bly touching the reception of members from the South known or supposed to have been in sympathy with the rebellion; therefore Resolved, That while we would treat such ministers with kindness and forbearance, and would by no means interfere with the full and free discussion on their part of the testimonies and requirements referred to, we deem it a solemn duty, which we owe to them and to the Church, to guard them against giving countenance in any way to declarations and movements which are defiant of the Assembly's authority and schismatical in their tendency and aim; and we do earnestly exhort them, in the name and for the sake of our common Lord and Master, to study and pursue the things which make for peace. On the motion to adopt the Pastoral Letter the ayes and nays were ordered, and they are as follows: Ayes, Adams, W. T. Archer, S. M. Nays, Crozier, John Dobbins, John Francis, W. M. MINISTERS. RULING ELDERS. Mitchell, D. Mulford, L. McCreary, R. G. McPherson, A. M. Mitchell, S. S. Ogden, John Scott, Alexander Ministers, 89. RE MINISTERS. Stewart, John Van Dyke.D.D., H.J. Ministers, 10. Rev. Francis J. Collier moved that the Board of Publication be instructed to print the Pastoral Letter, with the addition of Dr. Krebs and Gurley, in a pamphlet form for circulation among the churches. Adopted. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN THE SOUTH.-WILLIAM E. SCHENCK, D.D., offered the following paper, which was adopted: WHEREAS, There is reason to believe that among the ministers and mem bers of the Presbyterian Church in the South, there are many who disapproved of the late rebellion against the Government of the United States and of the separation of those churches from this body, and who did not of their own free will and consent lend their aid or countenance thereto, but bowed before what they believed to be an irresistible necessity; therefore Resolved, That this Assembly, without expressing any opinion in regard to the propriety of the course adopted by such persons, will still cherish a kindly and fraternal regard for them, and whenever any of them shall desire to return to their former connection with us, they will receive a cordial welcome. And in regard to those who have voluntarily aided and countenanced the said rebellion and separation, this Assembly disclaims all vindictive feelings, and all disposition to exercise an undue severity, and reiterates its readiness to receive them back whenever they shall have complied with the conditions laid down by the last General Assembly on page 563 of its printed Minutes. JOSEPH T. SMITH, D.D., of Baltimore Presbytery, offered the following, which was adopted: WHEREAS, The churches in that portion of our country lately in rebellion, whose names appear upon our roll, have not been represented in this Assembly, and still remain in a state of separation from us; and WHEREAS, the measures adopted by this Assembly, if not carried out by the lower courts in a spirit of great meekness and forbearance, may result in perpetuating and embittering divisions already existing, and extending them over portions of our Church now at peace; therefore Resolved, 1. That this Assembly greatly deplores the continued separation between ourselves and our Southern brethren, so long united in the bonds of Christian love and ecclesiastical fellowship, and expresses the earnest desire that the way may be soon opened for a reunion on the basis of our common standards and on terms consistent with truth and righteousness. Resolved, 2. That the lower courts who may be called upon to execute the measures of this Assembly be enjoined to proceed therein with great meekness and forbearance, and in a spirit of kindness and conciliation, to the end that strifes and divisions be not multiplied and inflamed and extended still more widely, and that the discipline of Christ's house may prove for edification, and not for destruction. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE.-WILLIAM E. SCHENCK, D.D., Permanent Clerk of the Assembly, announced that Rev. James McCosh, LL.D., of the Free Church of Scotland, and Professor of Logic and Metaphysics in the Queen's College, Belfast, Ireland, was present, and had placed in his hands a letter signed by a number of distinguished ministers of that Church. On his motion, the letter was handed to the Committee on Foreign Correspondence. The committee reported that Dr. McCosh be invited to address the Assembly, which he did, and was responded to by the Moderator. On motion of William L. Breckinridge, D.D., the whole subject of Dr. McCosh's visit to this Assembly, and that of opening a correspondence between this General Assembly and the various Presbyterian bodies in Great Britain and Ireland, was referred to the Committee on Foreign Correspondence, with directions to report a suitable minute upon these subjects. On motion, Dr. McCosh was invited to occupy a seat upon the platform beside the Moderator, whenever it might suit his convenience to be present during the sessions of the Assembly. HENRY A. BOARDMAN, D.D., chairman of the Committee on Foreign Correspondence, made the following report, which was adopted: 1. The General Assembly records the high satisfaction it has experienced in receiving the Rev. James McCosh, LL.D., who, although not officially accredited to us by the Free Church of Scotland, bears credentials having the signatures of many of the prominent and influential ministers of that Church, assuring us that their General Assembly, if in session, would unquestionably, in their judgment, have given him a formal commission to meet this body. 2. Appreciating the valuable services our distinguished brother has rendered to the cause of revealed religion by his learned and able disquisitions in moral philosophy and theology, we tender to him personally the tribute of our cordial respect and gratitude. 3. We welcome Dr. McCosh as the honored representative of the Free Church of Scotland, and heartily reciprocate every sentiment of kindness and sympathy to which he has given utterance on behalf of that Church and other sister Churches abroad. 4. We share in the hope so eloquently expressed by our esteemed brother, that the various evangelical Presbyterian bodies of Europe and America may soon be brought into a closer and more beneficent fellowship. 5. Responding to the invitation now presented to us, we are prepared to enter into an arrangement with the General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland for an annual interchange of delegates. On the assurance of our brother that such a measure will, as he believes, receive the prompt approval of that venerable body, we will send a representative to meet them at their next annual sessions, as we will welcome any delegate whom they may appoint to meet the Assembly of our own Church-leaving all matters of detail pertaining to this correspondence to be adjusted hereafter. 6. This General Assembly again expresses the pleasure it has derived from the visit of the Rev. Dr. McCosh. We thank him for his fraternal and instructive addresses, and we affectionately commend him to the care of a gracious Providence, that he may be shielded from all peril on the land and on the sea, and that his life may long be spared to the Church of Christ. Resolved, That a copy of this minute be furnished to the Rev. Dr. McCosh. MANSES-BEING COMFORTABLE HOMES FOR PRESBYTERIAN MINISTERS FREE OF RENT.-FREDERICK T. BROWN, D.D., of Chicago Presbytery, offered the following, which was adopted unanimously: WHEREAS, The General Assembly of 1865 adopted the following: That in order to awaken the attention of the churches to the importance of MANSES, the Stated Clerks of each Presbytery be instructed to inquire, at the semiannual meetings of their Presbyteries, of each church under its care, what they have done in times past, what they are now doing, and what they propose doing towards building a MANSE, thereby securing a comfortable home for their minister; therefore Resolved, By this General Assembly that the Presbyteries be enjoined to continue these inquiries, and that they appoint a committee to address a Pastoral Letter to the churches under their care, pressing upon the people the great importance and necessity of providing MANSES and Libraries for their ministers. It was on motion Resolved, That the General Assembly be dissolved, and another be required to meet in the Central Presbyterian Church, Cincinnati, Ohio, on Thursday, May 16, 1867. A. T. MCGILL, D.D., WM. E. SCHENCK, D.D., R. L. STANTON, D.D., Stated Clerk. Permanent Clerk. Moderator. TABLE GIVING THE NAMES OF THOSE WHO HAVE DIED DURING THE YEAR. P. STANDS FOR PASTOR; S. S., STATED SUPPLY; F. M., FOREIGN MIS SIONARY; T., TEACHER; PRF., PROFESSOR; PRS., PRESIDENT; MISS., MISSIONARY; L., LICENTIATE; W. C., WITHOUT CHARGE. 1 Adams, D.,John R., w. c. 8 Barber, Daniel M., P. |