134
,A,mtviran frrobgteritan
~ASPD-
GENESEE EVANGELIST.
THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 1862
JOHN W. wEAIIB,
RELIGIOUS EEBTIVALS.
AMONG the permanent and most cherished
customs of men is the observance of anniversary
occasions. Around these cluster many of our
belat and happiest associations, many of the most
humanizing and elevating influences, many of
the brightest moments of our existence. They
aid in preserving the choice memories of the past,
and in repeating its lemons to new generations of
men. They vivify national life, they enkindle
patriotism, they bind communities and families
together, they remind us of the manifold good
ness of God. Hitherto bath the Lord helped us,
we say, as on these days we set up our Ebenezer.
Life would be but a drudgery without them.
Large numbers of Ch - ristians, Ity:far the great
er part of the Church visible, carry this custom
of annual observances into religion. Indeed,with
the primitive church the celebration-of festivals
was universal. But the Evangelical church of
our day is not agreed as to this practice. The
'Reformation of the sixteenth century was a re
turn from a church life deformed and perverted
by human authority, to the simple standards of
the Scripture. It aimed, in radical disregard of
the developments of history, to carry us back of
the so-called primitive church; back of the age of
the fathers, to Christ and the apostles themselves.
Rightly regarding them as the only infallible
authoriiy in the church,—the reformers some
times failed to consider the question of expedi
ency, in regard to customs forawhich no express
'warrant could be found in the Scriptures. Ris
ing up with the spirit of Christian freemen,
standing fast in the liberty wherewith Christ had
Made them free, they protested against being en
tangled 14 a yoke of ceremonies, devised and au
thoritatively imposed upon the necks of the peo
ple, in a spirit of revived and intensified Judaism.
They nobly broke the bonds of a combined spir
itual and temporal despotism, work) than that
which our Saviour found among the Jews, and
which he denounced with'seven-fold woes.. They
liberated the consciences of men from these false
and irksonte restraints, but did not some of them
err in an opposite direction by charging their
consciences with the avoiding of all these and
like observances ati a duty ? Things which may
justly be rejected and denounced when claiming
the saoredness of a religious obligation, are at
least deserving of examination when they put
forth the modest plea of Christian expediency.
And it is to our minds a fair question for our sec
tion of the Reformed churches to consider; whe
ther an unforced observance of some of the lead
ing festlvals of the church year is not expedient?
Whether our religion would not gain by it
'Whether our conception of the facto of Redemp
tion and of the person of the Redeemer would
not becdtie more vivid ? Whether our Chris
tian experience would not gain in variety, full
ness, beauty and health ? Whether a much
needed larger infusion of the devotional element
might not tlaereby be introduced into our services?-
Whether the preponderating - secular character of
our life, from day to day, and from year to year,
might not be approximately balanced by marking
some of these secular days as anniversaries of the
grand events in the religions history of mankind,
and encouraging (not commanding) the people
to observe them ?
The-religion of Jesus has a human side and a
strong human interest. It is quite as needful_
for US to roman/ter that the Divine Word became
flesh as. that he was " in the beginning with God
and was God." • The ministry of Jesus Christ on
our earth lasted between two and three years.
Certain parts of it are known to have coincided
with certain periods of the year. The Evangel
ist John, especially, gives ns the chronology of
our Saviour's ministry by the Passovers, and
other feasts of the Jews which he notices. We
can especially trace with accuracy the last few
days of our Saviour's life, his crucifixion and his
resurrection, his ascension and the outpouring of
his spirit, "wlien the day of Pentecost was fully
come." Now since this can' be done in strict
accordance with historical verity, what valid ob
jection can be made to marking the correspond
ing days of the year, through all time, as memo
rial days—ln a word, to giving the Ch.ureh,—as
ic part a human institution, as well as to the fa
mily, or the nation—her anniversaries ?
We confess we saw the crowds of other deno
minations freAuenting their places of worship on
last Friday and Sabbath with pleasurable sympa
thy, mingled with regret that our own people
were outside of the circle of these becoming and
truly Christian celebrations. Days, justly recog
nised as the most distinguished in the whole
year, were honored, enjoyed and turned to profit
by the devout-mhkded. To thew the year had
brought round not merely birth-days, or remin
iscences of national peril, or secular epochs, but
great day of the world's atonement : the day
of the uplifting of the cross, and of the agony of
Him that hung upon it for man's redemption,—
the day When the sun was darkened and nature
was convulsed in sympathy with her dissolving
Lord. To them it was not 'merely a period of
revival in the natural World, but of happy and
appropriate association with the triumph of the
Lord of life and glory over death and the grave
forever. These associations are precious. They
ornament, they gem, our daily life with spiritual
pearls. We plead for the stringing of a few of
them on the dull calendar of our secular days
and our Sabbaths which, to many among us, are
in danger of becoming monotonous.
And how, in the Presbyterian Church, would
we hairs it accomplished ? Not by authority, as
if the Word of God contained the slightest foun
clation for such requirements; not by any attempt
at legislation, by formularies and rubrics, savor.
ing of ancient bondage; na by involving any
man's conscience in any such. observance; not
by approximating these anniversaries in sacred
ness, or expediency either, to the clear and posi
tive institution of the Sabbath. But by develop
ing and extending the spirit with which these
days are already met in many of our pulpits, and
by encouraging the recognition so largely given
them in various circles of business.. Already not
a few of our clergy make it a point to preach ap
propriate sermons on Easter Sunday. We would
have this custom extend from pulpit to pulpit.
We would have this day seized as full of material
for the very highest clocpience on the crowning
theme of evangelical preaching—the consumma
tion of the Atonement in the Resurrection. We
know not why the seventh Sunday following
might not furnish equally inspiring material
as the anniversary of the Gift of ..the
Holy Spirit to the Church. And as the
First Church in this city set the example
by recently opening its doors on a week day that
the pastor might preach a Christmas sermon, we
know not why the same church and others in our
connection might not be opened on week days to
celebrate religious 'anniversaries, whose chrono
logical claims have never been called in question
like Christmas, and whose significance is as deep
as the main facts of Christianity themseves.
Editor
No revolution—only development--is needed
to establish such a custom among us. We need
more festival days in the year in this country.
Leave men's consciences free. Restrict all ideas
of sanctity and obligation to the Christian Sab
bath; and, then, in the spirit of Christian free
dom and gladness, set apart anniversaries of the
great epochs of Redemption for universal observ
ance. If any reader is inclined to dispute the
expediency of suoh an arrangement', we will give
him one or two of our reasons—not otherwise.
(For the American Presbyterian.)
THE PRESBYTERY OP THE DISTRICT OF
COLUMBIA
WOULD begin their narrative of the state of
religion within their bounds, by saying :
That for several years past there has been a
marked progress in the visible, or external king
dom of God among them. This is seen particu
larly in their enlarged church accommodations.
Three new church edifices have been erected in
the city of Washington, in very important loca
lities, at an expense of over $50,000, and capable
of seating nearly three thousand people. In ad
dition to this, two of the oldest churches of the
same city have been remodeled and much en
larged at great cost; so that we have now six
church edifices in Washington, capable of accom
modating nearly six thousand people.
The congregations attending some of these
places of worship have been very large during
the past year. One of the new churches has
doubled its congregation, and all are increasing
in numbers and strength. Ail these churches
have been supplied with pastors, and enjoy the
regular ministrations of the Word; and though
the three younger congregations are oolttpara
lively weak in numbers and in wealth, Yet located_
in the midst of a numerous population and almost
entirely free from debt, the prospect of their
growth and usefulness is very promising.
This Presbytery has under its care, also, se
veral churches in Maryland, including the First
Constitutional Church in Baltimore. This last
church is the only one in our connection in that
city, and its history has been moskinteresting, as
an' illustration of conscientious attachment to,
and vindication of the principles for which our
branch of the church has contended ever
since ,the memorable disruption - of 1837. Its
loyalty to the Constitution of the Presbyterian
Churchlas been naturally and followed
by loyalty to the National' Government; and it
is pleasant to know that in the dark days of Bal
timore, when treason lifted its bloody hands in
their streets, the pastor and elders of the First
Constitutional ;Presbyterian Church stood firm
for the - truth, and by their public teaching and
prayers and - e - ximple, aided to restore the city to
its loyalty and to safety. It is a very gratifying
'fact, and one worthy of record in the history of
the period through which we are passing, that
every pastor and , minister in this Presbytery is
an open, decided and outspoken friend of the
National Government. From the beginning of
our civil war to the present monienk their testi
mony has been explicit, and their sympathy un
doubted ; and while among our people, a small
number have been deluded by the insanity of
secessionism, yet the great mass of our congre
gations have sustained and encouraged their pas
tors in their duty to our country. Indeed, so
true and fervid has been the patriotism of our
people, that we suppose that in no city of the
Union, was the response to the. President's pro
clamation for seventy-five thousand volunteers
more promptly met; and that in no one did a
larger proportion enrol thentselves in the ranks
than in Washington. Among these were the
mast conscientious and faithful of our _church
members, especially the teachers of our Sabbath
schools, and the active office-holders in our con
gregations. To such a course were_ they ad
vised, not only by their-pastors:but even by their
wives and mothers and sisters. However 'much
indifference or treachery to the Government there
may have been among a 'portion of our fellow
citizens, it is a fact that the members of the
churches of our connection have shown the truest
patriotism—a pairiotism manifesting itself in en
listments, in visiting the hospitals and the camps,
and in •ministries of love which regarded the
wants of both, the bodies and the souls of the
sick and' wounded soldiers. •
We mention these facts not only that they
may be known to the country and to posterity,
but because they illustrate the true influence of
our theology and our religion. The fact is, that,
the religion of our-churches during the past year
has been summoned by our Divine • Lord into a
new field of activities. The life of the nation
has been in imminent peril, and with this, every
thing sacred in the church has been at• stake.
The question has been, Shall we have a free
church, an open Bible, a free press, and a land
of universal liberty, or, the reverse ? -
We have felt that with the loss of our national
life, we not only surrender our republican insti
tutions, but the rights . and the hopes of the
world. Our pastors and churches have appre
ciated this. Hence they have heard the call of
their Lord, and while they have avoided all po
litics in their technical dense, yet they have en
deavored to discuss and render more plain, the
immutable principles of the Divine government
over us; and have not failed to proclaim that the
powers that be are ordained of God, and to pray
for all our constituted authorities, and for the
success of the national arms in the struggle to,
secure law and order and peace in our land. Some
of our pastors have been regular and almost
daily visitors to the sick and dying in the hos;
pitals, and a few of our people have given their
time to nursing thousands of these sufferers, and
to ministering to the spiritual necessities of the
ten thousands in our camps. It has been a year
of intense anxiety and of wonderful activity in
these respects; and while we cannot speak of a
large number of conversions in our own congre
gations, yet we feel that while -the providence of
God has called the people to this new field of
labor, He has given his sanction to their efforts
in the salvation of many of the dying in the hos
pitals, and in the communication of a new life to
astriran Vtrobgtetian and
,11,entott
many hundreds in the camps. And in this con
nection, it is proper for us to testify to the great
fidelity and success of a large number of the
chaplains of the regiments stationed in the vici
nity of Washington. We have become perso
nally acquainted with many of these men of God,
representing all the evangelical denominations;
and while their patriotism and their consecration
to their work have excited our admiration, we
have had occasion to rejoice with them over the
wonders of divine grace wrought in the midst of
them. Among many others which might be
mentioned, we have been particularly interested
in one regiment whose chaplain is connected with
our branch of the ohuroh, and who has been per
mitted to see a most powerful work of grace, ex
tending through the winter months, and result
ing in the conversion of over fifty souls in the
course of one week, and of many others in suc
cessive weeks, till, when their camp broke up
and made its advance into Virginia in the month
of March, their regimental church contained bi
tween two hundred and three hundred members.
We believe that there have never been, in the
history of the American church, more pure and
healthy revivals of religion than have been wit
nessed in several of the regiments encamped in
our vicinity, and we record the fact with grati
tude to the great . Head of the church, ,and with
new hopes for the stability and glory of ourbe
.
loVed American nation:'
We have also in our Presbytery a Church of
colored people which we have cherished with
much 'interest for several years. They have a
very commodious brick edifice, located in a most
eligible part of Washington, and fitted up with
great taste. They * have a membership of one
hundred and fifty and a congregation very res
pectable in character and promising in numbers.
Though their present pastor is about to be trans
ferred to another field of labor yet the Presby
tery feel that the Lord will not forsake this con
gregation or the class of people whom they re
present.- Indeed, we feel that our relations to
the colored race among us are of most solemn
and responsible character. 3 In Washington they
number now some twelve thousand or about'one
sixth of the population. Asa community, they
compare most favorably with the poor laboring
class in this city or in any city. Indeed, when we
consider . the peculiar disadvantages under which
they have long struggled, we are amazed at the
progress which they have made in knowledge, in
the comforts of living and in true Christian vir
tues. They have eleven Evangelical churches
in Washington. Each church has its Sabbath
School, and there is, in connection with almost
every Church a day School where their children
are taught to read and write and where they
learn Geography and" Arithmetic, Grat9mar and
history. The result is that almost all the colored
children in our city are enjoying the privileges
of a common school education. They haire ac
complished this entirely by their own money and
energy, while they have been, paying taxes to
suFport the public schools, of our city , where
white children alone are admitted. Some of the
colored people have accumulated wealth by their'
industiy. Not a few live in theleowra houses,
most comfortably furnished,' and -a, very large
proportion are among the most orderly, moral and
religious of our peptilation.
It is well known to the nienagers of our bene
volent ,associations`_ among ...the poor, that there
are comparatively few applications for aid from
colored people, while hundreds of suffering whites
are every winter clamorous for assistance. There
are, of course, exceptions. There are careless,
shiftless, improvident, dishonest, vicious, drunk- -
en, dissolute and abandoned colored men and
women among these many thousands, but the
,
proportion is by no means as large as it is often
represented_ to be, nor as great, in fact, aS it is
among the whites. At the same time, there is'
in the sentiments and prejudices of many in this
land, a very formidable obstacle to their highest
elevation in civilization and happiness, and on
this account we sympathize most deeply with
those among them who may prefer emigration to
some other portion of the world, and feel under
great obligations to aid all who are struggling to.
accomplish this object.. We have, however, no
sympathy as Christians, with that oppressive and
barbarous legislation in some of the free States,
by which this race are forbidden even to enter
into their domains. Such legislation is a dis
grace to the civilization of the nineteenth cen
tury, much more to the Christianity Of the New
Testament. It is most Closely. allied with that
modern abominatien, that the corner-stone of:the
temple of the highest civilization is the subjec
tion of this race to permanent bondage. This
Presbytery has no sympathy with either "of these
sentiments, but believe that while our. States,
our cities and our churches should be free and
open to them as to others, they themselves would
secure their greatest good by seeking the land
from Which their fathers were torn, and to which
they are invited, not only by their oppressions
here, but by the good which they may accom
plish for their race, who are calling to them es
pecially for that Gospel which alone can elevate
them 6n earth Tand prepare them for. heaven.
In conclusion, the = Presbytery would simply
say, that whatever , be the result to them or to •
of our present- war, we hive the utmost confi
dence that through the conflicts of sin and the
clouds of war, and the oppressions of man, and
the malice of devils, the kingdom of God is ever
making its onward way, And is destined, ere long,
to fill the earth with holiness and peace.
NORTH BROAD ST. eHIIROH, received nine.
teen persons into its communion, Sabbath before
last,:twelve on certificate and seveit on profession.
Ground was broken for the new building on
Monday morning last, April 12th, at seven
o'clockin the presence - of a large assembly. The
occasion was appropriately marked by devotional
exercises. And thus a most important entOrprise
is fairly inaugurated. We congratulate pastors
-and people on this happy termination of protrae
ted delays and join our fervent wishes and pray
ers with their own for the speedy and prosperous
completion of the work. And_we are warranted
in saying that so far as merely human instrumen
talities are concerned, no doubt need be enter
tained of the issue. A correspondent says :
The ground was first broken by the Pastor.
Mrs E. E.-Adams (wife of the Pastor) gathered
a box of the first earth thrown out, which she in
tends to preserve as a memento of the commence-
went. A general invitation was extended to all
to come forward and lift a spade full of the earth,
which was cheerfully and cordially responded to.
Mrs. Alex. Whilldin was the first lady to put the
spade in the ground.
The whole 'services were attended with great
interest, and the - day will be long remembered by
those who had the pleasure of being present.
NEW YORK RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.
NEW YORK, April 19.
THE excitement connected with the war, and
the engrossing sympathy of all parties with the
suppression of the rebellion", has had its influence
upon the churches of this city. It has deadened,
the religious sensibility of many Christians, and
closed their hearts and pumas to - the claims of
religious charities au 'benevolence. In some
congregations of erainent wealth and known
liberality, when the clainis of the Christian or
ganizations are presented, little else than coin is
given, and that often or-the Smallest dimensions,
the Government issues. But when the necessi
ties of the soldiers, either physical or moral are
offered, and aid solicited, it is wonderful to see
the piles of bank note a given, and how opulently
the plates are loaded. Nothing could be nearer
gratifying to the heart of the philanthropist or
the Christian. Yet while -sympathy gushes so
freely in that direction it should not be chilled
and so cruelly restricted in so many others.
The religious interest in the city churches is
far from being at the revival standard. With
very few exceptions, there is a uniform deadness
in all the congregations of New York. Prayer
meetings are-the barometers by which to judge
of the spiritual atmosphere of the churches. But
few. of theth are :gensously attended, and the
long prayers and dreasextertatious of many of
the venerable brethren / chill ail interest, and
shuts out the young and sympathetic from being
present. In Brooklyn' it seems as if another
atmosphere existed--j ust: across the river. Most
of the prayer meetings are full of •earnest, like
Christian people. They pray with unction, and
labor with earnest voices and hearta The re
sult has been that in most of the congregations,
for months, a revival spirit has existed, and large
numbers have been added to those "who shall
be saved." It is a fact not to be controverted,
that Brooklyn, with its - population of less than
30,000, has as many, if not more, really work
ing, toiling ministers, that New York with its
almost a million. The laymen there are also
eminently valuable aids.
Many of the congregations of this city are
passing through exciting ordeals. Some are
overgrown in wealth and numbers, and others, in.
desirable localities, are almost gasping for an ex
istence. The great aintition to centraliZe power
and numbers, - exists invieligious circles as it does
among business men. A. T. Stewart, elafflin &
Mellin, Jeffrey & Co., and others, monopolize an
enormous Dry Goods trade. They swallow up
numbers of smaller houses, who cannot contend
withhuge capitalists and'overgrown monoPolies..
In religious circles it is somewhat the seine; The
large, rich churches grOw larger and richer,while
the small poor churches decline in wealth, num
bers and -usefulness.: `here are radical wrongs
somewhere.: There are great, inexcusable short
comings.among Chiistians, in relation to religious
societies, which need to be remedied, else no per
manent spiritual prosperity can be expected, or a
real pecuniary thrift secure* On some future
occasion this point - may be enlarge& upon and
illustrated. -
Change icons the order of the day in this city
with the Miniitry: Among the many, Rev.. Dr.
Spring has Professor_ Shedd, from Andover,
as a colleague .to sues( m!a,Dr.-Hoge.- He was a
eat loss lo ,, the - patiffiet‘therstire loyal pee:.
ple, and preferred the* venerable but patriotic
pastor to one younger and more impulsive,—one
who could not psk God's blessing even upon the
National ,Government which protected him. His
trials have been, severe
i since he left the " Old
Brick," his esteemed, antloving wife having
died, after the loss of two if not three brothers in
the Rebel 'army. Prof: Shedd is a -Congrega
tionalist of the New England type. 'lt surprised
i'many when he was invited - to succeed Dr. Alex
ander. He declined` thatiparish, and the surprise
has not abated by hik being invited - to the Old
School pulpit of Dr. Spring, where even New
School men rarely gain admittance. But the world
rolls on as time advancess in the course of a few
short years, doubtless the _Presbyterian. Church
will be reunited, and again recover from its pre
sent distractions and weaknesses.
Preparations for-the , y are in
Ikti . - anniversaries•
progress, but it is apprel nded, the, interest will
itbe less than usual, and t attendance eorrespon
-1 dingly small. The loss of - flat great ecclesiastical
Mecca, the old Broadway Tabernacle, to_whieh
all with one accord seemed to resort, has broken
the social charm of the anniversaries. They are
now held in divers halls; churches, - and -even
theatres. We all know wad feel the power of
association. There is a growing interest to learn
the pecuniary state of the',Bible, Traet, Sunday-
School, and Missionary (foreign and: domestic)
organizations. The one uponwhich all• Christian
sympathies and efforts
.concentrate,
;irrespectiveof denominations—the American Bible Society
shows receipts only abont Islo,ooo short of last
year, while the distribution of the Scriptures,
adding those among the nOldiers, will be found
up to almost any fornter -twelve.morith. The
receipts South have never been large, lint gra
tuitous distribution has alv‘ys been extensive in
that quarter. , . r _. _.--
.. .., ..,- .-. R .x._-, venturing out from
the seclusion and classic 41ides of" the " Leroy
Female 'College" to lecture before the -good
people of Brooklyn. Tata,- an= artist of emi;
nence and skill, has painted a series of Biblical
pictures ) and at the invitation of a number of cler
gymen and old personal fqends, D. 0. will
elaborate them with his rich ecelesiastical lore
and graphic descriptions The The estimable, but
facetious Doctor has still al yearning - after hiti
" dear Brooklyn!' He never should have left i
there. His old'people hale had a succession of
accomplished and beloved .Pastors, but-Dr. C.
had unfitted them for any other preacher and all
inferior kinds of sermonising. His affectionate
parishioners had also spoiled him for
,any other
ecclesiastical' position. He comes back thither
with fresh interest and unabated devotion. •
, - i CROMWELL.
HARRISBURG PR
REAR BRU2xEs MEN ~uur Presbyteryrresnyte
has just , concluded a very nieresting Session
held in the First Church ,of. Northumberland.
The very stormy. 'weather preented a full atten
dance but the heavy fall. of row repaid 'ashy
heightening the beauty of thai very lovely valley
of the Susqnehanna, from Dan`phin to Northum
berland. The fields, the roll4kg hills, the high
bluffs of the Kittatiny, and thejtrees everywhere
were laden with the heavy mantle, while, the
swollen, broad river, with its white islands rising
out of its waters rolled homeward to the sea,
through this pathway of beauty. Why do not
tourists visit more frequently this most beautiful
of American rivers ?
Among the most Interesting items of business
were the following. After a free interchange
of views, it- was Resolved, First, that we ,regard
" THE AMERICAN PRNSBYTERIAN as a Paper of
great . importance to our Church, and highly ap
prove the position it occupies on the great ques
tion, of the day. .Resolved, Secondly ; that we
again recommend it to our congregations as wor
thy of their support and pledge ourselves indivi
dually to do what we can to advance its inter
ests."
Rev. William Stirling and Elder John B.
Wall, were chosen our Commissioners to the
next General Assembly, with Rev. J. Miller and
Hon. M. McKinney as their alternates.
The following resolutions, after eliciting some
spirited speeches were unanimously adopted and
ordered to be sent to the AMERICAN PRESBT
TZWA'S and some other papers for publication.
Resolved, 1. That we regard with entire ab
horrence and reprobation the unjustifiable and
wicked rebellion now existing in our beloved
country, and do proclaim our unqualified loyalty
to the Constitution and the Union and our ap
proval of the efforts of the National Administra
tion to restore Unity and Peace.
2; That while we return unfeigned and joyful
thanksgiving to Almighty God for the victories
which his hand has wrought for us, we will con
tinue our constant prayers for a speedy and en
tire success in restoring law and order through-,
out the whole country.
8. That, we
.: deem it to be the solemn duty of
the Church, to express through all her channels
her abhorrence of treason and disloyalty, and. to
inculcate earnestly upon the people the virtues
of patriotism, -of subjeqion to law, and of faith
fulness to Constitution.'
4. That, viewing the system of American Slav
veryas the main cause of all our National trou
bles, we hail all lawful and constitutional mea
sures for the. abolition of this great evil and pray
that thsy may be speedily successful.
5. - That we will cheerfully bear any burdens
of taxation that may be- imposed on account of:
this . war and will in every respect inculcate this
loyal and patriotic duty.
Literesting Sermons were preached before the
Presbytery by Revs'. Thomas Street * of York,
and Alex. D. Moore of Dauphin. Our Churches
are all, supplied with Settled Pastors with the sin
gle exception of the 'United Charge of Holders
burg and Spring Mills.
The Narrative of the state of Religion gives
an encouraging view of the financial and spiri
tual condition of the churches, notwithstanding
the, depression occasioned,by the war.
. Harrisburg, April 10,186.
'PHILADELPHIA FOURTH PRESBYTERY.—The
Fourth Pre,styter,y of Philadelphia met on Wed
nesday morning, 9th of April, in Fairfield First
ehureh, Fairton, N: J. There were present du
ring whole or part of sessions eieven ministers
and nine elders.
The Rev. Wm. T. Eva was elected Modera
tor, and the Rev. Charles F. Diver, temporary
Clerk.
.
The principal items of imsinees transacted were
the following :
I. of Rev. William J. Erdman to
- the I'teibyteryror"Onondagt; of the Rev. Chas.
R. Bliss to Hampden East Association, Massa
chusetts; and of Rev. John McLeod. to Phila
delphia 'Third Presbytery.
2.—Reception, under care, of Presbytery of
Wilberforce, Kerr Boggs, a candidate for the
Gospel ministry. -
3.—Licensures of Charles Donelly Shaw and
Ira Charles Tyson.
4.—Election of Commissioners to General As
sembly. Ministe,rs—Principals : Rev. Messrs.
Osborn and Eva; Alternates, Rev. Messrs. Brai
nerd and Boggs. Elders—Principals : Dr. R.
Byington B,nd Theophilus Trenehard; Alternates,
John C. Farr and Samuel H. Perkins.
Whereas the President of the United States,
in a late Message to Congress, proposed tender
ing the sympathy and pecuniary aid of the Gen
eral Government to such States as desire to free
themselves from African slavery. Therefore
Resolved, That we hail such a measure as de
manded alike by the spirit of Christianity, and,
of an enlightened age; as essential to consistency
with the principles of free Government; as
courteous to all parties in the dountry; as espe
cially kind to those who' are called to make a
change:in their whole dOmestic policy; and as
adapted to tale - from. traitors the sole apology by
which they could excuse their wickedness before
the world. •
Resolved, That this Presbytery most deliber
ately express their willingnes,s to bear any bur
dens essential to carry out the.wise, just and con
servative policy of our Chief Magistrate.
After Eipleasant and harmonious session; Proc.
bytery adjourn : 6d to meet in the Presbyterian
House, Monday, sth of May, at 12 o'clock, - M.
T. SHEPHERD
COMMISSIONERS TO THE ASSEMBLY. Third
Presbytery of .Philadelphia, • Rev. Messrs. B. B.
Hotelkin and:F. S. Johnston, Principals. Rev.
Messrs. T. J. Wallies, D. D. and- F. L. Robbins,
Alternates.—Rnling Elders—Hon. Win. Strong,
andlaac Ashmead Esq. Principals; Alex.
din; and W. E. Tenbrook, Alternates.
T4.E Presbyterian Committee of Home
eions acknowledge the following contributions
during tile month of March
14th street Pres. ch, New York, in part, $5O 00
Mrs: G-. 8., Chicago,-Illinois 5 00
Presbyterian eh, Coldwater, 4 Michigan, 50 00
" Bloom - field, N J., 10 00
" -" Banana, N Y.,' - 550
lat Pres. ch, : Brooklyn, N Y., m_ on con, 25 58
Pres..oh, Jersey, 111, - 3 00
Sabbath Soh, Pres, eh, Owego, N Y., 10 00
Buttonwood St oh, Philadelphia, 60 00
Sat eh, Harrishur&7=l * )
Pa, coll. 137 00
A friend of Missions, 250 00
Pres. eh, Carlisle, ya., 134 72
Third St Pres. eh, Dayton Ohio, 160 00
Ist Pres. oh, Wilmington, 111, • 10 00
Olivet Pres. oh, Chicago, 111, 50 70
lit Pres. ch i Orange, N 3, additional, 8 00
" Marshall, Michigan, 42 88
Lockport, N Y, 187 00
C0n0„,..a Pres. blaureh, - 8 25
Lockport Ladies-IL M. Soc, 50 00
Rochester Central. Pres. church, Young -
People's-Miss.Soc, 8.08
Ninevah Pres-church, - 22 38
Palmyra " in part, 51 23
Utica ISt -" in part, including
BYTERT,
PRESBYTERIAL ACTION.
s.—Adoption of the following paper;
HOME. MISSIONS.
PRESBYTERIAN Rooms,
No. 150 Nassau street, New York..
50 from C. C. Kingsley, H. H. Hurd
5, John Hurlbert 5, Miss E. Kelly 30,
Miss Jane Kelly 10, Mrs. W. B.
Ferry 10, J. B.Wells 5, T. Sayre 5 '248 73
Rev. C. E. Knox, Utica, N Y., 9 00
Waterville Pres. oh, mon. con, . - 03
Buffalo N. Pres. oh, Ladies H. M. Soc, 9000
Binghampton Pres. oh, mon. con, 27.55
" coil, hal, 108 60
Newark Pres. church, 5138.
Medina, Mrs. J. S. Bayne, 1 00
Rochester Brick eh, in part, 70 00.
Ogden Presbyterian eh, in part, 50 00
Leroy " " 85 63
Ithaca ' " monthly con, 23 50
Missiry Soc,
48 10
New Hartford Presbyterian eh, includ
ing 10 from Mrs. H. Butler, 47 25
Albion Pres. church, Miss. Soc, 56 05
Presbyterian eh, Arkport, N Y., 5 00
" Mason, Mich, 4 00
" Bunkeir Hill I Mich 10 00
" _Fairbury, 111, 7 50
" Camanche, lowa, 4 00
" Manitowoc, Wig, 17 00
Rev. Justin Marih, Somerset, Mich, 5 00
Presbyterian ch, Maple... Grove, Wis, 15 00
• ‘f Eaton, Wis, 10 00
Rev. J. N. Williams, Lake city, Minn, 500
Congregational oh, Richland, Mich, 25 00
Pres. church, West Bloomfield, N J., 152 28
J. W. Wheeler, Hyde Park, N Y., 50 00
14th street Pres. oh, New York, in part, 200
Presbyterian oh, Bloomfield, NJ., add'i, 15 00
" Baldwinsville, N Y., 45 00
" MeGrawville, N Y., 20 00
" Redford, N Y., 5 00
" Korona N Y-7 add'l, 3 00
Congregat'l oh, Yellow Medicine, Minn 500
Pres. oh, Lapeer, Mich, 28 00
Ist Pres. eh, Cazenovia, N Y., 76 59
Pres. eh, 'Medina, NY., 29 34
Ist Pres. oh, Beloit, Wis, 50 00
2d " Paterson, IsJ., 36 00
N. C. Ryder, Dubuque, lowa, 50 00
Presbyterian oh, Plymouth, Ohio; 9 00
Toronto Indiana 3 30
" Clinton, " 268
Olivet Pres. eh, Chicago, 111, in part, 29 67
Pres. Washingtonville, N Y., 30 OQ
L. Winne, New Baltimore, " 500
Presbyterian oh, Mid.Granviße, in part, 20 00
" Avon, N Y, 15 00
" Lansing; Mich, 19 00
" Stillwater, Minn, 10 00
Mrs. W. Jones, lowa Falls, lowa, • 5 00
Pres.ch, Vassar, Mich, 11.00
Allen street Pres. oh, New York, 70 50
Daniel A. Jones, Chicago, 11l 100 00
Presbyterian oh, Brighton, 111, - 64 20
- " Belleville, 111, 21 30
" Prairie Bird, 111, 2 25
3d Pres. ch : Chicago, additional, 1,00
Ist " Knoxville, 111, 100
Westminster oh, Rockford, 111, 12 43
Pres. eh, Jerseyville, 111, additional, 62 00
Lewis B. Parsons; St, Louis, Mo, 5 00
Ist Pres. church, " " 60 00
Ist = ," Ypsilanti,Mich, in p't 33 00
"
Ist ' Stoney Creek, Mich,
in part,,' 7 00
Ist " Alton; 111 , in part , 235 50
Presbyterian ch, Caledonia, 111, 1 80
" . Lacon
.7 111 , 43 00
" Lena,
" Waukegan,
" - -Fxemont, Ohio,
" Lake Forest, 111,
2a Pres. eh, Chieago4ll, in part,,
Pres. eh, Cerro Gordo; 111,
North Pres. eh, St. Louis, Mo,
Pres. eit Saline, .Mich
Cong'l ch, Michigan City, Ind,
Booneville Pres. ch, N Y,
West Bloomfield Pres. ch., NY, S. W.
Smith'
Coventry Pres. oh, N Y,
Cohoes ' " ,«
Albion Ladies H. M. Soc,
Utica lstPres. church, Mrs. Nancy-G.
Maiite 26, A friend of EL M's 5,
Burdett Pres. ch, N Y,
Palmyra Pres. Oh, bal. in part,
Rochester Central eh, in part,
• " " 'Young People's H. --
_
M. Soc, ' 900
Niagara Falls Pres. oh, S. S. Miss. Soc, 40 00
Eldridge coll. in.part 52 25
On application from the churches they serve,
the following ministers were commissioned by
the Presbyterian Committee of Home Missions,
at their last meeting :
Re - v. R. B, Bull, Stillwater Minnesota.
" Linus Billington, Barre Centre, N. Y.
ci Alvah Day, Gardiner, 111.
" J. S. Lord, Barton, Wis.
" J. F. Morse, Independence, Ohio.
J. McLeish, Clinton, lowa.
" James Morton, Tremont, N. Y.
`c G. D. Miller, Holly, N. Y.
B. B. Pardons, Lacon,
[cram:milt.]
TO THE O=OHES ARD SABBATH-SCHOOLS
The undersigne,d crave the attention of the
Christian community to the fact that, in the Pro
vidence of God; large numbers of our Southern
fellow-citizens are under confinement in the Nor
thern States as prisoners of war. Five thousand
it is understood are in Chicago alone.
It ha.; occurred to us, and to other members
of the Churches 7 that a favorable olkportunity is
thus presented for the manifestation of Christian
kindness and_loveo persons who have unhap
pily placed themselves in hostility against those
great National Institntions which we hold most
Stated Clerk.
It.•is _therefore proposed, :thatarrangements be
immediately made for supplying to these prison
ers of war such religious reading as shall instruct
and comfort them during their stay in the North,
and, if possible, to furnish to each prisoner, in
the shape of a Christian volume to be carried to
his home after he shall haie been liberated, a
memento of the good feeling and Christian care
of his .brethren in this section of our common
country.
Donations in money or in suitable boOks, will
be thankfully received and faithfully applied by
any member of the committee, or by W. Lyttle
ton Savage, Esq.; Treasurer, at the-Office of the
American Sunday-School Union, No. 1122 Chest
nut Street, on behalf of the committee
This object is specially comniended to the at
tention of Superintendents and Teacheis of Sab
bath-Schools, as embodying a practical lesson in
Christian duty and love, which, in a time of ex
citement like the present, may be of great value
to the rising Christian generation.
Any member of the undersigned. Committee
will be happy to confer with individuals or with
representatives of Sunday-Schools as to the char
acter of those religious, books which the Commit
tee deem it suitable to supply.
The committee will meet on Monday, of each
week, until further notice, at one o'clock, at, the
Office of Thos. Latimer, Esq., No. '430 Library
Street
CoaturrrEE.—Rev. John Jenkins D. D., No.
1814 Pine 'Street. Rev. John A. Vaughan, D:
D., No. 1483 Filbert St. Rev. Riehard,Newton,
D. D., No. 251 S. 18th St.' Rev. Wm. P. Breed,
No. 258 South 16th - Street. Prof. Jno. S. Hart,
No. 148 South .Fourth Street. W. Lyttleton
Savage, Esq:, No. 1524 Walnut Street. Thomas
Latimer, Esq., Library Street.
l l eetera 'ere respectfully Oesired to read this
Cireular from` the pulpit.
Foreston,
(hand - total,
EDWARD A. LAMBERT,
TREASITIVER
OF FBILADELFRIA.
guitt
TONY STARE'S LEcuey, by the anther o f
" Win and Wear," is a deeply interesting story o f
an orphan boy, left in the dire of two pious but
strict maiden aunts, whose methods of training
proved insufficient to restrain the wayward ten
dencies of4die boy's nature, or to neutralize the
ill effects of bad company. Tony's career is re
lated with startling verisimilitude ; the downward
steps of his progress are indicated with a nice
discrimination and, moral , insight, conveying les
sons of the deepest importance, and forming a
valuable guide to those who ; have in charge the
training of the young. 16mo, •338 pages, illus
trated. New York : B. Carter & Brothers. Phi
ladelphia : Presbyterian Bookstore, 1334 Chest
nut street.
LovxsA. Juramo, Electress Palatine and her
Times. By Fanny Elizabeth Bennett. This is
a tale of that era of judgment and-humiliation to
Germany and the Protestant' cause—the Thirty
Years' War; in which the Palatine was the
theatre of untold tragedies and desolations. The
subject of this biography was the wife of the
Protestant Elector Frederic, a devout, spiritual
minded Christian, who saw her husband robbed
of his possessions, and lived, mostly an exile,
through the whole distressful period, exhibiting
the calmness, the trust mid the sweet peace of
the believer; in the darkest hour. Wallenst-:- ,
Tilly, Gustavus Adolphus and , other great cha
racters appear in these pages, which are drawn
chiefly from driginal sources, some of which, we
are informed, y were undergoing examination by
Mr. Motley at the same time. A valuable addi
tion to the stores of female Christian biography,
and to the history of that eventful era. N ew
York : R. Carter & Brothers. Philadelphia :
Martiens.
BROAD. SHAIDOWS ON LIFE's PATHWAY.
--
This book, noticed in our last issue, gathers
Christian lessims from a wide field; embracing
household life in India—the horrors of the mu
-tiny—and efforts for the poor dressmakers of
London,
,engaged in by the bereaved family on
their return from their desolated Indian home.
R. Carter & Brothers, New York. For sale at
Martiens, Philadelphia.
PRISON LIFE AT RI6RMOND.-111 answer to
many a ferventprayer from pious and loyal lips,
a large portion of the unhappy men who for
months have languished 'in the grasp of the
rebels, are now free and happy men—would it
were true of all of them ! Yet the volume before
us;,while giving a nearer view of the hardships
undergone by the captives of Manassas and Ball's
Bluff, reveals such a fund of resources in the
men of the North for keeping up the spirits, and
such an elasticity springing, doubtless, from the
consciousness of suffering in a good cause, that
the painful subject loses some of its horrors, and
we experience a sense of relief as we read it. The
author, Lieut. Harris, of the California Regi
ment, taken prisoner at Ball's Bluff, has given
us a deeply interesting book—one which will not
need to wait for recommendations from the cri
tics, before the eager public is testing its qua
lity. Another volume of even more startling
character connected with the history of the re
hellion, is about to appear Amu the press of the
publisher, G. W. *ChM's, New. 628 and 630
Chestnut street : A Narrative of the Perils, Ad
ventures and Sufferings of Rev. W. G. Bnows
'mow, among the Secessionists of Tennessee. The
manuscript is nearly completed, and will be put
to press forthwith. The appearance and typo
graphy of the work will be of the first class, and
it will be fully and handsomely illustrated with
sketches of the scenes referred to, and a finely
engraved steel portrait of the author.
Mr., A.
.1). F. Randolph, of -New York, has
recently issned'Srnmuts OF Lrolrr, or Fifty-two
facts from the Bible for the fifty-two Sabbaths
of the Year. These facts are well selected and
charmingly told, 'and the book is adorned with
choice pieces of poetry, and illustrated with good
engravings. Also, " My' Times are in God's
Hand ;" " None Like Chriit;" "Danger of Re
jecting the Atonement",, "Going Home" Four
32m0 tracts in flexible covers, by Rev. Octavius
Winslow, D.D. D. F. Randolph. Philadel
phia : Presbyterian Bookstore.
4 00
3400
20 00
35 78
992.3
6'oo
13 70
5 47
23 70
32 00
100
630
20'06
96 92
3000
3500
19 25
6709
$4490 28
MAGAZINES AND PAMPHLETS
TICE BIBLICAL REPERTORY AND PRINCETON
RvrEw for April, Contains:—Remarks on the
Ethical ;Philosophy of the Chinese--The Philo
sophy of the Absolute—The History:and Theory
of Revolutions—The Doctrine of Providence—
The Nature and Effects of Money and of Credit
as its Substitute—Short Notices. Peter Walker,
821 Chestnut street, Philadelphia.
Messrs. Whiting & Co., 712 Chestnut street,
have sent us the second number of their AME
RICAN EXCHANGE AND REVIEW for April. The
articles are :—American Iron Manufactures--
Amerjcan History—Measure of Value—The
Through Tonnage of - the Pennsylvania Railroad
—The Coffee Tree—A. Glance at the World's
Taxation—Lbusides a great variety of brief articles
in the Insurance, Patent aid Monetaty Depart
ments. A valuable monthly for business men.
EMANCIPATION : A Fast-Day Sermon by Rev.
A. L. Stone, D.D., Boston.
Three more of Train's Speeches in England
on Slavery, Emancipation and the Pardoning of
Traiters, have just been published in this city,
by T. B. Peterson & Brothers.
THE PRESBYTERIAN HISTORICAL ALMANAC
for 1862, by James M. Wilson, has Just been
issued, with the usual amount of valuable statis
tics upon every matter of interest connected with
all the branches of our .Presbyterian Zion, chiefly
in the United Ittates and Provinces of British
America. It is really a noble undertaking, and
worthy the warm and= extensive patronage of our
denomination, of which it is the only comprehen
sive record. We miss, libwever, amid its nume
rous and-weighty treasures, the grouping into
one tabular and summary view, the results of the
whole survey. We also find our Murcia Exten
sion C ammitlee still recognized as in existence
by the side.of the Home Missionary Committee.
Anumg the professors of Lind Theological Semi
nary, wefind the names of Messri. Hadley and
Bingham, whenever accepted their appointments
to- thoise positions. A little closer attention to
the religious press would have kept Mr. W. from
such errors, which, hoWever, we do not believe
are sufficiently numerous to interfere with the
_general acctiracy and great value of the work.
For sale at 1.11 South Tenth. street, Philadelphia,
at $l. 50.
ADDRESSES at the Inauguration of the Pro
fessors in the Theological Department of Yale
College, September 15, 1861. New Haven, E.
Mies.
APRIL 24,