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—-AND'—
GENESEE EVANGELIST.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1861.
JOHN W. HEARS, l
TO PASTORS AND SESSIONS OP OHUROHES
IN THE SYNOD OF PENNSYLVANIA.
Dear Brethren Allow us again to call your
attention to tho late action of the Synod in regard
to supporting the American Presbyterian.
Encouraging progress has been made in carrying
out this action, and a few Churches have quite
fulfilled the portion of the work expected of
them. Others are diligently at work, and will
ere long reach the same result. Others, still
may be at work, though as yet having reported
nothing. Let it be borne in mind that the pre
sent season of early winter is, on the whole, the
most favorable of the year for such efforts, and it
is earnestly hoped that it will not be suffered to
pass by without athorough canvass of every con
gregation in our bounds. It may safely be as
serted that the prosperity of the American
Presbyterian will be largely affected by the
action of the Churches during the ensuing four
or five weeks. With a general co-operation, tho
work of raising the one thousand subscribers, of
which seven hundred are still wanting, will be
anything but difficult.
Specimen copies of the paper will be furnished
at 2J cents each, including postage.
THE TRUE IDEA OF PREACHING.
If we consider the object, we shall learn more
easily the idea, of the high calling of the preacher.
We hold thatobjeot to be not simply to excite the
religious susceptibilities of men, nor yet only to
teach them the truth ; not to entertain a pleased
audience with a lavish display of the treasures of
genius and intellect in handling tho truths and
narrations of Holy Writ, nor to address their un
derstanding with massive systems of argumenta
tion ; it is not found in raised omotions, nor the
gratified taste, nor the exalted sympathy, nor yet
the enlightened understandings of the people.
It looks further) it aims at character; it seeks
to produce changes which go forth in action.
The aim of the preaeher is conviction; he desires
to secure in his hearers an intelligent conviction
of the truth—or a conviction of the truth as it is,
leading to action. In other words, he aims to
determine the will in accordance with the truths
of the Gospel.
We think this statement substantially covers
the ground. Without stopping to argue that it
is so, we observe that in order to an intelligent
conviction of the truth, a number of conditions
most exist in the hearer’s mind. His attention
must be secured, his prejudices must be over
come, his reason must be convinced, his sympa
thies must be enlisted; his conscience must be
reached and aroused. Neither of these alone is
sufficient, but some are more needful than others.
Preaching which does not accomplish the first
and the last results named, is utterly in vain.
And here we may see wherein much of the preach
ing of the present day is day is defective. It
possesses one or more of the characteristics need
ful to produce conviction, but is wanting in
others, and they essential to such a result. It
wins attention—rivets it. It charms the fancy.
It touches the sensibilities. Nay, it even pro
duces conviction on some outlying moral ques
tion, but not a conviction of the truth in its full,
evangelical sense. Sometimes it carries with it,
by the irresistible force of the argument, the
entire assent of the understanding, but after all
leaves the man unaffected:
“Plays round the head, but reaches not the heart.”
Sometimes it is the occasion of unwonted popu
larity ; crowds follow it; the community is full
of the rumor and sensation of it; it breaks in upon
many congregations; yet it is without fruits.
There is no evidence that men are convinced.
Perhaps no one of the characteristics of the in
effectual preaching of our times can be regarded
ns exactly at variance with the true idea of
preaching. Good preaching will create a sensa
tion. Certainly, the preaching of our Saviour
did—the preaching of Peter, and the apostles
generally, did. The preaching of Chrysostom,
of Vincent Ferrara, of Earel and Luther .and
Knox, of Whitefield and Edwards, and Wesley
and David Brainard and Judscn, created pro
found sensations wherever it was heard. And
preaching unaccompanied with considerable sen
sation does not fulfil our idea of what it should
be. But the preaching of those men did more
than this. It reached the motive powers of the
hearers. It converted their souls and led them
into new lives. It founded and enlarged the
kingdom of Christ upon earth. It produced con
viction, and thus accomplished the object and
realised the true idea of preaching.
There can be no doubt that the true idea of
preaching includes the use of every appli
ance and every device of style of voice and
of gesture which are fitted to lodge the truth of
the Gospel in the consciences of the hearers.
The science of Homiletics is nothing more
than a systematic view of such appliances and
devices. So far as it is a true science, its prin
ciples are based upon the laws of the human
mind, and its canons cannot he broken or ignored
without going aside from the true idea of preach
ing. Learning the science of homiletics is, in,
fact, learning the methods of access to the motive
powers of the hearers, as these have been elimi
nated and classified for the student by a long
course of criticism of the best models of preach
ing. The clamor against the study of homiletics
is idle' and irrational. The science, doubtless,
like almost all sciences, is imperfect. No mere
acquaintance with the science will make a man
a successful preacher; hut it will be a most va
luable guide on the road to such a result. The
science, rightly viewed and taught, does not lead
the student to rely with a slavish dependence
upon itself. It does not encourage the belief
that a finished sermon is all that is needful to
success. “ Eloquence,” says Vinet, one of the
acknowledged teachers of homiletics—“has the
character of business. Now business is not
learned by abstraction; commerce only under
stands commerce; politics are learned in the
management'of State affairs, and life in living.”
Of course, preaching is to be learned, not merely
in the study of the art, but in preaching. Never
theloss, rules derived from all past experience in
preaching cannot he neglected with impunity.
We fear there is as much of indolence as of zeal
and enthusiasm in the clamor that is sometimes
raised against them. Certainly any careful in
quiry into the true idea of preaching is an inquiry
in homiletics.
But there are three very simple results to he
gained in accomplishing the great end of preach
ing. Let the hearer’s attention be secured, let
his understanding be enlightened, and above all,
let his moral nature be roused to a sense of the
reality and personal bearing of the great truths
of the Gospel, and the work is done. The true end
of preaching is gained. And for this object, we
need in the preacher simplicity and perspicuity
of style, a thorough acquaintance with the Scrip
tures, and a mind itself aroused, a moral nature
in quick sympathy with the truth, a conviction
of the reality and the weight of the truth he
utters, aud of his high commission to declare it,
characterizing his style) giving shape to his ser
mons, animating his countenance, forming his
gestures.
Editor.
The true idea of preaching is that which com
bines in itself these three qualities, as adapted to
produce an intelligent conviction of the truth in
the hearer. We must possess (1) sufficient skilll
as speakers —sufficient power of self-adaptation to
the circumstances and character of our audience
-—to gain and keep their attention, (2) sufficient
acquaintance with the truth worthily and clearly to
set it forth; and (3) sufficient fervor of convic
tion in ourselves to kindle a sympathetic glow in
the bosom of the hearer, and to startle him from
his moral slumbers to a'purpose to forsake his
sins, or if he has already done so, then to rouse
him more effectually to struggle after holiness and
the realization of the kingdom of truth upon
earth. It is then, a purpose which we wish to
see determined upon, in saint and sinneT. We
accomplish nothing so long as, directly or indi
rectly we fail to approximate this end. Men are
to be brought to act better. Society is to be im
proved. The visible kingdom of God upon earth
is to be strengthened, beautified, and extended.
The living temple is to be built up, stone upon
stone, of precious and lively materials upon Christ
as the Rock.
THE THANKSGIVING SERMONS AGAIN.
Not a few of the preachers on that occasion
expressed themselves freely upon the relations
of the war to emancipation.
REV. J. WHEATON SMITH, D.D.,
Of the First Baptist Church of this city, con
sidered the progress of opinion on this topic a
matter of thanksgiving. The abolitionists are
not the cause of the increased pro-slavery senti
ment of the South. “ The truth is,” said the
speaker, “ that we of the North, in our hasty
admissions of the propriety of the system, by our
patient forbearance in the presence of its friends,
and our open advocacy of its claims, are answer
able mainly for the evil.”
The speaker here called attention to the speech
of Mr. Everett, of Mass., delivered on the 9th of
March, 1826, in the House of Representatives at
Washington; a speech in which this distinguish
ed orator defended slavery upon principle and
Scripture. He was replied to by Mr. Mitchell,
of Tennessee, who said, “ Sir, I do not go the
length of the gentleman from Massachusetts.
I am one of those whom these poor wretches
call master; Ido not task them; I feed and
clothe them well, but yet, alas! sir, they are
slaves, and slavery is a curse in any shape.”
John Randolph also said, in reply, “ Sir, I envy
neither the head nor the heart of that man from
the North who rises here to defend slavery upon
principle.”
Mr. Everett now stands an ardent and elo
quent defender of freedom. But when we re
member how recently in the debate in the Sen
ate, on the repeal of the Missouri Compromise’
he left the petition of three thousand clergymen
of Massachusetts to be defended by Mr. Hous
ton, of Texas, we may safely assert that he has
made more progress in a twelve month than he
had made for thirty years before.
Nor is Mr. Everett an exception. Merchants
and lawyers and ministers and statesmen have
vied with each other in their gratuitous .homage
to this gigantic evil. Here is the real cause of
the advanced claims and arrogant pretensions of
Southern slaveholders. But all is now changed.
Public sentiment is fast being purified. At this
point verily we may sing of judgment.
The speaker added, could he roll back the
tide of time for a twelvemonth, and revoke the
judgments which have passed upon us, he should
not dare, in view of the benefits already wrought,
to do it. Yet there are two dangers to which
this rapid change in public sentiment exposes us.
One is, that these old admirers of Southern in
stitutions, in the zeal of their new conversion,
may go too fast, and rashly lose the benefits of
all. The other is best illustrated by a simple
anecdote. A sick, and, as was thought, a dying
man, sent for a neighbor with whom he was at
variance. After a scene of reconciliation, as his
neighbor was about to depart, he called him back,
with the remark, “Now, sir, mind, if I get well,
all this goes for nothing.”
DISCOTJItSE OF BET. E. E. ADAMS,
We give another quotation from Mr. Adams’
discourse in which we believe his entire congre
gation is prepared to sustain him:
“We thank God for the peaceful and harmless
way in which thousands of slaves have gained
their liberty, and been brought into relations to
our -army, thus learning how to he free! We
thank God for the elevated sentiment of our
whole population in the loyal States with regard
to the question of emancipation. We are. not
abolitionists as that term is generally understood.
We do not advocate a sudden, unprovisional,
universal release of the slave population; we do
not advocate the arming of them against their
masters—we would deem it inexpedient and bar
barous—but we do hope to see the day when the
whole land shall be happily and safely rid of the
last fetter and the last bondman ! and we thank
God for what he is doing in that direction, and
for the sentiments he has inspired in the hearts
of our officers, and for the mighty preparations
which are going on in the world toward the
great fact of universal emancipation. I believe
we all thank God for this, and pray that the
dawn of promise may open into perfect day! It
would be a sad waste of diplomacy, of wealth, of
social sacrifice, of valuable life, —a great mock
ery of national preparation and strength,—a
strange commentary on the progress of humanity,
and an inscrutable mystery in tbe providence of
God, were tbe whole movement of tbe world for
justice, for freedom, and for healthful govern
guttnifJtt and
ment, to proceed in a circle and end where it
began—with all the causes, latent, but ital, that
would inevitably, in a few years, renew the
struggle.
“ But this cannot be, if, indeed, the elements
of society and of national life are prepared for
this grand decisive work of God for the redemp
tion of humanity! if not prepared, we have only
to conclude that the, present is a season of pre
paration, and wait patiently God’s day, and God s
process.”
REV. G. F. WISWELL, OF WILMINGTON.
The most outspoken of all the utterances of
the day, however, so far as they have come under
our notice, is that of the Pastor of the Central
Church, Wilmington. As Hanover St. Church
was closed in the absence of the Pastor, a large
number of the people of that charge, and, in
deed, of various denominations, comprising many
of the prominent citizens of Wilmington, and
well representing the character of the place, were
■present, yet we are informed, that the discourse
was received with evident and unanimous ap
proval by the congregation. It is reprinted
from the Delaware State Journal, which speaks
of it in the most exalted terms, as “ boldly grap
pling with the great question that now lies [half
concealed beneath the surface and is the main
cause of our present national troubles.”
This reception gives the sentiments of the dis
course peculiar significance. We quote some
passages frem the third and fourth heads : i ■ -
“ 111. We must take higher ground on the sub
ject of Liberty.- —Long has this country been called
the asylum of the oppressed, and the home; of
Liberty. We have proudly boasted of it. It has
formed the staple of all our vain-glorious exulta
tion and national pride. Yet with all this, our
almost entire national history has been a standing
inconsistency; for on this very soil has been
growing up a system of human vassalage .more
grievous and gigantic than has obtained in any
Other portion of the world for.centuries.. .While
other nations have been, one by one, knocking
off the shackles and unloosing the chains, we
have seen millions brought under the oppressor’s
yoke, and the unnatural institution daily becom
ing stronger. We have connived at the inhuman
traffic in human chattels, and the slave auction
eer’s hammer has mingled the sound of its"strokes
with the eloquent notes of the orator, as under
the very dome of our nation’s Capitol he has pro
claimed this as the
“ land of the free,
And the home of the hrave.”
These things, my friends, are by no means con
gruous or beautiful: —they are not calculated to
give us very bright and encouraging hopes of our
country’s future.
“ No one now thinks of denying that this very
subject of human slavery is vitally associated with
the present war for the Union. It stands related,
as cause to effect; in many ways the connection
is so subtle, and of such protracted and .insidious
growth that it cannot he described or defined .in
words; in other respects the connection is more
evident. This institution has fostered a radically
different system of education in the States, where
it has held sway ; henee a generation has come
forward with radically and essentially different
views of government; of the rights of persons
and property; of the value of human life; of the
claims of society and public justice, and all the
natural relations of-roan ta-man: HereTs"asam
ple of the views of government into which they
have been educated in the South ,
“ ‘All government begins by usurpation, and is
continued by force. Nature puts the ruling ele
ments uppermost and the masses below and sub
ject to these elements. Less than this is not go
vernment. The right to govern resides in a very
small minority, the duty to obey is inherent in
the great mass of mankind. ’ — (De Bow.') . ■
“ This is the education of slavery and it requires
no comment. By this same edueational system,
statesmen have been trained to rule or ruin.—•
The effect of' this system has been equally dis
astrous to morals and manners, as we are at last
beginning to see.
“ I venture to declare that under the influence
of no other .institution or system could such an
unhallowed, barbarous raid against good govern
ment ever have sprung, up. Well did Mr. Jef
ferson put it—the effect of slavery is to 1 destroy
the love of country.’ The Hon. Mr, Spratt of
South Carolina, in writing to Mr. Preston of the
same State, then a member of the Montgomery
Convention, declares: ‘ The South is now form
ing a Slave Bepublic. This is perhaps not gen
erally: admitted. But the real contest is between
the two forms of society, which have become es
tablished, the one at the South and the other at
the North/
“IV. We must at once proceed to put away from
ns the causes of our troubles and remove the sources
of danger.
“ Says. Lord Bacon, ‘ Concerning the materials
of seditions, it is a thing well to he considered,
for the surest way to prevent seditions (if the
times do bear it) is to take away the matter of
them; for if there be fuel prepared it is hard to
tell whence the spark shall come that shall set it
on fire/ These are surely words of far reaching
wisdom upon which we may profitably reflect at
the present time. You must all agree with me
that whatever imperils the existenoe of this na
tion, ought to be put away from u 5..,. If there is
a ‘ wedge of gold’ or goodly ‘ Babylonish gar
ment’ that renders us obnoxious to the displeas
ure of heaven, it ought to be producecbui every
sacrifice. The instinct of self-preservation is the
highest of all out natural gifts, and this requires
that we look this matter fairly in the face and
like wise men and patriots act in time.
“ Chief among all the direet and collateral
causes of onr present troubles, and chief among
all the sources, of danger, in the future, is this
wicked system of chattel slavery. And' in this
opinion I believe you will all substantially agree.
I cannot in a single discourse give all my reasons
for this judgment. But in what I have already
said will be found reasons perhaps sufficient with
all my auditory. If not you can scarcely go
amiss of them. Now what I wish to add is this
—if American slavery threatens the destruction
of the American republic, then we must threaten
it, and if the last must come down that the first
may flourish and grow strong, then let us seize’
the glittering weapon so long laid at its root, and
strike the ponderous blows in quick succession
and down let the Upas come, though the crash of
its downfall be all the louder by reason of the
fearful hight to which it has grown.
“ Despotism ever ‘ lies in-wait for the hazards
by which liberty is surrounded/ And it is cer
tain that if Republican liberty does not hold pos
session of this, soil, despotism will; and if the
one does not continue to lead forth her bright’se
raphic train in glad and beautiful procession to
chant the songs of freedom and of hope for the
race, the other will marshal his grim hosts and
seourge the hapless millions in chains with lashes
of scorpions, while in the gloomy roll of linger
ing centuries the hills and the valleys of this fair
heritage will- echo the wail of stricken ones under
the iron heel of the . oppressor. What I now
speak in theory will have sadly passed into veri
table history.” '
APPEAL OF THE PUBLICATION 00M-
MITTEE.
This interesting, though somewhat, painful, do
cument, will doubtless he read with attention,
aud must excite the sympathy of our people.—
The sources of benevolence are not so much dried
up, nor. is the interest of our people so inextrica
bly involved in other branches of effort, as to deter
them from responding to the appeal of two of
our most honored brethren, lay and clerical, in
behalf of this meritorious hut struggling cause.
Surely, it is high time it had its turn with our
churches generally; the outlay required is now
but moderate, and the return which may her,ex
pected in the conferring of a public character up
on our church, in furnishing -her with- literary
and theological accoutrements, in promoting' an
intelligent doctrinal sympathy among its mem
bers and in bringing out the latent talent of the
church for every kind, of religious writing will
he great and speedy. We trust the little which
the smallest church can .do for this cause will not
be left undone. . . . .......
TO THE SESSIONS OP OUR OHUROHES.
' Dear Brethren:—W e address you on behalf
of the Publication Committee : of our General
Assembly. With the origin of the Committee,
the reasons for its organization, the uses it is in
tended to subserve, and with something of what
it has already accomplished, we presume you are
already acquainted. Whatever may be the case
with the members of our churches generally, you
who are office-bearers, know how important this
work has been considered by our General Assem
bly, by Synodsi and-Presbyteries) Many times
has it been commended to the favor and support
of our churches; aiid, among intelligent Chris
tians, it is regarded as of vital importance to the
maintenance of of sound,doctride, to the advance
of true piety and to the-growth and prosperity of
our denomination. -It is not strange, perhaps,
that it has not yet enlisted the sympathies and
h earty co-operation of the members of our churches
so fully as of Assemblies and Synods. The cause
has no romance about it. It appeals mainly to
enlightened judgment and Christian principle.
If neglected by those who are in the Sessions of
the churches, it must languish andprove a failure.
Brethren, have yon. no responsibility in regard
to it ? Obeying the instructions given by the
churches, .as represented in the General Assem
bly, and relying upon assurances of sympathy,
and support given by Synods and Presbyteries,
the Committee have gone into the work and pror
seeuted it as earnestly as they could. ' What
they have accomplished is not all that could be
desired; but-enough has been done to show that
there'is abundant encouragement to go forward
in the work. Of Ibis you will he convinced if
you examine the testimony of our ecclesiastical
bodies. T)re~causeTs nowvin apposition, if sus
tained, to serve efficiently our denomination, and
; through it the cause of Christ. .
But we are burdened with -the pecuniary res
ponsibilities of the Undertaking—responsibilities
which we have, assumed at the instance of our
brethren, and in confident expectation of their
support. The expected support has not been
extended to us. At the present moment, owing
partly to the pressure of the times, we are pain
fully straitened:, We can do .nothing else than
appeal to the churches through ■ you. , We have
no collecting agency. 'We must (and we wish to)
depend on you.
Do you ask “ what we would have you do ?”
We reply that we would urge you to place the
cause of Publication ’ in Die list of eauses to be
commended to the benevolence, of your church,
and to take care that it be presented to the
people, and their contributions be invited once
every, year. We trust that the fact that we have
no 'Collecting agents,>heed not prevent this. :
We disclaim all desire fo dictate. We appeal
only to your judgment and convictions of duty.
But, will you allow us to ask whether a sum
equal to at least ten cents for each member re
ported by your body to the General Assembly,
cannot be secured in your church this year, for
the publication and circulation of tracts. and
books by the committee, which is your servant
for Christ’s sake—and by whose request we ad
dress you. It is our desire not that any be bur
dened, but that all co-operate, as each is able.
This will ensure unfailing success.
We call your attention to the fact that one
half the amount of your collection can be drawn
in tracts, almanacs, or books for distribution,
If this cause is already on your list of benevo
lent objects—or, if it is now put upon the list—
please, inforni us of the time fixed for its presen
tation to your church.’'This will aid us.
Now, brethren, we commit the cause to you.
We beg you to decide now, whether it shall have
ybUr'co-operation. does hot admit of
delay. Yours, 1 very truly;,
W. Strong, '
« Albert Barnes.
Presbyterian Souse, Philadelphia, Dec. 1, 1861,
THE DUKE OF ARGYLE ON AMERICA.
In order to appreciate the value of the following
emphatic and friendly declarations, it should be
understood that the Duke, their author, is one of
the most rising of the yOung statesmen of Great
Britain, being a member of the cabinet, at the
age of about thirty-five. : He is also an elder in
the Kirk of Scotland, and has long been known
as possessing literary powers of a high order.
Among his performances /in this line is ari ex
tended work on Presbytery. Amid all the hos-'
tile expressions in newspapers and, reviews and
after dinner speeches, it is; well for us to remem
ber that the authorities of England have pursued
a careful and moderate course, in no way cal
culated,, to give our government any | serious
ground-of concern. Therdis, however, a hearti
ness in these remarks of the Duke’s,, exceeding
anything as yet uttered in so high a quarter:
“In fairness to bur American* friends, we
ought to admit that no more tremendous issues
were ever submitted to the; dread arbitrament of
war, than those which are:now submitted to it
upon the American continent. I do. not care
whether, we look at it froim the Northern or from
the -Southern, point of view. Take the mere
question of what is called the right of secession.
17cnow no government which has ever existed in
the world, which could possibly have admitted the
right of secession from, its own allegiance. There
is a curious animal in Locbfyne, which I have
sometimes dredged up; from the bottom of the
sea, and which performs ■ the most extraordinary
and unaccountable acts of suicide . and self
destruction. It. is a peculiar kind of starfish,
which, when brought up from the bottom of the
water, and when any attempt is made to take
hold of it, immediately throws off all its arms, its
very centre breaks up, and nothing remains of
one of the most beautiful forms in nature, but a
thousand wriggling fragments. Such,
edly; would have been the fate of the American
Union, if its government had admitted what is
called the right of secession. •
“ Gentlemen, I think we ought-to admit in
fairness tp the Americans, that there are some
things worth fighting for, and that national ex
istence is one of these,” [Cheers.]
. The following, from late ; foreign advices, gives
additional light as to the temper of the British
Cabinet:—“ Mr. Layard, undersecretary of
State for Foreign Affairs, in a speeeh before his
constituents, alluded at some length to the Ame
rican question, and defended the policy of the
British Government. He regretted that policy
had been misinterpreted in America, and broadly
asserted that the English people sympathised
deeply with the American people. He believed
the time would come when the policy of England
would be justly appreciated. He denied, that
events in America arenny proof of the breaking
down of Democratic institutions.”
Not Ready for Union, —Referring to Dr.
N.'L, Rice’s late publication, Our Country and
the ,Ohurch r the American [Presbyterian makes
the following deliverance:-
“We shall begin to believe that the leading
minds of the ‘ Old-school’ branch of the Presby
terian Church are thoroughly and incurably in
fected by their long subserviency to Southern
dictation, and'incapacitated utterly from render
ing sincere and earnest support to their country
in its hour of need.” It is hut a few weeks since
the American Presbyterian professed its willing
ness to ire-unite with those whom it now accuses
of unworthy “ subserviency to Southern dicta
tion,” and insincerity in their “support of their
country.” Can it really want to be in commu
nion with those , againkt whom it brings such foul
charges V’—PreSyterian,; Philad., (0. S.)
■The Church Journal of New York, says:—
“We have been specially pleased with the two
sermons by the Rev. Dr. N-L. Rice, entitled
Our Country and the Church.,, Dr. Rice is an
Old School Presbyterian divine, and by, “ the
Church” he means the general body of evange
lical denominations in tbe country. For sub
stance these two sermons have our heartiest ap
proval—an approval much stronger than any. we
could honestly give to many published by our
own clergy. The general drift is precisely the
same that we have advocated in these columns
during the past summer. We cannot refuse our
selves the satisfaction of making a few extracts,”
We leave these two journals, solitary and
alone, to fraternize on the subject of Dr. Rice’s
sermon. We believe they have not even the
New York Observer with them.
Mr., J. Buffington, of this city, recently
built an/organ for the'German Reformed Church,
of Lebanon, Penna., which we learn has given
great satisfaction. Having dealt with' Mr. 8.,
we can commend him to our friends. See adver
tisement. ' :
... The Concert in aid,of. the Choir of North
Broad Street Church takes place to-night (Thurs
day) at Handel and Haydn Hall, eorner Eighth
and Green Streets.
Haw fjtoiL
California. —-Action on Some Missions.—
The Presbytery of San Francisco at the meeting
of Nov. 1, passed a series of resolutions on the
above subject, of which we give the -essential
portions:
Whereas, Our General Assembly at its last
meeting assumed the-responsibility, of conduct
ing the work of Home Missions within its hounds,
instituted a Permanent • Committee on Home
Missions, and recommended to Presbyteries to
appoint standing Committees to act in correspond
ence with the Assembly’s Committee; There
fore,
Resolved, 1. That the Presbytery of San Fran
cisco, in conformity with the recommendation,
appoint such Standing Committee.
Resolved, 2. That it be recommended to the
churches in connection With this Presbytery to
contribute annually to the lunds of the Assem
bly’s Home Missionary Treasury through the
Presbytery’s Committee ou Home Missions.
Resolved, i. That in conforming to the plan
of missionary work adopted by our church at
large, we desire to take occasion to express our
full satisfaction with the manner in which the
same work has been heretofore 'prosecuted in
California by the American Home Missionary
Society, and our unalloyed-pleasure in the rela
tions of co-operation and confidence which have
always existed between the Congregational bodies
in this State and ourselves; so that in’our com
mon relation to the Parent society* and to all our
religious enterprises, we have been substantially
one organization* engaged in undivided work.—
Particularly as the oldest ecclesiastical body of
the State, whose members first formed with the
pioneer ministers of the Congregational church,
the ties here recognized, may we be permitted to
rejoice in the recollection of these bonds of unity.
Resolved, 5. That, looking towards the future,
we comply with the plan now incumbent on us
with the more cordiality since in the whole tenor,
and in all’the proposed details of its working,
especially as they are indicated by the Assem
bly’s resolution No. 6, enjoining respect to “ the
work of other denominations of like faith and or
der,” while it requires separate action in those
missions, it leaves us at full liberty to cherish the
spirit and pursue the plans of eo-operation to
which we have heretofore been accustomed in
our local work.
The Synod of California met at the Con
gregational Church of Sacramento, Oet. 21,1861,
Rev. L. Hamilton was chosen Moderator, and
Rev. B. N. Seymour Stated Clerk. The follow
ing report ou Home Missions was adopted.
I. Resolved, That the Synod of Alta Cali
fornia, approve the plan of■ Hoine Missions re
commended by the General Assembly at its last
meeting.
2. That a collection for Home Missions shou
be taken up in each of our churches in this
State, on the plan recommended, at least once a
year.
3. That the Home Missionary Committee in
New York be requested to appoint Rev. W- W.
Brier district agent for Home Missions on the
Pacific Coast.
On Education for the Ministry, a Committee
was appointed consisting of two from each Pres
bytery. A Committee of five was appointed up
on a Female College, and a Committee of three
on collegiate education in general.
Resolved, That a Committee of three, to re
port at next meeting, be appointed with powers
of inquiiy in respect to the Pacific, to consult
with its editors and trustees, and endeavor to se
cure those modifications and improvements which
shall make it a paper which shall fully meet the
relijgious wants of our churches. '
The Moderator appointed Rev. E. B. Wals
worth, J. H. Brodt, W. W. Brier as such Com-
mittee.
The Committee on the State of the Union,
submitted the following:
In view of the present distracted state of onr
country, this Synod regards it as not inconsistent
with the standards of our church which declare
that we are to “ conclude or handle nothing hut
that which is ecclesiastical, and are not to inter
meddle with civil affairs which concern the com
monwealth,” to express and put on record the
following:
Ist. Resolved, That in the judgment of this
Synod, the union of these States as consummated
by our Fathers, in 1789, has been the great cause
under God of all that civil and religious free
dom, of that security at home and protection
abroad, and of all that national greatness and
prosperity which we have hitherto enjoyed.
2d. Resolved, That while we gratefully ac
knowledge the unbounded goodness of Ged to
ward us in all our past history as a nation, we
humbly confess that these calamities have come
upon ns as a divine retribution for our sins, and
that it is the duty of all Christians to pray earn
estly and daily in the closet and at the Family
altar that the people may be brought to such re
pentance and reformation of heart and life, and
that God in his sovereign mercy may work out
for us a speedy deliverance, and that we perish
not from among the nations of the earth.
3d. Resolved, That it is the solemn conviction
of this Synod that the present Administration in
its endeavors by all constitutional means to de
fend and perpetuate the union of these States, is
entitled to the sympathy and support of all
Christians and law-abiding citizens.
On motion, Kev. J. W. Brier of the Univer
sal Church of Christ, was invited to sit as corres
ponding member.
Books to the value of $92,61 had been deposit
ed with Mr. Beach, of which $24 49 worth had
been sold; that $lOO 20 had been expended for
publication, and $75 00 assessed on the churches,
had been paid in.
Marysville.—The Presbyterian Church in
Marysville will be supplied till March Ist, by
Rev. J. H. Brodt. Letters have been sent East
for a pastor. We learn that Rev. Mr. McCall of
Central New York has been thus addressed.
Mr, Brodt has until recently been pastor of
the Congregational Church, Petaluma. -:
Bey. J. McLaughlin.—The Ued Bluff Inde
pendent says: Mr- McLaughlin preached in the
Court-house, to’ larger audiences than we have
seen assembled there in some time. He is a
young man, lately ordained as a minister of the
Presbyterian church and bids fair to make his
mark on the Pacific coast.
DIBECTOEY OP PEESBYTEBIAN SOTIS
TEES AND OHIJBOHES OF PHILADELPHIA,
PRESBYTERIAN HOUSE, 1334 CHESTNUT STREET.
NAMES OF MINISTERS AND RESIDENCES AND
CHURCHES. LOCATIONS.
Adams, E. E. . . . .
N. Broad street Church.
Adair, Robert. . . .
See. Phila. H. Mis. Soe.
Barnes, Albert. . . .
Ist Church , . . .
Brainerd, T., D.D. . .
3d Church . . . .
Brown, Charles . . .
. Sec. Phila; Ed. Soc . .
Bruen, Edward B. . .
Burdctt, M. . . . . .
2d Church, Darby . .
Butler, James G. . . .
Walnut st.Chureh,W.P.
Culver, Andrew -. . .
Manayuek Church . .
Darling, Henry, D.D. .
Clinton street Church .
Davis, James M. . .
Ist Church, Darby. .
Dulles, John W. . . .■.
Sec. Pres. Pub. Com.
Eva, Wm. T. . . . .
Ist Church, Kensington
Helffenstein, J b., D.D. j
. Mkt House»Sq. Church
Jenkins, John, D. D. .
Calvary Church . . .
Johnston, Thos. S. .
Mantua Church, W.P.
Malin, 'David, D. D- .
Me Caskie, James . . .
Southwestern Church
McLeod, John. ...
: Sec. A. B. C: E. M.
Means, John W. . . .
• Ed. Am. Presbyterian
Miller,'Jeremiah . . .
Phila. Sab. Asso. .
Morris Wm. R.. . . .
Central Church, N. L.
Patton, John, D. D.
togan Square Church
Pierce, E.J. . .
Reese, J. B. . . . •.
Lombard st. Central Ch
Robbins, Frank L. .
Green Hill Church. .
Shepherd, Thomas J.
Ist Church, N. L. . .
Smith, Charles A., D. D.
Western Church. . .
Smith, H. Augustus, . .
Twelfth Church. . .
Taylor, W W. ....
Olivet Church. . . .
Yan Dears, George . .
Tabor Mission. .
Wallace, Betty. J., D. D.
Ed. Pres. Quax. Kev., 1
and Sec. H. Missions, j
Southwark First Church,'
Vacant, ...
Walker, Richard . .
Kenderton Church
The National Preacher for December,
contains the sermon of the Rev. Dr. Storrs ji\,
before the American Board at Cleveland on the
‘•‘ things which are not.”
1682 Mt. Vernon st.
Sp. Garden & 13th sts.
1708 Filbert street.
Presbyterian House.
255 S. Eighth street..
Wash. Sq., cor. 7th.
634 Pine street.
Fourth & Pine streets.
Spruce ab 40th, W.P.
Presbyterian House.
1531 Chestnut street.
Darby.
Darby.
Chestnut ab 40th, WP.
Walnut, ab 39th.
Green lane, Manayunk
Manayiink.
Germantown.
10th below Spruce.
20 North Tenth.
Darby.
Chestnut ab 40th,WP.
Presbyterian House.
1116 Columbia avenue
Gir’d ay. near Han. st
Market House Square.
Germantown.
Germantown.
1814 Pine street.
Locust ab 15th.
Sycamore & 36th,WP
6th & Bridge, W. P.
1614 Chestnut street
425 South Twentieth.
Fitzwater & 20th sts. ;
Reeseville.
Presbyterian House.
2136 Mt. Vernon st.
Presbyterian House.
1106 Callowhill street.
Vine. & Franklin sts.
Coates ab Third.
1621 Summer street.
20th and Vine.
718 Sansom street.
17th and Race sts.
Lombard ab Bth st.
Girard av. & 16th st.
Girard Av. ab 16th.
507 Brown street.
Buttonwood below 6th
1530 Arch street. .
17th and Filbert.
1530 Arch street.
South above 11th
2021 Wallace street.
22d and Mt. Vernon.
250 S. Juniper st.
17th & Fitzwater sts.
1431 Girard Avenue.
Presbyterian Houses
German ab Third.
Tioga st. above 17th.
pK®. IfttMralrtiw.
Prof. Henry B- Smith, D. T>. of Union
Theological Seminary is constantly laying the
theological public under new obligations by the
issue of standard works original and translated,
in the. various branches of Church history and
Dogmatics. - Messrs. J. B- LippiNCOTT & Co., of
this city have sent us vol. IV of his edition of
Gieseler’s * Church History. The original
worb has certain marked peculiarities, among
which is a condensed and precise brevity in the
text, with a storing away of more recondite mat
ters, citations from authorities &c., in extended
foot notes, which' follow the entire text like a
Commentary, hut which are not at all necessary
to a correct view of the course of the history.—
Thus the work becomes valuable not only to the
student and the man of leisure, but also
to the general reader. The volume covers the
period of the Great Reformation down to the
peace of Westphalia, and is thus a great addition
to the desiderata of our English History. Neax
der’s history was left incomplete before the
author reached that period, and no history of the
Reformation in . our language introduces us to
the sources, as this of Gieseler. Prof. Smith’s
work consists in the revision of the Edinburg
edition to page 122, and the translation and ed
iting of the remaining four or five hundred pages
of the volume. Some of the notes are translated
in a condensed form, otherwise the volume is a
faithful version of the German-original, Bvo., pp
593. New York, Messrs. Harper & Bros.
In Lord Bacon's Thohghts on Holy
Scripture, ‘we have a work as novel as it is ad
mirable in its plan. The suggestion was taken
from Bacon himself. Says he, in the Advance
ment of Learning : “If the choice and best of
those observations upon texts of scripture which
havcTbeen dispersed in sermons, * * * leaving
out the largeness of exhortations and applications
thereupon, had been set down in a continuance,
it had been the best work in divinity which had
been written since the apostle’s time.” Upon
this hint, the author, Rev. John G. Hall of
Port Plain, N. Y., has gone over the works of
the Great Philosopher, pen in hand, gathering
from them the dispersed comments upon and al
lusions to, Scripture passages which they contain.
Some of Bacon’s best thoughts- are found among
them, and while all reading people will find tko
work acceptable, to the ministry it will be valu
able as a stimulus, to thought and as furnishing
illustrations and germs of sermons. The indexes
are a great addition to its utility. Large 12m0.,
pp 480, with, typography, paper &c., of unusual
beauty. New York, R. Carter & Bros., pub
lishers. For sale by Chas. S. Luther, Presby
terian House, Philadelphia.
The Pathway of Promise is the title of a
new devotional work, in the form of brief discon
nected essays or meditations, each suitable for a
single reading, based upon passages of Scripture
and interspersed with brief ejaculatory prayers
and devotional verses; It appears- well calcula
ted to aid in promoting the spiritual walk of the
Christian. The mechanical execution is novel
and excepting the antique typography which is
not to our taste, highly pleasing. . 18mo. pp 186.
R. Carter & Bros., publishers New York. —
For sale by W. S. & A. Martien 606 Chesnut
.Street, „J?.hil««ie}phia. >'
Books for Children. —The most seasonable
of Christmas Books for children that as yet has
been Bent foioufe office is “ Streaks of Light,”
by the author; of the Peep of Day. It consists of
simple versions of Scripture scenes, and illustra
tions of Seripture tttttEs, ' done ini a very pleasing
manner for the young. The woodcuts are abund
ant and good, and the binding will he a high re
commendation to eager young eyes. 16mo. pp
334. Published by Harper & Bros., N. Y.—
For sale-by J. B. Lippincott & Cc , Philadel
phia.
A thoroughly good hook is Carrie Allison,
by C. E. K., none the less welcome for being an
original and not a reprint. Carrie was quite en
thusiastic for a foreign missionary life and the
volume shows what a training one may get for
such a line of service in every-day home life.—■
Every Sabbath 'school teacher and every pious
member of a family should read and ponder its
wholesome lessions. Boston : Henry Hoyt.—
For sale by-W> S. &A. Martien, Philadelphia.
18mo. pp. 112 with illustrations.
Day Break in Britain by A. L. O. E, is a
good story of the' early introduction of Christiani
ty the mother country. Republished byR.CAE
ter & Bros., New York. For sale by W. S. &
A. Martien, Philadelphia.
PERIODICALS ETC.
The United Presbyterian Quarterly
Review for October, completes the second vol
ume of that excellent periodical. The papers
are of a solid, yet by no means unattractive char
acter. It well deserves the patronage of the De
nomination and the encouragement of all lovers
of sound Christian learning. Edited by David
R- Kerr, Pittsburg, Pa.
The Edinburg Review for October. Con
tents—Macaulay’s Last Volume; Montalembert's
Monks of the West; The Agriculture of France;
Memoirs of the O’Briens; Churn’s History of
Scotland; Stoiy of burnt Njal ; English Juris
prudence ; Thitars’ Revolution; Mrs. Browning’s
Works ; Dr. Hessey’s Bamptou Lecture; The
Disunion of America. L. Scott & Co., Publish
ers New York; W. B. Zieber Agent, Phila
delphia.
For Better, for Worse.— Two editions of
this story, just reprinted from the English ma
gazine “Temple Bar,” have been laid on our
table. T. O. H. P. Burnham, of Boston, .sends
ns one on good paper, fine type, at the reduced
price of 37$ cents. Messrs. T. B. Peterson &
Bro., of this city, send their very cheap edition
at 25 cents. We have not read the stoiy, and
can give no opinion of its merits.
Littell’s Living Age, for December 7th,
contains the Quarterly Review’s article on the
Life and Character of Shelley, with a number ot
choice miscellaneous pieces. This old established
weekly admirably meets the wants of all who
desire to “ keep the run” of English periodical
literature, or to preserve the views of their
presses on questions of international importance.
The Knickerbocker for December continues
the vivid sketch—" Through the Cotton States.”
and the' tale of the New York business world
“ Recollections of Wall Sreet,” by Kimball, with
its usual spicy and inimitable variety in other de
partments. New York, J. R Gilmore.
Dr. Wad worth’s Thanksgiving Sermon-
Published by request. T. B. Peterson &
Bros., 306 Chestnut Street.
DEC. 12