114 foierrgpottnut, TOTAL ABSTINENCE AS A TERM OF CHUM MEMBERSHIP.' Has a church, or the session of a church, aright or power to refuse an applicant for church membership, on the ground that:he uses intoxicating drinks as a beverage or trafficks in them ? Time was when such a question was easily answered .by the almost universal voice of the Christian world in the affir mative. The wisdom of such a decis sion is now called in question, in this wide and desolating declension in the Temperance cause. It is admitted that churches and sessions should be very careful in guarding against the evils of intemperance, and to be very important to protect the youth against the indul gence of the intoxicating cup. But to prohibit tipplers and venders from com ing into the Christian church, would be applying a test of membership which is not authorized by the Constitution, and therefore not expedient. It is not to be one of the evidences against a man's piety that he either drinks or sells in. toxicating drinks. lle may be rejected because his faith on some non-essential point doesi not harmonize with the creed of the church. But if you require a man to say he will not use intoxicating drinks or deal in them, as qualifications for membership, the church or session transcends their powers. Now, Mr. Editor, we enter our decided protest against such folly and Such be trayal of the interests of Christ's cause. The same course of false expediency as marked the early temperance move ments, is- indicated in this opposition to ecclesiastical action. There were churches, ministers and laymen, who' thus started technical objections to pledges by themselves and churches. But, in most cases, they yielded to the pressure of the conviction, that the church of God must first purify itself, and stand out boldly in defence of total abstinence from the use and the traffic. The minister or officer of the church, who withheld his name and influence; was ranked on the side of the tippler, thoughhe mightbe a temperate man. We all know how painful to the lovers of hu manity was the attitude of such a one,and how detrimental to the interests of piety Of tho-olatmahoo. the churnhes who refused to admit mem bers, who were of doubtful sobriety, or which amounted to the same thing, who would not give up their cups or who would sell to those neighbors, the poison, were , mighty in their influence to put down intemperance in the community. They cut off members who violated their pledges or covenant to abstain, for it is simply a part of the covenant to which they assented in joining the church, added from the necessity 'of the times. , The records of these churches went up to the Presbyteries. These records were re viewed and generally approved. These bodies of ministers and laymen did not pass sweeping censures upon theehurchCß for their fidelity in this matter, but con sidered such action in accordance with a special mission, to watch over their spiritual interests. The Presbyterian form' of Government authorizes the ses sion in so many words, " to concert the best measures for, promoting the spiri tual interests of the congregation," sub ject to the jurisdiction of the higher courts, and yet having a discretionary power to devise measures adapted to their particular necessities. Besides, these higher courts encour aged the churches 'in this action, by their own urgent measures in reference to the same subject. This * will appear from a reference to the proceedings of the General Assemblies of the Presby terian church for a number of years. I will quote from the Minutes as I find them in the Digest. The first mention of the subject before General Assembly, was in the year 1811, when a committee was appointed " to devise measures to prevent some of the numerous and threatening mischiefs which are experienced throughout our country, by the excessive and intemper ate use of spirituous liquors," and " re port to the next Assembly." That re port which. was made the next year, recommended to " all ministers of the Presbyterian church in the United States, to deliver public discourses as often as circumstances may render it expedient on the sin and mischief of in temperate drinking, &c." The idea of total abstinence hadnot yet been enter tained by the church or community. They further report "that it be enjoin ed on all church sessions, that they exercise a special vigilance and care over the conduct . ..of all persons in the communion of their respective churches with regard to this Sin, by private warn ing and remonstrance, and by public censure to purge the church of a sin so encrnint°; "Ministers and. other officers and members are requested to diffuse addresses, sermons, tracts and other printed compositions on the sub ject." Officers and members are " re quested to take measures for reducing the number of taverns and other places of vending liquors by small measure." This action was taken fifty-two years ago. " In 1818 the evils of intemperance are enlarged upon in the pastoral letter. The officers and members of our Church are urged to abstain even from the com mon use of ardent spirits." An 1828 the Assembly commends the " Ameri can Society for the 'Promotion of Tem perance.' " The same year, they ap point the fourth Thursday of January, 1829, a day of fasting, humiliation and prayer, with special reference to this sin." How appropriate woyld be such a fast at the, present time, in view of the fearful ravages of intemperance, more terrible in the sacrifice of human life, than the desolations of war now afflict ing our country, beside the sacrifice of property. Then consider the moral rain of the hundreds of thousands, who sink into a drunkard's grave and its un paralleled obstacles to the success of the Gospel; and who can say we ought not as a church and nation, to humble ourselves for our indifference and refusal as ministers and laymen, to put forth our energies in imitation of our fathers in this cause? In 1829, the General Assembly unani mously adopted the following resolu tions, which embraced for the - first time, the doctrine of total abstinence from Ardent. Spirits. The milder drinks were not eXcluded as yet : That they cordially approve, and re joice in the formation of temperance societies, on the principle of entire ab stinence from, the use of ardent •spirits, that they deeply deplore the apathy manifested by many professing Chris tians toivards the cause of temperance, and especially do they grieve and won der that members of our, churches, in view of an evil so desolating and so aw ful in its prospective bearings on all the interests of our country, should not only take no part in the exertions of their brethren and fellow-citizens against in temperance,but by using and trafficking in ardent spirits, be actively engaged in promoting it." `This samo'fact we are called to grieve .over now in the latter put of the, - L nine teenth century. The General Assem bly also 4 5 earnestly recommends the forming of temperance societies in the congregations under their care; and the principle of entire abstinence from the use of ardent spirits." Row would it look for the same Assembly after pas. sing such an earnest recommendation, to say to these churches : You must not require members to abstain, but receive them into your fellowship; form tem perance societies on the principle of the total abstinence, out of the church, but not in it. If tipplers and venders insist on coming into the church, you must admit them. To exclude them would be to require a special test, which our form of Government does not require, nor is it expedient. The next , year, 1830, the Assembly passed similar . resolutions. In 1834, they expressed their views of the traffic in this resolution. Besolved, That the traffic in ardent spirits, to be used as a drink by any people, is, in our judgment, morally wrong, and ought to be regarded as such, by the churches of Yesus Christ universally. - This is applying a new test. The Meaning is, that the church should dis cipline any one who trafficked in ardent spirits; the advanced state of public opin ion, and the enlightened judgment of the Christian church now demanding it. in 1832, the 'General Assembly says : " No church can shine as a light in the . 'world, while she openly sanctions and sustains any practices which are so evi dently destructive of the best interests of nociety." In 1840, the General As sembly endorses total abstinence from all that will intoxicate, and urges the members of churches to 'evince " in their whole lives a standing and unvarying • exemplification - of the oily true princi ple of temperance, total abstin.ence from. everything that will intoxicate." In the years 1545 and ?55, the General As sembly commends : the efforts_ for pro , hibitory laws in all the States, . and " earnestly recommends to the minis ters and congregations in our connec tion, and to all others, to persevere in vigorous efforts, until laws shall be . enacted in every State and Territory of our beloved country prohibiting entirely the traffic," i&-e. This is sufficient to show that the Presbyterian Church has been speaking forth for many years, and urging her ministers and members to activity in arresting • the evils of intemperance. And now shall the churches be put back and censured for doing the very thing which they have been urged to , do, on the oft-refuted, technical, objection of making a now test, which we.contend church has a constutional right to dp, when such a sin as intemperance is desolating it ? This right appears to be conceded in the action of large ec- •; I i ; Eli IT 'l l APRIL 14, 1864. clesiastical bodies by their resolutions, recommendations and injunctions on various specific evils, General Assem blies of the Presbyterian church, espec ially, have from time to time, recom mended and enjoined upon the churches to allow of no promiscuous dancing by their members; that it was a disciplina ble offence. Slavery has been declared so with certain exceptions. Gambling, lotteries, betting, duelling, bigamy; Salk bath desecration and intemperance, are all subjects of special deliverances to the churches for their action and censure's: And shall not the church, with the itei cumulated experience of half a century; protect herself against such a debasing sin, by so guarding the avenues to her portal, that no one who uses and trafficks in these drinks, shall enter, knowing full well that intemperance enters with such Very generally ? = This subject demands the most serious attention. There should be no embarrassments thrown in the way •of churches contending against this evil, :without, the best of raasons. Our judicatories should rather sympathize with and help them to vit rify Zion from this evil. R. D. PULPIT ELOQUENCE OP ITALY. [TRANSLATED FROM A GERMAN RELIGIOUS PERIODICAL.] • (CONCLUDED.) The first part was designed to con fute Luther's doctrine of justification. "Luther laid down the proposition, that man is justified by faith alone; and why? Because he himself had no plea sure in doing good works and because he sought popularity by tolerating all sorts of immorality. The Protestants need but to believe, and they can live as they list; the madder, the better. Be hold Protestantism stripped of its dis guise !" In the second part, , he under took to show that Christians must do good works. - But nnder this head, he borrowed all his ideas from the very Protestantism which, in the first part, he had so scandalously abused. " Think not that praying Ave Marias and Pater-, nosters, to give alms and to confess are such works as earn the reward in heaven. Alas! too many of you do no more than these external works and live as if you were Protestants. But the Scripture says: 'Whatsoever is not of faith, is sin.' Only when your works have a re ward." He closed the - tau an appropriate anecdote. "And now should the Protestants approach you to convert you •to their faith, give them the answer that a Catholic Englishman gave to a Protestant grenchman : 'You have abolished the mass, confession and good works, now abolish hell too and I am your man.' " This preacher was ex ceedingly popular since be brought. the entire force of the Italian eloquence to bear upon popular topics, such as : Co vetousness, the Law of Forgiveness, Woman, Envy, Principal Errors in Edu cation, &c. Often when he came from the chancel the people would kiss his hand and his cowl. Besides, there was a marked differ ence noticeable between the ecclesiasti cal stiffness of the Romish preachers generally, and this Monk's lively and penetrating denunciation of the errors of Catholicism. In a sermon against selfishness, he said : " Should I tell you that you are possessed with selfishness, you would refuse to admit it and punish me for lying. And yet from the moun tains to the valleys, from the throne of the king to the altar of God, everything is marked with this sin. Even in the heart of the priest who ministers at the altar lives this love of self." And picturing the earth under the image of a golden temple, he went on : " Methinks the earth a golden temple, and in it stands upon a golden altar a golden image, and before the image kneel in God-dishon oring worship, innumerable throngs of aged and young persons, men and wo men ; and the image is mammon, the , god of gold. But in the recesses of this temple, I hear weeping, complain ing and mourning. What means this weeping, complaining and mourning ? Oh ! it is sorrowing daughters whom avaricious fathers have put into the cloister, that the poor deceived ones may mourn their beautiful youth stolen from them." In Rome it would be impossible to utter such things. Farthest in his po litical opposition to Rome went an Au gustine monk whom we heard in Naples on Emmanuel's birth-day. His subject was Italy; the three divisions were (1) Italy has arisen, (2) Italy is awake, (3) Italy is. " Italy has arisen from long, slumber, through the power of the genius which dwells in her—alive, that may be put to sleep, but not killed. To day we celebrate the birth-day of the re gatantuomo, the hero of a hundred battles, who woke up Italy. Italy has indeed arisen, yet not entirely.., T;he heart is yet wanting Rome. There pulses a bad, confused life, inimical to the interests of the people; the arm is yet wanting : Venice. But it will not be long ere heart and arm will be part of another body, and Italy will be free and united." The civil authorities pro tect such language; and there prevails among the lower orders of the clergy, who bear all the toil and privation, a great and lowering indignation at the pride and wealth of the higher prelates. The examples thus given prove that this sort of preaching cup rarely be to edify. The:ltalian pulpit eloqu:ence of the Catholic Church of to-day is with few exceptions, declamation ; and if it does undertake at times to reprove im morality, the hearers are rather regaled than edified by the representation. Preaching comes from faith; but faith com.es from the Word of God. Herein lies the deepest reason for the abSence of all true preaching from the pulpit eloquence of Italy. HELP FOR THE FREEDMEN AND UNION REFUGEES. ST, Lotris,l4.s,Rar. 23, 1864. DEAR BRO. MEAas.—Please give a place in your columns, and call the at tention of your readers, to the accom panying circular. You will see that it Presents a new feature of the great Fair ,movement, which cannot fail to interest many of your readers. I know that ,they have been appealed to again and wain, but I am sure that if they could - see the necessities of these sufferers, they would still wish to do more for them. o previous fair has embraced in its objects, these classes of sufferers. The oofdial assent of our managers to give this Department a place, seems to me to mark a gratifying advance of public opinion in the right direction. The Western Sanitary Commission care alike for white and colored troops, and now they seek to provide alike for white and colored refugees—for whites made homeless, and impoverished, because they would not be rebels, and for blabks made free, but homeless by the war which is to utterly abolish slavery. It is matter . of regret, that we did not secure this department earlier, so as to give our friends more time. But it is matter of gratitude that mie have it secured, and efficiently organized. Will not our friends help us make it a decided success'? You are to have a Fair soon in Phila delphia, I do- not forget—but notwith ., . • . • -•- . : • standing.that, cannot your citizenssend .. • e art- 'ment'? lam happy to be able to' say, that the executive committee have adopted the advice of the Western Sani tary Commission, to have no raffling, but to dispose of all goods, in ordinary commercial -.methods, at fair market values. The Fair is to commence May . 17, and continue two weeks. - 'Fraternally, H. A. NELSON. ST. Louis, Mo., March 17th, 1864 FREEDMEN'S AND UNION REFUGEES' DE PARTMENT OF THE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY SANITARY FAIR.--- . - CirMar.—Th Et war for the Union has shaken the prison of slaveiy tolts foundations, and is to de molish it utterly., - Many thousands of slaves are liberated. The nation has accepted the able-bodied men among them as soldiers; and they are surpassing all' expc,ctations by their good conduct.' The families of these accepted defenders of the Republic are homeless; are un ulaed to the responsibilities of freedom; are destitute of all things. They must be fed; they-must be protected, ,in structed; and as rapidly as possible uided to positions of self support, and t tight. the methods, the, moralities,- and t e happiness of virtuous homes. For e time being, large same of money Ind much benevolent labor are needful !for these ends. Voluntary associations shave been organized and have earnestly !and harmoniously co-operated in this work.. Such are the Freedmen's Aid Society of St. Louis; (at first called the Contraband Relief Society,) the Freed men's Aid Society of Cincinnati, and sinailar associations at the east. The Western Sanitary Commission, in the prosecution of its noble work for the army and navy, has been brought in direct contact with the multitude of freed people who have taken refuge within our army lines, and has provi dentially found itself able to act most efficiently and comprehensively in co operation with the Government and with the voluntary associations, for the benefit of these poor people. The Presi dent of that Commission, James E. Yeatman, Esq., has lately made investi gations, and has aided the officers of Government in the improvement of its methods fbr.employing, protecting and -elevatinz. the freed people, which are . engaging the interested attention of the benevolent in all the land. There are also thousands of homeless whites, made so by the rebellion. These Union refugees are in great numbers, and in utter destitution, at different places within our army lines, especially in St. Louis. They have come from Missouri Arkansas, Tennessee, Ala bama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas, and many of them_have endured hard ships almost incredible, in escaping from the homes out of which they have been driven because they hated "treason and *ere hated by traitors. Great numbers of this unfortunate class of loyal citizens have been clothed, fed, sheltered, and forwarded to their fri6nds in the loyal States, or returned to their homes as our military lines have =been extended. In this work the Commission have acted partly as agents of the Government., and partly with funds entrusted to them for such uses. The demand for aid to the Union Refugees will be necessarily of short duration; and 'if the freed people are but treated with jUstice, generosity will not long be needed. But for the current year, during the transition pe riod, there is more than enough to do, and all the funds that the largest phi lanthrepy, can spare will - find profitable employment. In eleVating four millions of slaves to the condition of freemen, all the zeal and liberality of a Christian community will find room to work. These statements are made to show that this special department of relief has a legitimate - place in the Mississippi Valley Sanitary Fair. By unanimous vote of its Executive Committee, a- special Department -has been: assigned to the interests of Freed men and Union Refugees, and a. com mittee has been appointed to take charge of this Departnient, in the reception acid disposal of goods; and for all other pur poses connected with it, in the conduct of the Fair. Contributions of money, of articles for sale in the Fair, and of such as can be directly used, are most ear nestly solicited. All packages must be specially direct. ed to "The Freedmen's and, Union Refugees' Department of the Mississippi Valley Sanitary Fair," and donors will be careful to designate clearly, whether their contributions are "for Freedmen," or "for Refugees," or for both at the discretion of the Western Sanitary Com mission. All contributions will be sa credly appropriated to the object indi cated. Committee :—Rev. H. A. Nelson, D. D., Rev. Henry Cox, Rev. Wm. G. Elliott, D. D., Rev. W. H. Corkhill , Rev. T. H. Post,D. D., Rev. G. Anderson, Wyllys King, A. J. Conant, Sas E. Yeatman, Brig. Gen. W. A. Pile, Hon. F. A. Dick, Lucien Eaton, W. C. Wilcox, S . H. Par ker. Note.—All goods and packages, of whatever kind, should be distinctly marked with the name of the donor and place from which sent, and directed James E. Yeatman, St. Louis, Mo., (For M. V. S. Fair, F. & Tr. "R. Dep't.) And bill of lading or ,other -proper notice should at the same time be sent by mail to Major Alfred Mackay, Corresponding Secretary, &e., St. Louis, Mo. Com mittee rooms, No. 10 Linell Hotel. Donations of money are specially solicited, and should be sent by mail or express to Samuel Copp, Jr., Treasurer, &c., St. Louis, with specific directions for F. & U. R. Department. A SECULAR PAPER ON EXCITEMENT IN RELIGIOUS AWAKENINGS. The Springfield Republican, of Massa chusetts, has an editorial from the pen of Dr. Holland ("Timothy Titcomb,") on revivals; suggested by_ the work of graco in' - that . city; - and thetriticisms- of conee'rva pointedly the timid and, it seems unscriptural spirit not unfrequently seen in the statement respecting a revival, that "it was free from all excitement." &rely, •this Would have been a singular note to; the apostolic account of the day of Pentecost. The Republican says : " It is a very pretty thing for fine re ligious people to sit - in their, parlors and protest against excitement in religion. To them religion is a delicate flower, whose fragrance, is to be inhaled in se cret and whose beauty is never to be exposed. Bat. the world is never to be moved and saved . from its sins in this way. The world is wicked. The world is selfish and proud and thoughtless and vain,and dillettinteisni in religion will do - nothing for it. * *. * * "It would be well for those who are fearfaiof the results of religious excite ments to look around over this city of Springfield, and see - the condition , of things that exist here. There was probably.never so much vice and dissi pation here as at present. Hundreds, if not thousands of young men are going as :directly toward wreck and ruin as the coarsest vice can lead them. Grog shops are - everywhere. The woman whose steps take hold on hell walks the streets and pursues her vocation without hindrance. Gamblinc , holes abound ; and while, externally, things appear to be moving along in the old, respectable way, it is known that, under cover, the city reeks with vice. Now, will those who are afraid of religious excitements inform us hbw this tide of vice can be arrested by anything less than a reli gious excitement? Suppose the excite ment was so great and so general that it should turn the whole city into an inquiry meeting what then ? Would the • city be greatly damaged by the change? It would seem to us a very. : desirable state of things, compared with the present, even if half or two-thirds only : should remain religious after the excite- Ment had' passed by. In Heaven's name let us have anything that will turn men's minds to manly things, away from beastly things, if it be only for a time." DEATH OF AN ELDER. The church at Reeseville has experi enced a severe loss in the death of the first elder elected by the newly organ ized church, Mr. Richard Dill Mathews. This brother belonged to a godly line in connection with the Presbyterian• church of Ireland, his father and grand father having been elders in the church of which the father of the late Drßich- - ard Dill.was pastor. Mr. MatheWs was a very valuable member of our little church, a faithful teacher in our Sunday school and an example of unobtrusive, censisteni intelligent piety, in our coin Munity: After a painful illness of seve ral months, he fell asleep on the Morn= ing of the Sabbath, April 3d, in the thirty-seventh year of his age. J. M. - people;- It rebukes .littertisemtitts. NEW ISSUES Presbyterian Publication Committee, 1334 CHESTNUT STREET, PHILADELPHIA. THE CANNIBAL ISLANDS; FIJI AND ITS PEOPLE Fourteen illustrations and a map. Pp. 369. ISmo, The facts here given cannot fail to interest said move the heart of the reader. We have atone new the depths of degradation to which man can- sinkiand the power of God's grace to raise him from the depths and transform him into a follower of Christ. BANK NOTES, "ITS' 818 WAY." •84 pages. 18mo. Cloth. With frontispiece. Price 30 cents. Any of these books sent by mail, postpaid, on receipt. of price. • THE CLOSET COMPANION; MANUAL OF PRAYER, Consisting of Topics and Brief Forms of Prayer,. designed to assist Christians in their Devotions, with an introduction by Professor Albert Barnes. Fifth edition. 306 pages. Cloth 60 cents. Cloth beveled, red • edges, price 75 cents. In Press, Martyrs of France, REV. JOHN W. NEARS THE LAW OF BAPTISM, REV. EDWIN HALL, D. D GROVER & BAKER'S MEWED ME EMS, WERE AWARDED TUE RICHEST PREMIUMS OVER ALL COMPETITORS, AT THE FOLLOWING STATE FAIRS OF 1862 For the best Family Sewing Machines, the best Manufacturing Machines, and the beat Machine Work, New York, Vermont, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illi nois, Michigan, lowa, Kentucky and Oregon, beside a score of County and Inatifnie --- The_ work_exaoubed ny the GROVER a BARER MA .c-friNEs has received the FrasT PREMIUM at every State Fair in the United States where it has been exhibited. The Grover & Baker Sewing 'Machine Company maim. facture, in addition to their celebrated GROVER & BARER STITCH MACHINES, the most perfect . SHUTTLE OR " LOCK STITCH" Machines in the market, and afford purchasers the opportunity of selecting, after trial and examination of both, the one best suited to their wants. Other com panies manufacture but one kind of machine each, and cannot offer this opportunity of selectiOn to their cus tomers. Ani- Pamphlets containing samples of Sewing, 'Embroi dery, &c., sent free to any address. Office, 130 Chestnut st., PHILADELPHIA. fe29eow LIFE AND TIMES JOHN BY E. H. GILLETT. Two Vols. Royal Bvo. ` Price, $6,00 NOTICES OF THE PRESS. Mr. Gillett has done a good work in devoting so much talent and labor to one interesting field of historical re search, with the view of diffusing a knowledge of one of the most remarkable men, and one of the most impor tant movements in ecclesiastical history. There have been, to our view, few more valuable contributions to our religious literature than these two volumes during the ,present century. The author of this work takes. rank with Sparks, Bancroft, Irving. Prescott, Hopkins and others, who have done so much to exalt the reputa tion of our country in the world of letters by their his torical productions.—Princaten Review. A richer contribution to Historical. Theology has not been made, either in thin country or Europe, for many years, than by these noble volumes.—Theologzo:' Eclectic. Fertile as the present age has been in historical works of the highest merits, few of them will rank above these volumes in those qualities which give permanent Inter est and value to a history. It is a work which reflects honor on American literature, and adds another name to the noble list of American historians.—Amer. P'esb. and Theological Review. MAIIIIVACITEIRED Br THE AMERICAN GOLD PEN COMPANY. These PENS have gained great popularity in a short space of time, and are acknowledged, by the best wri ters, to•be superior to all others now in use. Also the ARMY PEN, Made expressly for the Soldiers, are the best and cheap est manufactured, and are for sale by most of the Se*- elers throughout the country. COMPANY'S SALESROOM, South-. East corner Eighth and: Chestnut ktreets. MARTER & VASER, 6m. Agents: THOMPSON BLACK & SON'S Tea Warehouse '& Family Grocery Store, Northwest corner of BROAD and CHESTNUT Streets, PHIc,ADELPHIA. (Established 1836.) A N EXTENSIVE ABSORTbIENT OF C.llolCli A Black and Green Teas, and every variety of Fite Groceries, sun le for family use. Goods delivered in any part of - the city, or packed securely for the country. lartarracorium Vsalus IfINISSIIO ..atT `Dv %CMOS lonva 11'311.7.1S TIIIR Ala f `831210,1, VAI `CIV3HNO.LI3 'EI 'M . 1 11EIVEUE WV' I Sell= W. P. CLARK, 1626 Market Street Philadelphia , BOOTS AN]) SHOES OF MY OWN MANUFACTURE Ladies', Misses', Children's , Men's and Boys' Boas 30,1 Shoes of every variety, at moderate prices 1626 MARKET STREET. s s
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers