National Republican., 1876-04-13
SESSION OF THE PRESBYTERY
OPPOSITION TO REV. MR.. HAMMOND
FAITH IN ORDINARY MEANS OF GRACE
BUT NOT IN THE REVIVALIsTs
THE REVIVAL SERVICES YESTERDAY
Crowded Meetings and anxious Hearts

The annual session Of the Washington Presby-
terry was continued yesterday morning at the
Fifteenth-street Presbyterian church. The mod
orator, Rev. Joseph Kelly, presided, DR.. B. F.
Bittnger acting as stated clerk, and DIR. Octavius
Knight as temporary clerk. During the morning
session a large amount Of routine business was
transacted. The following commissioners to the
General Assembly were elected: Drs. Wills and
John Brown, with Drs. Joseph E. Nourse and
James G. Mason as alternates; from the ruling
elders Mr.. Newman and Judge Strong, with
Messrs. Jones and Frost as alternates.
The afternoon session was chiefly occupied in
bearing the reports from the ministers and ruling
elders.
When DR.. Mason Noble came to speak he re-
ferred TO the great revival now In progress in the
city, and regretted that his brethren ha not
Joined with him, saying that the great doctrines
Of the Presbyterial Church were held up in the
meetings. He thought that they were mistaking
the power 1.-THE Holy Ghost, and prayed them
in Christ's stead to come and take the city for
Christ.
DIR. SUNDERLAND ON THE REVIVAL.
When all the reports had been submitted DR.
Sunderland offered q series of resolutions setting
forth, inasmuch as during the past two months
prayer had prevailed TO an unwonted degree, and
the work seemed Just commenced, that the Pres
bytery acknowledge the divine favor, and bid all
sincere workers godspeed; that the members of
the Presbytery sustain the unity of the churches
of God, of all names, and that in the Christian
labOrers among them they recognize powerful
agency for dfusing the love of God.
In support of the sentiments of the resolution
DR.. Sunderland made the following remarks:
Brethren, in offering these resolutions, / am
actuated by most solemn sense of our respons-
bility the public teachers of the Christian faith
as ministers the Gospcl-and as men to whom
the churches and the whole Christian community
are now looking for guidance and direction.
i thoroughly believe that the work of Gods
holy spirit is proceeding in our midst in most
unwonted and glorious manner, and that, with
the blessings of God upon us and all our fellow
Christians, we may now, by our unity of effort, by
standing together in solid column, accomplish a
result for the kingdom of Christ, which nothing
but the unfolding ages Of eternity can measure.
compare this work in all its essential spiritual
features to that which inaugurated the dfspensa-
tiOn Of the Gospel on the day of Pentecost.
!. find on that day an immense gathering of
people in the city. 1t is so here to-day.
2. find that the disciples of Jesus had been
inviting in earnest and anxious prayers for the
descent Of the Spirit, that Ithey might be imbued
with power from on high. 1t has been so here as
you and and all of us can attest
3. j find that in answer to these prayers and in
pursuance Of the promise Of Christ, the ascended
Lord the Spirit did ascend upon his servants in
mighty power, and they all began to speak the
wonderful works of God as the Spirit gave them
utterance. So here!
l. tnd that when this was raised abroad it
produced mighty popular commotiOn. So here!
Men are moved TO the profOundest depths as they
were then. Call it excitement, fanaticsm or what
you will. The phases of the public mind among
us to-day are marvelOusly like those which the
sacred record ascribes to the day OfPenticost.
s. fnd that