has seemed to me to have received the approbation of the house generally. How do you know, how can any man foretell, how another report differently expressed will meet the views of this house? Why, sir, it seems to me that we are flying into the very difficulties that we wish to obviate. We are now about to spend our time on style and rhetoric, and get into difficulties about different phraseologies. Sir, we have got above that now. (Applause.) I beg the brethren not to risk it. Besides it seems to me to be rather discourteous, though I know my venerable brother never intends to be discourteous to anybody, for, he is too kind, and good, and polite. Yet it does seem to me to be rather discourteous to the former committee, to take it out of their hands and place it in the hands of others. I am so much in earnest in this thing, that I want to go for the practical rather than the theoretical. Sir, let us go on as we have begun. We are in the right line now; let us take it up, and if anybody wants to alter the language of a phrase, let him come forward, state his objection, and make his motion. Then, after we have got through, perhaps it will be just finished and we will all say it is exactly right. I do not like this motion: it looks like a damper. We have all been thinking that report was almost inspired; that it was in answer to prayer; that the Spirit of God indited it; and behold somebody gets up, and declares it is a very faulty thing. If the Spirit of God has led us to that report with such unanimity, let us be very cautious how we undertake to mend it. Let us be cautious. I beg my brethren now to be cautious; because I am satisfied that when that report was read, it met a hearty response from all this convention. I believe it meets the aprobation of a large majority just as it is. There may be some little minutiæ, that will not affect it materially; and that can be suggested. Do not risk that report of the committee by placing it in other hands; they may bring it back in a shape that will not at all suit us. REV. DR. BEATTY:-Mr. President, I always listen to that brother with a great deal of interest, and I ask leave of this house to withdraw my motion. (Loud applause.) THE PRESIDENT:-There is no feeling but one here, and that is the feeling of love to each other in that we are led by the Spirit of God, step by step. Now and then we may get out of the right path, but God will bring us back. We got out yesterday afternoon, but how we came back at night. If we had not had that incident, we would have forgotten we were of different denominations. The question is on the First Article. Rev. Cyrus Dickson, D.D., (0. S.,) moved to amend by inserting the word inspired before the phrase "Word of God,” and adding to it the words, the only infallible rule of faith and practice, which amendment, by unanimous consent of the House, the Committee adopted. REV. DR. MUSGRAVE, (O. S.):-Mr. President, I rise to a point of order. Is it necessary for us to vote, at this stage of the business, by churches? It strikes me it is not necessary at present, and that we may thus save time. THE PRESIDENT:-The question is upon the adoption of the article. I hope that you will vote without losing time. The question was put to vote viva voce, and unanimously adopted. REV. A. ERDMAN, (N. S.):-I would like to suggest that you take this vote standing. THE PRESIDENT:-Oh no. It is very distinct. We have taken the vote, and that is all over. REV. J. W. EDMISTON, (C. P.):-It is not my understanding that we are to take the votes in any other way than by denominations. THE PRESIDENT:-When we come to adopt it as a whole, then the question will be, How do the separate churches vote? We are merely paving the way. REV. DR. CANDEE, (O. S.):—I cannot but think that, with reference to voting by denominations, it is better to hear the expressed opinions of the denominations as such on the individual clauses. When we come to vote on the whole paper, there will probably be hardly a dissenting voice; but there may be, at first, in regard to particular clauses. But it appears to me that now is the time to put into practice the principle of voting by the churches separately. THE PRESIDENT:-The Moderator has decided the question. REV. S. W. CRITTENDEN, (N. S.):-I appeal from the decision of the Chair, for this reason. I can vote heartily to accept all, and hope to do so; yet I want the privilege of rising to vote on every distinct proposition, with an Aye and an Amen! I wish, then, to have the privilege of voting on the whole, Aye; but I wish to grant every brother the same privilege I ask for myself. If any brother in this assembly, of any denomination, wishes to vote aye to one proposition, and no to another, I wish to allow him that privilege; and I wish to allow him the privilege of rising and showing his vote, and not be held to do it at the last. Now, sir, I appeal from the decision of the Chair, because I have not occupied the time of this assembly before. THE PRESIDENT:-Allow me to speak. I have said I would govern this body by common sense. If it is the wish of the house to vote now by denominations, I will withdraw my decision, as I want merely to save time. The brethren will vote, then, upon these questions by denominations. The Chair is trying to guide you along, and when he makes a wrong decision he is willing to substitute a right one. REV. DR. T. W. J. WYLIE, (R. P.):-I am heartily prepared to vote on this matter myself; but I think we should be very cautious not to take any step that would seem to do the slightest injustice to the wishes or feelings of any brother. I know there are brothers here who wish to vote directly on certain propositions; and instead of compelling them to call for those special clauses, let us go over the report by denominations. REV. MR. CRITTENDEN:-That is just what I was about to say when interrupted by the Moderator. We agreed to vote on every important question by churches. THE PRESIDENT:-The decision of the Chair is this: The question before the house is upon the adoption of the article read; and according to the ruling and decision of the Chair, it shall be taken by denominations. The Convention then proceeded to vote by Churches, and Article First was adopted unanimously, as follows: I. An acknowledgment of the Old and New Testament to be the inspired Word of God, and the only infallible rule of faith and practice. The Second Article was then read. REV. H. B. SMITH, D.D., (New School):-Mr. Moderator, it seems to me that in this article we have reached the central point, and that here we need to be careful and circumspect; because we have come to the article where there has been the most controversy. There will be the most difficulty, in respect to the terms of subscription to the sense in which we assent to the doctrines presented, and receive the Confession of Faith as containing the doctrines taught in the Holy Scriptures. I move that the following words be added to that article; namely: "It being understood, that this Confession is received in its proper historical that is, the Calvinistic or Reformed sense.' The Article as amended, was read. REV. Dr. McILVAINE, (O. S.):-Mr. P resident, whilst I hold to the Confession of Faith, in the proper historical-the Calvinistic, or Reformed sense, as strongly as any one, I would very much prefer the resolution as it stood at first. There are strong reasons why we should not set up any interpretations of the Confession of Faith, as if that detailed statement of doctrine was a feather which could be blown about one way or the other. The words of that Confession of Faith must forever bind the consciences of honest men who receive it, in the sense which has been called the historical sense. You cannot get any interpretations of the Confession of Faith which will bind the consciences of good men any more than the Confession of Faith itself will do. Therefore, I feel we shall be stronger every way to say that Confession of Faith shall be the one basis of union. I am satisfied with the Confession of Faith as the basis of our union. I do not want to argue one statement of facts upon it, and make that the basis of union. If the others are satisfied with the Confession of Faith as the basis of union, I am satisfied with the Confession of Faith as the basis of union. With these few remarks I will sit down. The Convention was adjourned with prayer by Rev. Dr. J. Few Smith, (N. S.) FIRST REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, PHILADELPHIA. } The Convention met, as per adjournment, and spent a season in devotional exercises, being led therein by Rev. Cyrus Dickson, D.D. The services were opened by singing the 68th Psalm. The Chairman then read the 12th chapter of Isaiah, and the 5th of Matthew. Let us sing, said he, with full hearts, to God, the 36th Psalm. It will probably be the last time that we will have such an opportunity for exhortation and praise. This Convention will, in all probability, adjourn before another morning. The Psalm was sung. A DELEGATE said:-Mr. President, it has done my heart good, and I have felt it leap within me with joy, at the manifestation of God's Spirit here. I have always put God first, everywhere and every time. I love the Presbyterian name. I love the Calvinistic order, and I love the communion of saints. I thank God, that we are becoming harmonious, feeling the same great need of the unity of the Church. I believe in that great sentiment that was enunciated from the pulpit by Dr. Duff; that this great assembly is like the ancient tribes coming up to Jerusalem; and the nearer they get to Jerusalem, the nearer they get to one another; and when they get on the Mount of Zion, then they are on the same platform. REV. DR. MONFORT (Old School):-I believe this, sir, that we should act as did the disciples of old, when their Saviour, asking them to follow Him, said: "Let the dead bury their dead." And so I feel, that we are in a great work; a work inspired of God; a work in which we should press forward; and I feel like saying to those who will not come with us, Let the dead bury their dead; as for us we will accomplish the great unity of the Church. We have been speaking all along with reference to our disagreements; let us now, for a time, consider those things wherein we are one, and on which we all agree! It is not for us to know what God's purposes are, but we are now about knowing that Christian unity is being perfected. This is the most solemn day in my life, as a minister of the Gospel. And I pray God, that harmony may prevail, and that a unity of spirit may prevail, and that the good work may be consummated. ŘEV. DR. STEVENSON (O. S.):-Perhaps it may be well to turn our thoughts for a moment- as our brethren of the Episcopal Convention are to be here in ten minutes—to the subject of even a wider union. I confess, I am amazed at the evidence of God's Spirit here; amazed to see five or six denominations together as we are. But let us remember that there is another great body-a Protestant body—a Calvinistic body-a noble church of Jesus Christ, whose delegates are to be present with us here in a few moments; a body that has the love of the blessed Jesus in all their hearts. May we not hope that eventually the border of this organic union may extend beyond these five or six denominations? We are all one body! All one body in Christ Jesus! Then brothers as we are one body-let our minds and hearts go out to our Christian brethren of the same body. Not only that-we are of the same Spirit: in-dwelt by the same Holy Ghost; and many of us have precisely the same characteristics. During these exercises the Clergy and Laity of the Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Anniversaries of the Protestant Episcopal Church in session in this city, consisting of Rev. Drs. Newton and Butler, and Rev. Phillips Brooks and others, entered the house. President Stuart took the chair and said:-We are to have one grand union of the Millennial Church one of these days! The 133d Psalm was sung, "Behold how good a thing it is, And how becoming well; THE PRESIDENT:-Paul in his Epistle to the Ephesians, thus writes: "I therefore the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called. * * * * * * * * * "Till we come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." Brethren, we were in the midst of devotional services, when the beloved brothers of the Episcopal Convention entered the church. We shall continue the services for a few moments longer. Will the Rev. Dr. Newton, of the Protestant Episcopal Church, lead the Convention in prayer? REV. DR. NEWTON:-Let us pray. Lord Jesus Christ, Thou great Head of Thy church we thank Thee for this Thy church on earth. We thank Thee that Thou hast revealed Thyself as the foundation of hope and trust. We thank Thee that Thou hast revealed Thyself as the only common Saviour to ruined sinners everywhere. And we thank Thee for the grand, precious truth on which Thy people can stand. Truth centering in Thee! Truth in Thee! we thank Thee that Thou art the life and embodiment of the truth in which our souls can live. And We thank Thee that there is so much in Thy Blessed Book, which any man can receive of the truth that will save. We thank Thee that we are getting to see more and more of the things which we hold in God, and that we are coming to yield more in obedience to them. Blessed Saviour, may the time come when not only the watchmen on the walls of Zion, but all who dwell within those walls shall see, eye to eye, the glorious light of their Redeemer. We thank Thee for the privilege of mingling together, and engaging thus in views and sentiments worthy of the great interests that are mutual to us. We pray Thee, blessed Saviour, that Thou wilt shed down more and more of the spirit of love and unity into the hearts of Thy people everywhere. We pray that Thou wilt bless Thy servants who assemble |