, 1877-05-06
Foreign Mission Board for the North
west--Reports from the
Churches.
Conservation Of the New Bishop
Of .Peoria---The Prelate's
Life.
Gathering Of Universalists This Week.
Exercises Of the Congregational
Theological Seminary.
Notes and Personals ut Home and Abroad
.--Church Services To-Day.

N0ltS auN IeIS0udtS uL 11Ouc iMu ADI0au
--.Church Services To-Day.
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY,
6CB1EcTs WHICH WILL CONE BEFORE IT.
The General Assembly Of the pzcsbyte erian Church
Of the United States Of America will hold It's annual
session in Chicago this year, commencing on the
18th inst, and continuing for two weeks. This
body has juriediction6qf all the Presbyterian
churches north Of II ason aid Dixon's line, those
South being under the control Of distinct ASSEM-
by, callcd the General Assembly of the Presby-
ten*r Church OF the Cuited States. The hrst- men
toned body, however has control OF few churches
in the South. The doctrines and government OF
l:-e two branches are identical, but the rock on
which they epl,t was Slavery. The frate1nal rela-
tions with the Southern Church somewhat tn
definite, and the question will probably come mp
before this session; but In what shape is at present
unknown.
The Northern Assembly, as 1t is more commonly
Called is composed Of equal number Of clerical
and lay delegates, OF each being chosen on tho
basis OF twentyfour ministers,-that is ii 4 P:es-
by1ery has twenty -four ministers, 1t selects one
clergyman and one layman to represent it. A
fraction over 1wenty-four entities the PresbStcry
10 two of each. Generally delegates are not chosen
account Of their representative character. lut
well, that MANI possible nlag have an op-
ro:1unfty to sllarc it. Under this system the dele
sases number about 800. This il considered BY
mileage Of all the members has to be paid, large
eum Of money il required to meet
s up a.t % s pans ff's q reaae
ton These, un4eE the constitutional rule, were
submitted to the Prcsbyteres forapproval or rcjec-
scheme to bring abon, cutting down Of rcpresen
tation now pending. but it Is probable that the
question will come up ut tnc ensuing session The
rTe=bytcries nnd dc1egnte is entitled to mileage
whether his Presoytery has paid anything or not.
sss''sa Sc on s5 se"'ss
Assembly, whose decision is final. While this
body is the court Of last resort it scarcely ever
tries cases ITSELF The facts are usually submitted
to q committee. and upon their report action is
taken. The moet important case TO come up this
year IL that Of skinner w. McCune, from Clncin-
% The church. Thc Presbstery, however. ED acquitted
him by vote Of % too. An appeal was taken to
the Synod, and It's ruling on sone points not being
the Assembly for rclief. McCunc himself is under
stood 70 be considered sound, except on
ssn * doctrine If nss 81 saa a5sn ,Ss sssreh be ~ssd
udit to his church persons who refused TO be bap-
tizcd from conscientious scruples against It. and,
in effect, TINT he would admit any minister his
called Of God, holding tnat the Church must be
subservicnt TO the will Of God In that particular.
Ills test is the holding and preaching OF what are
commonly known as evangelical doctrines. 1t is
not probable that this case will come before the
Assembly on its merits but il 1t does there will be
The Assembly also has jurisdiction Of all matters
pertaining to the chn5eh Ths general woIk Is In
1ess,-Mi=sioas, Publication. eie:,~and they
for approval Of disapprovai. # any
ftbhtH
been 2aeet Ser he
cQFls-" These Boards also mention the amount Ut !
money they require for the following year 10 ea1ry
action Of the latter body, however. in this respect
has no binding force upon tho churches; amounting
can gve as little or AZ much Us, or to what object
these reports: and he two days Of the Convention
OF the reports Of the Home and Foreign Missionary
Eosrds. the most eloquent men In the church !
eFed arc more nshed than @ on any n.y. other T DAY. e
Thc: Assembly also rryiscs the records Of the |
Synods, the courts next below the synoda look- !
Cafter those Of the presnyteries and the Presby
teries Of the corrccts ordtsapproves
anything irregular. 1t, however, seldom happens |
that the records are not In due form.
Whenever Prcsbytery desires 10 make change !
In the doctrine, oraeF, or action Of the Church, or
TO enter into new movement in the way Of mis- |
Assembly. II the matter docs not tend to subvert |
The constitution or the existing laws OF the Church,
al hf he oaset It fs' for 4e, .so i
ton or rejection: If a majority are in /
favor Of the change proposed it is made: If not,
TINT ends it. The only way the whole Church can |
be reached ,s through the assembly, and nothing
new can be undertaken without tho consent Of a
majority Of the preeoyteries;.
has been Customary to select Moderator alter
ra'ely from each. The preceding officer Of the last
raoRvn rae s s xi1 OF
y appointed and will preach the opening sermon. |
There has never been q lay Moderator, 6nt notn- |
An effort will perhaps be lnnde this year TO put |
Jnelce Strong In the chair: The only clerical as
pirant thus FAR mentioned Is Dr. Anson J. Epson, |
There viii be two sessions day, morning and |
Ing =. i . and tie seeond beginning 1T IL 80 D.
and ending 1t s. E1ttn sessions will be held in
the evening tbou'd thete ee necessity for L. II
preeent their elaams to the people in that way.
Cates aud others will occupy pujpjts in Chicago
md near By on SUNDAY.
viii meet In Farwell Hall The Committee Of Ar
rau-cmen1s arc busy mixing TO receive
their Eucsss and are now hard Al work sending ont
tefa to memhcra while In the CITY. ARRANGEMENTS
have been made With The Western and Southern |
ent md The Eastern roads as 1ar u Pittsburs and and
bunato have tade special sates; but bcyoud those
points NO reduction can ot SECURED.
In addition to the delegates there will BE- 1a7sp
eral seeretafes etc-in he city during see esa- s
.cr'ans have been ..bacswasd IN com;n:
forward" with offers to entertain the people |
Of csesee or III:
nss mere tn $50 Us churches psld 600 fos bos:d
eat @ between mea'e =: their own expense, L only
900 will be available to pay for sleeping accom-
mocalons mo- .. brt this amouu. will NOT 90 very far.