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&gtf 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,