146 aztrican Victobgitrias GENESEE EVANGELIST. THURSDAY, MAY 15, 1862 JOHN W. MEARS, BLUGGISHNEBS. IT is said that we know not how much we can do until we are put to the proof. This does not only mean that our faculties are capable of an unnatural and temporary excitement, enabling them to far exceed their normal exercises in mo ments of extraordinary peril and necessity. It means that there is a reserve of force, both active and passive, an man, held back by sluggishness and apathy, scarcely known to the vast majority, and needing the call of a master passion, the summons of duty, or the stimulus of gracious principles to reveal its existence and bring it into action. Behind this veil of sluggishness it lies concealed. A subtle and wide-spreading influ ence, brought in, doubtless, at the fall, represses and discourages its movements. Few, perhaps none, but daily experience the deadening power of this principle of evil. Even the active and the diligent, who study their own hearts, are con scious of yielding, in many instances, to the temptations of indolence. They who have ac complished most, by dint of industry and wake- fulness and application, know best when, for want of those qualities, they have lost other and greater advantages, perhaps, than any they have gained. We are inclined to the opinion that the world owes more to industry than to genius. Even the conceptions of genius are worthless, unless they are accurately and distinctly embodied on can vas, on stone, In language, by methods of the most patient and untiring industry. Without this, the raptures of poetry would be a speech in an unknown tongue, and the ideas of sculptors and painters'were as valueless as the transient shapes and colors of cloudland. Kepler's grand theories of the planetary motions would have remained but theOries, had he not patiently pei formed that gigantic labor of calculations which. was necessary to test and verify them, Many men have attained to fame and to high degrees of usefulness, who are indebted for it to no ex traordinary endowments of genius, but to the faithful and diligent use of ordinary endowments, to the denial of their sluggish natures, to the employment of that reserved force, which indo lent men, and often great genius, know not, or reek not of, to their own great loss and the loss of society, Many a man, .did he but know it, has been on the verge of a great achievement, of attaining a great reputation, of accomplishing a work of high and lasting utility, of gaining a for tune, nay, of saving his soul (so far as man can do that), and has failed for want of application. He might have done it; the power was his; but native indolence hid the fact from him, persuaded him falsely that he could not; prevented his put ting forth the trifling additional effort needed to accomplish the result. It is not for us to say whether particular indi viduals who have done much for mankind, had or had not the quality of genius. Theiresti mony to the value of industry can be accepted, whether we endorse their modest disclaimers of higher qualities or not. The most successful of our preachers and theological writers—take him for all in all—in this country, we mean Albert Barnes, says in his " Life at Three-Score," " I have seen the value of industry, and I owe to this, under God, whatever success I have attained. I had nothing else to depend on but this. I had no capital when I began life; I had no powerful .patronage to help me.; I had no natural endow ments, as I believe that no man juts, that could supply the place of industry; and it is not im proper here to say that all that I have been able to do in this world, has been the result of habits of industry, which began early in life. . . . Dr. Doddridge, in reference to his own work, the . Paraphrase on the New Testament, said that its being written at all, was owing to the difference between rising at five and at seven o'clock in the morning. A remark similar to this will explain all that I have done. Whatever I have accom plished in the way of Commentary on the Scrip tures, is to be traced to the fact of rising at four in the morning, and to the time thus secured, which I thought might properly be employed in a work not immediately connected with my pas toral labors. . . . All my commentaries on the Scriptures have been written before nine o'clock in the morning 1" Who can doubt that there are men of equal endowments with the writer, of whom the church or the world will never hear, simply becadse they have succumbed to the sluggishness which is a part of .our corrupt natures, and are criminally ignorant of the power for good they might exer cise? No quality is more essential to success in war, than that which we call "indefatigable." We do not now mean that straining of the nerves which is required on a forced march, or in storm ing an entrenchment; but that steady develop ment of the true normal abilities of the man and the soldier which leaves space for recreation, but not a moment for indolence ; which is untiring in duty, in drill and in disopline from day to day; which pushes every advantage; which surprises the indolent and unguarded foe ; which drives a defeated enemy " to. the wall." Brilliant plans in the hands of an indolent genius will but lead to melancholy failure. It is byyielding to sluggishness that multi tudes upon multitudes are finally lost. It is be coupe the reserved forces of the soul are allowed to slumber, that the chains of sin are unbroken. It costs too great an effort to change our course of life from worldliness and selfishness, to spiri tuality and love. Supinely we say it is too much, it cannot be done. We make a feeble effort; we start spasmodically on what we think is the road to heaven ; the first real difficulty appals us; the Hart slough of despond determines us to abandon the effort; yea! when, humanly speaking, one more struggle would have saved us, one more effort against the indolent temper of our natures would have overcome the via inertir, and set us un ceasingly in motion on our heavenly orbit, we yield, we cease our exertions, we are lost ! Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep. So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man. The subtle sluggishness that covers up and deadens the latent forces of the soul, must be overcome by the power of the Spirit, before we can'he saved. The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. Strive, -AND Editor AGONIZE to enter in at the straight-gate. These, and escore of other injunctions scattered through the New Testament,-:--to FIGHT the good fight, to wrestle, to run with patience the race set before us, and so on, show us that an aroused and vigor ous action of the soul is necessary to salvation ; that heaven itself, as well as earthly good is gained under God, by a true energy which leaves no room for the indulgence of indolence in its subtlest forms, and that every man has in him a reserve of power which is the key to temporal and spiritual success, and which too many, even of the reputed diligent, are conscious that they fail to bring into exercise' as they should. REBEL OUTRAGES AT MANASSAS. THERE bas just been opened and authenticated a page in the history of this rebellion, at which future generations will stand aghast, and which no man ventured to anticipate as one of the con comitants of even internal strife between the two sections of our country. It was feared, in deed, that negra insurrections occurring in the South would be attended with circumstances o` horror—a half-civilized race, in their struggles to break the yoke of bondage, would not be scru pulous as to the mode and manner of dealing with their oppressors. But that the people who delighted to call themselves the chivalry of the land, who laid claim to 'nearly all of its refine ment and its conservatism, who cherished and inculcated an inexpressible scorn of the rest oi the nation, should be found guilty of a aeries o: atrocities scarcely paralleled in the annals of savage warfare, and arpreaching to the cannibal ferocity of the lowest tribes of the human family, all in the interest of an unmeaning rebellion, seems beyond belief. So many rumors to this effect had reached the North, especially after the rebel retreat from Manassas, that Congress took the matter in band, and ordered an investigation. Such tales were too disgraceful to the American ' name and to our common humanity to be allowed to circulate, if untrue. The Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War summoned witnesses and made careful inquiry, and their report is before the public. We confess we are shocked and humbled as citizens of a civilized communi ty, and as bearing the same name with the authors of these atrocities, quite as much as we are in dignant and anxious for their punishment. The sins are too enormous and multitudinous for the broadest charity to cover; The fiery test of war has brought out the true character of the South ern people, and has revealed the demoralizing and brutalizing influence of the institution oi l slavery—the only essential peculiarity of South ern society, and the only cause to which their conduct in these respects can be traced. The field of inquiry 'on the part' of the com mittee was limited to Bull' Run battle-field. From their report we learn of a soldier who was bayoneted thirteen times by two rebels as he lay disabled on the sod; we read of dead Union soldiers left naked and unburied, ten or twelve days after the battle ; of Union surgeons taken prisoners, and forbidden to attend to our wound ed; of wounded soldiers operated on in the most reckless and greedy manner, and actually mur dered, by rebel ignoramuses, who were not per mitted to operate on their own wounded; of pri soners shot dead for looking out of the window of their prison; of our dead soldiers disinterred, their bodies decapitated, and their skulls retained as trophies; their flesh boiled from their bones, and their bones made into drumsticks and finger rings, which were bought and sold among the rebel soldiery. The coals, ashes, and bones of the body of Major Ballou, of Rhode Island, which bad been first beheaded, and then burned by the rebels, were found by Governor Sprague on a recent visit to the battle field; he also dis covered a trench full of the bodies of our soldiers, buried with their faces downward. The most of these are facts, settled beyond dispute, by com petent testimony of actors, sufferers and witnesses of the scenes, on the field and in Richmond; by returned prisoners; by residents near the battle field, and by such investigators on the spot as Governor Sprague, of Rhode Island. General James B. Ricketts, who was in charge of Rick etts' battery at the battle, and was wounded and captured, testifies that in that condition a party of rebels proposed to knock his brains out. He nes thrust in close confinement as a hostage for the privateer; when so lame that he could not walk, and his wounds yet unhealed. He testifies to the horrible surgery practised on our wounded. It was his noble wife, it will be remembered, who went to his assistance when she heard 'he was still living, though wounded, in Richmond. He says:—" She had almost to fight her way through, but succeeded finally in reaching me on the fourth day after the battle. There were eight persons in the Lewis House, at Manassas, in the room where I lay, and my wife, for two weeks, slept in that room on the floor by my side, without a bed. When we got to Richmond there were six of us in a room. There was no door to it. We were there as a common show. On our way to Richmond, when we reached Gor donsville, many women crowded around the cars, and asked my wife if she cooked ? if she washed? how she got there ? General Johnson took my wife's carriages and horses at Manassas, kept them, and has them yet for aught I know." We have dwelt only upon the report of the committee, but sickening though the recital is, scarcely the half is told in that document. Thou sands of savage warriors, with knife and toma hawk, and painted faces, have been enlisted, and have fought in their service; food has been drugged, and wells'poisoned, in the path of our soldiers; railroad trains on errands of peace have been fired on from ambuscades; u - hoffending Union.citizena and their families hare been dra gooned, tarred and feathered, and hung, or more mercifully driven forth in beggary from their homes ; in New Orleans, helpless women and children were shot at for rejoicing at' the sight of the old flag ; prisoners have been made targets for the rifles of their captors; women have ex pressed the most bloodthirsty wishes for Yankee scalps and hides, and it is believed their wishes have been gratified. But enough. We are filled with horror and shame as we contemplate and record these facts. The word justice should be struck out of our vocabulary, if the leaders in such enormities, and, if need be, the cities and places where they have been encouraged and perpetrated, are not swept to an ignominious doom; and equally should we abandon our claim to common sense and common prudence, if the form of social life, in which they are generated, is not subjected by the victorious nation to restrictions and bonds for good behaviour in the future, heavy enough to ensure its speedy downfall. auttrirau Vttobtittiait and 6tutiort (For the American Presbyterian.) PATRIOTISM OP OLD PINE ST. CHURCH. IN the early months of 'our national conflict, when tests of loyalty were of more significance than at present, because in some cases more need ful; when churches and public buildings strove together in patriotic development, the inquiry was made, why none of these outward signs were displayed from the loyal old church on Pine St. " Because we do not need them was the reply of one of the young members. " Our patriotism, never flags!" Without much combination or arrangement, this church has been working in a hundred dif ferent channels. As her first, bess offering to the country, she has given FORTY-SEVEN of her finest young men, half of them, at least, profes sors of religion, occupying honorable posts in every division of our noble _army and navy. Through the friends of these young men, large and repeated contributions of comfort and relief in the form of socks, mittens, clothing and food, have been furnished to whole companies and re giments. One lady in the church has presented two magnificent silk flags to different regiments, besides a large number of boxes of delicacies, as well as weekly supplies to the neighboring en campments around the 'city. Over two hundred pairs of stockings were sent at one time from this single source. When the appeal was made last fall for blan kets, before the Government was able to provide a supply from other sources, the response was immediate and hearty. One family, of revolu tionary ancestry, gave twelve blankets—all they had in the house—supplying their own need by quilted" substitutes. Six of these blankets were heir-looms in the family—having been spun and manufactured by the grandmother, and preserved as too precious for ordinary use. They were re linquished with streaming tears----as the mother said she could not give them to any of her chil dren, but " the soldiers must have them f" They have since warmed the limbs and checked the fever of some of the suffering victims of this un natural rebellion. And this daughter 111 a revo lutionary General will hereafter meet the com mendation "Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of the least of these, ye did it unto me 1" Another, in very feeble health and reduced finances, collected all her store of Tracts, pre served religiously for years—and had them hand somely bound for the use of the soldiers in the hospitalthe poor widow's mite for her country and its wounded sons. When, this small offering was brought, the donor was so choked with emo tion, that for some time she was unable to speak, partly from the fulness of het heart in its yearn ings to give something, and partly from regret at her inability to give more. Here, again, the Judge who " sits over against the treasury," may say, 44 She hath east in more, of her penury, than all they who of their abundance have 'cast into the treasury." Six families in the -congregation have each fur nished two sons for the defence-of their country, and two families have resigned three sons each to the army. Many of these boys have already been in some of our most desperate struggles. Sergeant Charles 11. Hand:was in the scow that was swamped in crossing the Shenandoah, and by his presence of mind and intrepidity, rescued several of his comrades before seeking his own safety. A younger brother, Albert E. Hand, equally brave and resolute, was with General Burnside in the capture of Roanoke Island, and was detailed as one of the escort to bring home the body of Colonel de Monteil. The old church covenanted with her whole heart, as she blessed her young volunteer repre sentatives, to pray daily for their success and preservation. Many are in positions of great peril, and the end is not yet. But so far as is known, of all this company, only one young man of twenty-six years, has been laid in his grave— the victim of typhoid fever. His name will suffice for his monument---Wmum Winth.„CAL HOUN. We are the true children of our revolutionary sires ; and amid the wafflings , that will be heard above the shouts of victory for such as have fallen in this contest, we are ready to repeat again their eulogy in their epitaph, while we say : " The noblest line e'er carved on stone, KruAn AT BITNXER Ariz I' " • OVERTURE ON UNION. From the other side of the house (and the country.) The following Overture upon the subject of reunion, was unanimously adopted at a recent meeting by the Presbytery of California, the pa rent Presbytery of the Old School Presbyterian branch on the Pacific shore: Overture on the Reunion of the Old and New School General Assemblies, of the Presbyte rian Church in the 'United States, from the Presbytery of California, offered to the con- sideration of the General assembly (0. S.) As the question of the reunion of. the Old and New School General Assemblies of the Pres byterian Church in the United States, is now more or 'less agitated in different portions of our land, and will probably be brought to the atten tionof the General Assembly by the action of Pres byteries in the premises; and as it is believed in general, so likewise on the Pacific Coast in parti cular there is already a good degree of readiness for the proposed measure, among the members of the two bodies who here intermingle in fel lowship and labors, agreeing also in Christian doctrine and polity : Therefore this Presbytery cordially and earn estly solicits the General Assembly at its next meeting to take such action as, on the basis of just principles and in a manner conducive to the welfare of all concerned, may lead to a restora tion of the unity of our long-divided Church, and thus increase her strength and efficiency for the fulfilment of her divine mission, and by her ex ample contribute another commanding proof of the real and practical oneness of the mystical body of Christ. ANOTHER. The following overture on Christian Union was adopted by the Oxford Presbytery at their meeting on the 6th of April. The Presbytery of O s iford, having seen with pleasure the inauguration in certain quarters of measures looking towards a reunion of the seve ral parts of the great Presbyterian body, and be lieving that such union, if real and cordial, would greatly honor Christ, and strengthen the cause of Presbyterianism in this land : Therefore, Resolved, That we heartily approve this move ment, and further, that we overture our General Assembly, at its approaching session, to give this subject its careful attention, and to do,' at all times, what may safely and properly be done, in accordance With the provisions of the constitu tion and the Dictates of a wise Christian policy, to encourage ,uniou, not only with the N. S. body so called, but also with all branches of the great Presbyterian f;mily ) agreeing with us in doctrine and Church order. - - ANOTHER [The following is not exactly official in charac ter, but will carry almost the same weight, hav ing been signe4,by all but two of the ininisteral members of the Presbytery, (who are expected to sign,) and 1y many lay members.. Its lan guage is decided and significant of what the North-west may ,find' it necessary to do, if their overtures are utterly rejected. Madison Presby tery is in Indiana.] The undersigned ministers and elders connect ed with Madison Presbytery (0. S.) respectfully memorialize the. General Assembly, to initiate such measures, as, in due time, and in a proper way, may result in a reunion into one body, un der one General:Assembly, of the Old and New School Presbyterian Churches. We are pursuided that a large number in both branches cherish with us this desire for reunion, founded on the e'onvietion that as to the great majority, we are s one in both doctrine and order. The causes which brought, about our aliena tion and separation, have in a great measure ceased to operate;—the plan of union of 1801 has been abrogated in, the Old,,and substantially vacated in the New ;—the.errors in doctrine, and irregularities in practice, which it had introdued, are rapidly disappearing;--both now conduct their efforts for evangelizing the world under like ecclesiastical organization ;--and in . other important respects; we are approaching a unani mity in sentiment, and uniformity in Christain policy, which lead, us to the belief that the time is at hand, when we should cease to be rival de nominations. The obstacles to our becoming one body being thus, to a great extent, removed, we respectfully suggest'that union should be formally proposed by both Assemblies, and be carried through in such a manner as to afford a rallying point, and save both parties from the necessity of either leaving their 0207 i, body and joining the other—or become independent, until their highest courts were united;—as in that way alone, measures can be taken effectually to, secure purity of doc trine in the united Church, and yet, (forbearing to insist upon unpleasant questions not essential to a healthful union,) to . preserve a decent re gard to Self respect in all ecclesiastical courts. Truly yours in Christ, &c. NEW YORK CORRESPONDENCE. THE week has closed, and with it the anniver saries have terminated, and most of those gather ed from various States to enjoy these religious festivities, have gone to their homes. 'One opin ion seems to prevail extensively. That is, that fewer people have been in attendance and less interest' has been manifested than on any-recent anniversary week. The causes are somewhat ev ident. The great digressing theme is the war, now, blessed-be God, apparently drawing near its close. Then, these meetings have lost much of their social charrii: Tay have also in a measure, become so secelarized;lhat earnest, religious peo ple enjoy themselves less than during former years. " The communion of saints," sometimes unhappily degenerates into partisan appeals and inflammatory wranglings,, Theie has been little that was " sensational " at the anniversaries the past week Last year and the year before, the "Nassau street" and "Boston Tract Societies " stood menacingly in front of each other, like the belligerent armies of the Potomac. People were excited and parti zans were on the alert. The conflict between the Merrimac and Monitor could scarcely have pro du.ced more earnest inquiry or ,demonstrative feeling, on a diminutive scale, than did the hos tile action of these two societies. This year, all is calmness, and the spirit of fraternization pre vails. The "Nassau street Society" has publish ed an intensely interesting document on the evils of the slave trade, and that traffic, and its iniqui ties, directly involves the question of slavery it self. This has gratified " Young America" of the Boston Society, represented by Dr. Tyng and Henry Ward Beecher, and they utter words of kir dness and encouragement and even commen dationof the course of their venerable neighbor. The Academy of Music was crowded at the Boston Society' meeting, and while the speakers said their hostility was disarmed, and their utter ances hereafter'would be cordial and conciliatory - , they facetiously cautioned their "Nassau street" brethren to be careful not to progress too fast, but be eonservative like them, and not to run into " ultraisrns." The freedom of expression in behalf of the "Contrabands," and in favor of im proving the condition of the slaves, was earnest and heartfeltnt the Nassau street Society anni versar3. Both of these Societies have accom plished wonders almost, in spreading millions of pages of judicious. tracts and religions reading through the camps and garrisons during the past year. Their rivalry and generous emulation has been fruitful of the best results. May it contin ue, conducted in the spirit of Christian men. The cash receipts of the " Nassaq. , strcpt Societe; last year, were f 1.78,700. Those of the "'Boston Society," $43,500. Both Societies nee: up nearly all the funds received, and still need and ask, for more. The various Societies holding their anniversa ries could scarcely be enumerated with any de tail, in a letter, and I only make a note of two or three of the principal ones. The American Bible Society meeting was pleasant and fraternal. Men of opposite creeds and conflicting opinions meet on this platform, and with the Bible before them, inculcate the spirit of their beloved Master. The cash receipts, exclusive of sales, realized about $200,000. The gratuitous issues have ex ceeded in value 00,000. The American Home Missionary Society fzels the loss of the support of the Presbyterian branch, and yet its receipts have come up to nearly $164,000. It has becory exclusively a Congre gational organization, and its Secretary, Rev. Dr. Coe, has retired from the New 'York Pres bytery and united with the Congregational or ganization of Brooklyn. The war has largely reduced the number of their missionaries, those in the South probably ..having returned, or re ceiving their support from, Southern Christians. The receipts are nearly $20,000 less than last year. - The." Presbyterian Board , " has received dur ing the past year more from its friends in the loyal States than formerly; although the South NEw YORK, May 10 has contributed but a small amount to their fav orite enterprise. The aggregate receipts are less than last year, being about $1.77,000 ; the expen ditures nearly the, same. The "American Board" and " Sunday School Union" celebrations were among the most attractive and interesting during the week. In the important question of Finance, the soci eties are largely in arrears this year. The man agers generally lament that the civil convulsions have affected their Treasuries. The reports of twelve of the most important associations make the following exhibit as compared with the re ports of Anniversary week last year : Rec'ts rep. Rec'ts rep. Dec. 1861. 1862, A. B. C. F. M. $370,000 B . p. 193,702 175,208 Am. Bible Society 389,561 378,181 11,420 Am. Tract Society 358,785 204,721 154,014 Am. H. Mis. Soc. 183,761 163,852 19,909 Am. &F. Chr. Un' n 60,569 66,000 6,669 Seam. Friend Soc 72,977 54,652 18,325 Fern. Guerin Soe. 42,295 21,068 21,227 Am. Cong. Union 14,048 7,535 6,513 Am. Temp. Union 6,000 1,873 4,627 N. Y. S. S. Union. 18,000 18,000 $417,812 Am. Tract Society he of Boston, 75,042 88,054 13,012 N.Y.StateCol.Soc 10,310 18,827 8,517 $1,601,288, $1,205,005 $21,529 Total decrease, The Evangelist takes exceptions to my remarks in a recent letter, that Rev. Dr. Prentiss' new church enterprise is weakening others. I said there are now four or five Presbyterian churches in the region of Madison Square, but partially filled." That journal thinks it; a mistake to suppose the " enterprise premature, and the erection of a new church one of doubtful expediency." All this depends upon the stand-point from which the whole thing is viewed. No member of a mer cantile firm woold be justified in drawing out so much of the common capital for his own , person al use, as would" impair its efficiency, or suggest apprehensions of bankruptcy. Churches should be governed by an equally equitable rule. The necessity of a new Presbyterian church edifice in the region of Madison Square or Mur ray Hill, and the expediency of such an effort, are two different things. It may be expedient to enlarge the number of New &heal churches in this up-town region, to meet the demands of the future population. The necessity cannot for a moment be urged. The " region of Madison Square" should at least embrace half a dozen blocks in oppeste directions. This claimed and, conceded, it will be found the objectionable state ment is more than true. 'Rev. Dr. Parker on Fourth avenue and Twenty-second• street, Rev. Mr. Banvard on Twenty-ninth street and Madi son avenue, Rev. Mr. Clark on Twenty-third street near Seventh avenue,. Rev. Dr. McCarty on Twenty-second street near Sixth avenue, Rev. Mr. Thompson on Twenty fifth street, bet Ween Seventh and Eighth avenues, Rev. Mr. Smith on Twenty-second street, between Seventh and Eighth avenues, aside from Rev. Mr. Hastings' new enterprise on Murray Hill, are all Presbyte rian churches within a moderate distance of Ma dison Square. They all have expensive, commo dious and even elegant places of worship. None of them are filled, and nearly every one is in volved in debt. Some of them are absolutely suffering from want of numbers, and pecuniary strength. Passing but a little distance beyond, is Rev. Dr. Hatfield's, Rev. Dr. Am D. Smith's, Rev. Mr. Rankin's, Rev. Dr. Potts', Rev. Dr. Phillips', and others which might be named, all Presbyterian. apartof them " New School," with galleries nearly Vacant, and most of them with a , painful existence and increase of empty pews. Some .of the above churches are wealthy, but others are in embarrassed circumstances, and ean ill afford the drain now making upon them. The course of things appertaining to new religious enterprises in this city, is prejudicial to the cause of Christ, and it needs to be discussed, and the subject ventilated. A remedy should be sought by Christian men and practically carried out, whereby weak existing societies may be strength ened, rather than a process admitted or encour aged, which invigorates the strong, and weakens those who now are struggling, with debility and infirmities. It may be urged that it is a New School enterprise, and needs encouragement. But there are " Ne,w School churches" within an easy five minutes' walk of Madison Square, which are suffering and have suffered sad deple tion. Not a few of their strong , men have gone into overgrown up-town churches, but they are joining in new enterprises which not only weaken but absolutely threaten. to paralyze some of the oldest and best parishes in the City. The whole subject is fruitful of interest and importance. It is the common topic oftnxious remark with the clergy, and discussion with laymen, but the prac cal remedy is publicly evaded here, and perhaps good may result from its open , discussion else where. Rev. Dr. W. J. R. Taylor, of the Dutch church in your city, has accepted-the position of Corres ponding Secretary of the AMe.ricau Bible So ciety: This post was left vacant by the secession of Rev. Dr. McNeill, who left very suddenly last spring, and identified himself with the rebellion. He was ordinarily a courteous man, but before he removed, he made himself so obnoxious in his daily going and coming to his home in Elizabeth, New Jersey, that his safety sometimes was jeo-- pardized. Secessionism seems to have embittered the temper and poisoned the blood of some of the best christian men who have embraced it. Under such influences they have said and done things painful to their friends, and'most hUrtfrd to their c,hristian characters. The widow of Rev. Dr. Murray purchased the handsome estate of Dr. McNeil at Elizabeth, where she, now resides. GERMAN STREET °MOH. To Rev. J. W Mears.—You probably know something of the embarrassments , under which' the German Street Church and Congregation are labouring. About four years since, they attempted to re build and enlarge their church edifice. They purdhased an adjoining lot at an expense of three thousand dollars, and after expending twelve thousand doliars more in cash on the new build ing, and incurring a debt , of seven thousand dol- . lars, the Church was left unfinished, it requiring an outlay of about four thousand dollars more to complete it. The Church was sold by the sheriff about one year ago for f6rty-five hundred .dollars, subject to a mortgage of thirty-eight hundred 'dollars. Owing to the embarrassments of the country the purchaser did not comply with the terms of sale. Another attempt is about to-he made by one of the creditors to effect a sale, and unless friends of the denomination purchase it, the Church will probably be sold at a sacrifice, and the denomi nation will lose the fifteen thousand dollars al ready expended on it. s It has been ascertained by the Committee that the creditors of the Church are willing to relin quish their claims, amounting in all to about seven thousand dollars, for forty-six hundred dollars; and as it will require about four thou sand dollars more to complete the edifice, it has been proposed to make an effort to get sixteen or seventeen members of our churches to make a loan of five hundred dollars each, for two years, without interest, to pay off the claims and finish the Church, taking the property as security, which will be ample for the amount of the loan. It has also been suggested, that four members willing- to make this loan, might be obtained from each of the four churches in the southern section of the city, and four members of the Pine Street Church have consented to loin in the effort. It is hoped that an equal number can be found in the First Church, Clinton Street and Calvary Churches, who will unite in the enter prise. The Committee hope that this proposition will meet your favourable consideration, and that you will - join - in this effort to relieve the German Street Church. They feel that it would be a great mistake to allow this Church to be sold, and pass from the control of our denomination. It is located in one of the most populous portions of the city, six squares from any other Presby terian Church, and under an- efficient pastor a large congregation may be collectedthere. It is a Ideality in which may be gathered one of the largest Sabbath Schools in the land. $396,283 The Committee respectfully urge the prompt consideration of this proposition. They have 'a greed with the ereditors to report within thirty days from the26th of Apriton this effort, which, if unsuccessful, the Church will probably be sold by the she-riff, and the whole matter be thus de termined beyond hope of recovery. ...Very respectfully, yours, Jaunt SPARBA.WK., 509 Market Street. SAatuF.r. WOR./C, N South Third Street. Committee appointed by Presby tery. 0010fISSIGNERG TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESBYTRZRY. 3rd Philadel'a 4th Phiadel'a, Wilmington, Harrisburg, his. of Collis, New York 3rd, arigar Genesee Val'y. Rochester, Delaware,. Utica, Marshall, Knox; Clevelank Indianapolis, Dayton, Chicago, • North River, Newark, Hamiltoi a., Ciueinnatit, Ottawa, Scioto, Huron, Washtenaw, Franklin, Monroe, Logansport, Green Castle, Elyria, Trumbull, Salem., Madison, Gertesee, Hudson, Long Island, Grand River, Fort Wayne, St. Joseph, N. Y. Fourth, St. Lawrence, Chenango, Cortland, Chemung, Pennsylvania, Niagara, Coldwater, Ttfilwaulde ; air We call the. special attention of our rea ders to the advertisement of the Presbyterian Historical Society in another column. It will be seen that the Anniversary comes off Oil the 15th inst., in. Dr. Dale's chureh. From the character of the speakers announced, it will be seen tha an evening of much interest may be expected. The Society is doing an admirable-work in many respects. Its collections are very valuable: The Annual addresses before the highest judicatories of the churches are becoming increasingly im portant, and the promotion of general acquain tanceship and good feeling among the different branches of our. Church, is of itself worth more than the Society has cost. It is a ' , risible cord of unity among all Presbyterian; and as such, it is. difficult to overrate its value. REv. R. ADAIR has accepted the call of the. Central church, Norristown. This will not inter fere with his duties as Secretary of the Philadel phia Home Missionary society, and correspon dents will address him until further uotiee, at N0..1304 Chestnut street. • CROMWELL. MINISTERS' SONS lIVTIES ARNLY.—TheChrib , dam Herald gives the following additions to the lists already lialkshad. The ministers are either members; or residing in the bounds, of Alton Presbytery; Rev. William Holmes, Missionary Amerkan Missionary Association, in Southern Illinois, one son—Samuel R. Holmes, 3rd Michigan Volun teer Infantry ; one step-son—Leonard W.. Brad ley, O. S. 7th Connecticut Volunteers. Rev. james Stafford, Kaskaskia Presbytery one son, name forgotten. Rev. 'Robert Stewart, Alton Presbytery, four sons-Stephen, Thomas,. Brainerd, Irenetus, Their regiments, and rank unknown to the writer. Rev. 'William H. Bird, Alton Presbytery, two sons SamuelW. Bird, O. S. Sbth Illinois; -Ab- rebels C. Bird, Adjotatit 22d Illinois. Rev. Thomas Lippincott, Alton Presbytery, two sons --- Lieutenant-Colonel (late Captain) Charles E. Lippincott,. 33(1 Illinois, Private Thomas W. Lippincott, 6th Illinois Volunteer Cavalry. 3111ESTHRS. B. B. Hotchkin, T. S. Johnston, H. S. Osborn, Wm. T. Eva, Wm. Aikm an, Wm. Sterling, Masore Noble, D: M. Seward, Win. H. Babbitt, S. W. Crittenden, Charles Hamlin, Geo.. W. Warner, F. W.. Stoddard, J. B. Shaw, OD, F: F. Ellinwood, Thomas Larcom, S. W. Brace, J. B. Hubbard, A. A. Corliss, N S S Bernan, Dry J. H. Noble, W. A. McCorkle, W. McKaig, S: C. Aiken, DD. R. H. Leonard, J. Dela Mater, W.. M. Cheever, B. Dickinson, DD G. L. Little. B. B. Wheeler, ' J. P.Wil son, DR, C. M. Nichols, J. P. E. Murder, RevDrTliompsotr J. E. Chandler, Newton Barrett, T: R. 'Reeve, F. Z. Rossier, B. Russel!, -- Downey, E. J. Boyd, W. G. Gallagher, F. S. McCabe, H. L. Dickerson, A. R. Clark, Win. C. Clark,. H.W. Ballantine, John Gerrish, E. N. Manley, H. Wadsworth, Ed. Stratton, D. Witter, H. - C. Cheadle, E Schofield. Joel Parker.DD, John Spaulding, 8.13. Beckwith, Alfred - Ketcham, H. N. Millard, Rev. Dr. Cowles, 1, F. Calkins, Joshua Cooke, J. A. Ranney, J. S. Lord', iAnv Chntrit ftwo. Rev. Alfred Bryant, Niles, Michigan, two sons. To these we acid Rev. Charles F. Diver, Cedarville, N. J., Fourth Presbytery, a sou in the 7th New Jersey Volunteers. Bev. James Boggs, Fairtorr, N„,.T., same Pres bytery, son in the Indiana regiment. Considerations on Representative Government, from the pen of J. Stuart Mill, ii a calm, and for the most part, judicious treatise, written in perspicuous style, from the pert of one of the living masters of political science. Representa tive government is, in his view, the ideally best form. The work is constructed with reference= mainly to the British system; our system is re ferred to frequently by way of illustration, with that intelligence and correctness which we ex pect of Mr. Mill, especially since his recent able letter on the Rebellion. 12mo, pp. 365- J. B. Lippincott & Co. • Dr. Seiss, of the Lutheran Church in this city, has won for himself an honorable and a deserved reputation as a fervid and elegant, preacher and writer, as a diligent student of the Word, and of ancient and modern biblical lite rature, and as a man of devout and evangelical spirit. These characteristics appear in his re cently published volume of Discourses on the Parable of the Ten Virgins, which is a most. readable, and, in the main, highly profitable work. His views involve the doctrine of the literal second coming; and his embarrassment in finally disposing of the foolish virgins, on the supposition that they are Clue Christians, but. unprepared for this coming, is manifest. A ser mon on the " Judgeship of the Saints" is added. It is doubtless true that the clergy generally pay too little attention to the eschatology of the Scriptures as an effective element of preaching. Dr. Seiss' book is calculated to stir up their in terest on the subject. 12mo, page 181. Price 75" cents. Philadelphia : Smith, English & Co. The City of the Saints is a bulky octavo, pub lished by Harper & Bros., giving the experiences of the English traveler, Richard F. Burton, author of the "Lake Regions of Africa," in a tour to, and through Utah. It presents many facts of interest, and should be consulted by all who seek information as to the extraordinary phenomenon of which it treats. It goes largely into particulars, giving statistics of emigration, missions, agriculture, etc., with full accounts of Mormon worship, the Book of Mormon, the Salt Lake city and country, with the routes approach , ing it, with plans, engravings, etc. But the tone of the writer is extraordinary. The reader will be constrained to believe that Mr. Burton regards Mormonism in about as favorable a light as Christianity itself. The whole spirit of the book is apologetic towards the Mormons, and sneering towards their opposers. The traveler's statements are valuable—his opinions are of no imaginable consequence. The mass of the Mor mon fraternity are native English. Mr. Burton, writing, during the unpropitious commencement of our troubles, says flippantly, " When the dis ruption of the Great Republic shall have become a fait accompli, Deseret will arise a free, sove reign, independent state." The appearance of the volume will aid in drawing the attention of the people to the necessity of enforcing the laws in this rebellions territory, by means of the same triumphant army which is dispelling the dream of the pro-slavery Secessionists and their friends.. For sale by J. B. Lippineott & Co. The Pearl o f Orr's Island. ELDERS Hon. Wm. Strong, Isaac Ashmead, R. Byington, Th. Trenchard, John C. Clark, John B. Hall. Wm. A. tooth, Hang H. Smith, J. W. Bishop, 1 Ira Hamilton, MD, James Hyde, H. Mead,- Harry Allen, MD, C. X. Adams, Philip Bassett,M, Giles B. Kellogg, Lyman Wilder, L. Keeler, E. V. Robbins, Isaac E. Brush, F. S. Blossom J. L.. Ketchum, Hon.. P. Od Hon. W. H. Brown, O. H. Lee, B. S. Van .Keuren, S. A. Gould, C. M. Davis, S. Whitlock, B. D. Mansfield, F. V. Chamberlain, Henry Bergen, Robert Wood, Dr. Gdpin, A. Pratt, Bridgeman, A. L. Millard, David A. Smith, M. M. Post, C. C. Knapp, M. Derdoff, Emotes Wolcott, 0.. Owen 7 John Sullivan ! Stephen Jones, G. W.. Seward, J. S. Skidmore, E. Chester, Hon. J. L. Knight, A. 3. Westerodt S. M. Bletchfor4i, A. W. Morgan, Dr. Parmelee, Chas. S. Rogers,. F. Stebbins, Robert Wilson, Enoch Blackwell, James Wells, Wm McMechim, R. R. Price. Agnes of Sorrento: These two works of fiction, from the fertile and gifted pen of Mrt: Stowe, are issued simul taneously in handsome style, from the press of Ticknor £ Fields, Boston. Already having ap peared in serial form, their general character is well known to the public. The genius of the authoress is unquestionable. The creative power of.her imagination appears in the finely drawn, and. well sustained characters and in the plots of these very diverse works—written, we preiume, at the same time. The interest of the reader is held by the progress of the story, and by the ex quisite and truthful deseriptions of natural scenery introduced, 'which often are master pieces of writing in their way, and which ravish and overpower the soul with their beauty. Noble sentiments are forcibly and skilfully inculcated. Like other gifted members of the family the writer cannot be commended as a perfectly safe guide; although we believe these works are healthful in tone, and free from some of the erroneous tendencies with which previous tales by the same author are chargeable. For sale by J. B. Lippincott & Co. The Last of the Movtivners—a story •ib two, voices—by the author of Margaret Maitland- New York: Harper & Brothers, Harry Hoes list of origin& books for children is rapidly increasing. We, have recently re- ceived The Baste% Review fir May,. is one.ef the best numbers of this aide journal yet issued. The. articles are of a high order, and yet of great popular interest. Werefer especially to " French Writers before the Revolution," in which Rous seau and Voltaire are very luny charaeterized;" " The Amerieatb Ruud and its Reviewers"—a defence of the Memorial volume of the Board against the disingenuous and unworthy attacks of the Unitarian and. Bigh Church organs of Boston; "English Country and Country Folk,' which makes some very sad. exposures of the vices of the aristocratic and middle class circles of English society, as well as presents some fairer views of their rural life; " Our Sabbath School Literature," a vigorous and much needed appeal fora thorough censorship of the issues of the press for Sabbath schools. The literary no tices and Round Table bear marks of great care and ability. Boston :J. M: Whittemore & Co. 00a/ Etna the Cad IWArle is a deeply interest ing and instructive account of this great source of the wealth of Pennsylvania, to which the oil springs must now be added as of identical origin. A geological cross section of our principal coal basin, from Locust to Sharp Mountains, is an t►exed. By Eli Bowen. T. B. Peterson & publishers. pri Stellar, or ehe Pathway Heavenward- Papa's- Little Soldiers. For sale at. 530 Arch street_ NAGA.ZINrg AND PA3SIPHIETS. MAY 15,
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers