186 —and— GENESEE EVANGELIST. PHILADELPHIA, NOV. 10, 1863 JOHN W. HEARS, gggp Home Missionaries and Theological Students receive our paper for $1 per annum ; other clergymen at $1,60 in advance. By car tiers, 60 cents additional. THE DEFAMERS OF HU MAH DIGNITY, It is an old, stereotyped charge against the doctrines of evangelical Christianity, that they degrade humanity, and are inconsistent with tho self-respect which men should cherish. The opposers of religion took the dignity of man into their especial charge, and, by playing upon that most susceptible attribute in man’s character - pride - succeeded in spreading a powerful prejudice against the truth through tho community. No greater cross exists to the natural mind than the doctrine of the necessity of regeneration to salvation. But all this is shearijgggjttdiee. The doctrines taught in the spiritual origin, sad fall, capa city fo|||P»ration, .redemption, and free op portunity to return to God by the aid of the Holy Spirit, are not only, accordant with the facts, biit are truly subservient to the real ele vation of man, and stand as a firm defence against the degrading tendencies qf merely hu man speculations. This was never more apparent! than now. The tendencies of natural science, as at present cultivated, are most manifestly to degrade and materialize our race, to rob it of its dignity, to cover its origin with shame, to give unworthy and inadequate motives to its historic move ments, and to shroud its destiny iu inglorious obscurity or blank nothingness. Ist, The doctrine of a diversity of origin is dishonorable to man. Instead of the noble conception of the race as a vast, majestic unit, with a clearly ascertained: and worthy origin, combining manifold diversities in a higher unity, and led to one worthy and glorious end, we have a theory of many separate and obscure centres, each giving rise, somewhere and some how, to independent races; some of which are so devoid of the elements of progress that they" are set down as hopelessly degraded, and lit, like beasts, to bo merely chattels of the more favored races. 2d. Modern science degrades man by tracing his origin to the lower orders of the creation. Infinite pains are taken, vast realms of nature are investigated with laborious accuracy, sister sciences are brought under contribution to esta blish the fact of man’s derivation from families of the mammalia, and those actually least in esteem among them. Men seem half-crazed with zeal to prove themselves lineal descend ants of apes; and, going still further back, they would derive all animated existence, step by step, from sources lower in order than tadpoles, from mere animated particles of matter. Even tho Greeks and Romans would would have scorned such accounts qf the origin of tne race which they ascribed to God. Every school boy remembers the beautiful passage in Ovid, in which occurs the fine line, showing the dis tinction between man and the beast: OS homini sublime dedit, coelumque tueri. (He gave man a sublime-countenance, with power to gaze heavenwards.) And Paul quotes from the Greek poet Ara tus, a sentiment far in advance of the filthy dreamers of the nineteenth century, claiming for man a filial'relationship with God: “For we are also his offspring.?’ Cbristfanity justi fies and elevates these conceptions of the high origin and relationship of man, nnd comes to befriend and rescue man’s dignity, thus merci lessly assailed by the noisy pretenders to all the philosophy, science, and worth to be found on this round globe. The opposevs of Chris tianity are now dragging; man through the mire of countless geological transformations, and making him a descendent of chattering apes, and of all the misshapen monsters of pri meval ugliness. What an origin 1 What a gulf for high-sounding philosophy to fiud her self in 1 Poor, blind leader of the blind, sbe is sure to come to it if she refuses the guidance of faith. - 3d, Modern science degrades man -in the scheme of history which it-presents. It robs history of all high meaning and.purpose. Dr. Draper’s ambitions, but very unsuccessiulwork, On the Intellectml Development of Europe, re veals to us the tendency of this school of pseu do philosophers. We are grateful to the edi tor of the American Presbyterian and Theolo cal Review for so thoroughly showing up the fallaciousness and grossnesS 1 of the views of this book, in the last number of the Quarterly, Dr. Draper’s theory Is, that all history Is but a great physiological fact; that the race, past, present, and future, is to be regarded as one great animal; bis book is an effort to write history “in accordance with physiological prin ciples.’? Whatever he may mean by this, it is clear that his theory shuts out spiritual and su pernatural facts, and principles, and aims from the history of the race. So does Buckle’s; so ' does Comte’s. Man is, to all intents and pur poses, secularized; his highest aim is to be a natural philosopher, if he can be such without a soul and without a God. But Christianity teaches us to include in history “the develop ment of man’s whole nature, under a divhie guidance, towards the highest moral and spi ritual ends.” 4th. We neen scarcely add that the tend ency of modern science is ta ignore the immor tality of the soul, the resurrection of the body, and the whole idea of a future life. A great gulf yawns before the perverse followers of this modern science who will not be restrained by faith. It is materialism. Man, mind and body, is bift matter. Death is the end of him. This is th 6 practical conclusion of positivism, Darwin ianism, and of the various recent theories which are in antagonism to the inspired ac counts of map’s origin, nature, and destiny. In Christianity alone does the precious doctrine of man’s spiritual and immortal nature take re fuge, and the great defender of man against those who would rob him of his attributes of superiority over is that orthodoxy that once was decried a 3 so humbling to the true dignity of humanity. Let it be known, then, who are the enemies of human dignity. Let it be known that he who accepts and promulgates the evangelical system of truth, and maintains man’s moral, accountable, and immortal nature, given in creation, lost in the fall, and restored in the Gospel, is the only staunch and effectual friend of man’s claims to a place in nature but little lower than tho.angels. Editor. HAMILTON COLLEGE i-THE PROPOSED This flourishing institution, already a credit to the denomination to which it belongs, is in every way seeking and gaining enlargement. The aim of those who have it in charge i%.to make it a first class educational institution, clear of sectarianism, yet one where a ministry suited to the wants of the Presbyterian church may be trained, and where the sons of Presby terian families may enjoy the highest opportu nities for culture, coupled with the most conge nial moral and spiritual influences. The libe rality of leading men in the denomination, ! ih this part of the country, Las already been ap pealed to with success on its behalf, and the en ergetic labors in this'department of Rev. Dr. Goertncr, College Pastor and Profcssorof Rhe- < tone, are meeting with most'encouTagingE.re- sponses. •>, , - It was a happy thought in the work of en dowment to-conncct two leading names in. the church, who were also graduates of the College, with the professorships which it is proposed to found. Already.the endowment .of the “Rob inson Professorship” is complete ; and the late most accomplished, but most retiring Christian scholar of that name, has a fitting ‘memorial of his great services to the cause of Biblical learn ing on the rolls of the very institution which' under God trained him for the work. “Scarcely”, says a contemporary-referring to this tribute, " is he cold in death before the Christian sym pathies of a great commercial city heartily uni ted in a memorial of gratitude for his preemi nent services.” We honor our New York brethren for their promptness, liberality’and good judgment in this work. And now that the church in Philadelphia is called upon to parallel this noble act, and to place the name- of her Barnes where New * York has placed that of Robinson, we are quite sure the response will not be wanting. The ' name is equally worthy—what Robinson, has been to Biblical students and scientific men, Barnes, in his familiar commentaries, is to the million of Christian readers. Chinese converts may now read him in their own tongue. To these labors of Mr. Barnes, are to be added’ the honored ministrations of a pulpit where candor, perspicuity, sound sense, wholesome doctrine, happiness of illustration, depth of analysis, rich- ; ness and breadth of thought have ever shone with a quiet and steady lustre, never bewilder ing, rarely startling, but holding, with a deep sense of'constant profit and advancement in evangelical learning, the grateful hearers. r It : is Philadelphia that has enjoyed this gift in the ministry, and it was Hamilton College that aided to form and discipline the habits of think ing out of which it-rose. Ib is to a revival-in Hamilton College, instrumentally, that tho de cisive development of the spiritual character of Mr. Barnes is due. Wbat leqp can Philadel phia do for Hamilton and for Mr. Barnes, as ■ an act of graleful recognition, than to place the name of the one perpetually and honorably upon the records of the other ?, What more; unless in giving the $20,000 required, the peo ple breathe an earnest prayer that, at least with each, generation, a new Barnes-and a new Ro binson may be formed within the walls of Ha milton, for our branch of the Presbyterian Church. THE DEAD SOLDIER IDENTIFIED, The 'intimation' in our last week’s issue' in' regard to the identification through the'Ameri can Presbyterian, of the soldier found dead on the Gettysburg field, with the ambrotype of the three children in his hands, has been fully con firmed. The facts of the case are these. A Miss Shriyer, daughter of the Postmaster at Gettysburg, came upon the dead soldier soon after the battle, lying with his hands folded on his breast, and the ambrotype* just fallen from his grasp. He had thrown away most of his accoutrements and could in no way he identi fied; She took the picture to her father. Dr. J. F. Bourns of this city, who had been acting as a volunteer surgeon, became acquainted with Postmaster Shriver, and thus obtained posses sion of the relic. With praiseworthy energy he has, persevered in his-efforts, to discover some clue to the fallen soldier, who had thus passed away ini tender contemplation of the image of his dear children. Meanwhile, he in duced fhe friends in Gettysburg tojuart Jthe grave in some; permanent manner. His care has been amply rewarded. One of the copies of the American Presby terian sent to Portvilie, Cattaraugus Co./near Olean, N. Y., containing Dr. Bourns’ notice, reached the eye of a soldier’s wife in that place, wh’o had sent to her husband just such a pic ture as described; nothing jhad been heard of the husband since Gettysburg. Correspon dence was opened with Dr. Bourns; a photo graph copy of the picture was: sent to Portvilie by express, and an answer was in due season returned; it was the identical picture!, The dread certainly of widowhood and orphanage Dashed upon the group with this discovery; yet the severity of the blow was tempered by the dying affection of the father, by the tender romance of mystery which enveloped the facts and by the wide-spread interest the case had awakened in patriotic minds. The name of the soldier was A. Humerton. His regimental position we have not yet learned. Dr. Bourns proposes to visit Portvilie and return the ambrotype with his own hands. He 'is promised an enthusiastic reception by the people who take a lively interest in the family. It is hoped that a sufficient sum of. money will be raised by the sale of the photo graph or otherwise to give each of the children a good education. Indeed, the idea has sug gested itself to some large minds among us, that the interest .occasioned by this beautiful event might be turned’ to the account of sol diers’ orphans generally; and that an effort might at this time be successfully made to found and endow in this city a Soldiers’Or phans’ Asylum on a large scale. We trust s uch may be the result. In our next: Notes of a Visit to Washing toil ; Expository Preaching ; Book Notices, &e. PROFESSORSHIP. §tmeri«u §[wsfrgt«i*# and sms*e ftvxngjtlMt REV, JOHN HUSSY. This brother, pastor of the Church in Lock land, 0., belonging to the Presbytery of Hamil ton, having volunteered as an agent of the Christian Commission, and being engaged in kindly labors for the sick in a hospital-at- Craw ford Springs Ga., was captured after, the-battle of Cliieamauga, by the rebel-mounted infantry. The following facts are narrated by a chaplain captured at the same time, who has since been released. . . Hussey was asked if he was a chaplain, and answered, “ Noif he belonged to the army, and answered, “No.” Terry, the-'man who killed Senator Broderick .of California, was present. He lives near Chicamauga. He said tcrHussey, “ You are-an abolition preacher then, are you ?” Hussey answered affirmatively. Terry then said, “If I had my way with you, I would take you out and hang you -to-the-first limb.’’ These surgeons say that when- Hussey informed his captors that he belonged to.the U. S. Christian Commission, and they asked if he had papers to show that fact, he in his confusion answered, “No,” when, at the same time, his satchel containing his commission, was not fifty rods distant from'him. Some friends of Hussey took his commission from his satchel, after the capture} and carried it to Capt. McKinstry, who is Gen. Bragg’s Pro l vost-Marshal, hoping that he might be held as a ratharLjAhan. a prisoner of War. J)lr. McKinstry examined the- comrnissioß'Tnnl said ■ it-was. a commission 'nominally, but not technically,-or-words to that effect, , - ■ f We fear it will go hard with our rather' in-‘ cautious brother., His-situation and that of’our starving soldiers in the prisons of the starving South, demands our prayers'. , The iollowing dispatch to'the associate press reveals the horri ble fact: - The flag of truce boat which arrived at Anna polis on Thursday Oct. 29th, brought 181--j>a roled prisoners from Richmond.. On the voyage eight of the menj died of starvation^—the whole, number having been kept without shelter of any, kind for a, long time, and having had little or, nothing to eat. The .surgeons say that- about one-third of the--whole number will die of, ex haustion. They arc described by an eye wit ness aslaeing only so many living skeletons. [Mr. Hussey has since been released.] THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION -IN THE ' SYNOD OF NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY, There arc signs that, the Temperance question is about to assume some of its former prominence in the religious community. Special attention was called to the progress o£:Tntemperancc in the narrative of the General Assembly, which met in this city last May. And the question was called up and’ mad C-the subject of an animated discus sion.-at the last meeting of the largest Synod in connection with the Assembly. The discussion was -interrupted by recess and resumed in the evening, the hour of eleven being reached before a vote was: taken. Dr. Crosby led off against total'abstinence, and-Dr. W-ilson in its-favor. The result was the adoption of a paper presented by Dr. ''ft’ilson, stating the fact of tho alarming increase of intemperance, and reiterating the testimony of the highest judicatory of the church in favor of the total abstinence principle. This was adopted with- 6 votes in the- negative. .We copy the remarks of T. L. C. in the Evangelist: We arc not among those who hold that total abstinence from all. alcoholic liquors is directly commanded in the Scriptures, or that a temper-- ance pledge he made a “ term of Church com munion.” Our creed and that of most sound temperance advocates is a very simple one, Self restraint for our own so Ices, and self-denial for the sake of others. ■. The Bible warrant for this creed of sobriety and philanthropy too, we find in that noble.,Heaven-inspired utterance of Paul, “ It is good not to drink wine whereby tby brother stum bleth, or is offended, or is made weak.” Here is. a high and sacred expediency that is firm enough to base a Christian usage upon; nor need teetotalism seek a stronger basis. Of course the oft hammered case of the, mar riage at Cana of Galilee came, in for a fresh instalment of blows. It will be a controverted topic, I doubt not, till the millennium. In that day of universal light I firmly believe that no man will insist that our blessed Lord created an intoxicating alcoholic drink to.madden the brain or arouse the sensual appetites of those who were gathered with I-lim at a sacred festivity. It was no “mixed wine”, but kindred to the pure unfermented juice of the grape; “against such there is no law” in any sensible teetotaller’s con science. -Our sound American commentator, Dr. Owen, says that “ the wine of Palestine .was so free from the aleholic element that it pro duced intoxication only through fermentation or by being drugged. No plea whatever can justly be drawn-from it for the use of such adulterated and poisonous wines as are generally imported and vended in this country.” He might have almost said universally, for the alcliolic drinks of America are thoroughly permeated with poison. “ Whosoever is deceive?! thereby is not wise.” But a hurried letter is no place for cxegetical discussion. There will be enough of that else where; for we venture to predict, that the spiri-; ted skirmish in our Synod is one of the Lexiiuj-, tons that betokens an approaching and salutary agitation in regard to a growing and enormous 'woe in our nation. By the way, during the pre sent month a great “Continental Temperance Congress” has been held at Hanover; it was at tended by many leading scholars and .philanthro pists,- by such men a$ Professor Stolz of Baden, Baron Yon Geld, Lord De Borries the “Minister of the Interior,” by his Majesty’s Ministers of State,.and other celebrities. The King of Han over invited tho Congress to the Palace, and showed them marked respect. A resolution in favor of total abstinence from all intoxicating drinks was advocated by the “Minister of Jus tice,” and was adopted. The proceedipgs and “ deliverances” of such a body of man must com mend much attention throughout Europe. STATE OP THE EDUCATION CAUSE. The General Assembly's Permanent Commit tee. on Education, .have determined to make an .effort to pay full appropriations to students placed under its care by Presbyteries, the present year. The number to be assisted will not quite rea'ch that of last year, owing to the effect which the war has produced on our literary institutions. The good, purpose ,of the committee will be;attained, if the churches bear in mind that most important recommen dation of''the Assembly; “that'a eoiitribuUbn for this cause shall be takeh annually in each congregation throughout Hie entire body.” Let such churches -as contributed last year prove that ‘ they may be relied on as fast friends of the cause ; and let such as have not heretofore contributed, show their appreciation of a most important work, and their loyalty to their church, by at once contributing, liberally. A constant supply of funds is needed to meet the constant demand. Promptness both in raising and forwarding contributions, is exceedingly desirable! J. W. Benedict, Esq., 128 Broad wav. New York, is the Treasurer. ■ ...... , T.. A. M. “ Rev. Herrick Johnson’s address on the “ Risks of Thinking,” is published. FROM OUR ROCHESTER CORRESPONDENT, THE SOLDIER’S BURIAL. Our city'has recently witnessed another of these funeral pageants, ribw so common in all the land—the burial of a soldier. We had the slow funeral dirge, the solemn march, the pla toons, accompanying the bier, the crowded as sembly, the tender, touching discourse, and-all suitable, demonstrations of respect. -And yet this was not a Major-G eneral, nor even a Colo nel, nor a flaptain; but only a Lieutenant, whose remains were thus committed to thoir last rest ing-place.-. And there was nothing very pecu liar in the case, to call out any peculiar expres sion of sympathy. i It was true, the young Lieutenant had loved his country; he had volunteered in her defence; he had bravely done his pari; in battle; ■ but thousands beside have done ithe same thing. This one had indeed manifested a noble zeal in the hour of special need. He was sick; he was in the hospital 'when the news that the Army of the Potomac was rubbing northward to repel the invasion of Pennsylvania, reached him, and he would not stay in] the hospital any longer, hut joined his regiment, marched and fought with them in that awful struggle at Gettysburg. It was too much! for his enfeebled frame. Although unscathed*in all that leaden storm of rebel bullets, yet the imprudent, though' patriotic effort and excitement, sent him back to the hospital, and finally to his grave. But we refer to the case, not because of any striking peculiarities, but only because it is in teresting to notice how the people delight to honor the patriot soldier. Not'unwept, not “ unhonored and unsung,” cfo" bur heroes fall. Though it be but'a youth of humble condition, unknown to fame, yet if he has given his life for his country in' this her Hour of need; multi tudes shall' follow him to'hisiast resting-place with every token-of gratitude and Tespect. So do we love our'country—so do' we honor those who give their all for her salvation. - Is there not hope still for such a people? OUR SCARE. Hemote as we are, and expected always to be from the seat of war, we Jjave almost been led to-think this week that it might after all come, even to our doors. our city was' full of rumors and excjjjjjnent; all the more absurd and ridiculous at times, from the fact that ive avc not so much accustomed to such things as they are in Washington. If one had believed half the stories flying on the street, he might ,have been pardoned, by all prudent people if he had suddenly packed up all his mpvedhles and started for Philadelphia, or some other, convenient place of safety. We had a realizing sense, perhaps, of the feelings predo minating in many breasts in the city of broth erly love about the middle of June last, when that eminent Christian gentleman, of the old Virginia school, Mr. Kobert E. Lee, was get ting unnecessarily near, your city gates, and bringing more company with him than you wished at that time to entertain. , But what was our scare about? Those rebel prisoners.on Johnson’s Island, near Sandusky; As the street story i^n,-they Jhad already es caped ; had seized vessels; had been joined by an unknown number of Canadian sympathizers; had attacked Buffalo; were ready to demolish, one by one, all other town§ or cities on or near the Lakes. Children looked anxious’ and ask ed their papas how soon'it was probable the grand onslaught would reach this city. But the evening papers, although they contained the telegram of the Secretary of War, at Wash ington, to our Mayor, showing that there had been something brewing, still assured us of comparative safety—the prisoners were still on Johnson’s Island; the Governor was on the alert, and prepared for all their plots—so we concluded, to take another good night’s sleep, and hope for a peaceful morrow. OUR PRISONERS IN RICHMOND. :. We take a .deep-interjisti in-ihe question, done-for, their relief?* We feel a burning mdignatiouatthePaibarity which they ar.e compelled to suffer, .Some iil many in this region, must feel a.peculiar, per sonal, and painful interest in the subject ; J for their own sons and brothers are there, dying of the slow , tortures ofstarvation. To mention no. otheiv a young major, a son of our fellow townsman, Hon. Starr, is.an inmate, of that , infamous dungbohj Libby Prison. « And must these prisoners be leffcito starve'? Is there.no relief,? v, It "would seem- as though there should be some. . But we have nd confi dence in sending food to them. We do not be lieve the half of it will weaeh them.. A: very little might-—enough to. : swear upon. And then we shall be assured that it reaches its des tination. And letters sfrom prisoners! (which; mugt he ? Written,iof eouraej to please the keep ers,. or they will; not benefit) will thankJ dear friends for, the good things sent. But bowlwill ..they know how much.*is sent? Andlhowwill jfriepds know what proportion • was ■ received? Have wp forgotten PlOyd ? Have' those Con federate thieves grown suddenly honest ? And, even if the,half; of.alLthe stores sent sby our Government, should be turned over at once to their own famishing soldiers, they could still reply, asmo w, that our soldiers-were'treated as wpll as ,theirs. ■;< ■ ~,,,No;, we firmly believe that the only way to i relieve -our suffering,- dying mbtt is;: by! retalia-, lion. It need not, perhaps, come: to 1 that ;r but ; if the rebel authorities were given distinctly to understand .that,: if, our soldiers, held<;by,them, are not; well cared for, (or re!cased, by exchange or parole,) a like number, of their, own will be at once on starvation diet, we.cannot ! help thinking that the exchange of prisoners would be speedily resumed; and thus our brave, suf fering men would be delivered .from ;that char nel house, and permitted to return, for a time, at jeast, to . their kindgqd and friends. Unless we mistake; the public feeling around, us, the Government /are expected to deal vigorously and promptly with this matter;, and,, with such an excess of prisoners as we have now* in our hands, who arc. well fed, and only- the more earnestly plotting our ruin, if would seem as though the.remedy was within our easy reach. We hope it will he soon applied. , ? GENERAL ASSOCIATION OF NEW YORK. The Minutes of this body for the year 1868, have just been issued from the press of Berton & Andrews in this city. , The annual meeting was held on the 22d of September, in Glovers- Vilie, and seems to have been, attended, and its exercises characterised by considerable spirit and interest. The association embraces the Congregational churches both of New York and New Jersey. ! , The whole number of churches reported is 20?—ministers, 122—pastors, 45-—stated sup plies, 80—members, 18,164 —contributions to all benevolent causes, $44,932,20. The .addi tions .from the world to these churches for the year,;; were #2B being an average pf four to each church. . The jninutes are well arranged and neatly printed, creditable alike to the firm from whose presses they issue, and to Rev. J., Butler, of Bergen, " Statistical and Publishing! Secretary.” Only we should prefer to see the! contributions to the different berievolent causes; set down separately, so that we might know how much each church gives to Foreign Mis-! sions, how much to Hpme, howjnuch to Edu cation, and the like. In this case, on the con trary, each church reports only the gross, sum to all causes. ! The Presbyterian churches ih the same terri tory, (the States of New York and New Jer sey,) number 606—ministers, 803—members, ? s,llo—added, on profession, in the year past, 2,618; being an average of 4 to each church— contributions to benevolence, $168,253,39. INSTALLATIONS IN THIS CITY. Rev. E. 1). Yeomans, late of Trenton, New Jersey,: was installed- pastor. of St. Peter’s (Presbyterian) iChureh in this city on Monday evening; the 9th inst. ;The sermon for the oc casion was preached by Rev. Prof. Green, of the Theological Seminary: at Princeton,, from the text, .Tit fe.l; .be not afraid;” .. The.sermon was .regarded as able and interesting. Rev. Belville Roberts; phstor of Calvary Church in this city, presided; and proposed the constitu tional questions ; . Rev. Dr. 'Hall, of ithevThird Church ; gaye th'c charge to fthc pastor; Rev. George Patten, of Seneca, the charge to the pe.ople. And so . this unique, semi-episcopal, Presbyterian church (O. S.) is again supplied with a pastor, in place of the beloved and la mented Rev. John T. Coit, whose sudden de cease last winter cast such a gloom,over the church and over our entire city. In like manner, and in due time, we'trust a kiiid Providence Will send the right man for the First Church, in place of the late Dr. Pease. Plymouth Church is still looking and waiting for the right man. None but the best are wanted at either, of, fbese places, especially such as are genial, catholic, co-operative and Christian toward other pastors and fohurches; for this’too is a city of brotherly ,loye. ~ Non. 13tfi, 1863. / ' G'Ehesee." .. LETTER FROM CHAPLAII STEWART. ODD BATTUE FIET.DS. ! >3 Warrentony Va., Nov. sth, 1863! Dear Editor :—A strong, tendency of our being is to localise. To desire’one spoi’lfor ourselves to be more loved, more sacred thari all others—where shall be congregated'Pur hopes, our joys, our ‘ Sympathies ; an&; where may be collected our means for-worldly happi ness anlP advancement. Especially is this the case with respect to our religious feeliitgs- ahd desires. No marvel therefore should ignorance, superstition or even! more intelligent religious emotions, cause their possessor to walk softly when approaching the place which in his imag ination has- been made holy by some formal consecration. Ere the idea of -an Omnipresent became familiar to ! the human mind; both 1 Pa triarch and believing Hebrew were wont, to look' upon each place, where God has vouch safed some special manifestation of His good ness, as' possessing a peculiar, even awful sacredness—calling it Bethel, House of God, Gate of Heaven. Nor were such ! feelings in the creature discouraged Ijy Him to whom all places are alike'sacred: “Take thy shoes from off thy feet for the place whereon thou standest is Holy grounds l : I;; Similar feelings at once take possession of the thoughtful mind when 'approaching to ! aiid traversing the place where some* great battle has teen fought. For such visits and niental exeThises our frequent condition during'tbe'past season has 1 been strongly propitious. ! Nearly three years have we been- on our attempted journey from Washington to Riehihond,'& dis tance which by railroad we might travel in; almost as ; many' hours. Had Bunyan’s so journer made no more rapid progression towards his desired city he might perchance have been on his pilgrimage till’now., Had that,marvel lous dreamer in Bedford, jail accompanied us in our ever varying efforts to reach; the Confeder ate Capitol; allegory and similitvide might liav'c been laid asidej ,add Hie world fumishedwitt’a huge volume of fact stranger than fiction.; During our numerous and varied; forwards and backwards—advances and retreats—rights and lefts—ups arid downs—stops and starts-—hith 'ers; and thithers, ain opportunity has Been af forded leisurely to,visit and reyisit nearly every important battle-field of the Potomac army. , Already in this war of mignifieient dimen sions a dozen fields of slaughter have been left :td history greater as to the number of comba tants than Waterloo, and with even more killed or mutilated on each of them, than upon that far-famed field of blood. go common, so fresh, so strangelyfruriiliar have become these vast'localities ;of slaughter, that'for the present, much of that wanted reverence and even profit is '^jutting,wffle. passing, over them. , Fifty ; years hence our grandchildren will come on pilgrimageand tread with sacred awe and holy reverence, these places where every sod is a soldier’s sepulchre. Such feelings are almost unknown to him whose feet as lie traverses, is yet defiled with gore, whose nostrils are filled > with stench, whose eyes are averted from ghastly corses, and in whose ears the’ tumult of battle yet rings. V !, Wc arc now traversing and camping upon by far the largest battle 1 area ever measured in the world’s history of carnage. The eastern part of Yirgjhia, with portions of Maryland and Pennsylvania, comprising 10,000 miles, widen ing to. a hundred miles on, eveiy side-r-frohi the • northwest boundary of the Sbenendoah Valley to the James River—from the Chesapeake to the Rapidan, has been converted during the past, tlireo years into a; grand amphitheatre for a tournament at anus—a magnifieient. duel, and, as a result, has become a great charnel house; a vast Golgotha, a wide-spread Aceldama; a literal field of blood. Fields, forests, hills, val leys, meadows, orchards, gardens, over all this i wide extended region, with scarce an exempted spot, have .already, teen occupied as a? camping ground by either friend.or foe. During our late strategic movements-—our hide and go seek —our retreating and pursui ing; the general course led us'"twice over, the battle scenes of Bull Run. Not,JUs many evi dences of the Serbs and; bloody struggles ivjhich there took place, remain, as might be supposed. A luxuriant growth of grass and weeds, with out flock .ou-berd Jo graze, thereon, severed all* that great battle region when traversed by us*.. The debris from the various dashings together of hosts, scattered ,*qver a.; wide region in the vicinity of Bull ltun, could hot generally be discovered until; struck against by your own, or the foot of your horse. Even the little mounds, called graves, scattered without order ovCr hill and dale, generally Hid from sight by the summer vegatation now becoming scar by autumn frbsts. So shallow had, been dug the holes and trenches for the reception of the slain, that when our artillery wheels cut aefoss the soft ground, and ponderous trains of army wagons sunk into it in their; passage, many, of the mouldering bodies were reached, when fragments of broken bones and rotting flesh were dragged up after the wheels. Here and there also, lay scattered about, the various bones of the human body, not as seen by the prophet at the grave’s irihuth, fof the;jr, seemed never to have been honored with a burial. These were picked up by our soldiers-while Von the march and curiously examined; many in their ignorance of anatomy wandering to what part 5 of the body subh a one belonged. TBe whole scene was thug, long since, graphically described by one of the finest word; painters who ever wielded pen. ' . >.. “ The knot grass fettered there the hand, Whieh once'could burst ah iron'bind Beneath the broad and tonple boneV That buckled heart-to fear Unknown, A feeble anda timorous guest !-■ ■ The field hare framed her lowly nest; - ■ There the slow blind worm left.his slime On the fleet limbs that mocked at time; And there, too lay the leader’s skull Still wreathed with chaplet flashed and full,. For heathbcll with her purple bloom ’ Supplied the bonnet and the’plume.” : Ere leaving that field of deal li, and ~ while standing on an elevation overlooking the fentire battle ground beyond Oentreville, this requiem froin liill and dale, seemed to well up from a host of departed heroes, s6me of them loved Mends ; one,. Capt. Van &order, a near relative to whom my soul was knit like David’s to Jonathan. ■ “They have fought thfiir last battles, they sleep, their last sleep, : No sound snail awake thejn to glory again.”, ~ - • -ws A.i'JVi. Stewart. : PEokf mMP OH TpEAPPAHAKtTOCK.^ j De*b Bkotecer :4^lni, connection with the Rev. JvW. Alvord,-Secretary of American Tract Society, 5 I left "Washington' 1 some days since for the Army. . We found our forces en camped hear Warrenton, Bealton and Catlett’s Station. ' We passed; two days most pleasantly in - visiting various regiments, renewing ac quaintance with officers, chaplains and sur geons: The. tone . of. the army-,wc found to be .most hopeful,, and; but Pew sicks except drafted men, who had recently’entered vice. We were happy to see that the recent retreat had not diminished the confid&nce df the officers and men in the commanding Gene ral, but nearly all of them spoke of him in terms of the; warmest praise. ; , q . ; On Saturday morning, which rose upon lis one of the brightestdays,warusherered in a most novd and .wonderful scene; the breaking i up of a thousand camps, and; the moving out into the line: of march of eighty thousand men. The country in' this regiofi being very open and the fields wide, gave one an opportunity of seeing a very grand spectacle. With drums beating and banners waving, one regiment after s aitother moved out into the’ plainahd fell into line, an’d in the distance the gleaming guns 'and the moving column told that- another corps of the army was hastening to the scCne of conflict. VThtil near noon of Saturday m orbing, the entire : ‘army moved together along the line of the rail road towards the' Rappahannock. When we reached Bealton Station, the 6th,' sth' and Ist Corps moved to - the right, keeping the line of the railroad to the river; and the 3d and 2d Dorpstufned to the left and advanced to'Kelly’s Ford. Very soon the sound of heavy cannona ding quickened every pttlse, and with increased swiftness the'men pressed on."' I'’ 1 '’ iAll hftembph the cannon thundered on otfr fright, find men wondered and enquired of each other \vhat all this meant. 1 -M’ : ■' : In front of lis was likewise heard very heavy ‘firing ; the men were urged to a qulofeer step and all things began to wear the soleriii hue of is, sanguinary contest. The Third of the army, when they appeared on the heights above Kelly’s Ford; caught the enemy unawares. They were smokmg, sleeping, choking and build ing /houses for" winter tjuarters. When oiir 'giins opened on them, ! fh'erc Was the wildest eoMstemation and excitement/ To guard the Ford, there was a force of onfe thousand meii, and’ again in the hills above it rifle pits an ..... - : On the ma,rch of the army was td ne wed, . .and .-we soon passed through, the en campments of the enemy. They had made pret parations for a long sojourn; for houses were being: were building, anti booths: for homes. Nothing was more unex pected than onr descent; and the negroes of the houses we passed gave ns the most amusing account of the rapidity and panic of the flight. After a march of seven hours, we united with the other Corps, near Rappahannock Station, «ud*skeie learned of the signal and brilliant success of Gen. Sedgwick, on the previous day. Yerj soon, the combined army took up again the line of march—the 6th Corps, in battle-lino, advancing to ourgight, and the other Corps, in tw,o columns, along the line of the railroad. Every moment there was the expectation of the opening of a general engagement. There was cbntMnal skirmishing front, and the thun der of cannon hastened every movement. All desired that there should be no general engage ment on thfe but, if necessary, all were ready. But,'.with the exception of a severe ca valry stirifiish on Our right, the day passed away without any serioup conflict. We passed the night at Brandy Station, and, on the following Eppming, the 2d and 3d Corps marched to the : neighborhood of Culpepper. Of the country, the inhabitants, the contrabands, the decayed arilfocracy, more in my next letter. J. J. November Ilk, 1863. HOME MISSIONS. On applications;received from the churches they serve, the following ministers were com missioned by, the Presbyterian Committee of Home missions, at their last regular meeting: ■ i-'? •. v - •; . Rev. E. E. Gregory, Corunna, Mich. “ Alex. Parker, North Madison, Ind. “- Asa, Martin, Olivet, lowa. “ Edward Cleveland, Muscatine, lowa. “ George C.> Wood, Jacksonville, 111. “ W. H. Adams, Brooklyn, Pa. “ F. E. Sheldon, Troy, Kansas. “ J. G. Hamner, Milford, Del. “ A. G. Beepe, Manitowoc, Wis. “ T. H. Tatlow, Newark. Mo. “ Josiah Leonard, Fulton, Dl. . “ E. C. Haskell, Yevay, Ind. " “ T. A. Steele, St. Louis Crossing, Mo. ““S. Strong, Raisin, Mihßi^an. “ Isaac Winans, Mecca, Ohio. *• W. B. Evans, Washington, D. C. „ LiTEß’ijsT.—“Was Hk STrcoESSi-ni?” is the title of a new work by Richard B. Kimball, in the press of Carleton, New York, for publication early in December. '.The popularity of Mr. Kimball, as an author, commenced with the publication of “ Saint Leger,” which had an extraordinary sale both here and abroad, being translated into French and German, and also printed in Tauchnltz’s Leipsic Edition, which was alsq the case .with his “ Romance of Student Life.” 'The sale of “ Undercurrents,” recently published, has bCen very large, as has also, “In the Tropics," a charming work, edited by Mr. Kimball. Mr. Carleton will at the same time issue an entire new and uniform edition of all of JJr. Kimball’s works, which are of the higher order df literature, and should be found in every library. * ** ..fir ■ TABOE CHUECH; We have just been presented with a very fine lithograph engraving of the substantial, com modious tasteful structure in process of erec tion for this church through the liberality of M. W. Baldwin, Esq. Our readers will re member that theicomer stone of this building was laid in the , midst of the anxiety and gloom of the. week of invasion, on the very day and hour when the army of Gen.- Meade, unknown stp ns, was manfully resisting the-first rebel as saults .upon Jfche heights of Gettysburg. The jbqildmg is now under roof, and the congrega tion ~aret . no,w engaged in raising the sum of |B5O, to fj pu.t’a fine bell, and clock with four faces, in the jtower.; As it is in the midst of a working population, this movement is a very proper, one.. We are happy to add that the spiritual interests of the church, in charge of Rev. George Yan Deurs, are flourishing; thir teen persons having been added on profession qf faith, and three by letter, ,at the communion last Sabbath. Ipfttg W : «"iiSiiwfcs. Presbyterian. SecoAd'Chureh, Paterson, N. J— A correspon dent says, “ it-mfiy be of interest to some of your readers to know of the prosperity of the Second Presbyterian Church of Paterson, N, J. We have just paid off our debt of $1600; we are now nego tiating, for the erection of a: new and handsome organ for which we will paycasb, and we have subscriptions sufficient to warrantthe expectation of a parsonage, to be built next spring. Our con gregation has largely increased within the year, and twelve- have been added to. the communion of the church. Rev; Ghas, D, Shaw, formerly of Button woodjpireet church in this city, is pastor.” ThevChurch of the - corner of 4th Aveime and. :35th Street, New York, Rev. Dr. Prentiss pastor, laidthe corner-stone of their new edifice, Nov. ; sth. Drs. Skinner, Prentiss, Adams, and Jacob Abbott took part in the exercises. The church and“chapel. will be 82 by 129 feet; the church tp accqmpdate 1000 and the chapel 300 per sons/' The style ‘is a mixture of a Byzantine and Bombard. The interior'of the church will be di vided, by richly decorated cast-iron-columns i nto three aisles, and will be the first church-edifice on this continent iu which iron has been used for .decorative purposes,— Emngtlist. New Church at Darien, Conn.— The town of Darien borders on the New York and New Haven railroad beyond Stamford. Here the { 4th Presby tery of New York organized a church Nov. 4th., of thirty ipembers. Mr. James W. Coleman is the present suppjy. A good Sabbath-school and pray* ®r-meeting are in operation, and measures will be iiiimcdiateiy taken to erect an edifice. ..; Tfcia Chnicli, and Congregation in Placerville, the PavM, at a vpry frdl meeting held after the service last Sabbath, gave the Rev. W. Wv Brier a tihanimibus cajl to become their set tled pastor/ on {( salary of $l5O a month. It is not >yet decided whether the call will be accepted or not. * The. Synod ofCincinnati at its last meeting passed the following on Some Missions: That in view of the increased expense of living in all our bounds, cv;ery church be earnestly recommended to increasetbeir exertions and contributions, that the Committee may be ; able to give more liberal support to their missionaries. On the Pd [foutim.GimscWhjsbeas, We rbgafa thepublica tion cause as vital to the best interests of our branch l of the' church. And whereas, the General Assembly has resolved to raise the-sum of $50,000 as an endowment for the same; therefore, Bcsoh(