1 1 ■ 'Ain
(o';)tuleort
THURSDAVi JAN. 5, 1860.
D. C. HOUGHTON, EDITOR.
associated with >
ALBERT BARNES, . | GEORGE DUPFIELD,Jr.
THOMAS BRAINERB, JOHN JENKINS,
HENRY DARLING, I THOMAS J. SHEPHERD.
OUR COUNTRY AT THE BEGINNING OP
THE YEAR 1880.
The prosperity of a nation depends on other
things than political movements, and is not materi
ally affected by the purposes and strifes of political
parties. Thus far in our own history it has mattered
little in regard to our progress as a people what party
has been in the ascendant, or who has been at the
head of the nation. Incompetent civil rulers we
have had; unwise and wicked measures hove been
precipitated upon the nation; unjust wars have
been waged ; and unrighteous laws have been enact
ed) hut the nation has prospered notwithstanding
all these, and apparently without being materially
affected by any or all of these considerations.. The
prosperity of the nation is laid in the sober indus
try and the people; in the general preva
lence of education; in the richness of the soil, and
in the minerals of the earth ;in our broad and fertile
fields inviting to cultivation; in our lakes and na
vigable. streams; in the general security of the
rights of the people; and above all in the purposes
of God, and in the prevalence of pure religion.
-yfr* la remarkable how little the great interests of
tjte nation are affected by the question which of the
great political parties into which our country is
usually divided are to rule the land, or what par
ticular candidate shall secure the highest office in
the gift of the people. Whether the government
be Federal or Republican, Whig or Democratic;
whether Washington be at the head of the admi
nistration, or Jefferson, or Madison, or John Quincy
Adams, or General Jackson, the affairs of the
nation move on, anS we are constantly advancing
to the accomplishing of the great destiny reserved
for us as a people. Under each and all these ad
ministrations, the real rights of the people are
equally secured, and the scores causes which pro
duce national prosperity are rapidly developed.
No man feels that the ascendency of any one po
litical party is to affect the title to his farm; or
change the books which his children shall study at
school; or break up the arrangements lfchis own
domestic circle; or militate against his right to buy
and sell—'his right to the avails of his own labor
his right to take and read what newspapers he
pl eases —his right to his Bible —his right to wor
ship God. The conflicts and the revolutions of
political life are far above the things which most
affect his peace, and the real welfare of the nation
is no more affected by these things than the deep
waters at the bottom of the sea are affected by the
storms that agitate the surface, or than the spring
ing corn in the ricji valley by the clouds that roll
and thunder along the sky. In all the agita
tions, therefore, in the political world daring
another year, and in all the vaticinations of im
pending ruin, it is not an inexplicable fact that
the real interests of the nation are advancing with
a steady progress; that our people are proceeding
with rapid strides to occupy and to cultivate the
vast territory given to them by God, that cities
spring- -fate ejjistepee as. if. by magic, aiufeetbat
states are added to the confederacy equalling in ex
tent of territory, and soon to surpass in wealth and
population, not a few of the en tire Kingdoms of me
old world.
The nation, indeed, has been aroused by the
projected invasion of one of its states for the pur
pose of exciting an insurrection. The act, so far
as its principal leader was in a state of iniud to be
responsible, was one of unmitigated wickedness: —
an act to be reprobated by every true lover of bis
country. So far as there was ‘method* in what
was done; so far as skill and tact were evinced in
pursuing silently the plan for more than two years;
so far as pertained to the quiet and unsuspected
collecting of implements of war; so far as the
steady movements of a cool and calm mind—a
mind of determined spirit—a mind set on revenge
—a mind under a certain kind of religion, cold,
stern and fierce —and a courage that shrank from
no danger, wus concerned, there was iudeed, a cer
tain kind of heroism, and a certain kind of adhe
rence, to a principle, traits whieh have been usually
' regarded as characteristic of great minds and great
efiorts in the chronicled events of the worldso far
as there was any practical wisdom in the plan—
any probability of sueccs3~r-any real information as
to the grounds of success, —any of the tact and skill,
the depth of plan and the wisdom of execution,
which characterizes great and sane minds, there was
the manifestation of the deepest folly or of insanity.
So far as the idea itself was concerned—the pur
pose of inciting the slaves of Virginia, or of the
South generally to insurrection —of awakening the
desire of vengeance in an oppressed race, and
arousing passions of men long held in
bondage against the families of their masters—
and loosening the restraints which bind four mil
lions of human beings, goaded by a sense of
wrong, in all the horror of a servile insurrection,
no purpose can be,conceived more diabolical; no
language furnishes terms that are adequate to ex
press the deteatatipawhich. mankind ought to feel
-fwMttoh, ~ • ■
The attemffiaWßßpifted, and the laws were
executed. ThoptfjiPffailed, as all similar plans
must' fail, and should fail. Even if it should be
supposed by any that the purpose contemplated
was right in itself —which no true friend of his
country or of the land can suppose —yet there was
no practical wisdom in theplan. There was no
prospect; no probability of its success. There
was no-pledged power to sustain the enterprise at
the North. There was no probability that the
slaves of the South would be aroused. There was
an nbff^ l "*-" certainty that the North and the South
would be united in quelling an attempt so mad and
so wicked. -All men should rejoice that the laws
were executed, and should feel that, under these
laws, only a just penalty was meted out to those
who were engaged in these transactions; and, so
far as we can see, whilo all good men must ap
prove of what was done in -Me, execution of the
laws, the State of Virginia ia#@from blame for the
manner in which it has been‘done, and the nation
should look upon the result as furnishing a proof
added to thousands before, that the laws of the
land w nil be faithfully executed.
The event has, however, derived an importance,
and has become iu some measure national, not
from any thing in the affair itself, or in the man
ner in which it was brought to a termination, but
from an alarming state of things which was re
vealed by the transactionby the deep anxiety
manifested; the senso of danger disclosed; the
trepidation and consternation that spread through
that great State, and ail the states of the South,
by what would have been otherwise an inconside
rable transaction. If there is stamped on the face
of the transaction the clearest proofs of insanity,
or wiokedness, or both, it has also disclosed the
conscious insecurity of the States where slavery
exists, and has thrown new light on the nature and
the tendencies of that “institution.” It would
not be in the power of any twenty men, however
armed or disciplined, or whatever might be their
purpose, to arouse the great States of Pennsylva
nia or New York, as Virginia was aroused by this'
“invasion;” nor would the State of Massachusetts
be alarmed and affrighted, though twice or thrice
that number of men should seize upon the arsenal
at Springfield. The reason would There
would be nothing underneath —notlrog hidden—
to excite alarm. There are no secret fires that are
smouldering that might be suddenly enkindled.
There are no suppressed powers there that may be
suddenly excited into action. There are no in
mates of the dwellings—no members of the fami
lies—no strangers held by the force of law —that
could be supposed to sympathize with such an ef
fort, and-that could he presumed by any possibility
to hail such a band of outlaws and marauders as
those were, as deliverers, saviours, friends. It was
only the apprehension that this might be_ so, that
gave to the insurgents at Harper’s Ferry their
importance, and it is only this that will explain
and justify the agitation and alarm in the great
Stati of Virginia producedi an attempt so mad,
and .in itself, so feeble. Sopite all that is said,
'and we doubfr'not. in numerous cases, correctly—
of the attachment of servants to their masters, and
of the kindness of the masters—this sad event has
shown a consciousness that there is less of security
derived iroro tnat met, than there is currently af
firmed to be, and that the feeling in the commu
nity, so far as the consciousness of security is con
cerned, is far different from that which exists in
New England, New York, and Pennsylvania. It
may have been unavoidable, but if it had been
avoidable, it was bad policy to manifest so mueh
trepidation at so insignificant an affair —for few
events have ever occurred in the land that have
done, or will do, so much to impress the Northern
mind with the intrinsic evil of slavery; and, per
haps, nothing has occurred that has done so much
to impr4l the Southern mind with the inevitable
dangers incident to the system, or that will dispose
many inhabitants of the South to seek, if possible,
a residence for themselves and families, where
they will bo free from such perils and alarm. No
event, perhaps, has ever occurred, that will make
so deep an , impression on the national mind of
the evil of slavery.
In connection with the events just ad verted^ to,
the. great question about the permanency of our
national union has been again suggested, and the.
nation is called once more to inquire into the value
of that union, and to ask what means are necessary
to perpetuate it, and what is the ground of proba
bility that it will be continued.
We believe that it is impossible for any man to
estimate properly the value of the union of these
States, or the desirableness of the perpetuity of
the union. We believe that the accomplishment
of a union at the time that the national constitu
tion was framed, was worth all the toil and soliqitude
of the illustrious men who labored to secure the
union. They never over-estimated the value of
that union, and the seventy years which have passed
since the union was consummated, have only served
more and more to confirm the truth of their con
victions ih regard to its value. That there were
orjer-ijo secure# union of
the States which it would have been desirable to
avoid if it had been possible, all felt then, and all
must feel now. That there were compromises ad
mitted in the articles on which the union was
based, whichmustresult, as all arrangements, among
men most, where principle and right are degraded
from their high position, as principle and right to
the low rank of expediency and policy, we do not
doubt; nor can we doubt that .the elements thus
introduced will produce agitation until that which
is wrong shall be regarded as wrong, and that
which is evil shall not be treated as a question
of policy, but shull he removed as evil; but still
we are sure that no one can estimate the value of
the union or the desirableness that it should be
continued.
And we believe that it will be continued, and
that it is not, and has not been, at any time in
real danger. The things which tend to perpetu
ate the union are more than those which tend to
sunder it. The security of the union rests do
other things than political movements, and the
aims of men ambitious for office. It is hot de
pendent on the acts of conventions, or on the
opinions of a few men North or South, who give
to any one subject a prominency over all other
subjects, and who make all the questions pertain
ing to our national welfare begin and end with
slavery. The real basis of the union lies in the
affections of the great mass of the people North
and South; in the recollection of the great struggle
by which the independence of the whole was
achieved; in the unforgotten fact that the North
and the South were united in that great conflict;
in the remembered virtues and wisdom of the men
that framed the constitution; in the recollection
of all the evils, oppressions and wrongs endured
by the colonies that made the common struggle
necessary; in the sameness of our origin, our lan
guage, our religion; in the ties commercial, so
cial and religions, and in the great rivers and
roads which connect one part of our land with an
other ; in th^dependence of the North on the South
for much ofjthc means by wk|oh- the North s grows
rich, and of the South for what, as yet, they have
been unable to produce for themselves; and not,
least of all, on the anticipated and certain evils
whieb must follow a dissolution of the Union.
Sober patriots, Christian men, the masses of the
people will look at these things, and will yet learn,
we fully believe, to endure with proper patience,
the evils which spring up inevitably from the ef
fort to adjustthe conflicting demands of interest and
of policy in aland so extended, and in the difficulty
of extending over an area so vast, the constitutional
principles once devised for a much smaller domain
than is now comprised within the limits of our
country, and to adjust which] even then, de
manded all the wisdom and the patriotism of our
fathers.
It is to he remembered also, that all the threats
of disunion are from a small portion of the
Southern people. Since the meeting of the cele
brated Hartford convention, there has not been
even the suspicion that any considerable portion
of the people of the North have meditated, or de
sired a separation of the States. Beyond all that
is expressed by the “union meetings” at the
North, beyond all that could be inferred from the
eloquence and zeal of ministers at the North who
feel themselves peculiarly called on to defend the
“Union,” and all the resolutions of “conserva
tives,” often a hidden political party themselves,
with little principle, and as littleinfluence, there
is at the North and the South, a deep, thorough,
serene, determined, though noiseless attachment
gmmirn fiefifoiiiniHifltttd ft turn,* ftvxnjtliKt.
to the union; and they at. the South who form
their estimate of the real feelings of the North on
this subject from what can be gathered from the
sources to which we have just referred, have hut
a faint idea of the real attachment of the North to
the Union; and as long as they regard these ex
pressions as all that they have to rely on, they
will have derived no real idea of the feelings of the
North towards the South. The people of the North
have asked no dissolution of the Union; they have
threatened none; they have desired none; as long
as they are in the majority they will allow none.
The alarms—the tbreatenings on this subject—
have come from the South. And from whom
there? Not from the mass of the people, but
from men closely connected with political parties,
and having political ends to accomplish. But
what could the South do if a dissolution of the
union .were attempted? What would, and must
be the effect on that portion of the'Republic?
The laws of the Union must be enforced. Every
custom house belongs to the United States; all
the imports of commerce are liable to duties to
the United States; the whole of the Postal ar
rangements pertain to the United States; the ves
sels employed in commerce are subject to the laws
of the United States; the Supreme Court of the
United States extends its jurisdiction over every
State; and the United States Marshal has a place
everywhere. "
The whole of the South is without the means
of defence:-—without the means of defence against
the authority of the Uffited- States; without the
means of defence against any foreign enemies;
what is more important, without the means of de
fence against the internal enemy —the foe that
was actually so much feared in the time of the
Southampton insurrection, and really so much
feared in the raid: at Harper’s Ferry. No man
can tell now—no Southerner now understands —
how much the security of the South depends on
the well-understood foot that the power of the
North is pledged to the support of the institutions
of the South, and that this power will be exerted
now in case a similar insurrection occurs. But
who can tell what would be the effect if it was
understood that the intervention of that power
could be no more relied on ?
The South is without commerce, and extensively
without manufactures. Beyond all other people
on the face of the earth they are dependent for
the articles most needed in common life, from the
axe and the hoe up to the locomotive engine and
the cotton press, on other communities; bfcyond
all people in ancient and modern tunes, with the
same advantage of an extensive sea-board and
navigable streams, they are destitute of commerce.
Their imports even from the Old World come
through the North; the productions of their soil
are carried in vessels not their own, to distant
lands.
Their Northern harder, in ease of a dissolution
of the Union, where would that be? And if
this line could be fixed, how soon would the North
ern range of such states cease to be identified with
the South, and becomejassimilated to the North!
We remember the anecdote of the -Virginia
planter, the outside rows of whose fields of corn
were devoured by squirrels, and who as an effec
tual remedy resolved that in the future “he would
have no outside rows.” Such the South would
soon learn to be desirable in regard to the States
whieh should make up their confederacy.
Their slaves—where would be the security that
they could be retained? Imperfectly as the
Slave law” is. n gp executgj ppd jfill
be; slight as the disposition may be-at'the North
to return those who escape from bondage, yet it is
known that there is a law on the subject, and it is
known that the United States are pledged to exert
the authority reposed in the General Government
to prevent the escape of slaves from their masters,
and to secure their return; and to an extent which
no man can estimate, the security of the
master as to the possession of his slave is to be
traced to that fact. But where would be the se
curity in a Southern independent confederacy that
the slave would not escape from his master? Who
could estimate the number of wars, or the atroci
ties of the wars, that would be waged in attempt
ing to reclaim, without any compact to return
them, those who should escape from servitude?
We refer to these things with no desire to
reflect on the South, or to make an invidious
comparison between the South and the North,
but as things on which the mass of the people
of the South, we are persuaded, will reflect, when
the time of separation shall come, or when dis
union shall be seriously proposed. We refer to
them also to show, that in our apprehension the
idea of a dissolution of the Union cannot be se
riously entertained at the South.
We do not regard the “Union Meetings” at
the North as of any very special importance.
We do not suppose that they are so regarded
by onr Southern brethren. Well enough do
they understand how easy it is to get up Mass
Meetings in our great cities; and well enough
do they know that the said meetings, under a
pretext of great patriotism, are often organized
and conducted by partisan politicians, and by
men worn out in public service, or in political
reputation, who desire again to look upon the
eyes of the people, and to have the eyes of the
people turned upon them. Nor do we suppose
that those Union Meeting's have any philo
sophical tendency to promote union. A man
and his wife who should get up a “union meet
ing” —a jmeeting. v to cl&sly, ...tte.
bond 06 union in the marriage relation, and who
should make loving speeches, and offer prayers
on union, would most likely soon mutually sus
pect that there was some occasion ion soeh a
meeting, and while the meeting might excite
merriment among the neighbors, the result would
be that the end would have been better promoted
by practising each toward the other the quiet and
gentle virtues which pertain to the relation of man
and wife. We can, therefore, admire the elo
quence of those who are loud in the praise of
union; we can easily see how it is that numbers
can be assembled together to pass resolutions
on the valne of the Union; but we see a deeper
bond of union than is to be found in such as
semblages; we see a more solid basis of /hope.
We find it in what, we are persuaded, is the
sober, calm, earnest feeling of the masses of the
people at the North and in the South ; in the
memory of the sacrifices made by our fathers,
for the Union; in the benefits which grow out
of the Union; in the foresight of the certain
evils that would overspread the land in& sepa
ration; and, above all, in the belief that the
God who protected onr fathers in the day of
peril, has an end to accomplish by this Ameri
can Union of States which he will be certain to
secure, whatever may be the designs of mis
guided men, North or South. -
The widow of the famous Morgan, of anti Masonic
notoriety, is now a resident of the vicinity of Mem- 5
phis, Tenn., whore she has been engaged in benevo
lent labors in connection with an orphan asylum.
• THE HEW YEAR.
As the earth pursues her journey, as the sun
describes-'his circuit, as the seasons alternately
follow each otheriwithont cessation, time glides
along without hilting in its course, and our
years are spent as a tale when it is told. As
the rivers flow toward the sea, so the blood
courses in the^veins, hurrying ns imperceptibly
on.ward to life’s termjnus. Morning and eve
ning, weeks, Pud years, are natural way
marks, by which •#B'‘tteasure our progress. We
rejoice at the dffiwjjr&Ni New Year, as if tired of
tlje monotony'of ; still, in the midst of our
greetings and chepr.-we are moving.forward, and
leave the annual tpliday behind ns. Thus is hu
man life. It is a continual movement toward eter
nity. Men are ss busy, bustling and active to
day, as yesterday) and this year as last, and this
generation as tbjjifeceding brie, for there is no
cessation in the stieam, no apparent change on
the surface of 'so c ply. As the front and vete
ran ranks thin ai i vanish, the succeeding file
press forward to fi ! their places, and all appears
as complete and fi 11 as ever.
The last yearw unremarkable for the number
of distinguished'-' ghts that have disappeared.
Death has been 1 tvish of its spoils among the
chief and richest -ornaments of society in both
hemispheres. Sc ence, Art, Literature and Re
ligion, have bee ~.( e ach largely taxed, and it
would seem that Uta world could illy spare so
-many of its. wis^.learned and good men in a
Single -Hourlioldi^
Olmstead, Brune&Lardner, Nichol, Stephenson,
and many othempke them; and literature has
parted with Prescott, Hallam,. Hervey, De
Tocqueville,'w/shington Irving, De Quincey,
Leigh Hunt am others; Art has contributed
its Crawford aid Leslie; and the Church has
enriched heav.efcjpth. such, trophies as James,
Alexander, andTpany others in all sections of
Christendom, whose praise is in all the churches,
and whose worip'do follow them.
It has been ayear of political commotion and
strife and upheaving among the nations, and
the end is not .It has also been a year of
marvellous power nnd grace. Parts of Europe
have witnessed an dutpouring of the Spirit, un
paralleled since the days of Pentecost; in
many respects pore wonderful than was expe
rienced in this eodbtry the year previous. This
work of grace Is still spreading into new fields,
and ; to the glory of the Re
deomer. '. like the din and stir of
preparation, the^reshado wing, of the near ap
proach of consummation.
The world waS-neVer' so full of active agen
cies tributary to Jhe cause of Christ. Scienpe
and artf are dailr*idding new auxiliaries and
instrumentalities for spreading abroad over the
world, light, knowledge and truth. Many ran
to and fro, and knowledge is increased. It is
no longer a wondir, to be recorded in our school
books, that a most has sailed round the world.
It is a common occurrence, and men now tra
verse the oeeanJjand return before they are
really missed by ttfeir neighbors at,home. Thus
the woridjis T)6@fißing one great neighborhood;
and the resident pf one zone has his vegetable
garden in another, and his hunting ground in
another. Thisijfeilitjr of intercourse, this mu
tual interest ahtedependence, lend: to enlarge
men’s views andfstimulate their activities.-r The.
channels of tradp, and commerce open the way
for the spread) oA the gospel. To-day, in the
the gospel-giveYtitterance to the truth. It dies
not in the ears If those who hear it, but is ga
thered up silentfr, and cast abroad on the mor
row. to be read ijwten thousand more; and soon
reaches these shores, and is sent broadcast to
be read by railliifts. This is a simple illustra
tion of what da|ly happens around us; and
shows the daily accumulating capabilities of the
church to gospel to every creature.
One man; with the facilities of to-day, can do
the work of ten, land .a year now is .worth a
whole century of the early history of the church.
These are years of great responsibility, for
they demand roigfyty-achie vements. The sum
mons has gone fojith, Go, work in my vineyard
to-day, and the Master expects every man this
year to do his doty t
JOjEtN BUNYA3SV
Messrs. E|),it|^s.— Not long ago- I- heard
a lecture delivered, hy tlie Rev. Dr. Brainerd, on
John Pilgrim's Progress. Some
portions oY’riSwpffie made such an impression
upon my mind at *the time, that they have con
tinually recurred tjp my recollection, and at, times,
I have not been A rne to think of any thing else.
As these facts regarding John Bunyan are not
generally known,: I beg that; they may be. recorded
in the to
be printed in every language and read by every
human being. .; •'
Dr. a clear and lUciil abcdUnt of
John BuDyan j '-his neglect of religion in early
life,—bis the religious influence which
bis wife had over ijm—rhis imprisonment in Bedr
ford Jail, his occupation.' ad a -tinker,
and his preaeljifig jth’e gospel of jisus Christ, for
which he was sefli to the'above prison, and where
he wrote that evefrasting monument.of his genius
— ; The Pilgrim’s progress j John Bunyau's ashes
lie in Bonner’s-held grave yard, London, which,
at the time of- his death, was a kind of Potter’s
fieWj
of society. , llfis .now consecrated ground, and the
burial place of mahy men, known throughout the
Christian world, fi)F their eminence in every de
partment of human greatness. The grave of John
Bunyan, the Christian author of The Pilgrim's
Progress, is, the most conspicuous of all—yes/iif
that holy ground, rest the remains of de
parted greatness for two hundred years—there is
a well beaten path from the grave-yard gate to the
grave of John Bunyan. Such is not the.casc with
the other graves—lbey can only be, known by the,
names on the tombstones, or- the monuments
erected to their memories. John Bunyan needs
no monument of marble to mark his grave—a
thousand granite columns might be 'erected over
hiS ashes, and all would crumble to dust and decay
before the star of;his .glory would even begin to
grow. dim. '&'* \ i
Such is the difference between the’Christian,
and those to Christ and His re
ligion. The GhrMian ffame>.en
dixres for ever, will who would hot be a. Chris
tian when such of glory is thrown around
their names in this - World,- and when they die, an
everlasting life wilj be their portion in the joyful
realms of eternity,. ,IJ. B, H.
Scientific American.— This is' always a
welcome visitor ip our table. It carefully
looks after the Yagjjgns improvements of the age,
and tells you ivfjat 4 s reliable and useful.;
Ithas been recenln|enlnrged and much improved.
It is,issued week®, and commences .a , new vo
lume on the firstjof. January. Published by
Munn & Co., York. , • , ,
“ANNALS OF THE POOR.”
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
It is but right that the results of our efforts
should be fairly stated now and then for the in
formation especially of sttch as have aided us con
stantly from the beginning. Some account of the
Sunday School will best illustrate them. It is
.now eight weeks since its first formation, com
mepoing with nine scholars and one teacher. It
is, and has been, and will continue to be, an in
flexible rule to draw no scholars connected with
any other school. This number has gradually in
creased to about fifty-five, and the teachers now
number eight, most of them coming from so great
a distance as to render it scarcely possible for them
to attend regularly. About two-thirds of the scho
lars are boys, and the school ranges along from
four to sixteen years. About one-third can read
tolerably well, and nearly all have at some time
been in a Sunday School. The almost universal
reason assigned for their non-attendance hitherto,
is the want of suitable clothing. Of our school, a
sixth, at least, might well continue to urge the
same objection,'and to this point particularly I
wish to direct the attention of our faithful friends.
Thus far these burdens have fallen upon too few.
It remains to. be seen whether this evil will be
corrected. It has been twice suggested by some
of the ladies, on whom we mainly rely, to form an
industrial school in connection with this mission,
and a more important measure could scarcely be
devised. ; The time, too, seems to have come to.
.lintnu.tipnh-TV.—jFpf varipualjWMwnartge 7 school
robins themselves ire, all things considered, evi
dently the most appropriate place for its organiza
tion,and we were more than gratified at our friends
agreeing with us in this particular. The rooms
are 1210 Sbippen Street; the entrance and the
rooms themselves being quite respectable and
pleasant. As the time is not yet determined for
commencing it, we wish merely now to direct the
attention of those who have not hitherto assisted
us to prospective arrangement. We believe that
all the materials.necessary can be provided. We
hove long entertained the fixed opinion, that in a
school. like this a limited wardrobe may be used
to great advantage; the reason is, that while many
' children are not uncomfortable for the want of
clothing, they may yet be scarcely decent in the
sense of the term as connected with the Sunday
School;—a ragged hat, a boy of. eight in a pair
of men's boots or without a shirt, or a little girl
in that grotesque attire that is sometimes induced
by poverty, can scarcely fail to excite timidity and
shame. believe that Christians arb answer
able-for obstacles of this kind lying in the path of
both teacher and scholar; as well indeed as of the
true-hearted parent. Nothing is more pressingly
needed with-us at this time than a thoroughly or
ganized and faithful Dorcas Association. They,
too, might meet in the school rooms, or wherever
else they might think proper. These suggestions
are not our own, they.have come to us more than
once from the ladies who are willing themselves
to embark in them, and we make them here not
for them, but as we have said above, for those who
have not hitherto assisted us. This comprises
substantially what we wish to say to-day. It is
easily understood- —it is’ of a practical nature—it
is of pressing urgency. If the attention of our
friends is directed to these two points and promptly,
the work will be set on foot. 1 If it is done, we
can scarcely fail to prosper; if it is not done, we
thay still prosper; but precisely how we are at
present unable to say—-w;e therefore leave the
, matter just here, trusting; that the nejw year will
■ [‘ place us^bn' mbrd'petmtneht mbkmg-'
A UNIVERSAL CONCERT OF PRAYER.
The fPllpwing has been put into our hands, and
we earnestly commend it to the attention and
action of all:—-
To ocr Brethren in Christ Jesus through
out the City and Country, Greeting :
Some twelve months ago, missionaries of the
Cross, laboring in India, sent out to the world an
earnest invitation to unite with them in devoting
the second week in January, 1860, to importu
nate prayer that God would pour out his Spirit
upon all flesh, and cause the ends of the earth to
see his salvation. ...
To this call our, Christian brethren, in various
parts of the world, have responded with such zeal
and waim-heartedneSsij; that we may now look
forward to the second week in January, as to a
'time of more united and universal supplication
for ■ the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon our
ruined world, than has ever been kno.wii since
tlie establishment of the .Christian systeSa.
In ‘ vie* of these fictS, great and glorious, the
children of God in this city and State, and in
every place to which our call may come, arc ear
nestly exhorted—nay, are entreated, by their love
of Christ and immortal souls, and by their desire
to see the Redeemer’s kingdom established on
the earth, to unite with ns in keeping holy the
second week in January next. We have no
wish, brethren, to prescribe for you the manner
of ydur; observance. We only beseech you to
consecrate it, in the sight of God, as a week of
earnest, continuous prayer. 0, let us “bring all
the tithes into tlie store-house, ” and see if out
edvenant-kebping God, who has said, “Ask and
ye shall receive,” see if “he will not open the
windows off heaven and; pour us out a blessing,
that there shall not be room enough to.receive it.”
See if he does not give to his well-beloved Son
“ the heathen for his inheritance, and the uttermost
parts of the earth for’his possession.” :
This is the burden of our desire, that the dis
ciples of the Lord Jesus may he one in this ear
nest prostration of spirit at the. throne of grace,
there to wrestle for the glorious manifestation of
God’s presence and saving power in our poor, be
nighted and rtfhsed, world.
Ily’for thesakYo? concert, we may ’suggest’ ’ to*
’ you what we Should deem a suitable observance
of this week of prayer, we : would say—
1. That, as far as practicable, we would engage
in these solemn services in assembled congrega
tions. ;
-2. That Monday should be devoted to fasting,
and to deep humiliation, heart-searching and Self
abasement before Gbcl.
8. That Tuesday we cry .mightily unto God
from the deep places of humility, that he will
deepen and strengthen the work of divine grace,
in the heart of every believer.
4. Wednesday may he given to supplication,
that God will regard specially, and specially bless
the children and youth, in both Christian and
heathen lands.
5; Thursday may well be devoted 4o earnest
prayer %hat 'God, by the exercise of his mighty
power, will remove all obstacles which now hinder
tlm progress of the gospel in our Own land and
throughout the world. . .* 'Y.
6. Friday may be made a day of special inter
cession for the large cities, towns and populous
ftlistriets of. the world, and for the' islands of -the
,sea.;-. - ; - •” - ’’ '
7. Saturday we might' plead, specially for
Christ’s ministers everywhere, and for a closer,
union of all Christ’s disciples—for. a fulfilment of
the Saviour’s precious prayer, “ That they all may
be one, as thou, Father, art in me and I in thee,
that they also may bo one in us.” .
On each of these days, as we bear these subjects
to the throne of grace, in our closets, at the family
altar, in the congregation and wherever we can
pray; the blessing of the Most High should be ear
nestly implored upon all missionaries and mission-'
ary agencies,'thatthrough their instrumentality the'
ivorld may lie speedily converted to God.
8. The Sabbith, as our brethren in India sug-
gest, tuay be given to praise and thanksgiving in
the great congregation.
These thoughts are thrown out merely as sug
gestions ; they may serve as guides to some of the
prayerful in their private devotions, when they are
shut up from the assemblies of God’s children.
But we say again our single object is to awaken
the servants of Christ to an earnest and devout
observance of the appointed season, in such man
ner as shall seem to them right in the sight of God,
and in view of the wants of a perishing world.
. .At a. meeting of Ministers of various denomina
tions held in Sansom street Baptist Church, De
cember 20, 1859, after the unanimous adoption
of the call, the following names were appended to
Bev. James Pratt, Rev. Charles D. Cooper,
Bey. Joseph H. Kennard, Bev. Mr. Duhamel,
Bev. John G. Murray, Bev. Joseph H. Jones,
D. JVBev. John Chambers, Bev. T. W. J. Wylie,
D. Bev. George Duffield, Jr., Bev. JS. W.
Hutter, Bev. J. H. A. Bomberger, D. D., Bev.
Edmund De Schweinitss.
EDITOR’S TABLE.
messianic prophecy and the life of
CHRIST. By William S. Kennedy. ITew York;
Published by A. S. Barnes & Burr, 1860. 12m0., pp,
484. For sale by J. B. Xippincott & Co.
This volume is adapted to popular use, and
is of great practical value. It exhibits first
the Messiah as delineated in the prophecies of
the Old Testament, in chronological order, and
then historically, as manifest in Ids life, and re
corded in the New Testament, Christ is the
centre and substance Of o,ur religion.,! .Correct
views .Of him in his essential character and re
lation to us~as a Sa'rfotrr, coiratitu-tc tbc rery
foundation of hope. The God-man, in his two
fold relation to the Godhead and to humanity,
reveals in himself the only possible means of re
conciliation to God, the only accessible path to
heaven. Christ, onr Redeemer, our advocate,
our intercessor, opens to man the doors of the
heavenly world, and fits him for its enjoyment.
The anthor of this volume shows that Christ is
the central idea of the Bible, and that the Old
and New Testaments exhibit him as the foun
dation and substance of all true religion.
THE CHRISTIAN INSTRUCTOR, Containing a Sum
mary, Explanation and Defence of the Doctrines and
Duties of the Christian Religion. By Rev. Josiah
Hopkins, D. D., late Pastor of the Presbyterian Church,
Auburn, New York. New York: Published by A.
S. Barnes & Burr, 1860. 12m0., pp. 357. For sale by
J. B. lippincott & Co.
This is the Fifth Edition of a well known work.
It is designed to be a compend of the doctrines
of Christianity, setting forth briefly the essen
tial truths of religion, and the arguments by
which they are sustained and defended. It is
adapted to furnish a reason for their faith to
those who have neither time nor opportunity to
consult more elaborate works. It is commended
by such men as Dr. Hickok, of Union College,
Dr. Lyman Beecher, Dr. Samuel H. Cox, and
others.
SERMONS FOR THE PEOPI.E: Upon Important
Subjects, selected from Eminent Divines. New York:
Published by Messrs. Barnes & Burr. 12m0., pp. 256.
For sale by J. B. Lippincott & Co., No. 20 North 4th
Street.
This volume contains nine valuable and prac
tical sermons from eminent clergymen of Eng
land and America : such as Dr. A. Fuller, Dr.
J. M. Mason, Dr. Isaac' Barrows, Archbishop
Leighton, Henry Melville, Dr. Emmons, Ro
bert Hall, Dr. Payson and Dr. Sprague.
HCTTTRES FROMTHEHISTORY OF THE SWISS.
By ihe author of “ Little Stones for Xittle People,”
*an do th£r "xal esr. 16mo. pp. 262. Btiston: Btow%.
Taggard.&Chase. Philadelphia: Gaut & Volkmar,
dQ9 Chestnut street.
This Is an instructive juvenile book, beauti
fully illustrated. It teaches lessons of patriot
ism, and gives descriptions of scenery and
incidents illustrative of local customs. It is
proposed to make it an initiative of a series of
similar histories of other nations.
THE SUMMER HOUSE SERIES. Oua Summer
House, and what was said and done in it. By the
author, of “Violet,” “Daisy,” etc. l€mo., pp. 207.
Boston: Brown, Taggard & Chase. Philadelphia:
Gant and Volkmar, 609 Chestnut street.
This is the commencement of another series
of pleasant and instructive books for children.
It is in form of letters of children to each other,
suggested by natural objects around them as
they play in their summer house.
THE LIFE OF WHITENOSE WOODCHUCK. By
Uncle Fannus. Square 16mo. pp. 63. Boston: Brown,*;
Taggard and Chase. Philadelphia: Gaut & Volkmar.'
This volume is designed to. amuse and instruct
quite young children. All these books are
neatly printed and instructive.
ENGLISH HISTORY, Condensed and Simplified for
Children. By Anna M. Hyde. Philadelphia: James
j Challeh and Son, 1860. lBmo., pp. S 2.
This is a brief compendium of English His
tory; giving dates and important events without
the details. It is designed to fix these facts in
the minds of children as a data by which to ar
range their subsequent reading and acquisitions
in knowledge.
A LADDER TO LEARNING; FOR LITTLE
ERS. Showing how Play and Study may be com
bined. By Anna M. Hyde. Challen and Son. 18mo.,
pp. 137. ;
This little book contains some principal parts,
of history , geography, astronomy, grammar, &c.,
enunciated in prose and poetry, with the view
of fixing them early upon the minds of children.
It will afford some amusement as well as furnish
good, exercise for the memory.
ERNEST BRACEBRIDGE; or, Schoolboy Days. By
W. H. G. Kingston. Boston: Ticknor & Fields. For
sale by J. B. Lippincott fc Co., Philadelphia.
This volume is weft calculated to interest
boys. It describes the pastimes, sports, and
physical and mental discipline practised in the
English schools. It exhibits in its principal
character, Ernest Bracebridge, those noble
traits of character which deserve success and
win esteem. It is a jSmo. of 344 pages, and
is illustrated.
SEVEN YEARS, By Julia Kavanaugh, author of
“ Nathalie,” “ Adele,” etc., etc. Boston: Ticknor &
Fields. For sale by J. B. Lippineott & Co., Phila.
Ticknor & Fields have just issued this new
work by Julia Kavanaugh. It commences a
series, entitled “Library op Standard Fic
tion. ” Put up in paper covers at 50 cents per
number. . Julia Kavanaugh is Of the. better
class of English novelists. *
STORIES OF RAINBOW AND LUCKY. By Jacob
Abbott. New York: Harper & Brothers., For sale
by Lindsay & Blakiston, Philadelphia.
This is the second volume of this series of
Abbott’s Stories. It describes Rainbow’s jour
ney. It is a neat book, and the children only
need to know that it is printed and ready for
them.
HARRY’S SUMMER IN ASHCROFT. With illustra
tions: Pp. 204. New York: Harper & Brothers. For
sale by Lindsay and Blakiston, Philadelphia.
Another valuable book for boys and girls,
which teaches them how to enjoy ( the country
.1
in the summer, instructs them in
and a. hundred other things that are
to know and to do.
THE PRESBYTEBIAN HISTORICAL A,
anil Annual Remembrancer of the Church,
By Joseph M. Wilson. Volume second,
phia: Joseph M. Wilson.
This is the second volume of this ai
ries. It contains some additions and
ments to the first issue. It contains
night- distinct members of the Presbytt
mily, embracing the English, Scotch, Ii
Canadian churches.
It contains the portrait of the last mi
of each body, and drawings of the churc
the assemblies were held. How cori
others may be we cannot judge, but the
purporting to be a likeness of the model
our General Assembly is a caricature, ai
Patterson would be justified in instituting
for slander.
The Statistical Department contains the
of ministers arranged alphabetically with
bytery and post office address, numbering
ten thousand. The reports of Presbyteri
Synods are arranged in tables, showing
bers, pastors, churches, and contriV
There is also a statistical history of the
byterian Church in the United States,
1828 to the present time. The statistics
other religious denominations collected
their last annual report are also given.
The.-.A.pp»»<*»*-- contains a table gri\
names of over two hundred Presbyterian
ters, whose writings have been published .
the year, showing the name of the authoi
name of work, the publisher, the size and
of the volume. A catalogue of the voh
the Presbyterian Historical Society’s Lu
now first connected. ' An historical sketch*
the American Sunday School Union, with
account,of its plans and mode of operation,
the means employed in carrying forward ’
jects. An historical sketch of the Amu.
Tract Society, giving an insight into its plant,
and objects, and progress. And also the n*tnw
of all Presbyterian newspapers, reviews,hind
magazines, with price and time of publi
and the names of the editors.
The price is one dollar, and the postage,
paid in advance, is rated by provision as
riodical, and will be 12 cents.
BLACKWOOD’S MAGAZINE for December,
New York: Leonard Scott & Co. For sale by
Zieber, 105 South Third street.
The present number, closing the
volume of the American edition of this •Sir
conducted monthly, has nine articles on subjects
of interest to the general reader, under thejol*
lowing heads: The Fight on the Peiho—Lofe’#
Young Dream—Another pleasant French ‘
—Popular Literature—Prize Essays—Moi
Dutch Republic—The National Gallery-
Luck of Ladysmede—Part IX.—The Em
and the Empire—Fleets and Navies—Em
—Part 111.
THE REVIVAL IN IRELAND. Letters fro.
ters and Medical Men in Ulster on the Revival
ligion in the North of Ireland, addressed to thi
H. Grattan Guinness. Philadelphia: W. S. &
tien.
The revival prevailing in the North of
land has attracted much attention in this
try, on account of its remarkable progress
wonderful physical manifestations. Rev,
Guinness, who is now preaching in this city
been in the midst of this revival and wjt
dis-astonishing phenomena This volume
tains recent letters addressed to him on the
ject by clergymen and medical men who
been eye-witnesses of the scenes they desr
TOM BROWS' AT OXFORD: a Sequel to
Days at Rugby. By Thomas Hughes. Boston
nor & Fields. For sale by J. B. Lippincott &
Philadelphia.
This is the second number of a month
rial of a yery genial, pleasant and huim
work
, Atlantici Monthly. — The new pubii
Ticknor & Fields, have sent out the first
ber of the new volume of this popular mo
It retains all the literary merit without
the exceptionable matters that have in its
vious' numbers tended to give offence to a i
of its readers. The Professor has struck a
vein, which we think he will work more
ceptably to his readers and more profitably
the publishers. The contents of the Jam
number are: Our Artists in Italy—The Ai
Gods—Song of Nature Nemophily —;
stance and Shadow—Through the Fields to
Peter's—The Experience of Samuel Absah
Filibuster—Roba di Roba—Abdel Hassa.
About,Spiressr-The Professor’s Story —Andei
ken—-Central British America —Art—Revie\
i,;ahd' Literary Notices —Recent American Pul
lications. - : V
The Student and Schoolmate. —This is a,
monthly, Magazine published by Robinsor
Green if Go., Boston, and edited by W.
Calkins, Father Forrester.
has just entered upon the ninth volume, and
ably conducted and adapted to be popular ai
useful with boys and girls, for whom it is esp<
cially designed. Bev. Jacob Abbott and otln
writers of this class have been engaged to coi
tribute to its columns. It combines instruetio:
with amusement, and is worthy of the extern'
circulation which it receives. Price one dot
per year.
The Knickerbocker.— This popular monthly
commences with the year its fifty-fifth volume.
It is edited by Louis Gaylord Clark and Dr.
James 0. Noyes. Published by John A.
Gray, 16 and 18 Jacob street, New York.
In addition to the valuable magazine, the
publisher offers to regular subscribers the fol
lowing inducements by way of premium : (
PREMIUM FOB, 1860.
In order to increase the already large circn
lation of the Knickerbocker, we publish this
month a splendid line engraving of Frith’s pic
ture of “ Merry-Making in the Olden Time,”'
which we shall present exclusively to the $3
subscribers to the Magazine for 1860, whether
old or new. . The subject represents the pas
times oFflour ancestors, and is eminently of a
genial, domestic character. The plate, engraved
in England at an expense of $2OOO, is entirely
new, measures twenty-five by nineteen and a
half inches in size, contains thirty-nine figures,
and is beyond comparison the finest work of the
kind ever offered as a premium in this country.
The January number exhibits a marked im
provement- upon recent issues. It contains a
[ portrait of Washington Irving, a fac simile of
bis hand-writing, and an interesting sketch of
his. life, with- other interesting articles.
Voyage op- Life. —Abbey & Abbott, New
York, have reduced the price of their admirable
engravings of Cole’s Voyage of Life. These
are beautiful pictures, four in number, repre
senting Childhood, Youth, Manhood and
Old Age, each suggesting a practical lesson.
They are worthy of a place in every house. See
advertisement in another column.