The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-08-02
Spirif Of the Edinburgh Council.

! h. NJ, UUoUs Me- Ut - l. .
81. - ; midnight, Il.
Spirit of the Edinburgh Council.
THE ELDERS STAND BY THE OLD LANDMARKS
AN ENTHUSIASTIC GATHERIHG-CoNsPiCUoC
pELEGATEs--HOw BUSINESS WAS CONDUIT
ED-AaERICAN oRAToRY.
(Specia corro spondencc Of the Philadelphia Times
EDINBURGH, July !.
The old proverb. "Evcry cock crows
loudcSt on his own r. cost," has had its vcrlh-
cation in Edinburgh during the present
week In former letter mentioned some
OF the circumstances attending the opening
OF the great Presbyterian Council. 1t was
a gathering OF the clans from all parts OF the
earth; but for the first day there was GER
tain shyness or reserve characterizing most
OF the members. The circumstances under
which they were met were novel and pccll-
liar. and it was not strange that they should
be slow to speak and act. But soon all this
disappeared before the general spirit OF
kindlinesS and brotheriy love which was
manifested in every quarter. The men,
bers OF the Council felt themselves cat
| homc," and all tribes and kindreds were
anxious to make themselves heard. Pres
| byterianiSm began to "crow." No oppor-
tunty was lost to proclaim its superlative
eXcelencv. Among the topics earliest in-
troduced for discussion were these "Thc
| Harmony Of Reformed Confessions"
" Fundamental Principles OF Prcsbyte-
rianiSm," and Presbyterianism in Rcla-
tion to the Wants and Tendencies OF the
Dav." The nature of the themes was such
as to snsgeSt aoasting, and it was so easy to
do it in Presbyterian Scotland, and espe-
cially in Edinburgh, crowded with the
monuments OF martyrs and heroes, the
superb capital OF the Presbyterian faith.
Three sessions OF the Council were held
each dav. and such was the general interest
on the part OF the public to hear the dis
cussions that the large hall OF the Free
Church General Assembly room, in which
the Council met, was densely crowded..
MEN OF MANY NATIONS.
Admission was to be had only by ticket,
and these tickets were not, as in America,
=. free" but sold at high rate. The Scotch
have a genuine love for debating and dis
c,l>sng; they like to hear it, and, If posi-
bic. engage in it. Even the ladies share in
the common disposition. They came early
to the Council, in some cases bringing their
sewing or knitting with them that they
might spend the day. As to the Council
itself. certainly so far it has been decided
success; the representation in it lar
surpaSses the expectation OF the most
sanguinc Us to numbers. There are 333
members. representing forty-nine different
branches OF the Church. They come from
every quarter Of the known world, and
| though English is the official language OF
the Council, some speak in their native
tongues and are understood through the
agency OF an interpreter France has sent
some Of her ahleSt men, both from the
National Reformed Church and the Free
Church. Among them are Professor Nor
rod, OF Montauban. and Ed. de Pressensc,
D. D., OF Paris. The latter is writer OF
high repute, and his works are widely
printed in English as we'll as in
French. Holland, Belgium, and Nor
way have sent their representatives,
the proof that the churches planted
and wntered there by the blood or martyrs
still live. Germany and Switzerland are we'll
represented by such men rs DR.. Fabrl, DR..
Wangeman, and Professor Godct. From
Italy come The representatives OF the An
cient Wajdehsian Church and Free Italian
| Church. The former OF these churches,
which has descended from its mountain
Businesses among the Alps to extend itself
| over Italy and has now, churches as far
south IA Naples, deservedly ranks among
the oldest branches OF. the Presbyterian
family. There are also quite number
of delegates present from Austria and
Hungary. The story Of John Huss, the
great Reiormer of Bohemia, is at once
| mournful and glorious. Appearing nearly
| a century before the great Luther.
he began work which lasts to this day.
| The seeds OF his sowing have produced
| glorious harvest. The reformed churches
in Hungary and Bohemia are now
| t,y
Spain comes Senor Cabrera, OF Ma
drid, the representative OF the young
est OF the Presbyterian churches. 1t was
only in 1868 that revolution broke the
bonds OF religious despotism in Spain: but
since then some OF her most devoted men
| have been busy teaching and preaching
with wonderful success. Already reformed
churches have been organized in different
| places under the general name OF the Span
! ish Christian Church. 1t has two repre-
sentatives in the Council.
THE BRITISH AND AMERICAN MEMBERSHIP.
England, Ireland, and Scotland have
sent some OF their most eminent men, re-
nowncd alike in literature and the Church.
Among the elders are Lord Polwarth,
| Lord Baliour, OF Burleigh; the Earl OF
Kcintore, Provost Swan, and Professor
Simpson, NJ. D. America has sent the
largest delegation, and one, too, OF winch
| the churches at home may be proud.
Here they have produced decided inn
preston, alike by the ability displayed IN
the papers presented By them and by
their pulpit oratory. So far rs hare heard
| the Scotch and the Irish ministers, the con-
clusion is easily reached that the average
minister in America far surpasses IN pulpit
power and ability the average minister In
this country. The expression is heard on
all sides among the ministers and people,
America has sent splendid delegation"
One of. the philadelphia elders, George
.Junkin, Esq, had the honor OF presiding
over one OF the sessions Of the Council.
So far the business OF the Council has
been conducted quietly and without dlssen-
sion. 1t was feared by some that it would
be impossible to prevent the introduction
OF subjects over which already years have
been spent in wrangling and strife to little
apparent good. But, fortunately, IN TINS
respect their fears have been disappointed.
One subject, it was predicted, was sure
to come up. 1t was the question OF
the revision Of the standards OF the
Church. Some have boldly proclaimed
that the Presbyterians were weary OF
their ancient doctrines, and that the
venerable Westminster Confession OF
Faith no longer represented the belief Of
] the Church: hence the necessity OF revision