The American Presbyterian AND GENESEE EVANGELIST. RELIGIOUS AND FAMILY NEWSPAPER, JH TBS IWTBRMT OF TBS Constitutional Presbyterian Church, PUBLISHED EVERY THURSDAY. AT THE PRESBYTERIAN HOUSE, ISM Chestnut Street, (2d Story,) Philadelphia. But. JOHN W, HEARS, Editor and Publisher. BOMB MISSIOHS. Our excellent Secretary and Treasu rer of Home Missions, in making their monthly reports of contributions, for some reason, have neglected lately to give us the footings up of the columns. Now, when the columns were short, anybody conld with little trouble add them up for himself (if he cared to know the totals of short columns,) but wbon the list stretches out with its units tens, hundreds and thousands as the one for February does, an interest arises, which wo think should be antici pated in the committee rooms to know the totals. A hurried glance at the figures for February published in our ■columns last week, led to the gratifying •conclusion that our churches had con tributed over ten thousand dollars to Home Missions during that period. This we think is the largest acknow ledgement ever made for a single month.* Last April $9600, were con tributed. (The acknowledgment abovo mention ed appears to Bo for January’s contri butions ; wo publish that for February this week.] The churches of this vicinity are not fully or flatteringly represented in these lists. Madison Square and Mercer St. Churches, Hew York, contributed nearly one third of the February total. Philadelphia is indeed engaged in filling up the fifty thousand dollar Publication Fund, the largest end of. which, as in previous efforts, is again left to her liberal men. Yet our churches have no reason to plead exhaustion on that ground, and they doubtless need only to be reminded of a duty which they es teem as too high and too precious to . negloct—that of sustaining our devoted co-laborers in destitute parts of the field, and of enlarging the bounds of our .missionary work, in response to the groat wauts and calls of our times. VYe do not know what our committee is doing in. view of the openings among the abandoned churches of tho South .and the whole expanding field in that section. Our Knoxville correspondent informed us of a new school church in that city whoso congregation was loyal but the Government had seized the building on account of tho persistent disloyalty of the minister, (who had been sent through tho lines, Southward,) .4irid occupiod it for military purposes. If a suitable m<to could be sent' by our committee to Knoxville, the Govern ment would doubtless afford him every facility in his work, and the result might bo the restoration of that entire and most interesting section of country to our body. Should funds be needed, . a special appeal on the part of the com mittee would without doubt receive a prompt and liberal response. Our branch of the church has her share to do in tho religious restoration of the South, in supplying the neglected of both races with a pare gospel, and in planting along with the seeds of tho new social state the principles of the Biblo. We look earnestly to our com mittee for wise and practical suggestions on this momentous subject, the more so, as our denomination has already been anticipated by the movements of others even of the Presbyterian body; and we may assure them- of what perhaps they already are aware, the zeal and readi ness of the people to second them in such movement. Since writing the above the following has been received: ORDER FROM THE WAR DEPARTMENT. War Department Assistant General’s 1 Office, Washington, March 10,1864. J To the Generals commanding the Military Divisions of the Mississippi, the Departments of the Gulf, of the South, and of Virginia and North Carolina, and all Generals and officers commanding armies, detachments and posts, and all officers in the service of the United States, in the above mentioned Depart-, ments. The Board of Domestic Missions of the Presbyterian Church, aud the Pres byterian Committee of Home Missions - enjoy the entire confidence of this De partment, and no doubt is entertained that all ministers who may he appointed by them will he entirely loyal. You are expected to permit such min isters' of the Gospel, hearing commis sions of the “ Board of .Domestic Mis sions,” or the ‘‘Presbyterian Committee of Home Missions ” of the "Presbyterian -Church, as may convince you that their *Th 6 Presbytery Reporter for March has the following:—“Good News. —-Says Dr. Kendall in a letter dated Feb. 23d ult.: ‘Tell the brethren that all .expired quarters are paid up —if the reports hare been.' duly forwarded. IVew Series, Vol. I, TVo. 12. commissions are genuine, to exercise the functions of their office within your command, and to give them all the aid, countenance and support, which may be practicable, and in your judgment proper, in the execution of their important mis sion. By order of the Secretary of War. E. D. Townsend, Assistant Adjutant General. The* above order, obtained by joint application from our Committee and the Home Mission Board of the other branch, guarantees a. ready entrance within our army lines in the South, to all our Mis sionaries. The Home Missionary work proper, which will need to be done in the South when the war is over, and which is begun already, perhaps no man can es timate. Of 150 churches which the Baptists had in Missouri, when the war began, not a dozen are left supplied with pastors. Something like this is true of every other denomination in the State, and probably all through the South. Tho preachers in every church except our own—to a large extent, and many ■ leading communicants were disloyal. Having identified themselves with the South, they have gone South, before our victorious armies. Their churches are desolated or destroyed. But as fast as peace is established we need to send Missionaries, that the Gospel may be preached to those who remain. This field alone might employ all the Home Missionary energy of our church for years to come. But in addition we have a cry for help from now fields at the West, Territories just bursting into States. At the last meeting of our Home Mission Commit tee, in this city, they appointed three missionaries to Colorado and one to Idaho. Wo learn from Hew York, that since 1 that meeting, our Presbytery formed in Hevada Territory last year, has directed a letter to the Committee, begging for at least six more missionaries to be sent on to them, at once. These Territories are filling up with wonderful rapidity; add now, while foundations ard 'beiug laid, is the time to let the molding influ ence of the Gospel.bc felt. Though, many churches havo contributed generously, wo do not wonder that the Committee are distressed for more funds. Most of tho churches in this city, we believe, are accustomed to take up Home Missionary collections in March or April. We com mend these considerations to their care ful attention. We hope they will enlarge their contributions according to the en larged demand. If our country is to be saved, • permanently and for Christ, the messengers of the everlasting Gospel of peace, must follow hard upon the foot-. steps of jibe veterans of war. FAILURE OF THE TEMPERANCE RE FORM FROM A FINANCIAL POINT OF VIEW. It is not at all a settled point, by what means the Temperance causo has been brought to its present very deplorable condition. Some are inclined to regard the prevailing coldness as a natural re action from the excess of the Prohibitory Law Agitation. That, they regard as a piece of radicalism, which, when de feated, might well be followed with prostration. Others ascribe it to the improprieties of the Washingtonian movement; others to the secret organi zations which sprung up in such multi tudes ; while many doubtless, have seen in the refluent tide of intemperance, only the oscillatory'movement which characterizes all human progress. Re actions must he expected and calculated for, by all Mends of reform and of so cial advancement. It is important, however, to come to some conclusion on this subject, if the Temperance movement is to he started once more. It would aid us in deter mining the feasibility of our object, or, if that is conceded, in avoiding the blun ders by which we have been over whelmed, heretofore. Especially, we ask, can it he made clear that we are to blame for the present prostrate condi tion of the cause? Dr. Charles Jewett, the veteran temperance leader, thinks we are. He puts upon the title page of Ms lato pamphlet: “The Temperance Cause: Past, present and future,” the following lines: «■ The fault dear Brutus is not in our stars, But in ourselves, that we are underlings.” We are glad to hear from Dr. Jewett; and are disposed to give good heed to the suggestion of so ripe, a man and so steady a friend to a good cause. Dr. J’s. PHILADELPHIA, THU®! pamphlet is the first well-considered and earnest word, and gives the first piece of definite advice, to those who aye seeking at this time to reanimate the temperance spirit. His account of the failure of the cause is simple enough. He says: “A variety of causes contributed to the production of this lamentable result; but the principal one and that without which the result could not hav<p been produced, was the want of a reliable PECUNIARY BASIS TO THE ENTERPRISE.” Dr. J. follows up this statement with an abundant array of facts which do: not need to be repeated here. Doubtless our readers are sufficiently well ac quainted with the phenomenon. We all know it to be a fact, that temperance organizations were not regarded as re quiring money for their support, and gratuitous efforts were, for the most part, relied on for carrying forward the work of reform. Yet it seems too patent, too superfi cial a reason to give for such a marvel lous retrogression as we are considering. We ask the writer to substantiate his positions. Turning to his pamphlet of fifty-five pages, we find it mainly occu pied with the proof we are asking. Dr. J. reiterates his position as of primary importance and wishes above all things to leave us with the conviction that the temperance movement has been starved to death. He says (pp. 12 & 13.) Put any other other organization known to us on such fare, and how long would it live? Societies thus organized could not but die; yet they were suc cessively replaced by others, for the dreadful necessities of the case’ as con stantly presented to the awakened, in tellect and conscience, of the countiy, and the good effected by them during their brief existence, seemed imperiously to demand'the substitution of others of kindred character. Hew ones, therefore, came into being, to live a while on re luctant charity, to get hopelessly in debt if they attempted any vigorous or pro tracted efforts, and soon to follow their amiable but sickly predecessors to early but honored graves. The system with whieh as temperance reformers we war, had on the contrary, ieFTfa support^;^pOweiyhealth: and the suffrages of the great majority of the people. Such a system, when thrown on its defense, could fee able advocates, suborn venal presses, and work both to any extent its interest and safety might require. Men engagedin a traffic which, though destructive to others, was highly lucrative to themselves, could afford to spend money freely, where money could contribute to the perpetuity of tfieir bu siness.. If shrewd, practical business men had been consulted about the«arrangement of a campaign, or a succession of them, for the overthrow of such a system as the one with which, as temperance re formers, we are warring, think you, reader, they would have counselled the commencement of hostilities with ah empty treasuary, and no reliable plari for obtaining needed funds ? But thequestion arises, Was there not a vast amount of good accomplished by these voluntary efforts? Was, there really room for improving upon the great and blessed results thus attained,; ahd ean it be made to appear that finan cial support is the main thing necessary to give these springs of reformation a steady flow? Dr. Jewett answers with good apparent reason, that that early enthusiasm was based upon facts easily gathered from the jail,the poor-house,and the tax lists; that the time came when these statistics had lost their startling novelty. “A want” he says, “ began to be generally felt,, of more elaborate dis courses, in which facts everywhere seen, should be traced to. their causes in the violation of God’s laws as revealed in his Word —his Providence and by the study of the natural sciences.” This need could only he supplied by compe tent laborers adequately paid .for their services. Had there been at this junction in ad dition to the faithful and persistent labor of friends in the local societies, in social meet ings, personal visitation, etc., an ample corps of educated and able men who made public instruction on this subject a specialty—whose studies of the sacred records, of history, ancient and modern, of the natural sciences, of travels,' bio graphies, and literature generally—-and whose daily observation and reflection were all made to contributes to their more perfect qualification for this im portant service; and had our societies, local, state, and national, been provided with funds, properly to reward such la bor; and had the press been then em ployed on a grand and fiberal scale fas it could and would have been but for the starvation system) flooding the country with interesting records of public meet ings and other passing events—with able and lucid expositions of important truths and principles— with tales and DAY, MARCH 24, 1864. songs and the variety of interesting mat . ter at hand—not forgetting, of course, to chronicle in good full faced type the triumphs of thej cause, here and there, as the infernal system with which we war went down in this and that locality under the steady and increasing pres sure brought to bear upon it; oh! where would we now have been, in connection with this enterprise, if such a course had been pursued? ; The writer then quotes the exarn : ple> of the Masssaehusetts Temperance .Union, which in 1840, entered upon the systematic efforts, using the press in all varieties of ways, and employing paid agents of character and ability to tra verse the State. It disbursed five thou sand dollars annually in this effort. “ The public sentiment, which now holds Mas sachusetts as firm as the oaks arid granite rocks to the prohibiting by law, of'the liquor traffic was formed in good mea sure during the prevalence of this sys tefii.” He claims it as a fact, and surely if so it is a most encouraging one, that everywhere, when and where sensible means have been persistently employed, progress has always' been made in the right direction. An important confirmation to this view is furnished by the experience of Temperance Societies. The steadiness of these, organizations in com parison with our .own is marked. These societies have a financial basis. A single organization : “ The United Kingdom Alliance,” shows a list of annual sub scriptions from ten individuals, of nearly six thousand dollars, and a total from all sources of about twenty thousand dollars. The National Temperance ’League and the Scottish Temperance League, together, spend not less than sixty thousand dollars. Probably not less than one hundred thousand ,dollars is expended in furthering the interest of the cause by parent societies alone. Agents and public lecturers of experi ence, derived, in some cases, from a twenty years’ service, are still in the field. A number of presses are kept con stantly employed by these organizations, .flooding the field with publica tions, many of which arefcdf high charac ter. “Now, reader,” exclaims Dr. J.; “contrast'.with all this, the meager, stinted, inadequate, lilliputian, sickly, consumptive and wretched style in which the enterprise has been conducted in this country, and if you are not heartily sick of it, you are a man of very moderate ambition.” The total of receipts for the cause in Massachusetts, for the year 1858, was a little over $2OOO, and it is quite probable that it is as good a record as that of any other State (better than most of them) for that year. * We are inclined-'to accept the argu ments of Dr. Jewett as of considerable importance at this time. Assuredly, whatever amounts Were actually ex pended in past efforts, we have never exhibited the degree of system and the liberality here recommended, in pro moting the Temperance Kefonn. The friends of temperance generally, while admitting the need of steady, regular and general contributions in other chari table enterprises, and the importance of bringing to bear upon the public mind the best talent that could be engaged and of employing the issues of the press in liberal measure for the promotion of other good objects, have undoubtedly treated the Temperance Reform too much as if it could and ought to go of itself. Meanwhile, a well-or ganized, and well-endowed opposition meets them at every step of their way; the foes of temperance have the strongest possible reasons of a worldly nature, for a liberal financial policy. Their appeal to their friends is that of the Ephesian Demetrius to his fellow-workmen: “Sirs, ye know that by this craft, we have our wealth.” We must use similar weapons, or at least show a fair degree of liberality in counteracting their well-sustained ef forts. Let every temperance man, now considering the question of reanimating the cause, procure and study this pam phlet. The difficulty, ; in the author’s view, is plain and the remedy simple and in reach. It is surely matter for encouragement to the friends of the cause, that one so well qualified to judge as Dr. Jewett, should have reached a conclusion pointing solely to the improve ment of our financial policy as the path of success. At this time of abundance of money, we have no excuse for not try ing the experiment. ~The, pamphlet can be had, post-paid, by addressing John R. "Walsh, P. G. 4499', Chicago, or the author, Jbox 501. £ Price 25- Genesee Evangelist, No. 931. LETTER FROM REV. DR. 00X. New York, March 17, 1864. . Rev. J. W. Meabs, Editor -.—My Bear Brother. To resemble Paul, I had almost said, in anything, may well seem desirable to a minister of the glo rious Gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust: 1 Tim. 1: 11, in proportion to his correct estimate of that almost incomparable man of God. The resemblance, to which I at present refer, is not peculiarly tempting to the vanity of self-elation; but just the contrary, I am glad to say: as it re minds me of my approaching departure from this world; being such a one as Paul the a 9. He indeed was about sixty-six years of age, when the crown of glorious martyrdom an nounced him to the universe, as one of the tallest and the noblest of the glori fied apostles of God onr Savior. * May we never idolize any creature—but were any one to be selected, in the in ception of such abomination * * * * I will not finish the folly of the thought! Some desire to conceal their age; and Borne sages tell üb, that Buch are gener ally rated, masculine aB well as femin ine, older rather than younger; com pared with the true date of their nativity. With me, it is almost a part of my religion, to know, and mind, and measure my accumulating years; espe cially since last August, when I seemed solemnly to reach the goal or t9rminns of my pilgrimage; according to Moses. Psalm 90: 10, having then attained seventy years. On the topic of self, indeed, all men can be fluent, none agreeable; very few nseful. But Paul often speaks of him self, in such a way, that we will ques tion, if any man ever honestly accused him of egotism, vanity, or bad taste; to say nothing of bis inspiration ! Well,l come to the point; saying that, generally,! feel not the less, but solemnly the more, for all the interests of my country, imperiled and excellent, that I leave behind me, in the church and in State, when I depart. For Philadelphia—kindly I feel; with memories that go back, personally, to the first year of this century; when your great city could not, in its census, show 100,000 inhabitants. I feel for the place of the nativity of my honored and dear mother; the place of her marriage; and of the dust of my honored father, who died there, January 4, 1801.. Rev. Samuel Miller, D. D., formerly, when I first knew him, of New York; afterward of Princeton, N. J., and natively, as was my father, of Dover, Delaware; sent to me just before he went home, as I think, to«be with Christ, this memorable and endeared message—“ Give my love to dear Dr. Cox; and say to him thatl think I have a hereditary right and claim to love him; for I loved bis father; was born near his birth-place; we were long at school together; also I was intimate with him at the same pest-house—so called, where, in those days, the hoys of the neighborhood all went, to be inocu lated for the small-pox; and nursed with care, till perfectly recovered and fit for exterior society.” All this indeed, was less expressed, than implied, in the mes sage ; yet fully spoken by him to my self years before—with other and Rim! lar things, genial and lovely; for which truly I love him yet, while sensibly less regarding Borne of the stiff, inhu man dignitaries of our church, who were too learned, and too eminent, to show any sympathy with any body or any thing, concrete and real; except their own inconceivable self-importance! Hence I adopt and write it, that I ever feel “ a hereditary right" to love Philadelphia! All my instincts and memories attest it, when I think of it; especially when I see it, with crowded memories, as the place of my boyhood— ubi puer lusi, f as says Tully : but more, when there I preach the Gospel; or— when I read yournewspaper ! All this, so stated in epitome, currents calamo , may introduce my purpose, te non invito, i. e:, the editor consenting, to enact your ancient; I sty not patri archal correspondent, thoughts I just think of it, this'is St. Patrick’s day; and if it wer© instead, the first day of April, not more' should I wish practically' to feel its inspiration! Haying some things, each in its turn, j to say in your paper, I propose, here in ' Winter and at my residence, in jvestern New York,—lieroy-—in the Summer, as the Lord may give me life and ability, i to send some communications to the ( TEjRISAS. By mail, $2.00 per annum, in advance. “ “ 2.60 “ “ after 3 months. By carrier, 50 cents additional for deli very! CXiBFBS. 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 carriers, .2.00 “ « To save trouble, club subacriptiohs moat commence at the same date, be paid strictly is advance, in a single remittance, for which one receipt will be returned. Ministers and Ministers’ Widows supplied at club rates. Home missionaries at $1 per annum.- Postage.— Five cents quarterly in advance, to be paid by subscribers at the office of de livery. Presbyterian ; not without reference es pecial to the implications and just asso ciations of its name— Presbyterian, and to the interests and the prospects and tho future of our own beloved oh'urch, show~ l»g K m option as to what Israel ought to do j especially at this prosperous crisis of our history. My next—not long after this. The Lord bless you and your “ enterprise.” Farewell. Samuel Hakson Cox. EffOOURAGIITG WORDS. A pastor in New Jersey, not unknown to the literary world, writes: Th« American Presbyterian is an admirably improved sheet, and now stands head and shoulders with any paper.—Another in Missouri sends ten new names and writes: The Presbyterian is the best family paper I have known.—Another in Michjgan says: You have secured a valuable helper in the “Rochester cor respondent.” Western New Yprkers, of such as have,; lived in that region must take an interest in his letters. fjtews »f «rt §tmufas. Revival in Jasper, N. Y., — The Evangelist says: A precious revival is now prevailing in the Presbyterian Church. Daring the last Fall and early part of 'Winter, the prayer-meetings were not very well, attended. Surprise parties were somewhat common. At length two m \br rf.the church we notice of a ig. They expectt would be presi that number and the Holy Forty-three their desireß fr tians. Of thi fess to have si God. Presbytery op Columbus, Wis. This bpdy met at Sun Prairie, Jan. 19. The snow and severe weather interfere ed with the attendance; yet the meet* mg is described in the Reporter, as one of considerable interest. Rev. H. H. Kel logg and Elder H. G. Savage, were, ap pointed delegates to the General Assem bly. A precious revival of religion was reported as in progress at Baraboo. A union meeting was commenced by the four denominations of Christians in that place on the week of prayer, which has been continued daily up to the pre sent time. These meetings have been largely attended, and a considerable number of persons of all ages, have pro fessed to receive Christ as their Savior, while Christians have been much re vived and many of them have made manifest progress in Divine life. The churches of Lodi, Arlington and Low ville are vacant. Western Churches. —From the JFVes bytery Reporter, we learn that the church of New Duquoine, has called Rev. J. Jerome Ward, of Yellow Springs, to the pastorate. He is expected to accept. —Of $129,50 raised for Home Mis sions, in the church of Collinsville, 111., $120,50 was given by ladies, $lO5 of this amount being from widows.-- — Rev. T, Mill, of Shelbyville, 111, Jan. 29th, re ceived from his people, donations ■ amounting to. $227, in value. Rev. N. A. Hunt asks a dismission from Alton Presbytery to Minnesota Conference. Rev. M. B. Holmes of lowa, received $127 from Sis people. A new church whs orgonized at Des Moines, lowa, Jan 28th, composed of twenty-three members. This people have rented a church edifice for two years, at $lOO per year, with liberty to use as much of the rent as may be ne cessary to fit it up for use. They have invited Alex, M, Heieer, a licentiate now at Auburn, New York, to become their minister, and wait for. him until next May. They offer a salary of sBoo.' - ——The church at §t. Joseph, Mo., have called Rev. B. B. Parsons, ofLacon, 111., to be pastor. He is likely to accept, A revival in the Church of Monti cello, 111., Rev. Geo. L. Litth pastor is reported. The Female Seminary in that place shares in the work. - In the Seminary the observance of the last Thursday of February, as a day of fast ing and prayer, gave a most marked and decided impetus to the work The church at Augusta, 111., besides making a donation visit to the pastor. Rob. Edwin H. Hurd added $2OO, to his salary and cahceled debts, amounting overslooo.l ; V'Z'W m
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers