great show at the beginning, they point to
the great number of their converts, but
these having no divine foundation, soon be
come tired of the yoke imposed upon them
from without, and relapse into heathenism,
unless the prospect of secular gain attaches
them to the foreign priest. “All plants
which my Father in heaven has not planted,
shall be rooted outthis is the principle by
which all missionary work at home and
abroad must be judged.
—AND — .
GENESII EVANGELIST.
THURSDAY, JULY 2, 1863.
JOHN W. HEARS,
OUR STATE THE THEATRE OF WAR.
At the present writing it appears that the re
bels have succeeded in transferring the seat of
war from their own territory to loyal soil. Des
peration has doubtless made them bold to this
pitch of recklessness. Their cause can be saved
only by venturing it all in such a movement as
this. Up along the fertile and beautiful valley
of the Cumberland, their unimpeded army of
cavalry, infitntry, and artillery has rolled, sweep
ing over fair fields, flourishing towns, prosperous
communities and parishes, blotting out familiar
localities, homes of brethren, friends and co
presbyters one by one from our view, destroying
public works and doing incalculable damage to
our State, until its Capitol is threatened, its
chief artery of intercommunieatiottis jeopardized
and the river defence of the Eastern part of the
State likely to be crossed by the invader.
It is too late to complain of what might have
been but has not been done. How all our people
ought to have been drilling for the past two
years; how the able-bodied men of our border
population ought to have been organized as
minute men; how our Government should have
possessed a reserve force for just such emergen
cies as this; how martial law ought to have been
declared and enforced as soon as practicable
after the defeat of Chaneellorsville, in all the
border regions; how it should have been pro
claimed in our State at least two weeks ago;
how a sterner attitude on the part of the authori
ties, and the presence of such a . man as General
Butler in some commanding position under the
Government might have saved us from such dis
grace and peril, we will not now pause to expatiate
upon. Let all now unite and energetically res
pond to the summons which the present exigency
makes upon us and all will yet be well. Yes I
if we do but a fair proportion of our duty as
citizens and patriots, it will turn out to have
been a happy circumstance for the country that
rebel insolence sought a field for its exercise in
our own commonwealth. A hundred thousand
brave men can and should be in the field to
meet and chastise him, ere these lines have
reached the majority of onr readers’ eyes.
HEW MAP OP PALESTINE,
It is known to our readers that the Rev. Dr.
Coleman and the Rev. Henry S. Osborn have
been some time engaged in the preparation of a
new geographical and historical map of the
Holy Land and Syria.
From the ability of the distinguished co-labo
revs and especially from their own personal
examinations of the land, the expectation was
general that this new map would be far in
advance of'anything we have hitherto had, a
noble illustration of American scholarship and
an important aid to Biblical study. The map is
now passing through the press. We write this
notice with one of its ten sections lying before
us, and with delighted conviction that its pro
mise is more than fulfilled. In comprehensive
ness, accuracy, dearness, beauty, everything,
indeed, that enters into the production of a reli
able and elegant map, It is beyond all praise.
By the simple device of difference in the size of
letters, the names of plaoes are instantly recog
nized as those that figure in Biblical history, or
as those that appear in ecclesiastical history, or
as those that have reached prominence in
Modern times; by the equally simple device of
color, scriptural battle-fields, and the sites of
Crusader struggles are seen at a glace. We haven
bean particularly pleased with its admirable and
exact delineations of the Agricultural, Floral,
Volcanic and Geological of Palestine.
We believe this is the first attempt to picture to
the eyes of untravelled students the soils and
cereals, the trees and flowers, the hills and val
lies, the deposits of Bhells and the formations
of' rockß in the Holy Land, and we cannot speak
too highly of its scientific Value.
We commend the map most heartily to scho
lars and to all students of sciptures. It should
have a prominent place in every minister's study
and in every Sabbath school room. The sub
scription price is ten dollars, if subscribed for
before the Ist July. We advise our friends to
subscribe at onco, sending their names to Rev.
Dr. Coleman, Easton, Pennsylvania, or to R. L.
Barnes, Map-publisher, No. 27 South 6th Street,
Philadelphia.
A CARD.
[We are happy to give place to the subjoined
Card of thanks by an honored missionary of our
Church in the West, a member of the Assembly
which lately met in this city and the guest of one
of our Christian families.
The gift of a musical instrument to a feeble
Congregation is not more grateful to those who
receive it than creditable to those who make it.
We are specially pleased to mention that to Mr.
James Beliak, Music Dealer, Fifth street near
Spruce, the committee purchasing the Instru
ment are indebted for a liberal reduction of price.
We pray that donors and receivers may be alike
blessed.]
Dear Sir—Allow me, through your paper,
to express my most hearty thanks to kind friends
fur the presentation of a Melodeon, during my
attendance on the General Assemby in your
city ■, and especially to express my gratitude to
the son and daughter of the late, lamented Dr.
Ezra Stiles Ely, through whose kind and per
severing efforts the principal part of the money
was raised for this purpose. That God may re
ward them for their kindness, is the earnest
prayer of their ever obliged friend.
One hundred of our city clergy in a body
offered their services to the Mayor of the city on
Monday last.
It was the peculiar happiness of the late Gen
eral Assembly to have excelled at once in spirit
and in action. The spirit of love had in its dis
cussions the fullest sway, whilst earnest and deci
ded action crowned the discussions with fruit.
The Assembly was earnest in the pursuit of its
special duties and catholic in its grasp of the ex
tended hand of other bodies of Christians. A
practical illustration was given of the fact, that we
may with zeal carry on good works denominational
ly with no loss of that Christian fraternity,which
embraces all who love our Lord Jesus Christ.
Editor
Geo. B. Oahkoll.
THE LATE ASSEMBLY.
ITS ACTION ON PUBLICATION.
In no respect was the action of the Assembly
more decided and comprehensive than in that on
the cause of Publication. A final decision was
made as to the principles upon which this im
portant branch of missionary and evangelical
work should be conducted, and as to the methods
by which our contributions to religious literature
should be produced, and the raising of a suffi
cient sum to carry out these decisions was resolv
ed upon.
The Assembly gave its time to the discussions
needful, patiently not only, but cheerfully and
heartily. The report of the Permanent Com
mittee, read by the Secretary, Mr. Dulles, that of
the Assembly’s Committee read by Dr. Fowler
and embracing a special report of the Permanent.
Committee, and that of the committee of seven ap
pointed by the last Assembly and read by Dr.
Beman, were all listened to with attention. They
presented toll and thorough discussions of our
whole policy on this subject. Having received
the approbation of the’Assembly, (without dis
sent;) these documents have become the • settled
policy of the Church, and will guide our com •
wittee in the prosecution of the trust committed
to their hands. As “it is more than probable
that some of our readers have not carefully no
ticed all the reports of the Assembly’s doings,
we will briefly recall the main points of the ac
tion on this topic.
As to the absolute necessity of our using the
press as a religious body, all were agreed. That
it would do for a denomination of Christiarfs such
as ours, in such a land as this, where every man
must be ready to give a reason of the hope that
is in him, to ignore the use of the printed page
none maintained. But a question had been raised
us to the scope which should be allowed to our
publications. The General Assembly originally
appointed a “ Doctrinal Tract Committee" to
prepare tracts in defence of our peculiar views
as a denomination, and to meet misstatements
widely circulated as to our doctrinal belief. This
“ Doctrinal Tract Committee,” at a later day,
was transformed into the “ Presbyterian Publica
tion Committee” and its functions made to cover
the issue of books of an evangelical and religious
as well as of a denominational character. The
question raised was whether it would not be best
to confine our committee to the issue of works
strictly denominational. In the answer to this
question there was the fullest concurrence on
the partof each of the committees, represented m
the three reports read to the Assembly. They
united in maintaining on grounds of duty, poli
•cy and economy, that we must not confine our
selves to denominational publications—that we
must include in our work the full scope of the
religious press, embracing our peculiar views but
not restricting ourselves to tbe mere'utterance
of such peculiar and distinctive points of faith
and order.
Whilst the explanation and defence of our
doctrinal positions, our church government and
polity form a vital and necessary part of our
publication work, it was decided, that our work
did not and must not end here. We must give
the truth by the printed page as fully and as
practically as by the voice of the preacher, the
Sabbath School teacher and the private Chris
tian, Evangelical and practical works are to be
published by our committee as well as doctrinal
ones.
Another question mooted in the preceding
Assembly was, whether the Church could be
saved the trouble of raising a capital for this
work by operating through the agency of private
publishers. This question was fully considered
and decided in the negative. The facts and
arguments were all against this suggestion. The
legitimate end of business is money making.
The aim of the Assembly is to do good. It is
quite right for the Church, in an effort to do good
through the press, to 'publish what will yield
little if any profit, and to make, investments
whose pecuniary returns will he small or slow.
The ChuTch aims to do good .at as small a costas
may be, but at any rate to do good. Business
firms cannot act on this principle. Then, too,
the Church is a permanent body; private firms
are constantly changing. The pecuniary affairs
of a religious body cannot be safely linked to
those of a business firm, liable to change or dis
solution at any moment. The experience of all
of our sister denominations concurs on this
subject. They have all found it safest and
cheapest in the long run 'to keep the
control of their work in their own hands. The
methods already adopted by the Publication
Committee were fully endorsed, and their zeal
and devetion warmly commended.
The Assembly having thus decided upon
principles and methods, advanced to what Dr. Be
man designated as the all important question of
“ Ways and Means,” and did all that an Assem
bly can do—Eesolved. But, there was in the
manner of resolving an evident intent that the
resolutions should be carried into effect. • The
determination reached to make a prompt and
vigorous effort to raise 150,000 for this cause
was a determination based upon patient and
thorough consideration resulting in conviction.
It was not only seen, it was felt that it would
not do for us longer to dally with the subject,
that our honor as a denomination as well as our
duty as a Church demanded action.
Wo trust that our Publication Committee will
take this work in hand immediately, and that
our men and women of piety and intelligence
will be prepared to meet the call of duty. It ia
not a contribution for a transient good, but au
investment for permanent influence for genera
tions to come.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.
From Eev. Wm. B. Evans, Wash
ington, D. 0. for Presb. Pub. Com. §lO.OO.
From Cent. Church, Wilmington,
ton, for distributing the paper through
the Christian Commission 25 00.
JlttMtirM ffifsilijJtniatt and dvanplijit
REV. DR. DUFFIELD OH THE ‘ FOSSIL MAH.’
Mr. Editor —l have been pleased that you oc
casionally apprise your readers, by extracts from
foreign periodicals, of matters of scientific inter
est, which have a bearing upon Bible history, or
serve to illustrate any of the great truths of Re
velation. Especially has it been gratifying to
notice that you keep your eye on the discussions
which have been going on in foreign journals,
in reference to “ fossil man.” That there ever
was such a thing, or that it should ever be found
has been stoutly denied by some geologists. But
since some such evidence has been produced,
others have found it convenient to assign to
man a position of great antiquity, and claim the
existence of pre-Adamite humanity! The Bible
is judged by many to be of far less authority
than their geology. ’ What with them is called
its “principles,” must not for a moment be dis
puted.* The history of Moses must give way to
the testimony of the rocks; and when the rocks
testify in confirmation of Moses’ history, ingenu
ity and sophistry are employed to interpret its
testimony, as relating to matters either very re
cent or thousands of years before the Adamite
period! It is but a just demand, however, that
these savants should have some consistency. No
intelligent man, much more abeliever in the Bible,
jwill pay any respect to their conflicting author
ity, If there are sects among them, which, we
ask, is to be regarded as the simon pure ? ' Who
is the High Priest to interpret their oracles ?
At any rate, may we not demand of them all
logical consistency, and require them to submit to
the tests of sound reasoning ?
In your last number you have directed your
readers to some remarks or extracts from Eng
lish papers, relative to the discovery, in the gra
vel beds near Abbeville, of a-so-ealled “fossil”
human jaw, which M. Boucher de ’Perthes is
said to have obtained from the “ black seain ”
flinty gravel. It would be far more gratifying
to have had a full and faithful statement of the
facts, and of the evidence establishing the time,
place, circumstances, and condition of the disco
very of the alleged parts. What are the disputes
of theoretic geologists worth, to a plain reader
and independent thinker, without the facts, or
the phenomena of the case, together with the
evidence establishing- them ? Let the reported
discovery be tried, as any other report would be,-
by submitting it to the laws of evidence. If the
alleged discovery is an imposition, let it be prov
ed so. If genuine, let the evidence of the same
be stated. The analytical chemist appeals to
well known and fixed laws, and makes known
his process of analysis by which he proves the
article to be either genuine or adulterated, so
that eyery one can judge. No geologist can
rightfully claim to have brought his science to
such perfect accuracy, that he may at once un
dertake by analysis, much less by inspection, to
determine the date, ancient or recent, of the
phenomena of fossiliferous rock. Till he has
done this, the man of plain, common sense will
laugh at the credulity of those that frame and of
those that receive the conflicting or discordant
hypotheses of modern geologists.
What then, we ask, is the value of the
details as given in the London Times, rela
tive to this fossil human jaw? Dr. Falconer
gives the result of his examination. First,
M. de Perthes found the jaw in keeping with
the matrix 1 , and also a single detached human
molar, corresponding exactly in appearance to
the matrix. His companion, M. Oswald Dunpre,
at the same time found “ a flint hatchet covered
with black matrix,” —“ extracted from the same
spot.” Now we want to know a great deal more
about this matter, and' would like to put these
witnesses to a close cross-examination,'as to many
particular details before taking it for granted
All this sort of testimony is wanting. We say
not that it cannot be had, but it is not reported
in the article in your columns. The second step
in the process of the examination of the reported
phenomena, as given in the article, is that “two
practised experts,- Mr. John Evans and Mr. Prest
witeh,” Englishmen versus Frenchmen, proceed
ed to Abbeville, and immediately'had their sus
picions excited. Here onr plain, common sense
demands, of what were they'experts? This is a
matter of muejUnrportance; expert chemists,
expert geologists, expert lawyers, expert anato
mists, expert anthropologists, or expert any
thing ? The article says not! Not a particle of
information as to any claim they may possess to
be regarded as authority, is given. Such loose
ness or arrogance of, pretension, we say not
which, is offensive. There is as much quackery,
and shallow ostentatious display of shreds of
learning among professed experts as a class, as
there is in any other. Intelligent readers will
not be imposed upon by the ipse dixit of a self
styled expert, or the recommendation of those
that know as little or less than the expert him
self. A true expert will always unfold the full
reason of the judgment he pronounces. If he
cannot or will not do it he is but a quack.
: The article on which we are commenting says,
these “practised experts” (already named)
pronounced the flint hatchets to be “ modem fab
rications”—one only had been noticed as having
been extracted; but four days later three were
got out of the “black seam gravel,” having
“ every appearance of reliability.” .By whom
were they produced? “On severely testing
them on my return to London,” says the expert,
“ they all proved to be spurious;”-—how tested
and proved, we are not told; but must take the
ipse dixit of the expert. The Terassiers, or ter
race-workers, we are told, found it very soon a
profitable business to multiply their number. So
do the Arabs in Egypt with the “antiques"
they offer for sale to travellers. But the coun
terfeits do not prove there never was a genuine _
antique. This sort of reasoningdoes not satisfy
as; nor will it any intelligent, independent in
vestigator. The high Priests of Science need to
be reminded, and “experts,” too, that their dog
matic utterances will not and ought not to be
received as oracular.
But all this is merely incidental. As for the
alleged fossil jaw itself; the statement affirms
that the specimen presented “ peculiarities rare
ly seen in conjunction in the jaws of European
nations.” The technical details are omitted by
the writer. The only fact of real value and per
tinency given to the reader is, that the bone was
“ not infiltrated with metallic matter.” Does
•that mean mineral matter, and that the flint or
silos only covered the surface of the bony mat
ter ? Here again we have a specimen of the
looseness of language in which even savants ex
press themselves. As to the result arrived at.
The London experts, with the assistance of great
names, having F.E.S. appended, after learned
$85,00.
Detroit, June 22,1863.
consultation and ignorant of the conclusion “ ar
rived at in Paris,” proceeded “to saw up the
detached molar found at Moulin-Qaiquon, which
proved to be quite recent.” The account says,
“ The section was white, glistening, full 0 f gela
tine, and fresh looking. There was an end of
the case.” This has more show of rational evi
dence than anything else- stated. Yet this is'
not conclusive. For if toads and frogs, as they
tell in Western New York, have been token out
of the rock where' workmen were quarrying, and
actually moved and lived and hopped about a
shoTt season, the apparent freshness, etc., above
stated, would not have been, logically speaking,
a sufficient ground on which to pronounce autho
ritatively and finally, the conclusions as given:
viz., “ First, the flint hatchets werepronou need
by highly competent experts,, (Evans and Prest
witch) to be spurious; second, the reputed fos
sil was proven to be recent; third, the reputed
fossil jaw showed no character different from
tho e th t may be met with in tie contents of a
I qndon church yard. The inference I draw,”
says the writer, from these facts is, that a very
clever impo ltion has been practised by the ter
rassiers of the Abbeville gravel pits.” ’
Now Mr Editor, we do not mean to deny that
the imposition was played off by these workmen,
on some of the wise and learned philosophers.
Nor do we care to speculate about, the antiquity
of the genus man among the animals or fossils,
or the value of the testimony of the rocks. Blit
what we mean is, that their, testimony to be at
all valid and conclusive with us, must be pro
duced in a much more logical and convincing
manner than as above, or than we have-ever yet
seen, it by Smyth, Lyell or any other geologist,
who has undertaken to talk to us about the chro
nological epochs of pre-adamite Creations.
The whole affair is really a good joke; and
had it been given as such, it would be of value.
But to call it science is preposterous. Even the
experts, and the writer in that unreliable and
abusive gazette, the London Times, after all said
and done, confess themselves bewildered, so that'
we cannot but award the premium of praise to
the ignorant terrasiers that have eontounded the
philosophers with an imposition “so cunningly
clever,” as the writer admits “ that it could not
have been surpassed by a committee of anthropo
logists enacting a practical ioke ”! 11 But here
is a problem remaining to be solved by tbe sober
anthropological philosophers. We give it in the
writer’s own language The selection, (of the
jaw) was probably accidental: but it is not a
little singular that a jaw. containing so many pe
culiarities, should have been hit upon by unin
structed workmen.” Ha! ha! ha!
Our object, Mr. Editor, in the above reniarks,
is to apprise learned anthropologists and physic
ists, who claim" to be able, by inspection,
to determine truth, that to carry conviction into
the minds o/ plain, common sense readers, they
must be much less loose in their use of language,
and much more accurate in their logic, than they
often are, especially when they undertake, as
sometimes it is done, to set at naught the Mosaic
History and the Mosaic Geology.
Yours, etc.,
George Duffield.
FROM OUR ROCHESTER CORRESPONDENT.
Rochester’; June 27,1868.
Dear Editor :—ln a former letter we spoke of
the large number to be received to the churches
of Rochester on the first Sabbath of June. We
had not then the exact figures, but put it in
round numbers at five hundred. Upon return
ing from a brief absence, and making further
inquiry, we find that onr estimate was considera
bly below the facts of the case; and we are quite
sure that many of our readers will be glad to
have us recur to the subject again, and give the
fuller details. The numbers received to the vari
ous churches stand as follows:
Central, Presb. Rev. Mr. Ellinwood, Pastor, 156,
Brick, “ Rev. Dr. Shaw’s “ 151,
First, “ Rev. Dr. Pease’s 58,
Third “ Rev. Dr. Hall’s “ 38,
St. Peters* • Rev. Mr. Yeomans’ “ 35,
Plymouth, Congregational ", No Pastor 54,
Ist Bap. Ch. Rev. R. M. Nott “ 70,
2d “ “ Rev. G. D. Boardman “ 90,
Asbury Meth. Church 37,
North St. “ “ ... .. 20,
Cornhill “ “ ; 30,
*Admitted last Sabbath.
And there still remain one Presbyterian, three
Methodist,and four Episcopal churches from whom
we have no report.) They have doubtless all re
ceived some accessions, as the proper fruit of the
great work of grace which this city has enjoyed.
Some of the above number were received by
letters from other churches; but most of them
came for the first time to the Lord’s table. Many
of them were young persons; but not all. An
impression may exist on some minds that the
revival in this city was very much confined to
children. This was by no means the case. The
following tabular arrangement, relating to those
received at the Central church alone, Rev. Mr.
Ellinwood’s, will be interesting to many of your
readers: <
Received upon Profession • 136,
“ . “ Letters . 20,
Baptized when received ' 60,
From the Bible classes and Sunday school 100,
Average age of those rec’d by Profession ys- 20 J
Heads of families received 25,
Persons from 9 to 12 years of age 8,
“ “13 “ 20 “ “ 74,
“ “21“ 30 “ “ 40,
“ “31“ 45 “ “ 14,
Males 32, Females 104.
We get these interesting items from the hook
of a model clerk of session. ; We have never seen
a book more neatly or perfectly kept: The
thoughtful may learn something-by consulting
these statistics, thus conveniently arranged. See,
how the value of the Sunday school is vin
dicated; the great bulk of the converts having
received their training within its blessed pre
cincts. See also how much more encouragement
we have to labor for the conversion of the young
than for those who have grown old in sin ; the
larger proportion of the converts being between
the ages of thirteen and*twenty; the next larger
between twenty and thirty. How-little hope for
those who pass the prime of life; still fighting
against God, and against their own souls.
But of those who have received Christ in their
youth what may we not expect,' in the way of
high attainment in holiness, : and great accom
plishment in usefulness. They come into the
Church at a most interesting time. Every thing
invites to high endeavor. We can not doubt that
future ministers and missionaries and eminent
laymen are among these young converts. How
fearful the responsibility of those Christians who
are living around them, and by whose type of
piety so large a part of the future strength and
glory of the Church, at least for a limited region,
is to be molded. They will he good ministers,
devoted missionaries, and “ pillars of the church
es,” if the former members of these churches
choose to have it so. The solution of the ques
tion is with them.
MACGOWAN’s lectures.
Dr. Macgowan, the returned missionary from
Japan, has been here, and given his course of
lectures on that country, and excited a good de
gree of interest. He came when the revival was
at its height, and had made his arrangements in
advance to proceed with his lectures at that time,
but when be saw how the public mind was occu
pied, with true Christian courtesy and considers
tion he withdrew his advertisements and post
poned his course. We are quite sure he must
have found it for’his own advantage to do so,
while at the same time his unwillingness to come
in at such a time with anything which should
divert public attention from the one great matter
then in hand was highly appreciated by all true
friends of Zion.
DRESS CONVENTION.
Our city has been somewhat stirred, and much
amused also, by a grand Dress Reform Conven
tion, composed of female men and strong minded
women. Curiosity drew together considerable
crowds of people at some of the meetings,—as
much, we judge, to see the odd array of bloomer
costumers, as to hear the female orators split
their precious throats. But they have corner—
and gone; and we shall hear no more of them
until—the next time. As to any practical' im
pression made upon the public mind, or any teal .
good accomplished, by this heroic display of
pantalet female eloquence, we think that the
last infant that uttered its feeble cry in the night
air has done more for the world’s welfare than
this motley gathering.
Y. M. C. ASSOCIATION.
More to our mind is the recent; formation of a' ■
Young Men’s Christian Association in this city.
We only wonder that there has not long been a
strong and efficient one in operation here. But
this, we trust, has; before it a career of great use- ‘
fulness. It begins its operations at a time auspi
cious, and under influences most favorable to the
best results. geneses.
ACTION ’OF THE REF. PRESB, SYNOD, ON
AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION.
Be pleased, Mr. Editor, to print the document
herewith sent. It is attracting some attention,
and is called for as alluded to in Dr. Wylie’s
noble speech before the General Assembly in
Philadelphia, and by many who have seen refer
ences to it elsewhere. It is proper that the
“ Council” to meet in Pitjgburg on the Fourth
•proximo should also be informed of the ground
assumed by the Reformed Presbyterian Church
on the subject of which they are to .treat;
and by multiplying copies in advance delegates
can be able to put the record in the hands of
others. ’
GOD ACKNOWLEDGED,
Whereas, There is a God revealed to man in
Holy Scripture as the Creator, Preserver, Re
deemer, and Moral Governor of the world ; and
Whereas, Nations,, as well as individuals,
are the creatures of his power, the dependents of
his Providence, and the subjects of his authori
ty; and
Whereas, Civil Government is an ordinance
of God, deriving its ultimate sanctions from his
appointment and permission;.and
Whereas, It is the duty of all men to ac
knowledge the true God in all the relations they
sustain; and
Whereas, There is no specific mention of
the authority of God in the Federal Constitu
tion of the United States of America, the funda- ’
mental; law of their existence as a nation ;>and ‘
Whereas, That Constitution and the Govern
ment which it organizes and defines are now un
dergoing the trial of a defensive civil War asrainst
a rebellion of a large portion of its own citizens
and for its own national: existence; and .>
Whereas, The exigencies of the war have
brought the authorities of the nation, civil and
military, subordinate and supreme, to formal re
cognitions *of the being, providence and grace of
God and of Jesus - Christ his Son, to an extent
and witb a distinctness such as the country has
•never witnessed before—therefore,
Resolved, (1), That in the judgment of this
Synod the time rs come for the proposal of- sueh
amendments to the Federal Constitution, in the
way provided by itself, as will supply the omis
sion above referred to and secure a distinct re
cognition of the being and supremacy of the God
of Divine Revelation.
Resolved (2), That in the judgment of Synod
the amendments or additions to be made to the
National Constitution should provide not.only for
a recognition of the existence and authority of
God, but also of the mediatorial supremacy of
Jesus Christ his Son, “ the Prince of the kings
of the earth and the Governor among the na
tions.”
Resolved (3), That as several articles of the
Federal Constitution have been and are construed
in defence of slavery, Synod do earnestly ask the
appropriate authorities to effect such change in
them as will remove all ambiguity of phraseology
on this subject, and make the Constitution, as
its framers designed it to be, and as it really is
in spirit, a document on the side of justice and
liberty.
Resolved (4), That Synod will petition to Con
gress of the United States* at its next meeting,
to take measures for proposing and securing the
amendments referred to, according to the due
order.
, Resolved (5), That Synod will transmit a copy
of such action as they may themselves adopt to
the several religious bodies of the country, with,
•the' respectful request that they will take order
on the subject.
Resolved (6), That a Committee be appointed,
composed of a member from each of the Presby
teries in Synod, to whom this matter shall be re
ferred, and whose duty it, shall be to correspond
with such Christian statesmen, and other indivi
duals of influence, as they may find disposed to fur
ther this dutiful and momentous object.
The Committee of Synod are Rev. Dr. M’Lecd,
Dr. T. W-J- Wylie, Rev. W. Sterrett, Dr. Doug
las, Dr. Wilson, Rev. W. Morrison, and W. S-
Braton.
WEST POINT MILITARY ACADEMY.
The annual examination ot this National Insti
tution closed week before last. ; The Board of
visitors consisted of
Rev, Thomas Allen, Missouri.
Henry - Barnard, LL.D., Conn.
Gen. Samuel W. Bostwick, Ohio.
A. W. Campbell, Esq- W. Virginia.
Rev. Thos. Brainerd, D. D. Penna.
Ralph Waldo Emerson, Mass.
Rev. P. H. Gurley, D. D., D. C.
Hon. Owen Favill, lowa.
Hon. G. H. Goodenow, Maine.
Prof. 0. P. Hubbard, LL.D., New Hampshire.
Prof. J. W. Jackson, New York.
Dr. Edward Maynard, D. C.
Rev. Dr. C. S. Munsell, 111.
Rev. B. Gr. Northrup, Mass,
Hon. Henry S. Randall, LL.D., N. Y.
Major G-en. W. H. Russell, Conn.
William A. Rust, M. D. Maine.
Prof Albert Smith, M. D., New Hampshire.
It will be perceived that this list compre
hended a large proportion of men engaged in
public education. They devoted themselves to
their duties at West Point, with singular indus
try and purity of purpose and will make some
recommendations which we trust will be salutary.
They will suggest that the Institution be filled
up by the appointments of nearly 200 new ca
dets—that the system of competitive examina
tion of candidates be adopted, that more time be
given to moral instruction, and that a religious
service, as in other colleges, be held every morn
ing. On the whole the Board of Visitors will
give high commendation of the condition of
the Institution.
S®“ We are sorry to see that a the Christian
Intelligencer is scandalized at our : supposition
that there is a liberal party in the Reformed;
Dutch Church. We supposed that the Editor
of the Intelligencer himself sympathised with
those in his church who believe in outspoken
loyalty, who advocate the most vigorous measures
fof putting down the rebellion, who denounce
American Slavery, who regard it as proper for
every church organization to put its decided
opinions on these great moral questions on re
cord, and who cherish catholic and kindly sen
timents towards other denominations and en
deavour, to draw more closely the bond of
union between the affiliated churches of the
Reformed faith. Are we mistaken in this opinion
of the Intelligencer? Or does that paper wish us
to regard the strong minority'.of last year, as
having experienced a sudden conversion to more
liberal views than they certainly then entertain
ed and avowed ? If the entire Reformed Dutch
Church has become liberal , wa shall be most
happy to learn and chronicle the fact.
pffe;rf-ittf ■ itewl m>
Presbyterian.
Ripley Presbytery.— At the meeting 4 of’
this body held April 14th: Rev. A. T. Rankin
was dismissed to unite with the Presbytery of
Indianapolis; Rev. A. Thompson to unite with
the Presbytery, of Logansport; and Rev.. R.,Mn
therford to unite with the Presbytery of Wa
bash. Among the resolutions on the state of the
country, we find the following: sth. That dis
loyalty to the government, as it tends to anarchy,
robbery and murder, is one of the highest crimes
against God and man; consequently, that a class
of men in the free States, who sympathize with
the rebels of the South, oppose the administra
tion, and aim to sustain the slave system, which
has caused the murder of hundreds of thousands
of the most brave and noble men of the nation,
and has brought upon the whole, country the
most terrible calamities, are among the most de
praved, dangerous, and abominably, wicked men
existing on the earth.—The committee on the
subject of a “General National Evangelical
Council” made the following report, which was
adopted: “ The Ripley Presbytery having taken
into consideration the necessity of reforming; the
nation, and bringing it, so far as practicable* in
to conformity to the principles of the Gospel of
Christ, feel that it is highly important to have the
: entire strength of all evangelical denominations
of Christians and therefore they deem it desira
ble to have a National Council, formed of denomin
ations holding the fundamental principles of the
Gospel, to meet annually, to devise the,best plans of
harmonious action in bringing the power of the
gospel to bear upon the nation. The advantages
of such a Council are obvious. Ist. It will tend
to promote Christian union. 2d. Since, in union
there is strength, the common cause of Christ
would be greatly advanced. - 3d. In no'other way
can the full power of evangelical Christians be
drawn Up in battle array, to meet successfully
the united hosts of the. enemy. Such action is
not designed to interfere with any denomination
in their peculiar work. We invite pther Chris
tian bodies to take this matter into considera
tion.” . j- o
The Presbytery op Cleveland.—At adjourn
ed meetings held June 10th, this body installed
Bev. W. C. Tomer pastor of the Church of New
burg, and Bev. John Honteith, Jr,; pastor of
the Euclid St. Church Cleveland: The corres
pondent of the Herald says of Cleveland- Pres
bytery : All our congregations are increasing.
■ln some of the churches the accommodations
are becoming too narrow for the worshippers.
The city is rapidly growing, and with the -as
pect of general enterprise and activity, there
are corresponding tokens of religious activity, at
least in things external.
O ,
Betirement of Bev. Dr. Beman—Succes
sor Ordained and Installed.-—After a ministry of
40. years and a career of great usefulness and
honor in the Master’s service, this venerable
man has retired from the pastoral office and from
his position as pastor of the First Church of
Troy,-N. Y. The secular paper of Troy, June
19th says:
A most interesting and impressive ceremony
took place at the First Presbyterian Church, last
evening. It was the retirement of Bev. Dr. Be
man from the pastorate of the, church, and the
instalment of Bev. Hr. Vincent to fill the vacan
cy. During the afternoon the Presbytery were
engaged examining the candidate, Bev. Mr.
Vincent, and in the evening the installation and
ordination exercises took place in presence of a
large audience. Bev. DiV Hiekok, of Union
College, preached an able sermon, in the course
of which he paid a deserved and beautiful tri
bute to the late and venerable pastor, Dr. Be
man. ; His text was from Bomans xi. 13 The
Moderator, Bev. Dr. Haines, propounded the
constitutional questions. The ordaining prayer
was made by Bey. Mr. Noble, of Schaghticoke,
with the laying-on of hands by the Presbytery!
The right hand*ef:fellowship having been given
Bev. Mr. Vincent was declared duly l elected
Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Troy.
Bev. Mr. Fennel, of Glenn’s Falla, gave the
charge to the Pastor. Dr. Beman gave the
charge to the people. He,alluded in a feelin
manner to the official relation with them this
day dissolved, closing a ministry of 'just forty
years to that Church and people. Thou-h his
official relation ceased, and he should not° here
after intermeddle in the management of Church
affairs, yet he should ever he ready to give his
advice when asked; hut his sympathy and
prayers they should have without asking. Du
ring his ministry 1,840 members had been re
ceived as communicants of the Church, and from
the number 26 young men had gone forth to the
Gospel ministry. The long catalogue of the
dead he would not mention. Immortality can
alone give true value to the work of the paßtor.
The choir then sang a voluntary, “ How Beauti
ful upon the Mountains,” and the new Pastor
closed the exercises with the benediction.
Home Missions. —In the discussion on this
subject at the late meeting of Delaware Presby
tery, the fact was elicited that over $30,000 had
been contributed during the past year to the
American Home Missionary Spciety by Presby
terian Churches, none of whieb had been bestow
ed upon our churches and ministers.
Chaplaincy of Rey. Dr. Heacock.— Rev.
Dr. Heacock is to leave for the Headquarters of
the 74th Regiment, N. Y. N. G., of which regi
ment he is chaplain, on Monday next. It is a
matter of real congratulation among all the mem
bers of the regiment, that he consents to make*
the sacrifice necessary for his new work in the
camp and field. His powerful influence grow
ing out of his extensive acquaintance with the
regiment, will be invaluable. During bis ab
sence his pulpit will he filled by temporary sup
plies. Our readers may expect to hear from him
frequently.— Buffalo Advocate , June 25 th.
Church Improvement.— The Presbyterian
church in Delaware, Rev. J. G.' Hamner,
paster,'has lately undergone repairs which pre
sent a decided improvement. A substantial fence
has been placed around the entire property, en
closing some eight feet which has been sodded,
relieving. the unfinished , appearance of many
years. The entire inside wood-work has been
lately .grained in oak, —giving the main audi
ence-room a rich and beautiful appearance. The
outside wood* work has also been retouched. The
ladies have carpeted the pulpit and aisles.
Reformed Presbyterian.
“ for. Christ’s crown and covenant.”
This was the motto on the flag of the old True
Blues of other times. It needs to he still kept
before the eye. The present age needs its in
spiration. .Our country’s salvation depends
upon her believing and acting upon the senti
ment of surpassing power which it expresses.
The Reformed Presbyterian Church must not
permit it to be lost sight of amidst the confusion
of the present times. Her General Synod did
honor to herself when at the last meeting, she
inaugurated a movement to propose an amend
ment to the National Constitution recognizing by
formal act, God and his Christ. It is not the
God of the deist; the-Jew, or the politician that
she asks may be'acknowledged, but the God of
the Bible. He points to Jesus Christ His Son,
and demands the crown of the nations for His
head. “ Kiss the Bon,” is the respectful de
mand of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of
the other tribes of Israel, and of this Republic
now rocked'to its centre by the storm of war.
The council of churches is soon to meet in Pitts
burgh. The delegates for the Reformed Pres
byterian Church have their instructions. Let
them ask for the recognition of Messiah’s Head
ship over the nation. They can take no lower
ground. If this is not now attainable we can
afford to wait. In view of all this we rejoice in
the intimation that the “Banner of the Cove
nant,” our own excellent paper which is equal to
any before the religious public ,is still to live.
The Providenee of God is taking care of it. The
old flag shall-still fly. Let the church rally to
its support. Messiah reigns. n.
Affecting Service,—On a recent Sabbath
afternoon, Bev. Dr. McLeod, of New York, admin
istered the ordinance of baptism to three children
of one of our volunteers who recently fell upon
the field of battle in Virginia, in his own church
in 12th street. The widowed mother, still in
youth, had made a profession of religion since
the death of her husnand. Her three beautiful
children, two hoys and a girl who received the
name of “Hope,” her own composed yet dis
tressed demeanor, and the allusions to the death
of theabsentparent, which were made by the
pastor,' all conspired to make the scene very im
pressive. - Many were .melted into tears, and no
doubt many a prayer'was offered for peace to our
country oil the. basis of truth and righteousness.
Other Branches.
Death of Dr. Yeomans.—We are in receipt
says the Presbyterian, of the sad intelligence
that this eminent divine departed this life on the
22d of June, at the place of his residence in
Danville, Pennsylvania. The Bev. Dr. J. W.
Yeomans was the pastor of the Mahoning Church,
in Danville, where he had ministered acceptably
for a number of years. He was well known as a
scholar of strong logical and metaphysical mind,
and no one could be long in his company with
out discovering his acute power of analysis.
St. Louis Presbytery, 0. S—This body
took action recently for the first time against the
rebellion. It was unanimously voted that Pres
bytery earnestly entreat and warn all members of
our churches to abstain from all participation in
the present rebellion, or from giving countenance
and encouragement thereto by word or deed, as
such participation, countenance or encourage
ment involves sin against God, and will expose
those engaged therein to the penalties of eccle
siastical discipline.
Bev. Dr. McPheeters lias tendered his resig
nation as pastor pf Pine |treet church, St. Louis.
Installations.—The Bev. Wm. McElwee
was installed pastor of the Fifteenth Presbyte
rerian Church, in the city of Philadelphia on
Sabbath evening, ’June 21. The Moderator,
of the Presbytery, ' Bev. M. B. Grier, presided,
and proposed the constitutional questions; the
Bov. Mr, Crowell preached the sermon; the Bev.
Mr. Bice delivered the charge to the pastor; and
the Bev. Mr. Breed, the charge to the poople.
*r~ The Bev. C. Huntington was installed pas
tot of the Presbyterian church of Dover, Dela
ware, by the Presbytery of Lewes, on Monday
evening May 11,
_ The War.— There is going on a mighty con
flict ,in the world. The war which has been
waged by the invisible powers swells up into our
view,-and its waves dash on mortal shores. This
conflict i s for man,—for mind,—for souls, —for
law,—for religion,—for the word of God,—for
the vindication of Providence, —for the kingly
claims of the Messiah, —and, who shall not say
it?— for;THE SLAVE \—E.'E. Adams.
JULY 2,