The New York Herald Newspaper, May 29, 1869, Page 4

4 TH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, The Old and New School Assemblies. Minority Report on Sustentation. The Pope’s Invitation to be Answered. Pastoral Interesting Report on the Freed- men in the South. Chicago Another Name for the Hot Place. A Colored Presbyterian Minister Speaks. THE OLD SCHOOL ASSEMBLY. Eighth Day. ‘the members of the Old School Assembly returned «few minutes betore ten o'clock A. M. to the Brick church from the Chureh of the Covenant, where they had united with the New School Assembly in joint prayer meet'ng. The Moderator, Rev. Dr. Jacobs, not being present, Rev. Dr, Musgrave was called upon temporarily to preside, and he opened the session with appropriate prayer. The Secretary, Rev. Dr. Schenck, read the minutes of the preceding day, and the same were approved as read. It was suggested that the resolution adopted the evening before, on motion of Mr. Day, providing for the sending to the Presbyteries the overtures voted, should contain the basis of reunion itself, wnich suggestion being accepted by the mover, was agreed to by the house. The resolution was further amended subsequently on motion of Rey. Alex. McLean, of Butfalo, in order to provide against any possible contingency which may arise owing to the failure of the mails. The resolution thus amended reads now as foilows:— Resolved, That in pursuance of the fo General Assembly the basis of reunion n down to the presbyteries for their approval and each presbytery is hereby required tom the 15th day of October, 1849, to express its approval or dis- approval of the same by a categorical answer to the follow- Ing questions : bo you approve of the reunion of the two bodies now claiming the name and rights of the Presbyterian church in the United Stotes of America on the following basis, viz. :— ‘The reunion shall be elected on the doctrinal and ecclesiasti- cal basis of our common standards, the Scriptures of the Uld and New Testaments shall be acknowledged tobe the in- Spived Word of God, and the only infallible rule of faith and practice; the confession of faith shail continue to te sincere- y received and adopted as containing the rystem of doctrine taught in the Holy Scriptures ; and the government and discl- pline of the Presbyterian church In the United States shall be approved as contalning the principles and rules of our policy? iach presbytery is also hereby required before the Ist day ot November, 186%, to forward to the stated clerk of tiie General Asseinbiy stazement of its vote on the said basis of reunion. Resolved, That the commissioners of the adjourned meet- ing of the General Assembly, to be held in the city of Prts- burg on the secona Wednesday in November next, in addition to sending their action to the stated clerk of the Assembiy, as already enjoined, be and hereby are instructed to bring with them certiied copies of the action of the presvyteries on the plan of reunion. Rev. Dr. Musgrave and Elder Cartter were ap- Pointed a committee to give official notice to the New School Assembly of the vote on the basis of reunion on Taursday. Rev. Greir Parke, from a special committee on Pastoral lastraction, appomted by the General As- sembly of last year, sient date | minority report upon the necessity of Ce ing pastors of feeble and poor cot gauons. itsnould be remembered ‘that the majority report, presented several days ago by the chairman of that special committee, and al- in substance published in the HERALD, was ordered to be placed on the docket, to be taken up for discussion alterwards. The ped report of Rev. Mr. Parke goes into the question at length, and argues why the suggestions of the first report are imadequate, and in conclusion the following outline of a plan is proposed:— Each ministerial member of the Board of Missions, or in caso of his inability to attend, then the member next in order ‘on the Synodical Committee, as an alternate, shail bring the reports of the Presbyterian committees of his synod to the first meeting of the Hoard, and after that to each spring meeting. And the having tous all the information given in these reports, shall determine, after a full and im- artial survey of the whole field, what amount of funds shall be appropriated to these various churches and deatitate neigbboriood, No vacant church, except in very extraordi- nary circumstances, shall receive a larger sum than it raises sell Tor tue support of a mlalster; aud if any. church ‘can: bal: from the Board, support the gospel, it shall 48 sone neighboring’ church for this pi No commission shall be granted to any minister when be wid of the Board, be secured with a 0, And in new'feids of mussionary ere are no organizations to be depended on to ea part of this support, the Hoard aball guarantee the d whatever can be’ raised on the teld for sustenta- ‘ail be paid directly to the Board, or, if paid to the min- cel ted by him to the Board as 80 much money paidon y church rece! ¢ an appropriation [fund that does not report annually to the ‘es not make col'ections for the Boards of ond rorel.u Missions and Baucation, y. Densamin C. Crrrentow, of Pennsylva- Dom ati The nia, ten read the report of comriitee appointed to examine ihe Suuding or Executive the Committee on Freedmen, Wuich was received by the House for achou, The report is asfoliows:— of this Assembly, to wuom was entrusted ‘cor is aad report of the Freedinen’s Com- year, submit the fol owing The minute books of the committee aud executive com- mittee have been examined, and we recommend thelr ap- proval. ‘After reading the report, your committee are satisfied that the work enirusied .o the 'Freeduwen's Committee has been urge | forward w je energy and success. We think that riment of te Charch’s boner ang that Frese he @ than this, nor is there ard, in the mysterious 1 brought to our doors, and they now ‘sod and his people with imploring r al Life, saiter of deep bumtitation and sorrow that our Church, ®0 rieb y eudowe. of God, has elven no Little of ber 1 io this object, Hut something bas been ly as the handful of eorn on the ball one day abake like Lebanon, ers, a majority of them ed during the year of the A at_an average lary of $178 per annum. hurches now orgauized is 72, the number ts L6H. Sixty-nine Sabbath schools have Atendance of 4,723 acholars. Over in attendance on the day iis, be- high schools, one in North Caroitna, South Carolina, designed to educate men for the work of the minis ‘among the hundreds of thousands who are no siiman Institute, now Lincoin Universtty, in Pennsyiva- ‘nia, bas been In successful operation for years, and is doing a great and blessed work. Quite a number of” ite students served un-‘er the direction of the committee during the year. Ani since these people must have their own churches and ne 4 since they must bave teachers and ministers of thelr own race, the educational departinent of our work de- mands speciai attention, And we would most earnestly call the attention of onr peo- Je, who have it in their power, to give us the means of carry- Ing’on these institutions bc leafning with vigor. ram pie of Mrs. Wallingford, of Pittsburg, in endowing Wallingford Academy, in Charleston, 8. C., is worthy of imitation. Of hes in Our ecnnection only 7¥6 hare made » this causelduring the year—nearly 2,000 have ‘We learn from the report that the total of con tributions made to the eommittee by the ch ‘duals in four yea 108,078 02. Total over k amount received from the government, the freedmen and the Boards of Domestic Missions and Church Extension. dition we have 66,68 worth of property. Tn the commencement and mong the freedmen, t ad patience, but the upon ft, and we feel called upon to ante the people, to all the Church, 10 come up ‘to the in it, and that the past euccess be gratefully ‘as trait of God's blessing upon our work and as ap incentive to increased earnestness and faithfulness in the task which we bave taken upon us to fulfil. Tour comeneaey therefore, would respectfully anbmit to the Assembly the following resolutions for their adoption :— Resotvod, That the conduet of Ube committee be approved, ‘aod that the thanks of this Assembly be return for their fidelity In the di of their trust, and that report be published and et among the churches. Keesoived, That of Asem) bas attended our efforts tn continue as among ‘his country, and earn ale the ministers urches to support the. Aaembly't committee fo the eMart ‘to fulMl the purpose thus and avowed. quires met of wxperionee nae wants of this people, and ~ Sagi Wades eager Beotion with Southern ‘and who are willing to with Abie service, wilt ne the iy wodput them fa connection with thie ey ved, That in view of the facts that 2,000 urches have made no contributions to this cane ram the vt that wt least $70,000 are necessary for the tmaintenance of the work for the your all Sur ministers and church sessions be enjoined 4 nehen the cause before their people, thus giving t! to contribute to its support. esolved That iW lew of Lhe aitienity of arcuring a quorum at the meeting of comma! five members 5 Sere 8 quorass to 49 business. retirees Tecords of the committes that the (, ing. Seerelary, Rev. 8. ‘Toca, has tendered ie ation, to take elfect after the rising’ of this Assembly, ore 1 3 That fn the judgment of this Assembty it would Reeol fret endanger and throw into confusion the growing and portant Interests of the work among. the freedinea for him to withdraw at present from the oficial position be bas thas it of God decided the question of the izathe churehes for the colored people. ‘Mixed oougrogad hot be gathered. ‘rom individuals, B43 From Free Church 1,155, From churches in ‘280 From freedmen 2,405 eho From the Boards of Church Extension Special contribuifons to Quindaro high Balance in treasury May 1, 1869. Total funds expended during th y chureh and school purposes to May 1, 1869, was at Macon, with 132 communicants, 165 puplis in the Sabbath school and twenty-eight in the day school, viz., $3,085; the smallest at Statesville, in the Catawba Presbytery, with ninety-six communicants, 100 pupils in the the day school, viz., $3 10. poree however, where nothing has been contri- uted. tioned in the foregoing table is counted, as appears from the treasurer's report, the sum of $3250 re. ceived from the Freedmen’s Bureau on uccount of rent, and the following para; report, also refers to atd of thi The teachers sent out, and a] renting and furnishing so Committee on Freedmen, was awarded the floor, the subject of union the cause of missions among the freedmen iooks bright ig. He gave extended verbal explanations of the statements and recommendations of the report. ‘The peculiarity of this mission he declared to be that it is for the elevation of two races instead of one—of the white as weil as the black. And he made some rather severe invectives against some of the Presb) take colored people. But while the ministers are ashamed the people are not. He proceeded to explain the manner of keeping the accounts with the colored churches in the South, and also the nature of the tables m the appendix to the report. It was laugh- ter provoking and excited merriment as the rev- erend speaker mentioned from the table some of the contributions from rich churches in the North, giving two, three and four dollara, but proimising a muititude of prayers. and sent it enclosed with the prayers of the congre- ganon. The committee would like to have the prayers, but wished them to be a little better stamped. the black they only that on account of their ignorance their prejudices are Old Schoo! men and the intensest New School men that are met with anywhere this side of— (ine audience pricked their ears and looked up tn aston- ishment, word to follow; but the speaker around the house, and, lowering his voice, contin- ued)—this side of—Chicago. port the work of the Church among tiese people of the South during next year they must have at least $70,000, and to make anytning like progress at least $80,000 will be necessary. subject should be mentioned in the churches every Sabbath ¢ often ask would | vo them that God's Church will never die giving. if died giving he'll search out where it is buried, put his hand on its grave and say, “Slessed be those who die in the Lord.” Aseerubly was, at the conclasion of Rev. Mr. Logan’s remarks, delivered to the Moderator by the gentie- men named therein and read by the Temporary Clerk, Rev. Mr. Rogers:— To THE MODERATOR OF THE GENERAL ASSEMULY, form you. ft the Church of the Covenant, Ne the Joint Committee of Twenty on Reunion was, at the close Of the sessions of the Assembly this afternoon, unanimously adopted, and that Nr. Wiliam Strong and the Rey. William lama, received with applause. After giving verbal notice of the fact, contained in the above le ceeded to say that they had all yearned for years to consummate the union which ts how in a fair way of accomplishment, @ union of faith, of sentiment, of doctrine and practice. blessings they will follow the recommendations of the committee of conference, and study the things that make for peace. =< to Rev. Dr. Muagrav teen inch sheils, they need no addition to their num- bers. grave, Whose memory he strifes and controversies, but whom he had known as @ faithful adherant to his own convictions, as one of the principal leaders im the movement for re- wnion. And now for ail of the Charch the nobie service is left to finish what had been #0 earnestly and so successfully begun for the good of the king- dom of Christ. far 40 successfully Miled, and that he be hereby requested AY consistent with his duty, to continue 1 charge of that wor' ‘The report of the Standing or Exe utive Comm it- tee on Freedmen, on which the above 18 mere Com- mentary, must in every way be considered a re- markable document, both for what wt says directly and for what it only mdicates. Since everything connected with the freed colored population of the South is just now of general interest, not only in Presbyterian circles but thro may not be amiss to make & report itself, nregurd to the distinctiveness of the black race Horr the white there a in this report—somewhat hidden by cumrous verbiage—the following positive admission:— This committee enters into no discussion touching the righteousness or uni usness of the and pieyuritces which separate the races. The race feeling is to looked upon asa profound fact in all our efforts to plant the Church of God. It must be reckoned as a grand factor chemes for evangelization. How far the grace of ‘rist may lift & sinner above or carry him beyond those lines with which God has been to define the boundaries of the races and nations we know not. We do know that auch lines exist, more sbarp and le than the Babel of human ton) and that they are whoily consistent with the unity declared by Him who has "made of one blood all the nations of the "An extended obser- vation teaches us that the prejudices, feelings and attach- ments of race are more active and with the Afri- can than with most other races. A ph eliminate distinctions deemed conveational, but practical con- tact reveals the fact that God has placed a stamp of Individu- ality on his soul as as upon his body. White missiona- ries may perform mi ‘successfully among them, but further than that ft is difficult to go. "The boundary of hie work ts not fixed by the white miniaier, but by the colored congregation. is demand for pastors of their own race is ed by thelr condition and by the resent relations of this race to people among whom ve, ‘are still in service, though free, The ly of chur households of the white and safe, in the present ‘tate ot affairs, to enter these households it case with those among the And again, on page 22 of the report:— It has been the aim of the committee, from the beginniny not only to establish the Church among the freedmen, but develop and direct the power of the people to. sustain’al! the institutions of v for themselves. The providence separate je. Mixed congregations could And on page 13 the following gratifying statement 1s made:— Great advantages result from allowing the churches, amon: Gj the a ‘own the houses for worship, which have been erected for ti m, as it gives both permanence and sel{- ence respect to the n. The people, with houses of their own, gather, their families, about the sanctuary, which is rem all Tnore, sacred | from the sense of manhood, and the home feeling which the cunerehiD: of it gvesthem. And the sacredness with which the trust has Deer Denes as wel asthe Windom Of aivis) these buildings into the hands of the people for whose beneilt they were erected, are fully vindicated by the fact that, out of the more than $63,000 invested in property for the benefit of the freedmen, not a dollar has been lost, no building has been cheapened by neglect and not a single effort has been made to alienate the title from Presbyterian ownership. The following financial statement is also of inter- est; for it shows that the freedmen gathered in churches and schools have during the year eontri- buted @ comparatively large amount to the ex- chequer of the committee, considering that they had under their control seventy-two churches, with fifty- one church buildings and 5,634 communicants; sixty- nine Sabbath schools, with 4,723 pupils, and fifty- seven secular schools, with 3,203 pupils. The financial operations of the committee during the year were a8 ol — Balance from last yea: Church collection: 1,908 24,252 Missions and grants from government Total funds... of committee. 72,809 The largest amount e colored people for abbath school and thirty-six in ‘There are a number of Among the “grants from the government’ men- ph, clipped from the natare :— government allowed transportation to the field for all pated generous aid in building, rooms. Rev. J. C. LoGaN, of Pittsburg, secretary of the nding a motion for the bape ere of the report. le said that after the action of the/Assemblies on iter and much more promis- jan ministers who appear to be ashamed to old personally of the cause of Christ among the One church gave one dollar, In speaking of the characteristics of race, Mr. Logan remarked that have the same impuises as the white, . stronger, and, he added quite lacetiously, among them can be found the intensest fearing, perhaps, the usual irreverent paused, looked (Laughter.) To sup- To raise this money the Some think that if the members be 10 give the Church would suffer; but he apy one could tell him that a church has The following communication from the New School Merino Ax THE Brick Cuyron, NEW Youk:— REY. AND DEAR BRoTuER—It gives me pleasure to in- Instructed by the General Assembly, meeting York, that the report o )., were appoleted to communteate this action to e"Assembly over which you preside, By order ral Ansemt y. EDWIN P. HATFIELD, Stated Clerk. CHURCH oF THE CovENANT, May 27, 196), Mr. WM. STRONG was then introduced, who was iter, he pro- And tn order to secure these Rev. Dr. ADAMS stepped forward and paid a high and said that if the ool had any more such cannon, throwing fif- He was especially moved on meeting Dr. Mus- had associated with former Rev. Dr. Jacosus feelingly replied to the addresses of the two last speakers, they being, as already stated, special commissioners of the New School Assembiy, Mr. Monnis Parrenson, from the Committee on Mileage, made a report, from which tt appeared that for the mileage account the sum of $1,089 88 had been received, that 36,090 miles were travelied by commissioners to the Assembly, for which they are entitled to the sui of $1,052, Which was ordered to e Assembly engaged in the transaction of some minor routine business, among which was that the reception of @ jation from Bohemia be the second order of the day for this forenoon. Rev. Wm. U. JOHNSTONE, of Philadei desired to pitch into the secretaries of the se: boards for a act individually in the name of the board; but subject being considered extraneous po wes callea to onter and he continued to addrese the house on the Freedmen’s Committee He Northern hey to- wards the Mer ey his own ava though ey to the core, is slow backward; give it is not with that liberal hand and wil as for other objects, The Southern assemblies can- notas yet see their way clear to co-operate with them; so mach the more, therefore, rests the duty = them to put all their force and power into the work. Rev. Dr. REASER, of Kansas, | nat his own i" rience. He had seventeen colored persons in his own congregation, They increased and wanted to form a church of their own. He wrote to Princeton, to Chicago, visited himself at Alleghany; but from’ neither of these theological hor anywhere else in the Old School Presbyterian fhont the country, it lew extracts from the his great and they should show that Presbyterianism was a above referred ace mi ants and non-Catholies” throughout the world, the import of which ig to invite and urge all persons and organizations thus designated to “hasten to return to the only fold,” meaning the Ohurch of Rome; and ant al ‘at th every friend of Church, could he get a minister for them, though he a : ed a — 4 % year. But the United re , mone from Canada. fe Was sure that the colored people make goo.| Presby- terians and present the field for our occu- pation. At Leavenworth the Catholics are coquet- Ung with ye conrad people and scores of them already are devout Catholics, . ward { the day shas then ‘The priests look for- and utilize in time the a Church, The world pever saw such energy and endeavor as the colored jeople are now themselves making for their own weyation, shall not the Presbyterian Church helpthem? The great ovject should be to educate the ‘lack men, ‘Africa nso rine @ ow le tor ~ ert te arrien 001 n people to convert ar. 2 a vig Wi Sep (cole Proposed to Mr, WILLL say Sme- yng. being cailed out on bel of his people ag Pr vterlanisin, He finds all that is required is th. Confession oi faith, It was God’s work to make this @ great and noule people, and it was no wonder He made them Presbyterians. His race were so impul- sive, 80 easily away, and hence impatient. Presbyterianism makes haste slowly. Other: de- nominations have taken advantage of this, and he, the speaker, was on every side. Because he Was an Old Scaool Presvyterian, they call him adem- ocrat, They sk, why doa’t the old Presbyterians give them schoois, byterianism counts the cost and considers matters well, before she puts her foot in it. When political and ecclesiastical difficulties split, the Church, they, the blacks, did not know Sorsning about it, and understood nothing m regard to it. He was @ Presbyterian. New m; he knew n about it, and he thanked God that there wis tobe no Old and no New School. What an army when they come together, to fight all tne other isms. When hearts and hearts come cemented er oh what a sight in the spirit of God. Popery defeated and driven back to its own land. make a good Presbyterian is coming back to the Old Scheol principies. Presby' ism ise dle; when 16 once takes hold 1¢ is hara to killit. He then gave an account how 387 blacks, ready to join the Presbyterian communion, turned Baptists, because the Presbyterian minister promised them did not come. Rev. Dr. Musgrave made an additional report from the Committee of Conference to the effect that they ask to be discharged from the consideration of @ number of overtures and memorials on the subject of reunion, the subject having been disposed of by the action of the assemblies. reed to. Dr. MusoRave {further stated tt the speech re- ported in the 7ridune ag having been made by Dr. johnson, of Philadelphia, in the New School Assem- bly on Thursday last, was not the speech made by him; that he had expressed no such sentiments and entertained them not; and Dr. Musgrave ho} that no one of the Old School will allow himself to be in- fluenced by such an erroneous report. Areport by the Committee on Devotional Exer- cises Was made, designating the churches where special services will be held on Sunday next and naming the members of the Assembly assigned to oiliciate, Whereupon the Assembly adjourned. ‘There wes no mecting for business in the after- noon. Atthree o'clock the members of both tie Assemblies gathered atthe Brick church for united com: union service, at waich Rev. Dr. Gardiner Spring, the veteran of the church, presided, assisted on hisright by Kev. Dr. Jacobus and on his leit by Rev. Dr. Fowler, Moderators of the two Assem- blies. A collectioa was taken up for the benefit of the several missionary poards and commitices of the Churck, and amid prayers, the chanting of hymns and the usual brief addresses by the elders designated, the bread and wine were presented to tne communicants, after which, with a benediction by Dr. Spring, the assemblage was dismissed. ihe ceremunies bore no unusual character. THE NEW SCHOOL ASSEMBLY. Elghth Day. The two schools met in the Church of the Cove- nant at half-past eight o’clock yesterday morning, and having spent an hour in joint prayer, in which thanks were poured forth to the Throne of Grace for the reunion so happily effected on the previous day, the Old School retired, and The MopERATOR called the New School to order for the despatch of business. Rev. Dr. Crossy, from the Devotional Committee, read a long list cf preachers who would occupy the various Presbyterian puipits in New York and vicin- ity to-morrow, AN ATTACK ON THE POPE. Rev. Dr. Apams here read a preamble and re- solutions adopted at the Synod'of New York and New Jersey, directing the formation of a com- Mittee to compile an answer to the invitation of the Pope of Rome asking all the churches to unite and submit to his supreme authority. He said it was considered very advisable to take advantage of the present opportunity to frame a full exposition of the Protestant doctrines, in different languages, and Scatter it all over the world; and it was proposed now to form a committee for that special purpose. Rev. Dr. ForD said he considered that this was taking too much notice of the Pope, and that it was beneath the dignity of the great Presbyterian Church to reply, in any way, to “that poor, miserable old man. Rev. Dr. STEARNS said that the Pope was a fact, power was a fact, Catholicity was a fact, te Several other reverend gentiemen made brief ob- servations, the gist of which was that the etiquette of answering any communication, however inaulting it might be, from the man whom the Catholics—a very numerous body—recognized as their head, ought to be observed. The motion for the formation of such a committee was then put and carried, and the Moderator ap- ointed Rev. Dr. Adams, of New York, Kev. Dr. C. iis and D. W. Ingersoll, of Minnesota. The following are the preamble and resolutions to:— Whereas the Pope of Rome. called Pins the Ninth, did, on the 1th day of December, in the year of onr Lord 1868, issue in letter or prociamation, addressed to ‘all Protest. Whe ‘a8 the said Pope, in the said letter, called “paternal tolic,” has, ia an’ unwonted manner, as if pleading F of pu lic opinion, assigned several and various reasons for its preparation and publication ; and Whereat among the reasons so mentioned, is ton of his own supremacy over the human ‘conscience, us “the viear of Jesus Christ,” the authority to govern the per- suasions of the M intellect, and to direct the actions of men, both In private and social life; as also this, that the rejection of this authority and protest against it by so many has “promoted and nourished these perturbations in human atfairs, in this our day,” which the said Pope pronounces “miserable and grievous,” but which must be regarded by his species as universally hopeful aud auspi- elons: and Whereas all such clatms and assertions on the part of the Pope of Rome are, to the last degree, unfounded in fact, contrary to truth, reason, Scripture anid of the whole genius of Caristianity, and if allowed would prove subversive of all human rights and liberties; and Vhereas recent movements ally in Austria and Spain—nativns long in subjection to these monstrous preten- = f at aanat of ak tae Poy Gene hs nition, = vathy and support lends of humanity, ‘dom ane Feliclon throuthout the world; Unerefore ba it’ eo Resolved, That the facts now recorded furnish and present @ proper and fitting occasion for all Protestant churches throu, out Christendom, each in the mode which its own wisdom ah: suggest to prepare and set forth for general “distribat through the same channels which the Pope himself has chosen, ‘a sititable response to his letter, which mee hall contain S statement of the reasons why hla claims can in no wise be recognized, as being inconsistent with a catholictty more eatholle than Rome, the authority of infallible scripture, and the glortona supremacy of Jeans Christ. Resolved, That a commiitee be appointed by this Assem- diy, whowe ‘duty it shall be, in co-operation with a similar committee of three to be appointad by the General Assembly now meeting In the Brick church, to nominate and appoint at the earlient tinte a committee of ten, who, if they deem it wise, shall prepare and publish such a reply to the Pope as shall be ned an expression of the sentiments of the resbytertan te sof America con- cerning the matters therein contained, as of vital Importance to all civil and religious ilberty throughout the world and to the salvation of the huroan race, A delegation from the Oid School, composed of Dr. Musgrave and Elder Robert Custer, entered at this stage and were received by the New School with loud appianse. TT JODERATOR then introduced to the Assembly Dr. Musgrave, who proceeded to address them. He said that he waa greatly impressed with the honor conferred on him in appearing before that august Assembly as a delegate on such an auspicious occa- ston. (Applanse.) He had acted as chairman on the reunion committee, and was happy to be able to an- nounce that the proposed basis had been accepted by bis asseabiy, 57 an overwhelming majority. (Applanse.) — in there was only a minority of which was just sufficient spice to make the dose palatable, Of those nine some had voted by direction of their presbyteries, and he had no doubt but that these presbyteries would give in their cordial adheston to the proposition when the: saw the unanimous aj ‘al of the universal Charc! had been given. T! two branches were now about to unite, He looked upon that matter as set- tied. All that remained was a mere formality. He iereniseg sekeas beet ar expect lo wee the di when their divimons would be healed aud there would be but one Presbyterian Church of the United States of America. ‘There were two things which, if not Gone Gf apprehension, were at least canses of ty in the future. In both branches there was at present ® great sensitiveness in regard to the two Feet rallying words of years fone by. In hin O14 ara they were eying great stress on the necessity of preserving the orthodoxy 3 by Sooke fs Lg cd Many had been speak! ngty favor of “ill liberality.” These discussions 1 Obie mi guage of that nature, and keep silent if th M not fat, with their ‘teetares of the Sener bran i# caution he directed equally to the Old School and the New School. He te that it the Presbyterians were to understand that, on the one hand the most rigid orthodoxy was to be en- forced, and on the other hand that the broadest liberty was to be allowed on all matters, they would be unable to come to a satisfactory termination. No other extreme views should be broached just now when that important question was about to be submitted to the several presbyteries. The second point to which he wished to dir¥t their attention was the of inflation, of self-suiciency, of un- ie at J = the Pe of so mach wealth and sucl mbers, would not biess their edorts ‘anlees tuey were hupbie io tuetr agpirations. NEW YORK HERALD, SATURDAY, MAY. 29, 1869.—TRIPLE SHEET, | The same thing was true of churches as of indivt- dua's—that “pride goes before destruction and @ haughty spirit betore a fall.’ They should there- fore desire this reunion solely 10. God's greater glory, and He would guide them to a biessed eud and consummate the wors. Eider Ropget Carrer next spoke, expressing his tow Joy at the reunion for which he had so long yearoed, ‘fhe MODERATOR said he was happy to see the ramor officially confirmed of the approval of the basis of reunion by the brethren of the Old School, He was happy to say that the New School Assembly, had heen perfectly unanimous in accepting the pro- posed For his part, he rejoiced most heartily at the happy termination of the labors of the confer- ence commitiee, He thanked the veneravlo Father Musgrave for his kind cautions, but, Shoagh some of the Old School brethren might be indisereet, he trusted that the feeling of Christian cordiality would prevent any dissension, A resolution was then moved and condemn- ing the increasing practice of frequenting theatres and opera houses and frequenting dances, both in pub- Referred ‘ic and private, to Comuuttee on Bilis and Orertures, lev, Dr, BRown, from the Committee on Ministe- rial belief, stated that there were oniy two thousand dollars in the treasury and had to meet bills to the amOent of four thousand dollars in a fortnight. For that season pastors .syould have contributions collected tn vneir church He re} that two hundred and eighty-five churchés-had contributed this year. against two hundred and thirty-five last a handred churches had not con- Rev. Mr. Murpny, of the New York Port Society, made some remarks on the work lcemed towards seamen by that society. ‘The invitation of the Kings county bi Grand Army of the Republic was receive Assembly to be present at the decoration of sudiers’ graves on Mo! next. The members were rewom- mended to be present. Rev. Dr. Cox. of Ohio, then delivered a long ON in which he besought God to shower his biessings on the recent marriage of the two Churches, and sent wh of the for the up an earnest and strong appeal against the Pope, Dewged snd prayed of Almigniy God tae Ne would 7 raved of Alm: we condemp the Pope out of iis own mouth, and that he would annihilate and demolish botn him and his Church, that rigiteousness might prevail in this lana and all over the entire wor! * ‘The Assembly then adjourned to meet their breth- ren of the Old School in joint communion service in the Brick church at three o’clock, and to reassembie at half-past eight this morning in the Church of the Covenant. Reception of Assemblies at Five Points House of Industry. The Presbyterian Assemblies were invited to at- tend receptions by the schools of the Five Points House of Industry on Thursday and Friday after- noons of this week, and the last reception was held yesterday afternoon. About seventy-five were pre- sent, including many clergymen, represent! sec> tions of the country. Between three and four hun- dred children part cipated in an entertaining pro- gramme of exercises, consisting in recitations by © asses, in geography and arithmetic, Scripture reci- tauons, a calesthenic exhibition, and fine singing of solos, duets and choruses. Several members of a Chinese class connected with the Mission were the objects of marked attention. At the conclusion of the exercises all were mvited to attend special ser- vices of the House of Industry on Sunday afternoon. REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN SYNOD (0. S.) Second Day—Afternoon Session. NewsvnrG, May 27, 1869. ‘The Synod renewed business at three P. M. The reading of presbyterial reports was made the order of the day for Friday morning. A paper said to be @ memorial from Princeton, Ind., was laid on the table by some unknown per- sou. The Moderator stated that the paper bore no evidence of transference by the presbytery, and hence could not be received or read, unless some satisfactory explanation could be given. A member of the lilinois Presbytery said that the reason that the paper was not transferred was be- cause it purported to be signed by members of a congregation whose alleged pastor is not known to the Presbytery or Synod. The paper had been trans- ferred to the Presbytery by a session whose Mode- rator had been suspended by the Synod a year ago. ‘On motion the mysterious document was ordered to be returned to him who had tabied it. SUPERANNUATED FUND. The committee to whom had been recommitted the report with reference to the superannuated, fund again reported. The leading recommendations of the modified plan are free from the objections raised against the previous report. The new paper was, after slight tenes, adopted unapimously. ‘the character the whole is indicated by the followlug:—The fund is to be for the benefit of superannuated ministers and the needy families of deceasod mintaters. Congregations are to raise collections tor the fund. The principal is to be left intact. James Wiggins, the Treasurer, holds the — ‘until the next meeting of the Synod. Pres- byteries are to decide who shail be the recipients, Rey. 8. BOWDEN moved thas ions be re- commended to insure the lives of their pastors. The motion, he said, wag made on the condition that it would be voted upon with not more than two min- utes’ discussion. Objection being made the motion was withdrawn. A PLAN OF ORGANIZATION REJECTED. The following resolutions, previously offered by Rev. R. N, Johnston, were taken up for disposition:— Resolved, That the time has come when there shou'd be a change in the mode of the organization or constitution of the Synod of the Keformed Presbyterian Church. Resolved, That, hereafter, until otherwise ordered, the annual meetings for three consecutive years shall be repre- ‘and that the meeting every aentative or de ‘synods, fourth year shail be, as now, a General Synod or Assembly. Resolved, That the annual or representative synods ‘shall mposed of delegates sent from the several preabyteries followa:—Each presbytery at its spring meeting shull ‘appoint one-third of its ministers and ruling elders, repre- senting the sessions in the same J ocean Resolved. That the annual or delegated synods shall bave no power to change the cons:itutional Jaw of the Church, and that from any decision of an annual aynod an appeal'may be taken to the Quadrennial or General Assembly. The mover of these resolutions advocated their passage, on the ground that the ends of Church legislation can be promoted a3 weil and with far less iricuion by @ body much smaller than the ordi- nary synods, since these have now growa very large, and as much time is speot in unimportant discus- sion; that such is now the prosperous condition of the Church, and her boards and other machinery are in such fine working order, enjoying the entire confidence of the Church, that there 1s no speciat or urgent need for the assembling of so |i a eed as the present synod every year; and that the travelling expenses incurred annually are very great, and too great if unnecessary, since the money is greatly needed for the treasuries of the benevolent schemes of the Caurch. Rev. JouNn WALLACE objected to delegated synods, on the ground that they had not worked very smoothly in former times, . SPROULE said that there was something in the system of the old sub-synods. The plan is very different from the former. He that .a change in the organization of synod must be made soon, and he thought the Church was ready for it now. Kev. W. GRawaM thought that the objection against a ng annual synod that the travelling expenses are heavy was lignt; that eiders were proti by their altendance, and that it was good for ail to come together. Professor J. R. W. SLOANE urged that the interests of the benevolent schemes of the Church demand full annual meetings of Synod in its present form, and hoped that, as these sciemes are now prosper- ing, no change would be made. “Let weli enough After brief remarks by others, the vote being taken on the first resolution, it was lost by an almost a negative. The others were then with- rawn. THR NEXT PLACE OF MEETING. The vote of the morning session locating the next synod at Northwood, Ohio, was reconsidered, Several other places were proposed. The Synod finally determined to hoid its next annual meeting at Vakdale, iL, (in Elkhorn church) commencing on the Thursday after the fourth Tuesday ot May, 1570, Evening Session. Pursuant to previous order the evening was spent im devotional exercises. Professor Sloane presided, and the exercises with 1 Singing. Scripture reading — aero and then x voluntary “ayer. The subject of discussion being “The Revival of Religion,” Rev. A. M. MILLIGAN spoke of the nature of revival. It is not a wild enthusiasm on religi ete et meh ttle in spiritual rel of effort to counteract the \- result. Our cnief aim should = ne attended, and considerable earnestness wag tuani- fested in the exercises, The dey ire of the German expedition té the North PSRs axed for Jane 7. The Germania and the steamer Harmonia will proceed direct to the Isiand Jan-Mazen, and then go northward and en- deavor to discover an opening in the ice between the seventy-fourth avd seventy-sixth degrees of latitude, if by end of August the expedition should not have succeeded the vessels will go and pass tho winter either at Spitzbergen or at Glisiaad, aud re ume the enterorige in 1470. GERMANY. Tho Alabama Excitemont—Effect of Sumacr’s and Chandler’s Speeches—American Bonds An Unsettled Money Market—Confidence in United States Securities—Au Obnoxious Duty to Be Lmposed on Foreign Bonds. FRanxrort, May 12, 1869. While European politics remain in a state of per- fect quietness and even sensation rumors have ceased, we have been startled by the sudden revival of the Alabama question, The speeches of Sumner and Chandler have made a great impression in this country, The democratic press make the most of it, and the consequence is that people believe that America seeks @ pretext for war with England. Country people who had already prepared for emi- gration prefer to remain where for the present they live in peace, and all investments in Americar bonds have ceased, while small holders, frightened for thelr little property, throw their bonds on the market, This is the more wo be regretted, as the London market is now flooded with bonds, and would have found relief here, As it is, the large amounts sent hither from London have been taken, after a fall from 87 to 84, by speculators, who at the least recovery will sell them again, so that our market will remain unsettled for some time. A steady improvement can only take place whenever the aaxieties about serious difficul- ties between England and America have been re- porns. Nobody believes that England will strike er laste Saturday ansatnes to ne enormous smount took place in bonds; telegrams poured in from London with orders for sale. Such is the “guidance of our speculators in the wisdom of merican tics, though the speeches might ap Peas that between 84 to 8434, all bouds offered ‘were taken, and when next morning & recovery was reported from New York the price 6 up to 86, but has receded conseqvence of further sales on bank account to 85. With to other funds our Bourse remains animated, amoney is plentiful, and no political a) prehenstons exist, Our. corn markets remain aul, and wheat ant rye only salable for instant delivery. ‘The rise in the English and French markets nad 00 influence on ours, as stores are too plentiful and the weather is very pi for the crops. Only rape is € Sate of the plant is unsatisfactory. ‘his Would open @la:ge market for petroleum were para stupid taxes Prussia proposes to lay on ‘The si duty of ote per cent to be laid on all foreign bonds circulating m the North German Con- federation is pe yp rma to tal prohibition of future remittances of American bends; all trafic therein must cease if we are one per vent dearer than Am- sterdam, Paris and London. Baron Rothschild, our deputy in the North German Parliament, has now left for to try whether it is possible to teach common sense to Prussian think- ers in commercial affairs, The whole plan is as irra- tional as possible. It can produce nothing, because no foreign orders will come here henceforth, and a profitable trade will be made over by Prussia to other places out of her reach. The Champers of Commerce of Berlin, Hamburg and the Rhenish prov- incesare straining every nerve to prevent the pass- ing of this misctuevous law. Still all will depend upon whether the deputies can be convinced that they wilt lose more by income tax and in the revenue of the ior and the heed or than the contemplated tax 1s ikely to produce. 1t isin such instances that it be- comes manifest to everybody that in Prussia every- thing is subservient to the military, and whenever the King wants three more regiments of lanoers or hussars, trade, industry and commerce may go to the wall. ‘The laws are made in this country by peo- ple who have not the remotest idea of their conse- quences. THE DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENCE ON THE ALABAMA CLAIMS. {Washington (May 27) Correspondence of the Boston Advertiser.) All of our earlier diplomatic correspondence with foreign governments is undergoing a close examina- tion by the administrauon, and as a result the members of the cabinet are questioning whether, in the ition we may assume concerning the settlement of the Alabama claims, we can rest our demands upon England to any great extent on her early recognition of bel- ligerency, without, in the first pi running a great risk of being beaten in the ar ent; and, in the second place, of unnecessarily shackling ourselves. The correspondence referred to shows that on the 12th of June, 1861, Lord Lyons explained to Mr. Adams that England, in issuing the proclamation of a month before, really intended to be sirictly neutral; that Mr. Adams wrote tothe state ent on the 2ist of June that a desire to be fectly neutral in- spired her Majesty's ministers, and that Mr. Seward in reply virtually declared that there was no al cause for trouble on account of that time. the 1 sth of July, Mr. jurz, our Madrid, wrote to Mr. Seward as follows concerning his first with the Spanish Secretary of Foreign Sefior Calderon Callanter then asked me whether the declaration of neutrality on the part of Sp Preplied that the government of tue Dakod govern: r nd from fe Pe notbil but to be and expected from foretga Powers ing but to be left to controversy as it deem As received no expression of opiufon trom fay goversaedi, ond that I thought ft would be cousiderod autisvactory. gore the Sth of August Mr. Schurz wrote to Mr. In jaance of the instruction contained in yore despatch I anote to Seiior Calderon Callanier, a copy of = is hereto swath’ PR ao gpdiparernent ‘gn inter- jew with the Secretary for the purpose of expressing to him the satisfaction with, which. the p-ocamation of we Queen Was received by the President bad he not been absent (rom 2 cap! The note of Mr. Schura to the Spanish Sect of State, to which he refers, contained the foliowing regarding the proclamation:— LEGarion oF THR UNtTED Starrs, ) MADRID, July 81, 1851.5 Srn-— Yesterday I received « despatch from the Secretary of State of the United States, Informing me that the President has real with the greatest satisfaction the proclamation uf ber Catholle Majesty concerning the unfortunate troubles that have arisen in the United States, and it affords me the sincerest pleasure to express to your Excellency the high sense which the President entertains of her Majesty's prompt decision and friendly action upon this occasion. In thus carefally reviewing all the arguments which have been lately hedge gr prominently to pub- lic notice the only parpose of the administration 13 to find the strongest position which the governmeut cau take and successfully maintain. LITERATURE. Reviews of New Books. Tne Wevving Day IN ALL AGes AND COUNTRIES. By Edward J. Wood. New York: Harper & Bro- thers. 186%, Mr. Wood writes charmingly. We have been voth amused and instructed by the perusal of his book, which furnishes a minute history of “the wedding day in ail ages and countries.”’ The curious customs which obtained in various parts of the world, at times making matrimony doubly pleasant, and at other times (according to the present taste) render- ing marriage a most formidable ordeal, are detailed ina graphic and interesting style. We trast, how- ever, that the author did not fall into many such blunders as that relating to modern American cus- toms, in which, on the strength of some stupid book publisued in this country, we are informed, that “if @ gentleman wishes to make known his desire to be married he wears ng Fe the first finger of the left hand; if engaged, on the second; if married, on the third, and on the little finger if be is a deter- mined old bachelor, ‘The same rule applies to ladies.” Excepting this rather ludicrous accepta- tion of our customs in matrimonial affairs the book seems in every way trustworthy, and is certainly as readable a publication as one could wish to have. Tae DANCE OF MODERN Soctery. 4 Ww. Cc. Wil. kinson. New York: Oakiey, Mason & Co, Among the many fascinating things which Satan has used in his efforts to corrupt and destroy sinfal man and woman none has obtained so decided a hold upon the mind of weak humanity as dancing. Tae Lire or Joun Banim, the Irish Novelist; with extracts from his corres; neral and Mi . By Patrick Jose Re dareay. “leo selec- tions his poems, Rew York: D, & 4. Sad- ner & Co. 1869, ba b fr Ghost Aunter and Clough z iar 's ms poy Family. New York: D. & Both these volumes are republications. The bog. raphy of John Banim is well written and is quite readable. The novels have been criticised so fre- quently that a further review of them is unnecessary. We scarcely think, however, that they are likely to be extensively read at the present day, although we tay be mistaken. The style of literature for which Banim became famous is not very popular at the pre- sent day, not from any lack of merit in it, but simply because the manne have so changed that ony, Forancen of vextruord q bary merit (like those of Seott, for instance.) can amiuse or interest the nt ion, On the other baud, the biography ‘deserves ® large circula- tion, it being @ real'y entertaining history of the life of a gifted and unfortunate man, Tue WavEeRLEY NOVELS, By Sir Walier Scott. Two Volumes, New York: D, Appieton & Co. ‘These volumes belong to the elegaut edition now being publisned by Messrs, Applevon & Co, They are neatly printed on fine white paper, are hand- somely bound in green morocco, and are profusely gilded. The contents comprise ‘Fortunes of Ni- gel,” “Anne of Geirestein,” “Quentin Durward,'* “The Surgeon’s Daughter,” and ‘‘Caatls Dangerous," in one volume, and “The Heart of Mit-Lothiaao,” “Count Robert of Paris,” The Fair Maid of ny and “\Woocstock,” in the other. Atta;ucd to on the volumes the chronological order of the “Waveri ven, the characters itroduced, and glossary of the obscure words to be it with In the novel. Both volumes coutain adinirable engravings and are altogether worth having 1a one’s ubrary. CUBA. Particalars of General Jordan’s Landing—Tho Expedition March to the Interior Withou Trouble. ‘The landing of General Jordan with his 209 men tn the Bay of Nipe was made on tho 11ta instant, near the sugar plantation of a Spaniard by the name of Pla, The commander sent out @ party to secure transportation for the war material, and, on coming in sight of the houses of the plantation, they encoun- tered about fifty Spanisn soldiers, wao had been sta- tioned as a guard to protect the sugar crop of Seflor Pla. The encounter was @ mutuul surprise; a few shots were exchanged, and the troops fled and were seen no more, The party then took the carts, horses, mules and whatever they found suited to their needs, and with these loaded with their gurplus arms and munitions took up their march for the interior, Their demgn was to join the forces of Julio Paratta, Marcano and other patriot leaders operating in the vicinity of Hol- guin, They took with them as prisoner a brotner of Sefior Pls, who was superintending the labors‘of she sugar plantation, This gent!eman is well known ty Havana, where for @ long time he was engaged the slave trade with Zulueta, Perez Calvo, Valdt- vieso, Duraiion and others. ‘The Captured Cuban Fiag. New York, May 27, 1869. To Toe EpiToR OF THE HBRALD:— ‘The telegraph from Cuba the past two days has been asserting, by permission of the Spanish censor at Havana, that the Cuban flag which Mrs. Emilia ©. de Villaverde presented to Rifteros de la Libertad in this olty on the 27tn of April last was captured by the Spaniards in the encounter with tie pene near the Bay of Nipe. supposing this to true, which 1s very doubtful, I cau assure you that the event has not in the least discouraged the lady, as I know that she is already ei «J In embroidering & new and handsomer flag for tae next expedition, I know also that she does not believe the Spanish re- of affair at Nipe; butif it were su she is will- Ing and able to make a3 many as may oe wanted until planted in the Morro Castle. Yours oe, An Ex-Rebel Ram for Cuba. {Krom the Philadelphia Inquirer.] About the 5th of May the rebel irvaciad ram At- lanta was sola at private sale by tho government authorities at e Island. This fact, togetne with a description of the vessel Bud wer tbo veuculs, was published a few days thereatter in the Inquirer. Additional tacts have since trauspircd which we now give our readers. Shortly after the removal of the vessel to the shipyard of Neatle & Levy the rumor prevailed over town that the sale hai been made to the Guban Committee of this city for $20,000, which was $20,000 lower tuan her appraised value, Further, it was said that the pur- chase was made sud rosa, and tiut ten dayw thereafter, as a matter of form, she was advertised to be knocked down to the highest biduer. Who the urchaser was, or rather who her owners now are, A not actually known. Samuel Ward, of New York, figured in {t, and New York journals have published the fact that she was to be stripped of herarmor and used a8 @ merchant steamer by tie above named tleman. Facts, however, contradict this, a lew days ago ship was placed in a dry dock and her hull ted, and sue is now again 4 Neafie & Levy’s yard undergoing repairs, Wuich said will take two weeks longer to fone the ry surrounding her will be soived. she is for Cuba none who know anything ot her d and that she will make sad havoc when she geta there 18 cen eer Her armament, s formidable battery for ee THourse Swill bring her stores unt: tion. On Tuesday steam was raised in her boilers, and the tubes found to be in a itton. x these were repaired, and ‘will again be raised and the engines tri on authority that the A\ and tne following ia which the affair will be done:—Steam up and every- im readiness she will cast of and go down we Cuban colors hoisted, and a straight courée taken for Cuba. ‘this accomplished, her her suilicientiy celeb . The several rumors that have been about Posner hg intended use as a merchantman are best set aside by the statement of the fact that the pivot frames for her heavy guns are now being ar- ranged and repaired in readiness for the batuery. it is scarcely possibie that Salnave has pt ased her; and, although it has also been said that the Spanish government has made the purchase, there is nothing on which to base the assertion. AS we have said before, 1t 1s more than likely that Cuba is her destination, and that her presence will, in a short while, be creating consternation among the Spanish vessels in Cuban waters, Neither does there seem to be any fear of inter- ference by the Unit-d States authorities, who take no cognizance of “newspaper taik.” The Delaware witl, een! soon figure as the Clyde of America, and the Atlanta as the champion of a better cause than she represented in Warsaw Sound. It is p bie, though improbable, tuat some ob- struction may be thrown in the way of her e: although the es interested in her doubt intentions of the United States officiais inverfering with their arrangement:. They express great confidence in their ability to clear the vessel without troubie, and it is probavie oe they have good reason for so speaking and feeling. Although the people at the shipyard state that the work upon the vessel will tae at least two weeks more, no one would be surprised to her berth at the dock vacant within afew days. The little publicity already given two the matter has caused miuch attention to be paid to the Atlanta, and the friends of Cuba will, undoubtedly, when sh¢ does sail, be immensely pleased to near of hes departure. THE WESTERN UNION T:LEGAAPH SUITS. To Tas Epiror oF Tas HEeRALD:— ‘The test case of H. L. Davis vs. the Western Union Telegraph Company, whicn has just been decided in Cincinnatt, has given. general satisfaction to the business community of this as well as of other cities. ‘The object of this communication is to inform the Public that when the case was filed in the Cincin- nati Se of Mr. Davi occurred which obliged the at- torne; Mr. Davis to fie two cases, dam. ages of $10,000 on each. Tne original set forth their “damnable 7 wi oxmneed desired to give Vein J Western Union Telegraph Company, as it was con. fined to transactions that occurred between the 17th of April and the 24th of May, 1367, only. Assoon ag the other case is reached, which will above Sais bo he ane pect a denouement yw the outrages trated the monopoly in fostering the ao- tailed Comumersial News Deparunent. RESULTS OF CHEAP TRANSPORTATION. Heavy Advance in the Price of Wheat in Mine nesotn. (From the St. Paul Pioneer, May 21.) Our shippers and grain dealers were thrown into no little excitement yesterday upon receiving intelil- a te . a iene from twenty-two cents to ten centa per bushel, and , tion than by rail, as immense quan- Stam are now going and will continue to go by that ronte, the ratiroads centreing at Chicago & - [Fy hh that must eventaaly. serous eee jes heat will ore w and freights by rail been a serious one, and endured | enough to the loss of our farmers, They are Geonly. interested in will lose no of inity to avait themselves of all the benefita Or be thus dert We learn Reduction in other freights will follow. from reltable sources that a Ly Bae hag also been made in westward bound freight, the tart being reduced to forty cents per hundred on freight without classification from Chicago or Mil. waukee to St. Pani. Evidently there “ia a time coming,” and we won't have to walt very tor t). eitner, i