The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-27
THE TABERNACLE COUNCIL
A STEP TOWARD UNITING THE PRES
BYTERfAN CHURCH.

BYTERTAN CHURCH.
n Resolutions that are TO be Teiearrphed "a tho
General Assembly Of the south-Cbinese
and German Immigration epticism.
The eighth day Of the General Assem-
blys Iabors was opened with a report from DR..
seaver, Chairman Of the Committee on Church
Erection. The Committee on Bills and Over
lures followed with a report recommending q
reduction Of the number Of delegates to the
General Assembly to 3e2. The report Of the
Standing Committee on Freedmen was accepted
without debate. Dr. Mcclellan, the Secretary
ofthe Board, addressed the Assembly by invi-
tation. He told pitiful story of the suferngs
Of the missiona aries among the freedmen. Let
tiers, he said, had been received by the Board
telling how one was unable to purchase the
needful medicines for his sick wife another
had hardly anything to eat and third had
been subsistnR with his family. for many weeks
upon corn meal. Relief reached him at last.
The Board appealed to their Scotch brethren on
both sides OF the Atlantic, and received noble
response, enabling them to pay their mission
aries all arrears OF salary. and to cose the year
with funds suficient TO clear up all indebted
ness. But while the Scotch Presbyterians had
literally contributed their money TO help the
Board out OF its difficulties. with characteristic
plainness Of speech they had made no secret OF
their beltef that the tnurCn IN America nau not
done It's whole duty IN its manner OF conducting
the missions for freedmen.
The Rev. DIR. Prime. In behalf OF the Commit
tee on Cores ondence, reported with reference
to DIR. 1almage's resolution concerning the re-
establishment Of fraternal relations with the
Presbyterian Church In the south, that the COM
mittee was In perfect accord with the objects
contemplated In the resolution, and recognized
that the Assemblies North and South were
bound by social and ecclesiastical ties : but, be-
lieving that no adjustment Of difficulties could
be effected by rehearsal Of the past, they re-
con I'm dad hp a
dial desire to restaOllsu fraternal relations with
their brethren in the south. ON terms Of perfect
equality. soon as the Assembly In Savannah
should see at to respond to that assurance by a
similar expression.
BIT TELEGRAPH TO SAVANNAH.
DR.. Talmage moved that the report be accept
ed, aud telegraphed at once to the Assembly at
Savannah. There was some discussion, but the
motion was carried. though a subsequent at
tempt to make the vote unanimous failed.
DR.. Bacon submitted a resolution to the effect
that, 10 view OF recent events and legislation
,3oking 20 tne expuIs,3n OF tne Sh,nsse from
migration ON the ground that IL had been found
impossible to Undue them with American senti-
ment, or teach them American customs, u was
recommended that the General Assembly pro-
test AZ inst any action infringing upon the
treaty with China, whereby Americans were
permitted to enter China at Will. aud Chinese
allowed to immigrate to this country without
hindrance.
The resolution was referred to the Committee
on Foreign Missions, and a report from the Cen
tennial Committee followed. Then the Chair
ton, appointed to consider the overture from
the Presbytery OF Newark. recommending a
closer attention on the part OF the Pres yterian
Church to the Germans In America, read a re-
port endorsing this Recommendation.
The Rev. DR.; Charles Il. Knox Of Newark, being
invited to address the Assembly on the ques-
ton, said tue Germans journeying to America
should not be regarded In the same light as
other foreigners. Some allowance should be
made for their restless scheming br,vns, In
domitable patience and determination, and
strong physique. To Germany, with her twenty
centuries OF existence, Americas hundred wears
of life was a very small affair indeed. Germans
looked upon this nation as being Just in ths
throw something Into IL. IL was not to be alto
gether an American nation, but was to be in-
a question Of vital importance, then, what the
moral principles OF the Germans were to be In
the future, ana the best investment the Presby-
terrain Church could make would be to get hold
the appliances for worship and education which
they so much needed. III this was not done the
danger was imminent.
sKErrIcIsN IN HARVARD COLLEGE.
The Christian religion In Germany had been
with ts. Of
same thing should not occur here? Already
one Of the greatest institutions In the cosntry
had been so captured. Where was Harvard Col
lego nowl IL had been strongly and rapidly
overrun by skepticism. and unless the moral
training OF the Germans was carefully attended
to, the disease might spread over tue land. He
thought IL Of vast Importance that ministers
should be trained to preach to the Germans In
their own tongue, and more books be printed In
the same language.
The Rev. William Wallace Brier OF San Jose
said his experience had taught him that tho
Germans preferred an American pastor TO one
OF their own ace, ana would rather hear the
Gospel preached 10 English than In German.
day was approaching when EDgllsh was To be
the language OF all nations, and the Presbyterian
Church In America should be essentially an
English-spessing church. Applause. Train.
ing ministers to preach the German Language
would be an expenditure that would Yield but
little fruit.
The Rev. DR.. Musgrave thought that a rehec.
ton being cast upon the Board OF Pubhca-
ton. The reason more German books had not
been published was because there was little or
no demand Tor those already printed. More
over, the Germans could not be prevailed upon
them for nothing, aud the Board could not al
ford to give them away.
GERMAN PREAcnERs ARGUMENT.
The Rev. DR.. Sievert, German minister. said
he thought with Mr.. Brier that the English Lam
world. But II was not so yet, aud the Gospel
should he preached So that IL could be compre-
| hended. II WAS certainly not Intended for the
EnRllsh-speaktng people alone. when Christ
saiu IL was for all nations, he probably included
| the Germans, and what possible object could be
served by preaching to people In a language
| they could not understands
The report was adopted, aud committee OF
| eleven was appointed to consider the question
| and report at the next General Assembly.
In the evening the delegates, and the ladies
| who accompanied them. attended social enter
tainment given 10y Mr. and hlrs. Henry Sheldon
| at their residence Ia PieHepont street.
A.