The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-07-18
s WEATHER YESTERDAY was clear and

= The WEATHER YESTERDAY was cieiti ano
warm.
TnERAoMETER YESTERDAY: A. NJ, 7S;
8 A. NJ, 81; noon, So; 3 P. NJ. So; +.
d., 80 midnight, IS.
,s.....-..-..---=
sf,g pan-Esresbyterinn.
OPENING SCENES OF THE coUNcIL-ALL
QUARTERS OF. THE GLOBE REPRESENTED
PROFESSOR FLINT's sERMON--THE PLACE OF
MEETING AND THE RARE MEMORIES THAT
CLUSTER ABOUT IT-A SCOTCH RECEPTION.
Especial correspondence Of the Philadelphia Tames.I
EDINBURGH, July 3.-To-day 'tbe Ecume.
nical Presbyterian Council began its ses-
sions. For the past five days ministers and
elders from all quarters OF the world
have been flocking to this ancient capi-
tai, the Mecca Of Presbyterianism. They
come from the north and the south,
the east and the west. The United States,
with more than one hundred represen-
tatives, are most conspicuous, in point
Of numbers Mt least, and in honor OF their
arrival the stars and stripes have been float
ing from the flag-statfs OF the leading hotels.
The Reformed Church OF France has sent
some Of her noblest men; Spain's new
Church. so full of hope and promise to that
priest-ridden country, has its representa-
tives here; and men from Italy, Bohemia,
Hungary, Switzerland, Germany, Holland,
and the Netherlands have come to join their
brethren in the great Council. The repre-
sentatives from Australia and New Zealand
may be said, literally, to have come from
the utsermost 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 catholic character OF Presbyterians.
The great interest excited in the city, and
in Scotland 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
q large price, and still the demand for them
is unlimited. At IL o'clock the Council was
opened by q sermon from Professor Flint,
OF the Scottish Established Church, The
sermon was an ably-written- thoughtful
production, containing an argument enforc-
ing the spiritual unity OF the Church; but,
like the majority Of Scotch sermons which
have heard, it was poorly delivered. But
what the preacher lacked in impressiveness
of delivery was made up in the grandeur of
his surroundings. The services were held
In the old Cathedral Of st. Giles. In this
land, Ffesbyterianism, as the national reli-
their ancient ornaments, and with their
affairs and confessionals removed, they are
now adapted to the palmer and simpler SER
vice OF the reformed worship. But still
around these venerable buildings gathers a
glory no iconocIastic hands can take away.
THRILLING HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIONS.
The associations of the past give charm
to each stately column and springing arch,
and crowd nave and aisle with the ghostly
forms of kings and queens, and lords and
ladies, bishops, and sturdy Reformers. The
venerable Cathedral Of st. Giles dates from
the fourteenth century. In the time OF
John Knox it was open from end to end,
and could accommodate over three thou
sand persons, but now it is divided into
three separate churches. In the chief one
Of these-the High Church-the Council
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
members of the Council, and an adventu-
rous American. sat in the very chair Of roy
atty. The services began by singing what
may we'll be called the Presbyterian
anthem, cold Hundred" There was no
organ, but the grand old song rang through
the vaulted aisles like the sound OF many
waters. It was impossible while listening
to the monotonous voice of the preacher to
resist the spell which the associations of the
place threw over the soul. Modern Scotch
piety, which does not permit organs, or
pictures, or images Of saints within church
walls, still, with an inconsistency that at
least honors their taste, il it does not square
with their creed, delights in stained and
decorated windows. The magnificent win
dows of the cathedral represent in glowing
colors the life of Christ, from the mauger
In Bethlehem to His wonderful ascension
into heaven. as the richly.colored light fell
upon the faces and forms of the gathered
worshippers one could not help thinking
when the same light fell upon the forty
affairs that adorned and the seventy priests
that ministered in this same building. Here,
under these very arches, the beautiful and
Mary bowed her fair head, and Rio-
clio and Lord Darnly scowled at each other.
Then sturdy John Knox comes in, The
gorgeous enblems OF the papacy disappear,
to the people. Here it was on
Geddes threw her equity stool" at the
head Of the Dean of Edinburgh when he
began to read the iiturgy of the English
Church, which the strict Scotchman still
persists in calling 'sthe Anglo-P Popish
Service" Here, also, during the varying
fortunes in the long and bitter struggles
between Prelacy and Presbyterianism
were confined the Covenanters who were
taken prisoners Sfter the battle OF
the PentIands. Under the stone pave.
ments OF the floor lie the remains of Regent
Murray, Regent Morton, the Marquis OF
MoDtrose, and also those OF another not
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. Fancy brings to the ear
the loud, stern voice OF Knox, or psalm
Of the Covenanters. or shows us under the
pillar that still bears her shield the beautiful
Mary In her royal robes. Strange medita-
tions during such sfpoWerful" sermon :,
but so it was, and when the preacher said
Amen and the rustic in the congregation
told that the sermon was over, Iiawoke like
one aroused from a sweet reyerie or pleasant
dream.
SOCIAL AMENITIES OF THE DAY.
Tn the afternoon the CouHeil met in pri-
vate session in which all necessary arrange
nents were made for the public meetings
during the week. The bonorS OF the Mod
.rator's Office were divided among the dif-
erent national churches, so that no one
night have the precedence. In the eve
hing public reception was given TO the
Of the Council In the Industrial
Museum. 1t was an immense gathering,
aver $500 cards OF admission having been
ssued. The Lord Provost OF the city,
presided, dressed in the peculiar uni