The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1873-05-28
FOURTH DAY.
RELATIONS TO THE REFORMED CHURCH IN
AMERICA.


RELATIONS TO THE REFORMED CHURCH IN
AMERICA.
Rev. DR.. j. R. Wilson, delegate to this church
presented his report, which was as follows:
To the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church
IN the United States
The undersigned your Alternate Delegate to the
sixty-sixth General Synod of the Reformed
Church in America, begs leave to report that he
has discharged his duty in the matter of this ap-
pointment to the best of his ability. My reception
by that venerable body was as cordial as possible
and my official salutations met with the warmest
response, both in the affectionate address OF the
President and in the varIously manifested sympa
thies OF the members.
Whilst was careful to say that | carried with me,
from the Assembly | represented, no authority
to propose terms OF organic union, ventured tC
express the hope of closer alliance than now exists
between the two bodies, should benignant Provi
dence open the way thereto. The utterance of this
sentiment produced deeper impression than
could have foreseen and, in view Of it, committee
was appointed Unanimously, | beieve) to take
into consideration the subject thus suggested, witt
instructions to report to the Synod OF 1873.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH r. WILSON.
The Stated Clerk presented to the Assembly thu
following:
EXTRACT FROM THE MINUTES OF THE GENERAL
SYNOD OF THE REFORMED CHURCH IN AMERICA
JUNE, 1872
The following preamble and resolution were
UNANIMOUSLY adopted:
Whereas, The Corresponding Delegate from the
Presbyterian Church in the United States South
expressed to this Synod the interest which his
Church feels in the hope OF closer relations with
our own, and
Whereas, So formal an overture from so large
and respectable body of kindred faith and order,
is deserving of the most courteous attention.
ReSolUed That q committee of five ministers and
three elders be appointed to consider carefully the
matter of the desirablene0s and feasibility OF the
proposed relations, and to report thereon if posi-
bic, to the next General Synod
The following were appointed the committee,
the President being added by vote Of the Synod:
Rev. H. D. Gause, Joachim Elmendorf, A. B. Van
Zandt, P. D. Van elect, Ebert s. Porter, r. r..
Corwln, and the elders Robert II. Pruyn, Fred
erick Frelinghuysen and Frederick Hewson
p. ID. VAN CLEEF,
Stated Clerk.
REV. DR. CHARLES H. sTITTs ADDRESS.
Moderator, Fathers and Brethren:
Not many years ago converted Servian priest
stood up in my pulpit to plead the cause of his
needy brethren. His heavy manner and broken
foreign accent gave promise of long inflctlon
which the audience were preparing to bear with
Christian resignation. At length he paused, and
with tear trembling in his eye, said:
Brethren, | am stranger among you, but we
have the same dear Lord and hope to sit down in
Heaven at his feet.
There was no more yawning The mention of
that dear name was magnetic power that held
the audience spell bound to theclose.
etr hot
name is the spell that binds my heart to yours, and
makes me feel at home among you.
Unlike my honored predecessor of last year,
claim not the pleasure of former personal relations
but his warm heart cannot have a deeper sympa
thy and fellowship than mine. claim an humble
share in initiating this correspondence. Besides
this there is another link that binds me to you my
brethren Of the South.
The first fifteen years of my ministry were spent
among noble band OF Huguenots, who two hun
bred years ago settled in the beautiful valley Of
New Paltz and for years like the Mayhower Pu-
rtans) governed themselves, and had their own
laws-civil and ecclesiastical Their first act of set
Element was kneeling in praSer on the banks Of the
WAIKIKI and singing Marot's version of the 23rd
Psalm. AS surely as my ministerial life and love
are wrapped up in that people, both in Kingston
and New Paltz, cannot fail to feel the drawing of
tender tie, when mingle with Huguenots scat
tered in Virginia and South Carolina, and remem-
Der that the Marions Maurys and Ravendells are
first cousins to the Dasbroucks, Lafevres and Du
boises.
My presence among you, from the far off Hud-
son, is proof of the general regard of the Church
| represent. This correspondence means no sim
pie ceremony. These communications of delegates
are the conductors which bring the electric fluid
down and tend to bind our hearts together.
The Reformed Church is no stranger to most Of
you Our histories have touched each other more
than once in the dark bloody days Of Holland and
Scotland.
Holland sent Scotland Renwick and Living
stone in the hour of need. 1t was at Cambuslang
that Livingstone was the means OF converting 81
900 people.
Our doctrinal standards and church polity are SO
nearly identical with yours, that the question OF
close union is not question Of principle, but of
expediency.
We confess that we are by no means perfect
We have in olden times deserved the title
Slow" maiestically slow" or rather, wretch
edy slow. Oflate however, we have been trying
to free ourselves from the title Sloao
Ten years ago, we had 4l9 churches; now we
have 49l-an increase of seventeen per cent
Then. 426 ministers; now 509-an increase of
nineteen per cent. Then, 5l,52S members; now,
Ga 2l5--an increase of twenty-five per cent
Then, for benevolent purposes 100000 were
given; now, $685., 000-an increase of two hundred
and ffty-three per cent, or three and one-half
times more than ten years ago.
We have three very important Missions.
in India, one in China and one in Japan. We
expended, for foreign missions alone, about $780,
600. We have spent large sums on our institu-