ILO
■visit to an English Convention, into which
he could not help carrying, an American
heart, no further intercourse has been held
between the officers here and the officers
there.
But do our British friends think that the
honor lies on their side ?— lndependent.
Jerrican ftertgtrtixx
—AND—
CtINISII EVANGELIST.
THURSDAY, JULY 9, 1863.
JOHN W. HEARS,
THE JUST CAUSE UPON ITS FEET.
At this hour of triumph, more exultant than
any yet occasioned by the war in the list,
we would turif from the mere enthusiasm of vic
tory, the swelling consciousnes' of vindic ted
prowess, the glory of heroic deeds and splendid
feats of arms, to the more solid and elev teds tis
factloa which arises from the spectacle of justice
vindicated, and righteous principle rescued
from jeopardy, by the decisive arbitrament of
war. But a week ago, there were hours that
seemed charged with such calamities to the cause
of truth and justice, that good men walked our
streets half-questioning whether there'was a God
in heaven. So dark was the prospect, that it was
Scarcely wonderful that even the good “faltered
where they firmly trod,"
And falling with their weight of cares,
Upon the world’s great altar stairs,
That slope through darkness up to God;
They stretch lame hands, of faith and call
To what they feel is Lord of all,
And faintly trußt the larger hope.
Without having shared to the full in these
despondent feelings, we were not beyond sym
pathising in them to such a degree, ns to feel a
profound relief in the victories just granted to
our noble army. And while the war cannbt be
considered as very near its end even yet, we be
lieve the final issue is placed beyond doubt by
the recent battles; we deem it impossible that
the rebellion should recover from the blows it
has just received in the providence of God.
And what are victories, and what are brilliant
feats of arms and consummate strategy, and
what are charge and repulse and retreat and
pursuit ? In one view murder, savage slaughter,
the letting loose of all the devilish passions of
men, a concentration of all earth's horrors, wo
and darkness and doom upon thousands of happy
households, devastated fields, taxed incomes,,a
generation trained to martial tastes and ready for
hostile measures at every national affront. In
another view they ar< glory to our flag safety and
respect for our nation at home and abroad,.in
spiration to the. Muses and a stimulus to the
heroic, qualities of our nature ; they are success
in its highest; grandest form to the people’s un
dertakings. But far above each of these one
sided and imperfect views, is that which regards
them as sublime j udgements pronounced by the
supreme Arbiter 1 of events, written , in majestic
characters upon the broad page of history, the chap
ter headings of the ever unfolding Gospel of
Providence. They are the hours, the moments,
when great principles are enthroned, which shall
henceforth control the world, when final verdicts
are pronounced upon the great causes of time
which have irreconcileably divided mankind.
Such we believe is the significance.of the victories
just achieved upon tho soil of mir common
wealth. We regard them as partaking of this
decisive oharaeter. They are a verdict won at
the cannon’s mouth for human rights, for the
simplest and most fessential principles of republi
can government, for the right and the power of
a free nation to maintain its own unify and na
tionality, with its freedom; they are a verdict
against the grasping insatiable lust of the slave
power for unlimited dominion—the more con
elusive as it has been the longer delayed—a ver
dict for immediate and well-nigh universal eman
cipation; a verdict for the supremacy of law and
good government, the world over, against cause
less and criminal rebellion. They rend the
Veil of mist which had gathered over this na
tion’s future and they point, not indistinctly, to
a glorious career for this greatest of the free
nations of the earth, when resplendent with new
achievements, girt with new prowess, nn incumber
ed with the besetment of slavery, she shall more
than ever justify the application of the text:—
“ In thee shall all the nations of the earth be bles
sed.” ■
Most devoutly do we recognize the hand of
God in these late terrible conflicts and hard
won victories. ’ A comparatively unknown man
was made the instrument of the long, and weari
ly, and doubtfully expected consummation The
pets of politicians, the Idols of the People and: of
the Army, the men whose names had become
rallying cries for both the enemies and the
friends of the Administration and of the cause,
were far from the scene when the decisive hour
arrived. An unostentatious, God-fearing man,
who made no boasts or promises beforehand, and
whose bulletins since are the most singularly
modest of any in the war, so that we instinctively
expect more than they contain, has been the in
strument of Providence in achieving the most
’mportant results of the war. Why was it, but
to stain the pride of all glory, to rebuke the man
worsbippers of our time, that God aloue should
be exalted in that day, and that the result might
appear exclusively to be his interposition in be
half of the righteous cause.
RELIGIOUS SERVICES OH THE FOURTH.
The late anniversary of oar Independence was
celebrated by the devout of our city in numerous
assemblages for prayer. The services of the
Noon-day prayer-meeting were especially inter
esting. Many churches, in accordance with the
suggestion of the Union League, were open from
8 to 9 o’clock’ in the morning, and were largely
attended. Never has public prayer for our
country and our cause been more frequent or
more earnest than now. A number of churches
are open for daily services with this object in
view, and we cannot but notice the unpretending
tone of piety that characterizes the public docu
ments which have recently emanated from Gen
eral Meade’s Headquarters and from Washing
ton. These are encouraging and refreshing
indications. °
VICKSBURG FALLEN.
As we gd to press we have official intelligence
of the surrender of Vicksburg on the Fourth of
July to the United States forces.
AID TO THE SUFFERING - SOLDIEES.
MEETING OP THE CHRISTIAN COMMISSION.
All the efficient agencies of onr city in behalf
of our soldiers have been working at their maxi
mum power since the battles on our own soil
commenced. The news of Saturday, especially,
stimulated theOhristian people to a degree of
unwonted energy oh the following Sabbath.
Every effort was made to obtain the necessary
stores and laborers to distribute them upon the
field and with immediate and great success. Two
army meetings of the Christian Commission
were held on Sabbath evening, one, at the Epi
phany church, 15th an ! d Chestnut Streets, being
improvised yet attended by an immense audience.
Rev. Dr. Newton, the Rector,’Rev. Mr. Faires,
Geo. H. Stuart, Joseph'Patterson, and Col. Bow
man took part in the services. Mr. Faires after
alluding to the momentous nature of the princi
ples which had been decided in the recent bat
tles, described bis,recent visit to Harrisburg and
Carlisle as the agent of the Christian Commis
sion. He arrived in Carlisle on Wednesday in
time to witness the bombardment. It was a re
markable coincidehce ’that the first of our sol
diers wounded in the engagement, was the son of
Joseph, Patterson, Treasurer of the Christian
Commission, and the first persons to show him.
attention were the agents of that Commission.
Good deeds said Mr. F., are never lost.
Mr. Patterson himself next spoke. He said
we are here to-night probably at the cost of
twenty thousand men. The soldier chiefly needs
in his absence, and in his afflictions, the .gentle
ministrations of home. The Christian Commis
sion aims as far as practicable to supply them.
It offers a sympathy that officials cannot fur
nish. Christian men going without pay into
these scenes—it is a work which John Howard
might have engaged in. Mr. P., here referred
with deep emotion to his son. In the street’s of
Carlisle, he said,'there was one very near to me.
in whom was invested large affections. When
he was prostrated, these agents of the Christian
Commission weTe the men who afforded him suc
cor. Though lje has left his right handin the Cum
berland Valley, God has mercifully spared his
life. The only human ageney effectually used
in his behalf was that of the Commission! I
stand here publicly acknowledging myself a bene
ficiary. Fathers and mothers in this Assembly
it may be your ■ turn soon. It is your part at
this timo to sustain the Commission by yonr
generous contributions.
> Editor
Mr. Geo. H. Stuart described how strangely
he.had spent the Sabbath. He had gone from
place to place procuring the needed supplies, and
had been hard at work packing, boxes all the
latter part of the day. He urged upon the peo
ple to go to the help of the men who had on the
fourth of July again achieved our liberties. Mr.
S., gave a rapid account of the • origin of the
Christian Commission and said it was the child
of Providence. The motto to be placed upon its
monument, should he one he saw m Chester,
England, upon an old monument erected by the
only man in the town whose family had escaped
•the.great plague: “ The Providence of God is
mine Inheritance.” When organized, Nov. 16,
1861, it contemplated no such work, no such re
sults, means, success, machinery as had been
placed before it. Up to May 14,1863, it had
distributed over $300,000 worth of stores and
publications, and had sent nearly 700 delegates
to the field. And the only reward they received
was the soldiers’ “Godblessyou I” And says Mr.
S., there is no SUeh coin in-our country as that.
The speaker gave some thrilling incidents occur
ing in the course of his own labors among the
soldiers, illustrating most effectually the great
utility of-the Commission to the bodies and souls
of the men, and the profound gratitude with
which they were received by the soldiers. He
assured the audience that God is working by His
Spirit in our armies. He never saw such prayer
meetings as those in camp, even in the great
gatherings at Jayne’s Hall of 1858, nor the re
vival meetings at Belfast in the following year.
2000 soldiers would crowd into and around the
tent. I never in all my life; said he, .saw un
converted men so near the .cross of Christ,'as in
the army of the Potomac. In the army of the
Cumberland a distinguished General Officer, for
merly very profane, said to a minister of the Gos
pel: I have svorn my last oath, I have taken my
last glass, I read my Bible. I have a pious, wife.
If we are to succeed in this struggle we must
look to -God. A Major-General in the same
army was so desirous of the continuance of such
influences in his Division, that he appointed an
agent of the Christian Commission on his Staff.
Mr. Stuart proceeded to show the activity of
these agents and tho cheapness of the system.- —
One of the most efficient of their laborers was a
gentleman with a salary ot but $lOOO who on
returning from an extensive and successful tour
presented a bill of $5.32! He declared that
this was the time for action. - Did we know what
had been going on this Sabbath in ourcity l He
mentioned churches which had turned their
usual services into work-circles ' In a Baptist
chuTch 200 ladies had been at work all day.
Another church had held a prayer meeting in
stead of the usual afternoon service and raised
$lOOO on the spot, for the work of the Commis
sion; another packed forty boxes. 30 or 40
delegates had gone or were preparing: Rev. Dr.
Newton was one of them. The liberality ;showu
in other places to the Commission was next spo
ken of. The ladies of Buffalo had sent $2500,
the proceeds of a fair. In one meeting in the
West, 50 articles of jewelry were contributed. In
Rochester the people even put their spectacles
in the boxes. This, great hour of necessity has
found our Treasury empty for the first time. On
Friday I went out and collected $l5OO in ten
minutes!
001. Bowman of the 84th Pennsylvania, made
a few stirring remarks. He expressed his pro
found sadness at the great sacrifice of life which
had been necessitated in these struggles. He
blamed severely those who hang around to read
the news instead of going to the front to help
make the news; He advised' all to drill. We
were all too comfortable here. He highly com- :
mended the Christian Commission j he had .wit
nessed its great usefulness among 'his own men,
and made tip his mind to give his testimony to
that effect, at the first opportunity. Turning to
the religious aspects of the work he said more
had been done last winter than ever before to
bring the minds of the. soldiers of the army of
the Potomac to a Christian standard. < He be
lieved thoroughly in the idea of Cromwell, that
the praying soldier would fight the best. He
referred to the 12th . N. H., Regiment,'which
formed part of his brigade at Chancellorsville.—■
They were nearly ell pious aid the best fighters
he ever saw; their behavior at Chancellorsville in
detimje Ctongflifit.
the face of superior numbers was most heroic.
Their Lieutenant, a Baptist minister was one of
the bravest men he ever saw; he preached to the
men upon their duty before the action —he was
desperately wounded but will recover. During
the Colonel’s address the collection was taken up
and the boxes were brought back literally cram
med with green backs. . The amount contributed
was ascertained to be $lO3O. The enthusiasm
was carried to its height when the contents of a
recent dispatch were announced describing the
victories achieved over the rebel army; after
which the audience dispersed.
The Ladies’ Aid Society, vigorously at wprk
at 12th and Walnut Sts. —Dr. Boardman’s
ehurcli —sent away 15 boxes on Mondayto Mrs.
Harris. That indefatigable lady, the Florence
Nightingale of onr war, sent a dispatch on Mon
day,[bogging especially for stimulants to support
the wounded on the battle-field, as hundreds of
lives depended on their being seasonably at
hand.
According to the Bulletin of Monday evening,
100 delegates of the Christian Commission have
left for the field. The benevolence of our com
munity is fully awake to the pressing emergen
cies of the hour. and. every thing practicable will
be done to abate'tho unavoidable hortors of the
battle-field. The same event in one aspect seems
almost to nullify our claims to Christian civiliza
tion, while in another it developes and illustrates
them in the most conclnsive manner.
A SIGNAL REBUKE.
It is but a week, as we write, since the rebel
army of Virginia was master of a large and fer
tile portion of our State ; dictating orders from
Chambersburg and Carlisle ; appropriating in
discriminately and with impunity the property
of tlio citizens ; laying enormous tribute upon
York and Carlisle as conquered cities; sweeping
back our raw militia to the right and the left,
and looking over from the western shore of the
bright and sweetly flowing Susquehanna with
exultant gaze in the direction of our own wealthy
and defenceless city. Our city was the prize
they coveted; and on that, day, Monday of last
week, we imagined them already replacing with
their pontoons the famous structure at Columbia
which we destroyed the previous day to hinder
their invading progress,, and knew not if they
were not already on the hither side, striding on
ward with their terrible cavalry and hourly lessen
ing the spaee between us. Harrisburg was re
ported taken ; or when that was found untrue,
Was pronounced on military authority incapable:
of defence. Our . very preparations in the
city had an air of aimlessness, which seemed-but
toiiti crease our sense of Helplessness. Multitudes
left their work only to wander listlessly through
the streets. Notwithstanding the excellent spirit
of our authorities, there was wanting that firm
ness, promptness and decisiveness in their acts,
which would have at once communicated them
selves to the people and turned their fears to im
mediate practical use. For days earthworks were
talked about, but not a spade was put in requisi
tion,and if earthworks were constructed, where,
askedinany, are the heavy guns to man them ;
and if the utmost dispatch is employed with them,
can they be completed in time to be of any. ser
vice ? Multitudes lay down on Monday night to
find no sleep to their eyes or slumber to their
eyelids,- and multitudes saw no deliverance from
the impending'fate save in the. manifest inter
position of Providence. For ourselves, we re
solved not to despond so long as the army of the
Potomac existed to embarrass the enemy’s plans,
and to form one of the instrumentalities which
were likely to be used by Providence in our de
liverance, but it is to be confessed the change of
leaders that had just taken place, and the recent
elevation of an unknown person to the command,,
were calculated to weaken confidence and to
withdraw almost entirely this great and splendid
ly disciplined army from the elements of the
question, as it lay in men’s minds. To many,
there seemed to be really no serious obstacle to
Gen. Lee’s triumphant advance to any part of
the State. , ,
A Week has gone by and lo ! what a change I
The presumption and recklessness of the enemy
has proved his doom. Enough success has at
tended his steps to lure him .more .deeply into
the snare, to complete his entanglement, to deep
en the disasters that have befallen him. • He
now turns the wasted fragments of his invading
horde to see if he can escape utter destruction.
The proud and triumphant invader of a week
ago, the robber of peaceful farmers, the terror of
a mighty common wealth, whose progress had
struck a powerful nation with awe, turns this;
way and that, to find some obscure by path in .
the mountains by which he may fly. His legions
have been hurled with prodigal disregard If life
againstan unwavering host of defenders, and heaps
of corpses now strow the roads on which, but'a
week before, they marched with the mien of
conquerors. ’Whatever shall else become of this
army, its prestige as an invading host is gone,
like that of Sennacherib before Jerusalem.
“ The stout-hearted are spoiled, they have slept
their sleep; and none of the men of fmight have
found their hands. At thy rebuke,- Q God of Ja
cob! both the chariot and horse aro cast into a
dead sleep.” Terror has passed away, exulta
tion takes its place. Nay, anxiety prevails now,
lest the invader be able’to make good his escape j
lest too aodn for us lie quit the soil which we
were lately so profoundly grieved, and humbled
to have him tread at all. Dearly has, the inva
sion cost the army of the rebellion, bitterly and ,
and despondingly the foe balances'the week of
domination and bountiful living upon loyal soil,
against the rivers of blood, the thousands of slain,
the tens of thousands wounded and captives, the
shame of defeat which wc have exacted of him
irf return, as the ministers of God, bearing not
the sword of justice, against high and atrocious
and persistent offenders, in vain.
The First Reformed Presbyterian Church of
Philadelphia and the Christian Commission.—
The intelligeneerfrom the seat of war in Penn
sylvamahas excited the deepest interest through
out our city, and has been felt nowhere more
intensely than by the members of the First Re
formed Presbyterian Church, which has sent
about one hundred and fifty persons to the army.
On the afternoon of last Sabbath, July, sth, the
usual services were dispensed with, and; a prayer
meeting was held on behalf of our soldiers. In
connection with the devotional exercises, a sub
scription; w as made to assist the Christian Com
mission in supplying the wounded, whether of
our own or the rebel army, with such relief as,
their wants required. Although no notice, .had
Ibeen givenj ’the spontaneous ■ effort resulted in
obtaining the sum of $lO5O. A military com-
for home defence,’ has also been formed,
now numbering over fifty persons. ~ : !
FROM OUR ROCHESTER CORRESPONDENT.
Rochester, July 3,1863.
Dear Editor : —As I take my pen to address
you, the news boys are crying the afternoon pa
pers in the street*, jtith the welcome and inspir
ing intelligence; Vicksburg has fallen. The
rumor seems to cofte in an authentic shape, and
creates great excitement.; It may prove to'- be
premature; but we ean not doubt that the event
is sure and near at hand. The same papers tell
us that it is confidently believed that Gen. Dix
has invested Richmond, and that that too may
be ours before this day's sun goes down. If
these two events should be announced to-morrow
morning as certain, arid no falls in the
mean time upon the army of the 'Potomac, we
fear it will be almost too much of good news for
one day. Certainly it will lend a marvellous
eclat to the keeping of the glorious fourth of
July. ; This city will go wild with excitement.
But suppose these good things do not all come
in one day—what then ? Suppose they arc long
delayed—what then? Why, are there not
twenty, millions of freemen still left? And; are
they not sons of the Pilgrim, of'the Huguenot,
and of the Heroes-of the Revolution ?’ Is there ,
not something ofijbfe old. blood left ? And Will,
the sons of sue! pres. a?lpw the fair fabric which
their fathers reared, to be pulled in pieces,- and;
its fragments thrown to the winds, while 1 the
nations of the earth look on and" laugh lis to
scorn. Will they allow treason, rebellion and
madness to, go unpunished, because it is great,
arid defiant, and blasphemous, in its pretensions ?
We believe not. Better a thirty years' war—
better the sacrifice of a whole generation of men,
on the altars of liberty, than that this wicked re
bellion should triumph, or that this nation should
be divided. This we believe to be the prevail
ing sentiment of this part of the country —loyal,
thoroughly loyal, and ready for any sacrifice
which may be necessary to crush out- the rebel
lion utterly.
But what sacrifices have we as yet made ? It
would be difficult to tell, by merely passing,
through our streets, by entering our dwellings,
or our places of'business. Here all looks like
highest thrift, f|d 1 ' abounding prosperity. In
deed, this city' worn a more cheerful and
thriving aspect, \ye venture to assert, in twenty
years. Improvements, public arid private, are
going on all the time; and some of them almost
on a scale of magnificence. Many business
blocks and private dwellings are going up, while
the city is reconstructing on a grand scale some
of her sewers, and a chartered company are
rapidly entire city, in all its prin
cipal avenues, with street railways. Many miles
oftraek ate already.laid, the.routes are daily
extending, a very’-large ear house has been erec
ted, and next week, we are told, the cars'are.to
be running. ' .; .
This has long been -a much needed ■ improver
ment for this city. For, wisely, tho houses are
not all huddled together. Very few people live
in blocks of dwellings. Each house has its own
ground, and garden and shade trees, which makes
this peculiarly a rural city, and which gives it
great breadth andl.amplitude. Many of the finest
dwellings, and for. many more, are on the
outskirts of th? city.. These horse cars will, make
such locations imore accessible, and increasingly
valuable. ; ■ ..
And here We may mention, that the meeting
of the American Board of Commissioners for
Foreign Missions, is to be held next fall in this
city. Already the; committee, of arrangements
are preparing for its coming. And we were
thinking, as we wrote, how great a convenience
this city railway will be, to many of our guests
on .that interesting and important occasion. We;
trust the cars wili .be running in every direction
before that time.'
An interesting gathering, being the “ Six
teenth annual meeting of the Monroe County
Senior Pioneers,” was recently held in this city.
The old folks, men and women, (some of them
not very bid, either,) got together, to talk, over
the-olden times.' .The society embraces about
sixty members; hnd most of.them were present
on this spreading
out'their reminifeences. Take the following as
illustrating wha.t Rochester was forty years ago',
remembering that all this oecurted in that which
is now the very foart of the city.
“ Mr. Edwin Scran tom'said he lived in a log
house on the site of the Eagle Hotel lot. They
had no hoards, but used blankets for doors and
' partitions, arid at night chased snakes from under
their beds. r He had chased deer from Front
street up Buffalo' street to a ledge of rocks. ‘ Af
terwards his father built on the spot which is
now No. 16 Buffalo street. There was plenty of
game, and on one occasion te caught a rabbit in
a box trap where Corinthian Hall stands. The
best fresh meat he ever ate, was from a. deer his
brother shot on the site of Barton’s building, in
1812. ' He afterwards shot .another on the island;
where the jail is, A Mr. Wallace built a lime
kiln on the site'pf the; Rochester Savings Bank,
and the speaker went there one day to see it, and
on returning was severely punished by his mo
ther for going so, far away froin hoine. There
were plenty of Ridiahs in those days, near the
high vfalls Carthage. He had shared
their sports invaliding down "Andrews street
bridge' hill inthW winter, on-strips of bark peeled
from the trees. ' They could ' ride down hill to
perfection.”
We have seen it announced' in' two or three
newspaper paragraphs, as something nei6 t that a
Baptist church has' recently been lighted in
Philadelphia, hy placing argand burners in the
panels of the ceiling,’ arid so getting the .light
from above. We have two churches in; this’city,'
the’Brick and the Central, (Rev. Bf. Shaw’s and
Rev. Mf.’Ellinwpoii’s,) which are lighted, in part
at least, in that manner. But we should advise
any church to inquire very carefully into the
working of that ,pethod before adopting it. We
have not investigated the matter, but we should
suppose it to be an expensive method. It is
putting your lights a great way off. Would not
half the amount' of gas consumed serve a better
purpose when properly arranged upon the sides
of the galleries f" ’
a parli’of 4 slie ’-fruit 65r the pleasant revival
before mentioned, as'ln' progress at Brbckport,
about twenty converts are to be received next
. Sunday to the I’rteibyterian church in that vil
lage." About one hundred were received into
the three Presbyterian churches arid the Baptist
church of Auburn- on the first Sabbath of June.
And at the close of the succeeding week a friend
writes: “At no time since this good work began
have we had mpre satisfactory evidence that the
Lord is with as than for the past week. Of
course the demonstration is somewhat modified,
but conversions* are continually occurring, and
the meetings, if less frequent, maintained with
much interest. The young converts arc decided,
active, growing, arid the ; older’ Christians, who
were interested in the work, maintain their zeal.”
Let me also add that a delightful work of
grace is in progress in the village of New Hart
ford, near Utica. A young brother, Rev. 0. 0.
Kimball, recently out of the Theological Semi
nary at New York, went there some weeks ago,
and began preaching, in earnest. . .The Master
has kindly owned his labors,, and some thirty or
forty are already indulging hope in Christ.
Hmm m iltittte.
Presbyterian.
Another Corner-Stone Laid.—The corner
stone of Tabor church, at the corner of 18th and
Christian streets, was laid with appropriate cere
monies, on Thursday last, the 2d of July. There
was a large concourse in attendance The pecu
liar circumstances arising from the presence of
an immense invading force within our State,
whose avowed object was the capture Of Phila
delphia, and the possible desolation of its fair
structures, and impoverishment ot its. liberal
church members, lent a solemn interest to the
scene. _ Rey.
Brainerd, McLeod, Mears, and, the pastor, Mr.
Van Beurs, took a part in: the services. The
corner-stone was laid by Miss Cecilia Baldwin,
daughter of Mr. M. W. BaldwiA, to whose gene
rous liberality the congregation is indebted for the
entire amount necessary for completing thestruc
tufe.Oopies of the Bible,Confession of Faith,Xme-,
rican Presbyterian, Public Ledger , Coins,
Postage Currency, Photograph of Mr. Baldwin,
with other objects of interest were deposited in
tbe cavity. Miss Baldwin used a silver trowel/
;on which .the following device was engrived:—•'
“ Presented to Miss Cecilia Baldwin, as a token
of grateful remembrance, by the people of Tabor,
on the occasion of laying the corner-stone of said
Church, S. W., corner of 18th. and Christian
streets. Philadelphia, July 2d, 1863.”,
The bnilding will be in Gothic style, 98 feet
long and 78 feet wide in the transept, fronting
;on Christian street, with a chapel in the rear on
,18th street, 70 by SO feet; so that the entire
structure will be 118 feet deep. The tower and
spire will be 110 feet high. The walls will he
20 feet high to the square; to the peak of the
roof, the height will be 35 feet. The material
is Trenton brown stone. It will seat 700 on the
audience floor and 200 more in the galleries; ilk-'
timated coßt $20,000. To be done some time in
the fall. S. Sloan, architect ; D. Cramer & Son,
builders.
We congratulate tbe Congregation on this
happy inauguration of their new enterprise.
Should the spiritual glory of the, latter house
exceed that of theformer, in the proportion that
the outward glory promises to do, the comuni
ty will have ' great cause for rejoicing, and the
kingdom of Christ will make large advances
among the needy portions of • our population.
The generous aiet of Mr. Baldwin in supplying
the means necessary for the work should not only
commend admiration, but secure imitators among
our wealthy laymen. They surely can find no
more satisfactory method of disposing of their
surplus means than the one chosen by Mr. B.
Let them exercise the same sagacity and let them
join with him in dotting,' the waste places of our
great cities with such commddious, < attractive,-;
and not over costly houses of worship v ahd they
will find the leaven of the Gospel effectually
working to arrest the prevailing corruption, and
■crime of our crowded population. Such acts are
public benefactions of the highest order.
Reformed Presbyterian.
Scottish Reformed Preshyterian Church. —The
recent meeting of the Synod of the Reformed
Presbyterian church in Scotland was held in Glas
gow, commencing May 4, and closing May 8, The
Rev. Dr. Graham, of Liverpool, was chosen
Moderator, and Rev. John Kay, was continued
clerk. The reports presented showed that the
various departments of the ; Savior’s service, in
which this Synod is engaged were in a prosper
ous condition. The number of students in the
Theological Seminary is 20, a larger riumber
than any tern before, although still not adequate '
to meet the united claims of the congregations;
already existing and the Home and Foreign Mis
sionary field.—The committee on Foreign Mis
sions reported the completion of the translation
of the New Testament into the language >of An-i
cityum, one of the New Hebrides’ group, where '
the Scotch Reformed Presbyterian Church has'
a very interesting mission. Mr. Inglis, who had’
visited Scotland'for the purpose of printing this
translation, has returned to, Aneilyuin, along
with William, the native convert who had ah- 1
■eompanied him,- and whose health: we regret, to,
say had. become seriously impaired. About
815,000 have been collected by one of the Mis
sionaries for the construction of a small: vessel'
designed to sail among the various islands of the
group. It is expected that this mission schoo
ner, to he built in .Nova Scotia, will be finished
and ready to sail -in the Autumn, when several
missionaries from Nova Scotia Will take passage)
in her for the South Pacific. The amount contri
buted; for Foreign Missions during 4he : Synodical
year was somewhat over 80000.—The Committee
on. Home Missions report that the operations of
the Church in this department, are becoming
more energetic and more productive: Interest
ing details are given of stations in .Glasgow, Lau
riestori, Dundee, Lorn, and Dunscore. Four con
gregations, in addition to sustaining their own
pastors, also support domestic missionaries. The
Committee on, Ministerial Support report that
their operations arc in a hopefully efficient arid :
prosperous state. They propose to supplement )
the salaries of any ministers receiving -less than t
8600, until they reach that sum along with the 1
use of a manse. Their receipts were about 81400,
payinents about 81000. —The statistical 1 tables
show 45 organized congregations, and 6741 com
municants. The contributions for various pur
posed, including salaries of ministers are over
,£5OOO 0r'825,000. The most important discus
sions referred to the exercise of the elective'
franchise, a sfibject which has been agitating the
Church for several years past. The following
resolution was finally adopted: “ Syri’od' enacts
that while recommending the members of the
Church to abstain from the use of the
and from taking the oath of allegiance, discipline _
to the effect of suspension and expulsion from
the Church shall cease.” In favor of this motion
there were 46 votes; opposed to it, 11; and not
voting .7. Three ministerial; brethren withdrew
in consequence, and we understand claim to bo
considered and called the Reformed Presbyterian
Church in Scotland. —-The next meeting of the'
Synod is to be held in Edinburg, on the Monday
after first Sabbath in May, 1864.
Rev. Dr. McLeod, N. 7. —Stey mmisteis, if
any, in our land have given a more cordial sup
port to our Government in its struggle with
rebellion, than the respected pastor of the First;
Reformed Presbyterian church, New York. In
addition to his services in the pulpit, Dr. McLeod
has now accepted a position in the army as chap
lain of the 84th N.Y. regiment, National Guards,
and it is now on duty. Two of his sons are also
in the army, and his congregation is very nume
rously and honorably represented.
Genesee.
Rev. Mhn Bole}— We learn by a late number
of th o Bahtier of Ulster, that the BeVl John Bole,
formerly the faithful and, succeasfulpastdf of the
Reformed Presbyterian church, Ryegate, Yer
mont, who. had been obliged by the, delicate
health of his wife, to return to Scotland, has been
installed pastor of Reformed Presbyterian church,
Liverpool street, Belfast, Ireland. We congra
tulate the congregation which Fas so nobly
maintained its integrity under circumstances of a
very discouraging character, that it has at length
obtained a pastor so'laborious, so talented, so ex
emplary, as it has now secured. May we not
hope that “ the time to favor it, yea the: set time
has come,” and that it may enjoy again “ times
of refreshing” and rejoicing. ’■
] Death of firs: Catharine Clarke, of Aiiiherst,
JVova Scotia. —It is with sorrow we announce
the death of this estimable lady, the wife of Rev.
Dr. Alexander Clarke. It occurred June 23rd,
1863. Mrs. Clarke was the daughter of Mp
John MeMiUan, formerly of Belfast, Ireland, and
afterwards of St. Johns,. N.B:ywelli known as a
faithful, earnest, and godly Covenanter of the
type of those who lived in times that tried mens’
souls. Mrs' C. having accompanied her husband
to the then unsettled region where he has been
laboring for more than thirty years, proved her
self “ a helpmeet for him.” Her kindness, her,
gentle modesty, her energy of character, her unaf
fected piety, must have impressed all who had
the pleasure of meeting! with her in:ber>hospita
ble home. We sincerely condole with our re
spected brother in his mournful loss.
Ladies Visiting Association of First Reformed
Presbyterian Church, PhUadeljtMa.—The Thud
Anniversary of this Society was held on the af
ternoon of Sabbath, 28th, initlm church on
Broad street, below Spruce. After introductory
services and an address thp pastor, the Annu
al Report was read by James Grant, and
addresses made by Rev. J. A. Crawford. Rev.
WYE. Boardman, and GeorgeH. Stnart, -Esq.,
The exercises were deeply interesting. Mr.
Crawfordjwlio had arrived in the city a few days
before, gave an account of his escape through,
the rebel pickets, in the vicinity his father's
residence near Chambersburg, while he was car
rying his mother, wifeand children to a place of
safety, Mr. Crawford, it is hoped, will furnish
an outline of Ms address, which will, show some
thing of the character of our invaders, and the
dangera to which we have been exposed by their
invasions. J lii our next issue we propose to print
the annual report of this Association.'
Installation. —Rev. W. J. McDowell for
merly Pastor of the First Lisbon Congregation,
St. Lawrence Co. N. XI, having received a unan
imous call to Ryegate congregation, State of
Vermont, was, on the 17th day of Juiie, 1863,
installed pastor of the last named congregation.;
A commission, of the Northern Presbytery R.
P. 0., met for this ,;purp6se, in the church, in
South Ryegate. In the absence of the Rev. J.
A. Crawford who was to have preached the ser
mon, and presided, Rev. J. S. Scott, presided
and put the constitutional questions; and gave,
aecordingitb appointment, 1 a charge to the pastor.
Rev. W. H. Reed, though very unwell, gave a
charge to the people. After which the elders and
congregation; greeted, with the right-hand of
fellowship, their pastor. It is matter of congra
tulation to the Northern Presbytery that though
there is a change made, as is often the case, she
has not lost in the: number of her pastors. Bro.
McDowell enters upon his new field of labor, in
fine spirits and with high hopes of success.
There appears to be a' wide and, an effectual
door of usefulness opened to him, by his Mas
ter.
It is proper to observe that the; congregation
thus left vacant is in a flourishing condition. It
consists of over a ! hundred'members and presents
a fine field for the cultivation of the Christian
hnsbandman. ; ■ S.
July Ist. 1863. ' ‘
Progress of Presbyterial Organizations Ger
many.: —An officfed document, detailing the. opera:
tionsof the Synods formed according to royal order
in the Evangelical church of Prussrn—which is the
.State Church—has recently been issued in Konigs
berg: These Synods are quite an experiment, the
first meetings having, been held from July to De
cember of, last year. . The document or report is
mad§ the subject of a leading article in the Eoj
Kirclien-Zmttmg (Berlin, March 28th) from which
we gather the following facte:
The first point discussed in tho. “Report ” is the
demand made at these opening Synods by the lib
eral—which is generally also the
party, for more radical measures; such as a mate
rial increase of the lay element; limitation ot the
power of the presiding officer; complete publicity;
voting with open ballots; limitation of disciplinary
authority and the like. ; These desiderata were
pressed only in some few of the Synods. ‘ The offi
cial notice of these demands is accompanied with a
remonstrance, in which the necessity of first testing
the privileges of self-government, so far asalready
accorded to the Church, is insisted upon. Two Sy
nods urged the employment of the police to prevent
Sabbath-breaking and the lessening of drinking
places. Another represented the inexpediency of
invoking the arm of the law for these objects, and
maintained that tbe better and only true policy was
to cure the evils by moral and spiritual means.
Seven Synods voted addresses to their Synodical
constituents exploring fully the new system of
government, or Summoning them to co-operate in
contending with the dominant social evils of the
day, impuriiy and drunkenness. A question which
engaged the earnest attention of a majority of (.ho
Synods was how to elevate the character and ;qm6ken
the activity of the Church sessions. The personal
piety of the elders was declared to be a prime re
quisite to such improvement; and great painswere
■taken te exhibit the mode in which the activity ot
the Church session might be made to respond to
the true wants of the people. The repugristece to
any exercise of Chuych Discipline which' so widely
prevails, was met by explanations) and by the
attempted removal of misconceptions on the sub
ject. Twelve Synods voted for a life-eldership • 34
for a limited term of office, mostly six years—half
of the session to go out of office every thfee years,
bu -If ellglb!e . to again. Besides these,
ln ? n f,v^ ber Were' diteussed,‘inciuSin" the
troublesome one of marriage and divorce. ‘ P* I °
Other Branches.
The impression made by a perusal of the Report,
says the writer? is that the newly-constituted organs
of the church-life of Prussia in connection with the
ecclesiastical authorities, are engaged in an earnest
and zealous effort to encourage the beginnings of a
richer development of the Church constitution which
will be found immediately promotive of the eeclesi
sstieal and moral life of the Church. The early
convocation of the provincial Synod (General As
sembly) W6uld, he thinks, be found the best secu
rity for a thorough development of the church life
through those subordinate synods.
The Board bf FuhHcatiom—The changes re
quired in the arrangement of this Board, according
to the action of the late General Assembly at Peoria,
were promptly eriacftS bf s thb Board at iS meeting
June 9th. They are merging the duties and offices
of Editor of Publications into those of the Secreta
ry; merging the office of Treasurer into that of
superintendent of Colportage: discontinuing the
office and of Solicitor; placing the peri
odical departihent under the control of an in
dividual ; witip : a salary of $l3OO, he to fur
nish hia cwn clerks;- discontinuing the ..pay
ment of moqpy for Contritotions to the Sabbath
School Viator until the memne warranto it; making
tlie Rtme ahM Foreign Record a monthly pamphlet
instead of quarto a& now. Rev. Dr- Boardman
sent in his 1 resignation as a member of the Board;
Mr. *J. B. Mitchelif Treasurer, and'Rev. Dr. Bnr
gles, long Editor of Publications, also sent their
resignations. *
Ths<Raoes’oi' T 5« A Manual
of Ethnology.—By Charles!. Brace. N. Y.,
Charles Scribner, pp. 540, <12 mo: ;
The unity of the human race, as well as its
antiquity is a subject how exciting great atten
tion, and which in 'its connections with divine
revelation demands h fair and full investigation,
and we have no fear, that the result will prove
detrimental to our holy religion, but, as in all
other cases it will tend to confirm our faith. The
work before us is a very able production. Dis
regarding the physical distinctions among vari
ous races which have led some to deny their
common origin, the author he takes as the basis of
inquiry, their various languages, and asthe affini
ties off this kind even among nations frequently
very remote from each other and remarkahly differ
ent in'their physiology,are so evident, he maintains
the scriptural doctrine of the unity of mankind.
We are glad to notice, the manner in which he
refers to the negro races, and the* hopefulness he
-expresses in reference to their future. In refe
rence to the antiquity of man he appears to adopt
the views which recent discoveries in Switzer
land and France have rendered so current, that
iwe must assign a date, to the original creation .of
the human race far earlier than the Biblical
Chronology sanctions. As there is reason to
suppose, that more - accurate investigations will,
remove tRe difficulties .which may exist in re
conciling science with the Bible in this particu
lar, we think it would have been wiser to wait,
before such a view as he presents. The
tope of the work, however, is reverential
throughout, and ite writer shows that he is admi
rably adaptedtodiscuss the subject before him.
The bqpk is printed in Scribner’s handsome style
and will no doubt prove a standard publication.
BiogsAphioai, Sketches of Illinois Officers
engaged in the War against the Rebellion of
1861. By Charles Grant Wilson. Third Edi
. tion : Chicago, Barnes Barnett, 189 Lake St.
120,p. Bvo. double cal. 50 cte.
A readable and interesting book; as may be
inferred when the names of Ellsworth, Baker,
Brackett, Buford, Grant, Hunter, Logan, Me-
Clernand, Mulligan Turchin, Pope,; Wallace,
and'Yates are found in the index. The wood
cute are excellent likenesses and the biographies
succinct and graphic, j ust what every body wants
.to know about the sixty herpes who have led the
soldiers of Illinois to victory,—We do not wonder
that it has passed through three editions in the
same number; of months.—lt will be a household
book in everyFome defended by the soldiers of
the North West. 5
The.FoidndAtions op History, a series of
First,things by Samuel B, Sehieffelin.
The trulyi luxurious;-exterior, ’and valuable
illustrations of this volume, from the publishing
house of A. D. E: Randolph, New York, make a
strong plea for favourable notice. The aim of
the writer is, to teach the studeht of history
“ that the Creator had a purpose in view when
he created the world; that the history of the
world, in connection with divine revelation, is a
developcment of that purpose; and that is the
revelation of himself in the Lord Jesns Christ;
and the manifestation of his glory through His
Church;” This is a noble aim,' but the execution
is unsatisfactory and wholly inadequate. The
positions are simply asserted; they are scarcely
anything more than narratives or statements,
with a small portion of argument, or exhibition
of real power on the part of the author. The at
tempt is even made to justify slavery from the
Hebrew Scriptures and the new Testament I How
painfully absurd at this. day. .
AwtEEicA; a’dramatic Poem. ’’ '
This is an* attempt to throw into imaginative
and poetical form the great outlines of oar pre
sent struggle. It shows culture, eommandLof lan
guage, and poetic power, and expresses noble
thought, witKsfqrvor and grace. We are happy
to commend it as a praiseworthy effort.' Some
truly grand strains of poetry have been called
forth by our struggle, but who shall he found,
adequately fo rehearse the great and fearful con
flict for national life and for freedom. The epic
we fear will never he written, though the little
volume before ns may help kindle the needed
enthusiasm. A D. F. (Randolph, New York' For
sale by W. B. Evans,, 1384 Chestnut Street;
The life Writings and Character of Ed
ward (Robinson, D.D. LL.D., read before
the New York Historical Society, by Hetit-y B.
Smith, ) (D.D, and Boswell Hitchcock, D. D.
Published by request of the Society.
Gladly will the numerous admirers ofDr. Ro
binson welcome this little memorial of his life
and valuable services. New. York, A. D. F.
Randolph. Philadelphia, WV B. Evans, 1334
Chestnut St. (
We have also from Randolph two of those
32m0; books of devotional character, which are so
handy for travellers to carry with them. They are;
Go and Tell Jestfs, and None Like Christ.
Bor sale by W. B. Evans. ,
' ( , MAGAZINES, PAMPHLETS, ETC.
The American Presbyterian ’and Theolo
gical Review, for July. >
The Eclectic MagAziNE of Foreign Literature,
July,: New York. -
The American Pubeis hers’ C iucular, June
lst and 15th; Philada.
SthLent and Schoolmate, for July, Boston.
JULY 9,