fiesbntniau 4&tmm tftaftltoi THURSDAY, FEB. 0, 1860. D. 0. HOUGHTON, EDITOR. ASSOCIATED WITH ALBERT BARNES I GEORGE DUFFIELD, Jb. THOMAS BRAINERD, JOHN JENKINS, HENRY BARLING, 1 THOMAS J. S HEPHEED. TRACE, THE GOSPEL-WORD. The one grand word which the gospel pro claims in our world, is Peace. This is a very surprising word, and an infinitely gracious one. Think, first, how surprising it is. When we call to mind the relations between God and men, we cannot bot be amazed that such a word as peace should ever have an utterance. The re lations of God to men are those of righteous anger / for we read, “God is angry with the wicked every day.” The relations of men to God are those of determined enmity; for we read, “The carnal mind is enmity against God; it is not subject to the law of God, neither, in deed, can be.” Now with such relations sub sisting between the high and lofty One, whose name is Holy, and Sinning dwellers upon earth' 1 is it not surprising Jbat we should hear, on every wind of heaven, this singie, sublime word, Peace, Peace? But, surprising as is the utterance of the word peace in such a. world as ours, surprise is deepened when considering whence this word outsprlngs, whither it goes, and what is its or dinary reception. Were it the word of prayer, outbursting from human hearts, as prostrate be fore the throne, rebellion with hearty penitence was renounced, and reconciliation, with many tears, was sought, we could scarcely think it strange. It would certainly be right in men to supplicate from God whatever might establish and maintain a solid peace. But not from the heart of repenting subjects is this word peace. Oh, no l It springs from the heart of the holy Sovereip, from the heart of the righteously angered Jehovah. Coming from such source, it is a word of infinite tenderness. It is as if God said, “Without an effort to reclaim men, I must not visit them with consuming indignation, for they know not the power of my anger.” And what a word of awful prophecy it is 1 God seems to say through it, “ Should every effort to reclaim men fail, there remaineth nothing more than a certain, fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation which shall de vour the adversaries.’’ Now who that listens to this word peace, so awful and yet so tender, as, bursting, from God’s heart, it rolls aronnd the globe, can possibly have other emotion than surprise? But we are further to consider whither the word peace is commissioned to go. Not to men in general, but to each man in particular, “to him that is far off and to him that is near.” It seeks out the individual conscience, charging on every man the gnilt of rebellion, and calling on every man to repent and turn to God. It allows no man to plead that he was not warned, entreated, directed. Whatever his position on the earth’s surface, whether far off or near; whatever his moral character in the estimation of himself or his fellows, whether far off in pol lution and prejudice, or near in amiability and accessibieness, each man is faithfully dealt with. What a testimony this to the worth of the soul J And what an astonishing proof of God’s intense desire to establish relations of peace between himself and every child o/Adam 1 Now, in immediate connection with the thought of this word peace, going forth from God’s heart to every individual of the human family, we are to consider, still farther, how men, in ordinary, receive , it. Few stop to listen. Fewer still regard. Man after man addressed by it, treats it, now with scorn, and now with scoff. Yet it sounds on. Age after age it breaks over hill and bursts into valley. Year after year it comes to ears which a thousand times have been closed against It. Is any thing surprising, if not this? But the word peace, so very surprising, is also a word infinitely gracious. Think what grace underlies it! Peace with God must have a proper basis. Peace with God can never be had on terms which imply that He is unmindful of sin’s wrong, or regard less of his own throne. In order, then, to speak the grand word, peace, a great atonement-work must first be wrought, a stupendous method of reconciliation be devised. The gospel shows this atonement-work completed, this way of ac cess to man’s holy Father, and heavenly home opened np. The gospel proclaims: “ God is in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them.” The gospel declares: “God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world, through him, should be saved.” The gospel affirms: “ God made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the right eousness of God in him.” This surely is an in finite grace! But an infinite grace not only underlies the word •peace, but breathes through it. We cannot doubt the sincere desire of God to be at peace With men, since in addition to the working out of redemption, he makes unwearied effort to gain men’s attention, to move men’s reflection, to se cure men’s repentance, faith, salvatioq, life. How many heralds of peace God sends out into the world} providences, sabbaths, scriptures, sanctu aries, pulpits, hearts of love and tongues of fire! How many peaceful influences God sheds down upon the world; prayer, praise, piety, purity! The Gospel is all grace. Nowhere, as here, is there such precious revealing of God’s heart. But an infinite grace not only underlies and breathes through the word peace, but works in it. We may not account the Gospel simply a showing of wisdom in cdnstructing a plan of redemption, or an achievement of benevolence in calling men’s attention to this plan, hut we must accredit the Gospel as the instrument of God’s power in saving the lost. God works ih the Gospel as really as in nature. The human heart that takes in the GospOl, receives also the living, working, almighty energy of God, as the buds of penitence and the flowers of sanctified affection and the fruits of ma turing holiness attest. What an instructive ex ample of this is John Banyan, whose life is so wonderfully sketched by himself in the little book “Grace abounding to the Chief of Sinners.” This autobiography tells with evident truthfulness his early hardening in sin, his sabbath-breaking, his profanity, his awful opposition to God and holiness. It tells also bow>e was awakened, and how fearful and unhappy he was for months. It tells also how at times he would catch a glimpse of Jesus, and how the fears and doubts of his soul would roll away like clouds from before the sun. But it was a dreary experience he passed through —a moment’s light, and then months of darkness, until at length the God of all grace brought him deliverance. He saw Christ “made unto us of God, wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and re demption.” “ Now,” as he writes, “did my chains fall off; I was loosed from my afflictions and my errors; my temptations also fled away. Now went I rejoicing for the grace and love of God. Christ, Christ, there was nothing but Christ before my eyes.” Yes, the grace that works in the gospel is, indeed, infinite. John Bunyan’s soul mope tossed than the sea of Galilee in storm, heard God speak peace, peace; and like the sea, when Jesus said “ Be still,” John Bunyan’s soul sank down into, blessed calm, foretaste and prophecy of heaven. DR. RICE ON SLAVERY. It is one of the signs of the times that the pro minent men and papers of the Old School party are defining their position on slavery. Their opi nions do not exhibit remarkable harmony or unity. Indeed, they are marvellously geographical, and take a decided coloring and hue from the meridian where they are developed. We gave, last week; the clearly and pointedly expressed views of the North who claimed, with no little to speak-for the, entire South. Dr. Rice is a Kentuckian by birth, and has spent most of his life in the Slave States. He was called from Missouri to take charge of the North west, and check the tendencies to fanaticism in that region, and head off such radicals as Drs.. M'Masters and Monfort. He occupies the triple relation of pastor, editor, and Professor of Theo logy. He is sustained and supported in these several responsible positions by M'Cormick’s reap ing machines, and in the fertile fields of the North west he is expected to outstrip all competitors, and gather an abundant harvest to the Old School. In view of these facts, his opinions are of general and public interest. Their moderation contrasts strongly with Southern utterances, and suggests the ameliorating influence of climate, atmosphere, or social and local institutions. Men have re cently been driven from Kentucky, for holding and modestly expressing sentiments not a whit more obnoxious to the peculiar institution than these recent utterances of Dr. Rice. These indi cations are not without alarm to those quiet-loving people, Who believe the safety of the nation and the continual peace of the Old School Presbyterian Church, depend upon prolonged and continued silence on the subject of slavery. Still the Thorn wells, Rices, Armstrongs, and Van Rensselaers will speak, while the timid conservatives tremble with fear, lest an impending agitation will disturb their boasted harmony and quiet. There can be no reliable basis for peace and quiet but truth, and discussion is to be feared only by those who prefer to rest on some other foundation. In a public lecture on the subject of slavery, Dr. Rice expresses his views in a bold and manly tone, worthy of imitation in other quarters, where freedom of thought and speech on moral questions, ought not to be deemed contraband. Dr. Rice defines his position in brief, as follows: Let me state clearly my position: 1.1 hold to the unity of the human race —that “God hath made, of one blood, all nations of men for to dwell on the face of the earth.” • > 2. Consequently, I hold that the command, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself,” applies in its full force to every human being. The golden rule—“ Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even the same to them "-—applies as fully to the Africans, as to any other people. The eurae pronounced upon Ham does not justify us in enslaving his descendants. I would not buy or hold a man as a slave, unless the circumstances were such that I would justify him in buying and holding me, if our relative positions were changed. I would no sooner maltreat a slave or wound his feelings, than I would do the same thing to his master. 8. I do not hold, therefore, that slavery is a Divine institution, as is marriage, or the parental relation, or as is civil government; nor do I hold that the Bible sanctions slavery. To make the broad statement that it sanctions slavery, would be to say that it authorizes the strong to enslave the weak, whenever they are so disposed; and it might be construed to justify the abominable slave trade. 4. I distinctly deny the right of any man to traffic in human beings for gain, whether that traffic be the foreign or the domestic slave trade. Men who engage in this inhuman business are monsters. 5. I deny the right of any man to separate hus bands and wives, parents and children, for his convenience or gain. The marriage of slaves, whether recognized by the civil law or not, -is as valid in'God’s law as that of their masters; and “What God hath joined together, let no man put asunder.” • - : 6. I deny the right of any man to withhold from his slaves a fair compensation for their labor. Every master, remembering that bis Master is in heaven, with whom there is no “respect of per sons,” is bound to give them that which is “just and equal,” taking into account, of course, his obligation to provide for them for life. What tbe ■services of any slave are worth, depends, as in the case of other men, on circumstances. 7. I hold it to be a duty of masters not only to give their slaves all needed food; clothing, and shelter, and to treat them kindly, but to afford them the opportunity to receive religious instruc tion, and to read: the word of God: Christ said “Search the Scriptures;” and no legislature has the right to forbid any man to do this. 8. I hold it to be the duty of those concerned with slavery to elevate their slaves and prepare them for freedom, whenever Divine Providence shall open the way for them to enjoy it. In view of these truths, I hold that slavery— especially in our country—originated in violence and wickedness; that it is always an evil to both parties; that thet tendency of the Gospel is gradu ally to abolish it. I need scarcely say, therefore, that I cannot defend the slave code of the South ern States. Many of the laws ought to be repealed or amended. I must say, before proceeding with the argu ment, that 1 make a distinction between the re sponsibility of those who introduced slavery, and of those who have inherited it. On this point I have something to say hereafter. I only remark now—that one generation may introduce evils into a country, which it may require several genera tions to remove. TWO KINDS OK TESTIMONY. We clip the following from the Presbyterian Herald: A Noble Testimony.-—A postmaster sends ns the name of a subscriber, and adds, “ This name has doubtless long since been written, in the Lamb’s book of eternal life.” ' To this the Trite Witness adds concerning ano ther class of subscribers: Would that we had the same testimony from those of our subscribers who leave for parts un known, indebted to us from two dollars and fifty cents and upwards. But alas, the postmaster writes us, they are gone—where, he cannot tell. Is it honest for a persftn to leave for any part of this world, and not let the editor of his paper, or the postmaster, Itnow where he has gone? We ask the question and leave it for others to answer. fMssfcgtmatt and ffitrustt tougflijst THE DEATH OF JUDGE JONES Hon. Joel Jones died in this city on Friday, the 3d inst., at the age of 65 years. He was so well known and so highly esteemed as a distin guished civilian, and a noble Christian citizen, our readers in this city and State will be gratified at seeing in our paper the following extended notice of him, which we extract from Saturday’s Press: Joel Jones was bora at Coventry, in the State of Connecticut, and, at an early age, entered the Freshman class of Yale College, without pecuniary means, and sustained only by a mother’s blessing and a bold resolve. During the whole collegiate oourse he taught school, attending some of the recitations of his class, but excused from others which interfered with the hours in which he him self was giving instruction. Nevertheless, he not only kept pace with his class, but distinguished himself by his proficiency. He received the Berkleian premium; found time to attend lectures on Anatomy and Physiology, and when his class graduated, occupied the second position in the distribution of the honors. He then pursued the study of the Law, first with Judge Bristol of New Haven, and subse quently at Litchfield, where Judges Reeve and Gould were Professors. He was admitted to practice at Luzerne county, in this State, and afterwards settled at Easton. He rapidly became known as a very learned man in his profession, and when, in 1880, a Commission was appointed to revise the Civil Code of this State, he was designated as one of the Commissioners, in con junction with the late Thomas I. Wharton and the elder Rawle. How thoroughly his work was done is known to the whole bar. Several judicial positions were about that time/tendered him. which be declined; but preferring, for some considerations of personal convenience, to reside in this city, he accepted a nomination from his friend Governor Wolf, to an Associate Judgeship on the Bench for the District Court for the city and county of Philadelphia. On the removal of Judge Petit to another position, Judge Jones became the President Judge of the Court, and continued so to be until elected to the Presidency of the Girard College. He occupied the latter post about two years, and, shortly after resigning it, was elected to the Mayoralty of the city. Upon the expiration of his term of office he returned to the practice of the law, in which he continued to the time of his death. It would indeed be high praise to say of him as a lawyer that he was learned and faitlhful, and as a Judge, th t he was pure-minded and courteous; but even this would not distinctively or exhaust ively characterize bis professional acquirements. For he was conversant not only with the English -Common Law, but with the Civil Law of Rome,, and the modern European systems. The compi lations of Justinian were no less familiar to him as objects of study, than the Commentaries of Coke. Indeed, from his taste for antiquities and for comparative Jurisprudence, he was not only peculiarly qualified, but intellectually inclined, .to explore the doctrines of the law to their historical sources, and gather around them, in tracing their development, all the accessories which history and learning could supply. This was to him a loving labor, for he regarded the law as a lofty science, and its practice as the application of ethical prin ciples by a trained logic. No client could ever leave his office, and no colleague could ever part from a consultation with him, without having his idea of a true lawyer elevated and expanded. But the acquirements of Judge J ones extended beyond even the widest range of professional at tainment. He was, from his youth upwgrd, a scholar and a thinker, and there was scarcely a department of severe knowledge which he had not penetrated. In his acquisitions as a linguist, he has, probably, never been equalled at our bar. Mr. Duponoeau was, indeed, highly accom plished in this respect; but with him the philo logical element seemed to predominate, as is evi dent from his fondness for constructing grammars and lexicons., With Judge Jones, „the study of a language was only subordinate to the 'conquest of its literature. It was not the language, but its. contents, that he sought. As a classical scholar, he was full and accurate. Latin had, for him, long ceased to be a dead language, and his thrice bound Greek Testament, with its well-worn leaves and copious pencillings. on the margin, was his constant companion, even in. the briefest intervals of professional business. As an accomplished Hebraist, his reputation has extended abroad. He had pushed his studies with success into the Oriental tongues, and he spoke fluently most of the modern languages of Europe. It must not be supposed, however, that he re garded these attainments as constituting, in them selves, the ultimate end of study, and that know ledge was to be converted into a pedestal, upon which an aspiring intellect might mount to fame. These studies were, with him the discipline and appliances by which he qualified himself to grap ple with difficult and lofty themes. One of his prime subjects of meditation /was the laij, in that elevated sense in which we have said he under stood it; the other was Theology, which he es teemed as the sum of all science. His knowledge of Biblical Criticism, Antiquities, and Interpreta tion, was profound. His'library; contained an unusually rich collection, of the writings of the Christian Fathers, and with these, as well as with, all the other books in his valuable collection, he had familiarized himself. Perhaps there was not among the laymen of the country a more tho roughly learned theological scholar than Judge Jones, and veiy few divines were his superiors in their own class of studies, or have written upon them with more copious learning. Yet, with all this vast erudition, he was wholly free from intellectual pride, and avoided all noto riety. . Although affable and communicative, he never obtruded an opinion, or sought to control the opinion of others. He moved among us with a quiet, unostentatious mien, never making nor allowing himself to be drawn into any useless ex i hibition of his learning; and many, even of his friends, maynoir,-begin to ascertain, for; the first time, the extent of his acquirements. He had passed through trials,/which he had improved ,as providential lessons, and he arrived sit the conclu sion that the sum of life' 1 was to' he wise add to do good. • V '■'-’■s ./ : For many years the Judge had been ruling elder in the Second Presbyterian Church of .this city, and assiduous in the discharge of the duties which that position devolved upon him. His Christian profession was so inwrought into the structure of his whole life as to become incorpo rated with him as a part of himself.- He was a constant illustration of a just man; for His im pulses to the true and the good had become ha bitual, and bad made his thoughts; and words, and acts, a perpetual lesson of piety. It is-a me lancholy reflection upon human greatness, even in its purest'forms, to see so much learning'and virtue passirig away, and the gathered stores of a lifetime thus perishing from among men: we may only hope that the influence of an illustrious example may stimulate others to achieve like noble ends by like noble means, so that the memory of the departed may become immortal in the successors to their virtues. V AT A LOSS WHAT TO DO. n ■ A minister of our church at the North West, whom the editor says is “alike distinguished for talents and usefulness,” writes to the Christian Observer, making the following inquiry and state ment, which the editor publishes without specific advice :. “ I cannot close this note, without saying that you. have my hearty approval in regard to the course which you have taken on the slavery ques tion, because in my: judgment, that course has been exactly in accordance with the teachings of the New Testament. . But, my dear sir, what are such men as you and I to do? The New School Presbyterian Church to which we belong, has most clearly, (in my.humble judgment,), violated both the spirit and letter of our constitution, and on this subject has taught and is now teaching for doctrine this commandments of men, and not the word of God. —Alas ! alas ! Three of their leading newspapers, have gone so far in fanaticism as to sympathize with a man confessedly a traitor and a murderer. If we are not mistaken, this doubting minister has clearly settled the question as far as “he him self is concerned, and already gone South and united with the Old Sehooi Qhureh, where he can teach for doctrine the rightousness of slavery without molestation. By tfcis course he maintains the ap pearance of consistency, and most effectually serves the church he leaves. If we were called upon to give advice, wo would unhesitatingly say to all similarly affected ttjwards our church: u Go and do likewise .” ! *.*. • ; “PREMIUM TRACT.” Oar of “a clear and positive opinion” from thej/VY Observer, on the doubt ful question of slavery, have vanished into a musty pamphlet ori/“ Abolitionism,’’issued many years ago by one of the former proprietors of that paper. We ale not disposed to intermeddle with tbe personal controversies of onr contempo raries, bot we looked upon the promised deve lopment, of something clear and positive, as of general interesp,. and were ready to contri bute our mite to 'the enlightenment of an ex pectant Christian j public. Bat, alas! alas! We are in than ever. The clearest aim most definition of the Observer’s portion, on all questions, was once given to ns bk a distingpishedrfffinister of New York Jjfe, that it stooeffllfflUs sub-, scription list. WSia is about as hear its true position as we wilqbe likely to get at present. On tbe “theology of the Bones ” it is very clear!. On the mortal and constructive imparity of Mrs. Stowe’s las s novel it has no doubts, and of its views of the Beecher family its readers have clear and pieitive opinions, but for an swers to certain‘plain, definite, and practical questions, put to it|by the Evangelist, the reli gions world are downed to search an old pamph let, on entirely another subject, issued by Sid ney E. Morse, A. if. 1 This is what we call dodging the question. The Observer gives its readers no intimatipn of its evasion and entire backdown, but leakes them to infer that the Evangelist does nit accept its proposition to publish its clear an® well defined opinions. On the private this “yellow pamph let,” the Evangelist says: This, no doubt; jjs a very interesting docu ment, though a little out of date, but unfortu nately it is wholly irpslevant to the present ques tion. For, this pamphlet hat no longer any connection with the Observer, or proprietor, and therefore his years ago are by no means decisive as to its present position. But, secondly,—-what is £'still greater defect,—said pamphlet, though entitled “The Bible and Slavery,” happens hot to be about slavery at all, but only about -Abolitionism. [Perhaps the Observer does not jiereeive any difference in the two subjects, but .wfe do.] Whoever runs his eye along the different heads of the pamphlet will see thatits whAfe bnrden is “Abolitionists. 1 ' It expresses no opinion whatever, as to whether the system of slavery is right or wrong, just or unjust ; whether slaves have any rights which white men are boutfi to respect; whether they are to be allowed tile marriage relation, and to read the Bible; whether it is a wicked and cruel thing to separate; husbands aud, wives, parents and children. Not d, word of all this. Its whole drift is merely to prove that Abolitionists are fanatics and Pharis^esl j Now we have nqtarish to interfere with this interesting tram of argument or this charitable conclusion. Only such a pamphlet does not en lighten ns at all as to the position of the Ob server on slavery. .It does not answer in any respeet to iis promise; to give ns “a clear and positive opinion,” for this is not an opinion “about Slavery,” bnt a mere tirade against the Abolitionists.- No# we knew already what the Observer thought about Abolitionists. We had ho curiosity on that pbini But what we asked, and what the Observer Solemnly promised to give us, was a “clear and positive opinion about SLAVERY.”. We ask now for the ful filment of that promise. This old anathema against “Abolitiohi|ts ” is no clear and positive opinion at all, brit a/ pitiful evasion of the whole subject; and to put it forward as an answer to onr questions, only/leaves us more than ever convinced of the persistent determination of that journal not to express any opinion whatever on this great and momentous subject. The Evangelist ,c£oses by renewing its prof fered reward for tbeftPreminm Tract, in the fol lowing clear and positive words: Wherefore we now say again, and with ten, times as much emplißsis, as . before,—•' Whoever can extract from the New .York Observer a clear and positive opjnipn about slavery, (not about Abolitionism, Mt about SLAVERY,) can obtain for it a larger reward than was ever offered for a Premium Tract. It will be per fectly safe t'q increase the reward to any amount, for it will never be taken. THE, SPEAKER. We will be permitted to join in the expressions of gratification, which are so general throughout the country, that a, speaker has been elected in Congress, .and that the. prolonged- and disgraceful contests on this subject have been brought' to an end. We rejoice, too, that the honor and respon sibility have .fallen .upcn-jone so worthy and com petent. We speak not as partisans, for this is in no sense a party triumph. Every party and clique have been 'defeated, and a man-entirely; above all party aims and purposes has unex pectedly to himself and to the country, been ele vated to the third place in the kingdom. Gov. Pennington, though he has been prominent in publie life and held responsible political positions, it has always been by constraint, and not of his own choice.. He was designated as a candidate to Congress contrary to his wishes, and is now elevated to the Speaker’s chair at this time of party and sectional strife and bitterness without his expectation or desire, A more satisfactory ‘termination of the protracted and angry contest could hardly be expected. Politicians have been confounded, partisan schemes defeated, sectional animosity disarmed, presidential aspirants dis mayed, while the countiy may well rejoice that order has been restored and the union is safe, for the present, from the intrigues of selfish and par tisan politicians. " Gov. Pennington is an elder in the Presbyterian church, a member of our last General Assembly, and is an active Christian citizen. On this account we claim the privilegb of rejoicing at his eleva tion, and of believing that God has called him “to the'kingdom for|ueh a time as this." DR. SCUDDER. The three first lectures of Dr. Scudder on India, in spite of the unfavorable weather, have been at tended by crowded houses. In addition to the fund of valuable information, delineations of scenery, habits, customs and sports of the natives of India, the Doctor intersperses his lectures with a spice of humor and genial wit, and often convul ses the andience with the rehearsal of a pleasant incident, or ludicrous'anecdote. They are a very taking as well as Instructive course of lectures. The two additional lectures will be given on the evenings of tbe 10th and 16th inst. THINGS IN LOWER DELAWARE. On the border land of Kent and Sussex coun ties, we occupy a missionary field of great inte rest and of rising importance. It is the south ernmost point in onr Synod, and perhaps in onr church. At a distance of 100 miles from Phi ladelphia, it could, at no very remote period, be reached only by long stage rides and steam boat routes. Four or five years ago, the Dela ware Rail Road penetrated the region, and now the branch of that main trank to Milford has brought this latter place within five hours’ and a half ride of Philadelphia, by two daily lines each way, and at a very low rate of fare. Farms are becoming ranch more valuable. Lime is coming down in large quantities. Produce finds ready access to market at all seasons; perish able articles have acquired anew value; new families are immigrating, and new villages springing up with something of western fresh ness and enterprise MILFORD. This is an old town, (considered the largest in the State, Wilmington being a city,) with a population of 2,500. Here we have an exeel lenv brick church edifice, with a tasteful spire,, with a clock and good bell. A very comfort able parsonage stands contiguous, and commu nicating with the church. The church is out of debt except what is due to the Church Erection Fund. There is a faithful and attached band of members, among whom,are persons of standing and influence in the community, and an en couraging amount of material, from which in crease is to be expected, may be found. The principal departments of business are merchandizing, trading in coasting vessels to Philadelphia and New York, grindinggquerci tron, (black oak bark,) and ship buildi!gr%here are four ship-yards, all of which, we believe, are now engaged upon vessels of various sizes. De laware white oak is in high repute with ship builders, just as Delaware or “Southern” grain is with produce dealers. Added to this, and independent of it, is the reputation of the Mil ford ship-builders for a high degree of practical skill in their business. MISPILLTON. This is entirely a country charge, the little frame church being pleasantly located in a piece of woods. From Sabbath to Sabbath the trees are tethering posts for numbers of hours, and often the place is too strait for the people. The youth of both sexes form a large element in the congregation. Tbe church was organized, and the. house built between thirty-four and thirty five years ago, by Rev. Alexander Campbell, since deceased. It has never enjoyed a remark able degree of prosperity, and of late years, until about two years ago, it was only irregularly supplied. Here, too, excellent, faithful mem bers are not wanting, and, as a reward of long patience, they at last see their way quite clear to a decided step in advance, —we mean the choice of a new location and the erection of an additional church. This brings ns to speak of FELTON. A new town, owing its existence to tbe con centration of population around a stopping place on the Delaware Rail Road. Its name is given out of compliment to the President of the Baltimore and Philadelphia Rail Road, S. M. Felton, Esq;, brother to C. C. Felton, lately elected President of Harvard College. Here a great amount of trade is done, and manufactures of various kinds are clustering within and around it. Every thing is new; and fresh, and hopeful. Even at this season, .newbuildings are going up, showing the urgent need of accommodations. This place, though about ten miles from Mis pillion Church, is yet very convenient to several of tbe members, and being in itself an inviting field, with ‘indications of Providence quite fa vorable at this time, it has been chosen as the site of a new enterprise. An eligible lot has been purchased, a building committee organized, and about one half of the necessary amount sub scribed for erecting a new brick building. These three points form an interesting mis sionary fieldsomewhat extended in its character, the localities named being from eight to ten miles apart. Yet the roads are level and good, with unimportant exceptions, the entire year round, About twenty copies of the American Presbyterian are taken on the field. LITTLE DELAWARE. Small States should not be despised. Their very smallness may be an element of strength. Compact, homogeneous, cheaply governed, easily supplied with the means of education and the institutions of religion, and easily thrown open in every part to routes of travel, there is no rea son why their property may not be truly great. With the thrifty State of Rhode Island as an example, Delawareans have every reason to che rish the utmost confidence in.their own. We need hot disguise it, that the great incubus rest ing upon the State, and leading the tide of emi gration and, enterprise to flow by its doors, is the existence of slavery. Sensible men of every shade of opinion agree in this view. Once numbered among tbe free States of the North, Delaware will wheel into tbe line of progress, and rival the fame of her heroic exploits on the battle-fields of the Revolution, by greater achievements in all the departments of peaceful enterprise. Little Delaware 1 Her smallness need prove no hinderance whatever to her worthily carrying the name of Gustavus Adol phus at the head of her annals. TO THE FRIENDS OF DAILY UNION PRAYER MEETINGS. SECOND NATIONAL CONVENTION. “Ask ye of the Lord rain, in the time of the latter rain.”—Zech. x. 1. At the closing meeting of the National Conven tion of Delegates from Union Prayer meetings, held last September in the city of New York, it was unanimously “Resolved, That this Convention stand ad journed to the 23d of November next, to meet in Philadelphia, during or immediately after the Anniversary Exercises of the Jayne’s Hall Prayer ; meeting." Owing to the fact that the last Thursday in November was observed in most of the States as “Thanksgiving Day," it was subsequently deemed advisable to hold the adjourned meeting in Phila delphia, beginning on Tuesday, March Gth, and continuing at the pleasure of the Convention. Will the friends of Union Prayer meetings throughout the country,: see to it: that- Delegates are {mediately appointed from me or more of their daily, weekly or tri-weekly prayer meetings, to attend the said Convention f .... „ Hoping that the first week in March wift.be * convenient season to be away from commending you, and the precious mee in 0 you represent, to God and to the word of his grace, we remain affectionately and truly yours, in fellowship of the gospel, 1 °“ , 7“ e * arr“ ,Ja '’ Alfred Cookman, J Philadelphia, Feb. 3d, 1860. THE CHUBCH EXTENSION CAUSE IK THE SABBATH SCHOOL. The Sabbath School Missionary Society of the Western Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, to The Young People’s Missionary Association of the Second Church, Newark, N. J.. Greeting:- We are much pleased to see that in our beloved church, one other Youth’s Missionary Society, beside our own, has esteemed it a privilege to aid the weak members of, pur own household, strug gling for life in the far West, We have esteemed it a duty as a Sabbath School Missionary Society, to contribute to our Church Extension Comipittee, from the conviction that if our own church is de serving of our love and attachment, certainly our New School Presbyterian brethren in the West .have a direct claim upon us, both to bifremem bered in our prayers, and to be substantially as sisted from our missionary funds. We feel that if our type of religion is more dear to us than any other, it certainly has peculiar claims upon us when it seeks to enlarge itself in hew fields. We feel, too, that the work in the West is eminently a missionary work, and that in aiding those feeble churches we are, of necessity, assisting in keeping open arid enlarging their Sabbath school. As a Sabbath school, we have long felt that if every school connected with our church were to take the matter in hand, and do, what they ought to do in this regard, the'Church Extension Com mittee would be enabled to double its operations at once. In looking over the Treasurer’s statement as pub lished in the American Presbyterian, two weeks since, we feel convinced that the Sabbath schools connected with the churches on ttiat list, could have contributed quite as much as the churches themselves have done; would it not be a delight ful stimulus to the youth of the churches in the West, if they felt that a large part of the money raised in the East to assist their churches and Sabbath schools during their early, feeble condition, was raised by the children Of the Sabbath schools, and sent as a fraternal offering to their Western bro thers and sisters ? Would it not cement the young people of the Eastern churches and those of the Western, and thus aid in laying the broad founda tion of our noble American Presbyterian Church, that we feel is to have so.large an influence upon our country in the future? Let us exert ourselves then, to induce all our Sabbath schools to contribute regularly towards the support of Mission Sabbath schools in the West, through our Church Extension Committee; and pray to the Great Head of the church to fol low this planting of precious seed with a blessed watering both upon seed and sower. We are but a “feeble folk,” ourselves at the “Western,” but by constant, systematic perseve rance, we accomplish something.. We should he pleased to know more about your operations as a Young PeSple’s Missionary Society. Perhaps, the publication of your plans might instruct and assist others in the good work. Truly yours, "ANNALS OF THE POOR.” DARKNESS AND LIGHT. Some years ago there came from Germany a man who. was a bigoted Roman Catholic. He went to the interior of this State, (leaving his family in Germany,) and there in a hoarding house came across a German Bible. This, for a pastime, he would now and then read, until at last, out of all patience, he threw it aside as a. fabrication of the wicked Luther. He left for a season, and. on returning, once more took up the Bible and again, read —next, it became a question between this Bible and bis church—“ One or the other was, certainly an imposition,”—but he rekd on until brought by it as I trust into the light and liberty of the Gospel. . Presently his family followed him to this country, and his wife, with the aid of the Bible and of her husband, soon became hopefully converted. She is a woman of remarkable intelli gence and is all alive to the 1 ? Free Salvation.” The father and the two eldest daughters,, girls, of seventeen to twenty, were in the prayer meeting on Wednesday evening. The girls sing well, as is usual with the Germans, and have promised to attend the Sabbath School. The father brought with him a German acquaintance, a man of thirty or thirty-five—and when the proposition was made in the course of the evening, that “ Every person should, as soon as he hears that Jesus died for sinners, go at once to Him,” they both bowed as sent with evident sincerity. A very large proportion of the Sabbath School scholars cannot read, nor does it seem at all pro bable that they will ever learn unless we teach them. It is true, that this ib not the legitimate province of a Sabbath School, but the instruction can scarcely he very efficient without this essen tial prerequisite, and accordingly we have deter mined to undertake it. We mention it dow in the hdp'e that some gentlemen will take pleasure in furnishing the necessary cards, &e., for the purpose. We do not ask the ladies to do this, for they are already doing more than their share. We will, however, ask them to direct the atten tion of the gentlemen to it, trusting that their ad vocacy will secure what we want. A THURSDAY EVENING SEWING CIRCLE Has commenced at the School room, to which we invite ladies who feel an interest in our effort. They will find the room comfortable and pleasant and we need hardly say, the companyagreeable. Gentlemen will be present who will see the ladies home. There is still another matter of much -import ance—it is materials of a plain, substantial kind to make up-and we wish to call the attention’ especially of gentlemen to it. We do not wish to urge any one, but we do wish tb present to their serious consideration, the necessity of supplvino the,ladies who do all the work, appropriate ma terials, such as Canton flannel, Calico, Kentucky Jean and the like, for substantial and comfortable clothing. The Eclectic Magazine for February the Rev. William H. Bidwell, of New York, editor brings a collection of choice articles from the best fore.gn periodicals. The present number .is em , lshed withportraits of Queen Victoria and the cellent likenesses. ttt discourses by Adolphe Monod. Trans- ST . PAUL: fi ;. e c d^ e ° nch) „y B ev. 3. H. Myers, D. D. 2.dover, W- Draper} Philadelphia, Smith, English & Shis volume contains five discourses by the eminent and eloquent French divine, on the cha . FSt Paul, translated into- English by Dr, thor is a sufficient commendation of the hook. It will be greeted with pleasure everywhere. „ . rmhen Boston: Ticknor & SJmE** **• Mppinco “ & Co - The names of Ticknor & Fields are no mean endorsement of ahookof poems; and we feel satis fied that an author that passes this ordeal has some claims to appear before the public, especially when he attains of aneat blue and gold.” There is interest as wall as external beauty in this volume, and we commend it to the attention of the lovers of the muse. adopted Trials ” “Romance of a Harem,” “Louis XIV., and S oTWnce in the Seveuteeuth^utury «UAi of Marie de Medicis,” “Court and Reign of Francis the First,’’ etc > ,I' *!' Peterson & Brothers. For sale at 306 chestnut street. This new work of Miss Pardoe is quite equal to her former books, and of the same general character. It abounds in pleasant-satire ana touching pathos.’ It fc jput up in the elegant style of the publishers. .■ . ■ • THE ELOfflM REVEALED IN THE CREATION AND REDEMPTION OF MAN. By Samuel J. Baird, D D., Pastor of the Presbyterian Church, Woodbury, N. 3. Philadelphia: Lindsay & Blakiston, 1860. Bvo., pp. 688. For sale by the Publishers, 25 South Sixth street. ■ ■ .--v - ' v; This is an elaborate - work on Theology > exhibits praiseworthy research and learning, and. deserves the thoughtful attention and consideration of po lemic divines. It takes hyper-Galvinistic grounds on the doctrine of original sin and,imputation, and defends the literal teachings of the Confession and catechisms on this subject, and the old Westmin ster divines. It exposes the defects and heresies of Princeton bn'these topics, aid endeavors to prove every man'to bis personally responsible and guilty for Adam’s first transgression. . The Princeton Review says of the work: “Dr. S. J. Baird has been able to produce a hook on’the two great themes, of the fall and re demption of man, which is an honor not only to himself, but to the country. There are not many works iii the history of American Theology of higher rank than this volume is destined, in our judgment, to take. It ‘is immeasurably above many of the productions Of the last century, which have secured for their authors a lasting reputation. It is to us a matter of deep regret, that a work which has so much to recommend it, and which we believe will vindicate for itself a permanent place in the theological literature of this centniy, takes ground on the subject of imputation, which wo are frilly persuaded is unseriptural, and con trary to the standards of onr church, and to the theology of the great body of Proiest^nts.” However,'much men may differ from the views and conclusions of the author, the book will com mand the respectful attention of speculative and scholarly minds, and will-be appreciated as an un commonly valuable contribution to' theological literature. • ■ •••>' • - •> - - the GOSPEL BT BHRMAH ; The story of its intro duction, and marvellous progress amongthe Burmese and Karens. By Mrs. McLeod Wylie! New Yorks Sheldon & Co. Boston: Gould & Lincoln. Phila delphia: Smith, English & G 0.;.: . G. W. M. Thia volume contains observations on the geo - graphy, government, latte and religion of the Burmese. The establishment of the first Ameri can mission, fifty years ggo, was in Bnrmah, which was the first fruits of the American Board which was organized at that time. This is a collected history; of the Success of.-these missions, and the men and women who first went out to plant the gospel in these heath'en lands.. It contains an en couraging view of what God has wrought, and ought to prompt to redoubled efforts to evangelize and Christianize the heathen world. The facili of publisbing thegospel have wonderfully in creased, and many of the obstacles removed, while it.4s4jo .be ,feared there .has been bo corresponding increase of self-denialand liberality of the Chris tian vrorld,, by which-this work is to be carried forward;. This volume contains. a great amount and variety of valuable information; much that has, been published in other,fprms, and much that is new. ■ •: PHYSICAL'; or, The Influence of ®ealthvnd Disuse Bythe of the Sixth 18G0 Church, Philadelphia. Philadelphia, 1860, William S. & Alfred Martien' 3W pp, 300. Tbis is a treatise of great , practical value. A Mnnd mind m a sound body is, a great desideratum. The mtimate relation and mutual influence of mind and body are too little understood. Many o our bodily pains and ailments are caused by the and/carelessness of the spiritual tene- , earthly tabernacle; and equally true marts** 1- tenement contributes inhah ?? 7 „J be dis °l nie,; - and discomfort of its discbi ih 3 . VOlame ably and judiciously etS! 8 JeCtj a “d.shows that physical SSTIh 18 °^' en^mea a more potent Dastor Th PlottS and SpirftUal COU^S of the cussed amS 6 a ® d r?n ?®dies are wisely dis snffmnrl 4 h— E ” a V COUDS?I to gmdethc m^dTilt P ST SplTltUaladviser - The b °° k com- S a£td °-r B * ol8 ' *° sfcn dents and to invalids. It abounds m valuable practical suggestions and its positions are illustrated W 8 ’ an