Year: 1865

The following speech was delivered by
Rev. Samuel r. Wilson, of Louisville, be-
fore the Old School Presbyterian General
Assembly, in Pittsburg, on the 26th day Of
May, 1865, which we noticed in our letter
from that city the same day. 1t was electri
flying in its effect upon the Assembly and the
immense audience that heard it, and will be
perused with intense interest by all our
readers !:


The following resolution being under con-
sideration. viz


"Resolved That no missionaries be appoint
cd by the Board, except those giving satisfacto-
ry evidence of loyalty to the National Govern
ment, and of cordial sympathy with the Pres
byterian Church in her testimony on Doctrine,
Loyalty and Freedom


MIR. Wilson said


Mr.. MODERATOR: 1t is with great diff
Guilty can so rccollect myself as to realize
am sitting in a court of the Lord Jesus
Christ, aud not in political convention, OF
in the hall ofa State Legislature. So much
has been said about "loyalty' to Caesar,
and so lttlc-so very little-a bout loyalty to
Jesus Christ, the head of the Church. [
shall, however, endeavor so far to recall my
thoughts to the character of this Assembly,
and to the proprieties of Court Of the
Church, professedly acting under the guild
anee of the Holy Spirit, and according to
the teachings of the word Of God, as to alb
stain from following those who have pre-
ceded me in their windings and wanderings
on the subject of loyalty. They have yield
ed us nc light on the question which they
are preparing with SO much fiery zeal; and
one fails to gather, from all that has been
said, any satisfactory solution of the difficult
ties with which that question is surrounded.
1t is not my intention to expose the misrep-
reservations in which these gentlemen have
indulged, nor to correct their inaccurate
statement of facts, nor to avail the feeble
sophistries by which they have endeavorcd
to persuade this assembly to the adoption of
measure so dangerous as that now before
them. To attempt this, would lead me far
away from the point wish to press upon
the consideration of this body, and compel
me to pursue course of debate so little in
harmony with what regard as becoming
in such place as this. And yet, sir, an
compelled to take notice of one or two
things that have been said here, not strict.
bearing upon the matter under discussion
fest effect, upon this Assembly, and the audi
proceedings. | shall touch upon these mat





the main topic.


And first, Mr.. Moderator, wish to cal
the attention of this House to charge that
has been made upon this floor against mar
whose ashes now sleep quietly in the grave
but whose name once stood unrivAledin thelist
among the fairest and nOblest that ever gra-
ced the ministry of the Presbyterian Church.
| need not say that refer to the Rev. DIR.
j, H. ThorpWell Sir, the last time | sat
in this venerable body, | sat side by side
with DR.. Thornwell. He was admired by
all who knew him. The assembly hung up
on his classic eloquence whenever he Joined
in debate. The people listened with un-
wearied delight when he poured forth the
fulness of his large Christian heart, and
held up before their eyes the matchless love
of bleeding Savior. With an JUNCTION
rarely met with, he preached Christ md
Him crucified. And now, sir, what do we
see? What do we hear? Three times has
he been held up here, in the presence of
this Assembly, and this vast congregation,
as the friend and associate of assassins and
murderers-nay, more, as himself counsel
ing murder and assassination as proper
means of defending the Confederacy. And
this charge has been caught up by the
newspapers, and is spread far and wide up
on the wings OF sWlIt-HylIg anu NOISY Idine.
Upon what does it rest? By what evidence
has it been attempted to fix so foul a bio,
upon the name of SO fair and noble ser,
want of God? A tract has been brough,
in here by brother (Dr. Lord, of Buffalo,
and an extract read from it, garbled and
SO this stigma might be affixed to one Of
those whose labors have done so much tc
render this Church illustrious. Thrice ha'
this been done in a manner as unnecessary
as it was unworthy Of the brother to do it.
Sir, l take upon me to pronounce the
charge unjust and sanderous, and without
any foundation in truth. This l will show
by the very document itsef, which has beer
paraded in so extraordinary manner be,
fore this body as witness, uncorroborated,
indeed, by any other, but represented AZ
giving testimony so clear and unequivoca
as to leave no room for doubt. | will show
you that the evidence has been talsifed
that an essential part Of the testimony ha
been suppressed.


Dr. Lord call the brother to order
He is rejecting on a member of this body
l did not mention DR.. Thornwell's name.