, 1888-05-24
His Proper Sphere.

PHILADELPHIA, May Z3.-The most int er-
esting episode of the Presbyterian assem- bly
thus far occurred this afternoon, when a
reception was rendered jointly to the com.
missioners of the two general assemblies
lnorthern and southern) by Mr.. and Mrs.
Wistar Morris, which was held at their res
idence at Overlook, near this city. Presi-
dent and Mrs. Cleveland were guests of
honor. The President and Mrs. Cleveland
had already arrived at Morris residence
when the ministers of the general assembly
got there. When DR.. Chas. l.. Thompson,
Of the northern assembly, and DR.. ]. J.
Bullock, the venerable moderator of the
southern assembly, greeted each other,
there was a chorus of cheers which were re-
newed when the visitors entered the
grounds. While the President and
Mrs. Cleveland, the host and
hostess, and the commissioner
to receive them, Congressman J. Ran
dolph Tucker, of Virginia, and Brecken-
ridge, of Kentucky, were conspicuous
among the southern lay commissioners,
and were heartily recognized When the
President and Mrs. Cleveland emerged from
the house to the portico, there was burst
of cheers from the big assemblage on the
lawn.
Morris introduced the President and Mrs.
Cleveland in brief address and the presi-
dent replied as follows:
II am very much gratified at this oppor-
sentatlves of the Presbyterian church.
Surely man never should lose his interest
in the welfare of the church in which he
was reared, and yet will not find fault
with any who deem it a sad confession
made, when acknowledge that must re.
fa nd @s SSy closest nSw relations GnE p's to tho
grand and noble denomination
which you represent. | say this, because
those of us who inherit fealty to our
church as did, begin early to learn those
things which make us Presbyterians all the
daysof our life, and thus IL is that thereligious
OF our early teachings by which we are
grounded in our lasting alliances are es-
pecially vivid and perhaps best remem bered.
Attendance upon church service three time
each Sunday and upon Sabbath school dur
ing the noon intermission, may be irksome
enough to boy OF ten or twelve years of
age to be well fixed in his memory, bnt 1
never knew a man who regretted those
things in. years of his maturity. Speaking
of these things and in the presence of those
here, most tender thoughts crowd
upon my mind all connected
There are present with me now memories
OF kind and and affechonate father con-
secral ed to the cause, and called to his rest
and his reward, in the midday of his use
fulness. A sacred recollection of the pray
ers and pious love of sainted mother and
family circle hallowed and sanctified by
the spirit of Presbyteranism. certainly
cannot but express the wish and hope hat
the Presbyterian church will always beat
the front in every movement which prom
ises the temporal as we'll as the spiritual
advancement of mankind. l am here to
greet the delegates of two general assem-
blies of the Presbyterian church; one is
called North" the other ''South," The
subject is too deep and intricate for me but
l cannot keep from wondering why this
should be, these words so far rs they denote
separation and estrangement should be OBJ
solete.
In councils of the nation and in the busi-
ness OF the country they no longer lend
reproach and antas asonism. Even soldiers
who fought for the north and the south are
restored to fraternity and unity. This fra.
ternity and unity is taught and enjoined by
our church. When shall she herself be
united with an added strength and useful
ness that harmony and union insures. The
president spoke with much earnestness
and in a clear ringing voice that was heard
all over the lawn. He was frequently
applauded and his references to the qnes-
tion OF union and fellowship were greeted
with cheers of good" and "hear, hear"
from members OF both assemblies.