2 4
INDIVIDUALISM AND CENTRALIZATION—II.
BY RUT. E. H. OILI.ETT.
Absolute individual independence is
but another name for the perfection of
social anarchy. Mutual duties pertain
to ourmutual relations, and to refuse tOj
rocognize them under the plea of per
sonal independence is simply to carry
the spirit-of an Ishmaol into, the social
sphere. The experience ol life, from
first to-last, is designed to keep over
upon our minds the-sense of responsi
bility. vWe never become absolutely
independent of the world till we go out
of it. ,Wo are born dependent. For all
that dan lend to life joy or comfort, for
all that can instruct or profit us, we are
dependent. And our debt to others
cannot-be denied without sapping the
very foundation, of duty. The moment
wo assume to be independent of obliga
tion which requires, us to consult the
well-being and yield to the. just claims
of others, we endorse- the logic of tho
first murderer, when he askod “Am I
my brother's keeper ?”
But if there is any sphere where the
boast ,or claim of independence! is es
pecially misplaced and incongruous, it
is the. sphere of religious profession.,
Here.it breathes forth a spirit indirect
conflict with the specific injunctions:
“ Bear ye one another’s burdens;” “ Let
but every man also On tho things of
others." The very idea of the church
implies: the cheerful; .and practical ac
knowledgment of mutual obligation.
Its members confess “ We arc not our
own;" They.-say with Paul, “I am
debtor to Greek and'Barbarian ,to Jew
and Gentile.” ,
The same principles, moreover, which
apply to the relations of individual
members of a eburohy- apply also to the
relations ofiridividurilchurehes. This
was JfiUy by'tfie Phthers of
Now l England, even While they violated
the freedom of the churohes by subject
ing them to the control of the State.
The synods decided thab : they owed it
to each other to conform to th'esame
joyder,, th at:
no important step, like the settling of a
pastor, should be. taken without, the
sanction of the magistrate and the ap
proval of churpho3. If the
followers of Christ are “ members one
of .another,’’ so aro, tho.ohurchos like
wise., .An “independent” church—
using jthe in sepse of owing no
duty .of sympathy and aid, and disclaim
ing ' mutual .ppepoukibility—is in the
etriptost sense . a r ßppt. It. is cut off by
its very attitude from the title to the
copirppnjon of saints. lt is an anomaly
and, a, The very word is
an offence to the spirit of Christianity.
However separated by locality, all that
accept the fhith of the Gospel are one
body. Their work, their interests and
their hopes afe’one. AH the unity of
organisation Which is consistent with
tho unemlikrtiassed - discharge •'of local
obligationSj-and tho enjoyment of per
missible looSil privileges; it is their duty
to seek and to promote. They cannot
—if harmonising in faith and: ;ordor —
stand aloof;<from one another without
“ rending tholseainless robe."
Why is it that even under tho loosest,
system of churoli order or oven anarchy,
ministers are united in associations, and
assume mutual obligations and control,
in'the reception, ,discipline or expulsion
of members? Why not an ‘I indepen
dent" minister, as well as an “ indepen
dent” church? i If there is any reason
why a church, under apprehension lest
its liberties should be wrested from it,
should spurn all subjection to the con
trol of the-oommon interest of a body
of churches, why is not an analagous
reason valid.for tho absolute isolation
and irresponsibility of ministers ? Will
it be said tbkt the ohureh is more liable
to suffer injustice ? Under a State
ohureh System this might be the case,
but no isan.>ati this day apprehends
intolerance(froim volantary subjeotion
to what, at, most is m erely a. moral
restraint. And if there is to bo any
oommon. organization , by which local
churches may act .together, and-assume
oommon and mutual responsibilities;
what is.atonoe more simple and efficient
than Presbyteriai organization ?
The singular and vehement opposition
to this which, is developed in some
quarters,, subjects itself inevitably to
the. suspicion of interested motives.
Why would any man be a political
Ishmael? Is it that ho may be at
liberty from the common, restraint ?
Does be want an independence which is
inconsistent with subjection to law?
Dees he. seek; the indulgence of a sel
fishness wbich.is dntolerdfcit of control?
Is he indisposed , to harmonize in ft sys
tem in which he counts only as an equal
member, subject lo the same obligations
with-others ? And what must be the
motives wmch kindle that zeal for
church in dependence, which would make
as many sects as there are local organi
zations, and deny all recognition of a
common bond? Are they such as will
bear tho investigation of Christian truth ?
Are they not of necessity kindred to,
and developed from, that selfishness of
human naturo which rejects the imposi
tion of everything like restraint upon
the individual will?
'No one would act wisely in sacrificing
individuality of character to a stereo
typed uniformity' We leave to Rome
tho monopolizing claims of a unity more
material than moral, a unity that may
be phrased—tho thihking- 'of millions
done for them by one man. But tho
opposite extreme is not without its mis
chiefs. Whatever tends to soparato and.
disunite th.o members, of the body of
Christ; to cherish in thoir hearts a
sense of independence of mutual obliga
tion; as individuals and churchos; to
foster the,; idea of rights which are
prized only under impatience of con trol,
must work evil and only evil. And yet
the very word “ independent” possesses
an educating .power, winch is perverted
by the prejudices and. sympathies of an
unsubdued, will’to sanction principles of
belief and practice as unneighborly as
they are unchristian. We. never hear
the word applied to tho, membership of
the household, tvhy. shbuld'it he natu
ralized in tho vocabulary of the house
hold of faith ? In an earthly brother
hood its. utterance is a bind of imperti
nence. Why should it be mentioned*
among thebrotherbood of the Redeemer? 1
The churches of Hew England long
disowned and rejected it. Why should
it be revived ? Is any church that still*
clings to the simplicity of the 'gospbl to
paint it on its'bander? ‘Let it take
care that it'be hot* righteously inter
preted as a sectarian profession} severing
those to whom it is'applied' from: the
necessary dependence of* all Christian
communion. 1 '
PROFANITY.
We : have two thoughts respecting
profanity which wo earnestly, co tnmend
to our young memreaders. Wo address
themto young; men bocause tbe habit,
of profane swearing is almost always
acquired in youthful days;—always, so
far as our personal observation extends.
We never knew a man; who had pro
served a clean speech up So tho a'go of
ripe manhood; become corrupt in tongue
afterward.. A.fter that ago; if profanity
of speech' has not been ncquired, it is.
generally loathed as well as avoided
But to the. thoughts proposed.,
Profane swearing is an open confession
of suspicious veracity* , The. man who
thinks Unnecessary,to fortify,.his, ,wc»rd
with an path,, virtually acknowledges,
bis: plain - assertions to be of doubtful
oredit, reason. flan. be given for
encumbering those assertions .with the
profane, oath, except to secure for them,
a surer belief. If that;'reason really'
exists,, then his ordinary truthfulness Is
not to bo relied on. If it does not exist
—i. e.. if his truthfaluess, without, the
oath Vis reliable—then his profanity is
gratuitous, impiety. As it'* does; ‘*no£}‘
liko mq§t other ac,ts of wickedness,
bring one tangible result .which can 1 be
construod,eyen into a. momentary re
ward, it exhibit® that most dangerous
of all phases of depravity, sinning only
for the sake of sinning. A sin for which
not one promp ti ng motive c»nbe named
except the baro lave, of sinning, is
beyond all other depravity, the
sign of a shattered moral principle, and
a public confession'of snob character as
cannot be worthy of reliance- r: "
Thus the profane oath; whether-re-*
gaided by him who uttors it as neces
sary to support his word, or not, is a
virtual confession of such want of prin
ciple as forbids out’ trust in his truth
fulness. And his word, under the im
pious adjuration, secures just as little
confidence as it would without it. To
that adjuration rib legal responsibility
is ahnexed. 'Heis safe from the penalties
of legal perjury. And be isnot-dbe’
man ’to feel any* Irifluenoe from! the;
thought that his profane!adjuration will;
enhance the awful punishment of. .false
hood when he shall meet the avenging
law of his blasphemed God-’ One who
makes it his daily habit to fling the
scorn of his tongue into the face of tho
Being who is to be his final judge, is
not likely to weigh in a nice balance
the difference between answering, in
tho j udgment, for falsehood simpLe, or
with perjury annexed. The man wbOj
in plain speech, will speak false,,will
never s wear himself into the truth.
We promised a second thought; it is
this:
The profane swearer fastens upon his
whole moral character a reproach which is
often far beyond the truth.. There is no
question but many men have fallen into
the habit of profanity, whose moral
Character is in other respects too good
for so shameless a vice. Profanity is
tho ono outward blemish of thoir lives.
They arc otherwise uw> good for bo
PHILADELPHIA, THURSDAY. SEPTEMBER 1, 1864.
atrocious a depravity, but, in spite of
their effort to give to their profanity an
air of respectability from their many
outward virtues, they find that, liko the
spot of ink on the white sheet, the
spreading of taint is always from black
to white.
Let one of these men go as a stranger
into a community seeking a new homo,
and desiring to securo reputation among
his future neighbors as a man of general
integrity and virtue. Let him then
follow up his habit of rolling from his
tongue, on every trivial occasion, vile
blasphemies and awful imprecations.
What impression is he likely to produce
concerning his whole moral character?
How will the good and virtuous, a|l
whose, confidence is most pleasant and
advantageous, regard his coming among
them ? As an acquisition, or an inflic
tion ? Doubtloss tho latter, and not
alone: for the reason that he is a profanje
man, but, {because.from such a man there
can be no natural expectation of any
good. His better traits will have a
lqng .struggle against the reasonable
prejiidjce.which his profanity has aw i
kened, before they will secure r any
general, recognition. Parents will re
gard his society as dangerous jtq the
young of their families; men of busineM
will hesitate about accepting; his re
sponsibility, and all, oven the . wicked,
if they have any important intere'St ail
stake, will feel that, such a manneeda a
loiig probation before reliance-, ill any
respect can be placed upon hiiit; ' Aqd
when at. last he does Succeed in cieariEfg
his reputation, in other respects, fro in
suspicion, people will seldom speak'a
pleasant'word for the good that is really'
in' him; 'without the deprocating'qualifi
cation “It is such a pity that he will
swear *' *' '* *V *'>''!■•■■:
We are compelled to say that it is no
injustice to the prOfan'C*''sweater
his; general gbodmame mnst al ways rest
Under this cloud. He suffers no wrong
in the case, but what he deliberately
inflicts upon himself. Nothing can be
more natural than the I views- of the:
public mind concerning the probabilities
of his character. Men look for the
motives to other sins; and- they find
them'. Theft expects gain y. falsehood
has a point to oarry; uncleanness has a
foul gfatifioation in view; but; as already
suggested; in the whole list of human
crimes, profanity stands;' alone as a sip
Without one ; tangible motive—a crimp
inatigdted only ! by a natural preference
of sin bb’fore goodness, It is sinning
1 for ‘ the sake ‘of -'sinning—nothing else.
I’t ! is : rlot natural that' We should' look
for 'gehef-ai virtue *in one wn o' rollsiinp
-1 against I 'himself : so mtioh presumptive
evidencel’oTgeneral cdrruption. ,l;: *•
And hc has tho IcsS freasou to com
'plain-bf''this r goDeral ju'dgment'Of : men,
: bQeffuBe- ; so light a sacrifice on hiS part
Iwonld !Avert 'its Gaining notbingrhy
profanity,; what I oan - ho expect , to: lose,
by the total disuse of“ it>? ; The respect
Of any ? : N 6, not even of sinners'of Tlie'
iO^H’Atripej; His reformation'may pro--
.■vokei -'their*: 'scofibpbtit ‘ what 'are' ithese
qvjheh .he knows thAf he nevertheless
eommands their unwilling; runoonfesaedn
but'¥bal'ifespeeu? - If he) is 'Oonscibus of
virtues: whichhavenofr theirfaircredit
with 1 rilen,: nothing'is; easier: than to
nlace*himself right on the record. Stop,
swearing!
THE APOSTLE OP CITY MISBIOHB—VII,
- conclude these papers, •which
are designed to, keep alive a warm and
practical interest in tho groat work of
ovangelizing,tho masses, by ii view of
those!charactenstics, of Dr. Chalmers
which led flim to tins field of effort apd-.
qualified him for the wonderful success
whiph he .achieved. The first charac
teristic .mentioned by Dr. Wayland in
this connection .was
“ THE MYSTERIOUS ELEMENT OJf SYM
'*.‘'l ' patUy” ! * : ’ ■ 1;; -' fr
in the 'finely endowed nature of Drl
Chalmers, “ .Exhibited in its greatest'
(poWerlin his relations with hnmanityl”'
.Say’s f)r. Wayland:
; His love foreman’'was intense',lindlie
felt that: every huthah being "Was bis
brother.;" Wherever he; happenedj to be
visiting,: ; his . attention was, always di
rected.,, to „ the children. Ho was the
playmate of' his own children, and not'
unfrbqqon tly was -found by his ■ visitors
romping With them like one of their*
playmates.; Hefelt himselfonewithall
the thousands of outcasts with whom be
became acquainted in his pastoral visi
tations. lii them he saw the degraded
masses 'throughout his native country,
and he imposedmpon himself the labor;
of attempting to elevate apd renew,
them, jwith s a seif-devotion that, ended
only with liis life. ' This moved him to
his laborS at Eilmany. It increased in
power; as With his-own eyes he beheld
the misery which festered in the Tron
parish and in St. Johns. This estab
lished the Sabbath school in St. An
drews, and stimulated him to those
labors which led to so glorious a result.
It was the hope of filling Scotland with
Christian institutions that strengthened
him to labor until he saw 222 churehei
erected for the Establishment. In the
THOMAS OEALMEBB,
hope that the Free Church would ac
complish this object, even in declining
health he again put on the harness, and
did not lay it aside until he had been
the moans of building 600 churches for
its accommodation. When he feared
that tho wish of his heart would not be
accomplished through this latter agency,
aged and feeblo, but with unchanged
love for .the fallen and degraded, if he
could not move the whole country', he
resolved to show what might be done
by one example, and he commenced his
great missionary work at the West
Port. In its filthy alleys and dirty
workshops ho spoke to these degraded
men and women, with an outpouring
love and a tender earnestness, with
which not even his most admired ef
forts at the Tron Church' and St. Johns
could bo compared.
Such sympathy for man in his fallen
condition led him to the most tender
and intimate intercourse with individu
als upon their spiritual interests, and
gave him a power for good which- no
amount of oratory, at arms’ length,
could, have .bestowed. An eye-witness
says of Dr. Chalmer’s pastoral visits at
Kilmahy : ■“ I have a very lively recol
lection pf the intense earnestness of his.
addresses on occasions of visitation in
iny father’s house, when he would un-:
consciously move forward on his eh;air
to the very margin of it, in his anxiety
to , impart t6-the family and servants
the impression of eternal things that so
: filled his soul.” -
Another scene from : th’e latter portion
of his life beautifuity -illustrates '■ that
feature of sympathy which led him to
mingle freely with the humble, which
gladly recognized tho divine image in
the hearts of the poor, and which thus
qualified him for his great work of
bringing the Gospel to bear effoethally
upon this class of society. The scene
Belongs to the, summer immediately be
fore his death,, and is laid in Jedburgh,
where thero had been a remarkable re- 1
yival of religion. Dr. Chalmers showed
tho deepest interest in the spiritual
stato and history of individual cases,
and visited, in connection with*the pas
tor a number of porsons believed to liavo
undergone a saving change, for the pur
pose of conversation with them. Mr
Purvcs, the pastor at' Jedburgh, thus
describes one of iheso interviews :
Never snail I forget the scone which
presented itself, when, near the close of
,'tho nari-ativo, I turned round to Bee its
effect upon oui* venerable father. The
whole scene was- such a one as a painter
would have liked to perpetuate. There
were two bods Tunning along one side
of the apartment, on the edge of which
ten- or- a dozen persons had, since tholn
terview -began, ranged, themselves, in
cluding one of our humble elders, and
several individuals who, during the two
or three previous yoars, had been turn
ed from darkness to light. The conn-;
tonancos of. sovoral of these, as they
wore lighted up with Christian sympa
thy, greatly arrested.Df. CH‘almei’B,.as
he tola mo aftorwards. But he himself
was the most'interesting object of all.
The; figure be presented:was not a little
.grotesque,,, bjit, .prpfpiyidly , affecting,
He , was himslf in. the cpr nef,‘ of the
ap artrnent ,*’ facing the little group, biit
rather btehißd'tiho iVonian'aud me. -The
.person .ii whosoi house, we were had.
been baking , bread .before we entered,
and tho table, at the end of which' he
had placed himself was covered with
.meal;-- Not observing this, he had plac
ed one olbowoih: the midst of it, and
pulling out- a .drawer in an old ward
robe on the qthqr side, on which to rest
his other elbow, there he was, sitting in
this posture, with a hand behind each
ear to catch what was passing, and with
a countenance so inexpressibly bland
and benignant, on which the interest,
sympathy, arid delight of the good
man’s heart had Cast such a heavenly:
radiance, as I shall never forget' while I
live* He:put several questions"himself
as. to.the former and prosent state of
things, of his own accord, engaged in
prayer with arid for tho little group
arbnnd* him, like a father or; one,of the
ancient patriarchs, commending them
to the care and keeping of God Al
mighty. It was a wonderful outpour
ing, frill of unction, compared - with
which even his eloquence was but tame.
This tender sympathy for his.fellow
men took a practical shape. ,It led him
-to those unparalleled; labours for the
[elevation oof the neglected and iiTeli
gtoris poor;which wo have .described. ,
CONSECRATION. TER,B,ITORIAIj SYSTEM.
W 6 quote again from Dr; Way land:
Front this brief review of the "career
of?;Dr. Gbhlmers, we see thatin’obedi
ence; to the Saviour’s command lie con
secrated himself .to the work, of 'carry-'
ingitAe gospel,to tfb'ery’. 'creatwreiTThpar
allcied multitudes crowded to hear, ad
mire, and honOr him.' But he .saw that
thus he was I not yielding obedience to
the ‘Master's command. Those Who
came,,were, but .few in comparison with
the' , .muititudeB Who dicVii6t ! feV ; 'Th'e r
pftbr,' degraded, and vicious Would never
enter those magnificent temples, com
monly called the houses of God. The,
gospel must be carried to them; ' and
wherever he went, he at once commenc
ed the Ho
risirited'’out a 1 district, he sought out
fellbW-laborers, he labored with. them;
hOnwas certain that thus the. gospel in
love and affection would be carred to
e 2?Ty.%mly.' And never did'the gospel
fait to produce its effect. This, which
he denominated his territorial-system,
is, if 1 may so call it, one of tho most,
important discoveries in philanthropy.
It is Worthy of the thoughtful eonside- ’
ration of all good-men. Were any of
our cities thus divided into districts,
each under the care of a small number
of the disciples of Christ, who would
carry the gospel to every family, and
practically exhibit the love of the Sa
viour to the fallen and miserable, in ten
years moral and social changes would
be witnessed that would cheer the heart
of every benefactor of his race.
And it is to be remarked that the wis
dom of Dr. Chalmer’s plans was com
mensurate with his charity. He saw
that notwithstanding the thousands of
pounds which weregiven by the city to
support the poor, together with the vast
amount that was contributed by indi
vidual liberality, pauperism was every
year more distressing, and that it was
rapidly on the increase. He arrived at
this conclusion: that the mere giving
of money by the public is rather a curse
than a blessing, and that even in the
ease of private charity it is frequently
of , the same character; that the law of
the New Testament is perfectly eco
.noinical and merciful, —if a man will
not work, neither shall he eat. God
spreads before us the fertile earth,
abundant for the supply of all tho
wants of man; but it is his will that
we should obtain our part of this abun
dance only as the result of labor.. Hence
ho established it as an axiom, that it is
pfiio use to attempt to help the poor
unless you. engage them to aid in help
ing themselves. He would allow but
little to be given in charity, and then in
■only extreme cases. Belief was grant
ed only to those who were disabled,
and then only for a season; if their re
latives were able to help them. Pains
were ,taken to find labor for all who
were able to work! The principle of
self-respect was constantly inculcated,'
and they were taught to bo ashamed of;
being on the poor-roll. Even education
was not afforded as a gratuity; all were
obliged to‘ .pay. for it,—not at its full
price, for much was dono in the work of
preparation by charity; but none were
deprived: of the pleasure of feeling that
■they paid for it. It. was by such labors
,as these that in a few years the parish
of St. Johns,, instead of demanding £l r
200 (§5.700) for supporting it in misery
and vico, was more than able to support
itself.
CONCLUSION.
After this lot no one consider human
beings, how degradedsoever; beyond the
reach of the saving influence bfthogos
pcl. The weapons of our warfare are
mighty through God. to pulling down
of strongholds. Let us then, in the as
surance of faith and earnestness of love,
go forth, confidently expecting that
when in simplicity of heart wo labor
for him, Christ will give us the victory.
Nor have such results been confined to
the West Port and to tho labors of Dr.
Chalmers. The effects of carrying the
gospel in lovo among the degraded in
habitants of St. wiles,: London, are
much the same. A multitude of children
have been plucked IVom the veTy jaws
of destruction,' by the Howard Mission,
from one of the worst localities in Now
York. tWo expect missionaries to go
ten thousand miles to carry tbo gospel
to people of a strango language; why
should we not become missionaries to
the perishing and miserable at our own
doors ?
. Would that all pastors, and especial
ly all city pastors, shared in the noble,
Christian zeal and sympathy of Chal :
mers for the irreligious masses of the
population, and weroimpolled like him
to go forth and seek at least their ehare
of tho perishing thousands around them 1
Would that, Kko. himvtbey.felt the vital
necessity ,of personal.. contact with the
souls whom they would ‘ benefit, and,
With., mingled boldness ..and , charity,
would engage; in, topmost decided, ag
gressive measures upon the irreligion
and wickedness which surround them—
the evil which will not be attracted,
but which must be overcome, by the
good.
■ We commend Dr. Wayland's Memoir
to all young pastors. It would be a
good work to place a copy of it in the
hands of all tho students in the graduat
ing classes of bur Theological Semi
naries.
. A Memoir of the Christian Labors,
Pastoral and Philanthropic, of Thomas
Chalmers, D. D.’, LL. D. By Francis
Wayland. Boston : Gould A, Lincoln.
12mo. pp 215. ;* ■; v!.
DEAETH 01 BELIGIOTJS INTELLIGENCE;
Seldom have we;‘ witnessed a season
Of such almost entire of exciting
‘religious, and ecclesiastical news. 1 Since
thfe close ot thegreat assemblies of the
Churches last May, now. noarly three
months .since, thinge jn : the Religions
world have so kept the even, tenor of'
their way that there has been ‘almfest’
nothing in the way of hews to put into
the papers. The' ann i vorsariea of col
leges and schools have fliffordeMa brief
and partial interest;, butthe seasjm for
these is also past; and; all is. quiet again
as the stagnant and motionless .atmos
phere; in whiehwenreljyipg/.
Sometimes the report of no-hews is
goodiiews, butthat can scarccly eyer
bethecase in Church affairs, in which
aggression and conquest is a:neoessafy
condition of well.beiug. The cause of
religious progress seldom pr never ad-’
yaucesso;quietly as to, ©scapeattontkm,
andtoerefor'e thoiatoeneeofireportstof
success; generally indicates & soason of,
husuccess. We are not gratified,there.,
fore, at the fact that tor, more than
three months we bavh not pjtblialied’a,
revival notice; and about the same is
true of our cotemporariog.-f— Christian
Advocate and JournaL .
To render e-nod for evil is Cod-like •.
to render uood for good ik mamlike t ,to
render evil for evil, ie bcaat-liko; * 0 ren .
der evil for good is dovit-like.
TENDENCIES TO PEEBBYTEBIAN
UNION. c- :
The Evangelical Repository, (of the Un
ted Presbyterian church,)oloses a review
of the present movements toward a
general union of Presbyteriansin Great
Britain, with the following remarks con
cerning prospects of a like nature in our
own country.
Having glanced at tho prospects of
Union among' Presbyterians 1 abroad^T
turn to the minutes of late meetingS’Ofe*
the family at home; and on perusing
these, I think I see a decided ten
dency towards Union here. There
was, at the late meetings of the various
Presbyterian bodies in this country, a
warmer exchange of fraternal feeling
than has over taken place before. ‘ Tho
union of the Old and New School Asisem- •
blies cannot be distant. There is a
flowing together that' nothing’ 'human*
can prevent. I shall rejoice heartily;
at the marriage. The New School has,
, I think, been benefited in a theological,
point of view since the separation ; and
the. Old School has learned important
lessons. They will mingle now without
serious jarring; and will work more
earnestly together. .
: More serious difficulties are in the way
when we come to think of union between ;
thn United Presbyterian Church and
'either of these bodies; yet we do not v
regard the matter as hopeless-. In three -
years, one great question that separated
us from the Old School, has been settled
and taken out of the way. The severe"
logic 1 -of Divine Providence must have
convinced'them that’we were right in •
regard to human slavery, and that they
wero wrong. How long it may require
the; q&me or similar logic, to convince us
both in regard to other points, we have
no means of ■ kno wing. But this much' •
is true, that wo shall be convinced, by
some means, and we shall be one.
The question of Secret Socioties B&tiiis
ih the way.' But if the evil that has been
doneand attempted by secret oath-bound*’
associations during the progress, of- this,
rebellion, were developed, I am persuad
ed that a revelation would be made that
would be astounding. May hot theHmff 1
soon come when such a revelation'Wilt* :
be 'ihade, and may not the resolt be the ; -
repudiation, on the paitof tbe Cbristian
Church, of the memoers of aIL such asso- ...
ciations ? Let no one say that this is
unlikely ; for wo have seeh greater im- •
probabilities thah this become facts in
history. *■ v , ’
Psalmody is another difficulty. But
may not the way be opening for harmony
of views in rolation to this'queatiPh?
The United Presbyterian Churoh is
pledged by her principles to adopt a bet
tor version; of the Psalms whenever each,
shhll be presented to her from any source.
It is now the opinion ot a large majority
of her minis ters,and also of many of her
members, that tho time has come when
she might bo furnished with a version
at least as nearly conformed to the orig
inal aB the one in use, and much more
poetical. Prom this condition of our
Church, I turn to the proceedings of the
General Assembly (O. 5.,) andfind that
our brethren there are dissatisfied with
thjeir present Psalmody, ltisbut.afew
years, since they published a revised
hymn-bpqk,’ 'and now they must havei
another. Much time was spent in’ the
ASserhbly in the discussion of the ques
tion. The result was, the appointment
of a: committee to select and publish a
new book of hymns,, with appropriate
accompanying music. I doubt not this
committee will labour severely, and do
their.work as well as,it would be possible
for any .committee to perform it. Nei
,-ther do I doubt.that the Assembly will
adopt, substantially, the book reported
by the committee'. But will the' churoh
be for any length of time satisfied-with
it? The history of hymnology assurea
us that she will not. In a lew years
she must have another book, and so on,
until the Church returns to the point
from which she departed, namely, the
nse of Psalms of inspiration. All hymn
singing Cburohes are more or less at
unrest; they are drifting on the wide
ocean, and they will hot be able to sing
steadily until they return.
Is there, any evidence, however, that
any of them will return soon to the nee
pf the Scripture Psalms? I think that
there are indications, at least in the Old
■ School Assembly; of such re turn* —no tat
oboe, bu t gradually. When the question
.of Psalmody, was before tho late Assem
bly, I?r. Junkin said that he “ belonged
to the class called the 1 boys,’ and there
fore he would speak, since the discaßsipa,
bad in a great measure fallen into ..the
hands of that class. He was reminded
of the remark of Dr. Alexander to hia
class-mate, Elijah. P. Lovejoy, when the
•latter bad, given a very, glowing and
poetical description of the creation, in
his peculiarly’shrill Voice— 1 You'can’t' •
j beat Moses.' So none of our young men
.pan beat David, , Asaph and Paul.- . The
true. idea, of ;Psalmody was < not. mefp
1 Praise, but-.aleo experience, andaUo for
admonition,’-. v ;
If you mind nothing but. the 'body,
you lose body and soul loch 'Jf yoit
mied nothing but earthy you. iosfe b.arth
and heaven too. f : - i.: ? j t
Impr ove the wit you have bought at
a dear’ rate, and’ tb ewisdbm you hava
gained by sad experience. , ...
! When' God punishes another, in
threatens theo; \ when- •he . wounds
another, he warns, {.heel. .
i canyQn'.get by bad company f
If you are truly good, they will either
taunt or despise you. •" ■ n
i , as ; great a mercy to be preaemr
?. ~1®" dbalth; as to be delivered,frm
sickneas. ; ■• , . , . •
; - Learn of Christ who was sensible of
injuries, yet patient under them.
: Take heed of being infected with .the
.breath of a profane heart.
; ..Honesty is tho best policy, and la.
noceneo the best wisdom.’ • c v
Keep the body underbutihio Bpirit’HjKi
Keep snch company as God keep*.