Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1888-05-31
pRessyTeRIANs UNITED.

The Iaspirztion of q Good DiRner and .
D-sfre to Meet the President aud Mrs.
Cleveland BrInR About Temporary Unity
of Northern and Southern Presbyte-
rians.
PHILADELPHIA, May 24-The Southern
Presbyterian delegates met with their
Northern brethren yesterday at tie resi-
dence Of Mr. and Mrs. Wistar Morris, It
Overlook, near this city, when they were
visited by President and Mrs Cleveland.
When DR.. Thompson, the Northern Moder-
ator. and DIR. J. j. Bullock, the venerable
Moderator of the Southern Assembly,
greeted each other there was a chorus OF
cheers, which were renewed when the
visitors entered the grounds, where the
President and Mrs. Cleveland, the
host and hostess, and the commits
sioners Of the Northern Assembly
| were waiting t. receive them. The latter
| stood in double row with uncovered heads
as the Southern mem bers passed up to the
| front Of the portico, where the exercises
were to be held, the venerable DR.. Brown,
of Virginia, and the Southern Moderator,
Rev. J. K. Bullock, DID,, Of Washington,
| coming in for special share OF applause.
| Congressman J. Randolph Tucker, OF Vir-
giuia, and Breckinridge, OF Kentucky,
were conspicuous among The Southern lay
| commissioners.
Mr. Morris introduced the President and
| Mrs Cleveland in a brief address, and the
| President replied rs follows: II am very
much gratiied BY the opportunity here
afforded to NEE: the representatives OF the
Presbyterian Church. Surely man never
should lose his interest in the welfare Of
the church in which he was reared. aud
yet will not find fault with airy of you
| -bod I Sod foo V-haQ L
acknowledge that must recall The days
now long past to find my closest rela-
ton TO the grand and noble de-
nomination which you represent.
| say this because those IF US who
inherit fealty to our church as / do begin
early to learn those things which make US
| Presbyterlals all the years OF our lives;
and thus it is that the rigors of early teach
ing by which we are grounded in our last
ing allegiance are especially vivid and per-
haps the best remembered. The attend
ance upon church service three times each
Sunday and upon Sabbath school during
the moor intermission may be irksome
enough to a boy of ten or twelve years OF
age 10 be well fixed IN his memory, but
have never known a man who regretted
those things IN the years of his maturity.
THE Shorter Catechism, though thor
|
haps at one time perfectly understood;
and yet in the stern laoors and duties OF
after life those are not apt to be the worst
citizens who were early taught What is
the chief end of mani Speaking OF these
things and in the presence Of those here
assem- BLEED, the most tender thoughts crowd
upon nv mInd-all connected with Presby-
terianism and its teachings. There are
present with me now memories Of kind
and affectionate father, consecrated TO the
cause and called to his res and his
reward in the midday of his useful
ness; sacred recollection Of the
prayers and pious love Of q sainted
mother, and family circle hallowed and
sanctifed by the spirit of Presbyterianism.
l certainly can not but express the wish
and hops that the Presbyterian Church
will always be at the front 10 every move
ment which promises the temporal AS well
as the spiritual advancement of mankind.
In the turmoil and the hustle of every day
life few men are foolish enough to ignore
the practical value to our people and our
country of the church organizations estab-
lished among US and the advantage OF
Christian example and teaching. TIE
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 aud
CO nserVatiVe without loss of spiritual
strength will soonest find the way to the
hearts and affections OF the PEOPLE. While
we may be pardoned for insisting that our
denomination is the best we may, think
safely conctde much that is good to all 9TH
er churches that SEEK to make men better.
am here to greet the delegates of two
General Assemblies Of the Presbyterian
Church. One is called North and the
other South The subject is too deep and
intricate for me, but L can not help woa-
dering why this should be. These
words so far as they denote separation and
enlargement should be obsolete. In the
councils of the Nation and in the business
OF the country they no longer mean re-
proach and antagonism. Even the soldiers
who fought for the North and for the South
are restored to fraternity and unity. This
fraternity and unity Is taught and enjoy ed
by our church. When shall she herself be
united with all the added strength and use
fGluess that harmony and union insure"
The President spoke with an earnestness
aud in a clear, ringing voice that was
heard all over the lawn. He WIS frequently
applauded, aud his references to tne QueS-
ton of union and fellowship were gree; ed
with cries of Good" Hear, hear" from
members of both Assemblies.
| About eight hundred guests were enter.
tanned at dinner.