fiMfcgtMia#
—AMD—
GENESEE EVANGELIST,
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31,1861
JOHN W. HEARS,
With the present Number, we send out a
large number of bills to subscribers in Pennsyl
vania, and west and north of it, except in the
State of New York. We rely upon returns to
these bills for means to carry on our paper; and
as we are now doing a strictly cash business with
printers, paper-makers, &c., we wish to do the
same with our subscribers.
THE EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE.
We have already laid before our readers such
an abstract of the lengthened and varied pro
ceedings of the late meeting of this body in
Geneva, as our space would allow. But we fear
that in so doing, we very mueh come short of
doing justice to the occasion. Upon rising from
the perusal of the detailed account of the pro
ceedings, filling over twenty closely printed
pages of the News of the Churches, (and that an
abbreviated and confessedly imperfect account),
we feel that it was a convention worthy, so far as
anything human can be, of the kingdom of
Christ on earth in its present stage of progress.
Earnest, elevated, comprehensive minds engaged
in the discussion of the whole series of topics
now commanding the attention, or deserving the
regard of the Christian world. Protestant Ger
many, Italy, Switzerland, and France, were re
presented by some of the brightest of their
living luminaries, including sneh names as Cor
ner, Krummaeher, Tholuck, Herzog, Mazzarella,
Geymonat f Revel, D'Aubigne, Malan, Gaussen,
Fiseh, St. Hilaire, De Presaense, Grandpierre,
Monod; while Sir Culling Eardley, Rev. Wm.
Arthur, Baptist Noel, and Prof. Gibson worthily
represented the British Islands; M. Tan de
Velde, Holland; and Dr. Baird, perfectly at
home among Evangelical Christians of all na
tions Of Europe, was welcomed as the ambassador
of the churches of Christ in onr own land.
Rev Dr. Squler, too, of our own branch of the
Church, rendered good service in setting our
national difficulties in a proper light before tbe
convention.
Lot us imagine ourselves spending ten conse
cutive days in the society of these and other like
minds; meeting beneath the dome; that,'three
centuries ago, reverberated with the voice pf
the preacher Calvin, under the very shadow of
his pulpit; with just enough of opposition on
the part of the unevangelical In the community,
to vivify the thronging reminiscences of perse
cution in centuries past, which the place sug
gested; listen to essay after essay discussing the
great topios in which all Christendom is con
cerned, with breadth of view, with floods of
light poured forth, with rieh treasures of learn
ing, of experience, and of observation; think
that here, by no artificial bonds, but by a spon
taneous union, the oneness of Protestant Christ
endom is represented, its sympathies drawn toge
ther in one electric centre, its Ecumenical Coun
cil held, with hymns, and prayers, and praises,
in all civilized tongues; and we begin to gain
some idea of this great convocation. Call it not
a beautiful abstraction; it has lived lopg enough
and has proved itself tbe focal point of sufficient
sanctified intellect, and sufficient interest on tbe
part of crowned and uncrowned heads, and civi
lized communities, to claim a place among the
established agencies of the Evangelical Church;
the best and brightest exemplification of Pro
testant unity that the world can exhibit.
Amid all, however, we must confess disap
pointment at the small plaqe which the Great
Awakening of ’57, ’6B, seemed to occupy in the
discussions. Since the Convocation of's7, no
event in the bounds of Protestant Christendom
has been nearly so significant, or so hopeful.
Yet it was left for discussion to the afternoon of
the last day of the Session. This we regard as
a great error, as calculated to make a false im
pression as to the estimate placed by the Evan
gelical Church on the Revival, and will so far
have a harmful tendency. Had there been a
fuller representation from America, or the north
of Ireland, tbe case, we tbiuk, would have been
otherwise.
It is easy to see where the sympathies of all
Evangelical Christians are, in our own troubles.
The resolutions of sympathy passed by acclama
tion, by this great body, are with the brethren of
the “ United States of America;” they can see
but one cause of the war-^-slavery; which they
wish the Lord to prepare us wisely to suppress;
and they join cordially in our Fast of the 26th
ult. This is the handwriting on the wall for the
Southern Church of our country. Identified by
its own act with a political movement which re
cognizes slavery as the chief corner-stone, it be
holds the Council of the whole of Protestant
Christendom pronouncing a virtual ban of exclu
sion against it. That Council,| comprising the
very flower of God’s elect upon earth, calmly,
prayerfully, and with loud acclaim, calls for the
suppression of that institution, which they are
urging their people to maintain by all the coßts
and hazards'"of internecine war. can doubt
that in the decision of the Alliance is contained
the verdict which impartial history shall place
unalterably upon record ?'
OUR LEADER.
It is a delightful and encouraging thought
that Christ does not call the Christian to any
self-denial which he ‘has not shown himself
ready to endure or to exceed. Herein he proves
himself exactly suited to be our leader. The
holy war is like other wars. The soldiers can
best be brought to face danger when under the
lead of one whom they know to be quite ready
to share it with them. They execute orders
with less alacrity when the officer is suspected of
unwillingness to take a part, and to set the ex
ample in the work he requires of them. For
getfulness of. self and unreserved devotodness to
the osusHn the officers, infuses like noble senti
montt in the men. True leaders were those gal
lant men yjhose loss the- bereaved nation so bit
terly deplores,—Lyon and Baker. No prouder
epitaph can.be written of them, or of any offi
cer, than: They fell at the head of their column.
Mindless .of themselves, they were setting their
men the example in what they desired them to
do. So we .way say of Christ.
'“Our glorious Leader claims the praise
For ms own pattern given.”
He calls us to bear onr cross; but the com-
mand is: Come, follow me, in so doing. Come,
share with me a load of which I am bear
ing a principal part. Come lay hold of the end
of the cross, the weighty portion of which is on
my shoulders. I call you to a cross, but it is
one of whioh I know far more than you ever
shall. In this world you shall have tribulation,
but was there ever sorrow like unto ray sorrow ?
I lead you a rough and thorny road, but is it as
steep and painful as was my ascent to Calvary ?
Oh, the burdens, the pains, the mysterious ago
nies of that hour on the cross, when redemption
was consummated. Did tortured martyr ever
endure so great a pang? Need any Christian
complain, or grow weary, under the self-denials
of a service under Him, who resigned the su
preme glories of heaven, and became a man, for
his salvation ? Away with such unworthy
thoughts of our vocation. Let us follow our
leader who summons us onward, and goes before.
Let ns look unto Jesus, the author and finisher
of onr faith, who for the joy that was set before
him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and
is set down at the right hand of the throne of
God. For that sublime seat he toiled and suf
fered, that we might be encouraged in toil and
suffering for our reward. He became perfect, as
the Captain of our salvation, through suffering.
Onward then, fellow Christian, through perils
and trials, through the toils and ambush of the
enemy, in the track of our leader, to victory, to
the joys and glories of the saints above.
Editor.
“They marked the footsteps that he trod,
His zeal inspired their breast;
And, Mowing their incarnate God,
Possess the promised rest.”
FUNERAL OP OOL. BAKER.
The man of God who is called upon to inter
pret the meaning of Providence in a calamity so
great and so bitter to the nation as was the fall
of Colonel Baker and the destruction of his com
mand, and who is expected to relieve the dark
ness of the disaster and wreathe it with words of
consolation and of hope, has no ordinary task
placed before him. Such was the duty of our
friend and brother, Rev. Dr. Sunderland, Chap
lain of the U. S. Senate, when the body of the
late senator, patriot, Christian, and martyr to the
cause of order and true liberty was brought into
the National Capital for burial, on Thursday of
last week. We give below tbe greater portion
of his remarks, as reported in the Philadelphia
Inquirer , not knowing whether they received his
corrections or np. They are appropriate and
weH-time'cl; they fully arise to the sorrowful
grandeur of the occasion; they guage and guide
the feelings of the nation; with mainly candour
they lay open the lessons of policy which such
disasters are teaching us; and they point out the
bow of promise yet hanging on the cloud. Col.
Baker is believed to have died a Christian. WQuid
to God we could indulge the same hope of the
scores of brave fellows who fell on the same field
of slaughter!
rev. dr. sunderi.and’s address.
Our people are divided into two hosts, insur
gents and loyalists. We the loyalists did not
seek this war, tor we knew what it would cost.
They the insurgents forced it upon ns. We had
to accept it or stand supinely by and see the Go
vernment of our fathers destroyed, and see free
dom throttled by despotism. We are fighting
for freedom—the. insurgents are fighting in mad
ness and hatred for the recognition of human
bondage as tbe chief corner-stone of civilization.
That is their position in the world to-day. They
may call it by what name they will, that is their
principle when stripped of all disguise.
Can such an enormity finally succeed ? Not if
there is a God in heaven who governs the nations
upon earth. Not till the distinctions of right and
wrong have been wholly blotted from the face of
the universe, and God’s divine law graven on the
soul of man has been entirely obliterated. Were
the whole army and all the munitions of the Go
vernment to be consumed to-day—nay, were this
generation to be wasted in this conflict, another
would immediately rise from its ashes to continue
the contest. When Christ says, “ Think not that
I am come to send peace on earth, but a sword,
and a man’s foes shall be they of his own house
hold,” He forewarns us of the struggle between
liberty and oppression, between light and dark
ness. When Christianity reigns, light and liberty
prevail; when Christianity wanes, or is lost in
any country, there will be darkness and despo
tism. In the South, it does really begin to seem
that the light of a pure Christianity is beginning
to wane. The whole nation has been involved in
its guilt, and therefore the whole nation suffers
in its punishment.
It is said that the judgments of God are poured
upon us for our sins. I acknowledge it. I be
lieve it to be fearfully true. But I do not con
fess that the punishment of this people, for our
transgressions is the only, or even the chief ob
ject of the divine purpose in this war. I believe
the object is to purify the nation, and to give the
death-blow to American Slavery on the Ameri
can continent. I believe tbe object is to set
more firmly and broadly than ever in this land
the everlasting principles of truth and justice—
of righteousness and peace—of law and order—
of freedom and religion. And as God taught
our fathers, in the trials of the. revolution, the
value and the cost of good government, so He
is now teaching us and our children the same
lesson on a grander scale, and upon a higher
platform. He is teaching us this lesson in the
storms and convulsions of our political heavens.
He is writing it for us in our blood. He is spell
ing it out letter by letter in our falling stars, j
Tbe value and cost of good government, oh!
what blood and treasure are demanded to pre-;
serve it to the generations. What noble and
dear lives must be sacrificed; and yet there is
nothing more noble or more sacred, than to die
in a just cause for one’s country. To die bravely
is far better than to live ignobly. Death is not
half. so dreadful to a generous and dauntless
spirit as a life of dishonor and degradation. Let
us imbue ourselves with this spirit, and may God,
the Giver of all good, baptize the mind of the
whole nation into the sentiment which has borne
martyrs and heroes through fire and flood for the
cause of humanity and truth. For once, I say,
let us all he willing to die rather than abandon
the principle on which we have accepied this
war. We cannot draw back; the souls of our
fallen heroes would cry out to us from the invi
sible air in indignant protest against it, and
human nature on the whole face of the earth
would mourn over our pusillanimity.
We, the loyalists, have met with many sad re
verses since the war began. We have lost many
of our most heroic and noble spirits. . They are
our stars that have faded from the firmament, but
they arc not lost nor dead to us. 'Their record
gimme*™ ffusifogtm™ anfl (&txu#u #»angeHisit.
and example remain, and their mantles will fall
on others who succeed them, to bear aloft the
standard of our holy cause. We have needed
these reverses to steady and to discipline us. But
I do not see in them any foreboding of our ulti
mate defeat. On the contrary, I see that by them
we are preparing for ultimate victory. It re
quires the pressure of great calamities to fit thirty
millions of people for genuine-success in a cause
like that in which we are engaged. This was
over the way of Divine Providence. In the early
times, the chosen people of Jehovah were again
and again repulsed, when they went forth to
battle with their enemies, and yet God’s cove
nant was with them always to give them the final
victory. But whenever they were defeated , it was
found that they were not prepared in a moral
sense to engage in the contest. Their defeat al
ways had the effect to supply this want, and then
when they went forwdrd, nothing could stand be
fore them .
Let us remember in this direful struggle that
the covenant of God for truth and righteousness,
for civil and religious freedom to all men is with
us, and that it will not, it cannot ultimately fail.
Whatever temporary reverses may sadden our
hearts and depress our spirits, let ns remember
that it is from the experience of suffering that
all great things are bom!
God knows how deeply and how unfeignedly
we have wept and do weep over the fall of our
soldiers in this fearful battle with rebellion. We
knew too, beforehand, that our hearts would
come to this. We knew that it must.be so when
the war was forced upon us. We knew that
every now and then there must be scenes like
that which we witness here to-day. We knew
that there must he hours devoted to the fond
weakness of human nature, when our souls must
blend together in the holiest sympathies of ho
nored friendship.
How can we speak of Mm so lately in the
ripeness of life, how lying in the shrouded si
lence of a dreamless slumber—Colonel Edward
D. Baker! the fond son, brother, husband,
father, friend—faithful and gentle, gallant and
brave, the successful lawyer, the eloquent orator,
the distinguished Senator, the pure patriot, the
dauntless soldier, who has now sealed in his
death that devotion to his country, which, with
the words that burn with the fervid eloquence of
his tongue he professed so often in the forums of
the people. His chronicle is already in the
archives of the nation, and his memory and his
form are/treasured in their heart.
How bravely he fell, at the head of his colhinn
—in the face of his own son—in the sight of his
own men, who loved him as a father! borne
down by numbers,* and pierced through and
through—head, heart and vital members—by
rebel balls, is a sad story, that has already flown
on the wings of the wind, to fill the national
heart with a bitter sorrow.
And yetr—and yet, my countrymen, let us not
despond. God’s hand is .in this dark dispensa
tion, and this death will plead throughout the
land for the noble and just cause for which he
gave his life. Oh, as we look upon that bloody
corpse, and those rent garments, we feel that he
and they will plead for us before God and this
people in terms more powerful than any speech
of man.
He will he in his fall more powerful to move
the soul of the uation to more determined pur
pose, and to greater energy in the struggle, than
when, the
lation of dead Csesar’s wounds! We shall meed
no Marc Antony to speak for him, to hold up
his gory vestments in the sight of Americans,
and say in the spirit of the immortal language
of the English dramatist:—
“ You all do know this mantle. I remember
The first time Caesar ever put it on.
’Twas on a summer’s evening in his tent;
That day he overcame the Nervii.
Lookl in this place ran Cassius’ dagger through,
See what a rent the envious Casca made!
Through this, the well-beloved Brutus stabbed;
And as he plucked the cursed steel away,
' Mark how the blood of Csesar followed it!
“ And were I Bratus, and Brutus Antony, there
were an Antony would ruffle up your spirits,
and put a tongue in every wound of Csesar that
should move the stones of Rome to rise.”
No! no! no! we need nothing hut that divine
arid solemn Providence which is to-day afflicting
the American people, and that gracious Spirit of
God, which we trust is chastening and sanctify
ing them for their work, to raise them fully to
the stupendous task which lies before them.
We shall bury our hero, to-day, in sadness,
but not as those who have been dishonored or
disgraced in him—nor yet as those who cannot
hope for his future happiness, because he was a
full believer, and once a preacher, of the faith
of that divine itevelation which shows ns the
way to heaven.
For the comfort, therefore, of these most
deeply afflicted relatives, that scattered and smit
ten family, and a mourning army and nation, let
ns remember that though he has fallen, he has
fallen as a Christian hero, patriot, statesman, and
soldier; fallen in the face of the rebel foe; fallen
for our noble cause—and, therefore, that no inan
can die a death more honorable. Let us remem
ber this, and then turn to onr stern great duties.
The voice of the Almighty summons ns to bear
this struggle, and to fight if out in the interests
of the future millions on this continent, and of
all mankind! May the strength of heaven rest
upon us in this conflict!
[During the delivery of the sermont here was
at times hardly a dry eye in the house. Many
an old soldier, who had stood at the cannon’s
mouth without flinching, copiously shed tears at
the recital of the many virtues of the deceased.]
VISITATION OF CHURCHES IN WILMING
TON PRESBYTERY,
This work, which was contemplrted, and in
fact arranged for, at the September meeting of
this body, has commenced. Rev. George S. Wis
well and Rev. Francis Hendricks, with Elders
from the Wilmington and Odessa churches, are
announced in the Peninsular News, of last week,
as expecting to hold services in the church at
Milford, on Wednesday, the 30th inst., by ap
pointment of Presbytery. This is an excellent
movement, and one in which the Divine blessing
may be looked for. We should not be surprised
to see the churches of this Presbytery leading the
way in a precious revival of God’s word in our
Synod, during the present season. May we all
be in a spirit ofhumble, prayerful expectancy.
It is expected that Rev. Win. W. Taylor,
will be installed pastor of the Olivet Church,
corner of Twenty-second and Mount Vernon
streets, on Sabbath afternoon next, at 3* o’clock.
OOEHEE-STOEB LAIJ) DJ TEOtIBLOIJS
TIMES.
The corner-stone of the B,eeseville Presbyte
rian Church -was laid with appropriate ceremo
nies, on Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 22. The site
upon whiclf tMs edifieefia to' be eredted is a very
beautiful one, being the summit of a bill lying
about two hundred yards south of the Central
Pennsylvania Bailroad,'qiid near the Eeeseville
station, seventeen mite from the city.
The circumstances fading to the building of
this house of worship jure simply these. In the
latter part of Jhnej tex tile Rev. John M‘Leod,
District Secretary I of* the American Board, re
moved with his fsjmily to this place. Immedi
ately a request was made by one of the farmers
of the neighborhood, that he should conduct di
divine worship on the Sabbath in his house, the
farmer promising tjo give notice and invite the
neighbors. The S rbbath evening came, and the
house was crowded. These meetings were con
tinued whenever ’Jr. M/s engagements would
ig a Sabbath at home. Soon
speak of the desirableness of
rorship for the little village,
ing-house within the distance
laudable desire in the people
allow of his spendi
the people began t
having a house of
there being no mee
of 1J miles. Thii
was encouraged br ;Mr. M'Leod. About the
middle of Septemb :r a meeting was held, to take
the matter of built itig a "church into considera
tion. It was resolved to set, about the work im
mediately, and a board offtrusteos were appointed
to take charge 1 of fund s^snd. arrange for the erec
tion. The landmeeded for the building was pre
sented by William Clark, Esq-, of the Pine St.
Church. The peop eof the neighborhood, of all
denominations, entered heartily into the work.
Some pledged money; others pledged the labor
.of their hands as mjasons, carpenters, laborers,
and many farmers tlijeir teams to draw the stone
from the Quarry. Enough was thus offered to
authorize the trustees to go forward. On the
28th of September, tie ground was broken for
the foundation, and, at has been stated, on Tues
day afternoon, the services of laying the corner
stone took place. 1
The day was overeat and threatened rain, hut
in spite of this, about |fty gentlemen and ladies
from the city, and a gcpdly attendance from the
surrounding country ware present, to give their
sympathy to the new enterprise. On the plat
form we noticed Rev. Mesqtf- Barnes, Brainerd,
Patton, Adams, Dulles, Davis,
Pierce, and Hotehkin. j/-*K :j';.
After singing, reading the*Scriptures by Rev.
Mr. Dunlap, of the Baptist Church, and prayer by
Rev. E. E. Adams, Mr. made a statement
of facts leading to the ereition of the edifice. After
which, he proceeded to the laying of the stone,
which consisted of a long block of marble so
placed as to enter and to tie together the Iwo
walls at the corner, thuslforming a corner-stone
not merely in name but to reality. In the box
deposited were the Bible. Minutes of the last
General Assembly, Presbyterian Almanac, the
American Presbyterian, recent East Sermons,
Motley’s Causes of the present Rebellion, the
Philadelphia and New-York papers, the Ameri
can Flag, &c. &c. As-the sttoe was put in the
wall, Mr. M'Leod said: “Asia -symbol of the
spirit and design of this edificei we lay this stone
in the name of the Father, an<j of the Son, and
of the Holy Ghost; and drir pWyer this day is,
that all who may meet withinahese walls may
the foundation
of apostles and prophets, Jes 4 Christ himself
being the chief corner-stone.” !
He was followed in some appWmte remarks
by Messrs. Barnes, Brainerd, - &,d Hotehkin.
Rev. Mr. Barnes spoke in his nsuk thoughtful
and instructive manner off the ijjps house of
worship." Dr: Brainefed expressed sa
tisfaction in learning from the pastor’s staUjnents
that not only Presbyterians, but Christians of
different denominations, were uniting in aiding
this enterprise, and stated that itjvas appropriate-,
for the grand truths of the gospel in which we
are united, should not allow of alienation among
Christians, because of minor forms and ceremo
nies in which they may differ. He also compli
mented the ladies for the hospitab e reception they
had given to the company there ssembled.
Rev. B. B. Hotehkin tendered the warm sym
pathy of himself and his eongjri gation towards
those engaged in this qnterpri*l and Rev. Jas.
M. Davis pronounced the benes&tion.
The edifice, is to by : 58vfeet, built of
stone quarried from the viciniiyp a Gothic style;
it will be built without debt; fi r if the funds
give out the work will be suspenc id, though this
is not likely to be the' ease; as 0: ly fifteen hun
dred dollars in cash will be reqh \
to work and materials to be donapd
We congratulate the people o
the auspicious commencement of
Reeseville on
|his good work:,
active and effi
g them. They
have our cordial wishes for their|uccess.
and on the presence of such an
cient laborer as Mr. M'Leod amo
A CARD.
Foreign Missioj
To the Churches within th<
Philadelphia District of the d
those of the Third Presbytery
the Fourth Presbytery of I
Presbytery of Harrisburg;
Wilmington; the Presbytery
Columbia; the Presbytery <
Presbytery of Meadeville;
Dear Brethren and
Board :—Having secured to a
the co-operation of the pas tori
trict in presenting annually tl
sions to their churches, and ha\
aid of committees to attend to
the funds in many of the congl
proposed to the Board to retire
field,. and to take charge of asml
still giving such superintendence
the Board, in the way of corresp
visiting of ecclesiastical bodies
may yet require. To this plan
cordially acceded. By the propoi
expenses of the district will be ij
one-third the usual amount. |, r
As we are thus entering upd
so long desired and 'demand*
with, the (once needed) machisi
conducting the great enterpr: c
may we not look with edniider e
and elder, and Sunday school u
see that, in the absence of u
cause shall not be neglected, ir
hand, carried on more vigoi i
creased contributions shall dc
needed funds can now be secur
without the coat of an- exp
agency.
To facilitate the carrying out of this measure,
the Synod of Pennsylvania, at its late meeting,
appointed a Committee of Foreign Missions, con
sisting of one member from each Presbytery,
whose duty it will be to see that the cause is an
nually brought before all the churches—small as
well as large—within the bounds of the Synod,
and a contribution taken. It is very desirable
tbat, in addition to the Committee in the Pres
bytery, there should also he a Committe in each
church, consisting of one or more, to be appoint
ed by the Session, who will attend to the inte
rests .of the cause in the particular congregation,
and see that each member is called upon at least
one a year for aid in this common work of our
Christianity.
What we need is system and thoroughness in
taking up our contributions, and we shall be sure
to obtain the required funds. Many do not give
simply because they are not properly called
upon. Let this be done, and it will not be again
reported to our General Assembly that more than
eight hundred churches within our bounds did
nothing at all the last year for this cause.
The Synodical Committee is as follows:—The
Third Presbytery, Philadelphia, Rev. Frank L.
Robbins; the Fourth Presbytery of Philadel
phia, Rev. John McLeod; the Harrisburg Pres
bytery, Rev. Thos. H. Robinson; the Wilming
ton Presbytery, Rev. H. J. Gaylord; the Pres
bytery of District of Columbia, Rev. H. Dun
"ing- ■ , - . ..
Contributions to tlie Board may be sent, as
heretofore, to James M. Gordon, Esq., Treasurer,
Missionary House, Boston; to ,Samnel Work,
Esq., the Treasurer of this District, No. 36 S.
Third street, Philadelphia, or to the District
Secretary, No. 1334 Chestnut street.
John McLeod,
Presbyterian House, Philadelphia, Oct. 29,1861.
The Synod of Peoria met at Chicago, in the
Second Presbyterian Church, on Thursday even
ing, October 10th, 1861, and was opened with a
sermon from the Moderator, Rev. J. Ambrose
Wight, Matt- 6 :10. Thy will be done on, earth
as it is in heaven.
Rev. Newton Barrett, of Mendota, was elected
Moderator, and L. P. Crawford, Temporary
Clerk; J. A. Wight being Permanent Clerk.'
The Synod numbers a complete roll of one
hundred and seventy or more members, clerical
and lay. Of these there were present at this
meeting, sixty in all. Corresponding members
swelled the whole attendance to about eighty.
Oar Synod is a large one, as to territory, com
prising one-half the State of Illinois; a tract
250 by 200 miles. Our ministers are poor, and
the churches largely feeble; and poor churches
and poor ministers together, conspire to produce
want of enterprise and inefficiency. Poverty is
a sad eviljto churches, as to people not in
churches. Agar’s prayer is good for all time:
“ Deliver me from poverty," &c.
Besides, our railroads are not generous to. our
local ecclesiastical bodies, with very few excep
tions. While they will carry, at half fare, to
political, agricultural, and military gatherings,
and to almost anything else, they are very stiff
toward a Presbyterian meeting.
These things together, and possibly some
others, reduce pur Synodical meetings to a sixth
of the numbers who ought to be present.
The principal subjects before the Synod were
those which are now becoming usual: our Home
Missions, Ministerial Education, and Publica
tions. The confessedly great cause now on our
hands, is the first of these; and though no re
presentative from abroad spoke in its behalf, the
Synod gave it very emphatic consideration, and
enjoined on all its churches and ministers, to be
active in its support. It was recommended that
we move early in aid of its Treasury. This
Synod has need of considerable funds for its own
\@ak churches, hut gives, or has given, about as
muxjh as it receives. It ought to give more.
Rev, T. A. Mills represented Ministerial Edu
cation, and made one of his forcible addresses in
its behalf.: He was sustained in other addresses,
and in suitable resolutions.
Publication was sustained by Rev. J. W. Dul
les, whose address was very happy, and made a
decided impression. Still our Synod, as a whole,
has done, but little-for. this cause*, though it has
been resolved upon, and addressed about, for
some years. It is hoped that it will get a strong
er grasp on the pocket of the churches than
heretofore.
Rev. P. Powers made an address concerning
Foreign Missions; and Rev. Yates Hickey said
the obsequies of the Presbyterian Recorder, late
ly published here, and now married—it is said
to the Centred, Herald, at Cincinnati. It is not
the first oase of a marriage and a funeral at once.
So far as we at Chicago are concerned, the old
epitaph fits precisely
“And now, I am so quickly done for,
I wonder what, I was begun for. ”
•ed in addition
But the “ Central Herald and Presbyterian
Recorder” is a good paper, and my hope is, it
will live a thousand years.
The Synod has lost two of its most zealous and
active members, during the year: Rev. W. H.
Spencer, and G. W. Gale, D. I). One ruling el
der was also reported deceased.
A feeling minute was adopted in regard to
them.
lounds of the
m mean Board ;
if Philadelphia;
gladelphia; the
of
the District of
i ’Pittsburg ; the
3 Presbytery of
Resolutions, strong and good, in sympathy
with the Government, and condemnatory of the
cause of the war, were unanimously adopted.
But a resolution to send them to the President
was voted down; it being understood that he
would hardly get them, if sent; and possibly
would think, if he did get them, that there were
plenty of resolutions already.
Measures were taken to print the minutes of
the Synod, and to revise the church manual in
use among ns. .
[ENDS OV THE
large an extent
rithin this dis
eause of mis
ig obtained the
le collection of
jgations, I have
I part from the
[ congregation,
lo the wort of
idenee and the
I its interests
Messrs. Peter Page, Yates Hickey, and Rev.
W. S. Huggins, of Kalamozoo, Michigan, were
confirmed as trustees of Lind University.
Permanent committees on Education, Publi
cation, and Home Missions, were appointed as
usual. Their chairmen are as follows: of Home
Missions, Rev. Z. M. Humphrey; Publication,
Rev. G. L. Little; of Education, Rev. J. A.
Wight.
Rockford was made the place of meeting for
next year, and a committee chosen to secure, if
possible, more of a devotional spirit in the meet
ing-
e Board have
a change, the
need to about
Hie experiment
ibf dispensing
of agencies in
bf the church,
b every pastor,
srintendent, to
secretary, the
The members of the Synod preached in seve
ral of the city churches, with acceptance. The
South' was demolished in at least one of them, so
utterly, that if it do not 1 stay used up, it will be
a new proof that it is not-to he destroyed, but is
past feeling. Yours, W.
at, ou the other
i|ly, so that m
onstrate that all
in our churches
isive collecting
[*FOR THE AMERICAN PRESBYTERIAN.]
SHOD OF PEOBIA.
PEOM THE SEAT OF WAR IH THE WEST.
NUMBER SIXTH.
Warsaw, Benton Comity, Mo., \
October 17, 1861. i
The comparatively happy thousands -who re
the American Presbyterian in their peaceful
and smiling homes can have but a faint idea of
the wretchedness and woes which I see here in
the heart of secessia, as I follow on the war-trail
behind the great Pathfinder. Let me see: X
wrote you from Jefferson City, Bth inst. Since
then we have advanced about one hundred and
twenty-five miles to the southwest, into the very
recesses of the enemy’s country, with a great
army before and behind us. But for military
details readers will look to the secular press and
the telegraph.
Missouri has reaped as she has sown. Neglect
of education, family pride, lawlessness, oppres
sion, and crime have at last resulted in anarchy
and war. An incident related to me in the capi
tal of the-State is to the point. A few years ago,
a Congressman, whose daughters had been at the
most fashionable schools of' the East, was can
vassing the field fot popular favor. He well
knew that “whiskey” and “ignorance” were the
great staples he had to deal with, and he plied
both. “ Down with schools and school taxes,”
he said. He was elected triumphantly; and as
we 'travelled on through the dreary waste of ig
norance, which constituted his district,' from
Jefferson City to this out-post, we have not seen
a single school house!
This land has had two years of drought, and
now one year of that which is worse than mildew
or caterpillar. Besides the excessive rains, the
torrent of war has been poured out again and
again the last six months. Most of the men are
in the “secesh” army; the women they have
fearlessly left to the tender mercies of the “ ra
vishers” and “cut-throats” of the “Northern
Army,” of whom they talk so much.
As this county seat has been peculiarly
guilty of late and in times past, and we have
some sick, who need careful attention, General
Fremont has to-day quartered his staff in vacant
houses of secessionists, and in apartments of
those families whose male members have gone
to the Southern Army. The hypocrisy and hol
low-heartedness of this action of the rebels are
deplorable. Savages never trust their women to
the hands of their enemies. And if the wretches
believed what they pretend to, they would never
act as they do.
Some portions of the “ rolling prairie” through
which we have marehed the past seventy-five
miles are beautiful. Farmers of wealth have set
tled in some parts of the plains; cattle have
fed on them; fences have marked boundaries
between them. Now all is desolate; the hay
has been left in the field; the corn is not har
vested ; fences are used for fuel by the soldiers;
the men are gone from home.
Sometimes we have been obliged to require
the inhabitants to furnish teams for transporta
tion—or to “ press” them, as it is called. The
Government pays liberally for such services done
by Union men, and makes good all losses. Fre
quently, however, eases of hardship are alleged.
But always, so far as I can learn, by families of
those whose. “ fathers and brothers” are with the
rebels. Often oaths and refined malice, and
even impudence, have been used by females to
' the General-commanding himself. The exhibi
tion of character in Southern women, as seen in
this war, is a matter of amazement! The “ mo
thers” and “ sisters” of traitors are quite worthy
of their affinities!
The “October rains” are on us now, and are
quite trying to the troops here. Heavy falls of
water occur every few days in this month, while
the next month is usually pleasant. Heavy roads,
and considerable, though not fatal, illness,
abound.
The “preachers” in all this portion of the
land have generally taken commands in the rebel
army ! The pastor of the Presbyterian (O. S.)
Church here is the only exception I have known
this side of St. Louis, besides the Romish priest
in Jefferson City.
The main bodies of both armies are now within
one day’s march of each other—both moving—
each some fifty thousand strong. The one fights
for truth, justice, merey, liberty, and right, and
uses trained hosts; the other wars for an oli
garchy of slave-holders for whim and mad ambi
tion, overleaping itself, and uses an armed rab
ble. “He that sitteth in the heavens shall
laugh; the Lord shall have them in derision.”,
A decisive action may take place in a few
days. Ido not, however, think so. The enemy
will not fight us, if he can avoid it, is my pre
diction. And he cannot avoid it long, if he
holds together.
A word as to the future—not of our cam
paign, but of our country. This war is in God’s
hands to be made a great school for our people;
to teach them what neither commercial prosperi
ty, nor art, nor learning, could do; lessons of
simply piety, modesty, and faith in God “ Out
of the heart are the issues of life;” and the
heart and life of this nation are to-day at issue.
* *
Synod of Miohig^.— This Body met in
Hillsdale, Oct. 10. As a novelty in its proceed
ings, we notice an official interchange of courte
sies, by delegates, to and from the conferences of
the Methodists of the M. E. Church, in Michi
gan. Dr.: Duffield reported as delegate to the
Detroit Conference, and Rev. W. C. Comfort pre
sented the greetings of the Michigan Conference.
Prom the statistical reports, it appeared that of
the 160 churches in the Synod, only 21 have set
tled pastors. Some of these are probably minis
tering to more than one church. The Presbytery
of Monroe has carried on its Home Mission work
with success, and has set a noble example for
other, Presbyteries in efficiency and liberality.
Rev. George Duffield, Jr., was appointed to
preach at the next meeting; on the “ Relations of
Christians to their Property.” The Synod’s
Committee on Education was “empowered to
; Unite their operations” with those of the Assem
/ bly’s Committee at such period as they shall deem
most beneficial to the interests of the cause. Mean
while, the Presbyteries were .assessed for the sup
port of a number of students under the care of
the Synod. A, committee was appointed to con
sider the propriety of dividing the Body into two
Synods. Loyal resolutions were adopted, from
which we take the following:—“ The question of
slavery, which has always outstretched the reach of
human wisdom, is in the grasp of Providence, and
will, as wo believe, soon be settled to the satis
faction of Him who is no respecter of persons,
and to whom the oppressed never cry in vain.”
Rev. C. S. Armstrong, of liansing, to whom we
are indebted for the above report, adds, in a
note: —“ Our Synod was not as largely attended
as some former ones, but in lively interest and
deep religious impression, equal to any meeting
of the body which I have ever attended, and, per
haps, more efficient than formerly, as touching
those jnteregta jhat most deeply concern us an
a Church. Our Synod is growing into homoge
nity with our Church, adopting, with earnest
ness, our general church movements, working
more efficiently and heartily under the prospect of a
healthy denominational organization than we
could upon one old co-operative basis. Ereiy
Presbytery feels embarrassed by the condition of
our domestic missionary work, but all are loyal
and try to he hopeful.”
Synod op Geneva;— The Synod of Geneva
met, pursuant to adjournment, at Geneva N Y
Oct. 22d, at 2 o’clock, p. m. Rev. D. 1). Gregory
was ehosen Moderator, and Bev. F. g. Horne and
Rev. G. R. H. Shumway were chosen Temporary
Clerks. *
The usual routine of Synodical business re
ceived due attention, with nothing, however of
special interest in that respect; the judicial com
mittee and the committee on bills and overtures
having had nothing placed in their hands to pre
sent for the consideration of Synod. V
The narrative on the itate within
the bounds of the Synod, presented) on the whole
a favorable aspect. ’
Stirring and patriotic resolutions on the state
of the country were heartily adopted. The deep
and earnest feeling of the brethren on this sub
ject was plainly manifest. The stated clerk was
directed to have published the narrative, and the
resolutions, in the Evangelist, the American Pres
byterian, and the AT. Y. Observer.
The Synodieal morning prayer meeting was
possessed of much interest and profit.
The opening sermon was preached by lev.
Wm. N. M‘Harg, from 2 Cor. vi. 16. “And who
is sufficient for these things ?” It was a com
pact and logical discourse, setting forth as among
the main causes of insufficient results in the mi
nistry these, the conscious imperfections of the
ministry itself; the imperfections of the member
ship of the Christian Church; and the imperfec
tions of that human nature which it is sought,
through t£e preaching of the Gospel, to reform
and bless: *"
The sacramental sermon was preached by Rev.
Geo. C. Curtis, from Gal. v. 6. “For in Jesus
Christ neither circumcision availeth anything
nor uncircumeision but faith which worketh by
love.” The theme was, essentially, Christian
activity based upon Christian faith. The ana
logy the idea was shown in the fact, that some
kind of faith is the spring to all activity among
men; the reasonableness of the idea was set
forth by an analysis of the nature, aims, and as
pirations of the Christian faith; and the reality
of the idea was made' evident by reference to the
history of the Church of Christ. The sermon
was listened to with attentive interest. The sa
crament was administered by Revs. D. Torrey
and Wm. N. M'Harg.
Rev. T. A. Mills and Rev. F. Starr, jr., were
heard on the subject of ministerial education;
Rev. A. M. Stowe was heard in regard to Home
Missions, and Rev. R. S. Crampton on the Ame
rican and Foreign Chrisri|n Union., The su&r?
jeet of Foreign Missions Was brought clearly be
fore the Synod, through the circular of -the
Foreign Mission Committee of the General As
sembly ; and a strong impression in relation to
the same theme was made by the interesting ad
dress of Rev. Mr. Lindley, late of th» South
African Mission', delivered on Wednesday even,
ing.
The courteous and cordial hospitality of the
brethren and- friends in Geneva, to the members
of the Synod, was all that could be desired, and
will be long and pleasantly remembered.
The next annual meeting of the Synod will be
held at Elmira, on the last Tuesday in Septem
ber, 1862, at 7 o’clock p.m.
|jtew
Our space this week will allow us to do no
more than simply acknowledge the receipt of
Cecil Dreemje, AdjutanfrWinthrop’s posthumous
work of fiction, Messrs. TicknoF'&
Fields, and for sale in this, city, by Messrs. J. B.
Lippincott & Co. Also; Blackwood, for Octo
ber, by L. Scott & Co., from W. B._ Zieber’s,
South Third street, Philadelphia; the Atlantic
Monthly and the Knickerbocker for Novem
ber, the October number of, the Journal OF
Prison Discipline, (Quarterly); Rev. E. E.
Adam’s Fast Day Sermon, the Temple and the
Throne; and The Southern Rebellion and
War for the Union, No. 10, weekly, (down to
February Ist). Of most of these we expect to
give a fuller notice next week.
The Presbyterian Quarterly Review
contains an unusually rich list of topi®.; “ The
Nature and Destiny of the English Language;”
“Reform in England after the Death of Wic
liffe;” “ Melchisedek;” “ The Divine Humanity
of Christianity;” (Examination of an Article in
the New Englander, 1860.) “ The ; Intermediate
State;” “Reminiscences of Rev. J. Addison
Alexander,” by Rev. Dr. Coxf “Phenicia and
Carthage;” Theological and Litefiefy Intelli
gence, and Notices of New Books.
MURDER OP A MISSIONARY AMD HIS WIFE
BY SAVAGES.
By telegram from Sydney, says the Melbourne
Age, we have intelligence of the hratal murder
of the Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Gordon, of the Nova
Scotia Mission, by the natives at Erromanga —
the same island in which, it will be remembered,
John Williams was killed in 1839. This sad
event took place on 20th of May, and was
deliberately concocted by a party of eight or nine
savages, who, by friendly manifestations, first
drew Mr. Gordon away from his associates into
an ambush and murdered him, Afterwards, they
went to his house and killed his wife. Their in
tention had been suspected, hut, alas! the good
missionaries were over-confident and incautious.
It appears that in consequence of the measles,
which had been raging among the islands with
fearful mortality, the natives of Erromanga de
termined to kill all the white people on that
island, looking on them: as the cause of the disease.
The brave General Kelly, when serious
ly, and as was feared, mortally wounded at Phil
ippi, expressed to a friend a wish, whieb it has
pleased Providence to gratifo, in a manner which
all the country has just heard of. He said, *’ I
expeet I shall have to die; J would be glad to
live if it might be, that I rmgM do something f° T
my country.”
OCT. 31,