LETTER, POM HUNTSVILLE, ALA,
Huntsville, Ala., March 1804.
Dear Editor : In tins second lein-r;
■which I write you as a udeg-aw <>f the j
' Christian C oimnrssion, 1 resume u<y
sketch of our ■work at, this po'm. pro
ceeding now to speak of our labors out
side of the office.
The following are the things that this
pari of oin* work consist >■ in : Distributing
reading, matter, visiting the hospitals,,
preaching, and teachmg in a negro
school. Of these in their order, i
First —Distributing! reading 'matter.
The mas ter,itself is of course all religious. :
consisting'.qf,; tracts and newspapers.
The newspapers, are of u|t denominations
-rrthat’ is, (evangelical denominations, and
• we -liave ’thelri in the fullest Variety.
indeed, it seems, to mo that,
’ SChYoely a religious paper published m
' the cbuntrjg but wo have copies of it.
Hence let-a man ask us for what paper
he may arid we ®e able to supply him..
And oh! how it gladdens, the liearts of
■the soldiers to receive the very paper of
their dear, old, familiar sheet,
maybe, that theyhave been: accustomed
to see'and to read from their boyhood!
■ One of-the family faces, it seems to do.
them as much good as a 1 visit from a.
father or a brother would.
In distributing these papers we do 3t
as delegates, only in those regiments that
are not provided with eh aplains. Where
there is a chaplain, we give l him the
papers and suffer him to distribute them,
never wishing''in any Way whatever to
'/bopie bletwebd' the chaplain and his men.
We go from tent to tent in distributing, ■
and leave one, two or three papers' in
jach tent, aecol'ding to the number of its
inmates, In thus going from font to
tent, we get acquainted with the soldier’s
inner life, as it were. And alas! in' how
many cases do we find it no very credit
able one. Card-playing and even'gam
bling we find, not indeed universal (for
we riot unfrequently light' upon men
singing hymns and reading {he Bible)
yet fearfully common, alarmingly general.
Happening upon any so engaged, ‘we
liliver sipfer them to go nnrfeprovcd; we
always, kindly and yet as forcibly as we
are able, protest against their employ
ment, and though we have done so
hundreds of times, have in no case re
ceived other than the kindest replies.
In these distributing visits,besides our
paper’s and tracts wC sorrietimes cany
with us horiiewives comfort bags. And
how Willingly' these are received —yea,
eagerly sought after! Why, scarcely do
you appear in camp with them but you
are surrounded by a! crowd, each begging
. most eloquently for one. However, our
own practice is never to give them indis
criminately in a crowd. We distribute
them the same as we do the papers, from
tent to tent, and one, two or three in
each. Thus, each mess to some degree
reaps of their, handful, and not, as
Otherwise would be the ease, al! of one
mess getting and perhaps none of another.
That soldier considers himself the most
fortunate and is the envy of all the others,
who gets a real pen and ink letter from
the donor in his housewife. And doing so,
down be sits alihost immediately and
.writes a thankful, acknowledgment to
the little boy or girl from whom it has
come. And now let this be an encourage
ment to the little boys arid girls that are.
accustomed to read this paper, to have a
'hand in this good 'work. Yes, my little
friends, make up a housewife or comfort
bag; fill it with needles, and’ thread,,and
buttons' and pins, arid put a littleletter of
your, own writing in it, and start it off
to some soldier through the Christian
Commission. So doing, I guarantee you
that,, whilst 'you will bestow a great
fayoi- upon shine brave soldier, so -also
in' the. course of time you Will receive
from him a nice letter of thanks, which
will repay , you tenfold (qr your expense
trouble. " ' . : ‘ ' !
.Second— Visiting"hospitals. At ; some
points this is the delegate’s principal
work. Here, however, it occupies hut
little of his time and attention. The
reason is that wc have but two hospitals
in the place, arid in them both only from
thirty to forty patients. Still, though
the patients are so' few we don't over
look them. We distribute papers and
tracts among them, hold religious services
from time to time in their'-wards, con
verse individually with such as are
particularly sick, and write letters for
them to their friends at borne. Wc came
provided with delicacies and undercloth
ing for such’ as might need them, but so
far have found very little occasion to use
■ them. Two sanitary commissions are
here, whole peculiar work it is to provide
those things, and as they-do it most
abundantly, all aid from iri is entirely
forestalled;
A third thing in our work is preach
ing. Here-again our work at this point
is somewhat limited. Hot from the
fewness of men or Regiments, but: from
the multiplicity of Chaplains.- Ho part
of the army, I suppose’-is belter supplied-'
in ibis way Ihan the <i virions around
here. Only two regimontsL*iv are found
that are destitute, and some batteries.
These, of course, we take. 1 under' our
special care and minister to them regu
larly il'c word of life. The fith Ohio
Cavalry is one ofthc two regiment -sand to
them have I more particularly preached.
An affecting incident occurred in respect
to throe men of this regiment on hud
Sabbath night, which I will hero relate.
I preached to the regiment about four
o'clock. As soon as service' was over, the
three men -referred to. who were present,
left the camp, going away on some
business, .1 know not what. Hight
came on. and-they did not return. Mon
day morning came and. yet they were
not hack.. The • day passed away and:
Tuesday came, and still they,.,were not
he.ard from. During the morning, how
ever, word comes to camp, that two
soldiers have been found drowned in a
well, and that they caii he seeri at the
post hospital. The captain of - the coim.
pany to.which the three men belong’
goes, to the.hospital, and there, in the
drowned soldiers, recognizes two of his
missing men. But where ,is the third?
It, is suggested that he had better go
and examine the well further. He does
so, and lo! n,ot only the third soldier but
a foui’tlf person, a citizen. Pour men
dead in a well! How could it have
happened? There is. suspicion at first
of foul play, one of .the soldiers being
known to have had over two hundred
dollars.,; oil his person. His body is
soarchpdDie money is not found; The
well. is. drained and there, it is in'the
bottom with'a couple of revolvers. The
: bodies are then examined to sec if they
have;-been injured: in any way; but no,
no marks of violence arc to -be found.
Wliat then ?.- Why, but one conclusion
can he come, to—that in the darkness of
the! night the four have all walked
together into the well:; which they could
easilydo, its mouth being some eight or
ten feet in' diameter. And yet these
men. heard me preach but a few hours
before tlieir death! “ Was I faithful to
thefr souls?" was the first question I
asked myself on knowing it. ’Thank
God'l was, for immediate acceptance ox
Jesus was the burden: of 1113- sermon,
urged particularly from the uncertainty
of life.; from our ignorance of what the
morrow may bring forth. “If thou
warn the wicked in his way. to turn
from it; if he do not turn from his way,
he shall jdie in his 'iniquity; blit thou
hast delivered thy soul." '•
In preaching to a regiment our place
of worship is of course always in the
open air. Our pulpit, if .we have One, is
a stump—at : least : such has been mine in
preaching to- the regiment mentioned
above. We gather our audience together,
sometimes by means of the bugle, or the
fife and drum, but more usually simply
by singing; Mounting on stumps we
sing a portion of psalmody with as
strong a voice ' as possible, and this
attracting the attention of the. soldiers,
by the times'we are through we have a
'very'good .number about" usi. Scarcely
ever, either at the beginning or end 01
the service, can you'get'the soldiers to
ioin with you in your singing; at least
such is my experience. With the ex
ception of a weak support from one or
two voices I mostly have to do the,
singing myself. Yen- respectful and:
attentive'always are the soldiers, during
the preaching. Sitting around you in a
circle if'the ground is dry, or standing
if it is wet, they remain (ill you are
through, and then {many ' will come
forward to .shake your hand and have
a. conversation with you. These, as
would naturally he,expected, are. usually
Christians. Yet not always so. Some
times the}'are open , sinners that'liave
been affected by the sermon, and that
are ; drawg irresistibly to -you as ff you.
could afford them relief • -
; Some .subjects that. you, preach on
seem to .affect them, more than others,
the}- give more earnest .-heed.and atten-,
lion ;to them. Chief. among these, in
pur experience, is profane swearing. I
don’t ;know how it , is, but whenever I
preach on this subject every: one’s atten
tion seems riveted. Indeed they will
gather in so closely, about mo that my
hands will almost be reaching them.
The aptness of' the subject—its almost
universal suitability.(if there is such a
word)—goes a great way, I suppose,
towards attracting their attention.
I mentioned a fourth thing that occu
pied our attention —teaching in a negro
school. My letter is so long now. how
ever, (hat I shall have to reserve refer
ence to it to a third.
Kobert McMillan.
SOMETHING YOU CM DO. FOE OUE
SOLDIERS,
Christian reader, you are deep]}' in
terested in the great struggle now going
on in our country. You look forward to
an active cairipaigo soon to open, with
bright hope that it will be successful,
“And y*et, and yet, you cannot forget
That many brave boys must fall,” —
and you long for' their immediate eon
versitonlest some should' die unprepared,
PHILADELPHIA, THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 1864.
and. though martyrs to a glorious cause,
should be lost forever. Ton have heard
with joy and gratitude of the great work
God is doing in the awakening and con
version of soldiers, and wish home duties
would permit yon to bear a part in the
special efforts now being made for their
salvation, i write to remind those who
cannot leave home, that there are two
ways at least, in which they may render
important aid to laborers in the field.
First.- — Youcanp>ray. Every evening
thousands gather in the chapels to pray.
Can you not spend at least apart of the
hour between seven and eight o’clock
each evening in “effectual earnest
prayer” for tlic bravo and noble de
fenders of our country whose souls are
in such peril? The early Christians
sympathized so deeply With Peter when
he was in prison that prayer was made
without ceasing, of the church, unto God
for him. (Acts xii.) And surely the
tens of thousands of Satan’s captives in
our artnieS 'ought to- awaken all, our
sympathies! God delivered Peter and
will deliver these' if the whole; church
Unites its prayers for them. A father
wrote me recently, that in praying for
his son in my regiment,, be had been as
sured that he would be converted. Then
the son was far from God; but before
the letter reached me he was; rejoicing
in the pardon qE sin. O for united, be
lieving, importunate prayer! '.
Second, You can write. There is
probably at least one in the'army,' with
whom what you might say would jhave
more weight than all that could be ut
tered by his Chaplain, or any one else.
You know his history. He -may have
made you vows as yet unfulfilled. You
understand the secret spring of his na
ture. At any rate, you lore Aim and he
loves you, and if- any: one can Influence
him you can. Write him an earnest, af
fectionate letter, pleading With him to
give-Grid his heart at once. Let it be
steeped inprdyer, and if it is blotted with
tears all the; better. The Spirit-will at
tend it to his soul and he will be saved.
As you value these precious souls—as
you desire to be pure from the blood of
all men, T beg you do am, von can, and
do it now. Chaplain.
Veneration for the maxims of an
tiquity, and respect for long established
customs, are elementary principles in
the human soul. So strong is their hold
upon the majority of persons, and so
great their influence, that more than
ordinary courage.is requisite to free
one’s. self from their powerful grasp,'
and none but the strongest reasons will
be accepted as a sufficient justification
for attacking them, and desiring to abo
lish theto. Hence it. was not without a
good .'deal of fear and trembling, that we
determined to make some strictures
upon a practice so ancient and wide
spread, as sleeping in church. Apart
from the presumption with which we
may be charged, and the cry of innova
tion that may be raised against us, we
felt that it was a hazardous enterprise,
and one which would not fail to excite
opposition, to attempt, to do or say any
thin" which would, interfere with the
o
weekly slumbers of so many good men:
for very few Christians have grace
enough to enable them to bear to be
wakened in the middle of a comfortable
nap without feeling irritated., much less
to be entirety deprived of it; in rousing
them out pf sleep, you are liable to rouse
their anger. We are willing, however,
to run this risk; for we are firmly con
vinced, and this is our onty apology for
saying anything against so vbnerable
and respectable a habit, that sleeping in
church is wrong, and therefore ought not
to go unrebuked.
In making we are not una
ware of its gravity, nor of the many ex
cuses that have been framed in defense
or rather in palliation of this evil habit,
and- shall therefore endeavor to make
goodour statement by arguments as pro
found as church slumbers generally are.
it is said by .some that sleeping in
church is a mark of confidence in the
preacher that they are sure of his being
orthodox, that it is a compliment, there
fore, instead of a slight. This certainly
is very soothing, and ought to be per
fectly satisfactory. But we reply that
it is reposing too much l in the faithful
ness of man, forgetful of the exhortation,
“put not your trust in man. nor in the
son of man, in whom there is no stay.”
It would also seem to recognize the Po
pish doctrine of clerical infallibility, and
it is a well-known fact that those minis
ters who most need watching, are the
very ones under whom their slumbers
are unbroken, and their sleep most re
freshing. And how do these sleepers
know, but that, while they are enjoying
a most delightful doze, and dreaming
about something in no way connected
with points of Vlocirine, their minister
may inserting the wedge
of errOi-jihto theilr system of truth, or
slyly, insinuating, some dreadful heresy ?
The abovje excust- is clearly unsatisfac-
SLEEPING IN CHURCH.
tory; these sleepers ought to he wide
awake.
It has been asserted that the nodding
01 the head, observable in some -persons
while lost in sleep, must bo very encou
raging to the preacher, because it signifies
their cordial assent to the truths which
he may be uttering. This is another
“ quieting” argument, but equally flimsy
with the one preceding. Hot to speak
of the fact that ministers know right
well, particularly When their preaching
is ofa “personal” character, that they do
not coincide With all their statements;
we refuse, 011 philosophical grounds, to
give to this downward, motion of the
head any such interpretation. It is an
involuntary thing, caused- by the action
of gravitation,and, therefore has no more,
significance than the well-known shaking
of the head produced by palsy. In ad
dition to this, there is the painful feel
ing which is (excited in the breast of the
and of all who may be cogni--
zant of it, lest this' very important por
tion of the human frame, in its sudden
descent,, should, by its own weight,
break the ligaments which connect it
with the rest of the body, and tumble to
the ground.
“ The spirit is willing, but the flesh is
weak,” is another plea urged in extenu
ation of this offence, but it cannot bo sa
tisfactorily maintained. Where, we ask,
are the signs of “ weakness in the flesh”
in those who constitute (the vast ma
jority of sleepers? By a euphemism,
we know, all bad habits are called weak
nesses ; as, for example, when we see a
man too feeble to stand alone, but must
lean against a-wall or lamp-post, we at
tribute this weakness of his to a weak
ness. Upon this principle, we readily
admit that sleeping in church may be
ascribed to a weakness, but, most as
suredly, it cannot be imputed ;to weak
ness. ; We are inclined to think that the
“ willingness” which these persons speak
of, is a willingness to sleep. This habit
of theirs cannot, therefore, be called a
sin of “infirmity," owing to “ weakness
in the flesh.” ’
But, perhaps some of these sleepers
may say that, in their case, itisa “work
of necessity and mercy.” Well, we re
member seeing somewhere an account
of an old lady, who lived in a place
where they had onty occasional preach
ing. During the interval between the
visits of the minister, she slept little or
none. When there was preaching, her
children always took her to church, not
with the expectation that she would de
rive any benefit from the sermon, for
she could not hear a word, but because
she was sure to go to sleep, and she re
turned home, if not edified, ■ at least
greatly refreshed. In this case we might
admit the plea of “ necessity arid mercy.”
.But, as a man,once said when the ad
vice of Paul to Timothy was quoted to
him, in order to persuade him to drink,
“my name is not Timothy and there is
nothing the matter with my stomach;”
so we would say in regard to the sleepers
in our churches, they are not old women,
they are riot deaf nor are they insomni
ous. This excuse is evidently unavail
ing.
In regard to the cause or causes which
make a Church, during the hours of pub
lic worship, so favorite and so favorable
a place for sleeping, we shall not say any
thing; for, on this subject we could not
speak with any degree of definiteness.
One thing we know, and it is a very con
soling fact to those who are conscious
of being somewhat “heavy” and “dry,”
that it is not always nor altogether in
the minister, for under the greatest
preachers, Paul the Apostle, for ex
ample, persons have gone asleep. Where
'then lies the blame? Could we only
get to. the root of the matter, a cure
might be proposed, a remedy might he
applied. R. W.
HOW GOD ANSWERED PRAYER IN THE
. EARLY CHURCH.
A SCRAP PROM ANCIENT HISTORY,
• In .the fourth century, during the
reign of Constantine, the church had
rest from a persecution which had been
almost continuous under the Emperors.
of pagan Borne from the days of the
Apostles.
In this reign lived Arms, the founder
of the great heresy known as Arianism,
a belief very similar to that of the
Unitarians of the present day, who
deny that Christ was divine, looking
upon him as a wonderful man endowed
by God with miraculous powers.
A great council of bishops was called
by the Emperor Constantine, at Hice,
to determine wliat the true doctrine
was in relation to the divinity of Christ.
Constantine was not clear in his own
convictions as to the truth in this
matter, nor was he very particular as
to wliat he did believe, but the discus
sion upon this topic was running, high,
throughout the Empire. The Christian
world.-was the segne of constant ani
mosity and contention; the absorbing
subject 'everywhere was’ this; religious;
controversy, and Constantinb desired
pence. Tho council of 818 losliops iron’,
a!! parts of the Christian world mot at
Nice, A. D. 325. Constantine paid all
their traveling expenses and also main
tained them while there. Some of t bc«e
good bishops hail been sorely persecuted
in former days for tho faith of Josns.
One had had “ both hands horribly
burned by 3iot irons; others appeared
deprived of their right eyes; others
deprived of their right legs. A crowd
of martyrs, in truth, were seen collected
in one body.”
Twenty-two favored Arius. The re
sult was,, ho was deposed and excom
municated.
Gbnstantia, the sister of Constantine,,
had great influence over him, and on
her death-bed, she being secretly in the
interest of the Arian party, persuaded
the. Emperor to take measures to restore
Arius. By degrees tho Arians suc
ceeded in gaining a new foothold, accom
plishing by arts, subtlety and ingenious
falsehoods what good.men would not
dare to undertake.
. Arias came to. Constantinople, the
capital, by order of the Emperor. His
friends, who were influential and power
ful,'determined that lie should proclaim
in'the church his doctrines. The good
bishop of Constantinople, Alexander,
kno w that bis subtlety and artifice were
dangerous elements to contend with.
He was unwilling to admit a wolf who
would devour the sheep. by insinuating
his poison, into the church. He spent
several days and nights in prayer alone
in his church. The faithful followed
diis example, and prayer was made, by
the church without ceasing, that God
would interfere on this occasion.
Constantine examined Arius as to his
faith, requiring:him to subscribe to the
truth of the decrees of the Nicene coun
cil, which he did readily, and confirmed
it by his oath, thus unscrupulously pei’-
juring himself. Bishop Alexander was
then ordered by the Emperor to receive
Arius into his church.
“The good bishop had given himself to
fasting and prayer, by renewing his
supplication that day with great fervor
in the church,prostrate before the altar:
He begged that if Arius was in the
right, he himself might not live to see
the day of contest; but if the faith was
true that he professed, that Arius, the
1 author of all the evils, might suffer the
punishment of his impiety. The next
day teemed to he a triumphant one to
the Arians. The heads of the party
paraded through the city with Arius in
their midst, and drew the attention of
all toward them. When they came
.nigh to the forum of Constantine, a
sudden terror with extreme pain in the
bowels seized Arius. He fainted, and
in a few minutes expired with a fearful
hemorrhage. The place of liis death
was' memorable to posterity, and was
pointed out for many years.” Finally
a rich' Allan purchased the spot and
built a house upon it, that tho judgment
upon Arius might be forgotten. Thus
did God answer the prayer of the faithful
Christians of the fourth century.
EXTRACTS FROM THE JOURNAL OP
EEV. E. E. ADAMS,
DURING A VISIT TO THE ARMY OF THE
POTOMAC.
On the morning of Feb. 23. we set off
for the army. Met in the ears some ma
rines, who gladly took the reading mat
ter we offered, and listened to our Chris
tian advice. One among them, a boy,
had deserted, and was returned by Ins
mother. Ho was full of fun, regarding
his desertion as a good joke. Soldiers
gathered about me earnestly asking for
tracts and books. At the station of the
Christian Commission, we nu inhered five
in the ; little attic dormitory. Retiring
first, my heart went up grateful to Cod
for rest. The moon looked kindly in
through the windows, and stars peered
out from their far pavilions, as if beckon
ing me upward. It was blessed to feel
the calm of the hour, to have gone aside
from the noise and sin, and clashing of
the world, and he alone with night, with
heaven, with God. With these still serene
thoughts I sank to sleep.
“ O sleep, sweet sleep;
Whatever form thou takest, thou are fair.
Holding unto our lips thy goblet filled,
Out of oblivion’s well, a healing draught.”
Awaking at the sound of the bell, I
saw in the surrounding conches, wakers
like myself, We interchanged u good
morning .” “ We are ignorant of each
other’s names,” said I, “ but doubtless
on the same errand.” Whereupon one
after another sat, up and the introduction
went around: “ I am Mr. Adams from
Easton,” and “ I am Mr. Adams from
Philadelphia,” and “ I am Mr. Tenney
from Maine; and I am Mi-. from
Hew Hampshire,” and “ l am Mr.
from Connecticut.” And we laughed
for joy. “How,” said one, “let ns see
what we are ecclesiastically,” and .the
response began; “ f am H. S. Presby
terian,” and “l am 0. H,” and' “ lam
Congregational,” .“-I am a Methodist,”'
and lam n Covenanter and then wo
laughed again. Is not 'this a token of
the great hour, when the •• reveille ” shall
be sounded by angel trumpet.* awaking
dead millions to eternal dav? Wiil there
not be greetings and kit:''auctions, and
instructive views of life and character
and personality? Gathered g-G!!! .pj
quarters of tlie earth, from all branches
of the church, standing up together by
our deserted graves, shall we not know
tho oneness of all Christ s children ? It
.is pleasant to .meet men .as. we met in
that chamber... We haye no antagonisms.
We .see each other in our best mien, we
are communicative, We exchange our
best thoughts, and part with happy re
membrances. The work .of the Christian
Commission offers many, such occasions,
gives many such delightful introductions,
in and On the way to the camps. And
there will be hours in eternity for the
review of these meetings, as there will
be friendships also which were formed
in this casual, but providential manner.
Long shall I earrjk in my heart t p e j m _
ages of those whom these reunions
brought together.
ROMAN CATHOLIC AND PROTESTANT
CHURCH BUILDINGS IN THE WAR.
Bro'. Mears :—Your correspondent
J. L. L., writing from Chattanooga,
mentions a fact which is by no means
agreeable, either to truly loyal, or Pro
testant feeling. I refer to the especial
care of the commanding general, to pre
vent the use of a Homan Catholic church
for sheltering our sick and wounded sol
diers. This it seems was too sacred to be
used for such unnecessary purpose; and
hence a guard was detailed to keep itfrom
being so used, and that too, while pur
suffering soldiers were perishing for the
want of proper shelter! Roman Catho
lic churches are too holy to be used
save the lives of those who are fighting
for their country! To the commanding
general, a church of his faith, is a more
sacred thing, than the lives of the brave
boys who are fighting under him. The
suffering men are lost sight of in his
zeal for the church. And this is one of
the characteristics of popery. Of this,
the conduct of the Romish priests, at the
burning of the Jesuit’s church in Santi
ago, is an illustration. They could busy
themselves in Saving their idolatrous
trumpery, while thousands of their de
luded followers were perishing amid the
flames. And so, General Rosecrans
must preserve the church, at the expense
of the lives of the soldiers!
Protestant churches are cheerfully off.
fered when required, for the comfort of
our sick and wckmded soldiers. Com
manding officers do not hesitate to ap
propriate them for such a purpose ; but
holy 1 Roman Catholic church-buildings
must not be so desecrated! Out upon such
invidious discriminations. I knew an in
stance here in Kansas, where a Protest
ant church was : used last Winter, not to
shelter soldiers ' from the inclemency of
of the weather, but their horses; and,
I suppose, if such a thing had been done
to apapal church,there would have been
a terrible indignation all over the land
among the papal devotees, and their dear
friends, certain politicians who are ever
trimming their sails that they may catch
the popular breeze ; and, I suppose too,
that some of the dignitaries at Washing
ton would have written letters of sym
pathy and condolence on the occasion :
and perhaps Congress would have made
a special appropriation to heal the terri
ble desecration, and to pacify the papal
conscience.
G. W. M,
This is a Protestant H ation. Our re
ligion is the religion of the Bible; Roman
Catholics are not entitled to any peculiar
privileges ; and when some of our civil
and military officers show them special
favors, such become “ unsavory” to all
true Protestants. ’ S. 11. W.
DEATH OF DE. JONATHAN EDWAEDS,
Returning from Sabbath evening ser
vice recently, we passed a church whose
denomination we did not know, but
hearing a preacher’s voice, we quietly
stepped to the door ajar, and listened.
The theme was “Death, a benevolent
provision of the Almighty.” Among
the illustrations, was the removal of Dr.
Edwards, giving place to those who
would cast off his errors, and extend the
area of truth. The speaker said ear
nestly, “We are greatly in advance of
him! But for death, he would still
have been preaching up the lake of fire
&c.”—We do not, give with perfect ac
curacy, perhaps, the expression, but
nearly so. We looked at the young
man with a smile of incredulity. The
scholarly theologian, the devout and
eloquent preacher, dwarfed in the dis
tance, by a youthful divine, commanding
an audience of about 100 people! He
farther insisted, that each generation of
the race, was an improvement every
way on the preceding. We thought in
reference to such teachers, of David’s
holy irony f “He that sittoth in the
heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall
have them in derision.” 11.