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•THURSDAY. MARCH H, 1800.
D. C. HOUGHTON, )
JOHN W- MEABS, j ”” OM '
ASSOCIATED WITH .
ALBS RT BARNES | GEORGE DUFFIELD Ih. ,
THOMAS BRAINERD, - JOHN JENKINS,
HENRY DARLING, > THOMAS J. SHEPHERD.
SUDDEN DEATH.
Wo have sometimes wondered why it is that
the Episcopal Litany should contain this prayer—
“ From sadden death good Lord deliver us.” To
an impenitent man, nothing indeed is more dread
ful than a departure from the world, preceded by
no-warning, and with no opportunity for prepara
tion. It is a blighting of ail his fondly cherished
hopes. He has neglected seeking a personal in
terest In Christ all his life, in the expectation of
being able in the hour of death to accomplish this
peat work. But he has been disappointed. The
summons to return was sudden and unexpected,
and would consent to no delay. “At midnight
the cry was heard, Behold, the Bridegroom
cometh,” and unprepared to meet it—-the door of
heaven is now finally and forever closed against*
him. But is it so with the Christian? Has he
any, occasion to fear such a summons, or to pray
to he delivered from it? A sudden and painless
departure from earth, is it not, in some respects,
more to bo desired by a true believer, than a death
preceded by lingering sickness, and with bodily
and mental decay? A distinguished English
Christian, expecting from the nature of his phy
sical disease thus to depart, is said to have re
quested these words to be inscribed upon his grave
stone—
“Sudden death, sudden glory. 15
And may hot this be truthfully written on the
graves of some who have recently departed from
as—who to-day in the lower sanctuary, have, ere
the next dawned, been translated to the higher?
Death is always gain to the believer. The mode
of his departure is with the Lord, and is unim
portant.
RELIGIOUS TRESS.
SLAVERY ACIITATION IN THE OLD SCHOOL.
Dr. Bice seems to have made “ a ripple ” upon
the surface of Old School quietude, and pro
voked every Old School paper, North or South,
except the more prudent Presbyterian, of this
city, to speak out on slavery, and deliver their
respective opinions of Dr. Bice, slavery and agi
tation.
We make extracts from each, to ex-
Mbit the harmony, unity, and temper of this
large and conservative body of Christians! The
dissimilarity of views expressed in their respec
tive organs is remarkable.
The Central Presbyterian, Richmond, Ya.,
after reviewing the subject, says :
“If we cannot tolerate a diversity of senti
ment on this subject, there is no alternative—
there must be a disruption. But if it were
manifest that Dr. Rice had become a thorough
going abolitionist, Dr. Rice is not the church.
He is only one of her 2,500 ministers, who call
no man master. And there have been not a
few practical demonstrations of this indepen
dence in the. fact that men of seemingly amazing
influence have often signally failed in finding
support for some favorite crotchet of-their own.
Still there may be danger. The whole surface
of society has been in a ferment, and wave has
been dashing against wave with terrific force.
And it is not unlikely that Dr. Rice, in his tri
ple capacity of editor, professor, and pastor,
and assailed as he has been by nntiring adver
saries, may have said some unadvised thlngs.-
For he is not above the temptations whieh have
their influence upon the very best of men. Ar d
from the fact that he has furnished the material
over which all the anti-slavery editors of the
land are holding a jubilee, there is some reason
to suppose that he may have been borne on by
the current of popular feeling and sentiment and
.sympathy in the North-west, farther than he
had designed,”
The St. Louis Presbyterian, Dr. Rice’s own
paper, occupies four or five columns in the dis
cussion. This paper substantially agrees with
Dr. Rice, and holds that these are the true doc
trines of the church fully established. The edi
tor adds these significant words:
“On questions of minor importance, difference |
of opinion ever mast and always will exist. Bat
the several documents adopted by the General
Assembly, and confirmed by succeeding Assem
blies, embrace all the great leading questions
concerning slavery. Such questions are as folly
settled as they ever can be by any church on
earth, and the policy of the church must be con
sidered as unchangeably fixed, bio one now
has the right to disturb the church, destroy its
peace, ana impede its great and glorious work
by a new agitation. Snch as will not submit
to the highest authority of the church ou earth,
and remain quiet and peaceable, should with
draw. If they will neither remain quiet and
peaceable, nor withdraw, they should be sepa
rated from the communion as disturbers of the
church by a regolar process of discipline. By
. steady perseverance in the right way, the church
has attained a high degree of prosperity and
power. To retain what has been gained she
most never be found lacking in vigilance, firm
ness, and decision.?’
The Presbyterian Herald, Louisville, Ky.,
says:
“We have read Dr. Rice’s lectures with care,
and can repeat the assurance that a counter
blast from Kentucky need not be apprehended
by our Chicago friend. On such a vast and
complicated subject as that of slavery, and the
f best methods of dealing with it in both Church
and State, scarcely any half-dozeu thinking
minds would agree in every particular. But
wise and good men who have confidence in each
other’s general piety and purity of intentions,
can agree to disagree.”
The True Witness , New Orleans, says:
“Dr. Rice is but a single minister in our
church, and neither his views nor his practice
will change the settled policy of our church —
not to agitate this question. His pamphlet is
before ns. We do not endorse his views; he
has no right to .speak for the church. Our only
law on the subject of slavery is the Bible; those
who appeal to a higher standard in the Assem
bly are not of us, . , .
“The great argument of Northern fanatics is
aaitation; and Dr. Rice has done neither him
self. the seminary, (in which he is a professor,)
nor the church to which he belongs any credit
in his lectures.; but he has, in our view, betrayed
the faith of our church, and will ruin his owp
inflnniioe if be continues this agitation, which is
agaE* the settled views policy of cur
church. It is true that Dr. M'Master opened
the dkoosston, and Dr. Rice in the palptt and
the press. Both may meet the same fate. Our
church Will nut endorse agitation on this sub
ject.”
Presbyterian Sentinel, of Memphis,
Tenn., taking an encouraging and hopeful view,
remarks as follows:
“The views of Dr. Rice, as here presented,
are not all such as will meet concurrence to a
large extent either in the North or the South.
Bat, Ar a Northern man, we regard them as
decidedly and eminently conservative. He stands
where the great and good men of the North
stood thirty years ago; and where, would to
God, they all stood at this moment, repudiating
the nse of all force, ecclesiastical, legal, and phy
sical, and depending, as a man of anti-slavery
opinions, on 'moral suasion’ alone—and this in
a fraternal spirit. He has not progressed with
the fools of the age in the ' march of mind. ’ He
stands bravely as a wise man for humanity and
the Christianization of the African race in our
country, to which none bnt abolition philanthro
pists can raise an objection. He proposes all
this, It is true, with a view to their emancipa
tion, because he desires it, but not at the ex
pense of any wrong to master or slave. For
one in his position, and so circumstanced and
influenced, we think he has handled this subject
in a masterly manner, and one calculated to de
good in his section. The more our slaves are
treated with humanity, and Christianized, and
made happy, the more they increase. It is
mainly because of their general good treatment
that they have increased so rapidly in times
past. If we take Dr. Rice’s. advice, and obey
the dictates of our.own conscience, we shall have
ten millions in a score pf years, and one hun
dred millions in a century. So that Dr. Rice
holds the best pro-slavery opinions extant, be
cause be is a true philanthropist, while the most
of those in the North, who claim to be so, are
philanthropists only under the cloak, and would
ruin that they may rale.
The North Carolina Presbyterian says:—
Our North-Western friends must not hold Dr.
Rice responsible for our abstract opinions on the
question of slavery, nor is he called upon to de
fend them in Chicago. On the other hand, 0. S.
Presbyterians at the South would not coincide in
all the positions laid down in his sermon, but they
cannot withhold their admiration apd praise for
the influence whieh he has always exerted in favor
of Union and moderation.
The Presbyter, Cincinnati, has always advo
cated moderate anti-slavery views, and has been a
thorn in the flesh of its more conservative neigh
bors. It rejoices over their new developments of
courage to speak out on the subject of slavery. It
says:—
It has come to pass that all the Old School
Presbvterian papers of the North, except the
Philadelphia Presbyterian, have opened their
columns to the discussion of the slavery question,
and their editors are taking a stand, in some'so'rt,
on the anti-slavery side. To us, who took this
ground from the beginning of our editorial career,
and have suffered much reproach for our course,
this change is refreshing in the highest degree.
The Chicago Presbyterian Expositor, and the
Pittsburgh Presbyterian Banner are in a transition
State, and give some reason to hope that the transit
will be completed. There are some views put
forth in these prints that we cannot adopt, and
yet there are others that cover the main ground of
the truth, and make it necessary for these editors,
in order to consistency of opinion, to adopt the
whole system of doctrine, which we have tried to
maintain and defend.
The Banner, in the light of the Expositor,
begins to feel authorized to express itself, and has
something to express. That journal has its prin
cipal circulation in the best part of our church.
Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio consti
tute the backbone of Presbyterianism. We are
glad to see the premonitory symptoms of backbone
in its organ in regard to the vexed question, such
as it has often shown on some other questions.
The Pittsburgh Banner gives its opinions and
views cautiously. We extract the following:—
We feel ourselves entitled to the conclusion
that the Scriptures do not sanction slavery —
neither Roman slavery, nor slavery as now estab
lished by law. It is service whieh they recog
nise.
We have in the New Testament no approval of
the buying and selling of servants, no intimation
that it was or could be a legitimate traffic, nor
have we any indication of hereditary servitude.
We are then entitled to the inference that these
things are wrong. They are contrary to the re
cognised equality of men, and to good will, love,
and brotherhood.
Servants are men, and have a right to all that
belongs properly to humanity.
Every law forbidding marriage or practically
annulling marriage, or breaking up families—a
law authorizing the sale of a husband from a wife,
or a child from a parent, is wrong. Also every
law preventing a servant from appearing before a
magistrate to claim his does, to testify against a
personal wrong, or to testify on behalf of his fellow
man, is an injury.
ENDORSED BY MISTAKE.
Western Theology, as well as other matters, ap- ;
pear to our neighbor, the Presbyterian, indistinctly.
Distance seems to add confusion to the view. The
editor has, by mistake, put his hands upon the
wrong school, and endorsed men and doctrines he
little dreamed of. With Dr. Rice, and M'Cor
miek’s reapers in view, the Presbyterian made the
following complimentary notice of the Chicago
Theological Seminary
“The catalogue of the Chicago Theological Se
minary shows a total of twenty-three students.
When it is remembered that this Seminary has
just gone into operation, this success is very en
couraging. It is well officered, of healthy prestige, ,
and although some may be disposed to decry it, ■
we have little doubt that it will go on to prosper.”
To this, the editor of the Presbyter, of Cincin- '
nati, who is better posted, and is jealous of the
reputation of a Seminary that has grown up under
his fostering care till it has got beyond his control,
makes the following instructive and pertinent com
ment: —
“We find the above in the last Philadelphia
Presbyterian. It is true that this School of the
Prophets ‘has just gone into operation,’ and that
‘ this is encouraging success.” How ‘ well officered’
4t is, we know not. Its officers are: Rev. Joseph
Haven, D. D-, Carpenter Professor of systematic
Theology’, Rev. Samuel 0. Bartlett, TrofessoT of
Biblical Literature, Rev. Franklin W. Fisk, Pro
fessor of Sacred Rhetoric and Homiletics. The
Keyes Professorship of Ecclesiastical History has
nb officer at present.
As to the ‘healthy prestige,’ we will take the
word of the Presbyterian for that. Prestige means
illusion, fascination, charm. If this is a compli
ment for the past of the professors—the Seminary
having no past —we are not prepared to respond
to it because of our ignorance. We have read Dr.
Haven’s Philosophy, and found it intensely anti
slavery. It did not fascinate and charm us as it
seems to have done the Presbyterian. It may be,
however, that it is the theology and ehureh polity
of the professors that has secured such praise from
the Presbyterian.
We don’t know who are ‘disposed to decry it.’
Other Presbyterian papers will not do so, now that
it is endorsed by the mother of us all. j
Perhaps, before we drop our pen, lest the Pres- '■
byteriau be thought to have gone over to anti
slavery and Congregationalism, we ought to say
that the‘Chicago Theological Seminary,’ whose;
catalogue, the editors say, ‘shows a total of twenty- ,
three students,’ is a Congregational Theological
School, and that no doubt, the editors thought they
were reading the catalogue of the Theological Se
minary of the North-West, whose prestige they
may conscientiously pronounce healthy, and whose
tot.J of student? they would be charmed to write
‘twenty-three.’ As the case stands, however, the
Presbyterian issoUl."
A CUKIOOS. MEDLEY.
Under the above head, the North Carolina
Presbyterian makes the the following strictures
on the conservatism of the New York Observer, It
seems that its “ Secular Department” is not
quite to'the taste of the South,and the Presbyterian
begins to fear that its marvellous trophies of
heresy-hunting in New England will prove spu
| rious. The Presbyterian says
“The last New York Observer has a long article
under its “Secular Department, highly com
mendatory of Mr. Seward’s late Abolition speech
in the Senate, which contains his bold bid for the
Presidency; and, in close juxtaposition, an ex
tended and very flattering editorial, notice ot Bar
naul's Museum,(!) in which attention is called to
the recent addition of attractions m that stock Ot
humbugs and low comedy, of a “beautiful Leopard
Seal "a" cargo of Kangaroos from Africa, the
famous Sea Lion, having its home among the tro
pical Isles,” and a Grizzly Bear from California.
Mention is also made of a remarkable “Nonde
script,” for a particular description of which the
reader is referred to the advertisement.”
There can be no reasonable objection to the last
editorial, for it was probably inserted in conside
ration of a “season ticket,” but the puff of Mr.
Seward is certainly inconsistent with the avowed
conservatism of the Observer. . Moreover, if Mr. I
Seward is the favorite now, and is to be considered
a marvellously proper man, what is to become of
that great Union party which the Observer recom
mended a few weeks ago? . ,
In our Issue of tbie 3d inst.j we copied from the j
Observer an article, headed “New Gospel in New
England,” which contained a letter from a minis
ter, exposing the corruptions in doctrine, which
prevail among the N. E. Churches, and which
were developed in the examination of a candidate
for ordination; but in the last number of our con
temporary there are letters from three N. E. pas
tors, denying in toto the allegations of the letter
and the article. After the insertion of the ori
ginal communication, the publication of this de
nial is due to the parties concerned, as well as to
our readers, and when the truth is at last, if ever,
eliminated, Jhe iafcter shall be duly apprised.
HELP FOR KANSAS.
A NOBLE OFFER.
The Secretary of the Church Extension Com
mittee has received, through the editors of the
Evangelist, an .offer from a gentleman residing
in the State of New York, who wishes his name
concealed, to pay one-half the salary of a mis
sionary for Kansas for a year. This gentleman
has read the appeal of the exploring missionary
of the Church Extension, Committee in Kansas,
Rev. J. C. Beach, and is willing to extend effi
cient help. We publish this in the hope that
some one, who has been blessed with the means
of doing so, will furnish the other one-half of
the missionary’s support. The wish of the Com
mittee will be to select a missionary of specially
valuable character, and locate him at the most
commanding point in Kansas, where his influ
ence will tell most effectually upon the future
character of that interesting territory. We
trust that the great Head of the church, who
has put this liberality Into the heart of our New
York brother, frill in like manner touch the
heart of another to complete this work. If,
however, anv one should be inclined to assist
this object who is not able to give so large a
sum as one-half the support of a missionary, we
hope they will send any sum that they can give,
as the Committee will thankfully receive dona
tions for this object.
The Committee have now organized missions
in Kansas, Nebraska, and the Pike’s Peak re
gion, by sending one pioneer into each. But
what are they among so many ? They now wish
to send an efficient man to take his permanent
station in Kansas, in the capital, or some point
of prominent commercial importance. We be
lieve that it is with pleasure that our church
sees that the Committee are laying out their
work on a large and comprehensive scale, and
that in proportion as the church see this they
will come to their relief. The present is a most
interesting offer. 'We cannot believe that- it will
not meet with a suitable response;
DEATH OF MRS. CHAMBERS.
On Friday evening last, at 5 o’clock, this es
timable Christian lady, the wife of Rev. John
Chambers, breathed her last, after a long period
of infirmity and suffering. Her death is la
mented by an unusually wide circle of acquain
tances, and thousands of hearts sympathize with
onr bereaved Christian brother in this deep af
fliction.
The funeral services were performed in the
chnrch on Broad and George Streets on Mon
day morning. Rev. Messrs. Patton, Taylor,
Barnes, and Brainerd officiated. A fuller notice
of these services will appear in our next..
“ANNALS OF THE POOR.”
THE MISSION.
This mission was commenced, after a. careful and
laborious examination, .-and Comparison of various
sections of the city. It was selected because of
the general poverty of the people, and their desti
tution of religious privileges. It was found, too,
that here, as elsewhere, there existed strong sec
terian prejudices} and this among those who had
not been within a church for years, and who made
no pretensions to personal piety: nor did many of
them attempt to conceal their feelings of bitterness
toward Christians as such. This was especially
■ the ease with not a few of the Roman Catholics,
of whom, as we have heretofore said, the number
is very large. Under these circumstances, it
seemed to us useless to appear among them as the.
avowed advocate and representative of some par
ticular church or Beet. We thought that to do
this would be to array against us a large propor
tion of the vejy people we wished to call to re
pentance, to say nothing of the adverse influences
that would in -all probability be brought to bear
upon us from without. We thought as the field
was unoccupied, or at least mainly so, and had
been for almost* generation, and seemed likely
to continue thus unoccupied, that Christians, at
least, would approve, and commend, and favor our
enterprise. Indeed, we could not see upon what
other plan we could embark in it with any rea
sonable prospect of success. It is true, we hope,
if it please the Lord, to establish among them a
Presbyterian church, but we algo hope so to gain
the hearts of the people by Christian kindness and
faithful instruction, as to extinguish in advance
the prejudices referred to. Our method of pro
ceeding, and forms of worship, are, of course,
known to all who attend, yet we have in our meet
ings Catholics and Protestants, with many, if not
most of their “isms,” and their children are in
the Sunday School. Our S. School teachers are
of various denominations, and while working hard,
; do so with a Ml knowledge of our views and ulti
mate purposes.
We have seen no sufficient reasons to change
our opinions or our plans; on the contrary, we
have met, among the people, with a favor and a
gratitude, and a love that seems to us an earnest
'of success. At’ first/ questions of Beet and of do
nomination were rife—now they are seldom heard.
When, too, we consider the steadfast kindness,
and thoughtful and watchful co-operation of a con
siderable number of Christians, previously wholly
unknown to us, our gratitude to God and to them
is better feU than expressed. Let us stand firm;
we shall surely reap if we faint not. This 11 ground
of git,” we repeat, not only soon will be, but it is
already studded with silver. B.
INDIA
SIGNS OF PROGRESS.
Messrs. Editors,— In mytast I mentione a
few items showing a gratifying change in t e c a
raeter of British rule in India. This c ange is
desirable and hopeful,_pot so much because we
desire government, influ^ nce a 7 or °* H* nstl "
anity, as because see l e griimate
influence of Christianity pervading all ranks of
society, and, of coiuae, modifying the character of
the government. Our confidence as to the ulti
mate triumphs of Christ’s kingdom rests not on
the favor of kings or governments, but on the
promises of God, amithe inherent elements of .the
gospel itself. Hence, in regard to the evangeli
zation of India, or any other part of the world, the
spirit and movements of the chnrch give us better
data for inferences,* than the changing policy of
worldly-minded rulers.
11. I remark, therefore, as a second sign of
progress, there is a gratifying increase of mission
ary force in India. I know the American Board
is failing to maintain her ground there. My own
mission is suspended, and most of the others are
suffering for lack of reinforcements. But most
| other societies are reinforcing their missions in
India, and prosecuting their work with brighter
hopes and more resolute purpose than ever before.
(a) Tlie Irish Presbyterian Church is extend
-1 ihg her operations, in Western India by occupying
I Ahmedabad]' das two other stations in
Goorat. ' Irik gratifying, to observe
I this, and the increamnb missionary spirit in that
I church in connexion with the Irish revival. It
I was recently stated in a large meeting in Edin
burgh, as a fruit of this revival, that the Irish
Presbyterian Church, having recently made a
special, extra appeal in behalf of her mission
1 schemes, “ the congregations sent in double, treble,
{fourfold, ay, in some instances, six-fold, as much
to the treasury of the Lord as they had ever done
before, when only called upon to give one collec
tion in the year.” Here is a fruit of revivals
which is a legitimate test of their value. ’
(6) The missions of both branches of the Scotch
church are prosecuting their labors with energy
and marked success. ' The most prosperous mis-
sion in Bombay is in connexion with the Scotch
Free Church. A large portion of their converts
are well-educated young men, preparing to become
preachers, helpers and teachers —the result, main
ly'j'of God’s blessing on the educational operations
of this mission. Itai&st report shows 1075 pupils
in their schools, 2s|i|j«.bbm are in colle
giate’institution,
(c) The Church Missionary Society is sending
reinforcements and commencing new stations in
| India. The missions .of this society are ably pro
i secuted and largely blessed. Their statistical re
turns for Southern India alone give 429 churches,
588 Christian villages, 28 missionaries, 15 native
ministers, 82 catechists, and some 26,000 bap
tized converts, with an average increase of 1000
eaoh year. A recent visit to these churches by
the bishop of Madrasrieports items of much inte
rest. At nearly all tie different stations he found
large numbers of native converts desiring confir
mation. At Fusmuqulum, he confirmed 24; at
Fiehoor, 36; at Cochin, 44; at Aleppry, 38; at
Pallam, 57; at Mauelikara, 268; at Firuwalla,
138. u
Of this last station the bishop writes: —“ Here
again a deeply, interesting sight awaited us. Many
of the native converts were slaves! practically
—though not legally—slaves. It appears that
.until the last few years slavery was permitted
thfSughout FraraafeSßSj frad though the present
Rajah, a short time, ago, abolished it throughout
his kingdom, still the vast majority of those to
whom it applied were either so degraded, or the
master’s power and influence so great, that prac
tically it still exists. At the present time, there
fore, numbers of the rich natives have their slaves,
work in the fields, and are looked upon as little
better than mere animals*
Thanks, however, to the missionaries, a change
is beginning to dawn upon these poor creatures,
and wherever the gospel is preached among them,
they display an eagfernless and aptitude for instruc
tion in its blessed truths, which give promise of
better things.” ;
The statement goes on to mention 3000 of these
slaves under Christiab instruction, and draws a
hopeful picture, wbicbiis fitly closed by the remark,
“This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in
our eyes.
'(d) The Basle Evangelical Missionary Society
, is operating with increasing effect and success in
South-western India! ’ S&ur of their missionaries
died during the past) l»,Mralready a reinforce
ment of twelve has mm than supplied their places.
They now number fpr|y-six brethren, and twenty
two sisters. They are a band of earnest, self-de
nying and effective laborers, and God is blessing
their efforts. They have 1,099 communicants in
their churches, of whom 150 were added the last
year. The home society at Basle is much pros
pered. They have built a new mission home to
accommodate a large number of missionary stu
dents, and hope henceforth to send out fifteen or
twenty new missionaries every year.
(e) A new mission is just being attempted in
the North-Western part of India. There is a
large unbroken region of Hindooism, with a po
pulation of fifteen or twenty millions, which has
never been occupied. Two missionaries of the
United Presbyterian church have just penetrated
that region. They are resolved to commence a
permanent mission, and two other brethren are
already under appointment to go out and join
them. One in Scotland has offered
®25,000 for this niw!i|i|!»prise. Thus the Lord
is raising up men and means to carryforward this
work in India, and rendering their .efforts greatly
successful. *
We might speak of the influence becoming
manifest on great masses of the loosening
their attachment to their idols and their supersti
tious rites, and preparing them to receive Chris
tian instruction. Doubtless the convulsions and
terrible scenes of the past three years have con
tributed much to this result, and the wrath of
man is the living mode to work out God’s praise
and glory. The very latest intelligence, from
Delhi, which witnessed some of the bloodiest tra
gedies of the mutiny, is that “the conversion of
Hindoo youths to Christianity is in rapid progress
at this station.*
With these signs of progress, what is now
wanting for the speedy evangelization of India,
but that the church of God, conscious of the van
tage ground, should arise, go up at once, and pos
sess it in the name Lord?
Does not the pf past efforts furnish an
ample guarantee conversion of India,
if the energies of were fairly enlisted -
* Since writing the aboye, later communications from
India give the folio wing: 1“ During the last eight months
the work of missions his been carried on with great
earnestness. The Rev. jilr. Smith has baptized more
converts within the last few months than generally falls
to the lot of a missionary during a lifetime of labor.
Nearly the whole of the Inhabitants of the surrounding
villages have evinced an .anxiety to become Christians.”
in the work? Ought not the missionary spirit
and enterprises of the little Moravian body of
Christians both rebuke and encourage the faith
and zeal of the whole Christian church of this
age?
They constitute the smallest division of the
Protestant church. And yet they were the ear
liest to move in this work of missions; and now
they have a hand of 312 missionaries, who report
73,641 converts under their pastoral care.
If the whole church of Christ would enlist in
this work with willing, earnest hearts, and work
ing hands, how soon would the barren and dark
places of India and the world bud and blossom as
the rose, and Christ see the travail of his soul and
be satisfied! * R. G. Wilder.
THOMAS PAINE—II.
By persons of intelligence and worth, I have
been urged to give the public some correct views
of this bad and miserable man. Other persons,
alas! of both sexes, are to be found, here and there,
in our country, who know not what to be at, occa-
sionally, to comfort their own reprobate character,
better, than by trying to whitewash that of Paine;
thus in comparison enhancing possibly their own
consequence in society. I doubt, if they could
have fished up from all biography, of those who
died in this century, a character more debauched,
lying, filthy, impious, and every way detestable.
If old reprobates wish to'conforin their character
to his, and to unite destinies with such a wicked
wretch in eternity, still, our youth, yet unsophis
ticated and ingenuous, ought to be counselled; I
may say informed, as to some of the facts of his
history; that they may see, who he is, that they
ought to avoid, detest, and shun, in all resem
blance, as they expect any thing like respectability
and success in life; and as they hope for the favor
of their Creator and the mercy of Jesus Christ,
our adorable Saviour,. Redeemer, and Lord, in
the world to come.
Paine was an Englishman, not—an American!
I say this with the more pleasure and emphasis,
because so often have the worst influences that
can debase the minds and the morals of our peo
ple, been only imported—foreign; not native, not
vernacular. Abner Kneeland, the Atheist; Ro
bert Dale Owen, who inculcated the fatalism of
“ circumstances ”„as the only deity he worshipped
or knew, and forgot to weight aright the “circum
stance” of his having to answer for his madness
at the judgment seat of Christ, abiding his award
of eternal destiny; and that peripatetic pseudo of
a philosopher, of the feminine gender, first person,
singular number, that came here some third of a
century ago, to teach and practise immorality in
all its best forms and most imposing impositions,
resembling Ninon D’Lenclos in every thing but
her refinement, her reserve, her selectness, her
taste, her real personal beauty, her social respecta
bility, her elevated circle of companions, and her
literary taste and eminence; denouncing marriage
with unutterable impiety; lecturing against it;
hooting at it; until—she found it peculiarly con
venient, in her circumstances, as an accidental
mother, when she invoked its protection, and be
came madame no matter who; and just be
fore this event, at the public theatre in Arch St.,
fortifying her infidelity by that of Jefferson —
which the audience had to endure, as they knew
it was a fact; advancing, she" quoted also the
great name of Franklin; and then, though roused
and angered at the calumny, her hearers bore it,
though it was an ugly bore to their, sensations and
their best convictions too, till she came, with
characteristic effrontery, this lovely piece of quasi
maidenhood and purity-—to complete her debased
triumvirate, by exclaiming—“ And Washington,
you all know, was an infidel! ” As they all knew
better—this was quite too much! the outburst
was stentorian and uproarious, contradicting her
falsehood. “ Washington was a Christian, we all
know that,” resounded from gallery, pit, box, and
lobbies, even, till she was confounded, and hissed,
and groaned, from the proscenium, where, if I re
member, the papers of the day declared, it was
a her last appearance before such a superstitious
and priest-ridden set,” as she called them. I have
named Kneeland, Owen, and Fanny Wright,
to make, with Paine added to them, a proper
qhadrumvirate of impiety and blasphemy; as
four specimens of imported abomination; not one of
them a native citizen of our country; yet, coming
here like the frogs of the Apocalypse, xvi. 13,14,
from the mouths respectively of the dragon, the
beast, the false prophet, all of Pio Nono’s estab
lishment, to teach the natives, and to make us all
as wise, as good, and as happy as themselves! It
is a fact, I think, generally true, that the leaders
of such impiety and profligate foolery in our na
tion, have been mainly foreigners; who venture to
do us all the damage they can, after having, in a
hurry, sometimes, all left their country for their
country’s good.
Paine web bom at Thetford, Norfolk, England,
1737, or 123 yearn ago. He died here, June Bth,
1809, in his seventy-third year, 51 years ago,
almost. He returned to England after our revolu
tion ; and after awhile, to escape a prosecution, fled
to France, then flaming with all the voleanie
eructations of the Reign of Terror. These conge
nial horrors so engaged him, that, just before
Robespierre and twenty-two others went to their
deserts, via the guillotine, with Couthou and St.
Just, July 28th, 1794, he was with them all—or,
possibly, with another gang of demons, just pre
viously sentenced to the same death. How he es
caped, I have never read in history. But, his own
aecount of it, as I received it, from a source most
credible and perfectly well informed by Paine
himself, I.reserve for my next paper. The emi
nent, and truly excellent citizen of New York,
known and well remembered there by thousands,
the late John Pintard, LL.D., my own personal
friend, was my informer; and I mainly regret
that, when so impressed and interested by his
narrative, I did not immediately note it down in
my journal —I have often regretted it; still, I can
recollect it so as virtually to reproduce it to my
readers, if the Lord will!
Samuel Hanson Cox.
Brooklyn, New York, March 14, 1860.
Worth Broad Street Church.—We had the plea
sure of participating in the public services of this new
church on last Sabbath, and were gratified at the
very hopeful appearance which the enterprise pre
sented. Rev. Mr. Adams has a numerous, intelli
gent, and attentive congregation to animate him in
his labors, comprising not a few individuals of long
established character for usefulness in the churches'
from whieh they have come, and who could only with
difficulty be spared from their former connexions.
Mr. Adams’ discourse in the morning was a lucid
and earnest presentation of great Gospel principles,
based upon Christ's words in Luke xii. 50: “But I
have a baptism to be baptized with, and how am I
straitened till it be accomplished.”
There is a Sabbath school, with an Infant school
attached, in connexion with the church, both of which
are in a flourishing condition. We were pleased to
see the “Church Psalmist” distributed upon the
benohes.
MINNESOTA CORRESPONDENCE.
Messes. Editobs:— l left you, with the lI “
pression, at the close of my last communication,
that I was rather driven, by what I regard
an oppressive necessity, to this lovely new countiy.
After a flying visit of exploration, on _
cast anchor at this point, I determined to avoid
the errors of my youth, in attempting to lift, above
my strength, at the progress; and, as
my youthful energies were #me, as I supposed,
I resolved to lean on others, and them the
benefit of my ; experience, man effort ou
churches and institutions of in this new
country. As I had determined not, again, to lay
myself liable to oppressive interference, m relation
to the channel of aid in my operations; and as a
large circle of personal friends in Cincinnati, In
dianapolis and Chicago, bad aided pioneer efforts
on their own responsibilities, I applied to them,
in the order named, and found them all otherwise
engaged. Never before, have I had greater need
for youthful vigor; nor have I been so uniformly
disappointed in my expectations from others, as
since embarking for. this country. Not in my
early pioneer efforts at Crawfordsville, did I even,
for so long a time together, work so hard with my
own hands, to beep my. family from coming to
want. Destitute of all foreign aid, it seemed as
though I was hedged up to it. I might, it is true,
have had money from rich friends, to speculate
on, .for a per centum, as others have done; but I:
promptly said no; I will not be entangled- with
claim quarrels nor land jobbing. These:would
ruin me, as a minister. Owing to unanticipated
difficulties on the way hither, my outfitting and
travelling expenses were more than double of my
anticipations —amounting to about 1700. I ex
pected help here on my arrival, in the way of
bonded promises, as that was mainly all the means
■of the country; which, owing to ‘‘conflicting
titles,” have proved an almost entire failure. In
the meantime, I anticipated, for a while, that the
exorbitant prices of bread-stuffs—flour at from
§ll to $l5 per barrel, and other things in pro
portion, and, what was worse still, the more ex
orbitant rates of interest on money, from 3-to 10
per cent, per month- —would devour all my re
maining means, notwithstanding my persevering
efforts. After applying in'vain, also, to our own
Church committee for aid, I was''compelled to
yield, finally, to the earnest solicitations of my
people, and permit them to make application to
the Society that I had determined never to stand
connected with again, in that relation; in order to
what some of them supposed to be a
movement, in another direction, calculated to un
dermine me. More than two years have now
passed since this connexion was formed again, and
what do you, or the public, know of Mankato or
its surroundings, from my correspondence through
that channel ? But a brighter day is, perhaps,
ahead. The dawning seems to appear. It may
be, that through your personal influence, I may
yet gain a hearing for this interesting ouUpost upon
one of the high places of the field, and for the in
cipient efforts, in this wide North-west, to establish
the institutions of learning and religion.
Five years ago, there was almost nothing done
in this region, to break the monotony of the ever
recurring native grandeur of our forests and wide
rolling prairies. Neither roads, bridges nor houses.
The entire white population, in the country, did
not probably exceed 200; whilst there were, pro
bably, from five to ten times that number of Sioux
wandering, about on their own hunting grounds.
And to add to our vexation, the Government lo
cated upon the southern part of the country; an
other tribe —the Winnebagoes—after having once
extinguished the Indian title, and having thrown
the country open to settlement, and white settlers
were actually upon those lands. In the mean
time, I had been a year at this post, literally, “in
advance of all others.” There were six or eight
families in the village when I arrived, with about
as many tenements —most of them of a rude cha
racter. . A little school had been taught by a young
lady—a daughter of one of these families—in an
unfinished room, 14 by 18 feet; a small Sabbath
school gathered, and a singing-class or choir formed :
so that this place has never been, since its first
settlement, without these valuable appliances. My
first sermon was preached in this same little: room
above spoken of, on the last Sabbath in February,
1854—just six years ago—-to a congregation of
about 20 persons. And on inquiry, I found
amongst them, five or six who bad been members
of the Presbyterian Church, which included all
the professors of religion that X could, at that time,
find in the community.
Yours Respectfully, . Jas. Thomson.
Mankato, March Ist, I 860.:
EDITOR’S TABLE.
THE INTUITIONS OF THE MIND INDUCTIVELY
INVESTIGATED. By the Rev. James M'Costa, LE D.
Professor of Logic and Metaphysics in Queens Col
lege, Belfast, Ireland; author of « Method oi the Di
vine Government,” &c. New York, I 860: Robert
. Carter 4 Brothers. Philadelphia: W. S. &A. Martien.
Bvo. pp. SO4.
This is a valuable treatise on metaphysics. Dr.
M‘Gosh takes position between the sensuous and
transcendental systems of philosophy. He places
himself equidistant from the empiricism of Locke,
and the idealism of Kant. He applies the Ba
conian method of induction to the known laws and
principles of mind, as we do to material science.
There is in his theory an inner sense to which our
emotional and mental activities become objective.
In onr varied mental phenomena are to be found
the material out of which the internal sense will
construct a science as real as that discovered by
the natural senses from the material and physical
facts of the world without. Bis views of con
science and free will are very much the same as
taught and defended by Coleridge, Dr. James
Marsh and other theologians and metaphysicians
of that class. . They are philosophical. and Scrip
tural, and conform to the rational principles of
man’s nature as well as to the teachings of reve
lation. Metaphysics is the mother of all science
and rational knowledge; and real progress in phi
losophical inquiry has an important bearing upon
all forms of knowledge, and serves to exhibit the
real harmony that must exist between true science,
philosophy and true religion.
TOM BROWN AT OXFORD. A Sequel to School
Days at Rugby: By Thomas Hughes, Author of
“ School Days at Rugby,” «< Scouring of the White
Horse,” &c. Part IV. Price 12 cents. For sale bv
J. B. Lippincott & Co. 1
THE CHRISTIAN LAWYER. Being a Portraiture of
the Life ana Character of William George Baker
New York: Carleton and Porter. For sale bv
kinpine & Higgins, Philadelphia, • r '
This volume is the memoir of a legal gentle
man oi Baltimore, who died at the age of forty
five, haying not only acquired a valuable legal
reputation, but endeared himself to the public
by his Christian efforts to promote education
and institutions of charity and benevolence. The
book contains many valuable suggestions to the
young man who would be a good lawyer, and a
faithful Christian.
apHT op dan young, a new eng-
AtJT OBIOGR APHYO* _ OLDE N TIME. By
I, AND PEN AC York: Carlton and Porler.
W.P. Strickland. ggins , Philadelphia.
For sale by Perkmpine & Higgi
• Dan Young wan one of the early converts
and pioneers of Methodism in New England^
Ha had natnrally a strong mind and determ, oed
purpose, self-reliant, self-confident and self- dn
cated. -He felt assured of the correetnesso his
own opinions, ah'd of his ability to defend them;
and never shrank from enconnter, and always
appeared to himself tobe victorious * and judging
from his not altogether modest account of his
achievements, he was evidently one of nature’s
giants, well developed by. ft* P**"
stances of his times. .He figured - the. varied
capacities of a Methodist preacher, legislator,
senator, and man of the world. He tells many
LiderM anecdotes of his own experience and
observation, and records no little good
He was evidently an.honest andgoodman, and
had the peenKar that give a hmd
of success. The book will be read with the
greater interest by the Methodmte,ibnt there
are many things in it that will commend it to
the attention of others.
tITTiE SONGS FOR LTTTLE PEOPLE. With Nu-
PhiladdpMa: PerMnpiae & Higgu«,.« North 4th St.
This is a new collection of old. songs for chil
dren. It is neatly printed and bound, andbeau
tifully illustrated. It is a pleasant book for
the nursery.
THE STORY OF A POCKET BIBLE. A Book for
all classes of Readers. Ten inusteUons. NewYor .
Carlton & Porter. Philadelphia: Ferkinpine & Hig
gins- »
This is an abridged edition-of a very popular
and interesting book. It is an imaginary de
tail of the success and influence of one Bible, as
it passed from hand to hand till it returned again
to its original owner. It contains an impres
sive and valuable lesson.
HIDDEN TREASURE; or, tho. Secret of Success m
Life. By Miss Sarah A. Babcock. Four illustrations.
New York: Carlton & Porter. Philadelphia: Perkin
pine & Higgins, 56 North 4th Street.
This is an attractive narrative in which is
practically illustrated the excellent virtue of be
neficence, and the penalty of covetousness. It
is interesting as a story, and its lessons will in
culcate systematic beneficence, more imj^
and effectually than the best essay on the sub-
ject.
Foreign Catalogues.— -We are indebted to
Mr. Fred. Leypoldt, 1328 Chestnut Street, for
valuable catalogues of recent French and Ger
man publications, which are for sale at his
store as above.
THE HOI.Y 8181/E, Containing the Old and the New
Testaments. Translated out of the Original Tongues,
and with the former Translations diligently Compared
and Revised. In which all the Proper Names are Di
vided and Accented as they should be: Pronounced,
and a Copious and Original Selection of■ References
and Numerous Marginal Readings are given, together
with an Introduction to each Book, and Numerous
Tables and Maps. Imperial Bvo. pp. 1017. New
York: Carlton & Porter. For sale by Perkinpine &
Higgins, No. 56 North Fourth street.
The distinguishing value of this new family
„Bible is that it gives the correct and authentic
pronunciation of each proper name, dividing
the syllables, and placing the accent upon the
proper syllable. It is claimed also that the
marginal references have been enlarged and cor
rected, and made to serve better the, purposes
of a concordance. Each book also is prefaced
with a historical and synoptical introduction..
It is. neatly prmted- aoil firinly bonnd, aod^well—-
adapted for common use as a family Bible.
LIFE’S EVENING; or, Thoughts for the Aged. By
the author of “Life’s Morning,” etc. Boston: J. E.
Tilton & Co. * For sale at the Presbyterian Bookstore,
1334 Chestnut street, Philadelphia.
This little volume-contains several short and
well-written articles well calculated to instruct,
cheer, comfort and bless the aged pilgrim.
HOLMBY HOUSE—A tale of Northamptonshire. Bvo.
paper. By G. j. Whyte Melville. Boston: Ticknor
& Fields. Philadelphia:, J. B. Lippineott & Co.
Ticknor & Fields are publishing a uniform
edition of standard and popular novels. This
is the second number of the series. It is put
up in paper covers at 50 cents.
BOOKS RECEIVED.
We have received the following new publica
tions, which we will examine and notice farther
next week;
ACHAIA; or, Studies of the Cosmogony and Natural
History of the .Hebrew Scriptures. By J. W. Janson,
LL. D. F. G. S. Montreal: B. Dawson &“ Son. Phi
ladelphia: Smith, English & Co.
THE LIFE OF DANIEL WILSON, D. D., Bishop of
■ Calcutta, and Metropolitan of India. ■By Josiah Bate
man, M. A. With Portraits, Maps and Illustrations.
Boston: Gould & Lincoln. Philadelphia: Smith,
English & Co.
THE PURITANS; or, The Church, Court, and Parlia
ment of England, During the Reigns of Edward YI.
and Queen Elizabeth. By Samuel Hopkins. In Three
Volumes. Vol. H. Boston : Gould & Lincoln. For
Sale by Smith, , English & Co., Philadelphia.
LUTHER ON GALATIANS. A Commentary on St.
Raul's Epistle to. the Galatians. By Marlin Luther.
To which is prefixed Tischer’s Life of Luther,
abridged; a short Sketch of the Lire of Zuingle, as
also, a Discourse on the Glorious Reformation. By
S. S. Schmucker, D. D. Philadelphia: Smith, Eng
lish&Co.
CHRISTIANITY IN THE FIRST CENTURY; or, the
New, Birth of the Eoeial Life of Man through the rising
of Christianity. By Chr. Hoffmann. Translated from
the German. Edinburgh: T. &T. Clark. Philadel
phia: Smith, English & Co.
THE GENIUS AND DESIGN OF THE DOMESTIC
CONSTITUTION, with its Untransferable Obligations
smd Peculiar Advantages. By Christopher Aiiderson.
New York: Robert Carter & Brother. For Sale by
W. S. & A. Martien, Philadelphia.
JAQUELINE PASCAL; or a Glimpse of Convent Life
at Port Royal. From the French of M. Victor Cousin,
M. Prosper Fouqere, M. Virut, and other sources.
Translated by H. N. With an introduction by W. R.
AViUiyms, D. D. New York: Robert Carter & Brother.
Philadelphia : W« S. & A* Martien.
THE COMPLAINT; or Night Thoughts on Life, Death,
mid Immortality. By Edward Young, LL. D. New
York: Robert Carter & Brothers. Philadelphia : W*
S. & A. Martien.
China and a Hew York Prayer Meeting.—ln
noticing the John Street Union Prayer Meeting in
New York, on Saturday, the M inst., Rev. E. L. Janes
Maelay, of China, was present, and
remiested that the four hundred millions of the sons
ot tshem might have an interest:in the prayers daily
ascendmg from John Street Church. He said they
had heard in China of this prayer meeting, and talked
about it, and felt its influence. The converts there
seot their Christian salutations to all in the United
States who love our Lord Jesus Christ, and he felt a
peculiar pleasure in presenting them to the John Street
Pf'-A o£grace fie said was in progress
m the mission field. Converts were multiplying, and
were being formed into classes. He was desired to
Dear this message from them to American Christians :
come, and tell ns more of the word of life;’ a" d
oiqmen said to him,'As he bade them a temporary
iareweii, We want yon to come back and tell us mow
°t these new doctrinesand they sent letters ahead
which reached the pity before him, urging his return
soon: trod, in his providence, said the noble-hearted
missionary, is opening up the whole of that vast em
pire tor the entrance and achievements of Christ'.'
unity!*' : ,; - v
March T