126 lawman fmfcgtman —AND— GENESEE EVANGELIST. PHILADELPHIA, AUG. 6, 1883. JOHN W. MEANS, PROCLAMATION OP THE PRESIDENT. A SAT OP TtfAXKSOIYIJfG AITS PRATER, Washington, July 15.—8 y the President of the Uni ted States of America; A PROCLAMATION. It has pleased Almighty God to hearken to the sup plications and prayers of an afflicted people, and to vouchsafe to the Army and Navy of the United States victories on land and on the sea so signal and so effec tive as to fhrnish reasonable grounds for augmented confidence that the union of these States will be sus tained, their Constitution preserved, and peace and prosperity permanently restored. But these victories have been achieved not without sacrifices of life, limb, health and liberty incurred by brave, loyal and patriotic citizens. Domestic afflic tions in every part of the counter follow in the train of these fearful bereavements. It is meet and right to recognize and confess thepresence of the Almighty Father, and the power of His hand equally in these triumphs and these sorrows. Now, therefore, be it known, that I do set apart Thursday, the Sixth day of August next, to be ob served as a day for National Thanksgiving, Praise and Prayer, and I invite the people of the United States to assemble on that occasion in their customary places of worship, and in the forms approved by their own conscience, and render the homage due to the Divine Majesty for the wonderful things he has done in the nation’s behalf, and invoke the influence of His Holy Spirit to subdue the anger which has produced and so long maintained a needless and crnel rebellion; to change the hearts of the insurgents; to guide the counsels of the Government with wisdom adequate to so great a national emergency, and to visit with ten der care and consolation throughout the length and breadth of our land, all those who through the vicis situdes of marches, voyages, battles and sieges, have been brought to suffer in mind, body, or estate; and finally to lead the whole nation, through the paths of repentance and submission to the Divine will, back to the perfect enjoyment of union and fraternal peace. In witness whereof, I have hereunto setmyhatid and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed. Done at the City of Washington, this the 15th day of July, in the. year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, of the Independence of the United States of America the eighty-seventh. [l. s,] Abraham Lincoln. Wm. H Seward, Secretary of State. THE THANKSGIVING OF TO-DAY. Above we give the excellent proclamation of our Chief Magistrate, Mr. Lincoln, calling the people to the delightful work of thanksgiving for recent victories. As an aid to our medita tions, we offer a few thoughts upon the victory which has touched us most nearly, having been achieved upon our own soil, and having cost rivers of Pennsylvania blood. THE VICTORY OP GETTYSBUBG. The more the victory is contemplated, the more Important to our cause and the East does it appear. Some persons are to be found who undervalue It as a victory. It was, indeed,An one sense nothing more than a repulse of Lee’s army from our well-chosen position. It was a repulse which cost us many, many lives. It came very near being a defeat and a terrible disaster to our own arms. But when we learn that the effective force of the Army of the Po tomac was much less than that of Lee’s—ac cording to an account we have just heard from an intelligent army officer in the 12th Corps, scarcely one-half of Lee’s army, and when we contemplate the havoc made in the rebel ranks, their precipitate retreat and abandonment of loyal soil at the earliest possible moment, we justly entitle it a victory, and a truly glorious one. - We almost draw a short breath, as one just escaped from imminent bodily peril, when we think what would have been the consequen ces of defeat to onr army at that point. If that thin line of blue coats stretched along the hills with its reserves all called into action, save a single brigade, had gone down before the tor nado sweep of the assaulting party, three lines deep,.in what plight would Eastern Pennsyl vania, would Philadelphia have been to day! The fall of Vicksburg, even would have been neutralized by the capture of a great Northern city, and the investment of Baltimore and Washington. The profane boast of Gen. Hooker before the battle of Chancellorsville, that he should capture or destroy the rebel army in spite of Provi dence, was followed by disaster, humiliation, and retreat. Gen. Meade in accepting the com mand of the army of the Potomac said, “Let each man determine to do his duty, leaving to an all-controling Providence the decision of the contest.” Gen. Hooker’B army, though supe rior to that of the rebels in numbers, was re pulsed at Chancellorsville; Gen. Meade’s infe rior army at Gettysburg terribly repulsed the rebels. The rebels were doubtless inflated with self-confidence by the ease with which they had penetrated into Pennsylvania; their pride doubtless culminated when on Wednesday they defeated Reynolds and Hancock and drove them out of Gettysburg. They were just in the mood to hurl themselves upon a General, who, by simply choosing his position and hold it, was enabled to inflict upon the rebelion one of the most damaging defeats of the war. Dis appointed, discomfited, mortified, the proud hosts, the picked men of the Southern army were compelled to withdraw with .all rapidity from the advances of the modest and reverent, and may we not say, therefore, victorious Gen. Meade,,who thus closes his Fourth of July or der: “It is right and proper that we should on suitable occasions return our grateful thanks to the Almighty Dispenser of Events, that in the goodness of His providence He has thought fit to give victory to the cause of the just.” BRIEF ANALYSIS Of the contents of a recent number of u weekly Journal in New York, commonly regarded as Religious: Ist page—Poetry—“The Mississippi a co lumn and three quarters on the discovery of the river, its history during the rebellion, and its recent opening. “The Evil Spirits of the Bible” by Horace Greeley; arguing against a personal devil, demoniacal possession and eternal punishment. “ Concerning an Editor in-Chief” Mr. Beecher in England. “Suffer ings of the Negroes in the Riot. ” “ Washing ton Correspondence. ” 4th page—Editorials: “The Northern Re bellion,” “Defeat in Victory,” “The Allevia tions of the Draft,” “Progress and Patriotism in the Army,” “Cheating the Mob.” No refer ence whatever to Mr. Greeley's infidelity on the Ist page. Pages 5 and 7—Advertisements. Half a page additional advertisements elsewhere.— Page 8 secular and commercial intelligence. Page 2—Sermon, S columns. Book Notices, a column. News of Western , Churches and Colleges, a column; Religious Intelligence, half a column. Page 3.—Relig. Intelligence continued; a column and a half. Secular news, a column. Two columns of Price Current and Advertise ments. . • Editor. Page 6.—“ Scriptural Novelettsa column, a good religious article. “ Story of Captain Cook,” in the regular Book-of-Travels style, entirely secular. A column of religions and moral selections, including the President’s Thanksgiving Proclamation, thus unaccount ably stuck away into a corner. Out of 48 columns, of a “Religious ” weekly, we have therefore, including the sermon, barely 8 columns that can be called religious, while an important part of the remainder is not merely secular, but positively Anti-Scriptural, without a word of disclaimer or explanation from the editor. Can Christian men continue to receive this paper into their families as an exponent of the religion they wish to have in culcated upon them on the Sabbath ? RESIGNATION OF PRESIDENT LORD. Rev. Dr. Lord ha# resigned the presidency of Dartmouth College. His successor has not been named. The above dispatch comprises all we know of a fact which, however, we had anticipated. We should be sorry to know that the trustees of any New England College believed its future prosperity* possible under the presidency of a man who withholds his full support from the authorities of the land in this hour of trial, and who is so likely to poison the minds of students by his example and teachings. Now that there is a prospect of the speedy suppression of the rebellion by force of arms, and that the secret friends of the South among i Rev. Dr. Hitchcock, the well known geologist us are renouncing their hopes of its triumph in j o f Amherst College, has published, in the cur the field, we are called upon to make the very j rentnumberof the Bibliotheca- Sacra, an article of concessions to defeated traitors which we re- ! the first importance on one of the leading topics fused them in their most arrogant and defiant • 0 f dispute in our day. It is entitled “The Law attitudes. The New York Herald prophesies lof Nature’s constancy subordinate to the Higher that we shall give the rebels in making peace ( Law 0 f Change,” and it is aimed at that growing all that they demanded of ns in making war., v tendency among scientific men, not restrained by And its Orleans correspondent, under date \ Christian faith, to regard nature as an indepeu of July ITth, says: t dent perfect whole, a Cosmos, uniform, constant I feel satisfied that peace could be declared in the present state of affairs, in twenty-four hours after an armistice, if the rights of the Southern people, under the Constitution of the United States, would be acknowledged and re spected by those of the North. * * * We can find here any amount of old Union sentiment, but none that desires reconstruction on any other footing save and except the Con stitution of the United States without alteration or amendment. All this is plain. The “Union sentiment” here spoken of is "conditional,” just as it was before the war broke out. It means, we are for Union and peace if you will allow the Dred Scott Decision to pass for law, if you will give us slavery in the territories, turn over Western Virginia to the sway of Richmond and abandon the proclamation of freedom. In answer to this kind of argument, which will become very fashionable with those who are in need of a semi-loyal mask to conceal thehvtreasonous sympathies, allow us to give a few reasons for standing by the proclamation of January Ist, 1863: 1. Common honesty and consistency demand it. The national repute for fairness, nobleness and Christianity would be ruined by a different course. 2. Faithfulness to the slaves demands it. They were grievously and shamefully mocked by that proclamation if we do not abide by it. More than three millions of fellow-creatures would be made the foot-ball of political sub ernes by such shameful vacillation. Made freemen once, they would be wickedly remanded to sla vey. Political necessity will never justify such wholesale kidnapping. The whole nation would be guilty of a deeper complicity with slaveholding than ever. Besides, the negro has earned the right to his freedom. Such fighting as has been done by the negro regiments, the whole course of the war has n6t witnessed. They have astonished and shamed many white regiments who have fought by their side. 3. Whatever punishment was intended to be visited upon incorrigible rebels by the procla mation, will be remitted. Kentucky, Tennes see, parts of Virginia and Louisiana, were ex empted from the operation of the measure. But how absurd to have made such a distinction in those localities on the ground of their subjection to the national authorities, if places which held oat to the last are equally exempt from its pro visions. On this supposition, the more stubborn any state or city in its rebellion, the more valu able lives spent in attempting its reduction, the more secure it becomes from punishment. Charleston or Richmond coming back to the Union on this plan, before they had been re duced by military operations, would be as well off in regard to slave property as Louisville, which never rebelled, or New Orleans, which cost us less than a hundred lives. The eman cipation measure, as a punitive arrangement, in all fairness demands to be enforced. 4. There can be no permanent peace with slavery. It must be rooted out—not pruned or it will forever spring up in bitterness. Give it a lodgment, show it tolerance and favor, and it will thrive with all the rankness of a foul weed, and will quickly wrap its poisonous branches again around the columns of our poli tical structure. It .will fill our legislative halls with its noxious exhalations. Bullies and du ellists, in connection with the imported mob of the North, will again dictate our home and fo reign policy, and the crack of the slavemaster’s whip will again be heard in the debates of Con gress and In the decisions of our courts. And what vvill be the end, but that the long-patient North, refusing some more arrogant demapd than usual, will again have to take up arms to save the very life of the nation ? Nay, let us at least after such a tremendous war-experience learn wisdom. Let us trample out every em ber before we admit the lire to be extin guished. 5. We have our feet upon the neck of sla very, as perhaps never civilized or Christian people had upon any great public evil. We can crush it; we know we can.. Wliat a great, what an unparalleled opportunity! Use it and all posterity will applaud us, let it slip and we shall curse ourselves 1 6. The sympathies of all people—not monar STAND BY THE PROCLAMATION. Ilmnifiitt gftf jslfglfuatt attfl diiMpliist clues nor aristocracies, nor hierarchies, but peo ples, are unalterably with us on our present platform. How great an influence that procla mation has exerted in forming and holding pub lic opinion in our favor, and in deterring jea lous classes, who now-a-days respect public opinion, from interference, will never he told. President Lincoln and the loyal North, by vir tue of that proclamation, are now regarded all Over the world as friends of the working man. The abolition of slavery in America is felt as elevating the working classes everywhere. It opens a most important part of the world here tofore'inaccessible, to thief competition. It de feats a most formidable movement on t the part of the rebels to injure and degrade the working man. Hence the profound interest and sympathy of the Trades Unions of London; hence the calm patience of the starving operatives of Lanca shire, who heroically endure a present personal evil for the good it promises to their hence the enthusiastic sympathy of the intelli gent people of France; hence the heariy ad vances of more than four thousand of the Eng lish clergy, and of seven hundred and fifty of the French. Gan we afford to trifle with these feelings? -to break the hearts of our only.true friends abroad with disappointment, indigna tion and shame ? to renounce the glorious lea dership so enthusiastically accorded ns in the cause of oppressed humanity all over the world ? to break the last restraint which has held back the haters of freedom from interfering in our troubles? to have our policy on the most mo mentous subject justly denounced as slippery, unprincipled, bound by the narrowest, most short-sighted views of present need ? Let us stick to the proclamation; let us pray to-day that the President may have grace to keep it to the letter. NATURE’S UNIFORMITY NOT UNINTER* RUPTED. j and unalterable in its movements, possessing in itself the sources of its own existences and de } vdopments. The sentence which Dr. H.'quotes | from Professor Powell of England, expresses the views of this class of thinkers : “ The enlarged [ critical inductive study of the natural world 5 cannot but tend powerfully to evince the incon i ceivableness of- imag hied 'interruptions of natural | order or supposed suspensions of the laws of | and of that vast series of dependent | causation which constitutes the legitimate field j for the investigations of science, whose constancy ! is the sole warrant for its generalizations, while it forms the substantial basis for the grand con clusions of natural theology.” According to these philosophers, there is no possible place for miracles, natural theology itself being based upon principles which render them inadmissible. Directly in the teeth of these assertions, Dr. Hitchcock proceeds to evolve the indications presented in nature of a law leading to change and to catastrophes, from which only supernatu ral and miraculous power can bring deliverance. “ The law of miracles,” he defines as “ a force : occasionally manifesting itself to counteract, i'n : tensify, or diminish the power of natural law.— This law also” he says, “ is invariable; that is, in the same circumstance©, the same miracle will 3 occur. But in its action, it contravenes natural law. Moreover, though a law, we cannot under stand its nature.’* , Among the forces of nature tending to inter fere with its uniformity and to bring ruin upon the existing order of things, is the subtle resisting medium believed to be diffused through space, and already observed to be acting upon certain j of the periodical comets, shortening: their time of ] revolution and threatening to land them finally 1 upon the sun. Admitting the existence of such hi medium, aud the ultimate ruin of the solar, if J not of the whole sidereal, system is unavoidable, f unless a supernatural interference takes place.- * We have evidence that the earth and the great f bodies of the Cosmos have passed and are passing through a series of chemical changes. From various degrees of fluidity, perhaps even from a , gaseous condition, some have become solid, some are still undergoing transformation. Is the solid state the last? The continual working of these chemical changes may lead to the overthrow of the whole system on which these uubelieving philosophers raise their structure of uniformity. But the grand examples of a law of change, which overrides this pretended uniformity, are found in the revelations made by geology in the domain of organic life. Each of the great ge ological formations has been characterized by peculiar groups of animals and plants, found neither in the rocks below nor above. Dr. Hiteheock is satisfied that the earlier geological formations are separated from each other by de structive catastrophes, which ..almost entirely swept away the orders of existence inhabiting the earth’s surface at the time. The old faunas (groups of animals) and floras (groups of plants) suddenly disappeared, and those which succeed ed must have been new. The alluvial period docs not present proofs of such extensive up heavals and dislocations; the surface has been kept comparatively quiet ever since the Creta ceous period. Hence, various groups as it were run into each other during the different divi sions of this epoch. But this is not true of the earlier periods. At the close of these forma tions, the uniformity of nature’s operations was suddenly and universally interrupted ; and the commencement of each of these new eras whs marked by the ‘ introduction of new orders of beings and new species. Even without those great cosmieal interruptions, the introduction of entirely new orders and species cannot be traced to the uniform operation of natural law. There is a chasm* between man for instance, and • all other orders of beiDgs on earth,.which no natural law could overpass. But the best geologists do not doubt that these great interruptions took place, and they recognize the consequent distinct “life periods” as they are called, which have succeeded ouch other on the surface of the globe. Says Agassiz: “ One result stands now unquestioned: the existence during each great geological era of an assemblage of animals and plants differing essentially for each* period. — And by period, I mean those minor subdivisions in the successive,, sets of beds of rocks which j constitute the stratified erupt of our globe, the number of which is daily increasing, as our in vestigations become more extensive and more precise.” It is agreed by those whom Dr. Hitchcock regards as the best uthorities on the subject, that the' systems of plants and animals on our globe have be en obliter ted and by others of distinct origiij as often as twenty jive times. / We pause here in our presentation of tbe views of the very able author, n The bearing of his views upon certain fashionable doctrines of sci entific unbelievers and opponents of Scripture truth is manifest. If the liniformity of nature’s laws has been broken in upon as often as twenty five times in tbe history qf the earth, that uni formity,must cease to be icoepted as an unalter able dogma. The fortrea that always frowned at the entrance of the argument on miracles is dismantled and razed. M the position for which such high scientific anthOTity is quoted by our author against Sir Cha|jes I<yel!, in regard to great geological and universal catastrophes in the earlier history of the earth’s crust, be cor rect, then there is an end to the applicability of the fashionable hypothesis of development as explanatory of the appcarance of different species on the earth. If the life-periods are distinct, separated from, each other by catastrophes ut terly destructive in theiii [character, supernatural, creative, miraculous power is alone adequate to their production. We/rnay conclude with Agas siz that .*■ all these beings do not exist in conse quence of the continied agency of physical causes but have made], their successive appear ance upon the earth by the immediate intervention of the Creator.” If the earth has witnessed such frequent qnd vast exhibitions of creative power interposed for Ihe renewal of its living in habitants, we may be prepared for the bold con clusion of our author,, that change is the higher and uniformity the subordinate law of the divine operations, and that it is highly probable that the subordinate law should give way on occa sions so important as the revelation of the divine will to intelligent creatures; in other words that no presumption against miracles as evidences of revealed religion can*; be drawn from the uni formity of nature’s that the antecedent probabilities are in facti-quite .in the opposite di rection in view of the nodus vindice dignus. TRIAD AND REMOVAL OE REV. CHARLES BEECHER. The Congregational Church of Georgetown Mass., near Boston, has called a council for the purpose of trying its pastor, Rev. Charles Beecher, for heresy. The circular letter of the church calling the council,' 1 says: “It seems to us-that several doctrines preached by our pastor, Rev. Mr. Beecher, are not in accordance with the faith once delivered to the saints, and held generally by the churches in • New England, viz: The doctrine of for existenee of the human soul—of the state of soul—of the atonement- of the state of souls after death, and of Divine sorrow.” . It also appeared from the testimony, that Mr. Beecher preached that the doctrine of the Di vinity of Christ was .not essential; that the happ'inesa of world would be matters of choice, that neither happiness or misery would be unalloyed in that state; that God had greatly exaggerated future punishment in the Scriptural statements; that Lnucifer remained in heaven till Christ came, and a batch of other frivolous and blasphemous ideas that no sound head could ever have held. Dr. Edward Beecher was present as a mem ber of the council, and took part in the discus sion. The Christian Herald says: Mr. Beecher very early in his ministry, per haps during his course of prepatory study was noted for his speculations in regard to things not revealed. He seemed ever to have some theological nebula which he was trying to re solve into stars. The propensity has grown upon him sadly, <if the statements made before the council are to be believed. From the Boston BecOrder, we leam that the couneil met, July 15th. The . Rev. T. W. Dwight, D. D., of Portland, jvas chosen Modera tor, and Rev. Mr. Barrdws, Scribe. The first day was consumed mostly in hear ing evidence for the petitioners, and the second day for the defence. Tie 'defence was mostly a written argument, prepared and read by Mr. Beecher. At a private evening session the following persons were appointed a Committee to draw up the Tesult of the Council, viz., Rev erends Barrows, Allen, Hooker and Campbell. The Council then adjourned till the 22d, on which day they again met and the following result'unanimously presented by the Com mittee, and, after patient consideration was adopted by a vote of sixteen in favor to five opposed. j [We have space to give only the essential parts of the paper.] We are clear and decided that the objections of the petitioners are well taken and well sus tained, not only by their own witnesses, but by Mr. Beecher’s declarations and concessions in his defense; and that the petitioners ought, on the principles of honot and of right, to be re lieved ; and as a most pahrful duty that we owe to Christ and his chnrcßjlge do hereby advise the termination without delay/ of the pastoral relation between this church and the Rev. Charles Beecher. Nor do we thus recommend merely that we may relieve the petitioners. We would also relieve Mr Beecher who is a member of this church, from the necessity imposed by his conscience of violating his covenant with the church by preaching doctrines that in several particulars are essentially vanant from the creed of the church, We would also save the entire ehurch, and the community/ from the utter in difference, not to say contempt, that must be engendered toward creeds and covenants, by such an example as his course has offered. .In our view it is a most sdrious evil, and one having a wide sweep of lamentable consequen ces, for a pastor thus to throw into the shade and trample under foot the creed of the church, that by virtue of his office be promises to adopt, preach and defend. And; the case is .aggrava ted when the pastor himself becomes a member of the church to which he ministers, and then neglects, denies, or slurs any part of its creed, and which, by his entering the church, becomes at the same time his own./jjf- such* an example be copied by the laity, we do not see how a ehurch can have and maintain a creed, or have anv door of admission or excommunication in matters of faith. Ifthe ministry may so in private judgement and right disregard the creeds of their churches, the pulpit is left open to any faith and any ministerial fellowship however erroneous and repulsive, and the church have As it is a matter of right with them it should be a matter of honor with the pastor, that he preach the faith which, by his settlement, he has contracted with them to preach, and is most solemnly obligated to the Great Head of the church to preach. And we advise a dismission in this case, partly to relieve Mr. Beecher from the necessity of violating a contract which his conscience will not allow him to keep. The Christian spirit of Mr. Beecher, shown in this case, and his rare ability to present what he believes, would have led the council to very different results if we could be persuaded that he simply holds certain notions about pre existence as academic theses, scholastic ques tions, or philosophical speculations, which he could and would conscientiously keep in abey ance while he preaches Christ and hint crucified. But these notions are held by him as eternal truths vitally related to his entire theological system, so far as we have examined it. This system he believes is destined to sup plant the common theology of our church, and is essential to conviction of sin, and the highest type of Christian character. Therefore he feels solemnly obligated to unfold and propagate it. So we find that his peculiar views permeate, and from his estimate of their importance must of necessity permeate his public teachings, so far as the witnesses on both sides, his own lengthy and able defense, and his written and printed sermons have exposed those teachings to ns. A protest against this result was handed in by Bey. H. M. Dexter, and another by Rev. Edward Beecher, D. D.; and the other three members who voted in the negative may for ward theirs. A committee was appointed to answer these protest. . LETTER FROM CHAPLAIN STEWART. Warrenton, Va, July 28th, 1863. During the past forty-fiv«| days, since finally breaking up our old camp at Falmouth, it may be literally and without figure of speech asser ted, no time has been allowed for writing. What of marchings and countermarchings—, marches under burning suns and amid clouds of dust—marches in the darkness of the night with torrents of rain and continents of mud, looking after the sick, the wounded, the dying and the dead; more than the" moments of an ordinary existence seem to have been occupied. During air this time hardly ever two days or. nights in one place or some position. If any uncertain time was allowed for rest or sleep, the weary body was thrown down on the road * or beside it, in the open fields or woods, and generally without any attempted shelter. Concerning ns of late the poet could truthfully sing, “ War and chase, Give little chance for resting place.” Miscellaneously have we perambulated through various counties in Virginia, thence across into and here and there through much of Maryland; then a short round into dear old Pennsylvania, back again and round about through Maryland; and now once more recrossed that Rubicon of a Potomac; and after more than a week of wan dering by night and by day through valleys and over mountains, into gaps and gorges, across fields and thrqugh the woods in search of, or by endeavors to head, Gen. Lee in his retreat, we are at length halted near Warren ton. That harvest of death and mutilation at 'Gettysburg, the gleanings of which the benevo lent have been so industriously and kindly gathering up, and binding, constitutes after all but an episode in this late campaign. The herculean labors and untold fatigues uncom plainingly endured by the soldiers, are not likely ever fully to be written. Those, having never seen nor felt, could hardly he made to understand these by any labored description. An intelligent legal friend from Pennsylvania, who added himself to our regiment, and spent a week while lately in Maryland—marched, ate, slept in camp—when leaving us at the Potomac on recrossing into Virginia, declared, that h|s week’s experience had been worth a lifetimes’ reading—otherwise, even by the most laborious and accurate descriptions, he would have re mained in almost total ignorance of the strange, reality. Without the desire or even thought of under estimating the powers of endurance belonging to others, we feel constrained to believe that no army save that of the Potomac could have undergone the physical endurance of the past six weeks and be ndw in such a good condition. Those, who have most carefully noted, esti mate that during this time, besides the fighting, together with other multiplied duties and toils, our 6th.corps, and this is an average of others, has marched three hundred and fifty miles. Marhced? What is comprehended in the march of a great army under the burning suns of July ? Will our rugged farmers, who sweat in the harvest field, or tradesmen who daily put forth strong muscu lar effort at their ordinary business, believe me when assuring them, that were the strongest from among their number for the first time to be arraye’d with what each soldier daily and for long hours and many miles carries—knapsack, haversack, gun, ammunition box, canteen, tin cup, coffee boiler with various other et ceteras, weighing in all about as much as a bushel of wheat and he thus accoutred started at the middle of a hot July day, on a dusty road, amid a thick and smothering crowd of men, horses, mules, and wagons; .in less than a mile he would fall prostrate to the earth and perhaps never be able to rise again. It has, however, taken two years of terrible practice to inure these iron men to undergo this wonderful physi cal-endurance. Nor must it be forgotten, that in the hardening process, two. out of three have sunk under the toil and exposure, and have disappeared from the army. Our mode of marching for many days, during the late campaign, has been after the following fashion Stretched out in a single road and in close marching order, the army of the Potomac with its infantry, cavalty, artillery, ambulances, and wagon trains, would extend a distance of forty miles; so where the front may now be, it would in ordinary marches take several days for the rear to reach. In order to facilitate matters, keep the army more compact, and be able to act more speedily in concert as lately at Gettysburg, several columns usually start together on different roads leading in the same •general direction. Not only this, hut of late it has been usual for the artillery, ambulances and wagons to take the road, aud if a turnpike or wide throroughfare, wagons and artillery go abreast, and the infantry column take a course in the vicinity and parallel with the road— through fields and woods, down into deep glens and hollows, up steep bluffs aud over high hills, through unbridged marshes, ponds and creeks. Along such a course it is often quite as easy for the footman as for us who are on horse back. The eye never wearies in its interest with ever varying scenes constantly presenting them selves on these marches. Long miles of artil lery a cannon with its six horses followed by its caisson and its six horses, and others and others—strings of neat two horse ambulances reaching out of sight, and army wagons with out seeming number or end—with those on foot; great streams of living men, which those remaining stationary sometimes imagine will never all pass. A strange fascination has it at least to the writer, often on the march when getting on some eminence and looking forward for miles at that dark column four abreast, winding down into valleys; up over hills, across fields, orchards and meadows—away, away and hiding itself in some dense woods far off. Looking back, the same curious bewitching vision meets the eye. A vast living moving anaconda, encircling and seemingly about to erush the earth within its folds. At a mile’s distance the motion of the column cannot readily be discerned; but fixing the eye on a stationary object in close proximity, you at once discern that it actually lives ani moves. There being a multitude of matters about which to write and that may prove of interest to your readers, my effort will be hereafter as far as practicable, to furnish them a weekly post ing as -to things in camp. Wholly uncertain about to-morrow, this •is the second day we have been allowed to remain here; and like jaded horses are endeavoring to rest and recruit ourselves. OUR FOREIGN MISSIONS. The churches and friends of the American Board are reminded that our financial year closes with the 31st day of the present month, August. The churches which have not taken up their collections for the year are earnestly requested to give attention to the matter and send in their contributions without delay. To .meet the large advance in foreign exchange the Board needs the help of all the churches and an increase on former contributions if possible.— It is gratifying to report that a number of churches of this district have made this increase the present year, in some cases the contribu tions being doubled. J. McLeod, Dist. Sec. A. B. C.' F. M. 1334 Chestnut street. HOME MISSIONS. On applications received from the churches they serve the following ministers were com missioned by the Presbyterian Committee of Home Missions at their last regular meeting, sixteen of whom were tinder commission last year: Rev. Aug. Cone, Newton Palls, O. “ A. H. Gaston, Barry, Mich. " J. D. Strong, San Francisco, Cal. “ J. L. Swain, Ulysses, Pa. “ P. R Knive, Virgil, N, Y. “ J. G. Kanouse, Cottage Grove, Wis. . “ Geo. M. Lifes, Nichols, N. Y. “ W. B. Orvis, Murraysville, His. “ J. A. Prime, Troy, N. Y. “ Philander Camp, Andover, N. Y. " Geo. Hansom, Bedford, N. Y.' v “ J. L. Landis, Clarks Green, Pa. “ J. Aspinwall, Prairie City, Kansas. “ W. S. Taylor,.Petersburg, Mich. “ Chas. H. Theberath. Paterson,-N. J. “ G- W. Winnes, (Ist German), Cinn’L, O. “ L. A. Aldrich, (6th St.), Cincinnati, O. “ J. L. French, Batavia, O. “ W. P. Teitsworth, Arkport, N. Y. " C. J. Slack, Newtown, lowa. “ Geo. 0. Little, Birmingham, Pa. “ Timothy Morgan, North Western Mo. “ J. L. Jones, Camp Point, Ills. “ Joseph Gordon, Yandalia, His. “ G. W. Goodale, Greenville, Ills. A PLEA FOR THE NEGRO. A sermon on the above named topic was de livered Sunday night July sth, in the Olivet church by the pastor Rev. W. W. Taylor, The first part of the discourse was a brief disquisition upon the mystery in which their history is involved, including their transporta tion to our shores mingling with our popula tion and* policy. The second part was an attack upon our bitter prejudices against the negro, and an exposure of the false grounds on which we treat them with unkindness and in justice. The.third part was a statement of the claims, that might be made in their behalf.— The preacher insisted that they should not be the objects of unjust prejudices, groundless aversions and unmanly contempt Allow them personal freedom, an opportunity to gain knowledge, to labor for wages; relieve them from the shame and sorrow of being bought and sold; make them masters of themselves, let their marriage contracts be as sacred as God has made them, their homes inviolable, their children left to their own instruction and government. Give therii a chance to develop the powers with which the Almighty has en dowed them to show what they are, prove whether they are inferior or the contrary, and rise and* gain equality, if they can, by their own efforts. Then followed an argument, that they are human beings, descended from the same ori ginal pair, mortal and immortal, to shine with the redeemed of the other races, like the sun, in the kingdom of God. Examples were given in conclusion of individuals of the race, ex hibiting the highest cultivation, and sustaining Blumenbach’s assertion: “ There is no savage people who have distinguished themselves by such examples of perfectibility and capacity for scientific cultivation.” Mr. Taylor has done good service in behalr oi an oppressed and suffering race by this dis course.. The removal of Northern prejudices against the negro is as serious and perhaps as difficult a work as the overthrow of Southern slavery. Yet it must be done before we can expect the blessing of God on ns as a people. Dr. Sunderland’s Position. —Several of our ministers; pays the Washington correspondent of the Independent, who attended the crowded meeting in Dr. Sunderland’s church last Sab bath night to meet Rev. Dr. Massie of London, refused to sign the reply to the address of the clergymen because of anti-slavery sen tences in it! Rr- Sunderland’s course is very honorable to him. He is doing a noble work here for the Government and for the cause of Freedom. He has it in his power to do much more than, such men as Channing, who have been abolitionists all along—with a class of our citizens, I mean. He reaches the pro-slavery and the pon-eommittal classes. Tercentenary Monument. In Commemoration of the Three Hundredth Anniversary of the Heidel berg Catechism. Chambersburg, Penn.: Kieffer & Co. This is indeed a literary monument of a most interesting and valuable character. The Ger man Reformed Church have manifested a re markable degree of energy and zeal ip behalf of the standard of their faith, the Heidelberg Catechism. They have made its Tercentenary anniversary an occasion for expounding, eluci dating, historidsing and magnifying it and its surroundings in an extraordinary degree. The learning and science of two natipns and lan guages have been invoked in this work. The octavo of 650 pages before us faithfully records the Tercentenary celebration, gives us what may be called the transactions which led to the convention, its proceedings, and copies of the sermons and addresses delivered or read at that time. After all, when we consider the honor done to the catechetical form of instruction by these labours,- which include an essay on Catechetics and Catechetical Instruction, we do not know that the impression of exaggeration one gets at first sight is correct. Such a pow erful educational instrument as the Heidelberg Catechism deserves the great research bestowed upon it by the conclare Of divines who inet early this year in our city. There is a mass of information between these two covers, some of it furnished by the first scholars'of Germany, which would enrich any theologies! library. For sale by Lindsay & Blakiston. . A. M. Stewart. fg|». f BttaiWßS. Magazines, Pamphlets &c, The American Presbyterian and Theologi cal Review contains, The Heidelberg Catechism by Dr. Scbaff. The Aristotlian and modem Plan of man in Zoology, by Prof. Dewey of Rochester. Dorner on the Sinless perfection of Jesus. Prayer and Mediation by Hon. Eleazer Lord, Piermont, N. Y, Colenso on the Pentateuch, by Dr. Good win, of Phila. Examination of the latest de fences of Dr. Hitchcock’s Rational Pseyeho logy, by Prof. Hall. The General Assembly at Philadelphia. Theological and Literary Intelligence. Criticisms on Books; Theology; Biblical Literature; History and Biography; Philosophy; Practical Religion; Science ; General Literature ; Political Writings. Ec clesiastical Record, by Dr. Hatfield. The, article on the General Assembly as a permanent document might have been fuller. The departments of intelligence and criticism are as usual very full and valuable. The Re view is unapproached in these departments.— Hereafter it will be printed in solid type giv ing a greater amount of reading matter in the same space. Phila., Presbyterian Bookstore 1334 Chestnut street. The Bibliotheca Sacra and Biblical Re pository for July, 1863 contains: " Sin as re lated to Htiman Nature and the Divine Pur pose,” by Prof. Haven of Chicago; “The Law of Nature’s constancy subofdinate to the higher Law of Change,” by Dr. Hitchcock of Amherst College ; an argument directly in the teeth of the prevailing dogmas of the positive philoso phy which rests upon the presumed unchange ableness of nature’s laws. It is an invaluable contribution to the argument for miracles. We give an extract on our first page.. “Doctrines of the New School Presbyterian Church,” by Rev. George Duffield, D. D. a valuable article for which our church owes the venerable writer many thanks. Fuller notice hereafter. In the meantime we cannot accept the disparaging tone in which scientific theology is spoken of as a correct representation of the prevalent views of our church. “ The Fathers and Founders of the Lutheran Church,” by Presi dent Sears. “Egyptology, Oriental Archeolo gy and Travel,” By Jos. P. Thompson, D. D. Colenso on the Pentateuch,” by Prof. Bartlett, of Chicago. “ The Tercentenary of the Heidel berg Catechism,” by Prof. Schaff. “Latest German Theological Works,” by Prof. Warren, of Bremen. The Biblical Repository and Princeton Review for July, contains: The Inspired The ory of Prayer ; Religious instruction in the army, in which the proposal of the Christian Commission to suspend Chaplains by voluntary laborers is severely criticised; Faith a source of knowledge; The True Tone in Preaching and the True Temper in Hearing; The Gene ral Assembly; Date of the Book of Chronicles -—4ime of Ezra; Paul’s Thom in the Flesh— defect of vision. Short Notices. The Atlantic Monthly, for August, con tains: An American in the House of Lord’s; Debby’s Debut; Wetweather Work; The Geo logical Middle Age; The Fleur-de-Lis in Flo rida; Political Problems and conditions of Peace, with a number of other articles. The Poetry is scant and common place. The arti cles we have named are perhaps equal to the usually high standard of the Atlantic. The Eclectic Magazine, for August, con tains its usual full and varied selection of Foreign articles with some original pieces.— The engraving is exceedingly spirited and beautiful representing Hildegarde. interposing to save the life of Charlemagne in an enebunter with a wild bull. It will be interesting to many of our readers to learn that “ the late S. G. Goodrich (Peter Parley) and the late Prof. Goodrich of Yale College were the thirty-fourth lineal descendents of Charlemagne and Hilde garde.” Subscribers who are in arrears and liable to 50 cents additional charge on their bills, are notified that this charge will be re mitted, to such as pay an additional year, in advance of the present. gjtes mt iilurdtrn. Presbyterian. Rev. J. Parsons Hovey, D. D., the beloved pastor of the Eleventh Church, New York, is also the chaplain of one of our finest New York regiments—the gallant 71st—and during their late campaign in Pennsylvania he shared all their privations and hardships, occasionally even, setting a good example with the spade, and always sleeping in the trenches or on the green sward, with only the sky for a covering. The good people of the Eleventh Church have 1 been prompt to manifest t'heir interest in a sub stantial and most appropriate way. While Dr. Hovey was home ou a brief furlough, they sur prised him with the gift of a beautiful chap ain’s sworrl, spurs, &c.— Evangelist. AUG. 6
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers