The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-07-26
PAN.PRESBYTERIAN.
OPENING SCENES OF THE
COUNCIL.
All Quarters of the Globe Rep.
resented.
Prof. Fllnt's Sermon The Place of
Meeting and the Rare Memories
that Cluster About it-A
Scotch Reception.
LspecInl corrospondence 9 Ofthe Tlmes.

Council began it's sessions FOR the past
five days ministers and elders from all
quarters of the world have been flock
ing to this ancient capital, the Mecca of
Presbyterianism They come from the
north aud the south, the east and the
west. The United States, with more than
one hundred representatives, are most
conspicuous, in point of numbers at least
and in honor Of their arrival the stars
and stripes have been floating from the
Aag.stafIs of the leading hotels. The
Reformed Church of France has sent
some of her noblest men; Spain's new
Church, so full of hope to that priest.
ridden country, has its representatives
here, and men from Italy, Bohemia,
Hungary, Switzerland, Germany, Hol-
land and the Netherlands have come to
Join their brethren in the great Council.
The representatives from Australia and
New Zealand may be said, literally, to
have come from the "uttermost parts Of
the earth" The roll.call during the
proceedings Of the day sounded like the
roll-Call of the nations Of the earth, and
gave striking testimony to the catho-
lie character of Presbyterians. The great
interest excited in the city, and in Scot
land itself, in view of the sessions of the
council, is apparent, not only from the
multitude of visitors, but also from the
fact that the tickets Of admission to the
hall have all been taken, though sold at
large price, and still the demand for
them is unlimited. At II o'clock the
council was opened by sermon from
Professor Flint, of the Scottish Establish
ed Church, The sermon was an ably
written, thoughtful production, contain
ing an argument enforcing the spiritual
unity of the church, but, like the MAORI
ty of Scotch sermons which l have heard
it was poorly delivered, But what the
preacher lacked in impressiyeness Of de-
livery was made up in the grandeur of
his surroundings The services were held
in the old Cathedral of st. Giles. In this
land Presbyteranism as the national re-
ligion, hold all the cathedrals. Stripped
Of their ancient ornaments, and with
their altars and confessionals removed,
they are now adapted to the palmer and
simpler service ofthe reformed whorship.
But, still arouud these venerable build.
ings gathers glory no iconoclastic hands
can take away.
THRILLING HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIONS.
The associations ofthe past give charm
to each stately column and splinging arch
and crowned nave and aisle with ghost
ly forms of kings and queens and lords
ndladies, bishops and sturdy Reformers.
The venerable Cathedral Of st. Giles
dates from the fourteenth century. In
the time of Johh Knox it was open
from end to end and could accommodate
over three thousand persons, but now it
is divided into three separate churches.
In the chief one of these-the High
ChurCh-the council assembled to hear
the opening sermon. Every part of the
house was crowded Even the Queens
pew-for she is Presbyterian when in
Scotland-was thrown open to the mem
bers of the council, and an adventurous
American sat in the very chair Of royalty.
The services began by singing what may
we'll be called the Presbyterian anthem,
"0ld Hundred" There was no organ,
but the grand old song rang through the
vauted aisles like the sound of many
waters. 1t was impossible while listen
ing to the monotonous voice of the
preacher to resist the spell which the as
sociations of the place threw over the
soul.
Modern Scotch piety, which does not
permit organs or pictures or imagrs of
saints within church walls, still with an
Inconsistency that at least honors their
taste, if it does not square with their creed |
delights in stained and decorated win
dows. The magnificent windows of the |
cathedral represent in glowing coors the
life Of Christ, from the manger iu Bethle- |
hem to His wonderful ascension into |
heaven. AS the richly colored light fell |
upon the faces and forms of the gathered |
worsbipers, one could not help thinking |
when the same light fell upon the forty
altars that tadorned and theseventy priests
that ministered in this same building. |
Here, under these very arches, the beau.
tiful and unhappy Mary bowed her fair
head and Riccio and Lord Darnly scowled |
at each other. Then sturdy John Knox
comes in, the gorgeous embems of the
papacy disappear, and the Presbyterian |
preacher utters his thunderbolts to the
people. Here it was on the memorable |
23d of July, 1887, that Jenny Geddes
threw her ''cutty stool" at the head of the
Dean of Edinburg when he began to read
the liturgy of the English Church, which
the strict Scotchman still persists in call
ing the Angie. .Popish Service" Here a.
so in the varying fortunes in the long and
bitter struggle between Prelacy and Pres.
byterianism were confined the Covenant
ers who were taken prisoners after the
battle Of the Pentlands. Under the stone |
pavements of the floor lie the remains of
Regent Murray, Regent Morton, the Mar.
qnis of MontrOse, and also those ofanoth.
er not unworthy to sleep among princely
dust, Walter Chepman, who introduced
printing into Scotland. In the long hour
in, which the preacher cries out in his
sing-song tones, the dead men of the past
seem TO rise and move and speak. FAN
cy brings to the ear the loud, stern voice
of Knox, or psalm of the Covenllnters,
or shows us under the pillar that still
bears her shield the beautiful Mary in her
royal robes. Strange meditations during
such powerful sermon but 80 it was,
and when the preacher said Amen, and |
the rustic in the congregation told that
the sermon was over awoke like one
aroused from sweet reverie or pleasant
dream. a9. df
SOCIAL AMENITIES OF THE DAY.
In the afternoon the council met in
private session in which all necessary ar.
rangements were made for the public
meetings during the week. The honors
of The Moderator's Office were divided
among the different national churches,
so that no one might have the precedence.
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