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C|e gailg Celtgrapjj. WX. A. REID Jk CO., Proprietor*. J. R. SNEED.] [S. BOTKIN, •WEDNESDAY MORNISG, DEC £0,1885. THE WEEKLY TELEGRAPH. Per elegance and beauty and value of con- testa, thin aplendid sheet, cannot be surpassed m the Sonth. It contains the very latest news by tele graph, the choicest articles from oar exchan ges, cullings of interest from all quarters, ex cellent family reading, market reports from the entire country, and presents, indeed, “a map of busy life, its occupations and its vast This paper contains eight large pages, on beautiful white paper, and all for the small ■a of *4.00 in advance. Send by mail with out fear of disappointment. -tt 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