Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-05-24
PRESIDENT CLEVELAND
And Wife Guests Of Honor at the Norris
Reception.
Growers Address to the Presbyter ian
Parsons Assembled at Philadelphia.



terian assembly occurred this afternoon when
a reception was rendered jointly to the CON-
missioneIs of the two general assemblies by
Mr.. and Mrs. Wistar Morris at their residence
at Overlook. President Cleveland and wife
were guests of honor. Every member of
the assembly was present.
The members of the southern assembly,
some two hundred in number. arrived about
an hour later. They were met by the COM
mittee and driven to the Morris house.
When nearing the place they were met by
Moderator Rev. DIR. Chas. l.. Thompson and
other officers Of the northern assembly.
When DIR. Thompson and DR.. j. j. Bullock,
the venerable moderator of the southern as
sembly, greeted each other, there was a cho-
rus 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 latter stood in a
double row with uncovered heads as the
southern members passed up to the front of
the pOrticO, where the exercises were held.
As the President aud Mrs. Cleveland emerged
from the house to the portico there a
burst of cheering from the big assemblage
on the lawn. The people stood with barred
heads. Mr.. Morris introduced President
and Mrs. Cleveland. The President replied
as follows:
Il am very much gratified by the oppor-
tunity here afforded me to meet the repre-
sentatives of the Presbyterian church. Sure
ly, 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 sad confession made
when | acknowledged that must recall days
I.,,, &,,l al tatia
the 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 days of our lives
and thus it is that the rigors of our early
teaching, by which we are grounded in our
lasting allegiance, are especially vivid and
perhaps the best remembered. Attendance
upon the church service three times each
Sunday and upon Sabbath scheol during the
noon intermission, may be irksome enough
to a boy of ten or twelve years of age to be
well fixed in his memory, but | have never
known man who regretted those things in
the years of his maturity. The shorter cate
chism, though thoroughly studied and
learned, was not, perhaps, at the time, per-
fectly understood, and yet in the stern labors
and duties of after life, those 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 presence of those
here assembled, the 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 affe ctionate father, consecrated to the
cause, and called to his rest and his reward
in the mid day of his usefulness. sacred
recollection of the prayers and the pious love
of sainted mother, and the family circle
hallowed and sanctified by the spirit of Pres
byteriansm. | certainly cannot but express
the wish 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 man
kinkind In the turmoil and hustle of every
day life few men are foolish enough to ig
more the practical value to our people and
our country of the church organizations es
tablished among us and the advantage of
christian example and teaching. The field
is vast and the work sufficient to engage the
efforts of every sect and all denomination,
but am inclined to believe that the church
which is the most laterant and conservative,
without any loss of spiritual strength will
the soonest find its way to the hearts and af
fections of the people. While we may be
pardoned for insisting that our denomination
is the best, we may, think safely concede
much that is good to all the other churches
that seek to make men better | am here to
greet the delegates of two general assemblies
of the Presbyterian church. One is called
the North" and the other the "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 sep
aration and estrangement, should be obso-
lete. In the counsels of the nation and in
the business of the country they no longer
mean reproach and antagonism. Even
the solliers who fought for the
north and for 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 added strength and usefulness that
harmony and harmony and union iusure:"
The President spokeewth much earnest
ness in clear nging voice heard all over
the lawn. He was frequently applauded
His reference to the question of union and
fellowship was greeted with cries of good"
and hear, hear from the members of both
assemblies.
Moderator Bullock offered prayer the
doxology was sung and Moderator Thompson
pronounced benediction Then the members
of both assemblies crowded up the porch and
were separately introduced to the President
and his wife, who greeted all with shake of
the hand
\ collation. was served TO the entire party
which numbered over 500, after which the
ial trains.