Page:Robert Carter- his life and work. 1807-1889 (IA robertcarterhis00coch).pdf/209

Rh Mr. George H. Stuart says that, afterwards, “One of the members of the committee was anxious to have the report recommitted, not to change its essential features in any particular, but that so important a document might have the benefit of a little more careful revision from a literary point of view. A motion to this effect was made soon after the Convention was opened, but was strongly opposed by Dr. Musgrave, who had been regarded as an opponent of union, on the ground that the report came in answer to the prayers of the Convention, which had spent the time that the committee had been deliberating in prayer for their guidance. So the motion to recommit was withdrawn.” Mr. Stuart refers to this prayer as one “of wonderful fervor, which seemed to touch every heart.” Some one else has referred to this prayer as an “effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man, which prevailed on earth as well as in heaven.” “As a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.”

This convention was a season of unbounded pleasure to Mr. Carter. He loved to speak of the many striking and dramatic scenes which characterized it, and which are familiar to most Presbyterian readers, for this was the period of the crystallization of the Reunion movement.

It was announced to the Convention that especial prayer had been offered for the success of the Reunion at the annual meeting of the Evangelical Societies of the Episcopal Church, which was in progress in Philadelphia at that time. A committee, consisting of Dr. Henry B. Smith, Dr. J. M. Stevenson, the Hon. Judge Drake, and Mr. Robert Carter, was appointed to convey fraternal greetings to the Episcopal brethren. They were received with the utmost enthusiasm, the whole congregation rising to welcome them. The Episcopal