Antevican t'vtobgtttan toxinlngthOt. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1800. JOHN W. iIEA.RB.. EDITOR. ASSOCIATED WITH [ +WART BARNES I GEORGE DDPFIELD/D., THOMAS BRAINERD, JOHN JENKINS, ,HENRY DARLING. THOMAS J. SHEPHERD. ORIGIN OF THE AMERICAN HOME MIS SIONARY SOCIETY. We acknowledge that we do notattach much importance to . the' question : With whom origi nated the idea of a National Society for evan gelizing, our country ? If an institution has been convicted of abandoning the principles on which it was based, and if it cannot be •brought back again to . the exercise of these principles, it is of small , consequence to know from whose fertile brain and large heart the principles were first derived. Dr, Bouton's Anecdote of "hold ing a key in his hand and placing it high on the wall," and then perpetrating a - bad pun with great animation and emphasis: "Why not strike a high. key at once, and say a National Domes-' tic Missionary Seciety?" suggests to us from what a height the Society has fallen since, in its agents and itelliterature, Wiles degenerated into little more than a piece , of partizan ma= chinery, and we are but moderately interested in the question as to the priority of that gesture with its emphatic accompaniment, over the plans , and suggestions of the United Domestic Mis sionary Society. It Is claimed that the key was flourished by Rev. Dr. (then Mr.) Bouton, on some day later than the 21 th of January, 1825. The United Domestic Missionary Society was formed by a convention of delegates from ten missionary societies within the State of New York, at the Brick Church, in New York city, on the 10th of May, 1822. Although constituted mainly of Presbyterians, yet the co-operation of some of the 'Reformed Dutch brethren shows that the principle of co operation was, recognised from the beginning, while the second annual ,report shows that it was designed to be, not a local but a really na tional society; "to be formed of branches which should extend over the United States, and which should have its centre.il operations in this me tropolis of wealth and enterprise "—a plan "suf ficiently large to take oversight of the need of the gospel of Christ, which oppresses myriads among the three hundred thousand inhabitants of the State of New York, and hundreds of thousands among the more than ten millions of our beloVed country." The forinatiou of this' Society was at once bailed by the friends of the missionary enterprise, as constituting "a note-. ble era in the 'history of American Home Mis sions." If clearer evidence r is wanted to establish the claim of the United . Society to priority, in the sug gestion of nationalizing the work of Home Mis sions, we shall find it in the address which it is sued some three months previous to the gesture . and the animated expression of Mr. Bouton. 'ln the month of October, 1824, it addressed the. Christian public 'in the words which follow "Some great National Society for Domestic Missions is needed, which shall incorporate all interior efforts; which shall have its seat in the centre of the zeal and munificence, and its arms in the •remotest regions of our country. Our ' Society aspires to be thi4 great Arational liisti tution for Domestic Missions." But how was the United Society actually na tionalized ? Dr. Boutou desires to make it ap pear that the A. H. M. S. was the result of al most exclusively New England movements, into which the United Society consented to merge itself. The facts appear to be these : On the 29th of September, 1825, an ecclesiastical coun cil convened in Boston, for the purpose of or daining several young men as missionaries for the West. The candidates were under appoint ment by the 'United Society, and the council had been convened at its request. A move ment was here made towards a National So ciety. A convention of New England men met in Boston, on ithe 11th of January, 1826, and the United Society' was invited to become the National Society, modifying its constitution to suit the case. The Executive Conimittee of the United Society was requested to convene a more general meeting of the- friends of missions. What followed we give in the language of the report of the Assembly's Commission. Their statement has not been invalidated by any thing which has been brought out in the discussion': "The more general meeting was convened ac cordingly. • It met in the Brick Church session room, on the 10th of May, 1826. The Execu tive Committee, having previously prepared 'the form of a constitution, which was no other than their own, with slight modifications, consisting chiefly in details and in the change of name, presented it to the convention for their approval, 88 the basis of the contemplated Society. It was read and approved, article by article, and :the convention then resolved to recommend to ifie United Domestic Missionary Society, 'to adopt the same, and become the American Home Xissionary Society.' Two days later, the So ciety held its annual meeting, took up , the re commendation of the convention, and thereupon resolved, ':That the recommendation be adopted, and ,that the United Domestic Missionary So elety- do now become the American Home Mis sionary -Society.' The same Executive Com ' iiiittee chosen - as before, with a single change of one' Presbyterian for another; but among the Vice-Presidents and Directors were:introduced a eonSiderable number of gentlemen from New England. This we believe to be a true and im partial narrative of the origin of the American Home Missionary Society." A' careful` comparison of the original consti tution of the Dnited Society, and the present . constitution of the A. H. M. • S., will speedily convince the unprejudiced reader of the truth of the above statement. The two documents are, With the exception of comparatively unim portant details, nearly identical in form and spirit. We bave not spaCe to exhibit them side by side, as is•done in the lath Evangelist. But it is importantlo note, with the Evangelist, that that the constitution Dr.' Bouton's ,assertlon, which had been approved at Boston was for warded and put into tbelands of the Executive Committee in „New York, is unsupported by documentary evidence, while the minutes of the proceedings show that the Executive Commit tee of the United Domestic Missionary Society presented, through their own Secretary to the convention—a large part of which was com posed of their own members—a constitution which they themselves were prepared, after much deliberation, to recommend; and the same, having received the approval of the convention, was -adopted 'by the , same United Domestic Missionary Society, acting under their own or- genic laws, as the future - constitution of that Society. And now, we beg leaie to ask, to what does all this discussion—this struggle on the part of our Congregational friends for historic prece dence amount? How is it that,they display such zeal upon an abstract question? Settle it either way they please, does it furnish any jus tifiCation of the extraordinary and uncharitable copse they have chosen- to pursue towsrdspnr, body, on a question of high and present practi cal importance ? *To our minds it ,looks very much like raising a side issue, to divert atten tion from the main point, and to entertain a con science uneasy at the questionable course they have chosen to pursue. MEETING OP THE SYNOD OP PENNNYL- VARIA. Notwithstanding the comparative smallness of the number in attendance upon the recent mcet ing of this Synod,—the result in part of .the change from , Tuesday to Friday as the opening day of the sessions,—a delightful spirit pervaded the delibez rations, the brethren felt that the meeting had been a source of profit to themselves, and the good people of Harrisburg, as represented by Mr. Robinson, shared fully in'these sentiments: The general absence "of the lay rqiesentativei was much to be regretted. If our elders really knew what they missed' in these assemblies in the way of provoking unto love and good works,' and' if they knsw whit encouragement their presence would afford, both to the Church and to the 'By nod, they would surely be ready to make -great efforts and sacrifices in order to attend. A 'memorable feature was the presence and pat.- ticipation in the doings of Synod of two such' in teresting persons as Pastor Pisan', of the Free Church of France; and Rev. Mr. Lunn', of the A. B. C. F. M , from the mission to the Zulus. Both of these brethren made statements in regard to their particular work, which' were listened to with therdeepat intereit.' Mr. Little) , made the same impression here as everywhere else—that of a whole-sonled, single-hearted missionary and a true man, with mind thoroughly aroused, keen and ob-_, servant, preserving his hope and energy amid the forlornek aspects of heathenism, winning friends everywhere by the geniality, affability and unaf fected frankness of his manners. It was matter of remark how much the devo tional and public services of the occasion were, aided by the use of the excellent Hymn, and, Tine Books of the PIIELTUATION-COMmtmE the pulpit and the choir. Certainly there are= leW if any books to be found , that can'at all Compare with the CHURCH PSALMIST and, its SETTLEMENT; and the ECLECTIC TUNE Boos, as aids to devotion, public and social. With what a home feeling we join in these exercises, where the accepted and familiar ma ; nuals of our own church are in use! The opening services of the Synod were introduced by a hymn from the Supplement, giving, as it were, the key note of fraternal feeling which.ran 'through the whole services. Yet no public services ever more clearly illus trated the fact that a warm and earnest denomina tional spirit is compatible with, the fullest exercise of Christian liberality. On Saturday afternoon the Union Prayer Meeting, which is maintained by the different denominations of Harrisburg, met with ,the Synod in the. Presbyterian Church, and the members of Synod cordially entered into .the exercise& A similar union -was * enjoyed. atc'the Synodical Communion on Sabbath afternoon, when, in pursuance of express invitation, numberi sat down to the table of the Lord, with no other.bond• of sympathy and fellowship than a common. love for the Master and a common readiness to renew their Christian vows All felt it , to be a bond strong enough to give" a heavenward flow to the feelings, and to make the occasion one of high pri vilege. Thus our last General Assembly exchanged friendly greetings with the Reformed Synod, one of the most exclusive of Preabyterian bodies, while its own tone and-temper was denominational be yond precedent. It is idle to try to set the two principles at odds with each other. Facts, as well as reasonings, are accumulating , to show that there is a'just and enlightened love for our own church, which, like self-respect in the individeal, actually promotes the culture of a due regard to other churches. On Monday afternoon there was a discussion of deep interest on a motion of Rev. Mr. Duf field's, calling the attention of Synod to the im portance of carrying,tbe preached gospel to the neglecting and neglected masses by means' of open air preaching. Mr. Duffield's appeal was based upon the experience of the Presby terian Church of. Ireland, where, after pro longed mistrust aneopposition, the plan has been tried; ministers have gone, two and two, into destitute places, and complete success has followed the effort. Mr. Duffield spoke in the most touching manner .of his owa experience in preaching in the thronged courts of our, own city, and in carrying the gospel to, thelnisera ble bed-sides of dying creatures in the most de graded localities. Rey. Dr Wing'-spoke elo quently of the necessity that was upon our church of working, not only for the salvation of the higher middle class of society, but for that of the maims. Rev: Dr. De t witt warned us;xvith patriarchal gravity and emphasis, that It was by reason of their thorough tiaining, and their carefully prepared and well digested, sermons, that the ministry of the Presbyterian Church had such a hold upon the educated:and inficen tial classes of tbe community- Votition whiCh could .be maintained only as ,tbey toutiened: to'" be diligent stutients.of the word. - We would rejoice to have the privilege oflay 6 . inw the substance of these remarks before our rea ders: will not the speakers 'named give us the op portunity? Mr. Duffield's resolution, referring the mat ter to the consideration of the next: Synod, was adopted. The sermon of Mr. Barnes, on the 'evening of Monday, was one of his happiest efforts. The text, David's charge to Solomon,—”And now, Solomon, my son, know thou the God of thy fathers,"ltc.,—was analyzed, and the subject di vided in the most natural and simple manner; the illustrations were simple, apt, and seasona ble; the tone of the discourse was tender, dig nified, and solemn, befitting' one who begins to feel, not so much the weight of advancing years as the advantage they give to the preacher in: admonishing the young. The beauty of the church edifice is really re markable. The brethren of Harrisburg have spared no pains or expeage in constructing a building which is not only spacious and conve nient for all the purposes of a church, but which in its exterior and interior, is just in proportion, and rich, and yet chaste, in ornamentation. The arrangement of the gas jets, behind ground glass lights, distributed in various parts of the ceiling, gives an almost magical softness and A0tt : titA1...,..„ . ...V ... t,e .. ,b . .t. f t..x.i..4 . 1it' 'A diffused lustre to the light, harmonizing remark ably well with the solemn purposes of worship, and yet furnishing a perfect illumination to the entire apartment. The proceedings of the Synod have come to hand to late for insertion in our present issue. They will appear in our next. THE 4 ,WOEtD'S APOLCidY. In an artiele'of tiro Celumns in' length, the 11 7 : Y. World attempts to apologize for the admission of theatrical advertisementso into its 'columns. We do not intend to make any formal reply to' this apology. , It is quite: sufficient for most people to know that the objectionable advertise ments are continued in increased numbers and en larged space. It was by no error , or oversight that these advertisements originally found their way into the columns of the World, . No; they are an indication of what was and is the settled policy of that paper. This is enough. We do not see bow Christian people can pause to argue • the question. We had' supposed they were long ago and definitively opposed tothe introduction into their families, of a sheet which brought before the eyes of their children in bold characters and at tractive descriptions, 'day after • day, a place of amusement to which every 'one of them would be pained to 'have-their children resort : The World ' . itself does not argue the question. In our humble opinion its whole two columns of apology is a capital specimen of throwing &lust. , • There l is no t' general criteriOn,'on the admis sion or exclusion of advertisements" that will apply. It doubts,:;:, after much consultation, "whether there is any clear, settled opinion on the subject in our Christian community." If it knear any Inch it would "take pleasure in defer ring to, it." In the name of all that is manly and independent in. Christian character, we would ask was it intended that the World, in any newspaper case of conscience that might arise, should look anxiously this . Way and that,`-and trim its sails to the winds of opinion, gladly " deferring to it" whichever way might blow; or was riot the capital of money, prayer and'expectation invested in it, deSigned to raise it above such a humiliating necessity and constitute - it, what hitherto all seen lay papers have failed to be, a reliable guide, fore runner, edticator and elevator of public opinion on just such points as the one that has actually arisen The fact is plain. The World is not equal to the high callink which we :supposed it prepared to fulfil. It shrinks behind a supposed shelter of An decided = Christian opinion, instead of advancing and maintaining a better opinion of its ovin. But we do not believe this opinion is so undecided. The majority of Evangelical Christians we think' are united in condemning the practice of giVing currency in' advertisements to theatrical .perfor manees, which are as the doorway to the pit and as they gates 'of hell to multitudes of immortal' beings. Many of- our exchanges have already noticed the, course of the World and its recent apology, and.not one of them'has expressed itself satisfied, while the most of them speak in strong terms of condemnation. And we do not see how they can help it. We are deeply pained at this result of an effort to introduce into our secular journalism the high er, sterner principles of Christian morality which was apparently so promising. , The Ilrorktis an admirable journal. We could devote'. a column easily to exiktiating upon.its 'points - of,eireellerice. We rejoici greatly that no Sunday work is done in its office. So much.the greater is our grief that the enemy has found' a lodgement in its columns..lVc propose to the fi nancial men of the concern to calculate the value of their theatrical advertisements,''ind if the sum arrived at is necessary to maintaining the paper, to assess it on i their friends and supporters, and if they come this way with the hat we will drop our intoi mite t. SECOND APPEAL FOR THE SYRIAN SUF. FERERS Two months have elapied since, at a public meeting of citizens, ,the undersiftned were consti tuted a committee, charged witlithe,responsibility of an appeal to the benevolent_ public in behalf of more than one hundred thousand of the Christian population of Syria, who had been suddenly over whelmedhy a calamity alike atroeiOus and 'appal ling—the terror-stricken and helpless victims of treachery, and of a war exterminating in its pur pose, instigated and impelled in its work of deso lating cruelty by long cherished bate and the un relenting frenzy of Mohammedan fanaticism. The amount of 'misery ..to which we were called upon to reach out a hand, of sympathy and relief, was time imperfectly known in its details. The spontaneous and prompt response to that appeal, has brought to the hands of our treasurer, Mr. Wm. A. Booth, more than eighteen thousand dollars, which, as received, has been by him trans mitted to the' American members of the commit tee of relief at - Beirut, and is now in :process `of' .distribution 'among the sufferers, by. means of which bread has been dispensed to the famishing, the naked have been clothed,:'' the sick and wounded visited arid relieved, and the blessing of many ready to perish has' been raised by the Many •thousand recipients of. .this charity, for their Par off and unknown benefactors. :A4'o. These contributions have come in varied sums from all parts of our - country. The rich has here wisely. invested his thousand, and the:poor, of his penury, the fraction of his dollar. Churches and individuals`of all religions denominations have par ticipated in this good work. Our treasurer has received letters' of very re cent date, froin our excellent consul' for-Syria; J. Augustus Johnion, Esq., and the Wm. M. 'Thomson, ` D.' D, acknowledging the receipt - of various remittances, and conveying informatfen of , deeply interesting . character. Portions of - these letters we extract, aa they unfold the 'con tinued existence, of such an amount of Suffering among those, bearing at least the Christie:l.l=M, however sadly they have hitherto illustrated its spirit, that• we might be charged as wanting in the proper sympathies of humanity, and much more of the true genius of Christianity, did . we, 101 l to ,give them publicity. Well assured we are, that there are, hundreds who have not yet contributed to this object, who will warmly com miserate these widowed and orphaned thousands, and cheerfully add their liberal gifts to 'those al ready made. - Under. date'of Sept. 15; Dr: Thomson writes: "All these sums , I now acknowledge, as'ehairinan of the sub-committo, and desire you to convey the thanks of the committeelo the generous con tributors of the same. The destitution increases 'upon us with frightful rapidity; at our last com mittee meeting we voted thirty thonsind *item to feed three thousand refegees from the vicinity of Baalbek, who fled over Lebanon to a village near the Cedars of Lebanon, and are there in '4 famishing' conditien. Thege, with 'the' three or -four thousand in Sidon, and the fourteen thousand. on our list here, raise the number who daily rb ceive food from us to twenty thousand; at the lowest; and Mr.. Jessuy—who has the general dis -tribution, on o'6'n:demon premises, under his di rection—came in an hour ago, to consult what was to be done with more than four thousand more applicants. I have just been there, and the sight was appalling; the entire grounds presented one vast heaving ocean of hungry and naked wretches, calling for Wadi breadl ' ' ' " Yon inquire, how - Much we shall' want to supply theie deititute. But how can we give you an answer? We eannotheginto comprehend the ---; 1 whole cage ourselves : No past experience throws any lightlin such a imtastrophe as this. From a full day's ride of Baalbek, south to Safed, (the traditionid city get on- a hill, near Tiberias,) and from the Bea-shore to the desert three days east of Damascus, the Christiaa.Populatiggis have been ruined. One single remark will explain the sourct -of Iliiir" terrible 'destitution. - Both the Druses, and Moslems, and Turkish soldiers inn 6ided to apnihilit4 the Christians of this country, and-hence they &Strayed everything they could lay their hands upon. We are ~,,literally ,over- 1 ilielmed willithetie various' and vastly expanled operations. Our whole force is now devoted to this work, - anchninithe for months to come. The poor sick are t sleepingby thousands ; on the earth or the stone 'floors, with nothing to cover , them, and are dying . * hundreds from dysentery. ' Do not • re/ax %yriir efforts to help 'these miserable people. ' They cannot •get -their bread, from burnt stones and plundered fields and orchards." ' - .:Consul Soh ,on writes: "We ,are highly de lighted- at the , nergetie steps taken by the friends of humanity i New York for, the relief of the Syrian suffer e' .- ' The commencement of the rainy 1 4 season, andth rapid approach of -winter;,daily in crease the n ' bers And, urgency- of the applies tions for help,4 The number, now assisted by-our committee, in hiding _ those aided' by auxiliary committees, ' tigt.he over twenty-five thoniand, and is daily o the increase .. Hitherto, food has' been the prim) pal aid supplied, but TIOW bedding, clothing and , helter must be furnished, or, thou sands will - die Viiiotinre and•neglect." "`Did space permit, much ' re and deeply interesting informa tion-might bet:Oiled from the ikters before us. s t , • .In,view, 0f,,, ch, facts, the„,cominittee feel eon strained to m 41iis second apeal to the 4 bene volent, in , t liiitly'faiored - laud, for farther, larger, arid ,nontrilintiona for these suffering andmiseriblethousatids, whOse Wads call so lotidly it for relief. S all they `whose' gainers; .in this bounteous ye ~ have been so abundantly filled with all, Wan cc of good, turn a - deaf ,ear to such' an, appeal? , hall they whose homes havebeen blessed with emption.from , disease in this year of Unwonted ea It t lthfulnessyshut their eyes to , this appalling spo cle of tvo? hall we who have sat securelyunder oar own vine and fig.tree, and have had none -to m lest, or make afraid, have no heart and hand,oes pathy for those who have endured t, the terrors of such, a sanguinary war, and now "eat the bit r bread of misery, and drink the cup of baleful grief," so mysteriously dealt out to them, in the providence of God?.' . . - The approaching day of our annual Thanks giving, if not before, will ,be a fit occasion for pastors of churches to present this cause to• the . which congregations to they minister. We shall await with solicitude the response which we may receive to this new appeal. It is requested that remittances be made to, the treat surer:_ ~ . , -,; - , • , , Sighed by the. Committee. WM, A.‘lBopTll, Trensurer, 95 Front a.; N. Y. RESIO-NATION;OF A 'NEW YORK' CITY JUDGE. A. remarkable Occurrence has lately,taken place in New York city, which must certainly have the effect of calling attention. to s the great abuses ex isting in t 4 administration of the city govern ment, and inqbe social life of the metropolis ge nerally. We refer to the resignation of RowAnns Pmsts,Porm \from. the position .of Judge of the Superior Cot t irt, which took place October 9th. Judge' Pierrivotit . had been exercising the fungi= tions of the position; to which he had'been elected by the people, for, three years. The resignation was aceoutpanied by a letter to governor. Morgan, giving , his resso' ns for the act. They are well cal culated- to areuse the better and more influential citizens to t 's eedy and prompt measures to abate the eyils co hailed of The 'judge appears to haie despair Vever being,able to discharge-the dutieief his:PoSitien, so long as 'the better classes of socititysel ly,reftused to,take a proper partin the inanager int ni ,t of:inunicipalliffairs, and -educated y their fa # 1 false 'and eititvagant views': of the uses and flit proper means of attaining wealth. He says: , "The present is not a government; it it but the mocking gh6st of an attempted government. The structure was_built on moving sand, and no repairs or proppieg will save it. it must be taken down to: the, very foundation, or it will continue to set tle and to creek until it tumbles in with much The more intelligent portion of our citizens give this, subject no united attention;'_ they. are intent on wealth. The moment, the goomy .cloud ga thered from the -panic vapors 0f,1857 lifts a little in the.West,'We are all .hastening again Madly to be rich—leaving justice, order, and government• to take care of themselves, or to be eared for by. those - who wilttrireple them in the dust. If the wise, the wealthy, the honest, and the intelligent, will 'not combine for goocl government, the wicked,' the idle, and the dishonest, will combinelor bad government; •and They will govern; and through the 'forms, oflaw, in the shape, of taxation and other legalizeiLjobbery, they will strip. the chil dren of thli industrious rich of.these carefully con se.rvedestateirving them in poverty the more hopelessinank, vcry,wealth in whichtheir child hood was- pachtkered. Government will'be admi nistered by somebody; that may be relied upon; if the wise and good not attend, to it, fools and knaves will." F , These are wholesome words: of warning, andal . lo* of a certain, degree `of apPlication to our chi iens'at,large.: It is ,time there was a thorough waking up to thi perilous consequences of that easy selfisliness,and indifference prevailing among. our really good men; in regard to. the. details of pOlitical affairs, and the management and control , of the political machinery. It is,time 'that new and better associations were connected with all the preliminary- measures, so, decisive in regard to the choice of ,candidates and the (tonal issues,,ef our elections. It is ,high time that the lowest Class of Place-seekers, and political brawlers, and vend ers of intoxicating 'liquors should' cease' to regard, these conventions as 'their peculiar and imprescrip tiblAPhere; ind should even, taint the privileges of freemen atthe Very fountain head., The ,judi t proceeds.to.speak of the corrupting intlueneelifthOt extravagance among the wealthier classes of .oni great cities, which folds its culmi nating 'point tiithe `social life of the Metropolis. May. We not d ope that warnings so salutary, ema ..natiug.not from the fatniliarsources of the, pulpit or the ipressi orofrom the stinging: para g raphs of .the satirist,.but from the lips of 'a judge as ,he takes his solemn farewell of, the seat of jingo, will be heeded, and will, prove effectual instaying the evils, snpowerfully, depicted?, .„ :"Jt , is easpto deinonstrate, that irr the- yet dis covered world; there is not 'such another extrava gant •people,in proportion to its rent wealth, as that which inhabits this city. To accumulate for tune ;by. honest industry, economy, sagacity, and the self-denial ofilong yeart r with a Niew_to found' a family or to endow an institution, has a virtue in'it; that is not what we see; but instead, a fran tic determinatien to get itt,some 'immediate °way the means Of appearing to be _rich. It, is making harlots of your women, and rogues, ,of your men. It Win to'eitiect that individuala not' be' influenced by,the'gineral tone of-the community in which. they . The young man of good.cha racter and industrious habits, making_ his toilsome way-up throigh the thorny, road to •honorable dis tinction ;in ihia great wilderness men, cannot marry, becatike society imposes upon him expenses which he cannot meet; his pride revolts at an alb : . ance which deprives him rofmanly independence, or degrades his'''positiini among men- We w, kno the consequences. Already the success Of t o law yer'is deter m ined the money be makes; already' the success 'Of a minister of Christ is in some de gree estimated by the salary which he receives; and the time is hastening when the success of .4',::: ‘6t-ittrit,e Orai.t.o'4.l. a judge on 'the bench shall be measured by the money which he shall there accumulate. :If our wise, and good, rich, inielligenti, and honest citi, setts think these things - of no; , moment, theY will let them alone, as they have hitherto done; but they may rely upon it, these things will not let them alone. The Synod of Peoria tr►et at Peoria, on the evening of-thellth of. October, .and'was - opened with a seri:cow by the last Moderator, Rev. EL B. Holmes of Belvidere. , When the roll- was made up, it disclosed a small attendance; for out 'of 'one hundred and eighty ministers and delegates, only about fifty werevesent. , The chief reasons, are, the poverty of .the shepherds, and, the high rail road price, which detains that portion of the ,Synod; and the unusual press of business from the returning wave of prosperity tedetain the eldefihip.. Added to this.. there is more or less of sickness in Central Illinois. Rev. A. Wight, of, Chicago Wiltig chosen Mo derator, and - Rev. L. H. Loss, and,Edward Marsh, Clerks, - The annual 'business of the Synod` was transact ed with order and despatch. ; The free conversa tion 'on religion was one of much interest; and thonah as usual some .made speeches to fill, the time, and becauset , hey had nothing in particular , to say, others, and the great number had 'stories of tritils and success, in which God - had dealt with them. 2, Several churches reported interesting •revivals: others had built edifices: and others ,had eaten& ed the hingdom Of pod in differenimp,,Botne; inelndini the church where ;ive were, tn 'iii;jiirere Vitliont pastors:. z •.- ' ' • And yet the attittide of the Synod, as regards the missionary part of the ftel4, is, one•of expect ancy, rather than of present accomplishment. The weak Churches are needing counsel and As sistance,- which some of them do not get. For - the 4inierican Presbyterian. SYNOD OF PEORIA. CHURCH EXTENSION. ~ • , As to Church, 'Extension, the: Synod resolved in'favor of the following Measure: First, an agent or districtsecretary for each of the. Northwestern States; not • merely to collect moneys, but to see 'to weak churches, and•to,do in fact what, the agents of Atte Hotneilislic,nary Soeiety have been accustomed to do; "and` that they actin correspondence with, and not in defi ance , of the several Synodical Committees 'on Church; Extension. Second urging upon the Presbyteries as. soon as possible, Preskyterial Missionaries; inasmuch as each of our Presbyteries has field enough for the employ'of one, - provided he can be - sitstained. Third, to , memorialize the 'General Assemhly to change the,name of aural Eitension'to that of Home Missions. Fourth, recommending to the several Presbyte lifres, to express their wishes'in'regard to'enlarging the- duties of the Aasembl?s Committee, :and as to changing the location of the committee. The object of this last recommendation was; to get the sense of the several Presbyteries on matter, and not to sUggest anything as regards the change itself: the allegation being, that de sire is abroad'for such Change, and' the desire being to ascertain if such is the faet. EDuOArION. In the matter of Education for the ministry the Synod re-affirmed its formefeetion enjoining upon the several Presbyteries to,eee that each;minister preach upon the subject, and that each church be adjured, at least once, in a year, with a view, chiefly and primarily, to ediicais the church in regard to its duty to raise op and educate as far as possible, its own Ministry from its own midst. It was also enjoined to procure funds where the way, is open for the usesut the Rause. Two or _three Of our PreAyteries do : all is done the Synod in this cause. The common idea, is that derived from Education Societies, that all the work consists in collecting moneys to educate indicrept young men. The Synod would correct this idea' if possible., PUBLICATION. - In the matter of Publication,. the Permanent Committee on that subject were all absent. The Synod;was addressed on the subject by Rev. J. A. Wight, who presented the claims of the . Assem bly's Committee as to the following ` points. 1: That the cause be docketed for presentation in. our pulpits, annually in the 'month - of 2. That all , parties interest themselves in the circulation of the,Conimittee's publications. 3. That the Assembly's recommendation to endow =the - Connnittee with a working capital of $25,000 be .responded to with an earnest en deavor. , . • , . . The Synod heartily seconded the speaker; pis - sing a resolution unanimously, .urging` the churches to make a collection'for the cause in this month of October. „The Synodical sermon was given by Rev. New ton Barrett of Synodical, on, the. theme, "Christ our Life.” The theme was handled with great -vigor, and exhibited a high degree of mental pe lietratiOn on the part of the speaker as , viell-as a Mind full: of beauties. It -gave Mr. =Barrett a high .position among our best preachers. The theme next year , is, The work of laymen in the Cburch,", Rev H. Curtis is the preacher, and. Rev. Z. M. IlumPfirey, alteriiate. Rev. Dr. Patterson ; read a, second, instalment of his essay on church government, after...four' years of delay, and Was earnestly requested to press on and complete iti3ext year. It will be a 'valuable treatise when,finished; The Synod, listened to several good sermons by others of its members , •not now to be particula rized. The following trustees of Lind 'University:were confirmed ':;by the ',Synod, Rev. W. IL Spencer, J. A. 'Wighq and --Vlessra. QUinlan,' T. B. Carter, 11. E. Seelye, and D J. Lake was also announced that two Professorships in the Theological-department had been filled up; one by ;the churches of Chicago, and the "other-"by Sylvester Lind, Esq.,- and - that a meeting of the Board of Commissioners, by the Presbyteries 'Would soon.l3e; called, to. prepare for the opening Of _the SemiintrY by_ the' choicenf Pngessors and otherAncessitry arrangements.: The Synod 'resolved , to - open correspondence with the neighboring Synods of Illinois, Michigan,i Wabash, Missouri, 'lowa and Mlnnesota, and ap , pointed delegates' to the same. , , Chicago was selected as the place of nextmeet ing„tind the pastins -of; first, second; and.third churches, together with elders W. H„ Browo,, and D. J. Lake, were appointed a' committee of ar- rangements. A committee was appointed:to 'endefq.or toy se cure 11.4 better attendance . on' the Meetings of Synods. • , - Also, another committee to make arrangements for, the printing' of the Synodical minutes for general distribution. - Yours, ,' • ACTION OF SUSQUERikNNA SYNOD. We are pleased to see the attention given to the claims of the Publication cause at the Synodical meetings of the -present year In the 'Synod - of Susquehanna thee subject' was Introduced' 'by the Rev.' W: T. Doibleday of 'Delhi `N: Y and the following resolutions adopted Berioked,Asii That the churches be earnestly, requested to `'take up a special collection', as soon as possible, for the; Publieation , cause.' • • Readved; 2d, That tbe pastors be, requested to preach eV' the sttbject, onto` urge It be the atten tion of their people in connection with the call for a Collection. Resolved; 3d, That the pastors and officers of s the Churah be reqdested' to introduce to the no tice of the people, and circulate as extensively as possible, by gift or sale, the ,publications of the committee. The - Rev. C. S. Dunning, of Franklin, was ap. pointed tolireach - at'the next meeting' of the' Sy nod in , CoOperstown; on "The-impo'rtanee' of - sae ,taming' and , circulating a Donovandam al:4lera: ACTION OP ,THE MIRO:'PRESBYTERY ON CHURCH EXTRNSION. Whereas,' This t Pres y b tie-I , 4th deep ery, RB interest the action taken by theOreneral and other ecclesiastical bodiei on the subject of Home Missions, therefore Resolved,. 1. That Presbytery earnestly spar.e. the conservative ionise pur sued by our Assembly. Though the provocation to a different course was great, yet mindfuVef Its long-cherished attachment to brethren with whom it-had;cordially co-operated in this hallowed work, the Assembly has made &eery possible effort con sistent with self-respect either to continue co-ope rative effort ortOSeparate from their brethren ami cably. Their , New England Congregatidnat asso ciates having now unanimously declined, any-con ference on the subject, Presbytery will sustain,the Assembly in' any measures which that venerable body may, deem necessary . to give efficieneyholhat vital interest. = . 2. That, agreeably to the recommendation of the Assembly, all our churches which 'do not re ceive aid through the Anierican Home Missionary Society are requested to. take uPia,collection this year for, the Church ExtensionPotomittee; the pe culiar state of the Home Missionary cause haying thrown upon that committee a 'vet/ large nwiiber of =feeble churches in thnWest and' Smith. 3. That ffir the work of Moine-Missions in the East the Philadelphia' Home • Missionary Society is commended as heretofore.to the liberality of our churches. THANKSGIVING - DAY: : • PENNSYLVA- Tame and by the nnthoTity, of the ,COrtnnonayalth of : ?.. : ennsylvania, Rsok or oor — Gsvers 6 f 'th Said Contn , , wealth-- . . A PROCLAMATION. Pen`ow Citizens:—The. revolutions of the year have' ,i, g 4i 'brought us to our annual - festival of .Tliankseving to Almighty God. In no preceding :year have, wehad more abundant cause for grati tude and praise. The, revolving,' seasons have brought, with.thein health • and plenty. The sum mer fruits and the autumn, harvests have been gathered and garnered - in unwonted exuberance: A 'healthful activity, has pervade& all the depart- . ments, of life, and: provident industry has met with .a generous reward.. The increase of _material Wealth has been liberally ,employed in'sustaining , . - our educational and religious, nstitutions, and both are making the most gratiririg progress in en: lightening and purifying the public mind; while, in Europe, central, and •absolute governments, by tbeir pressure on, personal .rights, and liberty, are_! producing. excitements which threaten to upheave the very foundations of society, and have led;in some instances, to bloodrand cruel wars,-we, in the enjoyment of constitutional liberty, and under :the protection of, just and equal laws, are peace-. fully pursuing the avocations of life, and, in , en- - ' gaging - in whatever promis' es . to adVance our social and individual; improvement ;and happiness. "The I lines are;" indeed, "fallen tons in . pleasant:places, and we have, a goodly, heritage! In. all •this-we , see the.,orderings,;.or a kind and-merciful Provi- . ' deuce, which call not only for our recognition, but_ • for our public ' thanksgiving and Praise. ,Under .nder this conviction, I, William 'F.'Packer, Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, do hereby appoint Thursday, the 29th day of No vember nelt, to be - observed as a - day of public. Thanksgiving and Prayer, and recommend to all oar, people, that, setting aside on that .day, air worldly pursuits, they amenable in theit,respective places Of worship, and unite in offering thanks to, God for his manifold goodness,' and iMploring his forgiveness and the eontinuance of his mercies. Given under my hand and, the great seal of the State, at Harrisburg, this: Twenty-fourth day l of October, in the year of our Lord, One Thousand " Eight Hundred ';and Silty, and' of the' . Conanion-. wealththe Eighty-fifth. By, the Governor, Wm. F. Pitnialt.. . • , • WM. M. MUMS" Secretary of the ,Commonwealth.- "ANNALS OF THE:POON." r THE SHAWL. Let us again' walk amonethe lowly. We will if you please find our way to a second story back room and enter it; there by the window .sits a ; widow woman intent only upon winding that blue =yarn, and hoping in this way to earn perhaps twenty-five cents per day, to feed herself and yon- . der group of three helpless children, the oldest five, and the other two of younger years. ' Whirl—whirl—goe.s the wheel from early dawn until late at night, and courageous must be .that mother's heart , if despondency 'comes not -upon her; but the wheel is only an auxiliat7 filling up the :time 'when washing e'annot be obtained. She pays two' dollars and Seventy-five'cents month for rent, and feeds four mouths fret her scanty earnings of perhaps two dollars and a half Her heart indeed is strong—but deep furrows are fast sinking in her forehead; and care like a disease is settling upon , her "heart, for the bells ringforth their loud appeals calling ,worshippers- to .church, and their ehimes.sound upon ear but only to send an , additional pang back to 'her as piring heart which prompts her to, take her little ones to the house of God. gel& blows - the 'autumn winds upon their half elothedforms as they Venture forth, and they all turn back to 'nestle around-the fire upon the hearth, and the mother drops a tear upon ' its coals as she looksl9-rward td:the futare of her children. Is not the gospel for the poor—must these souls 'Reader have you not a warm , shawl you do not use—or can, you not procre some clothing for these children?—the'oldest is a hoy. A note sent to "the "Annals of the 'Poor," 1334 Chestnut St will reach B. MAGAZINES AND. PAMPHLETS.. BLAcimpop's EDINBURGH MSGAZINE, No: Ootober 1860. Contenta:`Seeing 'is Believing The Papal. Go ve.rninent: Reputed Traces of PrbnevaU Man. The From Paintings of Italy. Proirerba, &c. New. York • Leonard Scott & Co - Thilada : W. B. Zieber. Tar, PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL QUARTERLY Review ,and Chu - rch. Jegister.=-Nel. III: Be. New York : ,Philada.: J. Handl ton, 1224 bhestnnt Street: 'Contents: Savanarola. Popular Geology. Science a Witness for - the Bible; Origin and Characteristics of the English Language. Bap tiemal RefieAwration.. Contemporary Literature. • rs-2. intelligence. BIBLICYVBECA SACRA and Biblical .Reperitory. Vol. XATII. October, 1866,.' Edward A. Park 'and S. H. Taylor, Editors. And Over: Warren F. Draper. Contents :—The Religion of Geology.. The. Aborigines of India. The Resnrrection and its Concomitants. Ilebrew Belief of Immortality. Comparative Phorkolop. j'oprney Neapolis - and Philippi, by Prof. aiekett.' THE BIBLICAL REPERTORY AND PRTNcETON REVIEW. Edited by Charles Hodge, D: D. -Oc tober 1860. Phila.: Peter Walker,. Contents:--The Logical Relation of Religion and Nataral Science. The Law. of ' Spiritual. Growth: Horace Binney's Realism aid Faith. Napoleon the and the Papacy.. Theory, of the Eldership, (concluded.) TwE g Eorxono MAGAZINE of Foreign Litera ture. W. H. Bidwek Editor acid- proprietor. Nov. ,JB6O. With Portraits of Galileo and. tyf the three distinguished men of .Yale, Ex-Rresident Day, 'President Woolicy. ami . .Pruf. Silliman, Sr. and 22 Articles.' Taw NEW from N. SOCIETY. Reprinted from the Presbyterian Qqarterly view. October, 180. , • •Philadelfhia William S. Young, Prititer„ • ' Catalogue of Crittenaen's Philadelphia Com mercial Coliege; for' the 161. h year - of thilnstitn. tion.; Isfumber registered addin aetial attendance within the year endi April. 15th .1860 three* huddred and sixty.three j.See> advertisement EDITOB,10: TABLE , THE WORKS OF FRANCIS BACON, Baron of Vern lam, &e. Creteditand Edited by JAMES SPEDDO M. N, A. Rohr . and , Doootas D. Prof Vol. ill., being Vol. 11 . of Sul Literary and Profes sional Works. Boston : BrourySr. Taggard- I2mo. PP- 454. For sale by - S. Allatenfy, 406 Walnut Street. -Thisis 'the second volume - Of - the - American edi tion of Bacon's works `to which we have already referred in these columns. The celebrated ESSAYS comprise 'the principal part of its contents. T o show thupompkteness of the work, we may men _ tiiiiiTtafst contains dare separate editions of the &Says entire: First, the one completed and en larged by the author in 4.625, and next the two less complete4i4 extennivinf 1597 and 1612, besides a reprint, of MSS. in the. British Museum, showing , another stage in the ..growth of the vo lame intermediate between .these two latter dates. The original 'orthographY is preserved in two of these reprints. We again 'commend the volume to all the friends of, learning And solid literature, and to all who think that . the exterior of a good book should worthily rePresent its contents. THE 'DEBATE BETWEEN incrw CHURCH 'AND SCIENCE; or the Ancient Hebraic Idea of the Six Days Creation. With an Essay on the Literary Cha racter of Taylor Lewis. Andover: Warren F. Draper. For sale by Smith, English & Co., Philadelphia. 437. Price; $1.25. 1860.. Thit4 yolume is deep in liebraistic and geologic lore. It Maintains with earnestness and tenacity the entire compatibility of natural science with Scripture. It interprets the Six Days of Gene sis, as in, the oriOnil intenlof the record designed to represent/sa t :indefinite geological periods. In fact the volime is, in a sense, supplementary to the "Six cDaya"- of.Taylek Lemts,- originiting in a design to answer,tho'critUistke of 'Pref. Dana, in the Bibliethitgi Ou" thOltork, and' expanded to a volume of equal or greater'size. The whole subject is one of intense interest, and is handled with a pains-taking, thoroughness and earnestness that must secure for the book an attentive perusal' by' all - interested in the great question between science arid the Bible. THE TWO GREAT COMMANDMENTS: Illustrated in a Series of 'Discourses on the 12th Chapter of the Epistle to the Romans. By Reseal S.; Cionnisa, B. n, St. George's Free Church, Edinburgh. London: T. • Nelson & Sons. - Large 12mo. .pp.'351. , For sale by Smith, English, & Co., Pidlada. These Discourses cover the whole ground of Christian duty as epitomized, by the inspired writer in the 12th of Rornens. They are simple and clear in style, and practical arid searching in spirit. • They do not develop any traits of remark able power or, originality in: Dr Candlish as a writer or thinker; they aretsimply pleasing exhibitions of a wide range of evangelical truth, such as may he game 'from the wee-evening lectures of many of our Presbyterian elerg-y. CHRIST'S PRESENCE IN TECE.GOSPEL HISTORY By the Rev: Noon iftarrar, BC tdinhurgh. Lou don: .T.Nelaorkl..& Sorts. 12m.0.t. Pp. 306. Philadel phia: for sale by Smith, English 4. co. We have not only a biography of Christ in the Gospels, according to our author, but a living Mriss. in ,the Biograpliy: ChriSt's voice speaks :with netin the lively oracles. His face looks from ,the living .picture. The Lord himself is present •with is for, roost ,intelliFible converse., The Spi rit in'the' Word is Christ himself. This idea is carried' Out inference to the prominent events in the Gospel history. A vein of mystic earnest nessrns through the book: alonging after closer , union, with Christ: bythe Word ,and the Spirit. We „commend the volume to reflecting Christians 'as likelY to lead them - into new views on these • THE WORLD'S BIRTHDAY: By Prof. L. Gauss:or, Geneva. London': T. Nelson & Sons.' ISzno. pp. 27i2. Philadelphia : for sale by Smith,: English Sr. Co. Andno the children are to have their share in the feast of geologic truth, which from day to day is set out to the public! Here it is in a form quite within their reach, set off is the most pleasing and attractive manner, with. • admirable . diawings of astronomical and geological objects, -While the tone of-the reverent and pious author is so genial. and sympathizing • towards the reader, the. Matter is of such, 'real scientific value, the views so enlarged_and so fullrup to the times, and yet so deeply devout, that we do n ee show it cannot` fail to' become a universal 'faVorite with parents, Sabbath-school, and other teachers, and the whole curious and wakeful-mindedgeneration of Yontlh.. , - • THECOXPLETE FRENCH CLASS BOOK: em . , bracing - Grammir, Conversation, Literature, with *CommereititNUoiresPondence, and sin adequate Die , • tionary. By , Louis POOL A. , M.,.0f the University of France, and Rev. D. C. Van Norman, LL. D., of New York. —New YOrk:A. S. Barnes & Burr. Bvo. pp. 494. The plan of thii honk'rs -comprehensive; much more so than any work of, the kind that has come .under our notipe. It seems to be well carried out, and: Worthy, the attention of leachers and students of the Fiendi Language.' The mechanical cam/- tit:it:l.a' the volume is highly creditable to the pub- THE BLUE LAWS OF CONNECTICUT. Edited, with an Introduction, by Sapmel,lif.. Smnoker, LL. D. .Philadelphia: Duane ROO; .n. 1.2tn0. pp. 235. A curious collection,illustrative of the religions fecislation of the Puritans in its most marked in stances: The - antiquated model. of spelling are retained. An historical intrOdriction appendix and table Of contents` r add to the value of the w hips. Those , wishing ;to get at the, facts of a matter on which thefe is much 'discussion and very indefinite ideas preyailing, will be much in terested in the work. MISS GILBERT'S CAREER. An American Story. By J. G.ll6Bind, Atiiholitf " The Bay Path," "The Tit comb Letters- 13 -1 , " Gold - Foil,", &a.; &o. New York: Charles Scribner, 124- Grand Street. ..For Sale by J. 13. Lippiitcott & Co., Philadelphia. 12mo. pp. 476. To commend any thing to the crenersil reader, from the pen of Dr: Holland, is,qUite superfluous. The accomplished \writer has struck , out on a` new path, and preaches the old common.tense lessons, and utters his warnings Against tie ;characteristic errors of American Society, in the attractive form of a romance. Romances, witha tone so healthy, .. and object so commendable, we may unhesitating ly, endorse, and indeed we may express our grati fication 'that valuable lessons are put into a form so . likely, to attract the attention of thosewho need them. THE CHILD'S ILLUSTRATE,Th SCRIPTURE, QUES TION BOOK . Boston: Henry Hoyt. 18mo. pp. 151. &„ A. Martian. WHEAT AND TARES. .New York: limper, & Bros. 12mo. pp: 280. l'Or sale by `Lindsay & Blakiston. 4 MY NOVEL;" by Pisistratnt Ottrtonc. or Varieties in English-life.' > Library Edition,. in 2 vols. N. York: Harper & Brother& Large 1.2m0, pp. 589. and 581. • Phila.: lindear&l Blakiatii. 7o COUSIN HARRY by.Mitt.fGrey; "Three :English vs brines complete in. one. _Philadelphia: T. B. Peter son & Brothers: _ pp. 402. Printed from ad vanced' sheets: `. ..` • NEWS OF :THE WEEK At n,late ,hour i w 9l l ea yp o ktbs th e copy o f our Secular News had been mislaid. As our columns are unusually rick,* -Religious Intelligence, we trust our readers will, excuse the omission. Fulton, Street Prayerareeting.—Several con versions' have taken place in connexion with the or vicessof the Fulton street prayer meeting, since their , third-anniversary on the 23d,,0f Bpptember. On Mon day of this week, a professor in one of the medical colleges of this city, a gentletii'an of high standing in his, profession, and who, the anniversary, to been'.a daily attendant upon the meeting. and had office risen and 101-°A--tnrpraVers for his own conver sion, arose and -Biala' la a few brief words, what a miracle of fiTriMs4iniii;all4nicome, even to himself. 1 - le had been broughtTrcim a istain of infidelity to a state Of the most implicit fitith'in the revealed will of God in the Holy Bible. "Helad been brought to believe .;in _Christ as his hnlyßaviour. At first the light was small and feeble,lnit it had shone more and more brightly,. and now.e had a most rejoicing assurance that his sins, were :forgiven. "Mew," said he, "if any of you should ask me how I,crime to be anxious about my soul, I have this to;answer, I have a praying mother, one of the best of women ; that mother's prayers, and your prayers have been a ns w ered , as I humbly trust, in my salsa then." . Nov. 1,
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers