PunzADELPHiA, May 20.—The question of
reunion of tho two great bodies of the Presby
terian church, which was the occasion of such
an exciting episode at yesteeda/ afternoon’s
session of the general assembly again came up
unexpectedly this morning, and in the twink
lingof an eye almost, jt passed out of the range
of controversy and debate, as far as this assem
bly is concerned, and a long step was made in
the direction of organic union. Tho result
was received with a perfect whirlwind of ap
plause and congratulations among commis
sioners and spectators who crowded the galler
ies, and who were apparently taken completely
by surprise by the suddenness of the turn in
the proceedings.
The second order of the morning—the report
of the standing committee on temperance—bad
just been reached and Itcv. W, 0. Campbell,
I). D., had mounted the platform to speak to
its adoption, when Bev. Dr. Stnitli, of Balti
more, the venerable ex-moderator of the as
sembly, stepped forward and announced that
the special committee of conference, to which
had been referred yesterday all matters relat
ing to treating with the southern assembly,
was ready to report.
A hush fell upon the assembly, as Rev-.
William C. Young, D. D., read the report.
Substantially it was as follows:
That this general assembly commend the fidelity
and efficiency of the committee appointed last year
to confer with the committee from tin; southern
assembly, as expressed in the report yesterday sub
mitted, and that while it would be premature and
improper to accept that report as a definite form of
union, this assembly declares its hearty approval of
all answers in the committee’s report touching lhe
various questions submitted to it by the committee
of the southern assembly.
