r 134 fmlrgtttiatt THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 1800. B. C. HOUGHTON, ) JOHN W-HEARS, ] EOITORS ASSOCIATED WITH ALBERT BARNES. I GEORGE DUFFIELDJ*. THOMAS BBAINERD, JOHN JENKINS, HENRY BARLING, • THOMAS J. SHEPHERD, THE TRUE DISCIPLE. The conversion of a sinner is the most interest ing and important event in the history of earth. The rise and fall of empires, except as it may be related to the progress or decline of Christia nity, is an insignificant occurrence compared with the rescue of-one soul from the dominion of Satan. Such an event may be overlooked by the men of the worlds yet it is announced in heaven as an item of joyful intelligence, and the news gives a fresh impulse to the transports of angels. It pro duces a change in man's character for all his im mortal existence. It is to him the commencement of n new oOurae of moral action, and produces an entire revolution in his thoughts, and feelings, ahd purposes. It places before him a new object of pursuit, and brings him under the sway of a new olassof moral emotions, and at length invests Win with an unfading crown. His first inquiry, when be has experienced the love of Jesus is, «Ijotd, what wilt thou have me to do?” Some either believe, or act as if they believed, that one can be religious by proxy. They cherish the hope that the piety of a father or mother, a husband or a wife, or a friend may avail for them; or, at least, that union with the church by baptism, or by their own profession, will secure for them a passport to the Divine favor. The true disciple, however, has not so learned Christ. lie realizes that religion is a personal' matter, that be must experience it for himself, else the advantages arising from churoh privileges, or pious assoeia* tions, will only aggravate his guilt and condemna tion. As eaoh one must give an account of him- 4Mlt4#tjgad, be believes must for himself be interested in the mediation of Jesns, elso he will not be able to stand in the judgment. The emi nent holiness of ancestors and friends, or member ship in the visible church, he knows will avail him nothing, if destitute of the Spirit of Christ. To slcure the favor of God and a mansion in the skies, the sinner must repent, and believe, and obey for himself. The Jews supposed their relation to Abraham, in itself, allied them to God as his children, but John exposed their error, by saying, « Bring forth, therefore, fruits meet for repentance, and think not to say within yourselves, we have Abraham to our father.” Others, overlooking this vital truth, concern themselves, mainly, in finding fault with their neighbors. They think only of the delinquencies of others, instead of rectifying their own. They are acute in discerning a mote in a brother’s eye, and yet are ignorant of the beam in their own. JJhey read the Bible and hear the gospel preached, not for their own profit, but to ascertain its adapta tions to the case of others. They are seldom in that state of mind that prompted the language, “Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth.” The genuine child of God is actuated by a very differ ent spirit. He inquires with anxiety from day to day,-what God would have him to do, and he en joys no spiritual peace unless he is walking in the fear of God, and comfort of the Holy Ghost. Saul of Tarsus recognised this truth, when he inquired, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” He feltjhe had something to do to show forth the praises of Him who had called him to glory and virtue— .something to do, not to procure his justification, or to merit heaven, but to testify his gratitude to Him who loved him and gave himself for him, and rose again for his justification. The true disciple makes the written word the rule of bis life. He not only believes God, he believes His word, and regulates his heart and life by its teachings. “My sheep,” said Jesus, “hear my voice, and I know them, and they fol low sje. They know not the voice of strangers.” The maxims of the world, the suggestions of his own mind, even his pious frames and sincere and conscientious convictions, arc all brought to the test of this infallible standard. “ There is a way which seemeth right to a man, bat the end thereof are the ways of death;” hence, he regards his sincere and honest convictions, reliable and safe guides, only as they are warranted by the inspired volume. The decisions of councils and the unani mous consent of the fathers, if this could be dis covered, would be rejected, if they conflicted with the teachings of prophets and apostles, who spake and wrote as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. A desire to know the truth as it is in Jesus, which prompts to appropriate efforts, and a purpose, by the grace of God, to walk in the truth, is a very deoisive evidence of discipleship. Where this feeling and determination do not control the mind, and heart, and actions, this is a clear indication that the person has not been born from above. “ He that aaith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is. not in him.” When duty is clearly made known by the written word, illuminated and enforced by the divine Spirit and providence, the real child of God does not confer with flesh and blood, but immediately obeys the heavenly message. Obedience may require 'sacrifices and self-denials, but it is nevertheless cordially rendered. He has wholly yielded his mind to the teachings of his new Master, and bis will to His authority. He knows he is not his own; and, that being bought with a price, he ought to glorify God in his body and spirit, which are God's* His devotion to his Redeemer has the unequivocal stamp of genuineness. It is cordial. What he does —he does it heartily as unto the Lord. His love is not in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth. It is universal. It re gards all the requirements of God. He who is governed by such a spirit of obedience, does not perform this duty and neglect that. His expe rience corresponds with-that of the Psalmist, when he says: “I esteem all thy, precepts concerning all things to be right, and I bato every false way ” It \s> perpetual. His obedience is not fitful. He knows of no time when he may cease to watch and p la y*-no time when he is released from the claims of the divine law— do season during his earthly sojourn when he is safe from the suggestions of his own corrupt heart, or the assault of his spiri tual adversary—hence bi» daily prayer is: “ Hold 3?hoti me up, and I shall be safe; and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.” Having thus voluntarily consecrated himself to God to be His servant for time and eternity, the votary of pleasure may regard him as haying taken a vow that dooms him to a life of asceticism, and that henceforth he is to be a stranger to all the joys and pleasures of life—that no smile hereafter is ever to radiate his countenance, rather, that the sad and gloomy aspect of the recluse is to be his earthly portion. Would that we could dispossess the ungodly of this pernicious prejudice! The very reverse is true, as the experience of , tens of thousands proves. No moment in the history of man is so full of bliss, as that when he receives Christ and tastes his love —no joy so pure and satisfying as that which be experiences when he rejoices in hope of the glory of God. In all the future stages of his being, whether in time or eter nity, he will ever revert to the hour in which he devoted himself to the Saviour and His cause with peculiar delight, and say: “Oh! happy day that fixed my choice On thoe, my Saviour and my God; Well may this glowing heart rejoice, And tell its rapture all abroad.” Were all" the professing disciples of Christ His true followers, how efficient and joyful would they be in His service! Very many, we fear, have only the form of godliness, and a large number are living beneath their privileges as the children of God, while here and there we witness a solitary burning and shining light. Notwithstanding so much is being done in the present day by faithful preaching and Union Prayer Meetings and other means, to elevate the tone of piety in 4he church, very much yet remains to be done. The diffusion of a spirit of brotherly love and of active and cheer ful piety would, as a means, do much to convince the impenitent, of the reality and blessedness of religion, and to persuade them to cast in their lot with the people of God. May such a spirit be speedily shed down upon the church by her glo rious Head, and being thus quickened, she will call on His name, and arise and shine, and the Gentiles shall come to her light, and kings to the brightness of his rising! MODERN MARTYRDOM. What matters it, if we are not compelled to pass through the antiquated ordeals of fire and sword in testifying to the reality of our religious convic tions? Or if the boots and thumb-screws applied so remorselessly and so vainly to our Covenanter ancestors, are no longer threatened against refrac tory Presbyterians; or if our homes are secure against drugonnades and inquisitorial visits? The age of persecutions in the civilized world has passed, but with it does not disappear the age of martyrdom. Men are still called on at great suf fering and loss to testify for principle. They must frequently choose between sacrificing their religion, or to a great extent their worldly inte rests; and this, without violence to language, may be termed martyrdom. One of these opportunities, or inodes of mar tyrdom, occurs in the arena of business. It is the choice which a man of business is called upon to make, perhaps many times over in a short period, between a sense of perfect rectitude, and an op portunity to advance his pecuniary interests by deviations, more or less extensive, from the path of rectitude. We do not so much refer to separate instances, as to the whole.course of business. We mean the necessity of choosing between a course of perfect rectitude, which often leads to disappoint ments, partial successes, sometimes total failure to attain wealth, and a time-serving, occasionally unscrupulous, little too severe dealing with his fellow then, as one much more certain to lead speed ily to wealth. Honesty is, doubtless, in the long run, the best policy, but there are long and dark and dreary periods in the history of many a busi ness man, during which every thing seems to point to a doctrine quite the reverse. To main tain one’s honesty, while as yet the policy of it is an article of faith and nothing more, and when every consideration of mere policy would tempt to a sacrifice of principle, this is to carry out the spirit of the confessor. To postpone the attainment of wealth, to continue painfully struggling amid pro tracted embarrassments, to carry a load of indebt edness at great sacrifice for the sake of our credi tors, when it would be far more comfortable to ourselves to throw up our bands and let our af fairs take the course to which they have been gravi tating; this requires a degree of Christian nerve quite capable of facing the sword, the stake or the rack. We verily believe there have been and are now, Christian men who, for the sake of principle are undergoing anxieties and mental tortures to which the bodily tortures of the rack are scarcely a parallel, and from which they would feel death even in a violent form, to be a real relief. In what essential respects, does the renouncing of my property at the call of the inquisitor, differ from yielding it up for the satisfaction of my creditors, if in both cases, not necessity but a high-souled preference for principle required it? Is not the one equally a martyrdom with the other? To meet such emergencies, do we not need to cultivate the spirit of the old confessors in ourselves, our wives and our families, almost as much as if we expected the dragoons of the Bourbons or of Claverhouse to be let loose upon us? Every age of the world demands among Chris tians the cultivation of the martyr spirit, and this humane age, with its trading, money-making, spe culating, making-haste-to-be-rich aims, demands it as much as any other. Fraud and wrong and injustice have insinuated themselvescso cunningly and so firmly into the crevices of business that it requires a quick and healfhy conscience—a pecu liar singleness of eye—to deteqt them, and strong treatment to dislodge them. Christianity indeed will purify the business pursuits of men and make their merchandise and their hire, holiness to the Lord, but every work of reform has its martyrs, and ere this stupendous reform is accomplished, many an instance of patient, heroic suffering known only to God or to a narrow circle of friends will have occurred, many a name unknown on earth will be.set down by the recording angel upon the illustrious roll of the noble army of martyrs, above. In this connection we are glad to learn that two of our best known Pastors in this and a neighbour ing city are preaching a thorough course of sermons on the bearing of Christianity on the bu siness pursuits of men.. - A Church of Native Christians in Ma dras.—A “native church” has been regularly formed in Madras, and the Rev. P. Rajahgopaul settled over it as pastor. The number of native communicants in full church standing is eighty seven; and the chureh has begun on a regular system to-raise funds for the support of gospel ordinances among themselves. The foundation of a church has been laid, the walls are already beginning to rise above the ground, and we hope soon to have a suitable and commodious building in which our Christian people may meet together for the Bolemn worship of God. It is right to say that the church is designed as a memorial of the late lamented John Anderson, and that the funds have been supplied almost wholly by friends t gnttitw of the mission in Britain.— Record of Free Church of Scotland. LIBERALITY COMMENDED. To chronicle good deeds, is one of the agreeable incidents of editorial duty. It is with satisfac tion, therefore, that wo call attention to the ac knowledgment of moneys received by our Publica tion Committee during the past forty days, which has been handed us for insertion, and will be found in its appropriate place. Without dis paraging the gifts of other places, to this enter prise of the denomination, it is but justice to award to our Philadelphia friends the commenda tion which they deserve for the manfulness and liberality with which they have stood by our Ge neral Assembly’s Committee of Publication. Like the Church Erection Fund, to which our churches have-given an endowment of one hundred thou sand dollars, this is an undertaking in which capital must be had before any great results are achieved. The purchase of the Presbyterian House seemed, for a while, to be an obstacle to the Committee’s success. It wore a local aspect, and did not call forth lively sympathy or large donations. The difficulty was recognised and the obstacle removed, by our friends in this city, by the purchase of the House and the contribution of ten thousand dol lars for the relief of the embarrassments of the,! Publication Committee. It was hoped that the Church generally would now come to the support of this cause, and give the Committee a moderate endowment. Something was done. Many of the feeblest of our churches contributed liberally of their poverty; and of the stronger churches, some gave to the Committee substantial aM. Yet, the truth must be confessed, that amid calls of benevo lence, this call, left to the pastors and the churches themselves, had, in most of onr churches, the go-by. . - The Committee, in the meanwhile, were not in active. It was meeting-the demands of actual existence, and receiving and obeying instructions of the Assembly calling for large outlay. One of three courses must be pursued; either the Com mittee must stand still and be swamped by neces sary expenses, or fail and dishonor the Church, or go forward. The first would be ruinous, the second disgraceful, the third only is the course that will meet the approval of the Committee’s constituents, aiKl this is the ground upon which it stands. As the Committee’s year drew to a close, it became manifest that the small con tributions of the churches would not carry the cause safely through. A few friends in Phila delphia met for consultation, and determined that the credit of, the denomination and the interests of religion demanded a special effort. The ac knowledgment of the present month, and that published a month since, are part of the fruits of this honorable determination to stand in the breach and support the honor of the body. It would be a very easy thing to carry on this branch of our work as a Church of Christ without laying great burdens on any. If each congrega tion would simply put it upon the docket and take up its contribution, small or great, all that is needful could be done. Why cannot our sessions see that it is done? INDUSTRIAL HOME FOR GIRLS. It is well known that there is in every large city a numerous class of females, who have left the path of virtue an.d happiness, and who. wander wearily in the midnight darkness of sin and misery. Most of our happy, virtuous wives a A daughters would draw their garments closer around them to avoid contact with any one of these, and turn them from their doors with indignation and contempt. Ten years ago, it was estimated that 20,000 of these women were in the city of New York alone. Half that number, at least, may be supposed to exist now in our own city. With the limited ef forts that are yet made to reach them, not more than one hundred and fifty in any one year are induced to enter the asylum provided for them. In looking with despair at the vast numbers left to accomplish their own destruction of body and soul, the question arises, CaDnot more be done to reach them earlier —before they are entangled in this web of evil? Cannot the ranks from which they chiefly come, be entered, and the little girls taken and saved, before they are old enough to begin the life they are sure to live if left to them selves ? And for just this purpose there is a society which is working unobtrusively, but steadily and hope fully. The Industrial Home for Girls is trying to do just this work. It receives girls from eleven years old to eighteen—whether brought there by policemen, as vagrants, placed there by parents unwilling or unable to care for them, or by those interested in them because they are homeless or worse. It takes none who have fallen, but aDy who are in danger of falling.; It gives them a home, with instruction in household work, sew ing, reading, writing, &o.; and as soon as they aae fitted, provides them with carefully selected plaees (generally in the country) until they are of age. . The society is little known, and its means are very limited; but there, are not a few, even now, in the infancy of its existence, who have been taken from the streets, or from wretched houses, that were homes, and changed from dirty, ragged, vicious children, into quiet, modest, useful girls. A few of them have given evidence that their hearts have been turned to God; and more have shown that the seeds of truth have lodged deep, and will bear fruit in time to come.' But the managers want more means to extend their operations by taking, a large house, in which they may accommodate a greater number of girls, and keep them for a longer time. They desire earnestly also to have a house with* sufficient ground for a garden, so that the girls may have air and exercise without going beyond the limits of the establishment. For this increase of means they appeal to the public, firmly believing that if tbeir object, their plan, their necessities, and their encouragement for the work are once fairly made known, there cannot, in this community, be a lack of sympathy or substantial aid. -Donations of any kind will be gratefully re ceived at tbe Home, No. 321 South Thirteenth Street, below Spruce, and contributions can be sent to tbe Treasurer, 1204 Chestnut Street, or to James T. Shinn, N. E. cor. of Broad and Spruce Street. CLIFTON HALL. We call attention to the advertisement of Dr. R. A. Given, in this day’s paper. Dr. G. has the entire confidence of some of our leading physicians, and the Institution is worthy of general patronage. In the Board of Supervision will be found ,the names of some of our most reliable citizens. ' pride often grows with the decrease of other sins, and thrives by their decay. For the American Presbyterian. “HISTORY OF NORRISTOWN ” COR- RECTEB. We have lately seen a book purporting to. be the history of Norristown, ro which are a variety of statements that may be regarded of an in teresting character to concerned in them. It will, no doubt, be entitled to respect and con sideration in proportion as it is fouud to be truth ful and impartial. We have not read the whole of it; nor indeed were we anxious to do so after we had looked at some portions in which we felt an especial interest It is needless to say that we could feel no great confidence m the general cor rectness of the work after.we had noticed a variety of mistakes touching one particular subject. That such mistakes or misrepresentations exist gene rally throughout the we are unable to say. Upon one page, we counted six of them, and we can only excuse the writer in the belief that he sought and received his j information from those whom Ke very properly regarded as competent persons, and well able to give correct statements for permanent history... >v All we feel concerned about at the present time, is what we find recorded on page .62, and relating to the history of the First Presbyterian church of f Norristown, fjpm the year 1838 till it was seized upon by .rim Old School party and brought into the 2d of Philadelphia. Some of these mistakes we regard as of no im portance. Others are of great importance, and should, for a variety of "reasons, be carefully cor rected. We shall not notice them in their order, but we will endeavor to gjive a consecutive view of actual facts, such as may be for the benefit of all who feel interested in them. It is , now twenty-two years since most of the events referred to, transpired; but yet they are as fresh in the memory o# some persons who were actors in the scenes, as if they were but yesterday. We regret that certain important papers relating to the subject, have been lost or mislaid, and that to others we have not ready access; but we are, nevertheless, happy tojjnd that all which we re gard as necessary to corroborate our statement, is fully recorded on the mjnutes of the General As sembly, the Synod of Pennsylvania', and the 3d Presbytery of Philadelphia. -Perhaps it may befell to remind the reader that there were two gr<gat parties in the General Assembly previous touss3B, and the sympathies of eSch were well defined. The church of Norris town always belonged to what is now called the New School party. It sympathized and co-ope rated with such men as Rev. James P. Wilson, D. D., Rev. James Patterson, Dr. Skinner, and others. And the senior Elder, Robert Hamill, Esq.: —the father of the church—was known and regarded as,a New School man. He was a mem ber of the General Assembly of 1836, where he acted strongly in Rev. Albert Barnes, and when the time came, voted to sustain him. For a few years previous to 1838, we had the best means of was the general feel ing of the congregation in Norristown. There was scarcely an Old School person in the society. We know not of more than one family, where the “Presbyterian” (Old School) was taken, while the “Philadelphian” (New School) was received by a goodly number ofWbscribers : so that there wasno violence unnatural, efforts made to bring the church orer to the New School'party of 1838. It found iti appropriate position, as much so as Mr. Chandler**,'Mr. Patterson’s, or the 3d,'Church of Philadelphia; and even had there been no disturbance m reference to the settlement of Mr. Gould, it is hardly possible to see how it could have been retained for the Old School side after the great division Mr. Gould did not make the church New School. His predecessor, Rev. Robert Adair, did not make it so. It was so before"' 1 And it would have re mained so to this day,."had it not been for inte rested strangers who, .finding a position in the borough, laid their plans to seize, in an evil hour, what.no more belonged-to them than did the Me thodist or Baptist churches of the place. The simple facts m the these:—When the church was vacant! at the close of 1837, Mr. Samuel M. Gould, from ! a Presbyterian Theological Seminary, was invited to supply for one Sabbath, Dee. 25th, 1837- Thifc resulted in his becoming a'candidate f#r settlement, and learning that Dr. Jbhn M‘Dowell and Dd 0.-0. Cuyler were a com mittee on credentials, he called upon them, pre sented his papers, was examined by them, and re ceived permission to dojas the church desired him to do. This resulted in his having a unanimous call to become the pastry—Dr. Cnyler presiding at the meeting; and helping to make out the call. Mr. Gould then ma|e application to join the Presbytery with a to accepting the call. This m eeting was b'eld in Philadelphia, February, 1838, and Mr. Ulrich Schlater was the elder ap pointed to prosecute thelcall. But to the surprise of many, the application to join the Presbytery was rejected by a strict jiarty vote* and Mr. Gould's papers were returned toihim. No specific reasons were assigned for this stjepj but Bev. Dr. Niel, of Germantown, was appointed to preach the next Sabbath, and inform this people of Norristown in reference to the action fk the Presbytery. This; of course, produced much excitement in the Society, and the, consisting; of Robert; Hainill;' Ulrich Schlateif'Win. Powell, and Dart'd Getty, met at the housf of Mr. Haniill and took immediate order upon fjie subject, and also pre . pared a set of resolutions to be offered to the con gregation the following Sabbath. Dr. Niel appeared, and made his statements to the congregation. He said; in substance, that he regretted the state of things which existed—that we had fallen upon evil times, and that had Mr. Gould come from Princeton instead of New York, there would have been no difficulty whatever—that the whole thing was a party movement for self preservation, with other' words of like import. After the sermon, Wm. Powell, ESq., came for ward, and presented the above named resolutions; which were to the effect that the congregation still had full confidence in Mr. Gould—’that they would appeal, and complain to the next General Assembly, and retain his services till that time. These resolutions were adopted by, the whole con gregation rising; and tbps Dr. Niel went home in the afternoon, and preached in the ' f Nothing more of impfrtance transpired till the spring meeting of the |d Presbytery, when the whole subject was discussed, and a Presbyterial letter sent to the congregation. This was respect fully received;'a public meeting was called on a week day evening, and there was a full attendance of the congregation. The letter was here read commented upon, and resolutions, more decided than the former ones, w^re-passed. Prom these resolutions,, especially that which related to join ing the 8d Presbytery of Philadelphia, Mr. Schlater strongly dissented; but no regard being paid to Ms opinions pr feelings) he resigned his eldership, and joined a German lteformed ehurch. Thus matters remained quiet till the meeting of the General Assembly. But before the appeal of the Session, as directed by the congregation, could be issued, the Assembly had divided into two parts, each claiming to be the true General Assembly, and each equally worthy, no doubt, in the sight of God. 'Of course the Session carried its papers to the Assembly meeting in the Ist Presbyterian church of Philadelphia. But as the 2d Presbytery did not appear with its records, it did not seem, at first, that any action could be taken upon the subject; and to join the 3d Pres bytery of Philadelphia without the action of Synod, was decided to be irregular. The following is found in the Minutes of the General Assembly of 1838: “The appeal, from the church of Norristown, from the 2d Presbytery of Philadelphia, was taken up. “ The Records of the inferior judicatory not being present, the consideration of the case was referred to, the next General Assembly, and the Presby tery was directed to send up its Records that the ease might be issued.” This would have embarrassed the action of the Session had it not been for the formation of a new Synod, to which the whole subject was referred. The erection of this Synod became expedient from the circumstances of the times, and was as regular as any action taken by either Assembly. By re ferring to the Records, it will be seen that it was formed upon the application of members from several Presbyteries; and the minute in reference to it, we find upon page 657, and is as follows: ‘'Resolved, That the ministers and congre gations belonging to the Presbytery of Wil mington, Lewes, Philadelphia- 2d, Philadelphia, ■33, Carlisle, Huntingdon and Northumberland, be and they are hereby set off from the Synod of Philadelphia, and erected into a new Synod, to be called the Synod of Pennsylvania; that they hold their first meeting in the eleventh Presbyterian Übnrch, in the city of Philadel phia, on the seeond Wednesday of July next, at 11 o’clock, A. M., to be opened with a sermon by Rev. E. W. Gilbert.” . This action of the Assembly placed the case of the Norristown Church in a new light, and the resolution in reference to it was repealed, as may be seen on page 661 of the minutes. “ On motion the resolutions referring the ap peal of the Session of the Church of Norris town from a decision of the second Presbytery of Philadelphia, to the next General Assembly, was reconsidered.” The course was now plain for the people of Norristown. The subject being referred to the Synod of Pennsylvania, which was to meet in July, it only remained for them to wait the ac tion of that body. What this action was we see by the records of the Synod after it was formed. It is of no consequence whether the church of Norristown took any further order upon the subject or not. They still belonged to the second Presbytery. The General Assembly had resolved to form a new Synod, of which the second Presbytery was a part. The session re cognised the authority of this Assembly, and sent its elder to the Synod which met in Phila delphia the second Wednesday of July, 1838, This Synod had the’power to transfer a church from one Presbytery to another, and in order for the “adjudication” of the case it transferred the church of Norristown according to their re quest from the second to the third P/esbytery of Philadelphia. This was all regular, —all con stitutional, &ad ihe Church, of Norristown ac quiesced in the matter without the least dissent from any one. The action of the Synod In reference to the transfer of the church we regard as interesting and important, and we therefore give it in full. Philadelphia, July 11 th, 1838. “The First Presbyterian Church of Norris town, Pa., through their representative, Mr. David Getty, placed before the Synod the ac tion of that church and congregation relative to their eeelesiastical connexions, requesting that the Synod would transfer their Presbyte rial relations from the 2d to the 3d Presbytery of Philadelphia. It appeared from the records that a similar request had been made to the 2d Presbytery of Philadelphia, which decided that it appertained to the Synod to alter the rela tionships of the churches from one to another Presbytery —whereupon the session of that church made a formal request to Synod to make said transfer. The Synod ealled upon the 2d Presbytery to state ahy objection, (if any ex isted,) why the request should not be granted, and the 2d Presbytery making no objection it was • “ Resolved, That the request of the First Pres byterian church of Norristown, Pa., be, and the same is hereby granted, and that their Presby terial connexion hereafter shall be with the 3d Presbytery of Philadelphia.” - The church was now regularly and constitu tionally under the care of the 3d Presbytery of Philadelphia, which had been formed by the ac tion of the General Assembly in 1836. This Presbytery met at the eleventh Presbyterian church of Philadelphia, July 12th, 1838, and its action in reference to the reception and ordina tion of the candidate before them we now give in fall, as taken from the records of the Presby tery, as follows: “Mr. Samuel M. Gould, a licentiate of the Berkshire Association, Mass., made application to be received under the care of the Presbytery, and having presented a certificate of his licen sure, with other testimonials of his good stand ing from said association, and having answered affirmatively the questions put to candidates for licensure in our own Presbytery, he was accord ingly received. “ Mr. David Getty, a commissioner from the First Presbyterian church of Norristown, pre sented a call for Mr. Gould, which having been found in order was put Into his bands, and he having declared his acceptance of the same, it was— Resolved, that when the Presbytery ad journs, it adjourn to meet at-Norristown, on Tuesday, Sept. 25th, at 11 o’clock, for his or dination and installation, if the way be clear. “ Mr. Gould was examined on experimental re ligion,—his views in seeking the sacred office, — on the languages,—arts and sciences, and his examinations were sustained as parts of trial. 2 Timothy i. 13, * 'Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus,’ was assigned to Mr. Gould as a subject for a popular sermon previous to ordination.” Thus it appears that the candidate was not "installed by a committee of Presbytery,” but rather that be was regularly ordained by the Presbytery itself; this body met according to appointment, Sept. 25th, 1838, and was fully attended, and the occasion was one of unusual harmony and good feeling/ Bey. Thomas Braiherd, of Philadelphia/preached the sermon, Bev. Albert Barnes gave the charge to the pas tor, and Bey. Bobert Adair to the people. The following is the minute of the Presbytery upon the occasion. ' “Mr. Gould read a sermon from the subject previously assigned him, which was unanimously sustained as a part of tria.l. He was then ex amined in theology and church government, and Presbytery being fully satisfied With his exami nation, proceeded to ordain and install him.” This we believe to be a correct outline of the whole subject, and the'proper bearings of these statements can easily be seen. After Mr. Gould became the pastor there was no farther agita tion in the congregation, in reference 0 and New school matters. The ehurch grew ana flourished under the manifest smiles of Heaven, so that from the spring of 1838 to 1849, a perio of eleven years, there had been six distinct re vivals of religion ; and nearly 350 persons had been added to the church on the profession o their faith—together with a goodly nnrnber by certificate. The house of worship had been enlarged and improved, and a valuable property around the house had been purchased and paid for by New School people—or rather from the surplus funds of the congregation annually ac cruing. „ V r Nor was the subject of Old and New school agitated at the time of Mr. Gould’s resignation, which occurred early m 1851. And in the set tlement of his successor, nothing was said in re ference to it. Indeed, it would have been an impossible thing to have taken away the church under those circumstances. The temporal af fairs of the congregation were in the best con dition, and almost the entire body of church members were New School, and remain so to this day. And even after the church had, in a deceptive manner, been transferred to the 2d Presbytery, it could not have been retained by the Old School, bad it not been for the terrible difficulties and perplexing entanglements in which the 1 congregation had become involved.in building a costly edifice, and getting deeply into debt, under the pastorate of Rev. R- A. Smith, a native of Maine, (whose name has since been changed to Rev. Randolph Augustus Delaney,) and had it not been for this unfortunate circum stance, the New School party would, no donbt, have been worshipping at this time upon the spot rendered sacred to them by so many hal lowed associations. These remarks have been made in part, though not wholly, for the purpose of correcting that portion of the History of Norristown found on p/ge 62, and they may be of some valne also in the way of reference, should another history be written. And to sum up all we have said, these points seem clearly to follow: ~ Ist. The Presbyterian church of Norristown was always New School in its sympathies from the day it was organized by Rev. James P. Wil son, D. D„ of Philadelphia.. 2d. That it never, in any way or shape, re cognised the Old School Assembly on or after the great separation in 1838. 3d. That it grew and prospered under New School government—its property being recog nised and protected by the laws of Pennsylvania. 4th. That at the time secret movements were made to get the church, the great body of th e members were New School in their feelings; that it was only by sly and underhanded manage ment that the object was accomplished. sth. That the original property of the First Presbyterian church of Norristown belongs by right to New School people, and that those who now hold it, hold what is not their own. [lf the truth of these statements is called in question, they will be substantiated by responsi ble parties.] “ANNAIS OF THE POOS.” “THE, DORCAS.” An impression seems to have obtained, how, we know not, that the wants of the Mission in this department are, for the present, met.. This is far from being the case. A great deal has cer tainly been done, and after five months’ constant exertion, we are unable to discover • more than here and there an instance in which what has been done was done improvidently, and there is plainly seen a corresponding effort of self-reliance in many families who, at the first, seemed to be without hope. Our evening meetings are well attended, decent, orderly, attentive., On last Sab, bath evening, especially, the house was crowded by an audience of the people of the neighborhood, unsurpassed for stillness and serious attention. Yet there are many who are desirous of attending, but are ashamed to appear in their present garb; nor do we blame them for it. Now, as the spring is opening, it may suit the convenience of very many to aid us in fitting out such persons with something suitable—at least, decent—fov them to wear. We believe that the ladies connected with the Mission will alter, and otherwise prepare and distribute whatever may be sent in. Nor' is there any species of garments that may not be rendered available. Shoes, for boys and girls, are greatly needed; bonnets, hats, caps; comfort able dresses for women ; light shawls, any thing, every thing that the benevolent and the beneficent will give us. Money, also, is constantly needed, for there are always a good many sick; indeed, we grow weary presenting the cases of hardship and suffering that come under our notice. What, then, we desire is, that every lady who reads these anuals will accept this as a personal application to herself for such aid as may be in her power. As before stated, things may be sent to the Presbyterian House, 1334 Chestnut St., marked “Annals of the Poor;” or the writer will call on any one on the receipt of a line, as above. B. P. S. In last week’s paper, “Mourners’ class,” should read “Women’s class'.” We have no mourners’ class. EDITOB’S TABLE. STORIES OF INVENTORS AND DISCOVERERS IN SCIENCE AND THE USEFUL ARTS. A Book for Young and Old. By John Timbs, F. S. A. With Il lustrations. New York: Harper & Brothers. For sale by Lindsay & Blakiston, Philadelphia . This is a valuable book, recording the pro gress of science and art, and brief histories of the men who have been successful in identifying their names with some truly useful invention. The author begins with the zealous Archimedes who believed, in his ardor of discovery, that he could overturn the world, if be could secure room for the fuleum of his lever; and concludes with the electric telegraph, especially that part which refuses to respond, "All right, DeSauty!” The press, and the perfection of the art of printing are the most practical and usefuMnventions of modern times. It is true that man has sbught out many inventions, some useless' but many useful, and others seemingly indispensable. RITA; an Autobiography. Boston: Mayhew & Baker For sale by G. G. Evans, Philadelphia. This volume evinces remarkable force in the freshness and interest <sf the scenes, the range of characters introduced, and the distinctness -with which each is marked and maintained to the close; So far as our reading extends in this direction, we think it deserves to take rank wit’h the most effective productions of our.lat'er romance writers.- »•••! SAY AND SEAL. By the author of “Wide, Wide -* World,” and the author of “ Dollars ami Cents,' 5 i n 2vols. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott & Co., lMji. A joint creation of the sisters Warner. It, chief characteristics are those already familiar to the readers of Qneechy and the Wide, Wide World. Here yon find the same inward grace and beautiful dependence in the character of the heroine, and a similar calmness of self-reliance and uncohqnWrea sfitength of will in the hero, the same simple, nervous style of narrative, the same interest in the details and development of the story, and above all, the same true, health ful, religious tone pervading the entire volumes. INAUGURAL ADDRESS at the opening of .he Pres byterian Theological Seminary of the North-West; Chicago, Illinois. Philadelphia: Joseph M. Willson. We noticed this novel pamphlet in advance of its receipt, on‘the authority of the editor of the Presbyter, whose watchful care has never al lowed him to mistake-a Congregational Seminary, of whatever pretensions, for this school of tlie pio phets, since a certain telegraphic despatch told a solicitous Board of Trust that the department of theology would be accepted by the present incum bent. He knew all the men, and had a right to speak.of this new and remarkable manner of their first introduction to the public. The pamphlet is now before us with, its orna ments, personal and literary. It is emphatically ■a*picture booh. With a single exception, we • never knewthe likethiog practised, of printing the portrait of the president of the institution with his inauguration.- This -was in a Western college, and the new president was supposed to he handsome. These men are said to be very much caricatured by their likenesses; and since we learn that the book was issued by the same man who publishes the Presbyterian Almanac, we are in clined to believe it quite possible. They' may be some of last year’s moderators fitted up for the occasion. Indeed, we think we redognise a slight resemblance in one of them to our New School moderator, whose picture in- the Almanac was neither flattering nor' true to the original. If this thing is to be practised ad libitum, we think it a good and substantial reason in a modest man to decline absolutely to run for moderator, if he has any respect to. his good looks and reputation with posterity. And then the thought that in after time the moderator of the New School As sembly might be taken to illustrate an«f adorn the catalogue of an Old School Seminary in, the far West! We believe in the utility of “Rogues’ Galleries,” but think that professors should seek to be known otherwise than by photographs or li thographs accompanying their inaugurals! ‘ THE YOUTH’S SCRIPTURE QUESTION BOOK, on tile New Testament. By H. Hamlin. Boston: Henry Hoyt. Philadelphia: W. S. &A. Martien. This is a skilfully prepared question book for families, Sabbath Schools, and Bible classes. It is arranged on the plan of Prof. Robinson’s sum mary of the gospels, and brought down to the last year of our Saviour’s life and ministry, and is to he followed by another volume covering this eventful period. Mr. Barnes’ notes are made the basis of questions and instructions, and are almost as essential as the Bible in following out the ideas of the author of the questions. This is also true of all the question books published by the Mass. Sabbath School Association. THE WAY TO THE PIT. By Harriet B. M‘Keever, Author of “The Flounced Robe,” Edithfe Mio&- try,” etc. Boston: Henry Hoyt. For sale by W. S. &A. Martien; Philadelphia. , . . ~ . TAKING A STAND. By the Author of Hugh Fisher, 5 ’ “Jane Robinson, 51 etc. Boston: Henry Hoyt. Phila delphia, W. S. &.A.Martien. These two volumes illustrate the strength and value of maternal instruction , and influence in preserving boys from temptation and had. com pany. A respect for parental instruction that will not yield to entreaty or cower under ridicule, will be an important safeguard. STORIES OF RAINBOW AND LUCKY. THE THREE PINES. By Jacob Abbott. New" York: % Harper & Brothers. For sale by Lindsay & Blakiston, ■ Philadelphia. ' "■ THE FLORENCE STORIES. By Jacob Abbott. Grim kie. 'New York’: Sheldon & Co. For sale by Lind say & Blakiston, Philadelphia, These are popular series of stories for children, and need only to be announced as ready, and all the hoys and girls understand it atuOnce,. They Were read to us by a gentle voice to induce sleep to our over-taxed nervous system. The effect was like a charm; THE MBLICAL REASON WHY: a Family Guide to t 6 *,! 1 ” 58 .’ ?? d a Hand Book for Biblical Student. By the Author of «The Biblical Reason Science, 55 etc; Illustrated bynumerous Engravings. New York s Dick & Fitzgerald. For sale by J. B. Lippmcott & Co., Philadelphia. This is a sort of universal catechism, in which a thousand questions, which any reader of the Bible would naturally ask; are answered in brief mostly biblically, always candidly, generally cor rectly. The reasons are collected from the vast treasure-house of Biblical inqoiry, and commen tators and students are made to contribute the facts and materials for a desirable and useful work. The questions refer to persons, to facts, to theories, to customs, to laws, &c., and the volume is supplied with- an-index which will put the curious reader on immediate track of the solution of the question he -firstdesires to ask. The idea is practicable and valuable; and is so carried oat by the author as to render it popular. -, : ! • RtJND MAN’S HOLIDAY; or Short Tales for the ?yft«Aathprof^SidneyGiey,» e S.%tc by John Absolon. New York: Book store ' & = *««by£iaa ... This volume of Carter’s Fireside Library is just the thing for every day use, as long as it can last. It contains eleven instructive and attrac tive stories, to he read to children from six to eight years. The mother, nurse, and maiden aunt will find it a valuable and convenient auxi liary to their fresh stock of telling stories. Anecdotes, Blus asw! : asyssa. - • T ,. sv ? lume con tains sketches, anecdotes, per sonal incidents, reflections, oka great variety of subjects, by a clergyman of the Methodist de nomination. No reader-will fail to find some thihg that will please,- instruct, and amuse him .ljOS® OF the KENT, EAST INDIA MAN. M^Uen Henry Hoyt Philadelphia: W. S. and A- This is a graphic account of the wrecked and burning ship, with' 600' souls aboard, by one of of the preserved. ' BOOKS RECEIVED. the HISTORY OFFRANCE; By Park Godwin- J,® 1 - 1 - Ancient Gaul, New York: Harper & Eros. Or sale by Lindsay & Blakiston, Philadelphia °a? I^ AVES: Gathered from Household Words. w - Henry 'Wills. New York: Harper & Bros. I'° r sale by Lindsay .& Blakiston, Philadelphia. CAROLINE PERTHES, The Christian Wife. Con densed from the Life of Frederick Christopher Perthes. By L. C.,.TuthiU. New Vork: Robert Carter * Bros. For sale at the Presbyterian Book Store, 13’ 1 Chestnut Street, PhUadelphia. > THE,BIBLE AND SOCIAL REFORM; or The Scrip .. ■ ,gtg as a Means of Civilisation. By R. H. Tyler, A-U -• Philadelphia : Jamds Cbailen & Son. April 19,
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers