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THURSDAY. NOVERIBER 9. nob.
roni W. MEARS, EDITOR.
ASSOCIATED WITS/
ALBERT BARNESi GEORGE DUFFIELD JR.
THOMAS BRAINERD, JOHN JENKINS,
HENRY DARLING. THOMAS J. SHEPHERD.
NATURAL SCIENCE AND THE BIBLE
The peculiar degree of interest just now felt by
the thinking public in the subject above an
nounced, appears in the fact that three of our lead
ing Theological Reviews have one or more articles
on the subject in their last (October) issues. The
Protestant Episcopal Quarterly has an article on
Hugh Miller as the representative of Popular Ge
ology, and another on Science and the Bible. The
Princeton Repertory opens with an article on the
Logical Relations of Religion and Natural Science,
and the Bibliotheca Sacra also opens with an ar
ticle on The Religion of Geology. These are all
valuable essays, each aiding in the elucidation of
the subject treated of, and putting the reader in a
better position to judge of the questions at issue
between science and the Scriptures. The Prates-'
Cant Episcopal Quarterly, after following an an
thor (Rev. Wm. N. Pendleton) through a work
entitled Science and the Bible, falls back on the
historical evidences of Christianity as untouched
by any conclusions reached in another sphere of
investigation. "One who has been convinced by
overwhelming historical evidence of the fact that
certain men said and did thus and so, upon cer
tain occasions, will be very little disturbed by re
butting testimony from the rocks or from any phy
sical source whatever." While the article breathes
a friendly spirit towards natural science, it is
skeptical in regard to the claims of geologists and
others, that fixed conclusions have been reached
in their sciences, and hints that the adjustments
required and conceded by interpreters of Scripture
in view of these conclusions, are but hypothetical
solutions "for the present distress." Meanwhile
the work of the interpreter is justly described as
"the work of time, of life, and never, perhaps,
accomplished—that of finding out what is the ex
act, real and only explanation."
The article in the Princeton Repertory is even
less friendly to natural science, and more earnest
and thorough in its attempt to beat down its pre
tensions in comparison with the Scriptures. It
goes farther, and puts in a plea for its darling
Turretine, a text-book at Princeton, in which the
motion of the earth around the sun is denied!
However, this diversion to cover the flank of a
friend, does not rob the argument, as a whole, of
efficiency. Its object is to show that, so far from
natural science having any ground for exalting it
self against Scripture, it is Scripture which' has
furnished, directly or indirectly, the very basis and
guiding lines of its inductive processes. "The great
principle which underlies all physical theories and
laws of nature is that the ordinary operations of
nature are uniform." But whence is the confidence
in this uniformity? From the idea of a personal
Deity, answers the essayist, who governs the world
in infinite wisdom, goodness and power, such as
he is revealed in the Bible alone. Hence physi
cal science owes to the Bible the suggestion of an
idea without which it cannot move a step. Ano
ther idea or principle essential to the soundness
of many of the naturalists' conclusions is that of
the adaptation of means to an end by an Intelligent
First Cause. That the fossil remains which play
so prominent a part in geologiCal theories were
once living plants and animals, and not mere freaks
of nature or results of chance, depends upon the
acknowledgment of this principle. How much a
revelation has contributed towards establishing this
principle in the belief of men, needs not to be
urged. The Christian religion, the reviewer con
tinues, has done much for science by teaching so
i:upresaively the value of truth, by maintaining
the unchangeable veracity of God, by giving us
arguments and principles illustrative of, or easily
reduced to, philosophical forms of statement or rea
soning. "Before Lord Bacon wrote, Melanethon
as a philosopher, and still more thoroughly as a
divine, had taught the principles of induction."
In regard to the interpretation of Scripture, the
reviewer says that "natural philosophers have no
right to assume as certain any interpretation of
Scripture which is not understood to be accept=
able to those who fairly represent the light of the
spiritual Church." On the whole, the writer
concludes that science, as connected with and sub
ordinate to the Bible, teaches much that is reliable,
while there is much of it, too, even under these
favorable circumstances, that is unreliable, as its
own daily and wonderful progress show.
The attempt, therefore, of science to overthrow
the Scriptures is, in a measure, suicidal; for while
its leading principles and methods are innate to
the human mind, a point which is too little ob
served by the reviewer, they certainly owe their
rise into consciousness and practical useful exer
cise, to the stimulus of a revived and reformed
Christianity, which is perhaps the most valuable
thought suggested by the article. •
Quite different from both of these is the article
in the Bibliotheca Sacra. It is based upon the
now edition of President Hitchoock's Religion of
Geology, and accords fully with the spirit of that
volume, which is a sort of proclamation of mar
riage between Natural Science and the Bible. At
the start we are introduced to a list, by no means
brief, of principles in Geology which are "as well
settled as the theory of the earth's diurnal and
annual, motions in astronomy, or the doctrine of
definite proportions in chemistry." So far from
natural science being dogmatical, irreligious or
anti-Scriptural in its character, according to au
thor and reviewer, it must be welcomed as one of
the most powerful auxiliaries to Natural and Re
vealed Theology alike. The facts of Geology irre
sistibly teach a beginning to the present system of
things, and hence the existence of a God. They
strongly inculcate the prospective wisdom and be
nevolence of the Deity, especially in the stores of
coal, lime and metals laid up for man's use. They
give evidence, of the fallen condition of our world
by the suffering and death which have always ex
isted upon it. They enlarge our views of the di
vine plans. More than all, they compel us to ac
cept as demonstrated, manifold instances of the
miraculous interposition of Deity in the Preada
mite history of the earth. This is a point of the
very first importance. No higher service can be
rendered by any science to religion than this of
bringing in Natural Religion as a witness to mi
racles, which have hitherto been confined to Re
vealed. Dr. Hitchcock's book teaches, that Geo
logy abounds with instances of intervention in the
regular operations .of nature, bringing to pass
events which cannot be explained by natural laws.
Snob, for instance, as the bringing into existence
upon .the earth's surface, which at first was a fiery
sea of molten matter, races of animals and plants;
the introduction or substitution of entirely new
forms of life among, or in place of, those previous
ly 'existing; inundations, earthquakes, eruptions
dr slow submergence terminating the second pe
riod of life, which is followed by new and more
complete forms, exactly adapted to the new cir
cumstances. After six entire changes of life pass
in review, and from twenty-five to thirty miracu
lous acts of creation, there comes an unusual pre
paration, and a species distinct and remarkable
among all the rest, makes its appearance. "It is
man; a being whose physical organization is the
perfected anti-type of all other animals. Man's
creation, as taught by geology, rises up as a lofty
monument of miraculous intervention in nature,
beating back the waves of unbelief, and reflecting
afar the divine wisdom and glory." The reviewer
is of opinion that no answer, entirely satisfactor •
to Hume's celebrated argument against miracles,
as contrary to experience, is to be found before ar
riving at this of geology. "Miracles are not con
trary to experience, for how easy is it to read
them from the leaves of nature's volume l" We
believe the writers have not over-estimated the im
portance of this position. Since the discoveries of
geology, we are on a better vantage-ground, in the
argument upon miracles, than we ever have been,
or probably ever could have been, with the aid of
metaphysics alone.
ATTEMPT TO RECONCILE 'GENESIS WITH GEOLGCIT
1 This is truly the knottiest point in the whole
discussion. Three courses are before us: Ist, To
place all the Preadamite changes brought to light
by geology, in or between, the Ist and 2d verses of
the let chapter of Genesis. 2d, To interpret the
"Days" as designed by Moses for indefinite geo
logical periods, and thus to regard him as reveal
ing in brief, and in its true order, the entire history
of the earth with all its geological periods; or, 3d,
to abandon, as both the writer in the Bibliotheca
Sacra and President Hitchcock do, the literal in
terpretation of the Ist chapter of Genesis, and re—
gard the inspired writer as having selected pic
tures, or salient points in the Preadamite history
of the earth, and as arraying them before • us
without strict regard to their order. Thus we
would give up as unnecessary all attempts to re
concile the diversities which appear under the
second view.• These diversities are set forth gra
phically by means of a table in which the rithiaic . .
days are arranged parallel with the "days" or
great periods of Geology. Against the six days'
of Moses, we have not less, than ten periods
of Geology. In Geology we have the igneous
fluidity of the earth and 'introduction of mote
rous groups of plants and animals, which cannot
be paralleled 'in the Mosaic record; while the work
of the second and fourth days in Moses,—the crea
tion of the atmosphere and of the heavenly bodies,
—are wanting in the geological table. Plantsap-,
pear in the second geological day; on the third, in.
the Mosaic account; while the great development
of vegetable life, according to geology, was in the
carboniferous or fourth period. According to Geo- -
logy, mollusks appear in the second or Silurian
period, and the whole class of fishes finds its
• greatest development in the Devonian, or third •pe
riod; according to Genesis, sea-animals do not apt.
pear until the fifth day.
On the other hand, we observe some striking
coincidences. Both records "show us in early
.times the continents beneath the ocean, and sub
sequently lifted out of it.' Birds and sea animals .
• are introduced on the fifth day, which may reason
' ably correspond to oolitic times when birds •and
reptiles appeared in large numbers. Land :rep
tiles and mammals do not appear till the sixth day,
which may well be regarded as synchronous with
the tertiary series, when, according to Geology,
they were first fully developed. Man, too, in both
records is represented as the last animal created;.
a coincidence of great interest." -
This whole comparison is one of the deepest in - -
terest. Before we can proceed intelligently in the
work of reconciling the two accounts, or before we
deliberately reject either one, we ought to be
clearly acquainted with the. state of the question
between them; and we have nowhere seen it so
lucidly presented as here. Doubtlesa the advo
cates of the second theory, which we have stated
above, would reject Dr. flitohcock's arrangement
of the geological phenomena in some of its parti
culars. We do not regard it ras incapable of im
proVement. Nor do we by any means accept the
theory of pictures or symbols which it would sub
stitute fora literal interpretation of the Mosaic ac
count of creation. •
In view of the remarkable coincidences already
pointed out between the Mosaic and the geologic
record, on the supposition that the six days of Ge
nesis are six great periods, we should rather hope
that in process of time, the remaining discre
pancies, or what to us appear to be such, would be
removed, and that some devout philosopher of the
future, no less devout and no less philosophical
than Dr. Hitchcock, will be able to draw up a
table exhibiting a complete parallel between the
two. If this hope of a reconciliation has to be
abandoned, rather than take the symbolical view,
we shOuld prefer to go back to the opinion of Chal
mers, who placed the great geological revolutions
of the globe anterior to the six days' work. That
work, in hiS view, introduces the last and existing
geological period, and describes the creation of
man and the flora and fauna suited to his wants.
This view accords better with the practical charac
ter of the Bible as a book concerned with man, and
those circumstances of the earth's history which
bear upon his moral character and his relations to
God. Certainly we shrink from introducing sym
bol and allegory into the interpretation of a histo
rical book of the Bible.
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE THIRD PRES
BYTERY OF PHILADELPHIA.
At a special meeting of the Third Presbytery
of Philadelphia, held at the Presbyterian House,
November Ist, the South-Western Presbyterian
Church, Twentieth and Fitzwater streets, lately
connected with the Presbytery of Philadelphia,
was taken under the watch and care of Presbytery.
The Rev. James Mecaskie, their Pastor, pre
sented a certificate of his good standing in the
Presbytery of Philadelphia with a recommendation
to the Third Presbytery. Agreeably to a stand
ing rule of Presbytery in relation to ministers,
coming from other ecclesiastical bodies, he was
examined on theology and church government.
Presbytery were much gratified to find him sound
both in regard to the truth and order of our church,
and he was unanimously received. •
Rev. 3. a ARMSTRONG, the first foreign mis
sionary of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church,
reached Constantinople during the last week in
September, and after remaining in that city until
Spring, will enter upon the mission work perhaps
in Servia.
Rev. A. L. THomPsoN, a graduate of Andover
Theological Seminary in 1859, and a missionary
of the American Board to the Nestorians in Per
sia, died just as he reached his field of labor at
Blount Seir, of bilious fever, on August 20th.
Aintriran Vrtolltttriatt and 1.41 tutort grattgelieot,
THREATS OF DISUNION.
We have been amazed and mortified at the
disunion clamor which has been heard all over
one portion of our country within the past three
weeks. That such a stir—such violent declara
tions and menaces should have been made with
out meaning or sincerity, simply as artificial po
litical thunder, to deter men from doing what
they conceived to be their duty, would have
been mortifying; that it should prove to be a
sincere expression of feeling and purpose, in
those uttering it, would be equally mortifying
and painful to every true Christian and every
American citizen. Supposing it to be sincere,
what does it mean? What has taken place to
justify it? Has the Union become an instrument
of oppression to these persons; is it hindering
their prosperity and social advancement; has it
!Jailed to carry forward the nation in the march
- of civilization and progress; is it about to be
diverted from its original intention; are unprin
cipled and dangmous men likely to get control
of the governmlt? Surely the body of the
Southern people believe none of these things.
Surely it is an artificial excitement—a furor
brevis—that has got the better of them, and
that they will be thoroughly aMhamed of when
selfish and Aesigning political leaders cease to
fan the flames of sectional jealousy. Sarely
they are not yet prepared to go out of this
Union, secured ana hallowed, as it was, by the
prayers and tears and martyrdoms of the fathers.
Not yet have they summed up its untold value;
not yet figured up, in cold calculation, what it
is all worth, and learned that all can be balanced,
and more than balanced, by the privilege of pos
sessing, enjoying and extending, undisturbed.
the blessing Of--SLAVERT
We will not believe it. The demon of jea
lousy and discord will have its day, and then
will return the reign of sober second thought,
of American common 'sense, of mutual forbear
ance, which confederated republics' must learn
to exercise in very large proportions.' The
South, we believe, are not lacking in natural
shrewdness, and it would take but little of that,
one would think, to see, that even for the secu
rity of "the institution," and for their own safety
in the midst of it, the partial concessions made
under the Constitution, are far ,better than any
thing they would have without it. Would the
dissolution of the Union remove free soil any
further from them; would it discourage and
drive away the miserable John Browns scattered
here and there in the North; would it increase
the efficiency of the fugitive slave law; would it
make the goal of the fugitive slave any more,
remote? Southern men, we know, are thinking
of these things. While visionary and ambitious
men among them may already be revolving the
chances of personal advancement, under a new
political organization, and are urging on the
excited people with the most selfish purposes,
sensible men are using their influence that wiser
counsels may prevail. And if the prayers which
have been offered by various religious bodies at
the South, are for the purpose of quieting the
turbulent feelings rife in that section, we would
be far from ridiculing them, but would join ours
to theirs, that the spirit of wrath, strife and jea
lousies may be driven out from their midst.
We cannot find evidence that such a spirit is
prevailing hefellipThere is no disunion clamor
in this part of the country. Therefore special
prayer for similar objects, would be out of place
here; but, with the view of aiding our Southern
brethren to calm that spirit in their own com
munity, every true Christian among us will
cheerfully join his prayers to theirs. And it is
in this view that we quote and respond to the
following from the last week's Louisville Pres
byterian Herald:
"Upon the course which shall be pursued by
these ridiculed Christians of the South, during
the next six months to come, will depend the ques
tion whether we shall continue a united people.
If they yield to the strong current around them,
and go along with it, we shall be torn into frag
ments before another year closes. The Chris
tian men of the South have a great work before
them in keeping down agitation and calming the
troubled waters. The struggle may be long and
arduous. If their brethren at the North re
spond to their efforts, violent men may be kept
in check, turbulent spirits may be quelled, and
peace once more restored. But if they are ridi
culed and contumely is heaped upon them, as
seems to be the case in certain quarters now,
their bands will be weakened, their hearts dis
couraged, and they will yield to the popular
current and float along with it. That that cur
rent will be very strong, is now perfectly ap
parent."
For the American Presbyterian.
REV. R. G. WILDER AND THE KOLAPOOR
MISSION
It will no doubt be gratifying to the friends of
missions, to learn that the REV. R. G. WILDER,
late of the Kolapoor Mission, in Western India,
who returned about two years since in conse
quence of impaired health, is about to resume his
labors in that important field, where he and his
devoted wife, for a period of five years, labored so
patiently and successfully in laying a broad foun
dation for future usefulness.
' It is cause of deep regret to numerous friends
of missions that the A. B. C. F. M..at,their- last
meeting in this city, abandoned that important
field, upon which so large an amount of funds,
and patient and persevering toil had been ex
pended.
It is the intention of Mr. W. to leave this
country in a few weeks, and to hasten back by
the overland route to that deserted mission..
In the meantime, it is expected that the friends
of Missions in this city and New York will come
forward and make up the deficiency that remains
to sustain him in that important field.
For tbe American Presbyterian.
A WORD FOR THE ABSENTEES FROM
Mn. EDITOR.-4 fear the very pleasant meeting
of our Synod in Harrisburg, this fall, may lead
some of the very many absentees to think that
this absence was not much felt, and that it may
be 'repeated without injury. I would thank you
to correct such an impression if it exists, Mr.
Editor. The truth is, the small number of the
Synod made a very unfavorable impression, on the
community in this part of Pennsylvania. It led
to the conviction that we must be among the
smallest of the tribes of Israel, and were yearly
growing "beautifully less." The Synod, however,
gained much in the estimation of the community
by remaining' over Sabbath, and its ministers
preaching in the various churches of the city,
and„its neighborhood. I have heard nothing but
the warmest commendation of the preaching.
The impression has been made, that however small
in number, we have an orthodox, talented, pious
and earnest ministry.
. S. C
SYNOD.
For the American Presbyterian.
GENERAL ASSOCIATION OF ILLINOIS
AND OUR MISSIONARY SOCIETIES.
It appears, from the published accounts of
the recent "Jubilee Meeting" of the American
Board in Boston, that serious embarrassment
was, for a time, apprehended, on account of the .
action of the General Association.'efallinois, in
respect to the relatkon of the Board to slavery.
Now why is it that these young Associations
are so ambitious to be heard, so ready to criti
cise, so prone to find fault with others? . • What
It:clamor from this !quarter in respect to the
movements of our o'n church, and in respect
to most of our beneyblent societies? Is it on
the principle that very young children are ex
pected to make a ndise, and be exacting, and
render every one in the house uncomfortable ?
At the very time wh‘n this "Jubilee Meeting"
of the Board was hi progress in Boston, the
Convention of Wiseo e t
sin was holding its annual
session in this city, ' eaver Dam, Wis.) Rev.
3,
M. H. Whittlesey a eared upon the floor as
delegate from the G neral Association of Illi
nois. He represent d that his Association was
in a prosperous conOition, and had advanced
about 100 per cent, in respect to ministers,
churches, and meminrship within the past eight
years. He also called the attention of the Con
vention to the actilmot his association approving
the "Rules" under which Alton and other Pres
byteries have been alit off from home' mission
aid, and soliciting cu-operation among large
bodies, to secure thd; application of the same
ii
"Rulers" to the la I ' er ecclesiastical bodies.
And now mark: Mr Whittlesey took his seat,
and was immediately flowed by Rev. Mr. Roy,
A c me for the me ream Missionary Associa
tion, who sharply re bleed the A. B. C. F. M.
for alleged complicit with slavery. He then
went on to give sbtn details of the American
Missionary Association, and stated that seven
or, eight churches i a certain district, (the
identical field cover d by Alton Presbytery,)
to which Mr. Whittl ey ha referred in giving
the growth of the. Siete. Association, had been
organized and addedi,to the State Association,
through the labors df the Missionary Society
wtich-he represented In other words, the Ge
neral Association of Illinois, employs the A. H.
M. S. to sustain its fbeble churches, and do its
ordinary missionary. Work, and uses the Ame
rican Missionary .A.46ciation for purposes of
church extension, andiat the same time raises
a great out-cry-, , and seeks to have all our feeble
churches excluded from missionary aid, if every
penny of our funds it - es not' go into the trea
sury of the A. H. M I S. "Oh I consistency,
what a jewel I" it imakes a great difference
with, some parties as ttt whose ox is being gored.
And inasmuch as the pon g re g ational Churches
of Illinois' contribute a considerable portion of
their missionary funds to the American Mis
sionary Association, a ild are rapidly multiply
ing their churches through that Association,
we respectfully call the attention of the officers
of the A. H. M. S. td this state of things, and
request that, in the equal application of the
"Rules," the General Association of Illinois
be forthwith cut off from further missionary aid.
This Association is anxious that the "Rules"
should be apiiied to the "larger eeclesia,stieal
bodies)':: Wwhtipe thefe.will-be , no further de
lay in applying these - i‘Rules "•to themselves.
At the close of Mr. Roy's address, the Gene
ral Convention of Wikonsin passed, without a
dissenting voice, a series of resolutions com
mendatory of the American Missionary Asso
ciation, although both the State Agents of the
A. IL M. S. were members of the convention.
OBSERVER.
Beaver Dam, Wis., October Bth, 1880.
UNION BETWEEN THE PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH OF CANADA AND THE UNI
TED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH . IN
CANADA
In our last issue but one, we gave the particulars
of a union between the two Presbyterian Synods
of Nova Scotia. Since then we have received a
printed copy of the terms of union between the
above named Presbyterian bodies in Canada, as
was finally agreed to at the , special meeting held
for the purpose inoOctober. We _give Abelow the
preamble and-the two most important articles of
the Basis.
"The Presbyterian Ihurcb of Canada and the
United Presbyterian Church in Canada, believing
that it would be for they_ glory of God, and for the
advancement of the case of Christ in the land,
that they should be united, and form one church,
do hereby agree to uni on the following basis,
to be subscribed by the moderators of the respec
tive Synods in their name and behalf; declaring,
at the same time, that no inference from the fourth
article of said basis is held to be legitimate, which
asserts that the civil magistrate has the right to
prescribe the faith of the Church,.or to interfere
with her ecclesiastical action; further, that unani
mity of sentiment is not required in regard to the
particular applications of the principle embodied
in the said fourth article, and that, whatever dif
ference of sentiment may arise on these subjects,
all action in reference thereto shall be regulated
by, and be subject to, the recognised principles of
Presbyterian Church order.
~,
11. OF THE SUBORDINATE STANDARDS.--That
the Westminster Confession of Faith, with the
Larger and Shorter , 'COechisnis, are redeiVed-ny
this church as her subordinate standards.
But whereas certain sections of the said Confes
sion of Faith, which treat of the power or duty of
the Civil Magistrate, have been objected to, as
teaching principles adverse both to the right of
private judgment in reliaious_matters, and to the
prerogatives which • Christ has vested in His
church, it is to be understood :-
1. That no interpretation or reception of these
sections is held by this church, which would inter
fere with the fullest forbearance as to any differ
ence of opinion which may prevail on the question
of the endowment of the church by the State.
2. That no interpretation or reception of these
sections is required by this church, which would
accord to the State any authority to violate that
liberty of conscience and right of judgment which
are asserted in Chap. XX. sec. 2, of the Confes
sion; and in accordance with the statements of
which, this church holds that every person ought
to be at full liberty to search the Scriptures for
himself, and to follow out what he conscientiously
believes to be the teaching of Scripture, without
let of hideranee; provided that no one is to be
allowed; under the pretext of following the dictates
of conscience; to interfeie with the peace and good
order of society.
3 That no interpretation or reception of these
sections is required by this church, which would
admit of any interference on the part of the State
with the spiritual independence of the church, as
set forth in Chap. XXX. of the Confession.
IV. OF THE HEADSHIP OF CHRIST OVER THE
NATIONS AND THE DUTY OF THE CIVIL MAGIS
TRATE.—That the Lord Jesus Christ, as Mediator,
is invested with universal sovereignty, and is
therefore King of Nations, and that all men in
every capacity and relation, are bound to obey His
will as revealed in His ord; and particularly
that the Civil Magistrate (including under that
term all who are in any way concerned in the
Legislative or Administrative action of the State)
is bound to regulate his official procedure, as well
as his personal conduct, by the revealed will of
Christ.
After conference with members of the Synod of
he United Presbyterian church, and after full
discussion in Synod, it was agreed that the title
of the United church should be " THE CANADA
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH."
It was also agreed that the Union should be
consummated in Montreal, in . June, 1861, at the
time alr6dy appointed by both Synods for next
ordinary meeting.
The following members entered their dissent
from the action of the Synod in finally accepting
the Basis.of Union, and preamble, and resolving
to consummate the union in June next, viz.: Dr.
Willis, Messrs. Bmellie, and L. McPherson; Mi
nisters; and Mr. D. Frazer, Elder."
It will be seen that the action is very nearly
unanimous.• It is understood that a third body,
that corresponding to the Established church of
Scotland, is taking some steps to unite in this
movement. Thus the divided ranks of the Pres
byterian church are closing up, and the church
militant is presenting a broader and firmer front
to the enemy.
"ANNALS OP THE POOR."
Olive Mission, 1210 Shippen St
A year has now expired since we first began our
labors among the youth of our district, and it seems
proper we should communicate, to the numerous
persons who have assisted us, the result of twelve
months'• work.
REPORT.—We believed the elevattfon of this
people to be far more interesting to their. Creator
than it was to us, and trustiqg in his assistance we
rented two large rooms; visited the people from
door to door, and thus started a Sabbath School,
which at first was. Aauglit by one teacher only, but
as our number intr z eased we called in our personal
friends irrespective of denomination, and now nine
ty-five scholars are taught by twelve teachers.
At the expiation of three months we opened
our rooms on *ednesday nights for prayer meet
ii3gs, into which we have but little trouble in
bringing quite a numb f persons who seem
disposed to make it their home. And for the
last six months we havt, held meetings on Sunday
evenings which we call our lecture—this is even
better attended than the other.
In spending five half days each week in visiting
through this population we have met with many
persons whom upon long acquaintance. we have
found to be deserving poor, and have mit'wahheld
the Lord's treasure, but have given utittqh,
according to their need and our ability. "
"A Dorcas Association," has weekly leld
meetings even during the summer; and hds
tributed some 215 articles of clothing two-fifths
of them made by themselves, the others being
received through the "Annals," and other sources.
Our expenses in fitting up rooms, furniture,
$5O 57
140 00
97 80
85 04
1 94
&o. are ..
Rent of rooms,
Charities,
Dorcas materials and Shoes, .
Christmas Festival, . . .
We have received through the "Annals".
and other 'sources . . $262"61
This Mission has now been carried to that point
where it seems to have grown too large for us. It
wants the constant attendance of a City Nissioriary
and of course of some substantial person or associa
tion to support it. Conducted -in this way it may
spread to afn iaanite extent. - B.
THE SYNOD OF PENNSYLVANIA.
The following are• the chief items of business
of interest to the churches:
The report of the Committee on the Minutes
of the General Assembly, called the attention of
the Synod to the following subjects, viz.:
To the DAYS OF FASTING AND PRAYER recom
mended by the Assembly; in reference to which
the following resolutions were , adopted:
The committee to whom the subject of special
seasons of prayer for specific objects, was re
ferred, recommend the following. action:
1. his earnestly recommended to the churches
to comply with the recommendation of the Ge
neral Assembly, that the first Monday in Janu
ary, 1861, be observed as a day of fasting and
prayer for the conversion of the world.
2. The Synod notices with great satisfaction,
the cordiality with which Christian churches in
various parts of the world complied with the
recommendation of the Lodiana Mission, pro
posing -to the whole Christian world the obser
vance of a week's concert of prayer for the con
version of sinners. In this connection we record,
as a subject for joyful thanksgiving, the wonder
ful displays of divine grace that have been wit
nessed in some parts of the •world, particularly
in Ireland and Scotland,
, and the missions in
the quarter where the proposition originated.
Encouraged by such tokens of the 15ivine ap
probation, the Synod has seen with pleasure,
that the British branch of the Evangelical Alli
ance, has proposed'another and similar concert
of prayer throughout the Christian world, to be
continued from Sabbath, January 7th, to Sab
bath 13th, 1861, inclusive, and the proposal is
earnestly commended to the attention of the
pastors and churches of this Synod.
3. The Synod having had sufficient experience
in the past, of the Divine - approbation of the
measure, cordially endorses the recommendation
of the General Assembly, that the last Thurs
day in February be, observed as a concert of
prayer for college and 'other institutions of
learning.
ON PUBLICATION
The Synod notes with pleasure the action' of
ha ja_r.22),ewediy,,gommendingto the
churches of the denomination th - rissenitilf's
Publication Committee, and in urging upon
them the contribution of $25,000, to form a
business capital for its work. In view of this
action of the Assembly, all the churches in icon
nection with this Synod, are earnestly urged to
do their part in this work, and to take up col
lections for the Publication cause, if not during
the present month, at as early a date as may
be.
ON HOME MISSIONS AND CHURCH EXTENSION.
Resolved, That agreeably to the recommen
dation of the General Assembly, all our churches
who do not receive aid through the. A. H. M.
S., are requested to take up a collections this
year for the Church Extension Committee; the
peculiar state of the home mission cause having
thrown upon them a _very large number of
churches in the west and south.
Resolved, That for the work of Home Mis
sions in the east, the Philadelphia Home Mis
sionary Society is.commended, as heretofore, to
the liberality of our churches.
ON FOREIGN MISSIONS.
Resolved, That the providence of God points
out, as never belore, the Church's work in ex
tending the kingdom of Christ. A world open
to the plibclamation of the Gospel; the majestic
movements of God among the nations; the de
cay and hastening fall of old superstitions, and
not least, the rapid movements of commerce,
opening new fields, which if not occupied by the
forces of Christianity, will be speedily and in
evitably overrun by a corrupt civilization, all
call upon the church for increasing self-denial
and immediate labor.
Resolved, That the Synod have confidence in
the American Board of Commissioners of Fo
reign Missions, as the channel through which
our churches may do their missionary work.
Resolved, That the Synod believe that the
idea of "etrogression in the work of missions is
not to be entertained for a moment by the
church ; that all the answers to the church's
prayers, and all the past results given by God,
demand that our church shall go forward, en
larging her contributions, and giving more of
her sons and her daughters to this work of God.
ON ERECTING PARSONAGES.
The Committee on Bills and Overtures re
port that they have received a request that the
attention of Synod should be directed to the
efforts of Rev. Joseph M. Wilson to awaken
the mind of the Presbyterian Church to the
wisdom, necessity and economy of erecting par
sonages, by the offer of $l2O for the best essays
on this subject.
In the opinion of this Synod there are few
subjects of more practical importance to the
welfare of our churches, than that which is here
brought before them
' .and they most earnestly
hope that his appeal will meet with a cordial
and ready response from those who have expe
rience and information on this subject.
DEATH OF REV. 6EO. CHANDRER.
Whereas it has pleased God, in his providence,
since the last meeting of Synod, to remove, by
death, Rev. George Chandler, of the 4tir Pres
bytery of Philadelphia, for more than forty years
the faithful, zealous, devoted, and highly suc
cessful pastor of the Ist Presbyterian Church,
Kensington:
Resolved, That in the review of the life of our
beloved brother, deceased, we see reason for
thang, that'he was able so long and - with
snclrliWy results, to preach the Gospel to the
people of his, charge. Blessed with frequent
revivals of religion; the instrument in the con
version df hundreds of souls; revered by a large
multitude of the inhabitants of the district in
which he resided, we think of him tioxas enjoy
ing in glory the reward of thd sliMerrying,
earnest laborer in the Lpa's vineyard. .41.
Resolver? ) That while we deeply mourn the
loss we haTe sustained, in his death, we feel
called upon to realize anew that this life must
soon terminate, and our.wrk be done; and that
we should labor more diligently and with firmer
trust in the &vine promise, that our work shall
not be in vain in the Lord.
w . ON 'GUT DOOR PREACHING.
On, receiving the reports of Presbyteries on
the state of religion in their congregations, the
Synod feel grateful to the God of all grace, for
the measure of success-that appears to be at
tendant on their laborsVMt, perceiving among
t i re various-modes adopted for the propagation
of truth and goodness elsewhere, that, in addi
tion to the Sabbath services in their churches,
the practice of week-day preaching in rural dis-
tricts, villages And towns—sometimes in houses
band sometimes altogether out-door, (according
to the apostolic example and the laudable cus
tom of our fathers,) has been much blessed in
promoting revivals, this Synod do recommend
to the several Presbyteries to take the matter
into consideration, and adopt such measures as
to them may seem meet for the extension of the
practice within their several bounds.
COMMENDING PASTOR FISCHE
Resolved, That in view of the great facilities
existing in France for the work of Christianiza
tion, and considering the zeal, sacrifice, and
piety of the Protestant Free Churches in that
land, this Synod warmly sympathizes with
them in their labors and trials, and affectionately
commends their representative, Pastor George
Fische, to the sympathy and confidence of our
churches. •
$374 85
$ll2 24
The Synod of lowa met September 27th, in
the Ist Presbyterian Church of Keokuk, and
was opened with a sermon by Rev. E. J. Gil
lett, D. D. The usual time in the opening
services was occupied with devotional exercises,
and religious exercises were held in the evening
and on the Sabbath. It was an unusually long
session, from Thursday until Monday evening,
and a large portion of the time was spent in a
very thorough discussion of religious education.
Our relations to Yellow Spring College were
fully considered, where it is probable the action
of another year will recommend the appropria
tion of the Parson's legacy. In the meanwhile
the college goes forward with its usual force
and prosperity.
The report of the Committee on the Minutes
of the General Assembly, was adopted, and is
as follows:
1. That the Synod enjoins upon the churches
the observance of the first Monday of January,
1861, as a day of fasting and prayer for the con
version of the world, and the last Thursday of
February as a concert of prayer for colleges and
other institutions of learning.
2. That we invite the serious attention of our
Presbyteries to the Publication Cause, and urge
upon them to request their ministers to present
its claims fully, and to take up a' special contri
bution on its behalf at an early date.
3. That we requeit onr several Presbyteries,
at some time previous to next May, to express
and publish their sentiments as respects our re
lation to the American Home Missionary So
ciety, for the consideration of our next General
Assembly.
4. That the request of the Assembly in re
spect to the systematizing and reporting in full
of missionary contributions, together with the
special claims of .the American Board in this
jubilee year, be earnestly pressed upon the at
tention of our Presbyteries and churches.
The following resolutions were adopted, and
have some general interest :
1. That in the judgment of this Synod, the
Presbyterian Quarterly Review is an ably con
ducted and eminently valuable publication; and
both for its own merits, and as being an organ
of our own church, we renewedly recommend it
to the favorable attention of our ministers and
chUrches.
2. That in the absence of any female seminary
1, : „ lowa., of- high order, under the direCtion of
our denomination, this Synod especially com
mend to our people the Lyons Female College,
as a desirable institution for the advanced edu
cation of their daughters.
3. That the American Theological 'Review,
edited by Rev. Henry B. Smith, D. D., and
published at New York, deserves to be; and
hereby is commended to the favorable notice of
the churches of the Synod of lowa, as one of
the most scholarly and thoroughly evangelical
of orthodox quarterlies in this country.
4. That we commend the Sunday School
Times, the Youth's Gazette, and, the Banner,
weekly and monthly, publications of the Ameri
can Sunday Sdhool 'Union, for circulation in the
bounds of the Synod.
5. That, whereas, Mr. John Moore is now la
boring within our bounds as a colporteur of the
American Tract Society of Boston, Synod here
by express to oar churches and people, and to
the public generally, their confidence in the
publications of that Society, and cordially re
commend that all reasonable encouragement be
afforded to their accredited colporteurs in the
prosecution of their good work.
6. That• the thanks of Synod be tendered to
Rev. A. T. Norton, Secretary of the Church
Extension Committee for the West, for his lucid
exposition of the character and claims of our
church extension work, and we recommend "all
the churches in our connection that are not
aided by the A. H. M. S., to take up dollee
tions at an early day for the church extension
cause."
That the past efforts of the friends of Yel
low Spring . College, at Kossuth, lowa, have the
highest appreciation of this Synod, and that
the trustees of the college be commended to the
friends of education in our connection, both at
home and' abroad, for pecuniary aid in the pre
sent exigency of the institution. ,
8. That it be recommended to our Presbyte
ries that they endeavor to provide for themselves
For the American Prcsbyterzan.
SYNOD OF lOWA
depositories of the books of the Presbyterian
Publication Committee, for circulation within
their bounds.
Synod adjourned to meet at Oskaloosa on
the Ist Thursday in September, 1861, at
o'clock, P. M.
P. S. VAN NEST, Staled Clerk.
[The N. Y. Evangelist and C. C. Herald will
'please copy.]]
AN INEVITABLE TENDENCY
We quote the following very just and sensibl.:
remarks drawn outiby the recent meeting of the
American Board, in the columns of one of the lead
ing Baptist papers, the Ea a» ,of New York:
"We have always taken the ev. Dr. Blagden,
pastor of the Old South Church, Boston, to be a
very conservative man, yet he is reported to have
said, in the great jubilee meeting of the American
Board, that he had long had an idea that there
ought to be some way devised by which the re
sponsibility of the missionary work should be
placed on the churches, either by their becoming
severally responsible for the support of particular
missionaries, or by their having a voice in the
deliberations of the Board. The churches now
did not feel such responsibility, he said, as they
heaped - upon the Board; and he "would have
each church send by special vote its delegate an
nually, and those delegates have a direct vote in
all the proceedings, thus involving the churches
in responsibility, and awakening in them a per
sonal interest.' It is interesting to observe how
surely the great principle of a more direct church
participation in the work of evangelization, is
gaining ground in different evangelical denomina
tions. The American Board of-Commissioners is
an organization acting for several denominations,
and probably can`-adopt nd such pleasure, as that
proposed by Dr. Blagdeo, until it becomes the
Missionary Board of Congregationalist—to which
condition it has been tending for years. The
Old School Presbyterian and Dutch Reformed
Churches, once connebted with that Board, have
now missionary organizations of their own, and we
have no other expectation than that the New
School churches will follow their example. Every
Christian denomination will have, as we believe,
its own Missionary Board, and the policy Willi be
to bring the missionary work as near as possible
to the churches that are expected to sustain it.
The, tendency towards this result may be cavilled
at and resisted, for the time being, but nothing
is more certainly destined to triumph in the end."
EDITOR'S TABLE.
MILLENIAL - EXPERIENCE; or, God's Will Known
and Done. By Rev. Almon Underwood. Boston;
Henry Hoyt. 12mo. pp.'379.
The object of this volume is to show that God's
will may be expected to be made known to us,
not only by his word and providence in a general
way, but from moment to moment, by the Holy
Spirit in the Christian's heart." The necessity for
this revelation is earnestly insisted on, and great
complaint is made of the church for not seeking
or possessino , it. "All is desolation, and death"
in the churc. The style is loose and incorrect.
We wonder that so careful a publisher' as Mr.
Hoyt is, should have allowed some of these inac
curacies to escape him. There are many good
thoughts in the volume, and it is written with fer
vor and good purpose. That is the best we can
say for it. For sale, by W. S. &A. Nartien.
BLIND LIMAS; or Fellowship with God. A Tale
for the Young. iyr a Lady. New York: Robert
Carter & Brothers. 16mo. pp. 403. Beautifully
Illustrated, and introduced, and recommended by Rev.
C. B. Tayler.
A touching narrative, designed to illustrate the
uses of affliction in subduing the pride and oppo
sition of the unregenerated heart to God. Lilias,
a passionate wayward, yet interesting child, is
struck blind by lightning, and under the influ
ence of •this lifelong affliction, she gradually de
velops the traits of the Christian and grows into
the Divine likeness. For sale at the Presbyterian
Book - Store 1334 Chestnut Street.
THE TEMPLE OF GOD: or the Holy Catholic Church
and Communion of Saints, in its Nature, Structure, and
Unity. Ry Charles Pettit Mellvairie, D. D., D. C. L.;
Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Ohio. Pro
testant Episcopal Book Society.in Philadelphia: No. 1224
Chestnut Street. 1660. 12m0., pp. 143.
In this little volume the truly Catholic spirit
of the author displays itself without reserve. His
express object is to show ; the nature, foundation,
and materials of the one comprehensive'church in
which all true believers are included, as distin
guished from the visible church which is divided
into many organizations, and includes such as are
not believers within its pale. It is not a dry dis
sertation, but readable and interestinr , as well as
instructive. .c
MAY COYERLY, The Young Dreosmalrer. Boston:
J. E. Tilton & Co. 18roo. pp. 258, with many illus
trations.
A well-told story of suffering and trust, in an
orphan family, in narrow circumstances, whose
piety and energy have their reward in this life.
For sale by W. S. & A. Martien.
WINNIE AND WALT ER'S CHRISTMAS STORIES.
EVENING TALES WITH THEIR FATHER ABOUT
OLD TIMES.
STORY TELLING AT THANKSGIVING. Boston:
J. E. Tilton,
These are three very attractive and seasonable
books for children, full of good illustrations. For
sale by W. S. & A. Martien.
PAMPHLETS, PERIODICALS, IC
Toist BROWN AT OXFORD ; A Sequel to Sclool
Days at Rugby. By Thomas" Hughes. Bost n:
Ticknor &. Fields. Philadelphia, for sale by 3.
B. Lippincott & Co. ,
OUR BIBLE CLASS. A small 4 page monthly
is issued by the Bible Class of ; the Manayunk
Church, who, as they number one hundred and
seventy persons, ranging from fourteen to fifty
years of age, and enjoy the teachings of Rev. Mr.
Culver, the energetic pastor of the church, may
be considered equal to' the, by no means trifling
work of publishing and editing a paper. The
sheet is occupied with-statistics of the class and
questions upon the lessons.
THE MINISTERIAL OFFICE MAGNIFIED: WET,
AND How? A Discourse for the Times. By
Rev. S. J. More, Ballymena, Ireland. Philadel
phia, Wm. S. 'Young, Printer.
THE FATEEEELS OF HARRISBUGH PRESBYTERY•
Re-printed from .the Presbyterian Quarterly Re
view, October. 1860. Philadelphia: Wis. S.
Young, Printer.
TUE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN QUARTERLY RD
VIEW, edited by David R. Item October. 800.
Pittsburgh
•
Centents.—The Hebrew Servant. The Fable
and the School. The Eighth Psalm. Church
and State. Niagara Falls. The, Recent Syrian
Massacres. Tractarianism Traced to its Sources
Examination of Passa.es of Scripture. The First
Assembly. Short Notices.
TRE attention of our readers is directed to an
advertisement of O'Donnell's Book Keeping histi
bate in another column. From the numerous com
mendatory notices of the press and the testimo
nials of its graduates, presented in the circular of
the Institute for 1860 and '6l, we are disposed to
say, that this establishment is eminently worthy
the attention of parents who desire to prepare
their sons for mercantile pursuits.
Whilst the
course of instruction afforded is the most thorough
and practical in its character, the rates of charges
in this Institution will be found considerably less
than those of other establishments where a
thorough commercial education may be acquired.
The Institute is located on the South-East corner
of Eighth and Arai Streets.
Nov. 8,