166 3annican tctotraitrias -AND GENESEE EVANGELIST. THURSDAY, JUNE 19, 1862 JOHN W. MEARS, THE TWO ASSEMBLIES-PROGRESS OP PRATERBAE PEELING. TEE subject of Union was brought before both the Assemblies recently in session at Columbus and Cincinnati, by overtures from the Presbyte r:es of Ogdensburg and St. Lawrence, N. Y., and o.her bodies which had taken action upon it, with a view to the meeting of the Assemblies. As early as Monday, the 19th, a report was made by the committee of-Bills and Overtures, in the Old Sohool body, on these papers, recommending that at this time it is inexpedient to take definite ac tion oa the subject, and that the consideration of i it be postponed to the next Assembly, with the assurance that that body will give the whole sub ject serious attention. The matter was pat upon the docket. The next day, the clauses referring the subject t) the next Assembly were stricken out, by a vote of 88 to 120, and the simple declaration of the inexpediency of any definite action on the sub ject at this time was adopted. The next day, the Rev. Dr. Davidson, one of the most cultivated and gentlemanly men in the body, a man of enlarged Christian views, and withal a good poet as well vs an able preacher, proposed the immediate opening of a correspon dence with our Assembly in Cincinnati, by the appointment of a delegate. This measure was referred to the committee on Correspondence, which on the next day—Thursday—reported through Dr. Tustin, the chairman, in favor of the proposal, and naming Dr. Davidson - as the delegate. The report was made the order of the day for the next morning. While the Old School body had thus been passing the subject rather daintily along from day to day, during the, whole of, the week, our Assembly took it up for the first time, on the same day that Dr. Tustin reported the proposal to open a correspondenoe,—Thursday, the 22d. The Committee of Bills and Overtures, in view of the overtures of the Presbyteries of St. Law rence, San Francisco and others, on Union, re ported a series of four resolutions, which we pub lished in our issue of May 29th. They are in substance :—Krat, an expression of appro;al of these overtures as accordant with the spirit of our Body ; Second, that in spite of 1887, we have cherished a fraternal spirit towards our brethreg of the other Assembly, as shown particularly in our proposal to celebrate the Lord's Supper with them some years ago; Third, expressing readi ness to unite with all holding the same standards with us, and agreeing with us in loyalty to the Government, and fidelity to the declaration of the fathers on Slavery in 1818; Fourth, that nothing remains for us at present in view of our previous declarations, " but to await humbly' and teachably the movements, of divine Providence." Action on these resolutions was postponed, probably in view of the unsettled state of the question in the Assembly at Columbus. That they are wise, kind and dignified, in a word, pre cisely suited to the occasion, is clear. They were subsequently unanimously adopted. Meantime, the question of immediately send ing a delegate to our body oame up on Friday morning in the other Assembly. Dr. Davidson " requested to have his name omitted as delegate to Cincinnati, for the reason that he wished to speak on the question, which was agreed to. He would rather the question could have been de cided without discussion; it was an action that ought to result from the promptings of the heart, rather than the head. He believed that both branches of the church were ready for such inter change, and he hoped it would be -agreed to' ar once." Rev. Dr. Breckinridge said " he was one of the few surviving men who had been, from• the beginning in 1831, identified with the great struggle which ended in the separation of the Church. He took what was called a violent part in the scenes of those days, and now, after years of review, he desired to declare his deliberate. approbation of the course, that he and his bre thren pursued. Many things were said that had better not have been said; but, as to the acts, I am ready to take my share of responsibility for them in this world and that to come. God, by his Providence, has ratified those acts, and set the seal of his Spirit upon them. And now, on the verge of , life, giving the approval of my conscience and - judgment to those measures, I desire that nothing may be done to throw doubt or uncertainty as to the judgment of the Church itself concerning the past. But I have steadily labored ' to bring into the Church all who ought to be with us, and I believe that it is our ,duty, as rapidly as is consistent with the peace and prosperity of the Church, to bring into union: all who are like-minded. I have no objection to the appointment of a delegate to the New School body. I regard it as much nearer torus than it was in 1838, and I think we are more homoge neous and orthodox than we were then. I regard that body as a branch of the great Presbyterian family, and of the Church of God. But let us do this thing with the decency of forms : doing the right thing in the right way, with dignity, moderation and prayer—not in a hasty, impulsive way, as if it were love at first sight, and might be undone to-morrow. I would have this Assem bly adopt a calm, well-considered and emphatic declaration that the time has come fur proposing a treaty of intercourse, and lay the basis of it on principles that will stand." Another report represents Dr. B.'s speech as scarcely so uncompromising, and as containing the following language, not found in the above (which is from the New York Observer .) As this body had initiated the action which resulted in separation, it was proper it should initiate the first steps toward a reconciliation; but he would propose this method : he would send a minute to that body, proposing, if it was agreeable to them . ; to hold friendly intercourse through the agency of corresponding delegates. If this proffer was kindly received, delegates could then be appointed." Dr. Musgrave expressed his cordial concur rence in the views of Dr. Breckinridge, and, on his suggestion, the resolution was recommitted to the committee to report a suitable minute, and, on motion of Dr. Dickson, the Rev. Drs. Breckinridge, Hodge and Musgrave were added to the committee., Finally, on Monday, the tenth, and next to the last 'day of the session, the following minute was offered by Rev.,Dr. Tustin, the chairman of the committee, and unanimously itdopted. We publish it for our own people and for the benefit of the Old School of this city, ait has not yet appeared in the columns of the Presbyterian. "In the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, in ses sion at Columbus, Ohio, the matter of a fraternal correspondence, by Commissioners, with the Ge neral Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (N. S.), in session at Cincinnati, Ohio, being duly considered, is decided es follows : - - " This Assembly, having considered certain overtures sent to it by a few of the Presbyteries under its care, proposing that steps should be taken by it towards an organic union, between this Church and the fihurch under the care of the Presbyterian General Assembly (N. 5.5 ; and, having determined against the course proposed in said overtures, has also been informed that the other General Assembly has, - about the same time, come to a similar conclusion on sithilar . overtures laid before it by a certain number of its own Presbyteries. Of its own motion, this General Assembly, considering the time to have come for it to take the initiative in securing . a better understanding of the relations which it judges are proper to he maintained between the two General Assemblies, hereby proposes that there shall be a stated, annual, and friendly in fterahange‘of Commissioners between the two Ge neral Assemblies—each body sending to the other one minister and one ruling elder, as. Commis sioners, year by year : the, said Commissioners to enjoy such privileges in each body to which they are sent as are common to all those now received by this body from other Christian denominations. The Moderator will communicate this deliverance to the Moderator of the other Assembly, to he laid before it, with our Christian salutations." We need not say that this Christian and-cour teous act of recognition and offer of fraternal cor respondence gives us great pleasure. It is just ground of thankfulness to the great Head of the Church, as removing a scandal from the Christian and Presbyterian nant.e. We do not see why such a simple act of recognition might not have been done long ago—certainly there was nothing in the attitude of our denomination to hinder or discourage the undertaking. Late as it is, it will be accepted with cerresponding courtesy on our part, and Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love, will next year witness firs first substantial movement towards repairing the• breaches of which she was the scene a quarter of a century before. Editor. PRESBYTERIAN UNION ABROAD. OCR LONDON CORRESPONDENT. Our readers need not to Have their attention specially called to the excellent letters of our London correspondent, one which will be found on our first page this week. This, letter intro duces us to the inner relations of the Presbyte rian bodies of England to.each other, and reveals the progress they have made towards the con summation of a union . during the, ecclesiastical year. It is not, seemingly, very marked; in fact, it is somewhat disappointing to enthusiastic persons who see in union only what is good and desirable, dud who forget that in the marriage of religions bodies much must be left to Providence, and that the indications of Providence must be carefully studied. Matches of this sort are eta; phatically made in heaven. The parties must be- drawn together by a mutual, spontaneous attrac tion, as well as by a" sense of duty, or there is great peril of coldness and bickerings aftewards. We are pleased to see that, although no positive steps were taken in England' towards an external union, everything was done to afford opportnnity for the expression and growth of sympathy and mutual confidence between the bodies concerned. Such are the Measures which have been recently taken by the leading Presbyterian bodies in our own country. Not quite ready for union—yet, perhaps, better prepared for, and closer on the verge of it, than they suspect—they have thrown down the shameful barriers of suspicion, mistrust and jealousy which held them apart, and, in a time of overshadowing national trial, have found out each others' hearts, and given and taken a mutual recognition and pledge of fraternal con duct to each other. This is a happy omen and coincidence in the old country and the new. The hostilities between Presbyterians the world over are about exhausted. They may not soon, per- Imps never, merge into single organizations, but, God be thanked ! they are falling into the same line of battle, closing up their torn and scattered ranks, saluting each others' standards; and presenting one solid, unwavering front of panoplied, warriors to the common foe. The Presbyterian ranks are forming. They do not claim to constitute the entire sacramental host but as one harmonious division of the grand army, they shall shine clear as the sun, fair as the moon, and terrible as an army with banners. 1 11p-AOSITTA IN TITELEY. There are' gloomy indications, in our judg ment, in regard to the immediate ftiture of the missionary enterprise in Turkey. The new Sul : . tan does not answer the pleasing expectations formed of _him at the commencement of his reign. Either the fanaticism of the various sects-tif the people is increasing, or the Sultan is conniving at its manifestations. At Horns, writes Mr. Jes sup, March 26, a fearful persecution is going on, under Russian influence, and many are yield ing trit. Last summer Mr. Coffing, of the Mis sion to Central Turkey, left Aintab, and, passing round the head of the Gulfof Scanderoon, which forms the northeastern corner of tho Mediterra nean Sea, into the territory of ancient Cilicia, attempted to establish new centres of effort in Hadjin and Adana. From the former plaee was driven by the mob and the authorities to gether, with great insult, on the 11th of Septem ber. Reparation has been demanded, but pro bably as yet without success. Since then, how ever, a wrong has been inflicted, which it is be yond the power of man to redress. As -we have already informed our readers, Mr. Coiling him self has been waylaid and murdered, while pass ing back from Adana (where the pasha has shown' himself unfriendly) around the head of the gulf of Aleppo. " Circumstances," says ,the Missu'm ary Herald,' "led to the suspicion that the mur der was premeditated, and was the work of Ar menians at Hadjin, some of whom were known to be exceedingly bitter against him." This hap-, pened on the 25th of Match; is the coincidence with the date of Mr. Jessup's letter concerning Homs more than an accident? Our readers will also remember a-case of bitter persecution at An gin, of which we have previously spoken. The sufferer in this case is a Maholuetan, who had Aistrritait .. grtotigtr:o4.,# .4 . 1i4: .04,eott .og#,ltg.,,,tligt. embraced Christianity, but the native helper at that place writes to Mr. Bliss, at Constantinople, March 10th, as follows : - "In regard to our own condition, I feel that it is very trying. We hear of threats ofyiolence from all _quarters. The Turks are_ greatly in ceased 'against us, and when they pass my house they stop and say to each other, ' This is the Pro testant's house;' and when they pass my shop, also, they turn their eyes so fiercely upon me, you would think they wished to kill me. It is only of the Lord's mercies that we are yet alive. Often, when we lie down at night, , we have but little hope that we shall be left alive till morn ing." This combination of unfavorable aspects is ex traordinary. God may be , suffering a storm to gather over the missions in Turkey, similar to that which burst with such fury over India. We fear the idea of the rehabilitation of Turkey un der the Sultan is vain, and these disorders are giv ing timely warning of the fact to the civilized world 001337 DE GABPARIN'S NEW BOOK ON AMERICA. This earnest and clear-headed friend of our country in the present crisis, has given new evi dence of the firmness and strength of his attach ments and of the Christian soundness and indepen dence of his judgement, by a new work which he has just issued and which is thus noticed by Dr. - 316Clintook in, his last Paris letter to the kethodist, May 27th. The title of the book is L' Amerigue devant l' Europe, (America in Pr es enee of Europe, or, perhaps better in our idiom, simply America in Europe.) " The work is divided into six parts, of which the first is entitled ' Europe! Under this head are discussed the attitude of Europe . toward Ainerica during the civil war, the question of belligerent rights, and the blockade. What ought to' have been the attitude of. Europe is sharply put by De Gaspariu as follow : We might have predicted that the cause of the would have excited the vigorous in dignation of .Europe; that a revolt in behalf of slavery would receive nothing but anathemas from the. Old World; that the nineteenth century would , not lose the opportunity of seconding the, most glorious' work of modern. times." How sadly Europe has failed to realize this ideal De Gasparin does not fail to show. And Europe is now reaping the;uits of its own failure to ap prehend the crisis, in the stoppage of its indus try and in the sufferings of its thousands of ataxy ing -operatives. "Had the Southern people be lieved, in advanee; that they could not count up on Europe," says De Gasparin, they would pro bably never have rebelled;: or, if they had, the rebellion would have been of short duration. Europe needs our cotten; Europe will - recognize us; Europe will break our blockade; Europe will dictate a peace::these are the convictions which have kept arms in the hands of the Southerners." To sum up the error in a sentence : Europe pre ,ferred her apparent interests to her principles, in her first judgmentS in the American question; and in violating her principles she has alio ,sacri ficed her. interests. Pretending to be neutral, 'France and England have given, substantially, all their moral support to the South,- and yet they affect to wonder that the Americans com plain of their course . And when the Trent af fair offered .a plausible case for action, -" the first act of energy of the Old World toward the New, her first message, was an ultimatum. At the darkest, and yet the most glorious hour in the history of America, that ultimatum, was the suc cor we sent her, and the vessel which bore it was called the Europa)' In subsequent chapters, De Gasparin treats specially of the attitude of England, of her early recognition of belligerent rights, of her aristocra tic desire for the breaking up of the American Government, of the failure of her Christian anti slavery people to see through the deceits prac tised upon them by the politicians and the Times, newspaper, and of the vastness of the mistake which England has made in her conduct, as a whole, toward America, during the civil war. The fifth part is an earnest appeal to the Ameri can people, urging them to appreciate fully the grandeur of the present crisis, and to act worthi ly of themselves, of their causes, and of the age. The sixth and last part is an address to " Chris s," both in Europe , and America, I have neither time nor space for a further analysis of this noble and wenderful book.; for it is nothing short of wonderful as coming from a foreigner, writing in Switzerland, upon current events in America. The secret of De Gasparin's ,olear vision lies in his " singleness of, eye." He be lieves in God. MR. BBOWNLOW'S REOEPTION. THE sufferings - of the loyal men. of East Ten nessee for their country, will form a prominent part of the history of this eventful period. The loyal people of the North welcome every oppor tunity of testifying their appreciation of these martyr-services to the good .cause. They see in such men as Mr. Brownlow and Hon. Mr. May nard, from that section, the representatives of a patriotisin which has been tested and proved by the severest ordeals. Theirs is a heroism which extorts. our," wonder and our lasting gratitude. .Friday night these gditlenien were enthu siastically welcomed by a great assemblage of citizens at the Academy of Music. Mr. Brown low's brave daughter, a modest looking woman, whom patriotism emboldened to defend. the flag on her father's house from the violence of a mob, at the risk—not. so much of her own life as of that of the rebels against whom she levelled her pistol—was present, and received the very ap propriate gift of a splendid silk flag, from the pa triotic ladies of Philadelphia. Mr. Brownlow's speech on thuf oocasion'was, as all who knew him expected it to be, inexcusably violent and rude in expreision and offensive to good taste and good breeding, yet the offences were -those of manner only. They were, pardoned and forgotten as we looked upon this frail man—the impersona tion of an invincible boldness and energy in a good cause, the soul of honor and of fide* to his Country, 'flaming like a prophet, with a most righteous scorn and indignation at the wicked ness and`injustice of the Southern rebellion, and calling, as if commissioned of God, for summary and awful vengeanee upon its guilty authors " The gallows," said Mr. B. " will never receive its due until the leaders of this rebellion are „ banged." The strong language and vehement denunciation of Mr. - Brownlow, backed as it was by his own experience and-the recital of harrow ing tales of cruelty, robbery, oppression arid mur der, in his own section of country, for the truth of which he solemnly vouched will kCep alive among us a keen sense of the enormous GUILT of this rebellion;"and as he turned, with a fresh burst of vehemence, upon those of the North who are base enough. `to sy mpathise with these dia bolical traitors and murderers, we felt that a more er ushing rebuke or a more awful warning had never before been administered to,-a, deluded setofmen Several other addresspikwere made during the evening, the most able iiralt, - ,heing that. of the Secretary of the Interior , lion. Caleb Smith, who well and nobly represented the administra tion on the occasion. The i niaconditional surren der of the rebels in arms, and the capital Punish ment of their leaders, were declared by Mr. Smith to be indispensable. The fervid manner, the pure -and exalted sentiments, and the fine language of 'the Secretary, made - a favorable im pression for the aditiinistrAion, and completely carried away the audience, yiich, in fact, through the whole evening, were never better pleased than when the most summary measures against the rebel leaders were advo'eated. Mr.. Maynard, however touched apparently the deepest chord when heikave his hearty, un reserved and eomprehensivO approval of the olcha racter and polioy.of Prest ent LINCOLN. The enthusiasm of the audien at this point seemed boundless,Und Mr. M. wi h. difficulty resumed his remarks. It is well known that M Maynard is a mem ber 'of the United-8AI" or New School Church of the South. Wnengratulate him' that he has not been carried aWay by the sophistries of the leaders of the moveinent of 1857, to a dis regard of his constitutional obligations to -his country. And eve trust "t the tried loyalty of himself and his brethren in East Tennessee is an indication of a real unity cf. sentiment existing between us and them, whiih ere long will,lead to the restoration of our suspended Church Re lations.' HOME MEgIONS. Prisbyterian Rooms, 150 Nassau street, New York. ON application, made by the churches they serve, the following ministers were Commissioned by the Presbyterian Committee of - Home Nis , sitars, at their last regular meeting.: Rev. Wm. Fithian, Camp.Ppiat, Ills. " 0. M. Chapin, Spartansturgh, Pa. " Wm. Young, Rose, N. Y. , Wm. A. Williams; kiskok, lowa. - J. Walker, Eckford, " J. A. Woodruff.*Goodliiid, Mich. M. H. Dysart, Troy, lowa. " W. K. Platt, Somers,-N.Y. " J. B.".Alen; Brooklyn, Ohio. - • " J. C. Campbell, Cerro Gordo, Ills. • " B. G. Bryant, Durand, " " Hosea Kittridge,.Mason, Mich. " Joseph. Gordon, andalia, Ills. " C. W. Gardiner, Ilarrisburgh, Pa. NEW YORK OORREN'ONDENOE, The churches in this city already begin to ,show the effect of the summer migration. June. •is so attractive, in its blossems,, and flowers, and green pastures, that but few who can retire from " brick walls and paving stones" at any time, he sitate to improve' it in " leafy June." Conse quently houses are closed, church pews are va cant, and the city loses thousands, without the ';‘,. streets giving .. out theleait Ini of theirabsence. Soon so many absentb.. WI ~ be visibte - that half the up-towncharches will * closed, and then it is that the pastor, with, his:.pental toil and,paro =chial anxieties and labors, Fill have ;his profes slow' respite and vacation. Happy would it be if all those who leave in joy could return again without mourning. The war has taken away large numbers of church members. EspeCially has the recent draft of four or five reginients from this city taken many active and energetic chiistians. Every church in this city has from twenty to a hundred of their, members in the 'army. Rev. Dr. Tyng has furnished a verylarge number, and among them Mr. Colyer, who has had charge of the contrabands in Nrirtli. Carolina. He is a young artist ofanich proinise'and of great energy and earnest piety. / The " Home Gnard," one of the regiments which' reeittly left for Washington, was corn: posed of young men of,thei best families, with important social and churelt relations. They volunteered for service here iin the absence of the regular city corps, but . c•vihert` asked - they cheerfully consented to go. One of the Captains is B. F. Butler, son of the late U. S. Attorney General of that name in this city, who honored his Master and was a bright and shining light in the Presbyterian Church. Reung Mr. B. is an active member. of Rev. Dr. Predtiss' new church, and ably superintended a large Sunday School of nearly three hundred children in the Orphan Asylum in this city. • ' The meeting of .the General:Assem'bly at Chi. , cinnati must have been deeply interesting. Not more so, however, than the previous one at Syra cuse. There were two members presenethere lot to he forgotten—Rev. Dr. Cox, always ready to give point to debate or with great affluence of language to , interest and delight his, audience, although,-at times, at the expense of retarded business. He vatitfibsent this year: Judge Al lison, of your city, who was. resent last' year, doei not seem to have beep a _ ember at Cincin nati. NO one' in the - AsSenit , iayman as he was, exerted more ,in flu ence, whether it be by ,flue his urbane manners and, large attainments, or the grasp and comprehensiveness of his mind and, his eloquence in debate. It was refreshing to find so 'worthy and accomidished a lay. brother from your city, and one so' zealous in defence of the interests of the church. Rev. Dr. Berner', under the circumstances, 'must have excited much interest during the debate on'the state of the country. The rebel Yancey, having been un der his parental roofas step-son, although an Ala-, bamian, has greatly exercised the estimable Doctor. Rev. Tiff:arias Hastings' new church enterprise on Murray Hill, seems eminently` successful: The society has purchatied lots on - Forty-second street, opposite the Reservoir Square—a beautiful, loca tion. It is designed soon to erect a lecture room, in advance of the church edifice; .but, to meet the increase of numbers, they haVe leased a large hall on Sixth avenue, rather than longer,remain in the small apartments of Rutge‘"S Institute. Last Sabbath a. new Presbyberiptc.Church,- tween Third and Fourth avenues l ton; Forty-sixth street, was opened , for public worhip. It is high up, quite in advance of a dense'population, uut in a neighbOrhood where church aecominodatiens are greatly needed, beYond the region of Mailison Square. Rev. Joseph Sanderson, is the pastor, and in the opening exercises Rev. Dm. Rice and- McElroy took part. The death of Rev. Dr. Bethime has produced a painful impression f in. this City _ sis pulpit, in NEW YORK, Jane 14 Twenty-second street, where Rev. Dr. Van Ness and himself - were so happily ranted, is draped in mourning. Last Sabbatlißev. Thompson, his successor, delivered a diseourse;in which the deceased was largely eulogised and affectionately remembered. Dr. was a-man of the-tenderest - sensibilities and warmest heart. He was abso :hitely necessary ,to the personal' comfort of his helpless wife, whom he has nursed, with the most watchful solicitude for many years. When • his parsonage was built in Brooklyn, adjoining his church, he had a room so arranged, with a lattice window, that she could hear all the services, even though confined to her bed. It was a most delicate and thoughtful consideration- for an invalid wife. The Mow/man newspaper, it is'said, is to be revived, and the High. Church party will thus have an organ. The paper was a most expensive enterprise, printed on the finest paper, and a large' amount of editorial tale& employed. Heckers, brothers, who footed the bills, 'are Eng lishmen, millers of ~a„ High ,Churchman after the straightest of 'the Oxford sect, and the other a Romanist. With such men to direct its tone and form its character, it is •easy to divine what the paper . will become. In Western New York, where I recently made a brief sojourn, there is no religious interest.. The torpor in the city churches is reflected in the Country, Everylsrhere the, war occupies the public mind, to the exclusion of the' Gnspel. But one thing in that region excites remark, and that is, the re-union •of the Presbyterian Church. While we condemn political division and dis union, this rupturing of the great Presbyterian body-'and its refusal to be reunited, is a stand ing reproach , to this important ecclesiastical de nomination. The laymen everywhere 'condemn this separation, and now the exciting causes. which suggested' it are in a great measure re moved,,they earnestly urge the re-union. It is only a question of, time. Like the States, this important religioushody must again, become one in Sentiment and action. . ettoiviwELL. (Foi.i the Arheridan Piesbyteriem) , OHURCIC RELATIONS IN THE CIVIL COURTS:. The Fifth Presbyterian Uhstreh, Pittsburg—lts Transfer . to file Peeshytery of Oltioqpinion of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania—Chief Justi6e Lolcry. - -Presbytery of :Ohip.and Cen trol - Presbyterian Church—Responsibility,-- 111 r. Jefferson. • MR. EDIT& :-A recent decision of the Su . ,pre , me Court of Pennsylvania calls up an inci .dent in the history of the;Fifth Presbyterian Church of of Pittsburg. In the , year 1854 a difficulty occurred in that church, which resulted in 'a "segregation." A part'of the church, with the pastor:Withdrew -from the' Presbytery of Pittsburg, and placed themselves under the "watch and - care" of the Presbytery .of Ohio, old 'school. The seceders being in the majcirity„ claimed-and kept the church property. No effort was made to deprive them of it. Ultimately the Fifth Church_be came extinct, , and a new church was organised by .a committee of the Presbytery of Ohio, and was called the Central'Presbyterian Church. It now appears, from 'a decision of the Su prelim Court of Venrisylvania, delivered by Chief Juitice Lowry,' "inthe case of " Sutter et al. vs: th 4 'fruitees et "ai. of the tiiit `lieforined: Dutch Church" of Philadelphia, that the party which withdrew from' the, Fifth Presbyterian Church of Pittsburg, and went over, to the Pres bytery of. Ohio, was a ";secession" from the said Fifth, church, and " that the minority who re mained continued to constitute the lawful con gregation under their charter, and ffre entitled to all the rights thereof! , Chief Justice Lowry is an elder in the Old Selol,Preibyterian Church, of unquestioned or thodoxy, and his " opinion" is entitled to much confidence. He was also a member of the Ex scinding Assembly irl it lBs7, lives in the imme diate vicinity of PitEhurg, was aware of the transfer of the property of the Fifth Church, and was probably familiar with all the facts in the " case." He delivered the opinion of the Supe rior Court at Harrisburg, a few weeks ago, in the " case of the First Iteformed Dutch Church of Philadelphia." I now, ask, in view of that decision, given by the Chief Justice, who is. a. meiuber. and -ruling -elder.• of the Old School Church, what will the• Presbytery of Ohio and the Central Presbyterian Church of Pittsburgh do? Will they retain the property, or will they return it to its lawful own ership ? I am" not awake that any legal action is con templated by the original and, according to the decision of the Supreme Court, rightful owners of the property. .Those who now hold it may re tain the peaceable possession of it, if, in view of all the facts, they are willing to take the respon sibility of doing so. Mr. Jefferson once said, " I tremble when I remember that God is just." 'ANNUAL NARRATIVE Of the State of Religion withm the bounds of, the Presbyterian, ChUrch in the United - States of America, May, 1862. IT is with the profoundest gratitude, that we record the mercy of God,in His dealing's with our beloved Church, during the period which this Narrative reviews. Just a quarter of a century has elapsed since that act of excision, which divided the Presbyte rian Church; and which, in their determination to maintain certain constitutional principles, se cured, for the Synods of Geneva, Utica, Genesee, and Western Reserve, embracing' at that time but twenty-four Presbyteries, the historic distinc tion of beginning our denominational greatness. In the present Assembly CoMmissioners are in attendance from twenty-two Synods, composed of one hundred and four Presbyteries with a field of operation extenaing from Lake Superior to the waters of the Chesapeake, and westward from the Atlantie cities to the mountains and valleys of California. - The steadiness of our remarkable growth; since the event referred to, is'indicated in the fact that gradually increasing from that time, the member ship of the Assemily has never been so large as at present; nearly all the Presbyteries being .pler ically represented, along With a delegation from the eldership greater than ever, showing on their part a deeper concern in its welfare, and a will ingness to bear their proportion of the responsi bilities and toil incident to the work of the Church. The reports from . the Presbyteries are char seterized by thankfulness, humility, and an un faltering trust in God : thankfulness .for what temporal and spiritual prosperity they have va riously enjoyed; humilityin view of the religious' declension which they confess and deplore; and the strongest confidence that, whatever may be their present trials or , discouragements, the Great Head of the Church, will, in some way, work' out in them, and through them, His purposes of in- Revivals have not been general within our bounds during the year past, nor unusually power-' ful. In some few, instances large ingatherings are reported; while upon many places ; and, as it is pleasing to knew, upon several of our literary in stitutions, the, dews of the Spirit have descended refreshingly. These gracious 'manifestations suc ceeded almost uniformly close upon the observ ance of the days of prayer appointed by the last Assembly. The most happy results are mentioned as hay ing attended special efforts for the conversion of children and youth. 'An' increased engagedness in the work of Sabbath school and catechetical instruction, is a noticeable and, gratifying fact: and it seems to be . the clear indication of God's providence and spirit that this department of Christian labor shall be assiduously prosecuted as the grand hope alike of the Church and the world. It was hardly to expected, in view of the depressed condition of the business of the country, that the various causes of Christian benevolence would, hold the - • but the spirit, Which of late , eir own • has so wonderfully visited our foreign misd sionary stations, seems to have been more or less breathed upon our churches at home; and, be= sides exciting them, to have induced in a measure the systematizing of our charities. The consequence is that instead of a decrease, the contributions of our churches are as large, if not actuallrlarger, than ever before' A growing love for our leading ,denomina tional agencies is showed in the increased dona tions which 'have been given them. It is thus manifest, also, that the Church approves the newly adopted polity of caring for its own off spring. The promises, through the Presbyteries, of such sympathy and aid as may be needful to ex tend the privileges of a . preached Gospel and a, sanctified literature, according' to the openings of Providence, are gratefully acknowledged In some sections the plan of presbyterial mis sions has been tried with encouraging success; and, like the mission-school ryste.m in our popu lous cities and towns, has resulted in the salvation of many souls yet to be gathered and' organized into churches. s ' For reasons growing out 'of the state of the country, less than usual has been done during the past year in the matter of erecting houses of wor ship. Several have I;en repaired .and improved, and a few new ones have been built. Chant: debts have been in some instances largely re duced, in others entirely liquidated. It is sad t4:t learn how wide-spread and deepen ing is the evil of Intemperance. With scarcely an exception the Presbyteries report that this ter rible body and soul killing vice is alarmingly rife. The interests of humanity, and the preservation of those whose spiritual welfare is committed to our care, demand tha(*e arouse to - new efforts for suppressing the use and the sale of intoxica ting drinks. Among the reported evidences of external .prosperity in certain quarters is the increased at tendance upon Sabbath-day worship, particularly on the morning service. It to be regretted that this improvement is not more general and thorough. In society at large there is a lamentable, if not a growing, amount nf Sabbath desecration; and multitudes of professors of religion practice upon the mis chievous false sentiment, that single attendance at the sanctuary discharged their obligations to " remember the Sabbath-day and keep it holy." The action of the last Assembly on the State of the Country at that time, as subsequent events have proved, Was Manifestly wise and acceptable to the churches. It doubtless has had great in fluence in the patriotic development reported in the bounds of every Presbytery. No one acquainted with the history and spirit of our denomination could have doubted but that a characteristic loyalty to constitutional princi ciples, would be naturally and logically followed by loyalty to the - NationalgOvernment, It has'accordingly been the case, as the Narra.-. tive of the Presbytery of the District of Colum bia well observes, that " the religion of our churches during the past year has been summon ed by.our Divine Lord ; into a new field of activ ities. The life of the nation has been in immi nent peril; and with this everything sacred in the Church was at stake. The question has been Shall we have a free Church, an open Bible, a free Press, and a land of universal., liberty, or the reverse. " We have felt that with the loss of oar na tional life, we not only surrender our republican institutions, but the rights and hopes of the world. " Appreciating this, our pastors have endeav ored to render more plain the immutable princi ples of divine government over us ; and have not failed to proclaim that the powers that be are ordained of God,' and to pray for all our consti tuted authorities, apd for the success of our na tional arms in the; 'struggle to secure law and order' and peace in our land." The influence of such a ministry has shown itself in the fact, that , there probably is not a con gregation belonging to our Church but what is represented in the army; nor one but what— along with many from• their membership—has also sent forth of their substance and of the labor of their hands, to improve the morals of the camp and to alleviate the sufferings of our sick and wounded Soldiers. The Umber of our brethren in the national service as chaplains cannot exactly be given. It is known to be creditably Marge., It isklieved, also, that they have been thoroughly devoted to their work. A Presbytery at the West reports the death, in a hospital, of one of its members, who enlisted as Captain; and another, the death of a brother, who fell while gallantly engaged in urging the regiment to which, he ministered, to enact the heroic part which distinguished it at the battle incident to the taking of Newbern. The effect of this intimate, relation between our churches and the army has been most happy in inducing a deeper regard for the civil and re ligious institutions of the country, a sense of de pendence upon God for their preservation, and an earnest and unceasing prayerfulness for the pro tection and salvation of the multitudes who have given themselves to suppress-that demon pourer, which in a rebellion against the Constitution and laws, would seek to nationalize itself and extend its blighting _despotism over a people ordained to be free. . We recognize with devout thanksgiving to Al mighty God, his favor upon us, not only in the *aortal successes, granted -in answer to prayer, bid also‘in that overruling of the:developed pa. triotism of our people, by which itritas been made a meansAo-Ahe end of a higher. - sanctification, and directly a means in the salvation of souls. During the - past year it has pleased the Great Head of thnChurch.-to transfer, from an earthly to a heavenly service, the_ following brethren in the ministry, viz Henry A. Post, of Presbtery of Troy. B. Coleman Smith, cf' Bath. David Murdock, D. D. Chemung. Clement Long, D. D.,, . Cayuga. Orlando N. Benton, " . Tioga. Luther P. Blodgett, " -Otsego. William Fraser, 46 Delaware. Samuel Leonard, " Buffalo. Daniel M. Lord, " '• Long Island. John W. Irwin, " New York, 3d. Samuel R. Davis, " Newark. Barnabas King, ct Rockaway. Ezra Stiles Ely, D. D., " Philadel'a, 4th. J. N. Danforth, D. D., " Dist. Columbia, George M. Boardman, " Monroe. David R. Dixon, " Washtenaw William S. Huggins, " Kalamazo, William Hanford, - Portage. Solomon Stevens, " Frederick H. Brown, " William S. Kennedy, " Charles White, D. D., John Hough, D. D., : " John Waters, Geo. W. Gale, D.D., This large reduction-of our ministerial force is impressively suggestive. The night cometh, when no man can work." Shall not we, who continue to be present, re new our consecration to His service, whose out poured blessing of the, Iloly Spirit is the desire of every Christian, the great need of the Church, and the only salvation of a lost world ? By order of the General Assembly, GEORGE DUFFIELD, Moderator. EDWIN F. HATFIELD, Stated Clerk. au Nnbilicationo. Ma. BRADBURY, the eminent composer, is de voting a large part of his activity to the chil dren. He has just issued from No. 421 Broome street, New York, a new music book for. the Sab bath school and the family—the Golden Shower, which is full of gems and choice pie ms. The young of this generation have few more valuable friends than those who are cultivating and ele vating their feelings, and aiding in their reli gions training, by providing them with suitable and attractive musk; Mr. Bradbury's immorta lity is about as certain as that of our military chieftains, and he and his co-workers in this field, will accomplish perhaps as much good as they. We commend this last issue heartily to parents, teachers and children. It will be found not unworthy of the repntaion of its predecessors. " Tragedy of Success" is a new, and we opine, concluding volume of a series issued by Ticknor & Fields. of Boston, designed to exhibit the subtler workings of slavery in its domestic as pects, as Well as to vindicate the enslaved race from the sweeping charge of callousness and stu pidity entertained against it by Northern as well as Southern people. The plot is skilfully laid, the denouement is startling, the style is clear and unexceptionable, and the aim—to aid in remov ing- odious, unjust and unchristian prejudices against a brother race of man—is noble. Yet the impression which these volumes make is not one of power or of contagious enthusiasm in the writer.. They are tame. A single clarion-like poem of Whittier's will effect, more with the mul titude for freedom, than-all theie scholarly and comparatively cold effusions. For. sale by J. B. Lippincott & Co., Philadelphia. Ravenshoe, by Henry Kingsley, author ~of Geoffrey Harnlyn:' Author's edition. Tick nor & Fields, Boston. J. B. Lippincott & Co., Philadelphia. 12mo pp. 430. "The Game Fish of the North," is a complete manual for the angler in our waters, conveying a great deal of valuable information upon the haunts and habits of fishes sought by the sports man, and upon the method . of capturing them, interspersed with a delightful variety of anecdote and adventure. It will doubtless be, a favorite with those who seek amusement with rod and line. New York, Carleton. For sale by T. B. Peterson & Brothers, Philadelphia. - JOhn Doe and Richard Roe, is a tale of New YOrk life by Ed. S. Gould, which has been ap pearing serially itt the Home Journal, and is now published complete by Carleton. For sale by T.. 8. Peterson & Brothers, Philadelphia.. Children's Picture Book of the. Sagacity of Aiinials; was received some time ago, but the very delay which has attended this notice, arose from a speedy perception of its merits by our ju veniles, who appropriated it and devoured its contents with unusual relish, removing it for the time being from - our reach. We accept the de cision of the children, and commend it as com bining a large amount of curious instructionith a pure' and delightful entertainment. Abund antly and admirably illustrated. Harper & Bro thers, New York. THE ECLECTIC, for June, has an unusually - rich table of contents, especially full on Natural Science. There are in this department articles on Astronomy, Forbes the Naturalist, the Pl*os phoresence of the Sea, the Sun and Solar Phe nomena, Humming Birds, Monthly Science and Art. Besides these, there = are' articles on the City of,the Sun, Recent ; Revolutions in the Pa pal States, and others of less note: The - portrait of Prince Albert is uncommonly fine, and-will be well received in this country as that of one of the few friends of America in high places in England. W. H. Bidwell, No. 6 Beekman st., New York. THE EmiITRG REVIEW, for April,,is a solid number. The contents are : Jesse's Richard the Third; Centralization; Guessard's Carlovingian Romaices; Recent. Researches in Budhism; Modern Domestic pervice ; Mommsen's Roman History; Cotten in India; Alison's Castlereagh and Stewart; Public Monuments; David Gray; Clerical Subsoription. New York: L. Scott Co. Philad : W. B. Zieber. ANoTRER MINISTER'S SON.-403. Addison MeCool, son of Rev. Jos. &retool, of Pottsville, Pa, is First Lieutenant and Regimental Quarter master in - the Third United States Infantry, re gular.,army. ' TILE laborer is worthy of his hire. JUNE 19, Cincinnati. Crawfordsville. Fort Wayne. Knox. 41.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers