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I'HIl 
 
 MINUTE S 
 
 o 1' r li E 
 
 PRO€EEDI]\G8 
 
 O ¥ T H E 
 
 PITTSBURGH COIVVEIVTIOIV 
 
 CALLED BY 
 
 THE SIGNERS OF THE 
 
 a A r* ft^ 
 
 ACT Ai\l* TESTIIflOAl." 
 
 MAY 14, 18S5. 
 
 -~neffi«<»— 
 
 PITTSBURGH: 
 WHITE &. GRANT, PRINTERS. 
 
 1835. 
 
MINUTES. 
 
 Thursday, May 14, 1835. 
 
 The Convention recommended by the signers of the "Act and 
 Testimony," issued by the minority of the last General Assembly, in 
 concert with others, met, in the Second Presbyterian Church in the 
 city of Pittsburgh, at 12 o'clock, M. 
 
 The Rev. JOHN VVITHERSPOON was called to the Chair, 
 and the Rev. Isaac V. Brown and the Rev. Thomas Alexander 
 were appointed Secretaries, pro tem. 
 
 The following named persons presented certificates, or other satis- 
 factory evidence of appointment by their Presbyteries, and took their 
 seats as members of the Convention, viz: 
 
 PRESBYTERIES. 
 
 Neio York, 
 
 Neivton, 
 Susquehanna, 
 NciD Castle, 
 
 . :« 
 
 Norlhumberlojid, 
 
 u 
 
 Huntingdon, 
 Beaver, 
 
 Redstone, 
 Steiihenvillc, 
 
 WasJiviglon, 
 Ohio, 
 
 a 
 
 Richland, 
 
 Miami, 
 
 Oxford, 
 Lancaster, 
 
 Madison, 
 
 Kaslcasldn, 
 
 Louisville, 
 
 cc 
 
 South Carolina., 
 
 Rev. W. W. Philips, D. D. 
 Elder James Lenox, Jr. 
 Rev. George Junkin, D. D. 
 Rev. Jas. C. Sharon. 
 Rev. Jas. Magraw. 
 Elder Jas. Wilson. 
 Rev. John H. Grier. 
 Elder Andrew Ferguson. 
 Rev. John Hutcheson. 
 Rev. Thos. E. Hughes, Sr. 
 Elder John Clark. 
 Rev. Ashbel G. Fairchild. 
 Rev. John Rea. 
 Elder Matthew M'Coy. 
 Rev. Jas. Hervey. 
 Rev. Thos. D. Baird. 
 Elder Dr. Robert Wray. 
 Rev. Wm. Hughes. 
 Elder John Ewalt. 
 Rev. Jas. Coe. 
 Elder E. Burrows. 
 Rev. Thos. E. Hughes, Jr. 
 Rev. Jas. Culbcrlson. 
 Elder John Thompson. 
 Rev. James Blythe, D. D. 
 Rev. John Matthews. 
 Rev. N. L. Rice. 
 Elder John Carr. 
 Rev. Huffh Dixon. 
 
( 4 ) 
 
 Harmony, T^(-'v. John Withcrspooa, 
 
 Tuscaloosa, Rev. Joseph B. Adams. 
 
 Amite, Rev. John L. Montgomery. 
 
 The following persons also appeared, and presented certiiicates, ov 
 other satisfactory evidence of their appointment as delegates by the 
 niinoritics of the several Presbyteries to which they belong, and took 
 their scats as members of the Convention. 
 
 rjlESBYERTIKS. 
 
 New Bnmsu'ick, Rev. Isaac V. Brown. 
 
 Gcnesscc, Rev. Alex. Denoon. 
 
 " Elder John MThcrson. 
 
 Eric, Rev. Johnston Eaton. 
 
 Portage, Rev. John D. Hughes. 
 
 Cincinnati, Rev. Joshua L. Wilson. 
 
 " Elder Wm. Schillenger. 
 
 South Alahama, Rev. Thos. Alexander. 
 
 Sale?n, Rev. Alex. Williamson. 
 
 The Rev. James Blythe, D. D., was requested to preach at 3 
 o'clock, P. M.; and the Convention resolved on a recess until after the 
 close of ^ivine service. 
 
 At half after 4 the Convention resumed business. 
 In addition to those whose names have already been recorded, the 
 following persons appeared, and, having presented certificates of their 
 appointment by the Presbyteries to which they belong, took their 
 seats in the Convention. 
 
 PRESBYTERIES. 
 
 Carlisle, Rev. John Moody. 
 
 " ' Elder Robert Elliott- 
 
 Blair sihUc, Rev. Francis Laird. 
 
 " Elder Jas. Carothers. 
 
 Wooslcr, Rev. James Snodgrass. 
 
 The Rev. Alex. D. Campbell, also, having produced satisfactory 
 evidence of his appointment by the minority of the Presbytery of the 
 Western District, took his seat in the Convention. 
 
 On motion. Resolved, That this Convention adopt the "General 
 Rules" usually observed by our church judicatories, and printed in 
 the Book of Discipline, as the rules by which the proceedings of this 
 Convention shall be regulated, so far as those rules may be applicable 
 to this house. 
 
 The Convention proceeded to the appointment of its permanent 
 officers; and ASHBEL GREEN, D. D., was appointed President, 
 the Rev. John Witiierspoon, Vice-President, and the Rev. Messrs. 
 James Culhertson and Ashhel G. Fairchild, Secretaries. 
 
 On motion. Resolved, That the members of this Convention will 
 spend to-morrow as a day of fasting, humiliation, and prayer, with 
 especial reference to the objects for which they are assembled; and 
 that the Rev. Messrs. Brown and Baird, and Mr. William Schillenger 
 Elder, be a committee, in conjunction with the pastor of this church, 
 to make arrangements for conducting the religious exercises of the dav« 
 
( 5 ) 
 
 Tiie Rev. Drs. BIythe, Magraw, Montgomery, and Phillips, 
 with the Elders, Robert Wray, Jas. Lenox, Jr., and Arch'd George, 
 were appointed a standing committee, to whom all papers relating to 
 the business of the Convention shall be referred, and through whom 
 they shall be introduced to the Convention. 
 
 Adjourned, to meet on Saturday morning at 9 o'clock. Conclud- 
 ed with prayer. 
 
 Saturday Morning, May 16. 
 
 The Convention met, and was opened with prayer. Members 
 present as before. The minutes of the last session were read. 
 
 Yesterday was observed as a day of fasting, humiliation and pray- 
 er, in connexion with the people of the congregation in whose place of 
 worship its sessions are held, and others also. The religious exerci- 
 ses wore well attended, exceedingly solemn and interesting. 
 
 The following persons presented certificates of their appointment 
 by the Presbyteries to which they belong, and took their ^cats in Con- 
 vention, viz: 
 
 PRESBYTERIES. 
 
 Philadelphia, Rev. Ashbel Green, D. D. 
 
 " Elder Alexander Symington. 
 
 Newton, Elder Thos. M'Keen. 
 
 Madison, Elder Victor King. 
 
 Philadelphia, 2d, Rev. C. C. Cuyler, D. D. 
 
 Bethel, Rev. J. Le Roy levies. 
 
 Allegheny^ Rev. John Moore. 
 
 Elder John White. 
 Georgia, Rev. Nathaniel A. Pratt. 
 
 Indianapolis, Rev. David Monfort. 
 
 " Elder John Hendricks. 
 
 Huntingdon, Elder Jonathan M'Williams. 
 
 South Carolina, Elder David Leslie. 
 
 Mississippi, Rev. George Potts. 
 
 Bedford, Rev. Jacob Green. 
 
 Elder John Owen. 
 Washington, Elder Jambs M'Farren. 
 
 Kaskaslda, Elder James A. Ramsey. 
 
 Oxford,, Elder B. C. Swan. 
 
 The following persons also presented satisfactory evidence of (heir 
 appointment by minorities of the Presbyteries to which they belon<T, 
 viz: 
 
 PRESBYTERIES. 
 
 Fayettcville, Rev. Colin M'lver. 
 
 Craufordsville, Rev. Launcelot G. Bell, 
 
 Concord, Rev. John Silliman. 
 
 Mr. James Lenox, Jun., resigned his seat to Elder Samuel Boyd, 
 the principal named in his commission. 
 
 The Rev. Ashbel Green, D. D., took his seat as President of the 
 Convention. 
 
 The standing committee reported paper No. 1, being a memorial 
 
( c ) 
 
 of a minority of the Presbytery of Cincinnati, which was read and put 
 on docket. 
 
 The Rev. Messrs. Junkin, Cuyler, Wilson, and Pratt, and Elders 
 Boyd, Symington and George, were appointed a committee, to consider 
 and report to this house, as soon as practicable, what shall appear to 
 be the most expedient form or method of presenting to the General 
 Assembly the views of this Convention relative to existing grievan- 
 ces in the Presbyterian Church, and the measures necessary for their 
 redress. 
 
 After a short recess of the Convention, this committee reported 
 the following resolutions, which were adopted, viz: 
 
 Resolved 1st. That the only expedient form is that of respectful 
 memorial and petition, addressed to the Assembly, with our signatures, 
 as individuals, together with such other ministers and elders as may 
 choose to unite with us. 
 
 Resolved 2d. That a committee be appointed to prepare such 
 memorial, when the Convention shall have decided the points to be 
 embodied therein. 
 
 The Rev. Messrs. Junkin, Witherspoon, and Wilson, and Elders 
 Boyd, Owen, and George, were appointed. 
 
 The Convention had a recess until half past two o'clock. 
 
 After recess, the Convention resumed business. 
 
 The standing committee on documents reported paper No. 2, be- 
 ing a memorial from the Presbytery of Indianapolis, addressed to the 
 Convention, which was read, and ordered to be placed on the docket. 
 
 Paper No. 1 was taken up, and after consideration of the items 
 contained in it, it was 
 
 On motion. Resolved, 1st., That the operation of any Missionary 
 Society within the Presbyterian Church, not responsible to any of 
 its judicatories, is an infraction of her rights, and inconsistent with her 
 peace and integrity. 
 
 Resolved 2d, That the operation of any Education Society with- 
 in the Presbyterian Church, for the training of her ministry, inde- 
 pendently of her ecclesiastical judicatories, is a usurpation of the 
 rights of the Church, and ought to be resisted, as tending to under- 
 mine her own Education Board, and the independence of her minis- 
 fry. 
 
 Resolved, That the above resolutions be referred to the com- 
 mittee on the Memorial. 
 
 Adjourned to meet on Monday morning, at 9 o'clock. Closed 
 with prayer. 
 
 ■ Monday Morning, May 18, 9 o'clock. 
 
 The Convention met, and was opened with prayer. Members 
 present, as before. 
 
 The minutes of the last session were read. 
 
 Dr. David George, Elder, appeared; and, having produced a cer- 
 tificate of appointment from the Presbytery of Harmony, took his seat 
 as a member of the Convention. 
 
 The following persons also produced satisfactory evidence of ap- 
 
( '' ) 
 
 pointmcnl by the minorities of the Presbyteries to which they belong, 
 and took their seats as members of the house, viz: 
 
 rilESBYTERIES. 
 
 West Lexington, Rev. Robert Stuart, 
 
 ChilUcothe, Rev. Samuel Steele. 
 
 The Convention resumed the unfinished business of Saturday, viz: 
 the consideration of paper No. 1, reported by the standing committee. 
 
 Resolved, That the committee appointed to draft a memorial 
 to the Assembly be instructed to make such a statement relative to 
 the formation of ecclesiastical judicatories, on what has been called the 
 principle of "elective affinity," as shall express the disapprobation of 
 this Convention of all action on that principle by any judicatory of this 
 church, and our desire that the evils which have already been produ- 
 ced by acting on said principle may be redressed. 
 
 Resolved, further, That the right of examininir, and after exam- 
 ination, of receiving or refusing to receive, any minister, licentiate, or 
 candidate, whether from foreign bodies, or from Presbyteries of our 
 own church, however sustained by credentials, is inherent in every 
 Presbytery, and is essential to its well-being. 
 
 Resolved, That this subject be referred to the committee appoint- 
 ed to draft the memorial to the Assembly. 
 
 On motion. Resolved, That the subject of doctrinal errors exist- 
 ing in the Presbyterian Church, and also that of the repeal of the re- 
 solution of the last General Assembly, touching the right of judica- 
 tories to try and condemn heretical publications, be also referred to 
 said committee, as proper to be inserted in the memorial. 
 
 The Convention had a recess until half past two o'clock, P. M. 
 
 Half past two o'clock, P. M. 
 
 The Convention resumed business. The unfinished business of the 
 forenoon was resumed. 
 
 Resolved, That without expressing any opinion relative to the 
 constitutionaUty of the act of the Assembly of 1801, relative to the 
 united action of Congregational and Presbyterian churches and min- 
 isters in the frontiers of our country, or the expediency of said Act at 
 the time it was passed, the committee be instructed to express it as the 
 opinion of the members of this Convention, that the farther operation 
 of that Act is injurious to the Presbyterian Church, and therefore that 
 said Act, as soon as practicable, ought to be repealed. 
 
 The subject of the "Plan of Union and Correspondence," between 
 the General Assembly and the several General Associations of New 
 England, was referred to the committee, as a fit subject to be embrac- 
 ed in the memorial. 
 
 Paper No. 2, reported by the standing committee, being a memo- 
 rial from the Presbytery of Indianapolis, was taken up and referred to 
 the committee on the memorial. 
 
 The Rev. Messrs. Stuart and Steele, vvith Messrs. M'Pherson and 
 Ferguson, Elders, were added to the committee on the memorial. 
 
 Adjourned to meet to -monow morning at 9 o'clock. Concluded 
 with prayer. 
 
( 8 ) 
 
 Tuesday Morning, May 19, 9 o'clock. 
 
 The Coiiveatiou met, and was opened with prayer. Members 
 present, as before. 
 
 The minutes of the last session were read. 
 
 The following resolution was introduced, viz: 
 
 Resolved, That the committee on the memorial be instructed to 
 present to the General Assembly the solemn conviction of this Con- 
 ventiouj that the Presbyterian Church owes it as a sacred duty to her 
 glorified Head, to yield a far more exemplary obedience, (and that in 
 her distinctive character as a church,) to the command which he gave 
 at his ascension into heaven: "Go ye into all the world, and preach 
 the Gospel to every creature." It is believed to be among the causes 
 of the frowns of the great Head of the church, which are now resting 
 .on our beloved Zion, in the declension of vital piety, and the disorders 
 and divisions that distract us, that we have done so little — compara- 
 tively nothing — in our distinctive character, as a church of Christ, to 
 send the gospel to the heathen, the Jews, and the Mohamedans. It 
 is regarded as of vital importance to the welfare of our church, that 
 foreign as well as domestic missions should be more zealously prose- 
 cuted, and more liberally patronized; and that, as a nucleus of foreign 
 missionary effort and operation, the Western Foreign Missionary So- 
 ciety should receive the countenance, as it appears to us to merit the 
 confidencej of those who cherish an attachment to the doctrines and 
 order of the church to which we belong. 
 
 After some discussion, the above document was committed to the 
 Rev. Messrs. Blythe, Cuyler, and Witherspoon, with instructions to 
 introduce the subject to the notice of the General Assembly, through 
 the committee on Bills and Overtures. 
 
 The Convention had a recess until 3 o'clock, P. M. 
 
 Three o'clock, P. M. 
 
 The Convention assembled, and spent a short season in devotion. 
 
 The committee on the memorial presented a report, which was 
 accepted; and the Convention, having decided to consider the same by 
 paragraphs, after making some progress therein, 
 
 Adjourned, to meet to-morrow morning at 9 o'clock. Concluded 
 with prayer. 
 
 Wednesday Mokning, May 20, 9 o'clock. 
 
 The Convention met, and was opened with prayer. Members 
 present as at the last adjournment. 
 
 The minutes of the last session were read. 
 
 The Rev. Dugald M'Intyre, from the Presbytery of Abingdon, 
 appeared, and took his seat as a member of the Convention. 
 
 Messrs. Baird, Symington and Owen were appointed a committee 
 of finance. 
 
 The Convention resumed the unfinished business of yesterday, viz: 
 the report of the committee on the memorial, which was considered 
 by paragraphs; and, after some farther progress therein, 
 
 The Convention had a recess till half past 2 o'clock, P. M. 
 
( a ) 
 
 Half after Two o'clock, P. M. 
 
 The Convention resumed the unfinished business of the forenoon, 
 viz: the consideration of the report of the committee on the memorial. 
 The several paragraphs were amended and adopted. 
 
 The question was then taken on the whole report as amended; and 
 the Avhole was unanimoiishj adopted, and is as follows, viz: 
 
 To the Reverend Moderator and General Assembly of the Presbyte- 
 rian Church, the Memorial and Petition of the undersigned, Minis- 
 ters and Ruling Elders of said Church, most affectionately shev/eth; 
 
 That, in the exercise of a common right, guaranteed by the God 
 of nature to all his rational creatures upon earth, and fully set forth in 
 the sacred scriptures as the birthright of every child of his covenant, 
 we come — and we desire to come with the Spirit of the meek and 
 lowly Lamb of God — into the presence of this reverend body, as 
 possessing the only adequate power to afford the relief wo desire — 
 we come to spread before you our grievances, and to ask the interposi- 
 tion of your authority for their redress. 
 
 With you we recognize the Unity and Universality of that Church 
 of the living Redeemer which he hath purchased with his own blood. 
 "The visible Church, which is universal, consists of all those through- 
 out the world that profess the true religion, together with their chil- 
 dren." "By one Spirit are wo all baptized into one body, whether 
 we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free, and have been 
 all made to drink into one Spirit." 
 
 With us you will doubtless agree, that this Church universal is 
 called out of the world, and constituted and organized by her divine 
 Head into a household and family, under general laws and regulations 
 imposed upon her by his own supreme authority. "Now therefor© 
 ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the 
 saints and of the household of God" — "of whom the whole family in 
 heaven and earth is named." It is not lei't to the corrupt volition of 
 men, whether they will or will not come into this family. On the 
 contrary, they are laid under eternal obligations, by the voice of the 
 Son of man calling them, in the sweet promises of tho gospel, to life 
 and peace and joy. Others innumerable are born members of his 
 Church, and it is not optional with them — they may not, if they choose, 
 expatriate themselves from his blessed kingdom. On the contrary, 
 the entire weight of their heavenly Father's authority lies upon them, 
 and binds them to a faithful improvement and everlasting possession 
 of their invaluable birthright. 
 
 Still, though the visible Church Universal is thus organized and con- 
 stituted, yet, as it is physically impossible that all this Church can 
 act together; as it must be collected in various parts of the world into 
 distinct bodies for purposes of worship, and the regulation of social, and, 
 as it were, domestic relations; as the geographical divisions of the 
 world, and the political distinctions which the providence of God has 
 permitted to exist, imperiously call for social organizations of smaller 
 
( 10 ) 
 
 numbers, we tliink it cannot be denied that in this restricted sense the 
 Church, or, to speak more precisely, the sections of the Church, must 
 necessarily be voluntary associations; that is. Christians are left free 
 to associate as they may choose into distinct bands for mutual conven- 
 ience and Christian communion. These distinct communities of be- 
 lievers may also voluntarily connect themselves together into larger 
 bodies, according to the principles laid down in the scriptures and in 
 the standards of the Church which this venerable body represents. 
 Thus is this General Assembly constituted, and in this sense the Pres- 
 byterian Church is a voluntary association. No man is at liberty to 
 separate himself from the visible Church; but any man may separate 
 from this portion of it, and attach himself to another. On this princi- 
 ple of common right and common freedom is the Presbyterian Church 
 founded, and therefore she declares, that "every Christian Church or 
 union, or association of particular Churches, is entitled to declare the 
 terms of admission into its communion, and the qualifications of its 
 ministers and members, as well as the whole system of its internal 
 government which Christ hath appointed;" — "they think it necessary 
 to make effectual provision, that all who are admitted as teachers be 
 sound in the faith." {Forin of Government, Chap. I, II, V.)' 
 
 Airreeably to these principles, the Constitution of our Church 
 makes the Presbyteries the fountains of power. They create the 
 General Assembly. To them is reserved, according to the Scriptures, 
 the power of ordination, installation, removal, and judging of ministers. 
 The' Presbytery only can confer ministerial authority; the Presbytery 
 only can take it away. The Presbytery can refuse to ordain or io 
 admit into their number any person whom they judge erroneous or 
 scandalous. If this power does not exist in the Presbytery, your 
 memorialists can see no principle of self-preservation in the body. If 
 every Presbytery is bound to receive all who may present themselves 
 and claim admission on the authority of credentials from a foreign 
 body, or from another Presbytery, it is self-evident that the defection 
 of one Presbytery from the ti^uth and purity of the gospel may involve 
 the entire body in the same corruption. There is no conservative 
 power. The very ends of Presbyter ial existence as laid down in our 
 Constitution are defeated, and a wide door and effectual is thrown open, 
 for the introduction of whatever errors it may please the enemies of 
 truth to send abroad among our Churches. And here. Rev. Fathers 
 and Brethren, is'the 
 
 First grievance over which we mourn. 
 
 The last General Assembly, by an act recorded in page 26 of 
 their printed minutes, has denied this right to the Presbyteries, and 
 by that denial has opened the flood-gates of error, which, if not soon 
 stopped, must sweep away the fair fabric of our church's purify, and 
 leave us to sorrow over the melancholy wreck of our Zion, without 
 a willow on which to hang our harps. In behalf of the Presbyteries 
 to which we respectively belong, and of all other true Presbyteries of 
 our beloved church, we invoke a return to the genius of the Constitu- 
 tion; a restoration of the right and power of self-preservation; a re- 
 
( 11 ) 
 
 peal of the obnoxious act, and a distinct recognition, by this Assembly, 
 of the inalienable right in every Presbytery, of examining every ap- 
 plicant for admission into their number, be his credentials what they 
 may, and of rejecting him, provided they think his admission would en- 
 danger their own purity and peace. 
 
 II. Intimately connected with, and nearly allied to this, is our 
 Skcond grievance; viz: an act of the last. General Assembly, record- 
 ed in their minutes, page 26; whereby the right and propriety of a 
 Presbytery's taking up and censuring a printed publication, irrespective 
 of its author, is denied. 
 
 This act is the more offensive because it is contrary to the prac- 
 tice of former General Assemblies, and inconsistent with the princi- 
 ples of freedom guaranteed in the Word of God, and the. Constitution 
 of our Church. The act in question, whilst it appears to your irJemo- 
 rialists to extend this right to errorists, denies a correspondent right 
 in a Presbytery. The abettor of flilse doctrine may freely divulge 
 his opinions. Any private citizen of the commonwealth, or member 
 of the Church or Presbytery, may freely criticise and severely cen- 
 sure the errors of the published book; but a Presbytery has no rights 
 of this kind. They may not lift the voice of warning. The}- must 
 not whisper a censure upon the book. They can only try the man. 
 The pestilential volume may send forth its poisonous infection amongst 
 the flock, "over which the Holy Ghost hath made them overseers," 
 and for whose purity and peace and salvation they are held account- 
 able by the Chief Shepherd; but their Presbyterial hands are tied up. 
 They dare not lift a finger. They can only bring charges against the 
 author. 
 
 But, reverend Fathers and Brethren, if the author thus arraigned 
 be artful, and disposed to give trouble, as history teaches us errorists 
 are likely to be, who can tell how long he may perplex the court and 
 defer the issue of his trial? Meanwhile, however, the leaven of false 
 doctrine is working its way. The uncensured and uncensurable book 
 is poisoning the minds of the people, and the Presbytery either cannot 
 or will not apply the remedy. Your memorialists most respectfully 
 and earnestly entreat a reversal of the obnoxious resolution referred to. 
 III. The Tjiikd item of grievance and petition, which we beg 
 leave to present, is at the same time an aggravation of the second; 
 viz: The erection of church courts, especially of Presbyteries and 
 Synods, upon the principle of "elective affinity," so called by its prim- 
 itive advocates; that is, having regard, not to geographical limits; 
 not to convenience for attendance of the members; not to the expe- 
 dition of business; but to diversities of doctrinal views and church 
 policy in those elected to such bodies, from their brethren and from 
 the standards of the Church; to personal animosities and antipathies 
 growing out of such diversities; and to the consequent enlargoment of 
 this alienated interest of sentiment and feeling. Where a Presbyte- 
 ry and Synod of this description exist, it is easy to see how it aggra- 
 vates the grievance just presented. If, agreeably to the injunction of 
 the last General Assembly, some person does undertake the painful 
 
( 12 ) 
 
 and unpleasant duty of preferring charges against (he author of the boofc, 
 can it be supposed that a Presbytery, to whom such authoi is bound 
 by the very affinities of such doctrine, will cut the bonds of their own. 
 union, by condemning either the book or its author? And if they 
 should so far forget themselves as to commit the suicidal act of con* 
 demning the very doctrines which constitute the principle of their af- 
 finit}-, will their Synod do the samel Will it turn recreant to the 
 cause for which it was creaJed. Thus Jhe Assembly must perceive, 
 that every sucb prosecution before such body must, if issued at all, be 
 finally issued in the Assembly; and so long as the General Assemblies 
 of our Church consent to the existence of such bodies, just so long do 
 they pledge themselves to protect their action. We therefore have 
 no hope of rpdress, but in a change of purpose and action, in the su- 
 preme judicatoi-y of our beloved Church. You, Brethren, and yo« 
 only, can lay the axe to the root of this evil. 
 
 Let as take another view of this subject. Our JRoofc of Discipline 
 says, (Form of Government, Chap. X. ii.) "A Presbytery consists of 
 all the ministers, and one ruling elder from each congregation within 
 a certain district." But the acts of some late General Assemblies, 
 have practically contradicted this clause. It is not true, either of 
 " the Presbytery of Philadelphia," or of "the [Assembly's] Second 
 Presbyterj' of Philadelphia," or of "the Second [Synodical] Presby- 
 tery of Philadelphia," that it "consists of all the ministers, and one 
 ruling elder from each congregation within a certain district." 
 
 Besides, the natural, and your memorialists believe the inevita- 
 ble consequence of this principle is, increased alienation, strife for 
 numbers and preponderance, division of churches, disruption of har- 
 mony in congregations, the encouragemetit of dissatisfied spirits, and 
 formation of parties, and all ihe miseries of violent party strife. — 
 Many of us do hoi'jestly believe that the practical effects have been 
 schism in the body — real, substantial, melancholy schism — schism 
 more complete than if diSerent denominations had been at once con- 
 stituted- The alienation is more perfect than that which exists be- 
 tween either of the bodies and any other denomination covering the 
 same territory. Hence we do most earnestly entreat this Assembly — 
 for the purity of Zion and the peace of the church — we pray for a 
 reversal of the principle, and all the acts springing from it, and a res- 
 toration of the Synod created thereby to their former ecclesiastical 
 position. 
 
 IV. Nearly allied to this is our Fouhtii item of grievance, viz: 
 The existence and operation, within our church, of a Missionary So- 
 ciety in no sense amenable to her ecclesiastical jurisdiction. And 
 here you will bear with us, first, in pointing out the connection with 
 the preceding. If Presbyteries do exist, on the avowed principle of 
 diversity in doctrinal opinion and feeling, and have the power of li- 
 censing and ordaining (in many instances sine titulo) men of their 
 own creeds, then a missionary institution seems requisite to send such 
 licentiates and ministers into the field. Such an institution does exist; 
 bound by its own rules to sustain missionaries, irrespective of their 
 adherence to or rejection of the doctrinal standards ot our church. — 
 
r 13 ) 
 
 This institution operates largely in our congregations; frst, by sweep- 
 ing away from our own Board the funds which, by the laws of all 
 social order, ought to come into the treasury of the body to which its 
 possessors belong; and, secondhj, by throwing into our Presbyteries, 
 brethren who, in many instances, have never adopted the standards of 
 our church at ail, and in more, who have only adopted them '■'■for sub- 
 stances of doctrine;'''' that is, just as much of them as suits their own 
 views. Thus a separate moneyed interest is created and kept up in 
 the bosom of the same Christian community. The Assembly's own 
 Board of Missions, created by herself, governed by herself, and ame- 
 nable to herself, finds a great and powerful rival in her own house, 
 with whom she comes in perpetual collision. And rival agents meet 
 on the same field, and frequently those of our own church are foiled 
 in their efforts by the improper interference and influence of an institution 
 which owns no allegiance to us, and feels no obligation to our courts. 
 So violent were these contentions, that the Assembly of 1831 recom- 
 mended a convention to be held in Cincinnati, to adjust the difficulties. 
 This convention was held. It decided in favor of the church's car-* 
 rying on her own missions by her own board. Still, however, the 
 foreign society kept the field, and continues to this hour to conflict with 
 your board. 
 
 Now, Fathers and Brethren, these things afflict us exceedingly. 
 We are pained to see such an inveterate warfare carried on so long. 
 And we are unspeakably distressed to be constrained to view this as 
 a part of a great system of operations whose tendency is to subvert 
 the foundations of our Zion. The evidence of such a system forces 
 itself upon us. We cannot shut our eyes against it if we would, and 
 we would not if we could. Painful as the vision is, we are determin- 
 ed to behold it steadfastly; and we crave the attention of this venera- 
 ble body to the same. Look wc pray yop to the facts. A large mon- 
 eyed institution — (for that is a large moneyed institution which has a 
 large income from whatever source) — a large moneyed institution, over 
 which neither you as an Assembly, nor the Presbyteries which give 
 you an annual existence, nor the Synods intermediate, have any con- 
 trol, has subsidised almost your whole western territory. "A git't 
 blindeth the eyes." Can a minister or an elder, whose congregation 
 is supported in a large degree by a power forftign to your church, free 
 himself utterly from foreign influence? Vain is the hope! Human 
 nature is not thus constituted. Without impeacliing the honesty and 
 the honor of persons thus situated, we feel confident that an influence 
 great and effectual must rest in the hands that dispense this bounty. 
 
 But let the Church be her own alijioner, and every time her hand 
 is opened to her sons and her daughters, she binds them the more 
 closely to her interests. Her constitution whoso legitimate opera- 
 tions produce these happv results becomes the rallying point of re- 
 coiling gratitude; and instead of jarring and contentions without end, 
 union in the truth and peace, as its blessed effect, must fill our Zion 
 with joy and gladness. We pray this General Assembly (o sustain 
 her own Board of Missions, by solemnly enjoining upon all the church- 
 
( 14 ) 
 
 es to contribute to its funds, and by rescinding the resolutions former- 
 ly passed, which recommended to their patronage "The Home Mis- 
 sionary Society." 
 
 V. Your attention is now invited to another part of the same sys- 
 tem. Before youth looking forward to the gospel ministry can be 
 properly licensed and sent forth, they must be educated; and efforts 
 have been already made in this cause worthy of high commendation. 
 Nor have we any thing to object against efforts either to prepare or 
 to send men to preach to the destitute at, home or abroad. Both these 
 causes we desire to see prospering. For both we have labored and 
 prayed, and for both we will continue to labor and pray. But then 
 we desire to see them prospering consistently with regard to the 
 truth and purity and integrity of our own church. The great burden 
 of ministerial duty is to enlighten and save the world. And no obli- 
 gation more sacred and solemn lies upon them, than that of training 
 the heralds of the cross who are to bear the banner of her faith in tri- 
 umph round the world. Let the church give good heed to this great 
 concern, and the work of salvation will go on ; let her neglect this, or 
 do it in a careless manner, and the wheels of the gospel chariot must 
 move heavily, stop, perhaps retrograde. 
 
 Now the question before us is, to whom shall this most sacred and 
 solemn duty be entrusted by the church? Shall she do it herself, with 
 her own hands? or shall she throw it into the hands of a body, self- 
 created, and in no sense amenable to her ecclesiastical tribunals? 
 a body which may change in half a generation, and train her sons to 
 her own destruction? This is the question we would press upon your 
 consideration: and we would most respectfully suggest, that no church 
 can be safe — safe in her doctrinal standards — safe in her ecclesiastical 
 polity — safe in her financial operations — safe in the independence of 
 her ministrj', if that ministry are dependent upon an independent 
 foreign body; and especially, if their houses and lands, their libraries 
 and furniture^ are under bonds. Without any impeachment of motives, 
 or imputation of extraordinary weakness, we beg leave to repeat, 
 " A gift blindeth the eyes," and to refer to the course of remark under 
 the preceding item. 
 
 Similar collisions occur here also. Your agents are met in the field 
 by the agents of a society beyond your control. They are often 
 beaten ofl' the ground, and the six or seven hundred young men under 
 the care of your Board of Education are reduced to a precarious de- 
 pendence: whereas, did the church, in her highest ecclesiastical 
 coui't, stand forth in her own defence, her treasury would overflow, and 
 all these collisions and conflict^ of varied interests would cease; whilst 
 her own fimds would go to her own sons, and not, to their prejudicer, 
 for the maintenance of those in other churches, who are never expect- 
 ed to aid in building up the walls of our Zion. We pray and beseech 
 this reverend body to sustain, by all the weight of its influence, the 
 education cause of our own church. 
 
 VI. In the apprehension of your memorialists, not a small pro- 
 portion of the evils which distract oiir Zion have grown and do still 
 
( 1^ ) 
 
 grow out of "the phmof union*' adopted in 1801. We say nothing 
 here of the wisdom of that measure at the time, nor of its constitution- 
 ality. W^e know it was the work of wise and good men. But we 
 must be allowed to express the opinion, that jiojo it leads to alienation, 
 contentions and disorders. For proof of this we have only to refer to 
 the minutes of preceding (ieneral Assemblies. It is notorious that 
 very painful conflicts have occurred ni the Assembly on this very sub- 
 ject. Brethren had long occupied seats in this body, who were not 
 ruling elders, and never had been Presbyterians, and, it is believed, 
 never intended to become Presbyterians. Nor was this evil remedied 
 without a long and arduous and painful struggle. Under the perfect 
 conviction that peace will never dwell with us whilst the jarring ele- 
 ments of this discord exist together, we beseech this Assembly to an- 
 nul that act; and for the siniple additional reason that the terms of 
 compact are not complied with by our congregational brethren. 
 
 In proof of this we allege that "the plan of union" contemplates the 
 existence of a Congregational Association and of a Presbytery on the 
 same ground; whereas. we apprehend the facts generally to be other- 
 wise. The Association retains its essential character as such, but is 
 called a Presbytery. Congregational ministers change simply the 
 name, without ever adopting sincerely the Confession of Faith of this 
 church. So far from such adoption, the Presbyteries of Grand River 
 and Portage, on May 1,1822, adopted a confession of faith for their own 
 churches. And although a subsequent General Assembly ordered the 
 formula of questions in our Book to be propounded to all the members 
 of these Presbyteries, yet your memorialists have reason to believe, 
 that in some instances, they were not answered affirmatively at all, and 
 in others with express reservations. 
 
 Again, That plan of union provides that every mixed congregation 
 shall appoint a standing committ-^e; " And provided that the said 
 standing committee of any church shall depute- one of themselves to 
 attend the Presbytery, he may have the same right to sit and act in 
 the Presbytery as a ruling elder of the P'fesbyterian church." Yet 
 we have reason to believe that members of churches often sit in 
 Presbytery, who are neither ruling elders nor committee men; and 
 we know, such have occupied scats in the General Assembly. This 
 is an open infraction of the " Plan of Union." Hence we can per- 
 ceive no obligation binding the Assembly to adhere to a conventional 
 agreement that is practically violated by the other party, and we pray 
 that it may be formally annulled. 
 
 VII. Our next grievance is of similar character, viz: "The Plan 
 of Union and Correspondence with the Congregational Associations of 
 New England, and with other churches. It is true, that the relin- 
 quishment of the right of voting in the General Assembly has removed 
 part of the evil. No longer now can our constitutional order be voted 
 down by brethren opposed to it in profession and principle. Still, how- 
 ever, against this union there are ;<crious objections. 
 
 It gives weight in coimsel and debate, which may command votes, 
 to persons who belong not to our ~cciety, and who may have a sectarian 
 
( 1« ) 
 
 purpose to answer by taking a particular side. Such things some of 
 us have seen on the floor of the Assembly. 
 
 Besides the wliole matter is unconstitutional. The General Assem- 
 bly never had the power of granting a seat in this house to any person. 
 ■ — (Form of Government, Chap. XII., ii.) " The General Assem- 
 bly shall consist of an equal delegation of bishops and elders from each 
 Presbytery." Nor does our constitution recognize any other mode of 
 acquiring a right to a seat here. This is a delegated — it is a repre- 
 sentative body, and in the very nature of delegation, unless the dole- 
 gates are expressly empowered to delegate others, they have no such 
 power. Our constitution knows no such anomaly as representatives 
 transferring the power of representation to others. 
 
 We humbly conceive that our Book (Chap. XIL,y.) in conceding 
 to the Assembly the power of "corresponding with foreigh churches 
 on such terms as may be agreed upon by the Assembly and the corres- 
 ponding body," does not contemplate the violation of the fundamental 
 principle quoted in the preceding paragraph, by granting seats in this 
 house to persons not delegated by any Presbytery. For if the assembly 
 have the power of conferring a right to deliberate and vote, it may be so 
 exercised as to bring the church under foreign dominion. Against all 
 this the constitution presents an insuperable barrier in the 6th section 
 of this chapter, where the Presbyteries reserve to themselves the ex- 
 clusive power of establishing any constitutional rule. Every regula- 
 tion afFecling constitutional principles must be referred to the Pres- 
 byteries, and be by a majority of them adopted, before they can be 
 admitted as binding. This in reference to " the Plan of Union" has 
 never been done. Now, clearly, this power of granting seats in the 
 Assembly vitally aflects the constitution, which ought not to be sacri- 
 ficed either to expediency or courtesy. 
 
 Hence, with all due respect and affection to the good brethren of 
 other denominations, we pray this General Assembly to restore the 
 Constitution, by repealing the act which assumes this stretch of power. 
 
 Vlll. Finally, As the object of all ecclesiastical order is Truth, 
 m the belief, love and practice of it; and as " to the General Assem- 
 bly also belongs the power of bearing testimony against error in doc- 
 trine," your memorialists would humbly call your attention to the 
 present state of the church in this behalf. There is nothing worth 
 contending for but Truth: and, if we are not greatly mistaken, great 
 and fearful inroads are made on the doctrinal standards of our church: 
 and that too not in reference to matters of minor consequence, but in 
 the very fundamental principles of the gospel. One alarming feature 
 of the errors against which we would earnestly entreat this General 
 Assembly to lift up a strong testimony, we beg leave to present, ft 
 is their systematic arrangement. Did a solitary individual here and 
 there, in cases few and far between, touch upon a single insulated po- 
 sition that is false, and maintain it even with pertinacity, it would not 
 afford ground of serious alarm. But the case is far otherwise. The 
 errors abroad in the church are fundamental, vital and systematic. 
 The maintenance of one involves the whole, and must lead a logical 
 
( I^ ) 
 
 nimd to embrace the system. iSow tlie system appears to your memo- 
 rialists to lead directly toward Socinianism. .This language may se§m 
 harsh and severe. Alas! dear brethren! it is the harshness of love, 
 and the severity of truth. It is not pleasant for us to entertain such 
 an opinion; but with our eyes and our ears open, it is impossible to 
 avoid it. The evidence rushes upon us from the pulpit and the 
 press, and we have no power of resistance. That which the under- 
 standing clearly perceives, the mind, with its fondest desires to the 
 contrary, must believe. It is painful for the convicted sinner to be- 
 lieve that his soul is exposed to the wrath divine: it is painful for us 
 to believe that our brethren are departing from the foundations of 
 gospel truth. But a dark hour there often is before the bright dawn 
 of heaven's cheering light upon the soul benighted; may we hope from 
 the action of this venerable body a return to the pure light of scrip- 
 ture truth, and a strong testimony nguingt the errors that overturn 
 our constitutional standards? 
 
 Another alarming feature is the boldness and pertinacity with 
 which the very existence of these errors is denied. To this General 
 Assembly it would not be information, vfere we to state that the same 
 system of error has been characterised by the same wily policy in every 
 age of its appearance in the church. It has ever been its course at first 
 to deny its own.existence, and when that was no longer practicable, 
 to assume a mask, and clothe itself with zeal as a cloak. This strong 
 feature of the modern singularly identifies it with the ancient heresy. 
 
 It is not our purpose at present to go into a discussion of these doc- 
 trines, nor yet to adduce proof of their existence in our Church. — 
 The evidence of this is as clear as the evidence of your existence in 
 this house to-day. The teeming press and the groaning pulpit pro- 
 claim it. It may be proper simply to present an outline of the system. 
 Thus, 
 
 1. The doctrine of AdaTus federal headship, or representative char- 
 acter, is denied. 
 
 2. The doctrine of original sin is denied. 
 
 3. The doctrine of the imputation of Adani's sin to his posterity is 
 denied. The rejection of these necessarily leads to 
 
 4. A denial of the doctrine of Christ's federal headship or represen- 
 
 tative character. 
 
 5. A denial of the imputation of his righteousness to the believer, as 
 the essential procuring cause of his justif cation. 
 
 6. A rejection of the true, proper, vicarious nature of the atonement 
 of Christ; and holds up his sufferings, — his tears and groans 
 and anguish and death, as a mere exhibition; a shew unmeaning, 
 for a purpose not in accordance with revealed truth. Thus the 
 daughter of Zion searches in vain, in the luxuriant garden ot these 
 errors, for the beloved of her soul, and in the anguish of her disap- 
 pointment exclaims, "They have tak«n away my Lord, and I know 
 not where they have laid him.'' 
 
 3 
 
( 18 ) 
 
 But these errors do not terminate in simple negation. Another 
 system is substituted in room of the Gospel thus rejected. It is the 
 system of human perfectibility. Thus, 
 
 1 . The doctrine of human ability is held, involving the principle, 
 and gratuitously assuming it as true, that man's moral obligations 
 are measured and bounded by his present ability to meet all the 
 requirements of God^s law. 
 
 2. Accordingly, the necessity of the agency, the omnipotent agency 
 of the Spirit of God in the conversion of the said, is denied; and 
 conversion is afirmed to be the work of the creature. Man re- 
 generates his own soul. The SpiriVs agency is that of mere 
 moral suasion. Regeneration is simply an act of the mind; the 
 first in the series of holy acts. Faith is an act of the mind, and 
 nothing but an act of the mind. 
 
 Now", reverend Fathers and Brethren, we humbly conceive that 
 this is "another Gospel;" entirely and essentially different from that 
 laid down in the Bible and our Confession of Faith. And we do most 
 solemnly and sorrowfully believe, that, unless the Spirit of the Lord 
 raise up a standard against it, it will be followed in our Church, as it 
 has been elsewhere, by the entire system of Pelagianism, and ultimately 
 of Socinianism. If the atonement is not essentially vicarious and pen- 
 al, why demand a Divine Redeemer? If an exhibition is all that is re- 
 quired, why not hold up Stephen, or Peter, or Paul, or John Huss, or 
 John Rogers? This tendency towards Socinianism we think is plain- 
 ly manifested in the denial of the eternal filiation of the Son of God. 
 
 Again, if the Spirit's work is merely a moral suasion, why a Di- 
 vine and Almighty Spirit? Must not the mind which denies the ne- 
 cessity of an omnipotent influence be strongly tempted to disbelieve 
 the existence of an omnipotent agent? • 
 
 That we are not rnistaken in our opinion of the tendency of these 
 doctrines, we think is proved by the fact, that Unitarians do claim af- 
 finity with them, and express their unfeigned satisfaction at the pros- 
 pect of a rapid increase of liberal principles. 
 
 And nov/, dear Brethren, we approach the termination of this long 
 memorial. V/e have, perhaps, been tedious. It is because our heart 
 is full of sorrow; and sorrow finds a momentary relief in pouring forth 
 even unavailing complainis. But ours is not a hopeless sorrow. We 
 believe that Jesus died and rose again, and wc know that his Truth, 
 though borne away, insulted and forlorn, into the dark shades of a vain 
 metaphysical philosophy, will yet break forth, and dispel the gloom by 
 ■which we are surrounded, and send through our hearts and our church- 
 es the light of life and the consolations of. love. 
 
 In pressing our petition for redress of all the grievances we have 
 enumerated, and such others in regard to measures as the wisdom of 
 this General Assembly may select, we entreat you to turn your eye 
 upon the aspect of the world. Lo! what an inviting field for benevo- 
 lent enterprise. And is there a body of believers in the whole church 
 militant, invested with so many of the qualifications to enter if, and 
 
( 1» ) 
 
 gather the lich harvest of glory to our divine Redeemer, as the Pres- 
 byterian Church! The position of our country points us out, — the 
 position of our church points us out, — tiic position of the world points 
 us out, — the voice of unborn and unsanctified milUons calls us to the 
 conflict, — the Lord of Hosts himself has gone down into the plain be- 
 fore us, and chides our long delay. Now we ask. Brethren! what 
 causes this delay? Why, when the armies of the living God begin to 
 consolidate, and himself gives tlie watchword, '■'■Truth and Victory.^'' 
 — oh! why this delay? Ah! there is division in the camp! "There 
 be some that trouble us." Innovation distracts our counsels, alienates 
 our aftections, turns the sword of brother in upon brother, and the 
 Master's work remains undone. Do you ask, 'how shall tho evil bd 
 remedied?' We reply, 'Let this Assembly come up to the work of re? 
 form. Let them establish the ancient landmarks of truth. Let 
 them unfurl the banner of tlie Constitution. Let all who cannot fight 
 under this grasp the standard that suits their own views; put on their 
 own approved armor; descend into the plain, and stand or fall to their 
 own Master. We pledge ourselves in the face of High Heaven, the 
 real Presbyterian Clmrch will not shrink from the conflict: and though 
 our earthen pitchers may be broken, our lights shall shine, and "the 
 sword of the Lord and of Gideon" shall turn the eye of a gazing world 
 to that point of the field where victory perches on the Banner of 
 TituTir.' 
 
 Venerable Fathers and Brethren, we are done. With you and 
 God and Christ and his Spirit wo leave our cause. That He may di- 
 rect all your counsels in this behalf to his own glory and the Church's 
 good, is the sincere prayer of your humble memorialists. 
 
 (Signed,) 
 
 Alex. Denoon, 
 W.W. Phillips, D.D., 
 
 Isaac V. Brown, 
 George Junkin, D. D., 
 John Gray, 
 James C. Sharon, 
 Ashbcl Green, D. D., 
 William Latta, 
 James Magraw, D. D., 
 J. N. C. Grier, 
 
 John Moody, 
 Daniel M'lvinley, 
 Thomas Crcigh, 
 John Hutchcson, 
 James Galbraith, 
 John H. Grier, 
 Johnston |iaton, 
 
 ELDERS. 
 
 John M'Pherson, 
 Samuel Boyd, 
 James Lenox, Jr., 
 
 Thomas M'Keen, 
 
 Alex. Symington, 
 William Fahnestock, 
 James Wilson, 
 Robert Ralston, 
 Arch'd George, 
 Robcit Elliott, 
 
 PRESBYTERIES. 
 
 Genessee. 
 New York. 
 
 New Brunswick. 
 Newton. 
 
 Susquehannah. 
 Philadelphia. 
 
 New Castle. 
 
 Baltimore. 
 Carlisle. 
 
 Jonathan Vf . Williams, Huntingdon. 
 
 CI 
 
 Andrew Ferguson^ Northumberland: 
 
 Eric. 
 
( -^ ) 
 
 MrXISlERS. 
 
 KI.OERS. 
 
 rilliSBVTSRIES 
 
 J. W. Scott, 
 
 
 Beaver. 
 
 Tliomas E. Hughes, 
 
 John Clarke, 
 
 a 
 
 A. G. Fail-child, 
 
 
 Redstone. 
 
 Alexander M'Candless, 
 
 
 " 
 
 Joel Stoneroad, 
 
 
 " 
 
 John Rea, 
 
 Matthew M'Coy, 
 
 Steubenviile. 
 
 C. C. Beattie, 
 
 Samuel Dunlap, 
 
 (( 
 
 Richard Campbell, 
 
 * 
 
 <c 
 
 James Hervey, 
 
 James M'Farran, 
 
 Washington. 
 
 VVm. C. Anderson, 
 
 
 it 
 
 Elisha Macurdy, 
 
 
 i< , 
 
 Thomas D. Baird, 
 
 Robert Wray, 
 
 Ohio. 
 
 J. W. Blythe, 
 
 Wm. Hawkins, 
 
 (i 
 
 George Marshall, 
 
 
 it 
 
 A. D. Campbell, 
 
 
 it 
 
 James Campbell, 
 
 
 i( 
 
 Joseph Reed, 
 
 
 a 
 
 Robert Patterson, 
 
 
 " 
 
 James D. Ra\', 
 
 
 «< 
 
 Wm. Jefleiy, 
 
 
 (i 
 
 Samuel Ralston, 
 
 
 u 
 
 Francis Laird, 
 
 Jumes Carolhers, 
 
 Blairsville. 
 
 James D. Hughe«. 
 
 
 Portage. 
 
 Wm. Hughes, 
 
 John Ewalt, 
 
 Richland. 
 
 James Coe, 
 
 E. Burrows, 
 
 Miami. 
 
 Joshua L. Wilson, 
 
 Wm. Schillenger, 
 
 Cincinnati. 
 
 F. A. Kemper, 
 
 
 (( 
 
 Thos. E. Hughes, Jr. 
 
 Benj'n C. Swan, 
 
 Oxford. 
 
 James Culbertson, 
 
 John Thompson, 
 
 Lancaster. 
 
 Alex. Williams, 
 
 
 Salem. 
 
 John Matthews, 
 
 James A. Ramsay. 
 
 Kaskaskia. 
 
 N. L. Rice, 
 
 John Carr, 
 
 Louisville. 
 
 Colin M'lver, 
 
 
 Fayetteville. 
 
 Hugh Dickson, 
 
 David Leslie, 
 
 South Carolina. 
 
 Thomas Alexander, 
 
 
 (i 
 
 James Blythe, 
 
 Victor King, 
 
 Madison. 
 
 John Witherspoon, 
 
 David George, 
 
 Harmony. 
 
 Joseph Adams, 
 
 
 Tuscaloosa. 
 
 Alex'rA. Campbell, 
 
 
 Western District 
 
 Sam'l Caldwell, 
 
 Johnston White, 
 
 Allegheny. 
 
 John Moore, 
 
 Benj'n Junkin, 
 
 it 
 
 John Munson, 
 
 
 (C 
 
 James Snodgrnss, 
 
 Stephen Coe, 
 
 Wooster. 
 
 C. e. Cuyler. 
 
 
 Philadelphia 2d. 
 
 J. Leroy Da*, iir., 
 
 
 Bethel. 
 
 David Montfui 1, 
 
 John Hendricks, 
 
 Indianapolis. 
 
 Nathan A. Pratt, 
 
 
 Georgia. 
 
 Jacob Green, 
 
 John Owen, 
 
 Bedford. 
 
( n ) 
 
 MINISTERS. CLDERS. rRESBYT£KlES 
 
 liOuncelot G. Bell, Henry Robison, Crawfordsville. 
 
 John Silliman, Concord. 
 
 John Iv. Montgomery, Amite. 
 
 Robert Stuart, West Lexington. 
 
 Samuel Steele, Chillicothe. 
 
 Thomas Ciimraings, Thomas Houston, Hudson. 
 
 George Potts, Mississippi. 
 
 Ordered, That 2,500 copies of the Minutes of this Convention 
 be published, for distribution in the churches. 
 
 A communication was received from the session of the church of 
 Manchester, Ohio, expressive oftheir adherence (6 the "Act and Tea- 
 timony," wiiich was read and put upon file. 
 
 Adjourned lo meet to-morrow morning at 9 o'clock. 
 
 Thursday Morning, May 21, 9 o'clock. 
 
 The Convention met, and was opened with prayer. Members 
 present as at the adjournment. 
 
 The minutes of the last session were read. 
 
 Mr. Stephen Coe, Elder, from the Pre.sbytery of Wooster, a|3ppar- 
 ed and took his seat as a member of the ( Jonveution. 
 
 Rev. Messrs. Junkin, Green, and llaird, were appointed a commit- 
 tee to superintend the printing and distribution of the minutes of the 
 Convention. 
 
 Resolved, imanimously. That the thanks of this Convention be 
 given to the Trustees of tiie Sacond Presbyterian Church, and to the 
 people of Pittsburgh and the vicinity, for their kindness and hospitali- 
 ty manifested to the members of this Convention during its sittings. 
 
 Unanimously Rcsolrcd, That the thanks of this house be giv- 
 en to those Editors of religious newspapers, vvlio, by giving p^iblicity 
 to the "Act and Testimony," and other doc iur.r;nts connected with the 
 same, have contributed to the furtherance cf the views of this ('on- 
 vention in reference to the much desired refcrm in the church. 
 
 The Convention having endeavored to execute the trust confided 
 to them, in the important particidars of mom!)rializing the General 
 Assemli'y, and provided for giving to their constituents a detail aftiieir 
 tran<!actions, by the publication of all their minutes, unanimously adipt 
 ed the following resolutions, vi/: — 
 
 1. That this Convention are deeply impressed with tlio conviction, 
 that the Act and Testimony, prepared by some of th«? minority of tlia 
 last General Assembly, in connexion with other brethren, aryi since 
 that time so extensively adopted, has been, under the smiles and bless- 
 ings of God, of marked and extensive benefit to our beloved church 
 
 2. That wc recognize our obligations in the most livelv gratitude 
 to God, for the care of Providence in bringing together the members 
 of the Convention, in health and safety, and in ;hi e^^pecial manner, 
 for uniting us together in the most harmonious accord, m all the mea- 
 sures that have been disciisfv'd and ndoplrd 
 
( ^22 ) 
 
 3. That the Convention declare, that after prayer and thanksgiv- 
 ing, its proceedings will be terminated, and that, of course, it will be 
 considered finally dissolved. In accordance with the foregoing resolu- 
 tions, prayer and praise to God were oflered, the apostolic benediction 
 was pronounced, and the President declared the Convention finally dis- 
 solved. 
 
 NOTE. — A number of clergymen and elders desired to have their names attach- 
 ed to the memorial, but had not the opportunity. Others also were thus disposed 
 to add their signatures, but it was found if this should be done it would have requi- 
 red another book to contain the names; they are therefore omitted. 
 
 ACCOUNT of the Financial Committee with the Pittsburgh Convention. 
 By 67 members at two dollars each paid, - - - $134 00 
 
 By donations from individuals, - - - • 3 00 
 
 By sales of memorial to different persons, - - - 3 00 
 
 Total, 
 To fifty dollars, on account of former expense, paid to 
 
 Mr. Symington, - . - - 
 
 To ten dollars paid to janitor of the 2nd church, 
 To stationary for the Convention, 
 To printing 600 copies of memorial, and 2500 of the 
 
 minutes of the Convention, 
 To finding the minutes, - - ' 
 
 Total, 
 
 § 69J 
 
 - 
 
 S140 00 
 
 $50 00 
 
 10 00 
 
 1 07 
 
 
 65 73J 
 12 50 
 
 
 
 $139 305 
 
>, 
 
 > 
 
^ t mMf i 
 
 '"^^ 
 
 V^r^¥ 
 
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