Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-21
THE PRESBYTER|ANS
Convening of the General Assembly
at Saratoga.
SOUTHERN BRANCH At MEMPHIS, TENN
Governor Bushnell at the Methodist
Conference.
METHODIST PROTESTANTS

SARATOGA, N. Y, May 21.-The 1Gsth
general assembly of the Presbyterian
Church was opened here this morning at
IL o'clock in the First Presbyterian
Church, where SO many previous assem-
blies have met. Prayer was offered by DR.
William Durant, pastor of the church. The
Psalm was read by the Rev William L.
Carr OF Danville Va, a colored commits
sioner, and the Scripture lessons by the
Rev. William 8. Marquis of Rock Island.
Prayer was offered by the Rev. Joseph M.
Gcheen of Kolharur, India.
The opening sermon was delivered by the
Rev. DR.. Robert Russell Booth Of New
York, the retiring moderator, on the sub
ject of Christian Union and Denomna-
tional Loyalty" The text was taken from
the Gosrel of ST. John, 11:20 and 81. 1t
was contended that the text considered
and defined only the union of believers,
and that 1t had to do simply with an CS-
tablished harmony of purpose and aTfe3-
ton, q oneness sympathetic and accordant
brotherhood.
The text also stated the reason why unity
was desired by Christ. 1t also held
that Christian union does not lie in the line
of denominational Sreement or in the sur
render Of matured convictions on the part
of one branch of the church to another.
Union Is not uniformity. The true concep-
ton Of the holy Catholic Church Is that
II is composed of the whole multitude which
was conceived in the eternal purpose CT re-
demption and given unto Christ to be re-
deemed by Him. This view of Christian
union would achieve the solicitude to
methods of church union felt by many
and would promote federation between the
branches Of the church. 1t would also make
possible an earnest and effective and an
earnest cooperation in men in ell methods
of philGnthIopic work. 1t also would not
interfere with the maintenance and the in
telligent intensity of denominational 10y
atty.
In closing Dr. Booth spoke of the mis-
understandings and conflicts which have
divided the church and hindered it's work.
He deprecated any work or act which
might aggravate present troubles. He said ::
"On one hand there are charges Of undue
severity in the administration of discipline
coupled with a plea for liberty within GER
tain limits, which UP to this time have not
been defined. On the other hand there is a
fear OF conviction that essential truths are
at stake, and a belief that the church Is
contending for honor and life in the stand
which she has recently taken in her dis
cipline and deliverances. To many of us
this controversy has been ineXpressibly
painful, and there Gun be no doubt that it
has materially interfered with our financial
prosperity. 1t adds to the painfulness Of
the present condition that no real effort
has hitherto been put forth to secure a re-
moval of these misunderstanding by
brotherly conference and arbitration Of diff
ferences.
1T may be dream, 1t may be a delu-
sion,' said the preacher, but speaking as
1t were for the last time in such place Of
public authority. I appeal to the sound
Christian sense of this venerable assembly
10 take some proper measures to ascertain
what 1t is that divides up, and what Is re-
qulred for the abatement of the strife and
reconciliation OF parties at variance"