The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-08-18
The General Presbyterian Council.

We find in our Northern exchanges very inter-
esting letters from correspondents who were dele
gates to this Council in London.
Rev. R. M. Patterson says in the PHILADELPHIA
Presbyterian
1.-The Conference of delegates from the various
Presbyterian organizations which favored the for
nation of Pap.P Presbyterian Council has met,
and with delightful harmony deberated and
done the work committed to it.
I think the delegates themselves were surprised
at the little friction that was felt in their delibera-
tons Coming from such variety of quarters,
and representing organizations based upon peculi-
arities that had been very dear to us, we expected
that our discussions would make prominent some
of our differences But everything advanced with
remarkable smoothness. Even on the minor mat.
ters matters of form and OF expression, when vari
rous propositions were made, 1t often happened
that after brief discussion all withdrawn but
one, and on that the unanimity was so apparent
that the question was not formally put Agreed.
agreed from all Sides settled it. At other times
the Chairman would forget, or think it unnecessary
to put the negative. The questions were very few
on which division was required.
The remarks that were made were generally in
formal and conversational in their nature. The
Conference sat and deliberated as large commit.
u
for the proposed Alliance were brought before it
one called the American, the second the British,
the third the Southern Church; and its main
work consisted in taking those three, receiving all
proposed amendments, and perfecting the form
which was finally agreed upon,
After its adoption, it was determined to hold the
first General Council of the Alliance in Edinburgh,
Scotland, on the first Tuesday Of July in 1876. -.
The maximum Of membership in the Council
was settled at three hundred of which forty fall to
our branch of the Church as the largest.
A Central Committee at Edinburgh was ap.
pointed to prepare for the meeting; and the dele
gates in the Conference from each Church were
constituted subcommittee to act upon subjects OF
interest to their own section
Steps were also taken to lay the proceedings for
maly before the various Synods and Assemblies
for their action, and to meet the expenses of the
Council; and after votes of thanks to the officers
to the London Committee of Arrangements, and
to those who had entertained delegates, the Con
ference dissolved.
London hospitality shown out very brightly in
connection with this meeting"
Rev. DR.. r. P Rogers says in the Christian In.
teligencer::
1.-THE arrangements made by the London breth-
rem for the entertainment of the delegates we're
very ample. TIE Presbyterian families of the city
opened their doors to receive US, and would have
been glad to have entertained as many more.
But the most unique and interesting episode
during our session was visit to Westminster Alb
hey, at the special invitation of Dean Stanley
The Conference were taken in carriages to the Alb
hey, and were formally received by the Dean in the
famous Jerusalem Chamber" an apartment
rarely opened to the public, and in his address of
welcome he gave US very interesting sketch of
its history. 1t is one of the most ancient portions
OF the Abbey, aud was originally used as the Alb
bots parlor. Here King Henry " died, and
here the youthful Duke of York was secreted for
time, that he might be shielded from the hands of
Richard LII. This was, however, in vain, as we
know that both he and his brother were smothered
in the Tower. Rnt- tie most interesting associa-
ton connected with the chamber is that here the
famous Westminster Assembly of Divines held
their meetings when preparing their Confession
of Faith and Catechism. Dean Stanley very
described this event, and read some
quaint extracts from letters of that day, describing
some of the scenes of that memorable conference
They held more than eleven hundred meetings in
this chamber, having been driven out of Henry
Wills Chapel BY the cod Some years ago the
Patriarch of the Greek Church was received here
by the Greek merchants of London, and the Com
mittee on the revision of the Bible now hold here
their meetings.
The thanks of the Conference were rendered to
Dean Stanley by DR.. McCosh, who stated the nature
and objects of our meeting. and the number of
churches represented The Dean replied in a very
courteous manner, congratulating us on the
strength and prospects of our churches, and saying
pleasantly that he hoped that the Episcopal Church
would be able to hold its own against the mighty
forces of Presbyterianism.