New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-05-18
RELIGIOUS COUNCILS.
ppEsRyTERIAY GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

A
| SARATOGA, n. Y, May 1.-THE commission
ers to the Presbyterian General Assembly were greeted
| by a most delightful spring day. this morning as they
presented their credentials the venerable stated CLERK
| tine Rev Dr. T. T. Hatfield, of New-York, which work
was scarcely completed when the silveTy tones OF
| the First Presbyterian Church bell called
| them to the opening service AS the last
stroke ceased, the anthem, We praise Thee, o God
was sung by the choir of the church On the platform
were seated the Rev Dr. Peter stryker the pastor
| OF the church; the Rev. DR.. Herrck John
| SON. OF Chicago the retiring moderator OF the AS
sembly the Rev. Dr. Brown, Of fredericksburg Va
ami the Rev. Thomas A. Hoyt, of Nashville, Tennr-the
two delegates the Southern Assembly appointed 10
convey to body raternal greeting of the sister
religious organizations; the Rev. Drs. Eyerard Kemp
SHALL Of Elizabeth y. j.; and j. Addison Henry, OF
Philadelphia After the opening services in which each
minister mentioned participated, sermon on "Ihe
Peril and Strength of a Conquering Church., was de-
ivered by Dr. Johnson II was Impressive dscOurse
lasting for twenty minute s and was listened
to with the deepest interest BY the 300 cergynen
present, with an equal number OF laymen, he
sides q great many ladies. wives OF the
delegates, who occupied seats in the galleries.
Dr. johnson Is the pastor OF the Fourth Church OF cn
cagO large church. in membership. but one OF the
first in the Assembly in contributions Tor benevolent ana
other purposes For three Dr. johnson has been
in Chicago having gone there from the Auburn eoog
ical Seminary. His recent papers the degrading In
uence OF the theatre excited much comment HIS
moderator last year. Springfield, where he
said to have prevented the Assembly from
withdrawing its this subject OF loyalty to the
Government, made before the war; was sharply criticised
IN the religious pers both North and South and the
result Of the Southern delegates visit here Is watched
with much anxiety The text Of the sermon was from
Matthew W. %: III therefore the light that is in thee
be darkness how great is that Darkness Inc speaker
said IN substance:
The Sermon on the Mount ia recjiacation OF mems
Judgment concerning the Kingdom ofGod IL implies
possess OF the truth, but It's perVerson truths
form without truths heart the practice OF virtue
in the absence OF virtue. IL Is aimed at
rc!igiOnsts, not basphemers; NJ oDedehces' not I'M
mOraes Its assault is where conscience has become
domescated, an easy thing 10 i've wlth an appandng
conscience; not where conscience sun mu'hies
and enters hot protcsts-not an accusing conscience
What Is Pnariseeism Not duplicty ~ conscious and
cunning gnise; not mask-"eai1ng thihg PLAYING the
hypocre by clear purpose and choice nor ID mere
on the Mount was earnest resoute snc1re, corcien-
tiOus self-dell ing, Iu OF zra ahd ulI OF Courage
What was the matter with 1t thenf Tho truth
had suioled perverson L. was chansel TO RAJ 'ehooi
for gone Look al the Church OF Lphesus
SONS. From out that centre ihe WORK srfea1i
until all that dwelt IN ASA Knew OF
church. lu still OF LABOR and patience for Cnriss names
sake, retaining sin every form OF good; yet goodness
history We all familiar with the larger illustrations
1t took the Church long while TO reach the awful eI-
of that way is the standing peril OF
conqucring Church. Down at bottom THIS ' the chief
sound cry of alarm. Ihe Church has succeeded anu
the world worshps success And therefore tue word
mas kind patronage OF the church. The
old antagpnsm has largely melted away. Inc chiei
peril is MOI outward. but within.
There are three particulars under which | would
pna9izc tbs peru IA pertaining 10 our own
the that beneath all orh there turks the dan
ger OF Journalism. Human nature outside oil Heaven
at ieast tends to make much Of eruals. Hence tho
cali for 80 modification Of tine PrcsDy eran cuItus ";
tAe tendency hero and tncic To Tao observance oi
| hence DO not ht-l.ae u say lAat Tue
peri, in worship is takn- heed to devious and dcft
and thrill f'r zap devotion. In rcsari TO
doctrines tho peril IS suH that OF tri dtais
| ion. Christianity l. no nay thing. IL Is
church has formulated distinctive fiitn. An tHe
A '"'i lssonS.ractsd theology threatens US.
am not sure but Tat In tao ministry
emphasis The church is swi tly approaching II
not the actual presence OF calamity We are htet
churches. and take every pastor seated supply nome
and foreign MISSIONARY now IN the Held ald e' a. YET
prsIdcnts. professors Teachers editors etc. ana thie
are sill GJl churches wltnOul shepherd To Increase
to famine of any %len the tape buras
m Poh s Ia. e lS wear. thru Of the increase IN
our ministry been due 10 arcessoua ron
other denominations We ar mixing leSs min,
IS 15o Of ,S,inistcrial ~audldates what is The
latest Itis not the trials ministry. Its
inu,rtIlia, support: not The lndlcrmcut OF brilliant
nro.,rs i'm other tllinc nor the intellectual demands
made upon the ministry not the lack Of adequate pro-
vision Oh the part church Tor collegiate education
nor chiefly the lack OF <, neral Christian COW crsation
Thc cause j. more definite. III 10 STA tr same peru
have talked othe peril Of truths perry r'ions OF losing
tie spirit in the We have not attempted to make
ministers. but have we asked God 70 make tnrmi We
the streets verify believe that the chief
cause oil the famine Is upon Us u od mas ,Eg M at o
word. Practically we nave Hhl": lhiT mater VII
rceuate size" Therefore we nave forced the Church
and ministry. Let us now force the Held At our
feet COD hin@s challenge ge1rt opportunity Inc
Home Board says that II could Use prohihby good ad
vantage during the coming year. without going ahead of
the rrogrca, OF the country, 300 mem" Tho Foreign
Board need, forty men at once, IN places paned 10
nothing about the measureess ncds that lie beyond II
God mas peril; snail not HE u- To the safe
gnar Here on heights meditation and forecast let
doctrine and ministry filed and thrilled with the
rnabo presence OF Gods Holy SmIlt unul colleges are
agow revival. until the best aud dearest OF
household treasures are given TO Tue ministry
Al The opening OF he afternoon session the Rev. Dr.
william G. Roberts, permanent clerk read the roll Of
commis soners 1t appeared that al of1s5 presbytcres
were represented Nominations for moderator
then in order The Rev Dr. Howard Crosby named the
Rev. Dr. Eyerard Kempsha.l, OF Elizabeth n. j. Then
followed the nominations OF the Rev. Drs j. Addison
Henry, OF Philalephia T. X. Craven. Of Newark;
y. j., and T.. +. Hatfield, Of New-YOrk The
sult was a. follows: Kempshlll. $50; Henry,
AZ: Craven, %; Hatfield. 3O2; total number
Oh woes jIG The moderator announced the election OF
Inc Roy. DIR. Edwin F. Hatfield as moderator. and
appointed Judge samuel Breckenridge, o. 81 Louis, and
Dr. Charles H%wey, OF Auburn, to conduct the
urW Mode! sOr the chair lie soon appeared, and
Moderator Johnson addressed Dr. Hatncld, welcoming
hu TO The chair aud aludiug to his long service of
forty years stated clerk. Dr. Hatfield responded that
the honor came unsOught. and was genuine
Prise He said he had been a member
al the General Assembly fortyeight years, first coming
a. from the territory west OF the
IssIssippl to the Pacific lie would strive Ia bring 10
s new aules the cndcayOrs as he had done his
Office as stated clerk The Rev. Dr. Howard Crosby
moved, aud IT was adOpied. that all honorary titIes
be omitted In addressing members Of the General
seIubly. Dr Crosby offered II resolution relative 10
the reception of Delegates from the southern General
Assembly. when resolution was referred to special
COMPRISING Drs Crosby and HrrriCk Johnson
ana breckenridge Their report IL To DC heard
the first business Friday afternoon. The second
Dusntss Will be- amendments of the Book OF Disc pine
The Lords supper administered tonight, the
Rev Dr. Johnson presiding The RY Mrssgs. b. NJ.
unioit OF New.York; and H. d. Cause, St LOUIS.
assisted in the service Reports from special
committees VIII be read tomorrow.