The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-25
The Two General Assemblies Meet
In Philadelphia.
A Great Mass Meeting at the
Academy of Music.
The Crowds In Attendance Fill Two
Zig Halls.
A Reunion After a Separation OF Twenty
five Years--The Ceremonies-Ths
Wife OF tho President In At
tendance-Addres

PHILADELPHIA, Pa, May 2i.--Ths was
the Centennial day OF the Presbyterian
church, and the members OF the two gen.
eral assemblies united in great mass meet.
ings in the Academy OF Music and Horti-
cultural hall. The ceremonies began in
both buildings at 10 o'clock this morning,
and the crowds In attendance at both wa
enormous. The immense Academy Of
Music with It's seating capacity Of over
$500, was iammed 10 suilocation, and
every inch OF standing room was occupied
by u struggling mass OF humanity, anxious
to have a part in the first reunion Of the
two great bodiesoi the Presbyterian church
in America since the division more than
quarter Of century ago. In the Academy
OF Music the Rev. J. J. Bullock, d. d.,
moderator Of the Southern general assem-
bly,, presided, and seated with him ON tho
platform were the Rev. VIM. II, Roberts,
ID, stated clerk Of the Northern general
assembly; the Rev. Joseph 4. Smith, DID,.
OF Baltimore, ex-modcrator OF the North
ern assembly; the Rev. Jamo McCosh,
ID, president Of Princeton college; tho
Rev. John Hall, DID,, Of New York; tho
Rev. Charles II. Stoddnrd, editor Of tho
New York Obscrrcr, aud many others.
The great audience was apparently mado
up In equal proportions from representa-
tivcs OF the two assemblies, and when tho
Rev. DIR. Bullock was introduced as pre-
siding officer, there were thundes OF app
plausc. lie was presented by DIR. Smith,
ex-moderator OF tho Northern assembly,
and when DIR. Smith said In welcoming
tho southern guests that the audience
should remember that the members OF
both these great assemblies were Prcsby-
terians above all things, and that tho
brethren from the south had crossed Mason
and Dixon's limo almost without knowing
where the division was, there was another
round Of enthusiastic applause. They
were OF the same ancestry, the same faith,
the same glorious history. Then the 5000
| people rose and sang. "praiso God, from
| whom all blessings low"
Dr. bullock, ~ the representative Of tho
Southern assembly, made brief but elo-
quent address, cordially fcciIucaiiig tho
fraicfnal sentiments of the brethren from
the north, and said that whatever might
be the ilnal disposition OF the question Of
organic union, there was no feeling Of
alienation OF prejudice, or want Of faith in
the doctrines OF their sister assembly.
There was no obstacle that lac knew TO fra
tcrniiy aud fellowship.
Then the convention sang "All People
That on Earth DO Dwell" aud "All Hail
the Power Of Jesus Name"
The Rev. DIR. Cuyler. Of Brooklyn, was
the hmt orator, and spoke for an hour ON
the history OF piesbytcrinnism.
'"rhc Work Of Pncsbytcrianism for tho
Future" was the subject OF an address by
the Rev. 4, Dwight Wiihonpoon, OF Louis
Vile, Ky.
Mrs. Cleveland occupied scat In the
upper right-hand box. She was with tho
family Of the Rev. Charles Wood, Of Ger.
mantown, whose guest she is during hei
stay here.
4 great audience also crowded Horticui.
,uml hall, adjoining the academy. and
| here, too, there was the same commingling
OF the blue badges Of the northern asscm.
bly, and the blue and white OF the repre-
scniaiiyes from the southern branch. The
same irnicrnal feeling was manifested
among the commissioners OF both bodies.
The Row. DIR. Charles l. Thompson, Of
Kansas City. the moderator Of the north
ern assembly, was in the chair, and seated
with him on the platform were eminent
diyines representing both branches.
Tho opening ceremonies were brief but
ferycnt, and when Moderator Thompson
introduced Congressman William q. 4.
Brccklnridgc. Of Lexington college, there
WINS much enthusiasm. Ito spoke ON
"Calyinism and Religious Liberty" and
oloqucnty sketchcd the work ~ tho
church In advancing civilization and great
moral truth. References 10 church union
woro received with extreme warmth.
When he had finished there was a whirl-
wind Of applause. Tho Rev. Howard
Crosby, u. b., followed with an address
on 'Itesbytcrianism and Biblical Scholar
shin" llo defended tho verbal inspira-
a.. "a tkn uttta