170 ftrstntctian %mmt #OTpfint TIItTRSDAT, JUNK 81, 1860. B. (f. HOUGHTON, 1 JOHN W-HEARS, j EDITORS ASSOCIATED WITH | ALBERT BARNES I GEORGE DUFFIELD, Jb. ' THOMAS BRAINERD, JOHN JENKINS, HENRY CARLING, * THOMAS J. SHEPHERD, THE ASSEMBLY’S COMMITTEE, AND THE CONGHEGATIONALIST PAPERS. Ever since the appointment of the Committee of Conference on Home Missions by our As sembly the Congregationalist journals Oast and west- with scarcely an exception, have indus triously laboured to forestall and frustrate the notion contemplated by that. appointment.. If it were the business of the Committee to consult these journals upbn the method of adjustment, their e’rrand would certainly result in failure. But it is n work which will not be done through the columns of newspapers. A Committee of ten grave, high-minded and honorable Christian men, and ministers of the Gospel, are appointed to confer with those who know their worth, and who vrill receive, them as coming in the Master’s i name, upon an errand involving the interests of Christ’s kingdom equally dear to' both. We do not care to discuss the matter, but ife content to leave it in the hands of the Committee and the bodies to whom they are sent. We shall advert only to a few points upon which wrong impressions are likely to be made by these articles. * , 1. The Assembly has not put an end to co operation, or dissolved its connection with the A. H. M. S. It has never co-operated with the society as an Assembly. Most of its presby teries and individual churches have, and by an srpKss resolution of the late Assembly, all in-, tention to interfere with the preferences of presbyteries and churches in regard to co opera tion, is disclaimed. They are left perfectly free to choose their own organs of Home Mis slonary effort. . ■ ■ 2 The Committee are not sent to the As ocia tions as bodies capable of acting authoritatively in regard to the A. H. M. S. These Associa tions have as much authority over the Society as the Assembly itself has,—no more. If the Assembly can properly appoint a Committee, it can just as.properiy look for the appointment of like Committees on the part of the Associa tions to confer with its own. And while there may be no power in the Committees thus ap pointed in regard to the policy of the A. H. M. S., there may be much Christian feeling, much wis dom and practical tact, many excellent sug gestions, and finally the construction of a plan go manifestly appropriate, and so clearly the offspring of honorable Christian intentions, as to have all the force of authority, at least with those whose intentions are equally honorable. This is the aim of the Assembly, as appears in the language of the report: “ That we may do all in onr power to secure a wise and Christian adjustment of the difficulties. . . To use their Utmost endeavours to secure such an under standing, * * * as may conduct to an equitable and.tfnftl adjustment of the whole question.” The majority of our body being desirous of acting denominationally, the Assembly before it organizes a complete System of Home Mis sionary operations, courteously and frankly ap proaches the bodies with which ithas been as sociated in this kind of effort for half a century. The Albany Convention broke off the plan of union in the most sadden and unceremonious manner. It was an example which onr As sembly did not choose to pattern after. Per haps onr Congregationalist friends would have been better pleased with us if we had, but we certainly regard onrs as the more excellent way among Christian men. 3. The Associations out,of New England were not contemplated in the Assembly’s ar rangement, simply, as we suppose, because the Assembly'is not in correspondence with them, the Only exception being the Presbyterian and Congregational convention of Wisconsin. It would have been better perhaps to have included this body in the proposed conference, bat be yd#d>this omission, the plan covers all the ground which conld properly be embraced by the. Assembly. We conclude that these remonstrances are scarcely creditable to the source from which they come. jOur estimate of onr Congregational brethren will suffer decided and unexpected abatement, if the spirit with which onr Com mittee shall be received, is trntbfnlly foresha dowed by them. BECRETABIES. There seem to be two opposite errors about Secretaries of Church Committees or Benevo lent Societies. One iB, that they are collectors of money, 'that they should preach on the subject of their cause in every church in their field,‘and should go* personally to every one who gives to benevolent purposes, andsolicit funds. The effect of plait fa to aecuftrize the Secretary,* and to make the impression upon the Church that it if an nnshitable position, for a minister, as it would bC, if this theory were correct The other extreme is, that a Secretary should be so far above his business as to neglect the collection of money, ~and the specific details of his work, apd give himself only to the business of making a grand impression on the Church concerning his cause. The one fritters away himself and his work hi endless minutiae, ariddowers his cha racter and position; the impressions made by the other are like circles in the water, which ex pand until they dissipate into nothing. Both fail of the right and, of course, of the permanent impression on the Chnrch. ' . Herei 5 $ elsewhere, the toiddle way is the safest ' Bhk it would seem, the Church must learn by experience, only. As a shrewd friend of ours says, we never do a thing right until we have first done if wrong. The only reason ySf withdrawing a Secretary from the direct work Of the ministry is, that a minister only can properly accomplish the work to be done, and that it 1s 0 work eminently appropriate to a mi- then, *S the work? Letus see if we can get a foundation ideh. The Church’s duty, We Will say, ‘ is to send the Gospel to the ends of ibe earth. Every member of the Church ought to feel this deeply and consecrate himself to it. Everj paetor iulk to bfinegl “ te t unleas it is some one, live, Bl mr|etie|mWster}*«te eloquent, as we can get him, to superintend this work. Here is the ideal. The Secretary is the superinten dent. He is to see that every body is at work in the business of missions. It is evident, now, that he may have a pretty wide field. If he is to pick np personally every dollar in his field, it must be small. But then he would not be doing his own work, but that of other, persons. Bat if he is to see that the dollars are collected by other suitable persons, his field' may be large. He canvasses and cor responds with the pastors; he sees that a col lection is taken up; sometimes he preaches him self; he introduces system into the operation; he sees that deacons and committees are at work. He does not rest until the right men do the work. He does not collect so much money directly, but he sees that every one does his duty, and the collections are made. If they are not made the Secretary is to blame. Every church Bbould do its own collecting. Deacons are the proper officers to do it. Col lectors may—imperfectly —take their place. But it is no more the business of the Secretary to get the specific dollars, than it is the busiiiess Of the Secretary of the Treasury to collect a specific tax. Yet the Secretary of tie Treasury must see that the tax is all paid in, and must give life and substance td the whole fiscal movement. The secretary of a benevolent operation, be sides, is to see in some cases to disbursement. He the Committee and exercises with them a sound discretion. • Not only so, but as his mind is upon the whole movement, they must neces sarily rely much upon his discretion and judg ment. Over a wide church, partial -judgments will often bo made of the action of a committee. The Secretary must be übiquitous to explain, to counsel and to receive counsel. His eye must be upon the Whole land, and to every mi nister in every county of perhaps very many States, he musf be able to-give an account of the missionary position of that county. If not, he is considered ignorant by somebody, and sup posed to be uncomprehensive. Who is sufficient for these things ? We do not expect perfect wisdom and discrimination in the church, but we think it would greatly promote it on this subject if the Church had the right idea of a Secretary, andthe right idea of their relation to him, and their own part in the work. It is to promote this that we have thrown these thoughts together. _ THE LATE ASSEMBLY. Our readers will doubtless be interested in the following view of the action and spirit of our late Assembly, which we take from the Central Chris tian Herald, the organ of our church, in Cincin nati. This excellent and ably-conducted paper circulates mainly in that part of our church in which the plan of union has been most extensively acted upon, and where consequently, we might expectadecided sympathy with Congregationalism, and a repugnance to Denominational action on the part of the Assembly, to prevail. No report can give a full idea of the spirit of the meeting. We wish that all the members of our church, and all who desire its prosperity, could have been present to see with their own eyes, and to hear with their own Mrs. By thus feeling the pulse of the body, as the life tides of its views and feelings came up from many thou sand hearts all over the land; they would have learned its unity, and its strength. They would; have seen that we are no “ terbium quid” between Congregationalism and Old Schoolism, as ultraists on both sides are ever asserting, but. an earnest church' of Christ, with full confidence in the correctness pf our distinctive doctrines and polity, and a full consciousness of our distinctive mission. Men, who have pushed any system of truth to the. extreme, where it borders on, and gets into the shadow of error, are tempted to regard with un holy jealousy those brethren who still walk in the golden middle path. For this reason, wc have been for a quarter of a century, and especially since the Albany Convention, the best abused church in the country. Some, even of our own people, have almost begun to believe the accusa tions and the predictions so persistently repeated by Congregational and Old School newspapers. The wonder is, that amid such assaults bn every side, more have not become alienated and discou raged. The wonder is, that with so many toiling to scatter the seeds of discord in our midst, more of the indolent and unstable have not been lured away. But, by the blessing of God, the result of these unholy efforts has been to hind together more compactly the diverse elements of which our Church was originally composed, and to make us one of the most harmonious, and, for our numbers, one of the most vigorous and efficient churches in the land. When we saw at Pittsburg, men who had been considered zealous advocates of widely different views coming together in cordial unity of‘senti ment as well as feeling—when we* saw a willingness to sacrifice all local, interests, and all preferences as to modes of operation,* and to inquire only what is for the highest good of the church and for the* glory of God—when we saw how manifestly the Spirit of Christ was in our midst, and Seemed to guide us in our deliberations—when we saw subjects that are elsewhere exciting aud inflam matory, discussed calmly, with Christian dignity and love: we wished that we could transmit the spirit of the Assembly to all our readers, so that they might share in.our emotions of devout grati tude to God, and of renewed hope for the prospe rity of our beloved ChU'reh. We have passed al ready the rook on Whieh it has been said that we must split. We are essentially of one mind in regard to-the issues which have been expected to rend us asunder. • * AMEBICAir BOABD. The 31st day of Jnly wiil close the fiftieth financial year of the American Board of Foreign Missions.’ ... The results of these fifty years of labor in heathen and unevangelized countries, are well known. Fifty thousand souls during this time have bee» hopefully converted to Godin every part of the world—an average of one thousand conversions for each year of our missionary his tory. Shall we, then, permit snch a cause to close this, its jubilee year, under the shade of a debt? Shall the friends of the yirsi half century of the Board hand over a debt to be paid by the friends of the second half century f We believe they will not. The following, from a letter of an elder in one of onr churches, is highly encouraging. He “We Are making a little effort this' week to raise funds for t>e American Board. Ido want to see the society out of debt at the Jubilee Meeting, and I think it will be. Some of ns have given more than usual this’ year, and we feel that, if necessary, voe must give again, arid we will. Two of onr number, a gentleman and his wife, Baid they .were. going to. attend the meeting of the Board at Boston, but it would eost them forty dollars, and they came to the .conclusion that they would stay at home, and give the forty dollars to the Board.” As the financial year closes with the end of whatever is done, either by churches or by \ individuals, heeds td be done soon. metirau fYe n att and ttfgff EDITORIAL EXCURSION. No. 11. Memphis, Term., June 1, 1860. Dear Editors :— I last addressed yon from that city of churches and rail-roads, Indianapo lis, whose flower-gardens, and beautiful wide streets, and handsome buildings I was loath to leave. A word more about the churches before a final adieu. The Episcopalians, in their little architectural gem, are just introducing a chime of bells, and, what is better still, are providing beforehand for the payment of the debt upon the building by a method well worthy of imita tion, and one which reflects credit upon their energetic rector, Rev. Mr. Stringfellow, recently of Hyde Park, on the Hudson. Cards have been circulated through the con gregation containing a promise, to pay a certain amount monthly towards the debt.: Each one puts down what he can, and every three months the money is collected. Thus three or four hun dred dollars are raised and paid over every quarter, the interest on that amount of the. debt ceases, and before they know it, without any one feeling it, the debt will have vanished. The First Presbyterian Church, of our branch, I found doing their share in the Foreign Mis sion work. Their Sabbath School raises $2OO a year, one-half of which goes to the school at Marash, in Turkey, and the other half to the American S. S. Union, for Rev. Mr. Chid- law’s schools. Is it not delightful to find Sab- bath Schools 700 miles west of us, doing ex- actly what our own schools are doing, and churches there, just as wide awake to the inte rests of the American Board, and to the wants of what we call “the West,” as are our own churches on the Atlantic slope? • I left Indianapolis reluctantly in a comforta ble sleeping-car, and, as a thunder-storm was coming up, had the pleasure of seeing from my berth almost as much of the country as though it were day. The lightning kept every thing in almost a constant blaze. But I was soon asleep, the Terre Haute Road being one of the smooth- est in the land, and one of the few that, they say, has paid-back to the stockholders asmuch money in dividends as they ever paid in for their I was aroused by the shake of the conductor and his rough cry of “ Mattoon.” I had had a nap 172 miles long, knowing nothing from the lightning flashes that put me to sleep, to the waking in another state, except an indistinct recollection of the man in the next, berth, who would get in with his boots on, in spite of the re monstrances of a very clever conductor. This was the westernmost point of my route, and I found the train waiting on the Illinois Central to convey me direct to Cairo, at the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. We were now upon the broad prairies of Il linois, and as day-light came on I could take some notes of the country and its improvements. I was mnch disappointed, I must confess. The rich prairie-lands, waving with golden wheat fields, were not there. The country was level as a floor, but no wheat-fields, and very little culture, appear along .the line of this road. ■ A few miles off, where earth and sky meet, were woods and trees, and, the passengers informed me, nice farms, too. The farmers prefer locating on the edges of the prairie, .where there is wood and a stream of water. Near the line of the road, the land is all owned-by speculators, they tell me; and until actual settlers buy it, at their prides, there will be no improvement apparent. Better to give half of it away than let it lie as it is. The various stations at which, we stopped looked poor and uninviting. One or two sea sons of good crops will alter their appearance very much, I have no doubt. Here and there were pretty towns, showing thrift and .comfort,• with a pretty white church-steeple showing out above every thing else, but they were the excep tions. The only church built of brick, however, and wearing a truly substantial look, was one surmounted with a cross, and having a large wooden cross, thirty feet high, standing in the yard. Truly, thought I, the confessional and the sale of indulgences are almost as potent in raising money in Illinois as they were when Tetzel traded in them in the streets of Germany. The scarcity of wood and water on these prai ries is a great draw-back to their present deve lopment. I noticed that in the gravel trains on the road, each took a barrel of water to sup ply the hands during the day. How different from the Eastern States, where streams and ri vulets abound 1 ‘ As we got’down to within fifty miles of Cairo, the land became rolling, a stratum of rocks ap peared, and the' prairies were no i more. The country was still less cultivated, with more tim ber add under-growth. Quite a number of saw mills are set up at various stations in this re gion, which douhtless drive a good trade with the extended regions to the north, so destitute of timber. Were it not for the coal-beds .of those more northern regions, the population would be badly put to for fuel, as they actually have been, before the development of the coal; but a kind, far-seeing Providence has provided abundant stores Of coal for the farmers'of these Illinois prairies, and the quality of what I saw coming out of the mines along the line,- was far better than I had supposed it to be. . Towards; noon, the iron horse brought ns to Cairo, the southernmost point of Egypt, as they term southern Illinois. Here we found quite a town, despite the heavy flood of two years ago. A large, handsome hotel, built of. bricks, —the St. Charles,—-shows magnificently from all di rections. A number of substantial stores and warehouses have been built here, giving the ac tive levee quite a business appearance. AU the Ohio and Mississippi steamers .stop here, trans ferring large amounts of freight from the north and east, to the Illinois Central Bail Road add its eastern connexions. A steamer was waiting to take ns to the Mobile and Ohio. Kail Hoad Station, twenty miles down the Mississippi, and we were soon aboard, .floating over the broad bosom of the Father of Waters. Here I was again disappointed, as were other eastern men aboard, who looked upon the Mississippi River, for the first time. The Ohio appears to be the principal stream, the upper Mississippi coining ' into it, instead of it being the tributary, and [ when both have joined, the whole stream does not appear to be as large as our .Delaware, at Philadelphia. It seetos*almost impossible that steiamerß should ply north, east, south, and west from this point, Cairo, in no stream; than this appears to be, 1,000 miles easily in each direction. But so it is, and this great fa cility of communication haß been the cause of the greatness of the west, to a large extent. k Quito a grumbling was soon apparent among tlie passengers. “Canftget any liquor ”,was the trouble, 1 The private flasks were passed, around and used up in a twinkle, and the grumbling became more j intense. “ Hang these religious boat captains, they ought to get into some other business,” was heard bn all sides. _ . The Captain’s name is Charles Latimer, and his boat, the “B. P. Cheney.” Pass it round, Mr. Editor. A captain who won’t allow a Bar bn his boat,, because he is a God-fearing man—-a member of the Episcopal Church. He was not aboard, or I would have shaken his hand. After a very ex cellent dinner, we fended at Columbus, Kentucky, the northern terminus of the Mobile and Ohio Rail | Road, a road of 5 feet gauge, and laid with an j extra heavy English rail. The road is exceedingly j smooth and easy running, and appears destined to command a heavy trade between the G-ulf And the Ohio River. At Humboldt, a new town consist ing of one hotelin the woods, I took the Memphis , and Ohio Road, (intended to connect Memphis and Louisville,) and was soon very near to Memphis, the epd of my joqrncy. The country is mostly uninhabited.timßerlands, swampy and desolate, un til we come within- twenty five or thirty miles of Memphis, when the cotton fields begin, with here and there a gang of twenty or thirty slaves at work in them. They appear to work vigorously, and the fields, .after they leave them, are as clean of weeds as it is possible to have them. The ploughs and cultivators are all drawn by mules, and mostly driven by the women. No horses appear in the' fields at all. AloSg the roads large teams of oxen are seen, four or six of them drawing a single hogs head of one instance, I saw. eight oxen drawing loaded with shingles. I have often seen' a single horse hauling as many over onr Philadelphia streets. These long ox teams form quite a novel feature to the stranger. I frequently noticed, in the streets of Memphis, six oxen yoked together quietly lying in the street, chewing their cud; after the loads had been taken from their wagon. , G. W..M. ACTS OF THE ASSEMBLY. Tbe following-is the action of the late As sembly, on two important subjects : First, com mending the Society for : Education at the west. Resolved, I. 'Tfiat the great good already accomplished by the Society for the promotion of Collegiate and Theological Education at the west, in sustaining and enconraging valuable Institutions in times of commercial embarrass ment, until they, could be placed on permanent foundations, is entitled to the grateful acknow- | ledgments of this Assembly; while its unfinished | work is -worthy ojf ,the hearty sympathy and generous aid of ril-the friends of sound learning and enlightened piety, and especially in regard to completing the’ endowment of the institutions now under its patronage. Resolved , 2. That the efforts of our brethren on the Pacific coast to establish the Institutions of education and religion among.them, and es pecially to endow the colleges of California and Oregon, are worthy of the - confidence and pa tronage of our churches. (The resolutions were adopted without dis sent.) Second, The reply to Dr. Williamson’s pro posed measure instoucting the Committee on Church Extension “to extend aid to no church which has among its members one or more communicants who are slaveholders, and that they instruct those whom they, may send out as evangelists, to receive to the communion of the churches which Wey may form, no person who is known to be a.slaveholder.” This was referred to the standing committee on Church Extension, of which Dr. R. W. Pat terson is chairman, who on Monday read the report, which wasfedopted, as follows: The on Church Exten sion, to whom was referred.the above resolution, report thereon as_ follows: 1. The permanent committee on Church Ex tension is appointed to act for the whole ,church, being an organ df the General Assembly, which, represents the wlßle church; and we see no de fensible principle on which such a committee could make discriminations on moral grounds between churches-that are recognized as having the same ecclesiastical standing under o.ur com mon constitution.; 2. The position of our chutch is well under stood to be one ojf opposition to the spirit and system of slavery,.; and we have no reason to believe that any churches connected with us are using their influence to sustain or fortify that institution. ! I; , 3. If it be trae that any members of churches in bur connection hold slaves, under mistaken views of their duty towards them, we do not see that this affords sufficient reason for withholding from them the Bread of ; Xiife, and such enlight ened teachings believe our jmihisters are qualified and disused to impart, in relation to all the principles df ; Christian duty. We sym pathize with all Christian endeavors to remove and sin from the Church of Christ, Jbut we think this .to be accomplished, not by withdrawing the gospel away from those who need it, but (by affectionate and prayerful efforts to apply the principles of our holy re ligion to the heart and conscience of every Christian who is Willing to receive instruction. 4 The permaneht committee on Chuirch Ex tension are fully afrare of the ground which our church occupies with reference to this subject, and we have confidence that they will conscien tiously discharge their duty with an enlightened regard to the promotion of righteousness, and holiness. in the church and in the: world. FffiST PEISBYTERIAIff CHUaCH OF ItOHS, lOWA. ; Messrs. Editors :—-I beg leave, through the columns of the American Presbyterian, to say to the numerous pastors, churches and' individuals among whom I have gone for the last-few months, seeking means- tp"i|elieve the First Presbyterian Church of Lyons,\|owa, of dangerous pecuniary embarrassments, thft, by the favor of God and the good people, the- object of my mission has been accomplished. mortgagewhich sothreatened us aS a church has Wen paid and discharged. I now desire to etpress my unfeigned gratitude, fpr the very great; kindness and liberality with which both; myself and tny applications have been received. Many of the demonstrations of Christian affection and sympathy have made impressions on. my heart which can never be effaced;.and I shall long feel it, a privilege to bear in remembrance before God, in my private devotions, those dear friends (to many of whomlcameas a total stranger,) who showed me marJted tokens of kindness, and who, to use the language of one excellent pastor, in writing to me of his own.people, “responded,to my appeal, not only with cheerfulness, €nt with eagerness.” - On the last Sabbath afternoon, we held, in our fine chapel, a special service for ihanlcsgiving and prayer. The housefwas well filled, a considerable number being preset from the other churches. I gave them a rapid account of my labors, and nar rated some special instances of sympathy and zeal in our behalf; and. we mingled our praises and thanksgivings with our prayers for .those who had so generously aided us. , . ; ' Near the close of the service, one of. the Elders' of the church unexpectedly arose and offered seve ral resolutions, which Were unanimously adopted, and from which I venture to copy the following: Resolved, That the thanks of this church and society-arc'due; and are hereby tendered— _. Ist: To our Pastor, for bis self-denying, per severing and successful efforts in obtaining con-- tributions for the removal of our pressing pecuniary embarrassments. 2nd. To the ministers, churches, individual Christians' and others who have generously con tributed for this purpose. 3rd. To the Methodist Episcopal Church and other churches of this city, for their Christian courtesy, in extending to us church privileges within their own houses of worship during the absence of our Pastor. Abo Resolved, Thut we recognize the divine Head of the Church as the source of all temporal and spiritual blessings; and that we deem it emi nently' proper to record, our humble acknowledg ments and our devout gratitude to'God; -who, in the language of the (ext on this occasion, “hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad.” Lyons, lowa, June 7, 1860. PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY. The Annual Meeting of the Presbyterian His torical Society was held* in the Library, at the rooms of. the Presbyterian Board of Publication on Tuesday, the Bth day of .May,;lB6o, at four o’clock in the afternoon. In the absence of the President, the Rev. J. R. W. Sloane of New York, the Rev. B. J. Wallace, D. D., was called to the chair. Prayer was offered by the Rev. Alfred Ne yin, D. D. ,r ; The United Presbyterian Church was recog nised as co-operative with the Society. The Annual Report was read by the Secretary, approved, and ordered to be published. ! ~ The Annual Report of the Treasurer and Li brarian was read'and approved, and it was ■ ;:. Resolved, That the thanks of • the, Society are due to our treasurer and librarian, Samuel Agnew, Esq., for his zealous, laborious, and gratuitous ex ertions, to which we are so largely indebted for | the success which has attended, our past efforts in the cause, of historical research. The following, officers were elected for the en suing year, vizi: For President. —The Rev. Wm. B. Spraguej D. D., of Albany, New York. Vice Presidents. The Rev. John C. Backus, D. X)., of Baltimore, Maryland; Rev. James P. Wilson, D. D., Newark, New Jersey; Rev. David R.,Kerr, D-D., Pitts burg, Pennsylvania; Rev. Hugh M'Millah, D. Di, : Cedarville, Ohio; Rev. James M. Willson, Phila delphia. i; - ■ Corresponding > Secretary.— -Rev. .Samuel ~JV Baird,,l)- D., Woodbury, New Jersey., Treasurer and Librarian. Samuel, Agnew, Esq. > Esekeutive Committee.— R&y. CWanßensseladr, D. D., Rev. Alfred Nevin, D. D., Samuel Hazzard, Esq., Rev. B. J. Wallace, D. D., Rev. George Duffield, jr,, Henry I. Williams, Esq., Rev. J. B. Dales, D. D., Rev, Thomas H. Beveridge, Rev. Joseph T. Cooper, D., Rev. T. W. J. Wylie, Di D;, ahd Rev. S. 0. Wyliei The Society then adjourned. THE ANNUAL REPORT. The Executive Committee of the Presbyterian Historical Society would respectfully report: : ' That the library of the Society has received, within the year now closed, large and valuable ad ditions to its historical, stores, a more particular account of which will he presented, by the Li brarian. The catalogue - now embraces about 2450 volumes, and 8000 pamphlets,‘in addition to a large : mass of exceedingly valuable manuscripts, files of- newspapers, .portraits, and-.other matters of historical interest. In the accumulation of these, the zeal and energy of our esteemed Librarian' Samuel Agnew, Esq:, have been untiring. Among the' acquisitions of the preient year; Ihe folldwibg are worthy of special notice :—-The manuscripts of the Rev. Dr. J: B. Romeyn, including journal, sermons, &c., presented by his grand-daughter, Mrs. H. L. Parraelee; several .volumes of xnanu sonpts of -the Rev: William; Marshall, and the Rev. Joseph Shaw, LL. D., early pastors of the First Associate Church in Philadelphia; 'thema nuscripts of the Rev. John Andrewspthe founder, and for many years the editor of the Recorder, a weekly religions paper, ..which was started by him ii Chilicothe, Ohioj" and' is perpetuated in the Presbyterian Banner. These manuscripts include volumes of a journal kept by .him continuously from 1768 to -1833,: aud -is rich; in ' historical .value. They are. deposited with us by Mrl Lr Y, W, AndrhWs, of Macon, Georgia. From the Rev. Archibald Whyte, of Rock Hill, South Carolina, have been received a pair of horse pis tols, which were taken from the body of Colonel James Gardiner, as-he lay on the field of Prcstou pans, by a Highlander of the Pretender’s party, from whom bn 'the next day they were purchased by the ancestor of Mr. Whyte. . In response to the memorial of the Society, ad-: dressed to the churches of whom it is composed,: the General. Assembly of the Presbyterian Church which met in-IYilniington, Delaware, the. General Synod of the Reformed; Presbyterian Church, and the Syno'd of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, each adopted resolutions recommending the -churches to to the funds of the Society the means requisite for the more success ful prosecution of the objects for which it is or ganized. : Webave notfeltat liberty tp avail our selves of the favor thus extended for wanf of the I general concurrence of;the : denominations repre sented;™ the Society. It is hoped that the mea sures; now on foot may place 'the Society in such an,attitude, before, all,the ehurches as will enable US to obtain the means which are requisite to the proper management of the interest which is in trusted to our charge. Until this is "attained wb must continue to labor under great disadvantages in prosecuting our labors; our invaluable collec tions be only in a very partial way rendered avail able to the explorer; and the entire mass be sub ject to the danger of fire, involving irreparable 1 JoSS, ••' ' ' ' ‘ AB;address was delivered on behalf of the So-; ciety before the General Assembly of. the United Presbyterian Church during its sessions in May, 1859, by the Rev. Alexander Young, D. D_.j on the influence of Presbyterianism upon education. • The following gentlemen have consented to act as our representatives by delivering addresses at the approaching sessions of the Church judica tories. Thjßey. Jpseplr T. Smith, D. D., of Bal : timore, before the Gbheral Assembly to meet at Rochester; the Rev. Samuel M. Hopkins of Au burn Theological Seminary before the General As-: sembly to meet at,Pittsburgh; the Rev. Thomas Sproull, D. D., of Allegheny, before the Synod of the Reformed Presbyterian Church to meet in May, 1861. " -;- r \ / 1 All of which is respectfully submitted. r , ; : . Samuel J. Baied; Secretary. , Hew Churches in lUinois^Durand.-—A com mittee of the Presbytery of Belvidere, on the 26th of April last, organized at Durand, Illinois, a Pres byterian church of tenmembers—five men and their wives; Others will soon unite. Eyde Parle, Chicago,-^ A committee of the Chi cago Presbytery, on Sabbath, the 29th of April last, organized a Presbyterian church “with twelve mem bers, in Hyde Park., This is a beautiful suburb of Chicago, lying along the, lake, south of the city. The congregation have a neat house of worship. ' McksonpUk. —“The Westminster Church” was or ganized-in this place, by a committee of the Illinois Presbytery;, nit Sabbath, May the 13th. ihe Con gregational church kindly; and courteously gave up their place of worship for the exercises of the occa sion. There on Sabbath morning a very large au dience.-. assembled. After the sermon the action of Presbytery was recited by Rev. B. Nutting. David, A. Smith, Esq., and Dr. Henry Jones, were duly,elecl edand installed elders of the church. The church thus organized consists of forty-five members. Uth.ers are expected soon to join with them. Steps have al- Teady be^sn'taken to : erect a house of worship* to cost from six thousand to seven -thousand dollars—m eluding the site. On Saturday evening previous to the organization; $4,750 of the necessary amount was ,pledged. x *. " , _ _ ■ • ■ This mew. organization will be in full and thorough sympathy with ouf branch of the Church, with the, cause of Christian education, and with every good work. 'A: ■' " As an earnest of what they will do, individuals of them gave to the general cause of eliurch extension, while 1 was there, one hundred and twenty-five dol lars. Besides this, theyiaxapaying a very, large part; of’the amount necessary to sustain their own Pres byterial missionary.—-Pres6y<% 'Reporter. THIS ONE THING I DO- A addressed to new disciples. Phi chestnut Street, terian Publication Committee, 1334 «»» lSroo. pp., 7S. . , . . This is a small manual, designed to be pu in the hands of the young Christian as he a PP™f°, the communion table to profess his faith in rjs It is well calculated to prepare or a . solemn and delightful service, and it seizes upo it as the favorable,opportunity for stamping a character of earnestness and devotion Ppon after career of the convert. .It is written by a lady, and the refinement and delicacy 1 an ig moral tone of the sex, are manifest in the wor • We rejoice that our Committee have begun to secure the valuable co-operation of women in i is important work.- ’ Daniel Clark. s EDITOK’S table. THE CONFESSIONS OF AUGUSTINE j Edited with an Introiluction by Wm. G.: T. Shedd. '* , n hj a • F. Draper. Boston: Gould &,Lincoln* Philadelpb , Smith, English & Co. Large 12m0., pp., xxxvi. 417. -'“f '■■y- 1 ': ' : It is needless to attempt more than simply to call attention to these celebrated confessions; vvbioh as important in the history of Christian experience, as are the doctrinal teachings of the author in the. history of dogmatic theology. . Here will be found a graphic account of the action and re-aetion of truth in operation upon .one of the mightiest of human intellects, and one of the proudest and most obstinate by nature of; human hearts; -The best commentary, says the .Editor, yet written- upon the seventh and- eighth chapters of Romans. * The Editor’s introduction is an interesting and in structive analysis and critique of the confessions j the translation is an old; one, but -vigorous and easy, and the mechanical execution of the work is altogether worthy of a Christian classic. . The minister and the thoughtful Christian will find it an aid to devotion of a high order; A SMALLER HISTORY OF GREECE from the earliest times to the Roman Conquest. By Wm; Smith, LL. D. Illustrated by engravings on wood. New York: Harper & Bros. - Here in the compass of 270 small 18mo. pages we have a very complete manual of Greek History, designed' for the use of Public Schools. It is very 1 thorough, commencing with the Geography of Greece, proceeding with the origin of the people and the heroic age, their national Institutions, common ties, games, oracles, &e., and bringing down the history through nearly a thousand yeans from 1104- to 146 B. C. An , instructive chapter on Greek Literature is added, while there is a profusion of such valuable accessories, as Indexes, Maps, Engravings, and the like. For sale by Smith, English & Co. HISTORY OF GENGHIS KHAN, by Jacob Abbott, with Engravings. New York: Harper & Bros. 18mo., pp. 335, Mr. Abbott has here presented in his usual graphic and/interesting manner, an: historical character, about which every'one feels curious. The .authenticity of the narrative is not vouched" for,;:, it ,is only ; claimed- that such sources of in formation as were attainable, have been faithfully' used: while the reader is here and there judiciously warned, when the grounds of belief seem to be peculiarly deficient—-as in the story of Prester John. There are ton .full page illustrations well drawn and, executed. For sale by Lindsay & Blakiston. / BOOKS RECEIVED, CLASS BOOK OF BOTANY. Being outlines of the • structure, physiology and classification of Plants. . With a-Flora of all parts of the United States anil Canada. .. By Alphonso Wood, A. M. New York : A.- ,S. Barnes & Burr. For sale by Smith, English.& Co., 23 North 6th st., Philadelphia. ‘ MORNING HOURS IN PATMOS. ' The opening vision of the Apocalypse; and Christ’s Epistles to the Seven Churches of Asia. By A. C. Thompson, author'of “The Better;Land,” etc;,' etc. Boston: Gould & Lincoln. For sale by Smith, English & Co;, Phila delphia. . LETTERS, QF HANNAH MORE TO ZACHARY MACAULAY, ESQ. Containing notices of Lord Macaulay’s Youth. Now First Published.' Edited and arianged by Arthur Roberts, M. A. New York: Robert Carter & Bros, -. ,For;sale at Presbyterian Book Store, 1334 Chestnut stj Philada. /,- v A COMMENTARY, Critical, Expository, and' Practical on the:Gospel ,of John. For the use of Ministers, Theological Students, Private Christians, Bible Classes ' and Sabbath Schools. By John J. Owen, D. D. New York; Leavitt & Allen,'24 Walker St. . HOW TO LIVE. Saving anil Wasting, or Domestic Economylllustrated by the Life of two' Families' ‘Of opposite Character, Habits, and Practices in a pleasant Tale Qf Beal Life, full of useful Lessons in House ; keeping, and Hints hOnrto gain, and bore to be happy. Including the story of « A Dime a Day.” BySol'on Robinson. New Yor k; Fowler&Wells.Forsale by John L. Capen, 922 Chestnut St. Philadelphia. * - LTJCILE. By Owen Meredith, author of “ The Wander er,” “Clytemnestra,” etc. Boston ; Ticknor& Fields. For sale by J'. S. Lippincott & Co., Philadelphia. THE MARROW AND FATNESS OF THE GOSPEL; or Bible Guide in a Holy Life. . Being an arrangement of scripture itexts, under appropriate Heads, with a view of facilitating the study of the Bible. ‘ Boston; H. V. Degen & Son. For. sale at the Methodist Book and Tract Depository,*No. 119 North 6th st,Phiiadel phia. ", . / PAMPHLETS AND PERIODICALS RECEIVED. Hall’s Jourcal ofcHealth for Jude.: iGontentsj Donation Pardes-r-Whisky dootorarrPiostitutioh ofHcalth—Clerical killedhim ? —Physical Training—Public : Schools—Hammer on. . : .... The National Preacher. I; The Hew Creation, by Rufus Anderson, D. D. .11. The Resurrection of Christ, by R. D. Hitchcock, D. D. HI. Divine Providence, by Elias Nason. IV. Death- and the Judgment. . Littell’s Living Age for the present week, con tain the usual and ihstriictive variety; Reasonableness is a: quality particularly aimed at in the. selections. ■ Scientific American.— One of the most in teresting and useful publications which comes to ottr saucthm is the Scientific American, a weekly publication, devoted to popular science, new in ventions, and the whole range of mechanic aiid manufacturing arts. The Seiehtifib American has been published for fifteen years, by the well known Patent Solicitors, Messrs. Munn & Cd. 37 Park Row, New York; and has yearly increased in interest and eirbulatioh, until it has attained We understand, nearly3o ; ooo subscribers, which id the best of evidence that the publication is appreciated by the reading public. ' e ’ Its illustrated deScrlpiibnst ? 6f all'the inM’imi portant improvements in steam and agricultural machinery, will commend it'to the Engineer and Farmer, while the new household inventions and shop tools which are illustrated by engraving and described in its columns, with the practical re-’ ceipts contained in every number, renders the work desirable to housekeepers,hhd almost indis pensable to every mechanic or srmth Who has a shop formanufaeturihg new work, or repairing old. The Scientific American isuhiversallyregarded as the inventor’s advocate and monitor; the rep o : sitory of Amencau inventions, and the great au t only on law, and all business ''connected With Patents. The Official List of Claims/as issned Weekly from the-PaW m&pfr Washington, is published regularly in its columns All 18 - • ’ ♦„„* Patents issued by the Lmted “** illo.trated »a fatfbd ao unrivalled **, on its pages, thus iormiu D of American inventions. ..., , The Scientific American is publu. once a week (every. Saturday,) each number conton.ng 16 pages ojf letterpress,, nod from 10 to 1-_ origu if New locutions, coning of the molt improved Tools, Engnes, Mills, Agr,. cultural Machines and Household Utensris, making 52 numbers in a year, d6mpnsing BS2 pages, an,] over 500 Original Engnmngs, printed on heavy fine paper, in a form expressly for binding, and all for S 2 per annum. A New Volume commences on the Ist of July. The World. —It was stated some months since that a religions daily was to be BteF * “V ** York, or a news journal conducted on strictly re ligious principles.* The first number of this paper hL col to hand in :the form of a large quarto sheet, larger than cither of the popular two-cent dailies of New York, and at the low price of one cent per Copy, or 64 per yeari , B does not propose to be strictly and technically a religions paper only. As everything is religions wliich is conducted on true Christian principles, and as religion comes to permeate all business, motives and actions, there will need be no wider distinction between religious and secular, a man’s faith and his life. The Pro spectus says: • “The World has originated in.!*# ’•Mjsjy P™ TO - feelffiflhM' the%ri^ c has come for living Christiani|.,toAsaert iB 1m more .than, it has yet. done, and will adapt itself to that acknowledged want. “We propose to lay before our readers something on this subject in every day’s issue. We do not fotehd either to annoy or disgnet them, however, by long and wearisome bpmilies. Our desire is to 7 give them daily, iu as short compass as possi ble, such intelligence respecting the progress of religion in all parts of the world, and in connee tioif with all the branches of the Church, as ought to be interesting not only to the Christian, but even to the philanthropist and the patriot. Still it is to be a news-paper, omitting nothing essential to the completeness, of this idea, over looking and gathering daily from the busy world all that is valuable forinformatdon, and instruction, while it will refuse to, pander to vice, and will exclude everything unfit to be’ read by the pure households In politics, the World proposes to be indcpendent of party andifree to discuss all topics, and furnish^fidl- information without bias. On this subject it says: : .: “It will discnss all politieal.tdpics with freedom, and .will never lend itselfto.party Beirvice. Every party, has,,its: good and bad. commits its gbpd and bad acts, makes its good and bad nomi- I ationsj—rtliis;’ paper will discriminate between these with the strictest’imjphrtißlity, measuring by no'other standard than t that-virtue and the public good,: with,out. disfinction of parties or per sons., It will -keep ;true -to they doctrine of the Fathers of .the EeppbUb, :ttoteptoVery is a moral, social, and political evil j yet, withal, one that can be safely and effectually treated only by those who have: a legislative and-legal jurisdiction over it. Recognizing the duty of both the Federal Govern ment and, of the States to .keep strictly to their own respective constitutional, spheres,- this paper will oppose, on the one, hand, any action by the Federal- 1 Government towards planting Slavery where it does not 'exist; and, on the -other hand, any action sbytW Federal. Government, or by the no,nrslaveholding: States,- towards uprooting the in stitution wherfe it does exist., While it will enter tain no fear for, add listen to no threats against, the Union, it will ever be thoroughly national in its tone, ever on the side of,the (institution and the laws, and, by just statement apd «alm appeal, w,ill seek to allay the' sectional discoid which de signing and hot-headed partisans labor .to excite. In ite't^ : 6Sieifo^''an : iikd36i^^'evs^rhature,it will r avoid : bitterness. ' While earnest' for'right, and unshrinking: in rebuke,' it'will he courteous aDd genial, always mindful that violence is almost sure to work more harm than good to truth.” ■ Mr. Cummings,, late of the Bulletin of, this :city, has charge of the business department, winch is guarantee of its snccessi jam,es.R. .Spaulding, Esq, is. the leading editor, who. .will .control its columns. We hayeknown Mr. Spauldingintimately for many years, and his name.has heenpur strongest source of confidence in this, new enterprise. He m a man.of varied learning, taste, and experience, and in the highest-.gCnBC a Christian Gentleman. His connexion with-the politaeal-press for many years has not tended to .weaken confidence in his ability.and sterling integrity. ..We welcome the World to our table with pleasnre and hope. It is what Christian men and Christian, families have long desired, and. its restamning-aridcorrective in fluence will be felt upon the other dailies of New York. - - BOOKS IN PRESS. I). Appleton & Co., New York. - ‘‘ Origin and History ofLanguage,”'by William Karrar; Gilfillan’s “Alpha, arid Omega: or, a SerieEj of Scripture Studiesi:" “LyraJDomestica;’’ “Trench’s. Sermons in. Westminster Abbey;” “ Winslow.on Obscure Diseases of the Brain and Mind}” “Leslie’s PeraonalHerainiscences,” by Tom .Taylor: Professor Faraday’s “ Lectures on 1 orces of Matter;” also a new book by Hans Anderssen, with,the attractive title “Sandhills of Jutland." They, also have in press .“The Life of pu£ Lord, historically considered,” by the Rev. C. J. Ellieott, and. the second of Buckle’s “Civilization.” Harper and Brothers, New York. > “ Cyclopaedia of Sacred Literature 5” “A Cyclo paedia of Biblical, Ecclesiastical Literature,” by the Rev.; D. I>-, President of Troy University, New York, and. James Strong, 8.--T. B.; Professor of Biblical Literature, in Troy University. - Gould and Lincoln have in preparation, and will shortly publish, Geographical Studies by :the late Prof. Carl Ritter,.of Berlin. This volume, which will be one of the richest contributions to our scientific.literature, willeni brace ,the: Introduction to the Erdknnde, and the Hading generalizations of that work: the author’s lectures on the relations of Geography to-History, and a number of in>F r ' tant papers on Physical Geography. The transla tor, Rev. W. L. Gage, a ! former pupil of Ritter, will be aided.in .the selection of materials by the advice of the; family, and of the latnented Geograpiieri; . .The ■ volume will contain a sketch of,the authorsJife, and a portrait. Sheldon & Go., of New York, announce Hogcu hieh’s "History of Christian Doetrine,” to be re translated and” edited byr' Prot; H. B. Smith of the Union Theological Seminary. . The same house also announce Milman’s “His* tory of Latin , (3hrijtianiir}.” 1 It is to be in eight volumes, crown octayo.A.volume will be issued monthly, beginning, with October. An Ecclesiastical Council has reFuscd to ordain Hev. Mr. Rorinan over the Congregational Society ; d Manchester,"Ct.y'bd of alleged unsoundne* The Church and So ciety have called .tuiother Cojmcil, and if there is ano ther refusal, to ordain Mr. Dorman, they will proceed to do it themselves, according to the primitive st} e Congregationalism. June 2
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers