102
amtritau Nreollittiarn
comet evanstlizt.
TlittltaliECliitalillAkift 41, 1861.
14KI"It• EDITOR.
ASIOCZATIOD 'WITH
.Atareiti GEORGE burrIELD,IL
THOMALIMIAINERDI I :owl JENKINS,
HENRY DARLING, 'THOMAS J. SHEPHERD.
To Oint FRIENDS AND SansonaitEns f—For
the many iodications of regard we are receiving
in word and act, we 'return Our grateful IteknoW
ledgments. Some of our subscribers exhibit 'a
kind and thorough appreciation of the embarrass
ments which we, in common with many others, are
suffering in this season of comnaereial,depressien.
A few are paying far in advance. of their - Cipes.
Some are laboring successfully to enlarge our list.
The pastor of one of our feeblest city churches,
has recently given us fifteen new names. A home
missionary in the far West, has formed a Ma of
ten. Others have acted for , us, with similar seal
and success. But , many of our subscribers , are in
arrears, and many, doubtless, able and willing to
pay, are in need only of a suggestion like the pre
sent to remind them of their duty, and to secure
its performance. As our terms are in advance,
the whole subscription for the year its due, as soon
as the year commences. Shall we not have a
prompt and abundant response to this call during
the coming week? Send, if possible, notes of
banks in the middle States;' or gold dollars pasted
fast, or better still, a check or draft which would
secure us against the losses we frequently suffer.
But if either of these methods is impracticable,
send us money current in your own neighborhood
and at our risk.
We give the following as a single instance of
many kind letters and intimations we are receiving.
It.is from a pastor in New York State. , And we
may add, judging from the stability of our sub
scription list in the southern part of our field,'our
sentiments are to a great degree acceptable there
also:—
Allow me to express my gratification with
your editorials concerning the state of our coun
try. Your views of government responsibilities
meet my hearty concurrence. It is refreshing to
read such manly utterances, they contrast very
finely with those of the
CHRISTIAN SELF-CULTURE.
Whatever may be the theories of men, the idea
of an unconscious development and progress in
character is not countenanced by Scripture. Not
even after the true germ of a holy life has been
implanted in the soul, will it enjoy a healthy and
prosperous growth, if. denied careful nurture, or
left to subsist upon impulse alone. To contem
plate devoutly the perfect example presented in
Christ, to become conversant, by daily use, with
the law of God and with the pure teachings of
inspired men, to place one's self under the "drop. I
pings of the sanctuary," to make the saints and
the excellent of earth our delight, will doubtless
act favorably on our Christian characters, even if
we never give our inward selves a Thought. But
this kind of inward growth is not what it is in
tended a Christian should experience. It may do
for our physical natures, or for a tree or plant, but
not for the conscious, reflective agent man, and
especially the aroused Christian man. It is not
the kind that will bring us to the stature of per
fect men in Christ Jesus. The Christian is ex
pected to advance by conscious and diligent self
culture. More than once, in the New Testament,
he is charged to examine himself. The Psalmist
calls upon God to aid him in this work of search
ing and of self-knowing. Job prays: Make me
to know my transgression and my sin. There are
special sins and sorts of sins, "presumptuous,"
"besetting," which must be specifically known
and struggled against by the steadily advancing
Christian.
The. hristian character is indeed a growth, pro
ceeding from the communicated life of Christ by
the Spirit. It is not the hewing out of a well-pro
portioned statue from motionless stone. It is not
inward adjustment to a lifeless and formal code of
laws. It is not the letter, which killeth, but the
spirit, which giveth life. Yet neither is it an uncon
scious life of mere impulse, or converted instinct,
so to speak. It is reasoning, intelligent, thought
ful, conversant with itself. The Christian aims
to know himself first, and better than he knows
others.
An important part of self-culture, is to 'notice
and improve the Providence of God, in its bear
ings on , our characters. The Christian engaged
in the training of his nature, should be aware that
the events of his life are controlled and arranged
with a wise and and benevolent reference to his
growth, in grace. They are held out to him as
helps and guides in the work of self-culture. He
must observe their character, must scan their
teachings, must learn their moral bearings upon
himself, and reap their intended fruits. The
Christian must not allow himself to be carried
away by an unreasoning excitement, when pecu
liar experiences of joy or sorrow, of good or evil,
befall him. Trying circumstances must not be al
lowed merely to vex his mind or crash his spirit;
prosperity must not merely elate him; he must
not merely display a blind curiosity or a partisan
interest in public affairs. He must pause and in
quire; What relation have these things to the sys
tem of divine training under which I live? What
trait; of my derider. are they fitted to' develope
and cultivate? What advancement in holiness are
they an opportunity for securing? Against what
besetting sin, what cherished evil habit, what
wrong principle of action, may I consider them as
directed ?
Times of commercial depression ought not to
be viewed by the Christian simply as disasters.
He should not allow himself to brood over his
10854 or even blindly or uncomplainingly submit
to them, as if that was his whole duty. He should
make them the occasion of searching his heart, of
testing his spirit of self-consecration, of bringing
into more vigorous practical exercise his depen
dence on God, of cultivating a firm and self...sacri
ficing adherence to high principle, as well as de
veleping his energies and inward resources. In
short, be may and should feel that a disaster to
his woildly estate is one of the incidents of his
training for heaven a highly favorable opportunity
for pushing forward the work of self-culture in
which he is engaged. As laid on him by Provi
dence,i he ought to accept it manfully, and improve
it. Thus, even through the darkest hours of world
ly trial, a gleam of divine light may he seen
shining. Thus good, the highest good, may be
extracted from the wrest ills of life. Thus even
the joys of heaven may be multiplied by a right
and intelligent endurance of the sorrows of the
present state of being.
"Go lib" says Mae Duff, inGrapes of Eshcol, " to
that bright and glorious multitude ' harping with
their harps , and-crowding the slaorbs of the glassy
'sea. Hair their one, united; testimony. It is
that but for their trials they would never have
been there. * * * 'So he brought them to
.th';',-o,osir.ed haven! Set It-was hY-a way not of
their awn choniing. So/ It was through winds
and waves, and buffeting elements;—the ship
tacking about;—neither sun nor stars for many
days, appeared, and no small teinpest lay upon
them. They love now to trace all the mystic
vranderings in that untoward voyage-the deep
calling to the, cleep----the wave responding, to wave.
They love to think, It , was , thus He brought me.
I There was a time when I Was prone• to question
Hiamisdom—to arraign' hiS faithTilnesa; but now
1 ,1 .could not have wanted one thorn one bitter
drop, oue tear.'." And again: "Let,.all. God's
dealings serve to quicken me in ray way. Let
every affliction it may please him tO , send.; lie as
the moving pillar-cloud of old, beckoning me to
move my tent, onwards —saying, 'Arise, l yei and
depart, far this is not your rest."'
Nothing that happens under an economy; of
grace, should be regarded as purely-calataitnus;
and as far - from calaniitOns 'should we regard.byery
event, or series of events, which is intended a in
adjunct in;the high and nahhi , , work . of Christian
self-cultrire Iluther• let us search for i .andgladly
apply its 7 lessona, and rejoice that, at whatever
cost to other interests, the welfare of the soul, as
the ParamtounteonCern, is Ovulated. It IS a difeer
thOuilit that, Whatever else happens, we. may
be,daily growing in grace. . -
,PENNSYLVANIA.. INSTITIITION FOB, THE
INSTRUCTIONS : OF THE BLIND.
The twenty-eighth annual report of
•this.valtm
ble institution, has been laid on our table. Phi
oladelphia is justly celebrated for the number and
character of its eleemosynary, institutions, but''''
among them all, that for the instruction of the
blind, bolds,'and long has beld,.a place second to
none. New. Jersey and Delaware are connected
with Pennsylvania in its support, and the pupils
are mainly, though F not exclusively, from these
States. The number of pupils is one hundred and
sixty=five, thirty-two of whom contribute the whole
or a part of their support. One death only, has
Occurred during the year.
Eight hours a day are devoted to school studies,
music and work; four evenings a week to hearing
reading and a lecture. A ten minutes' recess•oc
curs at the end of every hour. , Contentment and
geed health are the result of this regular mingling
of occupation and relaxation. The
• blind, of all
others, need to be kept employed. An efficient
orchestra of thirty instruments, is sustained, under
the direction of Mr. E. Pfeiffer; a chorus of forty
voices, with a large churCh organ, a small organ,
and fourteen pianos, show how faithfully the or
gan of hearing is cultivated as a compensation for
the melancholy abeence of sight.
Musical exercises are publicly held every
Wednesday afternoon at a small charge; and we
advise all our readers; who have not, done so, to
avail themselves of the opportunity to enjoy an
hour of delightful entertainment, to acquaint
themselves with the management of this noble in
stitution, and to contribute to the fund, which is
raised by the proceeds of this exhibition, and ex
pended in furnishing each pupil,- as he graduates,
with an outfit of from fifty to a hundred dollars.
Several thousand dollars have, in this way, been
presented as a free gift to the graduate&
The work department seems to be 'carefully
managed, and yields% considerable income. -The
value of manufactured work for the year of ten
months, is $12.717. The amount realized from
sales, according to the Treasurer's report, is $9.
965.01.
It is announced that a dictionary of the Eng
lieh language, in raised type, has been completed
in three large volumes, on the basis of Worcester's.
This institution has thus the distinguished honor
of having issued the first Dictionary.for the
a work which comes next to the Bible in impor
tance. There are two blind mutes among the pu
pils, who give encouraging signs of progress, in
der the excellent training they receive. , •
The terms of pay pupils are two hundred dol
lars a year, which includes board, tuition, and
medical attendance. Blind children in indigent
circumstances, from the states of New Jersey,
Pennsylvania and Delaware, are provided for by
those States respectively, for the term of five or
eight years. Application should be made to
Franklin . Peale, Esq., or to Wm. Chapin, princi
pal of the Institution. it is situated at the corner
of Twentieth and Racnstreets.
For the American F'reebyterian.
NEW CHURCH AT EPILRA, N. Y.
The Second Presbyterian Church of Elmira was
organized on the Bth inst., by a committee of the
Presbytery of Chemung. Five brethreh were
elected ruling elders, and were duly ordained to
the office to which they had been chosen. In
connection with the exercises, a sermon was
preached by Rev. C. C. Carr; a charge to the el
ders was delivered by Rev. A. W. Cowles, D. D.
and an address to the congregation, by Rev. S.M.
Day. After the organization of the church, was
cencluded, an election of Pastor was held pursu
ant to previous notice. Rev. D. Murdoch, D. D.,
was unanimously chosen.
Another correspondent informs us that—
On the Sabbath following the new church held
its first communion. The roll of membership con
tains 145 names, 116 being heads of families.
For the American Presbyterian.
DEDICATION AT FAIRTON, N. J.
MESSRS. EDITORS:-It was an event of special
•
interest to us in this region, and it may interest
your readers, as an evidence of progress, to know
of the dedication of the church at Pairton, N. J.
The day fixed was Saturday, the 2d inst. It
proved to be very stormy, yet there was a very
good attendance, and the occasion was one that
will long be cherished in the remembrance of all
who were present. The services were opened with
a select piece by the choir, under the charge of
Mr. Daniel W)Thams, formerly of your city. The
Rev. James Boggs, pastor of the church, preached
a very excellent and 'appropriate discourse, from
the first part of the Ist verse of the 127th Psalm,
"Except the Lord build the house, they labor in
vain that build it." The pastor was assisted in
the other portions of the service by Rev. Robert
Thorne and Rev. Charles F. Diver, of Cedarville.
The choir, with so admirable a leader, performed
their part well, and added no little to the interest
of the services.
The church at Fairton has now an addition of
twenty-six feet in length, giving ten new pews
across the whole length, and wil now seat about
one hundred and fifty persons re than before.
It is now a very neat and attractive building. The
enlargement , and beautifying of this.place of pub
lic-worship does great credit to the church and
congregation, and must be a rource of very grati
minomm.
•Ittobtttrian and 6,entott grattottiot,
tingencouragement to its pastor. If now the :
epiritual enlargement of Zion is advanced, and
Lord ,take up his abode there, 'heaven Will rejoice
and earth-be glad.
GOD . RECOGNISED. , :
Whatevermay be said of, the omission .clf ; the
name of God from the Constitution L-and it is.sad
and surprfsing—there are two men filling, or chosen
to Ell high places in "thee government, who have
given most gratifying .and encouraging .evidence
of a regard for the GO of the Christian, and of
dependence on his strength, in great and trying
emergencies.
When'alaj. Robt. Anderson had performed that
bold, Masterly and patriotic act that , thrilled the
whole country, and that compelled the ill-concealed
traitors about the government to_throw off disguise
.sod` fly from the capitol; before the Star Spangled
'Banner ) that should wave over his small, belea
pored band, was flung to the breeze, he summoned
a man of God into-the, midst, of the company, - and.
holding the ends of the cerdin his hands, he re
verently knelt down. " The Officers; soldiers, and
men clustered around, many of %hurt on their
-knees, all deeply impresses' with thnsoleimiity of
the scene. The-cliitiplain made an earnest. prayer,
such an appeal for' support, encouragement and
mercy, as one,,Viceild imake. who' felt' that irian i s
extremity was `God's Opportunity.' As the ear
pest, selenin, words Of the,spe,ekepeeased, arid the
men responded f mere/ with . au fervency; that per
haps they had' never 'before: experieneed, Major
Anderson drew the' Star Spangled Banner up to
;,;,The other and more illustrious instance is the
, one in whom of all others we could wish as Chris
tiana, and as patriots/ tosee , this regard for the
Deity exhibited,—in the President elect. It was
`Major Andersen's .bravery rather than this appro
priate and touching act of worship, that thrilled.
all hearts; but the President elect has won 'for
himself the Sympathy of every Chriitian, and has
given to the country a most timely example of de
pendence on the divine arm, by publicly, humbly
-and , with deep emotion, avowing his dependence
upon it at the outstart, and by asking his fellow
citizens at Springfield, as a parting request, to re
member him in their prayers. Since the prayer
of Washington at Valley Forge, American:history
has furnished no parallel, to this remarkable event.
It is enough to relieve us now, as that prayer did,
of half our feare for our country. We c.ive Mr.
Lincoln's speech as reported: ,
"MY FRIENDS:-No, one, ,, not in my position,
can appreciate the sadness I feel at this parting.
!RI this people I owe all that I am. He,re I have
lived more than a quarter of a century; here my
children were born, and here one of them lies bu
ried. I know_ not how SOOD. I shall see you again.
A duty devolves. upon me which is,
perhaps,
greater than that which has devolved upon any
other inan since the days of . Washington. Ile
never would have succeeded except for the aid of
Divine Providence, upon which he at all times re
lied. I feel that I cannot succeed , without, the
same Divine aid which sustained him, and. in the
same Almighty Being I place my reliance for sup
port. I hope you, my friends, will all pray that
I may receive that Divine assistance without
which. I cannot succeed, but with which success
is certain. Again, I bid you all .au affectionate
farewell." [Loud applause, and cries of "We
will pray for you."]
Towards the• conclusion of his remarks, it is
said, that himself and audience were moved to
tears. His exhortation?: to pray elicited choked
exclamatiOns of " We will do it, we will do it
DEATH OP A COLOIiED AMEETOAH:STU-
DENT IN EDINBURGH.
The Caledonian Mercury of Edinburgh, 'Dee.
22, 1860, notices the untimely death of Mr.,.f.
Ewing - Glasgow, whose bereaved parents are at
tive members of the Lombard Street Central
Chuith, in this city. We are informed by a cor
respondent, that he had graduated with
,horior at
the Lombard Street Colored' High School in this
city, and , had nearly completela five years'. course
in the Edinburgh University. Ho was but little
indebted for whatever capacity he showed for in
tellectpal improvement, to other than Mitten
bloodiand it was certainly, to be desiredihat a ea
reer so promising might have been prolonged, and
another illustration thus been given of the suscep
tibility of his race to a high . degree' of mental cul-
U re.
"We regret," says the Mercury, "to announce
the death of Mr. J. Ewingalasgdwyof consump
tion, which took place on Thuraday at his lodgings,
10 Hill. Place., Mr. Glasgow was a colored stu
dent, a nailic of.. Philadelphia, U., S., and, for
several sessions had attended the University here,
and distin.mished himself by' taking prizes va
lions classes. . . Mr. Glasgow-was a young
man of Areat,promise and good talents,.of amiable
manners-and studious habits, and was greatly es
, ,
teemed by all who knew him. He was a member
of the newly-farmed United Presbyterian Church,
and by all the members of that young congrega
tion was much beloved and respected, and is, now
very deeply regretted."
PRAYER FOR COLLEGES.
The Annual Concert of Prit3rer, recommended
by the'Creneral Assembly, for colleges, theological
seminaries, and other institutions of learning, will
be held on Thursday, the 28th inst., in Calvary
Presbyterian Church (Rev. Dr. jenkins',) at 11
o'clock, A. M.; and in the Clinton Street Presby
terian Church (Rev. Dr. Darling's) at 4 o'clock,
P.M.
The menthes of our various congregations are
respectfully invited to attend. C. B.
Feb. 9th 1861.
REVIVALS. "
We call attention to the cheering accounts from
various parts'of our Church, found under the head
of Religious Intelligence, in another column. It
is along time since we have been privileged to
spread before our readers so much revival intelli
gence, from our own Church, in a single paper.
And we sincerely hope it may prove but the be
ginning of a period of generib refreshing in our
midst. It will be seen that some of the churches
thus blessed are among the feeblest of the flock.
Let feeble churchei everywhere take'courage, and
seek, in a true revival of religien, the best means
of strengthening themselves within and without.
/r We hope correspondents, in our own field,
who may be similarly favored, will transmit early
adcounts of the Divine dealings with them.
CHURCH ExTzNsiox.---Besides the amounts
heretofore acknowledged, the following sums have
been contributed for the same object—to be, ex
pended on Missouri:—s4oo from the 3d Church,
Pittsburgh, Rev. A. Kendall, D. D.; $4OO from
the 4th Church, Albany, Rev.,B. T. SeelA D. D.
TABOR MISSION.
This department of the missionary labors bf
Calvary Church, under the ministry of Mr. Van
Deurs, has enjoyed the singular favor of God from
its very commencement. A multitude of souls has
been gathered into the Christian visible kingdom,
by its instrumentality, and, the Spirit's converting
influence seems scarcely ever to be.withdrawn. On
last Sabbath, week no less than 33 souls, the fruits
of this m4ion . , were added to Calvary Church,
This is g r eat. encouragement' to all laborers in
God's vineyard, but especially -to such as have
the religious interests of the masses of our city at
heart, sect who have embarked largely.,- as .the
brethren pirCitivary Church have, in the ;work
•
of jope o;Vengeliption.,
EAiAROAD LITERATURE
It has long been a scandal to the management
of our Railroads,that they have so freely lent them
selves .to the work of supplying the travelling pub
lic with trasby 'and even obscene literature. We
are glad,t,o see:that a 'refOrna in this 'reepect has
commenced in :such a quarter and under such
. •
auspices that there ie great probalaility of its be
coming general. . The American Railway Union"
is the title of an organization whieh . has sprung up
'at Chicago, one'of the greatest railroad centres, in
thoworld; „ _
The ,
objecte,of it are to - obtain, as far as pos
sible, the use, of . Railroad Trains., and - Stations,
and other palSie- conveyances; to, provide a suita
ble aecular,mora ana religious ,literature • for the
same, rhich.s?tall be neither seeta t rian nor sectional;
and to ernploi.fthe requisite agency for wonting
and superintending the irorli. • !,,
The Executive-committee tor:the .f.urtheranoe
of these objects, his been constituted as follows:
J. v..g, ganey, Prof.insN.,,Y,University; W.
R. AftlMF,' eral Sup't 111, Central R. It.; J.
st.o. Farm AYest. Division American Express -
Co ; P. •J. t iag, ,Sei'y of.omn niiptee; .IteN t , lc:. J.
Stewart;Sec'Y.lllinois Pastors' Aid Soei4y,.9liair
, man of Committee;'lteir.: Yates „Hickey, Supt:
American Tract Soeiety f Northwest; Rev. , Amasa.
Lord, General Agent of< the American , `Bible So
ciety; Illinois; „
. ,
The Chinn° - Presbyterian Recorder 'cordially
endorhas this Mevernent. It says:
"We are assured that there is, no , ; intention tion or
desire to make this' a , Chicago• institution; but to
make' it general as fast aslossible, and to give to
the whole country the benefit a the 4 llfoial Power
of Railroads; aEr this develeped."
We haVeTearned, that„Che. leading nompanies
,
in this pity 0.4 prpnredle join, in the Movement
and only wait the expiration of present contracts,
to do so. Judging from:the following . extract from
the London. Times wd are-far behind England' in
this matter.
"At the ;Northwestern tern:ants," Says 'the
writer, " we see/Cited in .
vain fel. traih. We asked
for something- 4 highly, colored: The; bookseller
politely, presen t us with-the--Hana-heok of Paint
ing' ,We sho*'otrehipti and;demanded a volume
more intimate) with life and the world.
We, were offered: Kosmos? ; Something less mni
versal,' said we., :We were answered by '‘Bresdott's
Mexico,' 'Modern Travel; etc.. - We could notget
rubbish, what ever price we might offer to pay for
it. There- were no- 'Nugene Sues'- for love or
money—no cheap, translations tf any kind—no
bribes to ignorance, or unholy temptations to folly.
Can you 5e11..-ench books as these ?' ive asked.
4 Constantly; we an sell nothing,.else.' What,
have you nothing. for the <million ?' Certainly;
here is 'Logic for ‘ the Million,' price 6s.'; will you
buy it 2' Thank you; but surely books of a more
chatty character-- Chatty? oh, yes. Coleridge's
Table. Talk . is a standard, dish here, and never
,wants purchasers.' "
JUDGE ALLISON'S DECISION.
A Philadelphia correspondent of the Christian.
intelligencer, thiporgat,of the. Reformed' Dutch
Church in New ifirk, thus .speaks of the recent
legal proceedings inithe case of, tie first church of
that denominsticin, is our city, and •the decision
of Judge OW,
,
The deci T n' of Judge Alison in the ease of
the First RefOrmed.Thilaill Church of PhiladelPhia
has just been published,: It is so carefully drawn,
and so decisive (leati
upoti."tial points of *fact and of
law, that it is I?earcsdir:probabl:e.it would be re
versed even if it was carried up to the Supreme
Court; and of thill,.thave been credibly informed,
there is no likelihood. Nothing in the half-een
tury of the' exi4,i3oi3e Of' the.. Reformed Dutch
Church in this: civilise; latritiOt it' so prominently
before the public esihils , tryinicase. Its
have never before been eo 'sifted, nor its Consti
tution and standards So much in dernand, nor' have
its pulpits and ecolcsiabtical action been so ecru
tioized. While the congregation in question has
been sorely afflieeed, the denomination has suf
fered no harm thereby; and we are greatly mis
taken if the standard of piety and of theology is
not ultimately elevated:* while the• lessons of prac
tical wisdom and Of faithfulness to covenant vows
cannot be overlooked. the:church-edifice, which
has been closed during the most of the litigation,
will soon be reopened. It is hoped that mea
sures will be adopted Which inky, with the blessing
of God, restore petee and prosperity to this long
troubled - charge. .The'xen - eral interest awakened
by this e.asesin lltck Christian community, and its
vital importance to..our whole Church, demands
that it should have the utmost publicity in our de
noWination-.
Is 'not oiiminish the value of this decision,
that'Judge Allison is not a Dutchman, nor a
Dutch Church 'MM. He is a valuable elder in
the New School Presbyterian Church in West
Philadelphia, and in his theology is said to sym
pathize heartily with the views of Rev. Mr. Barnes
and other prominent theologians of that denomi
nation, which are certainly not those ore:definite
or limited atonement.
Yor the American Presbterian.
ANNALSOF . THE POOR..
.OUR WANDERINGS.
The footsteps of Laity missionary often lead
to the abode of want and misery, sometimes, in
_
deed, induced by crime and intemperance, but
how often does he meet with that honest po 7
verty which 'hangs it.s,head and would not tell
you of fits wants ? Indeed, we have long been
convinced that carefal re-visiting,from door to
doiir lithe atic,method of "dealing
your breed to the hungry." The other day,
after passing through a lower room up a stair
way, we:entered the home of one we believe to
be a Christian, whose room was very warm,
mhde so, we presume, to dry the clothes which
hung on lines strung across the room, and by
the raised window sat a woman not yet in her
fortieth year, and . her little girl, both coughing,
the mother most severely. During our conver
sation we elicited the following facts:
She makes her ; living by washing, and during
the summer months she earned enough to sup
port them both; but now, since the troubles in
our finances, her work has diminished, until now
she has but fifty cents per week, made by wash
ing. From this small sum she must pay her
rent, feed herself and, daughter, and provide
the necessary clothing And comforts for a per
son sick of consumption.
Another: Yonder Ithat back second story
room; is a widow, 'wit her three small chil
dren, who used to vilsift, washing and scrub
bing, and, to fill tip.lie4 time, at spooling; but
DOW the panic has unsettled the manufactories,
and she cannot propnre the yarn, and house
keepers are doing their, own work, so that this
sober, industrious, and deserving woman has
no means of supporting her family. Such are
a few of our visits.
We have the pleasure again of announcing
'the receipt, and to express bur thanks for, the
following, gifts to be dispensed among the poor,
viz.: 120 bushels of coke, 3 bundles of second
hand clothing, and 15 cents, from "several mem
bers of a family." B.
N. 13.—Persons wishing to communicate with
us will please hddres - s, "13.;"No. 1334 Chestnut
Street.
• - ' Tor the American Presbyterian.
RELIGIOUS STATISTICS .OF -COLLEGES
AND - THEOLOGICAL SEMINARIES.
The followinv Report of the religious state of
our Colleges and Sethinaries had been made after
a careful collection Of facts, hy one of the
Secre
taries:of the Society; of Toquiry.eininected with the
Union Theologieal Seminary, N.T., and is pub
lished in the hope that its statements may awaken
a deeper interest in the religious welfare,, of our
edticatiOiml institutions, and furnidh le , Wmotives
for earnest prayer for the outpouring of the Holy
Spirit upon them. An effort was made to secure
full returns
~ from every College and Theological
SeMinary in the country; but the failure on - the
part of many to answer the Circular of inquiry ne
cessarily limits this Report. .It is hoped that; in,
years-to. come,a more complete exhibit of this kind
may be made, that so, a deeper and more prayer
ful„interest., May. awakened in regard to the
Christian Welfare of tlrat , class.of Our. young men
whcipass sCdirectly,from the . College, throUgh the
professional school, to the chief places' f influence
it;e4irlind;:and'the werfd.,
[Here follows a 'table - exhibiting more - or less
Nfully the relidions conditidn" of he 'Students in '39
Colleges; ihe number of these students having
foreign fields of labor , in view All of these col
leges, save one, are reported as sustaining Trayer
nieetingi;•`five 'of them'-sustain daily prayer Meet
ingS; Williams Cidlege sustains two daily prayer
meeting& Nearly all "of, them have Religious
Societies in operation, principally of a.. ; 7l . 6,sionary
character. \ .
A table is also given, showini the condition of
21 Theological 'Seminaries, which contain 17.9
students,r7s of whom have the Foreicrn Mission
work in view. „The report continues:—]
From 22 of the - most 'complete reports from 'Col
leges, the'following statement is'derived:—
,
rr. sopn. un.se''rotal Per Ct.
Students, 842 863 818:-799 3322
No Ch. Mom. - 346 478 383 374 1481 44.6
For Mirthitry, 180 199 ,175 178 .732, 22.0
For Missionaries;' 11 'll 18 25, a 65 01.9
Applying this average to the 'Whole number of
students reported, we haye the following figures:
•Chnrch ,
Mem. 2576. For Ministry, 1270.
For Miasiiiiiiiek - 110. This ratio would, pinba
hip, not be sustained in a 'general application.
The proportion of theological intending
to- be missionaries is probably large enough, not
withstanding the absence of complete informa.tion,
inasmuch as (judging from the record of our own
'Serninar3r,) about 38 out'of 100 of those proposing
- to go -abroad remain at, home, on account of ill
health, or from other reasons. Many thus remain
ing at home become Home Missionaries.
From the abofe%tatement it appears that con
siderably less than, one-half of College students
are members' of churches, and that about one-half
of these have the ministry in view as their work
for life: In almost every College there are some
pious young men who are net connected with any
church, as'well as many who have not yet decided
upon their`ditty in regard to their future course.
Some Of the reports are, in part, conjectural, espe
ciallY in regard to the lower classes; but it is
thought that sufficient accuracy has been obtained
to give a true idea of the facts in relation to the
several, inquiries proposed.. No account ' has been
made of 'those intending to enter the Home Mis 7
sionary . field, although some of - the reports 'haVe
given information undeethis'head. "Preparatory,
Professional (except' Theological;) and other de
partments, connected with Colleges and Universi 7
ties,' do not conae,viithin the plan of this Report
11 Colleges report conversions, the interest in
7 them amounting to a revival. In 10, the
tone of rellgionslife and interest is represented as
rising; in 13, as not specially marked, but medi
um. Six reports speak of the religious state of
their several Colleges as low and distouraging, but
make mention of "a ,fdw' earnest students who
faint not in* prayer, hoping the Lord?' In
I Williams, Wake Forest, Oberlin and Rochester,
the misaionary spirit is characterized as deep and
active; in 7 other Collegeias healthy though mo
derate; in 6 others, as almost wholly wanting. The
reports from the greater part of the Theological
Seminaries speak of an elevated and earnest tone
of piety. In about half of them the missionary
spirit iadescribed as decided and increasing.
A few extracts and statements taken from the
answers to the circular; are. added.
Amhersk—aLast winter there was an unusual in
terest among the SoPhombrei, and a few conver
sions. The religious State of the Colle. b e is much
, to belamented, for tile tide of worldliness is
hi a
Belot interest lower. than at any
time since the revival of 18:57; yet earnest prayers
are Offered.
Bowdoin.--A higher tone of piety than ever
known. 10 or more conversions.
Coll. of H J.—Several conversions during the
year.
///inois.—lnterest backward; lirospects, to hu
man vision dark.
Theo. Sem. Mereeriburg.—" The tone of reli
gious life among Oar students is characterized by
humility, earnestnessr. and willingness 'to learn
of the things of Jesus,' and by zealous, yet humble
efforts, at following in the footsteps of our Great
Master."
donversicprts. Tone of piety
good.
Oberlin.—" Within two or three months a very
extensive revival has been in prngress, andis still
going on with increased interest. Every one in
the community has been interested, probably, and
very many have been converted. The tone of
piety and that of missionary zeal are unusually
promising."
Richmond.—A few'conversions.' Improved
unis. Vt.--A deep interest during a good share
of the past.year. Some.hopeful conversions,
Rochester.—Religions life markedly re
vived this collegiate year.
Unix. a—Considerable interest A few
(3 or . 4) conversions.
Univ. Illich.—An unusual degree of interest
during the latter part of the last collegiate year.
A few conversions.
Wake'Forest.—Quite a revival. Tone of reli
gious life good.
Waterville.----"Within 6 or 7 weeks God has
blessed us with a shower of gracious love." Two
conversions.
Wiltiams.—A few hopeful conversions. Gene
ral tone of religiouslife cannot be said to be
big,h.
Ya/e.—No conversions. "A few cease not to
importune God for the outpouring of His Spirit."
Many earnest requests for special prayer have
accompanied the reports. A professor in a promi
nent Southern Institution Writes thus:—'We
desire to assure you that we appreciate the inte
rest you take.in our religious condition, and to ask
an interest in your prayers. Our country is dis
tracted because our young men have not been pro
perly seasoned with that salt whose savor is, pure
and undefiled. religion before our God and Father
in Heaven.
May God bless and keep you and your young
associates, and make' you better and truer to the
truth as it is in Christ than we, your predetessors,
hive been."
We communicate these requests, adding our
own, to all who love Christ and His Church, and
especially, to those who shall remember.before
God our Colleges and'other institutions of learning,
on the last TiTursday of February, the annual day
of Fasting and Prayer for College&
UNION •TREOLOQIO&L SEMINAR:Y.
' New York, January 1, 1861.
MISSION BOIRM.P3. 't
B REV R G w tI,DE.R.
The following paragraphs arefrenalthe ad:rano
sheets of a volume soon to be issued from the press.
Its object is to develop the character and results
,of ,!Mission' Schools in =the foreign fieid.w.the great
and manifest blessing which hatkrested,upon them.,
showing God's special favor upon them as choice
and effective agencies in evangelizing the heathen.
ffithe-book is - written' the - earnest arid 'vig,orous
_style .of these paragrpphs, it sill find, readers.—
EDS.
"Modern missions have become a fact and a
_
power in the world.: Their re - sults for the last fifty
years put to shale' alike the timid faith of the
' Church, andrthe scornful Prediction of the . infidel
Opposer•opposer= In properly estimating-their results, we
may not, limit- our vision tothe civil and social be
,nefits accruing, from them. These, in, comparison
with the spiritual results, are as time to eternity,
earth to - heaven. Worldly philanthropists may
'well rejoice in the civil and:social changes effected
'by mission& These changes ire eierywhere , such
as to challenge their admiration and „merit their
echoperation in the work. ,„But the crown* glory
of missions in, that they are God'lrappointed agency
forsaving immortal soulsor despoiling Satan's
kingdom and re-establishing the kingdom of Christ.
-And , when we 'attempt - 'to: estimate these higher
And _spiritual results, we aimponstrained to feel that
the, : triumphs of the gospel in the aellieverneubs of
modern missions
,ealipse all that is recorM,
Apo.stelic tithes." •
In confirmation of this it is sufficient to mention
-the more than 49„000 converts gathered. into the.
Christian:Church within the last thirty years from
the degraded idolaters of the Sandwich Islands,
or the wonderful 'reformation now progresiing
among the Armenians of TitikeY and the Naito
rians of Persia or the • 50,000 converts WOLF to
Christ by the labors of our Wesleyan brethren on
„the Fejee Islands, or, the 24,,000 converts gathered
-into the mission churches, which like so many glori
011E1 lights begirt the dark continent of Africa, or the
30,000 or 40,000 natives of India who have broken
-the adamantine chains of Hindu idolatry and caste,
and now gather with .us in humble- faith and love
around the, table of the. Lord.
,It, is well to bear on our minds and'in our hearts
these triumphs of the press in our own times.
They serve to quicken our' faith in 'the' purpose
and promise of God, and to-:fill our souls with
adoring gratitude :to Hituthrough whose word and
Spirit all has been achieved. ".Not unto us, not
unto us 0 -LOrd 'but unto thy name be all the
glory."
But it is not enough to raise' Peans' of thanks
-giving :for triumphs already achieved. Before
"the kingdoms of this world' shall become -the
kingdom of our Lord and of. his ,Christ far
greater victories must he won. While we rejoice
over the 30,900 native commun i cants whO hove
been ,
gatliered - into the Church of Christ hi 'lndia,
the must:remember that some 200,000,000 of-ido
laters still remain in that land, fast:beim& in, the
cruel bondage of, heathenism—that the.true light
which has risen upon Western Asia and a few of
Ocean's Islands, while gilding the 'mountain tops
with divine radiance, serves, at the same 'time, to
reveal more clearly:the dark regions of heathenism.
which still cover the slopes and fill up the Valleys
of islands and continents over three-fourths of our
habitable globe. So that the true soldier of- the
cross must'regard the brightest triumphs of the
past and present onlyas.a faint-earnest_of greater
conquests yet to be achieVed. the success of mis
sions hitherto should only nerve the arm - of the
Church with new faith and courage for more vi
gorous earopiigns, and lead her to consecrate every
energy to this work intrusted to her by Divine
commission, till the last dark corner of-earth glow
with.cwpel light, and the beathett be whollygiven
to Obiist as his rightful inheritance.
EDITOR'S TABLE.
L B ._
ook publishers. are not inactive. ' We have,
this week, a goodly number of :ptililkat,ions to lie
tice, many of - them Of permanent'
Sheldon & Co. are still issuing thellisTortY or
LATIN CHRISTIApTITY, ,by Dean Milman, which
has now reached the fifth out of the eight volumes
in which it is to be compriied. It opens with the
struggle betiveen King Jbh arid theDarons, which
resulted in wresting the' Magna Charts from the
former. It describes the rise of the Waldenses,
and introduces us to the celebrated founders of the
great rival orders of Dominicans and Franciscans.
Elaborate doctrinal disquisitions, such as consti
tute. the staple of .Neander's great work, are:not
a feature of , the Latin Christianity. ;It is full of
the life and interest of outward events and charac
ters: the narrative flows right on under :the skil
ful arrangement of:the author, and a vivid impres
sion is made on the mind of the reader.
A new,edition of Da. BusTINELL's, 011RISTIAN
NURTURE, has been r imed. by Charles Scribner,
to which we are happy,to call attention. On its
first appearance, some years - ago, the 'Voluitie was
received with marked favor. It has been out of
•print for some tune; it is now re-issued, after
having considerable additional labor bestowed upon
it by the author. A fundamental view of the book
is, that, the children of Christian parents should
be expected to grow up; with proper training, - to
become Christians, without any marked transitional
experiences. This view is elaborated and expand-
ed. in the author's fresh 'and attractive manner,
making a most interesting and , profitable volume
for the heads 'of Christian families. So fir as`we
can see, the doctrine of original sin, which the au
thor almost in so many words avows, is not neces
sarily at variance with .the leading idea of the
book; and we must give it as our opinion that
such a service is here .rendered to evangelical re
ligion, in one of its most important departments,
as almost balances the mischief done by other well
known writings of the same author. 12mo. pp.
407. - For sale by. E. H. Butler & Co.
.A. Book for Young Men, with the title7—TßUE
MANI:loon: its Foundation and DeVelopment, by
Wm. Landels, Minister of Regent's Park, London,
has been issued by 'Carter & Brotheri, New York,
and is for sale at the Presbyterian Book Store. It
is composed, to a considerable extent, of lectures
delivered in various. parts of England.
_The toner
of the book is manly and healthful, and eminently.
calculated to recommend true religion to the class
of persons for whom it is designed. 12mo. pp.
The same publishers have issued ANNNALS or
TUE RESCUED, by the author of Haste to the Res
cue, a lady who has been lon g , indefatigably and
successfully engaged in the noble work of evange
lizing and elevating the irreligious and inebriate
poor of her own country, and who is here revealed
as the wife of Rev. Charles E. Wightman, who
writes a brief preface to the book. It is, in fact,
a powerful argunient for total abstinence as the
indispensable basis of every - real moral and spiri
tual reformation, drawn from facts of the author's
observation. As such, it is far more needful in
England than here; yet the intrinsic interest of the
narratives, and the necessity of some fresh kindling
up of zeal in this cause in America, makes it wel
come among us. 16mo. pp. 263. For sale at
the Presbyterian Book Store.
Messrs. Rudd & Carleton, of New York; have
published the second series of Di. Cumming's
discourses, entitled—Tfl GREAT PREP& RATION.
For our own part, we believe that - the tendency of
these discourses is salutary. If, without being
carried away by fear and excitement, men would,
indeed, live as if the consummation of all - things
were at hand, what manner of persons would they
be likely to be in all Icily conversation and godli
ness? What a' wholesome effect would it 'hive
upon our politicians, if they realized that God
might have no special reason for waiting the con
summation of their schemes—that the second
coming of Christ:might actually take place in the
very middle of their plans for adjusting our dis
turbances I Such a practical prophetic sense.ought
to be cultivated, and we believe Dr. Cumming, in
these discourses, is contributing to form it. His
general drift is gOod and sound, his errors and ex
travagances but exceptional. 16mo. pp. 3231
For sale by Lindsay & Blakiston.
Messrs. Martienilave sent us Professorlienry
B. Smith's Edition of HAGENBACD'S celebrated
21 ,
Ihnouv oF, DogmaMM. The character of tit, !
work; as , the product ',of profound scholarship. p er _
vaded in the main with sound.and elevated view:
as candid in its statein exits, condensed in Styl e,
and well-fortified with pertinent citations from rt
wide range of authorities, ls.well known. h.q .
Smith's, services in .the,,..rovision of the
are Very-great. It is baed upon the fourth Ge r _
man edition of the workovliieliappeared in 18 57,
and iamprises• all the author's improvements 1.,
that time, together with citations from other au_
Won, and.references to the more recent Ger man.
as well as English and American, literature. We
cordially concur with Prof. Smith when he sa l , :
"Without study of the history of doctrine, 'neith er
the history of .the Church, nor the history of phi.
losophy, nor tha-present phases and confli c t s of
religious belief, can be thoroughlyappreciated. in
the fluctuations of human opinion, the history
doctripee, shows the immutability and progres:, of
divine truth." This first volume, reaching to A.l),
1517, is' published by Sheldein & Co., and is a
handsome royal octavo of 478. pages.
__TEM HISTORY OP. THE I.TNITEEI. NETRERLANDs
can scarcely fail to add new laurels to the fame ni
the atithor, Mr. Motley. In the two octavos now
before us, issued by Messrs. Harper & Brothers,
the great Spanish project for subjugating England,
and . recognising the Netherlands, as matured, at
tempted, - ind defeated (1584-90,) is fully exhi
,bited. by the masterly pen of the historian. The
. greatness and significance of the era justify and de
mand thisfalness of tteatment. Mr. Motley is no
cold observer, but a man who unhesitatingly
'espouses the right,as that which alone gives value
to human affairs, and real interest to the great
oonflictsiof bietory.. Ile call things by their right
names. He seeks to "reveal as minutely as pos
sible the details of this conspiracy of king and
_priest against the people." By this plan he not
only deeply interests us,—he stirs our best feelings
- frOna their depths; he makes history do its proper
work, of instructing•improving and ennobling the
reader. What Dr. Arnold, of Rugby, was begin
ning` to achieve as a °Milian historian of ancient
classic eras; Mr. Motley is doing for modern times.
The work before us is peculiarly valuable as
drawn from-a wide ranae of authentic and original
documents. ~Mr. ,'Motley speaks especially of he
ing allowed , the free perusal of the whole corre
spondence between 'Philip 11, his ministers and
governors, relating to the affairs of the Nether
lands, from the epoch at which the work corn
menees,,dowri to that monarch's death. We are
gratified to learn that he contemplates writing the
HiStOry °Me Thirty Years' ,War, an undertaking
which we are quite sure will, in many respects,
jeopardize the reputation of the distinguished Ger
loin 'chroniclerenlist event. Fol. sale by Messrs.
Lindsay - and Blakiston.
'We lave' also received; from Meisrs. Harpers,
another of their beautiful and excellent series of
anututases., 's—Boon.s. The - series now
embraces Children's Picture Book of Qua
drupedO;: Book of Birds; Table Boot; and Bi
ble, Picture Book. The illustrations are all full
page size, and occur on every tithe"i Jed, and are
in excellent style. The letterpress ig
sensible; and adapted to young readere, with whom
the books will surely be great favorites. We cor
dially commend them to parents. For sale by
Lindsay & Blakiston..
i~' :~ : 11~ ~ e : Ads!'
Mr. F. A. CASSEDY, of Camden, N. J., has
published the Gentleman's Chronological and Sta
tistical Almanac and Manual for 1861. It con
tains a great amount of valuable information, care
fully arranged; such is Chronology for each Month ;
Table of Vabiable Inventions; Statistics of Church
AccommodationS; Patent Office Fees; Signers of
the Declaration; Qualification of Voters in the
Different States; Surviving Women of the Revo
lotion in Mardi; 1859; tatistics of American
joirinalism,,&c. Turning to the day of the month
in which we :are writing, February 14th, we find
Capt. Cook killed 1779, Lord Teignniouth died
1734 Sir Wm. Blackstone died 1780. Mr. Cas
.
sedy is a worthy young
,man, and. we hope his li
terary venture may be successful. Copies for sale
at this office.
The . KNIOKEILI3OCKER for March. This valu
able monthly thus far admirably sustains the
promise-of 'the January number., The contents
for - Mareh are' teMptinglo readers of almost every
variety, of taste :—Our Copper . California; French
Colonies in North Ameriea; Lord Bacon, by Judge
Edmonds; Revelations of Wall Street, by Kim
ball; A Navin"Theory of Bohemians, by Charles
Astor Misted; with choice Poetry (not quite up to
the Knickerbocker standard;) Literary Notices;
Editorial Gessip,_ itc".
The, WESTMINSTER REVIEW. No. CXLVIT.
Pei JanUarY, 1861. Contents :—Ancient Danish
Ballads; Alcohol,—What Becomes of it in the
Living , Bddy; Canada;
Bible Infallibility; The
Neapolitan.ancl RomishQuestion; American Sla
very and the
,Impending Crisis; Cavour and Ca
rilialdi "Dante 'and his English Translators• ' Con
temporary Literature. New York: L. Scott Sc Co.
Philadelphia W. B: Zieber.
Raes trovitNAL HEALTE for February,
opens with au article on Longevity Attainable, and
contains a number of" brief articles on subjects of
everyday importance, handled in the author's
usual tlirect and practical style. W. W. Hall,
M. D l iEdittir 42 Irving Place, New York. $1
per annutn.
UNITED PRESBYTERIAN, QUARTERLY REVIEW,
edited by David R. Kerr, associated with Drs.
Pressly, Rodgers,;slid Clark. Jan., 1861. Pitts
burgh,-76 Third Street. Contents:—Philosophi
cal Theology; Forbearance• The Ruling Elder;
Tractarianism traced to . its gources; The Theology
of Art; Settlement of the Reformed Churches iu
Western Pennsylvania; Individual Effort; The
Second Assembly; Short Notices. Price $3 per
=num.
THE EVANGELICAL R EPOSITOHY for February.
This is the monthly journal of the United Presby
terian, Church, which is certainly well supplied with
sound literature, the Quarterly above named being,
also an organ of this Church. The Repository Is
in its 19th year, and is edited. by Messrs. J. T.
Cooper and W. W. Barr, a* published by W. S.
Young, Philadelphia. Theffretrticle in the pre
sent nurssber is from the pen oft. P. Warren, Se
cretary of the Boston Tract Society ; who 6;16 it
necessary to assert and defend the anti-slavery
character of the society against certain doubts and
queetionino of the Repository!
vASSELL I S POPITLAII NATURAL HISTORY has
reached-the 22d part, whieh: treats`, in its usual
attractive manner, of sheep'
CA.SatLL'S IuirSIMA nFaa LYBIDLE. Parts
23 and 24 extend ' to, Job'x..T.:.iviij. Both of these
finely-illustrated ; instructive;'and valuable works
can be‘ had st fifteen cents a number, of Cassell k
Co., 37• Park Itow,.New York.
We . are indebted to - Hon. John A. Small for a
copy of the "Report of the Superintendent or
Common Schools of Pennsylvania, for the Year
endingjune 4th, 1860." Totals given are : .Num
ber of schools, 11,557; of teachers, 13,003 ; scho
/ars; 585 ) 669 ; average cost of teaching each scho
lar per month . 56 cents; expenses of the year
about $2,100,600.
TRANKs.--We 'are indebted to Mr. John S.
RaileY for numerous courtesies in connexion with
his lectures upon the management , and the nature
of that noble animal, the horse. Our friends may
rely upon it that a great amount of valuable infor
mation will be gained by attending his novel and
extraordinary exhibitions of the triumphs of skill
and gentleness over brute vices and brute force.
Ma Jo= B. Gorrorr's lectures at the Academy
of Music; on 4 qondon," are desply interesting,
amusing,' and Pathetic; in sbort, - everything that
such a genius as Gough's could make of such a
subjeet.
TE SilsazonacArr is again on:exhibition, at
Tenth and Chestnut streets, every evening.