New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-05-13
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
ITS RELATIONS AND SCOPE DEFINED.
PREsBYTERIAXs CONSIDER THE FUNCTIONS cF
THEIR HIGHEST RULING BODY.

PREsBYTERIANs CONSIDER THE FUNCTIONS cE
THEIR HIGHEST RULING BODY.
The last social meeting Of tie Presbyterian Union
of this city until October held last night in the
Assembly Rooms OF the Metropolitan opera House. The
meeting was well attended. and the programme was
thoroughly enjoyed by all present Alexander T.
KeChum. the president Of the union, sat IN the chair
and upon the platform with him were the Rev DR..
f. D. Morris of Cincinnati the Rev DR.. 5. J. Niccols.
Of ST. Louis, and George Juilin. of Philadelphia
Among others who were present were Mr.. and Mrs
john Patton, Logan c. Murray. the Rev Dr. J. NJ
Worrall the Rev Dr. F. F. Ellinwood. the Rev DT
c. L. Shcarer and wife. Richard T. Davies and Wife
Mr. and Mrs. scott Foster. j. Cleveland Cady. Mt ana
Mrs. Frank l.. ConOver Theodore W. MOTIFS Alreu
f. Marling, George Moore smith, kilIaen Van Kehs-
scacr and wife. William H. Worral ana Wiic James
YercanCe. cX-MOdcratOrS Dr. Joseph l. smith "hU ~
Charles L. Thompson. the Rev. DR.. Henry Kendall
the Rev. DR.. Knox. the Rev. DE- Rufus = Green inc
Rev. Or. Kcmpshall. the Rev. DR.. White, OF orange
the Rev. DR.. Charles \. Briggs Henry Day, : H.
Yrownen, T. c. VI. Easton. the Rev. DR.. and Mrs
y. G.. Wylie. the Rev. Or. G W. +. tIrch, inc Kew
Dr.. W. G. stitt T. : strong, f. 3. trHlul' TIC Kew
A. p. Attcrbury. the Rev. DR.. II. i. Chapn the Kew
Dr.. Francis Erown, the Rev. j. Falcon ehaW' Tue
Rev. by. George Alexander, A. d. /. Randolph ana
daughter. the Rev :. Il. ROs,iter George T. otoI'N
and William +. Dodge.
with his violin and George W. CODY, accomlanist'
provided the musical part Of the entertainment Inc
theme for discussion was The General NsSehbN'
and the first speaker was the Rev. Dir. +. d. Morris
His subject was What i it, He SAID III part
"Onc might a. well speak Gisge,pccuuly OF the SOAR
system A. o. the General Assembly. some pcopIo
regard it. however. as The snowy dial Of watch be
hind which are the churches and piesbyterie' which
are the machinery. Others consider II merely as
court but IL Is only this when uan,attlng )rdlcei
business fo the broad net OF the synod catches al
most every Unruly fish that swips IN our dcnomIia
tonal waters. would discard all such conceptions
and would consider it force. splendid ana beautiful
force. \ great church accomc- .ncarnaed ed i'm
pcr>onated in il by Year 1t is The agent imoush
which the church mauifcsts what it is. Il conccn-
tidtes. coacsccs and unite, the whole organ.
In these directions 1t is, and is 10 he more and
more OF value 10 the churches IL teaches and 80
ha, educational frnciions. We have fallen below the
standard OF the Westminster Assembly. foI the Con.
fesson % Faith has come 10 be regarded q, e. test
FOR church officers only-a notion which never be
Aeved The General Assembly also is OF value ln #,
administrative il. uons: me a,di N"a'V lg7 10. u,
matter Tie assembly is also Of great yamc as
hamnonizns coalc,ciaE auc nIiyI ia agent >,.,o,
Ill, subject was " The Relation Of the Assembly ."
the Churches" After bearing he gI'etnss Of The
Dr.. Niccoi, said. in part \ good thng n Itself may
be ,alucless If do not understand how {" Use IL;
so - value OF the General Assembly viii be just ia
proportion the churches make use Of H. The true
definition church govolnmcnt is the government
Assembly stands as representative Of the right. and
liberties Of the churches. II represents, not class
tie CinrrG a. A body II eiris Tie church win
strength. Even our independent brethren are pract
caily rcnouuCing their Independence. for the Couelc
gatonal,ts are the Nurwuup Prc.hy tcrians after all
Perhaps The greatest revision nect'd 3d. or Church is
Tic last -pcaaer wa George Junkln. who was in
uodHcd ~ =" a philadelphia lawyer ana l'rcso'