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•WEDNESDAY MORNISG, DEC £0,1885.
THE WEEKLY TELEGRAPH.
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testa, thin aplendid sheet, cannot be surpassed
m the Sonth.
It contains the very latest news by tele
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ges, cullings of interest from all quarters, ex
cellent family reading, market reports from
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This paper contains eight large pages, on
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AGENTS.
We desire to secure agents in ail the towns
and Tillages and railroad depots, in the
South. Express agents, postmasters, and
depot agents, who will act for ns, shall re
ceive a liberal percentage
Write and make propositions. 6t
Apologetic.—From an accident to our
engine, at a late hoar last night, we were com
pelled to reduce the size of our paper, in or
der to work it on our small press. Those of
our advertising friends who are neglected
this morning, will be amply repaid in the fu
ture.
CoxoBns.—Notwithstanding the appear
ances to the contrary, we are still of tho opinion
that there is e majority in Congress favorable
to the views of the I’residcnt on reconstruc
tion, and that in due time tho fact will be
demonstrated. Radicalism will have to rave
and fret a little more, and the people of the
South possess their souls in patience a little
longer, when all things will work right, and
harmony—such as wc can attain to with the
present] sentiment of a portion of the north
ern people—lie restored. AH, we think, de
pends on the President. If he will stick fear-
lesdy to bis integrity, relying on the sober
sense of the country to sustain him, his policy
will yet triumph. They will drive him from
it if they ran; but he has only to show him
self a man to triumph over all opposition. It
is evident that the blood-thirsty maniacs do
not represent the views of a majority of the
people north, and as soon as this shall fully
appear, the present adherents of Stevens and
Sumner will drop off by the score. They
would sacrifice us, but have not the slightest
notion of sacrificing themselves. Rather than
lose their places, they would forego even the
cherished design of degrading and immola
ting the Sonth.
Tjje Mississippi Vallet Cotton Trade.
—The Memphis papers state that a very de
cided movement in the cotton trade has com
menced, which indicateathst it will soon re-
sum its sneient channels down the Mississip
pi and to New Orleans. The New Orleans
market is now sbont as high, on all grades of
cotton, as that of New York. The freight
per ba 1 is only two dollars to New Orleans,
while it i* ten dollars to New York. The
freight to New York, via New Orleans, is less
than it is by the railroad routes. The usual
number of cotton bnjers from England and
^Franco have arrived in New Orleans and arc
earn, itly seeking to fill orders.
PIES.
general assembly op the pres.
BYTERIAN CHURCH.
FIFTH DAT.
Tcesdat, Dec. 19,1805.
. - 9 o’clock, a. m.
The Assembly met and was opened with
the usual devotional exercises.
The minutes of . esterday were read.
Rev. —— Sherwood, from the Committee
on Education, presented tbeir report, which
was received, and is as follows:
The standing Committee on Education re
port that they hare examined the papers
submitted to them. These papers contain
nothing as far AS they relate to the past op
erations of the Assembly's Committee that
requires notice. Up to the close of the war
our young men were in the army and the
amount of funds collected was small, and
this ammount became worthless when
the Confederate government was overthrown.
Since the close of the war, nothing has been ®-, the Be
donejby the committee, no benificiaries as-' / 3°rh,^’ UraGensra
slated, no funds codec ted.
the General Assembly remind the
j Executive Committee and all our ministeis
There are twojthoughts suggested however and churches as well, that the work of Do-
in the brief report of the Executive Commit
tee that deserve the earnest attention of this
Assembly, connected as they are with the fu
turc of our church.
1. The first of these is “the increasing need
of ministers of the gospel, to enter npon the
labors of our vast field." During the last
four years, very few have entered the minis-
try.^Nearly-the whole of those who were
in the various stages of preparation ior the
mestic Missions which has ctct stood among
the^hristian enterprises of ourage and country
as one of unsurpassed importance, has within
the last twelve months assumed a magnitude
and an urgency which requires a large and
instnnt increase of zeal, energy and self-sacri
fice. Never since the planting of the church
on this Western Continent has a more press
ing and authoritative call been addressed to
the people of Georgia, to arise and build the
the walls and repair-the waste places of Zion.
' wr4. That the General Assembly solemnly
sacred work, were called into the field of. admonish all ourminiat^rs, churches andpeo-
PNBsinraii—We had the pleasure yester
day of meeting in oar office that sterling old
patriot and gentleman,Gen. S. II. Anderson,of
Nashville, Tennessee. The General' bore a
conspicuous part in our early struggle for in
dependence; and now, that the cause is lost,
like a true philosopher and brave soldier, he
submits with a good grace to the decrees of
fate, and is as faithful to his obligations in
peace as he was to dntv in time of "war. We
are pleased to find him in good health, and
hopcftal of the future, even of- Tennessee,
which seems destined to a harder lot than
A any of her Southern sisters. 9 "
Toe General Assb(R.t.—This interest-
ng body representing tlje interests of the
Presbyterian church ii the Sonth, finished
their labors and adjourned tint die yesterday.
We have given nu:.-h"apaur to their conclud
ing proceedings, which will Veil repay the
reader for his trouble. The Pastoral Letter is
a superior document, both in matter and style.
It is worthy of note that a proposition to es
tablish a liturgy, as part of the church wor
ship, received sixteen votes. The ' advocates
o( the change arc quite hopeful of success at
the next General Assembly.
i.—'I be
ft* t ivsl
tickets lor the
ion on Friday night,
Christ!
is$l C
obtained, sndtlt tuny l>c an article worth
*10 oo or *12t00. for many are valuable.—
”1 io tickets may be purchased at the Book
Stores. Drug Stores and Hotels. Secure
several while there is an abundaaee of them,
and tin n *;o early So ns to get a good scat.
Market 1!EroirTy —We take exceeding
pains in collecting and publishing the market
reports of all the business centres of the Union,
and give. Constantly, the state of markets in
onr neighboring cit
civil strife, and forced to suspend their
stadias. Not a few of these gave up their
lives in the conflict; others had their health
so permanently broken that they have been
compelled to abandon their cherished hope
of preaching the gospel; and still others
perhaps by the delay this incurred, and from
other causes, have entered into secular pur
suits for life. An interruption of four years
in all preparation for the regular supply of
ministers for our churches, is a very serious
matter.
It creates a gap not easily filled, and mile,.?
the church shall use extra exertion to supply
this want, very sad indeed may be the conse
quences to our Zion. Ministers with ns arc
not made in a day. It requires time to fit
them for their holy work. And by the time
that those who now enter upon their course
of preparation, even under the mo3t favorable
circumstances shall be able actually to com
mence their labors, the want of ministers will
be far greater than now. The prosperty of
the country it is hoped will be rapidly re
turning. Onr present feeble churches, crush
ed under the weight of accumulated misfor
tunes will be placed in a condition to sustain
again the gospel among them. New and
important fields in the increasing population
and prosperity of the country will open to us
and invite us to occupy. With this prospect
in view, can wc be indifferent to the subject
before us l Are we not bound to labor as
God may give us ability, and to pray with
our whole heart, that the number of minis
ters may be greatly increased throughout our
borders i Next to the placing upon their
feet, our overthrown anil crippled congrega
tions, is the supply of laithful and devoted
men to break to them the bread of life.—
The number of these is at present inadequate
to the demand, should our domestic mission
ary operations be blessed to the sustentation
of feeble churches, while the vast field that
in human probability, will soon open to us in
the regions beyond, will require many, many
more,
2. The other thought suggested in the
committee's report, is the greatly diminished
means of those seeking the holy office. Many
who, a short while since, were abundantly
able to pursue their course of preparation for
the ministry, independent of aid irom the
funds of the church, have suffered the loss of
all wordly substance." They are poor indeed;
and unless assistance shall be rendered them,
they will necessarily be driven to other pur
suits for a time—perhaps permanently. It is
important that many of those at least who
are now hoping to preach the gospel, should
meet with so unnecessary delay in prepara
tion for the sacred work. An interruption
already of four or five years, has inter
fered seriously with their studies. Now that
the way is open for a resumption of these
studies, let not a further interruption be
forced npon them, from a want of means to
support themselves at college, or at the semi
nary. But unless our churches come up to
the help of these young men, this roust iner-
tably be the result. Years must elapse—years
of comparatively little profit to themselves
or the church, before they shall be able to
enter the ministry; if, indeed many of them
shall not be so discouraged as to abandon all
thought of entering upon the holy work.
With the thoughts before us, your commit
tee would submit the following resolutions:
Remdcnl, 1. That our present condition as
r it;, . .• , •„ ... |i church, demads special attention to the
Fo, one article Will surely be ro i, ject of-minfeteriaToducation, both from
v_ - *1. onr Presbyteries and oar people, that worthy
young men deairing to enter the ministry,
may not lack the necessary means of pros
ecuting their studies.
2. That oar churches be urged to contrib
ute to this cause, as God shall prosper them,
recognizing the fact that it is a duty they
owe to the great head of the church, to assist
those whom He haa chosen to the holy work
of the ministry, to secure that intellectual
preparation necessary to efficiency in their
work.
J. That while the need of ministers is great
and pressing. Presbyteries should relax none
Merchants win find it most decidedly to j of tbeir vigilance in selecting those upon
their interests to consult these reports,’ for I * hom th , e "“"tiesof the church are to be
. , ■ ] bestowed. Let them be very caret
The Committee on Systematic Benevolence
presented their report, which was received
and adopted.
Dr. Kirkpatrick, from the Standing Com
mittee on Domestic Missions, presented a re
port, which was received, adopted and is as
follows:
The Standing Committee, to whom have
been referred the reports of the Executive
Committee of Domestic Missions, and certain
matters relating to the same general cause,
recommend to the General Assembly:
1. That the proceedings of the Executive
Committee since the meeting of the last Gen
eral Assembly. and their dilligencc in the
prosecution of the work assigned them; also
the report of the Treasurer be approved; and
that thesj papers be published in the appen
dix to the minutes of the Assembly.
2. That for the next year the' Executive
Committee consist of Rev. Dra. Geo. Howe, J.
B.Adger,J. R. Wilson, Revs. A. W. Miller
and J. L. Girardeau; Prot Joseph LcConte,
Andrew Crawford, Henry Miller and R. L.
Beagan, Esqra. That Rev. J. Leightou Wil-
D. D., be the Secretary and Prof. Jas.
i* advance
rj careful on this
particular point. The experience of the past
they will Hod them considerably
of the Olffilah sent out by busmen Uoosih, j shows the necessity for double diligence liere,
and just nrliablc, if not more 50. \ ^ One unworthy subject receiving aid from the
»,» q-s. friends of the church, may do an injury to
Mmixo l—Wc regret that so few likliai the °* us « ^ scores of worthy recipients will
respondedtho call of Mrs. Hughe*. to resets no * 'S***!" r K ,r '- ,
„ f, . . „ * , 4 Tb* 1 Presbyteries be urged tocareful-
at ncr bouse, for. Ii i<l more attended, a great-1 ne ss in observing the requirements of our
er interest would have been excited in the •' standards, in regard to education. Under
Christm i" Tr e. Hut mHiring dn’arrtnT. she j preset circumstances, there is a strong temp-
and th< ladles who are irenero-Ty asristing i“T tode^ figure requirements.-
.-"“*““6 But let them befrOy maintained.
her, earnestly mvne many ^ladies—young J 5 TTi,t ratoWrnT snil IniiHlir kKrtrirTn 11
ladies especially—to m at her hquse on 1 11 1 liiliaeffil «ll their approaches to the
Ti.i.r .hy, ' 1 thr o-tirlto. Let a 1 thrown the heavenly grace, that injunction
number attend. j ct the blessed Saviour, “Pray ye the Lord of
the harvest that he would send forth laborers
Ocr Disr.tTi ms.—'Ve are pleased to an-- l®* 0 Bis harvest."
notrace to our readers that wc have made ar- { Let parents dedicate their sons to the bless-
imnp mi-nts to receive the telegraphic news ed work of preachieg Christ; and let all
of the Ass<-u iated Press regularly hereafter, j God’s people seek out those who may esteem
The first batch appears this morniug. As
this will involve a large additional expendi
ture. wc must look to the public to sustain
our efforts by a liberal support on their part.
Reduction of Fare—The fare on the
ocean steamers from Savannah to New York,
cabin passage, has been reduced to *25. One
line—the "Ocean Mail,- has fixed it at *20.
Iff- There were 6000 deaths jn Paris, in
wo month* bv cholera.
it a duty and a privilege to point sinners {to
"the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin
ot the world."
pie, and do enjoin npon them, not in anywise
to tntermit their labors for the religious in
struction of the colored people in our land.
Whilst the change in the legal and domestic
relations in this clrus doss not' release the
church from its obligation to seek their moral
and spiritual, welfare, by all the means which
it is competent to the church to employ, their
helpless condition and their greater exposure
to temptation, and leading to vice, irreligion
and rum, both temporal and eternal, which
result from that change, make the strongest
appeal to our Christian sympathies on their
behalf, in their spiritual destitutions, and de
mand of us whether we are office bearers or
vate members of the church, redoubled
ice in supplying them with the saving
nces of the gospel.
5. That a Committee to prepare and sub
mit to the next General Assembly, for review
and approval, a practical scheme or plan for
the religious instruction of the' colored peo
ple adapted to their now altered civil and
social condition, and that this Committee be
earnestly desired to give to this task their
best attention and efiorts.
G. That the General Assembly adopt the
suggestions of the Executive Committee in
relation to the raising of a “sustentation fund”
for the existing exigencies of our churches;
hut assign the conduct of this agency to the
Executive Committee of Domestic -Missions,
also that a member from each synod be ap
pointed to co-operate with tho general scheme
set forth in their report.
7. Rev. T. R. Welch, L’ttle Rock, Arkan-
as, be the commissioner from the Synod of
Arkansas; Rev. R. Nall, D. D., Tuskegee, Ala.,
frotn the Synod of Alabama; Rev. D. Wills,
Macon, Ga. from the Synod of Georgia; Rev,
J. O. Steadman, Memphis, Tcnn., from Mum
phis; Rev. J. A. Lyon D.D., ColumbU3, Miss.,
from Mississippi; Rev. W. E. Caldwell, Pu
laski, Tenn., from Nashville; Rev. J. Rumple,
Salisbury; N. C., from North Carolina; Rev.
S. A. King, Milford Texas, from Texas; and
Rev. J. D. Mitchell, D. D., Lynchburg Vn„
from Virginia.
8. That the General Assembly order collec
tions in behalf of tho sustentation fund he
made in all our churches on the 2nd Sabhatli
of February next, or as soon thereafter
practicable; and that the proceeds be for
warded immediately to the Treasurer of the
Executive Committee, ProE Jamc3 Wood-
row at Columbia, S. C. or to the Synodical
Commissioners.
9. That the General Assembly express tlieir
profound gratification at the mansfestation of
Christian sympathy and kindness on the part
of onr brethren in Kentucky, as exhibited in
their fraternal letter to this body, and in the
name of the great Master, tlicir's and ours,
accept their generous tender of aid in minis
tering to the necessities of our impoverished
churches. Further—that the Moderator of
the Assembly address a communication to
these brethren expressive of our feelings in
this regard.
10. That the General Assembly appoint the
Executive Committee our agent for receiving
and disbursing such nid a3 may be forwarded
to them by the Kentucky Board of Aid for
Southern pastors, and enjoin npon the Com
mittee promptness in distributing the bene
faction according to the urgency of the neces
sities existing in the various portions of the
country.
Day of Prayer.—The Assembly adopted
the following;
Resolved, That the General Assembly ap
point the last Thursday of February a3 a day
to he observed in special prayer on’behalf of
the youth of our country, with a view to the
increase of the ministry; and that the Sab
bath preceding be appointed as a day of spe
cial instruction from the pulpit on that sub
ject
Dr. Win. Brown presented the Pastoral Let
ter, which was received, adopted, and is as
follows;
A PASTORAL LETTER from the GciC-
eral Assembly to the Churches under their
care.
Beloved Bketuuen is the I..,i:d: S-n.-ii
were the convulsions of the country and in -
terrnptions of travel last spring, that a, meet
ing of the General Assembly of onr church
at the time appointed was impracticable. It
has been now convened under circumstances
of peculiar interest, involving the gravest re
sponsibility. From this fact arises the spe
cial duty of addressing a pastoral letter to
the churches under our care, by which they
may be the more comfortably reassured con
cerning various points of great importance
connected with our position, and be counsel
ed in faithful love concerning the solemn ob
ligations resting upon them.
That these weighty matters may be the
more distinctively set in order before you,
let the following points, concisely presented,
be brought under your prayerful consid
eration.
l'Oar relation to the eieil governments of the
Country: The storm of war has, during the
four years past, swept over nearly every part
of our bounds: a war so vast in its propor
tions, so bitter in its animosities, so desola
ting in its effects, as to make it an astonish
ment to the n^tioos. Its sacrifices in treasure
n blood, Its public losses and private
griefs, swell beyond all calculations. As to
its particular causes, or upon which party
rests the blame chiefly or wholly—these • are"
questions which the church of Christ has
no commission to decide. Beyond a doubt,
however, its great root is to be found in those
lusts which war in the members. Of these it
becomes us to own our full share, and be-
constituents thereof, are changed. The "high-j former relation between our citizens and rather than mending, and there is ample room
er powers” now bearing rule over us are 1 most of this population, was that of master prepared within the - ■ 1 of our cherished
confresidly the Government of the United | and servant. The address of our General' schemes for brio. : the grave an un-
Statcs, and those existing in the Sis , e-v. here- A>- rnb'.v before tefrr* | o, contains a full, told treasure oTfneriem tmrrt, mat making It
in wfe reside. The rigbtfulno-softhe-e sever- unequivocal, and the only deliberate and au-1 useful in the Master* cauK. To elicit tliK
al authorities, or to which of them the allc- thoritative exposition of our views in rctrard I Be oner, have 0 mpremaconeecrutimete God.
cause of them, to humble ourselves under the
| mighty hand of God.
Dr. Kirkpatrick thought the subject of| During the prevalence of this war, “the
very great importance, and that very grave j higher powers” actually 1 tearing rule over
apprehension ahoald exist in regard to the I most of onr bounds, and to which under the
supply of preachers in the future. Thera mast! word ot God we were required to he "sub-
be prayer and there must be attraction to jject.” were the Government of the Confeder-
our people on this subject. Ha hoped a day j ate States, and those of the several States
would be wt sport for that purpose. : constituting it. By the event of the war the
Tho motion waa adopted. I first has been overthrown, and the second, as
giaucc of our people, as citizens is primarily
due, are matters upon which a judicatory of
the church has no right to pronouoce judg
ment. The relation of the Church of Christ
to civil governments is not one dejure, but de
facto. Asrightandgood,orwrongandwicked,
they rise and fall by the agency or permission
of God's providence. In either case the atti
tude of the church towards them is essential,
ly the same. As long as they stand and are
acknowledged, obedience is to bc enjoined as
a duty, factious resistance condemned .as a
sin. But in regard to conflicts between ex.
isting governments, or movements in society,
peaceful or otherwise, to effect political
changes, the church as such has no more con
trol over them, than it has over the polls of
the country. If it has authority to uphold
on the one side, it has equal power to condemn
on the other; if to suppress a political move
ment, then also to instigate it. In truth it
has neither; and to assert the contrary is to
corrupt the church in its principles, forever
embroil it with the strifes of the world, and
plunge it headlong into ruin.
Under these views, and considering the ex
traordinary conflict through which the
country, has passed, as well as the extraordi
nary circumstances in which it is now. placed,
it is incumbent npoD us to exhort you, breth
ren, to “obey them that have the rule over
you, and submit yourselves.” Fulfil with
scrupulous fidelity all your obligations to the
government of the land, remembering the
duty of this compliance, “not only for wrath,
but also for conscience sake.” “For so is the
will]of God, that with well doing ye may put
to silence the ignorance of foolish men.”
n. Our relation to the Church: It is not
necessaiy we should here minutely define the
nature of the Church. It is enough to say
that it is a kingdom, though in the world,
yet not of it; that it is a body of which
Christ is the sole head; purchased by nis
blood to the exclusion of all other merit, and
renewed by his spirit to the exclusion of all
other power; and that it is united to Him by
the bond of faith. From this living Head
the members receive all their vitality, control
,nnd .’protection. It is therefore a spiritual
body. Its sole commission is to preach the
gospel to every creature, and it is called to
that holy living which the gospel enforces.
It follows from this, according to the ad
mirable statement of our Confession of Faith,
chap. 31, sec. 4, that—“Synods and Councils
are to handle or conclude nothing but that
which is ecclesiastical; and arc not to inter
meddle with civil affairs which concern the
commonwealth, unless Wy way of humble pe
tition in cases extraordinary; or by way of
advice, for satisfaction of conscience, if they
be thereunto required by the civil magis-
tratc.” ' '
It is equally clear from this and what was
before observed, that the civil magistrate or
military ntler lias not the shadow of a right
to restrain the freedom of the clinrch, by ex
eluding its own chosen pastors and imposing
others, or closing its houses of worship, or
visiting pains and penalties upon its minis
ters or members for using the privilege of
worship.
How often both of these great truths have
been trampled into the dust within a few
years past, melancholy facts most fully attest.
Of ail such utter confusion of the things of
Ctesar with the things of God, it becomes onr
people to beware, and against it faithfully to
hear witness.
The events passing befol ., o _ r
with fresh power the importance of keeping
injuindthis very point, this vital truth, that
the Church of Christ is indeed a spiritual
kingdom, and is therefore like Mount Zion
that nbideth forever. The Church is safe
through the deluge, but only in her own ark,
notin theark'ofthe State. It is owing to
this fact, and to this only, that she can ride
out the storms that leave tlic» shores of thi*
world strewn with the wreck cl' ,-vi rv:l,iiig
which the hand ofmah lias constructed.
But it is ourdesire, brethren, to counsel you
at present concerning the special Telatron you
sustain to this , part of the church with
which you arc more immediately connected.
Four years ago we were constrained to organ
ize a separate General Assembly. This was
thoritative cxpo*ition of onr views in regard ;
to the matter. We here reaffirm its whole doc- !
trine to be that of scripture and reason. It is
the old doctrine of the church, and the only
one which keeps its foundation secure. That
address contains among other statement, the
following;
“We wo a Id have it distinctly understood
that in our ecclesiastical capacity, wc are
neither tho friends nor tho foes of slavery;
that is to say, we have no commission cither
to propagate or abolish it. The policy of Its
existence, or non-cxistcnee is a question which
exclusively belongs to the State. We havo
no right, as a church, to enjoin it as a duty
or condem it as a sin. Onr business is with
the duties which spring from the relation;
the duties of the masters on the one hand,
and of t\teir slaves on the other. These
duties wo arc.to proclaim and enforce with
spiritual sanctions. Tho social, civil, politi
cal problems connected with this great sub
ject transcend our sphere, as God lias not en
trusted to His chnrch the organization of
society, the construction of government, nor
the allotment of individuals to their various
stations. The church has as much right to
preach to the monarchies of Europe, and the
despotisms of Asia, the doctrines of republi
can equality, as to preach to the governments
of the Booth the cxteipation of slavery."
This relation is now overthrown, suddenly,
violently; whether justly or unjustly, in
wrath or in mercy, for weal or for wo, let
history and the judge of all the earth decide.
But there are two considerations of vital in
terest which still remain.
One is, tnat while tho existence of slavery
may, in its civil aspects, be regarded os a
settled question, an issue now gone, yet the
lawfulness of the relation os a question of
social morality, and of scriptural troth, has
lost nothing of its importance. When wc
solemnly declare to you, brethren, that the
dogma which asserts the inherent sinfulness
of this relation is unscriptural and fanatical;
that it is condemned not only by the word of
God, but by the voico of the chnrch in all
ages; that it is one .of the most pernicious
heresies of modern times; that its countenance
by any church, is a just cause of separation
from it, (1 Tim. 6,1—5). We have surely
said "enongh to warn you away from this in
sidious error, as from a fatal shore.
Whatever therefore we may have to la-
mentjhcfore God, either for neglect of duty
towards our servants, or for actual wrong
while the relation lasted, we are not called,
now that it lias been abolished, to bow the
head in humiliation before men, or admit
that the memory ot many of our dear kindred
is to be'covered with shame, because like
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, they had bond-
servants boro in their own house, or bought
with tlieir money; and who now, redeemed
by the same precious blood, sit down together
in the kingdom of God.
The other consideration connected with
this subject Is the present condition ot this
people. We may righteously protest that
with tlieir wretchedness, already incalculably
great, that with their prospects, to human
view, dismal as the grave, our church is not
chargeable; that it may hold up its hands
before heaven and earth, washed of the tre
mendous responsibility involved in this
change in tho condition of nearly four mil
lions of bond-servants, and foA.wh ipb it has
hitherto been generally conccdedThey
J unprepared, f
fiJlnt in this dispensation of providence
r>ra_ u^/ltring^up 'wjricli has l>efallen the negroes of tho South
ern States, and mainly without their agen
cy, your obligations to promote their wel
fare, though diminished, have not ceased.—
Debtors before to them when bound, you
are still debtors to them free. You arc bound
to them not only by the tics of a common na
ture, a common sin, but a common redemp
tion also. They have grown up around and
in your households, have toiled for Jour ben
efit, ministered to your comfort and wants,
and have often .tenderly,. faithfully nursed
ypu in sickneoL They are still around your
doors, in thc bosom of your community.—
Many of them arc your fellow heirs of salva
tion. Together with you they need it; great
ly need, it for time—for eternity. We are
persuaded von will not turn away from them
“which neither wc nor our fathers wero able
to bear.” Our testimony upon this and other
points of great interest, is before the Chris
tian churches of the world, in the aildri
made to them by the General A*-untidy of
1881; and wc arc willing the impartial judge
ment of of men should be passed upon the
question, as to where the sin of schism lies, if
any exist. This organization was formed ontof
elements among the oldest in the histoiy of
the Prcsybterian chnrch in this country. It
carries with it nearly one third of the whole
original chnrch, embraces a territoiy of
twelve States. It embraces 10 Synods, 47
Presbyteries, 1000 ministers, and sbont 70,-
000 clmrch members, and was effected and
lias been continued with a unanimity which
has hardly a parallel in the history of such
movements. It was not made to subserve
any political or secular interest whatsoever.
The reasons for its continuance not only re
main as conclusive as at first, bnt have been
exceedingly strengthened by events of public
notoriety occurring each succeeding year.
It may be proper at this point to declare
concerning other chnrchc3 in the most explic
it manner, that, in the true idea of “the
communion of saints,” wc would willingly
hold fellowship with all who love our Lord
Jesus Christ in sincerity; and especially do
we signify to all bodies, ministers, and peo
ple of the Presbyterian church struggling to
maintain the same time-honored confession,
onr desire to establish the most intimate re
lations witlj them which may be found mutu
ally edifying, and for the glory of God.
■ Bat whilst earnestly exhorting you to walk
in love towards all your fellow-christians,
peculiar circumstances, well-known, make it
our plain {duty to put you on your gpard
against attempts to disturb and divide yonr
congregations. IVc. are a branch of the
church as complete in Our organization, as
thoroughly distinct and hannonions, and se
cure in our prospects as any other in the land.
Appreciating this fact, we are sore common
self-respect, to say nothing of a jealous care
for the honor of your church, will repel
unworthy attempts of men who may lie in
l Ye arc not your own, yc arc bought-with a
price,” mnst I>c t ngr.-.es.t more deeply npon
our hearts. The great practical drawback in
the church is, not that the consecration of its
members is insincere, bnt that-it is not habit
ually snpremc. It docs not subordinate every
thing else to the cause of Christ. Is it any
wonder, then, that the aim of. life iaeo earthly,
and the work of life so feebly grasped 1 If
ever onr Zion shall arise and shine, it will bo
under the light of s people intensely," con
stantly devoted to doing,the will of God.
“Wherefore we beseech you,-brethTCn, by the
merries of God, that jc present your bodies
a living sacrifice, Jidfy, acceptable unto Goil,
which is your reasonable service.”
Remember that there is a teerit for all—
One infallible sign of a redeemed heart is a
desire to know and obey God. Its very birtlr-
cry is—“Lord, what wilt thou have me to
do?" When you became members of the
church, from the very nature of the Irannc
tion.some of its interests; as transferred toyour
keeping; you assumed a part of its responsi
bility. In your profession, you identified
yourself with the Lord Jestis and -Ids cause.
Is this, however, a deep, or a very general
impression? Is it not manifest that multi
tudes come into the clmrch with the feeblest
conviction of duty in visw? They seem
hardly to know or to %are whether the Master
has done such a thing as to give to “every
man hisvtwn work.” Wc entreat you to re
member that He has omitted none of His
servants in the great command, *• occupy till
I come.” And it is only when in Him the
whole body is fitly framed together, and com*
pacted by that which every joint snpplicth,
according to the effectual working in the
measure of every part, that it maketh iucrea: e
to the edifying of itself in love.
If, then, contemplating the magnitude of
our work, we shall consecrate ourselves su
premely to Him who gave himself for us, and
Ihen remember that there is a work for all to
do, wlmt will bo the result t.
The treasury of the Lord will l>e full. There
will be such an outpouring by onr people ns
has never been known, in our history. All
experience shows that the clinrch has never
been replenished in her operations by the
ample bounty of a few men, so much as by
the collected mites of her innumerable poor
disciples. In this, as iu other respects, the
history of the Free Church of Scotland is fall
of instruction for us. Are we poor ? So
were they. But nobly did they bear out with
them, not only their'grand testimony- to the
supreme Headship of Christ as King in Zion,
bnt the burden also of sustaining every scheme
of benevolence necessary to the complete
equipment ot their organization. Are wc
afflicted as well aa poor ? So were the churches
in Macedonia; yet, “in the great trial of
their affliction, their deep poverty abounded
unto the riches of their liberty.” Let but
this spirit thoroughly pervade our people,
and what shall wc soon wittness! You will
educate your ministry, and then amply sup
port them; and to do this you will give a
generous support to your colleges and Theo
logical Seminaries. You will - your
people with the printed troth in every pn ,
form of it, and therefore.ygtf'wlH give tliem
The Committee on lliil* and Ovuttur--
through Rev. ,T. D M ' -heR, D. D., reported
on overture No. —, concerning thccraageli-
z ition of the colored people as follows:
Committee recommend the following ac
tion : ,
. Whereat, Tho,Colored people n ver
in any other relation to the ohur.h tlmti that
of human beings, lost with ns in the fa>| of
Adam; redeemed witli 11-through the infinite
ly meritorious death ami sacrifice of Christ,
and participants with us in all the beiiefits
and blessings of the gospel; and where;ta, onr
eliurehi--, {Mstepe ned p have always
recognized this claim to Christian rqality,
frai< rnity and l>nithe*hoo,l, ami ii we re
joiced to Have them associated m Christian
union ami communion in the publie sc nr lev*
and precious sacrament* of the sanctuary,
Re sotted 1, That the abolition of slavwy
by tho civil and military powers, has not ai
med the relations as MN defined in which
oar church stands t-> theeolori i people; aor
in any degree, lessened the dehf of love and
service which w c owe to them—nor the inter
est with which wc would still <i- ire to aec
associated with them in all the privileges of
onr common Christianity.
Retolred 2. That whereas, *v\| rii-nce has
invariably proved the advantages of tin- col
ored people and the white bring united to
gether in the wonhin of God, wc see no rea
son why it should be otherwise now, that
they are freedmen and not slaves. .
■ Retolred 3, "That should our colored
friends think it Ircstto separate from
us and organize tin msclvca into distract eon
gregatiora under white post ass sml elders,
for tho present, or under colored eiders oral
pastors as soon as God in hi providence
shall raise up men suitably qualified for
those offices, this church, will do all in its
power to encourage, foster and aszist them
Retolred, 4. That the Rev. J. L. Girardeau,
of Charleston, RCv. D. Wills, of Hopewell
Presbytery, H. C. Alexander, Alexund. r Mar
tin, of Roanoke Presbytery and Dr. J. L.
Wilson be appointed a Committee to report
on this whole satyect end to ret <>iiim,-nd ec-
tion to the next General Assembly.
The Assembly adjourned to meet this ar-
temoon at 3 1-3 o'clock.
Closed with prayer,
ArTtnxoox session.
3 12 o'clock, P. M.
The Assembly met and was opcnAI with
prayer by Rev. John Miller.
The thanks of the Amembty were tender
ed to the citizens of Macon for their gencr-
'our amkmuniScent hospitality; to the clmrch
es tendered to the Assembly, and to the Rail
roads affording transportation for members
to rctnrn free, nnd to the public pn * 1 of the
city. _
J. T. Z. Preston moved to take up a motion
laid on the table at the last meeting in regard
to liturgies. Lost by a vote of 16 to 38.
The Committee on Foreign Correspoodeoce
and the Judicial Committee reported that no
business bad coino before them,'end asked to
tic discharged. Granted.
The Committee appointed at the last As
sembly in regard to Voluntary .>*>rietiet, was
continued.
The minutes were read mnl np] :oral.
On motion, the Assembly was 41 wilved and
another ordered to lie railed to meet oa thr
third Thursday of November, itfsn, at tl A.
M., in tho First Presbjterisn.cliun.li of Mem
phis.
Closed with sinking hymn :tfil— 1 Hlest hr
tlio tie that binds”—nnd prayi r by the Mod
erator, followed by the Apo-iolic I m-diction.
done because of an attempt liy a part of the this day qf their imagined rnillenium—
church to impose a yoke upon our consciences, we fear of terrible calamity. Do allyoucan
for tlieir best welfare, and do it quickly, for
they already begin to pass rapidly away.—
“By pareness, by knowledge, by long suffer
ing, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love
unfeigned, by tbo word of God, by the armor
of righteousness on the right hand and on
tlie left, by honor and dishonor, by evil re
port and good report, let it be shown to all
men that nothing shall withdraw tho sympa
thy of your heart or tlie labor of your band
from a work which most - of necessity and
ever rest chiefly npon those who dwell in the
land, not upon the strangers who visit it If
tbrir condition is made better, if souls are
plucked as brands from the burning, yon will
have the comfort of knowing that you were
I instrumental in such happy re-
mils. Should our worst fears bo realized,
and their doom be sealed, you will have a
pure conscience at the bar of the final judge.
IVe have thought it important to restate
the great principles here presented, not be
cause your faithful devotion to them is donbt-
ed, but because, as those who watch for your
•onls, we “would not be negligent, patting
you always in rcmcinbrance of these things,
though yc know them, and be established in
the present troth,” and because, to tbc re
proach of religion in many places, they have
sunk out of view, and bronght the church
into perilous times.
Bear with us now while we would, in faith
ful love, counsel you concerning the solemn
responsibilities resting upon you.
Think, first, of the magnitude of the tcork
thrown upon our hand*.
We find ourselves with our two theological
seminaries much shattered in their resources.
Most of onr colleges are financially disabled,
many almost ruined. Many of our houses of
worship are despoiled or laid in ashes, our
people impoverished, our ministers scantily
supported. We are indeed deeply afflicted.
But shall we therefore draw back, sink down
into despair, leave our beloved church to sit
in sackcloth, and gross darkness to cover the
people! Every heart cries out—“This must
never be!” On the contrary, our church must'
invigorate and extend allherpresentschcmes *
Yon will plantchurchcs where they arc nccd-
4 lll l s ed; you will push- church-enterprise into ev-
wer K erv. 'accessible part of the land, until the
wilderness shall blossom as tho rose.
And uow, b£tliren, “if there be any virtue
andanypramc, think on these things.” “Con
sider what we say, cud. the Lord give you un
derstanding in nil thin:-.,..'' : ti-ivi-to -iiarwl
complete in nil the will ofiinil." St rive- in
be “living epistles known and rend ofallmeii.’’
Serve the Lord in chccrfulm- -. Refrain from
murmuring: pray for a meek and mtu.d
spirit. Desire more that yourtrinls should l>e
sanctiflcd than removed. So forgive yotircn
emies that you may lie able A lift up holy
hand* without wrath or donbting'.'’ Be hum
ble, watchful, prayerful .and trecfal. Do all
in your power to minister to the comfort ..of
those who minister to you in holy things.-^
Tryto do good in a Saviours church and a
| world of cin. f.*-t piety be shown at home;
let the Holy Sabbath be indeed, a day for U od.
and let your children be trained up in i!u
nurture and admonition of the Lord. Live
daily near to the Cross of the Saviour, nnd
then will all these fruit* abound through Jesus
Christ, to the praise of the glory of his grace.
You have been called to pass through deep
waters; yon have had sorrow upon sorrow.
It was the path yonr Saviour trqd, and He
will grant you in it the comfort of hi* love,
and the fellowship of bisspirit. Some of our
dear brethren in Christ, and some of them in
the ministry, have bad cruel mocking* and
scourging?, have suffered stripes and imprison
ments, and the los* of all things. Our prayer
has been with -you in yonr calamity. Cast
your burden on the Lord, and lie will sus
tain you. Remember that the Church of God
has often passed through the heated furnace,
but the form of the Son of God has been seen
with her, and she is still unconsumed. “The
bush.”—said Rutherford, that great light of
the Church of Scotland— 1 “The bnsh ha; been
burning these four thousand years, but no
man beth seen the ashes of that fir* to this
day.” Be faithful unto death. Very soon
will all these troubles end, and your home be
reached where no enemy shall ever enter, and
from which no friend shall ever depart.
IVc.dcslrc to tell you, dear brethren, and
with thankful, joyful hearts, how good we
havo felt to be here. We have taken
sweet counsel together, and gone to the
bouse of God in company Wc are in
peace and love one with another. No strife
distracts onr beloved Zion. We depart to
our homes thanking God and taking courage,
resolved to stand in our lot and labor with a
more unreserved devotion for tlie upbuilding
ofthat only Kingdom that cannot be moved-
Receive the words of instruction and exhor
tation, which in the fulness of onr hearts we
send to you, greeting.
“And now, brethren, we commend you to
God, and to the word of his grace wliidi is
able to.build you up, and to give you an in
heritance among all them that arc sanctified.”
“The God of all grace, who bath called us
unto his eternal glory Ly Christ” after
what ye have suffered awhile, make you per
fect, establish, strengthen, settle you.**
u The grace of the Lord Jetus Christ, the
The CniURTUAH Tiuck.—We
indeed, to kno-.v that musM. r:
favorable interest i eirited in
nterprise. TldTlibcrklil
glad.
I very
idahlc
the Bible, the tract, ancl the religious volume, the »ldicn^ o4ph:i
and in
‘‘Mrs. , I was
:.n<! I <m;i -yinpjt
deceased soldiers
lady’s hat, $15.00;
< )tlier gei tl ma
ets, the price for
Several friends arc
manv arc wendiiur
w i.\
ntnts
Ajl tlif^e thi
noble
Xllibi
on Friday night.
We want a glorioin
for the soldiers’ orphan
Recollect, th<- chi kin
the fan; they want th
orn storking, and the
them.
No Use to try to V
“If vou trv to pleav,"
to the Wind, “tun: me
Said one:
rite armies,
tsudrrn of
l he. j_mv© a h.- ■’ l-»mf
bought two tickets.
in ::y aa-fhro tick-
ticket being n</-/kr.
king for the tree, and
lielusnml money, ami
-Why
npntbj
out
st the
Id, tin
I sto
IODV.-’
fetrmk
there is
t I am
i ranch
afraid they’ll pull me down
longer in tills north jjfiaifii.
So the Wind flew from the South ami the
Sun was master of tlx- day, and rtllT fell in
torrents.
“Oh, please to turn me the Hunth."
said the Weathercock to the Wind ag.iiu
“The potatoes "will be spoilt* sad the corn
want* dry weather, and while I am beta rain
it still; and what with the heat in l t |, e wet
the farmers arc just mail again-t nir "
So tbc wind shifted into the West; oral
there came soft, drying breezes flay after day
“Oh dear, dear!” said the Weathercock
“here is a prettv to do! such evil looks as I
get from eyes ail around n< the fir»t thin*
|«T«y morning! the grass is getting parched
up. and there is no water for the stocks and
what in to be done? .At to the gardens thny
say there won’t lie a pea to be seen and the
vegetables will wither away. Do tuni me
somewhere else.”
••What do they say to you nov. " ;
“What," rriol the Wrath, r , k, ••• liv, er
erybodj lias caught cold, and cvi rdhin* is
flighted—that’s what thr-v >»y; and then it
not a misfortune that happen ", but timrhnu
or other they lav it on the East wind ”
“Well," said _ the Wind, “lettbem And
fault; I sec it’s nnpo- ildcfor you and»* to
picas*- cvenl.oilj, v. in the future 1 -hall Mote
where I like, and, you wT
without iisking'nny qur-
but that wc shall satisfy
• with all our considi
•rc you like,
don't'know
a we ran do
As Unfokti-nate Difficulty.—A truly
unfortunate difficulty occurred at the conelu.
sion of a ball at Court Square Hail, on Fri-
day evening last, - between two of nu- youn-'
Messrs. Dalton, Yancey and Conrad
Garrett, in wliic h the latter n . cived n \. re
serious, if not fatal st d> with aknif*. The
difficulty is regretted by all; and a- the mat
ter at dispute between tin ni wn- f ■ r | r
private nature, we forbear any - niiiSl *
The whole affairwil! douh ■
idergo ;
wait to deceive, and to cause you to fall from j of action, as well as embrace new ones as they ! love of God. and the communion of the Ilolv
your own steadfastness. . . . offer themselves. If so, then she must ad- ' Ghost be witli you all. Amef^,
IIL Our relation to the negro population. dress herself to this work with an energy she --rafi!*,'■'->
The extraordinary circumstances in which, j has never yet known. But how shall she be j The foregoing letter i - to be read in alj the
by recent events, this people are now placed, \ strengthened for it ? Allow ns, in a few
and our relation to^them, is a subject too im ; words, to remind you of old, well-tried prin-
mense to lie passed over in sUnug-. The j ciples; for our rules and plans need keeping
churches on th
next, and puhlkhe-l
mittee of Publication
nd
-abbath in February
a tract by the Com-
and Hen
ke of tin
1
nm in a
Sal inveotigation.—MonUjcn
Fi nny Mistake)*.—The Join
singer notices a very funny mi
New York Journal of Coimn* r< e
the words, “The Thirty-ninth ('.
story from Paris!
In tho same number «»
monger, its printer made a far more i.Microns
mistake, in placing a Metallic Burial r.iwmt
the head of an advertisement offering $50 re
ward for 2 Mule?.—Fed. Uhiari.
i = sf m Tha affidavit of Mr-. \Yir? <:em. «tbe
•Heged attempt to poiaou Captain Wirz,**
reported on tho morning after his »'\f
*1 Lie affidavit was given iu Trig:: county,
Kentucky, and charges the falsity of <•>»< h and
every .itatem#nt made by General Bake