SgtOblittTiAlt
GENESEE EVANGELIST.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1862.
JOHN W. MEARS.
IS OUR CHURCH EITIOLENT?
As individual Christians are expected to make
inquiry as.to the reality of their piety, it cannot
be considered amiss for a church to put such a
question to itself as the one above stated. Neither
the one question nor the other necessarily im
plies the absence of the qualities investigated.
It is intended rather by the process to bring them
to light, to show their deficiencies and to provide
a basis for intelligent: progress in the future.
lifficiency is the qUality in an agent, of ac
complishing steadily, seasonably, and well, the
work which belong to it to do. An efficient
general is one who promptly and fully accom
plishes the 81.100095, whioh the means in his hand,
measured against those of the enemy; would war
rant us -to expect. His efficieney is especially
provewwhen he constantly does rather more, and
does it with greater rapidity, than we could have
rbasonably expected. An efficient man does not
Weary us with constant disappointment—he is
not merely on the point of doing something in
ivliioh he is unfortunately hindered; he does it;
be is too quick to be overtaken, too deter = mined to be overcome. The efficient man
reveals himself. Where others have failed,
he succeeds. He brings order out of confusion.
He imparts life and hopeful energy to those who
were before sinking into despairing inaction.
He cannot 'indeed perform impossibilities, but he
frequently does things which have passed for
impossibilities with the multitude.
God is on '
the side of those who use their pow
ers 'wisely and well. In the effective exercise of
our powers we are carrying out the design of God
who made them. The world is made to be con
quered by the active and vigorous in mind and
body. Even the privileged classes of mankind,
retained and honored in the • old world are
the descendants of the efficient men of their day.
" King . " was once the same as " able ; " and
while the imbecile deseendimts of able men are
often kings, in name, there are few able men who
are not kings in fact. The, world obeys them.
The, powers , of nature bow to their born masters.
The opposition they meet, draws out the hidden
resources of their characters and becomes tributa
ry to their success. The efficient men do the
work of the world, including bearing the bur
dens and mending the errors by which the inef
inereaSe• that work.
In every department of life and duty it is a
deep satisfaction to see efficient men. They are
nut merely found in high-places, but in humble
'meg too. Indeed some of the highest and most
needful specimens of efficiency are given by
those who coolly accept their humble position,
and, without a distracting thonght of a sphere
-teyond - it, fill well and completely the round of
present duty. But such are' .on , the road to a
higher sphere; accepted candidates for places
of greater .importanee ; faithful in' little, they
shall have a chance bf being faithful also in much.
-And as the sphere of action rises into public im
portance and general observation; this• efficiency
is exacted of the agtints by the public. It is de.
'inonded of men that they do what they are set to
do. If they have gained places of power and re
sponsibility, upon the supposition that they are ca
'p tble, when'they are not, they must expect to suf
ter the indignation of the deceived people. Each
man, in his place must expect to do something,
spite of obstacles, or be jostled out of that place
'furl thrust into a position better adapted to his
limited.. powers. Few indeed can be suffered, in .
this active age, with its great and pressing neces
sities, to shelter their inaction long behind ex
cuses, or to suffer great opportunities to slip by
unimproved. The account will be settled, soon
er or later, with the drone or the incapable in
places of responsibility; he' must do or die; he
mustaChieve something Or abdicate. The world
—the great cause—cannot wait while he waits;
good is not accomplished in this world by ineffec
tires tolerated in places of power. There is work
to be done and workers must be had to do it.
Let,others get themselves out of the way.
It is a question every Christian, every minis
ter of the Gospel, may and should put to him
self. Am I efficient in my place and sphere?
Not, am I doing as much as another with greater
'endowments and opportunities is doing; but am
I accomplishing my part ? Am I a worker for
Christ, or am I a drone 7 Del stand still (if
,that were possible) in the divine life; do I make
any headway against in-bred corruption, against
besetting sins; am I a real addition, and as , great
.an addition as I might be, to the force of Chris
tian principle in the world ? Do 'I pray effectual
prayers ? !Do I as a minister accomplish any- -
thing for Christ among my people ?. Am I an'
efficient pastor, or preacher of the saving teuths'
of the Gospel 7 Do „1. give myself to my work
with my whole soul; do I wrestle with God for.
his Spirit; do I press home the truth upon the
consciences of men, in the pulpit and out of it ?
Or am I content with years of mapioductiveness
following one after another; and With a moder
ata, if not a dead, state of things in' the Church?
A. condition of contented inefficiency is of all
teings most deplorable. There is abtmdence of
hope for the matt who is dissatisfied with the de
gree of his attainments and performances, though
they be at the lowest.
And here we come to the question of efficiency
in the Church. Does the Church does our
branch of it -do its part in the world ? We
need not stop to analyze between the divine and
human elements of efficiency in the Church. If
it be true that that Church is most efficient that
feels most deeply its own nothingness and de
pendence on the Spirit, it, is also true, that the
Church which is all alive to its high responsibil
ities and stirring up all, its powers, in aggressive
movements against the world, is giving the best
proof of the indwelling of the Spirit. To ask
whether the Church is efficient is therefore only
t.nother form of asking whether the Spirit of life
nnd-power dwells 'there. And it is a question
which individual churches and denominations
may lay home to themselves. It is a question fit
to be asked of and by them. We demand of
public men some proof of their right to their
positions, - We may demand of the Church a
proof of her claim to the foremost position in the
world. • Public men who fail to do the work of
their places are swept away. It ought to be
matter of searching of heart with the Church
whether she, if justly dealt with,Would be liable
--AND--
Editor.
to like treatment. The church should not tol
erate a state of . inefficiency in herself. And it
is not merely the individual church that should
seek to infuse efficiency into its ordinary work,
but the Denomination should contemplate the
degree of its efficiency as a whole, and in its own
peculiar sphere. •
We shall open this inquiry,, as regards.our own
denomination, in, the next number, showinc , in
what particulars we regard our' branch Of the
Church as efficient, in what defective; and what
points, in our judgment, need to be more, espe,
cially regarded in _providing for- , our - future
progress.
GENERAL MITCHELL,
WE cannot pass the occasion of this disttin
guished man's death, 'without adding to the few
words we uttered last week. The more we con
sider the facti, the severer, indeed, is our sense of
affliction ; but the memory of such a man is
among the richest treasures of earth; our very
regrets admonish us to guard it more closely. •
We early heard, the name of Prof Mitchell
mentioned 'as likely to become prominent in
measures for suppressing the rebellion. His lion
like spirit, his bold and enterprising nature, his
genius and his popularity, broughthim into eon=
tact with the men of the North in the various
consuitations among citizens which arose upon
the first beleaguering of Washington.' Said a
friend who had been traveling in his company
during the fearful suspense of ApiillB6l, De
pend upon it, that man will be heard from in
this rebellion! We thought of his words When
we heard of Prof. Mitchell's, appointment as'Bri
gadier, and afterwards as Major-General; 'we
thought of them again when that unparalleled
march of his to Huntsville Alabama;filled all the
land with astonishment and joy. We thought
of them ag,ain,,,sadly, when we Saw that; some
how, those feats of his failed to secure him a
place of importance in after movements, while
cold, sluggish, half-hearted men in power relin
quished the, advantages he gained, slunk back to
the original lines, and had to begin the, work of
re-conquest. Six mtlnths are gone and,they are
not' back to the point of advance from which he
was recalled, to lie 'upon his arms in uselessidle - -
nes.s. Inaction, want of interest in the cause,
incapacity, excess of caution among our generals
in the course of the'summer, nearly wrecked" our
cause forever East and West;'while- this true
soldier, full of enthusiasm for the principles in
volved in the war, and of tried ability, pined in
enforced indolence, and finally was sent to Hilton
Head under the autumnal heats and miasma .to,
'ie of yellow fever I We repeat our conviction
that the death of this brave man is a judgement .
upon us for our blindness to true merit ; and for
our disposition to trust the conduct of this great
struggle - chiefly to men who have no, moral, in
terest in it. ,
Gen. Mitchell was a' Christian General.. We
notice that the correspondent of >the New York
Independent makes him " a member of the New
School Presbyterian Church formerly under - the
charge of Dr. Beecher," now under the charge
of Dr. Thompson. . It will be remembered that
Geri. McClellan was also nnder'the pastoral care
of Dr. Thompson, though not ''a communicant.
In his career as a leatuier on astronomy, Prof.
Mitchell was !down as a Christian philosopher.
And when he was launched on the fearful scenes
of war, ,so trying to religious principle, the
strength and aggressiveness of his piety were
quickly manifest. He took -a personal interest
in the spiritual welfare of his men. Our readers
remember•the thrilling incident narrated of the
General on that grand march of his to Hunts
vine, when on a huge rock on a mountain-top of
Southern TenneSsee he followed up the sermon
of the chaplain with a diScourse of half an hour's
length to the men, which he commenced by say
ing, that "he ' did not come there as a general
but as man to man, and , aiming for the same
eternal happiness" ; and went on to commend
religion in a simple, manly way to the soldiers.
No consuming, military ambition' blinded him to
the great concerns of eternity, or to the interests
of immortal seals under his' care.
Arrived at Hilton Head, almost. his ,first act
was to secure the completion of the neat and
tasteful edifice commenced by Gen, Hunter, , for
- the use of the freed-men at that place:- He was
present with his staff at the dedicatioU,l and ad
dressed the cOngregation in 'the Most:friendly
an`d paternal way. What a work of . refoiniation
and elevation he might have accomplished among
that interesting people, rescued from the despe
rate condition of slavery on the plantations of
South Carolina, We may imagine. His'deep in
terest in the condition of the people,is Shown by
the remark he is reported to have made after the
dedication, above referred to. : He said,,.,,
" I have addressed large . AudienceS, of the
most literary and scientific .men and women, in
,all the great cities of the United States, and. I -
say to you, I' never was so moved' before in my
lite as when standing' before that multitude, of
the poor, the humble. and the wrotwed who •
have but, now come out of bondage into' a hoPed-
for freedom.?
.
A most afreetiv,.addiess the:Goi
these people ,at their school, has 4143 appearedin
the papers:- • • ; ;
Like a true follower of his lilAter, Gen.
chell entered warthly into all the peculiar aspects
of the situation of these his'poor representatives 1.
on earth. He writes to Secretary. 'Class., but a
little more' than two weeks befere his death, as
follows
" I have decided to remove all the negro-fam- •
ilies to the outside of our lines. To. accompli,sh -
this, I have laid off a beautiful piece of ground,
fronting upon the beach, into lots of half an acre
each. Upon these lots -we are already,erecting
our buildings. I have at work a gang, of fifty ,
negroes, with a black man as foreman, and a
white superintendent The work is 'perfectly
systematized; ' the houses of very simple struct- -
ure; their Various parts divided among gangs,
who work only on these parts. One gang is•em
ployed upon the frames, in getting them out and
putting them .up.; another in getting oat the
sidings; another in putting up the sidings; an
other in splitting clap boards for the roof; an
other in putting on the roof. And' these fifty
'hands, now workino earnestly and with high
hope; are actually ailaing a house a' day.' I
hope to organize two or three more bands of fifty
each, so that in a short time we may be able to
finish from twenty to twenty-five houses each
week."
His plans for their civilization' were far-reach
ing and comprehensive. He would have become
a sort ofJoslitta to them, which indeed . they seem
much to stand in need of.
Gen. Mitchell was a true patridi. Although
he had won the highest distinctionin Ins glo
rions science of astronomy, and held positions
of Director of the Dudley Observati:TY Midi of
*2.,tittriratt Trtobttrtiait
that at Cincinnati, when the war broke out, yet
he promptly broke away from his scientific pur
suits and offered himself to the Government in
any capacity. The Government had educated
him,_a poor boy, at West Point, and he felt that
he owed it that return. His stirring eloquence
was at once employed in behalf of the right cause.
His oratien at the great Union Square meeting
in New York City was the most fervid and brill:
iant of that memorable occasion. In the course
of his remarks he said—and the noble sentiments
were hailed with an enthusiasm which showed
he had touched 'the popular bpart—" When the
rebels come to their senses we will receive them
.with open arms;. but till that time, while they
are trailing our glorious banner in the dust, when
they scorn it, condemn it, curse it, and trample
it under foot, I'must smite, and in God's name
I will smite, and as long as I have strength I
will do it. .I am ;ready to do my duty. lam
ready to, fight injlie ranks or out of the ranks:
I only ask to : be permitted to act, and, in G'od's
name, give me something, to do."
- He had confidence in God as to the issue of
the great struggle. A writer in the Independent
reports hira. , as" sayibg, a few weeks before his
death: ",I am; not trimbled., am standing'on
a rook I absOlute confidence in the wisdom
and goodness of God. He may indeed leave the
country, a prey to
_disaster. But Ido pot belieVe
that he will, for then it would be of Jae use to
contend against,auch a result. Rather, I ,believe,
that he will bring it out of, all its perils into
peace and liberty."
He was on ardent and successful. follower of
Science. He was one of the few in this bisy na
tion Who not only had inclination or found leisure
for such pursuits, but Who could rouse the masses
of the people to a liberal co-operatiOn in attain
ing scientific objects. As an astronomical lec
turer, he was the Arago of the 'new world. Ilia
personal 'discoveries, and ingenious improvements
in 'methods of astronomical investigation are mat
ters of world-wide reputation. , Let us hear the
emphatic opinion of the Astronoinicaf Society of
Cincinnati with Which be was,long connected,
and which has held a meeting for the purpose of
suitably noticing his death. Says the. President,
J. rtoote, Esq.
His researches, inventions and discoveries'are
the noblest foundation of a.true fame that can be
laid.and have given him a reputation as exten
sive as the civilized world. Of some of those it
may not be improper here to. make a brief men
tion such as •
1. The application of electro-maonetism'to the
observation of right •ascension of star's, and per
fecting this new mole of observation until it has,
under some. 'modifications, been' adopt6ll in the
principal`observatories in 'the world. in Europe
it is known as the Arnerican-method.
2. Inventing a method of ddtermining differ—
ence' of, declination 'with great am/zany and
greater rapidity than had hitherto been done,
[within the thousandth part of a second.y This
for want of a proper instrument could not be
perfected in the Cincinnati Observatory, but was
applied, to, the meridian circle at the Dudley Oh
servatoiy, and was in use at the time when he
was called to the defence of his'country", in her
.3. MeasureMent of the double stars south of the
Equater in Struve's catalogue.
- 4. Discovery of Antares being a double star.
-These with others of less interest manifest his
labors- and; his zeal in .the cause of science,
in whose domain, - he excelled as a teacher of
those abtruse, and sublime truths which' he
drew down froth the HeaVens and adapted to the
comprehension of the unlearned as well, as' the
learned, disseminating them not only with, glow
ing. eloquence of syeech, but also by books of un
exampled perspeauity--giving light and , knowl
ede to the multitUde Upon subjects interesting
to all, but hitherto the special• property of, the
deeply, .learned--hiving.. such . siniple and true
demonstrations as rendered , them intelligibleto
every,capacity, thereby, aiding immeasurably m
their diffusion, and thus advancing, the, progress
of that knowledge by, which mankind are eleya
ted and refined and the blessings of civilization
increased.
The Society passed the following Resolutions
I?esolved, That the Cincinnati Astronomical
Society make, application to the children of
Professor 0. M. Mitchel for permission to remove
his remains to this city, for sepulture in the
grounds of the Observatory, and that a suitable
monument, be erected'to commemorate his deeds
as 'a man of letters, a soldier and patriot.
Resolved, That the name of the Observatory of
this city be changed from the " Cincinnati• O
bservatory " to the " Mitchel Observitory.
Itis such bright luminary which is-quench
ed in its progress by this dreadful rebellion. Ile
was asplendid specimen" of a Christian man'. The
higher he rose the more conspicuouslyhis Chris
tian character, shone He proved true piety to
be the Chief ornament of every honorable,
instead-of • incompatible Mith it.- 'The mountain
tops of Tennessee were the 'mute witnesses to
the etidnrancerand vigor - of-that piety amid the
trials of a soldier's' life: It waned not, but went
• ,
forth in purer actings upon the marshes of South•
It bore him np in the dying a hour
when himself, his two sons,...ioother members of
his staff4ere stricken. down by the yellow fever.
Chaplain. Strickland ; who spent;.-the last hours
with the ,General testifies that 6, was not,only
.
cake" an - d'reOgned;hat :triumphant m the' hopes
of redemptions: - "When his speech had failed, his,
4 4
eyes were turned upward, arid - he pointed toward
heav,en., , . ~ . , '
The,correspenderit aboVi ;quoted, Says of offu.'
cers and,tnea, "it was weederfolto see how they'
loved , hire." *hen . told of his death..," lie was
so "kind to us,'" said' one. "It will , be aizadhloir
to'dur trooPs." .said another. "He was a, good
idan, and goOd - men are scarce in these days,"
aaid'a. third. „ra 60d help us, and send' us ine
-11
ther of his,ll ' ejaculated an old soldier who
was walking
aehe passed_on; the tears droping'frorn hie eyes.
Nore then one said, " Ah t if he, could live, and
some of ours useless, wicked generals be taken."
So died , Gen. Mitchell'on the 30th day of
at the-ripe age of 52,' the:noblest victim of
the war by far. The following, lines, which have
since, appeared in the N. Y. Evening,..Pofit, will
make a fitting close•to our article:
His mighty life way burned away .
By Carolina's fiery sun
The pestilence that walks by day
Smote 'him before his course seemed run.
The Constellations of the sky, ,
The Pleiades, the Southern Cross,
Looked.sadly down to se,e him , die,
To see a nation weep his lops. • --
" Send him to us,''• the stars might cry—
" Yew do not feel his worth below; ---
. Your petty great, men do not try
The measure of his mind to know.
• ' Send'him to.us...',This is; his place,
Not 'mid your puny jealousies:; ;
You sacrificed him in your, race ,
Of envies, strifes and policies. ;
" His eye could pierce our vast expanse,
His, ear co,uld.henrAur morning songs,
His mind, amid our mystic, dance, .
Could fellow- all 'our niyiled rthfongs.',
"Send him to us ! no
No hero slain in ri.
No . captured saint cou
A holier welcome f
Take him, ye stars ! to
To'your vast realms
But once he turned fro
His name on martial
That once was whin hi
Said danger to her 1
And then her banner'
The radiant lights
Take him, loved orbs
Freedom for all--f
For these he welcom ,
And followed in tl
MINUTES OF A
Wm have been readii
3finutes' of the Pr' eabytt
in the'eurrent nnmher of
The feature of the pr(
our attention was the
ity of native. Chine
from native ehurel:Arn
American missionaries,
volving some of the tool
missionary work. We
ers Willte:pleaSed with
Meeting Vas"behl in pi
Moddratcw, 144 14th 1,
Present--Rev. Messrs.
(Moderator,) and Morri
Rev. Mr. Nevins rr
connection with the 1
solved, inasmuch as h.
Shantung. Mr. Yi-Loh•
missioner from' the
Church- joined in this
motion:,oived that th ,
Mr. Ne*ms and the 01
hereby; is:dissolved.
Not only are official p
nixed; but; private met
pear to have influence in
of the Presbytery; precisely
This appeara from the fo
upon a reqUesf to, organize
" The Ningpo,
,threugh their _Commissia.
church be organized in
Presbytery betng fully ittfr
there have consulted on A'
,meeting`. of .Presbylery, and
ters generally approve if
therefore; Resolved that Ili
and that the - - church mem
Sanpoh be constituted a sepa
the Tufau Church."
The sante appears in le
The Commissioner havia,
ty that the congregation ver
of time, to consultwith refer
and that they haare q uestedP
stated supply, it was voted
granted; and Mr. Rankin w
charge of the two churcheF,
It was further resolved the
it highly important that tie
elect native pastors at tin
moment., : -
The organization of thi
'The committee on the m. ization of the -Yu
yiau ,churcli reported the i waccordance
,with
the instretions of Presbye:;they visited the
city of Yuyiau,and the vilages ?f Sanpoh, and
having , learned, fibm peronp, intercourse with
the church members, thatthere was entire una
nimity in agreeing to a 34 t iration from the
-church of Ningpo, called a mitetittg at Yih-ke on
the 18th of June, at which tfie most of the male
and several Of the female menibers of the congre
,
gatiori were, present. The tile ion of. organza
• . •
teen '
at tht time was put to th eetm,g, anti was
unanimously ;agreed to. Witli.lsmdlar :unanimity,
.1
the two resident.elders were a? pted. A sermon
was then , preached by Mr. akin, -from Acts
9; 31i-andthe organization co *leted according
to the order of the TPresbyteria c bunch; and the
two elders Yi Lohciing, and Yi Zong-Sing were
installed. The tail number o'' onimunicantain
this new organizaden is 32. r eport was
-ap
proved." 4.
At another. meeting. there
Messrs,. Rankin, Grean, and IV
and' i;TroM the-eh4Che:
4
At ,another time, "11Ie:
gave reasons for.absem
to have been candidates.
the elders from the! net
"'having represented to
the general' wish. that P
thetti for the" coming.' je l
solved;, That ln view of
fairs, the present arratm
, }tore ispgr, bealkitleal
inr <Fereign • Missionary
and the native offtceibean
eedlesiasticatorga r
strictly' eceleamstieil blv
each recognizing t eofFic
in this ; work. 'Tlie ) orol
mate and historically col
some
. part..o„the,eyaa g t
the world. The natives
:possible ,manner; in, chard
and broad: foundations 4)1
t giVwih are`l add
fit
13 , .`i'l
AVID'S. LAIT
•
,t) 'SPOIL-, -, 1 ,
READERS' of the OldTesta - nt will remember'
that,;eii-the return of then le army to Zikla
with the spoils they "had t a kencfrom the maraud
ing Philistines, ,the ac t u al, clmbatants claimed
the whole.of. the, spoil for theltPolves and opposed
sharingitvith such o f the ;army as: had ,been
unable to !Ainslie with the 46.inbody. But DSvid
interposed, Saying ; ay e hall not do so, my
brethren, with that which t
the Lord bath given
us . . . . but as his part is flet goeth down to the
battlo, , so f shall his p ar t hi . that tarrieth by the
stuff ; they shall ,part alife." And it was so,
says the . historian;; from thikt day forward that he
maile' it nstatuta and an ordinance for Israel un-'
to this day: - (1 Sam. 30+," 23 ) 25 .1
Kitto l in his 'llalv Bible Readings on . this
..- . -/.., rr '
passage ? says this l a iy of David's "'llea been
adOptea , in the practice "noaern warfare. Th . ;
policy of this regulatio% Is obvions ;, for -were
.every man_ at hherty toj retain -what he
. could
take, or were: the spoil to- be appropriated only
Eby the actual combatants, there must be at least
treat discontent among ihose' detained by garri
son, or. other duties, from the .. in2medhtte scene
of action."
David's polie.ymis n ovk pursued in our block 7
ading, squadron& ~,..All the ships' crews: off any
4 5 tat4 01 1,, sharethe-proceeds of the, prize eaßtlirecl
by each of the vessels.
a &cutoff (6rangtliot.
Yes soul,
.us Wars,
.
,er control
the stars."
►m on high,
, undlesv space.
su to tipy
Ils to trace.
ntry'sicall
dined all
genisied the sky.
loss s life..
TERY.
nterest, the
published
Missirmary.
...tch attracted
tad Official equal
(d cireiroissioners
_
to body with the
transactions in
'taut parts of the
doubt
. our read.:
icts. The first
of the call of the
Nevins, Green
' R. Elder Lu
that the pastoral
Ningpo be did
nit to remove to
:area as a Com=
. stated thattbe
It was then. on
relation.between
Ningpo be, and
ims amply recog
le churches' ap
g the decisions
they hare at home.
ing action ; 'taken
ew church.
axing : requested,
that a separate
nyiau district and
d that the brethren
q.bject since the last
t the churdh mem,
proposed ,change
'quest,' be granted,
rs of Yuran and
body to be galled
owing action :
•
a formed Presbyte
liable from want
e to a new Pastor,
. .
bytery to appoint a,
t this recinest be
ppointed. to take
,Presbytery. deem
churches should
rliest practicable
rch was on this
~re present Rev.
rison, Elders Lu
ihd Yuyiau.
and Zia and
it two appear
tuent period,
churches
that it was
could =supply
Cerefore, 'Re
state of if
,
ue.
goveynment
Missionaries
forming the
Ting on , the
he iniesiOn;
f the'other,
!US roots
th systeni of.
in the best
Itt,ra4d deep
durane& And-
THOUGHTS ON THE LATE ELECTIONS.
There is perhaps no class of perils which it
will be permitted our nation to escape in passing
through the present remarkable struggle. None
can be greater than a disposition to draw back,
emphatically announced, in the very midst of
the work. Such at`-first sight, appears to be,
and such:in part, is the meaning of the late Elec
tions. The disloyal part of the population, the
apologists for slavery, the timorous who would
prefer peace in Austria to war for a free-Consti
tution, emboldened by. The lenient policy cif the
Government and by the absence of the hundreds
of thousands of loyal volunteers, and aided by
. ,
the cry of taxation, the draft and negro equali
ty, with the help of reinforcements Of loyal men
who really wished to rebuke the slowness and' in
decision of the Government, have brought about
this seeming , revolution. We, observe.
I. Though bold as an expression, of opinion,
it was done in the way of, perfect order, and by
the- legitimate exercise ,of .the functions of self
government. It assumed no type of mob-vio
:
lence. If it is designed to effect a change in the
policy of tie governinent when phat government
is already occupied and embarrassed with an im
mense armed rebellion, no advantage is taken of
that fact, no revolutionary policy adoPted, but
the quiet, regular methods of law-loving Ameri
can freemenlre pinned las ample for the.pur
pose. 'lt shows that the loyal spirit, instinctive
to the , heart ; of the North, beats strong amid
scenes .ighich would be' most tempting to the
tnrhulent spirit Unused to the yoke of a rational
freedom.
,
2. We can scarcely believe, we will not be-
lieve, that the vote means compromise, or the
remotest shadow of aSsent to" the division of the
country, or to the Taneyizing of our Constitution
to suit slave-masters But the leaders of the
movement mean so : they , already talk of carry
ing the olive branch with the sword; they would
nourish slavery as a great class-intereat which
could be relied upon.in the future as in the past
for, political influence. And through some me
thod, of political jugglery, with the help of false
men under the Union colors, they may succeed
in putting a face of compromise and ",concession
upon our policy. And the people,
.disappointed
mortified and wearied with ;a' prolong,ed struggle
which they foolishly imagined would be brief,
decisive and glorious, may consent to this humil
iation ; but what will it'avail ? Will any thing
which even our basest men, candidates once. for
Fort Lafa3rette, who have .recently .'got into
power, would stoop now to . ' offer; •conciliate, or
pacify the maddened South, or satisfy the rapa
cious demandS'of the Slave Power No,—this
movement may indeed bring punishmentupon the
Nerth, the curse upon . those who do the work of
-the• Lord deceitfully, but it will mainly operate
still further to develope the .rapacity and mad
ness of the South,; still more clearly to illustrate
the stubborn wickedness of thisrebellion, - to stim
ulate the just indignation of good men, and to
Work the,deeper downfall of treason and slivery.
We shall be no better able to fill the demands of
slavery than those of the grave. The election is
lAA a cartload of rubbish' thrown in to the slough
despond. • .
3: it is remarkable that just now a healtheir
sentiinent prevails at the -South than in the
North. -Philadelphia, Wilmington; Wheeling
and St. Louis, judging by their votes, are more
Anti-Slavery and. more devoted. to the Union
than New York or Boston. Western Viroiaia
North Carolina, Tennessee, and New Orleans
will send men to. Congress who will scorn to co
operate with' the 'representatives sent, by such
great majorities from New;York , City. And our
word fer it, if' the present admidistration acts
with prudence and energy and with the , divine
blessiUg during the coming year, the pro-slavery
party of 'the country will met at the North alan,e,,
and will perpetuate its existence after the man
ner of that mythical voter in the , backwoeds who
still votes for Andrew ,Jacksen at every Presi
dential election I We pray God,our administra
tion maphave grace, wisdom, and courage to per
form the doing of it. . ,
4. This result has' been brought about against
•the'strerlinniS and, repeated testimonies of almost
every Protestant religious body in the Nerth, 'and
t,he influence of almost,every religious
Protestant, or other. The exceptions are too trivial
to notice. Even the Episcopal convention may
be fairly said to have thrown the weight of its
influence emphatically for the Governfrient,mhen
the; manly Pastoral of. the House of Bishops is
taken'into eensideration. -If iolemn'denlarationa
means anything, the religious portion of the com
munity are, heart`and soul, with the lawful go
veimenti, arid do - not feel that . to ,:rebuke its;sheit
comings they should'help a pro-slavery party in
to power. • The religions portion of the North is
roar excellence the loyal and the mal l -slavery por
tion; they: realize" sthe . moral enormity
, of .the
crime of rehellion • they are prepared and drilled
to'hear crosses_ in a good cause, and, tor a high
end; their energy and courage, are,not spasmodic,
.but fed' by., elevating views of divineArtith and
'by help from ibove;their clergy, their neelesiasti
epl councils and 'presses;ty:ihn firmness uftheir
denieatieur, nerve and 'encourage their People.
The fires of ' loyaltjr: and liberty limn' brightest
where they are fed frOm the quenchless altara of
religion
And it- is with peculiar gratification, that we
.point out fthe fact, that where our own', church is
strongest, Mere the demonstNa,tione of loyalty
have teen boldeit. = <Witness the- , vote in Wil
mington, Philadelphia, Western -New YOrk,
itichi;an and - Northern' • '
THE (( FREE PRESBYTERY OF RIPLEY.
Tiirs Presbytery which left Our church in 1848,
because we would not take ultra ,
ground ripop sla
very and which contains the best part the
"Free Synod," made application, and was ro.
oeived-into,ithe ''Synod of Cincinnati, at its last
stated meeting. In taking this action, the Pres
bytery say among other things, that '" it some. :
fillies is 'necessary for a small division ofilthe
•
grand army to become separated front the rade
bodY for a time on 'the' field of _battle, to attack,
the - enemy at a given Point; but when ,. this
"work, has been done, they should return to,
strengthen the main army in fighting the com
mon foe. In like manner we, as Free Presby
terians, think that we acted in obedience to the
Great Captain of our salvation billing off from
the great army of Presbyterians to attack the
enemy at a given point;` but the foe which we
'went out to meet having Changed their Postiion;
and one grand army of Presbyteriarie l being now•
drawn, up in battle array against the foe;
should we not fall in and swell the ranks of those
waging the same righteous warra* with :our.:
selves ? In other words, the Constitutional Pres
byterian Church, from which
. this Presbytery
separated, (the cause of our separation 7 —the
guilt of slaveholding—being removed,) now oc
cupies the same moral and reformatory position
With ourselves."
This action was unanimous with the Presby
tery, and their reception by our Synod was also
Unanimous. It is considered likely that the re-'
maining' Presbyteries in a similar position will
take, the, same course .with, the Presbytery of
Ripley. These brethren are genuine, orthodox
Presbyterians and will prove a real acquisition to
our church, from which we do not think there
ever'was substantial reason for separating. We
welconie'them back to the fold. ,
(For the American Presbyterian.)
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.
W AsiliNGToN, D. C.,' Nov. 12, 1862.
NEAnix all' of the Protestant churches of
Washington are yet occdpied as hospitals. It
was hoped that by this time the regular hospitals
erected by Government. ; would have been sain t
eiently numerons•-and capacious to accommodate
all*the sick and wounded in this vicinity. And
although report's set certain days by which some
of the congregation's are led to hope that they
shall again be able to assemble iq their accus
tomed places of worship, : --it thus far is "''hope
deferred." *hen We look at the immense blocks
,
of buildings occupying entire squares,_
of well-arranged 'and comfortable wooden
structures, —.we wonder where enough. ; of sick
and wounded men can be obtained to fill them.;
but when we learn that there are' in Washington,
Georgetown, and Alexandria about 18,000 men
of this class, ex.clusive of about 15,000 eon- ,
ialescents, paroled prisoners, and stragglers, in
the vicinity of. Alexandria, and many of Whom
have been.in` circumstances-of great suffering,—
we again woride.rwhere can be found •sufficient
buildings, surgeons, nurses, &c., for so "many
comparatively helpleas men. •
In point of comfort it is doubtful whether
Some of- the churches will be relinquished for a
considerable time to come. Prominent among
these may-be named the well-known old Fourth
-Presbyterian Church, of which the equally well
known (or better-known) John C. Smith is pas
tor. He has made it too comfortable, if Govern
ment knows 'the 'facts of the case, to have his
,
church very soon relinquisbed. It looks if
there had been,an idea of some day using it as a
hospital, when it was first planned. The pews
of the large audience-room above are completely
covered over with boards, and upon this floor are
placed large nUmbers of beds occupied by sick
and wounded men: The room presents-an-air of
neatness, cleanliness, and comfort. Kind ladies
quietly move about to minister to the suffering . ;
good reading is provided:for those who are, able
to .read; and at night the room is beautifully
lighted up with gas. Every evening, at six a
o'clock Dr. Smith and , -Rev. Mr. McFalli
I conduct worship for the henefit'of all who are in
I the room. Ladies andlentlemen with excellent
voices lead the singing,' and a comPetent lady
performer sustains with a melodeon the music' of
the occasion. Ayisitor—seeing the men lying
apparently, so comfortable beneath clean, white
bed-clothing, kind ladies beside them, the min
isters Comforting them with words of divine truth
and with prayer, and the sweet music-to soothe
them, --- is almost+ inclined to conclude that it' is
a luxury, to be sick in Dr. Smith's church.
Then in the basement of the building is space
for just such rooms and operations as are suited
for, a hospital'; and on the outside of the,bulld
ing is room for just such outhouses as a hospital
needs. No, indeed I . Dr. Smith need, not expect
to get back :his church-building for the-use of
his congre;gation as long as- sick and wounded
soldiers need it in Washington. He has made it
entirely too Comfortable!
The occupation of church buildings as hospi
.tals in Washington.has been rather disastrous to
the .cause ofxeligion hare. - Many congtegatiots
have been, turned entirely out of "house and
home:" , Consequently, some have nb regular
place of worship'upon the Sabbath. One Meth
odist Church has' construeted temporary build
ing for itself,—and' in some instances „two con
gregatione meet together in the building ,of one
more forturkatethan "the other in having its, house
unoccupied, because "of being unsuited, to hospital
purposes. -This is the ease witli,Dr. l Smith's con
gregation, which meets with theAssembly,Pres
byterian Church, of which Mr.McFalla inpaitor,
and•whose 'building is not appropriated by Gov-
Persons who'from mere habit or slight inchna
tion i have previously attended church, beingrthns
deprived of .a building, now give themselves but
little' " troubleto hunt up another place. : , And
even Many professors of religion, it is said, show .
by their fieg,lect of =the means Of grace, that this
some other cause, has had a most'paineul in
fliteiiie upon them. Fe'w persons, especially, fre
•quent the places of prayer, where the faithful of
these houseless Christiani are wont to assemble.
One pleasant ; feature., 'however, is, the active
exertions: of _certain , Christians in, _behalf
of the sick and , wounded soldiers. Many Chris
tian ladies and gentlemen respond nct only to the
appeal&made to them: by: the suffering; but they,
seek out, in the hospital& and'camps and squares
and streets and even the places of confinement,
those who need attention ; and they minister to
there physical and spiritual conafor. They do
this not only in an organized capacity, as in the
Y. Men's Christians Association and the Chris
tian
Commissionn; but certain ladieS devote much
of their time as ministering angels in and gout of
the city. .
Mileh might also be said of the , benevolence of
Christians abroad which:rolls into the capital and
vicinity. An immense knionntis contributed in
the form of religious reading for the soldiers.
Prominent among these agencies is the Ameri
can Tract Society in New 'York. Their " Ales
senger" is welcomed wherever it is distributed,
r---which is done ; in ma,py thousands of 'uopies.
Others, of their publications, such us_ the," Sok
Bier's Hymn .13ook,!? little flexible covered sol:
dier's books, etc.: are doing a" vast amount ,of
good. You.l• presume, are aware:that this So
ciety has, since the war begani'donated about
$40,000 worth of bboks to the soldiers alone..
'And' now they have secured ; the services slf Rev..
A Hanainnk ChUrch i to super
. Culver,of the
intend this work in the hospitals , and - army in
Washington and vicinity; and to collect facts
and make appeals to Christians through the press
of, the country, for aid - in this noble work. And
truly, as the' work is eat; dhristiani should ans . 7
join it with corresponding liberality
IYA,itzwismoN.
(For the American Presbyterian.)
DEATH OF REV. A. G. CAROTHERS.
Two years ago the Rev. Andrew G. Carothers, '
on account of failing health was obliged to re
sign the. - .. ,pastoral charge of the Assembly's
Church in this city.
The enclosed copy of a letter from the Hon.
'Secretary. of State, tells us that in the land of
strangers among people of another faith and ano
ther tongue, our <brother fell asleep, on 20th of
October—the day we met in Wilmington, Del.,
and where the Synod of Pensylvania had such a
blessed meeting.
A letter .addreSsed to me by a Rev. brother
who was providentially •with Mr. Carothers just
before he died, assured me of his unabated love
to the Saviour kud his willing submission to the
divine will. We knew him as a pastor, earnest
in his work. iron. Mr. Seward tells all the rest.
JOHN C.SMITH )
Pastor 4th Presbyterian Church.
Washington City, 15 Nov. 18t2.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washinaton Nov. 14, 1862.
Rev. J. C. Smith, D.D., Washington.
Sir :—The Department has this morning re
6eived with much regret, information of the death
at Martinique of Rev. Andrew G. Carothers,
formerly Consul of the United States , at Tufts'
Islands, and: at the time of his death holding the
offices of Conial of the United States at Martin
ique, and tee Consul for the island of Guada
loupe.
You will please communicate this .ad intelli
gence to the family of the deceased in this city.
It gives, the Department much satisfaction to
assure you and the numerous friends of Mr.
Carothers, that in all the relations which he sus
tained to the Government of the. United States,
he discharged his official duties with industrious
zeal, unswerving loyalty, ability and uprightness.
His death took place on 2(lth of October, from
consumption.
I am Sir, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. W. SEWARD.
Assistant Secretary.
c 7, e w Wublizatiotto.
THE-TORN BIBLE is one of Carter's " Fireside
•
Series" of books, a story of painful domestic in
terest, with a profitable termination. The scene
is laid in the soldiei-life of British India, and
the principal' character is a south who leaves his
home much against tie wishes but with the con
sent of his pious parents, and leads a wayward,
sad life for a time. Theauthor, Alice Somerton,
wields'a vigorous and facile pen. lfirao. pp. 231.
For sale at the Presbyterian Bookstore.
LAST DAY OF (mu LORD'S PASSION. This
is a Series of Lectures on - the Incidents imme
diately preceding and connected with the Sav
iour's Death, by Dr. HANNA, son-in-law and bi
ographer of Dr. Chalmers. They are neither
doctrinal or controversial in tone, but rather de
scriptive, explanatory, and contemplative, White
the general character of the Lectures can' scarce
ly be considered remarkable, but rather quiet and
sometimes approaching to dulness, they are ofteit
relieved by a freshness of view, drawn from
modern investigations, particularly those 'of Al
ford, Stier, and Ellicott Our clergy may here
learn to what excellent account these critical in
quiries .may be turned in removing difficulties
and in giving life and force to their public exer
cises. Some valuable medical testimony, is given
as to the, proximate cause of Christ's death, sup
porting Dr. Hanna's (Dr. Stroud's) view, that
it was a broken 'heart. New York : It. Carter
& Bros. Philadelphia : Presbyterian Bookstore.
-NEW BOOKS EY THE AMERICAN. TRACT SO
CIETY. NEW YORK. —.l. "Illustration of the
Ten' Cornmaedments ,pp. - 112 ; 18mo. ; with
eleven cuts; 25 cents. 'Written in graphic style,
'rich in sundaes illustrating the commandments,
,
with ninnerous strikinf , and confirmatory facts,
and histories of absorbini , interest. An admira
ble volume for. the young.
• 2. '",The Prodigal Son " ; pp. 151; 18mo ;
15:icents. This inimitable Bible history, ever
new' and entertaining, is here retraced by Rev.
Dr: E. P. Rogers, now orNew York, in a series
of sketches portraying in a charming style the
Prodigarg)eparture:his Famine, his Awakening,
Conviction, Resolution, and Welcome Home. It
is, well fitted to_attract a wanderer back to God.
3. Their "'Leaflets for Letters" are careful
seeCtions, - elegantly printed. Price, 5 cents. De.
'pository in this - city is at 929 Chestnut Street.
TEE TABERNACLE. It is some time since the
,publishers, Messrs. Ticknor & Fields, of Boston,
sent -us a. copy of this Book of Sacred Music.
We have 'examined and to some extent practi
'eally tested the book, and find it a valuable addi
tion to this line of literature. - It embraces all
departments belonging to such a volume. Its
glossary of musical terms is full; the manual of
instruction is extended, and includes an interest
ing variety rof secular Music; the tune-book
proper is rich in new compositions, which aim to
elevate the taste rather than mislead it in the
direction of frivolity and irreverence. We think
choristers; seeking to make 'ari:addition to their
collection of b'boks, will be more than satisfied in
the Tabernacle.
• ,
MA.GAZISES, PABiI'EFLETS, ETC.
MR. Juun .ZUNDEL, or,ganist of Plymouth
Church, Bfooklyn, (Mr Beecher's,) has com
menced the issue . of The Monthly Choir amt
Organ Journal, the first number being issued en
the let of the present,Month. The work will be
more especially devoted to the interests of orga
nists and melodeon-players. The following num
berkwill 'contain a complete new instruction-book
for the -melodeon. Those familiar with )Ir
'Zinidera excellent In3ok of instruction already
issued will be eager to learn what improvements
upon itthe author tan suggest. New York, 2 06
William Street.
LiTTELL I S Crying Acac for the week cooraio
itee'Usnal interesting and valuable miscellany.
The: ossession of this well-conducted serial alor
,
enables one to dispense with almost every °tiler
outlook into English periodical literature.
forme, too, an admirable companion for the drea:".
hours, of inaction inseparable from the life of ti
soldier. •
. .
• 11 AIRiK I S WEEKLY has been excelling itFe.:
1 4tely in the truthfulness , boldness, and fini;:l' f
4_YAillustrations,.and .the fulness of its mar
the ,war
NOV. 20,