The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-05-24
CHEERED BY THE CLERGY
CLEVELAND'S PRETTY SPEECH TO
THE PRESBYTERIANS

unity or the Northern and southern
Branches Urged-Tender Memories
Which Make the Denomination Es-
pecially Dear to the Chief Magistrate
Benefits of EARLY Religious Train
ing.
PHILADELPHIA, PA, May 2S.-The most
interesting episode of the Presbyterian
assembly thus far occurred this afternoon,
when the reception rendered jointly to the
commissioners of the two general assem-
blies, North and South, by Mr.. and Mrs.
Wistar Morris, was held at their residence
at Overbrook, near this city. President and
Mrs. Cleveland were the guests of honor,
and this fact caused every mem
her of the assembly to brave
the disagreeable weather and board the
special train that started for Overlook
shortly before O'clock this afternoon. The
members of the Southern assembly, some
200 in number, arrived about an hour later.
At the station they were met by Rev. DR..
Henry G. McCook, Rev. DIR. Mcintosh, Dis
trict Attorney George S. Graham and John
Wanamalser, of this city.
FULL OF ENTHUSIASM.
hCJ "CiO dllNSA W 4uI NULL 10 uOuSe,
nearly mile distant, and when nearing
the place were met by the Moderator, Rev.
Dir. Charles L. Thompson, and other officers
Of the Northern Assembly. When DIR.
Thompson and DR.. Bullock, tho venerable
moderator of the Southern Assembly,
greeted each other, there was a chorus of
cheers which were renewed when the visi-
tors entered the grounds where the Presi-
dent and Mrs. Cleveland, the host and hos
nd ba Nf ho
Northern Assembly were waiting to
receive them. The latter stood in
double row with uncovered heads
as the Southern members passed up to the
front of the portico, where the exercises
were to be held, the venerable DIR. Brown,
of Virginia, and the Southern moderator,
Rev. j. j. Bullock, ID, of Washington,
coming i'll for a special share of applause.
Congressman j. Randolph Tucker, of
Virginia, and Breckinridge, of Kentucky,
were conspicuous among the Southern lay
commissioners, and were heartily recog
nized.
ABURsT OF CHEERS.
AS President and Mrs Cleveland emerged
from the house to the portico there was a
burst of cheering from the big assemblage
on the lawn. The rain had ceased, and the
people stood with barred heads. The PreSi-.
dent was accompanied by his host, Mr..
Morris, Rev. Charles Wood, Moderators
Thomson and Bullock, and the other officers
of the two assemblies. Beside Mrs. Cleve-
land stood Mrs Morris, Mrs. Wood and
Mrs Thompson.
Mr.. Morris introduced President and Mrs
Cleveland in a brief address, and the Presi-
dent replied as follows:
! am very much gratified 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 in which he was reared, and yet will
not find fault with any of you who deem it q
sad confession made, when acknowledge that
must recall days now long past, to find my
closest relation to the grand and noble denomi-
nation which you represent.
EARLY LESSONS.
| say this because those of us who inherit
fealty to church, | 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 teaching, by which we are
grounded ia our lasting allegiance, are especially
vivid, and perhaps best remembered Attend
ance upon church service three times each
Sunday and upon Sabbath school daring the
noon ntermssion may be irksome
enough to a boy of 10 or u years
of age to be well fixed in his memory; but !
have never known man who regretted these
things in the years of his maturity. The shorter
catechism, though thoroughly studied. was not,
perhaps, at the time perfectly understood; and
yet in the stern labors and duties of afterlife
were early taught: ''What is the chief end of
MANI
TENDER THOUGHTS.
Speaking of these things and in the presence
of those here assembled, most tender thoughts
crowd upon my mind, all connected with Pres
byterianism and its teachings. There are pres
ent with me now, memories of a kind and affec-
tionate father, consecrated to the cause, and
called to his rest and his reward in the midday
of his usefulness; the sacred recollection of the
prayers and piOus love OF q sainted mother and
a family circle hallowed and sanctifed
by the spirit of Presbyterianism. l
and 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 tur-
moil and hustle of everyday life few men are
foolish enough to ignore the practical value to
our people and country of the church
organizations established among us, and the
advantage of Christian example and teaching.
THE WINNING CHURCH.
The field is vast and the work sufficient to
engage the efforts of every sect and denomina-
tion; but am inclined to believe that the church
which is most tolerant and conservative,
without the loss of spiritual strength. will soon
est find its way TO the hearts and affections OF
the people While we may be pardoned for in
sisting that our denomination is best, we may,
think, safely concede much that is good to all
the other churches that seek to make men bet
ter. / am here 10 greet the dele
gates of the 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 cannot help
wondering why this should be- These words SO
far as they denote separation and estranRement
should be obsolete. In the counsels OF the na-
ton and in the business of the country they
no longer mean reproach and autagonism.
Even the soldiers who fought for the North and
South are restored to fraternity and unity This
fraternity and unity is taught and enjoined by
our church. When shall she herself be- united
with all the added strength and usefulness that
harmony and union ensure.
MUCH EARNEsTNEss.
The President spoke with much earnest
ness and in clear, ringing voice that was
heard all over the lawn. He was frequently
applauded, and his references TO the ques-
tion of union and fellowship were greeted
with cries of "Goodln and "Henrl hear!"
from members of both assem-
blies. Moderator Bullock offered
prayer, the doxology was sung
and Moderator Thompson pronounced the
enediclon. Then the members of both
assemblies crowded up to the porch aud
were separately introduced TO the President
and his wife, who greeted all with shake
of the hand.
After a collation., of which about 800 per-
sons partoolS, the commissioners, North and
South, returned to Philadelphia. This
evening c reception to the me nbers of the
two assemblies was given in the Academy
of Fine Arts