PRESBYTERIAN REUNION: A MEMORIAL VOLUME. 1837-1871. Ὅτι εἰς ἄρτος, ἓν σῶμα οἱ πολλοὶ ἐσμεν· οἱ γὰρ πάντες ἐκ τοῦ ἑνὸς ἄρτου μετέχομεν.—1 CORINTHIANS x. 17. NEW YORK: DE WITT C. LENT & COMPANY, CHICAGO: VAN NORTWICK & SPARKS. HARVARD COLLEGE LIBRARY THE BEQUEST OF 1919 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1870, by DE WITT C. LENT & CO., In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of New York. Stereotyped at THE WOMEN'S PRINTING HOUSE, New York. PREFACE. THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH in the United States of America has reached an epoch in its history that demands some permanent and adequate record. A portion of that record, not inappropriate or unwelcome, it is hoped, will be found in these pages. This volume may be considered as a platform upon which brethren of both the former branches of the church stand to speak to us of its life and progress for the past thirty years. Each enjoys full liberty to express his own views in the most free and familiar manner. Upon questions hitherto mooted, their language cannot be expected to please all readers, nor, looking from different points of view, will it be strange if there may seem to be some opposition in their statements. The future church will, however, be better served if the eye-witnesses of scenes that were full of interest and events that will shape its destiny in other generations, furnish it with their most candid and sincere impressions. The army correspondents, writing to their public, each from a different corps, relate incidents that may at first seem inconsistent, but which, when combined, serve to furnish the full story of a campaign. The Biographical Records have been compiled from the best sources of information, but are, as it were, only specimens of what might be recorded to commemorate the worthy sons of the church. Much valuable statistical matter will be found in this volume, which, it is thought, will be of permanent service to its readers. Perhaps the illustrations demand a word of reference. They have been prepared with much care to secure accuracy, that, when present interest in them declines, they may serve as mementos of the past. Excellent plates of several of the objects illustrated, ready to hand, have been offered to the publishers, but they have engraved others, to secure uniformity and beauty to the book. To all who have aided in the design of this volume, by kindly furnishing materials, and by other fraternal co-operation, the thanks of the writers are hereby given. They send forth this little token of their deep love for the church now so happily united, with congratulation and prayer. May its future officers and members see a progress even greater than it has yet enjoyed, that their historians, as they review another era, may have reason to rejoice and to say with them, "What hath God wrought!" "Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee." |