Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1888-06-01

The Centennial meeting took place on
the next day, the oath, the two immense
connecting buildings. the Academy Of
music and the Horticultural Hall being
used for the purpose. Many of the most
distinguished men in the country were
there as lay commissioners. Both build
lngs were crowded almost to suffocation.
IN THE ACADEMY.
The great audience was apparently made
up ia equal proportions from representa-
tives of the two assemblies, and when Or.
Bullock was introduced as presiding Off
Ger there were thuuders OF applause. He
was presented by DR.. Smith, ex- moderator
OF the Northern Assembly, and when DR..
Smith said, in welcoming the southern
guests, that the audience should remem.
Der that the members of both these great
assemblies were Presbyterians above all
things, and that the brethren from the
South had crossed Mason & Dixon's line
almost without knowing where the divis-
ion was there was another round of en-
thusiastic applause. They were Of the
same ancestry, same faith, and same glo-
rlOus history. Then 600 people rose and
''Praise God from Whom all Blessings
Flow"
DR.. Bullock, as representative of the
Southern Assembly; in brief but eloquent
address, cordially reciprOcated the frater-
nal sentiments of the brethren from the
North, and said that whatever might be
the final disposition of the question of
organic uniCn there was no feeling of
alienation, of PREJUDICE, or want of faith
in the doctrines IF their sister assembly.
There was no obstacle that he knew Of to
fraternity aud fellowship.
Then the congregation sang s'All People
that OIL Earth Do Dwell' ard All Hail
the Power of jesus Name" Rev. DR..
CuyIer, of Brooklyn, was the first orator.
and spoke for an hour on History of
anism for the Future" was the subject of
an address by Rev. Il. Dwight Wither
spoon, of Louisville, Ky.
IN THE HORTICULTURAL HALL.
The opening ceremonies were brief but
fervent, and when Moderator Thompson
introduced Congressman William g.
Breckenridge, Of Lexington College, there
was much enthusiasm. He spoke on &C al
vinism and Religious Liberty" and elo-
Quently sketched the work of the Church.
in advancing civilization and the great
moral truth. His references to Church.
union were received with extreme warmth.
When he had finished there was Whirl-)
wind of applause.
The next speaker was Hon. John Ran
dolph Tucker, of Virginia, who spoke on
the adaptation of Presbyterianism to
the masses' Atheism, he said, was the
negation of religion. and with this as
text he argued that reason and religion
together required an acceptance of the
doctrine of God as a spirit infinite in
power, and faith in God is conservation OF
all religious forces. The entire address
was theological analysis of the religious
system that shows that all things work
and repudiated every phase of skepticism,
ip6delity, and antagonism. "Calvin may
be our father, but Paul was our grand
fatber,'' was sentiment that brought out
round of applause.
After Mr.. Tucker, Rev. s. j. McPher-
son, D. D., OF Chicago, spoke on ''Presby-
terlanism and Education" He began his
speech: "Fathers and brethren of these
two ssemblies-two, but for this historic
and let US hope prophetic day, one reunited
General Assembly 7" The big audience
broke into hand clapping at this allusion to
the possibility of organic union.
At the conclusion Of DR.. McPherson's
address the great congregation sang
"Jesus, Lover of MY Soul" Mrs. Cleve-
land, who had arrived during the speaking
and occupied a seat in a private box, rose
and joined in the singing. The Presidents
wife remained to the close of the exercises,
which lasted until 6 O'Clock P. M. She
was also present at the morning session.
"Calvinism and Human Progress" was
the subject of an address by Congressman
James s. Cothran, of South Carolina. If
Calvlnism is narrow" said he, it is be-
cause it seeks to enter by the straight and
narrow way; it is "illiberal" in that it
makes no compromise with error; it is
''intolerant" of sin, but not of sinners.
THRILLING SPEECH.
Congressman Cothran's peroration woke
the audience up, and they applauded to
the echo as he sat down. In impassloned
tones he said: 'In the throes of sectional
strife we saw our beloved Zion disrupted.
Each side in that historic and bloody con-
flict was sincere, and each waged the
with all the ardor commensurate
with what it considered to be the demands
of patriotism. l do not wish 20 critcise
our foes who by superior forces vanquished
US. nor is any apology necessary for my own
part In that stl uggle-none is expected, for
if those who took part on that side do not
have the admiration of those who engaged
Oh tDO OIhSA oiNS5 why hoNS az ACuDu Cudl-
lenged and received their respect and
charity. I do not wish to tear open wounds
that have long since healed. But growing
out of that struggle, we stand to-day con-
fronted with the TACT of divided church,
and the burning question that presents
itself for our consideration is organic
union. Its solution depends upon our
own worthiness. If, as Christians, we
have faith, hope, and love, and as citizens
courage. foltitude, and patience, that kind
Providence that has ever watched over bis
people will not forsake US in this emergen.
cy. But if on account Of uDworthlness it
be decided by that Providence that not
unto US be the accomplishment of that
sublime purpose-if by reason Of blood,
outlines the privilege of rearing the sa-
cred temple of union be denied US, our
children and our children's children, freed
from the passions that so easily beset us,
may not only behold chat land of promise
haio