PEOM OUR BOOHESTEE COBEESPON-
DEBT,
A CONTRAST
We have in this State a noble charity,
the Idiot; Asylum, located at Syracuse.
The superintendent, Dr. Wilbur, is a
man eminently qualified to have charge
of just such an institution, intelligent,
ingenious, patient, and persevering.
But it is not for absolute idiots , as many
seem to suppose, that this institution
was founded; but for children who are
of so low a grade of mind as to be ex
cluded from other schools. It is not in
tended for adults at all, nor for the mere
care of poor unfortunate youth, but for
the education of such as are capable of
making spine improvement, especially
so fair as to be;able to engage in some of
the humble employments of life, and so
take care of themselves.
Many that were entirely without edu
cation, and mainly, without the use of
their faculties, helpless, a burden to
themselves, and' to their friends, by this
patient process of training become in a
measure useful to society, and a comfort
to themseives. And although they are
still Of a low grade of mind, and able, it
may be, only to do a little farm work,
or house work, it is a great thing accom
plished. The number of children now
enjoying the advantages of this institu
tion is about one hundred and thirty—
the' , amount expended annually by the
State in the suppoft of the institution,
is about twenty thousand dollars. We
notice a proposition now before the Le
gislature to make the appropriation for
this year, twenty-one thousand, which is
all, doubtless, very well. We do not
object to the expense, We admire the
idea and the administration of the Idiot
Asylum. ,
But now for the contrast. The Ame
rican Board of Missions are expending,
as may be seen by their Annual Reports,
from seven to nine thousand dollars a
year in the support of the Micronesian
Mission. Inhere are four or. five mis
sionaries from this country, and six or
eight Hawaiiaris from the Sandwich Is
lands, who constitutethat mission. The
latter are supported, in part at least, by
the Sandwich Island churches, making
the entire cost of the mission, perhaps,
twelve or fifteen thousand dollars. Upon
the islands of Micronesia there are about
one hundred thousand inhabitants', na
turally a bright, active, and ingenious
people.' They are divided into four or
five different groups, speaking as many
distinct tongues. They had ten years
ago no Witten language, no books, no.
schools,, no just ideas of God, of righte
ousness, of a Saviour, or of eternity.
The Missionaries in this , brief period
have reduced four of their languages to
writing, have prepared books, established
schools, taught many hundreds, proba
bly thousands, of them to read and
write, have preached the gospei,Vhave'
gathered some converts, established
■ Christian churches, given them portions
of the Holy Scriptures translated in
their own tongues, and thus laid the
foundations for the civilization and
Christianization of this whole people,
and already those remote islanders are
manifesting great readiness to recive in
struction, They are getting some, of
the arts of civilized life. There are
qcute minds among them. They give
promise of an interesting future.
And yet th,ere, are, many who, > make
no objection to the liberal support of the
Idiot Asylum, that think it a great waste
of mopey t,o,send missionaries to. Micr
onesia. _ It m well enough ,to pay twenty
thousand ■ dollars a.year to‘ : givb only the
feeblest,hott o|- arf.e|ucatfoh tp one hun
dred and thirty idiots; but to pay ten or
twelve thousand dollars a year to send
the gospel, arid civilization, 1 'and every
blessing of earth and heaven, to one
hundred thousand fellow-beings in pos
session of their full faculties, capable of
enjoying all, 'and of keeping the inheri
tance forever that is quite another
thing.” So say we. And there are
words of perfect wisdom quite applicable
to the case — 11 These ought ye to have
done , AND NOT TO LEAVE THE OTHER UN
DDNE. . ' '
NEW YOBK STATE SUNDAY SCHOOLS.
A large pamphet, of one hundred and
forty-two pages, giving the “ Proceedings
of the Eighth Annual Convention of the
New York State Sunday School Teacher’s
Association,” has lain for some weeks
upon our table, deserving an earlier and
fuller notice, The pamphlet itself is a
mohuihent' to the energy and industry
of E. T. Huntington, Esq., the State
Secretary of the Association. It must
Jtave required much time and patient
toil to obtain a compile such a mass of
facts and incidents, illustrating the valua
of Sunday schools, and the extent to
which is in state their blessings are now
enjoyed. It must required an immense
amount of correspondence to bring these
facts together.
There are sixty countries in the State.
Reports, were obtained from some por
tions . at least of every one of them.
And out of 914* towns, 694 were heard
from, 43 more than in the previous year.
Total number of Sunday schools in the
-State, 4,895; total of teachers and
scholars 557,988; number of conver
sions for the year in fifty-five counties
8,812; being an increase of 2,500 over
the number reported in the previous
year.
But the pamphlet is not a mere mass
of day statistis, but a summary of the
proceedings of that exceedingly, interest
ing and enthusiastic meeting of the asso
ciation held in Troy last summer, with
an abstract of speeches and anecdotes
with which the deliberations of that ga
thering were so stirred and delighted.
It is a readable document, as well as in
structive and quickening. It ought to
be in the hands of every Sunday school
teacher in the State. No one. could
read it carefully without getting wisdom
faom its pages, and much for the
delightful work of guiding young minds
in’the way of Christian knowledge and
experience.
REVIVAL IN EAST BLOOMFIELD.
A delightful quickening has been at
work for some time in the interesting
and able parish of the Presbyterian
church in East Bloomfield. The pastor,
Rev. L. Conklin, has been aided some
by Rev. Dr. Kendall, of New York, who
was formally settled over this church
by Rev. F. Starr, Jr., of Penn Yan.
There has been no great or sudden
Movement, but a silent, progressive
work of some weeks’ duration, which has
greatly cheered the hearts of pastor and
people. It is hoped that some fifty or
more have passed from death unto life.
CHURCH IN -ELMIRA BURNED
Since writing the above, we get the
newb of a sad and disastrous fire in El
mira. The new church edifice, just
erected by the Ist Presbyterian Society,
in which the Sanitary Fair of the South
ern Tier of Counties was being held,
took fire at 6 o’clock on Friday evening,
and in a short time was .entirely con
sumed, together with its valuable con
tents. It is even feared that some of
the visitors in attendance upon the fair
were caught by the devouring element.
The church tcost $35,0,00; Insured for
ten or twelve thousand. ■"
Further particulars not yet received;
but this is enough to show that the dis
aster is a most serious one. The loss
of valuable articles must be great; and
it would seem as though it must neces
sarily break up the fair. And besides
the loss of twenty or twenty-five
thousand dollars to .the Society, whose
new house of worship is thus laid in
ruins, there must be a very inconvenient
and uncomfortable delay before another
can take its place. The Society, how
ever, is strong, and they have an.able
and energetic pastor, in the person of
Rev. Dr. Curtis, formerly of Adrian,
Mich., and will not, we are sure, suffer,
themselves to feel at aH 'discouraged or
seriously embarrassed., Another build
ing, as good as that whose fair propor
tions have So suddenly vanished, ‘we
doubt not, will soon take the place of
those unsightly, ruins. ; But the church
will have much sympathy in its tempo
rary loss. '
.Genesee.
Rochester, March. 18iA, 1864.
PB.OM OUR LONDON CORRESPONDENT.
London, March 6th, 1864.
There is just now a pause in events
and We are waiting for the results of
silent diplomacy, Which'is busily .work-;
ing .underground, but must soon give
the history of its movements to the.
open day. Galicia haß been declared
by Austria to be in a state of siege;
the avowed reason being the condi
tion of affairs in Poland, and for a day
or two the impression has been gain
ing ground, that this indicates a secret
understanding between Russia and the
great German Powers —in other words
O
another Holy Alliance of Despotism
to put down and crush out freedom iff!
Europe. This has altered our prospects
in England since I last wrote : for it is
felt that we cannot see such a confede
racy let loose upon the Continent with
out interfering. In Prance the public
feeling is even stronger, and a spirit is
rising which will soon break out into
irresistible flame. The entente cor diale
between us and Prance is not perfect,
and the Emperor hangs back from uni
ted action becauseiour present ministry
has proved itself so vwtrustworthy and
PHILADELPHIA, THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 1864.
' vacillating in its diplomatic projects
and arrangements. But the inevitable
force of circumstances is driving the
two governments together, and I should
not be surprised if within the next fort
night —especially if the Germans gain
any successes —you hear of most im
portant movements. One thing may
come between —I mean the dissolution,
which in the present condition and
temper of the House of Commons may
occur any moment. But gradual y and
surely the current of opinion i i this
country is verging towards something
more than diplomatic objurgation
Tliose peaceful articles in the
which is quite a tool of certain pe
have merely been to gain tim
now the Morning Post which, at
know, has the credit of being “ i
ed” by Lord Palmerston himse
come out with a warlike article c
;ing that dark days are impending
that now the great battle of 1
principles against despotic power |
be fought out, and the knights ai
be the kingdoms of Europe. 11
that thepeople of America have 10l
upon England with more than s!
cion that she favored the intole
doctrines of- the Continental Md
ehies, and that they have been r<
to form of Russia a higher opinion
with her a closer union, because
civil expressions of sympathy wen
their hearts; hut I am certain i
should you see ns in conjunction ’
the great, free, civilized powers
gaged in the defence and propaga
of liberal policies, you will bel:
better that-, with all our conduct
regard to the American war, and
our diplomatic vagaries, we are noi
the degraded and declining state
which your analysis of our public t
timent is apt to place us, but are
heart and indeed true to Christian
and Freedom, and Progress. Almo
countryman of both .countries, I dei
to draw the attention of ArnerL
friends to this opinion
DEATH OF SIR WILLIAM BROWN. I
i ought to mention here, that it lmy
be published through the medium if
your widely-circulating columns, t e
death of Sir William Brown, a m q
as well known perhaps in America, s
in England and known everywhe 5
with honor. The energy, the industr ,
the talent and probity which signal!
belong to his family, and of which yo .
have now living in America distil ■
guished specimens, were singularly e; -
einplified in the'deeeased baronet. '■ Ei
liberality and the" pride that he too:
in acts of improvement and charitj,
will secure for him a. long remembrancV
in the mind and heart of posterity\
Such a life and death as his give us
a higher idea of humanity.
Mr. Jowett is creating quite a dis
turbance again at Oxford. He holds
the Greek Professorship, to which is
attached the income of £4O a year.
The government has the appointment
and placed him there in 1855. He has
since then published some of his'hereti
cal books. Now, a few “advanced
liberals in politics and theology” have
proposed to pass a statute of the Uni
versity giving Mr. Jowett £360 a year
additional out of the University coffers.
Most orthodox people object to his
being in the professorship at all, and
this is not the first excitement he has
occasioned, but the conservatives are
strongly moved in the matter, and
many of the professors at Oxford have;
issued a circular cohdeming the pro
posed statute and urging opposition to
it. “How is'it possible,” they ask,
“for Mr.' Jowett with his avowed opin
ions'and as one of the' chief contribu
tors to ‘ Essays and Reviews’ to dis
charge his duty?” ' Well may they ask..
But how is it possble, we may ask,'to
make him do his duty? The church
sees her own, .difficulty but cannot get
over it.
The following circular has been issued
during the week, and is an important
fact in the passing history of the decline
and fall of the Church of England:
The Committee appointed, at a meet
ing held in Oxford, on Thursday, Eeb.
25,1804, have drawn up the following
Declaration, which is in course of circu
lation among the clergy:
“ We, the undersigned presbyters and
deacons, in holy orders of the Church of
England and Ireland, hold it to be our
bounden duty to the Church of England
and Ireland, and to the souls of men, t.o
declare our firm belief that the Church
of England and Ireland, in common with
the whole Catholic Church, maintains
without reserve or qualification the in
spiration and Divine authority of the,
whole canonical Scriptures,* as not only,
containing but- bemg the Word of Cod
and further teaches,t in the words of
our blessed Lord, that the “punish
ment” of the “ cursed ” equally with the
“life” of the “righteous” is everlast
ing.” ||
* Homily on Information far them which
take offence at certain places of Holy Scripture.
Pp. 236—244. (4t0.; Edit.)
f Art. vi:, vii., viii.,xvii.,;xx., m 3., xxir.,
xxvi., xxviii., xxxiv., xxxvii. , _ “
J Athan, Creed,; Litany ; Catechism, com
minitation, Burial Service.
|| Matthew xxy. 41—46.
THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND,
Signatures to be sent to tlic Secreta
•y, Committee-room. 3, St. Aldgatc’s Ox
brd.
NAMES OF COMMITTEE.
U. C. Clerko. I>. IX, Archdeacon of
Oxford.
R. L. Cotton. D. D.. Provost of Wor
cester College.
G. A. Denison, M. A. Archdeacon of
Taunton.
W. R. Fremantle, M. A., Rector of
Claydon.
F. K. Leighton, D. D., Warden of All
Souls’ College.
J. C. Miller, D. D., St. Martin’s Bir
mingham.
E. B. Pusey, D. D., Regius Professor
of Hebrew.
In Scotland or America, men retaining
these opinions, and assured by solemn
ecclesiastical and juridical determination
that they were not correct in the “ firm
belief,” would retire from the Church.
We shall see whether they do more than
make this weak exhibition.
■sons,
s, but
you
lSpir
f, has
pelar
f-and
OTHER ITEMS.
beral
a to
e to
The Brownley Bequest turns but to
be more than at first stated, and is
somewhere between £35,000 and £40,000.
It is all to go to the College, though it
was left to four trnstees, of whom Dr.
Hamilton is one, to use as they like.
The Doctor has written to the “ Weekly
Review,” to say that it will all be re
quired for the original purpose.
Another important Presbyterian meet
ing is announced for Tuesday week,
March .15th, at St.'James’ Hall, at which
, Earl Dalhonsie is to preside. This
meeting is under the auspices of the
English Presbyterian "Church, and on
behalf of their Church Extension scheme.
So, you will see, Presbyterianism is not
torpid here. Energy is reviving, and
we are determined on progress.
Professor Owen, who is one of the few
that unite the man’ of science and the
Christian, recently gave a lecture to the
Young Men's Christian Association, on
“The Power of God in his Animal
Creation.” What is the disgust of the
Evangelical public, to find that contempt
ible paper, “ The British Standard,” (?)
ruthlessly imputing “ Saddueeeism,”
* Infidelity,” and so on to the good pro
professor, and calling him a “ bone-grub
ber,” [a “ scientific chiffonier ” ! Verily,
some of our proffessedly Christian sheets
are our shame and disgrace; and the
worst of them come from the sanctified
radicals, who call themselves “Indepen
dents ! Adelpho s .
now
iked
spi
■ant
; a
lire
THE MISSION AT EOLAPOOR.
Rev. R. G. Wilder writes as follows,
under date of January 25th, 1864, to
the Committee in charge of the Kola
poor Mission, India:
Dear Brethren, —With this I send
you our accounts for another year,
which I trust you will find intelligible
.and satisfactory.
\ You will notice the generous dona-
ttons of our India friends and thank
(rod with us on their behalf. The
amount they have given to help us in
our work, viz., Rs. 1585,15,0, is even
2 reater than it was last year.
The avails of “Mission Schools in
udia,” (Rs. 196.00,) and the Rs. 45 re
lived for vernacular tracts and books
Id, are both gratifying items to us.
Our balance in hand, viz., Rs. 624.
a, is reduced very low. Our expenses
now, while building our chapel, are
fully Rs. 600 a month, and we have al
ready given orders on Dr. Campbell for
$1168.30 which are not credited in this
account because not yet realized.
We, again'find ourselves able to credit
half our house rent, viz., Rs. 300.00 to
the Mission, which, with last year’s in
terest, makes a little “ permanent fund”
of Rs. 618.00. '
j We have;heard nothing more of the
“ Legacy of $1000,” but hope it may
have been paid to our agent'by this
time, less the’income tax, which we
grudge not to our noble government, in
Ser life' and death struggle with that
gigari tic- rebellion.
We h a F O had much that is trying and
discouraging in our work the past year,
And yet we have much reason to thank
God for the measure of blessing He has
bestowed. Three adults have been
added to our little church by profes
sion, and our, preaching and schools are
pretty well attended. The foundations
Of our chapel are now laid, and we pro
pose to prosecute the work so long as
the Lord sends us means to do so. But
a brief printed report will fellow this as
soon as ready and give details.
We have a trial in the continued
lameness and failing health of our little
boy, (Willie, five years old,) and have
become so anxious about him that dear
wifevhas taken him to Bombay for med
ical help. : She left on the 22th inst,
with Willie and the two younger chil
dren. She has to travel to Poona 150
miles, in an ox-gharry or cart, at about
twelve miles a day. I hope she is in
Poona by this time, but am not yet able
to hear. It has been hard to let her go
off alone on such a joprney, but I could
not go without suspending all our Mis
sion; work, leaving our little flock
among these heathens without a shep
herd, and delaying our much needed
chapel a whole year, May the Lord ac
cept us in this act and bless means for
the restoration of the dear child. Let
us share your prayers fotf ourselves and
our Mission. In the service of the Gos
pel, yours sincerely.
P. S. The pirate “ Alabama” is off
the coast south of Bombay, having de
stroyed the American ship “ Emma
Jane.”
HELP POR THE CHEROKEES.
We are allowed to publish the follow
ing letter from the Bev. S. B. Treat, of
Boston, to Wm. B. Staples, Esq. It
shows that the appeal of the Cherokees
for charity has the approbation of the
American Board, by whose agency the
nation received civilization and Christi
anity:
Mission House Boston, Feb. 26,1864.
Rear Sir: —Tours, of the 20 th, X have
duly received, with the Appeal of Mr.
Boss. I am happy to say
Herald will contain a notice of this ap
peal. The attention of your friends
will be called to the subject of affording
relief to the suffering Cherokees. If you
see Mr. Boss, please to apprise him of
our readiness to aid him in this matter.
At the same time assure him of my
kindest regards.
:In January, 1848, I had a conversa
tion with him, at his house, on the inju
ry which slavery was inflicting upon his
people. We agreed perfectly in respect
to this matter; and we also agreed in
not seeing how deliverance was to come.
It has come, at length, in a manner that
neither of us could have imagined.
Very respectfully yours,
S. B. Treat.
J. W. Staples, Esq. '
A PRESBVTERIAN PAIR,
The Ladies of the First Presbyterian
Church of Manayunk intend to open a
Fair, for the sale of useful and fancy ar
ticles, in the Temperance Hall, in Man
ayunk, on Easter Monday, March 28—
to continue throughout the week. In
dispensable repairs and improvements
in their Church building induce them to
make this effort; and as the work will
involve an outlay of about $3,000, we
hope that our friends in the city will
encourage the effort as far as possible.
Steam cars leave 9th and Green Sts.
4
frequently through the day; and horse
cars run, via. Bidge Avenue, every 20
minutes. The Hall is near both the car
depots in Manayunk.
(Mtotiai firms.
THE GOVERNMENT DETERMINED.
The manifest purpose of the govern
ment, including its legislative branch,
is to bring the war to a close by the
campaign now about to open. They
are determined'to throw into it such
an accumulation of energy, resources
and skill as will, provide against any
failure which might result from want
of either. Gen. Grant, the incarnation of
Western energy and the most success
ful military leader since the wars of
Napoleon, has been placed at the head
of the army, and a vast army is being
summoned into the field by offers of
bounty and by the promise of a draft;
a half a million of men was called for,
some months ago, and as there was a
possible deficiency of numbers, even
with ’this immense reinforcement, for
carrying out the decisive measures con
templated by the administration—to
make assurance doubly sure, two hun
dred thousand more are asked from the
people. Nearly three quarters of a
million of fresh men, many of whom are
experienced in warfare, will thus be
added to the immense forces already in
the service. The advantages enjoyed
by the rebels in the, shorter lines of
communication and facilities for a more
rapid concentration, of troops, will be
overcome by the decided numerical
superiority of the national forces, and a
reserve will, be at hand to reinforce
such parts of the army as may be in
critical circumstances; neither of these
important points seem hitherto to have
received proper attention from the au
thorities. We have allowed ourselves
to be outnumbered as recently as at the
battle of Olustee; and the victory of
Gettysburg, resembling Waterloo in
many respects, would according to Mr.
Everett, have been a rout of Lee’s army
as complete as that of Napoleon; “ if on
the evening of the third day, Gen. :
Meade, like the Duke of Wellington,
had had a powerful auxiliary army to
take up the pursuit.” >
Our people should receive these late
measures of the government, including
its call for two hundred thousand, more
men, as indications of a purpose, con
ceived upon a survey of the entire posi
tion, to put forth, without reserve,
whatsoever degree of energy is neces
sary to the immediate suppression of
the rebellion. The grandest marshall
ing of military forces yet made, is now
in rapid progress; the already exceed
ingly formidable navy is receiving con
stant accessions; ordinance of a calibre ex
ceeding even the monster guns already
tried are‘going through the last stages of
preparation ; armies are being reorgan
ized and placed under tried commanders,
and with the blessing o£, God, which
may the more confidently be expected
when men diligently use the means
already placed In their hands, the com
ing Summer will see the rebellion reel
ing under even heavier blows than those
inflicted last summer; while the assailed
Bepublic comes forth secure from the
final perils of the conflict.
B. G. Wilder.
Let ns brace ourselves for the final
shock with the determination which
newly animates our Government. Let
us cordially second its great purposes.
Let us once more respond to its calls?
for men and money, and above all, let
us pray most earnestly' that the war
may this sumrattf culminate in overt
whelming vietory.
“ABOUNDING IN THIS GRACE AJ.SO”
The Trustees of Green Hill Church,
on Girard Avenue, in this city, have
added the liberal sum of $7OO, to the
salary of the pastor, Bev. F. L. Bobbins,
an addition warranted by the increased
income of the church. It will be re
membered that a large sum has recently
been expended by this enterprising peo
ple, in liquidating the debt, in beautify
ing the interior of the building and
in purchasing a bell. None of our con
gregations have recently given more
abundant evidence of growth in the
grace of liberality than this. The not
unusual attendant of liberality—an en
couraging degree of spiritual merest—is
also reported as prevailing.
The Sacramental occasion on the 20th
inst., in the Third Presbyterian Church
in this city, was one of unusual interest.
The body of the church was completely
filled with communicants, among whom
were a score or more, who came from
other altars, to their former spiritual
home ; a beloved member of tne church
was dying; and fourteen persons, in
cluding an old man of seventy-six years,
were admitteed by profession of faith.
The pastor, who had spent much of the
day in the chamber of death, was af
fected deeply, and the Holy Spirit was
sensibly present, in the impressive con
currence of circumstances.
The Pastor.
Under the above heading the Watch~
man and Reflector, justly shows the ab
surdity of claiming, as “ liberal” papers
do, that the evangelical ministry is
compromising with error, or changing
their position injregard to ijeaehers of op
posing systems of faith, because Bev. Dr.
Worcester of Salem, preached recently
in a Universalist pulpit. As if, from the
ministry of Christ till now, his ambas
sadors had not been ready to declare
his truth anywhere, when there was
hope of doing good. It is quite another
thing to exchange pulpits, and thus wipe
out vital distinctions in matters of re
ligion.
On account .of the steady advance in
prices of material and labor, we shall
be obliged on the Ist of April, to cut off
a number of copies of the paper sent
gratuitously to Chaplains in the army.
The means generously contributed to
Bupply others, will also be almost en
tirely exhausted at that time. Those
who are desirous of assisting in keeping
up this supply, will please send in their
contributions without delay.
Those who desire to send papers
through the Christian Commission will
indicate it in their contributions.
Rev. Thqs. S. Johnston, late of the Man
tua Church, in this city, has accepted a
call to the English Speaking German
Reformed Church, of Lebanon, Pa., late
Rev. H. Harbaugh’s. We regret to part
with our friend and fellow-laborer, and
cordially wish him success in his new
field.
Mr. W. E. Baxter, M. P., whose ad
dress in favor of Presbyterian Union is
referred to in anotherpart of this paper,
is aCongregationalist. He takes ground
in favor of Presbyterian Union, against
Mr. Adam Black, also an “ M. P.,” who
had expressed his views at the late
meeting of the Congregational Union,
Mr. Black expressed his fear of the
political power which would be wielded
by the United Presbyterian bodies.
Mi-. Baxter was prepared to welcome
Presbyterian Union, as a great triumph
to the cause of non-conformity.
Cart. Speke, the distinguished ex
plorer of the Nile, offers 100£ towards
the expenses of & mission aiy to the
Wahuma Kingdom on the upper watei’3
of that river. Missionary Societies may
receive valuable hints from a letter of
this gallant Captain, published in the
Christian Work for March, in which im
portant points for missionary operations
are indicated and great interest in the
Work of missions and.the suppression of
the slave-trade expressed.
AN INTERESTING COMMUNION.
“ THANKFUL FOR SMALL FAVORS.”
PAPERS FOR THE ARMY.
REMOVAL OF REV. T. S. JOHRSOR.