4.zican rA'rtoligitriau
.Jestott rangtlivt.
I`IIIIRSDAT. JANUARY 24, 1861.
JOHN W. MEARS, EDITOR.
♦ ASSOCIATED WIVE
ALBERT BARNES, GEORGE DUFFIELD, /A,
THOMAS IItAINERD, JOIIWJENKINS,
HENRY DARLING' THOMAS J. SHEPHERD.
LAW AND GOVERNMENT.
Amid a general uncertainty and confusion of
ideas on questions of publio expediency, it is well
that there are certain fixed principles around which
the scattered thoughts and unsettled judgmenhl
of men may rally. To meet this or that emer
gency of the times in which we live, may be dif
ficult; but to recognise-truths which do not vary
through all time or eternity , either, and to feel the
claims of duty towards interests of paramount sa- .
credness and utility, is sufficiently easy. Those
who have the guidance of public , opinion at the
present time, cannot do better than to fix these
great indisputable facts boldly upon the minds of
men, and both promote their inward peace and
calmness, and prepare them promptly to perform
their duty.
Law and Government have their foundations
in the deepest principles and necessities of the di
mine and human mind. They are founded on
_consoienee, on the will of God, and on their adapt
edness to promote the highest happiness of all
beings. There is nothing more sacred or more
precious among human interests than those bound
up in the maintenance of Law and Government.
There is nothing more vital or more majestic
among divine things, than the Law and Govern
ment of God. There is surer symptom of a
deeply depraved nature, than contempt_ and disre
gard of these things. Violence must be done to
the plainest behests of conscience, the will of God
must be spurned, and the highest happiness of
man must be set at naught. If a government is
good, if, like that of God, it is perfect in its jui
tics, and infinitely benevolent in its tendencies
and workings, then the least resistance to it, is
heinous and malignant, and deserves, as it shall
suffer, tremendous penalties. Whosoever shall
offend in one point is guilty of all.
The beet human governments are imperfect:
imperfect in structure, and i imperfect in work
ing. The best of men cannot construct or ear
ly on a government without imperfections. Too
'often a blind
_And selfish, reserve hinders the
best men in a conimunity from active participation
tn- the affairs of government; so that through a
faulty executive, Its defects are unnecessarily:T*l ,
tiplied. But the necessary imperfection of:Yu
man governments does not rob them of their sacred
character, or release us from our obligations to
them. Conscience, the will of God, and the high-
est interests of men demand that they should be
upheld and obeyed: Loyalty to government does
not forbt. t much rather encourages us to la
bor for ‘o i fil of its-defects, and the general
lie character. This work can be
V.,4',0V0f obedience, and with an honest
• ice tP •riisbe . th e government still more worthy
• of radorenaiind more nearly conformedtoits high
urpcSes. If we cannot at once remeoy, these im
fictions, we are bound to render olidience to
it government which, in the main, accords with
tie requirements of conscience and the will of
God, and whose prevailing tendency is to promote
the true welfare of its subjects. Rebellion, oppo
sition to such a government, is an unpardonable
crime. It is a grievous offence against society,
against posterity, and against the human race.
When, indeed, a government is totally perverted
from its true ends, so as to work disastrously upon
the w are of its subject. When it tramples upon
, •
cons and compels men to violate the plain
oornraands of God, then it has slipped off of its
grand supports, and can no longer claim reverence
and duty from men. It is no longer government
but usurpation. Rebellion then becomes justifia
ble, and just so far as it has prospect of success,
to be followed by the establishment of a righteous
government, it is a duty.
There is A - government among men which was
established by God-fearing, pure-minded Patriots,
under the direct moulding influence of the prin
plea of Christianity. For freedom, for elasticity,
for a wise arrangement of checks and balances, it
is probably the beat government the sun has ever
shone upon. It has been in operation for less
than three generations of men. Under it, a com
munity of thirteen colonies in the remote borders
of the' world, has risen in power, wealth and in
telligence, second to no nation on the face of the
globe., The two great oceans of the world wash
the shores, peopled and possessed by its adventu
rous subjects. In no region of the earth have
religion, education, commerce and the industrial
art p n
s' ounshed as under this government. In con
templating its character awl workings, the hopes
of philanthropists for the future of the race have
widened and brightened to an unparalleled degree.
The subjects of other governments, less peaceable,
less prosperous, less just, have sought the benig
nant protection of this government by millions,
and have not been disappointed; and millions more
are waiting to follow them.
Language, conceptions, fail us in attempting to
portray the enormity of those acts which aim at
the overthrow of such a government, and which,
in its place, would bring dismemberment, anarchy
'and ruin. What unheard-of delusion must pos
sess the minds of men who think they have found.
such intolerable evils in the character and work
ings of this government as to call for its overthrow
'by violence, if need be? What low, inadequate
and derrioralising views of the sacredness of law,
and the mtiPsty of government must they have,
who set-them at naught for the sake of avoiding
evils only remotely expected, sod sure to be made
infinitely greater by this process, when they come,
if they come at all? What a fearful account will
they have to render to a posterity whom they thus
will have robbed of their most previous heritage,
whom they will .have thrust doarnfrom the fore
front of civilization and progress, ma - de the prey
of internal feuds, and ofthe ambition of some mi
litary leader, or subjected once more to European
domination. •
- The Federal • Government s a government,
strong, good, wise, equitable, worthy of reverence
and support. If it be not worthy of reverence as
approximating to the,derMOs of conscience, the
will of God and the requirements of human socie
ty, then there is no goveithinent worthy of it upon
earth, and loyalty is but a. name, and every peo
ple shourd'be stirred up to instant rebellion, and
anarchy should be proclaimed around every throne
and every exedutive chair. Therefore, whatever
else be uncertain, and whatever other evils conic
upon us, one truth is indisputable and one duty
is plain; our goverment is porfee,tienough to chal
lenge all the instinctive reverence of the soul for
rightful authority, and every citizen should pre
fer to die in its defence rather than see it disho
noied and overthrown;
SEVEN YEARS' LABOR AND ITS FRUITS
We have already laid before our readers an ex
tract from the anniversary discourse of Dr. Jen
kins, of Calvary Church, recently published under
the above title. It is a document so encouraging
to our denomination in this city and to active
Christians generally, that we cannot refrain from
a further reference to its contents. The review
of the seven years is more interesting, as it oc
curred just after the return of the pastor from a
distant and protracted journey. In reference to
• this, the preaCher says:
"Our congregation, on the whole, has returned
in numbe.rs,which even the_most sanguine amongst
us dared not expect;, there is manifested by our
people a more than ordinary disposition to employ
their influence and their labour for onryro.4perity;
there is clearly felt a strong and unusually ardent
attachment for the church and its ordinances; the
tone of all our social meetings has been elevated;
that of our last communion season was peculiarly
sacred and hallowing; there is indeed much to in
spire us with courage and hope."
Of the three hundred and sixty names enrolled
in the books, irrespective of those added at the
Tabor mission, 152 were added on profession, 133
by letter from churches of our own aaneh, and
65 from Congregational, Reformed Dutch, -and
"Old School" Churches, making. a very homoge
neous society. "We have brought together the
best types of Presbyterianism in the land, and they
exist among us in the ratio of ninety-five to one
hundred."
In the dismissals to other churches, the strength
of church attachment is shown in the fact, that
forty of the fifty-six dismissed "have left us to
remove to distant residences, or for the purpose
of strengthening the work of God in two infant
churches, whose establishtuent originated with
ourselves."
But the chief feature in the history of Calvary
Church is, as the preacher• says, its missionary
history, at once "remarkable and encouraging."
Five - years ago, a few of the brethren went forth
to survey the spiritual destitutions of the city, and
were led, in the providence of God, to a district
near the Eastern Penitentiary. "Little did we
think•at that time that five years would transform
so neglected a quarter into one of the most desira
ble neighborhoods of this beautiful city." Com
mencing with a Sabbath-school' held. in a dwelling
house, it was soon found_ that the work was en
larging, and that the plan originally contemplated
must be greatly modified and extended. An or
dained missionary 'was secured, a commodious
school-room and chapel built, an Industrial School
established, and the result is OLIVET CHURCH,
with its efficient Sunday-school supporting a mis
sionary in the West, and an active church organi
zation, comprehending two hundred and fifty mem
bers, one hundred and seventy-five of whom have
been received on profession. The future of Olivet
is provided for by a large lot of ground adjoining.
But the zeal and energy of these brethren, so
far from resting contented with this large success,
in less than two years undertook a similar enter
prise, called TABOR Missiotc, in the south-western
part of the city. Here, t00,, - the Lord's blessing
was signally manifested, and in' November, 1857,
the beautiful chapel and school room on the corner
of Seventeenth and Fitzwater streets, were dedi
cated to the service of the'Master. The present
devoted missionary entered upon his work in July,
1858. One hundred and thirty-two persons have ,
been brought into the church on profession of
their faith, and three hundred and twenty-five
scholars and twenty-eight teachers are in the Sab
bath-school. The foundations of North Broad
Street Church may be said to have been laid in
what was once the Carmel Sabbath School, under
the care of the Missionary Association of "this
church. "Too true is it," says the preacher,
"that we bad not sufficient -faith and energy to
prosecute that ,mission as the needs of the neigh
borhood in which we had placed it demanded; but
it is matter for gratulation and joy that what we
as an association lacked, was supplied by the fore
sight, care, and self-denying liberality of one of
our number."
We can hardly employ our space more, profita
bly tban by giving several paragraphs from this
•
part of the discourse
This, in brief, is our missionary work in Phila
delphia for the last five years. Led to it by the
providence of God, we have Veen permitted to
carry the gospel to hundreds of neglected families,
we have been privileged in these two echools alone
to give religious instruction to at least fifteen hun
dred children, we have had opportunities of dis
pensiiy,b many hundreds of dollars to the poor and
the needy, and what is better than all, three hun
dred and ten persons, of all ages from fifteen to
seventy-five, have been brought out of the world
into the church—brought, clothed, we trust, and
in their right mind, to sit at their Lord's table.
After you and I are in our graves, after worms
shall have fed on these bodies, after we shall have
taken our places before the throne of glory to join
in the seraphic song of praise unto God and the
Lamb, this work shall go on; its influence shall
swell like an onward tide, its power shall grow
like the flowing and ever-increasing river, its fruit
fulness shall abound like a tree planted by the
rivers of waters. Ts it too much to expect that
ministers and missionaries shall go forth from
these embryo churches, to preach the word to
thousands of men? or that new churches shall be
established through their agency? or that they
shall become large and influential centres—centres
of light, of truth, of peace, of salvation? For
myself, brethren, I am overwhelmed by the
thoughts which fill my heart at this time, a:s to
God's great goodness in,privileging us to inaugu
rate such a work—a work which will last for all
time, and exert its influence through all eternity.
"Not unto us, 0 Lord ! not unto us, but unto thy
name give glory, for thy mercy and for thy truth's
sake."
By retaining our zesources within this single
congregation, by devoting to this single Sabbath
school all the care which we hue bestowed •on
"Olivet" and ".Tabor"—by employing here the
energetic and faithful men and women who have
given •their time to those outposts, we might have
had, in appearance at least, a larger success,—a
more specious and demonstrative prosperity. A
concentration of our forces would have told most
effectively upon all our operations at home. But,
brethren, I desire myself to learn, and I wish you
to learn,: hat success in %he eye of God is not that
which 'man esteems success=" His thoughts [in
this : respect] are not on; thoughts." It was right
that we should give up our brethren, that we
should distribute our forces, that we should seek
the poor to bring them into the kingdom; and
now, what is the result?—that nearly five hun.
dred persons have been added to the Church of
Christ " on profession," through our feeble and
still unworthy instrumentality. Seldom have I
known such an instance of success, one so speedy,
so large, and so promising as to the future. What
an encouragement to work, to deny self, to pray,
to give! What an encouragement to consecrate
our service unto the Lord! Who would-be idle
in the Lord's vineyard when results so vast may
be reaped by a little labour?
proper to add, that to benevolent causes
ofialeitotninational or general character, the Cal
-varjr Chun:kJ:tea contributed $150,000 in the se
yen years under review.
Auttritan Probgterian and 6tutrite grattgriiot,
NIDDLE GROUND.
The pOsition of our Church in doctrine, polity,
and moral reform, was well characterized by the
late retiring Moderator of the General Assembly,
Dr. Patterson, in the lucid and philosophical ser
mon preached by him in. Pittsburg. In that dis
course our Church is proven, analytically and his
torically, to be the Middle Ground Church. We.
have not yet abandoned a purpose formed soon
after the publication of the sermon, to elucidate
in these columns its positions and arguments; for
we see evidence, every week, of wide-spread mis
conception in regard to our true position, which
could not be met in any more effectual method.
We have been reminded of our purpose, and
strengthened in our convictions, by certain arti
cles which have lately appeared in two religious
journals, representing respectively two opposite
extremes of opinion on the subject of slavery. In
these articles the AMERICAN PRESBYTERIAN is
referred to, as representing the opinions of our
Church on this subject. The first which we shall
mention appeared in the South Carolina Pres
byterian of the 12th inst. This paper is sorely
troubled with the deliverances of the Princeton.
Review on the state of the country, and is anxious
for some effectual means of exposing their extreme
character. It first tries argument, in which, of
course, it regards itself as victorious. But to
put the matter beyond possibility of doubt, it
' quotes our expressions of gratification at the ap
pearance of the article, and adds, "That is enough I"
And in another place it emphatically repeats the ex
pression, "That is enough," adding, "We needn't
- say a word more."
Henceforth the character of the Princeton Re
view is settled. It' has been applauded by so ul-
tra an abolition journal as the. AMERICAN PRES
BYTERIAN, " That is enough." The character:of
the Review iogone forever. Bring out your In
dex Expurgatorius, ye slave-perpetuating moral
ists and foes of free speech 'in the South, and write
at the top of the list the Princeton Review and 'the
AMERICAN PRESBYTERIAN.
But it is not enough. There is another party
to be heard from in settling the character of this
branch of the Presbyterian Church, and of our
paper as identified with it. The Tree Church
Portfolio, the organ of the "Free Synod," refer
ring to, our expressions of surprise and ahlmrrence
at the sentiments of Dr. Palmer's Thanksgiving
sermon, says:
"These are the sentiments of a New School
editor. The sermon must be very full of .pro
slavery diabolism to have produced such a' cri
tique, upon it from such a source. Fop the New
School Presbyterians are only antislavery in a
Pickwickian sense. They would rejoice at the
chance to gratify their love of church extension by
adding the Synod of South Carolina to their
Church as they did the slaveholding Presbyteries
of Missouri. In our day the purity of the Church
is nothing, but'numbers are everything." ,
Behold the contrast! The South Carolina edit
or regards our anti-slavery character as of so ultra
a cast, that a conservative journal is damaged ir
reparably by our demonstrations of sympathy and
approval. The ultra anti-slavery editor, piqued
perhaps, at the failure of the Free Synod to gain
admittance to our body on their own terms, de
nounces its as ready to take in the most ultra pro
slavery Synod in existence, including the South
Carolina editor himself! All we have to say is,
unprejudiced men will find no difficulty in under
standing and, appreciating our position as sound,
just and scriptural, identical with that of the fa
thers both of the Presbyterian Church and of the
republic, and described by. Dr. Patterson in the
sermon referred to. We cannot expect extreme
men on either side to understand us, but as an act
of justice, we ask the Free Church Portfolio to
pUblish the opinion of the South Carolina Presby
terian, and the South Carolina Presbyterian to
quote the language of the Portfolio.. Will they
do it? ,
OUR HONE MISSIONARY OPERATIONS
Our readers have been kept acquainted, from
time to time, with the progress and needs of our
Church Extension operations, and with the condi
tion of the laborers employed in our church, both
by the Committee and the American Home Mis
sionary Society. The earnest, painful, yet manly
appeal of the lowa brethren, which appeared in
our columns last week, has not been forgotten. It
is a document of a kind hard to be . forgotten.
Those faithful brethren, overtaken by the winter
season and.the political and commercial panic, find
themselves cut off-from the treasury of theA: - .11.
M. S., and left elate in their arduous and impor
tant work. The salary of some of those, at pre
sent commissioned by that Society, is three cider
ters of a year in arrears, arid pinching want tiad
suffering in their families are actually upon . 64.
They are our brethren, working for our chilr4 - ,
and laying the foundation of its usefulness in 'tie
rising communities of the West. Denied - a share
in the common treasury of the A. H. M. S., they
naturally and rightfully turn to us for sympathy
and support. They are guilty of no wrqng, unless
preferring and adhering to their own denomination
—unless ecclesiastical fidelity—be a wrong. They
hive their own` church, and are suffering real mar
tyrdom for it. We believe it would be easier for
them to go to the stake, than . to undergo the trials
now laid upon many . of them.
The Church Extension Committee, pursuing a
policy dictated by prudence, and Scriptural ride,
attempt nothing beyond their actual income;
every missionary in their employ is paid in full to
the 31st of December. Adhering to this rule,
they can do nothing in advanee of the zeal and
liberality of the chinch. If We Wish them to aid
these suffering brethren—and can there be any if
in the matter?, we must supply them with the
means. Let us rise up like men and meet the
eme;gency upon them and us. Let our church
show herself equal to this painful crisis. We have
a real, growing fraternal feeling among us. We
do care for those who are sacrificing. themselves
for the interests of our Zion.. We are not such as
to view their labors with indifference, to say, "Be
ye warmed and led;" to surer them to be driven
away from us by the pressure of an. intolerable
necessity, .het us convince theisi'''e'f our sympa
thy, and comfort and cheer their hearts with the
evidence that wherever there is a church, a pastor,
or a member of our denomination', there they have
true and faithful friends, who remember theta in
their prayers, and who, by the grace of God, will
not be hindered, even by deep poverty; from
abounding unto the riches of liberality toward
them.
CORRECTION.
EDITORS OF AMERICANTRISSBYTERIAN:-Will
you do me the favor to correct an error in the
last report of collections on my field for our Pub
lication Committee?
The report should read :
First Fresbyterian Church of Anbuiiltt.: 15,P.87
Presbyterian Churelx-fof Nevrark, .70.41
Thetransposition of these sums was a rale-state
reent'otthe fads. C. 11. T.
MISREPRESENTATIONS OF THE PRESS,
"A dispassionate view of public affairs con
strains the belief that a system of gross and per
sistent misrepresentation has had much to do with
leading the nation to the verge of revolution. The
South has been slandered at the North, and the
North as grossly misrepresented at the South. *
Too much of this fratricidal work has undeniably
been done by the pulpit, but far more by the
press."
We quote the a1t441,450m. the Eireular letter
which has recently beett-signed by a number of
clergymen of various denominations, chiefly in the
city of New York; and' Addressed,to the clergy and
laity of the South. The purpose of the letter is,
if possible, to Open the eyes of good men at the
South to the tact, that they have grossly mis
conceived the great body of the Northern people,
who cherish none but 'the most pacific intentions
to their. Southern brethren. We are glad they
seize upon the misrepresentations of the press as
a leading source of error. No body of men have
suffered more from' thesemisrepresentations than
the fair, reasonable, and scriptural oppenents of
slavery at the : North. : These men, whose senti
ments may now be"viewed as controlling the com
munity, have been Perseveringly and purposely
confounded with the worst class of Abolitionists,
by the pro-slavery presses in our midst. They
have been denouribed as the' disguised enemies 'of
the domestic peace of the South. Editors re
garded as friendly to the South, have felt it their
ririvilege . and their less' to watch their utter
'awes', and Idiretrikeit ;_irineennity_io_represent
them in the'worst possible light to sensitive and
suspicious Southern"men. And the consequence
is, that a rooted conviction has taken possession of
the Southern mind; that nearly the whole North
ern community is'at the beak of a set' of men no
better than atheiati, and with ideas of moral re
form as sweeping'and as unscrupulous as those
which animated'the .revolutionists of France; when
the simple fact is, they; have taken no position di
verse from =that of the fathers of our country and
the Preibyteria.n Church, and no More hostile :to
the peace and rights:id the South. This is the
solemn truth; and from ignorance of. it, caused in
no inconsiderable part by these unscrupulous
presses, the South is rushing into the fearful gulf
of disunion and civil' war: We pray that the se
quel may not show that these " friends of the
South" have leen the cause of its worst suffer
ings and its rain.
DR, BRECKENRTS FAST- DAY AD
DRESS, DEUTZ ED - AT LEXINGTON,
•
xY.
We have read this able production with deep
interest and much satisfaction. It is eminently
patriotic and judicious, and coming from such a
quarter, will have weight with those who stand in
especial need 'of its counsels. Those who think
treason against our government in behalf of slavery
justifiable, and those especially in the border
States who anticipate-greater security for slave
property and a general increase of prosperity in a
•
Southern Confederacy, will derive little comfort
or confirmation from this documenc i qh. B. thinks
"that there are inestimable' blisitugs Connected
with the pr'eaervation of our 13' t ationa.1 Union, and
that thet:e are intolerathe ivils involved in its de
struction!'
Among the, evils, which he enuMerates as al
ready experienced, is'the substitution` of a Colonial
for the Union flag, and;'" community throWn into
,
a paroxysm of rage, 'because in the harbor of
Charleston our national:lag, inltead of being still
firther dishonored,Yrioats'over a single tower"...
"What then," he')aSti, "'did they eXpect who
sent to the harbornoliCharleStimi,.to Occupy the
national fortresses there, the son of a• companion
of. Washington, a hero whose veins are full' of re
volutionary blood and whose body is coveredwith
honorable scars, won lathe service of his country ?
Why did they send that 'Kentilcky hero there 'if
they did not intend the qdlicuthey put; into his
hands to be kept to the last- extremity?' , ...
"These," he says, c- 4 are..but the beginning of
sorrows. If we desire i to perish, , all we have to do
is to leap into this vortex of disunion;'
i;
With all the power arid subtlety of his 11 4
12COM-.
commonly astute and.vigorous -mind, Dr. II re
sists the assumed rightiof secession as mere usur
pation. "If it is, the constitutional right of. any
State to do this, then we have no : national govern
ment and never had any." As to any justifying
cause for rebellion, it , is, his profound - conviction
that nothing of, the kind has occurred or exists.
i
"All that the South, sto complain of, terrible
~.44,, 4.- - on
as it is, affords no jris cation for the secession of
any single State of ~ th,Uoion. On this point
he has a telling paragraph.
"They who make tb,e attempt will find in it no
remedy for the evils from which they flee. They
who goad others to this' fatal step, will find that
they have themselves erred exceedingly. They
who have had the lead .in both acts of madness,
have no hope for good from coming ages, half so
great as that they may be utterly forgotten'. Poe
terity will receive with. scorn every plea that can
be made for - thirty minting of free people, profess
ing to be Christian, in extenuation of the unparal
leled folly of their self-destruction, hy.reason that
they could not deal suedessfully with three or four
millions of African slaves,,, scattered amongst
them." , ,
On the supposition that the-cotton States will
actually secede and maintain a separate confede
racy, he stoutly denies that Kentucky or the bor
der States must necessarily go with them. There
are other interests beOdes those Of, slavery and
.
cotton in 'Abe border Slates, which, would be in
adequately protected in *itch a confederaey. ." The
very instant y - ou : enter' confederacy in which all
is iegulatetrand created by the supreme interest
of cotton, everything precious and distinctive of
you is jeoparded."
We are glad to see the following magnanimous
admission in regard to public sentiment in the
border free States:
44 Nothing is more certain than that a patriotic
devotion to the Union, and a willingness to do all
that honorable men should do, or moderate men
ask in order to preserve it, is as' strongly prevalent
at this moment amongst the -people of 'the border
free States as among those of the border slave
States."
We are glad to aid'in giving !id° currency to
this unreserved and candid expreision of confidence
in us on the part of our Southern' neighbor. It
is no more thin we deserve, biitAb'acknowledg
went is ellCulated to strengthen these feelings,
and preserve so much' of cordiality as still remains.
In conclusion, the ditt l y of Kentucky is declared
to be to stand by the -Miott and the Constitution
to the last extretuitY;: . ttsist:tinly movement in
which, she iiiit"e4ritss her own free 'choice at
the polls; to realize thkt division of the line be
tvveen the free and sl4ve States is, for her, the
most fatal issue of the aims; and subjection to the
cotton States for all: ti'm'e' to Come, the very worst
form of that fatal issite.l
No better service 'could be done by the friends
of the 'Union, juste now; than: the' extensiVe'circu
lation of this discourse:through the border 'States.
- -
RV." Da . JEsici ois Will preach a•
discourse, to
the aenng, in Calvary: C,,burctr,, next Sabbath 'eve
ning.
AN ADMIRABLE BOOK
MESSRS. EDITORS :—We have seldom been so
pleasantly entertained in perusing literature for
the young, as we have been recently in reading
a little work entitled "Money, or the Ains
worths," issued from the Presbyterian House,
by the Publication Committee.
We understand that the book is a prize pro
duction. It
o certainly deserves such a distinc
tion. The fagoily represented is well grouped,
and the characters of the several members are
drawn with a fidelity to nature not easy to be
surpassed.
The "Doctor" is a specimen of a clasi, who
"lock the stable door after the horse has
escaped," while his lady meets with a counter
part in many an anxious housewife, determined
on always being in an unconifortable hurry.
Their four children, however, are 'the principal
actors in the work, and their diversified dispo
sitions are sketched in a manner that imparts
both amusement and instruction.
The afflicted "Netts," sensible and resigned,
presents a lovely picture. Her daily example
sheds a sweet influence over all in the house.
"Bertie" is a lad whose conduct may be safely
imitated by all other boys. No marvel that he
grew to be so good a man. But what shall we
say of "Harry" and 'Paul?" They are the
antipodes of each .other; the one acting on the
principle of "let us 'eat, drink and be merry, for
to-morrow we dief' the otheris the veriest little
APlock we ever remember — having read of.
How the young "moneylender" persecuted the
luckless debtor for those same "six cents."
We cordially recommend the , perusal of the
book to every body, but especially do we desire
those boys to read it who wish to know what
use to make of their pocket-money. B.
Philti., 'Jan. 11, 1861;
KINDNESS TO PASTORS.
The followint , instances of spontaneous libera
lity on the part of congregations to their pastors,
gave been brought to our notice, which we pub
lish, as it seems to be the custom, en theprinciple
of provoking to love and good works. "
Rev. Daniel G. Mallery, pastor of the Central
Presbyterian Church of Nerristown, had a visit
from some members of the church and pongrega
tion, on Christmas eve, who left variens gifts;
such as a Singer's sewing , machine for Mrs. M.,
an elegant silk =arena marked with the pastor's
<
- name, a 'loutwelor the, studi, various articles of
wearing apparel, a barrel of flour, turkeys,.pies,
cakes, wine and 'preserveS,together with'a pocket
. y<
book containing money, and various sums of mo
tley besides; to which were added, on. New Year's
day, a new hat' and a certificate of Life Member
ship in the Bible Society; all which, as signs of
affectionate isctiembrance, cannot, be, summed, up
in,dollars and cents
•s 4 .
Rev Richard A. Mallery,pfTipper Aquebogue,
L. 1., about the same time received a most costly
...
suit of Clothes, with hat and boots, and fur for the
neck, and a superb shawl for Mrs. M., while little
- Lulu was, not forgotten . ,by the generous' people to
whom me M. has , ministered but a few month's.
For the American Presbyterinn.
MINISTERIAL
MYNAS NEEDED,
The Synod of Pennsylvania; at its recent meet- ,
ing, voted as follows i ,that the Synod yrpuldinOsti .
earnestly urae upontall its chUrehes to , giVettb- . '
„Z.
rally of their means <to aid , worthy. piing —men ) .
who, in unusual: narnbers, are seeking totenterthe
gospel ministry."
The Philadelphia Education SOOiety highly ap
preciates the above recomtsiendation, and as its
field of operation is'inainly in Pennsylvania, Dela
ware, Maryland; Southern' Nev, 'iTersey,, and the
:District. of Columbia, we' hope. all the churches
within these bounds will make generous collec
tions for the Society'si•treasnry. There is need of
extra effort lseing: made by the friends of -educa
tion in regard to .this`matter, as the number of
'candidates under the care of the Society has greatly
increased within the, last two years. About sixty
young men, during the current year, have had to
depend mainly on the appropriations of the Society,
to enable them to :-prosecute their studies. We
hope none of our churches will fail to lend us their
assistance, and that we shall hear from them at an
early`date. CHAS. BROWN,-Cor. Sec., •
Pres. House, 1334 •Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, January.= 1861. r
"MR. WILDED. AND TNEJEOLAPOOR
MISSION:L!
A card with the above heading, published by
the Prudential Committee of the A. B. C. F. M.,
has been some weeks before the public.. We are
sorry to see it. This , attempt to disparage Mr.
Wilder and prevent the success of his mission in
that dark kingdom of Kolapoor, which they had
voluntarily abandoned for want of fAnds, is en
tirely, unworthy 'of them.
It is proper for the public to know that. Mr.
Wilder is well endorsed and warmly commended
by two large.ecclesiastical bodies—that the action
of Champlain Presbytery, giTen below, was taken
after a very careful hearing and consideration of
all the correspondence and facts of the case; and
After Presbytery had 'corresponded with the. Pru
dential Committee of. the Board during the in
terval between two meetings of its body, asking
them to' come in person, or send 'further state
ments to justify their action, neither of which
they did, but declined any further correspondence.
As a committee having in charge the Kolapoor
Mission, and in view of all the facts, in our, pos
sassion, we feel it our, duty to say that, Mr. and
Mrs. Wilder are worthy of entire. confidence, as
faithful, efficient and -successful laborers in the
foreign field, and'we are happy to add, that this
judgment is confirmed by the written statements
of more than two hundred of Mr. Wilder's bre
thren in the ministry, including some thirty cor
porate members of the American Board. W. U.
WHEELER, HIRAM HORTON, ASHBEL PARMELEE,
MOSES THACHER, J. R. Youwo, B. B. BECK
WITH, HOLLIS READ, T. H. LAUGHLIN,
SANDER KELSEY, J. S. CUMMINGStG. W. ltlFasits,
D. W. POOR, E. J. BOYD, E. M. Ror.Lo, A.
STRONG, J. W. MEARS, C.RANSOM, S. H. WOOD- I
RUFF, JOHN S. STONE, RUFIS R. DEMING.
Jan. sth,lBGl.
ADDITION TO THE CHURCH.
Mt. Pleasant, N. J., Jan. 21st, 1861.
Dear Brother Atears:—Yesterday was a pre
cious day with us. It was our communion. Ele
ven persons were admitted to our church on pro
fession of, their faith in Christ.
Yours Truly,
COUNELIIIS S. CONKLING.
Not Given to Coange.—The pilot of the steamer
plying on Smeea (N. 1..) Lake, has averaged a- trip;
up and down, three hundred days in each year for
twenty-one years; he has thus travelled, five hundred
and seventy thousand six hundred tulles, on - this littiol
lake in that time.
For the American Presbyterian•
IMPROVEMENTS IN COVETHY •
• CHURCHES.
Improvements in church edifices have been a
recent feature in the quiet, even history of, many
of the churches in this region
,round about. The
Presbyterian societies of Wavcrley, Horseheads;
Weston, Benton and Havana, have made very
considerable changes for the better, , in the appear
once of their respective places of public worship;
while those of Hammondport, Watkins and Bur
dett, have also "brushed up" not a little, and to
very.good purpose. If no mission to "arise and
build," has been recognised, the duty his been
deemed manifest to "strengthen the things which
remain."
The Presbyterian church at Waverley has been
considerably enlarged by an addition at one end of
it, and with a handsome fresco-panel papering
upon its inner walls„in connection with other im
provements, it certainly presents an appearance
very pleasant to look upon.
The Presbyterian church of ,Horseheads has
been changed as to its interior arrangements, from
an earlier . to a later style; the side galleries have
been removed, a recess •constructed for the pul
pit, additional slips put in, and all the seats uni
formly upholstered.
The Presbyterian church of Weston has been
tastefully papered; the arrangenient of the seats
reversed, a bell, I believe, procured, and some
other in,)provements have been made. !,
The Presbyterian church of Havana has re
cently been papered, and otherwise improved, the
walls being covered with a very appropriate, and
beautiful papering of fresco pattern, and the ceiling
decorated with panel-work and centre-pieces.--
About the like changes for the better have also
been made in the appearance of the Presbyterian
church of Benton. ,
This matter of giving to church edifices an ap
propriate finish and adorning, is well worthrthe
,attention, especially, of country .congregations.
The interior of many of the houses ofpublic war ;
ship, in the rural distrivs,presents but little of an
attractive... aspect.. One I very.common feature, is
8,- vast expanse of monotonoui, wall, decidedly
brown -or 'vaguely white, plain, dull . augulari and
unrelieved by a single tasteful :and- .fitting orna
ment..
- •
Sorely, now, in this direption-, 9iere is some
opportunity for judicious improvement. - And a
feasible sm4, - yery satisfactory method: is,, think,
that of fresco-papering the walls. And wherever
this experiment has been tried, it has,:l - bqlieve,
given ample satisfaction. City congregations adorn
their church edifices with elaborate fresco paist=
ing and heavymouldings and carvinp,, but, their
ornaments are too costly and too little in place, to
be applied to country churches. Something ; lesS
_ expensive, and more simple and appropriater4
needed;, and fresco papering admirably serves. isteli.
For, the Al:aerie= Presbyterian.
:PRESBYTERY -
The winte&sessines uf,this Presbytery have rw.
gentli-beep t helf j at- Mount Morris. The , devo
tional
exerdiiii were esPe.ciallY iritereiting; The
opening sermonwas Preached'hy Rev. o:F;,sti
born, from the sixth verse of Jude,-
;moot pp.the great ,day,!! t_ The. communion' sermon
was preObesk xY•
titiviAiCil& thOopkiiiiiit'o,
-man lay liivn his life forlii'frienae' The Pkefs
'WAN &votffq_ re3ro; - 9,4:V 6 dPeO - 44P nft*Aboni_*a
attendediattwas - a‘mieeting. - at unusual in
terist.: ,at y Mount 4orris- and th
membersof Presbytery,feel debply grateful to
Ray. A. Gleason, of Buffalo Preskylery, for the
interest which he contributed to our 'devotional
exercises. The cause-which he pleads, viz.: The
'endowment of the Indian. Orphan Asylum, is well
worthy, the consideration and liberal contributions
of our. churches.. The prominent items of busi
ness were as follows: •
.A. call - from the second church in Dansville, to
brother. SAMUEL jESSiTP, was found in order. Mr.
Jessup. signifying his acceptance_ Of- the same, it
was arranged that the installation exercises take
place *on the evening of Tuesday, Jan: 15th, to be
conducted, by a commission of Presbytery, consist
ing of Rev. Messrs. Hunter; Elmer, Folsom and
Parsons, together with elders.P. Sheldon, of Mount
Morrie, and. J. Van Nest, tnion Corners.
In order
-to raise.- more prottiptly our full pro
portion of the General Assembly's Coatairssrox-
Ens' FuND, it was resolved that there be a Fret.-
byterial Fund, sufficient to meet this together
with the salary of the Stated Clerk, and a portion
of the expenses of the commissioners who
,attend
the meeting of the Board at Auburn Seminary,
- It is proposc d to apportion among the churches
the amount necessary to - be raised, at the june
meeting, with the expectation 'that the apportion
ments be paid at the January meeting following,
thus enabling us to place directly in the hands
-of
the commissioners, then elected, the full amount
required.
Rev. LIMNER CONKLTN was appointed commis
sioner to' the next General Assembly, and -Rev.
G. P. Folsom his alternate.
Elder JAY E. LSE, Perry, was anointed lay
eemmissioner, and elder Charles Colt, of Genesee,
his alternate.
Rev. William Hunter was elected commissioner
to Auburn Seininary for three years. -
The PLAN of EDUCATION submitted to Pres
bytery by the General Assembly's committee, was
heartily appmed, at the same time Presbytery is
liot committed to abide by it, except as it shall be
quite generally adopted.
Rev. J. Barnard, D. D., was requested to pre,
pare a historical discourse tone:fling, the origin and
early life of Ontario Presbytery, and present the
same at the-nait'n3entips. , •
Dansville was choten as the next place of meet
ing. Rev.l. R. Page, with%Rev. G. P. Folso
as his alternate, was appointed to preach the neat
communion sermon.
The committee appointed at a previous meeting
to present a plan for the systematic collection of
all money for charitable purposes, made a lengthy
report. The portions which were adopted by
Presbytery are as follows:
1. That it be the aim of this Presbytery,gTadu :
ally to dispense with the aid of agents from bene
volent societies, and take this work as speedily as
possible entirely within its own control.• •
*2. That the churches be requested to make an
annual contribution to each of the following causes,
viz.: Foreign Mission, Home Mission, Publication,
Bible, Sabbath-school and Education.
3. That the collection for these causes be made
in the following order: Bible Society in Februa
ry; Sabbath-school in April; Publication' 'cause,
in June; Home Missions in August; Education
in October, and Foreign Missions in December.
4. That the moneys thus collected be paid to
the Treasurer of Presbytery, to be forwarded by
him to the respective societies above indicated,
and that his accounts be annually audited by a
committee appointed for that purpose.-
5. That each , church be requested to"appoint a
whosecommittee, we ditty it shall be to obtain sub
scriptions and make collections for- the causes
above indicated, employing such plans for the en
couragement of systematic benevolence as the
church itself may see fit to advise.
Mr. Ephraim Cone, of Geneseo, was appointed
Treasurer of Presbytery for all moneys collected,
in accordance with the aforesaid plan.
A Source of Revenne.—Oalifornia possesses 900
saw mills, erected at a cost:of $2,000,000. One-half
are propelled- by steam, the remainder by water.
They cut annually 500,000,000 feet of lumber, the
value of which is $15,000,000.
Havana., PT. Y., Jan. 1861
"ANNALS .OP THE POOR."
THE UPS ANIYDOWNS OF LIFE.
Ina neat, quiet, back street there is now living
a young man and his wife, with their three chil.
dren, the latter ranging from the cradle up to six
years of age; 'their small house is neatly furnislifd,
with a rag carpet on the floor, and a large stove,
With table and chairs to suit, while here and there
hangs an oval picture upon the walls—all indi.
eating d'happy 'holm. The other day I called is
and induced themother to give some little of their
history. The 'father, who learned the trade of
silver-plating, found himself during the summe r
of 1859 entirely out of employment, and fast run
ning into debt to-keep his little family from hun
ger and want, but when the winter of that year
I commenced, it brought with it his work agai n,
and at it he went fully determined to pay off hi s
debt, support his family, and, standing firm at hi s
post, to carry to his wife his earnings of seven dol
lars each week.
The spring came, and during it and the last
summer he has had work but for three days i n
each week, until some four months ago it stopped
entirely. They. were not yet altogether out of
means, for the mother still continued to ply her
needle, and thus earned enough to supply their
food, but all else must stand back. In the mean
time the husband sought employment, and only
obtained promises that when the "panic" is over
he should have work. The mother's needle-work
has ,ceased, and now they live upon expectation,
with' occasionally earning a trifle by helping a
neighbor to move, - or in doing their washing.
These are uncertain, and this young, sober and in
dustrious family may well be said to be without
the necessaries of life.
THE-FAIR.
For over two months the ladies of our sewing
circle met three times each week, sometimes with
their friends, numbering as many as thirty per
sons, and Made up and contributed, with outside
assistance, 'goods sufficient to hold a fair, which,
on the 24th of Deceniber, was opened at "g 36 Arch
street,^ , and closed Deceinber 31st, with some one
hundred and twenty dollars clear of expenses.
Thus our debts have been paid off L.
EDITOR'S TABLE.
PERSONAL HISTORY OF LORD BACON. From
Unpublished •Rwers. •By Win. Hepworth Dixon, or
the Inner Temple. .12mo. pp: 424. •
Pope's celebrated line in regard to Bacon: "The
wisest, brighteic meanest of mankind," has been
acquiesced in so long that it has passed current
almost as an axiom, and has been used to point,
many a moral And adorn many a tale..,. -For our
selves, we 'beim scarcely ever read or heard, or
thought of it ,withoui pain, and a_ wish that the
latter part of it might-prove untrue.. , Mr. Dixon
nobly enters into the lists in defences of the
" wisest " and " brightest ;" indignantly combat
ing and repelling the-last-of the three adjectives.
LpaCainpbell, who had put Pope's:view into prose,
is. dealt with in a most unsparing style of criticism,
tied Bacon's character rises from the misrepresen
ations of his . enemies:and the repetitious of care
less writers, in a: blaze ofpurity and glory. The re
production of the work in America simultaneously
with the itipeginneg of the new edition of his works
in this cinittr?„'iffl , make it'eiren more welcome.
It is ., got uniform style 'Works. For
sale by J. B. tippincott; & Co:
!itEX I ANDER
oftryVl reak L
"
( 11?-Eveinti;Vflrn - .Yrinte. Boston:
- ;42Mts: - ; pg...liTytwith portrait.
Another leaf' of Scottishlifeitid history. Dean
Ramsairi:lieok has just presented some. general
-views .tif -Scottish character, and here we have
them— . boldlY eemplifte.fh in an autobiography,
marked by a strong individualism. .The period
..passed• in review i5;f,,r141722 to 1805, one of
great - extent and= ftill , Ontirring incident. 'Lead
ing Scottisli personas who came in contact with
Carlyle, are described and characterized with great
clearness and ability. Carlyle -himself, an utter
stranger befOre, quickly draws the reader's atten
tion. . - Ourviews of what constitutes' a Scotch
Presbyterian minister are sadly confused, however,
by reading_of his attending theatrical performances,
and cultivating theacquaintance of dramatists and
actors.— Tor sale by J. B. Lippincott & Co.
, _ -•
`6ORA.EsroNDENcB OF- FRAULEIN GUNDER=
AND BRTTINE VON. ARNIM; Toston: T. 0. IL P.
Burnhain. 12m0., pp. 34.1.:
Two young women highly cultivated in the ms
thetic school`' of Germany, at a time when it was
Attic both in its elegance'and its heathenism, here
_pair : forth unreservedly the, fulnesi of their ar
dent naturei to one another. They do , indeed,
'show a very high state of culture among the Ger
man welle:n, but:we cannot but feel that their
transcendental obscurity is a positive-advantage,
as hiding very evonous sentiments, and as discou
raging any extensive- perusal, Art, poetry and
science aie the real deities of these females. "God
is poesy," theysiy.. We have - little patience with
inch Chattering.:
1 , --;.P.AAAPErLBTS AN la MMAZINES.
The - KrumiaßocKEß, February ; 1861.—This
number.opens with theeontinuation of Revelations
of Wall Street, a simply, and truthfully told story
of mercantile life in its New York city phana,
which will rivet the 'attention of every reader.
Mingled with 'much that is amusing and enter
taining in this Magazine, there is much, too, that
is instructive. The tone of criticism is generally
healthful. For example, a critique of Emerson's
last work : "The Conduct of Life," winds up with
the expression of a readiness to quote as applica
ble to the ease;the words of Margaret to her pan
thei,lic lover : What you say sounds very fine, and
is very nearly what the priest , tells me, only in dif
ferent words. For all that thou had no Chris
tianity.
HARPER' MAGAZINE. .Np. =dz. February,
18.6 f. In addition - to the.usual number of admi
,
rably illustrated articles includingone on Spiders,
we liave-the ` instalment of Thackeray's new
story; ." The -Adventures of Philip." The comi
cal page is is decided improvement, both in mat
ter, and treatment.
GASSEWS ;POPULAR NATURAL HISTORY, part
27, ie principally' occupied with ruminating ani-
CASSELL'S IDLIISTRATRD FAMILY - RUBLE, part
22,-;reaches to thetbbok of _Nehemiah. Cheap, in
deed,- for the quality, at 15 cents a number.
. MESSIAH'S ROYAL BEAUTY, seen by the saints.
A 'discourse preached in the Ist Reformed Pres
byterian church, New York, Sept. 16th, 1860, by
Samuel 0. Wylie, pastor of the 2d Reformed Pres
byterian congregation, Phila. Phila.: Thomas
Sine; printer, 1860.
CATALOGUE OF THE OFFICERS AND STUDENTS
OF MARIETTA" COT , INGE, 1860-61. The Facul
ty of this Institution are Israel W. Andrews, D. D.,
President; John Kendrick, M. A.. Professor of
Latin and Greek; Ebenezer B. Andrews, M. A.,
Prof. of Natural Sciences; E. W. Evans, M. A.,
Prof. ,
of Mathematics; Edward P. Walker, M. A.,
ProT. of Rhetoric, and Librarian; David E. Beach,
B. A., Principal of Preparatory Department. The
number of students in both departments is one
hundred and ten, _ , •
HARPER'S WEEKLY is constantly presenting
handsome and finished engravings of persons and
places of interest in the present state of the. coun
try. The portrait of Major Anderson, in the num
ber for January VA, from' an original furnished
by his lady, is noble and commanding as his most
enthusiastic admirer could, imagine.
MooßE's RURAL NEW YORKER comes to us in,
a new and beautifil dress. Its engravings of
flowers are among the finest and most natural that
we have ever seen. Besides matters of the.field
and garden, its fresh and varied miscellany for fa
mily_reading is of the best character. It is pub
lished weekly, at Rochester, N. Y.
Jan. 24,