The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-09-15

THE EFFECT UPON THE AMERICAN CHO hOhho'
The summer tourists are beginning to re-
turn to their homes, as the increased congre-
cations in the different churches give the best
evidence of. Yesterday was beautiful
day, and there was large attendance in all
the places of worship open in the city. In
the Second Presbyterian church, especially,
the return of Rev. DR.. Robinson from his
European trip attracted large crowds, both
morning and at night, every available seat
in the spacious edifce being occupied last
night. We publish herewith the full text of
last nights discourse, which, as it refers to
what he saw and heard during his European
trip, will be read with interest:
Walk about Zion, and 90 round about her: tell
the towers thereof. Mark ye well her bulwarks,
consider her palaces that We may tell II 10 the gen
Grafton following. For this God is our God forever
and ever: he will be our guide even unto death
PSALM Xviii: 1914.
This song of rejoicing belongs to the era
of revival in Judah, under the reign of Je-
hoshaphat. The occasion of it was probably
one of the great deliverances, by the special
interposition of Jehovah, from the invasion
of powerful enemies. And the words of the
text may be supposed to be call upon all,
but especially the people of God, to come and
see the strength and beauty in which the
Holy City still stood, notwithstanding all the
threats of the proud invading hosts whom
Jehovah had interposed to scatter in disgrace.
But the song was intended by the Holy
Ghost to be prophetic and typical as well of
the protecting care of God over His Church
through all the ages; and to serve as the
ritual through which the praises of his people
for bis protecting mercieS might find utter
ance.
The Joyous and hopeful spirit of this song
of praise is the spirit in which l contemplate
the state of our own beloved Presbyterian
Zion after being present at the great gather
ing of the scattered children of the martyrs
in London recently, and after studying the
present outlook of Professionalism in Europe.
And l propose this evening to give you
some account of what saw and heard in
walking thus about Zion, marking well her
bulwsrks and considering her palaces. And
this first, of what was developed in the Con-
ference of the Presbyterian churches of the
world in London; and, secondly, concerning
the state ofrehgion in the evangelical church
es of Britain and the Continent.
RESULTS OF THE MOVEMENT.
Of the general proceedings of the Confer
ence it is needful to say very little, since the
public journals have informed you of what
was done. But for the special information
of our own people it may be we'll to give
some account of our connection with this
movement, the results of the movement so
far, and its prospective benefits to Us.
Our General Assembly had declined last
year at Columbus to take up and act upon
the proposition for a conference of the Pres
byterian churches of the world, partly be-
cause of the then undeveloped state of the
scheme, and partly also from the form in
which the subject came before them. The
idea of such conference, with view to
forming general council, seems not to have
originated with any individual mind, but to
have been the simultaneous suggestion Of
several minds on both sides of the Atlantic.
DR.. MeCosh, of Princeton, however, gave the
first artieulate utterance to the thought, and
the Irish and the Northern Presbyterian As.
sembhes acted simultaneously on the subject.
The immediate result of the action on this
side the Atlantic was the organization of an
American committee, composed of members
from different Presbyterian bodies, who
opened correspondence, called, in connection
with similar committees in Britain, a confer
ence in London and prepared a tentative
constitution for an alliance Of the Presbyte-
rian churches of the world in general coun-
Gil. This constitution was intended to be
merely the basis of discussion on the subject, |
and was sent out to various churches and
ministers with a request for the suggestion
of any additions, changes or amendments.
Our General Assembly at st. Louis, on the
request of several Presbyteries-ou own
among the number-took up the subject in
the new and more fully developed phase
which it had now assumed, and appointed
committee to correspond with the American
Committee of New YOrl, to make suggestions