A STATISTICAL VIEW OF THREE BRANCHES OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. THE following Table is made up from the returns made by the General Assemblies meeting in 1864. The first column is The United Presbyterian Church in North America; the second is The Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, (N. s.); the third is The Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, (o. s.) These returns are made up from the Presbyterial Reports to the Assembly and published in the Minutes. "Stated Supplies, Teachers, Editors, Agents, Without Charge, &c. Ministers, Total.... Licentiates. THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, (N. S.) THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, met in the Third Presbyterian Church, Dayton, Ohio, on Thursday, May 19, 1864, and was opened with a sermon by the retiring Moderator, IIENRY B. SMITH, D.D., from Ephesians iv. 13: "Till we all come in the unity of faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ." The Permanent Clerk reported the following as members of the Seventieth General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church. EDWARD P. HUMPHREY, D.D., from The General Assembly which met in Peoria in 1863. THOMAS BRAINERD, D.D., of Philadelphia Fourth Presbytery, was elected Moderator. Rev. GEORGE DUFFIELD, Jr., of Monroe Presbytery, and Rev. CHARLES S. DUNNING, of Montrose Presbytery, were chosen Temporary Clerks; Henry Darling, D.D., the Permanent Clerk, having sent word that he would not be present, Rev. T. RALSTON SMITH, of New York Third Presbytery, was appointed clerk, pro tempore. Bills and Overtures. HENRY L. HITCHCOCK, D.D., Chairman, reported as follows:OVERTURE, NO. I.-From The Presbyterian Historical Society, asking this Assembly to adopt such action as may aid the Society in its present efforts to secure funds for the erection of a fire-proof building for the preservation of its valuable collections and for an endowment, the interest of which shall be applied to the general purposes of the Library. It was Resolved. That the Assembly regards with favor the objects of The Presbyterian Historical Society, and also its present efforts to secure funds for the erection of a suitable fire-proof building for the safe preservation of its valuable collections and for an endowment, and commend the Society to the confidence and favor of our people. No. II.-Asking what order should be taken in regard to Presbyteries which do not adopt the Assembly's plan for the payment of the expenses of their Commissioners. The Committee recommended, and it was adopted, That the Assembly earnestly reiterate the sentiments and recommendation of the last General Assembly, (Minutes, pp. 329, 330,) and urge them especially upon the attention and fraternal feelings of the older and larger Presbyteries. The strong should help the weak, otherwise the new and distant Presbyteries must be imperfectly and irregularly represented, and thus their connection with the Church becomes loose, nominal, and uncertain, instead of being that vital, mutually helpful, and permanent relation which it ought to be. This principle of mutual help is carried much further in the Free Church of Scotland, where all the money contributed to the support of the ministry is thrown into a common fund, and thence disbursed to the different pastors. Thus they who gather much have nothing over, and they who gather little have no lack. No. III. From Michigan Synod, on Sabbath-schools. It was, on motion, referred to a Special Committee, having under consideration a report from the preceding Assembly on the same subject. The following is their report, which, on motion, was adopted : The Committee to whom were intrusted the Special Report of the Committee of the last Assembly on Sunday-schools, and the memorial of the Synod of Michigan on the same subject, respectfully report: That they have carefully considered the papers committed, and are of the opinion that the subject therein presented, and the suggestions made thereon, call for the earnest deliberation and mature action of this Assembly. The labors of individuals and churches on behalf of Sunday-schools, in the provisions admirably devised for their accommodation, in the literature or music provided for their use, in the development of talents and influences especially adapted to interest and operate on the minds there gathered, and in concerts of prayer, have conspired to lift the Institution into a position of prominence and power never before occupied, and promising yet greater growth and larger good. This fact seems to require that a more distinct recognition of the Sunday-school agency be made in our Assembly reports, and that its relation to the Church and its authorities be more clearly defined. While experience has demonstrated the vast capacities for good that lie in the Sunday-school, and which ought to be more fully unfolded, it has in various ways, also, admonished us of evils which ought to be guarded against and avoided. The danger is, that the Sunday-school may become detached from its proper connection with the Church and its authorities, and assume an independence which must prove, in the end, injurious both to itself and the Church. This severance has, we learn, actually taken place in some instances, and the proper shepherd of the flock can appear before the lambs only by the sufferance of the superintendent; and so the young, cut off from their appointed spiritual guardians, are exposed to influences which cannot be brought under proper supervision and control. We would recommend, therefore, that the Assembly adopt and act upon the resolutions presented in the papers that we have in charge, thereby bringing this important institution within their constant purview, and doing what they can to develop and impress its great importance upon the hearts of the Church. Resolved 1. That it belongs emphatically to the Pastor and Elders of each congregation to direct and supervise the whole work of the spiritual_training of the young, and that it is an important part of the functions of their office, both to encourage parents to fidelity in bringing up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and, also, to secure the co-operation of all the competent members of the Church, in the religious education of all the children and youth to whom they can gain access. 2. That great attention ought to be paid to the work of inculeating lessons from the sacred Scriptures, and of fixing in the memory the Catechisms of our Church, both as to its doctrine and polity; and still further of combining all the schools of a congregation in united worship as far as possible, and especially of leading them to Jesus in the exercise of a living faith and continued reliance on the Holy Spirit. 3. That to the above end, we would further recommend to the Pastors that they adapt, wherever practicable, the second discourse of every Sabbath, particularly to the young of their flock; thus affording to this, the most susceptible and hopeful portion of their fields, at least one-half of their time and labor, and giving their children distinctly to feel that they have a place, no less in the sanctuary than in the Sunday-school, both for worship and instruction. 4. That Church Sessions be required to furnish, in their statistical reports, a full account of the number of Sunday-school scholars and teachers in their respective congregations, to be embodied in the Assembly's Minutes. 5. That a Permanent Committee of the Assembly be appointed, whose duty it shall be to take charge of this great interest, and to report whatever may quicken and stimulate the Church, in its duty of training the young according to the word of God. 6. That this General Assembly earnestly recommend to the Pastors of the churches within its bounds to present before their congregations, in one or more discourses, the relation of baptized children to the Church, and the reciprocal duties between parents and children, growing out of this relation, as defined in the word of God, and declared in the doctrines of our Church. 7. That it is exceedingly desirable that the entire congregation, old and young, be permanently connected with the Sunday-school, either as scho- . lars or teachers. The following resolution was referred to the Permanent Committee on Sunday-schools: Resolved, That a Committee of three ministers and two elders be appointed to prepare a circular, embodying the resolutions passed on the subject of Sunday-schools, and urging upon pastors and sessions, as the judgment of this Assembly, the importance of assuming the spiritual care and oversight of the schools connected with the churches under their care, to send a copy of this circular to every pastor, and to report to the next General Assembly such action on this subject as they may deem expedient. Resolved, That the Chairman of the Committee on Leave of Absence be instructed to report to their respective Presbyteries the delinquencies of such Commissioners to this body as have absented, or as may absent themselves, without leave, from a full half day's session of this Assembly. No. IV. From Otsego Presbytery on the same subject. It was Resolved to refer it to the Committee on Statistics. No. V. From Chicago Presbytery on a Periodical. It was Resolved, That no further action be taken, inasmuch as the subject is before the Assembly by report from a Committee of last Assembly. No. VI. It was Resolved, That this Assembly highly appreciates the faithful and self-denying labors of its ministers and those of other Christian denominations in our National Army; that it has confidence in the value of the regimental chaplaincy, and in the motives and fidelity of the |