The Portland daily press., 1888-05-24
THE SPIRIT OF pRESByTERIANISM.
Mr.. Cleveland Speaks to tho Conn
nissIoners of the Assemblies
OF His RecoIlectIons OF Early Train
Ing In the Denomination.
The Nothern Assembly Declines to
Endorse the Revised Version.

PHILADELPHIA, May 23.-The PIesby-
terian general assembly this morning voted
that in view of the present unsettled opinions
relating to the revised version of the New
Testament, it was inexpedient to authorize
its use in thepublic worship of the sanctuary.
Corresponding delegates from sister reli-
gious bodies were received. Rev. Jas. Craw-
ford. delegate from the Reformed Church in
the United States, delivered an eloquent adj
dress of salutation from that body. The as
semtly broke into double round of APP
plause when he expressed the sentiment that
the Reform and Presbyterian churches
might sometime be one in fact as they were
now one in Christian spirit and fellowship.
The applause was renewed when the M0der-
that the general assembly and the Presby-
terian church reciprocated that sentiment
Rev. VIM. M. Baum, d. D., delegate from
the Lutheran church, also delivered frater-
nal address. DIR. Thompson's reply was in
the reformed Episcopal delegate, Rev. VIM.
NJ. Barr, of the Lutheran church, and DR.:
Richard S. Sterrs, of the Congregational
church, also spoke eloquently.
The most interesting episode Of the as
senbly occurred this afternoon when re-
ception, rendered jointly to the commits
sioners of the two general assemblies by Mr..
and Mrs. Wistar Morris, was held at their
residence at Overlook. President and Mrs.
Cleveland were the guests of honor and
every member of the assembly was present.
The members Of the Southern Assembly,
some 200 in number, arrived about an hour
later and were met by committee and
driven to the Morris House. When nearing
the place they were met by the moderator,
Rev. DR.. Charles II. Thompson and other
officers of the Nurtern Assembly. When DR..
Hhnr, nr 7
nble moderator of the Southern Assembly,
greeted each other, there was chorus Of
cheers which were renewed when the visitors
entered the grounds where President and
Mrs. Cleveland, the host and hostess and the
commissioners of the Northern Assembly
were awaiting them. The people stood with
barred heads as Mr.. Morris introduced the
President and Mrs. Cleveland. The Presi-
dent replied as follows:
81 am very much gratiied by the oppor-
tunity here offered me to meet the TePTesen-
tativeS of the Presbyterian church. Surely
a man should never lose his interest in the
welfare of the church in which he was rear
ed and yet, | will not find fault with any Of
you who deem it a sad confession to make,
when | must recall days now long past to
find my closest relation to the grand and no
bic denomination which you represent. |
say this because those of us who inherit
fealty to our church, as l did, begin early to
learn those things which make us Presbyter-
ians all the days of our lives. and thus 1t is
that the vigors of our early teaching, by
which we are grounded in our lasting ale
glance, are especially vivid and perhaps the
best remembered. Attendance upon church
service three times each Sunday and upon
Sabbath school during the noon intermission
may be irksome enough for a boy of 10 or u
years of age to be well fixed in his memory.
But have never known man who regret
ted those things in the years of his maturity.
The shorter eatachism, though thoroughly
studied and learned, was not, perhaps, at
the time thoroughly understood and yet, in
the stern duties and labors of after life, they
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 pres
ence of those here assembled, most tender
thoughts crowd upon my mind. all connected
with Presbyterianism and its teachings.
There are present with me now memories of
a kind and affectionate father, consecrated
to the cause, and called to his rest and his
reward in the midday of his usefulness;
sacred recollection of the prayers and pious
love of sainted mother, and family circle
hallowed and sanctified by the spirit Of Pres
byterianism. l certainly cannot but express
the wish and hope that the Presbyterian
church will always be at the front in every
which promises temporal as well
as spiritual advancementiof mankind. In the
turmoil and hustle of every day life. few
men are foolish enough to ignore the practi
cal value to our people and our country of
the church organizations established among
us. and the advantage OF Christian example
and teachings. 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 toler-
ant and conservative, without loss OF spirit
ual strength, will soonest find the way to the
hearts and affections of the people. While
we may be pardoned for insisting that our
is best, we may, think, safe
ly concede much that is good to all other
churches that seek to make men better.
81 am here to greet the delegates of the two
Church. One is called North the other
South. The subject is too deep and intri-
cate for me, but l cannot help wondering
why this should be. These words, so far as
they denote separation and estrangement,
should be obsolete. In the cOunsels of the
nation and in the business Of the country,
theyno longer mean reproach and antagonism.
Even the soldiers who fought for the North
and the South are restored to fraternity and
unity. This fraternity and unity is taught
and enjoined by our church. When shall
she herself be united? United with all the
added strength and usefulness that harmony
and union insure"
The President spoke with much earnest
ness in a clear, ringing voice, heard all over
the lawn. He was frequently applauded and
his references to the question Of union and
were greeted with cries of good,
good" and "hear, hear" from members Of
both assemblies. Moderator Bullock offered
prayer, the doxology was sung and Modera-
tor Thompson pronounced the benediction.
Then the members of both assemblies crowd
ed up to the porch and were separately in
troduced to the President and wife, who
greeted all with shake of the hand. A col
latiOn was served to the entire party, which
over 800, after which the commits
sioners came to Philadelphia in special
trains.
There was reception to the delegates this
evening in the Academy of Fine Arts. Pres
ident and Mrs. Cleveland were present.
Presby:erians of the South.
BALTIMORE, May 23.-The Presbyterians
of the South met today, and without tran
sacting any business of Importance adjourn