subject was brought every year to the notice of both Assemblies, until, in 1866, the first joint committee was appointed to confer upon "the desirableness and practicability of reunion." The earliest plan proposed by this committee was by no means satisfactory to the Old School. Various objections were made to it, but the "doctrinal basis" was the grand difficulty. Besides, the major part yet doubted the fact of that reasonable agreement in doctrine, without which the two branches could not wisely unite.

Now, there met in Philadelphia, the Presbyterian National Union Convention of November, 1867, and gave a very perceptible impulse to the whole movement. The hope which it excited of the consolidation of five or more Presbyterian bodies; the impression that it gave of a general feeling, soon to be irresistible, in favor of reunion; and the warmth of enthusiasm which it kindled, were very influential to turn opponents into friends of the measure. The convention was thought by many to have produced an improved "doctrinal basis," which was therefore incorporated into the joint committee's plan. Still, as before, the Old School Church was not satisfied. Yet a few months later, upon a new basis, the reunion was decreed by such an overwhelming vote of the presbyteries, that the feeble minority could but bow in humble submission to the evident will of the church.

To explain all this, some, on both sides, have supposed a relaxation of doctrinal strictness in the Old School body, of which, however, there has not been the slightest evidence. What single act of the Assembly, what disposition manifested by any considerable num.

ber of the presbyteries, has indicated such a thing? The very reverse is too apparent to be questioned. In express words, the Assembly has reaffirmed all its old testimonies against error. And, on the very ground of apprehended doctrinal disagreement, and of dissatisfac tion with the doctrinal basis, the church hesitated, up to the last moment, to sanction the reunion.

But the plan of 1869 was regarded by the presby teries generally as presenting the safest basis possible in point of doctrine- the basis of "the standards pure and simple." It was the basis with which those who loved the standards most were evidently the best pleased. In fact, past negotiations had proved it to be the only basis offering the least promise of safety. And, again, from every quarter had come to the Old School body multiplied assurances, in most influential forms, that the New School, not as to every individual, but as a church, had become, and were becoming, more orthodox than formerly; nay, were now as strictly conformed to the Confession of Faith and Catechisms as the Old School themselves. Such assurances were given in the joint committee to its Old School members. The unimpeachable orthodoxy of the present theological professors in the New School seminaries was avouched with the strongest confidence. specimen of the declarations made on this general subject, take the following from the able pen of Dr. Henry B. Smith, professor in the Union Theological Seminary of New York. He says it is notorious, "that the New School is thoroughly organized as a Presbyterian body, having renounced the vain attempt to combine incongruous elements in its system of church order, and no

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longer favoring even the vestiges of the plan of union for any future churches; that it is not strenuous as to the support of voluntary societies; that it is separated in all church action from Congregationalism; that many of its more extreme men have willingly gone into other church connections; that certain objectionable forms of doctrine and of practice are no more taught in its pulpits and seminaries; that it, in short, has become a homogeneous body, on the basis of the standards of the Presbyterian Church; and that, especially in case of reunion, all these tendencies will be acceler ated and carried to their completion."

Now, this declaration and a thousand others, to the same general effect, the Old School Church, after long doubt, indeed, yet at length, confidently received and believed. It consented to reunion, in the end gladly and warmly consented, because authoritatively assured that the New School Church was as orthodox as the Old. May its confidence never be shaken: then, for this reunion, glory shall be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, forever!

4

CHAPTER SECOND.

HISTORICAL REVIEW OF THE CHURCH (NEW SCHOOL BRANCH).

BY THE REV. JONATHAN F. STEARNS, D.D.

Sources of Presbyterian History. The Separation not Anticipated. PERIOD OF DEPRESSION.- Policy of Absorption.-Hope of Reunion. - Unseċtarian Spirit.-Missionary Churches. Changes in the Form of Government.- Preparation for Growth.- Contributions. Gradual Consolidation. PERIOD OF REVIVAL.- Assembly at Cincinnati in 1847.- Plan of Church Extension. Assembly at Washington in 1852.- New arrangement for Home Missions, Education, and Publication. Work required of Presbyteries and Synods. - Presbyterian Quarterly Review. - Relations with the Congregationalists. Conflict with the Home Missionary Society. PERMANENT COMMITTEE ON CHURCH EXTENSION. The Declaration of Principles."— Assembly at Wilmington. Assembly at Pittsburg in 1860.Separation from the Home Missionary Society.-Agreement with the A. B. C. F. M. in 1859. THE QUESTION OF SLAVERY. THE QUESTION OF SLAVERY.- Testimony against the system, with care not to do injustice to those involved in it. The Detroit Resolution. Action at Cleveland. Withdrawal of the Southern Synods. PERIOD OF PROSPERITY AND PROGRESS.— Unity and Unanimity. - Loyalty in the War.- Home Missions. - Church Erection. - Education. — Publication.-Presbyterian House.- Foreign Missions. — Periodical Literature. Colleges. Theological Seminaries. Position towards Reunion. - Doctrinal Position. The Future.

It is provided by the "concurrent Declarations" that "the official records of the two branches of the church for the period of the separation should be preserved and held as making up the one history of the church.” Those documents are now the property of the united body, and will, no doubt, be made the subject of careful investigation by its future historians. They contain a portion of Presbyterian history of equal value to both the classes of which the united body is composed. We are henceforth to have but one interest; and whatever good has been accomplished by one class will be a (50)