Let it be distinctly understood, that I do not publish the above Reports with such remarks with any design of throwing blame on the Board of Foreign Missions.  The members of it, and the Missionaries, have had no feelings towards each other but such as are altogether pleasant.  Perhaps the Board, in view of all the circumstances, has simply performed its duty.  I add this Appendix only to illustrate the unity of the churches at Amoy, and show that the Missionaries have acted according to the doctrines of God’s Word and the fundamental principles of our Church order.

Appendix B.

In the Christian Intelligencer of June 18, 1863, in the Report of the Proceedings of General Synod of Thursday, June 11, the last day of the session, appeared the following paragraphs: 

     “AMOY MISSION.

“Rev. Dr. Porter arose and said that he was about to utter what to himself was the gladdest and happiest word he had been permitted to speak during the Synodical sessions, delightful as they all had been.  He was informed by his beloved brother Talmage, that by permission of Synod, he would like to express briefly his content, in the main, with the action which the Synod had taken respecting the Amoy Mission.  It is of the Lord.  He has melted all hearts together as one, for his own work and honor.  We see eye to eye, and Zion may lift up her voice in thanksgiving.

“Rev. J.V.N.  Talmage said he wished to express his gratitude to the fathers and brethren for all their kindness to himself and the Missionaries at Amoy.  If the Synod has not arrived at the very best decision, he hoped it is the best under the circumstances.  He felt no desire to disobey the Synod, nor will the Missionaries at Amoy.  If we cannot organize a Classis at once, we will do the best we can.  He had been defeated, and he had no qualms of conscience in submitting to the decision that had been reached.”

I was willing to allow the previous, and, as I considered, very partial, report of the proceedings of Synod to pass unnoticed, but felt that I had no right to allow errors, such as are contained in the above two paragraphs, to remain uncorrected.  Therefore I addressed to the editor the following note: 

     “To the Christian Intelligencer.

     “Mr. Editor: 

“In looking over the report of General Synod, as given in the last number of the Intelligencer, I find a very grave mistake in reference to the position taken by me near the close of the session.  A similar mistake appears in the report made to the New York Observer.[3]

     [Footnote 3:  I addressed to the editors of the Observer a card,
     correcting the mistake which had appeared in their paper, and they
     published it.]