fmhgietian ABD | §>mun #Mn§elirf* THURSDAY. SKPTHMUEIt SO, 1801. JOHN W. .HEARS, EDITOR We are Now sending oat bills enclosed in the papers of our subscribers, and shall continue to do so until all are made acquainted with the state of their accounts. We earnestly request a prompt attention to these bills. New Subscribers from the city, are coming in, in encouraging numbers. One pastor has handed us thirteen new names within a week, and is aiming at fifty, or even more with good prospeet of success. Will not others engage In the work with the same earnestness? TO-DAY. It is meet that the nation shonld fast. The greatest of all calamities that can befall a nation has come upon us. Treason in all places, high and low, has been allowed to run on unchecked, until it became bold, united, armed, and boast* ful j civil war is upon us, and our border in Mis souri, in Maryland, and in Virginia, is red with fraternal Wood poured from' a myriad wounds. Our constitutional existence, the hallowed memo ries of our history, onr position as a ruling power among the nations, and indeed the security and progress of free principles and of a Scriptural po licy in the world are imperilled. Such an up rising against law and social order, at once so causeless and so vast, and involving in it so many deluded good men, has, we believe, never before been put upon record. The very incredulity of the government and the people as to the possible development of the conspiracy to such gigantic proportions, gave the coveted opportunity to nur ture and consolidate it to such vast strength, that its suppression by the whole power of this great nation, has become almost doubtful. Humiliation and defeat, on a great scale, as well as victory, have met us in our conflict. And even if we had met with uniform success, the fact that such a rebellion exists, would be ample cause for the ob servance of a day of National Fasting and Prayer. That in this age, and among us, should arise such a storm of anarchical opposition against the freest of human governments in its regular con stitutional operation) that there should be no better pretext for it than the probable future re striction of the growth of the system of American slavery; that there has not been found among us, the wisdom, the’ability, the energy, the self-sacri fioe necessary to put it downipromptly and for ever; that such a sadly blotted page will have to go into history from the American chronicles of '6O and '6l, is abundant matter, if ever matter can be given, for a national fast We can scarcely overrate the solemnity of the occasion. Never did nation need more to get very near to the face of Deity in the way of humiliation and repentance, than we do, at this marked and extraordinary epoch. Never was He nearer to any, in the way of judgment. We see his signs. We are close to the great loom of his providence, and can detect the patterns of history in their very formation. The air is thick with those changes which be token a great onward movement of the kingdom of Christ, in the overthrow of its enemies, and the removal of that which now lettelh out of the way, which the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth and shall destroy with the brightness of hit coming. We therefore sincerely hope that the people are observing the day in good earnest.; Called upon by Congress, by the President, by the Go vernor of the State, and the authorities of our city, and of our church, and still more by tho pro vidence of God, it is to be devoutly hoped that this nation is making a demonstration of loyalty to God, like that, in unanimity and in fervor, which it has made to the country. We have poured forth our soldiers by hundreds of thousands; we are subscribing to the national loan as fast as the government needs to Bpend the money; we are ob literating party lines in one universal demonstra tion of patriotism; bat above all, let us bow, this day, as one people in awful stillness and cessation from work or pleasure before the Lord of Hosts, reoognlsing his authority, acknowledging his jus tice in our affliction, confessing and forsaking our sins, and casting our cause upon him as our sole strength and reliance. It will be sesn by a notice in another column extracted from tbe Bulletin, that the Christian of America will have the sympathy and co-opera tion of their brethren In France and Switzerland, on this solemn oocasion. This is a most touching and encouraging expression of' Christian regard, and will be most gratefully received. It cannot but strengthen ns in the earnestness and importu nity of our approaches to the throne of grace. We venture to anticipate great blessings for our country in this appointment. May it not be a turning point in our history from tho practi cal neglect of God which has characterized us as a nation, to a devout and sincere recognition of the principles of the Gospelin all our public affairs f Let us pray in faith, that it may be even so. SPIRITUAL DECAY. The individual Christian and the individual church may suffer declension, even when the great general movement of the kingdom of Christ Is clearly onward. Nay, the true Christian, who on the whole is making real progress, may suffer occasional’sad relapses, and even remain for long periods in a cold and profitless condition. It is to be feared there are few Christians, who have not considerable experience in this matter of spi ritual deoay. There are few who have not had just ground of complaint against themselves at some time, nay perhaps often and often, on this score. They have found their hearts growing cold; the warmth of their first love dying out; their interest in prayer, their spiritual appetite, and relish for the word diminishing; their active efforts for the conversion of souls, and their self denying zeal and liberality for the cause of Christ ceasing; or, the decay has stolen upon them so si lently, and has eaten so deeply into their sensibi lities, that they are .unconscious of its existence and unalarmed. It has taken the perilous form of spiritual slumber. They have a name to live, hut they are deadl They count on the rolls of onr churches, hut at the muster for active duty they are not to be found, Perhaps, like the church of Laodieea, they delude themselves with a sense of security; nay, even think themselves spiritually rich and increased in goods, while they arc wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked. “ Hence it is,” says Owen, “ that we have so little success for the most part, in calling persons to look after a removal and recovery of their decays; they acknowledge no such thing in themselves,—such calls may belong unto others; yea, if any word seems to come near them unto their disquietment, they are apt to think it was spoken out of spite and ill will toward them: they approve of themselves in their present con dition.” The peril to our own souls, and the injury to the cause of Christ, arising from the state of de clension, should set us most earnestly to work in escaping from it. That it is perilous, no reader of the New Testament can, for a moment, doubt. The churches of Sardis and Laodicea were in dan ger of utter rejection for their continued coldness. And the entire Book of the Hebrews may be viewed as a fearful warning to those who suffer themselves to be drawn away from the life of faith into the observance of mere forms, either by the delusion of false doctrine, or the fears of per secution. The backslider is represented as near the verge of irrecoverable apostacy. Jf any man draw bade , my soul shall have no pleasure in him. Does any one ask, whether the true Christian is hereby to be understood, as ever really in danger of apostacy? We answer, the epistle is designedly so worded, as to be in the highest degree alarming to those, who, instead of going on to perfection, need to lay again and again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and who forsake the assembling of them selves together, and give evidence in general of a declining state of piety. And he who, for a sin gle moment, would seek to excuse or shelter himself in a season of declension, behind the doctrine of the saint’s perseverance, may well question whe ther he is a saint at all. That precious doctrine is not meant as a premium to idleness, but as a comfort to the tried and the tempted in their ac tive struggle with the evil principle within. And after all, the great peril of this state of decay con sists in the possible condition of unchanged alien ation from God, which may be behind it. Is it a decay of spirituality, or a revelation of its utter absence from the deceived soul ? In such a state, may we not justly doubt whether we are, or ever were, Christians at all, save in name ? How can we ever know, or satisfy ourselves, in such a state, that we are Christians? Hence, in any light we choose to consider it, the state of spiritual declen sion is one full of the most threatening omens and possibilities. Warnings and threateniugs against it abound in the Scriptures; and the deep lamen tations of the pious, when roused to a sense of it, are frequently found in the sacred page. The injury which the cause of Christ suffers from spiritual decay is great. It. far surpasses any inju ry inflicted on it by the world and the devil, in per secution, in armed opposition, and in infidel scorn and conspiracy. The Christian church flourished and grew under the persecuting emperors of Borne; but when Christianity was finally accepted as the religion of the state, the decay of spirituality which followed, crippled its usefulness, and pre pared the way for the construction of that grand scheme of formalism and hierarchy, which has been successfully palmed upon millions of the race, as the true church, to the destruction of many souls. Behold the decayed churches of Asia Minor, and of the East; the spiritless ritual of the Greek church; the cold and still semi-ra tionalist State church of Germany 1 Look at the barren site of the denounced churches of the Be velation! See, how painfully modern missions must again go over the ground trodden by the feet of the Bedeemer and his apostles—the scene of the earliest triumphs of our religion 1 ffqw it must set. up its standard anew in Syrian Antioch, where the disciples were first called Christians; see how a decayed spirituality in the greatest state church in orthodox Christendom has invited an unwonted development of formalism, and ritual ism on the one hand, and a most presumptuous attack upon the essential doctrines and founda tions of Christianity on the other, and stands im potent to clear itself of either. And what other cause is there of the slow, century-progress of Christianity in the world, when its very spirit is heaven-like, Intensely progressive and expansive, save that the ministry and the rank and file of the people are so prone to fall into a state of spirit ual decay, and so content to live and walk there in? . Oh! brethren, were we but up and doing,— were we but witnessing and cross-bearing for the Master’s cause, —were we but humbling ourselves for onr sins, and stirring np ourselves to take hold upon God in prayer, —were we but making reli gion our business, instead of postponing it at every worldly demand, —were we, and all Christian peo ple, alive unto God, what work that the church could be called upon to do, would be too hard for her? How long would it be before the hands of her enterprises that hang down would be lifted up, and the feeble knees strengthened, and a straight path made for her feet to the conquest of every part of the world? SYNODICAL ACTION ON FOREIGN MIS SIONS. At the instance of the indefatigable Secretary of the American Board for this district, Rev. John M'Leod, several of the Western Synods, last fall, took action looking to, the more direct and active connexion of those bodies with the work of foreign missions, as carried oh through the agency of the American Board. The Synod of Indiana adopted the following: Resolved, That a Committee of four, one from each Presbytery, be annually appointed to super intend and have special, care of the cause of Fo reign Missiohs in this Synod, and to report to the same annually on this subject, presenting all such information and matter of interest as in their judgment will stimulate and develop the spirit of missions, giving the number of men we have em ployed in this work, and corresponding with them, the success of the cause in which we co-operate with others, and report fully all collections, and all delinquencies, throughout each Presbytery. The Synod of Wabash followed, with resolutions of like import, as follows: Resolved, 1. That a Committee of four, one from each Presbytery, be annually appointed to superin tend and have special charge over the cause of Fo reign Missions in this Synod, and to report to the Synod, annually on this subject all such informa tion as is adapted to stimulate the missionary spirit. 2. That it be the .duty of the members of this Committee to have the care of this great in terest in their respective Presbyteries, espe cially to secure, if possible, the taking ,of col lections in every church, and to report fully the collections and delinquencies throughout each Presbytery. , The Synod of Cincinnati adopted resolutions similar to these of the Synod of Wabash. In an article addressed to the Christian Herald shortly after, the Secretary expresses his satisfac tion in this action of the Synods as follows. We commend it to the consideration of Synods now about to convene, in this part of the field. Now we confess to afeeling of much satisfaction in this Synodical action respecting this great cause, and for several reasons, which we will briefly • state. I. It will give a new element of interest to our Presbytenal and Synodical meetings. While in these meetings there is necessarily more or less of JlmnirM ■ and #*«*s** <s»a«plisit. the diy detail of the forms of order in the working of our system, there is need, as far as possible, o the introduction of those great enterprises ot the church, which take hold of the heart, an a vitally allied with the progress of the kingdom or Christ. - 11. Again, such attention on the part ot our Presbyteries and Synods, to the great causes ot the church, is the true method of keeping up ana increasing their efficiency. Let the subject ot Foreign Missions come up in each Presbytery ana Synod once a year—let an hour be given to, the hearing of a brief report, and a manuscript letter from belonging to .the body—let the remainder of the hour be given to a free conver sation on the general subject, as to the best method of keeping alive missionary interest, the conduct ing of the monthly concert, the raising of funds, &c and who does not see thai every minister and elder present will return to his church with new zeal for the cause? So let an hour in like man ner be given to Horae Missions, to the Publica tion Committee, to Education for the Ministry, and these great enterprises will all feel the quick- This action contemplates the healthful development of our Presbyterian system. One grand object of our union in Presbyteries and Synods is, that we may engage in common ef forts for the advancement of religion. _ The great enterprises of the church have a claim to the constant attention of these bodies. Much that has been done by agents and secre taries in promoting and superintending the mis sionary and other general causes of the church properly belongs to our Presbyteries and Synods, and should be regarded as their, legitimate work. According to the above resolutions each member of the Synodical Committee becomes properly tbe agent of the cause of Foreign Missions in his own Presbytery. Thus we have the healthful' working of our systemand the economizing of expenses for our societies. IY. This action will, we trust, secure what we have long felt—the need of direct correspondence with our missionaries. That there may be a lively missionary interest at home, the church must feel itself thoroughly identified with the brethren abroad. The work *s one, whether we support it by our prayers and contributions at home or go as messengers of the churches to labor in heathen lands. We must feel this. And nothing more aids in cherishing this common interest than let ters from brethren abroad, and especially brethren who have gone from amongst us, and also are members of our ecclesiastical bodies. Almost every Synod, and a large number of our Presby teries, have on their minutes men in the foreign field. Now, what we need are letters from, these brethren addressed annually to the bodies with which they are connected. The Missionary He rald can contain but a small part of the correspon dence of so large a number of laborers, and even if it could publish all, the advantage of a fresh manuscript letter coming each year.to the Pres bytery and Synod from one of its own members, can be appreciated at opee. Our missionary brethren may thus be our most efficient agents in keeping up the missionary spirit and securing the needed funds. And while wo would urge our brethren abroad' to let us hear from them, we would have our Synodical and Presbyteria] com mittees reciprocate in this matter, by communi cating annually to them our Sympathy and interest in their work. Y. If this action of our Synods is properly carried out, we shall Becure tbe co-operation of each church in the Presbytery, no matter how small or feeble. Let the subject of Foreign Mis sions be annually presented to every church by the pastor, or, in his absence, by an eider, and let the contribution be taken up if it amount to no more than a very few dollars from the entire body. This would be a recognition of the obligation. No church, however few in numbers, can afford to be out of sympathy in this work which Christ has committed to all his people. We need the prayers of Christians in the small churches, but they cannot ..pray .unless ..they, give B'a need men from these small churches for missionaries, (and some of the smallest churches in the land have contributed some of the most efficient men now in the foreign field,) but we cannot expect this unlesk the missionary spirit is kept up. These Christians in our feeble churches as much need tbe expansive influence of this work on their hearts as those in our larger churches. And then, too, the sum of tbe contributions of many small churches greatly helps the treasury of the Board.—The many little contributions of the children built and fitted out the “ Morning Star/' Let us, then, as a Christian denomination, begin this second half century of our history with fresh zeal and consecration to the work. Let us en deavor to place in the hands of the Board whieh we have chosen as our representatives to conduct this work, and who have so faithfully discharged the sacred trust committed to them, larger re sources both of men and means, and let our united prayer continually ascend, “ that God’s way may be known in the earth, his saving health to all nations.” THE NEW. “TERTIUM QUID.” The Presbyterian Herald in Louisville,Kjv, is evidently much exercised at tbe indications of union among Presbyterians in the North, now hap pily-so prevalent. In a late issue it says-: “ The attempt at such a union, if it is ever made in earnest, will, in all probability, result in a tertium quid, which will be ‘‘neither fish, flesh, nor fowl, nor good red herring.” There will be three and it may be four churches instead of two as now. This, however, is a day of revolutions, and no man can predict with certainty what is to come out of them.” Whether the tertium quid is to be composed of any churches beyond the Sacred limits of the soil of Kentucky—a.state likely to become famous for her persistent attempts to maintain a position of a third and disinterested party in the dire struggle for national existence now going on,—is a question of interest. From the far South, we can gain no information. But close by our side, a favourable utterance is heard in the columns of our contem porary, the Presbyterian. It quotes the action of the Presbytery. of Louisville, given in our last particularly the last resolution as follows: “The Presbytery, believing that the kingdom of Christ is not to be limited by civil bounds, will cordially unite with .all true.and conservative men in our beloved Church, North or South, in de fending and preserving the purity, unity, and pros perity of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America.” The Presbyterian adds: To thislast resolution we most heartily subscribe, and sincerely hope that all the people will say Amen. CONSOLIDATION OF NEWSPAPERS. The Presbyterian Recorder, the very promising organ of our Chicago brethren, which, but for the opening of its career in the most unpropitious times, would doubtless have loDg and worthily represented the wants and views of the church in the great north west, has united with the Chris tian Herald, the organ of our church in Cincinna ti. The Herald and Recorder is under the uni ted editorial control of the two brethren, who formerly occupied the position separately: Rev. Clement E. Babb, at Cincinnati,.and Rev. Yates Hickey, at Chicago. In this union, doubtless, are the elements of a prosperous, influential, and able denominational journal, in whose manage ment the interests of Christ’s cause, and of our church will be faithfully and efficiently represent ed. It has our best wishes for success. SYNOD OF GENESEE. We have received full Teports of the proceed ings of the Synod of Genesee, which shall have a place iu our next. They reached us -at too iate a date for insertion in the present number. THE NEW YORK OBSERVER ON THE national; crisis. “Honour to whom honour !" We are rejoiced to find that the “ Conservative” religious paper pf the land par excellence, is (coming ,up to the po sition whieh we, for months past, have felt it our duty to take on the subject of the present re bellion,/ In a circular w lich has been recently issued from’tbe “Observer’ office, the proprietors thus announce the princip’ss which will hereafter mark the conduct of their journal. “Believing secession’ tojbe rebellion, and when attempted as in this case without adequate reasons, to be the highest crime, Trip ,hold, That the war was forced upon us by the un justifiable rebellion of the seceding States. That the Government-at the ordinance of God; must put down rebellion apd upbold the Constitu tion in its integrity, That every citizen is be vernmeht under which h to re-establish its authoril try. . That the Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the)Government as well aB of the people; that the war should be prosecuted solely to uphold the Constitution, and in strict subordination to its provisions; and the war should be arrested, and peace concluded, just so soon as the people now in'revolt, trill laydown their arms, and submit to the Constitution and laws of the land.. * , . With these views' we/ endeavor to inculcate those sentiments of brotherly love and Christian principle, which ought r,to, govern nations and in dividuals, in wares wejl .as in peace, earnestly desiring a speedy deliverance from the present de plorable calamities, arid * return to the days of union and brotherhood, w ien we were one people. If the doctrine of secession is tolerated, all govern ment, national, state, and nunicipal, is destroyed; and submission to law ,j left to the caprice of every community and individual.” This extract we submit |to those of. our friends who have been disposed to question the conserva tism of our course. , For more than this we have never contended; less than this we will never ac cept. So we shall shake hands with our vene rable “Conservative” contemporary. We will work together iu the truly religious labour of seeking to restore to our country righteousness, peace, brotherly love, Union. j CHAPLAIN NEILL OE THE “FIRST .. MINNESOTA.” We clip the following letter from a recent issue of the St Paul’s Press. . It is from the pen of a Mr. Craffut, who was in the midst of the scenes which he describes. It gives snre to present an additional testimony to the faithfulness of this man of God to the arduous duties of his position in the army. Without in any instance over-stepping the proprieties of his sacred office, he has reflected the highest credit on bis profession by his energy, his in defatigable attention to the wants of his men, and his brave bearing in every scene of danger. Washington, August I4th, ISBI. There is one man who it seems to me has not been awarded the honor which he won in that terriijle battle, and that almost equally terrible retreat, I mean -our goo.d Chaplain Neill, I know the negligence has not troubled him, but the people of Minnesota have a right to know more of his services. According to the testi mony of all the men "who saw him —and it con firms my own observation—he was every where present where he- could render any assistance to the sick or prostrated, the ; wounded or dying. He went repeatedly to the hospitals from the rear of our regiment, an&Trom various parts of the field, wherever a striven soldier would ap peal for aid, and ’ there;%Omfort' the wounded, and soothe and administer to the dying. I saw him the last time that day at the door of Sudley’s Church Hospital—that reek ing tabernacle, whose bldofl-strewn picture I shall always so vividly remember. He was en tering, bearing one end of a freighted litter, while I was passing out at the request of the gallant Captain Acker, toOprpeure an ambulance for him. He was lying in a corner of the room, his eye as large as an egg, and beside him was a brave and yet bleeding member of the Irish 69th, whose leg had been shot away at the thigh. I managed to get an ambulance to the door, but before I eonld notify my charge with in, a squad of violent men had taken it for their own purposes. It was mainly through'the de termined efforts of Chaplain Neill, who eame out soon after, that an ambulance was finally procured and protected' for Captain A. and other wounded Minnesotians. I. met the Chap lain at one o’clock, at; night, again, at Centre ville. He looked like alfthe rest, in fact, care worn and foot-sore, and I invited him to get np behind me on the quadruped which I had found without sadddle or bridle! in an adjacent field, and, with the aid of a gfod friend in company “Dj” appropriated. Th s was not a “ secession horse,” as has been asserted, and as I then sup posed, but 1 at daylight T discovered “IT. S.” branded on his hips—arid, of course, returned him to the custody of his owner. With very little urging, the Chaplain put his foot in the hand of a friend, and leaped upon the back of onr patient Rosinante. Ele had not been seated two minutes when he be; an to grow uneasy of the privilege he was tak: eg above the privates, and accused himself of indulging in a luxury which was not general. I tried to convince him of the propriety of tn officer riding a horse if he could get one to rrie, and quoted the nu merous' examples aroutd. He confessed the relief and rest it gavri him, “but, ’’ said he, “these men are prostrated and disheartened; I must walk at their headland encourage them to keep up; if they bee mjs walking they will per severe.” He got off, and in five minutes a wounded soldier took hm place. His example suggested that I could talk some, too, so I rode enough to renew my = strength somewhat, arid the" captured horse performed a varied service for the rest of the night among the sick, weak, and wounded. ’ T . ' 1 It required more dourage and fortitude to “keep moving ” in' that' dreadful march, than to fight the battle of the day before. Daring much of the distance, Parson Neill walked beside am bulances, to defend them against being over whelmed by the rush of exhausted men, and frequently he had to resort to rough measures to protect the wounded occupants. All honor to him —chiefly because he asks for none of it, and will very likely repudiate it if he has a chance. He is the right man in the right place, and all the regiment respect and love him. WILLIAM R. MORRIS, ESQ We are pleased to see this gentleman in the city supplying some off bar vacant churches. He was formerly a lawyer at York, Pa,, and in this city, where he was elected a member of the Legislature. He narrowly escaped being elected to Congress, in Delaware, by the. state of parties. Becoming, as be trusts, a Chris tian, he was licensed this Spring by the Pres bytery of Wilmington, sad is dedicating his cul tivated and matured powers to the work of the ministry. We trust tbit he will be eminently useful. We have received from onr correspondent at Ftth Chau a copy of ,the supplement to the China Mail, Hongkong, June 20th, containing the journal of a missionary tour along the Bast River of Canton Province, undertaken in the month of May, by Rev. J. Lebge, D. D. It is deeply interesting in its political, geographical, and missionary aspects. We may refer to it again. ind to support the Go lives, in the struggle r over the whole coun- LETTERS FROM THE SEAT OF WAR IN THE WEST. > ■- iv. St. Louis, Missouri, September l~th, 186! The most wicked and abominable exhibition of secessionisni which has yet been seen in this State, and which shows itself to be “ from beneath,” has taken; place in Northern Missouri. . This part of the lan d has been supposed tobe superior in many respects to that south of the Missouri river. But whether it- is from the contrast with the free bor der states on its three sides, or whether malignant emissaries from the remote South have insti gated it, I know not; but the fact is that the most atrocious deeds have been committed there oflate. , The railroad burnings exceed anything of Se poy vengeance in enormity. Repeatedly shots have been fired from thickets through ears sup posed to contain troops, especially on the road from, Hannibal to St. ; Joseph; and- sometimes large numbers of these. The same has occurred on. the North Missouri Rail-Road, which leads from this city, and intersects the former at Hud son, mid-way across the State. To such length have matters gone, that tons of mail matter for California have accumulated at different points on the road from Hannibal to St. Joseph,—which is the “ Overland” and only “mail route” now to the West coast, and which it will require weeks to move forward to its destination. . ..., At the present moment large bodies of our troops are holding possession of these railroads, and the adjacent country, and preparing to drive the enemy from Northern Missouri, into a ad de sue —“into a bag” as those who were to the man ner horn, express it,—near Lexington, on the Missouri river. Here, 17,000 of. the enemy are at this time beleaguering a little hand of our men in that country-seat. But they in turn will soon find themselves beset by Lane on the West, Pope on the North, Hunter on the East, and a strong force from Rolla on the South'. A prospect of battle appears there now, which will probably end the campaign in Missouri. And it will not avail the enemy to run ; for he will only run into harm’s way. The principal events of the, past week have been the inauguration of Camp Benton, four miles to the north-west of the city, the military arrest of Prank Blair, and the attempt on the part of the government at Washington to mo dify and nullify General Fremont’s policy as to “ freeing the slaves of rebels,” which has well been called “the first effective blow aimed at the heart of the rebellion.” “ Camp Benton ” is well worth a visit, being the largest in America. Seeing the probable need of a vast force centring here, Gen. Fremont took early measures to provide for them com fortable quarters, and a school for practice. At the location ef these Barracks, was the only eligible spot for such a purpose in ail this neighborhood, which is elsewhere so broken into hill and jungle. The camp consists of long lines of rough board-honses —cheaper and better than tents— dining sheds, and epoking booths running paral lel, and extending into almost interminable vistas along the sides of the plain. Corn-fields have been cleared, and rolled level, fences re moved, and a grand campus martius has tbns been prepared for all sorts of military evolu tions, and drill of an army of 50,000 men. Wa fer has been brought in pipes, and a thorough system, of drainage and sewerage has been esta blished. All arms of the service are encamped here : infantry, cavalry, artillery, of which some six thousand were reviewed on the 17th inst,, at the raising of the national standard over the General’s Quarters., The arrest of Col Frank P. Blair is supposed to be of more interest to himself than any one else here or elsewhere. He has been a man of influence in this State, and was regarded as a good Union man. But he is considered too much of a partisan, and like all great men, is headstrong and selfish. But he “has waked np the wrong passenger,” in resisting the au thority, or trying to diminish the popularity and influence of Major General Fremont, whom the entire West almost idolize : i, e. the Free States and Union men everywhere. The proclamation declaring slaves of rebels free men, has worked np imbonnded enthusi asm. ! Even the secessionists felt that this was right. And they were beginning to trim their sails to the. breeze, when President Lincoln’s modification of the same appeared, and has restored all things in statu quo. This is a step in the wrong direction. The “only effective blow,” has been thus paralyzed—the arm of the infiictor of it has been stayed! Whether this has been because of jealousies in the Cabinet, or from fear of Gen. Fremont’s potent influence, in dictating a peace by speedily prosecuting the war to its consummation, I cannot undertake to say. It is a Bull Ran “ defeat ’’ here in the West to the cause of the Government; and all right-minded persons, of all former parties, ex claim against it. It is a common remark here that “they are at play in Washington, while we are in earnest.” * * For the American Presbyterian. LETTER FROM REV. DR. THOMPSON. Editor op the American Presbyterian.— Dear Sir: —The brief article in your columns last week, in relation to the rpport of i certain re markable interview, said to have taken place some time ago, in my study, between .General McClellan and me, contradict! ng a contradiction of it, and affirming that, in a sermon which I recently preached in Troy, I avowed myself to be the Dr. Thompson with whom that interview was had, and corroborated the report of it, is false. It is true that I preached not long since in Troy, but that I alluded on that occasion, directly or in directly to General McClellan is not true. Can you tell me from what source the news papers get their intelligence? This is a matter that puzzles me. I regret exceedingly that a newspaper notoriety should have been given to this subject. The facts in the case were'once mentioned by me in a meeting of some of our city pastors, where it is generally supposed that confidential communica tions may be made with safety. Three days later a very original version of them appeared in one of our daily journals, in the correspondence from Columbus, since which time it has freely circula ted over the country, with liberal additions and variations. I regret the publicity which has been given to this subject, mainly because I think it must be annoying to General McClellan j but also because I cannot help feeling that if I were fairly respon sible for it, I should be liable, most justly, to the censures which in certain quarters, I understand have been expressed. I have not hesitated since the publication has been made, as often as I have been questioned respecting it, to state the facts as they were. it is enough to say here, that nO false jm P T sidn has beeD made in regard to the religions c a racter of the General. r He lias made no form pro fession of his obedience to the gospel, but my conviction is that he regards himself, and is happy to he known by others, as a friend and follower o Jesus. The country is deeply interested at this time in knowing who the men are, and what kind of men they are, that have charge of its affairs. _ It is no small comfort to be assured that the indivi dual who now occupies in point 1 of fact, the high est position in our armies, is one who fears God, and does not count it avain thing to pray unto him. lam very respectfully yours, &c., M. L. P. Thompson. Cincinnati, Sep. 11th, 1861. [The extract from the Montreal Witness, on our fourth page, was in type before the reception of the above letter.] CITY RELIGIOUS ITEMS. Our churches have all resumed their regular services with the usual congregations. If we are not mistaken, there is an increased seriousness and readiness to hear, as might be' expected in men who realize that they are passing through a so lemn and unprecedented crisis in history,- and ■witnessing the judgments of God in our land. And we believe our pastors are responding to this Sentiment, instructing the people in the peculiar duties of the times, and drawing out their lessons in the light of the Word. There is also a mani fest increase of fraternal feeling among ns: a sen timent of union, and identity of interests, strong er even than has hitherto, prevailed among the brethren of our church in this city, which is acting already to practical advantage. In,some respects the pressure of the times is felt as a hinderanee to our enterprises, but we are happy to say that the North Broad Street Church, while wisely deferring the purpose to build, which was brought to maturity just as the storm of war over took us, is by no means disheartened or in any peril of abandonment. The congregation is rally ing around the pastor in as goodly numbers as ever; and'the commodious Commissioners’, Ifcll, Thir teenth and Spring Garden Sts., has been fitted up with pews, in the expectation that it will be occupied by the people, until a more favorable moment for building appears. They still hold the lot, corner of Broad and Green streets. Rev. Mr. Adams, the pastor, has recently returned from a visit to his relatives in New England. The energetic Secretary of the American Board, Rev. John McLeod, has made arrangements to relieve the Board of a large part of his salary, and has located himself on the Pennsylvania Rail Road, within a couple of hours’ distance of the city, where he still has his office. He is very usefully and successfully engaged in getting up a church in the vicinity of his new residence. Al though he has been on the ground only a few weeks, he has already gathered a large and inte resting congregation j a lot for a church edifice has been presented to them; nearly the entire amount necessary, contributed or subscribed, and the plans drawn for a very neat stone building, which, as seen from the railroad, will be an orna ment to the vieinity. This is truly building the walls in troublous times. The first church, Rev. Mr. Barnes, was opened as usual on the first Sabbath in the month. The excellent pastor has divided his vacation between the surf at Atlantic City, and his suburban resi dence in West Philadelphia. His grounds, in the latter place, afford him opportunity for a kind oft bodily exercise, which the apostle (who labored with his own hands) did not mean to include among such as he declared profit little. Certain ly, it seems largely profitable to the health of the pastor of the First Church. In his regular course of sermons on theology, he has reached “ the Sa craments,” and is now discussing that important subject with the acumen, the clearness, and the instructiveness which characterize his doctrinal efforts in the pulpit. The course of Mr. Barnes in his pulpit efforts, though systematic, is not un yielding. When any topic oat of the line of his regular course seems specially deserving of notice, or has for any reason awakened a sufficient degree of interest in his mind, he lays aside the regular topic, until that is disposed of, and thus breaks in upon a series which might prove monotonous ; nevertheless he comes back to the grand themes of theology, as the staple of his preaching. It was Wordsworth, the poet, who systematized all his efforts, and sought to make his whole life a unit. Each particular effusion of his pen, having, to his mind, a place in the great whole, and going inform the entire structure of his poetical existence—just as each nave, pillar and ornament in a cathedral, be longs to a system, and goes to complete a grand and beautiful structure. Something of this might well characterize and give an elevated aim to the other wise fragmentary work of the preacher. Mr. Barnes is announced as a member of the sanitary commission recently appointed by the government for this city. About fifteen of the young men in Pine St. Church and congregation have enlisted for three years. ' It is known, we believe, that the pastor’s son, a youth of high promise—a graduate of Yale College, holds the office of surgeon in the volun teer army, having passed a most creditable exami nation for the post in Washington. We are glad that the patriotic repute of the famous old chureh’is • thus likely to be kept green, for generations to come. Two of the volunteers just referred to, are twins] they are in Harlan’s cavalry: one a captain, and the other a second lieutenant, in company E. On the eve of their departure, the mother presented each of the ninety odd, men in the company, with a toilet article, manufactured by her daughter’s own hands. The company gave her three cheers, and she: deserved them! Another young man, the Only son of- bis mother—and she a widow, — was made First Lieutenant of a cavalry company against his will, he preferring a lower position as more suited to his abilities. Lei ns' not forget to follow these brave and modest soldiers of the re public, and of old Pine street, with our prayers. God give them grace to play the man, and shield them from rebel weapons! Dr. Brainerd’s members are also largely con cerned in the Volunteer Refreshment Saloon, which is a truly Philadelphia institution, apd has done our soldiers as much good as a victory, Rev. Dr. Darling is now residing in German town, and is able to take exercise in light garden work. We are glad to hear that there are indica tions of improvement in his case. Rev. E. D. Newberry has resigned his as pastor of Olivet Church. Mr. Newberry, after a tour among his friends in New Y6rk and elsewhere, has again returned to the city. The S. W. Church, Rev. James McCaskie’s is, made up largely of a people whose resources are much affected in these times, but who, with their excellent pastor, are doing I their best to carry on their enterprise in the face of present difficulties. We hope and believe they will have a continuance of sympathy and aid from the brethren in the other churches. All the pews in the Kensington Church, (Rev. W. T. Eva,) have for some time been rented, and a large number of applications are standing. EDITOR’S TABLE. The headings to the various sections of Crom well’s Bible, lately re-published by the Tract Society in New York, when connected together are a sermon in themselves. Look at them: “ A soldier must not do wickedly] must be valiant for God’s cause] must not rely on his own wisdom, his own strength or any provision for war j must put his confidence in God’s wisdom and strength; must pray before he goes to fight] must consider and believe God’s gracious promises] must not fear his enemies; must love his enemies as they are his enemies, and hate them as they are God’s enemies; must cry unto God in his heart in the very instant of battle; must consider that some times God’s people have the worst in battles, as well as God’s enemies; that though God’s people have the worst, yet it cometh of the Lord; for the iniquities of God’s people, they are sometimes de livered into the hands of their enemies; therefore, both soldiers and all God’s people upon such oc casions, must search out their sins, especial! v whether we have not put too little confidence in the arm of the Lord, and too much in the arm of flesh, and that to prevent this sin, and for the com mitting this sin, the Lord hath many times given the victory to a few. And let soldiers, and all of us know that the very nick of time that God hath promised us help, is when we see no help in man; wherefore if our forces be weakened, and the enemy strengthened, then let soldiers and all of us know that we now have a promise of God’s help which we had -not when we were stronger; and therefore let ns pray more confidently. And let soldiers and all of us know that if we obtain any victory over our enemies, it is our duty to give all the glory, to God. ” Each one on this very rich list of themes, is aptly illustrated and enforced by numerous pas sages of Scrlptnre, showing what a treasure house of consolation and instruction the soldier may find in the word of God. Harper’s Weekly is publishing valuable maps of various parts of the country and localities now passing Into history as the scenes of strategy and conflict for our glorious Union. The portrait of Gen. McClellan in the number for last week, is a great achievement. The editorials are vigo rous, and in the very fore front of public senti ment. Our readers who desire fancy union envelopes, can always find an abundant supply, in great va riety and cheap, at Magee’s, 316 Chestnut St. Littell’s Living Age comprises the cream and essence of the best foreign periodical litera ture, and keeps an eye upon the utterances of leading foreign journals upon the great questions now agitating the political world in both hemi spheres. Its issues being weekly, every topic is fresh. The work of selection is carefully done, and the result is a reliable representation of cur rent foreign literature. We cordially recommend it to our readers. No. 904, September 28tb, Con tains the fine article of the Quarterly Review, on “The English Translators of Virgil,” with other ehoiee selections from Aft the Year Round, Chambers’ Journal, Saturday Review, Spectator, and London Review. Poetry and short articles make a desirable variety. Mrs. Southworth’s fertile pen has prodneed a new work of fiction entitled The Gipsey’s Prophecy. It was written In England, where the authoress is now residing for the health of her only daughter. It Is drawn from scenes in actual life, and describes them as observed by the writer herself. Published by Messrs. T. B. Peterson & Bro., 306 Chestnut St. The Atlantic Monthly and the Knicker bocker, for October, are on onr table. We crave our readers’ patience in deferring a fuller notice of them for the present. We have also received Dinsmore’s Railroad Guide for Oc tober—a complete and indispensable manual for every traveller. THE FAST DAY. PROCLAMATION OF GOT- CURTIN. Pennsylvania ss. A. G. Curtin, L. S. In the name, and by the authority of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Andrew G. Curtin, Governor of said Commonwealth, a pro clamation— Whereas, the President of the United States of America, has, by Proel ainatioh, appointed Thursday, 26th day of September current, as a day of public humiliation, prayer and fasting, to be observed by the people of the United States, with religious solemnities, and' the offer ing of fervent supplications to Almighty God, for the safety and welfare of these States, his bless ing on their arms, and a speedy restoration of peace.—- Now, therefore, I, Andrew G. Curtin, Gover nor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, do order that on the day named therein the public offices shall be closed, and I earnestly recom mend to the people to suspend on that day their ordinary avocations and to close their places of business and to humble themselves before the Almighty with earnest prayers that Be will favora bly with mercy look upon this people. Given under my hand and the great seal of the State, at Harrisburgh, this nineteenth day of September, in the year of out Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, (1861,) and of the Commonwealth the eighty-fifth. By order of the Governor, Eli Slieer, Secretary of the Commonwealth. JOINT ACTION OF THE PHILADELPHIA CITY COU>- OILS, SEPT. 19tH. Whereas, The President of the United State;, in accordance with the request of both houses of Congress, has appointed the last Thursday of this month, the 26th instant, as a day of public humi liation, prayer and fasting, for all the people of the nation to observe and keep, according to their se veral creeds and ’modes of worship; and with all religious solemnity; And Whereas, It is becoming that the authori ties of the City of Philadelphia should contribute their example and influence in strengthening this solemn injunction of the Executive of the nation upon the people; therefore : Resolved, by the Select and Common Councils of the City of Philadelphia, That the’usual meeting of Councils happening on the day so designated be dispensed with, that the several offices and esta blishments of labor of all the Departments of the City Corporation he kept closed on that occasion, (and that it be recommended to the entire body of onr community to abstain from opening their stores, offices, factories, and other places of em ployment; on that day, to the end that an entire suspension of business of every kind shall obtain, and thus afford all the opportunity and privilege of joining in the imploring of Almighty God that his severe and just’wrath and chastisement which now lower upon "us'may be removed, and that his gracioushlessings may again be showered upon this hitherto highly-favored but now sorrow-stricken land. THE AMERICAN FAST IN EUROPE. It will gratify all loyal Americans to receif® the intelligence conveyed in the following extract from a note to.-tbe editor of the “Bulletin” from a French gentleman of this city : “Our Christian brethren in France and Switzer land, after having read the beautiful and touching (to use their own language) proclamation of Pr®' dent Lincoln, appointing the last Thursday ot September as a day of fasting, humiliation and prayer, have decided to set apart the same day for the same object. “ It is proof of their deep sympathy in the great cause which the Northern people sustain. The proposition to observe the day was made in a l et " ter published in a French journal, written by Count Agenor de Gasparin, author of the excel lent book on the American crisis called, ‘On gr(”“ l Peuplc qui se relive’ and published in this conn try under the' title of ‘The Uprising of a G reaC People.’” , Several typographical errors slipped into hymn for the Fast Day, published in oar l aS *- Third .line, fourth verse, read “ wrath ” for “arm; fourth line, fifth verse, read “here” for “near. Sept 26
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