New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-05-24
THE PRINCIPAL SPEAKERS.

MANNER OF DIR. MORRIS AND DIR. DICKSoN-THE
PHILADELPHIA COMMITTEE-QUEsTIoN OF CATH
oIIC BAPTISM
During the prayer-meeting which introduces
the daily sessions the Assembly some of the delegates
invariably rise and stand while prayers arc offered
This IL relic Of the former custom of tie Presby
churches when the congregations were all expected 70
stand during prayer Usually when the season o ueN0
tion begins few of the delegates are In the chureh
but as the hour advances they continue 10 enter
and the seats well filed when the reto-
lar session begins. In the prayer-meeting yes
,ordav an earnest address was made by the
Rev DR. Morris He has taken little part In the pro
ceedings of the Assembly since the delivery OF the an
mail sermon but his remarks yesterday morning on the
great work accomplished blythe nome missions OF Tue
church were marked by even greater emphasis iran Is
noticeable in his pulpit delivery. His voice is resonant
and strong aud his cieary-cut sentences hucae lons
familiarity with public speaking
Dr. Morris's address appropriate to the subject
subsequently considered by the Assembthe report OF
the Committee on Home Missions. This subject gave
the Rev DE-. Cyrus Dickson. one of the secretaries
OF the Board Of Home Missions, the opportunity
for making one Of the most interesting and
effective speeches of the session He frequently
orovo,,ed laughter and hearty applause DR.. Dickson
Is well known TO General Assembly OF which lie mas
been the Permanent Clerk for six years He was eeceu
10 this position at the reunion Of the two branches o tue
Church in 1870 His hair and beard are entirely gray
and his head partially bald His manner Is Kindly ana
although from position he is subjected to numerous
ipouires ON almost every subject his patience is mex
haustble With frequent and emphatic gestures WIN
aunareut readiness of thought and much familiarity Win
Biblical PHRASES Dr. Dickson appeared to good adVah
tsge on the platform, and held the close attention OF the
Assembly during his address, which was somewhat de-
sultory, and touched upon a large variety Of
topics .'In Connecticut" he said, "when they
speak of stanch, upright imam, they CAL
him Presbyterian" In eloquent language he spoke OF
lnstiuc into the minds of the young the patriotism
which is only akin to piey, but rightly considered
IS mart Of piety itself" His vein Of humor was Illus
tr,ted when ne said in regard to the Germans: On
their arrival in this country, the Scripture is tulilca'
and they are taken in The prolonged applause when
followed bis declaration that the Bible must not be taken
out Of the public schools was significant.
The committee Of thirteen Of which Dr. Prime ls the
Chairman Amounted to present the resolution OF the
Assembly in regard to closing the Exhibition on sunday
to the Centennial Commissioners. will leave TINS Guy or
PHILADELPHIA at a. m to-day. They Will meet the COM
missopcrs in the Judges Hall at p No. will pr sent the
resolutions and will in the evening The arrange
ments for the meeting made by the Rev Dr. Elias
r. Beade the pastor Of the Philadelphia churches
whose features especially at distance bear Tesem
blance 10 those of William NJ Evarts.
In the discussion Catholic baptism, which VIII occur
to-porrow the principal speakers will be the Rev DIS
& I Prime and W. L. breckenridge. The latter Is a man
of venerable appearance with long gray beard He was
an uncle Of the late Hon. John c. BreckinridSe ana
brother of the Rev Dr. r. j. Breckinrdge, now dead
VINO was a welLknown and eloquent preacher III Ken
lucky Dr. W. L. Breckenridge formerly President
OF the University and was once pastor OF
prominent church Louisville Ky. He is possessed OF
considerable wealth. and account OF his age mas re-
tired from the active ministry. He is now living on MS
estate at Raymore, Mo.