon the fu-
trre prosperity and welfare OF the country will
be as great and as salutary as it was at the
origin and has been through all the trying Pc
RODS in the past history Of the Republic