Anztvican ituvole rangtligit, THURSDAY. DICCIBIII3II/11 13. 1880. JOHN W. MEARS, EDITOR. . .118300 LATED WITH ALBERT BARNES f GEORGE DUFFIELD Ja., THOMAS BRAINERD, JOHN JENKINS, HENRY DARLING, THOMAS J. SHEPHERD. To AID IN INTRODUCING OUR PAPER where it is not yet known, we offer to send it, post paid, for the remainder of the year 1860, to any address upon the receipt of six cents in postage stamps. We will also send a copy to any new address from, the present time to December 31, 1861, upon the receipt of the subscription price for one year. We also make the following liberal offers, to bold good until the let of next year. Any - clergyman not a subscriber who will send us one new name and two dollars, shall have a copy of the paper free for one year. Any one sending us two ntno names and /bur dollars, shall receive a copy of the PRESBYTERIAN QUARTERLY REVIEW free for one year; or CoSbOrD'S FRUITS AND FLOWERS OF PALESTINE, or, if preferred, a copy Of the .Publioation Committee's NEW DIGEST. l'or three new subscribers, with payment in advance, a copy of Lindsay At Blakiston's splendid edition of 2iirs. Sigourney'a Poems. A REVOLUTXON 'WITHOUT A REASON. We presume that our readers generally have had ,opportunities of reading the President's Message in the secular prints, and we shall there fore not occupy our limited space either with the whole or an abstract of it. We will merely call attention to two positions of the message, which we regard as of special . significance in the present unhappy state of affairs. One is that secession is revolution, and the other is that nb ad,equatevround for revolution exists. We are glad to have this expression of opi nion from Mr. Buchanan. Events are now taking place which in all probability will leave their; deep mark in the pages of all future history. A violent effort is being made to break up this Union. Its political power and material great ness, its influence for , good among the nations of the earth, its illustrious exemplification of the capacity for self-government, on a grand scale, of enlightened men, its- proof of the pro gress of the human race, in a word all its price less advantages as one free and great govern ment, are to be sacrificed, if the schemes of the disuniouists can be accomplished. All those ties of association so inexpressibly dear to the patriot's heart, arising from the recollections of a common and glorious struggle for freedom, in which the eons of one State gladly hurried to the call of every other, and freely poured out their blood upon its soil, those rich historic me mories inwoven amid the folds of our flag and borne aloft upon the wings of our eagle, heard In the familiar and stirring strains of our na tional songs and melodies; all these, it seems, are to be rudely severed, and numbered among the relics of a glorious but departed era. The high hopes which the Christian and the philan thropist have cherished, as they looked down the vista of ages, and, beheld their children and their children's children, in increasing millions and remote generations, thronging this glorious heritage from ocean to ocean, and from the great lakes to the unknown South, one in reli gion, one in language, one in great material in terests, one 'in laws and customs, steadily ad vancing in a line of true Christian civilization, removing evils from the body politic, and con tributing largely to, if not actually leading on, the grand march of humanity throughout the world, these high hopes are to be dashed. One of the guiding stars of civilization is to be put out; the curtain is to fall on one of the grandest spectacles and one of the grandest visions of the friends of man. We do not by any means admit that this will actually prove to be the re moult, even if the avowed objects of a few seces sion States are carried out; but such is their tendency; such is, we believe, the expectation of some who are pushing these movements, and such is without doubt a possible issue. It would be difficult to form an adequate con ception of the melancholy and disastrous results of a thorough, or even partial breaking up of this Union. It would be, indeed, as if the sha dow on earth's dial had gone backward fifteen degrees. Those who, without adequate ground, have taken the responsibility upon themselves of working with might and main for the destruc tion of a nation—and such a nation, ought to be fully aware of the murderous work they are about. We are glad that, if any light was needed in settling the question of the responsibility, we have it from a source so little likely to be pre judiced in that direction as Mr. Buchanan. His tory will accept his testimony as that of. a com petent because an unwilling witness, one who would rather have shielded the South from such a fearful imputation if he could have done it. The London Times, of November 21st, taking substantially the same view on this point as Mr. Buchanan,' says: "We cannot help, being forcibly struck by the absurdity of breaking up a vast and glorious confederacy like that of the United States, from the dread and auger inspired by the election of such a man NI Mr. Lincoln] to the office of chief magistrate." This is the judgment of one of the most po tent leaders of public opinion in the civilized word. It seems to indicate that the act of these madmen will go down to posterity, not only as without adequate reason, but as absurd ! Of one thing we are sure; posterity—and God grant it may not be a suffering, ruined, crushed posterity—will hold the actors in this drama to a fearful. account, and, it may be, will stamp their names with the deepest infamy that history has ever visited upon her most detested charac ters. Exactly proportioned to the peerless fame of the authors of this government, must be the shame of those who, without reason, dismember and destroy it. As the reunion of the decaying fragments of Italy into one powerful vital or ganism, is greeted by civilized man with novel and wondering hope, and with wild enthusiasm of applause, so will the destruction of this far grander confederacy receive and deserve the ex ecration of mankind. We say with Mr. Buchanan that the various reasons urged as justifying secession are insuf ficient. "It is not every wrong," he says, " nay, it is not every grievous wrong, which can justify a resort to such a fearful alternative." We see little reason to hope that the people of the Gulf States will be restrained in their mad career to secession. Our hope is in the God of nations, who has shown himself such a wonderful Providence in this nation in times past, that every patriot heart may well turn to him with a feeling of inexpressible trust, calm ness and hope. "What time lam afraid I will trust in thee." Let us emery day make earnest mention of our beloved country in our closet, at the family altar, and in the assembly for prayer. The churches of New York city do well in insti tuting a daily prayer meeting for the country , exclusively. And if any members of the sister hood of States persist in withdrawing from us, we who remain will draw closer the bonds of a great, and free, and glorious confederacy, while' of those that depart it shall be written, THE WOULD-BE DESTROYERS OF THE GREAT AMERICAN UNION, who could give no better reason for their. attempt than their failure to make our Union the instrument of upholding, perpetuating and extend ing human slavery, a reason which the .muse of history will blush to write, but which her falling tear will not blot out forever. STRONG CONSOLATION.* "He that• believeth that God is gracious, merciful, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and in truth, and, that he intends to display and illustrate these glorious perfections in his ex perience, will find his mind calm and his soul enjoying repose under all the changing circum stances of time." This sentence, from the, pages of our •Com mittee's hut very excellent issue, conveys a great truth which deserves to be reckoned among the highest sources of consolation. It is something to know and to be able to rialize that a divine purpose and providence is concerned in the di rection of our affairs—in the plan of our life. It is, beyond measure, soothing to feel assured that all things are working together for our good, even when the sorest afflictions befall us. By such elevating, calming views as these, the Holy Spirit often has breathed true gospel con solation into troubled souls. But in the words we have quoted appears a still , higher view to which he can lead us. Through out: sufferings the perfections of the divine character shine forth. One of those endlessly varied ways of displaying •his glory in this world which God has chosen, is the experience of his tried, af flicted, chastened children. In their dark hours, his upholding power, his wise, paternal love, his unchanging laithfultiess, often most clearly appear. . .Man's extremity is his opportunity. When human resources fail, that is the fit occa sion for the divine interposition. When pride and self-confidence tire cast down, then our vi sion is clear to recognise his wise and mighty and gracious working. In our sickness and be reavement, in the prostration of our awn affairs, and those of our friends, God's most marvellous attributes may be shining forth to the eye of faith with clearer and more convincing lustre than they did to Moses amid the overpowering splendors of Sinai, when, hid in the cleft of the rock, he heard the Lord pass by, proclaiming himself merciful and gracious, long suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth. What Christian would not feel it a consola tion of uncommon strength and sublimity to know, that his infirm and suffering body had be come the vehicle for the manifestation of the divine glory ? that the experiences of a bed of pain, however humble it might be, were not only working out a gracious purpose of refinement and sanctification in himself, but were as much a method of revealing the divine character among men, as the glories of the visible crea tion, or •the pillar of cloud and of fire, rising before his people in the wilderness? What Christian would not calmly pass through sea sons of calamity, if he felt that they were not. -only a wholesome discipline for himself, but that in themselves, and in his own experience of them, they were an ordained and effective 'means of exhibiting, first or last,• the glorious perfection of a gracious, merciful, and long-suffering Deity, abundant in goodness and in truth ? The danger in trying to gain consolation in trouble is, of looking too intently upon ourselves. We are too mall taken up with our sorrow, and even with its intended good effects on ourselves. Our views, to be truly comforting, must expand, and we must rise to contemplate the wider pur pose of God in our experience. As says our author once more: "Taking the eye off creatures, cir cumstances, and self, and fixing it intently upon God as revealed in Jesus, and as working all things after the counsel of his own will, will bring rest to the soul and preserve the mind in peace. * * * But the moment it is taken off the Lord, there will be agitation, fear, and painful perplexity. Like Peter on the water, so long as he kept his eye on Jesus, he was safe,—he could tread the waves under- his feet; but the moment he began to listen to the winds and look at the billows, that moment he began to sink." Reader, if you are on the point of sinking, overwhelmed and confounded beneath your cares and distresses, cease to think of yourself, cease to revolve the relation of events to yourself, or to any mere material interest, but believe that God is in them; that they are one of his chosen ways of revealing himself to men; that by your suffering you are aiding to display the divine glory; that God is showing himself the sole stay and happiness of your soul and of men; that out of this darkness there sball come a broad beam of light, marking this epoch in your history, or the history of man; that at the end it, and your own humble share in it, shall ap pear to have been necessary to revealing the fall orbed majesty of the gracious, the merciful, and the long-suffering ,God, abundant in goOd ness and in truth. For the American Presbyterian ACKNOWLEDGXENT. The subscriber takes a pleasure in acknow ledging a gratifying occurrence which took place at his house, a few evenings previous to his leaving Middleport. Several friends made an unexpected call, and after usual salutations, and a short season spent in friendly and social conversation, Mr. E. V. De Graff arose, and, after making a neat and appropriate address, presented in behalf of the company an elegant Royal Quarto Turkey-Morocco Bible. And after many expressions of kind feelings toward us, and our family, they bid us ad affec tionate farewell, and returned to their homes. It was on the whole, one of those, peculiar inci dents happily adapted to give encouragement and comfort to a pastor's heart, and make an im pression never to be obliterated from the memory. 0. C. BEARDSLEY. • THE &mosso Towels; or'Strength, Salvation, and Joy for the Believer. Selected from the works of Rev. James Smith, of Cheltenham, England. Presbyterian Publication Committee. Amtritan rrtotitttrian and 6,entott granteliot. DECAY OF DENOMINATIONALISM. -- TEE CHURCH JOURNAL. The March Journal, high among the High Church Episcopal newspapers, honors us with nearly four columns last week. A Ruling Elder in our Church wrote an admirable Article in the Presbyterian . Quarterly Review, on the "Duties of our Laymen," parts of which were copied by the German `Reformed Messenger with high commen dation, and parts by'ourselves. The Church Jour nal does us the honor of quoting the extracts from this Article, as though they *ere editorial in the AMERICAN PRESBYTERIAN, and takes oc casion thereby to read our Church a terrible les son touching denominationalism and "historic life." We do not so much desire to flay off the skin of the Church Journal, which it has exposed to us, as to- teach it, and the very narrow Church which it represents, a little plain truth. It tempts us strongly, we must' confess, and we stood awhile, scourge in hand, considering whether we had not better draw a little of that vulgar blood which creeps through the veins of silly, exclusive people. Narrowness is ignorant and very often vulgar. We have been thrown at- times—a part of 'that martyrdom• which we must all undergo---with High Church people. Their specialite isigno ranee of all Christian Churches but' themselies. They are cousins-german of, the ; Chinese. But, as we said, we are. content, Uncle-Toby like, tcr let thi3 Journal buzz, without impaling it even upon the ;smallest pin. We prefer to teach it something, as it does not often fall in the way of enlightened Christians. - In the first place, we, beg leave to mention to the Journal that the Church which it'nicknames "New School Presbyterian," instead of having been born in 1837, is an Apostolic Church, one thousand years older than the Episcopal body, of which the Journal is one of the representatives. The Episcopal' Church began under Henry VIII, A. D. 1534, or thereabout& The Presbyterian Church, one thousand years before that, was esta blished in the West of Scotland. It came direct ly from the Apostles, through the Culdees, and was. never Popish, as to the bulk of its people. Hence,. when the - Reformation was preached, all Scotland adopted it as, the very form and pressure of its primitio faith. This is the reason that the Journal's religion, though backed by those gentle preachers, Claverhouse, Dalzell, and Lauderdale, never made any pregress 'in STiotland; the, primi tive, apostolic faith was, therefrom, the beginning and the semi-popish religion, which the Journal affects, was stopped .by the preaching of John Knox and the three-legged stool of Jenny Ged des. The affectation of the Journal in talking Of the "forty or fifty sects of Presbyterians," cannot be excused even by the dense ignorance of High Church Episcopacy. It is, to be sure, stupid enough for almost any thing, but nobody that can read and write, is as ignorant as that. We beg leave, to say to Episcopacy, that the Presbyterians of America have a.common "historic life," which they show by being united in a common Historical Society," the very valuable library of which we shall be hippy to show the editor, if he will call on, us in Philadelphia. Presbyterians differ nboat kerne minor points, but not so much as Episcopalittna. The light blue of the "New Schoohnan," and the deep blue of the "Covenanter," blend far more con genially than the three ; quarters popery of the Jour nal, and the only one-quarter popery of the Phila delphia. Episcopal Recorder. The Confession of Faith, which not only lies "on the centre-table of Preshyteriank," but is their Standard of Faith and Order, is identical in both the General Assem blies of our Church, as well as in its Seceding and Covenanting branches. Our object in writing, as we said, is not the merited chastisement of the Journal for its foolish gabble, bat the utterance of some needed truth. We therefore acknowledcre freely that out of a weakness, of which that editor has not so muckas the faintest conception, our Church was led astray for a time from the ecclesiastical idea, by an effort to gather into one fold all who love Christ. A Presbyterian's conception of the Church is never narrowed, like the Journal's, by a confinement.to one small sect, but is always colored by the sig nificant thought of the Church Univer.sal,—the view of the Apostle in .the Epistle to the Epbe sians. A Presbyterian always looks to that mighty transaction, before all worlds, which is to be con summated in the eternity to come, by which the elite of the universe—the elect of. God—are to be athered in one in Christ, out of all ages, and kindreds, and sects. Hence it is difficult for him to be denominational aeall, and for him to be the starveling thing that calls itself. High Church, is literally impossible. He can by no possibility make himself . so little. The great Voluntary Associations were based on this grand Presbyterian idea—the destruction of all sects, by creating a Church universal that should be the fused result of the melting down of all church boundaries by universal Christian activity and love. The life-blood of Presbyterianiam went into that idea, and it came liear—we do not deny if—to the killing of the grandest Church the ages have seen. It was a mirage, but it was a magnificent one —an aurora whose crown was in the centre of the highest heavens, and which streamed its glo ries far; and, wide over the entire firmament. ut it was not God's way, and those glorious 'gleams are fading .. into the light of common day." The Journal has one right idea. It is that of a visible Church Catholic. Our Presbyterian con ception of it has been too much that of a Church invisible and universal. Hence our conceptions must grow smaller, that our Church 'may grow larger. We must undergo the conditions of a. Church, that we may bring all into the condi tion of the Church. When the Presbyterian Church is wrought into this idea, when that thought pervades its stern and serried masses, when it is content to be a little child in God's plastic hand, that it may learn His way of work ing out the one problem to be settled in the Church on earth, which is the type- of the Church in heaven, then, we say, the. Episcopal Church will see the problem after which it strives so weakly and stammeringly wrought out on a scale that will give them ideas of Christianity, to which that of the Puseyite school are as the babblings of an in fant, compared with the themes that !glow and burn on the lips of seraphs. CORRECTIONS. By a mistake of our printer in the receipts of the American Board, as publishedlast week, the contribution of the Church at York, Pa., was given as $42.03, when it should have been $242.03. Also in our Chicago letter, "DetToit, Mich.," should have read Beloit, Wisconsin. THE PRESBYTERY OF NEONROE. We copy from the Evangelist the following no tice. It may be well to mention that the apparent discrepancy between the statements of the Pres bytery and the Church Extension committee, (see their Report: ,minutes-of the assembly, page 805,) arises from the, fact, that the committee voted 200 dollars to' the Brefsbyte4 at their request, in Decem ber, 1859, bn 'le Presbytery did not ask for the payment of it•untihifuly and October,.lBoo. Hence the Presbytery reported their year of labor previous to' July, 1860 p Its 'completed without aid from beyond themselves, • considering the aid as inclu ded in the following year. The committee on the other. hand, considered the Presbytery as auxiliary from the date of the original appropriation. There is therefore, no real discrepancy. The expression "foreign interference and dictation," has 'no re , . ference to the Church' Extension Committee The Presbyleiy of Monroe held its semi-annual meeting in Missileld, on the 13th inst. A large number was *Attendance, • and an interesting meeting enjoyed. Rev. Dr. llogarth, of Detroit. Presbytery,' bY ,request, preached the opening serraela. `Rev, George G. Curtis was chosen Moderator, and Elder M. Teddy, Temporary Clerk. • • The Committee on Domestic• Missions reported very favoralply-teuching the work of aiding the feeble °Enriches, and supplying . the destitutions within our bounds. Our five missionaries, minis teringt to itcir; ihes. have received their salary in full; and 0 - without any arrears • to pay, 'we. have complete l ,cpe and a half years since we were left to, take care of our own field ,, without being subjected to forAign interference and . diptation.— It has been, pleasant to observe with what spirited and harincmions ' action Presbytery'''have all along proseil.iuted this good work, and it is cheering to witness its results. Rev. J. V". Baynes,,one of the missionaries of this body, was at, his request dismissed to the Presbytery of Michigan (Old School;) but his place was immediately Supplied, and the laborer is now at work on the .661d.'Presbytery received the sad intelligence that the Rev. Paul Shepherd, the missionary at Dover and Clayton—he haying organized in the Spring at the latter place a Pres byterian ohnrch as the result of a precious revi val of religion in that once destitute village, has just deceased, mut-adopted the following Minute, as expressive of their views.and feelings regarding this event Whereas, In the holy providence of God, Rev. Paul Shepherd, for many years a valuable mission ary of , the .cross,„and a useful and faithful mem ber of this body, has been suddenly called, away from the scenes Q4Atiis earthly toils to the rewards and the rest of•reitien as we doubt not; there fore, Resolved ) That as- a Presbytery we humbly re cognise •the. hand of God in this bereavement, and submissively bow to it; feeling the meanwhile that it becometh us to do with all diligence what is appointed us td do, in our respective fields of labor, not knowing how `soon the Master may call for us. , Resolved, That we tender to the bereaved family of, the deceased`oursy:mpathyand condolence in this the hour of their sorrow, praying that the consolations of Hiin who calleth Himself the God of the widow and-,‹the fatherless, may abide with them;• and also to' the clurche,s, to which he ministered, the assurances of our continued in terest in their , welfare; and our purpose to help them in their efforts to obtain and support another of Christ's ambassadors, that so they -may again be blessed with the labors of the living ministry. Rev. H. C. Hovey was, at his request, dismissed to the Presbyterrif Coldwater, he having been invited to the pastoral charge . of the Presbyterian church of Coldwaier. Presbytery ord fined to the work of an evange list Mr. August " ara ~,, a graduate of Auburn - Theological Sc:: 21.,: , , ~,14, a licentiate or this i t body. ' The seirri p.,,wa& preached by his father, Rev. Justin Mari . ki. Marsh was, at his re (pest, disniissed, to the l k Presbytery of Marshall, masmtiob as he is supplying , with much favor the Presbyterian chmth of Brooklyn, within the boUnds 9f that Presbytery. , . . 4. Presbytery erased froni its roll ,the name of the Clinton Church, which, united with Presbytery on the plan of union, and for many years has sus taiped a mere nominal relation , to this ,body, thoagh in good and, regular standing in the Con gregational Associatiop of Michigan. K. STRONG Stated Clerk. lionroe Nov. 22, 1860. THE. A. 4. 11. S. ANOTHER NEW , MEASURE. It would seem as if the anagers of this Society were animated with;-sue hoitility to one of the denominations representell in the organization, that every turn in its affai l rs is made the pretext for fresh' egislation:mf . unfriendly character. The last stroke of l iisei,isAus dekribed, and its character justly set forth in. the Evcingelist: At a meeting of .thy Exetitutive Committee, held last week, Nov: 19th, the Treasurer's Report re vealed the fact that the soniety was in .arrears to its missionaries 526,000—ra deficiency. which;arose, it was said, mainly from the fact that Presbyterian churches, which once tave eely and largely, now stood aloof, and gave sparingly,or not at all. This led to the introduction and passage of the following Resolution : I _ . "Resolved, That in vie* of the.inereasing in adequacy of funds to meet . , the claims upon. the Treasury, amounting at the present time to .$26,- 000, appropriations to feeble congregations be made, until otherwise Orclei t ‘eci, with the , condition that the denomination with which each congrega tion is connected furnish the means of payment— nniess there be surplus funds froin other sources at the disposal of the Seale\ tY.." , s 'The effect of this will be een in a moment.. IT the Congregationalists .givo three-fourths td the Society, three-fourths Neill lie spent on their rid:. nisters and churches. This ,may seem very fair, that those who give inueli• should receive much, and those who give ..r 9,-, should receive little.- Only it is to be criminaiing between churches, according to their ecclesiastical connection, is lb flat contradiction to the early principles of the Scicliety, and to the policy which it has professed to folio* for more than thirty years. In the beginning such a discrimination was not only not contemplated, but was most explicitly and solemnly disavowed. ) , Further, there was a time 1 when the, giving was the other way—when not Cnngregationalists, but Presbyterians gave three-fourths of all that the So ciety received. Five years after the Society was started [i. e. in 1831, 1 all Now England gave to it but $16,089 39, and, the single State of New York, $25,826 46 ! The year folloWing the contributions were about in the same propoition. Did the Pres byterians then claim that the bulk of appropriations should go to their churches? i, So far from it, in the year 1831, 144 missionaries' ere laboring within the bounds of New, England itself, while but 160 were in the Middle States? 1 The next year New. England had 163, and the Middle States but 169. That is, New England had about one-half the be nefits, while contributing brit .about three-eighths to the general funds. If ive extend this examine ' tion to the 7th and Bth gears of the Society, the difference is still more srked. In the 7th year it employed in New England 239 misaionaries, and in the Middle States but 70; and in the Bth year 287 in New England, and but 201 in the Middle States. We do not take into account the mission aries supported at the same time in the Western States, because their relations cannot be accurately ascertained. Probably half and half would not be far from the truth. The missionaries in the Mid- Ale States, we have set down as all Presbyterians, though as a matter of fact, there were among them Congregationalists, while in New .England almost every man belonged to the same denomination. Thus the Presbyterians,gaVe much more than they got in return and the Congregationalists much less.; For the American Presbyterian. "ANNALS OF T H E. POOR." THE history of the sufferings among the poor is so filled with cases of distress that we fear in continuing them week after week, that the read er may turn from the." Annals" and say, that every dam we knock upon only screens from our sight a whole family of beggars, and that our mission is "a hopeless effort. Such is not the fact There are many families living close by, and who come within our influence, who would scorn this character-;--many who wlien' approadhed` and asked, " How are you getttng along?" will put on assumed brightness and say, "Very well," when, if you knew their real circumstances, you would shudder; and looking upon , their children's feet, and seeing the mere apology for shoes, the cold chill would creep around your oin heart, when you think of yonder little one upon a cold frosty morning, picking cinders from the a'sh heap. Nay, nay, the impostors come 'to your back gates with bloated cheeks, and a . dirty ap pearance, while the needy poor are often unwill ing to tell thCir distress. Our plan among them is to visit from door to door among Catholics and Protestants, and upon every fitting opportunity to set up the' cross of Christ and entreat them to look and live ; thus we hope to•spend our life-time. _ To accomplish tali we want to draw together a congregation of working 'people, who of themselves will be able to 'support a' moderate church establish ment; and to clothe they' destitute children sur rounding them, draw them in and have them grow up like ourselves, instead of in the old way. You, will readily see 'that in the begin ning we want your assistance; but that ulti mately: (before many months,) we would be able toy stand' alone. Lend Ifs then - your contribu tion so that *hen we ferret out the needy, we shall not be compelled to leave the gospel seed to be devoured by the gnawings of hunger. The debt of which we spoke in our report, will not be paid off bithe contributions sent to us but by the proceeds of the Fair. The articles for the latterigradlially increase in number, and will continue to do so; until the afternoon of the 24th of December, when we expect all of our friends to call in at No. 936' Arch Street, to purchase their Christmas Presents at store prices; aridd during that weeklo be often among us. . , 13., 1334 Chestnut St;•eet. • For the Amman Presbyterian LIND UNIVERSITY. IMPORTANT MEETING OF COMMIBSIONNRS IN CHICAGO. Dubuque, Iowa; Dee. 5,_1860 MR. EDITOR. —ln accordance with instructions, I hereivith transmit to you a statement of the pro ceedings of a meeting recently held in the city of Chicago, for publication in.your paper. .A meeting of,Commissioners from Presbyteries, in the North-West, was held in the lecture room of the Second Presbyterian Church, Chicago, on the 20th, 21st and 22d days of November last. , Eighteen. Presbyteries and seven Synods were represented. The chief objects of the_meet ing were to determine the : relations of the Presby teries of the North-West to f. the. ;Theological De partment of Lind University, and to take initia tory:steps for the early opening of the Seminary. Both these objects , were l aecomplished to the:mu tual satisfaction of the Timitees of the. Universi ty and the representatives of `the Presbyteries. Aecerding to the convention agreed upon, the IteOlogical Department of the tnivergity, be placed under the absolute,control, its, property alond'excepted, of a Board of Theological Instruc tion, to be composed of Cominissioners from co-ope rating Presbyteries, ehosen on the principle observed in the selection of Com Missioners to the General Assembly, and of the Trustees of the Uni versity. No professor to be chosen' or disinissed without a vote of two-thirds of this Board. Are vision of the Charter of this Institution will be immediately obtained to meet this arrangement Upon its appearing that the endowment of two professorships in the Seminary is already secured, the first through the liberality of Mr. Lind, and the second by pledges obtained' within the City of Chi cago; it was resolved to undertake the immediate raising of a third endowment, upon this field; the neceessary steps • were taken for inaugurating the undertaking. Also, to provide for the commence ment of a library for the Seminary, and for making provision for the assistance of students. - A committee was appointed to whom was dele gated' the important work of determining the course of study to be pursued, and another aselect and nominate to the next meeting of the Board suitable persons to fill the professional °him al-. ready endowed. These committees will report to a meeting to be held not later than the :10th of March next; when it is hoped that final definite action for the opening of the Sethinary to students will be taken: • The discussiona upon the subjects brought be fore the meeting, in connection with' the above business, were of the most earnest and animated character. A perfect' nanimity of sentiment pre vailed as to the vital importance to the interests of the cause of Christ in this region, as. connected with our bisnch of the Chureh, that this Institu tion should be early in operation, and that it should be inferior to none in the land in the facilities and inducements it should effete students. All were more than ever' impressed with the Magnitude and the urgency of the. enter Prise. • The' subject of a denominational' newspaper, to be published at this point, was brought forward and met the decided approval of all. A resolution pledging the hearty support and co-operation of Commissioners to such an undertaking was unani mously passed. The Commissioners separated with the convic tion that an important work - had been accomplished by the meeting, and resolved to for Ward in every possible way the great interests they' had been called to consider. THE CITY CHURCHES NORTH BROAD ST.—Twenty-eight persons united with this Church on last Sabbath morning; three by t profession, the remainder by letters chiefly from churches of other denominations. The present membership numbers ninety-threo. • KVHDERTON.—We are glad to learn that the divine favor is resting upon, this enterprise while struggling through the difficulties attendant upon building the house. Seven persons were added to its numbers by profession, four of them re ceiving the ordinance of baptism. Rev. Mr. Walker, the supply, speaks of hopeful indications still prevailing on the field. KENSINGTON.—Rev - . Mr. Eva, the recently in stalled pastor, is much encouraged by, the thronged audiences which fill the pews and aisles of this Church. We trust be may soon reap the fruits of his earnest labors among them. J. H. Thowmuman, Secretary EDITOR'S TABLE. LIFE OF ANDREW JACKSON. In three Volumes. By James Parton, author of Life of Aaron Burr. New York: Mason Brothers. 3 vols., Svo., about 2000 pp. With several Engraved Portraits. Every American will confess his obligations to Mr. Parton for .the !VII and able Manner in which he has portrayed the eventful life of one of the most distinguished and remarkable of her public men. For nearly the life time of a ge neration, Andrew Jackson, in seasons of war and of peace alike, held the admiring attention of the great body of the American people. His triumphant defence of New Orleans, and his prompt and effectual, resistance to the nullifica tion scheines of South Carolina, have identified him with the most thrilling events of American history. Good Sense, decision, pronptness, and energy in action, and a strong self-will, bearing down all opposition, yet not without 'a reserve of prudence, appear to have been his character- istics, rather than commanding and far-reach-' ing views as a statesman and.a general. He possessed that (Agree of executive ability which meets the present emergency and inspires con fidence. Let the reader turn to Mr.. Parton's excellent description of the electric effect upon the desponding population. of New Orleans, when it was known that the General had reached their city. Let him see the instantaneous promptness, and • the indomitable energy with which he employed every moment of time, and every available resource in preparing for that most illustrious defence. He will find some of the best traits of ,Gieneral Jackson's character illustrated in these memorable incidents. There is much, too; in the history of the nullification movement of interest and Value in our own ffay. On the whole, no one seeking a full acquain tance with the history of our country in the first third of the present century, can afford to omit the perusal of these volumes. Without rising to the dignity of a historian, or of a brilliant writer, Mr. Parton is delightfully entertaining, and has taken great pains to secure full and reliable in formation. The last volume is accompanied with thirty, pages of index. For sale by J. B. Lippincott & Co. ITALY. From the Earliest Period to the Present Day. By John S. C. Abbott New York: Mason Brothers. Svo, pp. 587. With Portrait of Victor. Emmanuel. This volume is the.third in the series by the same author--THE MONARCHIES OE CONTINENTAL EUROPE. It is a very seasonable book, and will be sought with eagerness, doubtless, by the pub liC. Besides this, we know of no elisting ac cessible volume in which the facts in the history of this, the most interesting of all countries, un less it be the Holy Land itself, are grouped in' one view. It shows, great industry, and is writ ten in' the usual easy style, and with the fine narrative powers of Mr. Abbott, which gave an irresistible charm to his books in the latter part of our own childhood. Yet, we think, complaint will be made of the very unequal distribution of the ancient and modern parts of the story. Caesar is not assassinated until near the middle of the book, and but one hundred and forty pages are, given to the. interesting- period from - the formation of the Republics, A. D. 1085, to. the present time. Any school• boy knows the first part of the story, while many well-read per sons are at a loss, and would be thankful to Mr. Abbott for faller information on the latter part: For sale as above. COMMENTARY ON THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT, by Dr. A..Tholuok. Translated from the Fourth Revised and Enlarged Edition, by Rev. It. Londin Brown, M. A. Philadelphia: Smith, Eng lish 84 Co. Bvo. • pp: 448, with an Introduction and three Indices. Price, $2.25. The, character of this standard work is al ready well known. It is here reproducedovith what will prove, in all probability, the author's last touches, bearing date, March, 1856. He says he has "thrown aside much-useless Mate rial and replaced' it by the results of renewed, investigations.” Though ti truly learned and masterly, work, it is designed for, and has .in Germany given rise to a practical movement resulting in practical commentaries, commen taries•for the use of schools, sermons; &c. It is a volume which could be turned .to account at once, by , every preacher orthe gospel. MESSRS. &mu, ENGLISH & Co. deserve the thanks of theologians for' the valuable works they are constantly placing within their reach. We can recall no less than four commentaries of the highest rank, bearing their imprimatur, which, within a short time, have been sent to us for notice; viz.: Stuart on the Hebrews,. Henkstenberg on Ecclesiastes, Ellicolt on the Galatians, and now this last'edition of Tholuek on the Sermon on the Mount.. THE ROMANCE OF NATURAL HISTORY, by Phi lip Henry Oosse, F. R. S. With elegant Illustration's. Boston: Gould & Lincoln. large 12mo. pp. 872, with' ndex. Price, $1.25. The title of this book to begin with, then its delicate and tasteful exterior, and the novelty of the scenes depicted in its highly finished engravings, join with the contents to make it one of the cost charming issues of. the season. The author has gathered from the rich fields of ancient and modern research, the facts and phe nomena of the deepest interest in nature, and has grouped them together by such imaginary relations, as to greatly add to their interest. As we roam throughpthe weird scenes and mar vellous incidents here collected, we feel over and over again, how much stranger truth is than fiction. Mr. Gosse devotes considerable space to the , examination of the evidence for the ex istence of the Great Sea Serpent, of which, he, for one, is convinced. For sale by Smith, English Sr, Co. TOM BROWN AT OXFORD. A Baguet to School Days at Rugby. Part I. New York: Harper & Bros. 16mo, pp. 360. i , The first part of this interesting story of English University, life has been published in, a permanent form, and will be eagerly, sought after. For sale by 'Lindsay .& Blakiston. LAVINIA, a ; Novel. By G. Rufmi, author of Dr. Antonio Three volumes in one. New York: Rudd & Carleton. 12m0., pp. 495. PETTY ANNOYANCES OF MARRIED LIFE, from the Fumeh of Himare de St. Balzac. Same' Publishers. 12m0., pp. 280. For sale by, .Lindsay & Blakiston. LAKE, HOUSE. By fanny Lewald. Translated by Na thaniel Greene. Boston: Ticknor & Fields. 36rn0., pp. MC For sale by Lippincott & The above works of fiction are commended in respectable quarters. Our readers will, of course, exercise their own judgment in regard to pur chasing or reading them. LIFE AND RELIGION OF THE HINDOOS ; with a Sketch of my Life and Experience. By Joguth Chun der Gangooly. Boston: •Crosby, Lee, Nichols 8 Co. 16m0., pp . 306 The author of this book is the Hindoo Con vert" and missionary whom the Boston Unita rians, after some embarrassment and uncertainty, at length concluded to start on his way to India. At last accounts he had reached England, and was proceeding rather leisurely on his mission to his perishing countrymen. Mr. G. (who still pa rades his heathen name, putting his Christian name in a parenthesis beneath) denies, that the worshippers of Juggernaut throw themselves vo luntarily before the- car. His "life and expe rience' are of course a plea for all the most re pulsive, anti-scriptural tenets of Unitarianism, and prove him to be but a half-reclaimed heathen after all. For sale by T. B. Peterson & Brothers. CHRISTIAN S4"„*GS, TRANSLATIONS AND OTHER POEMS, by Rev. James Gilborne Lyons. Philadn. Smith, English & Co. 12mo. pp. 157. Price, SO cents. Most of these poetris are already well and fa vorably known to the public by a previous edi tion. The present edition contains eight sacred and fifteen other, poems, not included in the former. The spirit of these productions is emi nently healthful and Christian. There is no affectation of= obscurity, or over-refined senti mentality; every thing is straight-forward, sim ple and sensible, without being prosaic... The translations appear to be well done... English readers cannot but be grateful for the repro duction of some of Milton's grand Latin po ems. We are glad of an opportunity to commend the volume once more to the public. For sale as above. HYMNS AND CHOIRS; or,the,Mage,F !and the Man ner of the Service Of Song the House of the Lord. By Austin Phelps, Edwards . A. Park, and Daniel L. Furber. Andover: Warren L. Draper. 121n0., pp. 425. A very thorough, interesting, and instructive work upon one of the most important and de_ lightful parts of worship, prepared by Christian men of distinguished abilities and excellent taste. Their recent connexion with the Sab. bath Hymn and nine Book, make their frequent and commendatory allusions to it quite natural; but the very large space, one entire section o r the three into which the work is divided, which is given to the question of altering the text of hymns, raises the query whethei an unusual li cense was taken .with hymns in that book, and whether a special plea was needed to defend it. No matter, the book is a good one, and a needed one, and we commend it to general favor. For sale by J. B. Lippincott dr, CO. THE STRONG TOWER; or Strength, Salvation, and Joy for the Believer. By Rev. James Smith, of Chel tenham, - England. Philadelphia: Presbyterian Pub lication Committee. 16m0., pp. 66. A book of brief reflections on various scrip tural topics, arranged in three groups, as re ferring to ather, Son, and Holy Spirit. They are siMple in style, practical in tendency, and rich' in - devotional feeling. We xejoice to see works of, such a character emanating from our Publication Committee. Spiritual religion needs every encourageinent in these days of outward stir and excitement. The Christian needs to bear the injunction to retire into his closet and shut to the door. He would do well to take with him then some such manual as this. For sale at 1334 Chestnut Street. SPIRITUAL SONGS. Being One Hundred Hymns not to be found in the Hymn Books commonly used. Se lected by Rev. J. C. Ryle. New American from the enlarged English Edition. .24m0., cloth, full gilt, be velled edges. Pp. 220. HYMNS FROM THE LAND OF LUTHER. Trans lated from the German. New and Enlarged:Edition. 24m0., pp. 160. Same style as above. Both of these beautiful 'volumes, full of choice gems of Christian song, are from the publishing house of RANDOLPH, New York, a man of fine poetic feeling, and ability, and Christian taste, as his own verses show. For sale at the Pres byterian Book Store. THE GOLDEN ,CENSER; or Devotions tor Young Christians. By H. Harbaugh, D. D. Philadelphia: Lindsay & Blakiston. 18mo„.pp. 418. A rich and delightful spirit of devotion breathes through this volume, which, the au thor tells us, contains the anointed words of all Christian ages and lands. The author is an experienced and successful writer of much Christian feeling and delicacy of sentiment. There is little question about the value of aids to devotion of this sort, and it would be well if our baptized, youth in many instances could be persuaded to use them; but we are sorry to find this, in the main excellent work, marred, in a few instances, with not unexpected errors in re gard to the efficacy, of outward forms. See 4th meditation, page 26. BOOKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. From the PRESBYTERIAN HOUSE we have re ceived the following, from which our friends may select at pleasure and at random, without fear of choosing a dull or uninstructive book: o r GLENARVON; o HMays at the Cattaie: (DODD.) . . THE GJANTS AND HOW TO FIGHT THEM. By Rev. Dr. Newton. (CAnrras.) ' THE GOLDEN RULE; or Ten Commandments. (RAH^. DOLPH.) COUSIN ; BERTHA'S :STORIES. (RANDOLPH.): OLDER THAN ADAM„ 113 ; pp v & ,T.A.cpA3m.) NELLIE'S FIRST SCHOOL DAYS. (BROWN & TAR- We have also received, from the Presbyterian House, a volume' Of QUESTIONS ON TEE GOSPEL HARMONY, by 'Ws;leer King,' M., '(M. W. Dodd,) with notes and in appendix, which ap pears, like 11 thorough work, worthy the atten tion of teachers and Bible-classes. Also, 'Dr. WinslOWS "Gb JEgirs," from the 75th London edition. — (Itandolph:) FAMPHLETS. Rev. Wm T. BEA.NTLEY?S TNANKsetrvING SERMON on our National Troubles. Published by request, by T. B. Peterson & Bros. THE OLD FRANKLIN .ALDIANAc for 1861. Philadelphia:. Haslett & Winch, 320 Chestnut- Street, with very full and valuable information, historical, statistical, and political. Price 10 cents. MAGAZINES. North British Review for November, 1860. Leonard Scott & Co., i New York. Contents. Modern Thoughts, Disturbances in Syria, Leigh Hunt, Spanish 'Republics and South. America,. Logic and .recent British Logicians; • Macaulay's place in British Literature, American Humour, Revivals, Martyrdom of Galileo, The Sicilian Game. TILE BOBBIN Boy.--The fruits of the "Bobbin Boy" begin to appear. In a village about twenty five miles from Boston, several youth read the book when it was first issued, and they immediately de cided to form a " Debating Club " like Nat's. At first no speetaters were admitted to their discus sions, but soon the doors were thrown open and the public welcomed. Every week now the hall is filled with parents and other friends, delighted to witness the progress these boys of fifteen or six teen,years of, age are making •in the excellent ex ercise of debating. For sale by W. B. Zieber.i Rev. Mr. Bushnell, of the Gaboon mission, in a, letter just received, says: The emigrsnt slave trade has Closed. We do not suppose it will be resumed here; and the influence of the nefarious American slave trade scarcely reaches us. We hear of, its, ravages, and are ashamed, and tremble for our country /11, view of the. fearful guilt she is accumulating in this matter. The _religious interest which has prevailed among our ieupile.end some of the poling people in the towns, dining the last few months, has not entirely diiatipettred, but, its results are not as marked as we could wish to see. A few individuals hope they have been'boin of the Spirit, and will apply for admissimi to 'the church at our next communion, but will probably be advised to wait a season longer. The members of my Bible class, now numbering more than thirty young men, are much scattered in commercial pursuits, but when ever present, appear interested in divine truth. A letter from Sierra Leone, dated Sept: 7th, says: " This port is very healthy, and so is the Republic of Liberia. The 'English and' AMerican vessels are vigilant in suppreSsing the sli;ietrade, and the works of the missionaries are wonderfully successful in con verting thousands ofheathens •to Christianity. The settlers are retiring from the coast into the interior, spreading the glad tidings of gospel reformation, anti reclaiming lands.that now produce cotton, sugar, cof fee, tobacco, which promise to become staple pro duets in a few-years." The Patagonian Iffission.—The Voice of Piety, the monthly organ of the Patagonian Mission So ciety,` states• that the "Allen Gardiner," mission schooner - has been recovered, after tossing off the blood-stained shore of Woollyah from- November to April. The chains of the schooner :were much twist ed, and, a miracle almost.aaved her from the rocks. She was distant from them fifteen fathoms, and had forty-five out. Her chain, had caught under a sub marine rock, and so was sloo,rtened, otherwise her de struction would have been inevitable. The rescue of the vessel was effected, by Captain Smyley, of the "Nancy." The interior . of the "Allen Gardiner," has been . ransacked, and everything capable of re moval has been' broken; or torn away, and appropri ated by the natives. But the hull and spars are . sound, and it is believed that to restore her to her former efficiency and completeness about £6OO will be sufficient. Another gratifying point in connexion with the Society's work is the ordination of Captain Allen Gardiner's son, who, as the Rev. A. W. Gar diner,,is about to open up an entirely new mission field among the Araucanian Indians, a people inha biting the south of Chili. Dec 13,
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers