Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-05-24
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William Strong,


William Strong,
PROMINENT PRES BYTERIANs.
Mrs Cleveland reached Overlook about
$3.50 p. m, where they were met by Rev. and
Mrs Chas. Wood, of Germantown, and were
Immediately conducted to the residence, where
the reception was held. They were followed
shortly afterwarG by the commissioners OF
the southern assembly, who also came on a
special train from Baltimore. The reception
took place between and o'clock The del
egates were welcomed by short speech by
Mr.. Morris Rev. DR.. Bullock, the moder-
ator of the southern assembly, an x-chap-
lain of the United States senate, offered
prayer. President Cleveland then made AN
address as follows
am very much gratihed by the opportunity
here afforded me to meet the representatives of
the Presbyterian church, Surely man never
should lose his interest in the welfare of the
church ia which he was reared; and yet will not
find fault with any of you who deem IL a sad CON
fessOn made when acknowledge that must re
call the days now long past to find my closest
laion to the grand and noble denomination which
you represent, say this because those OF us who
inherit featy to Our church as did begin early to
learn those things which make us Presbyterians
all the days of our lives; and thus it is that the
rigors Of our early teachings, by which we are
grounded in our lasting allegiance, especially
vivid and perhaps the best remembered. The at
tendance upon church service three times each
Sunday and upon Sabbath school during the noon
ntermsson may be irksome enough to boy of
10 or IL years of age to be well fixed in his mem
DRY; but have never known man who regretted
these things in the years of his maturity. The
shorter catechism, though thoroughly studied and
learned, was not perhaps at the time perfectly un
derstood and yet in the stern abors and duties of
aferfe those are not apt TO be the worst citizens
who were early taught what is the chief end of
man.
Speaking of these things, and In the presence
of these here assembled, the most tender thoughts
crowd upon my mind-all connected with Presby-
teranism and its teachings. There are present
with me now, memories of kind of affectionate
father consecrated to the cause and called to his
reward in the midday of his usefulness sacred
recollection Of the prayers and pious love of a
sainted mother, and family circle hallowed and
sanctifed by the spirit of Presbyterianism. !
certainly can not but express the hope that the
Presbyterian church will always be at the front In
every movement which promises the temporal as
well as the spiritual advancement of mankind. In
the turmoil and the hustle of everyday life, few
men are foolish enough to ignore the practical
value to our people and our country of the church
organizations established among us, and the ad
vantage of Christian example and teaching. The
field is vast and the work sufficient to engage the
efforts of every sect and denomination; but am
inclined to believe that the church which is most
tolerant and conservative without loss of spiritual
strength will soonest find the way to the hearts
aud affections of the people While may be
pardoned for insisting that our denomination is
the best we may, think, safely concede much
that is good 10 all other churches that seek to
make men better. .I
am here to greet the delegates of two general
assemblies of the Presbyterian church. one is
called North" and the other South" The sub
iect is too deep and intricate for me- but can not
help wondering why this should be. These words
so far as they denote separation and estrange-
m ShDul1 ba obsolete councils
nation and in the business of the country they
longer mean reproach and antagonism Even the
soldiers who fought for the north and the south
are restored to fraternity and unity. This fra
temity and unity is taught and enjoined by our
church When she shall herself be united with
all the added strength and usefulness then har-
mony aud union will ensue.
Rev. C. L. Thompson, of Kansas City, the
moderator of the northern assembly, then
pronounced the benediction. The visitors,
after paying their respects to the host and
hostess and Mr.. and Mrs. Cleveland, met each
other socially, and partook of refreshments.
The president and Mrs. Cleveland, with
the other distinguished guests, then took a
special train for Philadelphia to attend re-
ception at night, given to the delegates of the
northern and southern assemblies at the
Academy of Fine Arts by the Presbyterians
of this city
The reception at the Academy drew a
crowd that packed the spacious corridors and
galleries most uncomfortably. The expecta-
ton of seeing the president and Mrs. Cleve-
land was the attraction with considerable
portion of the throng. There was a good
sprinkiing of other denominations besides
the Presbyterians Rev. DR.. McVickar, Of
Holy Trinity; Rev. DIR. George Dana Board
man. and Rev Joseph Welsh, of the Metho-
dist Episcopal church; ex President McCosh,
of Princeton college; DIR. Theodore L. Cuyler,
of Brooklyn, and other lights were attracted
by the assembly.
The president and Mrs. Cleveland entered
the academy by side entrance, and it was
some time before many in the room became
aware of their presence. Then there was
great rush toward the room, and the jam in
the central corridor was frightful The po-
lice arrangements were inadequate, and the
crowd in consequence was much longer in
passing by the president than it should have
been. Mrs. Cleveland, apparently wearied
by the reception in the afternoon made no
effort to shake hands with the endless line of
people passing before her, but smilingly
watched her husband as he went through the
task with cheerful determination. She chatted
pleasantly with Governor Beaver and others
on the platform and contented herself with
that. About 1890 o'clock the president de-
from the hot rooms. The reception came to
an end soon after.
A number of resolutions were acted upon |
in the session of the assembly held in the |
A revision of the hymn book was |
approved, and the use of the Revised version |
Of the Scriptures was decided against at this |
time. An address was delivered by Rev. |
James Crawford, of the Reformed church, |
n which the suggestion that some time the |
TWO bodies might be united, was received |
with applause
Rev George W Huntington, the Reformed |
Episcopal delegate, Rev. William W. Barr, |
and DIR. Richard Storrs also spoke eloquently |
or the saurches represented by them, after |
which recess was taken, in view of the re-
'eption of the president of the United States
and his wife, which was to take place in the
afternoon.
THREE OF THE BISHOPS CHOSEN.
DR.. Joyce, of Cincinnati Gets the Necessary
Votes-A Ballot Sensation.