130 —AND— GENESEE IYANGELIST. PHILADELPHIA, AUG. 13, 1863. JOHN W. HEARS, isr Subscribers who are in arrears and liable to, 50 cents additional charge on their bills, are notified that this charge vHll be re mitted to such as pay an additional year, in ad vance of the present. Rev. Daniel March, pastor of Clinton St.' Church, we regret to say, is confined to his bed by sickness of a typhoid character, brought on by exposure and over-work in attending to the sick and wounded soldiers at Gettysburg. The last sermon preached by Mr, March, was upon the life and character of that Christian hfero, Admiral Foot, and was received with such in terest that its publication is called for. We hope this laudable desire may be gratified. Admiral Foot is a character that may well be held up for imitation, and Mr. March is compe tent to treat the subject in art appropriate and adequate manner. DOCTRINES OF THE “NEW SCHOOL” PRESBYTERIANS. : In the current number of the Bibliotheca Sa cra, m find an artiole by Rev, Dr. Duffield, of Detroit, on the above subject. The entire fami liarity of Dr. D. with the circumstances leading to the peculiar position of the “New School” branch of the church, and his personal connec tion with contemporaneous transactions and dis cussions, qualify him for the task ho has under taken. Circumstances have, indeed, recently 000 irred, tending* at first sight, to diminish the importance of the distinctive doctrinal positions of ! he two principal branches of the Presbyterian Churoh. To enlarge just now upon the ostensi ble cause of the division might be regarded as nothing less than throwing a stumbling-block in the way of that union which seems to be ap proaching. Such, certainly, is not and could not be the object of the venerable!writer. He says; “If it can be shown that there is in reality no radical antagonism between the views of Old and New School Presbyterians, it may conduce to co-operation and unity in the spirit of love to trace wherein they disagree, and thus relieve from misapprehensions tending to alienation and str.fe. The writer of this artiole has for many years been convinced that the doctrinal differences between Old and New School Presbyterians are wholly theological, by no means involving radi cal error in respeot to vital points of faith. It is his hope not only to subserve the general cause and interest of theological science, hut to pro mote the reciprocities and courtesies of Christian confidence and fraternal fellowship.’' We observe that in the discussion pending the recent Union movements in the Free and United Presbyterian churches of Scotland, a ge neial disposition prevailed to reach and to ecclair eise the real grounds of division between the two or more bodies proposing to unite. It was felt that only after a perfect understanding of the nature of the obstacles to the union, could sucb a measure be undertaken with hope of lasting success. So it may be among ourselves. In place of an amiable and uncritical slurring over of ibe old causes of irritation, it may really be better judged to probe them to the bottom. If they are mere prejudices or idiosyncracies of a few individuals, If they are the phantoms of a hrcin distempered with excessive zeal for a phi losophical orthodoxy, if the real; though not os tensible, grounds of division have, in the changed circumstances in which we live, disappeared, such investigations as these of Dr. Duffield may but aid in producing a conviction accordant with the fact. The writer, if we understand him, seeks ra ther to emphasize the fact, that there is suet a thing as a theology distinctively to be, called “ New School.’' It exists and has its peculiari ties, But it is the fruit of a tendency of thought included under, and perfectly harmonious With, the general type of Calvinism. It is common to compare it with what is called “New England theology,” and to contrast it with “the Scottish theology.” “ But the theology of New School Presbyterians cannot be identified with the lat ter any more than with the former. It is espe cially characteristic of New School apprehensions and statements of the radical essential !i truths of Scripture, that they are those mainly of common sense, and less technical and scholastic than of either-of the the theologies just named.” Dr. Duffiold selects the name of Dr. John Wither spoon as of high authority and influence in giv ing form and character, not to say originating, New School views,of truth, especially on the sub ject of regeneration. Tho habit or characteristic of the New School theologians to decline to adopt as’a dogma,-or to press, any merely philosophical form of doctrine, which goes beyond-the elear statements of .Scrip ture, is illustrated, first, in regard to the doc trines of imputation and original sin. Old School doctrines are theories designed to explain the moral relationship of Adam and his posterity. Discarding those theories in which the Old School themselves are far from agreed, the New School accept the fact of that relationship equally with the Old. But they, are content to say in lieu of any theories on the subject, that, “ as a result or in consequence of. Adam's transgression, hia posterity became mortal and morally corrupt; that ihey are born into this world devoid of any righteousness of their own, are exposed and sub jected to all the consequences of his first trans gresa.ojj, and through a natural bias thence •arising to-dine to sin and become sinners as soon as, iu the language of Edwards, ‘they are capa ble ot it.’" It is peculiar to this New School to abide by these great and plain facts, and to re luae to yield full assent, or to give ecclesiastical su action, to one or other of the score or more of current interpretations in the Old Sehodl. So in regard to the important doctrine of Re generation, the Old School have what Dr. Dnf iieid calls “ their life-theory,” which pretends to' gat behind the facts, and which would require the May mme sort of physical omnipotence by whteh God raises a dead body to life, in order to i ifuse spiritual life into the dead sinner. Dr. Witherspoon, who, .especially in this branch of tie subject, is to be regarded as representing the great body of New School Presbyterians, confines liitiijeit within the range ol human consciousness. From this point of view, he makes regeneration consist in a change of the governing principle of the man—giving a new direction to. the under standing, the will and the affections. As to the process by which God operates on the soul, the New School theologian, though he may spe culate, does not dogmatize. He, however, re jects decisively, as erroneous, the theory that a physical change is wrought in us by regenera tion. Editor. On the doctrine of ability, Dr. Duffield shows that Dr, Witherspoon and the New School have always insisted that' the inability of the sinner was moral , i. e., that it arose from the sinful in disposition of his heart to love and serve God. They insist on tbe distinction between natural and moral ability and inability—a distinction which the Old School have, until recently, re fused to make. A better understanding prevails in regard to what are the views of the two sec tions of the church than formerly. But the Old School theology still teaches su<jh strong doctrine Upon the sinner’s inability, as to weaken his sense of responsibility On justification by faith the writer contends that except upon the ques tions connected with the 1 imputation of Christ’s righteousness, “no sliding scale would mark the lines of difference as between Old and New School Presbyterians.” The ever, brings out an interesting and important diversity of views. Old Sehool theologians, with their usual habitual aim ti) bring all the definite ness of a well-ascertained system into their doc trines, maintain that Christ’s person is commuted for persons of the elect, and, therefore, his suf ferings and death were the very same punish ment in penalty, ;io law, which' might have been exacted personally from them in their . eternal sufferings and death. The New School cannot discover this conceived exactness, this quid pro quo, this strict and literal execution of justice in the substitution of Christ’s sufferings for those of a definite number of sinners. , Christ, offered Himself as a substitute for the infliction of the penalty, to which penalty the sinner only, is or canbe, deservedly subjected. His sufferings and death take the place in the divine government of the endless punishment of any and every sin ner of the human race. Only inveterate theorists would concoct such a complete system of doctrine upon the Atone ment, as that which culminates in the absolute limitation of its provisions to the elect. The , New School do not so theorize, but, accepting the plain declarations of the Gospel, maintain its freeness, and make a bona fide offer of its bless ings to every member of the race as far as they cab reach hiip. They regard . the atonement as an act of-.public justice—in which the public good is provided for—in Which' ample compen sution and satisfaction have been rendered for the dishonor done to God’s law and government by the sins of men—-which is a sufficient reason with God, an expedient, abundantly satisfactory to his public justice as a moral governor, so that the exercise of his pardoning prerogative may be freely indulged, and without injury to the in terests of his government. On the whole, the writer concludes, that on the leading points or facts of the atonement the two schools agr-ee, though differing in their views of the justice of God concerned in the maintenance of his moral government, and in the policy pursued as to pre senting the Gospel to a perishing world. Finally: on the Divine sovereignty, origin of sin and connected mysterious points, the Old Sehool theologian, as usual, theorizes* building up his philosophy and demanding assent; the New School suffers great seeming inconsistencies, as sovereignty and free will, sin in the universe of a Holy God, &c., to remain side by side in his mind, conscious of the impossibility of a satisfac tory solution.. The writer in conclusion expresses his con viction, that he has not found or exhibited dif ferences in doctrine sufficient to justify the sepa ration of brethren whose hearts and efforts might be much better united. So far as doctrines are concerned, it is but necessary that the Old .School theologian yielding his peculiar speculative beliefs, concede the exist ence of a genuine Calvinism which does not spe culate at all in those peculiar provinces of be lief, or which differs from him, not upon . the great apd clear outlines of Calvinism, but upon some of its most reoondite and least ascertained dogmas. ROMANISM IN AMERICA. The late riots in New York- have thrown the Papists into an unenviable prominence. The ' bulk of the rioters were Irish Catholics. It is tru6;Jhat Col. O’Brien, who with the meujof his regiment contended most loyally in support of the authorities was also a Homan Catholic, and was brutally murdered and outraged by men of his own religious persuasion. But. this instance, with others doubtless equally honorable.but less known, mußt be regarded as an exception. Cer tainly, the attitude of Archbishop Hughes was not sneh as to stimulate any of his flock to imi tate'the heroic loyalty of Col. O’Brien. It father: went to palliate the heinousess of that series of lawless and outrageous acts, among which was the murder of the faithful Colonel.— The levity and lukewarmness of an official of sueli dignityas Archbishop Hughes, and the ge neral silence of the higher branches of the Romish clergy at this critical juncture,-are facts of sneh, moment that-the loyal appeals of three or four of their Bishops cannot remove or dissipate their nntowardness. It remains true that the mass of ihe Irish Catholics, in the metropolis of our : country, flamed out into sudden and bloody and tremendous opposition to the laws of the land, acting with a concert which pointed strobgly to antecedent and well-laid plans; that after they had almost staed their horrible propensities and come well under the control of a determined soldiery, they were mildly, reproved-by Areh bißhop Hughes who spoke of their acts as “so called riots,” and dismissed ’them fresh from scenes of horrid carnage and violence unparalleled in this country, with his paternal blessing! It remains true that these Papish masses, ignorant and superstitious, are the. pliant tools of crafty men, who have no guiding principle but the lowest self-interest and who are prepared to sacrifice the honor: and safety of their country to gain it; and that only one class of persons can' sway them more effectively than the politicians and that is their own more crafty priests. A' well known Romish authority, the eccentric but loyal 0. A, Brownson, illustrates thejvalue of the Catholic element in this country to political schemers, and: the power of the clergy in guiding or restraining it, as well as their guilty unfaith fulness in the exercise of their official influence at this momentous crisis in our. affairs, .by the. statement which he has recently made, that the peace party of the Northern States would never have been organized but for the indif ference or latent sympathy of the Catholic priest hood. “ The leaders of that execrable party, he says, “ know perfectly well that without the assurance of the adherence of the foreign-born population and their children, the majority of whom are Catholics, they could hardly Tally a corporal’s guard.” The existence of the dangerous peace party, which is also the mob party, or more properly the rebel party, of the North, is here distinctly traced by a loyal Roman Catholic, to Soman Catholics, under the lead of priests and priestly organs tinctured with disloyalty. The “peace” party is that which now threatens to force pre mature and dishonorable terms, with armed re bels, which stirs up perilous strifes between na tional* and state authorities* and aims to establish, anarchical doctrines of State sovereignty in the North while we are crushing them by force of arms at the South; in short'which seriously threatens us with dismemberment in the moment of victory. This last danger'to liberty and re publican nationality, according to Mr. Brownson is riot Southern slavery,—Brit Romanism 1 The Pope’s minions will annul our victories, will paralyze the arm of constitutional authority, will’ vote and riot in sympathy with the rebellion.-r And what wonder! Who need be surprised that Rome should fail in sympathy with a'riepub lican government in its time of trial ? Why should she desire our welfare, oaf unity, or the permanence-of: our institutions? Is it nothin perfect consistency with all her historical tradi tions that she should discourage all movements likely to establish and perpetuate free institu tions She is to-day anathematizing the,libera tors of Italy and holding down the restless Tem'- ’nants of the Pope’s immediate subjects With in dispensable French bayonets. The Pope for mally congratulated Napoleon on his success in overthrowing the Mexican Republic. . The trai torous Catholic priests in Mexico hastened to welcome the destroyer of their country’s free in stitutions. The Archbishop of Mexico accepted; from the French a place in the revolutionary government, they instituted* and doubtless the mass of the hierarchy are co-operating heartily in these movements for the introduction of A more despotic and more congenial government. Suppose our country was invaded by a “good, Catholic ” sovereign—not a very wild supposi tion—how much would the loyalty of the Romish l priests among us he worth ? Already they have 1 acted so suspiciously that Mr. Brownson himself exclaims: “What more, could the Know. No things have asked for us.in their justification ?” THE VICE OF PROFANITY; We are glad to 1 observe that the attention of our religious bodies, is being turned to the great prevalence of this loathsome and daring vice.— We give, in-another place, the action of the Presbytery of Geneva on the subject. List there be a mutual understanding that the increase of this vice, connected doubtless with the existing state of war among us, is not to go unchallenged in any quarter. The pulpit and the press should reveal its deformities, denounce its criminality, and point out its fearful end. There is need of of a new tract upon the topic. Dwight’s Sermon on Profanity in his “ Theology " would make a good tract; bat it would be well to offer a premi um to secure something able arid seasonable as well. Profanity may be regarded as a national sin. It prevails so widely in America, among old and young,- that we may well be humbled and alarmed. The volumes of imprecation which roll up from our people, if would over whelm them ten times over in eternal destruc tion. Our greatest calamities may be regarded as provoked by our profane appeals to heaven.— -The disastrous defeat of the Army of the Poto mac at Chancellorsville ■was- preceded by expres sions from a high officer so profane that they shocked ordinary swearers. Because of swearing the'land mourneth. A spirit of reverence is sadly wanting among us. We fail to inculcate it iri the education of our children. The evil is coming in like: a flood—may the Spirit lift up a standard against it. CHAPLAIN, WYATT. [Our readers may have already noticed a very interesting article from the pen of Rev. Dr. McLeod, in regard to our departed brother Revi J. 0. Wyatt, late chaplain of the 89th N. Y. Reg. Vol. - We have since received-a communication from Mr. Robert White, one of his companions In' the Theological Seminary, giving some further details concerning him, which we here subjoin. The present writer, may be permitted to add his testimony to the worth of a beloved friend and pupil, whose un feigned piety. gained him the confidence of all who knew him, while his excellent talents commanded their respect, and his gentle kind ness secured their love. We had ; anticipated for him a long, a useful, and honored career on earth, but be has been called; np higher, and while we mourn we still 1 must feel that it ib better to depart and to be with Jesus.]- Rdmaine.Praire, Marion Co., Illinois, July 24th , 1863. . Dear Sir: —To day has been a sad and a solemn one to the congregation of Walnut Hill. A member, and also one nearly related to many of the members, were committed to the silentjtomb—Rev. J. C. Wyatt, Chaplain 89th Reg. N. Y. Vols., and Mr. John Black Myers. I have seldom been so much astonished, or had my feelings so shocked, as when I heard of the death of James Calvin Wyatt. I had met him at the meeting of Synod in the month of May last, and although he had only lately recovered from an attack of typhoid fever, he nevertheless looked as if a long life of usefulness might be before him. After the adjournment .of Synod,he went onto Cincinnati, intending to preach in the George St. church, the last sab bath of May and the first sabbath of June. On account of indisposition he fulfilled only the latter ,of these appointments. This was liis last appearance, in the pulpit; then and there he delivered his farewell discourses previous to going to a better world. How little either he or the congregation thought that‘this was thei case. . ■ That same week he left Cincinnati for this place, where he has quite a number of relations. : He arrived at the house of Mr.’ James Morton, on Wednesday June 10th.’,_ just one month previous to his,decease. The following Sab bath he attended Walnut. Hill -church, but took no part in the services; except explaining a psalm, the 23d was the one he selected. On Monday morning he went to Salem, six# miles north of this ; where he took the cars for Cairo, expecting to meet Ms regiment there qri its way to Yicksburg. When He arrived there, which was that same evening, he found that Ms regiment had gone. The next day, Tues day June 16th, he left (Cairo for Memphis. He arrived June 18th. Feeling somewhat indisposed he went to the medical officer in charge pf the hospital there, who told him that he hadjthe measles, and said that Be ought to go the "hospital, which he did that same evening. Abopt the fourth of July he had become almost entirely well, and on that day sat, dawn to a: pinner gotten up for the occasion. As be eating whatever ie chose for two or thres days previous to the Fourth, the surgeon saws he did not think to caution him in referencejjto eating. The sur geon : supposed that he ate something which did not agree with him or perhaps drank too much ice water, for that became, seriously ill. He lingered till 4 .o’clock : on the afternoon of Friday July 10th, when he breathed his last. During his illness he: appears to have been entirely disinclined or unable to speak; for the surgeon is of opinion that he suffered a great deal, although he did not appear to do so, or, manifest any sign of it: j All that he said after the Fourth was very little itideed, and gave tis no cine whatever to thewtate 1 of Ms mind. On Wednesday July Bsi, he remarked to the nurse in attendance that|he thought be would not recover, About arijjjour before his death he said that he though| that he was a little better. This is all be is reported to have spoken froin the night of the Fourth until his death.. On Friday evening J ply ITtb, two of Ms friends left this place for: Memphis to take' charge of his body,'wMch had been embalmed’ and awaited their disposal. You will see how little ineimed or able He was to speak from the fact that he ; gave no directions to anybody in reference to anything.* -Ijt was only by consult ing Ms diary that the sriifeeon was able to ascert tain who or where any.ofchis friends.liyed. On Wednesday July '22d, Mb body arrived in Gem tralia* when Rev. H. A: jMeKelvey who is now residing there took charge of it. He had it removed to the United Presbyterian church in that place, where it remained until Friday morning July. : 24y, rjrqppns to leaving Gen tralia for the burying ground adjoining the ■Walnut Hill church, religious services were held in the church. About a quarter after ten o’clock, A. M. the procession was formed, and started for Walnut HM-, It arrived there about half past one, that afternoon. The remains were taken to the church where religious ser vices were also held. A large number of people were present, and a feeling of deep solemnity seemed to pervade every heart. The: voice of God spoke plainly and loudly in this dispensa tion, and we trust many? deep arid lasting im pressions were made and 'good resolutions formed. ; ; After the services the remains were carried to their resting place, and the benediction pro nounced,by Rev. H. A. McKelvey. ' 1 I remain 1 yourjirother in Christ, i Robert White. FROM OUB ROOHES^OOKRESPOTOENT. Rochester, August 7th, 1863. Dear Editor: —This has been a week of great interest in this city. Two events of pe culiar;, importance have come near together— the draft and the thanksgiving.:. On Wednes day our citizens submitted to the draft; on Thursday, with the rest of the loyal, we ob served the thanksgiving. Both events offered some things noteworthy. THE D^AFT. This passed off without any disturbance. Three weeks ago it was feared that there might be trouble; and'if the draft had occurred (hen, as was first ; intended, we know not but that some disturbance might, have occurred, But the.eyents of Jfuiy,l3th,44th and 15th in New York, taught the whole country a most salutary lesson. A little time also for reflections ifpon the events of those memorable three days in the metropolis, has .im proved. The;utter futility of all attempts to resist the laws of the lap d is more plainly seen than it was four weeks ' ago. Then some of our professedly loyal papers “and politicians, were stoutly declaring that it “ was impossible to enforce the draft in .this State-ythe people Would never submit lo it—out State would be deluged in blood 1 first 1” ' ; ~ But the people are Submitting to it; and would never, have thought of, anything else, but, for, the infamous instigations of just such despe-r rate politicians, and such disloyal newspapers.' If Over the wish was fa&er to the thought, it has seemed to be in these; suggestive prophecies. “ The State will-be deluged in blood,”—but it is not deluged in blood, v The draft has already ■taken place in Auburn,-Elmira, Canandaigua, Buffalo, and in many other districts; embracing In fact a large part of (tie State, and gll passes, off peacefully. . There longer an appre hension of‘Serious troupe in any part of the commonwealth;. The deluge of blood,” we almost, fear; was what - some persons would have preferred, rather tjhan that the country should be saved by the]; present government. O, for a staff of patriots to take the place of mere ‘politician's,' in the conduct of certain'puh lic journals of 1 our State I The’ “deluge of blood ” necessary to end this war, and restore union and prosperity to. our poor distracted eountry, would then be a good deal less than it must be, if this malignant and insane opposi- tion to the,government is continued. : Why can not even the blind see, tha,t this/lija time for union and harmony at North; and, that as this is not the time to elect a new government, our salvatibn simply depends oh sustaining the present 7 , ], THE THANKSGIVING. Owingto the absence ot most of our pastors on their summer vacations, we had not so much of preaching service on to day as might have been expected. The Yfet; Presbyterian, St. Peters, and plymoftAi]OhUEbhbs held a union service in, the house of the First Presbyterian Church, with a sermon from 1 Rev. 23. D. Yeo mans, the hew pastor; St, Peters’ Church. There was also a prayer meetipg at the lecture room of the Brick church, conducted by Rev. E. E. Adams of your own city, who is now here supplying the pulpit of the Brick Church, in the absence of the pastor. This was a meeting of peculiar interest , The] large, Recture- Ropm waafull ofeamest to® wefeafew words of earnest exhortation:; and there was prayer fervent and Hopeful, with and joyous thanksgiving. > And yet there was no boasting; no proud, self-confident exultation, as over a despised and fallen foe. There was Humility, penitence, con fession of sins, and prayer for our enemies. God was acknowledged and praised as the only source of. all our victories andi:advantages. The remarks of Mr. Adams were peculiarly timely and happy. The meeting left a sweet and : delightful imqression on all minds. Many to-day also are speaking of It The remem brance of it is pleasant. *• VACATION. , But our pastors are absent. And if ever pastors needed or deserved a time of recreation and rest, ours do this summer. We have be fore told you how they have worked ever since the year commenced; first in hope, and then in fruition; first striving earnestly to bring up their own minds, and the minds of their people to a receiving condition; and then,-when the blessing began to descend, working, (if possi ble,) even more, diligently* to make the most of , it. For weeks .past they have lopked.worn and weary. We are in a position to know that the : best wishes of their people follow them very tenderly wherever they go; and that fervent./ prayer i@ constantly made on their.,behalf,, .that they may.truly rest, and regain abundant health' and strength, to .reap again next winter, if . the, Lord wifi, just as riehand precious a.haryest as,., the last. , . ~ t ~ Dr,.,Pease, of the Firstj Church; is, snuffing,, the free breezes of the Green Mountains,.among ~ old friends ip . Vermont Dr. Shaw, of the , Brfck :(lhurch, is drinking, salt air and eating,; sea fish, down. on Long Island., ,of the .Central,. is washing and sopiting, in a,, moderate and eclectic wpy, at that model health retreat, Clifton ; Springs. And in this eonnec- : tion we may also mention, that Bey. Dr. Haw ley, of Auburn, and Rev. E. P. Hammond, the , are seeking , rest and health at,-the , Catskill Mountain-House. Valuable men, all of them ; loved and honored, in Western New,. York,-.. They,have all had much to do with the,, recent great ihgatheringpf souls in ijiis,region. We are in no Haste, to. spare,,these esteemed, pastors,,and trust .that'. the ; great,metropolian churches will not set their .covetous, eyes upon them for the next twepiy years.,or, so. A CAM. “ Rev. 1 Albert Bigelow, beien pastor of the large*church 1 in Homer for some five years past, has resigned his charge, and received a call to-settle in Jackson, Michigan, which, it is probable, he mil accept. > ~ THE KEyiVAL IN NEW HAB.TTORD.: , This has continued, until sopie sixty or .sev enty, are now indulging, hope. , Rarely is It, the, lot of a young pastor, just entering, upon his work, to, be greeted with,resulis so extensive, and .charming in the first three months; of his ministiy. Long may he continue to reap abundantly. . STATE S. ,S. TEACHERS ASSOCIATION. The Eighth Annual Convention of the- New York State ’Sabbath School Teachers’ Associa tion,-is to be held in the First® Presbyterian Church, in the city of Troy. Its sessions are to commence on Tuesday, the 25th-inst., at 4 o’clock in the afternoon, and continue through Wednesday and- Thursday following. AU su perintendents and teachers! of Evangelical® Sab bath schools throughout the State; are cohdially invited-ito be present, and bi’ing along all the wisdom that they possess in regard to the management of Sabbath schools:' The object of the- meeting is to hear--reports) 5 compare views, discuss methods, and stir up one another’s : mmds to the highest possible aims and aspira tions, in relation to this blessed institution. Last year the annual gathering, of the Asso ciation was held‘in Canandaigua; the year be fore In Binghamton; -both meetings were largely attended, and exceedingly interesting. That at - Canandaigua doubtless bore off the palm of all similar-gatherings. It was thronged'and en- Thousands of Sabbath school teachers have been better teachers, af least for .one year, for the strong and blessed impulses, they received for their work in that meeting... .’We could hardly frame words to express a bet ter wish for the meeting this year, than Simply 4o hope that it may equal that of last.', If more he ppssible] may more be realized. ] THE FREEDMEN. - [The American Missionary has ad dressed the following letter on ..the abovetopic-—, so interesting to all Christian an es- . teemed contributor of this paper. It is pub lished as the most ‘effectual mode of bringing the providential call'contained in it .before the class pf persons whose services are needed.,] • ■, From the first, our Society has felt'a deep in-- terest in the condition of the slaves, and a,;pain ful anxiety on account of the judgments of Rod ,long, pending over; our nation bn account of its complicity with the oppressor.'* Permit me to invite your attention to the Constitution of the Association, found on the 2d page of the co ver of pur magazine, for a Statement of our prin ciples on this question. ' * ' 1 - Immediately upon* the breaking out of this mpst‘ diabolical rebellion, we resolved upon ef forts, in behalf of the slavej and when Gen. But ler issued his celebratedcontraband” order, we sent a missionary into his department, eastern Virginia. Since then our work hds expanded; as the progress pf ihe -Union primes opened the way. ' , ; - • The wprk is a great one promising to be an immense one in itsdemand upon the sympathies, tHe’.cbntribufcions.and the energies of the behe volent, the importance of which can scarcely be, overestimated;, It is a peculiar work, relating to the physical, well-being and culture of the ex slave no less than to his intellectual, moral and spiritual improvement. In the circumstances ,ih which we find him or. he finds our agents and missionaries, i»o one of these features of-the work can be'overlooked- i To me it seems that, in the providence of God, the future welfare of our be loved country depends more upon the manner in which we meet these. God-liberated men, the cordiality with which we give tbp® «the blessings of Christian civilization and : fellowship, than upon the number and strength of our armies. ‘ : But you have doubtless studied these ques tions thoroughly, and are.anxionsto labor to the best advantage in (he discharge.of the responsi bilities thrown upon allGbristian men in ■country.... t ; _ t _______ r The American Missionary AssJbition, you will see, has had some preparation work. All the missionaries it has ever had V i(B_'employ, abroad or at home, in the Slave S|Kbs as in the Free, have been Anti-slavery missileries whose hearts have been in deep sympat.l w jth the slave. Its friends and supporters hs% all been anti-slavery Christians, and more don Jess than any other society in our land has it bee* j n close contact with such, in all parts ot our -i&mtty. Then, too, it has commenced and made Egress in this work, and has now a large number,) siottaries and teachers engaged in it in and South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, soriri, Mississippi, &c. I feel the more free to invite jour co-operatiA because you will see by Art. 3 and note of o« Constitution, that, although an Evangelical Sc\ ciety/we are not a denominational' one. Ouil first missionary to the “ Freedman " was a'Pres- 1 byterian, and now, I believe, a majority of the Evangelical denominations l: are represented I by our missionaries and teachers. A majority of the officers of the Association are Congregation- 1 alists, but a majority (if our laborers among the freedmen belong to other denominations. If' the Christian friends with whom you are ecclesiastically connected, have a number of men and women 1 thoroughly well adapted to this work, whom you can recommend' as desirous to enter into it, constrained by the' love of .Christ and for His sake, and the sake' of His poor, onr Executive' Committee will 1 send thetn into the work; if desired'to do so, just so fast as the field opens, and so far as we can secure the means, just now, although we are always glad' to get means, We bre raore. anxious to secure a goodly number of thoroughly practical laborers to enter into tbie work in the South-West, so soon as the summer-heats "have passed, so as to make it safe, then, to secure present funds. , • If yon can give ns the hien ahd the' means for their support, we should, of course, prefer it j but give as the men, and your co-operation in securing their support, and we will enter pin no question whether you furnish means in propor tion'to men. Can you help us f ‘ ' Yours, ' G: Whifpie. Rev; Robert Patterson, D. D., of the Reformed - Presbyterian Church, Chicago, will be glad to hear 1 from the friends of the freed men in the West, ivho are willing to give money, clothing or petsonalPemce. Address box 2,346,- ChicagO. LETTER FROM CHAPLAIN STEWART. - i ; Wakken Vox; Va., August 4th, 1863.~ Dear Editor: —Since my last we have re mained in the same camp—-scorching, swelter ing, roasting, frying ahd baking in‘an unshaded, worn-out Virginia field. Rut little protection,is afforded from the burning noonday sun by our little, shelter tphtsV Our present earthly locality is adjacent to the turnpike road leading from Washington to Luray and about two miles west from Warrenton. Should any of Pay readers still cherish fanci ful theories—a little romance or fancied pleasures connected with camp life, we hereby most cor dially invite them to make us, a visit j remain a week, take camp fare and accommodations —we promise all without ' money and withput price. Cured effectually of poetic fancies they would returp home, and , a -result, perchance write book. ’ From all the military indications ■within onr present observation it seems not at all improbable we' may .'continue to swelter in this locality throughout the months of August and Septem ber, unless Uncle Robert Lee see meet again, to put us in motion ere that period, by some eccen tric rebel movement. Although our army of the Potomac, since crossing the river after j&en. Lee into Maryland, did not accomplish,all, that was desired, yet certainly all will acknowledge, much more has been effected than was expected. This Chaplain, in his foolishness, did most firmly believe that vastly more injury cotild and should have been inflicted upon the rebel host ere it were allowed to recross the Potomac—he has also imbibed military ignorance sufficient to sup pose that after crossing, Lee could have been headed off from the passes .through, the. Blue Ridge and not allowed again quietly to take up, a position on his old and favorite, stamping ground behind the Rapidan and Rappahannock. The public should not however be, mislead by flights of fancy and ple.as.ing imagininr from newspaper reporters, or.; statements ft those calling themselves deserters; that Lei army is broken, demoralized, and about ready Genesee. falling to pieces. Nothing of all this, arch rebel general has yet a large, veteran, roughly disciplined, and vindictive army, 60,000 Strong/ enough under ordinary Condi! for one man effectively to command,. To that army at present (in its and our coj an 5 position) might, to say the least, pr< zafdous.. We, can well afford to wait, Lord has evident purposes to subserve, these we may write hereafter, by these holdings hack and apparent tliwartings. be oyer anxious, dear friends. ( What'say .our Northern gardeners, si raisers, farmers, hucksters, and niarki to a proposal for furnishing the entiri army, officer and private, say 60,000, lon of large, fresh, ! delicious. Blat amounting in the aggregate ar,least t’ barrels. Well, this .seeming unalt missary feat has been actually ;ai and that in the most easy, and, syst ner—each one has .gathered his But, how, and where could such, a room and the berries ? In a, black, of course, but how big was it ? Awi of countrj'—thousands of acres—a lai of farms along the south east spurs j Ridge and in the vicinity of Ashby l and Chester. Gaps, have by some pror of good farming or not, our thrift the North cap judge, been convert Blackberry,.patch, consisting of bushes ans, creeping vines. Ou i] encampment in this section, of ou| and footsore army, these vast ac black with large delicious berried send in addition to army grub-J refreshing, joyous luxury. AllS speedily forgotten; swords, cannt were for the, time laid aside in ,01 the arts of peace. General and : himself went to picking s berri| ing, curious, and exciting scene/ whole country side—hill and! wood, covered .with, men j all in/ ject —. picking berries., The gathering, Manna around. j * BLACKBERRIES. 'whether tmto a vast m upright ■rrival and? py, jaded, P? ere ;fairly lueh asgod fnexpeeted, lotions were nd bayonets 'to cultivate :te, each for &.n interesti, it, to see a , field and luponone ob les j of Israel [.encampment could haiTdly hare presented a sight more full of interest. After eating to satisfaction —hats, caps, haversacks, handkerchiefs, pockets, tin cups, coffe boilers, and even camp kettles were brought into requisition and filled for domestic purposes. Better this as a hygiene to our army than all the calomel, quinine, pills and plasters in Christendom. .. ; The noise about Lawton, New Kochelle, and such like felackherries - may. as well ceaseas in this matter the Old Dominion excels. Seeing this grand old State will.be pretty well depopu lated by the time the war ends, we propose for the future peace of the country that its entire area be converted into a huge blackberry patch— that our ambitious fruit growers form a com pany, build a railroad from the, extreme North through this section and for the express purpose if transporting blackberries, a/d thus be able to apply annually each ; th|Hwenty millions in \e free States with at least k gallon. inisa. ■ Sine® m y' i as t y° ur nigh receiving his disc service—a long'furlouj After halting here, much desirous ’’of Though excessively. distance from, camp, springs was cliancei flow out from the me —a great volume ofj welled trees. Was soon i a long while, rolled, floundered in tbe reminded at lengi thing might provj back to camp sundown sudderj —cramp®, awfi tive chilly lire away in a small heart—kind sd doubtful—all tj into and appiia at length can clothes and, bll Breakfasted nl parent ill effeM waru Hydro* that too mucl and also, thj creatures foi KBLIGIOj , These at written of tire dearth with ’ ws. shape* of bj ;h as "been the 'late si wettings, agent, del heard' fr< sifiee— Yankee. papers about' order to ter, but a thing On they" missi Horn* Campbell, Taberg, IST: Y. M, Smith, Texas Valley, If, Y. rlesParker, Irving, Kansas. J. Pierce, Mountain Church, Pa. Osborn, CireleVille, N. Y. >s Wilson, NeOga, ll], Kphns, Baltimore, Q, BE. Palmer, Middleport, Ills. B: Miner, Baraboo, Wis. Little, Lima,-O'. ; “ Beaufort Ladd, Victory, If. Y. I. W, Atherton, Cedar Bapids, Jowa. John Class, Janesville, lowa. Marcus Smith, Cpliamer, N. yl w. it; Megie/'Junius.K Y. C. R. French, Clermont, lowa. L. P. Crawford,: Sandwich, Mich, „ Rajnor,, Sptingipjle, Pa. J- -Ratting, TJhadilla, Miqh. £ John M. Rrown, Minonl, UlsL “ AleX. Resbittj Treinoht; I R. i y. • Meadeto the IT- S. Christian, Commission. : Headquakteks Army or the- Potomac, 1 , /.. ' iLpgttst 5,1863. f wge M. Stuart? Chqtntian U: $. Christian 13 'BakU Weet, JPhflaSefpMa. , ■ E J^ r .® ie :_ ~ i received recently through the bands of M¥. Cole, Jrottf kind letter df the 27th ult._ It will afford me very great pleasure to render* jou every encouragement and facility in toy powerto prosecutethe good and holy work you have entered upon. I assure you, no one looks with'more favor upon the true Christian; who ministers to the spiritual, wants* of the dying, or the physical wants of the wounded, than those who are most,(instrumental in, thp line of their duty -1,1 ® a H !S * n S this suffering; hence,- you may rest satisfied that in army your agents and assistants will receive every co-operation, and pe treated with- all the consideration due the important; and noble work they; are engaged »Pon- , . . .. ■ . . I shall he glad to hear from, yon, whenever anything occurs, requiring my action, and shall always fee ready as far as tbfe exigencies of the service and my authority will permit, to comply With your wishes.; Very respectfully, , and truly yours, , t 1 Goo. G- Meade, Major-General Commanding. patch, [section mmber ie Blue Eanassas, Reformed Presbyterian. imem: of. [The following letter from Rev. 3. O. Wood- Bide,:6ne of the missionaries of the' Reformed Presbyterian Church in Northern India, shows the deep interest which our ‘brethren take in the present: struggle' of our country, and also how highly they’ appreciate the influence and opera tion of that nohle' organization, the Christian Commission.: We hope shortly to present to onr readers the account of his journey to Ondh, which Mri Wbodside promises to furaish.] ' ■ &apurthala, Punjab, May3o, 1863. , ( / ; I had hoped to send you hy this mail some ac count trip to Oudh, but have been pre- doing so. I write this hasty note to say that arjs all quite well, notwith standing the inclemency of the. season. AUG. 13 COM B. came well ergs from this Chaplain i' from earthly duties.— |t greatly in need and fie purifying process.— i, mounted and rode some iiere one of those, glorious tpon, which occasionally itaih bases of old Yirginia fear, cold, sparkling water ie shadeof some fine old ne welling waters, and for id sploshed, and dipped, and Id delicious element. Was. that top much of the good bjurious—dressed and rode fling occasional chills. At pin in the chest and stomach jain with, suffocation; conges- paralyzed 5 life hiding itself ace of the body around the and friends anxious and stimulants .within reach poured xterually to, the body. Bleep -awoke about midnight with sts wet with perspiration— well. morning as usual with, no ap- The episode is mentioned-to lists, With all other theorists, ay be made of a good things—• God. may suddenly chastise His dr ignorance and imprudence. [INTERESTS'ANIJIJM'LUENCES, II te resting and hopeful, butwil! be le fully in coming letters. An en ! reading matter exists at present most everything readable in tbe , pamphlet, or tract; in possession, abaDdoiided, or worn out during reeks of almost’ incessant marchings, : fightings. No book, tract or paper te, or committee bas been seen or since our camping here, ten days Ten my friend Alvord, tie living hisever welcome little books and te suggestions have been made ng : a hasty run to Washington, in a small supply of reading mat ters military of such HOME MISSIONS. ■tlon received, from the churehes the following ministers were com tbe Presbyterian Committee of ms , at, their Regular meeting— whom were under commission last
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