Witli regard to this gathering of the disci
ples of Calvin, tho American says:
For tlie first time in twenty years, snd the
second limo since its existence of the general
assembly of the Southern Presbyterian church
in tlio United States—the highest official body
of that organization—is in session in Balti
more. That period of two decades lias seen it
grow from an organization of men joined to
gether for a common cause, with an untried
future before them, into a church strong ami
full of vigor. Its advance lias been steadily
airmg tlie lino of progress, until it is now a
power for good wherever its influence extends.
When it met hero last—in 1868—it was still
in its swaddling clothes, an infant, an experi
ment. Now it is a strong, healthy- youth,
clothed in the garb of manhood —a reality.
Then tlie issues of the civil war and men’s pas
sions, that arrayed themselves against each
other, personally, politically ami religiously,
wore burning fiercely. Today these have
burned themselves out. A strong tendency
among Protestant denominations to work in
unison is daily becoming more apparent, inil
the southern branch ami the parent tree, from
which it broke away in 1861. are considering
the question of re-establishing tiieir organic
union.
The meeting of the assembly here in 1868
was at t,lie Franklin street church, where it is
now in sess.;i“: •'cr. i»r, J. .1. Bullock was
then ils pastor, and Ur. Murkland, its present
pastor, was a student at Union Theological
seminary.
