The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-06-04

THERMOMETER SATURDAY: Is Az NJ, SO |:
"A. NJ, IS; noon. IS; 2 p. d.. 90; p.
NJ. 81; plidnight, ST. ,a,l,,' mi
ONE OF THE FINEST PICTURES EVER
PAINTED BY PEN. ~"
REV. DIR. PLUIER DESCRIBED-A SCENE IN
THE NORTHERN PRESBYTERIAN GENE
RAJ. AsSEMBLY-DR. PLUMER'S SP EECH.
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 AS
sembly OF the northern Presbyterian
Church, the following scene occurred. Ihe
Chicago Times is the painter:
REV, Dr.. VAN DYKE, in the course OF q
speech against making any further conces-
sions though he said in substance that he
was opposed to the late war, alluded to
statement which had been made in the city
TO the effect that delegate was in Chicago
from the southern General Assembly, ana
that this General Assembly had refused 70
receive him. This was not true; but dls-
tinpuished divine OF South Carolina was
visiting the city, Il man whom he had ioVed
M his own soul, and he moved that Rev.
DIR. Plumer be invited to address the Cen
eral Assembly upon the subject OF rennlon.
To the discredit OF the members the motion
was not unanimously carried. The invita-
ton so churlishIy accorded procured re-
sponse which must be characterized aS en-
traordiuary. p.
All ewes were turned toward cynosure
under the gallery, near the main entrance.
4 little gentle clapping OF hands in that dl-
rection disseminated no infection beyond
the narrow immediate circle. Slowly the
rroup separated, and through the friendly
breach thus formed strobe majestic figure.
AS the grand vision dawned upon the up
turned faces OF the Assembly resistance to
its charms was impossible; generous I'm,
pulse oyercame the heat OF prejudice ana
courtesy paid voluntary tribute to the hlSh-
est tvpe Of manliness. The applause arose
and swelled. and waned again; then WaNed
higher and more fervent "a the royal lorm
went on down the aisle, and rs the gallery
caught the first glimpse OF his advancing
fisure ladies and gentlemen rose en- nlaSSe
and cheered and cheered again, While the
pent-up emotion OF the scene found vent
here and there in unchecked tears.
This man might have sat for Michael An
-H
Scanes are admired because they 80 remind
the beholder OF Claude Loraine's pictures.
DR.. Plumer is living sculpture OF heroic
mold. AS he stood there facing the Assem-
blv. calm and rigid, one could not resist the
fancy that the statue Of patriarch or @
prophet, Moses or Elijah, would have such
a personifcation. Above the average helSht,
symmetrical in proportion, straight aao
firm. he presented the rare and beautun
spectacle OF perfect old.ag His hair ano
| beard are white as the purest snow; lne
| latter waved about upon his breast like !;
| flowing vestment. His hair lies thick anc
undulating, in lines OF statuesque grace
His eyes are bright, rs with con
sciousness OF being near enough tht
Gate OF Light to catch a reflection OF tht
glory from within. His features, aspect
stature, expression, gesture-for alread!
his curving arm commanded thrilling
silence-all spoke man OF power, strength
and grace. At first, his voice was low but
not indistinct. The volume increased will
! the increasing unction OF his thought, ant
as he proceeded all eyes We're rapt upon his
for brief as was his speech the Assembly re
cognized the first true orator who had stoot
before it. What he said must be READ II
full How he said. that pen would De IN
deed presumptuous which would attemp'
to describe. The spectacle was one never t(
be forgotten by those who saw lt--as spec
tacle OF the grandeur OF age,- with no trace
OF its weakness; OF the tenderness Oh age
without imbecility; OF the eloquence OF age
with undiminished fervor; delivered over {
register OF cadence mellowed by tren1or IL
harmony with the snow upon his head, Du
yiyjfed by dynamic power ID mar
monv with the yalor and sanctity OF nj
aspect. Let not any reader omit the perusa
OF what he said. He pleaded, as Paul IN olt
age would have pleaded, for charity, love
and brotherly goodwill. He pleaded tina
the present might be used to brighten tn
future and hide the past. s. BY what thi:
| Assembly does to-day" he exclaimed
Christ will be greatly honored-or dis
honored.'' He had been told OF one Wh'
had so excellent o memory that he neve
forgot ANYTHING. "I have read OF one wht
had still better memory-Archblshol
Crapmer, who never forgot anything bu
injuries. May God in His mercy give u:
! all such memories"
But the appeal was in vain.
yuATDR. VAN DYKE SAID OF DIR. PLUMER.
There is a venerable father belonging tt
that branch Of the Presbyterian Church IL
this citv-a man whom love as love my
own soul-and it has been reported IN TIL:
city. was confronted with it at dnner-ta
Bile only three days ago, that he came mere
as O delegate from the southern Assembly
and we would not receive him. Sir, take
it upon myself to say it, and If l am wrong
let the brethren correct me, II the Venera'
BILE DR.. Plumer-God bless his white head
il he had come to us with papers or WITH
out papers and said, % 'tBrethren, am au'
thorlzed to represent the southern Assem-.
bIy in this body" we would have received
him with open arms-[applause; "Thatt
90. nl-with unanimous acclamations; and
his face, as he would have sat here upon
this platform, would have been to us like
the face of an angel, shining, as the face ol
Moses shone when be came down from
communion with God upon the holy mount
And now, sir, ] pledge myself, II DR.
PIumer will come forward and say he is
authorized to take his seat as correspond
ing delegate from the southern Assembly
in this body, he would be received. zap
plause.] 4%ts,s
DIR. PLuMER's SPEECH.
Rev. DIR. Plumer: No, sir. Sound as
cends, not descends. ] shall be heard.
wish to say, first OF all, why am in Chi
cago. am here entirely on social accounts.
and would have been here il this Assembly
had met in San Francisco. am not here
to-day to do anything tonching this busi
ness, or any other business, except to preacl
Chrisrs gospel, and see some OF my Ole
friends before 90 hence.
The second remark wish to make is, sir
that fully and cordially estimate the embar
RAISING condition In which l am placed. j