The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-06-14
Scene la the Northcra Presbyterian
Assembly

SSS-sIsJs t.i.. tl
On Tuesday last, when the subject of
the restoration of friendly relations with
the Southern Presbyterian Church was
under consideration in Chicago, in the
General Assembly of the Northern Pres
byterian Church, the following scene oc-
CURED. The Chicago Times is the paint
er:
Rev. DIR, Van Dyke, in the course of a
speech against making any further con.
cessions, though he said in substance
that .au WAS opposed TO the late war, al.
lcded to statement which had been
made in the city to the effect that dele
gate was in Chicago from the Southern
General Assembly, and that this Geu-
eral Assembly had refused to receive him.
This was not true; but distinguished
divine of South Carolina was v;eiting the
city, man whom he had lcyed as his
own soul, and he moved that the Rev.
DR.. Plumer be invited to address the
General Assembly upon the subject of
reunion. To the discredit of the mem.
bers the motion was not unanimously
carried. The invitation SC churlishly
accorded procured response whicl must
be characterized as extraordinary.
All eyes were turned toward cyno-
sure under the gallery, near the main
entrance. A little gentle clapping Of
hands in that direction disseminated no
infection beyond the narrow immediate
circle. Slowly the group separated, aud
through the friendly breach thus formed
strobe a majestic figure. AS the grand
vision dawned upon the upturned faces
of the Assembly resistance to its charms
was impossible; generous impulse over
came the heat Of prejudice and courtesy
paid voluntary tribute to the highest type
of manliness. The applause arose and
swelled, and waned again; then waxed
higher and more fervcnt as the royal
form went on down the aisle, and as the
gallery caught the first glimpse of his
advancing figure, ladies and gentlemen
rose en- n,assc and chcercd and cheered
again, while the pent-up emotion of the
scene found vent here and there in un-
checked tears.
This man might have sat for Michael
Angeles Moses. In Italy, some q: the
landscapes are admired because they so
remind the beholder of Claude Loraine's
pictures. DR.. Plumer is { living sculp-
ture of heroic mold. AS he stood there
facing tho assembly, calm and rigid, one
could not resi- ist the fancy that the statue
Of patriarch or prophet, Moses or
Elijah, would have such personifcation.
Above the average height, symmetrical
in proportion, straight and firm, he pre-
sented the rare and beautiful spectacle of
perfect old age. His hair and beard are
white as the purest snow; the latter
waved about upon his breast like fnw-
ing yestment. Els hair lies thick and
nndulating, in lines of statuesque grace.
His eyes are bright, as with conscious
ness of being near enough the Gate of
Light TO catch 6 reflection of the glorv
from within. His features, ASPECT,
stature, expression, gesture-for already
silence-ai1 spoke a man Of power' e
strength, and ggace. AT first, his voice
was low but not indistinct. The volume
increased with the increasing JUNCTION of
his thought, and as he proceeded all ewes
were -apt upon his, for brief as was his
speech the Assembly recognized the first
true orator who had stood before it.
What be said must be read in full. How
he said, that pen would be indeed pre-
suinptuous which would attempt to de-
scribe. The spectacle was one never to
be forgotten by those vino saw it-as a
spectacle of the grandeur of age, with no
traco of its weakness Of the tenderness
of age, without imbecility; of the elo-
cnence of age, with undiminished feryor !;
delivered over register of cadence mel
lowed by tremor in harmony with the
snow upon his head, but yivified by
dynamic power in harmony with the
.valor and sanctity Of his aspect. Let not
any reader omit the perlsaf of what he
said. He pleaded, as Paul in old age
would have pleaded, for charity, love,
and broiherly goodwill He pleaded
that the present might be used to brighten
the future and hide the past. "By what
this Assembly does to-day" he ex-
claimed, "Christ will be greatly honored
or dishonored." He had been told of
one who had go excellent memc-y that
he never forgot anything. "I have reat.
of one who bad still better memory
archbishop Cranmer, who never forgot
anything but injuries. May God in His
mercy give us all such memories"
But the appeal was in vain.
WHAT DIR. VAN DYKE SAID OF DIR.
PLUMRR.
There is n venerable father belonging
to that branch Of the Presbyterian
Church in this cityALa man whom I love
as love my own soul-and it has been
reported in this city, I wss confronted
with it at dinner table only three days
ago, that he came here as g delegate
from the Southern Assembly and we
would not receive him. Sir, + take il
upon myself to say it, and If am wrong
lei the brethren correct me, if the vene-
rable DR.. Plumer-God bless his white
head-if ho had come to us with papere
or without papers and said: Brethren
am authorized to represent the South.
ern Assembly, in this body" We would
have received him with open arms-[ap
plause; that's SO" ,"]-with unanimous
acc!amations and his face, as he would
have sat here upon this platform. would
have been to ns like the face of an angel
shining, as the face Of Moses shone wher
he came down from communion with
God upon the holy mount. And now
sir, pledge myself, if DR.. Plumer viii
come forward and say he is authorized te
take his seat as q corresponding delegate
from the Southern Assembly in thi!
body, he wen!a &c svoiTT1eII received. zap
plause.
DIR. PLUlIER'S SPEECH.
Rev. DIR. Plumer: No, sir. Sound as
cends, not descends. 7 shall be heard
I wish to say, first OF oil, why I am i.
| Chicago. am here entirely on socia
!, accounts, and would have been here /
, this Assembly had met In San Francisco
I am not here to-day to do anything
touching this business, OF any other bust
ness, except to preach Christ's gospel
and see some of my friends before [ e,
hence. .. 80 .sii,..,- .3f-e
| The second reInarlo II yyiSh tn nala ;e