The General Assembly [pp. 529-543]

1875.1 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLV. 529
in our land, and the source of incalculable mischief: viz., of every
man thinking to make an expenditure, or show of expenditure,
which is a token of equality in material resources with those
utterly beyond his reach. Waiting-maids now often outdo
their mistresses in dress, while the standard of fashion for all
has reached a pitch of extravagance which would be ridiculous if it were not ruinous. All this more degrades than exalts those who practice it.
Whatever any lay up on earth, let them first of all lay up
treasures in heaven, which they shall have at the resurrection
of the just; which are imperishable and unalienable; which no
moth nor rust can corrupt nor thieves break through and steal.
So doing, let them learn the divine wisdom "in whatsoever
state they are, therewith to be content;" since, at the worst,
"these light afflictions shall work out for them a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while they look not at
the things that are seen and temporal, but at the things that
are not seen and are eternal." So, even if poor for this world,
shall they be rich, as the heirs of God and joint heirs with
Christ to an immortal inheritance. Yea, "as poor, yet making many rich "-rich in faith, rich towards God, rich in the
treasure which awaits them in eternity.
Art. IX.-THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
THE General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of the
United States met in the First Presbyterian Church of Cleveland, Ohio, on May 17,1875, at ii A. M.
The Rev. E. D. Morris, D.D., of Cincinnati, Professor of
~ Theology in Lane Theological Seminary, was chosen Moderator,
and filled his office so wisely and well, as greatly to promote the
harmony of its deliberations and the movement of its business
to a speedy and happy issue. Fortunately, too, for this Assembly, most of the great questions of polity growing out of the