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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