The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1898-06-01
Presbyterian General Assembly.


held on the afternoon of the 2lst under
the direction of the Genearl Assembly.
This was very largely attended and was
perhaps the most enthusiastic of all the
meetings held, if the outward expression
fpent up patriotism be considered. Sew
eral excellent addresses were made rep
resenting all parts of the country. DR..
G. L. Work of Cincinnati presided and
at the close of his opening address pre-
sented a series OF resolution endorsing
the "wise and patriotic course pursued
by the President in his conduct of the
war, ard hereby pledge to him and to the
army and navy our sympathy, our pray
ers and our support" These resolutions
were recommended to be read in the
churches on Memorial day and a copy
ordered sent to the President.
a great deal was said about the union of
the north and south under the stars and
stripes. The climax was reached when
Rev. John NJ. Barckley, d. d., an sx-con-
federate and native of North Carolina,
rushed across the platform and seized the
very black hand of Rev. DR.. Brown. col
ored, native of South Carolina, and
spoke of the obliteration of the Mason
and Dixon line, of the fact that within a
few days the deck of the Winslow was
baptized with Northern, Southern and
negro blood, that there was NO North nor
South in the hearts of the army people.
He spoke of the Union Major, William
Mckinley, who had conferred command
upon Joe Wheeler and Fitz Hugh Lee,
ex-confederate Generals. The great APP
plause fairly shook the building while
these two men with clasped hands stood
OIL the platform, and tears were in many
eyes. Dr.Geo.F. Pentecest.also presented
resolutions referring to "The widespread
and sympathetic expressions of fellow
ship on the part OF British people in the
present crisis"
A study of the personnel of the Assem-
bly, is interesting. One is struck with the
large, noble, dignified mani ood of this
representative bsdy of ministers and
elders. phe old scholastic idea of devel-
oping the mind at the expense of the
body is exploded. A sound mind i n a
sound body is the true order. Weakened
physical power cripples the strong mind s
power of expression. AS a matter of
fact most of the strong men intellectually
in the Assembly were strong men physi-
cally. Then there were native Ameri-
cans with fair sprinkling of men from
many shores and climes and nations. Ma
tive Indians (who really are the native
Americans), native negroes, with Eng
lish, Irish, Scotch, Welsh, German, Mex
lean, all cemented into one harmonious
whole.
The high-water mark of the Assembly
was reached on Thursday, the Goth, when
the 250th anniversary of the adoption Of
Westminster Standards was celebrated.
The entire day was given up to addresses
on the subject. DIR. W. G.. Gray, of the
Interior, Chicago. presented to the AS
senbly an oil painting Of Alexander
Henderson, one of the principle mem
bers of that memorable Westminster As
sembly, which sat in the Jerusalem
Chamber, Westminster Abbey, from
1912 to l64S and gave to the world that
system of church doctrine and policy
now held by all Presbyterian bodies.
The program covered the different phases
of Presbyterianism in doctrine and gov
ernment in its relations to 6ed aud man.
| The character of the times in which they
were written, the mon who composed the
Assembly, the causes that led to it, were
all discussed by the most learned and ell,
oquent divines and elders. Among the
latter was one of Pennsylvania favorite
SONS, Ex. Gov. (now Judge) James A.
Beaver. There was a pathetic, almost
| tragic, event occurred in connection with
this address. Gov. Beaver was just about
to close his address and was speaking of
the flag undor which to-day the north
and the south. were so closely united and
of the joy this gave him, when he was
seen to falter. He moved oyer to the
desk and resting his hand upon it, said
"Let us stop moment" L thought he
was overcome with emotion and would
soon rally. The clerk supported him for
a moment when he looked up and said,
"Since the North and South have been
brought together so closely under the
stars and stripes why can not the Presby-
terian church north and south be brought
together under the hlosd stained banner
of the crOss.' Then consciousness left
him and he sank into chair placed to
receive him. 1t is impossible to describe
the scene, Ikea typical Presbyterian
| body that it was, no one spoke one word
in the audience, hut feeling deep in lis
emotion and sympathy peryaded the vast
congregation who gaZed with eager ewes
on that beloved form, to whom a physic-
ian and few friends were ministerng
1t proved to be only faintness brought
on by overwork and the heat, and deep
breathed sigh of relief was heard when
the Gov. opened his eyes and spoke tc
those about him. 1t made quite an ina.
preston upon all.
On that evening a meeting of the AL
umni Of Washington and Jefferson col.
leges was held, at which were about 45 o
"the boys" Gov. Beaver presided and
introduced the speakers, Dr. Redclyff'e
the moderator, DR.. Moffat, president o.
the college, DIR. NickOls, of St. Louis and
Gov. Beaver told OF the tricks of the boys
in the SOS and SOS. These were more
interesting to Mr.. Kelly than to me, as
he knew those Profs while new set o
Prors filled these chairs III my days al
college.
Time and space forbids making eveB
mention of the many interesting things
that haye occurred, or TO dwell upon even
a few, so ] must hurry on. The disposal
Of the McGifiert case and the deivsrance
| on temnerance will / am suro meet