142 ,aurvican grtobtigvian GENESEt EVANGELIST. THURSDAY, MAY 8, 1862. JOHN W, NEARS, THE OOHING GENERAL ASSEMBLY. ONE week from today, the General Assembly will convene in the Second Church, Cincinnati —Dr. Thompson's—and will be opened with a sermon from the last Moderator, Dr. J. B. Con dit. In that central and beautiful city, we ima gine there will be a large gathering, and a full representation of the Presbyteries. The COM iniseionera and delegates elected, so far as known to us, fairly represent the church as a whole. ' Among the older members of the body, Rev. Dr. Bernet), of ; Troy, leads the list; with him we notice Dr. Aiken, of Cleveland, and Shaw, of Rochester. The Cincinnati brethren have evinced their judgment by commissioning Dr. Thompson, formerly of Arch Street church in this city, to represent them in the body which is to meet in his own church. Dr. J. P. Wilson, also at one time pastor (of Coates street church) in this city, is among the commissioners. Rev. Messrs. Osborn, of Belvidere, Aikman, of Wil mington, Ellinwood, of Rochester, and H. W. Ballantine, son of the veteran missionary, are Among the younger members known to the public. While such laymen as Judge Strong, of this city, Wm. A. Both, of Now York, Hon. W. H. Brown, of Chicago, and Hon. Peter Odlin, of Dayton, are among the delegates. We rejoice to observe that the Presbytery of the District of Columbia will again, after a brief interruption, be represented in the body. Rev. Mason Noble is the commissioner. The topics likely to come before the body, are such es appertain to the quiet advancement of the church, in the channels and by the instru mentalities already agreed upon. Nearly all the great questions relating to the methods of church activity ando.the attitude of the church towards the moral and social movements of the age have been settled. The time for theorizing and de bating on first principles has passed. What the church needs in her assemblies now, is an ex pression of mutual Interest, an outward realiza tion of her unity, a watchful eye to the working "Mier chosen plans and methods, the presence of the Head of the Church and the outpouring of his Spiriti . and the development of executive ability among hii — offioera and members. The machinery of her operatNsAas been spiclrred, and is in operation ; what we netvwnt is force, skill, self-denial, liberality to work it. What ever the Assembly can do to encourage the growth of these principles,—and it can do much by recognizing and stimulating them so far as they exist, by putting men possessed of these qualities in charge of her enterprises—this is to be regarded more peculiarly her business at this time. Her fathers and her wise men will watch the course of Providence, and be ready to inau gurate such additional measures in the line of independent denominational action, or to give utterance anew to such opinions as the interests of truth and of Christ's kingdom may require from time to time; but for the present we regard our work in those directions as concluded, and all our energies as a united church, placed upon uncommon vantage ground, may be concentrated upon the promotion of our great interests as a branch of Christ's kingdom, such as Home mis sions, Church-building, Education and Publi cation. Perhaps we need as much as anything at this time, to realize the extent of the divine favor towards us as a denomination; to see how com plete and how harmonious are our arrangements for carrying on the work of the Gospel; how we have been gradually rid of all embarrassments in the way to this result; how without hasty or compulsory legislation, but by an easy and spon taneous movement, men of very diverse opinions and in widely separate parts of the church, have been brought to share in the same views of policy on points which but a few years ago seemed to defy solution. We should realize how cordially all are espousing our Home Missionary enter prise, insomuch that the receipts for the single month of March in this year, largely exceed the receipts of the first and the second years of the Church Extension committee, and are nearly one-fourth the entire receipts of the year ending May, 1801, We should realize, too, the sagacity and adaptedness to the best spirit of the age which our church exhibited, in long ago casting the weight of her influence and bearing her full testimony on the side of truth, justice, and huma nity. Such traits; under God, are the best secu rity for the future of our church. What room, and what a sphere for the activity of our Ame rican Presbyterian Church, in a land which the powerful arbitration of war, invoked by the ad vocates of slavery, has devoted sooner or later throughout its length and breadth, to freedom ! Our commissioners, therefore, can go up to the gathering of our Israel with raised expectations and expanded hearts. The moral and spiritual influences destined to mould our country's wel fare, will, to the full extent -of their . share, be placed in their bands. Our era of contentions, of sifting, and of experiment is over. Simple, though grand is the work before us. Little bu siness of an exciting nature, or attractive to those without, is likely to be transacted. The ses iions, though earnest, will be quiet, and probably brief. Some matters were laid over from the last Assembly which are deserving of careful atten tion, and which indicate the disposition of the body after disposing of vital concerns, to attend to such practical details as are needful in carry ing out its plans. The whole subject of Sys tematic Beneficence was placed in the hands of a committee, comprising some of the ablest and most devout men in the church, viz : Drs. Ken dall, Thompson, Darling and Spear, and Mr. Hawley. We look for a thorough report from these brethren leading to a practical plan, by which the resources of the church may be made more available than ever before. A committee of Philadelphia laymen, including Judge Allison and Messrs. Baldwin, Dulles and S. C. Perkins, Esq., were appointed to report on a fund for Disabled Ministers and their Families--a matter of the deepest and often most painful interest. Rev. Drs. Cox and Nelson, and J. P. Hovey were appointed a committee on the overture upon the question of administering "baptism to infants whose parents, once having connection with some evangelical church, now hold no such connection in their present place of residence." Rev. Asa, D. Smith, D. D., is the preacher on Home Mis ..- N ,i)... Editor. sions; Rev. Z. M. Humphrey is' his alteinate. Rev. C. P. Wing, D.D,, will deliver he address before the Historical Society. Let us prepare the way for the meeting of this Assembly by our fervent daily prayers for an unusual dispensation of the Spirit's influence, and the divine favor upon all its members. REOONCILIATION OF GERMAN AND ENG LISH THEOLOGY. One of the remarkable results of the Evangeli cal alliance, whose various branches on the con tinent, and in England enjoy a vigorous existence, is the approximation of German and. British in tellece in the speculative department of theology, which they seem to be effecting. It is felt by the brethren of these alliances that it is not enough for fellow Christians, of different na tionalties, to work together; they must learn to appreciate each other's intellectual position and processes, and each others' experience—in a word to understand each other. Prominent per sons in the English and German branches of the alliance, as Professor McCosh on the one side,'and Drs. lloffman, Lechler and .Dorner on the other, have held correspondence upon this subject, which has been published in periodicals of both countries. The part of the discussion to which we wish to call attention is that between Dr. Dorner and Bishop Fitzgerald, of Cork, in Ireland, on the subject of the evidences. in the theoligical training, both of England and this country, much stress is laid upon " the evidences" of the truth of Scripture, among which the works of Paley and Bishop Butler have long held a leading place. , Dr. Dorner thinks that Englishmen ascribe too great impor tance to these appeals to the mere understanding, and doubts their sufficiency to satisfy the mind, or to guard it from the inroads of a painful and dangerous degree of unbelief. He thinks that all who rely too strongly upon these external evidences are iu danger of losing sight of the work of the spirit, ,by which an experimental as surance of the reality of Christ and his salvation is attained—the teatimonium rspiritus sancti, of the theologians. Bishop Fitzgerald desires some security against utter self-delusion on the part of the person who believes himself conscious of such an experience. He says:--" The question the mass of the people wish to have answered, is : Why are we to accept it as a fact that Jesus Christ has risen from the dead ? Our theologians are accustomed to reply to this question ; because we can prove to you, by the incontestable evidence of facts, that he his risen indeed. Can the German theologians give an other or abetter answer to this question ? Ido not believe that Englishmen will be satisfied with the answer: You should believe it, be cause it does you goOd to believe it; and they will not easily rid themselves of the suspicion that those who have ‘ no better answer to give, are themselves not in earnest in this belief. . . Can I say, I feel that this thought is the work of the Holy Spirit, and thereforel know it to be true ?" Dr. Dorner defends the position of the later theology on the testimonium spiritus sancti as, in a high degree practical. It is much rather a dream to suppose that a chain of propositions can do what only repentance and faith can ac complish. We, says' Dr. D. will not ascribe any part of the power and the operations which the Gospel claims for itself, to human methods of proof; not certainly the power to assure the heart of salvation and of religious truth. Spiritual knowledge of life and salvatioo in Christ is im mediate knowledge, as much so as the knowledge, through the senses, of the light and warmth of the sun. To deny the possibility of immediate conscious commuion with God is to differ from the Apostles, (Rom. viii: 15, 16 ; 1 John, iv : 16 ii : 27 ;) and from Christ himself, (John, vii: 17; viii: 32; xiv : 21-23). The consciousness of pardon is a, sheer impossibility if God does not make himself immediately known to the human consciousness as reconciled, if in fact we know only by second-hand of things which are in heaven. This feeling of certainty, which Dormer re gards as alone decisive or attainable, does not take place in the mind previous to the exercise of faith, but arises after the act of faith; yet not as caused by faith, but - rather by the object of faith i. e. Christ operating through the Holy Spirit in the believing mind. Only after we have received the Holy Spirit do we attain a firm conviction, a full faith, which not only accepts his torical and dogmatical propositions as true—for these are but shadows and images, not things— but grasps the personal living Saviour in his word and ordinances, where there is no analysis into separate elements, divine and human. Only at this point is man assured of the authority of Christ by the Holy Spirit which proceeds from him. And here, too, the Scriptures take their place as the believer'e rule of life; and science, springing from faith, establishes a doc trine of the Scriptures, and shows that the ex istence of a divine revelation, in the form of original and genuine documents, is indispensable to the maintenance of the Gospel in its original purity. Hence we derive the assurance of the authority of Scripture from the authority of Christ, after we have, by faith, attained to the certainty of his power and excellence as, a Re-, deemer. The method, of English, theologians, on the contrary, is to derive the divine and in dubitably certain authority of Christ from the authority of the Scriptures, or from his resurrec tion, which the Scriptures announce. The Evangelical doctrine, as thus inculcated by Professor Dorner, is distinguished from mere enthusiasm, because it refuses to recognize a faith which has not sprung from God's word as the seed, and which does not find in the word its continuous nourishment, its touchstone, and its law of life. Perhaps the most important of the views pre sented by Professor D., are such as these : that so long as belief in the inspiration and divine au thority of the Scriptures is regarded as the first step in Christian piety, there must be a constant dread of all criticism of the canon; while the secret of the equanimity of the modern orthodox theology of Germany, even amid the perils of the critic's work, lies in the conviction that that faith in the inspiration of the canon, is by no means.the first step to faith in Christ, and that the moral-religious, actual—not intellectual— life-process, will not fair to bring every one, who sincerely, devotedly, and perseveringly employs it, not only to life and to full satisfaction in Christ, but also to the acknowledgement of the divine authority of the book of Revelation, and that is a far higher and better grounded certainty in regard to the binding authority of the Scrip tures than can be gained through the subtlest ginteritait Probtteriatt and Otittort 6rangtliot form of the Alexandrine doctrine of inspiration From regeneration alone, from the fundamen tal idea of the Christian consciousness, that in Christ are bid all treasures of wisdom and know lege (Col. 2,3,) is a Christian philosophy to be evo,lved. Such a philosophy may, to a certain extent, operate beneficially upon unbelievers, but in the absence of, persona/ experience of the spirit, the life, and the supreme, truth of the Gospel, even the best theological system will not be understood in any true sense, still less attain complete certainty in the mind: ' Professor D. maintains that while faith does not require the establishment of the authority of Scripture, previously to its exercise, it cannot exist so long as opinions adverse to the historical trustworthiness of the Scriptures succeed in fully maintaining their grolmd. .For example, in times of active unbelief like our own, it is need ful to place one's self upon the ground of the doubter, not to satisfy him upon historical and rational grounds of the truth of Christianity, which can never be done, but to show him that there is sufficient historical probability in the facts of Christianity to make it binding on him to exercise that faith which confidently seeks salvation in' the Gospel. " Never," says the organ of the English branch - of the alliance, " was there greater need of the discussion of the points here presented than now. We are of the opinion that Dr. Dorner has a good cause, and that as he ;has carefully guarded against laying too great stress on. the self-demon strating power of Christianity, it would be well for English theologians to avoid the opposite error, and not to insist too exclusively on histori cal evidences and the power of logical proofs. They should 'keep it in mind that faith—real, hearty, saving faith, comes not, by might or by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts ! and that Paul and the other Apostles pursued their missionary work with the avowed- purpose that the faith of the converts should stand not in the wisdom of men but in the power of God." THE rAms OE NEW. ORLEANS. Wreirr the first floating, significant rumors of this momentous event, through the jealous and reluctant admissions of rebel jyrnals, began to take such a shape that they could no longer be questioned, we were like those that dream. The tidings still sounded like a romance' or a tale from ancient history or mythology. It was like the report of mighty achievements wrought by heroes and demi-gods, passing from lip to lip, and from tribe to tribe, to the remotest regions, filling the mind with awe and wonder, the more complete because of the absence of details. The great deed is before the world ; and as we have waited and longed to know more, and have peer ed into the darkness created by the panic the flight and the habitual falsity of the rebels, the heroes of the conquest—the scene of which lay nearly four times as remote from us as. Carth age was from Rome —have loomed out in a grandeur beyond that which the modern bulletin board and the reporter could have given or will give them. New Orleans taken I Why, the old French city sat at the gates of the River of the West, throned upon her fortresses and her bas tions, like a queen, -haughty and secure in her tiers of rifled cannon, in her invincible mail-clad monsters, and in the prowess of her swarming armies ; laughing the hosts of her enemies to scorn; proud as Tyre or as Babylon. New t Or : leans taken I Why, for nearly fifty years she has been celebrating the utter and ignominious re pulse of a veteran army of Europe from her rude, impromptu fortifications. And the raw volun teers and the improvised navy of the Union are her insignificant foes to-day. Yet this improvised navy, in spite of forts,and chains, and dams, and miles of earthvVorks bristling with artillery, and of floating batteries and fearful devices of rage and rebellion, rides calmly and victoriously by the levee of the metropolis of the South, receiv- ing its subjection, sparing it from destruction out of mere mercy. The modern. Babylon has had to come down from her throne, to renounce her dream of invincibility, and to sit down in the dust. What avails it now to have seized forts and ships, and arms, to have plundered the mint, to have expelled sick soldiers from the hospitals that they might be turned into barracks for a re bel horde ; what avails it to have honored the dishonorable, to have called darkness light, and to have given an ovation to the meanest of trai tors—Twiggs ? What avails the boundless arro gance and insolence of your speech and your schimes against a just and beneficent Govern ment, and against the enlightened public opinion of the Christian world ? They are Vain; the forts could not bar our way; the stolen arms could not impart boldness. to the soldiers; the plundered, gold could not purchase prowess; the traitor general has long ago been discarded; and the press and pulpit have been out-talked by loyal cannon. Sick soldiers may again lie peace ably in the barracks, and over mint and custom house the emblem of a re-asserted power and of a vindicated Government, waves to the Southern breeze. " Who bath taken this counsel against the crowning, city, whose mer3liants are princes and whose traffickers are the honorable of the earth 7 The Lord of Hosts hath purposed it, to stain the pride of all glory, and to bring into con te-Mpt, all the honorable of the earth." Under this overwhelming blow, which it is as hard for the rebels to realize as for us, the fabric of the rebellion reels from centre to circumfer ence. In one year, from the day when Washing ton City was relieved from its temporary invest ment, their greatest city—in fact their only great city falls into our hands. With Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana cut - off, they are shut out of half of their territory, and, what is far 'worse, of a large portion of their supplies. Want had al ready begun to stare them in the face, and now seems to be inevitable. Their prestige is broken; their self-confidence cruelly shattered. But un less they themselves despond, they are by no means to be regarded as conquered. Their ar mies are concentrated—they are on familiar ground—they have not been decisively beaten since they were thus -massed together. Their great armies, east and west, must be defeated be fore their cause is lost,—defeated so decisively that even rebel authorities will be fain to admit it. Till then, we should never cease to labor and to pray for the success which God alone can Hall's Journal of Health, for May, contains, as usual. a.ramber of valuable Essays on matters of health and living, written in genial style with happy hits and illustrations, calculated to make men wiser and better at the cheap rate of $1 per annum. W. W. Hall, M.D., No. 42 Irving Place, New York. NEW YORK CORRESPONDENCE. NEW YORK, May 3. Proverbially, it seems to storm on 4 anniver sary week. As it has rained much of the time this and the two preceding weeks, it is an en couragement to believe the sir days following the Sabbath will be pleasant, Sunny days. Prepara tions are making by each:Society for the event. Programmes are preArtig; - statisties of receipts and expen4tures are nearly footed up, and the labors and progress of each Society are about ready to be submitted to the great Christian public through each anniversary. In "all the estimates of receipts and expenditures, for the first time, this year, the Southern slave States will be omitted. They have contributed little or nothing to the funds of these National Societies, and these Societieahave been nearly excluded in their labors from those .rebelliclus States.; Last year, at the different anniversaries, nearly every speaker make allusions, if he did not give prominence in his remarks, to the wicked and causeless rebellion.• Many of them were exceedingly impressive, especially the speech of Rev. Dr. Kirk before the Boston Tract Society. He had just come back from Richmond, on his rectum in a steamer from Charleston, where the;Otate Convention was in session, discussing y,kihether Yirginia should e XI ,secede. He was. ,sti ' ,. from his intercourse with all classes of pe , that the hearts of the masses were not in .sympathy with secession. Probably the war, next,week, will not occupy less attention than, it did at the last anniversaries. The comparatively Entail per tentage of people who regularly attend' religious worship, leads one to suppose there' is a daeiency of church accommodation in thisleity. This is a great mistake. There are a dOzen evanuelical places of worship almost within sight of Madison Square and the Fifth AVenue Hotel, which are only partly occupied on the There are some thirty churches in that portion of the city, and perhaps three• or four onlylave their sit tings .taken. Rev. Drs: Spring, Adams, Rice and Tyng, have crowded' parishes, but any num. bet' of seats, or even pewS, may be had in all the others. The chief difficulty in;Nevr York is the extra vagant rents charged. Pews range from $75 to $3OO, and but few families inJuoderate circum stances can afford such B'ollo.. Unless they are Christian_ people, they rttard this expense as a superfluity, hence the first retrenchment is in that direction. Rev. Dr. Parkef, on Fourth avenue, has a commodiods and beautiful 'church edifice ; yet it seems to have - been under a cloud of debt and local disaffection ever since it-was dedicated. Other parishes have come to its aid and relieved pressing pecuniary necessities, but disturbances between pastor and people have re cently led some old and influential families to withdraw. Others' have been added to Supply their places. Under right impulses, the trustees have at last reduced the_exorbitant pew rates, so that people outside of opulent circles, may now have an opportunity for-religions worship. It is an experiment, but it is to be hoped a. success ful one. Rev. Dr. Pierson, • President of " Cumberland College, Ky., is now in this city, haying recently been teaching the " contrabands" at Washing ton, or, rather, expertißskiting, to seewhat can be done with - them.t`Kna l a graduate of the Union Theological Setnin4y, and has had a large experience as Eible:4 - nt and laborer in the cause of Christ outside of the pulpit. He re cently delivered a lecture before the. Historical Society of this city, on the domestic life of Tho mas Jefferson. This lecture, greatly enlarged turd embellished, with file similes of this emi nent statesman's writing and familiar corres pondence, has just been Published by Scribner, in an octavo volume. It was Dr, P.'s good fortune, while residing in Kentucky, to meet with Capt. Edward Bacon, an aged-and highly esteemed citizen, who for nearly twenty years was Mr. Jefferson's business ma nager and overseer at Monticello. He placed before Dr. Pierson large quantities of corres pondence and business documents in the hand writing of Mr. J. In adation, from an accurate and wonderfully retentive memory, he related a great variety of curions citletits never before brought to the light. Di P. speaks of Captain Bacon as a most reliablelnd intensely interest ing old gentleman, who patiently sat for hours, and even days, while Dr. P. took down his nar rativea of the domestic life and habits of Jef ferson. , Nothing has excited more surprise than the incontrovertible evidence that this great Virgi nian, whose supposed infidel tendencies have so clouded his character, was a most diligent reader of God's word. Captain Bacon tells Dr. Pierson that Mr. Jefferson had a large Bible which nearly always lay at the head of the sofa, upon which he was accustomed to recline or read. Many and many a time," he remarked, have I gone into his room and foundhim reading that volume." Captain B. came in one morning very early from Richmond, with a large amount of money for Mr. Jefferson, and on entering the room, "found him engages, in reading kis Bible. y This certainly is a new phase in the, character Of, the deceased, ex-PreaidpV fiV the truthfulness and, accuracy of Captain Aeon's statement, Dr. P. entertains no doubt. • One of the largest, and so far as numbers in attendance are concerned, among` the prosperous Presbyterian parishes in this city, - hai recently been abandoned. It was Occupied by Rev. Mr. Hastings, one of the most accomplished and va luable young clergymen in the denomination. The church is located at the intersection of Va rick and Carmine streets, on the west side of the city, surrounded by a dense population or the industrial classes, with very little pretension to wealth or fashion. It has not changed its cha racter, like many localities, but is much as it was ten years since. This church edifice is spacious and convenient, having a Grecian front, the pillars of brick, co vered with mastic.Thei .. e was no trouble, about worshippers. A large audience was, always in attendance, with a prosperous Sabbath school, but they were not people of wealth. They could pay only a small stipend, lad when . the three or four opulent men " MoVeld*Otown," the church was deemed. They could;spot conveniently come down so far, nor'pay their accustomed amounts, even to save the parish. As the expenses could not be met, the worshipper; were turned adrift and the church closed. It is now offered for sale, and like many similar edifices, may soon be occupied as a stable or grand billiard saloon. A new parish has been organized on Murray for Rev. Mr. Hastings, and so far, it is emi nently prosperous. Perhaps the most successful, if not important religious instrumentalities in this city, are the Sabbath schools. In all the various churches,. there is a noble emulation, not merely who shall have the most scholars, but who shall do the most good. Hence, outside of the Sabbath school connected with each church, nearly every parish has one or. more mission schools. They supply both, funds and teachers, and the extent of chris tian effort exerted in this form is almost incal culable: The wealthy churches generally lead in these enterprises. Rev. Dr. Adams has a large mission chapel in Third avenue, with over one thousand scholars, and Rev. Dr. Rice another in Seventh avenue, with about eight hundred. But Rev. Dr. •Tyng has probably the most successful Sabbath school organization id this country. He heads it him self, and once a month devotes a Sabbath after . noon specially to the lambs of his flock. The anniversary of all the Sabbath schools, mission and others connected with his parish, was held on a recent Sabbath. It 'was stated that 2095 pupils were present, and the money they had contributed during the year, exceeded $2500. His personal efforts and immediate supervisi6n of the schools, is one cause of their almost un exampled prosperity. Is not his example worthy of imitation ? The Presbyterian church may justly, boast of men of enlightened christian liberality in New York. Mr. Lenox has ever been open-handed with his wealth, and large-hearted in its bestow ment on objects of deserved utility. No man gives more liberally, and with less show or osten tation. The Stuarts, brothers, who often control the sugar market in this city, their operations are so large, who have just given $50,000 to Princeton, are cultivated, christian men, espe cially Robert. They give without stint or mea sure when the purpose is shown to be good and the object praiseworthy. Two or three years since, when the Academy of Music was opened, and a series of popular Sabbath:evening sermons were preached, ,Robert L. - Stuart regularly gave his check every Monday morning to cover the expenses,- asking no questions. Anson G. Phelps both father and son like the Stuarts, were opulent .christian men, and gave, with wonderful liberality, in the. New School church, just as Mr. Lenox and Mr. Stuart are now doing in the Old School. They died, leaving bright reputations for godliness, and large and judicious liberality. Their places are now being supplied by an = estimable kinsman, Wm. E. Dodcre who is eminent among his cotempo raries as an eneractic enlightened ) generous Christian merchant. TO THE FRIENDS . OF if omr, MISSIONS THE General Assembly of the Presbyterian ehurch,.which met in Syracuse in May last, unanimously resolved, "In accordance with the obvious indications of divine Providence, and agreeably to the constitution of the claurch, (Form of Gov XVIII.) to assume the responsi bility of conducting_the work of Ilome Missions within its bounds ;" and also, "That the condition of the home missionary work throughout the church at the present time calls for a reconsideration and readjustment of many of its arrangements, so as to give it, in its new relations, the greatest stability and efficien- Lest any - should suppose that this action of the _ Assembly had failed to embody the ripe and de liberate judgment of the whole church, we ap pend the Resolutions of several of the largest Synods on the subject. The Synod of New York and New Jersey.- 1. " Resolved, That the Synod approve of the unanimous determination of thc General Assem bly henceforth to assume the responsibility of conducting the work of Home Missions within its bounds." 2. " Resolved, That they fully concur in the plan of action adopted by the Assembly for sup plying our feeble churches with the necessary aid in supporting their ministers and for preach ing the gospel to the destitute." - The Synod of 111inois.—" Resolved, That we do heartily rejoice and give thanks to God that our denomination has at length, after a long and painful discipline, been brought to see the neces sity of controlling its own missionary operations, and providing-for those of its own house, look ing only to God for authority .to build up the waste places of our Zion." The Synod of Genesee.—" Resolved, That the Synod of Genesee, believing that the General Assembly of our church assumes ' the responsi billity of conducting the work of Home Missions Within its bounds,' in accordance both with the genius of the church and 'the obvious indica... tions of Providente,' does fully and heartily-en dorse such action, and earnestly call upon - the Presbyteries and churches of this Synod to co operate with the General Assembly in the work of exploration, in securing missionaries, and obi, taming prompt, and regular contributions to the cause.' The Synod of Albany--" Resolved, That in view of theimmediate necessities of our home missionaries, we earnestly recommend that the wants of the field be presented to the churches as soon as practicable, and that special efforts be made secure liberal collections for our Assem bly's 'C ommittee." The Synod of Ohio.--" Resolved, That as a Synod .we adopt the general scheme devised by the Assembly,, and agree to conduct our home missionary woik in accordance 'therewith ; and that we would • cordially commend this arrange ment to our members and churches as being in• our judgmenti the best practicable method for cul tivating our large and destitute field." The Synod of Geneoa.—"..gesolved, That as a Synod we fully approve the act of the last Gene ral Assembly in assuming; the responsibility of conducting our home missionary, work!' The Synods of Onondaga, Michigan, Peoria, Utica, Western Reserve, Indiana, and indeed nearly or quite every. Synod and Presbytelscin our connection, have passed similar resolutions, giving in due form the official and hearty en dorsement of the whole church. The.church therefore has fairly assumed the responsibility, and the. Committee have entered upon their work. Our feeble churches will henceforth look to us for aid. They are com posed of , our brethren. They are- doing -our work, which is Christ's work, in destitute places. We are laid under special obligation to render them assistance on that account. Such churches are coming to us every week. Already we have had applications from every part of the church, but particularly at the West; and up to the present time every application properly endorsed has been favorably considered. And we may eipect them to continue to come to us in growing num bers. For, though from $12,000 to $16,000 have recently been paid into the treasury of the Amer ican Home Missionary Society—the Legacies and Donations of Presbyterians—we understand-that net a dollar of it will ever be paid to anyy-fidme missionary connected with any Presbytery which operates through our Committee, or endorses the action of our Assembly, after his present term of commission 3xpires I That Society therefore be comes to all intents and purposes a Congrega tional institution. Nothing given to it will assist our feeble churches or the missionaries in our connection. We must do our own work, and render them the aid they need, or the latter will fail of support and the former be disbanded. New fields of labor are also opening before us. Ministers and licentiates are ready to enter them, if they can have but a reasonable assurance of support; and nothing prevents the establishment and growth of churches in the new states and territories, but the inability of the Committee to grant the requisite aid. With these facts before us, who can say that the church is not called on, even in times like the present, to arise and build 2" Our hope and aim are to secure a contribution to the cause from every congregation and from every individual member, with the least possible agency from abroad. We look to the pastors to aid us. Pastors are our agents. Judicious and energetic pastors can always secure generous :contributions•from the people. But we also look to the elders and deacons and other members to encourage the good work. Our churches must contribute' more largely to this cause than they have ever done before, or our missionaries must suffer. We hope that no ehureh, however small, will deny itself the pledture of participating in this divine method of Home Evangelization. And yet thus far, many. churches have failed to ,contribute any thing to our cause since the last meeting of the Assembly. If you have not already forwarded your own .contribution—if your church has not taken up its annual collection for Home Missions, will you not endeavor to secure its representation in your church at once, that we may receive the amount before the first of May, and acknowledge it in our. Annual Report ? All donations should be sent to " the Presby terian Rooms," which Are the rooms of the Com mittee,-150 Nassau stmet, New York, to Edward A. Lambert, Esq., Treasurer. The Committee, as constituted by the act of the Assembly, is, as follows Rev. E. F. Hatfield, D. D., Chairman ; Rev. J. F. Stearns, D. D., Newark; Rev C. S. Robin- Brooklyn;. Rev. Albert Barnes, Philadel phia; Rev. Henry Darling, D. D., Philadelphia; Rev. G. L. Prentiss. D. D., New York; Rev. Thos. S. Resting, New York, Rev. Benj. J. Wallace, D. D., Philadelphia; Hon. Joseph Al lison, Philadelphia; A. C. Post, M. D., New York; Hon. E. A. Lambert, Brooklyn; J. Mil ton Smith, Esq., Brooklyn; M. W. Baldwin, Esq., Philadelphia; J. F. Joy, Esq., New York; J. B. Pinneo, Esq., Newark. H. KENDALL, D. D., Gen. Secrotary. CRomwiLL COMMISSIONERS TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY. PRESS'S:TR 3rd PhiladeP a, 4th Phiader a, Wilmington, Harrisburg, Dis. of Col' bia, New York 3rd, cayuga, Genesee Val'y, Rochester, Dela Ware, Utica, Marshall, Knox Cleveland, Indianapolis, Dayton, Chicago, North River, Newark, Hamilton, 0., Cincinnati, Ottawa, Scioto, . Huron, Wasbtenaw, Franklin, Monroe, Illinois, Logansport, Green Castle, Elyria, Trumbull, Salem, Madison, Genesee, Hudson, Long Island, Grand River, Fort Wayne, A NEW WORK ON SANCTIFICATION by Rev. Dn. DARLING, is announced to appear in the course of a few days, from the press of J. B. Lippincott & Co., under the title—" The Closer Walk, or the Believer's Sanctification." Hex Muller on. the Science of Languages.—The public is indebted to. Charles Scribner, of New York, for re=producing this valuable work from the second English edition, on unusually heavy tinted paper, in the elegant style of the River side Press, Cambridge. Mr. Mueller's lectures are a happy combination of popular and scholarly elements; any intelligent person can read them with interest, though the subject in some of its bearings involves the profoundest _philosophical questions. We are pleased to recognize in the author a firm believer in the unity of the race; indeed a reverent tone pervades the whop work. The theory of the origin of language presented by Mr. M. is that the 4 or 500 roots or constitu ent elements into which the different families of languages may be resolved are phonetic types produced by a power inherent in human nature. It is part of our nature—one of our original en dowments—to utter these types of thought, just as it is the nature of metals and other objects_to give forth a sound when struck. Language is not built up on interjections, nor on imitations of sounds heard in nature, though both, of these furnish part of our speech. There is a full index.. Small - Bvo. 416 pages. For sale by J. B. Lip pincott & Co. introduction to the S:uclu of the Gospels, by B.F. Wescott, M.A. This is another of thosnre sults of believing scholarship of the highest order on - the contested field of biblical criticism, which are becoming numerous enough:honorably to cha racterize oui English literature.. The volume before us is of a class familiar enough in Germa ny, 'where however, the . spirit' of , a cold and un.: B. B. Hotehkin, T. S. Johnston, H. S. Osborn, Wm. T. Eva, Wm. Aikm an / Wm. Sterling, Mason Noble D: M. Seward Wm. H. Babbitt, S..W. Crittenden, Charles . Hamlin, Geo. W:Warner, F. W. Stoddard, J. B. Shaw, DD, F.F. Eniawooti, Thomas Larcom, S. W. Brace, J. B. Hubbard, A. A. Corliss, N S S Bemen, DD J. H. Noble, W. A. McCorkle, W. McKaig, S. C. Aiken, DD. R. H. Leonard, J. Dela Mater, W. M. Cheever B. Dickiuson,DD G. L. Little, E. B. Wheeler J. P. Wilson, DD, C. M. Nichols, J. P. E. Kumler, RevDrThompsou J. E. Chandler, 'Newton Barrett, T. S. Reeve, F. Z. Rossiter, B. Russell ) Downey, E. J. Boyd, W. G. Gallagher, F. S. McCabe, H. L. Dickerson, A. R. Clark, Wm. C. Clark, H. W. Ballantine, John Gerrish, E. N. Manley, H. F. Wadsworth, Ed. Stratton ) D. Witter, H. C. Cheadle, Nstir Nuldicationo. scrupulous rationalism 'too often pervades them. In our own country, Theodore Parker, of Boston, translated and published one of these German Introductions to the Scriptures—that of DeWette —in the hope of transferring its poison into the modes of biblical investigation pursued among m. Boston itself has supplied the antidote in this re production of a thoroughly orthodox and able work on- the same field of scientific inquiry. Professor Hackett vouches in the fullest language for the high character of the volume in every respect._ The chapter on the Preparation of the Gospel is especially commended for its originality and instructiveness. The other topics are : In spiration, Completeness andinterpretation of the Scriptures; The Jewish. Doctrine of the Mes siah; Origin and Characteristics of the Gospels; GoSpel of John; Differences in Detail and Ar rangement of the Synoptic Evangelists; Difficul ties of the Gospels ; ApPendix. The Table of Contents and the Index are very complete. The The author has made some additions to the Ame • rican edition, thus giving it a superiority to the last English issue. Largel2mo, pp. 476. Bos ton : Gould & Lincoln. Philadelphia Smith, English & Co. Price $1 50. • • A new edition of Discourses and Essays, by Dr. W. G. T. Shedd, late Professor in the An dover Seminary, and now co-pastor with the ve nerable Dr. Spring, of New York, bas just been issued by Warren F. Draper, bf Andover. They will he welcomed by all who can appreciate pro found thought, fine taste, culture, and sound views in combination. Dr. Shedd b an ornament to the theological profession of our land; more than an ornament, the author of the Essay on the doctrine of the Atonement will prove himself, in the Presbyterian pulpit,. 12mo, pp. 324. Price $lOO. The Atlantic Monthly for May easily main tains its position ar the head of the monthlies, domestic and foreign, so far as we are acquainted with them. Emerson's beautiful, poem, " The Titmouse," is as healthful and encouraging in spirit as it is sweet and simple in language and artistic in execution. " The Weather in War" shows the marked interpositions of Providence in deciding the issue of many of the greatest struggles recorded, in secular history. The wars of the Persians against the Greeks, of Philip of Spain against Queen Elizabeth of England, of England with France, of York and Lancaster, of our own . Re v olution, and of Napolton, furnish the writer with a series of the most surprising instances of this interposition, the lesson of which, to us, is the necessity of comprehending this element of the weather in all our calculations and estimates of the military movements taking place in our own country. Professor ,Agassiz continues his papers on Natural History, the topic at this time being the Coral Insect, as illus trating the age of the earth: Papers on Health, Gymnastics, Insanity; etc., are promised in early future numbers. Boston, Ticknor & Fields. ELbERS " Lessons for the Little Ones." Here is a great desideratum supplied in the apparatus of the infant school teacher. Just such lessons we know to have been supplied by manuscripts on the part of the teacher, from week to week, in one of our infant schools, and many sighs have gone up from others for a work of the kind done to their hands by those who had the time and the ability to do it. Mrs. Hildeburn, already well known as the successful writer of books for the young, among which was "Money, or the Ainsworths," the prize volume published recently by our Committee, has also enjoyed opportunities and acquired experience in this line, as teacher of the infant school of the First church in this city, where these lessons have been tried. The judicious intermingling of hymns with the Scrip ture verses and the questions, will add to its effi ciency. We commend it cordially to teachers and parents. Published by the Presbyterian Publication Committee, No. 1334 Chestnut et. Hon. Wm. Strong, Isaac Ashmead, R. Byington, Th. Trenchard, John. C. Clark, John B. Hall. 1 — , Wm. A. Booth, Dan'l IL Smith, J. W. Bishop, Ira Hamilton,, MD, James Hyde, H. Mead, Harry Allen, MD, C. K. Adams Philip Bassett,MD, Giles B. Kellogg, Lyman Wilder, L. Keeler, K. V. Ro ins, Isaac K. Mush, F. S. Slosson, J. L. Ketchum, Hon. P. Odlin, Hon. W. H. Brown, 0. H. Lee, B. S. Van Keuren, S. A. Gould, C. M. Davis, S. Whitlock, E. D. Mansfield, F. V. Chamberlain, Henry Bergen; Robert Wood, Dr. Galpin, A. Pratt, Bridgernan, A. L. Millard, David A. Smith, M. M. Post, C. C. Knapp, , M. Derdoff, Erastus Wolcott, 0. Owen, John Sullivan, Stephen Jones, G. W. Seward, J. S. Skidmore, E. Chester, Hon. J. L. Knight. Medical and Surgical Reporter; a weekly journal published in this city, at the Northeast corner of Seventh and. Sansom streets, edited by Drs. S. W. Butler and R. J. Levis, with the aid of Dr. L. C. Butler, is highly commended by an experienced medical friend to whose judgment we have submitted the work. The weekly issue contains 24 large double columned pages, with illustrative cuts. Price $3 00 per annum. Littele s Living Age for this week contains, besides, the conclusion of a Tale; A. H K. B. Concerning Atmospheres and Currents; A Non- Combatant Hero; The Duel of the Ironsides (Spectator); The Battle of Newport News (Sa turday Review); Science and Arts for February; etc. Licte,ll, Son & Co., Boston. Weekly, at 86 00 pef annum. The Pulpit and Rostrum, No. 30, for May 15, contains a report of Rev. Dr. Vinton's discourse on The Sabbath and its Relations to the State," being the concluding discourse of the " Sabbath Series," delivered in the various churches of New York city. New York :E. D. Barker. Price Ten Cents. Blacktcood's Edinburgh, Magazine for April, contains : Caxtoniana ; a series on Life, Liiera tare and Manners—The Lives of Two Ladies— Political Tragedies in Japan—A Box of Books— Works of Charles Lever—The International Ex hibition—Chronicles of Carlingford— Spence's American Union.* New York: L. Scott & Co. Philadelphia : W. B. Zieber. Mr. Bidwell's Eclectic for A&, is - the com mencement of a new voleime,the forty-sixth. Twenty-five articles, from the North British, Bri tish Quarterly, Dublin University Magazine, Lon don Eclectic, grazer's, Chambers', Bentley's and other periodicals, besides miscellanies, and the whole embellished with a portrait group of the Missionary translators of the Scriptuies into the languages of the Levant—Drs. Riggs, Goodell, and Scbaufller—form an attractive budget. W. H.Bidwell, No. 5 Beekman street, New York. Dr Peabody's highly eulogistic article upon the American ' Board, from the North American Review, has been republished in pamphlet form by Messrs. Crosby, Nichols & Co., Boston. It is remarkable, as coming from ona of the first men in the Unitarian body in this country. ,liistory.and Theory of Revolutions, by Riv. Joseph Clark, A. M., Chambersburg. From the Princeton Review for April. A comprehensive and- effective comparison of, the Southern rebel lion with the leading successful revolutions re corded in history, Philadelphia, W. S. & A• M,artien. Rev. 'W. M. Thayer's Hdime' Mout* for May is 'on our table. Bostou : D. W. Childs & Co. MAY 8, MAGAZINES AND PAMPHLETS
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers