The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1876-06-15
SAVANNAH, GA.

crai Assembly on the EdIngbugh
Council Frnternai Relations"
with the NOrthcrU Church
Position Of Roth OrgnuiLn.
| tiOus on That SubIect.
Correspond nee u the Courier-,lournal,
mentioned in my letter Of Yesterday,
that, before the close OF the morning
session. the resolutions which had been
under discussion since Saturday morning
had been adopted by n rising vote OF
scventv.eight to thirty.nine--preciscl
two-thirds. Here are the resolutions in
full, as modified and passed:
Resolved, That this assembly hereby
expresses its approval, in general, of the
proceedings Of the conference held at
London in July last, composed Of the
representatives of Il large portion, some
fifteen thousand congregations, of the
of the Presbyterian churches of the world.
Resolved, That the assembly approves
of the general tenor OF the constitution
of the new alliance providing for gen
cral Presbyterian council, 10 be held
every three years.
Resolved, That this assembly will APP.
point delegates to represent the PrcSbytc-
rian church in the United States in the
general council to be held in Edinburgh
in 1877, provided that this appointment
of delegates shall not he understood as
pledging any funds of the church to de-
traying the expenses of the delegates to
| the council
Resolved, That the delegation SO ap-
pointed shall select from their own num-
her members to prepare any papers con-
cerning the condition and position OF our
church, to be spread upon the records of
the council. and, in case the delegates be
unable to attend the council, they are
hereby authorized to represent our
church in such official letter as they may
agree upon.
1t was so desirable to have unanimily
in our church scattered MS it is over
more than million square miles of ter
ritory--and 70 important to present to
the world united front in spirit of
concord aud brothcrly love, that, this
morning, Rev. Dr. Moses u. lIoge, of
Richmond, Va, proposed the following
additional resolution, and requested that
not one word should he said upon it by
the friends of the measure which was
successful Yesterday; but that its
opponents should frccI Y say whether this
concession, made for harmony, was ac
ccptabIe. Rev. John b, Adger, DID,
of South Carolina Rev. Joseph Bard
we'll, of Mississippi; Rev J. h. Cnrnc,
of Tennessee, and another very hand
somely rcciprocated the kind spirit OF the
majority, and it was passed unanimously.
No, there was one dissenting vote, and
he would not "down,' even for the sake
of harmony-Rcv. W. W. Brimm, of
Eastern Texas. The following is the
resolution;
Resolved, That. i'm appointing delegates
to the general Presbyterian alliance, it
is with the distinct declaration that it is
not to he regarded as another and higher
court, but as an assemblage Of commit,
tees appointed by the several bodies
which they represent for the purpose of
Joint conference and Joint report, and Tor
such action as belongs to an association
of delegates thus constituted.
FRATERNAL RELATIONS.
Tn, session tonight, from s TO 1880
o'clock, was occupied in the discussion of
the delicate subject Of iraternal relations
with the northern PRESBYTERIAN church.
It was sprung, somewhat unexpectedly,
by report from the committee on bills
and Dyertures in reference to an over
tnrc from the Prcsbytery Of St Louls,
asking the assembly to take some action
to remove misapprehcnsion among our
people M to the true position OF our
church.
II NAV he well TO explain what Is
meant by the term Gralernal re- latlons, W
in its ecclesiastical sense. IT is quite
usual in this country ior churches or de
nominations OF kindred faith and rolity
to send Christian greetings to each ether,
when not in representative capacity or
as a church.cuurt to deliberate for the
interest of the church at large. This is
done by cIectirg, or designating, at each
meeting one or more delegates to each
such corresponding body who shall at.
tend at its next meeting, and, when suit
ably introduced, address the moderator
and BODY in handsome spirit, rendering
Christian salutationS, frequently adding
a short account of the statistics, growth
and prospects of the church represented.
The moderator replies in like handsome
terms and the general good feeling be-
tween the two churches is thus kept up
and stimulated. No such relations have
ever existed between the northern and
southern Presbyterian churches, for the
very obvious reason that, ~ certain de-
!iycrauccs during and after the war the
the former body (then two bodies known
as Old School and New SCHOOL, used
harsh and illberal language toward thciI
brethren in the south, which the latte,
can not forget and will not excuse unit
to some extent apologizcd for and dis
avowed. The former charged the Iatte
with being "church organized in tn
interest of rebellion, and of slavery !;
also with "srhism," and with holdin
opinions "herctical and blasphemous,
and directed their church sessions not t
receive as members persons coming tror
the south unless they should repent q
, their sins of rebellion and slavcholdinc
As tine excitement of the times gradual,
cooled down, and calmer days returned
: repeated movements BY the northern as
, sembly were made towards conclIla'iol
t and compromise. But they have bee
too proud and spirited, have shown To
. little moral courage thus far to make tn
!. amcnde honorable, even in greatl
J, modified form, and the southern hrethre
will not fraternikc until some satsactor
:. explanation, disavowal or diSpProval
o their action, or apology i'll some iorm,
c made.