126
aixoican Ntitobgtictias
GENESEE EVANGELIST.
THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 1862.
JOHN W. NUARS,
THE ERA OP VIOTORY.
- Wig issue this paper precisely one year from
the date of the onslaught in Baltimore, upon the
Pennsylvania and Massachusetts troops hurrying
to the protection of the National Capitol. The
memories' of Fort Sumter and the uprising of the
loyal people of the Union are thick around us.
The year that has just closed has witnessed
not only the commencement, the completed or
ganization, the rapid and confident progress, the
partial triumphs and incipient recognition abroad
of the Southern rebellion; not only the trials of
the National cause, the peril of a foreign war, the
horrors of a prolonged period of teeming inaction,
the loss of valuable lives, and in two or three in
stances of-national prestige, but it has witnessed,
too, the culmination, decline and inevitable swift
approaches of the final overthrow of the Rebel
lion. For three months past, or during the en
tire period of renewed activity of the National
forces, it hail suffered—with the exception of the
naval success of the liferritnac,—an unbroken
series of reverses, of the most decisive and
overwhelming character. In strategy, it has been
outgeneraled; in forces, it has been outnumber
ed. It has been routed on the open field, it has
been driven from strong entrenchments; cities,
towns, railroads, rivers, States even, have been
wrested from it. Whole armies have been cap
tured, and its whole line of defence—one thou
sand miles long,—embracing fortifications of
immense strength and lavish armaments, on the
Potomac, at Manassas Junction, at Forts Dortel
son and Henry, at Bowling Green, Columbus, and
Island No. 10, has fallen into odr hands. We
cannot better represent to our readers the pro
gress of our arms than by the following tabular
view of the decisive actions which have taken
place since the middle of January last :
1
1
1 ct F .
• ,' g P 4 '
w * 0 FA . 4
DATE. NA ME. 4 r.,-
A
..... _____
Jan'y 19, Mill Spring, . 281 45 10
Feb'y 6, Fort Henry, . 15 60 16
" 7, Roanoke Island 100 2,500 40
" 8, Elizabeth City, --
" 16, Fort Donelson, 2000 13,300 .65
March—, Pea Ride, . . 2500 1,600 13
" 18, New Madrid,. --- 60
44 14, Newbern,. . . 500 800 GO
44 28, Winchester, . 900 (?) 225 2
April 7, Island No.lo 1 500 (?) 6,800 1541,
" 7, Tiptunville,
" 7, Pittsburg L'd g 1 .-- 40
We have named only the scenes of .decided
combats, omitting small skirmishes and instances
of voluntary aban donment and retreat before the
advance of our forces. Some of the jA,:tig,
rciw . ling Green,
Columbus, with 40 cannon; Nashville, with 1600
sick and wounded rebel soldiers; Winchester,
MANASSAS, the various batteries on the Potomac,
with many guns; Fernandina, Jacksonville, and
St. Augustine, Florida; Brunswick, Georgia;
and Huntsville, Alabama. Neither have we in elu
dad. the small arms captured, of which 20,000
were reported taken at Fort Donelson alone. Up
to and including that action, the U. S. Gazette says
we had captured 800 cannon; and 4500 horses.
Neither have we named the supplies of provi
sions abandoned by the enemy, on which our
armies in Arkansas and Tennessee have been sus
tained for days, and perhaps weeks,
The greatest, fiercest and bloodiest battle of
the war—that of Pittsburg Landing—seems to
have decided nothing beyond the certain repulse
of the enemy, with the loss of their best general.
It counts among our victories—it keeps np the
steady tide of atteeess—and that, for the present;
seems to be all,
These, then, are thegrand and sufficient rea-
sons for the President's call for a Thanksgiving
service on last Sabbath, in all the churches of
our land. What a kind and graefous Providence
is that which gives to the first year of the war of
rebellion a close so auspicious to the cause of the
Nation which seems about to secure us against
a second year of its awful ravages, and to settle
onr National existence on a stronger and better
foundation than aver.
We take pleasure in laying before our readers
the following original Lines by Rev. E. E.
Adams„ which finely embody the popular and
Christian feeling of the hour :
THANKSGI v .L.n G.
Land of the prairie and the hill,
Of thousand streams and sunny lakes;
The voice of gratitude awakes;
all thy villages a thrift! .
• The tread of armies on the
The shouts of victory round the isles,
The war-cry through thy grand defiles,
Are prophecies of freedom's reign.
The wisdom of our noble chief,
The valor of each warrior /3011,-
' The victories already won,—
'Are omens of at quick.relief.
Rise then, ye consecrated souls,
Speak, every lip, and utter praise,
High anthems of our triumphs raise,
And pour the , rapture to the poles.
Q land which God has loved, awake,
To holy thoughts and glorious deeds,
And though thy heart in'seoret bleeds,
Like Samson, from thy fetters break
Out off dishonor's spotted robe,
Put on truth's vesture fair and white,
Roll back oppression's heaving night,
And spread Thy glory round the globe I
OM:NATIO BY Rgir. MEN' =AMBERS.
IT is generally known that three persons, mem
bers of the Methodist Church—one of them a
candidate for ordination in the Church, and two
of theni local preachers—hav e been ordained as
ministers of the Gospel, by Rev. Mr. Chambers,
of this city. It is due to this brother to say that
in the first case—that of the candidate—he was
associated in the ceremony with two Methodist
Episcopal ministers in good standing in this city,
as well as with the session of his Church—nine
persons in all. The consent of Bishop Scott was
also, understood to have been given. In the
other cases—those of the local preachers—there
•
Were fie co-presbyters present r unless the elders
of kr. Chambers' church be regarded as such;
-AND
Editor.
although it was believed to be in accordance with
the wishes of the Methodist brethren generally,
of the city, that the rite was performed in these
as in the other case. The contrary was not sus
pected until the Conference which met in this
city recently, voted not to recognize the validity
of these proceedings.- The apology for the irre
gularity was the immediate need of the services
of the individuals as ministers of the Gospel in
the Army; no Conference of the Methodist Epis
copal Church being in session at the time.
We make these statements simply for the sake
of truth. The proceedings were, in our view,
highly irregular, betraying a haste to get into the
ministry incompatible with the dignity of the call
ing, and constituting an infraction of the Apos
tolic command, to " lay hands suddenly on no
man." The first ordination had the main ele
ments of validity, though , irregular; the rest
should be rejected in to:o.
OUR LONDON LETTER.
STANDING here in London—that wonderful
and indescribable concentration of interest—that
Briareus whose nrunbrous arms stretch forth to
every part Of the globe--a .man seems to take in
a view of the world, such'as he, can obtain from
no other stand-point. Apart from the fact that
it is the capital of an empire whose branches
extend is every direction, the political and com
mercial interests of the city itself, are bounded
by no limits of nationality or of distance, but
wherever there are men or articles of commerce,
there it seems to have a stake. Its merchants
flock from every country. The Chinaman, the
Hindu, the Parseb, the Turk, the Greek, the
African, throw aside here their national differ
ences, and mingle
. on common terms with the
Continental and the Saxon. The enormous
wealth here accumulated and the vast riches of
other lands here represented, render it necessary
that communication with every part of the world
should be as speedy as possible. Science is
spurred to the utmost to quicken the -results of
commercial speculations, and satisfy the greedy
maw of public curiosity; so that news pouri in
with a rapidity that is distracting and over
whelming. From the revolutions of nations,
&Mt to" the accidenta of individuals, the history
of the world
,seems to be written for us while it
is yet being enacted. I propose to take an oc
casional glance at this passing history, as it is
connected with religion, education, and the pro
gress of humanity. And in doing so, I shall
endeavor to give you such portions of it as would
not reach you by the usual channel of the press
which, shall go more deeply into matters
and opinions than is generally the wont of its
popular caterers. And I shall try, moreover, to
convey such information and views as shall be
peculiarly interesting to our own branch of the
Catholic church.
Beginning, then, at London, the two engross
ing subjects of the day are "the Revised Code,
and the Great Exhibition. The Revised Code
may well engross public attention, for - it is con
nected with the-education of the masses, -and
has a high importance_ to every man, woman and
ohild ill. the.PagoliA, •Iti.w.auld-144mpesaible for
• to_ w.oe questiott---whichs
has originated in the proposal of Mr. Lowe, the
head of the Educational Council of the country,
and intimately connected with the Times news
paper. It may not have been known to your
readers generally that great efforts have been
made - -of late years in England to further porular
education', and that the amount expended by the
Governlent for the purpose, has risen to $4,-
000,000 (800,000) annually. Most of this was
distributed by capitation grants to private 'and
charitable schools, for each child attending, of
the poorer classes. This method of distributing
the money and encouraging education, did not,
of course, interfere with the religious prejudices
of parents—for each parent knew before sending
his child to a denominational school, for instance
—of which there are many—what principles it
would there be instructed in. There was, more
over, an allowance to apprentice or pupil teach
ers—who learned and taught at the same time,
and were then transferred to the Government
raining colleges to be perfected as regular teach
ers. All this Mr. LOwe proposes virtually to
abolish. The denominations have availed them
selves very largely of this grant, and many of
the churches and chapels have day-schools at?
trolled to them. And there may be some truth
in the insinuation—which gains credence froni
his having stated his objections to any-religious
education—that Mr. Lowe is aiming this plea
sure partly. at religion.. He prefesses to have
discovered that the present system is inefficient
—as all acknowledge it_is—andhis remedies are:
to give no capitation grant to any child: untilit
shall know 'the three It's and to give no grant
to the • pupil-teachers until they can• stand a car'.
fain examination, and suffer them to leave their
masters at any time after six months' notice—in
one case rendering it most unlikely that any
master will take the risk of educating children,
- or will be ableitoWnd to Ni4.41% - voinpen'eatien -
until the children have been talereely educated
—or in the other, will take the risk of losing his
teacher and his money at six months' notice. Of
course all classes interested in the education of
the poor, have risen against this measure—and
for once, at least, churchman and dissenter have
trade common 00.12138 rto put it adorn. It is now'
being discussed in the House, and the probabi
lity is that it will be thrown Out or at least con
siderably modified.* It would be a lasting dis
grace to England, if,,while contributing her hurt- .
dreds of thousands to educate the distant - heathen.
—a false economy should lead her to reduce the
means and the efficiency of education at home. ,
We are now on the eve of the Great Exhibi
tion, and London is preparing for the World's
great meeting. As for the, building itself it will
excite more ridicule than admiration, vast as` it
is. It may be more extensive and' eligible, but'
for beauty it 'cannot be compared with the airy
and graceful fabric which astonished the assem
bled multitudes in 151. This is Of brick and
glass, and resembles a railway station or an Au-
gears stable, with vast pepper-bopes at either end.
It was rumored that Napoleon should open the
Exhibition, and an amusing letter appeared in
the Tirnes, from an outraged Frenchman, who
* Since writing the above, Mr. Lowe has an
nounced that the Government has - consented to a
relaxation of the rule rearding the individual exa
mination of children : and that a substantial portion.
(not all) of the grant-should be given on the general
report of the Inspector. And they also concede an
other point which my space did not permit me to
mention, viz : to give up the principle, which was
ifroposed, of grouping children by age, and not; by
their attainments. The House is still in committee
on the question.
LONDON, March 29,:1862
American kittolatttriatt attil 6.eittott ItTangetifit.
hoped that if it were true, the Emperor might
be led in blindfold, that he might not be insulted
with a view of the building which Britain had
erected to receive the world in. Perhaps, as was
suggested in the House of Commons the other
night, it is true that the triumphs of art are the
more glorious in small communities, such as that
of Athens, and not in great nations. I should
rather hold that superstition or thnreligious feel
ing is the true.nurse•of the Arts of Paricy—and
it is according as that rules or diminishes that
Art rises "or falls. And this view is confirmed
by the, fact that the sublimest conceptions of an
cient art, and the noblest efforts of the Middle
Ages wers the results of the embodiment of reli
gi3us theology and superstition. While nations
whose civilization and culture has elevated them
above the area of superstition, and whose spirit is
commercial, never produce,—though they may
collect and admire—great works of art. How
ever this may be, all the wealth and talent of
England have not availed to erect an edifice
worthy of the nation and the age.
But, you will ask, what are the Christians of
London doing for the benefit of the multitudes
which will throng the city in a few weeks ? I
am glad to say they have not - been idle, and-every
effort 'being made that those who come here
may not go away without bearing some good
with them. The Tract and Bible Societies will
increase their activity and endeavor to radiate
the truth from this great centre of concourse. A
committee of ministers and laymen, some of them
noblemen, has been formed, with the object of
holding services in several languages during the
exhibition period. The first name that I see on
the Managing Committee, is that of the Rev.
William Arthur, a name known with honor and
affection through all the Churches. The Hon.
Arthur Kinnaird, Lord Ebury, Lord Radstock,
the Rev. Dr, Hamilton, and Edward Bickersteth
also appear in the list. The objects of the-Asso
ciation are thus set forth :
To promote the cause of God, by
1. Religious services, Lectures and Prayer
meetings, in Churches, &c.-, under Tents and in
the Open air.
" 2. -Circulation of the Scripture Sic. in-Rail
ways, Hotels and lodging-houses by Clelporteurs,
Miasionary and other Agents-in Co-operation
with well-known societies for Christian efforts
among the masses:
3. Promotion of Christian intercourse with
visitors to London from all parts of the Empire
by social meetings in suitable places and the
opening of a Central room where information can
he had as to Religious Secieties and Philanthro
pic institutions.
The. Office and Central Room are at Freema
son's Hall. All honor to the noble men who have
undertaken the management of this great work
and may the blessing of God reward their la
bours.
Looking over the Continent there are several
matters of interest. In. Sweden a gracious revi
val is in progress.' There has been in the Na
tional Church there a relaxation from the
strictness of its forms. The pastors aruallowed
to choose from three texts on the Sabbath instead
of being obliged to preach from the text of the
ail 4 Is this" - tin - 111;er f - ' - treu Gospel he
Mitch litid - heetr tiprooting
immoral 'and herotioal rectori. The number of
ministers has been inereased—old churches re
paired : and the Sabbath is more generally regar
ded. In short the Church which Srurnmachei
called "a palace of ice" is being !pelted into
warmth and life.
Merle D'Aubigne and others have issued a cir
eidar to the chArches, from Geneva, which 'I
hope has also reached America, proposing the
erection of a Memorial to Calvin in the City
which was the scene of the great man's labours.
The Memorial is to be in the shape, of a hall for
preaching and schoolrooms—and it is to be dedi
cated on the 27th of May 1864, " the day on
which, as it is simply and nobly expressed in the
Registry of the G6neva Consistory— ( John Cal
vin is to God' "—This being the only memo
rial of his death. I'trust that every one connect
ed with our body in America will feel it a privi
lege to honour the memory of the man who was
the great expounder of our principles and doc.
trine.
'Ail eyes are now turned-towards Italy. List
night .I was present at a conversazione on Italian
affairs, given by Dr. Angus; of the 'Baptist Col
lege, which was largely attended by ministers
and members of all denoniinations—the Rev. W.
Arthur, Sir Culling Eardley, Lord Radstoek and
others, addressing the. meeting., The news from
Italy:is most satisfactory, and betokens' the -ap
proach of dawn to the long-shadowed land. A
•
most remarkable movement has taken place; and
an address has been prepared and already signed
by more than six thousand - persons, of whom
over one thousand are prresta,—for presentation
to the Pope. In this address; Which is admire
bly written, the Holy Father is admonished to
reform; the various abuses of the Catholic
Church are pointed out, and it tenches even the
,cofessional itself I I have before me a private
).atter.fram- . Naples, which has =not "been publisk .
ed: "By Oils post," says the writer, 4 I send
you papers which will interest you—as they shoW
the state of things existing within- the pale of the
Church of Rome. The address to the Pope,
which I have enclosed, will explain the nature of
the Mutuo SoccolisASOCietir, x You Will see that
thereis a lair , and, open exposure of the corrup
tions,
of the Chinch, and that the design of the
Society is to 2 - estore the - Church 'to
,its primitive
purity ! The first step towards this, which the
Society aims at-taking, is the destruction' of the
temporal power of the Pope. Yon will see by
the note at the end of the address, that it has
met with much sympathy "
amongst the clergy,
and some of them of the higher orders • amongst
wham I may name Canon Ricasoli, of Florence,
(a relative of the Baron), who, with the other
members of the Society, have been suspended.
Canon 1?. meets a number of other ecclesiastics
regularly for the pw:pp se. of studying the Scrip
tures tvether I I know that there are - riforms
proposed which will touch even the doctrines ;of
the -Church, but it is felt that all are not ready
for them at present. Canon .Rioasoli said to a
gentleman whom I know, pointing to some of the
prayers to the saints in the Missal, 'ln the reL
form which..we hope to effect these will be et-
Punged "
I have also before me an Italian newspaper,
published by this Association, bearing the apt
and significant title—apt, as expressive of the
exodus from the Egyptian bondage from Rome
—of "La Colonna del Fuoco," the Pillar of
Fire! " Catholieo z poliiieal journal by the Ole-
ricabliberal Association for. Mutual Assistance."
The first article—issuing, be it remembered
from priests high in office-4 "Zeggete la Bib
bia".."—RciaFl the 13ible—, : and closes with the re
commendation" to Government to introduce it to
the schools. What hatb. God wrought ? Never
since Luther, has the world seen so wonderful a
ehinge in opinion and Practice. Pray, every
Christian, pray earneitikiiii reviving ITALY
The Pope is ill. 'AI amid the
pompous silence of t atfdan, - we canfaney
that his trembling; ears catch the rumbling of
the nearing Chariot-wheels of vengeance; and
that his heart wishes_ that some other age and
some other" tenant of hjs•,.chair ' had seen the
awful and inevitable crisis.
Humanity now presents a solemn and thrilling
spectacle to a thoughtful As the eye
ranges the vast -field, everywhere the surface is
beginning to move. Thivower of the Gospel is
working—and Liberty, its satellite, shakes her
invincible spear in the , face of tyranny, and chal
lenges it to the combat:, -Dynasties of Almost
immemorial anti - quitY.are tottering : mind long
torpid wakene to-activity - t 'and the physipal mist ,
follow it. COuntries are casing Ibeinselves in
armor, and science`is blamed Tor not more speed=
ily producing deadlier and more efficient weapons.
The nations thus armed at every point, stand
like knights linces couched; glaring
grimly and fearfully_a other through the
crevices of their iron ea pa, -as at foes whose
strength is yet untried=waiting, until they God
of Battles shall throw .down the truncheon—to
clash together 'in the last grand tournament . of
the world.
To the Believer, fixe. d iipon the firm founds
tion of God's word, all this motion—all this pre
paration,all these teryiblil iiNnesticaticnis—bring
no fears and'excite DO 1101Atts. Even while his
own feet are tottering Nyith, shocks of the univer.
sal earthquake, his glanopraverses the moving
surface—he sees God's spFit breathing over `it,
he sees God's hand disOsing it--and believes
that these convUlsioniarclbut surer_ indications
of the swift oncoming - 6f that 'day for
which . he hopes and pay
" He which testifieth th4se things midi Surely
I come quickly. A - meta Even so, come, LoRD
,
JESUS I' 2 • r -ADELPHOS.
FATItIOTISMAAH' E OLERer
1 3 _ .
No class of men in the itemunity have narti
tested a more pure, dishitfkisted• patriotism than
the Clergymen. of every denomination in our land.
The resolutions offered inilkeit ecclesiastical bo
dies; the sacrifices, personalind relative, they are
willing to make; their abundant labors in speaking
.
andwriting,to confirm'the wavering and - strengthen
the weak-hearted by argininent and metive, need
no record here—Tor they ate known of- all men.
The nature of their profession, as it leads them
to investigate principles, and rebuke evil, while
they `"hold fast that which is good," makes
them discriminatingin their estimate of law,
order, right and good government,. while it ele
vates them above the selfish" creed of scheming
politicians. In nothing has • this devotion to
their country been ins ' parent; than in the
cheerful-surren(Wbithei cherished sons to the
claims of their country it the present conflict.
rit-P -A br , s' . .,_,,tholY ril-e' - •is 0-r.:7, aAsisiis-ifira-ote
this alariber7 - "inalyr"sO''' :;--oot'tlie leeS - eisai
1 rental sacrifice, because di a ardent. patriotism of
these noble young men' e .114-not be repressed I
Several newspaper iiara aphs- have recorded,
here and there, the readin . • of clergymen's sons
to enter the army ;• and in -very loyal section of
Our country a similar list . o the, present_ might
be furnished by those persb ally acquainted with
the fads. s- ''
The inquiry of -the Ind "
endent a few. weeks
. , ,
since for statistics - concern the sons of 'clergy
men in the, army, led to titre collection of such
names as were known personally or by commu
nication to the ,
writer. .4 seems - fitting-:to head
the list with those-who lifive-'literally fallen a
sacrifice to their patriotisk " ^ -
"Oh, fathers, mothers, Ors,a - spare the tears ye
fain would shed ;
Who seem to die in such if tense, ye =not call
them dead. - ' - -
They live upon the lips ofinen, in picture, bust,
and song, ' , ' - -''- - '
And nature folds them inhtiart, andkeepetheni
.safe horn wrong." - , - - - •
CLEAGYMEN WHO * Htkii", ose IN THE ARMY:
Rev.-Wm. .A.. Stearns,. tiliaret 'of Amherst
1 r
College, one Adjutant Fi . A... Stearns, lined at
Newbern. - i :
:Rev. B. J. Wallace, onl--=First tient: Irian
M. Wallace, died at Pitislinri , : r :
_ Rev. Mr. Johnson, SMeruse, tivione killed
at Bull Run. " --
Rev. Dr. Lyman' Beec i '
.44--Rev.. janies
Beecher, chaplain. t ,,
Rev. Henry Ward_Beeother, one.
Rev. Calvin Stowe, on*liient..Chas. :Stowe
Rev. Leonard Bacon, Nei Haven, two.
Rev. Bishop Patter, Phil' ridelishia, tosys:: - Co.
R. B. Totter.
Rev. S. H. Tyng, NewMrk, two
Rev. George Duffield; Detroit; one---001. - W.;
W. Duffield.
Rev. Dr: qiilettii;* Ne 'One. '` `
It,
- ' iteV:' Thos. Brainerd ::iph - ta; solil,
C. Brainerd,' Assistant-Su - :n`..: : Fori , ,
Reit. Wnr. T. Kpr,ole; , to 49:11sin if,,West
Poh4, one—Lieut. Bawl. prole . ;. . ...,,,
It l oam
Rev. Jelin - French, eh '' -at West Point,-
one--Liat. John W. Fre' 4 ii.; . , : .
Rev. O. S.:Towell, on 'eta. Sarni. Biwa.
.
Rev. Jos-Abbott, Beve4;Miss., one-:-OhaS.
Abbott. , ' . -_- r , ' - .
~
Rev. B. B. Hotchkin,;Oris't.-gurgion.
[Where the names of" the:korts were - kuoirie,
they have, been given. .frehably this' nimber
might be multiplied _by tpa,,without - including
all of various denominations enlisted in thisholy
cause. Sixteen , -others- were mentioned in the:
Am&rican Presliyteriata ot r A.pril 4, as dm
...sons
Presbyterian ministers of the - 014:$ehool.]
.
Rev. GEo.-R. Moont h`-talt.. - i n charge of the
Lyons Female - College. :I"*' Office address,;
.
Lyons, lowa.• '. - " ,'—' . -
Rev. FILEDERICIK SIPAI ' Ar, having removed
i
. . . _
his residence from An eta Penn .Yan re
quests: that all cornmuniciiiinis'zle addressello
him at the latter place.. - '''
We learn that althonghXr. Starr has resigned
the Secretaryship of the Walton Education So.
ciety, in whichhexi'll:prOabV.he succeeded by
Rev. Simon.S. Goss, he still : remains as hereto
fore, in charge of the acivuncemerit of. the mote
rial interests of the tikeoogical Seminary _of
Auburn.
TIE pardon of_ain dotb coat its confessions
and,tears, but it cost Christ blood and unknown
(oommumainm.)
MINISTERS NEED TO. HEAR PREACHING
Listening last week to Dr. Wallace's sermon
before the Third Presbytery of Philadelphia—a
sermon able in many respects, -- but more espe
4ally so for its suggestiveness=-the thought arose
that we should all Preach betterfor oftener lis
tening to preaelaing. I do:not mean wfr should
do it. by stealing from the sermons of others.
Without any sort of plagiarism, we can make
everything valuable which we hear, tributary to
ourown- fund of thought, upon which we draw
for supplies of instruction for our congregations.
Reasons have often been urged why our, cock
siaitical meetings should be protiacted so that
much time may be given to preaching. These
reasons have generally related to the edification
of the congregation, and they have very strong
force when applied to meetings in the country
churches, where anything out of the ordinary
routine is rare. But I sometimes think that mi
nisters have still greater, need of this increase of
the preaching exercises of such meetings. Our
congregations constantly hear preaching, more
or lessinteieiting.
.Most ministers very rarely
listen tolhe preaching of others. To pastors in
the country particularly, the average of such op
portunities does`not probably 'exceed four times
in a year. - The tendeaey.strith us allisJoiel
into unifoim modes of thought, and sameness of
exPression, which, after a while, have, upon the
hearers, all the *eta` of Monotony, if they are
not aetnally such. It is true that studious read
ing does not ,a little to counteract this tendency,
but I have more faith in 'the frequent hearing of
good sermons; toe proinote in our own perform
ances, freshness, vicrer and versatility, and--Lif
in the highest sense we listen aright—unction.
In former years, I have known associations of
ministers in given districts, meeting periodically
—say monthly or quer terly—for the, express pur
pose of public preaching, and such parlor exer
cises among themselves as prepare them to pro : .
duce better sermons. I know that then these
meetings were most valuable auxiliaries to the
preacher's work, and I can think of no reason
why the same would not be as true at this day,
when, more than at any former period, the cause,
of Christianity requires the highest degree of
knowledge and accura.cy, and the , highest grade
of•ability in the 'performances of the pulpit.
REV: A. G. CAROTHERS, U. S. OONSUL AT
MARTINIQUE.
WE are gratified to learn from Martinique pa
pers, 'that Mr. C. arrived at St. Pierre on Febru
ary, the.2oth, and entered upon his duties on the
22d of the same month, (Washington's birthday).
_ .
On the 12th - of 41arch, the news of the fall of
Fort Donelson was received there, and it gives us
plea Sure tolcnow that 4he - Consul fully par - takes
of the national spirit, as will be seen by the fol
lowing circular
CONSULATE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
MARTINIQUE, March 12th, 1862.
To Masters of Vessels of the Unites States, nuts at
_Martinique
~.- rq .9 ' ?. 1 .-f".1 : 4 ` 4 1. 75517 87 4 " t-1 1 --I kbra/ 3 1'
thinling news fioni our
country
" Fort a.Ponelion has been. taken ;-- Fifteen
thousand rebels and an immense amount of war
•
material captured ;—Ten thousand of the enemy
reputed horse di combat,'" etc.
The intensest excitement prevails at hoine. It
will be difficult for; e to convey even 'h. sliAt
idea of the joy and enthusiasm of our fellow
countrymen. .
We; at Martinique, share in, the same glorious
spirit.
Whilst thanking God for the success which
has thus happily crowned the Union arms ) I also
deem it most appropriate, as Consul of the ITni.
ted States of America at Martinique, and your
fellow countryman, to respectfully suggest that,
(as at this consulate), you will have displayed
the 44 Stars and Stripes" -the national liag-Lthis
day, and every day during your stay in, port, in
11941: *AtAl'efiVieW.edfis--
surance it givesoaot only that our Union Is Op:
served, but will remain " One and inseparable,
now , anti forever."
AMAISCW G. CARDTRERS,
• ' 'United States Consul:
PESSBYTERIAL ACTION.
PRESBYTERY or WILMINGTON ON MISSIONS
.
Resolved, That Presbytery has heard with
great interest and profit, the statements of,Rev.
Albert:Bushnell,.in - referenda *to the amens on
the Gaboou river_and on the African Continent; - .
and would reneweilly commend the great cause
:of kiti s siiOns, and 'especially the' American Board„ ,
in its present 'difficulties, to the prayers and lib
,erality
.. our people..
fiesoived, That we would, hailwith.satisfaotion
the formation of n -Presbytery on the Gaboon
river,,as soon. is it shall aprar yracticable to the
kethren-ore
- .'OOtLEOTIONS S6R yOltplidlt MitgOES. ; .
4egived; That the Presbytery ipprove
intienTof the .Synod with a viiwto securing. 061.
'actions for the"cause of ifOreign - MissiOns,'froul
all our `
_churches, and the i ) fditaurtery -urge upon
every church within its VOUnds to contribute ac
coiding to its ability to this cause.
Relo/ved,'That Rev J. H. Gaylord, the Synod's
committee, be instructed to visit and address the
delinquent churches OR 41,9 subject
UNION OF TE TWO TRE n MOSBY—
TERIAN CHITECTI.
Resolved That the Cominissioneis of the Pres
byterT te, the General 'Assembly, be instructed
to favor all attempts at ,Union, between the :two
Assemj,l,es ,of the ' Presbyterian Church i With
due regal:4- to. the position of the eo=eallecl-New
86hool Assembly; '
SYSTEMATIC BENErICENOZ.
Resolved, That the pastors of_ the several
churches tsf Presbytery be instructed call the
attention of:their sessions to the propriety of
adopting -sonic "plane of systematic beneficence.
where this has not been done.. -
•
Messrs, T. B. Peterson & Brothers,lo6 Chest
nut street, have published :a very handsome me
dallion likeness of that lion-hearted American in.
England, GEORGE FR.A.NOIS TRAlN.—Eirery
loyal` citizen should have a copy of his limorr
SpnannEs recently published'by the same firm,
the profits of' which - are devoted - to the - support
of 'the' Ameritait..
THE OTTRIOVAN MERCHANT
We last week referred to the - death and hurial
of this excellent man. We quote' now from the
Evening Bulletin an:. admirable. sketch -of -
character. 2
Mr. Petersonn - was a leading **member _of the
silk house of Yard,,Oillmore & Co,, ; He was of
Swedish descent and his whole life has been
spent in ,this city, where he has always been en
gaged in mercantile pursuits. He was a very
successful merchant. His talents as a financier
were remarkable. They enabled him to outride
all financial storms, and would have qualified hittt
for success in•public life, if his taste had led him
in that direction. Few men were so intelligent
and comprehensive in regard to every thing
which entered into the questions which are ever
settling themselves in regard to the business of
the whole country. He never confused one with
whom he was conversing on these subjects with
the technics of political
. econemy ; but with a
singularly transparent clearness he would state
all that any one knew touching the - principles
and facts of the whole matter, and frankly point
out the precise point where his information stop
ped. We have
.known him, months before a
given result in regard to business occurred, clear
ly to state it as the 'inevitable development of
causes brain operation: We have known him
to state the minute as well as general principles
that would regulate_ the -business of a WI or
spring season not yet reached. He had, in short,
a thorough business talent; judgment singularly
Sound, and an acuteness that saw through all false
appearances to the bottom of the actual facts of
every case.
While industrious to' a fault, .overtasking his
delicate constitution, and thoroughly attentive to
his business, Mr. Peterson was unambitious be
yond that point. Never was any thing more or
derly and even elegant than his store, his house,
,his grounds and every thing:with which he - was
connerned. But beyond this, , he seemed disin
clined to go. He took but little part in politics;
in public institutions or entertainments, and
even confined his social life to within a limited
circle. Yet he was well qualified.for.enjoyment
and success in all these , ways. Of a rather slight
build, elegant figure, with a keen eye, a bright
mind and a kindling intellect, he was one never
seen. without attracting attention. His opinion
carried weight with it. His presence had in it
PASTOR
a peculiar charm.
- Mr. Peterson was a singularly brave man. In
the entire battle of life, his moral courage was
most conspicuous. He "took the responsibili
ty," habitually, and in the fine language of an
English writer, "seized the purposes of others
and threw them forward in his own direction."
Nobody ever dreamed, ,after knowing. him even
for a short time, that Lawrence Peterson would
flinch from any thing, and when his mind was
made up, no one, that knew him well, ever
thought of trying to alter He contended,
hand to hand, with a wasting disease, for years,
and seemed to, keep himself alive by the power
of his dauntless will. He never complained of
the inevitable and never contended against the
invincible. He went to the utmost limit, of pos
-4:11/140. deawri.Aml3:l.- the* , SUbMiteed llotj
'> roman but to God'. ' "
For Mr. Peterson was a sincere Christian. He
connected:himself with the Presb3terian Church
in Arch street, then under the care of Dr. Skin
ner, from which he went to the, Clinton street
Church, Under Drs. Todd, Parker and Darling;
and at last settling himself in a beautiful place
on : Green Hill, he joined the latter congregation.
HiS piety was not -demonstrative. He abhorred
--the word is not too strong—all cant; he could
bear no shadow of humbug; he could listen to
nothing but the. truth on all subjects, thenreti
-cal and practical. He was the same in his reli
gion.. Its quality was of the most sincere.yet sub
missive kind. He recognized fully and clearly
the almighty - power and goodness, the depravity
of human nature and the need of atonement and
purification. Submitting himself cordially to
these great trnths as a practical• reality, he ex
emplified the virtues of a Christian less by words
than. deeds. Devoted ;to , the services of the
Church, Odra
poor, philanthropic his feelings, he was yet
singularly independent in, all his actions. Be
judged, for himself, and he`judged wisely and
well
• When his friends wine to' speak of the heart
of Lawrence Peterson, they falter and break
down; Few can praise hint without tears. His
friendship was not lightly given.- His• manners,
while courteous in his business relations, were,
accounted as rather severe and unyielding by
most who outside the magic eirole of his affec
thins. Yet his character was remarkably health
ful iii its developinent. His love for all his re
latives was constant, deep; abiding. Father; mo
ther, brothers, •sisters—all were singularly en
deared to him; and his love for his own family
was literally beyond human words. A- brave
heart is.alwayi kind ; there seemed , no limit to
his n'ffftons where they were, fully given. We
sailitlint beyond thjssacred enclosure, his friend
.
ship was not lightlYkrestow&a. , Butivihen he had
quietly and, carefullytried any one, studied' his=
`characterand found him not wanting, but stead=
fast-•.and true , he never 'waferea in -his friend
ship.' perfect' gentleman' in ' instinctive
caution.` about interfering in anything whatever
that did .not-eoncern him, yet on all suitable be
casions, especially in the hour of trial r he showeil
a steadiness of friendship and a firmness.of con
fidenenthat shone over , the darkness and storms
of life like the ray ; of the beacon to the worn - on
mariner. • -
Over the entire neighborhood4here Mr. Pet
ersen lived ; there is a pressure of sorrow. In
every dwelling they feel' as if one of their own
familyled been taken.' It' s a singular tribute
to greatness and goodness that even by feresidm
where he was seldom seen,. there should be tears
for him and even fiebs - ef so royv He Was,sQ ciu
cere; so generous, so great hearted, so mailly,lio
religious,,and to those near to bun so loving, that
there is a - feeling * that a part Of the' very bright
neis-and exeellence of our world is gone from us.
It cannot but, be sad and desolate, when , one -who
wak always on the side of the right, and the true
is withdrawn froiu the sum of human power.
We know it indeed, but it is hard to realize it,
that beaven gathers the fruit just at the Moment
when it is ripe, and that the harvest and the vin
tage. are not here. With every year our'friends
are fewer on earth, but it is indeed a glorious
compensation that they are garnered into a socie
ty at once blessed and immortal. Their extun
ple .animates us, and we live to.be worthy of be.
lag receivad presently to• their nonfulenee and
friendship, '
LAWRENOE PETERSON - , ESQ._
, 4i. tit...-- , fligre4 . ..Z two.
HAMILTON COLLEGE } N. Y.—A correspondent
writing of the Junior exhibition, and other mat
'firs ilk connection with the Collige, says
"Among the subjects [at the exhibition] w as
' Theodore Winthrop,' The battle of Great Be
thel,and,the attendant circumstances, were most
vividly and beantifu , llypreseuteq. The speaker
was George M. Loomis, who was present at that
battle, saw the accomplished Winthrop fall, and,
himself sustained - injuries which have returned
him to college. lam happy to record the pros
perity of Hamilton - College. Under the control of
the present admilistration, it= has grown - to he a
first-class College, Young men of New York
State need not now go as far as New England to
be satisfied. The lastsatalogne showed the stu
dents to be a little less than two hundred, and
the acting professors ten. A fine Law Depart
ment, lately under the. control of Professor Theo
dore W. Dwight, LLD., and now that of Profes
sor =cot Evans, LL.D., has been. established.
The departments of Chemistry and Astronomy
&re most excellent. The great telescope (the
best but two in the world), under the charge of
Dr. Peters, will do a good work. A new aste
roid has just been discovered by him. Lastly,
where can better Greek be taught than by Pro
fessor. North, antliyhere better elocution
.than by
Professor Upson .?
_A deep religious interest
pervades the Collage at present. A church has
been organized and officers appointed. Hamilton
is Weed looking up, and is the place for good
training and culture for the young men of Ame-
TUE STREET CHURCH; can anything
be done to save it ? A Church which is in so
flourishing a condition as is our own in this city,
need not shrink from the acknowledgment im
plied in the above question. Here is one of the
older . members of our sisterhood, whose history
shows not a few marks of the Divine favor under
honored servants of God, living and dead. It is
situated in the midst of a dense and not very
fluctuating popnlation—said to be the densest in
any section - of the 'city—presenting a grand field
for missionary enterprise among the misses of the
city. Its new and influential building is ample
in_ size, and will be attractive in its exterior. A
faithful, Christian people have labored there for
years, and persist, in spite of discOuragements of
the most formidable character. Fifteen thousand
dollars in money have .already been upended
upon the building. There is a debt besides of
four thousand, and four thousand - more ;are re
quired to finish the building, though the congre
gation worships in the large lecture room at pre
sent. The debt is pressing upon the church and
threatens to overwhelm it, with all that has al
ready been done, and place it beyond 'the control.
of the denominatien. Shall we, in spite of its
tenacity of life, suffer it to become extinct; or
in this`time of secular and spiritual excitement,
shall not some scheme for reviving this church
be devised, and shall it not take its place once
more among the active and fruitful enterprises of
our body in the city ?
NtibHaltom.,
&Barons are declared but dull literature and
poor ventures for publishers, yet in a few in
stances they have enjoyed• extraordinary -popu
larity. Tan WAY TO LIFE is a series of sermons
by the well known Dr. Guthrie; which, as with
his other writings,• is destined to fall into the
latter class. Dr. Guthrie has remarkable powers
as a speaker and writer;, the volume before ns
- testifies - to the richness of his imagination, the
Copiousness of his style and the earnestness with
which, by accumulating illustrations, he seeks to
effect a lodgment for • the truth in the hearer's
hearts. He has not the simple and Saxon di
rectness of Spurgeon, but he - has far more of
thought, and a far richer treasure of mental re
souroes; and leaves the impression of higher abi
lity, with equal evangelical spirit and scriptural-
ness of tone. It is a very readable book. Pub
lished by Carter & Brothers, New York. Phi
ladelphia : C., S. Luther, 1334 Chestnut street.
. ...
cc BuoAD BRAixyws 13N- 4 TRE I B PATHWAY,"
is the rather affected title of a republication which
Messrs.= Carter & Brothers have just issued from
an English original. It is a story of home life,
the scene being laid in India and the British
metropolis. The. family are brought safely
through.the mutiny, except the loss of a beloved
child." Returning to- England, they engage in
one of the numerous Christian enterprises for
the relief of the'negleeted =classes of the London
population-- .. that-in -behalf of dressmakers and
millineni 'ln fact, the aim - of the book - seems to
be mainly to bring this particular benevolent
operation . ,
before the public; though more direct
_. .. ..
lessons in experimental piety are taught. The
union of thesetwo objects is not favorable to
congruity in the • story, but its spirit is good, the
incidents are skilfully narrated, and the whole
will -prove' interesting and do good. For sale by
C. S. Luther, 1334 Chestnut street.
•
T Rtnix' GTiL and other Stories, by Mrs.
Madeline Leslie, author of " Tim, the Scissors
Giinder," etc., 18mo,.pp. 153.
4 1024 BRIAN, 18 -mo, Ii 1); 36..
,WILLIE WILSON, 18. mo, pp. 36.
Very suitable books for Sabbath School and
Fatally libraries. Boston : Henry Hoyt, pub
lisher. For sale at 530 Arch, street, Philadel
phia.
BERTIE LEE is a rather tame story of a-good
boy, the excellent- spirit of which will scarcely
suffice to balance the lack ofindividnality and of
. .
incident. Handsomely printed and illustrated.
18mo., pp. 199. New York :B. Osrter & Bro
thers. Philadelphia : „for sale by ,(3.. S. Luther.
MAGAZINES _ AND . PAMPHLETS.
SYMBOLS OF TMOTIGHT.This is the second
of the essays reprinted from, , _ and in advance of,
the current number of the Presbyterian Quarterly
Review. It is from . the affluent mind and pen
of the pastor - of North Brad Street Church.
The theorYef the author, briefly argued at the
commencement, is that the whole Material world
is symbolic of the spiritual or ideal ; and that the
':object Christianity is ,to bring back the, sym
bol to the ideal. Art in its various branches,
language, and especially the Bible—" a book of
.symbols'!—furnish-a wide field for the illustra
tion of this theme, which is traversed and made
to yield many gems of thought and flowers of
rhetoric, with many suggestions of remote vistas
of speculation to the thoughtful. The writer has
confined himself to the pleasing and attractive
side of his theme. There is a symbolic meaning
to the darker aspects of the material world which
is also full of warning and instruction. For sate
at the Presbyteriail House;
APRIL 17,