aIIItTiCHU Nrcobritrias AND GENESEE EVANGELIST. THURSDAY, JANUARY 29, 1863 JOHN W. MEALS, THOUGHT AND ACTION. MAN thinking is but half a man. His thoughts may be profotindly true, just and important, but they are valueless, if in some way they are not inwrought, into human action. There is a class of men who, by constitution or by habit, are thinkers. Their services in investigating truth, in asserting, defending and proclaiming the right by argument, are to be estimated by the degree in which they mould public opinion, and influence the executive classes of men. Of him self, the thinker is a mere recluse. His charac ter is apt to be essentially defective, from lack of sufficient personal connection with the actualities of life. He lacks nerve; he is painfully con scious of unfitness to perform a vigorous part in the outward conflict of truth and error. If forced by Providential circumstances into a critical po sition, he endures, he testifies, with martyr firm ness and fidelity; but it is left for others, whom he has influenced, 'practically to guage the event atd to shape its issues in history. Accustomed to weigh evidence carefully, the thinker is apt to be crusted over with scruples-; when the hour comes for a great action he is not prepared : his mind is not satisfied: he wishes more light. When the very moral influences which he has helped to set in motion are working out their high consequences, and mankind are turning to recognize, applaud and congratulate. the phil osopher for the realization of his far-seeing sim ulations and lofty ideas, they sometimes . find him amazed, confounded and even out of sympathy with the results. Erasmus hal very frequently been considered the real author of the Reformation. lie was an acute, independent thinker, whOse.speculations did much to rouse the slumbering mind of the Catholic Church; and the Reformation had his entire sympathy. at first. But after the move ment seized upon the minds of men as an over powering.impulse, and tumults and violence were likely to accompany it, he shrank back in af fright. He was a mere man of thought : he had no heart for the stirring scenes of the actual conflict. Secretly in sympathy with the Refor mation, he became at length an open foe of the brave Luther, who believed and acted, rather than speculated. The great English dramatist pictures to us, in perhaps the greatest of his plays, a character which is ever on the verge of a noble and just action, which interests us deeply by its wit, its eloquence, its profound selfluestionings, its thought, its philosophy. But the great deed which is the ostensible end of all Hamlet's mu sings is never done. His deep thoughts are only thoughts. His reflectiveness has become a vice—the, parent of confirmed indecision. He dwcribes his own case when he says : "And thus the native hue of resolution Is r icklied o'er with the pale cast of thought, And enterprises of great pith and moment With this regard, their currents turn awry Aud lose the name of action." If the tithe of what is said of Secretary. Sew ard he true, he is an illustration of the man of thought started at the realization of his own sa gaciuus predictions, and elevated views. Certain it is, that this philosophical statesman, whose terse prophetical phrase—" the irrepressible conflict "—became the proverb of the time, and who was in fact the leader of the national senti ment against the extension of Slavery, has ceased to enjoy the entire confidence of his former fol lowers, is scarcely recognized as one of the com ponent forces now arrayed against Slavery, and is widely believed to be out of sympathy with the President in his present emancipation policy. For our part we rejoice that Mr. Lincoln did not subject himself to the guidance of any mere thinker in adopting his policy. Such a person would be sure to have scruples about almost every act of military power; about war itself; and the golden hour—the great opportunity— would pass away. Many objections might be', suede to this act of Emancipation. No doubt Mr. Lincoln himself felt difficulties, but know ing that by God's Providence he had the power, feeling that it was needful to the safety of the republic that Slavery should be overthrown ; in a word, seeing the measure to be on the whole most wise, just, and benevolent, he dismissed minor objections, ceased to deliberate, AND ACTED, and the whole future of our country and of man kind is changed for the better. Excessive thinking, apart from action, is un friendly to faith—begets skepticism. Moral truth is not capable of a degree of demonstration which forbids doubt or excludes difficulty. The mere student, who allows no scope to his active powers, and who entertains'but a narrow view of the practical bearings of life, may amuse him self with the most varied and conflicting specu lations upon the most momentous truths. Every day lie may light upon new difficulties in theology and in the Bible. On the great truths of reli gion, his mind may be in an unsettled state. Be will hesitate, he will refuse to act until he is en tirely satisfied. What he needs is a ray of prac tical light. Sensible men in worldly affairs act according to the preponderance of probabilities. The business man, the general , , the diplomatist, the statesman, feels the utter impracticability of accomplishing anything, if he waits for the removal of all difficulties. His opportunities are passing away while he speculates. Using the lights he has, he promptly determines upon the course which on the whole sems best, and dismissing further thought, pursues it with all his might. So in religion, we have our souls to save; we must do the greatest good we can to . our fellow men. Time is short. It does not favor the un decided man in its flight. The condition of the world, the interests of our souls, and the lancer. tainty of life demand instant, vigorous action, If we cannot remove all difficulty in religion, we can see at a glance where rests the prepondera ting weight of probabilities. Whatever phan tasms of doubt speculators may raise, it is over whelmingly probable that the Bible is true; and as practical sensible men, we are bound to accept and act upon that probability. It is only by the vice of excessive reflection that men are kept from reaching this just and only safe conclusion. It is as men of action, that the Spirit addresses us, when it exclaims through the inspired writer: "To DAY if ye will hear his voice, harden not yOur hearts. Now is the accepted time; now is the day of Salvation." NEW PERILS OP THE REPURLIO. Doubtless rebellion in any quarter has a ten dency to loosen the constitutional tie in all parts of the country. Rebellion rampant, obstinate, difficult to quell, partially successful, is a tempt ing bid to all unruly spirits. Anarchical sym pathies are quickened and come to light in the most unexpected quarters:. the loyal part of the country has more or less difficulty to main tain its conscious unity and nationality. That the North has not yet seriously suffered from these difficulties is matter of surprise and rejoi cing. It was hoped by our enemies and feared by ourselves, that such divisions would immedi ately appear to embarrass our efforts in subduing the South. They would not have been wonder ful. On the contrary, the early outbursts_ of loyalty, the zeal of volunteers far exceeding the needs of the government, the profuseness of bounties afterwards when volunteers flagged, the endurance of this sentiment of devotion and unity under frequent disasters and more trying and inexplicable delays, until the government is now supplied on an unparalleled scale with men and munitions of war, and with power to provide the means necessary for carrying on the gigantic en terprise .; all these things are truly surprising. And that after a year and a half there has been no serious practical defection, but only a pros pect of such defection on the part of any North ern States, must be regarded as proof of a won derful degree of patriotism in the loyal part of our land. Editor. It is only at this late period that those indica . tions of seriously divided sentiment aPpear,which rebels and rebel sympathisers expected to be si multane,ous with the outbreak of the war. Gra dually they have forced their way to the surface. Gradually it has become evident that,the enthu elastic and harmonious feeling which once united and elevated the entire mass of the peo ple has disappeared. Gradually the heroic era of the nation passed away; and the common atten dants of a great and protracted internal strife began to appear. It is not only that many of the people have grown weary of the war and of the burdens it is likely to impose; not merely that the Government has disappointed them in failing promptly and gloriously to conquer the rebels; not merely that they have been startledAy the blunders of Government agents in making mili tary arrests; it is not merely party spirit that is aroused, jealous of the enormous spoils which in a time of war necessarily fall to the friends of )6 , the Government. It is that the very spirit of rebellion has spread far and near, that disloyalty is less emphatically branded as a crime; that anarchical tendencies under the name of State rights, are encouraged in high places; that e'fforts are being made by men on exactly the 'same moral level with the most infamous traitors of the South, to estrange loyal sections of the Union from each other; nay, that instead'of se cession, we hear now of the proposed expulsion of loyal States and sections from the Vnion Traitors at the North, emulous of the exploits of their " Southern brethren," have actually devised a political expedient more atrocious than seces sion ! , , These developments of opinion at the 'North show us how little there is for us to hope for the Republic, if the South be not thoroughly con quered ; these dangerous sentiments appear while yet the probabilities are in favor of sup pressing the rebellion; what then would be the result if it succeeded? Our nationality would be gone. One successful secession would be the parent of half-a•dozen others. We should become the'prey of miserable local jealousies, and be bro ken up into imbecile petty communities. This the haters of freedom in the Old World are nearly dying with anxiety to see. Does the so-called Democratic party design to do all it can to gratify them ? Unless God gives us the victory in our present struggle, we fear that bad men at the North, by whatever party name they call themselves, will be emboldened , by the impunity, of their congeners at the .South to attempt equally,base and destructive- revolutions at the North." Let us hope and pray that God will sig. nally smite and overthrow the rebels of the. South as a warning to all who otherwise would be bold and wicked enough to follow in-their steps. - THE RELIGIOUS PRESS ON THE PROCLA MATION. ' WE refer once more to the attitude of the re- ligious press on the Proclamation as it is an agreeable topic. The unanimity and .cordial,, ity with which the proclamation is welemied 'by these_ influential organs of opinion is almost en tire. We de not know of a single religious jour nal in the North that has arrayed itself against this measure, except the organ of ArchhishoP nughes in New York City. Several papers, . particularly in the Episcopal Church have re frained from speaking, but silence is construed as consent rather than as opposition. We believe. Mr. Lincoln has the sympathy and approval of the great body of religious people in the North in his humane and manly policy towards the: slave. PRESB. Roams, 150, Nassau St. N. Y. ON applications from the Churches they serve;' the following ministers were commissioned by' the Presbyterian Committee of Home Missions, at their last regular meeting, nineteen of whom Were in Commission last year. Rev. J. C. Ewing, Winterset, lowa. " W. H. Smith, Lexington, Kansas. " Fiske Harmon, Swede Point, lowa. " Asa Johnson, Redfield, _,‘ " Williston Jones, lowa Falls, " " H. Little, Synodical Missy. Madison Ind. " C. 0. Reynolds, Hunter, N. Y. " John McLeod, Reeseville, Pa. " H. C. Cheadle, Tuppers Plains, 0. " G. H. Pond, Oak Grove, Minn. • 'Chas. Crocker, Colder', N. Y. " L. M. Gates, Lowville, Wis. " John Peck, Traverse, Minn. " Augustus Marsh, Grand Rapids, Mich. " S. P. Hildreth, Dresden 0. " A. Trotter,.Livingstonville, N. Y. • James A. Darrah, West Ely, Mo. " L. F. Laine, Casisteo, N. Y. " J. B. Preston, Only°, Wis. • W. M. Rain, Marengo, lowa, "‘ A. D. Chapman, Brooklyn, lowa. " Chas. T. Melvin, Columbus, Wis. " C. F. Beach, Lake, Ills. " Philip Bevan, Mount Vernon, Ind. " W. T. Bartle, Vassar, Mich. A. L. Clark, Hyde Park, Pa. " W. Kendrick, Leon, lowa. " Dwight K. Steele, Greene, Pa. " James Boggs, Marton, N. V. HOME MISSIONS. 2 ontr i t an frreobtrtialt tn l6 cittort (6tiangtliot "THE CONDITIONS OF PEAOE," Mr. Barnes' thanksgiving sermon, under the above title, has but recently been: given to the public, at the request of a large number of his Congregation. It is an important document, and will not be overlooked by those who, are desirous of preserving the literary Memorials cif thi.s un paralleled era, to say nothing of those who trea sure the productions of the author for their own worthy sake. The discourse, which is withoit a text, opens by boldly claiming a high place for our nation in the past, its constitution and laws, its policy, and progress. The writer then pro ceeds to enumerate the causes we have for think fulness, in the present attitude of our people and government in -maintaining our assailed nation ality, and in the progress'inade in removing the evil of Slavery. He then discusses the only conditions of permanent peace; ^ examining and dismissing such as look to the recognition of the South, or to the maintenance of the " Union as it was and the Constitution as it is.' Readjust ment of the Constitution is, in Mr. Barnes' view, an essential condition of peace. The rebellion must be put down. That must be the one single object of the war. Any thing else, though it may be incidental to the war, must not be its purpose. The Union must be preserved entire. The slave-trade must be utterly suppressed. The Government must~ be separated from slavery. The institution Must be left to local law. Slaves should not be the basis, as now, according to the Constitution, of a property representation. The odious fugitive slave-law should be modified to meet the scruples of free citizens. The territories should, by the laws of nature, be recognized ; as free, and Congress should have, no authority to legislate slavery into them over those laws. Slavery should be entirely removed from the States, loyal and disloyal, ifsour land would , enjoy perms nent peace. Mr. Barnes warmly espouses the President's compensation scheme, and insists that 'the adoption in good faith of plans for gradual emancipation would' not be compromising with ;slavery, and would be sufficient to restore per manent peace. He also presents, in emphatic language, the constitutional restrictions which forbid the • executive or the government from abolishing slavery, as foreigners persist in think ing it could, by the regular exercise of the Fed < deral authority. He seems to shrink from the the consequences of immediate emancipation on a great scale—needlessly we think—and, though expressing no decided opinion upori.the more lately developed emancipation policy of the Pre sident, which, it twist be remembered is of ;a la ter date than the delivery and issue of this ser mon, Mr. Barnes must be regarded as cherishing at that time, no sanguine views in regard to pit. We may frankly say, that the sermon would have pleased us better if it had exhibited a more positive friendliness to this other side of the Pre sident's emancipation scheme. The compensa tion scheme, for loyal slave-owners, jbstly ceives the unqualified approval of Mr. Barnes. For disloyal men_ and States, that scheme, of course has no significance, however much we ap plaud it. For incorrigible rebels, the President offers, and can only offer, Emancipatfon under the war power. For that part.of the scheme, we regret that Mr. Barnes did not find opportunity to express his sympathy. Had the sermon been written later, the deficiency might have been supplied. As it is, Ole sermon is a great and noble production; a perfect treatise on its great subject, full of vivid' stirring thought& glowing with intense yet subdued fires of patriotic zeal and holy indignation against wrong. Get it and read it by all means. OUR CHURCHES IN WASHINGTON CITY. The Churches of our denomination in the ca pital of our nation, have been considerably tried from various causes, arising from the rebellion; and it is with much pleasure, therefore, that we hear occasionally of their comparative prosperity, notwithstanding these adversities. On the 'first Sabbath evening of , the New Year, Dr. Sunder land's Church was a scene of considerable inter est. It consisted of the ordination and installa tion-of additional elders and a new bench of deacons. lie was assisted by Dr. McLain, his• predecessor in that Church, and by another' ministerial brother. The number inducted into office was three elders and 'two deacons. These, in addition to the other elders, stood in array upon the large platform in front of the pulpit, during the latter part of the services, and they presented quite a dignified appearance,—which taken with the Pastor's excellent discourse upon the " Polity of the Presbyterian Church," was greatly calculated to impress' spectators favourably to, our denomination. The attendance, notwith standing unfavorable weather, Was large,—as it generally is in that Church, bothlmorningaland evenings: Indeed, the church, in the eyes of a visitor, :presents quite a fionrishing appearance. Dr. SMith's church-building has been used for a length of time past, as a hospital, by government. His people worship with those of the " Assembly's" Church, T. 13. McFalls pastor. What will be the full effect upon the people thus deprived se long of their own church:build ing, can not be calculated. - Yet there are some things which lead to the hope that it will not be' very disastrous. At a recent celebration of the. Lord's Supper the numbei of communicants present was very encouraging. This, together with the fact that Dr. S., notwithstanding his faithful performance of duties as a Chaplain in a large hospital, systematically and frequently visits the families of his Congregation, gives promise that when they shall get back into "their own place of worship, their numbers will not be seriously diminished. The building is about being vavated by government; and after a little renovation, it will be fit for the use , of the con gregation again. The Assembly's Church are also holding their ordinary position; and their pastor is also acting as hospital Chaplain,, in addition to the perfor mance of full pastoral duties. The Sixth Chnich, on the "Island,". formerly under the pastoral•care of Rev. Mason Noble, is now vacant, and is lacing temporarily supplied by Rev. B. F. Morris.' We learn that they have not increased much lately in number's or strength; and that a Methodist congregation are now wor shipping in the building part of the time, their Own building being used as a hospital. We trust that the faithfulness of the churches of our denomination ; in Washington, to the go vernment of our nation, will in due time be re warded by a much larger share of prosperity. REV. TIMOTHYSTIWitAN,D.D., of Dunkirk has been the Stated Clerk of the. Buffalo Pres bytery for the last thirty years, ind-for twenty three years the. Stated Clerk of the Synod. PREACHING.--NO. 4. BY REV• E. E. ADAMS QUA.LIFICATIONS - CTILTURi OF the qualifOions requisite for the 'preach er wefhave mentioned, as first in; the orderof nature, , waintalpower; Without intellect . as-the b as i n , *edook in vainfor any effieientquality man. And if a small_ amount of mind, sancti fied and earnest, May do much in the sacred office, great mental ability, wholly consecrated to the truths of Christianity/ and to . the service of God in the -pipit, can do More, and the greatest mind, with , corresponding earnestness, industry and godliness, can do most. We would' not enthrone mere intellect. We would not invite a worshipping congregation to the sole dry light of reason; nor set before them in human shape, an iceberg clear and still. 'We would have mind all aglow with themajestic holy theme, kindled' to high thought andiferve.nt feeling, responding to the Divine goodness, and mingli ng it s (sympa, tines with those. Of the:people ? And it requires no less skill; disbrimination, and mental power successfully to treat of tender practical themes, than it does to deal-wiih rigid argumentation, to prove, , explain and enforce truths and doctrines the most, preforgit But not less iMportant to the best preaching is culture. There is a mental as well as material husbandry. "The powers of the mind need to be educated. developed, diseipliped, led up to their highest capability. This is true, of mind in any calling, even the lowest; much more in thesublime and holy.work of the Christian preacher. The eler• - gyman may not - innocently spend his time as a mete philosopher, a - "qtivant," a devourer of books; a deirotee of science, rpbbing his people and the leeritimate themes of the pulpit, of the time that ought to be given to them, and which he has pledged to .them. He may deny himself in these things, >and be nobler for his ignorance if thereby he make himself, master of those subjects which constitute, or may raid him in ,the proper subject matter of his office. He may have a taste and wgenins for romance, for poet ry, for painting; a love for philosophy or history 'and yet subordinate them to the greater work of preparing and preaching the doctrines and precepts of Christ. God might have , dispensed altogether with human and.. natural instrumentalities in the promulgation of religion. He might have gpoken to, each singer in dream's, or by a ce lestial voice. But as he has chosen natural means of addressing:Men, he does not forbid, but uses such aids for 'illustrating and enforcing truth;,ag the common forms of nature and the familiar facts of society and experience furnish. It is thel beauty of our,religion that it can bring into its, service all.. truth. It asserts its fitness to instruct, arkt,renovate man by the ; manifold ness.of its relation& 'The mind seeks truth in, every departMent of being.: In all its aspects' truth turns toward' the human intellect and finds welcome. Religion, then seekinc , ihe con quest of mind and soul : to fhe purest, noblest of all truths, does not reject culture-Ldoes not deem poetry, art, nature, science, human indus tries and" history unworthy of a place.- in its il lustratiOns - and enforcements. Being the most grand and weighty of all subjects it requires to be advocated'in'' the best way. Above all other thoughts, all other systems it is brought down to the mind, or 'rather the mind ,is led up to it through intermediate stages, and by the aids of minor truths. All truth is divine, God uses all for the highest purpose—the rerealing of him self It is befitting that the verities of nature, of scienee,and of history sheuld blend to illus trate the glorious truths of salvation. And it becomes thepreacher as consecrated to the high service of uttering those truths, to make himself familiar with all the auxiliaries by which they may be worthily set forth. Well may he feel, when the claims of God, the solemn, and great realities of the soul, and of eternity are to be pleaded, that he shenld bring to the mighty theme all the power of ar gument, all, the evidence of history, all the anal. ogies•of nature,twhich bear any relation thereto, with all the eloquence, that knowledge, and feeling, appropriate phrase, and deep conviction, can pour into tbbminds of those who hear. The great ethitral theme of the preacher is " Chriit crucibed "—proclaimed as doctrine, urged appeal; held to the soul as a converting power. Yet, within the broad circle of religious truths—truth for the pulpit, and the sanctuary —are embraced all the subjects we have already named. Man is a part of nature, the noblest part, and, in his better; his'religious being, is.minister ed unto by that which is unseen, but which re:- sides - in and animates the visible. Christ is rela- ted to nature. He was once a part of it. He usedit, inpreaching. His life and death gave sacredness to all its forths. There is more in-it than we sec, more in it than there would be but for , Christianity., It is a symbol of the Divine thought. It reeled, „and shook, and grew dark at the 'crucifixion. It felt the ebbing tide of life. It became clear and glorious again, and rose . to a higher life when its Creator rose from the tomb. It shall be- more glorious still, after its promised renovation by the hand tha was nailed to the iiross. Christ has made, ature sacred. - • It ~.is hardly possible worthily to advocate some of the Obriatian doctrines, without first . gaining the assent of our andienc&toalike prin ciples in the viaibleworld. If we speak of the sovereignty of God in the salvation of a sinner, of his pnrpose, and election in each individual conversion, we may begin with what is admitted as true in the appointments of nature. We may lead the hearer logically along from the Divine path-way in Creation, to the more glorious devel opment or purpose in the saving of souls. If we can point him to an evident pre-ordination in the glory of every star, we may demand his belief of the same principle in the life and destiny .of the immortal mind. If the will of the Almighty "bincieth the sweet influences of the Pleiades, or looseth the bands . of Orion, " surely it controls the life, the thought, the volitions of man. Would we speak of Atonement, we find it ger minally in the felt necessities, of men, revealing itself in theirmohologies and legends. Would we urge` ' on the "conscience the claims of the moral law ? the order of nature, the laws that govern it and the. 'calamities which follow their violation, are so many arguments to• enforce the higher claim. A`te we pointing the despairing spirit to that love which keeps a watchful eye overiddividual , men ? we can speak of the spar -row that falls not With Out our rather, and of the lily which the Son of God pronounced more glorious'than Solomon.' There are Many. scrip tural themes which cannot be lucidly treated without rigid mental training, without thorough knowledge Of the laws of interpretation and ea quaintance with oriental figures, customs, and modes of thought. Indeed to know the void of God to which the whole mind and soul, of the preacher -must be devoted, in closest study, in profounitineditation,we must bring in the aids of science, of poetry, of human laws, and indeed, of all branches of intelligence and thought. Not that these should appear in the pulpit, but' their r'esults rather, so that the hearers shall see that the preacher has"been at the fountains of truth, so that , they shall feel, that he has a reserved power, and might ,say much more than he does say; that he 'apeaksfrom a-fnlltudrid,,giving out richly, without Stint, from the opulence which they- cannot [ fathom. For this there' •must be culture, as-well as mind—the training of every faCulty to facile use; the development of the whole mental and moral natUre, so that it - shall reason, remember, adapt and urge truth; and bear the hearer's convictions , and feelings irre sistibly on its current. The purpose of the preacher should be this: " I will get all ,the truth that lies ;within my reach—all that my mind will hold, and appropriate, from the infi nite 'depths Of the Bible,' from the boundless fields 'of nature ; from the smallest 'object that meets my eye I will seek to bring all into order, so as to-use' it on any eceasion, as the boatman can his oar, or the artist his pencil. Then, by the grace.of the Spirit sanctifying me and the truth, guiding , my thought, and presiding over my office 'and my duties, will ,I go forth to teach, warn, convince, and persuade souls." It is related of Dr. Bellamy, that when a young clergyman once inquired of him what hishmild do to have matter for his discourses, he replied " Fill up the cask, fill try, the cask, PILL UP THE CASK! Then if you tap it anywhere, you will, get a good stream,; but if you put in but little; it will 'dribble, dribble, dribble., an& you must tap, tap, tap, andthan-get but little after all." " Our office" says Cecil, "is the most labori ons in the world. The mind must be always on the stretch to acquire wisdom and grace, and to communicate them to all who come near." We cannot safely 'dispense ' With systematic study, mastering the ,great themes of the word, and bringing to, them all the illustrations of general knowledge. Neither can.we neglect specia/study of everysubj pot on which we are successively called to speak. This double devotion will replenish and fill the' mind, and "Ifit us for every occasion that shall demand our utterance. Thus may we "be thoroughly furnished to evcry good word,' as well as ' work.' " To shed On ears abused by falsehood truths of power In words immortal,—not such words as flash From the fierce demagogues' unthinking rage, To madden for a moment and expire--- , - Nor such as the rapt Orator imbues Withwarmth of facile sympathy, and moulds To mirrors radiant with fair images, To grace the noble fervor of the hour ; But words which- bear the spirits of great thoughts, Winged-for the future,—leading souls to heaven." PRESBYTERIAN UNION IN OALIFORNIA. Qua. brethren of both branches of the Presby terian Church in California' are equally zealous for, a speedy union of the two Assemblies. If the same temper prevailed in all parts of the Church, re-union ^would not be delayed beyond the meeting of the next General Assembly. The Pacific, which now represents both Synod:3, as, well as the Congregational Churches in dalifor nia, has recently contained several articles on union, the burden, of which> is an eager' desire for this result, with no reference to conditions or guarantees for the future. We give extracts from one of these articles, as showing their pre veiling tenor. " The Old and New School Presbyterians of California meinbrialized their respective Gen'l Assemblies to take measures .for a speedy re union; these memorials were favorably enter tained; a correspondence between the two As semblies was agreed upon, and by both alike, the perfect re-union of the Churches was regarded as important and most desirable. That more de cisive measures were not adopted by the Assem blies is to be regretted ; but the exciting circum stances Under which they met, were unfavorable to the careful investigation which so 'grave . a subject demanded; and moreover, the churches_ at home do not feel the evilss; the curse of sepa- - ration, as we do, here on the Pacific. * * * The General Assemblies last May, did xtot see what we see,; their future was not our future, else their action would 'have been more complete. Had the Synods of the Pacific and Alta Califor nia composed those Assemblies, the union would have been consummated before the sixth day of their session. They' would have removed the Old School Assembly from Columbus down to Dayton, and the New Sehool frOm Cincinnati up to Dayton ; would have gotten two a.rm-chairs, and seated the two Moderators side by, side, on the platform, and would have bad a glorious ju bilee. I expect they - would have sung that old hymn OUr souls by love together knit, Cemented, mixed in one, One hope, one heart, one mind, one voice ; 'Tie heaven on earth begun.' " .But these California Presbyterians did not compose the Assemblies; and yet California Presbyterianism, must Ire one, and that speedily." We hope these California Synods will not leave the paternal roof in order to carry out their ardent wishes untrammelled. Both Assemblies need the leaven of their fraternal spirit De prived of the influence of such bodies, the two Assemblies would move less rapidly towards a general, union. And though our California bre thren might derive a measure of advantage, for the moment, from union on au independent basis, and though it might be expedient for them so to unite in the absence of any reasonable pros pect of a more general union, the' disadvantages of being put off from any ,organic connection with large and efficient, bodies in. the east would be, serious indeed. A general union rashly formed, upon the impulse of good feeling merely, might but illustrate in ano ther form the old proverb : " Marry in haste and repent at leisure." 'Let us be virtually and in Spirit united before we attempt to weld an out wardbond let the formal union be the, ex pression of a pre-existing material union. Let us cultivate : a . : spirit of mutual kindliness iira confidence. Let us also be careful that the design of Providence in permitting the separation, be not ignored or contravened. Undoubtedly, there are certain results . of the, designed by Providence to be eletiaentg in the New Presby terian Church,which his eye contemplates inthe future. Let us "endeafer'to . form His Church, ..t+ not ours. A carnal impatienco , and, haste will mar the work. Presbyterians occupy the middle ground'-as--to Church polity among the various Christian de nominations. In view of the probable conver gence:of = all •Evangelical bodies towards ~ each other, from prelacy on the one hand,,to inde pendency on the other, this middle ground, held by Tresbytery, becomes imptirtant , and interest, ing.. It seems likely ,to be, one day, the meet ing-point of all the Lord's true people. And,if our, branch of the ,church, as, has been. plausibly maintained,: occupies;the middle-ground of ;Pres bytery - itself, the very focal-point of all, ourposi don .becoines a solemn and responsible: charge, a trust for:, perhaps, thei t mostm' omentousandglori ous uses, which niay play no mean part in the grand prOcess by which Christ is receneiliiie all ;things unto himself—bringing all things into'harmoni ons. subjection to his headship. Let us not there fore hastily abandon it, even under the best of mere impulses. . , A; NEW OHUROIL Trn Presbyterian Church of Reeseville, Ches ter County, was organized by,cooromittee of the Third Presbytery of , Philadelphia, on Sabbath evening, JanuarY 3th. The Rev. B. B. Ilotehlrin of Markle I)resided. Th'ißeir. W. g. Meore of West Chester *embed theuserinon. At - the close of the organization the Lord's' Supper was administered to the little Qhurch for the„first time, and in. their new, house of worship. As i there,had been no ; opportunity_ of securing a --Communion Service, ' the ‘‘ vessels ", of the "'old Pine Street Sanctuary were cheerfully loaned for thwoceasiMa, and , a• good Baptist- sister the` neighborhood of the Chiirch; with great cordiality, icipplied us with the fine '"fruit of the vin t e7Madeeight Years ago, by her son now in heaven. Our little villave Church was crowded with arhattentive audience, and it was to us,a time long to be remembered.. May the Lord add to the . Church such as shall be saved. HAMILTON 'OOLLEOE FOR 1861-63. ' - THE number of students enrolled is 187,1ef whom a number are absent in the army. They are distributed as, follows : Seniors; 42, Juniors, 69, Sophomores, 42, Freshmen f 37. There are three Philadelphians in the different classes. The institution is fully officered, well provided with apparatus, buildings and books,, under ex.; eellent arrangements, and may be,unhesitatingly commended to' young xne:n as a:College of 'the first order. We are gratified with the evidencei it preients firi4eritY times like the present. The entire Church east of the Alleg,hanies; is fairly charged with the high an'd' pleasurable duty of sustaining Hamilton College. It bas made some progress toward's University, having a Law department connected with thneollegi ate. ANOTHER PASTOR •REMEMBERED. THE parishioners of , )3 Rev. R. . Hotehkin, of Marple Church, Delaware, County, recently paid him one of those unheralded =visits, ; -known as ".surprise, parties." The , turn-out was very general; the .soeialities of . the aliening' highly pleasant, and _ the material results, `Ooniisting mainly in the most useful Articles of family plies, crowned the whole affair aaa succeSs. PUBLISHERS AND THE PRICE Or PAPER . . A unwriNsef the princiPal booksellers of New York was held last week at the Trade Salesrooms, for the purpose of consulting, respecting tbe pre?, sent high price of paper. The speakers on the o&, casion freely admitted that there were causes which bad operated, and which still existed, to increase' to some eutent former prices of paper,- ranch as the increased cost of cotton, and the high exchange which had to be paid in importing' foreign ragn,, and the bleaching pewders used, in ,the manufac ture of paper; but that , all these causes together, could have Trod need - only a moderate advance in the cost, and that the, enormous prices, now current had been brought about " by the :power-, fat combinations, recently formed among Paper ., makers!' In confirmation of this opinion`it was stated that paper which sold six months ago for 10 cents per pound Cannot now be purchased for less' than 20 cents ;.that , which formerly - sold at 121 cents, they . now have to pay 25 centsfor ; and that which formerly soldfor 16 cents they are now charged 28 - cents. Yet these AMC grades of pa per continue to be sold in England at 41 5 and 61 pence per pound ; anitsruce there is no duty on rags,,they conk' he furnished-also by. Paper Deal ers in this country at greatly reduced prices from those which they now , compel publishers to pay. Were congress 'to remove the present high duty on paper, it is ; ev i tifTt that it, douldhe imported at muchiess prices than those at - which it is now sold".ins our market: But under-the present4tar ill, and with the high rate of exehangeedded, Pa per:Makers are aware that it cannot be =imported' at much less than 20-cents, and they have' aceord „ in g ly fixed their :prices at that mark'; and should Congress adjourn” without 'Providing; seine relief, and should exchange adiance, as it , probably.will, the : price of paper will be raised stillhigher by the manufacturers. .. . , Now what good reason, can be urged, why the present enormous duty , on paper should be retain ed ? We had always supposed that, the Main ob jedt, of a tariff was ieventte. But this yioids none, because it, absolutely prevents importation. W'ere , • it reduced from 35, the, present duty, say to 10 • per cent., hundreds of orders would at once go out, to Europe for paper, and the Government would derive•a large revenue from the ,importa tions.:/ ';Publishers feel so aggrieved at what they consider the unjust:charges forced-upon them by Paper-dealers; that they would at once order large: ly from ahroad, were the:duty loWered sufficiently to admit of it. This flieminufaoturers know full well, , and hence keep their prices just a trifle -ahnVe the price at which the same grade of pa= pers can be, imported. Paper such as publishers are obliged to pay 20 cents per pound for here, can be bought in London or Belgium for 9 Or 10 cents. Then why should it be , made so much more' cheaply there than hire; when rags can- be imported free of bay? - • Li view of such facts we are led to inquire, in the wards of a contemporary, why . it is that the Government seems, apparently,("toprefeito fore ' go revenue' from imports, and to Saddle' ers with ruinous prices, and tax :everybody ::who 'reads' anything enormously, in ordeeto protect a ,be special cla m ss-L—the makers of.paper?'}: "This may likeateansip, but it-lookiai:.koad: :deal: more stupidity.' .t.Evangehst, DELEOA TEE TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.— ATsthe late session of :the Presbytery of Buffalo, the following delegates'were selected to the Gen eral Assembly, to be•held in Philadelphia, com mencing on the third Thursday in May next: Rev. Walter - Clarke, D.D.7 6f-BulffilOrßVP: Samuel W. Roe, ,of , Jamestown ;"Elders, "Silas Kingsley, of Buffilb, and Se x tulstf:Hitigerford, ,ofjamestown.—Presbytery of4Yntario:,4Bev. R. Page and Elder Johnston-, THE RIGHT Smarr the occasion of the installation of-Rev.-Herrick Johnson,.-as.pastor of the Third church,,Tittsburg, the churches of the other branch in that city, dismissed their congregation6,4ilt vier‘ present - `with - their pas tors, thus showing 'a'frateinal interedt , iwthe set tlement of Mr. Minion: THE Ist church of.Eyansville Ind hasjustbeen severely afflicted, in the death of two of its El ders. Few men hairtr left-a,better-record behind them, and but few hive a bettei!ieetird'iritien on high. rut ''ubizatiou THE RiskirßiDEßiliEß, is a new wOrkliy Dr. F. W. Faummacher, author ,of ",Elijah the - Tishbite," translated from - the German with the Author's sanction. It is. a series' of discourses 'or essays upon the Various facts of our Saviour's resurrection and forty, days! continuance upon earth, the Ascension, Pentecost, etc.l ~ T he origi nal object of the hook is to aid-in the , ohservance of the church festivalsuf Raster and Pentecest. With the design of . promoting cdification,_the author, also unites an apologetic aim, desirous of " strengthening • the 4ith. of the ,conscientious doubter; 'by clearing: .away his dilfictiltiei -in a sympathetic spirit." The bookis the work of a warm-hearted Christian and a true Scholar, and will be found a delightful and, profitable compan ion, in meditating on •the .sublime scenes of the resurrection, the ascension, and the glorious out pouring on the day . of Pentecoat.'lt follows Dr. Hanna's 'recent book on;the Pas;iint of Christ, with decided fitness; high being from the same publishers, It: Carter & Brother, New York. For sale by•the Presbyterian Book• Store. 12mo. pp. 298.: • • J. MA.: • UNDER the somewhat affected title of ".TuArt siT,l9Nt" hang the AEtTuB44NcEP I :,a gifted Christian lady, EstaxA WHITING, by the Rev. 'Thigh S. Carpenter,' 'Weitisfitister church, , Brooklyn. The character brought to our view is one of uncommon • lefeliness, , ,depth ?f thought and literary 'ability, which itta longer life, would doubtless have exerted no little influence for the divine Master, to whom she liad consecrated her self. Mr.. Carpenter's work, tbortgltin:the main admirably done, is marred by some defecti •of taste: The' typography, piper,portrait, etc, are in - very' handiiMe - stYle. "Carleteri, New York : publisher For sale by T. B. Peterson &Bros. TROD GHTS- QV GOD is a delightful little vol ume. -of btief-xoeditations on`;choice 'texts of SeriPture, in which' the' divine 'A:l:ether' utters Words 'of-'eomfort. assurance ; anicibleseing to iis PaOplg.' y R.'3laelba' ff; 18a r d: PP:I4 4, in liana - spine stile,* R tariteirßroilier. sale by Presbyterian Book Store• - SONGS- FOR. SOCIAL 4141 r PUBLIC Wowrr. This -is a very:full oallection - offlynins and' Woes. comprising over a . thorsii;rid':of tho-foriner and three hindred'ef alto at providing an abundance o already some what familiar, rather than- new tunes, of which there is scarcely enough to interest those in a congregation who seek . some progress and variety in .the music of r itte , S anctuary.. For good plain tunes, with suitable-words, and .both in great abundance, the-work is equal- to any published, though We question. Whether it will satisfy, or serve to cultivate,' the taste'. of the people. Henry - Hoyt; Boston. ", , Ma liorr has sent ` .us the, NEW SUrnDAx- Scaoorr SREAKE*,nontaining a complete scheme of a .Sunday School: elel:Toth:in, for winch many Siiperintendent, andt , Sehool Committee; who hitherto have puzzled their brains over projee ted',anniversary,- will heartily thank him."' We think it'would be well ''in the inblisher; Iceep up the issue giving . a new programme . onee or twice a ,year, if not Oftener. For Safe at. No. 9 (within Boston. , 'MAGAZINES, PAMPHLETS, ETC. 'THE BIBLICAt REPERTORY.AND PRINCETON .REVIEW 'for '‘.lanuary, is 'an Ale' aid: highly in teresting number.' Artiele • Hopkins' Moral Science. 'IL 'Liberties of the Gullican Church. 111. Skepticism of SCience.':lV. Training of Children: V. Dr. NieliolaiNUrray. VI. True Place of *ail in Zoology. VII. The War. .The last article ably defends the Crovernmentin its war policy, in proclaiming marqallaw, and in arbitrary arrests, and:justifies Cmancipatien so far as it cornea under this category: TO ATLANTIC MONTHLY ; for February con tains'Soiersigns & Sons (historiCal); Under the . , Pear Tree, Threnody; The Utility and Futility of Apherisme,; Shelley ; Test; The Preach er'slrinl; Boston Hymn; Siege of Cincinnati; Jane Austen ; The Proclamation (Poetry); The Law of; Coats The C hasseurs, 'a' Pied; Latest Views of - Mr. 33iglow • Reiiiews and Literary NOiices. . TUE :CONTINENTAL ' MONTHLY- for Februry, opens with a valuable paper- by Ron. Robert J. Walker, on our National. Finances. An interest ing-sketch of a trip to Antietam follows, besides which we have, American Destiny ; Was Ile Su, - cessful ; The Sioux War, by John G-. privatesecretary to the President ; A Me:- chant's Stery 'BLA ORWOOD'S INAGAZINK for December, Con tinues the adniirable Essays of Bulwer : Caxton i ante; (an , eitriet from which will be found on our Fourth page i headed " Conciliation.") No* Yo l ;.' Scat & Co. Philadelphia: W. B Zieber. Lrrns.r.r. for this week contains • Little Flag,_ , , the•Aluishouse _Foundling; Mr. Borrow's Wales - ; Modern , Political Memoirs; Diary; North. and South; with Poetry, etc. Lit tell, Soli' & Ci) • Boiton. , ,M,RSSRS. PRtiR ' SON & BROS hare sent us :al _ •.' • • y Qr AURORA. FLOYD, by Mrs. )1. F. 4radd4p. - From " Temple Bar." Paper, 7 3 : CIXAILLii3 STOKES & Co's Almanac is worth looking elegy nito. For elece of execution it taki , the lead of 'all similar issues. Their splena 1 anthill& House, advertised in another cola' n. 4 1 0.n,0 7 9f. the best, for excellent Clothing, go- 1 moderate.prlees. JAN. 29,
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