Wilmington daily commercial., 1873-05-20
The Presbyterian General Assembly.
Correspondent Of tue Commercially
Nav OMIT 1910

Correspondence of tue Commercially
BALTIMORE, May Goth, 1873.
The "General Assembly Of the Presbyterian
Church in the United States of America" con-
vened in this city on Thursday last, May 18th.
This body represents the church formed from
the Union of what were known as the old school
and new school churches. 1t includes thirty five
synods, 166 Presbyteres, and about $500 minis
ters, with membership of nearly 500, 900 souls
The other Presbyterian bodies in this country,
such as the United Presbyterians, the Southern
Presbyterian church, and other smaller bodies.
have membership of nearly 10000
The total contributions to church objects for
1872, reported to the Assembly now in session
here, were $40, O86, ,526.
This docs not include the aid given to general
and common schemes of benevoience OF which
Presby terians are liberal supporters.
AS many OF the readers OF the CONNER cTAI.
know the Presbytery consists of a minister and
elder from each congregation in a certain dis
trict. All the churches for example i'll Delaware
and the EasternShore of Maryland are grouped in
one Presbytery. 1t exercises Episcopal functions
in it's bounds licensing and ordaining ministers,
trying such cases as arise, and generally govern
ing the churches. From any OF the Presbytery's
decisions that fail to give satisfaction to minis
ters or people there is the right OF appeal to the
Synod which embraces the Presbyteries of
wide district In certain cases of common inter
est, there is an appeal made from the Synod o
the Gen, raj Assembly, the members OF viii
chosen annually from all lI8 ITebDlLeIltb,
one minister and one elder for every "a minis-
ters on the roll of the Presbytery. To the Assem-
bly, belongs the administration of tue general
affairs OF the chnrch, such as the management OF
tho Theological seminaries and the direction OF
missionary effort at home and abroad 1t has
laid be- fore II the reports of all the Boards aud
Committees to whom has been entrusted the
business of aiding in building church edihces,
sustaining ministers in feeble churches, mission
aries and aged and infirm cet gymen, and OF
adu vnunp man for the ministry,
The meeting usually occupies fortnight, i'm
plies much steady hard work, and is lluked on
with great interest by all PresbN terians.
The Assembly met on last Thursday at IL A.
M. in the Central Presbyterian church and was
opened with sermon by the retiring Moderator,
Rev. DR.. Mchalls OF st, Louis, on ths apostles
Prdyer-"LoTd. increase our faith The Roll
was then called and over 500 commissioners an
swered to their names. By large majority
Howard Crosby, ID. D.,-chancellor of the Unit
yersity of New York-was chosen Moderate
The hours of daily session were fixed from A.
NJ. to 2 p. NJ, and from p. M to 10 T. M. on
Thursday evening, the Assembly unite1 at tie
celebration of the Lords Supper ;-Dr. Michalls
of St. Louis, DIR. Ellis of Cleveland and DIR.
Walsworth of California, conducting the SER
vices.
nounced by the Moderator. Statistical Reports,
narratives and answers to overtCres were re-
received from the Presbyteries.
Action was taken in regard 10 the Dunulng
and in regard to the presentation OF the history
Of the hurches,
Action was also taken in regard to the Centen-
ial celebration, in July, 1876, in Philadelphis.
The Assembly resolved to take part, different
persons were appointed to prepare historical
discourses, and the first Sabbath in July, 1876
was designated as Day of Praise and Thanks
giving to God.
ON Friday evening Sabbath School m eeting
was held, addressed by the Moderator DR.. Gross
by and by j. Bennett Tyler, the General Super
intendent of Sabbath school work.
on Saturday. the report OF the committee on
| the new Book OF Praise was read stating that
| the book was being prepared by DR.. Duryea OF
Brooklyn to contain 1000 selections, and asking
| TO be- allowed to stereotype it at once. Was re-
ferrad to a special committee.
| Rey Dr. Band, of the Cumberland Presby-
| terian church presented the Christian saluta-
lions OF that body, and expressed desires for the
i nnion of his church, numbering 1870 900 members,
with this assembly. The Moderator replied
i most happily and a committee OF Conference
/ with the O. p. church was appointed.
The Board of Publication made It's annual re-
mort, showing receipts during the year, of $685.
s46 and total expenditures of S297 400. At a
cost Of $3.50 900 the new snd elegant store at
1884 Chestnut street, Phiisdelphia, had bean