LtBE AMERICAN PRESBYTERIAN Jt <s■ lb GENESEE EVANGELIST. ,p “ ,m ill§)vl|4§§il!<>. Presbyterian Church- KLJ b V — J- EVERY THI/RSDAY - _ . ■. ,». , ——— :— — HPa|. the Presbyterian house, New Series. Vol. I, No. 2. Genesee Evangelist, No. 92L ISB4 f Street, (2d story,) Philadelphia. ■ . ... ■ ■ ■ ■''' r "’ . Chestnut' , , tW Mears. Editor and Publisher gTSI: 7/ $ RESPONSES, WITH GREETINGS (N OUR IMPROVED APPEARANCE. | Names of subscribers, new and old pntinue to come in clubs and singly, with fevery mail, —the dawn of anew era, we trust, of prosperity and independence to our enterprise. But a few weeks of suc cess like the past, and we shall feel firmly fixed in the hearts of the Christian people. But a few more efforts like those of the zealous pastors from whom so many new names have come, and our somewhat bold experiment will be an experiment no longer. And if we have in any degree furnished a paper that deserves success, then, our success, brethren, will be your gain, will be the gain of vour people and the gain of Christ’s cause. Every hour of work you can give to extending the circulation of a good religious paper among your people, will bring a return in facilitating your own peculiar labors in the pulpit and among the flock. Let the work go on until fully two thousand names are added to our list, and the whole church will, as by divine help we do our duty here, be elevated and blessed in proportion. Many new names and expressions of interest continued to ',come in, before the new sheet had reached our friends. A minister of the Reformed Presbyterian Church writing under date of January 6th, says: "We are all gratified with the improved character of our paper. For my part, I feel a strong partiality for the S. Presbyterian Church.”' A ministerial laborer in the Army of the West writes, Dec. 30th : "Why do we not see a thousand or two copies of the Ameutcan Presbyterian ? We are very much in need: of reading matter, such as yon furnish; Let , the churches take it in hand.” An intelligent and large-hearted lay man of a Presbyterian Church in this State writes, January 7th : "This morning’s mail brought ,me thg American Presbyterian in „ its ;newr ~ ft»nrrrtip»inf ISrn* one, I am willing to accept thfe enlarge-; ment as one of the evidences .of the en largement of the borders of ■ our noble branch of Zion. May the great Head of the Church’ bless you in your noble work, as one of the gallant watchmen upon its walls; may subscribers pour in- r plentifully and increase your field of usefulness in the Church, thefamily, and the State.” The following is from a pastor in a Border Slave-State who has already sent fourteen new names, previous to the enlargement, dated January Ith: “Let me congratulate you on your beautiful sheet. I am delighted with its clear type and white paper and its whole neat look. . - I participate in the enjoyment which I know you must feel, and I am all the more gratified, as I have been talking it up of late. “The circulars which you sent me, worked capitally. If you can send me a few copies of this week’s paper, say eight >r ten, I think I can make them useful in he way of obtaining subscriptions. I ffeel that it is a matter of so much impor tance that every family should have a religious paper, that I am disposed to jmake a good many exertions to accom plish it, especially when I can get so good ;a one as yours to commend ” REV. HENRY DARLING, D, D. i From another part of this paper, our benders will learn that this esteemed and 'beloved brother has accepted the call of the Fourth Church of Albany, having de clined the call to the North Church, New York city, which had been under consid eration. Dr. Darling has been no stranger to us personally, having been bom and id, with the editor, in the same beau iwn of Pennsylvania, and having the ordinances of worship and the iges of Sabbath-School instruction lame church, in which his honored was an Elder as well as superin of the Sabbath-School, During his ice in this city, he has been among , who have learned to value him >re highly for his work’s sake, both mlpit and through the press. His ful devotional volume, “ The Closer and his two published sermons on ,r, the fruit of the enforced leisure the state of his health for a time re have added to his reputation as a ian man and a thinker. Indeed, we know of any man who has put to bet in the way of self-improvement, a of cessation from the active duties ministry, than Dr. Darling. While lice at the re-establishment of his and congratulate him upon the id and desirable field of usefulness l&fore him in one of the first jeS’ of the denomination in numbers influence, we cannot withhold our regret in parting from one who has en deared himself to us all by the charm of his manners, as well as by those higher qualities of head and heart which fit him for the station he is called from us to occupy. • It is not improper to say that the (Fourth Church, Albany, have recently cancelled a debt of twelve thousand dol lars? and besides offering Dr. Darling a liberal salary, they voted the sum of five hundred dollars to defray his expenses in making the change. An example worthy of imitation by churches calling pastors from a distance. PUBLICATION. ITEMS. THE TWENTY-NINTH REGIMENT. SHALE THE VETERANS BE RE-FURNISHED WITH BOOKS ? Mr. Editor :—On the 23d of December, while witnessing the grand reception of the 29th Regiment, Penn. Vols., in Phila delphia, my thoughts went back a few months to the times when I had seen that gallant regiment,, on different grounds, and in different circumstances. In the early part of last June, I was permitted to leave Washington to pay this regiment a visit, in company with Henry M. Dechert, Esq., of Philadelphia, who had been dele gated to present them a flag, in the name of the ladies of West Philadelphia. We found the regiment encamped upon the sand hills of Virginia, near Acquia Creek, glad to rest after the toils of Chancellorsville, but ready for further work. At five o’clock in the morning, after our arrival, the alarm was sounded, and immediately all was astir. This was during that week of grim uncertainty, when each hour might bring on a terrible battle, or give our sol diers a wearisome march. Under order to be ready to march ; I could not help feel ing how gallantly these men behaved. In the afternoon, the*regihieht \vas; receivS the flag, a memento of remebrancefromTiome, ana a ■to their bravery, as their history was re corded upon that flag. After a speech from Mr. Dechert, and a response from Gen. Geary in behalf of the regiment, the guests, consisting of many officers from the 12th Corps, were invited to a sump tuous repast at the Colonel’s tent. But in this kind act, the ladies at home were not satisfied; they also sent down by Mr. Dechert a large number of the “ Sol dier’s Friend,” by Rev. J. W. Dulles, sufficient to supply each man of the regi ment, and. leaving many for general- dis tribution. Each book contained the in scription of donation, and all were gladly received even by those who cared for none of those things. Many took them for the sake of the givers, and many were care fully read. I would commend this method to all your readers, and would have them al ways remember the soul while the present life is thus cared for. A work like the one above mentioned costs but little, and may be the means of much good. Let us see that when the veteran regiments re turn to the field with. new clothing and new flags, they also have new Testaments and new devotional manuals. On the ’Jth of July, I met this same re giment returning from the bloody field of Gettysburg, on their way, wearied and and thinned as they were, to overtake the fleeing army of the South, Their flag was pierced by many a hall, but sadder still, the hearts of many of their comrades had been pierced by shot and shell, and they were left to moulder on the battle field. It is to he hoped that many found comfort there in the “ Soldier’s Friend,” who could not be saved by the battle-flag. And now these brave men have re turned to their homes, after their heroic deeds at Lookout Mountain; their history there is known. May I only ask that not only this, but that no regiment may be al lowed to return to the army without reli gious keep-sakes being provided for every man. Porter. Princeton, N. J., January 4 th, 1864. BOOKS FOR THE ARMY. The Presbyterian Publication Commit tee are printing ten thousand copies of Rev. Mr. Adams’ tract, “Why should I pray," for distribution by the Christian Commission. This cannot fail to do good. They also printed for the Commis sian ten thousand copies of the tract “Good Soldiers,” by the same author. Here is a wide field for usefulness. Our committee will be glad to publish fresh and stirring tracts, and to circulate them. If any of the good people distant PHILADELPHIA, THURS'dB, JANUARY 14 , 186 4 . from our armies, have a desire to send good reading to them, the committee will aid them by distribution through the Christian Commission or, otherwise, as may be preferred. Have we' not pastors and educated laymen competent to pre pare such tracts as will be of service in this and in other fields of effort ? The Rev. Herrick Johnson of Pittsburgh, lately visited Cincinnati as a volunteer on behalf of the Presbyterian Publication Cause, in which he is deeply interested. He preached upon the subject in Dr. Thompson’s church presenting it in a powerful and convincing discourse, aim ing his arguments, doubtless, rather at the rich than the poor. But at the close of the services an old colored woman, very poor, “Aunt Milly,” followed him to the pastor’s study. Her heart, under the discourse, warmed towards this work'; and, as no collection was taken in the Church, she would not be denied the privilflffe of aiding it. She presented to Mr. Johnson fifty cents for the Cause. When he thanked her and assured her that it was “probably the largest contri bution he‘ should get in Cincinnati," the good old women, with the tears rolling down her cheeks, “tanked de good' Lordf that she was able to do something. And no doubt this was, in the eyes-of the Mas ter, the largest contribution there given, and his blessing will be with it.—Evange list. w MEETING TOGETHER OP THE *KICfH AND THE POOR.—IT. BY REV.’' E. E. ADAMS. ' Let neither rich nor poor despise labor. Christ said: “My Father worketh hither to, and I work.”,. Jesus labored with his hands. Paul was a tent-maker. ‘The best and the greatest men that ever lived have honored labor. In our time it fallehinto disrepute. We are a generatidn" of tapec-fingered- men. The wtkr-has, iii r L deed,"given us muscle and taught us the' value of*resistances; but idleness and falser honor had. well nigh ruined us. We have had slaves to fan us, carry us about and drudge for us, while we were sinking more deeply in the bondage of corruption. Thank God, He has roused us from our dream. The trumpet- of a social resurrec tion is sounded in the land, shaking its black sepulchres of sin; and showing man for what his hands, and heart, and brain were made! God is a worker. Who shall frown on labor, or be ashamed of its hard hand ? “The king is served by the field. ” But for the bone and sinew Of labor the upper story of the social temple would topple down. Finally; Let both rich and poor look forward to their meeting at the bar of God. When they leave the world, whatever be the wealth, or the poverty from which they go; whatever ministry or neglect shall attend their last hours, they shall leave all behind. The prince and beggar will be alike poor when they lie down in their final sleep. ; Emphatically may it be said, the rich and poor meet together in death. Trees of the forest and field are known by their pe culiar foliage, forms, and fruits. But when the woodman comes among them, and his axe lays them low, they fall together, and, buried beneath the soil, or decayed upon the ground, their dust is mingled so that no human eye can distinguished its kind. Thus men mingle in the ashes of dissolution. It has been beautifully said that in the play of chess, the king and queen, the knights, and bishops and pawns, act their respective parts, and preserve their distinctive dignities; but when the play is over, all are gathered into the bag in promiscuous confusion; so with man, each has a part to act, a sphere in which to move here, but in the grave there is no distinction 1 “The path-way to the grave shall be the same; The proudest man shall tread it, and the low, With his bowed head, shall bear him company. Decay will make no difference, and death With his cold hand, shall make no difference; There will be no preponderence of power, In waking at the coining tramp of God. The elevated brow of kings will lose The impress of regalia, and the slave Shall wear his immortality as free, Beside the crystal waters.” The splendor or meanness of men’s lives, the pomp or the penury of their funerals, will have nothing to do with their condi tion when they awake in eternity. Stand ing at the judgment, many who were ho nored and feared on earth, for their riches and power, will be clothed with shame. Many who were scorned and oppressed A VALUABLE HALF-DOLLAR. for their poverty and weakness here, shall stand in the robes of glory, having been escorted like Lazarus, by angels, to heaven, while those who, like Dives, gloried in tftir wealth, shall lift up their “eyes in torment,” and others, both rich and poor, shill Sit -down together in the mansions of God, 33aved alike by faith in his son. Well may all ask themselves in the prospect of that day: What am I doing to fulfil Hiy ihission in this world ? What I cherish toward the suffering and thfe lowly ? How do I bear prospe rity? ’What poor child of God is happier for rnyWealth ? What good work in the kingdom of Christ is accomplished by my beneficence? f Or,’on the other hand, how do I bear adverfity and sorrow? Am I content with godliness ? Do I look, with charity on •thd’rieh'and great ? free from envy ? Am I Satisfied with the riches of grace, and my portion in thCtheavenly inheritance ? Oh that we may aJE-so' live in this world, that in the world to .come we shall not have to re proach ourselves Ajjifc neglect of any of our species, nor StSHrfor a spirit of envy and discontent, that others have fared bet ter thair ourselves; “ Let both classes cultivate that spirit of which .we have a.glorious instance in ancient time, when a noble proprietor of Israel saluted his laborers in the name of God, and they returned the word with a blessing on the head of their Master. “And behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem and said unto thp reapers : ‘ The Lord be with you!’ And they answered him : ‘The Lord blesfe buteP Here is the inter-play of a kindly and godiy spirit, which, more than any other holds society together. Let the prayer of each one be: “Give hie neithaf poverty.nor riches;” but what is being, .lest _she hindrau io- glory.be. too great • * 4 .Let one seek the durable riches-and 'righteousness, laying r up iny treasure, in God.', Thfe soul can be satisfied with no thingless, and oh! it can aspire to -nothing Jeeyond. , ... Thfere is something sublime in the atti tude Of a rich, godly-man, dispensing his henefifeence. with a scrupulous regard to; the greatest possible good; causing tbou sandsi'Sbout him to rejoice, filling his neigh borhood with intelligence and thrift, shed ding: mgevery heart and household within his sphfere, the. hallowed light of piety, and fitting men for immortal life, then going forth tqdmmortality. to see his gold trans formed ito crowns of glory; to see the fruits qf - his benevolence in the holiness and raptures of heaven! If, indeed, there is a sight more noble and glorious still,' it is the poor man, wringing from his toil a pittance for jiig 4 jyeak;er brother; working and sufficing patiently, and with filial hope, more, in eternity than in -time; imitating fe Master in all sacrifice for truth, and for suffering men; distilling, by his example, new life into fainting, failing souls; stronger in his love and fidelity as his penury increases; holding to the pro mises with unfaltering grasp; leaving the world a cpnquorer of self and sin, and rising, through death, to the temple, and and the presence of the Almighty, a saved soul—rich, as God can render it; humble and grateful, as rich and happy, forever in the memory of the past, in the realities of the present, in the . assurance of the fu ture I WASHINGTON LETTER. Condition of the Contrabands in and about Washington—Colored Regiments and their officers—Congressional De bates and doings of the Week—Condi tion of the Army. One of the matters of public interest of the greates| monient just now is the con dition of tbp ftcedmcn about Washington. The questions are often asked, “ How many are there 'qjS&it the . Capital ? Are they idle and careless or industrious ? What is the Government doing for them ? Are, they still coming to Washington?” I shall endeavor to answer such reason able and humane questions. There are of this class of persons recently slaves not less than twelve thousand in and near this city. The Government has built at Arlington, on Gen. Lee’s estate, a village in which there are about eight hundred freed men. In this place much is being done by the American Tract Society to instruct and benefit the people. There resides amongst them the government superintendent, the Rev. Mr. Nichols, the Rev. Mr. Webster and lady, and other white persons of refinement and piety. There are schools for daily instruction for children, and night schools for the adults, and Sabbath-schools and public worship on the Lord's day. At this place, the government is giving to each man able to work a few acres of land, and during the winter, employment at twenty and twenty-five dollars a month. The condition of the people in Arlington is comfortable, and many told me that they had "never known a winter when, they were so well clothed and housed. Many show a most commendable desire to be neat and comfortable in their dwellings, and soon surround themselves with all articles of convenience, and some of luxury; their rooms being carpeted, a clock on the mantel-piece, and pictures on the walls. I attended public worship at Arlington on the first Sabbath of January, and certainly never addressed a. more attentive and eager'looking congregation. It was easy tp throw even old men into a frenzy of emotion. “ Yes massa, that am a fact,” “ Oh say that again,” “ Bless the Lord for the good word,” were exclamations not sprinkled here and there, but uttered every minute for the encouragement of the speaker and relief of hearers. During the entire service the women and children behaved with the utmost quietude and modesty. Prof. Peck ofl Oberlin College gave an interesting account of a late visit to the freedmen and colored regiments at Fortress Monroe, Yorktown, Norfolk, &c. To his narrative all listened with the deepest gratification, “Uncle Cain.” There is amongst this community a T remarkable man, “Uncle Cain.” He is an old man, contracted and bent by rheu matism, scarcely able to work ; hut his eye is bright and his power of conversa-, 4.ion -remarkable.'' ’He'd# 1 regarded by all of eminent piety and wisdom. ‘iWheiULfirSh S&w Uncle"OSin, he wrs in a camp near Washington. Finding that he could read; I gave'him a hymn-book. “ Bless the good master Jesus,” exclaimed he, “he knew I waited for a hymn-book, and prayed for it, and now he sent it. Oh! my Lord never forgets his poor old servant.” Again-- after service, Uncle Cain came up to speak tome, and was full of gratitude to heaven and to man, declaring that “never in his life was he so well cared for, and never in a winter so warm.” “Hare you heard of your wife and children yet Uncle ?” I said. “Oh no massa, but I shall see them with these eyes yet before I die.” “What makes you say so, Uncle ?” “ The Lord-he tell me, under the pine tree where I prayed. He spoke peace to my soul about that, massa. I know he will bring them to ALEXANDRIA. There are likewise of, this class upwards of seven thousand in Alexandria. The government has built for their accommo dation, barracks and houses. There like wise are schools and churches. Prom somewhat minute survey of their condition, it appears to me that the government is pursuing a course wise and humane. The surgeons, the superintendents, the teachers tod commandant are zealous in the dis charge of their duties, and of unblemished virtue and piety. Here, as in other places, the government makes provision for the aged, helpless and orphans; and yet, ont of several thousand people, only three hundred and thirty draw daily rations; all the rest support them selves. Every measure is taken to sepa rate them into families, and thus prevent many of those vices which are the natural fruits of slave life. All show a most com mendable desire to learn to read, and some make a progress most astonishing. One old man of sixty years, commenced before Christinas learning his letters, and at the time of. my visit was able to read intelli gently the New Testament. There are in all the schools boys and girls who display unusual talent, and very rapidly acquire knowledge. Of one thing they all never tire, and that is religions meetings. They have the highest enjoyment in singing, conference and exhortation. The great body of these people are Baptists; and display an aston ishing familiarity with the salient points of their denomination. There are, besides these, bodies of men and families in different portions of the city, at work for the government, and of whom I hear no complaint. Certainly it is a thing unprecedented, that a large body of human beings should suddenly and without preparation burst out of the dark ness and degradation of the worst form of TERMS. By mail $2.00 per annum in advance. “ “ 2.50 “ “ after 3 mouths. By carrier 25 cents additional. CLUBS. Ten or more papers sent by mail to one church or locality, or in the city to one address, By mail $1.50 per annum. By carrier 2.00 “ “ To save trouble, clnb subscriptions must com mence at the same date, must be paid strictly in advance and in one remittance, for which one receipt will be returned. Ministers and ministers’ widows supplied at club rates. Postage, five cents quarterly, to be paid in ad vance by the subscribers at the office of delivery. slavery, and immediately submit to order and law, and assume all the habits of in* dustry and sobriety. Even the best Mends of the race have had their highest hopes more than realized. THE OFFICERING OF COLORED TROOPS. Men of the highest culture, of the rarest acquirements, and giving promise of rapid success, are selected for officers of colored regiments. Many who occupied the posi tions of colonels of volunteers, have been rejected, and others assigned the rank of 2d Lieutenant Of the four hundred and thirty officers examined for the rank of Co lonel, all but five have been rejected. The Examining Board is composed of men of the highest character and most varied ac quisitions. No man can pass through their hands without the deepest mortification unless thoroughly educated. Their examinations include grammar, history, astronomy, physiology, algebra, mathematics, Latin and Greek—one of the officers whom I know being asked to read the first few verses of John’s Gospel. The great care thus exercised in the selec tion of officers is most prudent and far sighted; for the entire service is thereby elevated, and the soldiers better secured against injustice and oppression. I had, recently, conversation with the commander of the 6th Colored Kegiment, who are now on duty at Yorktown, Va. The colonel I knew well, having been as sociated with him in the scenes of the Pe ninsula. He had had a long and varied experience in the army. He says the best soldiers he ever saw, as a body, are the blacks. The orderly serjeants of the regi ment are the best officres of their rank he ever knew; and the men are patient, obe dient, and enthusiastic in. the performance of military duty. He says the offieers have no trouble in restraining the men. They are not forever breaking over all the regulations of the camps ; very few have to pu nished. Intemperance, as minongst the whites, is not the source of endless tiimults and disorders. More rapidly than any white soldiers, they acquire all the move ments of field drill, and throw themselves most heartily, a& if.to them it had an end less novelty and charm, into all the evolu tions of military life. The character of the troops', and the at tainments of the officers, will give a per manent life to - colored regiments, and do much to elevate the race whom they repre sent. Contrabands are constantly arriving from Virginia and Maryland. In my re cent visit to the ariny, I saw many who had come within our lines in the last few days. Women and children are now esca ping, telling of fearful destitution and suf fering. In some instances, their old mas ters told them to leave them, as they had no longer food for themselves. CONGRESS. The debates and doings in Congress during the past week have had more than usual interest. The opposition to the Government is becoming less in numbers and .feebler in spirit every day. The members composing it have made some fatal mistakes since the commencement of this session. -The in tention to elect Fernando Wood Speaker of the the House, the vote for Bishop Hopkins for chaplain because of his defence of slavery, the peace resolutions in the face of the most rancorous bate on the part of the enemy and Libbydarffson scenes and murders, are enough fwßstroy any party, and place around theneeks of those who advocate measures so defiant of Pro vidence and of liberty, a millstone which will sink them into the depth of the sea. THE ARMY. I was this week in the front. One corps of the army is at Culpepper, and the other corps stretch back to the Rappahan nock. The men are mostly in winter quarters, and have comfortable cabins in which they gather some home comforts, and have many enjoyments. The health of the army is now very good, and the ve terans becoming more and more men of J. J. M. Unfortunate Slurring.— A chorister of a country church lately made a sad mis take iu the choice of a tune, there being a long slur in it, which came direotly upon an unfortunate word, which produced a start ling effect, namely: “ With reverence let the saints appear, And bow-wow-wow before the Lord, ’ ’ The clergyman's little wisset pup, happen ing to catch the note, sung out his treble pipe, started the squire’s old Towser’s full bass, and in an instant the whole posse of dogs set up such a chorus, that Handel’s Hail-storm would have dwindled into mus tard-Beed in comparison.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers