a,stritan gregillgttria
N D
GENESEE EVANGELIST.
THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 1863
JOHN W. MEARS.
SLAVERY AND THE WAR.-A most interest
ing and valuable pamphlet on this topic, by Rev.
Henry Darling, D.D., has just been issued. We
had 'written a full notice of it, which want of
space compels us to defer. It is published by J.
B. Lippincott & Co.
THE NEXT UNION PRAYER-MEETIN4 of our
Church will be held on Tuesday afternoon next,
at half-past three o'clock, at the South-west
church, corner of Twentieth and Fitzwater Sts.
TO SUBSCRIBERS IN ARREARS.
A large number of bills go out in the present
issue of the paper; every subscriber receiving
his paper by mail whose subscription fell due on
or before the first of the year, is now informed of
the fact, either directly, or through an agent, to
whom, in a few cases, bills have been sent. We
therefore look for numerous and prompt respon
ses of which we are greatly in need. For the
year commencing with January last, an addition
al charge of 50 cents will be made, if payment
is not forthcoming before the Ist. of April in
some mode without expense to us. There remains
therefore but one month in which to settle at the
lower rates.
THE VENTRAL 'CHURCH, WILMINGTON.
IT gives us great pleasure to announce that
this 'Church at its late annual meeting, February
25th, cancelled a debt of $14.450 remaining
upon the building, and added $3OO to the salary
of the excellent and faithful minister who had
just completed his seventh year of pastoral ser
vice among them—Rev. George F. Wiswell.
These were fit deeds to -crown the seventh year
of that happy and prosperous relation and of the
existence of the church itself, Though so young
an enterprprise, it possesses a building worth
$50.000; a Mission Chapel worth from two to
three thousand dollars, both clear of debt; has
850 communicants; carries on three mission
schools outside of the church; has been blessed
with not a few seasons of precious revival and
large ingathering, two thirds of the members
having been admitted on profession.
A series of resolutions was passed for which
we hoped to find room in this issue, but are re
luctantly compelled to defer them until next
week.
A. PAINFUL RECIORD.
OAST week we received a soiled letter from
China, enclosed in a strong clean envelope,
stamped as follows; "On Her Majesty's ser
vice." " Saved from the wreck of the Colombo."
The document had thus on its passage encoun
tered scenes of peril and tribulation ; it bore a
sad tale of accumulated bereavement experienced
by the American Missionaries in the North of
China, as will be seen from its contents.]
DIED of cholera after an illness of 22 hours,
while en route between Chefoo and Tang-Chau,
in the province of Shantung, China, July 24th,
1862, Samuel Gnyley, eldest and only survi
ving child of Rev. Charles R. and Rose M. Mills
formerly of the Shanghai American Presby
terian Mission, but now of Tang-Chan, aged two
years and 11 months. The body was taken
to Tang-Chau for burial.
Died at Tang-Chau, July 29th, of cholera,
after an illness of about 4 days, Rev. Samuel
R. Gayley of the American Presbyterian Mis
sion, aged 34 years.
Died also at Tang-Chau, August sth, of chol
era, after an illness of 18 hours, Frances S.
youngest child of the late Rev. Samuel R. and
Sarah S. Gaylcy, aged 1 year and 8 months.
Died also at Tang-Chau, on the 7th of Septem
ber, of chronic diarrhoea preceded by cholera,
at the house of the late Rev. S. R. Gayley;
Lucy Mills, daughter of Rev. Justus, and Lucy
E. Doolittle, formerly of the American Boards'
Mission at Fuh-Chau, but now of Sien-tsiu, China,
aged two years and 8 months.
Near the city of Tang-Chau, on a promontory
jutting out into the Gulf of Pechele, and within
a few rods of the ever restless and ever roaring
waters of the ocean are three little graves, made
side by side, containing what is mortal of the
three little cousins " Sammy," " Fanny" and
Lucy," from three missionary 'families, which
were not long since connected with three differ
ent stations in China. Near them lie the re
mains of the father of one, and the uncle of two
of these cousins, all removed from earth either
by cholera or by disease aggravated by cholera,
under circumstances of peculiar trial and sad
ness, and all awaiting from these, now heathen
shores the resurrection of the last day.
Those once loved forms, now cold and dead,
Each mournful thought employs;
We weep, our earthly comforts fled,
And withered all our joys.
Hoe looks beyond the bounds of time,
When what we now deplore,
Shall rise in full, immortal prime,
And bloom to fade no more.
[Editors:mg:tinted with any of the above par
ties are requested to copy.]
China, Sep. 16th, 1862.
HIBBION ENTEHPEISEB IN THE CITY.
Within a few months, the First Church of
this city became heir, in trust, to the estate of
one of its members,—Mrs. Mary Cornell—val.
ued at about sixteen thousand dollars. The
deceased stipulated that the avails of the estate
should be applied to the laudable purpose of
erecting a Mission Chapel in connection with
the church of which she had been a member, and
to which she was deeply attached. We under
stand that steps have just been taken to carry
out the provisions of the will, and that suitable
lots have been purchased at Ninth and Wharton
Streets, on which a building will be erected.
The locality is admirably chosen, and the hope
may be cherished that the munificent gift of
this Christian woman will long be instrumental
in promoting the spiritual welfare of a populous
and thriving community.
We have also been informed that the brethren
of Calvary Church propose an early enlargement
of their Tabor Mission premises, in which they
have been greatly favored and prospered.
These are undertakings of the greatest roc
meat in the evangelization of the, masses of our
city. We rejoice that our church is so nobly
responding to the call to labor in this important
field. Yet what are those among so many?
DESERVING ENOOURAGEMENT.
The invalid soldiers of the West Philadelphia
Hospital, have commenced a literary enterprise
in the form of a periodical (or occasional) sheet
of moderate dimensions, printed and published
at the hospital. Its object and spirit are excel
lent. It is designed to interest editors of daily
and weekly papers and secure an exchange for
the reading room of the Hospital, to furnish an
opportunity to the soldiers to engage in literary
labors and thus to lighten the tedium of pro
tracted confinement, and to bring to light, inter
esting incidents of the soldier's exciting and
perilous life. The contents of the first number
are: Prospectus ; The Library and. Reading
Room; Religious Department; My First Sab
bath in Camp; Deaths; Hurrah for Sixty-three
(Poetry by E. N. Gunnison, a Vermonter.)
Things Wise and Otherwise.
We give an extract from the Prospectus :
Editor.
Nothing of a partisan character can find a place
in this paper. Soldiers who havebeen tried in
the fire of battle and found not wanting, can
never recognize but one people, one flag and one
country. Neither will discussions in regard to
the merits or demerits of individuals,,ether
generals or politicians, find a place in our col
umns. We maintain the great philosophical
truth, so fully illustrated in the history of the
revolutions of the past, that individuals however
high their position are in comparison, as it were,
but motes in the sunbeam, whose greatest achieve
ments influence the world only for a time and
whose names are soon forgotten, while the great
masses of humanity which compose the loyal
people of our country are moving slowly but
surely onward to results which must be as im
perishable as time itself.
Terms : to civilians, 3 cents a number; $l. a
year. Address W. Phila. Hospital Register, U.
S. A. Gen. Hospital W. Phila.
RELIGIOUS INTERESTIN PHILLIPS' ACAD
EMY, ARDOVER, MASS,
[Extract of a note to Rev. Chas. Brown, Sec
retary, Philadelphia Education Society, dated
February 23rd.]
"I have good news to tell you of the spiritual
condition of Phillips' Academy stationed here.
There is a glorious revival in progress which is
not confined to this school alone, but has extend
ed into the other seminaries of the place and also
into the town. The converts number about
thirty, and the number is on this increase.
Three regular prayer•meetings are held each
week, together with many special ones. If a
body of Christians happen to be toggther, they
at once, if circumstances permit, form themselves
into a prayer-meeting. Almost infant voices are
heard in our songs of praise, and some of those
most hardened in dissipation, have been re
claimed.
I held a meeting in my room not long since.
It was filled to overflowing. The leader took
his stand in the entry. As the students kept
flocking in, the opposite room was thrown open;
s and soon filled, and the stairs leading up and
down also filled. •It was a precious occasion.
Many rose and asked for prayers. Two-thirds
of the senior class are professing Christians,
and one-third intend to enter the ministry.
Remember us next Thursday. Yours etc."
RESIGNATION or REV; O. A. SMITE, D. D.
ACTION OF THE WESTERN CHURCH.
At a congregational meeting held in the Wes..
tern Presbyterian Church, the following resolu
tions were unnanimously adopted.
Whereas our Pastor, Rev. C. A. Smith, D. D.
has resigned the Pastoral charge of this Congre
gation :
Resolved, That in parting with him in his offi
cial capacity, we desire to express our confidence
in him as a Christian Minister, and our affection
for him as a pastor and a friend.
Resolved, That though not united as Pastor
and People, we shall not cease to feel an interest
in his welfare and in the prosperity and success
of the Institute to which he hereafter expects to
devote his best and untiring enesgies, and to ex
press the hope and the prayer that he may be
eminently instrumental in moulding the charac
ters of those committed to his charge, in the paths
of religion and virtue.
WM. S. R/NOGOLD, Secretary
In Chunk (*two.
REV. CHARLES A. SMITH, D.D., has re
signed the pastoral charge of the Western Church
of this city.
CHESAPEAKE CITY CHURCO 3 MD.—We are
pleased to learn that this enterprise, started sev
eral years ago in a community containing few,
Presbyterian elements, and with much to dis
courage, is now in a prosperous condition, under
the care of Rev. Isaac Riley, who in connection
with his charge at Middletown, Del.,. performs
missionary duty there. A neat and commodious
church edifice has been built and paid for. The
congregations are good; there is a flourishing
Sabbath School, and accessions are made, of ex
cellent material, at nearly every communion sea
ion.
REV. SAMUEL T. SPEAR, D.D., of Brooklyn,
N. Y., has been elected, a member of the Pnb.,
Com., of the Boston Am. Tract Society, Dr. S.
is an able and much-esteemed minister of the
Presbyterian Church, N. S., and will represent
that large and influential body of Christians in
superintending the issues of our press. The
Committee now consists of the following gentle
men :—Rev. E. N. Kirk, D.D., Congregational
ists; Rev. J. W. Parker, D.D., Baptist; Ed
ward S. Rand, Esq., Episcopalian; Rev. S. T.
Spear, D.D., Presbyterian.
Two of the late members of the Executive
Committee of the Society have resigned their
positions on entering the service of their country,
in the army. R. Sturgis, Jr., Esq., is Major,
and Rev. A. L. Stone, D.D. Chaplain in the
45th Regt. Mass. Vol. Their places have been
supplied by the election of Rev. Dr. Spear, and
Rev. E. B. Webb, of the Shawmut Church,
Boston.—Tract Journal.
A NEW CHURCH of ten members with two
elders and two deacons was organized near Rich
mond Indiana, early last month. A new church
edifice for the congregation was also dedicated.
Sonic half a dozen more members were expect
ing to be admitted shortly.
REV. HENRY KIMBALL of Sandwich, Mass.,
has accepted a call from the First Street church
in New York City.
Philadelphia, Feb. 18th, 1883.
JOHN THOMPSON,
Chairman
A mtr i ran vrtollttrinn and Ctutote
OUR LONDON CORRESPONDENCE,
LONDON, February 11th, 1863.
ANY one glancing round the world now might
wonder, at the first exterior glance, at the appa
rently anomalous condition of affairs. In Eng.
land—a community which twenty-four years.tigo
was terrible in its anti-slavery iabies, now seem
ing to consent, with and approve of, a movement
which is intended to maintain the " great insti
tution " in its high integrity. In America--.:a
Union formed on the basis of universal brother
hood, divided by a deadly discord. In both—
long united in the glorious work of
,spreading
the Truth of god, long interwoven in Christian
sympathy—angry words from Christian brethren,
misconception 'of. each other's feelings, sympathy
withheld when' it is most desired, sympathy prof
fered in such a way as to be resented, and cold
ness between those who should be most intimately
Connected. Then he would see that while in 'the
very centres of Christianity, love to God was
apparently growing cold, and the professed
teachers of the Truth were evolving strange doc
trine, and old ecclesiastical establishments were
tottering—that in a distant island, where not
long since savage institutions were rampant—
and Martyrs suffered for Christ's , Crown and
Covenant—now the field is open, and the spirit
of peace has breathe& its gentle influence,,and
the Gospel is establishing its principles. He
would see that in Greece, long abased intellec
tually and spiritually, there , was germinating a
new conception of National liberty and greatness,
and Was opening in a marvellous way a field for
Christian labor among those in whose language
the 'mostl important part of the Divine revelation
was originally delivered to men. He would see
Russia, long scorned by her more well bred
neighbors as the most barbarous of European
nations, exhibiting symptoms of enlightenment,
evolving and consummating schemes of libera
tion and progress, and shaking like the dry
bones with energy and life, at the breath of civ
ilization and freedom., And so he might turn to
Prussia, and Sardinia, and ROME, and France,
and everywhere behold signs and wonders which
arouse in the Christian mind most solemn and
tremendous feelings. What does this mighty
roll of events portend ? What is the mysterious
meaning of the vast and sudden transitions of
the year just gone ? Not looking at them poli
tically, not regarding them commercially, not
socially, but in a wider sense which compre
hends all these, considering them in the light of
their bearings on the eternal relations of a world
to its God, what shall the bewildered Christian
say of these things ? What especially shall he
who is in the very midst of a civil hurricane,
whose end and consequences be cannot forecast,
think of these last times ? Ido not believe that
there is a sincere child of God throughout the
world, however his soul may be wrung with sor
row as he finds so much that seems to bode ill
for the cause of Religion and Progress, but ought
to feel at this time of general motion, that never
was Christianity more firmly placed, never was
her influence so vast, her prospects so flourish
ing, and never was the duty more imperious of
every Christian to be up and doing with all his
might. These are the words which I—sitting in
peaceful London-- , pen as my deliberate convic
tions to my brethren in America. It may be
considered but a mockery to call upon them to
look beyond the circle of their own present suf
fering. But surely it' will be to the minds of
those Christians who are now going through that
national trial which shall make a great nation
purer and greater, and shall affect the future of
the world, a consoling and invigorating thought
that God's truth is not depreciating, nor God's
work standing still, while their bands are so tied
down to their own difficulties, that they cannot,
fora time, engage as largely as they would like
to do, in the world-wide battle with ignorance
and error. Just now their duty is at home—
God help every man to do it. By and by they
will rise with all the greater power to
,do their
duty to the world.
BISHOP COLENSO AND HIS
.REVIEWERS-3IIS
SECOND VOLUME
My correspondence has been for some time •in
termitted, and meanwhile Bishop Colenso's first
volume has been digested by those who could
buy or borrow it. The Athenmum and some few
other of the literary stamp of papers, back the
Doctor in his trivialities and absurdities, in his
utter unfairness as a historic critic. As howev
er their influence is rather restricted, itmay not
be considered dangerous. Those men who think
for themselves will never be moved by flippant
reviews, and as for those young and unbalanced
minds which are moved by the latest novelty,
these articles will only confirm what they have
already accepted in the book itself. lam told
that at Cambridge it has been swallowed entire:
Crudis indigestaque moles I
I sappose a hundred
_pens are engaged in an
swering it—but as yet nothing very remarkable
or satisfactory has appeared. Isaac Taylor's
pamphlet Is, a fine fragment, though at very
specific.' He throws out two good ideas in refe
rence to Pentateuchal interpretation—viz,: that
we must remember that terms are often conven
tional---puch as that " at the, door of the taber
nacle "—" the, camp," etc. If we said that 7000
people collected at the doors of St. Paul's Cathe
dral—as they did last Sunday night---we should
certainly laugh at the man who tried. toiprove its
impossibility:byy taking the width of the door and
chewing that nine abreast would extend for a
mile or so, whereas one hundred feet `would
bring them against a house. The second idea is;
that the great Race-instinct of the Jews was sta
tical order; they lived and acted—men, wo
men, and children—like a disciplined army.
Hence, proceedings which appear to us to be
impossible in a large community would be to
them easy and natural; the conveying of intel
ligence, the marshaling of clans, the order of
camps, etc., etc. Mr. Taylor puts it very well
When he asks where you would find 10,000 men,
women and children, who could be arranged "in
fifties on the grass," by twelve men, in any other
nation ? Any one who has tried to arrange sev
eral hundred at a tea-meeting, will appreciate
this argument. The Bishop's second volume is
now out, and is much of the same character with
the other. He has however added and , refur
bished the old argument of the duplicate author
ship of the Pentateuch, derived from the use in
certain passages of ELORIM and in others of JE
HOVAH, to represent God. I believe, however,
it has been shown, that, in the chief Blohistic
passage, the word Jehovah is used, et vice versa.
Bat the . Bishop's course now is centrifugal, and
who shall calculate the probable eccentricity, of
his future motion ?
This book of Oolonso's bas brought into notice
Dr. Beke's snggestion that it is an error to place
Sinai on the present Sinaltic peninsula, that it
is identical with Mt.' Seir. says the Egypt
of our English Bible is MITZFLAIM in the origi
nal—and that represented the eointry north of
the peninsula, and - not the Eg9PA74 . tie: Nile.
There are some strong arguments faior of this
view, which are well put.in a. late took entitled
" Time and Faith." It would soiree several diffi
culties, but the question is whether it would not
raise more.
,
'PASTOR Fisolr's BOOK ON iMRICA.
--.
Pasteur Fisch, whose pleasant visit to America
two years ago many of . your readers` will remem
ber, has published a small volume entitled "Nine
months in the 'United States," which. comes out
in England under the auspice's of kr Kinnaird,
M. P. and the Rev. W. Arthur.e speaks of
t
the Political, Religious, Educati al, National
1
.
establishments and tendencies--artd of course o f
Slavery which he detests. The 1 f r .,„,00k is written
with the intention of promoting b any b etween
the two `nations, an d as a chriStian attempt at
mediation by one whom every one who has seen
him must love, is worthy of out gratitude and
regard. I have , glanced but hastily through the
book, and my impression is that, though perfectly
honest and'sineere, the worthy Pasteur sometimes
errs in his deductions; necessily so, for he could
only have taken . a surface grinee. E. G. Ido
not know whether,we snail adnutthis : "Presby
terianism is the religious form ,preferred by the
industrial and commercial classes, by men of en
terprise and initiative. [Very good so far but]
The Episcopalian is the fashionable Church of
America. If Rresbyterianisth possesses most at
traction for men of action, the .Episcopal form is
Most to•the taste of men of leisure. If in this
o
Church, the great majority al : . the fashionable
world have taken, refuge, in its ranks also we find
the most eminent spirituality.? This is in bad
taste. Dike to fancy that in every church there
are eminent , examples of spirituality, and men
who rising above all sects are patterns to all their
fellow-christians. Spirituality is not a thing to
be spoken of as the result of any peculiar form
of ecclesiastical organisation, .but it draws its
breath from ONE SOURCE, far above all denom
inational distinction. 'Still I think Mr. Fisch's
kindly little work, making allowances 'for his
misconception and aeeeptinghis evident desire to
do good, will be read with interest in America.
The Rev. W. A. Scott;ls.l).:formerly of New
Orleans-and late of San Francisco, but who was
obliged to leave the latter place on suspicion of
Southern proclivities, and whom I mentioned in
a form:tier letter as, preaching a the Albion Chapel
here, is now settled in a small Church in Birm
ingham, attached to the English Presbyterians.
A. WORD FOR TUE WEEKLY REVIEW
I attended the other night a Conversazione of
some friends of the " Wedgy Review" an able
and handsome paper, conducted by Mr. Peter
Bayne, who is well known in the literary world,
and in the interests of English Presbyterianism.
The ,result of the first year's trial was very satis
factory, and every one
; present was in favor of
extending its circulation, and of promoting Mr.
Bayne's effort to erect herc a standard paper
which while acceptable to
,any intelligent man,
should be a central informer and vigorous up
holder of the Presbyterian Church throughout
the world. You haVe already noticed it in -your
columns with favor. - 'Thole friends in America
who want to know what Presbyterianism is doing
in England and elsewh t ere, would do well to
send for it : While those who transmit any inter
esting information regarding Presbyterianism in
America will' be doing their English Brethren
.an important service. Let ns keep crying
" COALITION—COALITION.," The Union of Pres
byterians throughout the world in one great,
homogeneous body—will be one of the most
powerful agents of international harmony, will
be the most powerful agent of religious progress:
and the best exposition of that Universal Charity
which men preach so much and practice so little.
ADELPHUS.
FROM OUR ROCHESTER CORRESPONDENT
ILOOICESTER, N. Y.,
February 27th, 1863. Jt
A MEMORABLE 'LECTURE
Beyond a question,, one of :the, finest lectures
of the season was that recently delivered in this
city, by Prof. Upson, of, Hamilton College. His
theme. was, " The .Glory, and Shame of Actors
and Acting." He ftrst . .spoke of the " glory ";
giving credit to the histribnic art for all it can
possibly claim. He then turned the tables, and
presented, almost wholly from the lives and con
fessions of actors themselves, a picture of shame
ful and debasing influence inseparably connected
with the art, which must have made every
right-minded. person rejoice that the play is
becoming essentially a thing of the past. All
seemed to respond, almest with an audible amen,
to the closing sentence , from the lips of the elo
quent lecturer, " God be thanked, that the
platform has superseded the stage."
We have heard manyleetures in our time, but
rarely one of equal merit, to this. It had, in,the
first place, as we have intimated, great candor
and fairness in the .statenient of all that can be
claimed for , the stage, and, then 'a triumphant
refutation of all s =lt was rich—very rich-in
anecdote and illustration%awn from rare sources.
It waschaste, terse, and powerful in expression.
It was oceasionallywitty and mirthful, but never
coarse or vulgar. And, to crown all, the manner
of the, lecturer i was fully equal to the matter:
Although the speaker; s not imposing in appear
ance, yet he is dignified and easy; although his
voice is not loud or strong, yet it is clear and
penetrating, and his articulation perfect ; although
hahasless passion in utterance than many others,
yet there was a good:degree of quiet enthusiasm
—there was indeed a, good deal of magnetism in
the voice, so that all were enchained to the
speaker's lips,; while there was, at the same time,
that other and inimitable charm of highest ora
tory, a still strength ; a reserve power; so that
we did not feel, every moment, that the speaker
was already doing his utmost. Nothing makes a
hearer feel more at his ease than this. Who likes
to ride after a feeble horse, when you feel half
the time that you: ought to get out and help the
poor beast draw the load ? It is with much of
the same feeling we often listen to a podr, limp
ing, halting speaker or'to on who storms and
roars only to conceal his weakness. , Our sympa
thies were not so taxed by Prof. Upson ; nor
so divided between the man and his theme.
Clear, instructive, convincing, entertaining, char
ming was, that lecture. .We wish others might
hear it. It 'would .bear importation to some of
Our greatest cities.
WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY.
As this memorable anniversary fell on Sunday,
some of the pastors of this city took occasion to
treat the people to something extra, in the shape
of patriotic sermons. Rev. Mr. Boardman, of
the second Baptist church, had on Sunday morn
ing among his hearers, a military company, the
Rochester Blues, of which he is the chaplain.
Rev. Dr. Robinson, who is supplying the Ply
mouth church, discoursed in the evening, in his
usually eloquent manner, upon public matters.
And Rev. Mr. Ellinwood, of the Central church,
gave a most excellent sermon, addressed esne
cially to the " Protectors," a company of firemen.
This organization, like other fire companies, is
composed of about fifty estimable and trustwor
thy young men, who are clothed with police
powers in case of fire; and whose special
duty it is to take charge of, protect, and
save, as far as possible, both from conflagra
tion and plunder, the property exposed at
such times. We are told that there is but
one other such company in the United States.
They have no engine, but, instead, a carriage, in
which they take large canvass sacks, for packing
and carrying away goods; as well as buckets, to
use in the earlier stages to suppress fires, if pos
sible, before our steam engines can get into oper
ation. They are a very useful member of our
fire department. Rev. Mr. Ellinwood is their
chaplain. ,
REVIVALS
We are most happy to report, in this connec
tion, that a revival is in progress in the Meth
odist College at Lima. A number of the students
it is said, are already indulging hope. There is
also considerable interest in both of the Baptist
Churches in this city. Daily meetings are also
held in the Brick Presbyterian Church ; and
quite a number, it is thought, have found peace
in believing, in connection with these meetings,
within the past two weeks. We hope for still
greater things in all these directions. We trust
the volume of prayer which has just gone up in
all our land, especially for our youth, ,will bring
down still greater blessings. GENESEE.
CORRESPONDENCE IN THE NORTHWEST.
HOPEFUL SIGNS IN THE WEST; THE CHURCH
ES MOVING. THE LOYALTY OF THE PEOPLE
DEMONSTRATED. THE EMPLOYMENT OF THE
BLACKS AS SOLDIERS.
Editor of Presbyterian
Affairs in the West wear a more encouraging
aspect than they did when last your correspond
wrote you. In the first place, there is a growing
interest in religious matters that excites the
hopes of the people of God.
The week of prayer seems to have been fol
lowed with inereasingtokens of the Divine favor,
in many of our communities. Good news comes
to me from the City of Chicago, where the well
known Baptist revivalist Elder Knapp has been
preaching with marked success. Nor is the
good work confined to the churches of that de
nomination. The pastor of one of the churches
connected with our Assembly has been encour
aged to increase the number of religious services
by the growing interest in his congregation.
Beloit has been visited with the showers of
grace, in•whieh the students in the College have
shared. Milwaukie is not left without some to
kens of the Divine favor. Que of the pastors in
that eity•writes . that be is engaged in holding a
series of meetings. Racine also is the scene of
an interesting work of grace, which is confined
chiefly to the Methodist church. The Thirty
first regiment -which is in camp there has shared
largely in the blessing. Many of thesoldiers have
become soldiers of the Cross, and are thus prepa
ring themselves for the holy work of putting
down this wicked rebellion. May God sanctify
them for their high vocation. The hearts of
Christians are filled with joy and thinksgiving
for these, signal mercies, and their earnest cry is
that God would "open the windows of Heaven,"
and grant a more abundant blessing.
And with these encouraging tokens of the
Divine presence, there are also indications that
God is at work among the people to defeat the
designs of the wicked men, who are plotting
here among us, the destruction of the Govern
ment, and . the success of the slaveholders' rpbel
lion. Their mad efforts are beginning to recoil
upon themselves. The avowal of their infamous
plot to exclude New England from the Union
has opened the eyes of multitudes who have.
hitherto followed their leadership unresistingly.
Although no victories have crowned the national
arms during the last few weeks, yet has the op
position to the Government nearly spent its force.
The heart of the people is yet uncorrupted, and . '
the administration with all its blunders is shown
to have a strong holJ upon the masses. The
vast multitudes of loyal men are ready to say, to
the Government " come on with your conscrip
tion, it cannot be successfully resisted." It may
meet with opposition in a few localities, but Mr.
Lincoln can have " 500.000 more" to put down
the rebellion with such leaders as Rosccrans
and Hunter and Hooker. •
I see by the papers that there are reports of
insubordination in Bank's Department, because
of the employment of colored men as soldier&
These reports are not confirmed by intelligence
that has reached me from New Orleans. I have
a correspondent in that city, an intelligent sur
geon in one of the New York regiments, who
writes me that, so far as he knows, there is no
opposition to this plan. He gives some illustra
tions of the changes of sentiment that have been
wrought during the last few months. He men
tions the case of an aid of Oren. Weitzel, who
informed him that he had intended one year ago
to throw up his commission if the negroes were
employed, who now avows his determination to
remain in the service.. My correspondent inquir
ed of that same gentleman if the negroes would
fight. His reply was that they would fight like
demons .# He also mentions instances in his own
regiment, of men who were, and are, democrats
of the most conservative class, who earnestly ap
prove the preclamation, and the use, of the negro
in the ranks. He writes other facts that may
be of interest to your readers. He says that
there are now in New Orleans three negro regi
ments organized, and a fourth nearly full. One
of these regiments, he adds, has been more use
ful in breaking up guerilla hands than any other
in the service. The negroes themselves, are
fully alive to the importance of the crisis. Their
preachers tell them, and they are fully convinced
that now is their last opportunity for years, to
obtain their freedom. They well understand
that if the rebels are successful they are doomed
to hopeless bondage. They are eager to enter
the service. On the day before this letter was
February 25th, 1863
written, his assistant-surgeon examined one hun
dred and thirty-four new recruits. Of these
twelve were rejected on account of disability.
But they were unwilling to be turned away.
They begged to be taken into the ranks. He
adds his own conviction that fifty thouiand
negroes could be enlisted in a few months if the
work was pushed with energy.
14:z the face of this testimony I am not pre
pared to believe that there is any wide spread:
disaffection on account of the employment of
negroes.
P. S.—Since the above was written; another
letter from my correspondent, dated, Baton
Rouge, Feb. Bth, has come 'to hand. He does
not allude to any opposition existing'to the nse
of the blacks. He says : " I went through a
regiment of negroes to-day, enlisted in December
last, some of them in November. They are fine
looking men. The Surgeon told me that we
could have 50,000 easily if we will accept them.
The government is not accepting and enlisting
them as fast as I would like." He then pro
ceeds to express the opinion, which is prevalent
in that department, that the blacks will prove
their good fighting qualities when the opportu
nity is afforded.
What a triumph it would be, if, through the
barriers of prejudice which one hundred and
fifty years of slavery have built, the colored peo
ple on this continent would fight their way into
the confidence and respect of white men.
Yours for the brotherhood of the race,
. PRESBYTERIAN.
CON 'RESPONDENCE IN WASHINGTON.
THE CHRISTIAN COMMISSION : ELOQUENT AD
DRESSES. DR. MARK'S LECTURES. REV.
DR. WONDERLAND.
Washington, Feb. 23, 1863.
A scene of impressive solemnity- and interest
transpired last evening (the Sabbath) in the
Hall of the House of Representatives. The U.
S. Christian Commission, by a happy inspiration,
resolved to hold, in the Capital of the nation,
and on the anniversary ofthe birth-day of Wash
ington a meeting to promote its noble pur
poses and to widen its influence ins the Army,
the Navy,, and the Country. The place, the day,
theobject, and the deliberations and results of the
meeting were all in beautiful and suggestive har
mony.
At seven o'clock, the chair was appropriately
occupied •by Secretary Chase, who, as a Chris
tian statesman and true patriot, presided with
dignity and propriety. After a song of praise, Rev.
Dr. Stockton, chaplain of the House, invoked,
in an impressive manner the Divine blessing on
the government in its efforts to putt down ""this
causeless, - unholy, unnatural and terrific rebel
lion," and upon, the purposes and labors of the
Christian Commission.
George H. Stuart, of Philadelphia, and Chair
man of the Commission madea brief introductory
statement of the purposes and results of the
association in the army. He was followed- by
by Hon. Horace Maynard, member of Congress
from Tennessee, who stated that the genius and
historic traditions of the nation had been peace,
and that war had come upon the nation, unpre
pared to meet the military and moral exigencies
of the present crisis. He read, as a part of his
speech, an extract from Cowper's poems, describ
ing the demoralization' of war upon the English
army, and concluded Ilith assurances, that if we
held on our noble efforts to crush the rebellion,
we would be victorious=-for God and the sympa
thies of all the good and patriotic would be on ,
the side of right and our country.
Ex-Governor Pollock, of Pennsylvania, fol
lowed. His address was eloquent, and telling.
He depicted the atrociousness of this rebellion,
and denounced the traitorous sympathisers of the
North, saying that the bite of the serpent was no
less venomous and fatal though concealed be
neath the folds of the American flag. His
sentiments clothed in terse and fervent words,
stirred the patriotism of the audience, and were
received with repeated and hearty responses.
Governor Pollock was followed by Major General
Howard, of Maine, who spoke as the representa
tive of the Army of the Potomac. He unfolded
the genius and happy influence of the labors of the
Commission in meeting the spiritual needs of the
army; and showed that the soldiers'gave a hearty
welcome to all such Christian efforts. His addrese
was pitched upon the right key, and he declared
that the U. S. Cabinet, Congress, Governors,
all civil and military officers, and the soldiers
and sailors would be all the more loyal and con
secrated to their country, if they were true Chris
tians, and lived near to Christ. His address was
earnest and practical. 'Rev. Mr. Taylor, Agent
of the American Bible Society, followed in a
brief address, stating the co-operative sympathy
and efforts of the Bible Society, and that over a
million copies of the Word of God,had been dis
tributed in the army and navy.
Rev. Mr. Duryea, of New York, followed.
He began his most impressive and eloquent ad
dress by reference to the fact that the Christi
anity of the nation had' been, in the past
nourished and developed under. the silent and
quiet reign of peace, hut now, God had flung it
oat amid the storms of conflict and war, and the
result would be ' greater robustness, ruggedness
and energy to Christian truth. He exhibited with
logical statements the, organio oneness of the
-nation and continent, as indicated' by - their geo
logical and geographical formation, and affirmed
the physical and moral impossibilitY of the dis
memberment of the Republic. He referred to
the close and imperishable hold _that the goVern
merit and its institutions and interests had upon
the Christian heart and faith, of the nation,
fostered, as it was, in secret communion with
God, around the family altar, in the social con
ference of prayer, and in the sanctuaries of re
ligion, and that the loyalty and fervency and
power of this Ohristian sentiment would save the
'Republic. At ; the close of hie impassioned ad
dress, he turned to Secretary Chase, as the re
presentative of government, and said in sub-
stance that if, in the machinations of parties ' the
fatal hour should, come, that they sh ou ld b e di e .
placed from power, and the Union dismenibered,
the hands of the Christian peoplewhich had
,
been outstretched to heaven in prayer, and the
hearts which had borne the nation to" "the throne
of God would rally to the salvation of the Re
public, and replace them in their seats of civil
authority, and sweep the rebellion end th e r e b e l s
from the nation. It was, h e said, this deep,
s underground sof "
tim en t ,w.riatian sett
and .effort that 'wouldrov the shield
and salvation of the public;Ree
and that out of
this terrific conflict
.the government and the
people won rise with a repl ents .' h.id life
MARCH 5,
and power, and fulfill its grand mission to coming
ages. The effect of his address was electrical,
and the great thoughts and stirring eloquence of
the speaker were responded to with repeated and
prolonged demonstrations of delight. I never
witnessed a - deeper or happier impression on 'an
audience. .
Admiral , Foote, the noble Christian hero,
Made a brief concluding address. Re narrated
the happy results of religion on men in the naval
service, and declared- it to be the duty of every
officer and citizen to be a Christian missionary.
In this great conflict,
, said he, in order to find
success we must have the blessing of God. His
words and persoewere - greeted - with`the hearti
est applause. After singing the doxology, and
the benediction by Dr. Gurley, the audience at
11 o'cloek•retired.
At the opening of the meeting; a patriotic letter
was received from President Lincoln, and a rising
vote of thanks was returned. The meeting was
enthusiastic and harmonious, and the results
must be beneficial and extensive for the Christian
Commission and the country.
Rev. Dr. Marks, for fifteen years the beloved
and able pastor of the-New Schoal Presbyterian
Church 'of Quiney,lllinois, and the popular and
successful chaplain of the 103rd Pennsylvania
regiment for the last eighteen months, has just
closed a series of admirable lectures on. Oriental
- Lands and Scenes, in Dr. Sunderland's church,
given under the auspices of the Ohio Soldier's
Relief Association. A 'hearty and unanimous
vote of thanks were given by the, large and ap
preciative audience for the intellectual and in
structive entertainment. Dr. Marks has been
with the Potemai army through the entire Pen
insular• campaign, also a prisoner at Richmond,
and is now preparing a volume for the press, on
the battles and scenes of which he was au eye
witness. He wields a graphic pen, and these
eventful scenes dramatized by him, will present
an intensely interesting. volume.
Dr. Sunderland's pulpit, was occupied yester
day by Rev. • Dr. Smith, (Baptist) of Philadel
phia, this being an exchange of pulpits. He
preached a very able and eloquent sermon,
though he had but few to hear him on account
of the violence of the storm:which raged furious
ly all day. All the Churches were but thinly
attended... Dr., Sunderland Fis still the earnest,
able, and popular preacher and pastor, and this
city and the country owe him a large debt of
gratitude for his earnest, outspoken` loyalty,
from the very beginning of this' wicked rebellion.
May God continue to bless him in his responsi
ble position and long spare him to plead by his
elOquence, for Christ and the country in this
Capital of the Republic.
rlnblizationo,
Da. GEORGE JITNIEIN, whom our readers re
member as one of the earliest refugees from Vir
ginia, where he gave up a comfortable and hono
rable position as Professor in. Washington Col
lege, Lexington, rather than teach under a seces
sion flag, has issued a volume. entitled POLITI
CAL FALLACIES ; in which the false assumptions
and sophistical reasonings` which have:been used
,at the South to give color to the rebellion, are ex
amined and exposed. The treatise is thorough
and logical, commencing with first principles in
government, rehearsing the essential facts in the
constitutional history of our country and tracing
out and refuting the monstrous political heresies
of, the leaders of secession, in Church and State.
There is a pithiness and brevity in the arguments
which' commend them to popular notice. We
do not believe Southern leaders to have been
sincere in their They were led by
unscrupulous ambition and love of oppression to
their rebellion. Its attempted justification was
an after-thought Nevertheless, the stady of the
political questions which it has started, will do
immense good to the present generation: and Dr.
Junkie's book will afford valuable aid in proper
ly•_ apprehending,' estimating and determining
them. Dr. Junkie' thinks colonization the
panacea for our troubles !
The volume is handsomely brought out, with
a portrait of the althor, by Scribner, N. Y. For
sale by W. S. and A. Martien, Philada. 12mo.
pp. 332.
MAGAZINES, PAMPIILETS, ETC.
TUE LONDON QUARTERLY REVIEW for Jan
nary L. Scott & Co., 38 Walker St. N. Y., Alla.
W. B. Zieber; contains : Peru;' nstitutes for
Working
,Men; Constitutional Government in
Russia; New Testament; Ticket of Leave S.) s
tem ; South Kensington Museum and Loan As
sedation ; Life of John Wilson; Stanhope Mis
cellanies; Four Years of a Reforming Adminis
tration.,
Until: the First of April, the very favorable
terms of the Anierican publishers' of these valua
ble reprints will be adhered to; viz : For any one
of the tour Reviews, Three Dollars • any two, Five
Dollars; any three, Seim Dollars; all four Eight
Dollars. For , Blackwood, Three Dollars; Black-
Wood An - one Review, Five Dollars; and two
Reviews, Seven Dollars; and three Reviews;
Nine Dollars; For Blackwood and all the Re
views, Ten Dollars: After. the First of April,
the pribps , will be raised.
THE ECLECTIC for March contains : Life and
TiMes of Sir Philip Sidney and several other ar
ticles of great value and seasonableness from the
British Quarterly; (this is not one of Scott's re
prints) with a great variety from other periodi
cals of high' character:tot easily accessible to the
American reader. Terms for the Eclectic, 5:! , 5,
in advance
,; OA if not paid before the first of
April, W. H. Bidwell, 5 Beekman St., New
York.
. •
Trtz
QpNTIN.ENTAL MONTHLY for March con
tains a valuable and exceedingly varied table of
Contents- Turkey ; Gold; European Opinion
The, Huguenots; Montgomery in Secession
Time, &e.
,
RAMC'S VP. ELVES J - ANVIEN'S interesting a ni
touching little Poem " THE SLEEPING SENTI•
NEL," spoken with great effect by Mr. Murdoch
in his patriotic readings at Washington and else
where, has. been issued in a neat pamphlet I , Y
. T. B. Peterson and Bros. Phila., Price 10 cant'.
C'euNCIL Guovz, KANSAS.—We learn says
the Hera4l end Recorder from a business letter
that .a church has just been organized in this
place, and a minister, Rev. F. L. Nash, secured
,to take @large of it. Council Grove is in Wise
- county, on the road to Santa Fe, and this little
- church is one of the Gospel outposts on this side
of the Rocky Mountains.
B. P. ;M