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