The American Presbyterian. (Philadelphia) 1856-1869, September 03, 1863, Image 2

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GENESEE EVANGELIST.
PHILADELPHIA, SEPT. 3, 1868
JOHN W. HEARS,
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 ad
vance of the present.
A NEW VOLUME.
We commence, with this number, the Eighth
Volume of . the American Presbyterian.
We gratefully acknowledge the divine favor ,in
permitting us to mark, the flight of another
year of its history. Amid vicissitudes fatal to hot
a'fCw excellent journals, our sheet has maintained
its position, continued its regular issues, with
but two exceptions, and preserved its original,
proportions undiminished. Its value as an or-'
gab of our denomination and of wholesome opini
on oh questions of the day, is still appreciated,
though the pressure of the times upon many of
its friends has told -somewhtit .upon ; its finances
and its subscription list.!. With humility : and;
fear, we yet venture the hdpe that thef paper has
performed a work of decided usefulness inthe
circle of its readers. , It hag.stoodby every faith
ful pastor, in..whose chargo-it has. circulated, .as
an adjunct, in every for.m of labor for the good of
his people. , It has fairly rejmesehted aud aided
to develop the prevalent denotninationalism.so
necessary to the existence and prosperity of our
church. Ia -this, city,, and; in its'.appropriate
field, it has Cheered and encouraged alb who
w,ere laboring to advance the interests of our
branch of Zion, and has contributed not a little
to the great prosperity of the, denomination in
this section. It 1 has: aided in neutralizing-the
bad effects of such treasonable papers as the
Christian Observer and removing the stain 'of
suspicion they would have otherwise left upon
our body. It has contended for loyalty to our
government and administration as a religious
duty, and has steadily advocated the claims of
the oppressed in our land, until it has joyfully
recognized the great progress of the. national go
vernment towards the realization of so not le an
object as their complete emancipation.
We claim no exemption from error—far from
it. But casting ourselves on the forbearance of
oiir friends, we claim a continuance of their pa
tronage and a share of their influence and exer
tions in increasing our list.
Financially, the position of the paper is es
tablished. Its debts have beep paid, and, by
the purchase of the Banner op the Covenant,
organ of the. Reformed Presbyterian Church-, a
large addition has been made to its list. Some
new duties and additional expenses are involved
in this purchase,, but it. contributes to the.ge
neral prosperity of the American Presbyte-
RIANi This additional income is applied chiefly
in securing contributions from able pens in in
teresting localities, at home and .abroad. Ar
rangements are now in progress to extend con
siderably the circle, from which-these contribu
tions are drawn. ..
PROPOSALS FOB. INCREASING THE SUBSCRIPTION
In place of a long list of premiums, we make
one comprehensive Offer to all who will engage
in the work of procuring new subscribers. Un
til further notice we will give
One Dollar premium for every new sub
scriber paying $2, in advance; (or $2.50 served
by carrier.) V
CLUBS.
Clubs of ten or mote; to one address : $15.00;
by carrier $2O. If the club is made up of new
subscribers, paying in advance, 85 will be paid
to the person getting it up.;
Any one interesting himself to. keep up the
olub lrom year to year shall have his copy free.
Clubs of .six by mail slo.—by carrier $l3 -■ L
** **' fouf “ ft 7.- ** ; w g
SPECIAL TERMS TO MINISTERS AND MISSIONA-
Ministers who receive their .copies by mail
will hereafter be charged $1,50, by carrier $2, —
always in advance. Home,, Missionaries and
Theological; Students will be charged sl,—by.
carriers $1,50 in advance. .
COPIES FOR THE ARMY AND BENEVOLENT PUB,-,
Oopies will be furnished For the army or for
general distribution on application to our office
at the rate of two cents apiece ; to be delivered
to the Christian Commission, at the rate of 2}
cents apiece; when large quantities are ordered
a Week,s notice* must be given.
PREMIUMS FOR THE GREATEST NUMBER OP STJB-
SORIBEBS.
To the Sabbath School of the church - sending
n’s the largest number of new subscribers over
twenty, we offer not only the .cash, premium
as above stated, but in addition, a. library of well
selected, large‘Bizedj recent Sabbath* School bookis
of 100 volumes. :
To tho school of the Church sending os the
second best list, the cash premium and a library
of similar volumes, 50 in number.
To the school of the church sending the third
list, a large colored flO map of Jerusalem. " i "
TERMS OB THE PAPEktJN ADVANCE.
By mail $2, By farrier $2,50.
50 cents additional after three months.
Advertiiemente, 6 cents per U ne tor the first.:
4 cents for each subsequent insertion, 40 cents
per bne per quarter, 65 cents tor six months,
*l.OO per annum.
hfty thousand dollars.
Fifty thousand dollars given by a retiring
publisher m London I And for what? Here
ZhL'l a Para L graph go3n e the rounds and
which has caught our eyes:
h.zasc o sr»T?“ p r Mishi "®
'JA*— 1 . mm gi .„
window I ihe sum turned our thoughts to the
toy thousand doHars which onr last General
Assembly resolved should be raised for our
publication enterprise. If Mr. Brown of Lon
don can devote toy thousand dollars to
a stained glass window, can not we give as
much to send the light of religion unstained,
—AN 0 —
Editor.
sparkling and living, on the printed page, to
our great country ? We surely can do it and
must.
REBEL PRISONERS AT FORT DELAWARE.
A great multitude of rebel prisoners remain
in the hands of our government, eight thousand
of whom are upon the island occupied in part
by Fort Delaware. These prisoners were
mainly taken at and near Gettysburg, and are
literally from every part of the Southland
embrace all sorts and condition of men, except
officers. The officers were with them a short
time on the Island, when ugly, mutinous symp
toms appeared among the men, and four hundred
officers, including three chaplains, were dis
patched to Johnson’s Island opposite Sandusky
in Lake Erie, where they now remain. . Chap
lains and surgeons are now retained as prisoners
of-war by our government, in retaliation for
similar proceedings on the part of the rebels.
The . Island is - strictly .guarded,'and no one
Can land, or make- his way to different localities
without a pass from high authority. Through
the courtesy of Rev. Mr. Paddock, whom Our
government humanely employs to attend to the
spiritual yrants of f,he sick and dying rebels, we
were supplied witk sueh a- talisman and visited
the island last week. The rebel quarters which
were"the’chief object of our interest, lay on 5 the
the northern end of the island, and consist of
four huge barracks, I’he barrgeks are ; erected
around; .open quadaugular spaces, perhaps one j
hundred and fifty or two hundred, yards square,
and consist of one-story* frame-buildings, high
enough to adroit tKee'tiers of‘bunks, and wide
enough rfor two rowg of: such tiers, extending
from the Walls at right angles, and leaving a*•
wide pabsage-way or aislej down the middle of 1
thp’entire building. ’ On the bunks the men
sleep by night, and ;may lounge if., they choose,
by?day. The immense open quadrangle is free
for their perambulations. Just outside of the
single ‘ entrahce to these barracks'is an abun
dant supply of fresh water, brought in water
boats from Brandywine Creek, and thrown by a
powerful pump into immense vats,to Which the
prisoners are allowed constant access in sight of
theguards. As buckets anp banteens are plenty,
no one need-suffer from want of .this
We were allowed to mingle freely with , the
prisoners, and-.'they, were eager;* tO‘ speak.with
usi Parties were busy here and there' manu
facturing gutta percha rings, which they ; had
succeeded in .inlaying quite skillfully with silver.
Others • were fans from pine boards.
These articles they sold, to visitors and provided
themselves with a little of Uncle Sam’s currency.
Their work'was quite skilful ncithwithslanding
the dearth of tools. The prisoners surrounded
us byiscores/ and hundreds in dense mobs, if we
paused a moment to talk. 1 They were eager to
lbarn the news from from.MissiS
sippi, from Bgagg-and from Lee. Some com
plained ,to us bitterly of thqjr rations, they were
going in squads tor;their dinners at' the time—
others 'Said they were gdod enough. Every
variety of opinion prevailed among them upon
the merits of the war, though we came to the
conclusion that the loyally r inclined among them
hesitated to express their . .views, perhaps fear
ing What might happen upon their return South.
The stubborn rebels expressed themselves freely,
and argued pfersistently for their cause, refusing
to admit its hopelessness, and looking forward
to the prospect of taking up arms .against us
once more. It was difficult to disentangle one’s
self from the crowd of eager! talkers &hd listen-
to whom the advent of a stranger is an
event of considerable, interest. They sighed
for liberty and wondered at the delay in effect
ing their exchange. ‘ ! -
" Galvanized” Rebeus.
Not a few of the prisoners have intimated
their willingness to take the oath of allegiance,
and join the army of the Union. Perhaps many
more would do so but for the, wish and hope of
seeing their families on their return to the
South, after being exchanged. 1 When our
authorities - are satisfied of the sincerity of the'
intentions, they take him from the
barracks, lead him to the water, strip off his
rebel gear, and throw it forever aside, give Mm
a thorough cleaning, and clothe him in the
decent ana honorable uniform of the Nation’s
defenders. What a change! Even his old
associates notice it and.cannot refrain - ;from,
expressing a certain - pride in the improved
appearance of the men.„ “There 1” they say,
“ yoti call us Confederates, a poor-looidng set 1
Only jiist put us in good clothing and we, make *
as fine-iooking soldiers <as can .be found ”;
Others arebitter,* dealing out curses and invent
ing approbribus haifles for their chaUged* asso
ciates. The current name, set afloat by these ,
hitter talkers, is " galvanized rebels,” very ex
pressive, whether it refers to the change in the
feelings l of these .men as merely spasmodic and :
artificial, or whether it refers to their outward j
appearance as superficial only. Doubtless, in *
many cases the truth is just the reverse! , The
men were originally “ galvanized” into the
attitude of rebellion by terror, by compulsion,
by-tHe most inehdßciods representations. They
never had any sympathy with it; and now !
their transformation is nothing more than the !
learning to their true selves. . The galvanic - j
shock has been neutralized by Gettysburg. Six I
hundred and fifty of these “ galvanized rebels”
or restored patriots, volunteers out of the heart ;
of rebeldom, have been; .enlisted as cavalrymen,-
and over one hundred as artillery, and several
cases of restoration are reported every day.
Bey. E. J. Way; the thoroughgoing and ardent
Union man who is chaplain to the post, is
abundant in labors to accomplish this good
work. No greater benefit can be conferred upon
the real Union men among the prisoners,' than
to secure them an opportunity to make this
change.
lbearrangements for the care of the prisoners
seem inadequate in view of the great number
to be provided for. Immense hew hospitals
are just about complete and coming into use,-
capable of accommodating sixteen hundred
patients. This will remove some unpleasant
features in the barracks, which are now desti
tute of any special adaptions to hospital pur
poses. These hospitals are well planned and are
considered equal to some of the best Union
hospitals. At present there are about seven
deaths among the prisoners - a day At first,
as many as fifteen or sixteen; died daily.' ' *
PREACHING TO THE -REBELS.
The words of a stranger on almost any sub
ject interest these prisoners, shat out as they;
are from the world. Yery few persons have
access to them. Preaching therefore is very ■
§i»niatt and tangflissi
acceptable to them and is eagerly" attended.
An audience of two or three thousand is readily
procured. Rev. Dr. Brainerd, preached to them
a few weeks ago, the chaplain says, with happy
effect. Mr. Geo. H. Stuart has also addressed
them recently;; Rev. Mr. Bradford of Water
ford, Erie Co. Pa., is laboring among them, as
agent of the Christian Commission. The
chaplain of one of the North Carolina regiments
captured at Hagerstown has been retained by
Chaplain Paddock to aid him in his work, just
as a dozen rebel surgeons are retained by our
surgeons for the bodily necessities of the men.
In company with. Rev. James Morton of
New York, we Spent Sabbath before last in
preaching and exhorting among these captive
rebels. They gathered in great numbers within
the quadrangles and joined heartily in the
singing, were reverent in their demeanor and
listened with unbroken attention to the preach
ing of the word. In the latter part of the day
when the heat had somewhat abated, as many
as two or three thousand assembled to hear the
parting exortations of the New York and
Philadelphia clergymen. We told them plainly
who we were and how devoted to the cause
they were vainly seeking to overthrow; while
with all kindness and simplicity we proclaimed
to. them the great truths of the Gospel,, and
urged upon their, acceptance “the Lamb of
God that taketh away the sin of the world,”
We confess that'we felt embarrassed. One
can easily address a company of convicts whose
crimes have been unavoidably brought home
to their consciences, and can preach the gospel
tp a murderer under a gallows. , But how
preach forgiveness to men guilty in the aggre
gate of thousands of murders, and of most des
perate,attempts to destroy,the life of the Arne-,
rican Republics before they are . brought to feel
the guilt of these acts ? We fell, back upon
the general principle that it is safe to preach a
crucified Redeemer any where and to all sorts
of bearers. As, for .that matter, the necessity
of maintaining lay? , apd upholding good
ment, is a thought not at all foreign to a discus-.,
Sion of the relations of the atonement of the law
of, God, The history of the divine dealings with
the race, is by no means encouraging to the
plotters of rebellion against human govern-,
ments. Its influence is in a high degree health
ful and conservative., We endeavored to make
our representation of it salutary to the rebels
in their spiritual and temporal relations alike.
.Many,of the prisoners to.ok us warmly, by
the hand-even the stubborn ones who ex
pect to be , exchanged and renew the conflict
against us. Many , are professing Christians
and hold prayer-meetings, in the barracks.
Confinement and home-sickness make the men
tender, and ready to receive good impressions.
One of their number.told us that 90 conversions
had taken place among them since ,reaching i
the island; and a good degree of seriousness
is, still prevailing. The Christian Commission
extends its kind offices to these captives, in the
form, of r books and, other reading matter, but
evangelical influences are few indeed compared
with the necessities of the multitude.
THE CONDITION OF THE PRISONERS.
' Since our visit, a' communication from an
escaped prisoner has appeared in a Richmond,
paper and has been copied into" the papers of
the North, alleging the most scandalous ill
treatment and neglect on the part of the authori
ties towards tbe prisoners. From observation
oh the spot and from competent testimony~we
pronounce these charges viterhj false. Three
off tlie rebel surgeons retained on the island,
united a few days ago, in testifying to the good
attention bestowed on the , sick among the
rebels ; their water, as already remarked is
brought from the Brandywine Creek; we
passed through; the barracks on one of tbe
warmest of our recent warm days, and found!
them airy, cool, clean, and without offensive
smell. Their rations as described to us by an
officer of the post, are coffee and soup once a
day; and bread and meat twice a day." 'The
bread and meat we saw' them eating. It'Was
good army fare. We have no doubt- they fare
as well as the average of our own soldiers, to
say nothing of the unfortunate men confined
and half-starved in the military prisons of the
South.", The deaths, until recently, averaged
but a trifle over four a day. The great heat
has raised the average to seven.: The chaplain
is assiduous' in his attentions to the sick, being
aided, at present by the agent of the Commis
sion. The burial service is read over the dead.
The prisoners as a body looked well; much
better than those whom we saw a week after
their capture at Gettysburg. In such a crowd
it is impossible that all abuses'"and mistakes
should be avoided, and doubtless the condition
of, the .prisoners for the first. few days, before
arrangements for accommodating them ■ could
be perfected ! was' far from agreeable; especially
during the extraordinary rains in July. But
all military movements are unavoidably attended
with hardships, and many, is the. time \vben
national or rebel soldiers in the field would
gladly have changed places with the prisoners
of Fort 'Delaware, so far! as the question of
comfort is concerned.
. We are not surprised to find in the Richmond
papers Such reckless-statements as that "Fort
Delaware presents “ all the horrors of the Black
Hole in Caleufto ;” that “ the treatment is. so
excessively cruel,” that the men. are dying by
hundreds, “twenty-five a day,” that the meat-is
“half putrified,” and the water “but little better
than the runnings of a sewer.” But what shall
we think of a journal in this city parading, on
its bulletin board,, “ the horrors of Fort Dela
ware,” as if these brazen falsehoods about affairs
almost at own doors and capable of instant
rectification, deserved by the remotest implica
tion to be treated as possibly, true !
DEATHS IN THE FAMILIES OE THE
MINISTRY.
No less than three announcements of deaths
in a very narrow circle of ; our ministry,, and
within a few days of each other have been made.
First, Rev. D. K. Turner of Hartsville, Pa.,
is bereaved of his wife, who died August 18th.
Mrs. Turner’s maiden name was Darrah; and
her Jfaiiiily were well-known citizens of Harts
ville and old members of Neshaminy Church.
Bev. James A. Darrah, one of the very few re
maining loyal ministers,in Northern Missouri,in
her death;’loses a beloved sister. We can testi
fy on acquaintance to the gentleness of her man
ners, and her consistent Christian deportment
and are sure that her death is no common afflic
tion to,the survivors. .
On'the 24th, - the telegraph announced the
death of the estimable and widely beloved wife
of Rev. Charles A. Smith D. D. of this city, at
Saratoga. A family of children, will share with
an afflicted brother in this Joss. -Resides her
husband, Mrs. Smith, Jeft two sons in the minis
try; and failed not to leave her impress for good
on the world before being summoned to leave it.
Again on the 26 th, the invalid daughter of Rev.
Danl. March of this city was called away from
her long probation in the sick-room and on the
bed of suffering. As the greatest sufferer is al
ways the object of the tenderest regard in a
Christian family, a departure like this, though
long anticipated and a.blessed release to the de
parted, is a sore blow to the affectionate sur
vivors
We trust a gracious purpose will be manifested
in all these providential dealings with; the fami
lies of our brethren. May the affections of all
God’s servants be drawn heavenward and a
deeper spirituality pervade their example and
teachings.
LETTER FROM CHAPLAIN STEWART;
Fauquier, White Sutpher Springs, Va., 1 ;
\V August 26th, 1863. }
RELIGIOUS INFLUENCES IN CAMP.
Mr. Editor ■Ever since the tocsin of actual;
war was sou nded inthe. bombardment of Fort
Sumpter by the rebels, vour correspondent has
been with the army .of the Potomac, endeavor
ing to perform to the officers and soldiers the
varied offices and duties of a Gospel minister.
His experience during these two years and four ,
months have been strange, new, and wondrous
ly varied; and unless ah inapt and inattentive
observer, both his knowledge and judgment
have been considerably increased. Questions
like the following often suggest themselves, and
iare not unfrequently made by correspondents:
“ Are moral and religious influences in camp
decreasing ? at a stand still, or are they on the
increase ?” Within the circle of my own obser
vation, the reply would be, “ On the increase—
slowly yet surely improving.” ,
. Wickedness beyond Question still fearfully
abounds. Many a camp seems literally to
seethe, and fester,‘and ferment, to foam and boil
over, with unadulterated impurities and wicked
ness. Especially and sadly is this true among,
the ! officers of the army, with here and there an
honorable exception. ‘ Their .’facilities, their
means, and their tempations to evil habits being
much greater than the privates. To swear, like
a pirate; drink bad whiskey like a fish does
water, and gamble like a blackleg would seem
almost necessary qualifications for advancement
to a lieutenancy. Yet with all this wickedness,
abounding blasphemy, and pressures to evil,
the religion of Jesus has also au existence and
a place in our camps ; too often, to be sure, ra
ther in a dormant condition, yet not unfre
quently showing its benign : influences, and. its
power successfully to grapple with any and
all forms of wickedness. These active de
velopments of religion exist, according to the
winter’s experience and- judgement, only in
connection with the continued and faithful la
bors of the* chaplains. Extraneous efforts and
voluntary associations, which have brought and
are still brih'gingvitnoral influences to bear upon
the army, have certainly not been without their
happy and beneficial results; yet without the
regular chaplain teefvice to embody, to direct,
and to carry on these influences, they prove, as
might readily be expected, very ephemeral—
mere skirmishing against the embattled ranks
of the evil one, producing no lasting or decisive
efleet. In order to make permanent impres
sions on these principalities, these powers, these
rulers qf the darkness of this world, this spiri
tual wickedness in high places, the soldier of
the cross must be enlisted for the war, have ci
vil and military as well as ecclesiastical autho
rity for his position in camp ; and by long and
painful experience with the wiles of the devil
among soldiers, learn how successfully to resist
his devices. , ' ’’
EXPERIENCE AS CHAPLAIN OP THE 102 P. V.
That your readers may have some of the da
ta upon, which the above mij>ressidns are baSed,
the. leading' religihiis,exercises: and Influences,
especially those ip our own regiment, are. here
given,; and in this connection they will not he
looked upon as rejated in aspirit of boasting,
but of unfeigned thankfulness. ... ,
After varied trials, efforts, and failures in con
flict with Sabbath-day inspections, drills, and
reviews, as' to the most convenient add prifit
ahle.hour on the Lord’s day for holding public
regimental worship, we ;have long, since settled
upon the going: down of the sun, as subject to
the least inconvenience or interruption. At
this hour we seldom fail to have preaching, and
may hence in truthfulness say, “We have regu
lar worship and always well attended.”
For nearly 'tivo years' past we have held a
daily religious service, for Which, perhaps, the
most fitting appellation would be “ social pray
er meeting.” Our daily hour for this is also as
the shades of evening draw on. These mcct
ings would be considered large if transferred to
the lecture-room of pay large city church on the
Weekly; meeting fo£ prayer. Since going on
the Peninsula, in March, 1862, these daiiy
meetings have been universally held iu the open
air, and are pot usually prevented by those
seemingly excusable contingincies of hot, cold,
rainy, or snowy weather —not even by mud,
marches, fatigues, or battle-fields. Those who
united in organizing these meetings are nearly
all gone—killed in battle, died' in hospital,
wounded, disabled, and discharged, yet has not
the number, the interest, or the’profit of these
dialy gatherings together decreased, but on the
contrary very considerably increased. As old
members haive faded away, God in goodness
has raised up even a greater - number, and some
of these also from the most seemingly hopeless
and wicked to become most earnest and consist
ent laborers together With God. We have hap
pily quite a number qf good singers, with strong,
well cultivated voices; these constitute our bell
and trumpet.. At service time they are gotten
together and commence singing, when all who
desire assemble .in' ji large circle, often several
men deep, with the phaplain in the centre. My
habit is each evening to discourse, preach, or
address, vet never exceeding ten minutes, after
wheh the exercises are voluntary, no one being
called upon to take part. -Whoever feels in
clined joins in singing, talking, or prayer—the
whole exercises not exceeding fifty minutes.
As our singing can be ‘distinctly heard at half
a mile distant, many from other regiments, and
especially where there’are no chaplains or reli
gious services, are wont to come and join in our
meetings. An acquaintance with such soldiers
lias been thus made, and as a result they hake
been encouraged and assisted in organizing
prayer-meetings in their own regiments, and in a
number of instances with the most happy and
encouraging consequences.
REGIMENTAL BIBLE-CLASS.
Would, Mr. Editor, you could be present at
one session of our regimental Bible-class—a
large, old-fashioned Bible-class. About 3 P.
M., on Sabbath, the shade of some friendly trees
is sought to shield us from a scorching August
sun. Your correspondent seats himself upon
a stone, stump, or more generally .squats him
self upon the ground a la Turk, a mode of sit
ting now felt to be quite comfortable. Around
him assembles a large class, officers and pri
vates, all grown men, and squat themselves
likewise on the ground. A chapter or two in
the. Bible is read verse about, a brief and runn
ing, comment on the whole. passage is given,
and then, beginning at some point in the circle,
a question on the passage is asked of each,
going entirely around.. These questions often
elicit others from various members, thus giving
life and interest to the whole exercises. Our
soldiers, who, in any measure, love to read
God’s book, need the whole Bible, and by all
means' this should be a reference Bible. No
more acceptable or profitable present could be
sent, by mail to a friend in Camp than a small,
reference Bible—thin, so as to be carried in the'
side poeket of his blouse. - ; , . ; |
On Saturday afternoon last I received, through
an Orderly from General Howe; our division
commander, a request to call sometime durjng.
the evening at head quarters. Having no con r;
eeption of the business when calling, yet was I
most agreeably surprised on being thus accosted
by our General: “ Chaplain, to-morrow morn
ing (Sab.) we are to have a special review and
general inspection of thewhole division in con
nection with the artillery; - would it not be well,
at' its close, to have a brief ’ religious service ?”
“ Certainly, General, and exceeding glad to hear
from'you the suggestion. When shall it be,
and how ?” “ I will mass the troops together
and you will lead us in prayer;—-sufficient to be
gin'with. ! caviller can reasonably objeci to
thiS,;for 'the Lord knows we all need tb be
prayed for bad enough.” : , '
i Accordingly, ; at' the close of the review in
spection, the entire division thirteen regi
ments—was brought into solid inass, closely
flanked by three batteries of artillery—a mag
nificent sight. The soldiers; all in their best at
tire, with burnished, glittering armor, officers,
also, all in holiday costume—a forest of bayo
nets and a sea of faces. Seated on horseback
in the centre, so as to be seen and if possible
heard, I endeavored to raise the voice loud
enough so as to reach over the assembled thou
sands, while confessing our sins and invoking,
the Lord’s pardoning mercy and unmerited
blessings. A. M. Stew Art. «
FROM Otfß ROCHESTER CORRESFOND-
ENT-
Rochester, August 28th, 1863.
A CORRECTION.
Dear Editor :—Your correspondent has of
ten admired the accuracy and neatness of thie :
typography of your paper. How it is that
mistakes .do not more frequently occur is really
surprising. How it is, that that which is often so
hastily written shoiuld be so correctly read, and
in the hurried proof-reading the misplacements
of type should be so generally corrected, is
really more remarkable to one who ; knows all
about it than it could be to the uninitiated.
Your last issue, however, contains one little
slip which ought to be set right. The types
make me say that' the number of Sabbath
Schools in Monroe county is “far less” this
year than it was last It should be four less—
only four,, while there is, as I stated, a very,
considerable increase both of teachers and scho
lars, and a manifest improvement in the spirit,
energy, and enterprise with which the Sabbath
School work is carried on. .'
STATE S. S TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION.
The Eighth Annual Convention of this asso
ciation has been held this week -in the First
Presbyterian Church in Troy. The meeting
commenced its sessions at 4 o’clock on Tues
day afternoon, and: the final adjournment was
on; Thursday evening. > The following were the
officers of the convention : , : !
ipreswleut—Andrew A. Smith, of Brooklyn,;
Vice-Presidents —Ralph Wells, Cornwall;
Rev. 0. Ei Daggert, D. D., Canandaigua; Hon.
W. L. Aaii Alstyne, Troy; Rev. Henry C. Pot
ter, Troy; Gabriel F. Dissoway,, Staten Island;
Rev. G. G. Baldwin, D. D., Troy. -
> Secretaries—E. T. Huntington, State Secre
tary, Rochester; Prof. J. E. Gilbert, Loncas-;
ter; Amasa R. Moore, Troy ; Wm, W. Bloss,
Rochester; I, Newton Baker, Philadelphia. ,
The attendance of delegates, we are told was ;
very large, the meeting harmonious and plea
sant, the proceedings characterized by great in
terest and enthusiasm. This annual gathering
of the Sabbath School Teachers is now one of i
the institutions of our State. It is our Annual
Congress for, the little ones; and how much it
has to,do with making right laws for our coun-.
try,.it would mot be easy to determine.: One
thing we feel quite sure of is, that so far as its
influence goes, it will make loyal citizens.
“ We will stand for the right.”;— This is one of ;
our favorite Sabbath School,hymns. r
i, We have before intimated that these associa
tions of Sabbath School teachers, whether for
the town, the country, or the State, are doing
much toward stirring up increased zeal and en
ergy in the Sabbath School cause. . As was an
ticipated, the meeting of the State Association
of last year had been felt. Its beneficent effects
were manifest in the increased attendance upon
this, the interest in it, and the favorable reports
brought in by the delegates. We may add, al
so, that the presence of corresponding delegates
from about a dozen of the other States of the
Union, and one, true and loyal, even from Vir
ginia, added not a little'to the interest of the
meeting: The association is to meet next year
in Buffalo.
A DAY AT CLUTON SPMNGS.
/This, is not a /gay, galloping, fashionable'
watering place; although thronged as much as
any. It is not a : grand enterprise for money
making, like the Astor or St. Nicholas, although
it is as great a success as either of them, It is
really a peculiar institution; unlike any other
water cure or .watering-place 'known.,,tb us,
Conceived, begunand continued in the spirit o.
benevolence, it is dedicated to Christ and hi
poor servants. How far these facts may, already
be known to the readers of the, Presbyterian,
we are not aware; but they were new to your
correspondent, and excited so deep an interest
in his mind, that he constrained thus to speak
of them.
This institution was started in 1850. It is
nominally a joint stock concern;,.but Henry,
Poster, M. D., is the controlling proprietor and
master-spirit in all. He is a regularly educated
physician; and does not now practice the water
treatment alone, but uses the known remedies
of every school. The institution is designed
more particularly for general debility and chronic
diseases. It is intended literally for a health
retreat—a place of rest, a cheerful recreation as
well as medication. .
But the. peculiarity is this—it is designed to,
be entirely free and is in, part so already—to 1
ministers, and their families, of limited means ;
and also to other followers of Christwho need
its benefits, and who are not able to pay for
them. Dr. Poster is the principal stockholder.
He has bought it up. to a large extent; intends,
to buy all; as we told, and then-put into the
hands of Trustees; and to pine his ownservices
also, for the benefit of those as above specified,,
for whom it was founded. ~
The establishment has already cost some
sixty or seventy thousand dollars; will accom
modate about one hundred add fifty patients;
is always full, summer and winter; indeed,, we
were, told, that sixty or seventy applications fof,
admission are almost, constantly onliand beyond
the number-that-can be received. '* The build
ings are nbw undergoing a process of enlarge
ment and reconsfructipn, so, as, really to double,
its capacity. When , finished the ’•edifice, is. to
be some two hundred and thirty feet long, five
stories high in- the' centrb portion,* aiid four
stories in the wAgs; complete in all its ap-:
pointmehts ; haih rooms, laundry, gas, wjth gym
nasium and ample pleasure grounds Attached*,
the whole to cost About one hundred! thousand’
dollars; and then to be given to those who
need its privileges. Indeed, such are 'already
so entertained from year to year to the,amount,
of three or four thousand dollars.» i. c •
Clear and ! abundant; springs both of fresh
and of sulphur waters, are bubbling up on the
grounds; the sulphur waters paid to he'similar
to the White Sulpher Springs of 'Virginia.; But
one of the finest healing the place
is ■ - the pure, m oral and religiouA atmosphere
which pervades it. Of course, the gay and the
thoughtless are not much, attracted, to it; . But
the good, love to meet there. Dr. Foster is
himself an earnest Christian, much respected
and beloved by all who know him, He-is a
working Christian; ;ahd many of his patients
have been guided and, comforted not a little by
his judicious counsels; and fervent prayers.:
There is alsp a neat chapel under the same
roof, which was formally dedicated in 1856; to
the worship of God, and here the
great family are assembled daily for prayers,
and twice on the Sabbath for preaching. And
this is one of the healing influences of the plaed.
Dr. Foster is himself a Methodist, but liberal.
The chapel is fumishedwith an Organ, and with
Congregational, Methodist, and Episcopal hymn
books. -A preacher is Employed and paid hy
the Doctor for each Sabbath, sometimes of one
denomination, and sometimes another. ; Prayer
meetings are also held in.the same place two
or three times a week; and some; of . ther best
talent of the land is sometimes laid under con
tribution for literary lectures for the entertain
ment of the guests. ’ ;. ' ;;;* ”.
The location is also pleasant; in £, village of
about one thousand inhabitants, half way be
tween Creneva and CansJndauiga, on the H.Yv
Central Railway, and in the heart of U most
beautiful and fertile codntry, abounding in all
the productions of the fruitful. portion of the
State.: lit is a great resort for clergymen from
this region, and from greater distances. Al
though it was our privilege to pass But a; Te*w
days there,-and not at ali as an invalid grateful
for benefits received, or as a proselyte oj^, water
cure; we could not Jhelp becoming deeply
interested", in founder f an(| T proprie
tor, and in its future prosperity and usefulness.
’ Genesseb.
r, . .I
ADDRESS OF THE SOUTHERN
, We referred .two weeks ago, 'in, terms of-, sur
prise, to the appearance of ! this crafty ; and
wicked “address” in the pages of an English
missionary . ; called “ l jrhe "phristiian
Work,” and for , gener al circulation
among Christian people. Our estimate of this
article, we find, is sustained abroad as well as
at home. A. communication, entitled /‘The
Clergy of the Confederate States and the ,Chris r
tians of Great Britain,” appears in the .TFee&Zy
Review of August 15th, ; which treats, the a,d
dress and those endeavoring to give it circula
tion in Cfreat Britian, with well-deserted seve
rity and scorn. The vigorous language add
earnest sympathy of the author with the cause
w hich the address so scandalously misrepresents,
are refreshing in an English religious journal.
We shall endeavor to find room for the commu
nication in our pext issue..
The Rev. G. Wm*>k McPhaie, D. : D., has
resigned the presidency of La Fayette jjollegO,
and become associated with the Rev. Dr. Saun
ders as.a professor in-Saunders’ Institute, Phi
ladelphia.
Subscribers now receiving their bills, are
reminded that with the most careful manage
ment, mistakes null, occur in making out ac
counts. We shall gladly rectify them, when
ever they are pointed ott to us.
Our Correspondent “ J. B,” whose article
on the “Knowledge of God” Appears an the
first page, argues truly that a view of the love
of God alone can produce saving repentance,
but he seems to have .overlooked the importance
of holding, up the divine law and diving justice
as a means, of -producing conviction ofsin.
“ Behold therefore,” says the inspired preacher,
“the goodness and severity of God.”. st - ' r
A Valuabee Communication; “ Incidents of
the, Battlefield at Gettysburg’? by J. J. M. will
appear in our next. '
. The honorary degreeVof LL ; D. has been'
conferred upon, Wm. ; M. Cornell, Jf. D., Iffaila-'
delphia, by the; Western University of. Fennsyl
vaniy. ■. : ... ■
Westminster Review, for July, 186a.|
American Edition. New .York': Tj. Sc'ott &Co
Philadelphia: W. B. Zieber. ' '* '
The Young Parson.
“ There are more things inheaven and earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamed of in our philosophy.”— Hamlet.
Philadelphia: Smith, English & C0.12m0, pp. 384.
An advance copy of this volume has been
sent -ns bji the publisher, who will have it for
sale on the 15th of the month. It possesses
many of the first elements of popularity; it is
original, witty, full.of life and interest, in many
traits profoundly truthful and touching, and
calculated to encourage and forewarn the young
pastor, as well- aArebtfSeith e troublesome classes
iof persons to be found *in -every church. The
story originally appeared jp that repository of
witty things, “ The Lutheran ” of this city.
IPrice, $1.25.: * - ‘ r
Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine, for Au
gust, contains: Yisit to % Polish Camp, Caxt
toniana, Part XYIII., Hovels, Translation of
Horace, Indian Prosperity, George Cruiksbank,
State and Prosperity of the Church of England,
In the Garden, Chronicles of Carlington, Part
111., Capt. Speke’s (W/ejcome.
The Eclectic Magazine of Foreign Lite
ahture fdr September, opens with Lyell on the
Antiquity of Man, from the London Quarterly.
It also contains articles on Our Modern Youth,
from. Fraser; The ; Biyer Amazon, from the
British Quarterly; Boston Public Schools, by
Edward Everett; Color Blindness, &c. Hew
York : W. H.,.Bidwell, s,Beekman St
Litteel’s Living' Age, for August 29th con
tains, Mr. Buckle in the East, from Fraser:
Poems for Christie/ from Good Words; The
Perpetual Curate;'!from Blackwood, with short
articles ahd Poetry. Littell, Son & Co., Boston.
Hera ®i<jm Mtutfats,
t -r- pr-^esbyterlan.---
I A .Comer-stone laid.—-The corner stone of an
other Presbyterian church has been laid. On
the 10th just., the congregation of the Presby
terian church; of Mineral Eidge came together
to lay the cornerfstone of their new church edi
fice.-r-In the stone was placed a list of the sub
scribers.. the larger part of whom are Sabbath
school scholars, who are made stoehkolders by
1 the payment of their mites, from a half-dime and
upwards, thus,enlisting them in the enterprise.
: The church is to be of wood 30x65 feet, to cost
SS,OOO, Mineral Ridge is a new place, in the
coal and iron region of the Mahoning valley,
with a .pqpulatiou of 2000. . Ours is the pioneer
Chureh, in .large measure founded and sustained
by the. efforts of Elder Warner. -The -Ghureh
was organized in January last with eleven mem
; hers. [ As the fruits, of a revival, nineteen more
were added to its communion, in April, when it
was received into the. Presbytery .of Trumbull
with thirty- one communicants. There is in con
nection with, the church a Sabbath school of over
two hundred scholars.— Christian Herald. "
‘ Eansintf - Mch. —-The church' in this capital
cityof Michigan, Under the care of Rev. Calvin
S. 'Armstrong, has within a few weeks sent out a
colony. A correspondent of the Evangelist says
of the old church:
, This church* has fully kept pace with the
growth'of the town having never (so lam in
forhieebby one of the’elders) passed more than
one or two pf its bi-monthly communions without
additions tq its. numbers, and enjoying annually
more or less refreshing from the gracious Spirit
of life.'* ' The Sabbath school, too, in this’church
is a live 'institution and adds greatly to the
strength and vitality, a goodly number during
the lastiWinter ahd Spring having been gathered
into the; church from its numbers, and more are
soon to enter.
\ Tbe .Dew.Gharoh he says, has flattering pros
pects of success
The people; are now easting about for a minister
to occupy, the’ new field—the .present pastor, I
%rn,i is - supplying- pneperyice on ‘ the Sabbath
for'the time being, till’a, pastor shall he secured.
t vMepori on Home Missions.—We have just
received/the annual .report of: our Committee,
and shall notice it at'length hereafter. It is
undoubtedly fthe most important and encoura
ging document which has been issued in the
whole history of bur Church.
*?/-, .if ~.-t 'K•) >, • - . -• ; *
Publication.— We rejoice to learn that the
Publication Committee have just received two
large subscriptions— jone of $5,000, and one of
sl,ooor—towards the $50,000 fund inaugurated
by the last General Assembly. Both subscrip
tions are from- this city. . What other city will
do likewise ? . - ,
Secpnd (JJiurch IrnJianadbiis.-i^- The brethren
of this .church have- determined to erect a new
edifice on the site of the one which they have
occupied for more than twenty years. They
subscriptions to the amount of
§25,000 towards the .enterprise. These sub
scriptions they take in all eases in notes payable
in Bank, so .that there will be ho shrinkage, or
trouble and expense in collecting. We have no
doubt that they will build one of the best, if not
the. best, church edifices in the State of Indiana.
Reformed Prnbyteiian.
Extract frdna a letter Of Rev. D&vid Herron,
dated I)ehra, Eorth India, June 16th, 1863, ad
dressed, to Geo. H. Stuart, Philada.
“ Tie last txvo months I have been intending
to write you anacconnt.of our work at Debra,
but I shall have to postpone it still longer. I
will say at present only that God has not left
us without evidence of his presence. At the
time of pur ; last communion on the first Sab
bath ofAprilp I baptized 3 adults and 7 chil
dren, affd-admitted to the Lord’s Supper It
persohsilpf these, 6 were' pupils of the Girls’
Boarding School. I am now about to com
mence a new Station at : Rajporn, a large na
tive town about 6 miles from Dehra. I am
looking to the friends of our work in this
country to supply us With 'the means to purchase
.houses, &e, for the new mission. I trust that
I ishall soon: be-able to .let you know that I
have been successful.”
au Receipts for,, the Missions of the Reformed
Ghurch.~Y>r. McLeod acknowledges the re
ceipt of' the following, paid by him to the
Tfeasiifer'ih Philadelphia, on the 16th of May
last. The receipts have not been printed by
.the Treasurer. They appear in thfe Minutes
lof the Synod. - ‘
Ist Reformed Presbyterian Church,
Nfew York, Foreign Mission!,
Ist Reformed Presbyterian Church, ' :1 •
‘ ! 'New-York, Domestic Missions; $lOO,OO
Mrs. Mary,Cook, Albany, for, sup-
SEPT, a,
$278,24