The American Presbyterian. (Philadelphia) 1856-1869, May 17, 1860, Image 2

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B. C. HOUGHTON, )
JOHN W- MEAES, j EDITOBS ‘
ASSOCIATED WITH
* ALBERT BARNES, I GEORGE DUFFIELD Jn.
. THOMAS BRAINERD, JOHN JENKINS,
HENRY DARLING, 1 THOMAS J. SHEPHERD,
THE PRINCETON REVIEW AND “THE
ELOHIM.”
In the last number of the Biblical Reper
tory, there is an able review of “The Elohim
Revealed in the Creation and Redemption of
Man, by Rev. Samuel J. Baird, D. D., Pas
tor of the Presbyterian Church, Woodbury,
N. J.” The article is written, as is supposed,
by Prof. Hodge. It is in the professor’s mas
terly style, and it completely demolishes the fa
vorite theory of the learned pastor.
Prof. Hodge and Dr. Baird claim to be or
thodox ministers of the Old School Presbyterian
Ohnroh, and they are recognised as competent
expounders of the word of Cod, and the doc
trines of the Westminster Confession. Were
we to call in question either the ability or or
thodoxy of these gentlemen, we should be re
garded by all the Old School, and many of the
New School brethren, as presumptuous in the
highest degree. We will not, therefore, dare
to expose ourselves to such a censure. We
will simply state what the professor thinks of
the pastor’s theory, and what the pastor thinks
of the professor’s, and leave our readers to
judge, if what they affirm of each other’s the
ories be true, and if their respective theories are
embraced by any considerable number of the
ministers and elders of the Old School, whether
that branch of the church is any longer the
united, the harmonious, and orthodox body it
claims to be. The charges of heresy preferred
against the New School by the signers of the
Act and Testimony, and subsequently by Dm.
Wood and Cheeseman, are not more sweeping
than those preferred by the professor and pastor
against each other’s theory of the way in which
the posterity of Adam became involved in ruin
through his transgression.
The review is, at times, terribly caustic; and
the animus of the article bespeaks the professor’s
conscious superiority in intellect, learning, and
orthodoxy. The professor is generally disposed
to speak as one having authority, and to rebnke
With severity those who presume to disparage
his teachings. This peculiarity is conspicuous
in the article under consideration; and from the
quotations from “The Elohim” it would seem
that Dr. Baird is not lacking in these attributes
either, though he has less to sustain his claim.
It is not our purpose to express any opinion on
the point in dispute by these learned doctors.
We do not now condemn or justify either the
ory, though we must confess that while reading
the review we were impressed with the folly and
evil tendency of theorizing on the facts of the
Bible, and exalting these theories to the lofty
position of divine revelations, and demanding
that they be adopted, on pain of being charged
With a denial of the facts themselves. The
faots are divine, the theories human; and while
the fact of the apostacy of the race, in conse
quence of Adam’s first sin, is a stubborn truth,
the theories by which it is accounted -for often
perplex the mind, and cause doubt in relation
to the fact itself. The more we muse on this
subject the more we accord with Dr. Dwight,
who says, when discoursing on human depravity
as derived from Adam: “I have heretofore de
clared that the manner in which the date of
things became such, is not at all involved in the
present discussion, I now observe farther, that
I am unable to explain this part of the subject.
Many attempts have been made to explain it, bat
I freely confess myself to have seen none which
was satisfactory to me, or which did not leave
the difficulties as great and, for anght I know,
as numerous as they were before. I shall not
add to these difficulties by any imperfect expla
nation of my own. At the same time, I repeat,
that the fact in question is not at all affected by
these difficultiea, and that a denial of this fact is
perplexed with difficulties which are greater
both in number and degree.”
The point in controversy between Professor
Hodge and Dr. Baird is in relation to the manner
of accounting for the fact that the sin of Adam
involved his posterity in sin and rain. The Pro
fessor maintains that the immediate imputation
of Adam’s sin to his posterity is the orthodox
doctrine, “not peculiar to Calvinism;” that “it
is as much inwrought in the theology of the Lu
theran as in that of the Reformed churches.”
And in the same connexion he declares that Dr.
Baird’s position “is neither the old intelligible
doctrine of the immediate imputation of Adam’s sin
as not our own act, but the act of our divinely
constituted head and representative; nor is it the
equally intelligible, though erroneous and danger
ous doctrine, that the thing imputed to us, and the
primary and only ground (apart from our personal,
actual transgressions) of condemnation, is the cor
rupt nature derived from Adam. This, we say,
is intelligible. We know rfhat a man means when
he refers everything to the law of propagation and
explains the derivation of a corrupted nature from
Adam on the same principle that the asps of to
day get their poison from the asps before the flood)
This is, in one Bense, intelligible; but we defy
any man to put any intelligible meaning on what
Dr, B. says. Wherein he differs, or supposes he
differs, from this doctrine, he deceives himself
with words. He does not see that what he says
means nothing.”—He adds,
“In our opinion, Dr. B.’s theory, when stripped
of its words without meaning, is nothing more
than the familiar doctrine adopted by the more
orthodox brethren of New England, who repudiate
the idea of immediate imputation, and yet main
tain the propagation of a morally depraved nature
from Adam to his posterity." Page 346.
In setting forth the “monstrous position” of
the author of the Elohim, Dr. H, speaks thus:—
“Apostacy/being an act of self-determination,
it can be predicated only of persons; and if the
apostacy of Adam can be predicated of us, then
we existed as persons thousands of years before
we existed at all. If any man believes this, then,
as we think, he deceives himself and does not un
derstand what he says. Dr. 8., however, asserts
that be did thus act in Adam, and that he feels
sorry for it. He teaches that we are bound to
feel remorse and self-reproach for this act of self
determination performed so many oenturies before
self existed.” Page 357.
Dr. Baird; on the other the theory
of the Princeton Professor with being an impeach
ment of the moral character of God. He says:
“If there is any one principle which shines forth
on the pages of the Scriptures with a light as of
the noon-day sun, it is that thus attested. It is,
that at the bar of God every man shall be judged
and rewarded in precise accordance with his de
serts; which certainly have respect to the attitude
of the soul and its affections, as well as the actions
of the life. When the Scriptures speak of the
justice of God, the meaning ‘is not obscure nor
doubtful. We are plainly-and abundantly taught
that the rule of his judgment is his law, which is
the only criterion of merit and crime; that there
are but two classes recognised at his bar; namely,
those who are conformed to the law or righteous,
or those who are not conformed, and are, there
fore, criminal or sinners; and that God’s justice
consists in the fact that to these severally he will
render a reward appropriate and precisely propor
tionate to their desert.”—Review, pages 368,369.
Dr. Hodge treats the views of Dr. Baird as unin
telligible, and, so far as their meaning is discovered,
unsound. He says they are “neither sound nor
discriminating,” and that Dr. Baird advocates
“principles more entirely subversive of the system
of doctrine taught in our standards’-' than he (Dr.
H.) was at first aware. He adds: “It would be
difficult to find in the writings of Soeinians or Pe
lagians more sweeping, emphatic and bitter denials
of the principles on which the great doctrines of
satisfactionahcf justification. > »esfc, than are to he
found'in this book. How does Dr. Baird avoid
these conclusions from his principles? He at
tempts it in two perfectly inconsistent and con
tradictory ways.” And he closes his review of
the book thus: “We feel bound to enter a solemn
protest against doctrines which we firmly believe
subvert our whole system of faith, and to be in
consistent with the preservation of evangelical re
ligion.” Dr. Baird returns‘the compliment by
pronouncing the views of the Professor, and those
who agree with him, as being “Manichean, Pe
lagian, and atheistical,” and their advocates as
“Pharisees who make clean the outside of the cup
and the platter,” and that these principles involve
the assumption “ that holiness is no more in har
mony with God’s nature than sin, truth no more
pleasing to him than a lie.”
These are hard charges, and: could, we persuade
ourselves that they are well founded we should
still be prompted by charity to think these learned
divines better than their theology. We do not,'
after all, think them to be so heretical as they seem
to think each other, nor can we persuade ourselves
that they will, on reflection, after all the severe
things they have said, deny that each still holds
the essential truth. Should we be mistaken in
this matter, we will expect to hear of charges
being tabled against each other. The professor
is confident, no doubt, that his views would be
sustained by a large majority of the church, and
yet, perhaps, Dr. Breckinridge, and the Stapfer
tbeory men, in such an emergency, if they did
not fully sustain Dr. Baird, might hesitate to
sanction the position of the Princeton professor;
and hold the immediate imputation theory in
abeyance. This book of Dr. Baird, and the re
cent work of Dr. Breckenridge, show that Prince
ton is not the only fountain of knowledge in
the 0. S. Presbyterian Church. Danville and
Allegheny and Chicago claim to have a right to
teach theology too, and to expound the doctrines
of the standards; and it will be a marvel if they
can all teach the same doctrine, ipsissimis verbis.
There seems to already, and
what the future history of that church will unfold,
no mortal can divine. One thing is certain, they
must yield the ipsissima verba construction of the
Standards, and take the position of our own branch
of the Presbyterian church—the position of the
entire church from the first: we mean that which
admits of the existence of articles in onr stand
ards, which are “ not essential and necessary in
doctrine, worship or government,” and tolerates
differences of. opinion upon articles judged to be
such. Unless the new basis is repudiated, and
that branch of the Presbyterian church is again
planted on this original foundation, its future
must be attended with difficulties that will mar
its harmony, if not peril its existence as a deno
mination. And yet we cannot discover any way'
for its restoration to these primitive principles of
the Presbyterian church of America, where these
difficulties must not be encountered.
THE ENCHANTMENT OF DISTANCE.
Esse quam vlderl.
“No man is a hero to his own valet.” “Fa
miliarity.breeds contempt.” These proverbs con
vey a truth, which in some of its illustrations is
deeply humiliating. There is an .upper and ah
under side to character. There is a public arid a
private manifestation of the same individual, in
volving great contradictions. Some there are,
resembling the moon, in that they always manage
to keep their illuminated side to us or to the
public, while to others, in a different relative posi
tion, they are a waste of darkness, unrelieved by
a single ray of truth or goodness. It is a pity
that the dark side of men’s natures should so
often he reserved for their families, and that
their power to please should be quite expended on
the wider circles of the fashionable or the business
world. It is a pity that a father should be cour
teous and agreeable to his customers; his clients,
his patients, and inconsiderate of the feelings, and
careless of the minor comforts of'the household.
It is a pity that only such as associate with the
wife in the remote relations of fashionable life,
should commend and admire her, and seek her so
ciety, while the moment she vanishes into the nar
rower circle of home, the cloud of graces which en
circled her should disperse, and peevishness, dis
content, and neglect of home duties should take
their place, repelling those who should be the
nearest, and for whose regard she should care the
most. We fear there is many a young woman
who holds from one to a half-a-score or more of
admirers under an enchantment, due mainly to the
distance at which she can hold them. One glance
at the inner side of her character, at its involun
tary manifestations, when under no powerful mo
tive to appear well, would dispel the delusion. It
is only because yon cannot climb over to the other
side that your luminary appears so invariably
bright and pleasing. We repeat, it is humiliating
to he obliged, as we sometimes are, so largely to
reduce our estimate of persons with whom we have
come into close relations, or of whose inner cha
racter some unexpected revelation bas been made.
Like the Psalmist in analogous circumstances, we
are inclined in our haste to say :—all men are liars.
Literary men and the public in general are just
now undergoing a sort of disenchantment as to the
character of the renowned Alexander Yon Hum
boldt. Only a few months ago, a mourning, as
sincere as it was general, was made over the burial
of this distinguished and venerable philosopher.
All orders of society joined in a tribute of respect
to his memory. The royal'household which had
titan tniaw attfl (Snusci (jgyawtjeli^t,
ever seemed to delight in honoring him when
living, neglected not this last opportunity of testi
fying their regard to one long esteemed as the or
nament of his country, and of the court in which
he so meekly and calmly moved. Down to the
grave he went, covered with staTS, and crosses,
and decorations, and charity strove to discover evi
dence that so devout a. student of nature had not
omitted to acquaint himself savingly with nature’s
God. Pens and tongues everywhere were busy
in describing, eulogizing, and popularizing the
man and his works. Surely one could not have
lived to such an age an unsuspected hypocrite!
But here it is—a judgment out of his own
mouth; Humboldt, a self-convicted hypocrite,
—or something very like it, —carping, railing,
dissatisfied, spiteful, sneering at royalty in a
manner unreasonable to a repuhlioan, and at his
royal ,friends in a manner really mean and dis
graceful; turning from their- acts of sincere
kindness to sit down at his table and write sar
castic criticisms upon'them, and retail scandals
concerning them; hinting that the idea of a God
is a creation of the theologians, delighting in
Strauss’ Life of Christ,: describing the clergy as
knowing how to enslave mankind anew, and re
vealing to us the extent of his hopes for the fu
ture in the following words io a friend: “l am al
ways very much attached to this life, having
learned from you that, according to Kant’s doe
trinej ihere'is not ■ milcbTto hoast of after dissolu
tion.” Here it all is; in the shape of confidential
letters, .which the recipient, who must have had
slender claims to confidence, has seen fit to give
unreservedly to the publio.
Much', very much of the seeming nobleness of
Humboldt’s character is dissipated forever by these
revelations. That philosophic calmness and gran
deur in which we were wont to imagine the life of
the profound thinker was passed, is shown to be a
fiction. I-lis easy readiness in receiving the fa
vours of princes, and his apparently cordial acqui
escence in the position of a royal favorite, are
shown to have been, false and insincere. That re
serve on matters of religion, to a great degree cha
racteristic of his works, which might have been
ascribed .to a condition of doubt: —a deficiency of
faith—-is now shown to have been the veil to hide
a positive state of disbelief, and a sneering rejec
tion of some of the main articles of the evangeli
cal faith.
We cannot say that we greatly deplore these re
velations. They will break the force of the phi
losopher’s moral influence upon the multitude.
The general tendency of his-writings has been to
remove from rnenV conception of the universe the
idea of a personal God, and his transcendent abi
lities and popular style have made him dangerous.
But people must have confidence in the general
sincerity of the man to whose leadings they com
mit-themselves, and that which damages the cha
racter, damages also the influence, even of a man
of great genius. The power which Humboldt, as
a man of unquestioned uprightness and’ integrity,
would have wielded, is gone. : It is clear now to
all, that a sincere evangelical faith would have
made Humboldt a better man—a nobler character
—and would have saved his friends the mortifica
tion of such disclosures. The importance of cha
racter, to which the glare of genius so often blinds
ns, is here re-asserted, and the superior honorable
ness and safety of his position illustrated who “is
as he seems;”; especially in view of the liability
we are all under of having our characters some
day turned inside out, and thrown open to the
most intimate inspection of any who may concern
themselves in us.
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
To-day 'the General Assembly commences its
sixty-sixth session, in the city of Pittsburg,
the first session held there since the disruption.
That city is a place of deep interest to every stu
dent pf our church’s history. It was there that
in the year 1835' the famous case of Mr. Barnes
was brought to an issue, and the injunction of si
lence which had been placed upon his lips by the
Synod, and to which he had calmly and gracefully
submitted; was removed by a vote cf almost two
to one. Nothing could have been more fitting
than his election as a Commissioner to the Assem
bly, once more meeting on the ground of those
memorable scenes. There, too, in the same year,,
and before the same Assembly, met the convention,
called by the signers of the notorious Act and Tes
timony to measures for the overthrow
and exscision of such men as Mr. Barnes, and
those Sympathizing" with him: measures which
were unsuccessful at the time, but which, two
years later, by-means of an accidental majority
were carried into effect. ;
But these events are matters of history, with
which the body meeting there just a quarter of a
century later will concern themselves but little.
God has given them a work to do for to-day and
for the future, quite sufficient to occupy their
thoughts and energies. Pirm in the consciousness
of the rectitude of their position, elevated with a
sense of their high and important mission to per
petuate anA extend the . usefulness of their own
Church, guided by.the clear indications of Provi
dence on every hand, as men that have under
standing of the times to know what Israel ought
to dp, they will go on laying deep the foundations
and rearing the structure of a distinct and specific
organization; having its own work to do and its
own high calling to accomplish, in the subjugation
of a rebellious world to Christ.
We have, already, in a previous issue, indicated
our views of the character of the business likely
to come before the body. Our own denominational
enterprises and our relations to other bodies of
Christians, particularly our Congregational bre
thren, will demand the prayerful and careful at
tention of the Assembly. That they will be at
tended to wisely and well, we have not the shadow
of a'doubt. We have no fears but that a due self
respect and sense of our own responsibilities as
revealed to us by Providence, will .mingle with a
high-toned Christian courtesy in our dealings with
all others. Glancing over the list of Delegates
we perceive that the Assembly will fairly represent
the experience, the wisdom and the ability of the
Church. Guided, as we believe they be, in
the exercise of these qualities; by the presence of
the great Head of the Church Himself, we antici
pate a happy issue of their labors: a real impulse
communicated to the life of the Church in. its im
portant enterprises, and, if not a final solution,
encouraging progress in the solution, of the em
barrassing questions which have lain in our'way.
OBR ASSEMBLY WELCOMED.
The Presbyterian Banner, the O. S. paper in
Pittsburg, thus welcomes our Gene
ral Assembly to that city:
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN PITTSBURG.
The General Assembly of the Presbyterian
Church, (N. S.) will meet in this city, On the 17th
inst., in the Third Presbyterian Church.
This Assembly; if . fully convened, will consist
of about two hundred and fifty members;’’;but
with Delegates from other Churches, Committees,
Foreign Missionaries, visitors, &c., we may expect
the presence of three hundred guests or more.
The sessions of the body may be expected to con
tinue from eleven to fourteen days; and will oe |
open to all. Many of our people, doubtless, wi
feel it to be a privilege to attend. Christians show
intelligence and taste, as 'well as courtesy, by their
presence at such gatherings of God’s servants.
We proffer to ouc b**tb reD a eor^* welcome;
and feel assured. School Presbyterians
will open, to them tleijhhearts and houses. The
two Assemblies are more alike than are any other
branched of the Christian family- The authorized
public exposition of their Faith; Order, Discipline,
and Worship, is expressed in the very same words;
and in the actual manifestation of their -religion,
they bear to each otheta resemblance so extended
and minute, that strangers cannot sec the differ
ence. Even among themselves it is but their
theologians who capiptfint outdissimijarities. For
the sake of these it is well to keep up separate
Ecelesiastical Couacils: But in brotherly love,
personal regard, kitfJijftentiphs, and in all efforts
for the conversion and Sanctification of men, there
should be an entire cordiality.
' The committee of airrangemcnts have invited
the Commissioners to meet and spend Wednesday,
the 16th, the day before the organization, in spe
cial religious services, i Some of the pastors and
laymen will come ffom scenes of revivals; their
hearts being full of tie subject, we may expect
the day to be one of peculiar interest. To this
meeting especially, would we invito all the
churches in the city. *'' Prayer and supplication
will be made, not only for one Assembly and one
branch of the but for all similar convo
eifeoiiB^a4d'fiw.-riMfefciiieig> af?tli6 Tiord’B Zion.
Especially may wlmpg\tha,t a revival of religion
in this city, will be tub burden of many earnest
entreaties.
THE ASSEMBLY OF THE “OLD SCHOOL”
. ' church. •;
This body meets (q-day, at Rochester,, RL Y.
Among the important items of .business likely to be
brought before it, am the proposed revision of the
Book of Discipline, tjbe management of
seiubly’s Board of Wbtieation, and the position
of the Assembly in relation to the various volun
tary societies sustained by Christians generally.
Upon all these topicsthere exists a wide diversity
of opinion. As to tie last point, the Presbytery
of passed a resolution, endorsing the
action of the last General Assembly, which was
adverse to the recognition of such societies by the
Assembly, and requesting their commissioner, Dr.
W. L. Breckenridge,’ i Moderator of the last Assem
bly, to sustain thatadtion. But Dr. Breekenridge
and his alternate decline the appointment
on the ground of.sljch a requirement, and the
Presbytery was obUgSf, at an adjourned meeting,
to appoint others in their place. Dr. Brecken
ridge, therefore, not f eing a commissioner, he will
not be present to prdffch the opening sermon. So
we are informed by our contemporary, the Presby
terian. As to the ijanagement of the Board of
Publication, the attack appears to have been led
on by Rev. Dr. Edwards, of this city, in the form
of letters to the Nfirth Carolina Presbyterian ,
complaining of • extravagance in. the expendi
tures of the Board. Dr. R. J. Breekenridge has
already had to do service in newspaper defences
of the Revised Books of Discipline, and may have
to do more in the fbpn of debate on the floor of
the Assembly. . Presbytery of Tombeekbee
have adopted a memorial to the Assembly, ask
ing, that steps may pe taken to prepare a Church
Commentary, which may bring up that whole ques
tion again. Wheiber the subject of slavery will,
as heretofore, be by this body, we do not
know. A new relroh for expecting its speedy
agitation smoa^ them, k given iq the columns of
the Presbyterian oflast week. It is in the form
of a request that ice, whom it styles “our philan
thropic brethren/’ will unite with ub in praying
that the storm may be averted.” We fear that
it is only a feeling of imminent and urgent neces
sity that can open eyes of our neighbor to the
value of our prayers in its behalf! As they are
looking around for help from us, and “good men”
generally, there would seek to be considerable ap
prehension of the actual nearness of the storm.
We freely join their jname with that of our own
body, that they may be led to take action worthy
of God’s free men, and of the Presbyterian name
on this and on all other questions.
;; . - ,
THE ECLECTIC TRUE BOOK.
The: long expected Eclectic ; Tune Book, has
come to hand. Tfe* account which it gives of
itself in its externaf appearance, its name, title
pages, and preface, 'is highly satisfactory. The
cover strikes the eye)' pleasantly; its color, is new>
attractive, and unpretentious. Thd names of
William B. Bradbury: as Editor, and of the Mason
Brothers, (sons of'ike-'great master of sacred
harmony) as publishers jointly with the, Presbyte
rian Publication' Committee, the fair, clear, and
open music type, the distinct headings, and the
alphabetical arrangement of the tunes combine to
give the book an impress of success in its impor
tant mission. Looking more closely wc find in
the tunes theniselvtjs;' both old and new, .selected
from those accounted most popular, effective and
chaste of the most eminent composers, living and
dead, a rich store-house of sacred music. The
seventy or more occasional pieces for the opening
and closing of worship,, and other special occasions,
are-finely varied as to style and subject, and skil
fully adjusted, each to its theme. They seem
also generally simple, and easily read.
These are the impressions made by a first ex
amination . of thia fcAjteom e book, issued by the
Publication the ; recommendation of
the General Assembly. Prom the fact that it is
the result of r effort to 'learn the real
taste off the churches, we anticipate’ for it success.
The editor (Mr. Bradbury) has not been sparing
of labor upon it, and the collection shows that all
of the best composers'are well represented in it.
Nor should we omit saying that to the Eev. J. G.
Butler, of West Philadelphia, the book owes much
for the persevering zeal with which he has given
it his services as a member of the committee to
which it was referred^
DEATH OP PETER PARLEY.
Mr. S. G. Goodrich, known ; to the juvenile
world by that household name Peter Parley, died
at his residence in Boston,on Wednesday, the
9th inst., in the sixty-seventh year of his age,
having been horn August 19th, 1793, at Ridge
field, Conn. About the year 1816 he commenced
business as a publisher in Hartford, and continued
it Until 1823, when h«t went to Europe. There
he remained for visiting England,
France, Germany and Holland. Upon his return
to this country he began the publication of those
juvenile books, which; under the soubriquet of
Peter Parley, have made him not only famous, but
like an old and familiar .friend to every child who
knows how to read. We well remember the in
tense delight with which we spelled out, for we
had just learned the * mystery of reading, his
“Winter Evening Talks,” “Travels in Africa,”
&c., a few years after their first publication.
Perhaps no writer has written so much and so
well for children, andi,with so uniformly an ele-
vating and moral influence. Witt hini indeed
may be said to have commenced an era in child
literature; and as he introduced it he had held
his place in it, easily, the first among all his con
temporaries.
He began in 1828 the publication of an Annual
called The Token, and continued it for fourteen
years. The poems and some prose articles con
tributed to this were published in a volume in
1841. In 1851 all his poems were collected and
published in an illustrated edition. In the same
year he was appointed TJ. S. Consul at Paris, which
post he held until 1855. On his return to this
country he published in two large volumes his
« Recollections of a Life-time,” full of Hew Eng
land scenes and incidents. He was the author of
one hundred and seventy volumes, one hundred
and sixteen of which bear his name. Almost se
ven millions of these works have been sold.
A CONCESSION.
The Tennessee Baptist, a paper of the most
exclusive “ close communion ” type, has an artipje
in its issue of the sth inst., finding fault with
“ Union Meetings,” and bewailing the participa
tion of leading Baptists in the late National Con
vention of delegates from Union Prayer Meetings
in this city. In concluding it is obliged to make
a concession painful to itself but refreshing to men
of enlarged views in every denomination. „
; Never was such.an.effort made on the ..part of
error to beguile our people, and never an age when
error found more professedly Baptist ministers and
members willing to do. it reverence, and fellow
ship it, in the name of Christian charily and liber
ality.
ANNALS OF THE POOR.
The following was designed for an earlier insertion,
buthasbeen deferred forwant of space.
- THE YOUNG HOUSEKEEPER,
Again, dear reader, -let us bend onr steps to
ward the home of the poor. In passing up this
alley we must choose onr path, for though it is
used by so many persons as the passage to the
street, yet the way is not even. Now we enter
this yard, and climb this stair-way to the second
floor, and knock upon the door. A pale, siekly
looking girl, about twelve years old, pulls the
door towards her, and looks out to see who is
there. A faint smile of recognition crosses her
womanish features as she bids ns “ Come in,”
and then, drawing her thread-bare shawl, closer
around-her neck, goes on clearing the cinders
from the stove. This is our little housekeeper.
“Where is your father?” '
“He is in the other room, at work.”
We open the door and enter his work-room.
There, before ns, sits a man perhaps forty-five
years old, throwing his shuttle, for he, too, is a
weaver. The continued confinement in-doors
has given him a pale appearance, and added
nothing to his health. He is evidently a sober
man, and intelligence seems to be marked upon
his face. The tick-e-te-tick peculiar to the
movement of the loom has ceased, and now he
listens to your missionary, and tells us the his
tory of his family.
Some years ago weaving was profitable, and
he learned that business, and took to himself a
wife. All seemed prosperous until a few weeks
after the birth of his little girl, when his wife
sickened and died. He and his infant child
lived at boarding-honses until she grew to be
some seven years pld, when he.rcnted two rooms.
The paleness upon - the girl’s cheek is caused by
the neglect of those who were as strangers to
her; and most probably all through her life-time
she will be sickly, and.she is now of a sad coun
tenance. Weaving has gotten to be but a poor
trade, (he makes $3 per week,) for lately some
employers have cut a half cent per yard off the
small pittance for weaving check. With this
he is able to pay his rent of three dollars per;
month, and provide food, with which he seems
to be content.. His danghter keeps house for
him, and also attends Sabbath School. He told
ns he was unable to attend church, because his •
clothing had become so very shabby, and he was .
unable to renew it. I promised, trusting in
God to supply him with means, to provide for
his want. ' B. '
N: B.—• Any clothing, for men, women, or
children, together with money, or any thing
useful in mission purposes, are earnestly soli
cited. .We hold ourselves ready to call upon
any person who may wish us so to do, to talk
about the mission. B.
PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
The Librarian acknowledges the [following do
nations:.
From the Rev, William M. D.,
Philadelphia—l 7 Bvo aad 12mo volumes; very
rare and interesting. 275 Theological pamphlets.
A large collection of clerieal autographs.
From tlie Rev. Lyman Coleman, D. D., Phila
delphia—3so valuable Theological pamphlets.
From the Rev. James M. Willson, Philadelphia
—8 valuable 12mo and 18mo volumes, and nearly
a set of the “ Covenanter,”
From James Banks, Esq., Centenary Sermon
and Address before the Presbytery of Fayette
ville, by the Rev. Neill McKay and James Banks,
Esq. .. ’
From the author—2 copies Memorial Sermon
occasioned by the death of the Rev. P. E. Bi
shop, by the Rev. I. S. Harris.
From the Rev. Dir McKinney, D. D., Pittsburg,
vols.'s;and 6 of the Banner and Atfwcofe, bound in
one volume.
From Mr. A. D, F. Randolph, New York—
Rev. Dr. Hall’s History of the Presbyterian Church
Trenton, New Jersey. Bvo.
From the Rev. Thomas Brainerd, D. D., Phila
delphia—History of Pine Street Presbyterian
Church. ■ 12mo.’'
From Mr. Joseph M. Wilton, Philadelphia—
Presbyterian Almanac for 1859, and 10 sermons
and pamphlets; 5 of them rare.
From' the RCv. C. Foster Williams, Ashwood,
Tennessee —2 vols. “ Weekly Recorder, 1817 and
1818,” a newspaper; rare. Also a number of
manuscript sermons of the late Rev. I. W. Stephen
son, "' ’ "'
From William A. Whitehead, Esq., author,
Newark, New Jersey—Contributions to East Jer
sey History. Bvo.
From the Rev. A. Barnes, Philadelphia—2B
12mo volumes, Commentaries, &e., his own pub
lications. 454 valuable ptophlets; sermons, re
ports, magazines, &e. : .
From Thomas Sproull—so numbers of the
Reformed Presbyterian. BVo. Periodical.
From the Rev. A. G. Vermilye, Ncwburyport,
Massachusetts—-Proudfit on the Parables; 2 ser
mons by J S. P. Williams, and a number of rare
pamphlets. • ' ’ ’
From the Rev. S.-K. Kdllock, D. D., Greenwich,
New Jersey-—Account of the society for Promoting
Religious Knowledge among the Poor. London,
1772. 4to.
From the Rev. J. B«%gs—The Old Man Be
loved,a half-centurysermonby the Rev. E. Osborn;
a sermon on the death of Mr. Osborn by Mr.
Boggs; and A Term of Adoption, a sermon, by
the same.
From the Rev. B. F. Stead, Astoria, New York
—The American Preacher, vols. 1 and 2. Bvo.
179 i. Rare. ,
From Mr. Irvine, Philadelphia—lo valuable
clerical portraits.
From the Rev. John Forsyth, D. D., Newburgh,
New York—Bl2mo. volumes of Polemic Theology,
&c., valuable. Also a large number of valuable
Theological pamphlets. ’ . T
From the Rev. S. I. Prime, D. D., New York
city—Crosby’s Annual Obituary, 1858; 3 Prune S
History, Long Island, and 2 other volumes.
From Messrs. Leavitt & Allen,New York—Rev.
Dr.; J. J. Owen’s Commentaries on
Mark, and Luke. 2 vols., 12mo.
From the Rev. John Maclean, D.D., Prince
ton, New Jersey—A bound volume, embracing
various valuable pamphlets, his own productions.
Bvo. , ...
From William S. & Alfred Martien, Philadelphia
- —Annan’s Letters on Psalmody. ,12mo. Rev.
Daniel Baker’s Life and labours. 12mo: Hill 8
Crucifixion of Christ and Consideration of the ®f r "
toon on the Mount/ 2 vols. Hymns of Worship,
Owen’s Material for Thought, and 10otherl2mo.
volumes of interest. - ’X-r '
From the Rev. George Patterson, Pietou, Nova-
Scotia- —Biography and Remains of the Rev. J.
Macgregor. 2 vols. 12mo. 1859.
' From the Rev. F. K. Nash, author, Gilopohs,
N; Carolina—Circumcision and Baptism; 12mo.
1859;., ; .
From James Bayard, Esq., from the Library ot
the late E. F. Backus, Esq —36 volumes London
Christian Observer. Bvo. 11 volume? Religious
Intelligencer. Bvo. 11 volumes \!North JBTittsh-,
London Quarterly, and Edinburgh Reviews. Bvo.
65 numbers North British, London Quarterly, and
Edinburgh Reviews. Bvo. Numbers of Biblical
Repertory from 1835 to 1859,- consecutive. Mi
not’s History Rebellion in 1786 in manuscript,
and 412m0. volumes. i .
From the Rev* George McNeill, Eayetteville,
North Carolina.—s Bvo. Sermons by Presbyterian
ministers. ,
From the Rev." John Leyburn, D. IX, Philadel
phia— 200 valuable theological pamphlets.
Other donations received will be acknowledged
again. '
Contributions to the Library earnestly solicited.
- : . Samuel Librarian,
821 Chestnut street, Philadelphia.
EDITOR’S TABLE.
MANUAL OF GEOLOGY : Designed for the use of
Colleges and Academies. By Ebekezeb Emmehs. Il
lustrated with numerous Engravings. Second edition.
New York: A. S. Barnes & Burr. For sale by Gaut
. & Voikmar, Philadelphia.
The object of the author of this work in present
ing it to the public is not to. announce, any new
theories, or to discuss unsettled questions touch
ing the science of geology, but to give a; condensed
yet comprehensive view of all the more leading
and important facts already established. And in
doing this he has given especial attention to the
geology of our own country. This last feature of
the work strikes us as an important one, and well
calculated to increase the interest of the student
in this comparatively new, bat interesting and
important, branch of education.
THE STORY OF A POCKET BIBLE. AhookforaU
classes of readers. Ten Illustrations, Boston: Henry
Hoyt, No. 9 Cornhill.
We have noticed this hook in our columns once
before as issued by Carlton & Porter, for the Me
thodist Book Concern, and we believe it has also
been, published by the American Tract Society.
It is a valuable book, and we are glad to.see that
it is having so wide a circulation.
THE LIFE OF STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS. By James
W. Sheahan; New York: Harper & Brothers, Pub-
lishers. For sale by Lindsay & Blakiston, PhUada.
This is a work of over five hundred pages; and
embraces an almost complete record of the life
and public; services of a man who now occupies a
very conspicuous position in our country. The
interest with which it is read, will, of course, de
pend very much upon »f
the reader. Yet it becomes every American citi
zen to inform himself thoroughly upon all subjects
touching the progress of events in our country,
and the. men who .have a partita moulding its
destiny. It will undoubtedly meet with a rapid
and extensive sale. As a general thing, we have
observed that works of this kind are more reliable
and less eulogistic, when pnblished post mortem
or post election. - . ■ .
THE OLD RED-HOUSE. By the author of “Captain
Russell’s Watchword,” Ellen Dacre,”&e. Boston::
Henry Hoyt, No. 9, Comhill.
This is a book of nearly 400 pages, and con
sists of interesting reminiscences of childhood and
school-day life. It presents a beautiful illustra
tion of the power of a Christian mother’s influence,
and cannot fail to make a desirable impression upon
its readers. For sale by W. S. &A. Martien.
OLD LEAVE?: Gathered from Household-Words. By
Henry Wills. New York: Harper & Brothers,
Franklin Square, /1860. Philadelphia: Lindsay &
Blakiston.; .
The title of this work is its own sufficient pass
port. , It consists of a choice selection of .stories
and other articles front Dickens’ “Household
Words.” Those who hare seen them as they
first appeared, will be glad to see them preserved
in this form, and those who have not, eannot fail
to be interested in them..
TYLNEY HALL. By Thoinas Hood. Boston: J. E.
Tilton & Co. 1860. : •>.
This is a novel by the author of the “ Song of the
Shirt.”; The plot of the story is well laid, and
the 'characters well sustained, : while it abounds
with, humor and keen satire. For-sale by r W--.S.
& A. Martien.
CHILD’S BOOK OF NATURAL HISTORY. Hlns
: trating the Animal, Vegetable, and Mineral Rtnfe.
doms; with Application to the Arts. By M. M: Caril.
New York: A. S. Barnes & Burr. For sale by Gant
* & Volkmar, Philadelphia.
Although a work of modest pretensions, yet
we think it rarely the ease that as much useful
knowledge is imparted in a form so condensed,
intelligible, and attractive, as in this volume.
POPULAR HISTORY OF ENGLAND. By Mrs. Tho
mas Geldart, author of “Truth ib Everything,” “Sto
ries of Scotland,” etc., etc. New York: Sheldon&
c °. For.sale by B. H. Butler & Co.: Philadelphia.
This is the first volume of what the author in
tends shall be a complete work of the kind.
The present volume gives ns the history of Eng
land from the y.ear 60, A. D., to the war of the
Crusades. The object is not to supply' the place
of the class-books of our schools, or the more
voluminous works of Macaulay, Hume, &c„ hut
to present in a popular, readable style, an outline
of English history for those whose taste would
not incline them to the study of the dry detail of
facte as found in the former, or who have not the
time necessary for the perusal of the latter It is
handsomely got up, and is indeed a valuable book.
AMERICAN HISTORY. ByJacob Abbott. Illustrated
wRh numerous lVtaps and Engravings. Vblunm I.
Aboriginal Amenca. New Yoijt : Sheldon & Co
Bostoni Gould & Lincoln.
When the name of Jacob Abbott is found upon
the Me page of a work of this character; it seems
wholly superfluous for us to express any opinion
° T, ltS B -° Wdely Spread and so universally
acknowledged is his feme. Our young people
cannot he f6o;famffiar with the history of their
own country; and, we have no doubt, that the
present Work, as its several volumes make their
appearance, as profitable : to both pub
lishcr andreader, as have others from the gifted
pen of its author.
%, /.< t
SCONCE IN THEOLOGY. Sermons probed in a
No: 23 North B'/O 1 Street.
The prolific press is constantly sendmg forth
works of a highly intellectual and philosophical
Character, in which the foundations of our religion
are re-examined and reaffirmed. The attacks u n .
der the color qf S.cipnce ; the conceit of American
Budhism, an d the pride bf German tranceudenta
lism, are met by men who can expose their soph
isms and demolish their spiritual nonsense, by the
very instrument, reason, of which they boast tlm
exclusive right to use: A timid theolog.an, when
he sees, reason, science, philosophy, all arranged
against religion, naturally trembles for the ark of
God lest the heifers will overturn it, and all mil
he lost: therefore, men, sometimes are
found to distrust reason; or to join, m the sense
less clamor against science and philosophy. Re
llgion itself is the truest philosophy; theology is
the highest science. Apparent discrepancies be
tween theology’and the sciences, between the re
velations of God in the Scriptures, and the disco
veries" of the laws and facts of nature in the
sciences, must be examined, re-adjusted, and har
monised. Theology must again listen to secular
discoveries;' must refuse them, or re-adjust its
doctrines and ife methods to them, and the hum
blest attempts made without sophistry in an honest
and loving temper,' to aid in such desirable result,
must surely be useful. 1, ...
In nine bermois thb' Atlthor ably dismisses the
philosophical principles fef Christianity; illustqi
ting and defending its doctrines by science and
metaphysics. We fead the chapter exhibiting the
Divine Benevolence in the Economy op
Pain, which we could feblih SlHts experimental
force and application. We believe the boolf worthy
of attention, as furnishing food for thought, and
as suggesting principles, by which natural doubts
may be solved and the understanding established
and fortified against infidelity.
members of the uext assembly.
The following is the list of delegates primarii
to the next General. Assembly sp far as we have
been able to learn: \
; S PreibylerusP s:
Albany,
;SyNOD OF UtZOA*
0. Bartholomew, ;,. - T r, Blair, M. D.,
"j. M. MeGiiibrd,' J. S. Tpjlor.
••'■•vs’j • t v.r< .
Synod oiGjsnesee. .
Levi Parsons, Jr., L; J.,Ames,
Alfred North, David Dickey,
'Natban Bosworth, DavidFancher,
Genesee, 5.H.C0x,d,d.,i..:1.d,. Try-Wells,
Niagara, A. McColl, ‘ J. Wilson,
Buffalo, ■ A.T. Chester, ».i>i Thos. Farnham,
■ Gh. F. Mnssey, Sami: A, Brown,
Genesee Talley, J. G.' Ogden, . W. Niles.
Ontario,.
Rochester,
Synod or Geneva.
Oliver P. Conklin, A.M. Boiler, M. s,
Wm. j. Jemiings,' James M. FoW,
J. Woodruff; , J. H. ffotchkin,
T. Harrington, 0. Robinson,
Wm. Wiener, n. n.,.)ohn Esty,
W. N. McHarg,. . Dennis. Clark.
Synod or Onondago. ■
E. A. Huntington,D.D. Albert H. Goss,
Simon S. Goss, Wm. Atwood.
Geneva,
Bath, ;
Chemung,
Lyons, - ; #
Cnynga,.
Synod or Susquehanna. ,
A. McDougall, JohnS. Morse.
Chenango,
, . , Sy»OB or New.,Yo®k: aito New Jerset.
North Eirer, Jonathan Silliman, Edward . Wells,
New York, 3d, 'Walter'Clairke, H. Chrißty; 1
' E. F. Hatfield, b.d. Chs. A.-Davidson,
Rollin A. Sawyer, John G. Parker,
NewYork,4tb, Henry M.Field, B. ALHarlley,.__,
J. JP. Hovey, J. H. Bartholomew,
J. F- Stearns, n.n. Peter Jacobus,
J. M. Sherwood, < John ‘Murih. '
Long Island, Epher Whitaker,-■! M. D. Loper,
Eockaway, B. C. Magie, J. L-, Allen,
Montrose, Jas. B. McCreary, B. 8. Bentley.
Newark,
Synod or Penna.,
Wilmington, H. J. Gaylord, Lewis P. Busb, m. d.
Phila., 3d, Henry Barling, ' Hon. Jos. Allison,
• J. G. Butler, ' P. Fr&ier Smith,
Phila., 4th, Albert Barnes, David Thomas,
JohnJPLeod, J: M. Panl, M. D.,
Harrisburg, C; P. Wing, p.p.. Hon.MiM.McKinnj.
Stnod orWibt Pshna.
Wm.Grassic, ■ . Benj. R. Tuttle.
1 Synod of Michigan. • , -
Detroit,. A. Eldridge, Hon.P. B.Thurston,
Marshall, ,M. Gelston, C. Armstrong,
Washtenaw, Th. Wright, Thos. Ladd,
Kalamazoo, Wm. 8. Hoggins, X: H. Trask,
Coldwater, Wm. Fuller, Levi Baiter,
Saginaw, A. Scofield, F.Buros,
Grandß. Valley, C. Smith, S. Wood.
Synoboi* Westers Reserve.
Portage, Geo. E. Pierce, ».d., .
Huron, E. BushneU, C. Latimer,
Trumbull, Isaac Winaris, Win. Laird,
Cleveland, DauLsO: Blood, : ,David L. Atwater,
Elyria, .. ...... D. A. Grosvenor, B. Sturtevant,
James Shaw, W. A. Otis,
Maumee, Wni. W. Williams, JohnE. Osborn.
Grand River, J. M, Gfflett, Erastus Chester.
.•- ’ ' _ Synod or Ohio. .
Franklin, Edward D. Morris, J. McElroy.
: : Stsod or Cikciwhatj.
Cincinnati, »,H.AUen, n. n., A. Bpasley, sx.
C. E. Babb, A. H.Hinkle,
. j ; Martin, Hon; G. Wilson,
John Hussey, G. T. Roots.
Dayton,
Hamilton,
'• ■ Stood or Indiana.
J. G. Atterboiy, Danl. Cortner,
Indianapolis, T. A. Mills, J. (j. Wishard,
Green castle, dos.G.Wilsoti, H. F. Blunt.
Synod of "Wabash.
Fort Wayne; Elroy Coras, ■ ■■: t Sain’l McClain,
Doganaport, J. a. Carnahan; H.- W. Mann.
&TNOT) Oy pEOBIA. . -
XAmbrwWigkti^HeiB y. Smith,
"•?*'Patterson, Wheeler.
;Synod op Wjsconsih. ■ •
■ Wm. Liusk, . Alqnson Henghson.
«> - Synod,oplowa. __ v y
Des Moines, John C. Erving, John <J. Weeks,
ft era City,- G. E.W. Leonard, Wmf^^rnrt
Chariton n"’ ir ®- “'r'SoloiMWeckley,
Chariton, C. Martin, W. & Evans,
Dubuque, Geo. E. Delayan, John Matfay.
Synod of Minnesota. r .
Minnesota, J. Matthcks, D. W. Ingersoll,
Winona, .E. D. H01t,,, C . G. B. Jones.
Chicago,
Columbus,
Stkod or Ilxihois.
J- C. Downer, v H. Ellis,
9' 5:;? a J ,or ’ lamb,
A. Luce. *' •
'V v: ■‘
Illinois,
Alton,
„ i r BX»<>J> 8 X»<>J> o* Alta Caltforkia.
®\.BeH,. / J. E. McDonald.
Sicra Nevada, E. B. Wateworth.
. . . ®**OD o* Mcssottki.
Northern Miss;, W. W. Whipple, James Porter.
Chiniquy and Ms Colony. —The Rev. Dr-
Baird'has recently visitidthe French settlements in
Illinois, under the care of “Father Chiniquy/ 7 and
has published - the result- of His investigation. W 0
have room only for a'few brief extracts. Dr. Baird
says: v,. , >v. -
“I am compelled to acknowledge that, in its nature,
extent, importance and promise, it far exceeds tbo
opinion which I.'had formed of it. Certainly there
been nothing like it in the history of this coun
try, nor, indeed, in any other, since the XYlth cen
tury?' Of Father Chiniquy, Dr. B. says: “The to ore
I see of him the more confidence I have in him
is it true man.” '■ • -
Or- B. gives’ thh number of French Canadian fa
milies which-have left the Church of Rome, to re
ceive the gospel*these last three years, in Kankakee
.and vicinity, as follows: St Anne, 375; ChateauviHe,
(30 ; Kankakee City, lOOvPetites Isles, 30; Momence,
50 ! Borbonnais, 40; Middleport, 35; St. Marie, £0:
EraWe, 15; Barren, 16 • Chicago, 125; Ava, 50. 1“
i |>R| 886 families, comprising near 6,200 persons.
lay 17,
x " -
; SYSOD’fIF ALBANT.
S. X. Seely, E. A. Durant.