210 —AND— GENESEE EVANGELIST PHILADELPHIA, DEC- SI, 1863. JOHN W. HEARS, AMERICAN PRESBYTERIAN GENESEE EVANGELIST POE 1864. We are happy to announce to our subscribers and friends that it has been determined to enlarge our paper at the commencement of,the New Tear, by the addition of one foubth more matter, and to throw It into the form of a BOBBLE SHEET; thus making it THE LARGEST AND CHEAPEST RELIGIOUS PAPER IN PHILADELPHIA, or in any part of the country outside of New York city; and superior, size and price considered, to any in the Presbyterian Church. It is designed not merely to increase the size, bat in every way to improve the character of the paper. porticnlar attention will be paid to the remark able progress of PRESBYTERIANISM IN GREAT BRITAIN AND ON THE CONTINENT. The great union movement now taking place among the Presbyterians of England, Scotland, and Wales, will be earefully 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. OUB ROCHESTER CORRESPONDENT is an experienced writer, who acquaints oK readers fully with events of interest ip 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. OUR 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 Tearless, 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, ONE DOLLAR 808 EACH SUBSCRIBER. • Send ns at the rate of 01, (or 01,50 in the city,) ■for each new subscriber, and retain the balance. We also offer to the Sabbath-School of the Church ■in whieli the largest number of new subscribers over twenty is obtained, before the Ist of February, A LIBRARY OP ONE HUNDRED VOLUMES, and to the Sabbath-School of the Church securing the next best list, over twenty, A LIBRARY OF FIFTY VOLTTMES, all of first class Sabbath School books, of latesl 'issues. p! To the School of the Church sending us the j. third largest list, over twenty, '■'A LARGE COLORED MAP OP JERUSALEM , worth $lO. TEEMS UNCHANGED. To subscribers paying in advance, By mail, By carriers, - If not paid until 3 months dne, 50 cts, additional. Clubs of ten or more, 1,50 each in advance, “ “ “ by carriers, 2,00 “ « I' 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, 50 cents additional is charged. GALLEEY OF SOLDIEES' OEPHANS. The efforts of Dr. Bourns in behalf of the wi dow of the fallen Sergeant Hummiston, have not only called forth a great deal of interest in the public generally, but have awakened hope in the minds of others similarly situated with t|at bereaved family. The widow of a Penn sylvania soldier, who died in the service last summer in Missouri, and who was .the son of a Presbyterian elder, sends Dr, B, a photograph of f hhr child, who, with herself, is now entirely dependent upon the proceeds of the mother’s needle for a support. Would it not be inte • resting to have a collection of photographs of soldiers’ orphans? Would not their mute faces' stimulate our sense of obligation to those who; for our sakes, have been brought to or phanage and dependence ? For our part, we * welcome any and every suitable means of alive the national conscience on this v subject. We will surrender our office walls as a gallery of photographs of these objects, whom we regard as constituting one of our most so , lemn trusts as a people. When will Pennsylvania bestir herself, as we believe New York has already done, to provide a home, an education and a support, so far as they are needed, for the orphans of her fallen heroes? When shall the corner-stone of a structure for this purpose be laid_aa we think it should be— upon the crest of Cemetery Hill close by the side of the illustrious dead of Get tysburg? THE DELAWARE IMMIGRATION AND LAND SCHEME, Rev v I,. 0. Lockwood, agent at Canterbury, Writes us that several fine sales of property have lately been made, and that the success of the ef > fort to bring free and thrifty settlers into that section of the State is no longer doubtful. The liberality and wealth of persons now practically interested in the scheme are,such as must fur nish great encouragement to those desirous of enlisting in it. A rural horticultural village is in contemplation,, and a large immigration is ex- in tho Spring, Circulars may be obtained at'this office. 1863. THE YEAS OF EMANCIPATION. With such emotions as they never experienced before, this generation of Americans contem plate the year which, this day, comes to a close. With unspeakable gratitude and won der, they stand still to review the things which God hath*wrought in this critical period. It cannot be too much to say that this year has decided our fate as a nation. This year has doubtless witnessed the culmination of the rebellion which Bought our overthrow. This year has seen the crisis of its energy, its despe ration, its boldness, its power; has sounded to the bottom its resources in men and money, in sympathy at home and abroad; has written its historic sentence upon the wall: Thou art weighed in the balances and found wanting. In the victories of Vicksburg and Port Hud son, of Gettysburg and Chattanooga, in the opening of the Mississippi, and the secure possession of East Tennessee and the conquest of the coast of Texas, we read God’s answer to the fervent prayers of patriots, God’s providen tial purpose to uphold and perpetuate the precious inheritance of our nationality, God’s regard for the sanctity of his own ordinance of civil government; God’s judgement upon the oppressors and despisers of their fellow-men made in His image. The year 1863 records it. It is the year of Emancipation. It opened with the proclamation of freedom to all the slaves in rebel territory. By that act nearly, if not quite, three millions of slaves were de clared- free. The honor and the strength of our Government were pledged to the execution of this decree, unprecedented in the history of its dealings with slavery. It was the uplifted sword to cut th,e Gordian knot which no peaceable measures hod availed to untie, and which rebels sword in hand were seeking im munity to draw tighter than ever. It was a two-edged sword. Like the flaming weapon of the cherubim, it turned every way, dividing between the true and strong-hearted friends of freedom, and the timorous and insincere at home and abroad. So great was the.clamor, so sacred were the names invoked against it, so bitter were the prejudices of the haters of their colored fellowrmen, and so active were politicians m seizing upon the fears and preju dices of the 'people, that it seemed as if the sword must be stayed in its descent and the words of the proclamation must lose their potency. ' Editor, But the negro meanwhile was pleading his own cause. He was wresting victory from the prejudiced North, he was paralyzing the arm of the Northern politician, he was making his way. to the hearts of the Northern people, by deeds Of heroism upon the bloody fields of Port Hudson, Milliken’s Bend and Morris Island. Enlisting freely without bounty, with miserable pay and with no prospect of promotion, or of citizenship, he was rivalling the boldest, bravest deeds of white soldiers for the defence of the flag, which hitherto meant freedom only for the white man, and protection to every despot of the slave plantation, and every maker and executor of the slave-code of the South. He .Was fighting for that flag now, becanse he could hear a new music shaken from its folds in the wind; the promise of freedom to himself and his oppressed brethren. It was in vain to attempt any longer to maintain unchristian prejudice against a race that was vindicating its claims to humanity by such truly magnificent acts. The last bloody outburst of mob-violence against the negro in New York, just sufficed, at that critical moment, to overwhelm the whole ..structure of unreasoning hate, and quickened into a more rapid developement, the sympathy beginning to be felt for the race. The time for the people to speak at the ballot-box arrived. Never will the Pall Elections of 1863 be forgotten by either the friends or the foes of the good cause. The suspense which preceeded them, the zeal with which men of character and piety entered upon the canvass, the fearful energy and manifest disloyalty arrayed against them, and the over whelming result on the side of the government ■and of freedom, made them . memorable among all -in which this, generation had participated. The East and the West answered each other from the Atlantic to the Mississippi, and from the Mississippi to the Pacific; the voice of the people was as the thunder leaping from crag to crag among the Alpine summits; State after State took it up with majestic reveberation, until,A sublime gladness lifted thehearj; of the nation newly pledged. to freedom and to country, and confusion and dumbness smote the dark oracles of the traitorous party. The people had spokhn; the decree of Eman cipation was confirmed. The sword was no longer stayed in its descent. The proclama tion of amnesty in December, re-enacts the pro clamation of freedom of January. ‘The policy of the nation is fixed. • And so grand and vic torious is the sweep of popular opinion towards freedom, that even the slave States are begin ning to marshal themselves eagerly in the line. West Virginia, Missouri, Maryland and Delaware have either enacted statutes of ernan mancipation, or have given deer ive popular indications of a purpose to. do so- The loyal parts of Eastern Virginia are preparing to do the same. Tenneseee is moving firmly in the same direction The experiment of free labor in Louisiana is so successful, that returning rebels, as well as stanch Union men. are putting it into practice. A strong free labor move ment is organizing in that once bitter and miir derous slave State, Arkansas. Public senti ment everywhere, North and South, has in this year undergone unprecedented devolutions in favor of freedom for the colored race. - $2,00 - 2,50 Thus, the year witnesses not only the virtual overthrow of the rebellion, but the discomfiture of those who sought to nourish in the North ern mind the inhumanity and prejudice which gave it strength, who counted too largely upon the baseness of the American people in their schemes for thwarting the government; it wit nesses not only the triumph of our nationality, but the enthronement of purer and nobler principles among the people, without which, all material victories would prove a hollow and bloody pageantry, all treaties of peace but a brief armistice, all reconstructions but the flimsy patch-work of a worn-out expediency, which the spirit of the age, and the hand of Providence would rend Into fragments. From these things we are saved; to such a, vantage ground are we exalted as a nation, by the year of grace now closing! ' The year 1863 has; given us the broad, sure, satisfactory foundation of peace, and all things are hastening to arrange themselves upon it. Uroetkatt and (Smscc <£yanplisi. FEOM OUR ROCHESTER CORRESPON- A BAY IN BUFFALO. In 1804, an itinerant missionary making a plea for this place, said: "Here are twenty or thirty families, in a very pleasant situation,. ,and a missionary might do much good .among thorn.” How little that travelling minister could have realized that in 1864, Buffalo would contain 100,000 inhabitants, with its broad av enues, its palatial dwellings, its street railways, its enormous commerce, its ample church ac commodations, its able ministry, and wealth rolling in like a flood upon its busy and enter prising population. Pour years ago it was not so. The diversion of travel, from the lakes to the rail cars, checked for a time its growth— business was comparatively stagnant—many stores, dwellings, large hotels were pleading for occupants. But the recent en'ormous in crease of transportation from West to East has gloriously turned the tide. The city was never more prosperous, never growing more rapidly. The churches, externally at least, feel the impulse of this prosperity. The old First, the' mother of them all, is very strong, with wealth enough to carry half a dozen common churches on its back, and not feel the burden any more than the ox feels the fly on his horn. Again, they are fortunate! in the choice of a pastor. It was no small matter to follow men so high ly prized as were Drs. Hopkins and Thomp son ; but Dr. Clarke seems to be doing it with eminent success. But the happiest man in Buffalo at the pre sent tkne is our great-hearted friend, Dr. Hea cock. There is his great, new church, filled full, or nearly so, Sabbath after Sabbath ; every seat on the first floor rented ; the seats in the gallery also in demand; the whole thing nearly paid for, or incumbered with so little indebted ness that it need not be mentioned in a fair day j the building of the new church therefore a complete success. The congregation of the North Church has also been much increased under the admirable ministrations of Rev. Dr. Smith. And well it might; for, without disparaging any one else, we know not where to look for a more accom plished preacher—clear, strong, independent, and yet judicious; earnest, but not boisterous; .an accomplished rhetorician, without the least affectation of the art; .possessing withal a good degree of personal magnetism, and a bold, bril liant imagination; drawing his hearers to him by the warmth of his own genial nature, while absolutely compelling respect by his intellec tual strength, and his downright honesty; and at the same time stirring.the blood by frequent passages of true eloquence ; by beautiful, and often touching allusions to historic and classic events; few men so perfectly enchain, instruct and move an appreciative audience. All these fine faculties of a richly stored mind, and a great, generous nature, found per fect scope at the time of the national Thanks giving in August. - A-Union service was ’held in llev. Dr. Lord’s church, with Dr. Smith as preacher for the occasion; The discourse was all that could be desired, and patriotic-in the highest degree, and delivered with such down right earnestness, such manly eloquence, as greatly to charm those who heard it. The dis course, entitled, “ God iu the War,” was at once solicited for publication, and has been widely circulated, and has done much, it cannot be doubted, to help on the good cause of the coun try. We shall try to give im another issue one of the brief heads of the discourse, that our readers may judge for themselves of the style and power of the writing. They must imagine such sentences . .set on fire by an eloquent tongue, and then, gentle reader, go to sleep, if you can. DEATH OF REV. PETER SNYDER. We are deeply pained to learn that the 2nd Presbyterian church'of Watertown, has been called to mourn the loss of their most excellent and able pastor. And the loss is very great; for Mr. Snyder was no Ordinary man. Al though he has labored-under some serious dis advantages, yet he has made bis mark, and will be much missed. He was small of stature, and so near-sighted as to -be almost blind. With difficulty he groped his way through the most familiar streets in broad daylight. His reading was mostly done by others’ eyes, and his writ ing by others’hands ; and yet he was one of our ablest men. He was a great thinker. He wrote but little,' preached without' notes, and yet his sermons were carefully prepared, logi cally arranged, and then delivered with such an honest, earnest and direct simplicity, as al ways to command attention and respect, whilst they almost compelled conviction, rand dis armed cavil or gainsaying. ’Re was also a thorough and judicious friend of all reforms. He did what he could to ; promote temperance and a correct anti-slavery sentiment. He was the friend of the poor, and although truly cath olic in spirit, he loved the Presbyterian church with, a peculiar affection, and took great plea sure in doing eveiything in his power to pro mote her welfare. With these qualities of head, and heart, it would be expected, of course, that, he would be found loyal to outf government in the day of her trouble. No one could have been more so. No.one could more cordially hate treason, or pray more fervently for. the complete overthrow of the rebellion, and the utter annihilation of that gigantic treason against all human rights which lies at its foun dation. But he has gone, and left s void which, can not easily be filled. It is hut a few months since we reported the his people toward building a new chhreh for him. He does not need it. He worships it temples not. made with hands. ,« Mr. Snyder was a graduate of Union College in 1836, and of Union Theological Seminary in 1839. He was first settled for a few y<jja,rs in Cairo, Greene iPQ., r NI Y-» hubremoved,to Whtertown about the: year 1847,! where -hebas remainedup tothetime of hisdeath; completely identified witH >s iis’parish, with thb village, and with all religious and reformatory affairs of file country; a. good man and true, much respected, widely influential, and now' deeply lamented. The people of Watertown have held a meeting to express their high appreciation of his ser vices and his worth, and to appoint a, commit tee of citizens to solicit subscriptions to build &, monument to his; memory; > Thereby • they honor not him alone, but themselves also. ; In this donnection, wje we are hbt be-j traying confidence, while' We announce that BENT. Rev. Dr. Brayton, a long, timfe 'the esteemed and honored;pastdr. of Presbyterian Church of this same towri;,is -about to resign his charge, on account of ill remove to a more genial climate..,. Thus a. double afflic tion is falling just now m)6u our. churches in this pleasant place;. and thus also an argument arises for the cause of education. Where are . i *'> { \. " • * J ,-rj the men to ""fill these important posts? Ana these are but two of the many needed, right away, for places such as Albany, Homer, Ro chester, and the like. We ; hope our excellent Secretary of Education will be able to rouse the churches to higher effort in behalf of this noble cause. The laborers-J-the right kind are really few. - s < • ■ » ' Our Bazaar.— The ladies of Rochester and vicinity have achieved a gfrfcat success in their* fair. The gross receipts are estimated at $15,000; avails for charitable purposes, at least slo,ooo—to be used for soldiers and soldiers’- families, according to 'their discretion. Christmas Festivals. —These are'now, as we write, the order of the day/ One of great inte rest has delighted' the little folks of Central Church Sunday-school, another in the Brick. We hear also thing intended in the pleasant town of Snefbume. The excel lent pastor of the Presbyterian Church, Rev. Eleroy Curtis, is to be remembered in a dona tion visit at the same tirßfe'*’ ? ~We are quite sure it will be a generous cinemas he is well worthy of it. Genesee. Rochester, December 25th, 1883. LETTER FEOM OHAP-LAIN STEWAET. : Brandy Station, Dec. 22d, 1863. MY OWN 1 HOUSE. DEAR Editor :—ln a rather unique; ypt cozy little structure,-now writesthis chaplain; in front of a well-fire, “ bleezin bonnily,” and calls'it “ His own house.” Were "Said building, with its present mode of occupancy,-’lo'eat.ed on some pro minent’’street-corner ofyohr goodly eity, many's curious, visitor, would no doubt be of freqent reception. After returning here frejja our late wild goose chase across the Rapidaiipifurmises became pre- valent,- that the the -winter was to be spent in this Toc&lityi lJ 'Otir‘ regimental city was ere long laid out, -and presently took shape, of which something may ]>e written hereafter. These accomplished, various squads of my young friends, and sure, living man scarce ever boasted of more, andwarmbr,-kinder, more generous ones, than'the writer, surrounddd’my little shelter-tent, and,-i'n cheery, yet ea'rnest counoil, decided that it must give place;to'a house. -Dozens of stal wart workmen, skilled in as many mechanical arts, were busy in a triefe. Trees were felled, logs took shape, sticks measure, clay form, and boards proper The erection went not up as , did the temple,'without the sound ,of axe or hammer; but sooner'by far, for complete was it the very'evening and quietly tenanted. Of no overgrown dimensions does it boast, nor rooms to let—eight feet by'five and four feet high, with canvas roof. Roomy, sufficient, however; eVeh«b v the- reception otf 'a, guest, and wifib appoiiit'tnefSjfe simple as as Arabs. The present edifice is, moreover, the third one owned and inhabited by the writer, 1 during the past three months—all built as extra and volun tary service, by my dear young friends. When guarding Rappahannock Station, during the early part of October, an opinion became preva lent, that we were to be a long while so occupied, and, on the strength of'this impression; a house similar in size to the present, went up for me— a frame structure, Swiss cottage style; all in ac cordance with approved modern -architecture. Four days and nights “tenancy, jyere'allowed in the cottage, when the rebels advancing, chasec us back towards Washington, and took possession of my neat little home. , - r Camping near Warrenton, in November, an other strong impression became current, that there we were certainly to winter. ~My little tent w,as pitched, against a-heavy stone fence. With: divers assistance, several rods pfithis were turned into other shapes, aj*d as a result, a stone ■house-—a most ootable struotjui®; the exaet coun- terpart of which .has not: perhaps, been seen in the world’s past history of architecture,’and in all probability the. future will not again sec its like. Said stone dwelling vpas.tenanted five days and nights, when we were advanced against the enemy. The present hewed, log house-has been tenanted for six days. How- much longer Gens. Meade and Lee must decide/. Each day brings its varied rumors of ja speedy change, to some other, locality. ’Let .it come. . The present;abode l as the former, will be abandoned without a.mur mur. During our.past three years’ campaigning, the lesson, “ That here we- .have no continuing city,” has been taught with line upon line. Oh that each such change, each breaking up and' abandonment of little house and'city,’ may but take us nearer our abiding home—that city which hath foundations, whose Maker and Builder is' God. " ’ For’the"day Thanks giving, we had, in our regulent, vhried and de finite arrangements for serindn; speeches, 'addres-. ses, anthems sung, and a collection ta¥ehfor : Be nevolent purposes. The military powers' had Kowbver ordered our exercises on that day diffe-’ rently. From early 'dawn until /far on in the night, we were oh a lotig’ lbng, WCaryiaguiiMrcb ’ across the Rapidauv' ‘ HoV’let It be thought out of piaceun this?c6hhe3tiop|”'td Suggest hb Christian community aSwbllj Ms the ungodly, to a cause which may have conduced more than any other to bur again occupyihg''this £ bid camp, after an unsuccessful campaign;’’. ' ’ ’ The late Than ksgivihg day Was devoted by the executive of the hatioi' ; ah‘fl’accep’te® by the peo ple, as holy to the Lord/ 1: The hearts bf thousands among our’brave soldiers turiied forfdly, lovingly homeward, in anticipation of that exercises. Yet was the advance of our afmjr ordered to ciwi mence at the dawn of that day, nor was a moment allowed the soldier for his thanksgiving,• save under the fatigues of a wearying march. Also, when across the Rapidan, and immediately in front of the enemy, an advance,' at early morn on Sabbath, was ordered to a supposed bloody bat tle; and'until the'shades bfmight, large portions of the army were ' hjEtmed on in search of the enemy. When Saßßaffi night came, we' were halted, and never got farther againSt the ehemy. For two days we stood and looked stealthily at the eneihy, tbenturned and Bed when no man seemed to purbue. Was nbt#e Hard 'manifestly aUgry'With'usf-’"-'-'* "* ""• ‘ ' . ' Although marched■ out of our Thanksgiving’ exercises, yet did an unwillingness appear tl at the proposed offißijjngishoiild Altogether be, prfe vented. In, accordance with this. feeling,' and on our return here', a week' r afterwards, it was proposed then to make oar Regimental Thank offering. The objects proposed for assistance, wcl i e the Orphan Asylums in and around Pitts-, hjirgh, as their number of inmates was.being in creased by the war; —and a number of widows, made such by husbands who were members of our regiment, . being' killed °in battle, or sons of those who werealreadywidows, apd on whom they leaned for earthly support. When the of fering came it amounted' to four hun dred and thirty dollars. ■’ •The writer is confident that this generous sum, thus cheerfullygiven from the small and -hard earned wages of the soldiers, did not lessen, but on the contrary, increased the usual amount sent home after pay-day, which took place in imme diate Oonhection with Through the proposal and the gmhgfthe thoughts of the men were turned to the proper use of money, and in consequence • more than" the • sums contributed iWSs 1 saved from going'into channels worse than useless; Most cordially can the example bo commended to other'regiments,not .only as a means for causing the hearts of the orphan and the widow td'rejbic4, bu't alsobyareflexinfluenee for doing good to the dondrs in camp. WEEK OF SPECIAL PRAYER T2ROUGH- OUT THE WOELD. JANUARY 3—lo, 1864. ' ®V> r four preceding years the commencement of each has been thus hallowed. In almost every country, in'every quarter of the globe, Christians have met,to present their offerings of thanksgiving to our covenant God, and to plead Him for blessings both for the Church and for the World. Let Christians Sgain ,plead before God, tonch mg .the things they should ask’, and remembering the ‘promise, “ft shall be done fob them of my Father which is in heaven.” . ,At;a .meeting of ministers of various denomi nations, held at the room's of the Young Men’s Christian Association, Dec; 11th, it was resolved tbatWseries. of meetings similar to those of last January be held the first week of January next. .. The, subjects for several days, adopted in Eng land, were with some modification recommended; and, the churches.fdr the Unibn Services of the several days were named, with the hope that eve ning services may be held wherever convenient in various places of worship. .. ■ l'■.:■} ' ‘ - 'COMSttITEE. 1 ’ M M. Simpson, Bishop'Methodist Epij Churdhl' Joseph H. Kennard, Baptist Church: Thomas Btainerd, Pres. Church. 1h; •John B. Dales, United Pres. Church... • John A., Yaughan, Epis. ■ Church. > Win. P. Breed,; Pres. Church. ' ' Philadelphiai DefeTi : 2tli, |.863. ' : . SUBJECTS RECOMMENDED. Sunday, January 3.—Sermon s Subject: The Work of the Holy Spirit and our Lord’s Words on Agreement in Prayer. 1 • Jl Monday, January '4.-Penitential Confession of? Sin-^Pbrsonal,NSocial, ;and National—With rSupphcatipp .for ,Divine ;Mercy through the ofiomSuyiopr Je§us ,, ‘ \ Tuesday j. jinuarp the ’Success of all ‘ißfiofts atHome and Abroad. ••' ■ ■ t< . S • Wedneidagj ■ January 6. . For the Christian Sunday Schools ; and all.i other Christian Agencids, and .for the increase of Spi ritual Life, Activity 'and Holiness .in all Be lievers. ' ; -■ . r Thursday, January 7.' For the Afflicted and OppressedtrrThat Slavery and /Oppression may cease, and that Christian Love may reach the Destitute in all Lands. / Kiday, January %l For all in Authority— For the Prevalence of Peace, and for the Holy Observance of the Sabbath; - Saturday, Jcaiitary 9. • God’s Blessings— Personal—/Social—National-—The Revival and Extension of Pure Christianity throughout the World. ’ Sunday, January 10.— The-Christian Church —'its Unity, aridithe duty and desirableness of-manifesting it. N. B.—Our .Country—its Sins—its Repen tance—its , Deliverance—God’s Hand in our Midst—His Tokens for Mercy,—to be remem bered each day. ■ : '-y :..h'rrf . CHURCHES. January 4, Monday; 3} o’clock,.Wbsti Spruce Steht-Pres..Church. ( > ;■ . January 5;? Tuesday, 3} o’clock; Trinity Me tboflist/Epis. Church; , ... > ; j January 6, Wednesday, 3| o’clock, Spruce St. Baptist'Church. ■/January 7, Thursday, 3 J d’cloek/First German ! Reformed Church.• 'V . ; uu .®anuam<B; .Friday. 3} o’clock, First. Presby terian Church. ... . --..-■ ; January ~9, Saturday, 3* o’clock,. Epiphany Prot. Epis. Church. ' " “THE SROtiHMTIAiD --OOYESMER# : OF GOD IN THE AFFAIRS OF NATIONS.” This important "and-just now, universally in teresting topic -is instructively' handled in the late Thanksgiving-discourse of Rev. George F. Wiswell, of the Central Church, Wilmington. With -great depth of discernment, richness, of illustration and clearness of style, it shows thewayin- which, under divine restraint and discipline, the national mind and heart have beenitrained and Jed upward, especially during the progress of the war, and points out the 'roEwi .-to ; Victory. We. know of no other/document, among those lately issued, .in [which the reluctance ,shown by the leaders of our nationat .policy tO take, the true ground in this conflict; and the,planof, Providence under which the revolution was at length brought to /pass, are more pungently and forcibly drawn. It has been *issued in a neat quarto form for (distribution,, and i is calculated to be widely Useful*./, -,;j 7 s - “ YET ANOTHER .SURPRISE, Sir. j; Y. Mitchell, of Coates’ St., Church, had concluded his lecture on the Wednesday : evening before Christmas. The benediction • had just been pronounced, wheu a member of the i congregation arose and requested all to .remain. The pastor and people having taken, their seats, Mr. 8. L. Kirk, in a short addrbss, on behalf of the people, presented the pastor with a purse of B40(H The pastor, perfectly surprised, accepted the gift with appropriate thanks. This is only one of several substantial evidences of kindness and appreciation which the people have given Mr. Mitchell during the past year. ■ REV; JAMES S. WILLIS. Rev. J.‘ S. ; Willis/Of the Philadelphia (Confe rence, of the; M. E. Church, late pastor of Mt. YemonSt. Ch’apel, has accepted the call of the Western Presbyterian Church/ and entered on his ministry with that people last Sabbath. A. M. Stewart. Chronicles pf the SeHQEN^ER6-CpTrA^A3nT,y. By iworif themselves. New'york.-'Mi’W; Bod'd. 12m0. ; , pp. 552. Bob Sale at' the -Presbyterian Book store. . oi. . ~ , A most fascinating volume. One wishes, as he reads, that indeed, such atranscript *.Qf,;the experiences of a real German family in the days of Luther had actually been recorded and pre served, to show the workings of the Reforma tion upon the German people. jThe attempt to' accomplish this object by creating a group J.of imaginary persons, whose correspondence, } carried on in those times, is supposed -.to reflect the prevalent views of the pe.ople;. is • both boldly and skillfully done. Aside from the great interest attaching to Luther; and the movement which he led, we have, a record of : family experience, with such;a,variety of cha racters, so delicately delineated* and with such < a charm ,of language,, astogiye the volume an ; intrinsic literary value.. Many of the facts are »reproduced from veritable history, and the lan guage is frequently copied, from authentic re cords. The tone of the work is thoroughly evangelical y the leading doctrines of grace are : firml J r and c 'learly grasped. and the whole ten dency of the volume is healthftfl. MB. BABIES'AID THE PEUDENTIAL \ COMMITTEE. * * We are pleased to announce that Mr. Barnes has reconsidered his refusal of a seat in the PmdentiakGonnmittee of the American Board,- to which he was elected at the Annual meeting in October, and has concluded to accept the position. The change in his views results from a fuller acquaintance, with the duties which will be required of him, and which he finds to be much less than he had supposed. The friends of missions in our church will be highly gratified with the result. MffIHTES -OF THE SYNOD OF FENNSYL- YAIIA. The Minutes for 1863 have just been issued in a neat pamphlet by the Stated Clerk. The appendix contains much valuable matter, in cluding; ja list of the officers of Synod, and of each of the constituent Presbyteries, with the date of formation attached to the name of each. The changes during the year in each Presby tery, ate-also stated;.! Among them w» notice the following change in the Third! Presbytery : '‘Struck from the Roll, April 15, 1863, be causfeof active sympathy in Richmond with the; rebels in arms against the mild, wise and bene ficent government of our country, Rev. Amasa Converse, D. D.” The chief and novel feature of the minutes, however, is the full list of Ruling Riders with their addresses, attached, to the usual list of ministers and churches. As these persons are truly office-bearers in the churches, there is great propriety in giving them a place on the rolls. , By vote of Synod, a copy of the mi nutes is to be sent to each of them; we hope it will result in increasing their interest in the ecclesiastical meetings of the bodies to which they belong, and in which their influence may and should be felt for the glory of the Master. The arrangement of the Elders’names in the list may, we think, be much improved. DEATH OF BEY. J. P. HOVEY, D. D. We regret td team that another efficient,'and' faithful, aud honored brotherin the ministry has : been removed by death. Rev. Dr. Hovey, pas tor of the 11th Church, New York, died after an illness of some duration, Dec. 16th. The Evangelist says:' • • " ' : / * He was first attacked with a violent inflam mation of the-lungs, about six weeks ago. As the progress Of’his disease was rapid, it soon become evident that; he was not likely to reco-, ver, and he began camly to set his house in or der, feeling that he should die and not'live. But his mind was undisturbed. He had made his peace with God, and he awaited With com posure the final hour - His faculties yore clearthroughout his whole sickness. He , was perfectly .resigned. When his people came ,to see him, he encouraged them in their Christian course, and thus preached from his sick chamber as he had fidm his pulpit. He said: lt-He only desired to live’ that .he might see his new, church enterprise established and the, affairs, of his country settled. ” He yras very earnest, that the new effort , which /the church had'undertaken shoOld go 6ri successfiil ly, and desired to' kno# all details concerning it. - To-hio people bis -last-words-were r—“-liivo them my blessing and my love, all, officers and members,: tell them,—unity, fidelity, and.stead fastncss!” V ' "! THE TYPOGRAPHIC ADYEETISEE. If any ODe is curious for proof of the, perfec tion to which the arts connected with printing are carried in this city, we advise Ahem to glance at the Typographic Advertiser/c quar terly; journal issued from the ancient and fa mous type establishment of L. Johnson & Co., 606 Sansom St; Its specimens of type, cuts and ornaments, are a treat to the most unprac r tised eye; and, besides the elegant execution of the whole sheet, the good taste and sly humor of the Editor, Mr. Thomas Mackeliar, turn an advertising bulletin into r a really-entertaining sheet What our transatlantic cousins think of the “Advertiser’? appears from,the follow ing, which we extract from the October num ber: a ; - .. A late mail from EnglaMvbroirjpii us three numbers of W OOI) ’ S TypogRAPHIC.-Advertiser, —a handsome, sheet, got up somewhat after the manner of our own, and considerably in debted to us, not only for idea ’abet style, but for matter as well. Our prose is ‘ appropriated .•without, credit, and our. rhymesj(ipublished by ns under our Calendar Cuts) are,exhibited in a similar connection with the s,ame, cute, and are advertised' for sale to printers “at one shil ling and, sixpence'sterling per'okm/ Capital notion! We indulge in rhymingUas a Sort of recreation when business hours are over;: but, certainly, we never dreamed of offering in the typographical market our brain-flowers for thyjty- seven and a. half centß per bunch; but these two enterprising sonh’ of "'John' 1 Bull, amazed : at our wastefulness, gather them up and make an honest penny by retailing them. Our compliments,, brothers Wood. . t The Bay of Prater for the conversion of the world, as appointed by our General Assem bly, will be observed on Monday by the assem bled churches of our denomination at 10} A. M., in the Buttonwood St. Church, the Eev.vT. J. Shepherd’s. The week of prayer will be observed according to the schedulA'published’dh* another part of the paper. r BOOKS FOB "THE YOUNG. Mbs. Leslie. Tim’s Sister; or, a Word in Sea son. By Mrs. Madeline Leslie. Boston; Henry Hoyt. ]6mo-, pp. 321.' For Sale at the Pres byterian Book Store. ■ ffiere is considerable dramatic and narrative power in life, Leslie’s books. There is excite ment’ enough in her Itories to win the attention of the reader, yet the aim held: in view is al ways of the noblest sort. “Tim’s Sister” gives us interior views of two very diverse fa mily arrangements,heightened by contrast, and forcibly illustrating the value of religion in the household; mom especially in the relation of husband and wife'. Weldon Woods;, or, ‘.‘Thou Shalt Call me Fa ther.” 16m0., pp. 125., Boston: Henry Hoyt. Philadelphia: For Sale at the Presbyterian Book Store. An affecting story of factory life in England among the young: showing the power of reli gion to console and benefit the sufferers. Stein. Little Anna: A Story for Pleasant Little Children, By A Stein. Translated from the German. Boston: : Tieknor & Fields. Square 16m0., pp. 134. Philadelphia: For Sale by A. B. :Lippineott & Co, . v A story exclusively of small talk for the smallest of -finders or listeners. Yery hand somely illustrated. AIND pamphlets. Street, Rev. Thos. A Sermon Preached in the Presbyterian Church, York, Pa., on the day of Thanksgiving, Nov. 26th, 1863. By Rev. Shomas Street. Philadelphia: Henry B. Ashmead; Great indeed is our cause of thankfulness that, in the providence oi God, a loyal sermon could be preached in a church whose services, five months before, were interrupted by a rebel invasion. We rejoice that the pulpit of York Church still resounds with sentiments so manly, so Christian, so generous, instead of falling un der the eclipse of rebel teachings in morals and religion; we rejoice that the prospect of a de liverance of every pulpit in the land from the curse of rebellion' and pro-slavery grows brighter day by day. ■ The Atlantic Monthly, for January. This ' distinguished monthly begins the new year as a string man to rim a race. The contributors to the January number include such names as Longfellow, Lowell, Bryant, Holmes, Agassiz, Mrs, Stowe, Gail Hamilton, and others. Among the choice pieces are Three Cantos of Longfel low’s‘New Translation of Dante, Mrs. Stowe’s Ravages of a Carpet, Agassiz’s External Ap-, pearance of .Glaciers, the very sweet piece of poetry: The Planting of the Apple Tree, the able political essay: The Beginning of the End, &c. But we have no heart to commend such excellencies when' in inseparable connection with the undeniably infidel spirit which co vertly-controls-' its management- The journal 'that giygs yTheodore Parker “a place among ;the immortals who are not the creatures of an age, but its regenerators,” cannot redeem its character, with the masses of our Christian peo : pie, by employing any number of semi-ortbodox pens in other departments. We say this re gretfully: We are pained to notice that the ; leading literary organ of our country is not un der. decidedly evangelical influences. ='LitteleTs; Living Age, for December 26th,: contains a list of fourteen leading articles,: full of. interest and value, in which the same care 13 taken to, present the best thoughts of men upon current events at hbine and abroad, as has al- Waysoharacterized this periodical The poetry and shortfarti<fles-ate ve'ryrinterestirig... Littell &..C.O- Boston.* £ Tips Little American, for December Ist is just,.at hand. .It contains The Breakfast Table, Masons qf the World, Melbourne House, Jo sie’s. Letters, Thanksgiving, Semi-monthly— sl,so per annum. By Miss Warner' author of the Widb, Wide World, West Point, N. Y. The Student and Schoolmate, for January, is promptly at hand; full of good things for school bojs and girls. J. C. Gabrigues & Co., 148 South Fourth Street, have just devised and issued beautiful silvered and gilt medals, as rewards for Sab bath-scbools. ' They are well adapted to take the place; to some degree, of tickets and; cards. Presbyterian. The Presbytery of Washoe in Nevada Territory 'eonstitnted by the- Synod of AHa-California at its late meeting, held its, first meeting at Carson City, .NpyyTth. From the report of the proceedings in the Evangelist, we learn the Presbytery consists of three organized Churches, four ministers, four ruling elders and fifty-three mehibers. The first Church 'organized is' at Carson City, and i under the care of 'ReV. A. F. White, pastor. It was organized in July;, AjD.,lB6l,iwith elevenmembers and two el ders, and has now a membership of twenty-six. The fsegoad was. organized in Virginia City in the month , of,September, A. D., 1862, with a membership of six .teen, and. is now under the care of Bey. D. H, Pal mer, with‘a membership of twenty. The third was . organized op the Ist insi, at Gold Hill, with seven membersfand is under the care of Rev. W. W. Ma comber. The Church at Carson has an elegant edi fice in prepress of building, and the Church at Vir ginia has commenced a subscription for a Church edifice, and contemplate to erect it in-the Spring. ■ The wide,destitutions indie rapidlyincreasing po pulation of Nevada and the adjoining,territories of Utah and Idaho, and within the bounds of the Pres byteiy occupied much attention. The brethren on tbo ground are fully awake to the importance of the field, and appeal earnestly fc* helpi id the Home ‘Missionary Committe. 1 ” f . Ministerial JHpyemeats.—-The Rev. James A. Gfriffi.es, .late of Howell, Mich., has entered upon a new and missionary field in the Talley, and will preach at Salina, Carrolton, and Titabawasse. Rev. Sylvanus Warren has resigned-'‘tfie charge of tfie Firat and Second churches rjf Ripley, N. Y.— Messrs. Ghm: W. Bulkley and John McVey of Union Theo. Seminarywere ordain edas Evangelists by the: N. T. 4th Presbytery. -The occasion, was made peculiarly by the very recent death of the pastor of the Church, Dr. Hovey, at. whose re quest the services were appointed. Mr. McYey has been eonnect'gd'vritlHhis Church froih his youth up, and was witHhis pastor much of the time during hisThstsieknessi ' - I- Xing, of Quincy, HI., has recently spent'three Sabbaths in St. Joseph, Mo., and organ ized' a new church iu connection with our deno mination, with prospects highly favorable. The Elders are Joseph* Udmbrite and Elbridge Gurney.— One of the Deacons in a part of one forenoon raised more than $7OO towards the support of a minister. Rey. J. It. Dunn, formerly of Wenona, HI., Ims located ait Normah ll!.' This is a new place, near B.lodmnSgibu, at the junction of the Chicago & Al ton andtbe Illinois Central Bailways. Bcformcd Presbyterian. ;. Call-r-TherEirst Refiarmed Presbyterian Church ,in; Lisbon, St. Lawrende Co., New York, have made a unanimous call on Mr. Donald Cargill .Cooper, probationer, to be their pastor. The field ish. very promising one; and the acceptance of the yohhg brother is'earaestly expected by the congre gation and surrounding community- DEC. 31,
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers