JvramcM fuAiittm
—AND —
GENESEE EYASGIMST.
PHILADELPHIA, OCT. 1, 1868.
JOHN W. MEABS,'
We send/out with this issue, a number oft
bills especially to subscribers in arrears in New'
York State. We asktbeir prompt attention to
these accounts. All others indebted are earn
estly requested to remit the amounts due/
THE TRACT, CAUSE AT HOME,;
We are pleased to notice the efforts of our city
Tract Society to revive the interest of Christ
ian people in the home work bf Tract distribu
tion. So much attention has deservedly been
given to the work in the army, that the wants
of the city population have been allowed to get
out of sight. Yet they were perhaps never
greater. And at no time can a great city
safely dispense with these quiet yet searching
influences, which go to the remotest ramifica
tions of its society, and apply the salt of the
gospel to the most corrupt and dangerous
orders of its population.
' The true tract distributor is also a city mis
sionary. He not only leaves a tract, but seeks
to leave a good impression. He seeks to bring
the neglectful to the sanctuary, and the young
to the Sabbath-School. He preaches, in his
brief, quiet way, the Gospel. He brings the
truth to those who will not seek it for them
selves. He prevents the consciences of the
irreligious from sinking into utter -apathy.
While he continues his rounds, they: cannot
Bay: No man careth for my soul 1 He kindles
hope in the bosom of the desparing. He sheds
a true and sufficient, if not an abundant light,
upon what were else a midnight scene 6f error
and sin, a'raging ocean of corruption wrapped
in unbroken darkness, where. immortal .souls
are tossing amid rooks and shoals, and suffer
ing shipwreck every day. An army of faithful
tract distributors in a great city is a moral and
spiritual patrol. ' It holds in check, the forces
of wickedness ever gathering among the lower
orders of a great community It reconnoiters
and skirmishes, revealing the numbers and
character of the enemy, and preparing the way
for more substantial demonstrations.
We need to know in detail the spiritual con
dition of the people we have to work upon.
Our more public and general efforts for the
spread of the gospel fail, often, from ignorance
on this point, and consequent want of adapta
tion, We fight a? those who beat the air.
The gospel must be pre..ched with directness
and in accordance with the facts, not only of
the message, but of the hearers? condition. A
corps of earnest, intelligent, faithful tract
visitors is one of the very best aids to the
preacher, by assisting him to a knowledge of
these facts. Pastors would study the interest
of their congregations and of the Master’s cause
by being warm and active friends of the work.
Let us not forget the value of the tract it
selfas.an instrumentality in the work of saving
souls. Reams of such printed matter, it is
true, are apparently thrown away upon the in
different or the contemptuous. And it is the
business of our Tract Societies to see to it that
their issues do not deserve to be so treated. But
give us a good tract, and the very insignificance
of its appearance will be in its favor, God
will honor it,- as he honored the smooth stones
of the brook in the band of David. It will
pierce some bard heart and lay some giant sin
or temptation low.
We hope the appeal of the society for visi-.
tors will be largely responded to. We hope
every church, in the city will in some way take
a part in the work. It is needful as a Work of
exploration in the field of each, and it will be
found admirably adapted to train individual
Christians in personal labors for the salvation
of men.
DOUBT, A TRIAL.
Those who enjoy a state of mind entirely
clear of doubt on the truths of religion or their
own acceptance with God, are in one view
much favored. But : must the believer who is
more or less embarrassed with doubt regard
himself as peculiarly afflicted or mysteriously
dealt with in comparison? Must those whose
early unquestioning faith in the truth of . Revela
tion has been disturbed by the skeptical spirit
of the age, mourn over their fate as something
only to be deplored and escaped from at the
earliest moment? Is doubt, involuntary doubt,
a curse? ' • . -
We do not think so. At least it is not the
unmitigated evil some would think. . It certain
ly plays an important part in the scheme of our
probation. If virtue cannot be recognized or
gain strength without temptation, so truth can
not appear true or stand out in its, own native
majesty until it has been tested by inquiry, by
doubt, by opposition. Truth known only as
tradition can hardly be said to be true to the
individual receiving it. It is rather a prejudice
than a belief. How shall it ever be cleared of
that character, but through a process of doubt
leading to discussion, weighing of evidence,
and discovery of its teal claims on our convic
tions ?
It is a very delightful thing, to believe the
Bible without ever inquiring into its evidences,
or ever having felt it needful to make such in
quiry. But is it desirable ? Is it the best,
most solid belief, most likely to endure the tri
als of our time, or to produce the sort of piety
now needed? The well-known verse of the
Poet:
“ Wbere ignorance is bliss, ’tis folly to be wise,”
can be true only of the minor facta of our con
dition. If a access of real wisdom or im
portant truth would disturb our bliss, he is a
true friend who communicates it, just as much
aehe who wakens us from delightful dreams to
tell us that our dwelling is in flames
. oar doubts are intended to lead us to clearer
views of truth, to the discernment of its grand
P r^ onB ’ ° f itS precioUSlleS3 in comparison
with the miserable substitutes of error, to eon
viction of its certainty, to intelligent steadfast
belief. The saintly Baxter was afflicted with
the most radical doubts on the truth of religion
but so far was he from regarding them as.an'
unmixed evil that he considered himself much
better off for having experienced thein. He
quotes the Latin maxim: Nihil km cerium
quam quod, ex dnbio cerium ; “Nothing is so
certain as that which is ascertained through
doubt.?’ “ Thus he came at length,” as Tenny
son says of his lost friend Hall am,
Doubting therefore, is not different from the
ordinary afflictions of life, being equally de
; signed to train us and develop our spiritual
manhood.
•. Editor.
While the slaveholders of North America
are, waging a wicked war. to maintain ..their
barbarous institutions, and all the great powers
of the civilized world look on with ill-disguised
‘satisfaction, and wink at the substantial aid
;given to the. movement by their citizens, we
,§annot wonder at the outbreaking of the slave
trade injentirely new forms- and new localities.
The scene of this new developement of a mon
ster evil is the Polynesian Islands, and the
destination of. the wretched victims is the
mines of Peru. .
The first attempt was made more than a
year ago upon some of the smallei* islands of
the Tahitian group, but' the French who claim
a protectorate over them, seized one of the
vessels, rescued the natives and, sentenced the
crew to 5 and .10 years of penal servitude.
They have also demanded from the Peruvian
government every kidnapped native with da
mages. But this does,not stop, th§ traffic.
On the contrary, it is known that 25 vessels
have been fitted out for this purpose in Callao,
and it is said that a firm in Liverpool is con
nected' with the Peruvian house which is car
rying on the'business.
The business is conducted with all its horrid
concomitants of violence, waylaying, shooting,
breaking up of communities, and crowding
of the holds with victims. ' Worst of all, the
civilized and Christianized islands, the scenes
of the Holy Spirit’s power, and fond objects of
pious gratification and' delight are equally
subject to these devastations. The labors and
prayers and self-denials and martyrdoms of
years, now at last beginning to bear precious
fruit, are in danger of being brought to naught
by these enemies of their species. In a de
scent upon the Sampan Islands, thirteen church
members and many candidates were carried off.
In another expedition, a young man, a Church
member, was brought home a corpse, shot
through the head. The white wretches fired
upon the unarmed and unresisting natives for
no, other reason than that they might terrify
them, and so make them an easy prey. Some
of the canoes surrendered in terror—only three
escaped to tell the sad tale. Among those
carried off were some of the most important
men ,on the island—the law makers and law
enforcers of Savage Island, and some of the
most promising young men. Twenty-five
Church members, one deacon, and many can
didates are among the captives.
The ministers and members of the various
Evangelical Churches of. Sydney, in New
South Wales, held a meeting to express the
strong indignation felt against these Peruvian
slavers. They have adopted a . memorial on
the subject to the British Parliament, in which
they appeal to the “traditional policy of
Britain,” as a reason for interference, to sup
press such crimes and outrages against hu
manity. .
. We sincerely hope the memorial may prove
successful, though the attitude of, the rul
ing' classes in-Great Britain at this, time to
wards missions and on the subject of slavery is
such as to hold out slender eneouragment to
the outraged islanders and their advocates.
We were surprised to see an announcement
With the above heading, in a recent Saturday’s
paper, intended to characterize the services to
be held the following Sabbath afternoon, in one
of our leading Episcopal churches by one of the
most esteemed of their clergy. We suppose it
indicates very great progress in a popular idea
about the relation of children to the church.
The regular services and ordinances of public
worship are, according to this idea, more or
less unsuitable for children. It is not to be ex
pected that they will derive benefit from them.
The obligation of parents to bring their chil
dren with them is relaxed ; these divinely: ap
pointed ordinances are mainly for adults; for
the children something must be devised more
suitable. Parents and ministers may turn over
the responsibility for the religious training of
the young to these special arrangements.
Whether the Sabbath school is called the
“Children’s Church,” as it is by some, or
whether, as by this esteemed Rector or his
friends, the monthly afternoon service goes by
that name, the error—the wrong impression, is
the same. The regular services and ordinan
ces of the church are wronged. The duty of
the ministry to study the spiritual wants of the
young in those services is practically annulled.
The relation Of the family to public worship is
thrown in doubt, and the children are trained
in ways of thinking unfavorable to regular ha
bits of church-going in afterlife. We do not
mean to object to occasional special services for
the young any more than to Sabbath school
training. But let us not give countenance to
serious popular errors and wrong tendencies
by our manner of speaking of these things.
There is,, strictly but one church, one sort of
ehiireh ordinances, provided for by inspiration,
and they are for adults and children alike.
When they are properly conducted, no class of
hearers is overlooked or unprofited.
Lafayette College, Easton, Pa., has conferred
the honorary degree of Doctor in Divinity on the
Rev. John M’Master, Pastor of the Reformed
Presbyterian Church in Princeton, Indiana. If
superior scholarship, sound theology, eminent
preaching talents, and earnest patriotism, give a
claim to literary honors, this has been duly won.
If the degree does not enhance the reputation
and influence of Dr. M'Master, it will at least
serye to testify the respect in which he is held.' <j
Correction.— Jl/r. Editor. —Allow me to cor
rect an error that occurred in your issue of
Sept. Uth. The Presbyterian Church of Man
tua .was credited in the contributions for Home.
Missions with $42.75. : It should be credited
to the Marple Presb. Church, Pa.
• Robert Adair, Associate Sec.'
Philadelphia, Sepl..2Bth, 1863. I
“To find a stronger faith his own,”
KIDNAPPING IN THE PACIFIC.
“CHILDREN'S CHURCH."
MERITED HOITOR.
ftffiligtmatt and fcnpliist
BOARD OF DOMESTIC MISSIONS, (0. S.)
The following remarks upon the recent annual
report of this Board are copied from the Presby
terian of this city, and will be regarded with in
terest, for various reasons, by many of our read
ers. We trust they may have the effect of stir
ring up the other branch of the church to renewed
zeal in this great and necessitous field of labor,
which is wide enough: to task the energies of all
the followers of Christ in the land.
“To those who love the Church and desire
her extension and growth, it will ; suggest that
which is saddening, dr at least will failto sug
gest that which is ■ cheering. The main fact,
tending to discouragement and calling for se
rious consideration, is that the contributions to
this great cause from the’churches, fell short of
the preceding year by nearly fourteen thousand
dollars. The causes of this large decrease are
not specified in the Report, and indeed hone
can bo. specified, except a very mournful one,
and that is a lack ,pf ' interest in the work in the
churches. In a' year 'whop money was abundant,
when prosperity was the result of almost every
industrial-pursuit,, and when theability of the
Church had not: been diminished by any great
conmeroial embarrassments, the Presbyterian
Church has halted in the work of Domestic
Missions, and lessened her contributions to the
treasury'of the Lord.
“It adds, also, to our persuasion that our
Church has failed,to-do what she ought to have
done, and might have done, to find that other
Churches, placed : in .circumstances. not more
favorable than ourmwn, have far excelled her in
tin’s good work. The • New-sehool Presbyterian
Church, with 135*894: members, has raised for
Domestic Mission's $122,407,39 during the past
year. t The Oid-sehool .Church,, reporting 227,-
575 members, raised For the same purpose, dur-,
ing the ; same titneV 1*71,210,781 The difference
is very great add obvious, and -calls'for strict
scrutiny, and for immediate,-efforts to remove
the. unfavorable, disparity. We: are .very glad
that others are carrying.fbrward the standard of
Presbyterianism, if we are failing; but pur own
failure is none the less sad and reprehensible.”
SOMETHING MORE FROM WESTERN NEW
YORK.
Rochester/September '25 th, 1863,
Pear Editor: —
Our city is still very sad for the death of Dr.
Pease* pastor of the First Presbyterian Church.
The : loss grows upon us. He was so peculiarly
qualified for the place he: filled, was giving such
delightful satisfaction to his own church, and
exerting such a genial and excellent influence•
for religion - throughout the community—as we
reflect upon' it, his decease becomes; more and
more a public calamity; and so; we think, it is
generally viewed. Fitting mention was made of
the event in* most of the pulpits, last SabbkthV
Rev. Mr. Board man, of the Second Baptist
Church, prefaced his discourse, on Sabbath eve
ning, with a beautiful and affectionate tribute to
the. departed.-—“ Sympathetic without sentimen
talism, manly without imperiousness, affectionate
without blindness, constant without obstinacy,
grave without moroseness, cheerful without levity,
scholarly without ostentation* a devoted student
of Scripture* yet an enthusiastic lover of nature,
his was a beautiful, transparent, ’Christian cha
racter— an Israelite* indeed, in whom there was
no guile.” Such is the estimate of this minister
of another denomination.
On Wednesday of the present week also, a
meeting of the clergy of our city was held, to
unite in some expressions of their sense of the
public calamity, and their sympathy with the
afflicted church and family of the deceased.
Rev. Dr. Shaw was .called to the chair, and Rev,
Mr. Yeomans :was appointed secretary. Rev.
Dr: Cutting, Professor in the University of Ro
chester; said that he had known and loved Dr.
Pease/for; thirtyyears, and the more he'knew,
him the more he loved him. He regarded his
character as faultless.' . Suitable resolutions were
unanimously adopted.
Rev. Dr; Shaw is to preach, by request, a fu
neral :discourse in the First Church, next Sun
day afternoon. The church is to be draped in
black;: ■
In the clerical meeting already spoken: of,,
some little incidents of touching interest were
brought to light. The last-ministerial duty per
formed by Dr, Pease amobg his parishioners, was
to visit the death-bed of a poor child.- This was
on Sunday afternoon, the: day before he left
town for bis summer vacation. One of his elders
was .with him, and now recalls, with peculiar in-.-
teresfe, that humble scene: the good man kneel
ing by the,, lowly cot and praying for the dying
child, one of the scholars .of; the Sabbath: School.
The child lived but: a day or two after-that—-the
pastor but a few weeks. How shall we know
which shall be our last service? Ho matter
which, if we obey that requirement, and do with
our might what our hand findeth to do. ■
His afflicted family have returned to the city.’
It must be pleasant to know , that: one.so dear
to them Is so highly prized by the public also;
and yet this but aggravates their loss, orskows
more palpably what- cause’ they have to mourn.
What comfort remains, what in-every
similar. case, unless one has learned, with
humble reverence and; Christian love, to say—■
“Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in thy
sight ?” How. mortals can live amidst the sharp
realities of life—bow brave its burdens, how sus
tain its shocks of disappointment sand sorrow,
without, the grace and the consolations of Our holy
religion, seems an impenetrable mystery in view
of such a calamity. .Merely to say, “ .What can’t
be cured must be endured,” is no better than
bald atheism; and; blank fatality, with no more
power, to sustain the sp,ul than moonbeams have
to.,melt ice. But to:say—“lt is our Father’s
hand, it is all done- in wisdom and. love, it is a.
part of the plan by which; He is doing the best
things possible for ail his chosen, to wash them
in a Saviour’s blood, and bring them to His rest—"
this is child-like, this is Christian, this has some
thing of heavenly cheer in it, and this, the Chris
tian’s blessed portion and privilege in the hour
of deepest sorrow. ' ‘
MEETING OF THE AMERICAN BOARD.
This is near at hand, and all Rochester is as
busy as a beehive preparing to receive the friends
of .missions who shall gather on the occasion.
Thi| present indications are that there will be a
large attendance; and-the citizens of Rochester
are contriving, in every way imaginable, how
they may enlarge their borders, so as to accom
modate the multitude'that shall eorne up to en
joy the feast. \
One interesting feature of the coming meeting
will be the report of the -venerable senior secre
tary, Rev. Dr. Anderson, in regard to his recent
visit to the Sandwich Islands. It is already un
derstood that, he is prepared to give a most'favo
rable account of the religion and civilization of
the Islanders. The Gospel has wrought wonders
there—a transformation more complete and de
ligiitful than, the secretary was ,prepared! to find.
Another interesting circumstance is the fact
that the Board just closes it financial year pros
perously. In spite of the troubles of the land,
and the depreciation of our currency, the re-'
ceipts pf the Board have been larger than in any
year of its existence, almost reaching the sum of
8390,000. The Society is not therefore com
pelled to meet.under the cloud, of a heavy and
embarrassing indebtedness. , This will give a
cheerful aspect to the meeting.
Many of the strong and wise men of the land
have sent forward their names, and will lend in
terest to the occasion by their presence and
counsel. But some bf the fathers whose pres
ence so often graced and honored these convoca
tions “are not;” and some who still linger
among the living, cherished and'blessed by rela
tives arid friends, are no longer able to appear in
such public places.' A letter has been redyed
by the Committee of Arrangments from the
venerable ex-president Day, of New Haven,
written in a fair and comparatively firm hand.
We copy a few words, which will be read with
pleasure ty thousands of his scattered pupils:
“ Though I take a deep interest in the cause in
which the Board is engaged, yet at nay advanced
age, (90) and in .ny delicate state of health, !
shall probably not think it prudent to expose
myself to the crowded assemblies, and hurried
business of the ofiSasion.” : :
Ex-Chief Justice Hornblower, of New. Jersey,
writes also in a fair hand: “Mv advanced age,
(now nearly 87,) forbids me to venture so far
from home. ,My heart and spirit are with the
Board.” Dr. Reman, of/Troy, however; Dr.
Wisner,: of .Ithaca; Dr. Hawes, of Hartford,:
and other venerable men are expecting to be
here. We anticipate, one of the largest and best
meetings ever held i>y ; th,e,Board.: . : :
Items.— We learn'that seventeen individuals
were; recently:received, on profession of faith,, to
the Presbyterian; Church* in New • Hartford.
These are the first fruits of ■ that precious work
of grace which has been in progress there for a
few months past,j under the faithful labors of
their, new pastcq, Rev. Mr. Kimball. It is
thought that as many more will be ready, to come
forward at' the next communion season, while
an equal numberiprobably Will le gathered into
other churches. ' • ' v
A Gall. —The jPresbyterian Church in Dun
kirk, have given’a call to Rev. Edward Taylor,
of Kalamazoo, Michigan;' and it is believed he
will accept it. If so, we bespeak for Mr. Taylor
a cordial welcome. He is an active, earnest
worker, peculiar!/adapted/we should judge, to
that interesting aind important field of labor. ‘
U. S. CHRISTIAN’COMMISSION.
DELEGATES WAITED FOR WORK IN THE ARMY.
An opportunity is now offered, under the
auspices of the CV S. Christian Commission, of
benefitting our soldiers, aiding the country in
its struggle, andjadvaneing the interests of re
ligion, which may not last long, or ever offer
again. .
Good earnest preachers of the gospel of everj
evangelical denomination are greatly needed as
delegates, both to the Army of the Potomac
arid the'Armies (if the West and South. Also
Christian who can work or spe.ak effici
ently .to save , men, soul , and body. Hearty
welcome is' given*- by officers and men to the
delegates themselvesj and their services public
and private. Eager multitudes gather to hear
them preach : the gospel, and the Spirit of God
attends the Word. The excellent reading mat
ter provided for distribution, is sought with
avidity at their hands. The soldiers are
cheered and strengthened by their visits. Those'
who go now will be present to'render timely
aidjon the field if a' battle should be fought du
ring the time of their service. .
The Commission procures passes for its dele
gates, pays necessary expenses to and from the
army, furnishes subsistence, and supplies what
ever is needed for distribution; to benefit the 1
soldiers, whether temporally or spiritually.
r Money for expenses, if required, will be ad
vanced. No outfit beyond a change of or
dinary’ clothing need be provided. An army
shirt, blanket and -haversack will be supplied
at.the office.* ' :
Application can.be made in person or by let
ter, at the. Central office, 13 Bank St., Philadel
phia; or to 0. Demond, 4 Court' St., Boston, ;
or at 30 Bible House, New York; or to Jos.
Albree, tl Wood - St., Pittsburgh; or W. T.
Perkins,- IT West 3d St., Cincinnati; -or E. D.
Jones,; at-Exchange Bank, :St. Louis; J, V.
Farwell, Chicago.; Wm. Reynolds, Peoria; Dr.
J. D. Hill, Buffalo; or C. D. Grov’esnor, Ro
chester, N. Y. ' ' " "
Geo. H.
■ i n W. B. Boabdman, Secretary.
*The term of service is six weeks or longer. >
APPEAL IB BEHALF: QP THE FBEEDMEN.
The undersigned, representing several denom
inationsof Christian's and composing the “ Noeth
westeen Feeedmbn’s Aid Committee,” aux
iliary to the American Missionary Association,
would call the attention of the benevolent public
to the.following facts: .- : , s :• :
The American Missionary. Association, located'
in the city of ,New York, was organized in the
year 1848, with special, though not exclusive,
reference to Missionary work in behalf of the
African race. During the past fifteen years it has
had missionaries in Africa and,among the eman
cipated population of the West Indies,.the fugi
tive slaves in Canada, and the free colored people
of the Northern States. By this long identifi
cation with the interests of this oppressed race,
it has secured their confidence and that of their
friends, has gained yaluable experience, has
trained a noble band of laborers, and is prepared
to 1 prosecute the work under more favorable aus
pices than any new organization-. ■ ’
The American Missionary Association is a
union of evangelical Christians, and in its Con
: stitution makes provision for the organization and
efficient operation of auxiliary Societies, as will
be seen by Article IX, as follows:
“ Churches and other local missionary bodies,
agreeing to the principles of this. Society, and
Wishing to, appoint and sustain missionaries of
their own, shall be entitled to do so through the
agency of the Executive Committee, on terms
mutually 1 agreed ’upon.’’
As a matter of fact, the ’ missionaries of the
Association are connected with various denomi
nations of Christians. ,At the present time the
Association.; has about eighty persons laboring
under its commission among the Freedmen, along
the Atlantic coast "froth Washington to St. Au
gustine, and on tkh Mississippi from 5 Cairo to
Vicksburg. ; Since fhe capture of the latter place,
;the work has beengreatly enlarged, and demands
the' attention of an auxiliary Committee, in this
city, who shall sepure proper missionaries and
teachers, Collect money for their support, and
forward boxes.of elothiog for the relief of the
impoverished-Freedmen.
The undersigned have, therefore, consented to
act for that purpose, and would* confidently appeal
to the friends of humanity and religion in the
Northwest-for their contributions. The Chicago
Sanitary Commission will forward the boxes that
may be sent marked “for the I-rcedzucn,’ todisy
Roguish them from those intended for the army.
Mr. John V. Farwell has been appointed
Treasurer'of the Committee'; to whom all moneys
may be Forwarded by-churches or individuals.
As the work is pressing and increasing daily, it
is hoped that responses will be made without
delay.
Bev. R. F. Markham is the authorized Agent
to present the cause of the Freedmento the pub
lic in the Northwest, and to take collections in
its behalf.
Rev. R. Patterson, D. D., Reformed Presby
terian. Rev. J. R. Shipherd, Congregational.
Rev- E. A. Pierce, N'. S. Presbyterian. Rev. N.
Colver, D.‘ ; D., Baptist.... Rev. N. D. Williamson,
Reformed Dutch. Rev. H. N. Bishop, D. D.,
Episcopalian, Hev. J. P. Stewart, Old S. Pres
byterian. '
Rev. 0. H. Fowder, Secretary.
Jefferson St. M. E. Church, Chicago, 111.
Messrs. Editors i—W e are obliged to you
for your hearty commendation of the- $50,000
effort, upon which our Publication Committee
have just entered by direction of the General
Assembly. This 1 enterprise for the endowment
of our publication cause would have been com
menced soon after the adjournment of the As
sembly, but the invasion of Pennsylvania by
Gen. Lee, by absorbing the public attention,
made a postponement necessary. We believe
that the effort will he a success, and that the
Committee are to have the means for doing their
work and of discharging, in part at least, our
duty in- this department of Christian activity.
Our two first applications; have brought us sub
scriptions for eight thousand dollars, to which a
good brother has voluntarily added another thou-
and others we trust will meet the call id a
similar spirit. The extracts from our correspon
dence may prove interesting to your readers.
We give a few extracts from letters addressed
to the Assembly’s Publication Committee.
A lady who has devoted much time to the pro
motion of the comfort and amusement, as well as
instruction of the sick and wounded soldiers in
the West Philadelphia Hospital, where there were
more than 4000 patients, after the battle of Get
tysburg}!, writes to us:—
“ Your Committee will please accept the thanks
of the ‘-Lady Visitors’ in the Reading Room of
the West Philodelphia Soldiers’ Hospital, for
their recent donation of fifty hymn-books, toge
ther with some excellent manuals for distribu
tion. The books are well adapted to the wants
of the soldiers, being used in public worship, on
funeral occasions, and at the.Eeadingßoom con
certs, which occur semi-weekly. In the latter
exereise, the men manifest much interest, fre
quently inquiring, ‘ls this the day for our sing
ing?” It is, indeed, a privilege to add in any
way to the comfort of our brave, soldiers; and par
ticularly pleasant t> join our hearts and voices
with theirs in singing the sweet songs of Zion.
“Very Respectfully,
“A ‘Lady Visitor.’ ”
' Genesee.
* A gentleman in central New York, endorsing
a donation for the Publication Cause, writing to
our Chairman, Rev, Albert Barnes, says:
“I regard this branch of Christian effort as a
very important instrumentality in preaching the
salvation of the Cross.
f‘At this time we are especially called to con
sider our duties. God is chastening us as a na
tion for our forgetfulness of Him in the day- of
our .material prosperity, and it becomes all Chris
tians to humble ourselves before Him, to search
ont and forsake our sins, and implore His gra
cious Spirit, that, as a people, we may turn to
Him ; that all his chastening may be sanctified
and lead us to new obedience—lead us to ‘con
sider the poor,’ and in all things to be *as the
light of the world,’ as our Saviour said his disci
ples were. '
“I hope it may please God to cause the libe
rality for the sick and wounded soldiers to ex
pand our hearts to more liberal thingr "for the
promotion of His glorious truth—that thus our
own souls may he watered from the well of sal
vation.”
A good brother in Cincinnati acknowledges
donations-for the House of Refuge in that city,
and for his Sunday school:
“Your, favor of the 9th inst. reached me
last -night, and I hasten for inyself. Brother S
our church and Si School, and the House of Re
fuge, to thank you and-the Committee for what
the: Lord has put it into your hearts and hands
to do for ds. I pray and hope that it may prove
to be ‘bread cast upon the waters,’ and that yon
may, ere long, reap abundantly from such
sowing.” • • %
A lady who has aided us with her, pen and
also as a distributor to the soldiers, writes:—
“As to the' books received, I have to thank
you for a most liberal return to my order, being
two-fold the number asked for; though not more,
than I shall have opportunity to dispose of.
“Your ‘Soldiers’ Friend ’ is a valuable addi
tion to my store.—One was appropriated the
same day as received. ; It just met a want that I
had for a sick soldier at home—an Irish Catho
lic who has accepted a Bible and reads without
hesitation any thing that I give him. This lit
tle book he not only read through immediately,
being delighted to find the creed and command
ments as in his catechism, but is fulfilling the
promise of reading each day the portion desig
nated for it. And on my last visit his-little girl
of seven years, repeated with entire correctness
the hymn, ‘ One there is above all others.’ ” ’
Ret. Alex. Duee, D.D., the veteran mis
sionary; Free Church of Scotland in Cal
cutta, being too much enfeebled in health to
continue his labors in India, has accepted the
position of Convener of the Committee on For
eign Missions, to which he was unanimously
.appointed by the last General Assembly. In
his letter of acceptance he expresses regret that
his state of health renders it necessary for him
to leave India, where he has so long and so
successfully labored. He has, however, deemed
it his duty to respond to the unanimous call of
the Church, even though (as he himself ex
presses-it) “some of the most fondly-cherished
wishes and aspirations, plans and purposes, of
the latter years of his life have thereby been
suddenly and violently overturned, dashed ia
pieces to the ground, where they lie now strewn
all around, as the wreck and debris of once gor
geous visions or pleasant dreams.”
Nokth Bhoad St. Chuech. Seventeen per
sons were received at the Communion last Sab
bath, Sept. 27th; five on profession and twelve
by letter. 'AH but about $3500 of the sum ne
cessary to complete the edifice for worship has
been subscribed.
THE PUBLICATIONCAUSE.
THE PUBLICATION CAUSE.
MITCHELL’S NEW GENERAL ATLAS.
The want of a large and correct Atlas has
been much felt. The war has set nearly all to
examining maps. Hut large Atlases of earlier
date have cost too much for general use in fam
ilies, and have proved too bulky. This large
quarto Atlas shows the entire-surface of our
Globe in eighty-four maps and plans, clearly
engraved and colored in counties and other sub
divisions. Battle places and forts sought for
in vain in old works, plans of harbors, most of
our principal cities in streets, new rail-roads,
new counties and territories have received care
ful attention. With the statistical tables is an
index of places and a post-office list. The
agent, Mr. G. P. Maxson, is now engaged in
disposing of the Atlas in our city and is cor
dially recommended to our readers.
The Christian Observer. The Presbyterian
of this city has been presented with several
copies of this paper, which is no w published in
Richmond by the former editor and his son,
P. Bartlett Converse. It is half-size, at $3.00
a year, or, at present value of rebel currency,
about a quarter of a dollar. Doubtless it is
in need of the contributions which it acknow
ledges for the purpose of circulating the paper
among the soldiers, which amounted to over
two thousand dollars.
The American Presbyterian Almanac for
We welcome the re-appearance of this annual,
replete With information upon the statistics, and
various benevolent enterprises of the Church,
It is handsomely illustrated and will make its
way doubtless into almost every family. Price
6- cents single, and 5 and 4 cents according to
quantity, Postage 1 cent.
Presbyterian House, 1834 Chestnut street.
J. W. D.
Agassiz. Methods of Study in Natural History, by
Louis Agassiz. Boston; Ticknor and Fields.
Phila., J. B. Lippincott & Co. 16 mo. pp. 319.
The author of this volume is too well-known
to nee'd introduction or commendation. He is a
master in the field which he here traverses..
Questions of method lead him to the most pro
found matters and most controverted; points of
natural science. He is a steadfast and' subtle
opponent of the “ phantom,” as he calls it, of
the transmutation of species, and takes particular
pains in these articles, to . expose the fallacy of
the doctrine. And nowhere do* we meet clearer
proofs of a single, supreme intelligence, con
structing - the entire animal World in the most
marvellous unity of plan, than in the teachings
of Agassiz. We therefore the more regret that,
this great naturalist, should still hold some;
opinions adverse to the historical credulity ; of
the Pentateuch. *
Marks, D. D., Rev. J. J. The Peninsula Campaign in
Virginia, or incidents and sceues on the battle
fields and in,Richmond. By Rev. J. J. Marks, D.
D. Phiiada;, j. B, Lippincott &, Co. 12 mo. pp.
'441.' Price, $1,50. . .
This is from the pen of one of the most- faith
ful, intelligent and unflinching of our army
Chaplains, connected in that capacity with the
63d Pa. Yols. With them he underwent the
toils of the memorable campaign of, which he
writes, and shared in some of its worst priva
tions. ,It is well-known that he chose to remain
and be captured with the sick and wounded at
Savage’s Station who had to be left behind in
McClellan’s humiliating retreat. The experi
ences and. observations of such a man are an
invaluable part of the history of our times. He
expresses his mind with entire independence.
Of McClellan, he says, “in every hour of danger
he was a child, and' in every great emergency
was oppressed with conscious incapacity.” We;
have read no description of the retreat to the
James river equal in graphic power to this of
Chaplain Marks. We heartily commend the
volume to all who desire a full exhibition of the
blunders, the heroic deeds, the needless sufferings.
and the great disasters of that campaign, which
promptness, and energy would have turned into '
victory. The volume has a number of spirited
illustrations, and is handsomely dedicated .to
Mr. Samuel Small, of York, Pa.
PRESCOTT, Miss H. E. The Amber Gods and other
stories. By Harriet Elizabeth Prescott. Bos
ton; Tieknor & Fields. Philada.,' : J. B; Lippin
cott & Co. 16 mo. pp. 432.
There is doubtless evidence of remarkable
ability in these singular stories; there is exquisite
subtlety and delieaey of thought and expression,
there are words of wisdom expressed with all
the force of proverbs, there is remarkable; versa
tility: exhibited in the style and drift of the dif
ferent pieces. Some are written in the most
ambitious strain and are marred with nomean;
ing extravagances, as the Amber. Gods; others
are sweet, simple and touching, as Knitting Sale:
Socks;, others again are in a high degree ingeni
ous, as In a Cellar. Almost any reader would
find something to his taste. The volume is.
elegantly executed. ,
Hawthorne. Our Old Hume : A Series of English
Sketches, by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Boston;
Tieknor & Fields. Phila., J. B. Lippincott & Co!
16m0.pp.398.
Hawthorne is most deservedly a favorite among
American writers. His attempts hitherto have
been Mostly in the imaginative vein, and these
sketches, he tells us, were intended originally as
the “side scenes and backgrounds and exterior
adornment of a work of fiction,” hut fewrwill re
gret the opportunity of learning the actual im
pressions of so keen an observer and so gifted a
writer upon scenes, characters and customs in
England. The dedication is ah attempt at
something, we fear, quite beyond the powers of
the writer, which out of regard to his own repute
as a true man, he had better have left untried.
Taylor. Philip Van Artevelde. A Dramatic Ro
mance, in two parts. Dramatiea Poesis est veluti
-Historic spectabilis. Bacon De Augmentis. Bos
ton, Tieknor & Fields. For sale by J. B. Lippin
. ■ cott & Co., Philada. 24 mo. pp. 456. Bine and
Gold.
The great popularity of this poem;is shown by
its reaching a sixth edition in England a num
ber of years agp. ’ It is based upon the dissen
sion of the Flemish cities in the 14th century,
and is full of action and interest.
The Atlantic Monthly , for October, contains
Charles Lamb's uncollected writings; My Pa
lace; The Deacon’s Holocaust; United States
Armory; The Pewee; Conquest of Cuba; Life
without Principle; Letter to Thomas Carlyle;
Our Domestic Relations,. &c. Such writers as
Sumner,-Whittier and Emerson, are among the
MAGAZINES AND PAMPHLETS.
contributors to this |Longfellow, Low
ell, Agassiz and Ik Marvel are promised for the
next. Boston, Ticknor & Yields.
C- Everest, the accomplished organist of the
Eirst Church, has sent us copies of his new song:
“My Country so Dear,” which we cordially
recommend to our musical readers. Published
by Lee & Walker, ,722 Chestnut street.
The Continental Monthly contains: The Free
dom of the Press; William Lilly, Astrologer;
Jefferson Davis, —Repudiation, Recognition and
Slavery, by R. J- Walker; Was he successful?
by Kimball, with numerous other articles of
literary and high political character.
Edmund Kirke, formerly editor of this maga
zine and author of the well-known works Among
the Pines, My Southern Friends &c., is prepared
to lecture on “The Southern Whites; Their
Social and Political Characteristics.” We should
regard any society fortunate in securing his ser
vices. His address is “Care of Continental
Monthly , New York.”
fjtaw out fifatwte.
Presbyterian.
, Western Presbyteries.— lllinois met at Shelby
ville September 10th. Arrangements were made to
systematize the benevolent operations of the church
es. The importance of the pastoral relation was set
forthin aresolution; preaching on the sanctification of
the Sabbath, and efforts against intemperance were
recommended. Many churches have enjoyed revi
vals. — Indianapolis received Rev. C. H. Marshall
from the Southern Cong. Association of Illinois,
dissolved the pastoral relation between Rev. 6. P.
Tindal and the Second Church of Indianapolis, and
dismissed L. P. Webber to San Jose.
J, De Le Mater, of this body, has accepted the
chaplaincy to the 72d Ind. Infantry.
Clerical Calls, Ordinations, and Changes.—
Rev. G. L- Little has resigned the pastorate of the
First Church, Waukegan, HI., and accepted an in
vitation to labor with the church in Monticello, in
the same State. Messrs. Jos. B. and Geo. 0. Lit
tle were ordained by the Presbytery of Madison,
Ind. , September Bth. — Mr. L. G. Rickards was or
dained by the Presbytery of Elyria, 0., September
,15th, and dismissed to the classes of New York. —
Rev. E. G, Gillett, D. _D., has accepted a call to the
First Church of Keokuk. — Rev. J. A. Canfield, for
twenty-one years pastor of the Church of Chau
mont, N. Y., has accepted the chaplaincy of the
Clinton State Prison.—The pastoral relation be
tween Rev. A, Bryant and the Church at Niles,
Mich., was dissolved on the Bth inst., by the Pres
bytery of Kalamazoo. Rev. John Sailor is at pre
sent supplying the church — Rev. t. E. M. Backer
ler, of Collinsville, Ct,,has received a unanimous
call to the Church of Suceusanna, N. J., made va
cand by the recent resignation of Rev. Josiah
Fisher. — Mr. Wm. C. Curtis, of Auburn Seminary,
was ordained by the Presbytery of Meadville, Sep
tember 9th. — Mr. Alex. Nesbitt was ordained and
installed, —a rare conjunction, it would seem—pastor
of the Church of Tremont, West Chester Co., N.
Y., by the New York Third Presbytery.
Revival-— Rev. Harvey Smith reports to the
Evangelist that a revival is in progress in the Church
of South Amenia, where Rev- O- Parker is now
aiding the pastor, and requests the prayers of God’s
people.
Pike’s Peak— A new church edifice was dedicated
at Blackhawk, August 30th, costing $6,700, $4,000
of which'was raised at the dedication, clearing it en
tirely of debt. A new edifice is also contemplated
at Central City.
Reformed Presbyterian.
Pie Reformed Presbyterian Church in Scot
land has twenty students in the Theological Semi
nary, a larger number than at any previous time.
The church has an interesting mission at the New
Hebrides, in connection with whieh there has been
made a translation of the New Testament into the
language of Aneiteum. The sum of $5,000 has
been collected for Foreign Missions. At home, the
church has forty-five organized congregations, with
6,741 communicants. Their contributions, inclu
ding minister’s stipends, exceed £5,000, or $25,000.
PRESBYTERIAN MISSIONS.
American Board- —The Sandwich Mamls—
Rev. Dr. Anderson has completed his tour to, and
among ■‘these islands and has returned to Boston.
His visit was welcomed as agreeable and profitable
by the missionaries. The churches on the Islands
have made little apparent progress during the year.
The whole number received on profession is 2441
The Educational institutions are more prosperous.
Lahainaluna training-school, “the oldest of this
class of institutions," suffered the loss of the principal
seminary building, by fire, last July. Thei mission
aries say:
“But this disaster only served to reveal the strong
hold which this institution has upon the hearts of the
people and the Government. A liberal appropria
tion was at once made by the legislature, then m
session, with the hearty approval of the King and
his counsellors. The school was directed to be
continued with such temporary arrangements as could
be made; the materials were provided as quickly as
possible; .within three months buildings were com
menced, and soon completed; and now, the site of
the former commodious but somewhat ungraceful
structure is occupied by three elegant and conveni
ent buildings, the form and position of which strongly
remind .us of some New England colleges. Liberal
contributions have also flowed in from graduates of
the school and from the churches, which have aided
to furnish the new buildings. In the fitness, the
beauty, the comfort of the new, all regret for the
destruction nf the old is lost.” .
The Marquesas Mission is spoken of as still
prosperous. Say the missionaries:
“The Marquesas mission has been in existence
ten years, and has. been supported entirely by funds
from the Sandwich Islands. It has received no
direct aid from the American Board except the
ser vices of the “ Morning Star,” and the six mission
aries now laboring there are all Hawaiians. The
reflex influence of these missionary operations ou
the Hawaiian churches has been salutary. It has
awakened a deep interest in the minds of the natives,
and, stimulated them to deeds of Christian benevo
lence. The announcement that letters have been
received, or that a missionary brother has returned
from the Marquesas, or from Micronesia, is sure to
make a seusatjou in a native audience. And rarely
do we hear a prayer offered by an Hawaiian, without
at least one petition forhis brethren who have gone
to carry the gospel to other islands.” p
China, —Mr. Stanley writes from Tientsin, June
10th, that “Peking is now occupied by several
societies, [can this be correct?] but not by ours,"
he adds: -
“Simply because Mr. Doolittle’s return to Fuh
chau necessitated Mr. Blodget’s return here. There
at* also innumerable other places, all about us,
ready to receive the gospel when the men can be
found to carry it to them, Scarcely an excursion
for preaching and distributing books is made by any
of the missionaries, which does not bring to our notice
one or, more town or village, where the people and
for a teacher to come and live among them. ‘ They
love to read the books, but how can they understand
these, wonderful things unless they have one to ex
plain ,them ?”
At Ghongloh )( an out-station of Fuh Chau, Mr. Peet
reports the formation of a church of seven, members,
May 31st. Be says, “no one is considered a proper
inquirer until he has resolved to keep" the Sabbath
day.” One of the members just received, an old mau
of 1 76, who had never spent a day in school, has
actually learned to read in the colloquial.
‘ The Mommeddns in Persia. —Dr. Perkins writes,
July 1st 1 :
OCT. 1,