Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1886-07-30
EIooueut Add ress of Rev, GrIer.


eloquent address Of Rev. Grier, d. d. Of
Charleston, S. c., rs published in the pro-
ceedlngs IN The Commercial Gazette of the
Assembly that met in Hamilton, Ohio, a
little over month ago. Before reaching
the bottom paragraph we became fully
convinced that DR.. Grier had seen service
in the Confederate army. 1t expresses the
same heartfelt eloquence OF every misguid-
ed son of the Republic who had thorough
experience in that trying ordeal:
The address Of the Rev. w. NJ. Grier, D
D., representing the Associate Reform
Church South, was the finest thing yet lis
tened 10 during the sitting OF this assem-
bly,. Among other things he SAID Breth-
ren OF the United Presbyterian Church and
of this Assembly / count il one of the
privileges OF my life TO be with you on this
occasion. As came here on long jour
ney, l gazed upon your waving fields, your
happy homes and your teeming population
and 1t was all scene OF constant wonder
TO me. You have a little sister-some
have thought her wayward sisler-who
has remained for long years alone, and
who his never felt the thrill and glow OF
greeting from the old home. There is
scarcely a familiar face to me in this audi
ence, and yet when heard this melody OF
sOng, this beautiful Twenty-third Psalm,
could easily forget that was in Ohio
and not in South Carolna.
This little sister has charged me TO bring
10 you greetings OF love. She has long
been isolated, but your invitation for clos
er relations has touched her heart. We
AZ II nj,
like ancient Gaul, are divided into three
parts, and we sing the Psalms without the
omission OF single stanza. We have the
old, old theology there is no progressi We
theology with us. We ieel the effect Of
long aud bitter sectional feeling and that
long conflict which has demonstrated 70
clearly that this country is undivided, and
may add, Indivisable. The Church is
like the Irishman who said "he had been
drenched 80 much with drugs that he was
sick long time after lie got WELL"
How many OF us are go To-day, as the re-
suit Of that mighty struggle? As we sit
around the vacant heartli-stone only the
balm OF Gilead can heal that sore and the
divine grace Of God drive away sorrow.
As the years 10 by these memories will
lose their sting. The Church OF God ought
TO be forward IN the work Of reconciliation.
II was that great Statesman, President
Garfield, who said: "Do not pitch your
tents in the graveyard of dead Issues"
Speaking as he did, politically, perhaps he
had in his minds eye these Bourbon Dem.
ocrats who never learn anpthing and never
forget anything, or lie may have thought OF
those Republicans who are ever shouting
themselves hoarse for the old flag and an
appropriation. Let US follow Ills advice
and steer clear OF this dead issue (slRYery.)
We accept these overlures as the first de-
cislve movement in the direction Of COM
plele reconslruclion. II proposes no com
promise with error, no mixture OF hetero-
geneous beliefs, but rather a recognition OF
The power OF combination Of those who
ilIink alike, power that has alone rend-
cred possible the fabulous prosperity Of the
LAND in which we dwell. II 10 not merely
because Of our doctrinal unity that We are
coming together, but because Of our con-
genial views Of truth. With us as with
you temperance is living question, and
our women and children may he seen stand.
ing at the guns like trained veterans pour
ing CALLING lire into the ranks Of the ens
emy. With opportunities like these ia
there no cohesion, no magnetism 10 draw
US togelher2
This overture recognizes that Schism Is
q grieyons ofense against our master, who
prayed that they might all be one. Might
II not bring together other churches hay
Ing tbs same creed, divided only by n limo
that ought never TO have appeared In &C.
clesiasiical hislory-Mason q Dlxon's line.
DIR. Grier's remarks were frequently IN
lerrupled by applause. The gentleman
lost his leg while lighting for the Copfed-
eracy, at the battle OF Gaines' Mills, and
his brother. who stood next 10 him in the
ranks, had his head shot OF.