The New York herald., 1877-07-08
OPINIONS OF THE SOUTHERN AssEMBLY's MOD

ERAToR.
Dr. Henry NJ. Smith, the editor Of tho Souahcestern
Presbyterian, published At New Orleans. and Moderator
Of the General Assembly OF Presbyterian Churoh
South and the Influential member OF the Church
In the southern States in conversation with .
HKRALD correspondents on tho PsnPresbyierian Coun-
ell said Tho gathering win consist of men ot innu-
and ability, many Of whom are the represents
tive men OF the Church, and their personal
influence Is great-so great IN fact rs to In
duce any general assembly Of our Church
IN tho future 10 adopt any course which
may be advised by tho Council The position oi the
American Presbyterian Church in relation to tho
Council is somewhat singular. when the General As
simply out Of courtesy 70 tho religious bodies In
tersed and IN Difference 70 The views OF such Of the
brethren pressed the matter number OF our best
objected 70 the schome rs nrst proposed on the
ground that lnterfered with the constitution oi the
Church, and thor also represented IN the
modification which the scheme received beioro 1t
the enterprise asked ,he Assembly 10 appoint dele
gates and accept as satisfactory tho constitution
agreed by the conference. This was. however, re-
fused and the action adopted finally repudiates the
AUTHORITY OF THE CONVENTION
II was resolved by tho Southern Assembly that in
appointing delegates to this General Alliance
With the distinct declaration that was not 10 be
garded as court but as an assemoage
OF committees appointed by the several bodies which
they represented for the purpose oil joint conference
only and for JOINT report to their respective general
assemblies or synods Tor final action II the assem-
bes refuse 10 adopt such report nen they cease to
torce in such bodies. THIS explains the Limited
power OF delegates.
The Council was called for the purpose as | under
stood, continued DR.. smith, OF uniting the different
branches Of he Presbyterian Church throughout the
world In sympathy and Christian effort for strengthen
Ing the weaker churches In countries where they are
subject to persecution and TO devise some means OF
socurln ing cooperation OF action and
and SOUTH In manner defined by their last Gen.
erai Assemblies, anu It would DO considered impcrti-
for the PanP rcsby tcrian Council any
ton such matters, and do not believe they WILL
II will bring the brethren over fifteen thousand con-
gregations together Interesting subjects
for the whole Chrch will be awakened and presented
and some means by which the churches act in
concert In their benevolent operations will undoubt
edy be deviseJ.
LEADING TINE WAY FOR PROTESTANT uSIFIcAriox
II they succeed IN elfecting upiy of effort IN these
matters, then my preston, SAID the Doctor Is that
other Protestant denominations will follow the
course, II beng expedient 10 an economical point oil
view, even nothing else. The present System
is one OF undlrected II not msdirectcd effort, and
hence not only liable TO conflict but very expensive
Very much might be easily saved In this direction BY
united action. The principal subjects to bo
discussed will be- l surmise, this fhsslon work
and Iho means OF strengthening weaker bfelh-
In mission countries. other questions
WILL oil course, bo discussed also. and # satslac
toriy scttlod will be at least reported back 10 the
several ecclesiastical bodies represented in this aud
other countries 70 be by Them thoroughly discussed
and adopted or rejected.
From this viii be inferred that the Council
be productive Of good Not so much, however, pe.
cause rules II may enforce, as on account OF the
questions winch II will discuss and which will arise
during s proceedings This Council is important too
that II Is step toward harmonzing that still
exists In all our dep0minatons OF conflicting char
acter Hoping that lhese ends may be plishcd,
sald the Doctor cIosns can but thank the HERALD
proper understanding Of our position may OBTAINED
by tho general public