Auttrican I'vcolittevin
.4 futon evangdiot.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1800.
JOHN W. MEARS, EDITOR.
.AIROCIATED WITH
; ALBERT BARNES GEORGE DIIFFIELDJB.,
THOMAS BRAINERD, 1 JOHN JENKINS,
' HENRY DARLING. THOMAS J. SHEPHERD.
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HEALTHFUL SENTIMANT AT THE
SOUTH.
There are some leading minds of the South
who give cheering evidence of brave and persis
tent attachment to their country, and of a cool
common-sense not at all overcome by the pre
vailing excitement around them. They deserve
to be reckoned as heroes; we sincerely trust
they may not be made martyrs. We pub
lish on our fourth page to-day, the letter of
Hon. John M. Botts, of Virginia, which is des
tined to become famous among the literature of
this period. We commend it to the regards of
our readers. We think they will heave a sigh
of regret with us, that Mi. Botts does not hap
pen to occupy a position from which to carry
out his views.
Vety similar in spirit is the language of Gov.
A. S. Foot, of Tennessee, in a recent Totter
to a friend. "Secession," says the Governor,
"in any form in which it may be presented,
will give us no relief from our present grie
vances." lie sees, with profound chagrin, "the
rapid and dangerous career" in which political
leaders are hurrying South Carolina forward.
But he adds
It is to be hoped that she will be yet willing
to listen to reason, and not persevere in the pur
suance of a line of action so well calculated to
deprive her of that sympathy and respect which
have been berttofore accorded to her.
Other newspapers of the far South, as the
New Orleans True Delta, the Little Rock (Ark.)
Gazette, &c., give abundant evidence that the
entire control of the public mind there is not
given over to men of boundless passion and pre
judice. So our religious exchanges, except
those from South Carolina and Alabama, exhi
bit a hopeful spirit of moderation, and, for the
most part, deserve the commendation of patri
ots and of Christians every where, for their ef
forts, at least to hold in cheek, the revolutionary
elements at worli around them. We are com
pelled to find fault with several of them, how
ever, for perseveringly quoting from such of our
Northern sheets as are most ultra in tone, and
leaving their readers to infer that in such ex
tracts they would find a fair representation of
the state of opinion in the North,—a course
which is at once unwise and unjust.
But we cannot withhold our astonishment at
the course of a few ministers at the South,—
some of them men of standing and worth, such
as Dr. Palmer, of the Ist Presbyterian Church,
New Orleans,—who have not merely fallen it
with the current of excited feeling setting in so
strongly around them, but who have taken an
early opportunity to throw themselves in its
very front; who have countenanced it with the
whole weight of their official characters; who, in
fact, have hnrried into the pulpit with ;a seeming
zeal to be among the first expounders and
apostles of revolution, and to recommend it to a
hesitating people by throwing around it the
garb of religion.
For we believe the people of the North had
searceli dreamed'of a. secession movement of any
strength in the great commercial metropolis of
the South-west, until the telegraphic despatches
informed us of the "eloquent secession sermons"
of the ministers of New Orleans on Thanks
giving Day, particular mention being made of
that of Dr. Palmer. This sermon, published in
the True Witness and 'Sentinel, is now before
us, and coming, as it does, from a minister of
the Presbyterian Church, holding a high posi
tion in one of the great commercial centres of
the land, it amazes us beyond expression.' We
hesitated to lay extracts from it before our read
ers, lest' we should be guilty of the offence com•
plained of in a previous paragraph; but, as a
matter of information, and without for a mo
ment imputing its sentiments to the great body
of Southern Presbyterians, we will simply copy
its main positions. To begin with, Dr. Palmer
in this Thanksgiving sermon, choosing for his
text: "Shall the throne of iniquity have fellow
ship with thee," &e., proceeds to assert that the
"providential trust of the South is to conserve
and to perpetuate the institution of - domestic
slavery as now existing." This duty, he says,
is bound upon the South by the law of self-pre
servalion ; as the constituted guardians of the
helpless slaves; as necessary in order to fulfil the
great duty which the South owes to the civilized
world of supplying it with cotton; but above
all, as a defence of the cause of God and reli
gion, Here Dr. Palmer indulges in a violence
of language and exaggeration of sentiment,
which, we think, has scarcely bet!' surpassed'on
the stump or in, the halls of Congress. We for
bear quotaions. Suffice it to say that the most
fearful charges of atheism, Jacobinism, and blas
phemy are levelled against the movement which
resulted in the election of the next President.
Under this head he concludes as follows:
To the South the high position is assigned of
defending, before all •nations, the cause of all
religion and of all truth. In this trust, we are
resisting the power which wars against consti
tutions and laws and compacts, against Sab
baths and sanctuaries, 434 c., ate.
After offering literally to tight to the death
for the maintenance of the institution, the
speaker examines carefully every argument that
could be urged for delay on.the part of the
South, and sets them all aside. The causes for
throwing off, the yoke of this Union, "are im
measurably stronger than those pleaded in the
celebrated Declaration" of Independence. Now
is the time—"the historic moment," which,
"once passed, never returns." If only the
South "has grace given her to know her hour 1"
Dr. Palmer is constrained to confess at the
conclusion, that he feels himself "impelled to
deepen the sentiment of resistance in the South
ern mind." In other words, it does not move
fast enough for him.
We trust our Presbyterian contemporaries,
North and South, particularly in the branch of the
church to which Dr. Palmer belongs, will pro
perly animadvert upon the unpresbyterian, not
to say false and unscriptural, sentiments of this
discourse. We are fain to believe that such as
he are rarm ayes in the Southern pulpit. Cer
tain it is, on the subject referred to, we infi
nitely prefer the gospel according to John M.
Botts, to the gospel according to Dr. Palmer.
And we rejoice to see that there are influential
politicians and editors at the South, who are as
fair-minded, judicious, and conciliatory as the
North could ask or the exigency of the case de
mands. But far above. all politicians, editors,
and pulpit advocates of secession, is the God of
nations, to whom'lM us unceasingly direct our
prayers for our country and for the right
To the expre sof a healthful sentiment at
the South, we dd the following, from the se
cular side of the last issue of the Presbyterian of
our Union, published at. St. Louis:
It is painful to perceive in the members from
the south-eastern States, a haughty and wilful dis
position. Such exhibitions can do no good, but
may do immeasurable harm. The disuniouists
are urging secession with indecent haste. They
are madly bent upon severing the fraternal bonds
at ail hazards, reckless of the 4onsequences. They
eschew deliberation and calmness, with an in
stinctive dread that their cause might . loose some
thing of its favor if it be not precipitated. These
madmen who are smitten with a mania for pulling
down and setting up governments, are unacquaint
ed with their labors. * * *
The fact is, not one in a thousand at the North, but
are willing to obey the laws, to live up to the spirit
of the Constitution, and to recognise the rights of
the Southern States. The selfish ambition of these
infatuated traitors is .clear, When they refuse to
listen to the concession of the North. Their blind
ness is equally apparent in supposing that their
property and rights will be more secure by with
drawing from the Union.
The True Witness and Sentinel, of New Or
leans, in whose columns the flaming appeal of
Rev. Dr. Palmer for secession appeared, de
scribes two sorts of opinions as prevailing in
the South-west, one like that of Dr. Palmer,
and the other that of considerate men, looking
at the dread uncertainty of revolution in the
light of reason; from which two things are ap
parent, a very wide diversity of views at the
South as to the expediency of secession, and
the sympathy of the True Witness with the lat
ter class. It says, (and its words sound like a
solemn appeal to Dr. 'Palmer himself:)
We can only say that this boor of peril de
mands the wisdom, prudence, and !lofted deli
berations of the wisest and ablest statesmen of
the land. And none will have deeper cause for
lasting regret, perhaps remorse, than those who
have excited to violent deeds, or lighted the
fires of revolution. May our merciful God com
passionate and save our beloved but distracted
country.
THE PLYMOUTH BRETHREN.
The peculiar form of defection from church or
der and evangelical doctriue known by this name,
has a singular history, ind presents some of the
most Marked feattires of heretical doctrine and
practice. As its leaven is working with no small
degree of success in our midst, and as a revi
val preacher of some note in this country and in
Great Britain, of hitherto unsullied evangelical re
pute, has suffered himself to be drawn into very
close relations to them, it, may interest our readers
to know the facts pertaining to them. Our authori
ty is Herzog's Encyclopedia, Art. Plymouth Bruder,
written by Herzog himself.
So far as known, the originator of the move
ment is John Darby, a clergyman at one time con
nected with the established church of England, and
said tobe still living. After him, the body is called,
on the continent of Europe, Darbyites. It ap
pears that the Rev. Mr. Darby became dis
satisfied with the dogma of apostolical succession,
as held in the church of England, and left it on
that account. Not satisfied with this, however, he
renounced entirely the idea that there existed such
a thing as a Christian church properly so-called, and
taught- that believers had nothing to din common
but to assemble in groups of two or three, according
to Matth. xvii. 19, and wait until caught up with
the Lad in the clouds—an event Which he expected
to live to witness. The views of Darby found espe
cial acceptance at Plymouth, where the number
of adherents rose in 20 years to 1500. Hence the
name Plymouth Brethren. Associations were
formed in various parts of the United Kingdom
which by some Means proved peculiarly attractive
to persons of wealth and standing. The means of
diffusing the tenets of the sect were consequently
freely supplied. A newspaper in their interest,
called the Christian .Witness, was founded. Op
position on the part of the established church
seemed but to promote the increase of the body.
In 1838, Darby went to Geneva, and remained
there two years. During that time serious die ,
turbances took place in the dissenting churches of
Lausanne and Vevey, involving secession and di
vision—division in the chn.rehes and in the_secethug
bodies. The seceders were Methodists, and the
division was between Wesleyan and Calvinist,
modes of thiliking. Darby was called in to stay
the strife. He did so, and the breach was healed
iu great part, but the mediating person had his
own plans in view. Soon the dissenting preachers
found themselves set aside as by a silentagreement,
or, if they preached occasionally, so did the lay
men of the churches. Members of the national
church, no less than' dissenters, came to the week
ly communion table which Darby had set up, and
the liberality of his views was widely applauded.
When his popularity was sufficiently established,
he issued a series of tracts, in which he labored to
show:-1. That the Old Testament economy pe
rished, not because of its own insufficiency, but
because of the unfaithfulness of the covenant
people. 2. That iu like manner, the New Testa- .
meat economy was done away, because the early
Christians in the apostolic age were guilty of apos
taey. Darby's text here, is'Rom. xi. 22. *lf Chris
tendom departs from the way of lifein keeping the
commaniments r the covenant of grace is broken ap.
Herzog well remarks upon the incomprehensible
hardness of the " sect-spirit " which thus makes sal
vation dependent on works, and confounds institu
tions and persons in the most flagrant manner. This
apostacy of Christendom, according to Darby, is fatal
and without remedy, though individual souls may
be saved. Hence, 3, No attempt must be made
to frame a new church; this would require a new
• Parby's words are—" Car le bonte de dieu dans
laquelle Phomme fut place, est abandonee par la trans
gression de l'hontme."
Atuttirait grtobtteriatt Ana &cm:Ott granotiiot4
commissioning of apostles. The Bomish, Pro
testant and Dissenting churches, all are futile and
unfounded alike. Of course there can be no office
of the ministry. In fact, according to Darby
there never was a Christian ministry besides the
apostles. True, there is a ministry of the word,
but not an office. It is a gift of the Spirit, (1 Peter
iv. 10.) Every believer enjoys both the general
and the special gift of the Holy Spirit as in the
apostolic times. This, as Herzog remarks, is after
all, very much like an economy of grace. The
elders, bishops and deacons of the primitive church
were chosen with reference entirely , to the ester
nalaffairs and arrangements. They were elected
by the people, while spiritual functions were the
result solely of the Holy'Spirit's sovereign choice
and gift. All of which, ; according to Darby, is
reversed in the churches of the present. But -in
the absence of the apostles and their immediate ap
pointees, as Timothy, Titus, &c., it is presumptuous
for any one to name a person even for the tempo
ral offices just designated. Believers are in duty
bound to separate themselves from such arrange
ments, and to confine themselves to meetings for
worship alone.
That such opinions should meet with any con
siderable degree of acceptance was certainly as
tonishing. They appear to be the growth' of a
deeply-seated dissatisfaction, both with the condi
.
tion of the national and dissenting , churches, a
great Gficiency of true, Christian knowledge,,and
a passion for novelty, combined with•unwearYing
activity on the part of. Darby and his followers.-
a little seminary which he soon founded, be in
structed young people in his views and sent them
forth on missions, not to the masses of the in.
different and worldly-minded, but to trap, in their
nets, the souls of those who bad been already
awakened to the truth, and that with too great
success. In the Cantons of Vaud, Geneva, and
Berne, many congregations were thrown into con
fusion, and groups of Darbyites were organized.
Here, too, a French journal for the advocacy-of
his views was established, in which the most
scandalous perversions of Scripture were employed
among the weapons of controversy. With a
changed title, "Etudes Scripturaires," it still
exists, and congregations of the sect are found
especially in Lausanne and Vevey. The rise of
the free church of Vaud has proved 3i hinderance
to them, as does the free church in Fiance, where
the Plymouth Brethren, laboring as elsewhere to
distract Christian`churches, not to convert the im
penitent, consist mainly -of uncultivated persons.
Nor do they make much progress in England.
Latterly a schism has arisen among them, one
Newton in the latter named country, teaching, as
did Edward Irving, that Christ was not free from
sin.. Darby excommunicated him [from what?]
but be has found followers, and the congregation
at Vevey has divided on this account into two
portions; as has been the case in several other lo
calities. It is charged against those who do not
share in Newton's error, that they are more con
cerned with the future glorification of the church
and the prophecies relating to it, than with the
struggle against sin in their own hearts. Many
are of opinion that the sectchas passed its culmi
nation point, although Herzog somewhat bitterly
remarks that there are evils enough both in the
national and the dissenting churches, to furnish
nourishment to such a tendency for a long time to
It should be added that.a few of the Plymouth
brethren early found their way to the East Indies,
as Dr. J:udsoa's conversation , with one of them,
recently published., io n our. ..colanans„ showed,
There too, the brethren addressed themselves only
to such of the Hindoos as were already converted.
The good Bishop Wilion of Calcutta was moved
to deliver a charge against them.
THE GERMAN REFORMED AND PRES
BYTERIAN CHURCHES IN PENNSYL
VANIA.
A correspondent of the German Reformed
Messenger has taken us to task, in an unac
countably severe manner, for our simple' cor
rection of a paragraph which we found without
credit in several papers, evidently misstating the
relative position of the above named churches
in this State. We are entirely unconscious of
a desire to " prune • and club the German Re
formed Church down. to the neighborhood of
nonentity." Nor do we believe that our "worthy
coadjutor of the Presbyterian quarterly," who
comes in for a share, has any greater relish for
either the horticultural or the rowdy accom
plishment so elegantly blended in the figurative
language of our critic.
In endeavoring to refute our statement, lie
assumes "that the Presbyterian Almanac, &c.,
by Joseph M. Wilson, Philadelphia, 1860, is
good authority for such statistics." In our es
timate we assumed no such thing, but took the
Minutes of both branches of the church as the
basis. And to show the extreme looseness of
the critic's calculation, we need only refer to the
manner in which he disposes of our own church:
The Presbyterian Church (N. S.) reports six
Presbyteries located in Pennsylvania, claiming
ilCi churches and 12,129 communicants. Making
corresponding deductions for congregations
lying beyond the State, we may put - down as
the numerical strength of this branch in Penn
sylvania— '
hurehes
90
The feet is, iiitChave debt Tral.byteriek
Pennsylvania, but as two of them are connected
with New York Synods,, they were overlogked
by this over-confident investigator. Oar own,
estimate (we have not revised it) was:
Churches. Cornmunicar.ts.
137 15,227
which cannot be materially lessened by cdrrec:.
tions. In regard to the other branch of the
church: after "reaSonabledeductions," he comes
to the following conclusions:
Churches. Communicants
Synod of Allefheny, '7O 7,000
cc Bat omore, 25 2.500
" N. aerseYo 35 1,500
" Philadelphia, 140 20,000
cc Pittsburgh, 90 ,11,000
Total, 360 42,000 4
Our own conclusions, drawn from the minutes,
were as follows
Churches
499
Here, too, there is room for correction, bat
not to apy degree materially affecting the ge
neral result As to his own'church,' (tve heOe
our critic has not trusted here to outside sources
of information, or been too " reasonable "in his de
ductions,) he asserts that there are, in Pennsyl
vania, 617 congregations, and 73,500 comer
nicants. The reader will thus perceive that the
German Reformed Church is in a minority of
nearly 7,000 in our State, as compared with our
own of both branches. There is, therefore, a
large margin left for "reasonable deductions"
from our estimate.
Bat the chkem originally made for this ehurch
Communicants
~10,000
Communicamts
65,037
was mach more ambition
Pennsylvania is the stirongbold of the Ger
man Reformed Church, alnd it is a fact not ge
nerally known, that there are more German Re
formed Churches in this hate, than of Presby
terian, (Old Schcfol and'New,) Episcopal, Dutch
Reformed, and one or two other denominations
all pat together.
But in fact, it 'alretidyi appeafa to be some
7,000 la the agnoriti k . I
Add to this the Prot Epis. Church,
Reformed Dutch , Church. . j /-
"
Aggregate minority, . ,« / • -
And in s ch urches , the . " 0.." and "N. 5.," have,
625
Protestant Episcopal, '1 • • • 210
Reformed Dutch,/ • . • 6
fi rmed, •,
The German Ref
Minority,
The figures for the Epiticopal and Reformed
Dutch ChurchSs are' on thci faith of the article
we are correctOg. And So ends our critic's
pretensions—ib'sniolie. *fore be ventures on
another appe4rance; we give him dne notice of
a reserve coips or Presbiterians, of different
branches, we , shall Ming into the conflict
fresh—a fair squadron of tlibm—if he is anxious
for the spectat:le.
,
- TEE-CEnliaßT OF THE REFORNA
IN ianzap
Our readerii : tine aware that the churches in
Scotland are this fr year celebrating the Ter-Cen
tenary of the*formation. On the 20th of De
cember, 156 C, tie first General Assembly of the
Presbyterian Church met in Scotland. The
Presbyterian) Historical Society have felt that,
in Philadelphia, the mother city of Presbyte
rianism in .A erica, such an anniversary should
not pass unlionored. They have determined,
therefore, with 'the, general concurrence of the
ministry of the five branches of the church re
presented in the Society,—the two General As
semblies of Vie Presbyterian Church, the United
Presbyterian; and the two branches of the Re
formed Presbyterian,—to hold a united meet
ing of all the Presbyterians of Philadelphia,
on the evening. of Thursday, December 20th
inst., to celehrate this grand event/ to inter
change kindly and fraternal feelings with each
other, and to, praise God for all that He bath
wrought throp`g ii the Presbyterian Church in
the past three hundred years. The place of
the meeting, the`speakers, and the other details,
are announced in the:notice in another column.
All branches of the church will be represented,
and we anticipate a great gathering of brethren,
and a meeting which will fill our hearts with
gratitude to God and the pure affection which
springs from the communion of sainte. We
hope that niery Presbyterian in the . city will
make such ariangemente that he can be present
at this great festival.
OUR CHICAGO CORRESPONDENT.
The Evening, Journal, of this city, admitted
a communication into its columns last Friday,
accusing the AMERICAN PRESBYTERIAN Of Lin=
colnism, abolttionism, &c., and berating us for
the language of our _Chicago correspondent in
respect to a State having treasonable purposes.
We think the language of our Chicago friend
rather rash apd imprudent in present circum
stances, but We do not think he merits a rebuke
from men who aro indcistrionsly gathering up
ibe tmprut a4p e ti c — rtbern and
sending them 'South to stimulate and:encourage
open treason against their country: -
For the American Presbyterian
A CORRECTION.
DlEssits. EniToas:—.-My attention was called a
few days since. to a statement in the "'Christian.
Observer," which seems to require a slight correc
tion. It is the following:
The Synod of Pennsylvania,
in October, 1857, adopted, by a unanimous vote,
a i'Report on the 'Religious Press," . two!columns
in length, endorsing principles of the CIiRTSTIAN
OBSERVES., anif commending it to , an extensive
circulation among its churches. We are prevent
ed by its length from copying it.
This is part tf a standing advertisenaent of the
"Christian -Observer anfl - Presbyterian, .Witnessi"
Having had some special interest in the Report"
referred to, I Mel that in justice to the Synod of
Pennsylvania, 4 well as to the truths of history,
this part of the dvertisement needs a little venti
lating. Upon, arefully looking over that report,
I find not the sl ghtest ground for any such state
ment as the alai e.
The impress's n is made that the Synod dis
tinctly endorsed the Observer, and commended it
to our churches It 'requires greater discernment
than is possessel by the writer of the report, or I
judge - by any. tuber of the . committee, :to find
any such comm ndation there, or anything ap
proaching it., he only commendation that by
any possibility e uld be twisted in that dirtiction,
ril
is contained in the following resolution, " that
while we commend to the ample, patronage a our
churches and, p l eople all such papers as, are con
ducted- in accordance :with the priticiples of the
foregoing report we call special attention-to such .
as are published , within the bounds otour own de
nomination, arar-tre sympathy with our own
branch of the larch, and, are striving to advance
its interests?! ~
Is this an en4orsement of the "Christian 06
server ?" ie-,t, s cpmmending to !lan extensive
circulation anion our churches," a paper that at
that time was tr lig every week to distract and di
ll
vert our churcheefrom us? ,I do not see it so. The
report bad distilctly declared, that " the church
has no right to, lister any power or agency within
itself which shall, in the smallest degree, jeapor
dize its own libries, or hinder its progress!"
Was this a cormitendation of the paper in ques
tion? Surely tire is wide margin for difference
of opinion on that o point. I find also something
• 0.
in the report likel l this: "We know of no moral or
spiritual chemistry by which a man undergoes any
change when het passes from the pulpit to the
sanctum of the 'editor. If he is bound by the
inflexible code of phristian ethics in the one place,
we surely can see, no reason why he is not equally
so in the other." iThis sentiment is as sound now
as it was-' G. F. W
1
Wilmir
A. DA
President, Buchanan has shown a very proper
regard to the 014istian feeling of the nation, as
well as expressed his own sense of dependence
upon a higher power, by appointing Friday, Ja
nuary 4th, a day of. asting and Prayer in view of
our political troulAes. Of. course, it will be uni
versally observed by those who have any sincere
love for their country, and appreciation of the
blessings afforded under God by' its constitution.
Here it
than, this.
7,000
. 14,106
. 1,200
. . . • 164
RATER.
• Per the American Presbyterian.
WASHINGTON, D. C.
DEDICATION , OF THE NEW EDIFICE OF THE FIRST
CHURCH, ON SUNDAY, DEC. 9TH.
This will long be remembered among us as an
occasion of the deepest interest. All things were
propitious; the storm which had rendered the
close of the week so dismal, abated, and the Sab
bath sun broke forth for a little space, showing
that there was rest in the wild elements above us.
Dr. Spring, of New York, preached the morning
sermon. Dr. Read, of Richmond, the afternoon,
and Dr. Jenkins, of Philadelphia, the evening.
It was a wonderful day—a high day in our be
loved Zion—a feast of fat things—of wines on
the lees, well refined.
The people came out to all the services en masse.
Many strangers and public men were with us.
The people stood up' in a solemn act of dedication;
and when the building was given up to the Lord
for his worship, many eyes were filled with tears,
and a great thrill •of Christian- joy rolled like a
wave through the congregation.
Three more appropriate or powerful discourses,
each differing from the other, and all harmonizing
with the time and circumstance, could scarcely
have been arranged.
Dr. Spring, in tbe venerableness of his age and
ripe experience, told us the story of the sanctuary
in words so simple, and yet so sublimely beauti
ful, that our hearts melted as though the voice of
an apostle, had again been heard among men.
Dr. .Read --declared _tbak:wenderfut_truth of
Christian hope and safety—the eternal power of
God; and, as in the vigor of his manhood, he
stood up and laid bare the mighty doctrine, we
felt, as Christian men, that we could see beyond
the dark cloud which overshadows our, beloved
country, and catch -,the movement of that great
arm of Omnipotence in which all our expectations
are. hound up. Oh, how very near did God seem
to us then I
Dr. Jenkins, likewise, in the flushing strength
of middle years, came to crown the feast with the
marvels of God's love in the gift of his Son for thz
salvation of the world. Oh, what a discourse it
was ! All the lutes of the gospel poured forth
their Melting strains till we felt that the song of
the angels which ushered in the Messiah's advent,
was again revived on earth, and that now the face
of Heaven was bright with benedictions for the
sons of men.
We think our new church is beautiful—not so
gorgeous or extensive as those of the great cities,
but full of grace and proper adaptations, and in
every way, for its purpose, a complete success. It
is about one hundred feet, by sixty, ipside, has
one hundred and eighty-two 'pews, a fine organ,
and'elegant fixtures throughout,—the whole at a
cost of twenty-five thousand dollars. •
The National. Convention of Union Prayer-
Meetings will assemble in this church this week.
Oh, may the Spirit of the Highest breathe upon
them, and the battle of the country be fought
upon their knees in prayer I
`ANNALS OF THE,POOR."-
THE MOTHER AND HER CHILDREN
The morning of life, among the poor, is often
dark and gloomy, appearing as if the reign of
death had started the children of the poor upon
the jouroey of life under all the disadvantages
possible. There is, living within a square of our
mission, young, ind - tiatribili woman whose •fea
tures bear a dejected look as if ambition no longer
had. its power upon her. Some years ago, when
young, she married, and hope then filled her coun
tenance with happiness. Her husband, 'who at
first was kind and affectionate, became indifferent
ly negligent, and at last, coarse and brutal, and
finally left her altogether, going she knew not
whither.
She is not a strong, hardy woman, able to do
the work of men, as many like her are compelled
to do, but as her health permits, she plies her
needle from early dawn until late at night, bind
ing shoes. Her oldest of four children, a boy, of
perhaps fifteen years, assists her in the mainte
nance of her family, but, together, they are not able
to earn more than enough to feed them and pay
the rent of their damp cellar basement, while their
clothes are• patched here and there, and often a
neat little patch placed partly over two others.
What a field is here opened to the humble Chris
tian;—" Go, work to-day in my vineyard."- If she
had what work she could do, at fair wages, and
some kind judicious Christian lady to encourage
and advise 'her, she injght not only support her
self and family with but little if any other assist
ance, but gradually, it may be, though we think
surely led back to comfort, and hope, and cheer
fulness; and why not into the kingdom of God?
and her little ones might emerge from that cloud
of poverty, out into the full light of hope and hap
piness.
We are in great want just now of teachers,
clothing and money, and we hope, dear reader,
that, for Christ's sake, you will do what you can
yourself, and procure from your friends the ne
cessary means to enable the city missionary to con
tinue his voluntary visits among the lowly.
Call and see us on Sunday, at 1210 Sbippen
street, or address us at 1334 Chestnut street, and
do not forget the "Fair," which opens on Mon
day next, at 936 Arch St.
IITILXAN'S LATIN CHRISTIANITY.
The second volime of this standard work has
just teen issued by the enterprising publishers,
Messrs. SHELDON & Co., of New York, and may
be had of the MARTIENS, in this city. The vo
lume covers the two centuries and a half reaching
from Gregory the Great to Gregory the Fourth
(590-840.) An admirable work, and needful for
the completion of every library.
ORATORIO.
The lovers of sacred music will have a rare treat
in the ORATORIO OF THE MESSIAH, which is to
be given at the Academy of MuSic, on Thursday,
the 27th, at 7 o'clock, with an unusual combina
tion of vocal and instrumental talent. The Han
del and Haydn Society, and the Germania Orches
tra, with B. C. Cross, the aceomplished conductor,
are sufficient guarantee for the quality of the en
tertainment. The proceeds are for the laudable
object of assisting the building fund of the Lu
theran Publication Committee.
A LETTER FROM BEV. DR. COX was received
too late for insertion in the present number, and
will appear in "our next.
If a "Subscriber," who writes to us anonymous
ly about an advertisement that displeased him,
will send us his name, we will be glad to corres
pond with him.
We are pleased to notice that the Solapoor
Mission is meeting with such marked favor as is
indicated by the acknowledgments in another co
lumn. Most of the subscriptions received are ac
companied with a pledge for a like amount each
year, for five years, and we are informed that a
number of schools, of different denominations have
agreed to raise a considerable amount in addition,
*doh will be acknowledged aa , the payments come
in during the winter. Mr. Wilder and his family
contemplate sailing for India about the last of this
month. They will certainly be followed by the
prayers and remembrances of many of our people,
and particularly by the well-wishes of a large num
ber of the Sabbath school children of this city,
who took special interest in Mr. Wilder whenever
he appeared among them.
A CARD. .
The Rev. Mr. and MlS.Wilder beg to acknowledge
the generous gift of "a box," containing an ele
gant silk dress and suit of broadcloth, and sundry
very useful articles, to the value of some $lOO,
all of which are to be traced to the generosity of
the ladies of the Calvary Presbyterian Church,
and to their kind interest in the Kolapoor Mission.
Also the present of .a very beautiful silver tea-set
from Mr. J. 0. Mead.
Several of our churches celebrated the Lord's
-- Supper _Sunday.- -We lave taken` - pains to learn
the number received on profession, and find the
aggregate to be twenty-two. This is far too few,
yet it is sufficient for thankfulness, and to encou
rage pastors and churches to renew and increase
their labors for the conversion of souls.
THE PULPIT OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION;
or the'Political Sermons of the Period of 1776. With
a historic introduction, notes and illustrations. By
JOHN WINOATE THORNTON, A. M. Boston: Gould &
Lincoln. 12mo. pp. 587; with index. For sale by
Smith, English & Co.
The aim of the originator of this volume seems
to be to `exPlain, illustrate, and justify the union
of polities and religion, which is often exemplified
in, the pulpits of the North. His introduction
presents the facts in the early history of New Eng
land, showing the decisive influence of religious
principle, both in the founding and subsequent
career of those provinces. He maintains that it
is in a great degree to the pulpirthat we owe the
moral forc'e which won our independence. The
volume contains nine . sermons—the first by Dr.
Mayhew, and the last by Dr. Stiles. They will
be read with deep interest in these times, when
even the Southern pulpit has gone to preaching
politics, with an earnestness and abandon not sur
passed in New England.
POEMS BY ROSE TERRY. Boston: Ticknor & Fields.
10mo. pp. 231. For sale by J. B. Lippincott & Co.
Here is a volume of genuine poetry—the real
flavor of the muses is in it. Intensity of thought
and feeling, delicacy of sentiment, elegance of ex
pression, melodious versification, and almost every
other mark of the poet, are exhibited. Not that
the sublime heights of song are reached, but that
the claim to recognition as true specimens of lyric
poetry is well grounded in regard to many of these
pieces. There is an excess of the plaintive strain;
yet the intense individualism of mush of that style
of poetry, is not to be observed here, where wider
views, commanding a greater range of sympathy,
prevail, both in the choice of subjects and in the
handlir. Their tone, too, with the exception of
o
one or av atiOns of Beranger is commend
able in a r
tons point of view. i‘re accept the
rn
volue a a real addition to our literature.
SIMDEILL.eiND
RYERSON'S. WRITINGS. The Conduct of Life. By
R. W. EmEnsou. Boston: Ticknor & Fields. 15mo.
pp. 288.
A volume of essays on Fate, Power, Wealth,
Culture, Behaviour, Worship, Considerations by
the Way, Beauty and Illusions, in which there is
much forceful writing, suggestive and stimulating
to the mind. The Boston Transcendentalist is too
well known to require characterization. This vo
lume exhibits him in no new phase. lie is here
the same brilliant, erratic, unsound thinker, and
pursues his speculations with the same reckless
ness in regard to their bprings on the first prin
ciples of religion and morality as ever. For sale
by J. B. Lippincott & Co.
THE REVIVAL AND ITS LESSONS. A collection of
Fugitive Papers, having reference to the Great
Awakening, 1858. By Rev. James W. ALEXANDER,
D. D. American Tract Society, New York. For sale
at No. 929 Chestnut street. lBmo. pp. 220.
This excellent little volume has been transfer
red from the original publisher, Mr. Rabdolph, to
the Tract Society, and is in every respect worthy
a place in the standard evangelical literature of
the day.
GRACE FILLING AN EARTHEN VESSEL WITH
GLORY; or, Letters of Rachel W. Green. Edited by
W. R. CARROLL, Assistant Minister of St. Paul's, Phi
ladelphia. Protestant ' , Episcopal Book Society in
Philadelphia, 1224 Chestnut at. 18mo. pp. 190.
The individual whose life and letters are here
given, was a poor sewing girl, without educa
tion, who was converted from Romanism in Bal
timore, and whose Christian experience was un
folded on the bed of sickness, lasting fifteen years.
It was on this bed that she earned to write. The
letters are remarkable productions, clearly and
eloquently describing a religious experience of un
usual depth and richness.
THE CHAPEL OF ST. MARY. By the author of. the
Rectory of Moreland. Boston: J. E. Tilton & Co.
A work of fiction, the scene of which is laid in
New ;York and New England, in which the rem
nants of families, tracing their descent from the
original inhabitants, play a prominent part.. The
mechanical execution of the work, by the famous
university press of Cambridge, is admirable. Of
its contents, we may speak on another occasion.
12mo. pp. 396.
THE HOLY. BIBLE: containing the Old and New Tes
tament Translated and arranged, with notes, by
LEICESTER A. SAWYER. 1/01. H. The Later Pro
phets. Boston: Walker, Wise & Co. 12mo. pp. 3'Bl.
The public is favorably disposed to this second
instalment of a work which, in its former portion,
made so extensive and favorable an impression.
Mr. Sawyer has apparently thrown his entire ener
gies into the work, and is filled with a sense of its
dignity, importance, and necessity. It possesses
many points of excellence; it is a scholarly and,
we believe, in the main, a reliable performance: it
is one of the many, and not only one, but perhaps
the best, ainong.the many preparatives of the great
work, which, we believe, the church must sooner
or later lay hold of—a new version of the Scrip
tures in the vernacular. It is idle to suppose she
will continue long satisfied to hold the great and
valuable results of modern research, in every de
partment of Biblical lore, in an arbitrary separa
tion from the text itself to which they properly
belong. We think, however, Mr. Sawyer is . wrong
in rejecting the perfectly intelligible forms of
speech, which, from their very antiquity and ob
soleteness in the language of daily life, give dig
nity to the language of the Bible. All changes
should be made, as it were, under cover of the
prevailing style of the present version. For sale
by J. B. Lippincott &
NOTES ON SCRIPTURE. By Jan Joins. EL. B.
Philadelphia: Win. S. & , A. Martian. - Royal Bvo.
pp. 584. ' '
A very remarkable volume is this: the produc
tion of a layman who was not a man of leisure, but
who faithfully discharged the duties of an active
life at the bar and on the bench. Such a. tho
roughness of investigation, and such a range of
NOIAPOOR MISSION
CITY CHURCHES.
EDITOR'S TABLE.
scholarly acquirements in the sphere of Biblical
learning, we do not often find surpassed, frequent
ly not equalled, in the profession to which then
investigations are considered properly to belong.
The notes extend over the Gospel Harmony and a
portion of the Acts, and are both grammatical and
exegetical, perhaps, more especially the latter.
The references are mostly to authorities which are
beginning to be superseded, through the moderns,
as. Robinson, De Wette, have not been overlooked.
The Millenarian views of Judge Jones run through
the volume but they do not destroy its value as
the contribution of a fair-minded man, habituated
by his profession to weigh evidence carefully, an d
to judge conscientiously, to the interpretatio n of
the Scriptures. The volume is accompanied with
Preliminary Remarks by R. T. 8., and a Memoir
by C. W. S.
THE PRINTER BOY; or, How Ben Franklin Mnde his
Mirk. By Wm. M. THAYER, author of the "B,,hbi n
Boy." 16mo. pp. 241. Boston:J. E. Tilton & co,
Tbis is the second of a series of books, illustra
tive of the familiar maxim—The Boy is Father
of the Man. The first was called the Bounpr
BOY, and has had, a great run. This volume can
not but meet with a similar welcome. It narrates
the early history of Franklin down to the time of
setting up business for himself, and is written by
one who is apt and cultured to a style suited for
those whom the book is designed to reach. It is
abundantly and beautifully illustrated, and makes
a fine book for a holiday present to boys. We hope
the matter and publishers will be sufficiently en
couraged to bring out the third voluine, which will
be "'The Farmer Boy, or How George Washing
ton became President." For sale by Wm. S. &
A. Martien.
MONEY; or The Ainsworths.
This` is the Prize Book of our Publication Com..
mittee, got out with commendable diligence, as it
is but two months since the time expired in which
manuscripts could be presented.
The theme of the book is well chosen and timely.
There is no doubt that the wrong views and evil
habits, in regard to the value and use of money,
so widely and ruinously prevalent, begin to form
in early life, and must be combated then by pa
rents and teachers. This book skilfully describes
the beginning and progress both of the right and
wrong views in the history of three boys, and will
not only be read with interest by thost. for whom
it is intended, but will, no doubt, extend a whole
some and lasting influence upon them all.
LORD BACON'S WORKS.
MeSELS. BROWN & TAGGARD continue issuing
their admirable edition of these works, which, in
deed, contain much sage counsel to states and na
tions, easily applicable to our own affairs. The
thirdvolume, just out, continues the Literary and
Professional Works, and contains De Llapientia
Veteruw, Of the True Greatness of Britain, Short
Notes for Ci vil e Conversation, &c. Mr. S. AP He
No. 406 Walnut street, is the agent for this city.
PAMPHLETS AND MAGAZINES
A PLEA FOR BELIEVERS' BAPTISM. Philadelphia:
Wm. S. Young, Printer. 18tao. pp. 31.
Some unknown 'person has sent us the above
address of Rev. IL Grattan Guinness, delivered
previous to his immersion in Somerset St. Chapel.
The young brother's preaching was never particu
larly distinguished for logical force, though it was
tender, persuasive, and brimful of evangelical feel
ing. e find this address as deficient in logic as
any which Mr. Guinness has delivered under other
circumstances. What. weight it has will be from
the reputation of the author, and from the traits
of his preaching which it exhibits. •
TEE PRAYER-MEETING. By Rev. J. Few
Smith, D. D. 32m0. pp. 112 Presbyterian
Publication Committee. An excellent little trea
tise, arguing the Scriptureloess and utility of the
Prayer-Aleeting, and pointing out the means to be
used in giving it a high degree•of efficiency. We
commend it cordially to all pastors and Chris
tians.
PRE-REQUISITES TO COMMUNION. By Rev. Al
bert N. Arnold. Boston: Gould & Lincoln. 16mo.
pp. 121. For sale by Smith, English & Co. A
plea for doge communion; an undertaking which
we should think would prove distasteful to every
evangelical Christian. We sincerely hope our
Baptist brethren, with such guideS as Bunyan and
Spurgeon, will come to better light by and by.
BOOKS POR TUB 'YOUNG.
American Tract Society.
FLOWERS OF SPRING TIME; or, Stories from the
Child's Paper. By Mrs..HELEN C. KNIGHT, and others.
A beautiful quarto of 236 pages, with a colored
frontispiece and pictures enough to satisfy the
greediest household group. The contents are in
structive and pleasing, as every one acquainted
with the CHILD'S PAPER knows.
THE CHILD'S HISTORY of the Apostle Paul. Square
18rao. pp. 131. Illustrated.
For sale at the Philadelphia DepoSitory, 929
Chestnut street.
WM. S. & A. MARTIEN, NO. 606 CRESTNIIT ST. I
CHARLES NORWOOD; or, Erring and Repeating. By
CATHERINE M. TROWBRIDGE, author of Dub and His
Friend Fidus. 16mo. pp. 272
11.
WORKING AND WAITING; or Patience in Well-Do
ing: By Mrs. CARET Hamm 18mo. pp. 273.
CHARLES S. LUTHER, PRESBYTERIAN BOOK STORE,
1324, CHESTNUT STREET.
THE DRUNKARD'S DAUGHTER, By the author of
the Oldßeci House. Boston: Henry Hoyt lLmo.
Cpp. 228.. Beautifully bound and illustrated.
WIN AND WEAR. New York: Carter Rs Brothers
16mo. pp. 298.
Another temperance story, with a very attractive
exterior.
THE AMERICAN PRESBYTERIAN AND
GENESEE EVANGELIST,
A WEEKLY FAMILY NEWSPAPER,
Published every Thursday, at 1334 Chestnut St.,
Philadelphia, Pa.
Devoted to the promotion of sound Christian
doctrine and pure religion, especially as connected
with the Constitutional Presbyterian Church in
the United States of America.
TER S
To Mail Subscribers, TWO DOLLARS per year,
IN ADVANCE.
City Subscribers, receiving their paper through
a carrier, will be charged fifty xents additional.
CLUB RATES FOR THE FIRST. YEAR'S SUBSCRIP-
In order to induce persons to make a trial of
Our paper for a year, we offer the following re
duced club rates to new subscribers to hold good
for the first year of their subscription.
Four copies to one Post office, 57.00, or 1.75
each.
Ten copies, $15.00, or $1.50 each.
Twenty-four copies, $32.00, or $1.33 each.
Forty copies; $50.00, 0r11.25 each.
CHURCH SESSIONS desirous of putting a copy
into every family in the congregation, will be fa
cilitated in their good work by the above rates.
NEW SUBSCRIBERS IN THE CITY Will be suP"
plied at the same rate, adding fifty cents to each
for delivery by carriers.
Sir All papers will be continued after the ex
piration of the year, unless expressly ordered to
be discontinued, and such orders should be by
letter, and not by returning a paper. To secure a
discontinuance, all armarages must be paid.
Remittances may be made directly by mail at
the risk of the publishers, and receipts
will be
returned in the papers.
To encourage ministers and, others to aid in
circulating the American Presbyterian, we Will
renew the premiums offered last year for new
subscribers.
Dec 20,