202 GENESEE EVANGELIST PHILADELPHIA, DEC. 17, 1868, JOHN W. MEANS, AMERICAN PRESBYTERIAN GENESEE EVANGELIST FOR 1864. Wo aro happy to announce to our subscribers and friends that it has been determined to enlarge our paper at the commencement of the New Year; by the addition of one fourth more matter, and to throw it into the form of a DOUBLE SHEET; thus making it THE LARGEST AND CHEAPEST RELIGIONS PAPER ZN PHILADELPHIA, or in any part of the country outside of Now York city; and superior, size and price considered, to any in the Presbyterian Church. It Is designed not merely to increase the size, but in every way to improve the character of the paper. Particular, attention will be paid to the remark able progress of PRESBYTERIANISM IN GREAT BRITAIN AND ON THE CONTINENT. The great union movement now takings place among the Presbyterians of England, Scotland, and Wales, will be carefully noted in our columns. Paid correspondents are employed in every im portant department. Their contributions will be found unusually attractive and valuable. We have one of the BEST ARMY CORRESPONDENTS in the field, whose original and striking letters come fresh from the front every week. OUR ROCHESTER CORRESPONDENT is an experienced writer, who acquaints our readers fully with events of interest & that great section of our church—Central and Western New York. He is making arrangements still further to increase the value of his weekly letters. . OTJR LONDON CORRESPONDENT has excellent and peculiar advantages for gaining information. His very full and valuable letters will appear twice a month. REV. J. J, MARKS, D.D, author of the remarkable and popular volume “ The Peninsula Campaign;" in which he has proved himself an independent thinker, a fearless, patriotic, and devoted man, and able writer, is our regular WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT. Without offering any long list of premiums, we will pay cash to every one procuring us three or more new subscribers, with the pay for one year in advance, V ONE DOLLAR FOR EACH SUBSCRIBER. Send us at the rate of $l, (or $1,50 in the city,) for each new subscriber, and’retuin the balance. We also offer to the Sabbath-School of thc-Ghurch in which the largest number of new subscribers over twenty is obtained, before the Ist of February, A LIBRARY OF ONE HUNDRED VOLUMES, and to the Sabbath-Scliool of tho Church -securing the next best list, over twenty, A LIBRARY OF FIFTY VOLUMES, all of first class Sabbath School books, of latest To the School of tho Church sending us the third largest list, over twenty, A LARGE COLORED MAP OF JERUSALEM worth $lO. TERMS UNCHANGED. To subscribers paying in advance, By mail, By carriers, - If not paid until 3 months due, 50 cts. additional Clubs of ten or mdre, 1,50 each in advance. « “ “ by carriers, 2,00 “ “ Our paper is supplied to Home Missionaries at $1 per annum ; to Ministers and Theological students at $1,50 per annum, strictly in advance. In the city, 80 cents additional is charged. POEM WASTED. w : . , We suggest, as a suitable topic to our lyrical contributors, the touching incident of the death of Sergeant Hummiaton on the field of Gettys burg, with the portraits of his children in his hand, afterwards identified by the notice pub lished in the AMERioAN PbesbytekiaN. We presume they are familiar with the facts, as al ready presented in our coluuinsi: A suitable price will be paid for the accepted poem, which must be in hand by the lSthofJdnUary; THE AEBEBT BAENES PBOFESSOESHIP, Atnid the-many objects urged at this time, upon the regards of our benevoleht men, they •will not, we trust, lose sight of this important object, but will reserve for it a place far up on the list. The institution of this professorship in Hamilton College, will contribute to the en dowment of a most excellent institution of learning under the best of Christian influences; and will confer merited honor upon Mr. Barnes, casting a pleasant light upon the later years of his life, We are not surprised to leam from Dr. Gcertner that the project meets with uni versal favor. Beautiful Holiday Gift.— Amon* the “°* r ™ “ coneeptioa and delicate in execii tion of the handsomer class of gift books lately issned, is " Snow FijAk.es, ” from the Tra.ct Society, Boston. The elegance and X n n^Ll CrySt f'fL e(i forms fcr onght to light by the m eroscope In the snow flake, are accurately copied m a senes of exquisite plates, and ex tracts m prose and verse on the subject of snow m its various esthetic and moral aspects, from —-AND — Editor. - $2,00 - 2,50 PAPERS FOR THE ARMY. The Christian Coirimission is d6ing a good work in sending weekly to the army thousands of our best religious papers. One thousand copies of the American Presbyterian, and Banner of the Covenant together, are regu larly furnished to the Commission according to their order, at very low rates. We hope our friends will do tboir part in sustaining this noble and truly grand enterprise, which in its spirit, and the extent and efficacy of its minis trations, is unparalleled in the history of human benefactions. We should be glad to receive contributions from our subscribers and friends for the purpose of sending these or additional papers through the same'channel. - TAPERS to individual soldiers, chaplains, &c. The best way yet discovered of supplying a soldier with religious reading and of holding him to the religious influences of home, is to send him regularly a copy of the religious paper taken in the family; or with which he is more ,or less familiar. We have repeated as surances that such papers as are sent from this office reach their destination in the army with entire regularity, and are among the most wel come of all things sent the soldiers from home. We send copies and pre-pay postage at $l.OO for six months; and we would here call the at tention of friends and church-sessions who * have been sending our paper to individual sol-, diers, that the subscriptions have run out in nearly every case, and should be renewed. - We are also supplying several Chaplains in the“armv with a dozen or more copies weekly, for which tho funds contributed have long since been, exhausted, so- that we are admonished to cut off this list, unless fricnds> can be found to furnish the means for continuing it. Rev. Dr. Marks, who superintends the ope rations of the American Tract Society (Boston) in the Army of the Potomac, and who has un usual facilities for the distribution of religious reading in the most efficacious manner among the soldiers, would gladly receive and distribute hundreds of copies of papers every week, if the funds could be supplied for that purpose. And other applications from time to time have been made at 'this office, to which wo have been able to respond only in the most limited manner. The following sums have been received and applied to the fund for Chaplains’papers : ■ Rev. John W. Dulles, - - $5.00 Rev. W. B; Evans, Washington, 5.00 SERGEANT HUMMISTON AND HIS PAMILY. LETTER FROM REV. ISAAC G. OGDEN. Dear Editor : —ln reply to your letter of inquiry about Sergeant Hummiston, let me say that he was,a resident of Portville, for a number of years, and was by trade a harness-maker. In early life he was a sailor and made several whaling voyages to (he Southern Pacific. Tie was a man of noble, generous impulses, .a quiet citizen, a kind neighbor and devotedly attached to his family. His sailor-like generosity will account largely for the fact that ho-never accumulated property. When the rebellion, first took the form of open war upon the country, he was anxious to enlist)' but his duty to bis family seemed thhn to be paramount to his' duty to his country. -But after the disastrous Peninsular campaign, when there was a call for 300,000 more volunteers; and when he received assurance from responsible citizens that-his family should be cared for during his absence, then without the prospect of a large bounty he enlisted as a private in Co. C. 154th Reg. N. Y. S. V., under Oapt. L. D,. Warner, now Major of the 154th) :was with the Regiment in the tattle of Chancellorsville, and laid down his life for his country at G ettysburg. An incident that occurred while enlisting was going on in our town, so well illustrates his character, that I will relate it. There was a young man here who was considering the question, of . enlisting, but. who doubted his ability to endure the long fatiguing marches of the army. “ Come on," said Hummiston, “ I will carry your musket for you." His Captain testified to his good. qualities as a soldier. Ho was always cheerful, prompt to do duty, free' from vicious habits, and always thought much of his absent family. j His wages were promply remitted; though one draft of $3O which he sent, never reached them. Mr. H. made a profession of religion some eight or ten years ago ; but like many others; did not walk as a Christian should. He said to his wife as he was leaving, that he wished he was a better man, and hoped he might be. May wo not hope that while life was slowly ebbing away on that bloody battle-field, while his thoughts were evidently on his distanthome, as is evidenced by the 'ambrotype of his children found in his hands when dead, .that his thonghts and prayers also went up to Him who said to one of old, praying, “ Lord Tcmember me“ This day thou shall be with me in Paradise!’’ His children are bright, active and intelligent;" they are left with their mother. entirely depen-; dant upon their own exertions, and the assistance of others. l'he family have been kindly eared for : ’by our citizens in the Sbsehee Of Mr; H. ! Mrs. H. recently mSdO a public profession of her faith in Christ, and united with the Presby terian Church of this place. The coming of her children’s photograph, kindly sent by Dr. Bourns of your city, relieved her dread suspense relative' to her husband’s fate, and she bows with Chris tian submission to tho Providence which makes her a widow, and her children fatherless. It was certainly a remarkable Providence which made his attachment' to his family She means of his and also the means of awakening so lively an interest in his bereaved' family.; : May God abundantly bless all who, though at a distance, are thus' pVaefidMly” “visiting the widow'and the fatherless in their affliction." ;■ v. . Isaac G. Ociden. Yesterday, says a Wilmington past,or, in a note dated December 11th, we. had a .Union! Thanksgiving service in my Ohurdh;; a gathering from all denominations, Baptist, Methodist, Episcopalians, Friends, &c., in response to the President’s call, for-public thanksgiving. The meeting was large and full of interest:and enthusiasm. I am*“right” glad as they sayßoivn horn to hear or rather read of your prospective ment, and , the-evidence that it, gives -of your prosperity. I intend nett Sabbath; to make- a plea for a religious paper in the family, week by week. Is’nt it strange .that an intelligent Christian man, or even if he bemot a Christian, could possibly be without one? ", Yours fraternally, i §,f ujs>f tun awl dMitpligi * GOD WORKING HITHERTO. It is' our delightful duly as watchmen, on Zion’s walls, to note and ‘proclaim the indica tions of the divine favor to the church which may from time to time be descried. For the encouragement of our readers we would say, that tidings of good come to our ears.... In the. army a powerful wofik of Gpd is, reported by true men. Rev. Robert Patterson D. D., of the Reformed Church, Chicago, who has been travelling extensively in-behalf of the. Christian Commission testifies to a powerful and contin uous revival in Camp Convalescent. All his experiences of the'revival of 1858 are exceeded by the scenes’be has witnessed in this favored spot: Hundreds have .given evidence of con version. At a town in this State where a meeting in behalf of the Christian Commission was held and reports made of the revival in Camp Convalescent, six young men -stepped forward at the close of the meeting and heartily and thankfully greeted the speakers whose labors in that camp had been' blessed t d their souls:: Dr. Patterson in -his? extended travels reaching as far East as Portland;-Maine, found encouraging evidence of religious interest and a number of powerful revivals. In Chicago, deep religions interest prevails in some of the churches, ■ and he has "been 'permitted to’ see very little children giving most satisfactory proofs of a change of heart. His faith is very strong that we shall this winter see the begin ning of a most extensive work of grace, and that we shall witness a higher type of piety among Christians than before the breaking out of the war. Let us labor and pray in hope.- THE HONOR AND FAITHFULNESS OF THE PRESIDENT. Tho portions of the President’s Message with his Proclamation of Amnesty which we print in another part of our paper, will be read with the most profound satisfaction by the Christian people of the country. The position of our Chief Executive is finally taken. The.remark able history of this Year of Emancipation has dispelled whatever doubt may have lingered on the subject. Mr. Lincoln will not go back; but will move steadily forward in the sublime path of duty which Providence has opened be fore him; the millions of human beings released trom bondage by bis solemn act of. January first, have not in vain relied upon the truth, honor, firmness and sympathy for human wrongs of that honest and true man, Abraham. Lincoln. History has no record of a trust more momen tous, discharged . with more fidelity than that committed to his hands and thus inwoven with his settled and unalterable policy. RET. MR. OGDEN’S LETTER. • The letter of Rev. Isaac- G. Ogden, of Port ville, which we print in another place, will be found to give-most satisfactory information as to the family of the deceased Sergeant-Hum miston. It guarantees any who may feel dis posed to render assistance, against amisappro priation of their contributions. We trust that Dr. Bourns’ efforts to raise a reasonable amount for the family will be seconded. ■ A substantial contribution from Pennsylvania-, whose soil the> brave New York soldier died to protect, should go with him to Portville. The people of the village propose to .take the opportunity, when he, visits them, to make-a= demonstration not only of welcome to the Doctor, but in behalf of Mrs. Hummiston and her family, at the same time.—Wc have received several applications for copies of the, large photograph of the ehil dren, which we offer as a premium, for new subscribers; -and are now,prepared to furnish them as they may be ordered. OUR PROSPECTUS FOR 1864. We are sending out our Prospectus to pas tors in various parts' of the Church. If the pastors themselves are unable to act as agents for the paper, we hope they will hand .the cir cular to such persons iu the Church as will be likely to take an interest in promoting our cir culation. PROM OUR ROCHESTER CORRESPONDENT, ANNIVERSARY SERMON BY DR. SHAW, ■; PU j Sunday (evening, Rlepeifiber fithyßev; Dri Shaw, of Rochester, preached his anniversary' sermon. -He has now been in |this: city .twenty threeyears—twenty-three years pastor of , the Brick Chnroh j. and.; this .was- made;i the occasion! of. {reviewing something of the past, and taking; counsel for the future. Ho-took for his text the. words-, “ If - Gos : he^Jpr< ms, ; - who},he'against us?” and traced-, some. indications that God was for ;and. wfth them -as j*nbproh yJ wbich‘: may- be summed up-in .the ; fact that the Great Head of tho Church ; had, always giyenr them .something; t0.d0,. and always blessed.tlietn- in doing it.-- a r church was formed as the, Second Presby terian -Church of Rochester, about forty years ago. Its first, pastor was Rev; William dames. Next came the.: elder; Wisner ;\and :,then; -Rev. George Beecher. .. Rut so were changes ordered.!: in divinuprovidepce, that the whole itime of fheae three pastoratps covered only about fifteen, years,- The first, two still live in a green old age; the last Has been dead many years. ' - ; n . When Dr. Shaw came to -fhis church,; its roll of .members contained four hundred and fifty names, pf whom,eighty still remain, in; its com munion- In, the mean time,.it has grown until it; now, embraces almpst a thousand, members; and nearly five. .hundred, .it is ,belieyed, ;have gonp up to join “the- general assembly and church of the first-born, whose names are written • in heaven." Two .hundred and -twenty-one haye beeniadded in.the past year. . ; ■„> .> And not, this alone. The Brick Church has a .special care for. the lambs of ; the flock. All who. have .eyer looked into■ its Sabbath-school. room.j liave been struck with its ample accommo dations and admirable arrangements. We know not where a better shop for such, work may be found, or where building cotnraittees for Sab bath school rooms may, look for a better model. The roll of the 'Sabbath-schpol is how nearly one , thousand, teachers and .scholars; and six hun dred and.ninety had, been in attendance-at one time. Andy better than all else, ;fche converting Spirit of God has often manifested,,|ris blessed power in this place. A large proportion of those, who have united with the church, from year to year, have been from. - the Sabbathrschool. Truly this’is a good record. . This church is a; great success-' 'Rut why? One.reason, is the short; practical sermons of the pastor.- Indeed, the exercises are all brief—no long prayers, or hymns, either; all are gone.. through,., with ima prompt, earnest, 'and lively maimer.- There is no flagging of interest from beginning to end. Added to this, is an earnest,’.united, enterprising, and active membership. ; Ther singing .is also very good, combining the beauties of the quar tette and the full choirj embracing some voices of rare excellence. And, besides all also, we should lay''much stress bn the courtesy with which strangers are always treated at this church. They are not left; to stand for an indefinite length’ of time iu the vestibule. And what we say of: this could- be* said’ of other churches in this city; the elders’and trustees are very ready and active in creating strangers with the utmost courtesy, making them feel truly welcome;>*and many arc thus won at once, and soon cease to’be strangers. And thus the . Brick Church has a name; and a place, and a Work in the kingdom of our Saviour which any church might well covet: Long may she continue to fill * her noble sphere. ' ‘ ' auburn;.' Spending a few hours in this place, we were much^intereste'd'in hearing a very good account of the thanksgiving serniorj, by Rev. Henry Fowler, pastor of Central-Presbyterian Church: The three Presbyterian congregations held a union service. The'meeting was in the old first church, which was; full for; the occasion. The 1 text was, CC T will make a man'more precious' than fmegold” Among the causes of thanks: giving, the sermon enumerated, the permanently increased’ value of labor, the growing comfort of the people, enlarged benevolence of the land, a more extended dispensation of the gospel, eleva tion of the Southern whites, emancipation of Southern blacks, and lastly, the character of Abraham Lincoln. ' Under: this latter head the preacher drew a parallel between Sambel the prophet, and our President'which gave great satisfaction. We- transcribe a ; portion for the benefit of. our quite sure that many others will enjoy the ‘picture much as those did who first looked upon it/ - * * “Such a man as Samuel was among the Jews, such a man is Abraham Lincoln iu this day. The explanation of his every act is this : He executes the will of the people. He represents a controlling majority. be slow, it is be cause the people are slow. . If he. have done a foolish act, it is because of the stupidity of the people which impelled it; His wisdom’con sists m carrying otit the good sense of the nation. His growth in political knowledge, his- steady movement toward emancipation, are but the growth and movement of the national inind. In deed, in character and - culture, he is a fair re presentation of the average American. His awkward speech, and more awkward silence, his uncouth manners, his grammar self-taught and partly forgotten, his stylo miscellaneous, - con creted from the best authors, like a reading book, and yet oftentimes of Saxon 1 force and classic purity; his humor an argument, and his “logic a joke, both unseasonable at .times and irresistible always;.his questions .answers, and his answers questions; his guesses prophecy, and fulfillment ever beyond his promise;' honest yet shrewd, simple yet reticent; heavy and yet energetic ; never,despairing and never sanguine; careless in forms, conscientious.in essentials; never sac- good. servant once, trusted,, never de serting a good principle’"once adopted; not afraid of new ideas, not despising old ones; im proving opportunities'to confess mistakes, ready to learn, getting at facts,4f*ing nothing whenhe .knows not what to do j hesitating at nothing when lie sees the right; lacking the- recognized qualifications of a party leader, and yet leading his party as no other :man> cani;’’sustaining his political enemies in Missouri to their defeat, sustaining his political friends in Maryland to their .victory ; conservative, in his sympathies and yet radical in his acts; Socratie in his style and Baconian in .his method; his religion con sisting in truthfulness, t'efhperance, asking good people* tq pray for him, and publicly acknowledg ing in cv,ents the hand of God, he stands before you as the type of Brother, Jonathan, not a per fect man, and yet more precious than fine gold.” Genesee. Rochester, .Dec. 11,1863. LOYALTY OF A WASHINGTON ’CHURCH. - ' Washington City, 1 November 30th, 1863. j * Mr. Editor In perusing a recent number of the ,American Presbyterian, to "which my father, the Rev. Dr. Tustiu, is a subscriber, my attention was attracted,!?} the,, subjoined paragraph in an article entitled “Notes-of <a.Visit to the city of Washington.” ; .The S.ccpnd .Church left, its, earlier connection and went into the “Old School" body some years’ ago:; Iwith'ifc Nas-joined tfieS oDhiid * (though' it netOr assumed; thespumeray-stpsfprni the ‘.-New .York: Avedue Church, ” now .in charge ,of Rey, PAD. Gfirleyl’ Dr®. ftl Here : the ’ his wife being a member! The congregation is strong,' though of quite a different class from that described: in the First Church. The interest shown; in the present-'aspect of' public" affairs’’’is but moderate, and. far; from; satisfactory tp earnest Christian patriots. 'lt is. understood that one of the most conservative members of £hC “Cabinet, who might “'or'other reasons be expectedjfC%ttehd : this church; refuses, to, onaccount ofthe obviojis failure in! the pulpit ministrations on this very point. Holding as I do the Ruling Elder in the, church alluded to, it : will not, I hope, he .regarded ObtraavC in me, to rectify 'what is unquestionably a misapprehension on the partof the’writer of the extract : While'l cheerfully endorse the commendatory notice :of the other' 'ministers' and churehes mentioned in .thoPNotes,’’' I begpermis sion, very . state,’ that, thev‘‘New’ York Ayeflu&jjhprch ”..is. by, no, means liable to the imputation of disloyaltytotbeGovernment. of the United States, qr indifference to the result of the 'pfesient stiuggle. "If such an allegation was susceptible of proof I would feel compelled by a, sense of duty td‘ ; G-ddj”and : the Government, to sever my Dreserit relations and seek a private posi tion in a communion where loyalty, would be beyond suspicion. ;;,'b,t:l r b v, !■'■ - I;am,happy,;however, to he able to say, that the officers of this church- arc, with perhaps a single exception;. loyal. to. the .Government* .and sincerely desirous for the, speedy-,and complete triumph of tho National arms. I tliiqk.that, with few except, tioris, the same statement applies to the congrega tion.- With respect to the pastor as “he is of age,’ ? -I-propose' to allow him to speak for ‘himself,] in thefollowing ‘ extract of - a sermon preached by him on the/oceasion of;a' recent “ National Thank's-' giving:”; f-Hb- mb- .b ' v b'b"'"' b.' ' .We have never believed, nor do we ever expect to believe, that two separate and independent,con federacies can exist in peace, between the Northern Lakes and the. Southern Uiilf, between the sources and.the mouth-offthe. ; .Ged manifestly made .the vast country lying between these boun daries’to oheb 1 Its configuration is 'such, its rivers and;? mountain. ranges vare;! suchb'ite' various, and; mighty interests are so, connected and intertwined, that it demands ’one'supervision, one regulating energy, one behignbarid wise* and paternal Gov- : eminent. , ;‘‘,What, therefore God hath joined: to-, gather, let no man put asunder.”,,- Wq, believe this iS has joined together; can not: be; permanently put 'asunder, -' Ottr-Southerh brethern, .for so. I must still regard, and denominate them, are, in the madness of offended pride and passion, il struggling to 1 -achieve ah -impossibility ; and, unless they are stronger than Omnipotences.- however brave and-enduring they may be, such an achievement is beyond their ability. , o,that, they Could see this;—then we Anight hope for a speedy and; permanent peace; . Bhtj ’whetnef , they seeuf soon of hotbaiid whether any of us,'hve_ to_ see the end of thwswior hot, the final result must be; that the country prill come back to its 'normal condition,' a condition of unity, Covered by a single flag, and that flag nolle other than the star:spangled banner, “O long may it wave r ‘- fl O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.” Propriety forbids a reference to the particular ;ease-specified,,further 3 than; to; Hay, that; the-change in, the, r ecclesiastical i arrangements of that distin 'gttishe'dlindiyidiial ban- be accounted: for, it is be lieved, on different grounds from those designated in the' “ Notes'. ’ ’ Whatever may be, Mr. Editor, the relative .merits or demerits of the. several churches in.this city, I trust our highest ambition wih ever be to, glorify Gotland hasten, the triumph of His grace.. . Very sincerely your, friend. The Receipts oe the A mertcan Boaeb eob November, have scarcely equaled the expecta tions previously formed. They are follows: Donations, $19,231,40; Legacies .$8,099,1% .- The total for three months is, . ~; ' r f for 1862-63. - .$6f,985,6.L for 1863-64, - - - - 64,618,14 'Loss ■ v $3,361,53. Of the loss, nearly one-half is found among the legacies. " . ' - •' ' ; - We regret to see the announcement; over the signature of Gcii. Butler, at Portress Monroe/ December lSthj'thatthe rehel authorities decline .receiving:’any more'packages or’provisions for Union prisoners. • • : Our trdbps'are still advancing on the coast of Texas, having captured Port Esperanza, Nov. 29th, and thus gained possession of Matagorda Bay/ ■■■ ' "■ pro' fttMiatow. Tuompsost/ The Mercy Seat; or, Thoughts on Prayer., ~ By; Aug. 0. Thompson, D. I)., Author : ...of the. “ Betfer Land," &c. Beaton : Gould & Lin-, ; coin. 1 ' For Sale by Smith’ English & C0.'12m0., : pp.,345. Ut" .These thonghts make no' preterisiott to'thb dig nity' of a formal -treatise..!' They are,' however, not devoid of interest; they range over a wide and interesting field. The style is. pleasantly colloquial; brevity, point, and readiness of il lustration make it attractive and readable, though too "frequent use is . made of" phrases,"' Al lowable in, ordinary, conversation,, but which, should, not appear in, the pages -of a book on prayer." They,interfere with" the uDetion we ex pect to meet in the style of such a treatise. PEABpDY..' Christianity the Religion .Of Nature. ; Lectures 'Delivered before’ the Lowell Institute. ,By A.',Peabody: B/ D.pLL.D.j Preacher to the ! University. and Plumer Professor of Christian Morals in Harrard College. Boston: Gould & Lincoln. Philadelphia'; For Sale by Smith, Brig lish & 00. • - ■ ‘.’ ,1; This series of leeturesiis based on a noble c'oh cepfcion, and is a valuable .contribution to the evidences of .Christianity in this age of unbe lieving philosophical '‘speculation. It starts ’ among'the received principles of man’s moral nature'; : shows that Than 'cannot -furnish himself with theAtrue "religion—that he requires Si’ieve lation; that a reyelation, needs./tothe autnenti-7 .eated by-miracles; that the true, revelation .will; have the characteristics of the Scriptures; that. ’ th'e exhibition of God'and Chrmiand the print' ciples of morality in our Scriptures correspond 5 with the requirements; and capacities of our na- 1 ture. Yet the grand .proof in this high line of argument, after aii, is overlooked, as might have; been'expected, from the noU-eyangelical stand-, point' of the! ; Harvard professor and preacher/ Christianity' in the religion of nature,' because, - in -response, to the, universal craving of the 'soul, it presents adivine substitute ,for,the sin,of man: “ Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the am" of tW world.” Dr. Peabody’s work is but a chaste and'reverent introduction, a : portico to the real building. Other errors wFobiastro:'; such as the assertion that “ the wisest of modern missionaries are now disposed to admit that .they must civilize heathen nations in order, to Chris tianize them.” We ask tbe respected and libo.- ral-minded author to furnish the names Off these - “ wisest of modern missionaries.” Again, there ’ is an, evident disposition to accept the general positions of Colenso, while indeed rejaetiiigtheir spirit .and some of the details of his arguments. The book is a product of the best gradAof Uni tarian-thought; “ but he.that least in" the "king- : don of heaven is greater than he.”: BOOKS FOR THE YOUNG, Eva;; or, the -Sweedish Sunday School.—-Life’s Se- ; erct.' Boston: Henry Hoyt. 16m0., pp. 224, ll lustrated. For Sale at the Presbyterian Book Store. i: . .: I-.,- ~b. ; ’ The’ jirst. is a story of .evangelical labors con- v hectetf’with’fhe re.cent gfeafc awakening ih]Swe-.; den; and opens a nbvel and deeply interesting-' field in this class of literature. -=i 3: • L b.;h The Salk at Crummie ; or, the Diamond Brooch, i Stories; -New York : Ri Carter & Bro thers.. For Sale at the Book, Store. ’ 18mo.,pp.171',Illustrated, b.“ .] : A .collection, of sqynnteen brief, and capital, stories, including a great variety for every healthy- taste among boys and girls; Kku,y Nash, the Boy who Didn’t Think. 18m0.,. 1 pp. 138. ’ - Buster akd'Babv Jim. 18mo., pp. 109. ; Both of these books are from the pen of'the favorite author of the “ Blue Flag,” &c., a fact sufficient of itself to insure purchasers. “ Kelly Nash ” is a good story for heedless boys. . “ Bus ter and the Baby -Jim ” is a story of two ne glected city waifs, and of the Providences and benevolent efforts whicn led to 'their reclamation. Excelieht'Stories. Published' by' r tb'e American Tract'&ciety,'929-Ghestnut Street." ; ; MpifoEtos or ’Lotme. By a Pastor.' lSmo.i ppb 'l2Bywith' Portrait; ■ American Track Society, 929 Chestnut Street. ~ •; ■ . . j, •; : Hadmt. Children’s Sayings ;;Ar, ,Early Life at, i Home. By Caroline Hadly. Square 12mq.,.pp. ISO, with four'lllustrations. New York: Sheldon & Go.'; .Philadelphia: For Sale by AY. S. & A .Hartien. The 11 -Sayings” are chosen from a .vocabulary that parents always desire tp see mended or abo lished from the family; as “In a minute;” “I can! tdo ! it;” “I will— l won’t;” “I didn’t mean to db it;” “I'don’t care;”’; These stories will furnish no little aid in the good work of banish- 1 ing. such unpleasant expressions from-the inter course of the nursery group. Hareand, . Husks—Gol. ;Floyd’s AYard. By-Ma rion llarlatid. York.; Sheldon &, Co.: Phi-, ladelpiiia: For ; Sale by AY. S. & A. Marlicn. 12m0., pp. 526. ' . ! magazines and. pamuhi^ets. Contents of tho October English, Quarterlies. New NpikV ij. 1 ' Scott A ‘Ch. Philadelphia: W. B’Zdiber.' Ewnboroh. Quoenslandj Medieval ; Rome, Cadastral - Survey of Great Britian, Macknight’s' Life of Bolingbroke,. Austin on Jurisprudence, The Royal Academy, C.hinchona Cultiyation in India,. Phillimore’s Reign of George 111, Tara, a Mahatatta Tale, Colonial Episcopate. '’ ! ‘ Westminster. . Freneh Conquest of Mexico;:, •' Rornola, Miracles,, Geryinus on Shakespeare, ! Treaty uf Yienna, Poland,, Wit and, Etumor,. ! The 'Critical 'Ghafacter, Victor’Hugo* ‘Mackay’s : - Tuebingen School. " Contemporary Literature. ' - . Lonbon QiiARTEKir ! REyiEW. ''’Progress of? Erigiheering Science; Life’ and’ Writings of ®io- ' mas Hood, Antiquity of : M:an, -Co-OpefafciYd Sb- ■ James P. Tustin. eieties, Japan, Anti-Papal movement in Italy, Frqude’s Queen, Elizabeth, The Church of Eng land and her Bishops. \ OOoper—Ferry. Obituary Discourse on the Occa sion of the-Death of Noah Henry Ferry, Major of the Fifth Mich. Cavalry, Billed at Gettysburg, - ?Ju1y,.4i3,.J863.,—8y the Bev, -David. M;? Cooper,, Pastor of the Presbyterian Church, Grand. Haven, Mich. Published by request. Njgw York.; John ' F. Trow. Thisiis-a glowing and worthy -tribute to one of the brightest instances of patriotic devotion and soldierly qualities ’ exhibited in ‘ the War." We shall try to! find room -for an extract or two.. Krauth; The : Evangelical-Lutheran Church; Her ■ Glory, Perils, Defence, Yictofy, Duty,.and Perpe tuity: .a Discourse for the 3,46 th Anniversary of the" Reformation! Delivered in St. John’s (p. L.) Church; 'Philadelphia, by Charles P. Kraiutb; D, D. K Philadelphia: Smith, English.* Co; Student and' ScnooMiATEforißecember. Boston: Jos. H. Allen, . , -,; . . : fPsft 0f ' - Presbyterian. Ministerial Movements- — Rev. T. Hampstead, lateiof Oannonkvills, N. Y. , has removed tb Fair bury, 111., and taken charge of the chnroh there. Rev. .Ihompsonßirdh&iih&en chosen pastor of the Central Presbyterian Church, Des Moines, lowa. Death of a Minister. — Rev. Enoch Martin:, who has been-snpplying the Pisgaharid Sharon Churches, died ; at New [Washington,-Ind., on Thanksgiving day. . . : < • Silver; Wedding^.— -The tw:enty-fifth anniversafy pf the marriage of.Bevi. David Magie, of Dover, Ni J., was celebrated Dec.- ; 4th, by the;.congregation yisiting.their dwelling unexpectedly, and .presenting the wife with a silver tea-set and Mr. Magie with a purse' of money,'accompanied with, a suitable ad dress. Aggregate value of the gifts, oyer four hundred dollars; :: The Evangelist says, the church had: recently given other proof of their liberality to the pastor. ■ Rev. Theodore F; White, of Delhi, f, Y„ re ceived a token of his people’s regard ahd apprecia tion-of the exinglncies of salaried persons in the present state of business and finance, in aisurjifise vjsit and. presentation of a purse of two or three hundred dollars; accompanied by the following ad dress by Judge Hathaway: : V, “ fiepv jSir: Please accept this sum of money from tlie members of your congregation as a slight token of their appreciation of faithful preaching and loyal teaching,” Eev, Dr. Cox’s lectures.— The Jt- Y. Observe? says: The ItSv. S. 11. Cox, D. D., who may he justly styled the Old Man Eloquent,” has been electrifying a large but select audience, at Clinton Hall, by a Course of Lectures on English Poetry, which have been a perfect marvel as well as a great delight to those who have heard him. He appears upon the rostrum without a desk; a book or a note, and in the most choice and elegant language discourse upon the poets, and pointing out beauties, uttering criticisms; and repeating long passages from Latin or English with equal pace and, precision, We have heard him with astonishmentand admiration, ; and we have never seen an audience more evidently en joying any literary entertainment than in listening to his Lectures. ' ; : ■ !; Reform ed Preshytfsrian. Eev. Alexander Clements, havingbccnreceived by the Northern ffresbytery of the .Reformed Preshy-, terian Church from the Presbytery qf New York of thc 'General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, has accepted a call from the First Reformed Pres byterian Church in the city of (Brooklyn J* ' Presby tery have made arrrangements for his installation at on early period. : . ... : s|| iff m»W Iftwiish The President’s Message.— The length of this document prevents its insertion entire in our columns. Opening within , brief allusion to the .divine favor shown in the health, plenty and general improvement! in our, national affairs, the President gives'a summary view of our relations with foreign powers, whose , present friendly attitude he’irecognizes, refers to the importance of adjusting the international question touohing the.rights of foreigners ih tbis • country, and of our, citizens, abroad, compliments ,our consuls at foreign' ports, refers to the prosperity of the territories, and the. demand.for labor in our country, the disposition of foreigners to emigrate if assistance is afforded them, proposes.to exempt;foreign consuls in our ports from the tax on incomes, states briefly thej operations of the ’ and says that .since, the measures lately; enacted have been put into operation, “ all fdemands, on the treasury, 'including the pay of the army and navy, have been promptly met* and ftdly satisfied. : No considerable, body of troops, it is|believed, were ever. amply and more liberally and punc tually paid, and it may be added that by no people were the btirdensineideiit to & great war ever- more cheerfully borne.” " * i ... . The report of the Secretary of Wfir is briefly referred to, as - too important for a more summary the; Navy.reports 1000 vessels captured by blocka des ; our navy numbers 588 vessels,. 75 of these are, iron-clad; exceeding in numberthose of power ;: yet we arc deficient in iron-clad : cruiscro, aud.>«*ed a.Navy Xard adequate, to the demands of this new branch of the service.;' IThe number of.our' seamen- is 34,000. -The Post Office Department, with; an expenditure of ot-erceleven millions, shows a ! deficiencyofbutJlsp,4l7,25., In 1800 the deficiency was more thaii 5J millions 1 JTeafly one and a half million acres of public lauds have ‘been disposed of PriCer Homestead laws, amLabOut the same amount in military bounties and railroad grants. Some legislation under the homestead law favorable to persons in the military .service of the nation is suggested. . The Indian System is declared to -re quire'remodelling. The plan of enlarging the. water communications between -the Uorth-eastera sea-’ board and the Mississippi is simply presented tb the notice of Congress. , The President then draws a most suggestive coni* trast between the state of our affairs-a year ago, and* now.. . ; .“ ; The- rehellibh bad (been pressed back .into-re-; dhced limits, yet the tone of public feeling and, opinion at home and abroad, was not satisfactory. •‘.With other, signs, the popular elections, then just' passed,, indicated uneasiness among.ourselves p -while; amid much that was bold and menacing, the kindest words coining from Europe were uttered in accents 1 of- pity, that we were too blind to surrender; Our’ commerce was suffering greatly by, a few armed vessels built upon aid' furnished from foreign shores and we were threatened with such additions from the same quarter as would sweep our trade from the sea and raise onr blockade. We had (ailed to elicit from the European governments anything hopeful'upon this subject. if, . . “The emancipation proclamation, which was issued in September, was running its assigned*period, to the beginning of the new year. A month later the final.proclamationicame, including the announcement, that colored men of .suitable; condition would,;be received into- the war service.'The policy of. emancipation arid of employing-Black soldiers'gave to the, future a new aspect, about which hope and fear and.doubt eontended in uncertain conflict..• “Eleven months having now passed; we are, .permitted toftake : Tbe ; .rebel* borders are pressed'etill further back, and by the complete opening of the Mississippi river the country dominated over by the rebellion is divided' into distinct parts; with no practical communication between them. Tennessee and Arkansas have been substantially' cleared of insurgent control and influ encc, and the eitizeriS in cadi, owners' ofslaves and advocates of slavery at the beginning of the rebel lion, now declare openly for. emancipation in their respective States. Of, those ; States not included in the Emancipation Proclamation, Maryland and Mis-" Soon, neitberj.p.f. which, 3; years Ago, would, tolerate, of .slavery into the SSfe l h'owas'fo the best inode of removing it within their owri-*limits;W "•■■■ vt*** - ' we fhp rebellion, full one hundred thousand are now in the United States military, service, about one-half of [which fmniber .actually bear arms in the ranks, thus %iving the double advantage of taking so much labor from the insurgent cause, and supplying the places, which otherwise must be filled with so many white men. So far as testedMtis difficult to say that they are not as good soldiers as any. No servile insur rection -or,-.tendeney w -to cruelty has marked the measure of. emancipation, among the blacks.; These measures have been much discussed in foreign countries. Cotempotary with such dis cussion the tone qf public sentiment there is much 'ifiiprofed^ 1 At hdme the same measures have been fully discussed, supported, criticized, and denounced; and the annual elections following are highly encour aging to those whose official duty it is to bear the country through this great trial. .“.Thus we „l}ave the new reckoning. The crisis which threatened "to'divide the friends of the Union is past, . •* Lo.oking now to .the present and future, and with reference to a resumption of the national authority within the States wherein that authority has been suspended, I , have thought fit to issue a proclama tion) a copy of which is herewith . transmitted. On examination ;of this proclamation it will appear as is believed that’nothing is attempted''beyond what is amply jnstififd by the Constitution. True, the form of an oath is) given, but no man is coerced to take it; A man l is only promised a pardon in ease he voluntarily tabes the oath. The Constitution authorizes the Executive to grant or withold the pardon atvjhis own absolute discretion, and this includes the power, to grant on terms, as is fully established-by judicial and other authorities. , “It is also proffered that if in any of the States named, a Elate Government shall be in the mode prescribed set up, such government shall be recog nized and guarantied by the United States, and that under it;;,the Slate shall, on the constitutional conditions be protected against invasion and domes tic violence. “Thet,,Constitutional obligation of the United States to guarantee to every State in the Union a republican form of government and to protect the State in the cases stated, is explicit and full. But why tender the benefits of this provision only to a State Government set up in this particular way? This’bection of the. Constitution contemplates a case wherein,;Jhe element within a State favorable to a Republican . Government in the Union, may be too feeble, for an opposite and hostile element, external to and even within' the State; and such are the casesjwith which we are now dealing. An attempt to guarantee and protect a revised State Government constructed in whole or in preponderating part from the very element against whose hostility and violence it is to be protected, is simply absurd. There must be a test by which to separatejthe opposing elements, so as to build only from the sound ; and that test is a sufficiently liberal one, which accepts as sound, whoever will make sworn recantation of his former unsoundness. , “ But if it be proper to require as a test of admis sion to the political body an oath of allegiance to the Constitution of the United States, and to the Union under it, why also to [the laws and proclamations in regard to slavery ? Those laws and proclamations were enacted and put forth for the purpose of aiding in the suppression of the rebellion- To give them their fullest effect there had to be a pledge for their maintenance. In my judgment they have aided and will further.aid the cause for which they were en listed. “Nor shall I-return to slavery any person who is free by the terms of the Proclamation or by any act of Congress. “ For these and other reasons, it is thought best that the ; support of these resources shall be included in’the oath, and-it is believed the Executive may lawfully claim it in return for pardon and restoration of projected rights which he has clear constitutional power' to withhold altogether or grant upon the terms which he shall deem wisest for the public in terest.- ! “ To. giye-up this: principle would be not only to relinquish alever of power, but would also be a cruel and aStoundihg breach of faith. I may add at this point that while I remain in my present position, I shall not attempt to repeat or modify the Emancipa tion Proclamation.” -The'President expresses himself as not unalter ably committed to the details of his plan as contain ed in the Proclamation. He then refers with grati fication to the movements for emancipation in the loyal slave States, and trusts “ that Congress will omit no fair opportunity of aiding these important steps to the great consummation.” He concludes as follows: - “In the midst of other cares, however important, we must not lose sight of the fact that the war pow er is still our main reliance—to that power alone can we look, yet for a time to give confidence to the people in .the contested regions that the insurgent power will not again overrun them. Until that con fidence shall be established little can be done any where for what is called Reconstruction; hence, our chiefest care must still be directed to the army and navy, who have thus far borne their harder part so nobly and well; Audit maybe esteemed fortunate that in giving the greater efficiency to these indispen sable armies, we do also honorably recognize the gal lant men, from commander to sentinel, who compose them and to Whom more than to others the world must stand indebted for the home of freedom, disen thralled, regenerated, enlarged and perpetuated. 1 “ABBAHAM LINCOLN” December 8, 1863. ' Proclamation of the President. Whereas, in and by the Constitution of the United States, it is provided that the President ‘.‘shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons for offences against the United States, except in cases of impeachment;” and Whereas, a rebellion now exists whereby the loyal State governments of several States have for a long time been subverted, and many persons have committed and are now guilty of treason against the United States; and . Whereas, With reference to said rebellion and treason, laws have been enacted by-Congress de claring forfeitures and confiscation of property and liberation of slayes, all upon terms and conditions therein stated, jand also declaring tliat tlielPresident was thereby authorized at aDy time thereafter, by Proclamation, to extend to persons who may have participated in the existing rebellion in any State, or part thereof,.pardon and amnesty,-with.such ex coptions’and at such times' and on such conditions as he may deem expedient r for the public welfare; and . .. .. - ...... Whereas, the Congressional declaration for limi ted and conditional pardon accords .with well-estab lished g'tidicial exposition of the pardoning power ; and .ft,... Whereas, With reference to .said rebellion, the President of the United States has issued several proclamations, with provisions in regard to the liberation, ofslavesand ; Wheims, "lt is now desired by some persons heretofdre engaged in said rebellion to resume their -glegiance to the United States, and to re inaugurate loyal State governments within and for their respective Slates: ' ’ Therefore; I, Abraham Lincoln; President of the United States,.,do proclaim, .declare, and make known to all persons, who have, directly or by im plication, participated’ in -the existing rebellion, iexeepttas hereinafter'excepted, that a fuel pardon 1S hereby granted to them and each ..of; them, with restoration of all rights and property, eicept as to ;slaves, and in property cases where rights of third -parties shall have intervened,; and .upori the condi tion that every such person shall take and sub scribe an oath, and thenceforward keep and main tain said .oath inviolate; arid which oath shall be ;f®®steredfor permanent.preservation, and.shall be -of the teri&r and effect following, _ to wit:.’' .“1 ——-, do solemnly swear, in presenee of Al mighty God, that I will henceforth faithfully sup ;pprt, protect and defend the Constitution of.the United States, and the Union of the States there under ; and -that I will, in like manner,-abide by and faithfully support all acts of Congress passed during the existing rebellion with reference to slaves- so long and so far as not repealed, modified, or held void by Congress, or by decision of the MftP.fpme Com-t ; and that I will, in .like man ner, abide by rind faithfully support all proelama tions of the President made -during the existing -vebellion having, reference, to slayes, so long and so -far as not modified or declared void by.decision of the Supreme draft. So help you God-” ’ The persons exempted from: the benefits of the foregoing provisions are all who are, or shall have been, civil or diplomatic officers or agents of the so called Confedetete Government; all who have left judicial stations under the United States to aid ,the rebellion; all who are, or shall have been military or naval officers' of said so-called Confederate Gov ernment,above the rank of Colonel in the army, or in the navy; all who-left.seats in the Utated otates Congress to aid "the rebellion; all whoteesigned : -commissions in -or navy of the United;States, and afterwards aided the rebel lion;, and all who have engaged in any way in treating Cblbred persons, or whit'e persons, in charge of otherwise than lawfully as prisoners of war, and .which persons may, have jbeen found in (the United States service, as soldiers, seamen, or in any other capacity. -' - -i. r. .- And I do further proclaim and make that whenever, in. any- of the States of Ar kansas, Texas, Louisiana, M&aEsippv Tennessee, DEC. 17,
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