philosophers, the men of falsely called science and the friends of progress, take counsel together. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh, the Lord shall have them in derision. "The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them." In these assemblies of the saints, in these sessions of the sons of God in council wherever met, in the promise that the Head of the Church is in the midst of them, is seen the sign of His coming who shall rule from sea to sea. He goeth before them, and “the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him.”

NORTHERN DELEGATES IN THE SOUTHERN GENERAL ASSEMBLY.*

WE have met the South, and we are theirs. They have captured our entire force, and we are at their mercy, unable to retreat and quite willing to stay.

The scene to-day in the First Presbyterian Church in this city will be historic. It had been rumored far and wide that Saturday had been designated as the day for the reception of the delegates from the Northern Church to the General Assembly now in session here. People from Frankfort, Louisville, and other places, and from all the surrounding country, had come to enjoy the occasion. The church was crowded. The morning was lovely. All faces seemed to shine with the gladness of an anticipated joy. They are as fine-looking people, men and women, these Kentuckians, as are made. And as they packed the house, with members of Assembly and their wives and daughters from all over the Southern States, all animated, earnest and expectant, it was a sight for angels to admire. But I must let a local artist describe the

* Written from Lexington, Ky., May 19, 1883.

scene, lest you suppose that my participation in it has colored the picture. The Lexington Transcript says:

“By nine o'clock the church was comfortably filled, and by ten it was jammed. Seats were placed in the outside aisles, and in front of the doors, out into the vestibule, was a jam of human beings. Some of the colored brethren had installed themselves in the gallery, but the ladies soon routed them out, and the organ was surrounded by a perfect bouquet of beauty. Since the day of Gen. John C. Breckinridge's funeral so many people have not been in the First Church. It was a remarkably fine-looking body of people, too. From the pulpit half-way back were the members of the Assembly, with here and there a handsome lady to soften down the solemn array of theological warriors. The back half of the church was chiefly filled with ladies, only here and there a man."

This was literally true; and what followed would so tax my proverbial modesty to speak of, that I shall draw upon the graphic powers of the reporters of the Lexington Press. The hour appointed arrived:

'At this moment a venerable and highly intelligent-looking body of men appeared in the entrance to the centre aisle. The hum of voices ceased, and eager eyes turned to catch a first glimpse of the distinguished men who bore greetings of love from the great Northern Presbyterian Church. In advance of the others walked Hon. William Strong, of Philadelphia, the chairman of the delegation. A gentleman of national reputation, a distinguished jurist, of broad culture, and withal a devout Christian, no fitter person could have been chosen the chairman of a delegation with a mission of such moment to perform. Next came the venerable and learned editor of the New York Observer, Rev. S. Irenæus Prime, D.D. Following him came the Rev. S. J. Niccolls, D.D., of St. Louis, Mo., the most fluent and eloquent speaker in the delegation. Next came Rev. E. P. Humphrey, D.D., of Louisville, Ky., with Hon. Samuel W. Moore, of Chicago, bringing up the rear. The delegation was accompanied by Rev. J. J. Bullock, D.D., of Washington, D. C.; Rev. J. B.

Stratton, D.D., of Natchez, Miss.; Rev. J. B. Fitzgerald, of Virginia; and Rev. D. O. Davies, of Henderson, Ky. As this distinguished body of men marched up the aisle the Assembly arose as a mark of respect to them. The delegation was introduced to the Moderator by Dr. Bullock, and the Moderator in behalf of the Assembly extended them a cordial welcome."

Judge Strong then presented each delegate, who was taken by the Stated Clerk, Rev. J. R. Wilson, D.D., and introduced to the Moderator, who, taking him by the hand, introduced him to the Assembly by name. The silence was profound; anxiety and animation were manifest as if all were on the eve of a great event.

Judge Moore, of Chicago, read an elaborate paper on the duty and blessedness of fraternal relations, giving historical and biographical reminiscences, and making an able argument and appeal. I followed Judge Strong with a few remarks. Then the Rev. Dr. Niccolls, of St. Louis, delivered a very eloquent and beautiful address, which was received with great delight. At its close the Assembly sang "Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love."

The Rev. E. P. Humphrey, D.D., of Louisville, venerable and beloved, a man of great power, gave a glowing history of the rise and growth of Presbyterianism in Kentucky and the parts beyond, and made a strong impression on the Assembly.

The Hon. Judge Strong was then conducted to the platform, and his noble form, his striking, speaking and benevolent countenance, and his dignified presence commanded admiration before he said a word. He then presented the salutations of the Assembly North to the Assembly of the South, assuring this Assembly of the profound sympathy, sincere and unanimous affection of the Northern Church and people for those who had so kindly received that delegation, and closed with the prayer that they might be abundantly prospered in their work, and enjoy the spirit of God in all their churches.

The Moderator, Dr. Pryor, responded with prompt cor

diality, and intense earnestness of manner, expressing the great pleasure the Assembly had in receiving the delegation and especially such a delegation. He deplored the past alternations and separations. He had seen the horrors of the battle-fields in our recent war, and his heart had been almost broken over the scenes. But far more distressing had been the alienations and strifes between brethren of the same faith, engaged in the same great work. He begged them to assure the Assembly which they represent of the hearty satisfaction and enjoyment with which their messages of peace and good-wil! had been received and reciprocated. He said: "We put our hearts in our hand, and extend it sincerely to you. We mean what we say when we tell you that we desire to co-operate heartily with you in the extension of the kingdom of Christ." After many other words of tender affection and strong emotion, he bade the delegation welcome. Two verses more of the same hymn were now sung, and one of the delegation was called upon by the Moderator to lead the Assembly in prayer. After this the Assembly adjourned until Monday morning. And now let the local papers describe what followed.

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The scene on adjournment was one that may never be witnessed again in a century. Assemblymen grasped each other's hands in mute or expressed emotion. The committee from Saratoga were surrounded, and such a hand-shaking as they received is beyond description. Old Mississippi, Arkansas and Texas 'rebs' vied with each other in reaching the 'Yanks' to shake hands. Numbers of ladies pressed through the jam of men and congratulated the leaders on both sides of the great drama. Dr. Prime started for the door, but was halted and surrounded at every step, so that he was fully half an hour getting out. As the committee emerged from the house they were again and again assaulted by the handshakers, and if they had any doubts as to the 'rebel' sincerity before they came to Lexington, they had all the doubts shaken out of them."

The speeches of the delegates and of the Moderator were frequently interrupted with applause, which I am told is not

permitted in the sessions of the Assembly. In vain the Moderator repeatedly rapped for order, but the good feeling of the members overcame their respect for authority and found expression in somewhat noisy demonstration. I was assured that such a scene of enthusiasm had never been known on the floor of the venerable body.

It is quite probable that this feeling was not unanimous, and subsequent discussion may show that there is still a minority averse to fraternal relations. But at present everything indicates the restoration of peace and good-will.

The personal kindness with which I have been received in this goodly city of Lexington is simply beyond description, and I do not know that I can more fittingly convey the emotions and recollections awakened by this second visit here than by repeating the words with which I closed my remarks to the Assembly on our reception:

"I am reminded that twenty-five years ago our undivided and blessed Assembly met in this lovely city of Lexington. I was in the pulpit with that profound theologian and eloquent preacher and beloved man, Dr. Thornwell. Dr. Plumer was here, and Dr. Robert J. Breckinridge, men of power, men of God, who waxed valiant in fight for the truth and the church. You may build your walls about your Assembly as high as you please, but you cannot build them so high as to separate me from communion with them. I would mount up on wings as the eagle, and soar into the heaven of heavens, where they reign with Christ and the saints. I would find Thornwell with Paul, and Plumer with Isaiah, and Breckinridge with Peter, and all joining with the redeemed in the song of Moses and the Lamb. You might as well try to strike out the names of Washington and Henry Clay from the history of my country, and to say I have no part with them, as to deny me, by resolutions and proclamations, true sympathy and fraternal relations with these and other great and good men whose lives are my heritage and a part of the annals of my church. With them I held sweet communion while they lived, and to renew that communion it were sweet to die."