110
THURSDAY. MARCH S, 1860.
D. C. HOUGHTON’, )
JOHN W. MIARS, j 9
ASSOCIATED WITH
ALBERT BARNES. | GEORGE DUFFIELD, Jb.
THOMAS BRAINERD, JOHN JENKINS,'
HENRY DARLING, > THOMAS 3. SHEPHERD.
THE SON, GOB’S IMAGE.
One of the striking scriptural descriptions of
Christ, the Son, is that He “is,the image of the
invisible God."
The word image literally means likeness, re
semblance, similitude, but when applied to the
Son it must have a peculiar significance. It is
not enough to say that God’s Son is God’s image,
in the same sense that the statue or portrait of
Augustus Caesar is the visible likeness of the in
visible emperor, for if the Son be eternal He is
something more than mere resemblance. A carved
or painted likeness is formed, fashioned, made,
but the Son is Creator of all- things. It is? wit
nessed of the Son: “ For by Him were all things
created, that are in heaven, and that are in
earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or
dominions, or principalities, or powers; all things
were created by Him and for Him.”
Nor is it enough to say that God’s Son is God's
image, in tffe same sense that a son whose form
and face are like his father’s is that father’s like
ness, for the Scriptures pointedly declare that
God is invisible, essentially so, and thus can have
no such resemblance as depends on comparison of
it with the known original. A born son between
whom and his father a likeness is traceable, is of
necessity inferior to the father, but no inferiority
attaches to God’s Son, for of him it is written,
“And He is before all things, and by Him all
things consist." .
Hence, we must exclude from thought all ordi
nary conceptions of what an image or resemblance
is, and think of God’s Son, not as of a being
modelled after the divine pattern, but as of a
being who manifests, so that they can be seen in
him, that fulness of essence, and that infinitude
of perfection which, hidden in the Father, consti
tute the glory of the Godhead. The Son is the
visible outstreamingof God’s being and attributes.
Like the natural sun which in our world-system
is the visible source of light, heat, life, the Son of
God is the visible fountain of God’s outgushing
love.
Understanding, then, the image of the invisible
God as something grandly visible, we cannot
but conclude that it is possible, by “looking unto
Jesus,” to catch a glimpse of Jehovah. We are
taught that what, in respect to God, no blazing
star, or venerable man, or tall archangel can bring
out to view, the Son can and does. We are taught
that the visible Son is such exact, full, majestic
counterpart to the invisible Father, that he who
sees the one, sees also the other.
Now looking at the divine Word, God manifest
In the flesh, we need not pause a moment to note
what dwelling in Him the works of creation re
flect. The Wisdom that planned the universe,
and the power that called it into being, are plainly
resident in Jesus, for, in the forthputtiogs of wis
dom, at the age of twelve, he confutes the doctors;
and in the forthputtiogs of power, when engaged
in his pnblio ministry, he forces Death to yield
up his prey, and converts the food scarcely suffi
cient for a single hungry man into an ample feast
for thousands. We do not linger, then, in this
outer vestibule of God’s natural perfections, but
pass at once into the inner temple of God's heart.
Nor pause we here long to contemplate the com
spieuous Bhowings, by the Son, of God’s unap
proachable holiness and unrelaxing justice, but
pressing inward still, we seek, if any may be found,
some clear reflectidns of God's sympathies with
saddened, sinning, suffering, fallen ones. Do we
find these sympathies?
From many thijpgs that seize the eye, we single
■out, first, what, for want of a better name, we call
tenderness. We associate with tenderness a heart
quickly susceptible of love, compassion, kindness;
a heart that is pitiful or easily affected by distress
in others. We see tenderness in a mother’s treat
ment of her child; more especially, of a child
young, weak, helpless, sick, suffering.
Now are we justified in attributing to the' in
visible God such feeling? We certainly are; for
we see it iu the Son. Look yonder at Jesus, on
the eastern slope of Olivet, nigh to Bethany. He
has come with his disciples from beyond the Jor
dan. He is travel-worn and weary. He is met
on the hill-side, below the town, by th# sister of
one who, four days agone, deceased. He is told of
the death; and as his eye suffuses, and hie voice
trembles, he says to the mourning sister: “Thy
brother shall rise again." Met now by another
sister, and by a crowd of sympathizing neighbors,
,he is greatly moved.. How simple, touching, beau
tiful, the words of the Evangelist: “When Jesus
therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also
weeping which came with her, he groaned in the
spirit and was troubled, and said, Where have
ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come
and see. Jesus wept. Then said the Jews, Be
hold how he loved him.” Yes, Jesus did love
Lazarus—nor less the weeping sisters! His - tears
are eloquent of tenderness for them. Standing
by them at the place of burial, he is touched with
the feeling of their infirmities.
This tenderness of Jesus —image of like tender
ness in “Him who is invisible”—-is wonderfully
fitted to quicken and refresh. We can never, in
-otir pilgrim-life on earth, be sundered utterly
from sympathy. We stand beside the grave that
covers all which lately cheered and gladdened our
home; the invisible God stands with us. We
weep in secret places the sin that presses heavily
on conscience, and, with an anguish which David
knew, w e cry: “Have mercy upon me, O God,
according to thy loving-kindness, according unto
the multitude of thy tender mercies, blot out-my
transgression; "the invisible God is with us there,
and hears, with tenderness above a mother’s, each
sigh of penitence. We look with bursting hearts
upon some loved one—--a son it may be— dead, in
a sense that Lazarus was not, dead in trespasses
and sins', and, as .tears rain, we pray with Abra
ham : “ 0 that Ishmael might live before Thee;’’
the invisible God looks with us on that loved one,
and the unseen “Spirit helpcth our infirmities,
making intercession for ns with groaoings which
cannot be uttered." God’s tenderness! how real,
how great, bow wonderful !
But we turn again to the Son, and, from the
showings, in His. earthly life, of beautiful, most
touching sensibilities, we select another wondrous
quality, Which we term condescension. The real
elevation of the Sou is unquestioned. He is the
Maker, upholder, ruler of all worlds. He is not
only “before all things,” but above all things, for
of Him it is written : “ Who is over all, God bless
ed forever." Now the showing of condescension,
to which we refer, the stooping from the lofty height
on which the Son stands with the everlasting Fa
ther, is not his assumption of humanity; or his
familiarity, as man, with toil; or his sinking into
death, as the seed-corn of a new, glad, glorious,
but his taking little children into Ms arms and
blessing them. We know nothing more astonishing
than the record which Mark makes: “And they
brought young children to Him that He should
touch them; and his disciples rebuked those that
brought them. But when Jesus saw it he was
mueh displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the
little children to come unto me, and forbid them
not, for of such is the kingdom of God. And he
took them up in his arms, put his hands upon
them, and blessed them.”
Now, is-this condescension of Jesus, the Son, a
just reflection of what exists in the heart of the.in
visible God ? Then no sinner, repentant, contrite,
self-aceusing, need despair. The little child, the
man of hoary age, and he of middle prime, are
alike emboldened to draw nigh to the Father of
mercies in believing prayer. The word of the
Gospel, as interpreted by Spitta, is ever this:—
Return, return!
To thy long-suffering Lord.
' Pear not to seek his grace,
To trust his faithful word j
Yield to him thy weary heart,
He can heal its keenest smart;
He can sooth the deepest sorrow,
Wash the blackest guilt away:
Then delay not till to-morrow,
Seek his offered gifts to-day.
NASAL HERESY.
Heresy-hunting is becoming a theological sci
ence, and the last Congregationali&t insists, that
there is a regular “Smelling Committee prowling
around” their New England Zion, especially the
schools of the prophets, and eatehing up every
unformed and immature thought or word that a
beardless tyro at some Jericho may chance to drop,
which is not in the catechism, and then sending
it abroad as representing the degenerate tendency
of the teachings of the rabbis. It instances the
case of one of these incognito-smellers, who by
prolific letter-writing, excites the holy horror of
tbp.readers of four Old School papers in as many
different cities, as to the rapid and hopeless de
generacy _of orthodoxy-in New England. We con
tend that this anonymous bugbear is all wrong.
The American Theological Review was insti
tuted for this very purpose, and it is by no means
doing its work superficially. It has penetrated to
the very bones and marrow, and ossified into a
heresy the commonest method by which an un
lettered negress usually expresses a presentiment.
The New York Observer and other kindred
jrints have zealously discussed, agitated, and pro
mulgated this new phase of negro heresy without
disturbing the Union, and there certainly can be
no further need of this secret espionage with their
olfactories. :
This discussion, however, has unfortunately en
larged the domain of heresy-hunting, and the new
forms of heresy have' become more numerous than
even the Beecher family. Mrs. Stowe’s Candace
exhibited it in the bones. Capt. Truck, in Cooper’s
“Homeward Bound,” prognosticated the weather
by means of the rheumatism, and how it appears
from a Philadelphia correspondent of the Indepen
dent, that Mrs. Quilcher has located this heresy
upon the uasal orgaD. This, in many respects, is
an advantage over the bones. It is more easy of
access, and can be more readily scented by the
smellihg committee.
We believe, with the late Dr. Alexander, that
the greatest heresy is the want of love: still we
give the letter in the Independent for the admo
nition of the timid and credulous, as well as for
the amusement of those, who feel that the founda
tions of our religion are sure, and have nothing to
fear from the instincts, science, or reason, but are
really substantiated by everything we feel within
and see without us:—
Philadelphia, JR 6. 21, 1860.
Editors Independent:—l have just made a
discovery; and lest I should be anticipated by the
American Theological Review or the Observer
—and for fear of the mischief which may accrue
to the religious world if public warning be not
immediately given, I hasten to make it known. It
is nothing less than a new heresy —the theology
of the Nose.
1 found the shocking heresy in a story in the
Albion of last week. Mr. and Mrs. Quilcher were
linen-drapers in a small way. They had a small
servant named Emma, and an assistant named
Samson. Mr., and Mrs. Q. went out to a Christ
mas dinner, leaving the before-mentioned Emma
to take care of the house. As they are returning
home in the evening, on alighting from the omni
bus, Mrs. Q. makes the following remark to Mr.
Q. —“I’m sure we shall have some trouble to
night, for my nose itches so. P’raps that girl’s
broken into the cupboard, and stole the dripping;
or that vagabond Samson’s come borne, and ‘set
the house on fire; or—or —etc.
Now, ought not this new theology to be de
nounced? Will not you undertake the work? Or
if you cannot, will you not ask tiro Observer to let
its bones rest awhile, and ’strike a blow at the
Nose ? X. Q.
CORRECTION.
“As WAS Expected. —Under the head of “ Re
ligions Intelligence,” the American Presbyterian
copies with evident relish from the N. Y. Evan
gelist —r- pa(i)r nobile fralrum— the stoiy about
•Rev. B. C. Smith, and the harsh treatment shown
him in N. Carolina, which was contradicted last
week, an Mr. Smith’s authority. It is not at all
likely that the denial will be published in those
journals which have given it a wide circulation—
they have accomplished their object and helped
to inflame the northern mind.”
N. C. Presbyterian.
We assure the editor of the W. C. Presbyterian
that if we had any especial relish for stories of
sectional prejudice and persecution for opinion's
sake, we could easily fill our sheet with details far
more glaring and disgraceful than the statements
alluded to above. We publish the correction with
more decided pleasure, for it contains an indica
tion that these manifestations of sectional preju
dice and hostility are not approved or countenanced
by the Presbyterian: that with all its hatred of
abolitionism it believes such uncharitable and
intolerant treatment of northern men to be disre
putable to the South. We happened to know
Rev. Mr. Smith, and the statements which we
copied, without comment, originated in hi 3 own
neighborhood, where' our paper circulates; and
we had every reason to suppose them to be true,
and we would have been more than willing to
hare published Mr. Smith’s denial, if Buch had
been furnished us. The editor of the Presbyterian
says thitt Mr. Smith has authorized him to correct
the story as an exaggeration. We would rejoice
if the same might be said in truth of all similar
stories. It is this proscriptive and mob-law argu
ment which the North cannot reciprocate, that
prejudices the cause of the South, and we are glad
to see the practice discountenanced in any. degree
by our Southern religious contemporaries.
We are not so ignorant nor prejudiced in re
gard to our southern brethren as the Presbyterian
supposes. We commenced our early ministry in
the sunny South, and have had opportunity to
observe southern society in its best and worst
phases; and as the result of such acquaintance
and friendship, we need not add that the South
shares largely in our sympathy and .charity. The
N. C. Presbyterian misrepresents the prevailing
religious sentiment at the South on the subject of
slavery, or the last eighteen years have wrought an
entire change there in views and feelings. With
moderate, thinking, and- Christian men, North
and South, there has been substantially but one
opinion in principle in regard to slavery. .It has
always been esteemed and pronounced an unmiti
gated evil, calling for the exercise of patience and
endurance on one side, and forbearance and Chris
tian charity on the other. The real differences
of opinion that did prevail, have pertained to the
practical policy, and measures for hopeful relief.
In this regard the South has changed its position,
and conservative men at the North cannot follow
them in their new doctrines. The N. G. Presbyte
rian affirms, without - fear of contradiction, that
the South, while divided on all other subjects, is
united in the opinion,—
“ That slaveholding is both right and righteous,
justifiable in the sight,of man and God; that the
relation of master and slave is neither sinful nor
unnatural; that the system was designed for good,
and has resulted f in untold and inconceivable
blessings to the negro race."
The North, on the other side, with great unani
mity, continue to adhere to the doctrine of 1818,
and in the Words of Dr. Rtce„lately promulgated:
“Holding these views, as I also hold —that
slavery, as it exists in our country, originated in
violence and wickedness, I regard it as always
an evil to both parties; and I do firmly believe
that the effects of the prevalence of the gospel
will be gradually to abate its evils, and ultimately
to remove it from the country. I need scarcely
say, that I cannot justify much, of the legislation
of'the slaveholding States on this subject; and
thstt I would hold no Christian fellowship with
any man or church, who would refuse to be
governed in the treatment of their slaves by the
law of God, instead of the existing civil code."
These views, set forth by two Old School papers,
are essentially and diametrically opposite. They
assert a difference in principle which can never be
harmonized. '
Otfß CHRISTIAN YOUNG MEN.
We are fain to believe that the death of Rev.
Dudley A. Tyng was made, in the providence
of God, a great means of promoting the cause
of Christianity among the young men' of our
city. Certainly it aided very materially to bring
onr Christian yonng men more prominently be
fore the church and the public generally. The
fame of their Philadelphia Association has
spread throughout our country, and in fact
throughout the world, as our foreign files show.
It would be difficult to count up the number of
prayer-meetings and missions of different kinds
sustained by their labors.—difficult, because many
of them are carried on in the most simple, un
ostentatious manner, with no other stimulus
than a sense of duty, or the promises of Holy
Writ Their co-operation in our church prayer
meetings gives them life and variety. Their
Association, too, operates in a very important
way to guard strangers of their own age coming
into the city from the deleterious influences to
which they would otherwise be exposed. Their
reading-room, with its excellent library, furnishes
a place where the strange youth may feel him
self at home; where a truly friendly hand may
grasp his own, and pleasant Christian associa
tions render, to ai considerable degree, inopera
tive the attractions of vice. Many a village
home is relieved of its deeper shades of sadness
on parting with the son or the brother who is
about to enter upon the busy and perilous scenes
of city life, by the thought of this new and great
circle of Christian influences which will gather
around him, and which will go far to replace
the restraints of the distant family circle. In
deed, it is our conviction that an active life in
a city where Christianized social elements of
such power exist, is far safer for a young man
than the ordinary life of-the small, town.
Among the present generation of young men,
it would almost seem as if the offence of the
cross had ceased. We doubt whether it is re
garded by them as humiliating to become Chris
tians. It should not be so regarded; only Satan’s
devices have caused it to be so. Bat if Satan
is .foiled in one direction, he often changes his
tactics, and is found active in the very opposite
direction. Having exhausted his efforts to
make the young man ashamed of religion, he
will now be found urging on the enthusiastic con
vert until he has become proud of his religion.
Possibly there is a feeling of pride in being a
Christian yonng man, —in being linked in with
snch a great and popular movement—in “stand
ing up for Jesus.” The very prosperity and
popularity of religion, bringing together crowds
of people under circumstances of excitement,
and affording its friends frequent and tempting
opportunities for public demonstrations, involves
peril to those deeper, more inward, and more
personal experiences, upon which all true Chris
tian character and power for usefulness are
based. Even those labors for the welfare of
their fellow-men—in which our young men have
of late so generally and so earnestly
for the firemen, tor destitute and • degraded
neighborhoods, and for Sabbath Schools; may
be allowed to interfere injuriously with jnward
culture and growth in grace. Self-complacency
removes the stimulus to watchfulness and self
culture, and active outward engagements cut
short the time and opportunity for them. Hence
the danger of superficiality, early exhanstion,
and inefficiency in early life, or in seasons de
void of general religions interest Hence the
danger of a want of sound, healthy, and well
balanced character, and of genuine, steady
Christian principle in time to come.
The yonng men in the church of to-day, will
be office-bearers in the church of to-morrow;
While living' earnestly and zealously for to-day,
our desire and prayer for them is, that they may
not overlook those qualities and principles which
fit them for the discharge of high duties to pos
terity. We do not want to see them bearing
an exuberance of fruit now, and then, like an
over-tasked tree,whose soil has been ill-supplied
With the materials of growth, standing .barren
and enfeebled, a mere blemish in the garden,
for many and many a season. Let our young
men prepare themselves for the duties to come
npon them in the church by watchfulness, self
examination, secret prayer, and the careful study
of the Word at any cost. Jt may withdraw
them somewhat from some of the many engage
ments of an outward character in which they
are involved, but it will surely make them more
efficient in what they can undertake. Let them
give the time of three out of six of the prajer
meetings which they, now attempt to sustain
every week, to retirement and meditation, an
tHf remaining time will be far more profitable
to themselves and others. Let them find time
in their reading for something which will instruct
them in the great principles of systematic theo
logy, some exposition of the Shorter Catechism,
or of the other stantlards of our church, and
some work on church history,
such as they can readily procure from their pas
tors. Let them gain some ideas of the position
of their denomination on the grand doctrinal is
sues have divided the minds of men.
Thns they will lay a foundation for usefulness
in the sphere in which they are providentially
placed. Thus the tree will be provided with
aliment, and, by the : grace of God, a steady
growth and bearing of fruit will be secured.
Thus there may be less show, but there will re
sult, in all probability, a steadiness, uniformity,
and reliability of character, eminently favorable
to a life of long-continued usefulness. Thus we
shall have at hand a solid and satisfactory ma
terial from which to choose the office-bearers of
the church; men of Enlightened spirits, pre-,
pared to take intelligent views of the peculiar
work which their own 'church has to do iu ad
vancing the interests of Christ s kingdom; men
thoroughly furnished unto all good works; in
all things showing themselves a pattern of good
works; m • daptnneythowmg uncorruplness,
gravity, sincerity- sound speech that cannot be
•‘tftfedemned. that he that is of the contrary part
may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say
of them. Thus we should preserve the best ef
fects of the present religious OACM/Oment, its free
ness and readiness of Utterance, its boldness in
standing up for Jesus anywhere and everywhere,
its sense of personal responsibility for the sal
vation of every soni'Within reach of one’s influ
ence, bnt especially foij the souls of the poor and
neglected, its abundance in labors and its gene
ral ftome missionary Activity, and, at the same
time, make these effects available in and for
the church for years-jtb come.
- <0 -
RELIGIOUS PRESS.
ROTATION AfJD REPRESENTATION.
The last Evangelist discourages the common
practice of Presbyteries jin appointing their com
missioners to Assembly by a system
of rotation- Aslhe.meetings of the Assembly are
important in inaugurating the policy of the church,
and devising means fofjher continued and stable
growth, the representative wisdom and experience
of the church in its extended borders are desi
rable in her highest■ iouneils, especially at the
present time. The Evangelist says: .
Most of our Presbvteries choose their delegates
on the pr ncipleof ratal on and not that of repre
sentation! Commissioners are often appointed,
not because of any special fitness-to represent the
bodies to which they belong, but simply because it
is their, turn to go.- Agd thus it not unfreque'ntly
happens that men are sent who do not represent
the views and wishes of their Presbyteries, and
thus As “cmbl e may be largely composed of men
without experience and not prop srly qualified to
deliberate and decide what is best to be. done to
advance the welfare of the Church. The moral
power of Assemblies thhs composed will be small,
and measures will be adopted which, the churches
will not carry out. and iJrnich may prove injurious.
Of course, we do not )nean that the same men
should be sent year after year: but we would have
always wise men., whqjvould "know what Israel
ought to do. - tVe tmpk it would be difficult to
overestimate the importance of the coining Gene
ral Assembly in its beanDg on the interest of the
New School Pre byterian Chuich. Questions of
immense consequence, relating to our denomina
tional movements, are to be discussed and deeided;
and whatever the Presbyteries in their liberty may
ordinarily choose to do, we would respectfully urge
them this year;to send, real representatives. We
need to haye our wisest and best and most .experi
enced men, in our councils now; and we trust
those may be selected who, under Divine guidance,
will adopt measures will prove to be of
lasting benefit. . : . j
INDIA SENDS AID TO A FEEBLE CHURCH IN
CHICAGO. I
The last Christian Intelligencer contains an in
teresting letter from Dr. Seuddcrl of the Tamil
Church at Coonbor, India, containing seventy-five
dollars contributed by tbe native converts to aid
a church in Chicago. The Intelligencer well says,
that from “India’s fcoral; strand’ comes a sermon,
of benevolence to many a rich church in onr coun
try.” We give large extracts from the letter, that
this noble exanrfjjle may aet as a cheek to parsi
mony and a stimulus tjFbeneVolence:
Rev. J. Mason Ferris, Chicago, Illinois—
My Dear Brother .vrji is my pleasing duty to,
send you an order on the Treasurer of our Foreign
Board for the sum of seventy-five dollars. This
is a donation from my little Tamil church, atCoo
noor, to your church, at Chicago.
- I think the circumstances under which it'was
given by my poor people may prove interesting,
not only to the membert of your congregation, but
also to the churches of our denomination. I trust
that the churches of the Western World may be
stirred up by the example of this little speck in
the Eastern, to,give in proportion towards the
liquidation of the debt; which roust hang a dead
weight upon your enterprise. The sum is small,
but.will it not appear large, when you learn that
most of it has been given by men who support
themselves on from two to four - dollars a month,
only few receiving a little more as the fruit of
their labors ?
Three and a half years ago, I removed from
Arnee to Coonoor, and took up the latter place as
a - station. A clergyman belonging to the Church
Missionary-Society had? collected a few Christians
during a temporary residence at Coonoor. When
I. cdtnmeuced my labors there, I found a small
congregation of about ten or twelve, who came to
hear the word on the Sabbath. The Lord blessed
the preaching of the gospel, and soon the numbers
who waited on the ministry were too many for our
little school-house. On application, a grant of five
hundred dollara was .made by the American Board
(with which we were then connected) for a church
edifice; by my own exertions I raised another five
hundred dollars. A Hindoo maistry—master
builder —entered into a contract to build for this
sum a plain' but substantial chureh-edifice of bricks
and mud. We are obliged, in this country, to
advance money at different stages of the building.
When he finished the walls, he received an ad
vance of three hundred dollars. Soon afterwards
he became involved in some nefarious transactions,
squandered the money,, and left me in the.lurch.
I had then again to apply for money at home, and
turn beggar here. Our Board granted me five
hundred dollars, aiid I raised again nearly as much
in India. The building, under a new contractor,
went on rapidly; the roof was on, the tower finished,
and we looked forward with joy to dedicating the
church, so soon as it should become dry. About
-this time, I was called away from my station to
attend meetings of ouf mission and Classis, at a
distance of nearly” three hundred miles.. During
my absenee, one of those fearful storms which oc
casionally visit India swept over Coonoor, andia
part of my poor church succumbed. The tower,
the front wall, and a third of the side walls and
roof, were in a moment.redueed to a mass of ruins.
The heathen raged, and the people truly imagined
a vain thing. They pointed tauntingly to the
pile of rubbish, and attributed it to the influence
of their idol, fpy which they had just erected a
building far more substantial than ours, which
would require an earthquake to upset. My heart
failed withiu me; and m bitterness of soul-1 ex
claimed, with Jacob of old, “All things are agpinst
me.” It did seem as though the Lord were against
us. * * *,*“*.* * *
Two weeks before the dedication, jUst as I was
preparing to go to church, my eyes fell upon an
article in the Christian Intelligencer, signed P. S.
I knew Hie signature, and therefore hastily ran my
eyes over the piece. In it I found it stated that
Rev. J.;M. Ferris was East, amoDg the churches,
“ begging.” I cannot tell you how it grieved me,
to find that such work devolved upon one who had
spent years in giving our church a, “ habitation
and a.name” in Chicago.
When I gave out the notice to my people that
our ehureh would (8.V.) be dedicated on the oth
of November, two weeks from that date, I told
them the history of your enterprise, showed them
hot? similar it was to our own, and said that if any
were, disposed, as a thank-offering to God for our
nice churehtbuilding, to give towards paying off
the debt on your church, I should gladly forward
the sum to you. After the dedication, they came
with one accord, eaeh-bringing his offering. The
sums varied from two shillings to five dollars.
And do you ask, dear brother, how these poor
native Christians are able, out of their small earn
ings, to give even liberally to the Lord ? They
have a very simple way of saving the money-—a
way, however, which but few Christians at home
would be willing to adopt. They go without one
of their two meals a day, until they save what they
think'they ought to give.
And now, dear brother, if, when you make an
appeal, any church at home refuses to aid you, ask
such an one to write and request the little Tamil
Reformed Protestant Dutch Church; at Coouoor,
to give them something to give to your church,
and I will promise that they will comply with
your request. Yours affectionately,
J. Soudder.
AN AMBROTYPE.
The Independent resumes in last week’s issue
its attacks upon the American Tract Society; cri
ticising with great severity the alterations in the
text of Rev. Legh Richmond’s African Servant.
It claims that “ certain expert manipulators” have
produced “an ambrotype” of the original work,
and proceeds to show how transpositions of light
and shade on the two sides of an ambrotype “ give
two quite different phases or expressions to the
countenance.” It is needless to add that the ex
purgations to which tli e Independent objects refer
to. slavery in terms more or less direet.
THE READING PARSONAGE—AN EX
AMPLE FOR CHURCHES;
We learn, with pleasure, that the Reading con
gregation have just finished a parsonage for our
excellent brother, Richards, and he is now occupy
ing it. It is a few doors from the church, and on
the same street. The people of Reading have not
supposed that their minister ought to live in a.
house that is not in all respects comfortable. It
is built of brick; is three stories front and rear,
and has every appliance to make it convenient.
When we inquired its cost, on ft. of the building
committee said—“Oh, it didn’t cost very much I”
—which the reader is not to take very literally,
but as the kindly and unostentatious way in which
they do things at Reading.
We had the pleasure of visiting the Sabbath
school, and found it full of active, bright children.
We never saw a more vivacious school. The
teachers were all alive, and the children looked
very intelligent. By the liberality of Judge
Strong, now of this city, an addition was built to
the Sabbath school, of which he was then Superin
tendent, to accommodate the Infant school, so con
trived that both schools can be thrown into one.
The twin room seemed to he as full as it could
hold. We think Mr. Richards* has reason to feel
that “ the lines have fallen to him in pleasant
places.”
THE MISSIONARIES IN .TURKEY AND
THE ARMENIAN HELPERS.
Messrs. Editors :-r-The matter about which
you express a desire for information, is easily ex-,
plained.. The Kirchen Zeitung is as far from ex
actness of truth, when speaking on other points,
as it is when it calls the American Board the
“New York Board of Missions.”
The statement, as to the reluctance of Armenian
converts to adopt the “religious usages of Ameri
can Presbyterians and Independents,” is altoge
therwide of the mark. In all their religions as
semblies, divine worship is conducted as in our
churches and social meetings. Their preference
for extempore prayer over liturgical forms, is
strong and universal. I say this with entire con
fidence, notwithstanding the application to Bishop
Gobat from Diarbekir, of the design and meaning
of which I have information hot yet made public.
I am not aware of any religions usage prevailing
among us to which they object.
The plan of Church organization and rales of
discipline adopted by them, and to which they ad
here, were characterized by the N. E. Rwritan,
now Boston Recorder, under date of September
10, 1846, as '“combining the substance of the
Presbyterian polity without its technical names/'
The-whole document may be found in the Mis
sionary Herald of September, 1846, and in an
appendix to the Report of the Prudential Com
mittee to the Board in that year.
By this plan, provision is made for the ordina
tion of the first ministers, and other -church offi
cers by the missionaries —“ it being understood,
that this is merely a rule of present expediency
and. convenience, and also that it belongs to the
evangelical Armenian Church to provide, there
after, for the ordination of its own officers accord
ing to the apostolic example.” The mission
aries, at the outset, renounced all claim of ec
clesiastical control. They constituted a self-go
verning, evangelical Armenian Church, and not
an American Church, or a Church under''Ame
rican governors. They refrained from entering
into the organization. They necessarily some
times act. as pastors, - hut they have no official au
thority. The’ native ministers are recognised as
on a footing of perfect ecclesiastical equality with
the missionaries; and missionaries take part in
ecclesiastical affairs only as advisers, and when in-;
vited to do so; excepting only when, from neces
sity, they have to act alone in the organizing of
new churches. The purpose is to furnish the
churches as rapidly as possible with native pas
tors, and lay responsibility on them as such.
As the native ministry and churches have a
complete ecclesiastical independence, a struggle
between them and the missionaries on an. “eccle
siastical question” is impossible.. I have heard of
no differences between the parties touching any
such question.
But letters to the Missionary House, and re
ceived by me in private correspondepee, speak of
some dissatisfaction on another point. : The good
native brethren have, some of them, come to think
that they should, with ministerial parity and ec
clesiastical independence, .be taken into an equality
with the missionaries in the disbursing of mission
ary funds . They really think that they would be
able to manage the appropriations for schools and
the various classes of native, helpers more wisely'
than the missionaries, being foreigners, can do. •
This is no new difficulty in missions, and is not
confined to those of any Missionary Board or So
eifty. Several years ago, as I am informed, it
came up with our Old School brethren -in
Two of their native ministers sent a protes , an
appeal to the General Assembly; but the
live Committee and Hoard of Missions rightly de
cided that it belonged to them to appoint to a con
nection with their missions, and determine by what
agency their funds should be distributed. Ihe
matter did not go before the Assembly; and the
claim has not been allowed. ,
* Human nature is much the same in Turkey and
America; and happily the grace of God works out
the same blessed results there and here., This
state of feeling among their native brethren has
been trying to the missionaries. Both parties
need our sympathy and prayers. But all is coming
out right. A mixed advisory committee was
suggested by the missionaries at,. Constantinople, j
with a view to fuller consultation and mutual un
derstanding, which promises to work satisfactorily.
A word, in conclusion, may be interesting in re
gard to the mode of Church government, adopted
in the fields of the Armenian, Syrian and Assyrian
Missions. The sixth and seventh articles of the
“Discipline” speak of a body to be constituted Of
the pastors and delegates of associated Churches
which shall receive appeals-from the decisions of
sessions and churches, and exercise discipline over
ministers, with authoritative, and not merely ad
visory judgment. In a Church Manual that has
been published in Armenian; this body is styled
the Presbyterial Assembly, which is the nearest
translation possible, in that' language, of Presby
tery. The “Church Session- or Standing Com
mittee,” spoken of in the English version of the
Plan, is rendered in Armenian,- the “Assembly of
the Care-Takers” of the Church. The Manual
proposes a “General Assembly,” without judicial
or legislative powers, as a bond of union to’the
whole “Evangelical Armenian Church.” This
body, and the “Presbyterial Assemblies,” will
doubtless be organized at no distant day.
“ANNALS OF THE POOS.”
“O, MY SAD HEART 1”
Seven years ago a young woman came -from
“Erin” to this city, and here married a young
man, also from her native land. They lived hap
pily together; but,-when I called at her room yes
terday, he “was not, for God had taken him.”
I sat down patiently, and gradually drew front her
the following affecting narrative.
Her husband was a temperate, industrious man,
but he was consumptive, and suffered much from
sickness. Their first child, when about two and.
a-half years old, died. In the meantime a young
girl, a relation, came to see them; was taken ill
in their room, and after lingering on a bed of
sickness for months, died also, and was decently
buried. Next her husband was taken siek, and
continued so for many months; during a portion
of the time, however, he received assistance from
a society of whiph he was a member. By and by
his second child died suddenly. Finally, after
passing through these afflictions, and many other,
trials, some of which it would not he proper, to
detail here, the husband, still sick and unable to
work, determined to return to his early home in
the hope of regaining his health. With thirty
dollars—all they had in the world—he started,
leaving his wife with their only* remaining child,
never more to looff-upon his face again. He
/reacbed'his home, and after the lapse of a few
months, was laid beneath the clods of the valley.
Itis not many weeks since this sad intelligence
came to hand, and when I looked upohiher coun
tenance as she related it with sueh simplicity, I
felt sure that if we let her alone, “ she will weep
yet longer.”
She has supported herself, or partially so, by
binding shoes; but for some time has not, and
cannot get what little work she could do; and
moreover, besides the care of her babe, she is her
self very, feeble in health, and will, to all appear
ance, soon pass away.
Previous to his departure, notwithstanding all
their misfortunes, they had preserved the various
little comforts of home; but latterly, from sheer
necessity, she is parting with them, one by one,
for what they will bring, to hny bread. Most of
the work she does is done at’night, when not en
cumbered with her child. She seems to be con
vinced that her afflictions have not sprung from
the ground, and she- believes she is a Christian,
nor have I seen any sufficient reason to think
otherwise. If some plan can be adopted to fur
nish her suitable work for which she would receive
a fair compensation, she might possibly support
herself, with, perhaps, some assistance as to
clothing.
It is not wonderful that she is .very sad, but it
should not he forgotten that “a kind word, 5 ' nay,
even a kind look, often affords comfort to the
afflicted. t>
READING.
During the long evenings of this season of the
year, the time can he employed in no better way,
than in reading good books. Besides being a
great recreation after the labors of the day, we, at
the same time, are enriching our minds with more
golden treasures. Many of onr young men, who
idle away their evenings in the various places of
amusement, might find greater enjoyment at home
with their books, and in the end, bo in the pos
session of a useful store of knowledge. In all of
our cities there are large public libraries, always
accessible to those who have not the means of pro
curing books of their own.
. In these days when the world is flooded with
hooks, great care should be exercised in selecting
fit books for perusal j books that will not only
amuse, -but instruct. For the young, we would
advise, first of all, a careful study of history ; for
unless a good knowledge of history is obtained in
youth, there is but a sniall: chance of ever becoming
acquainted with*it. Biography, also, should: com
pose a part of cur daily reading. The constant
study of the lives of the great and good of the
world, cannot help but have its influence in form
ing the character of the young. Well-written
stories, also, of a good moral tendency, are as ne
cessary to the cultivation of the intellect, as any
study that' requires more thought. They should
he read, not merely for; the story, but to become
acquainted with the various characters portrayed
and with the style of the author. There may be
some danger of students reading too much and
thinking too little; They who read every book they
can, merely gliding hurriedly through it, find their
knowledge all m confusion. They have no settled
ideas on any point. A book should he read slowly
and no more at a time than can be well digested
by the mind. AH light reading, as literary papers
and magazines, with the exception of occasional
reviews, should be read but little. Whatever book
is selected let if be of a good moral character.
Dr, John Barker, President of the AlWhenv f!«i
lege, at Meadvffle, Pa., died last Saturday atrnoot
THE AMERICAN THEOEOGICAI. REVIEW, Feb-
New York: E M. Sherwood.
This new Quarterly which was originated pro
fessedly to reutify the progressive tendencies of
New England Theology, and preserve orthodoxy
from the contamination of- the schools, has ex
perienced ionie mutations, and. has virtually ost
not only its Yankee habitation, but its lankee
editor, though it is supposed to retain the sympathy
of its Boston and'New-Epgland friends, who first
proclaimed its assisted m its birth.
The second volume appears under the manage
ment of Mr. Sherwooifof New York, as proprietor,
and Dr. Smith as editor, etc. It adheres to its
original purpose of ignoring all ecclesiastical
questions, and confining its discussions to theology,
literature and criticism. Besides the department
of theological and literary intelligence, it contain.,
under the. head of “News of the Churches and of
Missions,” several pages of religious intelligence,
domestic .and- foreign. This we are disposed to
regard a valuable feature in the Review. The
February number contains several very able and
valuable articles, which would do honor to any
review. We have not time to notice specifically,
but will give the topics and writers:
“The limits of Religious Thought,” by Dr.
Hemy B. Smith—“ Historical DeVelppment of
Christianity,”, by' Dr., JL JO**:Hitchcock—“ Aris
totle's Ethics,” by D; R. Goodwin, D- D.—“ Co
nditions of Voluntary Action,” by Rev. John Pike
—“ The Pearl of Great price—the Platonic and
the Evangelical Idea,” by Tayler Lewis, LL. D.
—“Edwards on the Atonement,” by Parson
Cooke, D. D.—“ French Theology and Philoso
phy,” by Rev. T. F. Ostie-r-“ Marsh on the En
glish Language,” by Rev. F. A Adams.” “ Let
ter from Dr. Kraft, the celebrated Missionary and
Explorer in Africa.”
THE LIFE AND TIMES OF HEROD THE GREAT,
G. W.W.
as connected Historically and Prophetically with the
coming of Christ. And incidental portraitures of
noted personages of the age. . By William M. Willett.
Philadelphia: Lindsay &Alakisibh,
The design of this volume is to make prominent
the events of history at'the time of the birth of
Christ. The author presents ingeniously in his
narrative the various historical characters of the
Augustan age, a time so . remarkable in history,
shows the expectancy and providential prepa
ration for an event so important in' the history of
this world. Profane and saered history are
beautifully blended in the descriptions of events,
incidents and.characters; and the scenes that are
made to pass before the mind have the charm of
a drama which serves to impress the truth illus
trated. It is a very readable book.
A VIEW OF THE EVIDENCES OF CHRISTIANITY.
In three parts. By William Paley, M. A. . With An
notations, by Richard Whateley, D. D.. New York:
James Miller. For sale by Smith, English & Co.,
Philadelphia.
Paley's evidences have too long been a classic
in our language, and a text book in onr colleges
and higher institutions of learning, to need com
mendation. The present edition is issued in large
fair type and good style, and enriched with an
notations from Archbishop Whafeley. The ne
cessity for this species of defence of Christianity
will never cease, but every successive generation,
and every religious teacher will, have to examine
the foundations anew, in order to assure themselves
as well as to fit them to defend the citadel against
the repeated attacks of enemies. Onr religion owes
not its existence ’to credulity- or to superstition",
nor ought it to trust its defence:and,maintenance
to them; reason and seience are its legitimate
allies, and it has always appeared brightest under
the most rigid scrutiny, apd made firmer in the
convictions of menby every test of criticism and
haman reason. ■ .
THE POWER OP JESUS CHRIST TO SiVE UNTO
THE UTTERMOST. - By the Revl A.4j; CampbeU,
; Melrose. New York: Robert Carter & Brothers.
16mo. pp. 329,; For sale at Martiens, Philadelphia.
. This is not a theological treatise, bat an earnest
and practical setting forth of Christ as the Saviour
of men. It is well adapted to awaken interest and
guide the inquirer in the way of truth. It is a
book eminently fitted to promote earnest piety
and practical religion, and ought to be generally
circulated and read.
WOMAN. JFVpm the French of M. J. Michelet.
Translated from the last' Paris edition, by J. W.
Palmer, M. T). New York : Rudd & Carlcton. For
sale by Lindsay &BJakiston,’Philadelphia.
This is in most respects alfetter book than the
-previous volume, If Amour, by the Same author.
It, however, exhibits no true estimation of woman
in her true sphere. It: contains many beautiful
sentiments, and attempts toiexalt-woman as a toy,
but the ideas and standard of excellence are
French- It is not a book suited to English and
American views 'of woman; ■ ’ It foils to describe
thp ChriStianwoman.for'to the ennoblicg
principles of Christianity, which alone can elevate
woman to her -appropriate ; rank; and position in
society. Such rhapsodieal ewriting about women
is of little account in this eountry, where the true
standard of excellence is better understood than
m France.
T jS, K ! IC^ ERB^CKER for March > 186 ft. New York
JohnA.- Gray,, Publisher.
This is a good number of a .periodical which we
mm always glad to see upon out table. The con
tenteareas folfows Prince of Pickpockets
The Heart’s they manage
Lunatics at_Gheel—Lines: “If. I Die Early’’—
What happens. “Under the • Moon’’_ltemem
bran^ s^-Stanzas . «Blindness’’—The “Son of
Beminiscenees of . Napoleon the Second
■the Hhadow upon Sunnyside—The Ilion Priam
Threnodia on the Death of an Infant—Chinese
s ketches^Epigram. “Everlasting Saints
iSJ . ra J reek Mount—Miss-machinations: a
T^. Cty Notices—Editor’s
CHRIST.” A sermon by Her.
?hi£dSrrT Ched “ Wylie’scLrch,
I™- PMade]pl,ia:
*£&££ sto, 1034
. Ana^ dres s delivered in the
nlversary of ] i»f*^? rl ? , L9 h " rch > a t the 36th An
2'th, 1859. By WilTi a m or i!.. BtMa Societ y» November
Robert CarieY& Bttaer - S * w W
Por sale at Martiens, (Philadelphia. 1
C °w£u B XW* c - Dana. From
... Philadelphia.
_A disenminating judgment and justly appreci
at ve taste have guided the compiler in this new
Psal < m on, 10 supplementary to the
mS- While we
w at the lyrical character of
i. . e poems, we- think-the expressed aim of
„ to " et lier hymns breathing tbe true spirit
poetry and devotion has been, in the main, well
accomplished: ,
1- .. tipica Te of Dismission. From our Fub
• 1 10 y ® omni *ttee we have received a very neat
P ” Dte i d f ona ! ’Cmtififtates of Dismission to
® e ®bers changing their relations; p«c°
cents per dozen.
larch 8,
EDITOR’S TABLE.