308 YROM OUR, ROCHESTER CORRESPONDENT our state fair, Oar city has been alive this week with people, jostling at times inconve niently one against another. Regular and special trains, east, west and south, have brought them in by thousands.— trains of eighteen and twenty cars, loaded with passengers, sitting, stand ing, treading upon one another, throng ing and crowding even the platforms and steps until no more standing room was left., all coming to attend our State Fair. Thirty thousand people, it is estimated, were upon the grounds, both Wednesday and Thursday. In respect to attendance, no, more successful State Fair has been held for many years; but the show of cattle and products for some reason is not so fine, it is thought, as it has been on some other occasions. This, however, is not because of any serious deficiency in our crops. But in the present scarcity of help, many of our farmers have been too busy in har vesting and preparing for fall sowing, to attend to sending on their products for the present show. THE DRAET. This also has been going steadily and quietly forward in our city all the present week, whilst recruiting is at the same time progressing, more rapidly than ever before. The street in front of the Provost Marshal’s office is blocked all the time with a crowd of persons from the neighboring towns waiting to see what shall be their fate in "Uncle Sam’s lottery, or offering their substi tutes to help fill their respective quotas; and yet there is no disturbance, no vain attempt to resist the power of the Government," or obstruct the operation of its laws. Many towns, by their activity in securing enlistments, have entirely escaped the draft, and others are moving briskly to accomplish the same thing before their turn shall be reached. And in regard to all this matter, we have reason to believe that the best of feeling prevails generally in this region, and that Western New York will cheer-, fully furnish her share of all the men that may be necessary to put down this horrible rebellion, and restore, as soon as possible, a true peace to the land. And we may truthfully add, that the bold, manly, earnest loyal utterances of the American Presbyterian, which is so largely circulated in this region, has, in its leading articles, done much to foster and sustain this heroic patriotism. Truly, if we have a country worth saving, it is worth the effort necessary to that end; and no half-hearted utter, ances or efforts will serve, our purpose this time. OUR MEXICO. "We are not thinking of the empire— (that would bo) —of Maximilian; but of a handsome,flourishing village,in Oswego county, of some two or three thousand inhabitants, bearing this ancient and considerable name. It is situated fifteen miles east of Oswego, and four., miles south of Lake Ontario. A railroad from Oswego directly east, to pass through this place, and to intersect the Eome.aiici'WatQrtowii .Road-at Richland, is in process of construction, designed to Be ready for passengers this fall. We were much interested, in a brief visit to this pretty village, and'a pleasant call upon Eev. T. A. Weed, pastor of of the Presbyterian church. He is almost a veteran in the service, having been pastor of the same flock for sixteen years. He has a church of two hundred and fifty members, in a good, harmo nious and healthful condition. Another chfirch, considerably further west, has cast its covetous eyes on this successful minister, and would be glad to tear him away from his beloved flock. We en tered our strenuous protest; we called it robbery and sacrilege; and have reason to believe that the good sense of the pastor, so long honored anduseful in his present position, will prevail against any such change at present. But fire and desolation have also been at work in this pleasant village. About thirty rods of the principal business street on one side was recently cleaned out by the devouring element, sweep ing away stores, offices, dwellings and a large, hotel. Although the fire oc curred at midday, yet with a powerful wind blowing, it passed almost at once beyond all control, and raged on until it met an open space, and found noth ing more upon which to-feed. It left a sad picture of desolation for the time; but all will soon be rebuilt, better than ever ;'just as our war’s wide desolations will ere long give place to a better con dition; of things than we have ever known before, a truer union and a higher prosperity. . "V heard in Mexico of an interesting •'f the victims of this cruel ■' ; ari, well-known and 11 the region, had | unhappily been living for some years separate from his wife—she had left him. He went into the army appa rently courting death. He was an able surgeon, and rose to a high and honora ble position, and was always ready for the post of danger. While riding re cently hear the enemy’s lines, in com pany with his General on a reconnoit ering expedition, he was hit by a sharp shooter and almost instantly killed. He had made all his arrangements for such an event, and only seemed thereby to realize his highest wishes. His re mains were sent home, and buried with distinguished honor, the whole country around attracted to the funeral by the peculiarities of the c.ase, as well as by their high respect for the heroic officer. So sleep the brave. The wife saw the remains, but did not attend the funeral, knowing, it was thought, that the sym pathies of the community were against her. ONEIDA ASSOCIATION. This ecclesiastical body of Congrega tional Ministers and Delegates, held its Semi-annual meeting in Westmoreland on the 13th inst. Among the matters of special interest which came before the meeting, was a report of a Commit tee previously apppointed, upon the subject of Sabbath cheese-making. This subject is attracting; special and painful interest in all our dairy regions. Those large cheese factories, working on Sun days as on other days, do not promise a blessing from above. The subject was discussed at considerable length, and a new Committee appointed to report resolutions in regard to the matter, to bo presented at the annual meeting in January next, and to prepare an address to be read in all their churches. Another matter of special'interest was the fact that the church in Clinton, which has recently elected Elders and taken the Presbyterian form, respect fully asked leave to withdraw from the Association with which it has long been connected, that it may unite with the Presbytery of Utica. Very sincere re grets at parting with this strong church were freely expressed by members of the body, after which their request was granted, and the clerk directed to fur nish the delegates of the Clinton church with a certified copy of its action in the case. HUNGERFORD INSTITUTE We have before spoken of the found ing of this collegiate or academic Insti tution. It is .organized under very favorable auspices, in the pleasant vil lage of Adams. It has opened this fall, its first term, with one hundred and sixty students—a good beginning. The service of Inauguration was re cently held, at which Rev. Dr. Fisher, of Hamilton College, delivered an admira ble address. A special * train of 'cars was sent down from Watertown, with over a hundred visitors from that vil lage, to attend the service, among whom was Major General Hooker. At the close of President Fisher’s ad dress, the General was called out,, and made some remarks upon the importance of physical education and military drill in our schools and academies. The propeits of this school are very flattering, and we cannot doubt hut it has a good work to do for Adams, for Jefferson county, and for our land. HOME OF THE FRIENDLESS IN AUBURN. Some of the good ladies of Auburn, and of the vicinity, are moving for the establishment of a benevolent institu tion, a sort of House of Eefuge for friendless women, under the above title. They have purchased a building adapted to their purpose, in Auburn, and design to have it ready at once for the recep tion of the needy for whom it is intend ed. It is an admirable design, and is in good hands. We have no doubt that the excellent and efficient ladies of Auburn will so administer its affairs as to accomplish great good. There has been such an one in successful operation for many years in this city; and many a “friendless” one has found she had friends, after all ; and many a fervent prayer has gone clear up into the heavens for blessings on its benevolent managers and patrons; and so it will be in Auburn. ~ PERSONAL. Rev. Charles Anderson, a most worthy, excellent, faithful man, who haß been for twenty-two years pastor of the Pres byterian church in SenUett, and by whom the church has been built almost from nothing, has received ah invitation to the Presbyterian Church in Union Springs, which it is supposed he will accept. His former charge part with him with great reluctance, but do not feel able to furnish him the support which he needs; and therefore the Presbytery, of Cayuga, to which he belongs, were constrained, much against their will, to dissolve the pastoral relation. At. Union Springs he will still be in the same Presbytery, by which he is much es teemed and beloved. Tjl v Rev. Henry Fowler, pastor of the PHILADELPHIA, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29,1864. Central Church in Auburn, has received a handsome testimonial of love and esteem from his people, in the shape of a purse, containing three hundred dol lars; an act by which the church highly honor themselves, as well as their pas tor. Mr. Fowler has labored for them with great fidelity and marked success. With rare self-denial he also remained at his post during the hot weather, and in the absence of other pastors, ready to serve all wbo had need of his ministra tions. As the others returned he pre pared to take his vacation, which he is now enjoying in the cooler weather. His thoughtful people evidently put this purse into his hand just as he was starting, so that he might go and come with a lighter heart, and a warmer af fection for his dear flock. They will not fail of their reward. • Genesee. Rochester, Sept. 24,1864. Mower Hospital, Phila., 1 September 19, 1864. } Editor of the American Presbyte t Rian :—There is much religious feeling in this hospital. During the summer we have had 3000 patients, and, inclu ding soldiers doing guard duty, and other persons employed in the building, about 3400. inmates of the hospital. The number is somewhat smaller now; probably a family of 2400 gathered under the same roof. We have preach ing twice every Sabbath ; three prayer meetings, one temperance meeting, and three German services during the week, Bible classes twice a day, and frequent services in the wards. A day school is maintained, evening prayers * are kept up by the patients in some of the wards, a good library is provided for the use of the soldiers, Testaments, tracts (and writing-paper are given to all who Want them, and as many religious papers, are circulated as we can get. . \ Sometimes we are favored with sfer inons and ward-work by visiting clergy men. We expect to hold a protracted meeting soon. The Providence and* Spirit of God have led many to consider the subject of their salvation. Peril in battle, severe sickness, letters from home, and other instrumentalities hive awakened religious concern. While convalescent, they have time for quiej; reflection. A number indulge a hope | Within a week, ten have been baptized. Others will come forward soon. I wish to make a few requests of your readers. ’ 1. Pray specially for the soldiers in this hospital, as I doubt not you pray for all our soldiers. Many are under deep impressions. Every day some ask, what shall we do ? or make known their purpose to follow Christ; but others are careless and profane. 2. If you can, subscribe for a copy of the American Presbyterian, to be sent here. The Christian Commission sends us many papers, but they have the whole army to provide for, and cannot supply all~ we want. Any man who can read yrill read a fresh religious paper. i 3. Send us papers, books and maga zines, new and old, for our library and reading-table. Most .jaipilies;. .might spare a few books for this purpose; All kinds of school-books can be used. ' i 4. Small donations, of money 'are' needed to meet-daily calls. In regard to these things, let all do what conscience arid ability permits. If there were space, much that is en couraging might be recited. The at tendance upon religious services con stantly increases. More are present! at our prayer meetings than formerly at tended preaching; while now at prefix ing our place of worship is crowded! Letters and packages may be sent to. W. F. P. Uoble, Chaplain,. U. S. A., Mower Hospital, Philada. Packages to be sent via. Chestnut Hill Rail Road;, depot, Ninth and Green Streets,' Phila delphia. I remain, very truly yours, W. F. P. Noble. REV. DR. SMITH’S LETTER—ADDENDA, , The following paragraph has been forwarded for insertion as a part of the interesting letter of Rev. John 0. Smith, D. D., contained in our present number. Its proper place is immediately before the paragraph beginning “ 1 have been pastor in Georgetown and Washington,” &c. We regret that it was not received until that part of the paper containing the letter was made up—of course too slate to be incorporated in its proper place.; “I began my ministry in Fortress Monroe, where, as a missionary, I E reached six months. Before this,, time ad expired, I was called to the,Presby terian church in Portsmouth (only 18 miles distant), and there ordained and installed pastor by the East Hanover Presbytery, then - composed of some of the most prominent and successful min isters in the State of Virginia. The-, war has brought out these localities, and all are interested. My residence and labors there may have stimulated my military spirit, and in part fitted me for the scenes through which I have passed in these more than three years in this the American capital.” AN ENCOURAGING FIELD. Presbyterian. Pastorates &c., in the 0. S. Presbyterian Church, —Rev. L. B. W. Shyrock is about to assume the pastorate of the church in Knightstown, Ind. Rev. James G. Shinn, of the Central Presbytery of Philadelphia, and formerly Chaplain of the 23d Penna. "Vols., has received from the President the appointment of Chaplain to the Satterlee U. S, A. Hospital, West Philadelphia. Rev. P. Finley has taken charge of the church in Palmyra, Mo. Rev. B. H. Witherow has taken charge of the church on Cream Ridge, Monmouth Co., N. J. Rev. Charles Wood has accepted a call to the church in Blackwoodtown, N. J. District Missionaries. —The Board of Domestic Missions, O. S., have appointed two district missionaries, who have already entered upon their labors. The Rey. Stuart Mitchell is assigned to District No. 1, comprising Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa; the Rev. H. M. Giltner to District No. 2, comprising Kansas and Nebraska. National Recognition of God. —At a late meeting of the Cincinnati Presbytery, (O. S.) Rev. R. C. Grundy, D. D., Rev. J. M. Wam pler, and Hop. Stanley Matthews were ap pointed a Committee to prepare a Memorial to Congress,' on .the preamble and resolu tions passed by the last (general Assembly in regard tp the amendment of the Consti tution of the United States, so as to recog nize God “ as the source" of all authority and civil powers in civil government, and the Lord Jesus Christ as the Governor among the nations." Rev- William Dickson, Pastor at Long’s Run, Western Pa., expresses through the Pittsburg Banner, his sincere gratitude to the people of his charge for their substan tial liberality. By the reception of a hand some donation of money, given for the purpose of increasing bis library, he has been enabled to procure same of thq choicest works published in our language. An Earnest Appeal. —The Board of Foreign Missions of the United Presbyte rian church, reported to the recent meeting of the Synod of Pittsburgh a sore and pain ful want of funds—that whilst God has never given; them greater encouragement in their work, or raised up such friends for them abroad, their necessities were never so pressing as now. They call most urgently for prompt and liberal efforts to be put forth to secure the means, for sustaining the Mis sionaries already in the field, and sending Others out to take the place of those who are disabled by disease for further labors. New and Important Enterprise. —A cor respondent of the Presbyterian writes from New Yoirk, that “ a number of the mem bers of the Mariners’ church and others haye determined, with reliance on their Saviour and head, to form a Presbyterian Church for the sea and the land, and have applied to the Presbytery of New York to organize them into a church, to be located near the Bast River in the lower part of the city. Tbi* is a very important movement, and should be amply sustained. This is obvi ous from the fact that there is not a single Presbyterian church below Canal street, nor I for some distance above, including a popu lation of perhaps more than one hundred 'and fifty thousand inhabitants. Add to (these the multitudes of seamen and water men, and the number is greatly increased. All the Presbyterian churches which were in this portion of the city have “Gone up town," and many worthy members who, for various reasons, could not follow their brethren and pastors, have been left like lambs upon the mountains without a shepherd; and many others, who would gladly be gathered within the folds of our beloved;Zion, are left without the means of grace, to say nothing of the multitudes who should hear the gospel from Presbyterian lips, and their children be gathered in Sabbath schools. Pur Church should be represented ipon the sea. It is estimated that more ■ban one hundred thousand Beamen come Into this city annually. Presbyterians have contributed freely to the seamen’s cause for the-last thirty.or forty years, and yet not a single Presbyterian church for seamen has been organized. Other denominations ht£ve organized churches for seamen, but Presbyterians have not been represented.” i A Great Revival at Somerset, Ky.— The people'of this place have for . some weeks past enjoyed a very precious Outpouring of ithe Spirit of God; under the ministerial labors of the Rev. j. T. Lapsley,'assisted by. the-Rev. J. H. Byers. These brethren have been preaching there for about one month, daily. They preached for twelve days with out any apparent interest, but God had a blessing in store for the people. An intetr terest then began to be developed, so that at the time of writing (August 10) there have not been less than sixty-five hopeful ' conversions. : Out of this number a large majority were young ladies and gentlemen in . the bloom and vigor of life. The great work of the spirit has not yet ceased, al though Mr. Lapsley has returned to Dan ville: Mr. Byers continues to preach daily to a large and anxious assembly, every day witnessing the power of the Spirit of God in the conversion of souls.— Western Presbyte rian. . Congregational, The Congregational Union of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. —Met with the church in Union street, fat. Johns, on Thursday even ing, September. Ist. Rev. Robert Wilson, of Sheffield, N. 8., preached a sermon on the principles of Congregational ministers and delegates from four churches in New Bruns wick, and six in Nova Scotia. The largest Congregational church in New Brunswick (Mill Town,) which is on the borders of Maine, andis connected with the Maine Con ference, was also represented by ministers and delegate as honorary member. Zion’s Church, St. Joh ;s, which is an indepen dent church organization, not claiming to hold the distinctive principles of any denom ination, was also represented in the same way by pastor and delegates: 1 Cleveland O.—fkn ecclesiastical council of which Rev. A. M. Richardson was chosen Moderator, met in the Plymouth Church at Cleveland, Sabbath afternoon, September 11 for the organization of a colored Congrega tional church. The public services were As jtpilows: . s f r “°“ , b y s«v. J- A. Thome, from, the text: this iu great mystery ; but Istleak con cerning Christ and the church Public assen t by the candidates to the Articles of Faith and Covenant, which were read by the Mod erator, who declaired them a regularly con stituted church, of Christ ; Prayer of Conse cration and Charge by Rev. W. H. Brewster; Address of Fellowship by Rev. A. M. Rich ardson; Concluding Address by Rev. Dr . The exercises throughout were of a ly interesting character, and were listened to with evidentsatisfaction by a large congrega- sympathy or curiosity had drawn together. The Articles of Faith were the same used by the Plymouth Church. The movement has been entirely spontaneous, and is one of much significance. It is be lieved to be the first Congregational church organized among the colored people, west of New England. Nineteen members united with it, some from the South, but mostly from other churches in the city. Others stand ready to cast in their lot, when they see the jfcterprise fairly inaugurated. They have, secured an eligible lot for a house of worship, and made arrangements for stated preaching every alternate Sabbath.—Congrc gationalisl. Methodist, National Association of Local Preachers. —This body has just closed its seventh annual meet ing, which was held in the city of Troy The Association, as nearly as we can understand, is not an un but an extra constitutional feature in the regular Methodist Episcopal church, designed to give greater efficiency to what has always been a strong arm of Metho dism—the Local Preacher system. Perhaps our readers do not all understand that a Local Preacher is not. as the name seems to indicate, a Bottled Pastor, but'a man who has no pastoral charge, who is expected to follow his regular secular vocation for worldly sup port, and who is put into the ministry that he may preach and labor here and there, as his time will allow, and his Presiding Elder may direct. The following resolutions, adopted at the late meeting of the Associa tion, express the views of the members re specting their calling at the present time. 1. Resolved, That the objects of the organ ization of the Local Preachers’ National Association, in becoming, better acquainted with each other, in aiding, encouraging and strengthening each other, in spreading scrip tural holiness throughout the land,have been accomplished in part by our annual gather ings and publications; and we hereby invite and earnestly desire that our brethren, the local preachers throughout the connection, would organize themselves into district and conference associations, with a view of their being aids in the great work of saving souls, and inspiring confidence and success among themselves in preaching the everlasting Gospel. 2. That we recommend those of our brethren, the local preachers, who have the means of self-support, to pay particular at tention to that part of our country where Churches - have been made uncomfortable and societies scattered by the ravages of the present rebellion, and that they volunteer personal services in, reorganizing their re ligious societies and preaching the Gospel to them. 3. We hereby call upon our brethren the laity to aid such local preachers who have not the means of self-support, and are willing to enter upon the above mission un til such times that the Church.can through her ordinary channels reach these cases of extreme spiritual destitution. The following resolution does not seem to have a friendly cast toward the proposed in troduction of the lay,element in the Annual and General Conferences.. Resolved, That we hereby declare oar firm, adhesion to the government and discipline of the Methodist Episcopal Church; and while we would not oppose the introduction of any, wise and prudent measures in the future that the friends of our Zion may wish to incor porate, we are of the opinion that in a system that has worked so well in the past, and has been instrumental in the salvation of so many thousands, new measures Bhould be carefully weighed before their adoption; and we hereby urge upon our brethren, the local preachers throughout the connection, to study rather to “keep the rules of our Discipline than to mend them.” Baptist. Freedmen in Washington. —Says the Ameri can Baptist, “ Brother Scott writes us from Alexandria, that Bro. Lee, our missionary in Washington, has been holding a series of meetings with the Island Church, and fifteen have been added by experience, and six are awaiting baptism. Bro. Lee has eighty-three names on the school-roll, with a daily attendance of about fifty, and that the school is every day'increasing, so that he will soon need another teacher."- Ordinations. —Rev. D. T. Davies, a gradu ate of Bristol, England, Baptist College, was ordained to the work of the gospel min is try ip Calvary Baptist church* in Seaville, N. J., on the 7th host.——-We give the following as we find it in the Examiner, But was the candidate -only a licentiate in the Reformed Dutch church, or does a Baptist Council fe-ordain Pedobaptist ministers ? “ Pur suant to a call of the Marion Baptist church, N. Y., a council met in their house of worship Sept. 14th, to ordain to the work of the gospel ministry brother M.'De Yoyst. Rev. J. B. Vrooman was Moderator, and S. J. Lusk, Clerk. After examination, the council unanimously voted to ordain him. Brother De Voyst was formerly a minister in the Dutch Reformed Church." j Madison, N. 7. Association.—The Exami ner’s report of the late meeting of this body contains the following paragraph: <c The letters from the churches breathed a truly loyal spirit, nearly every one of-which has given some of the choicest of its young brethren to become its defenders, several of whom have already fallen, either on the battle-field, or from disease in the hospitals. The Lord has not left himself entirely without witness in conversions, as twenty-six were reported. The total mem bership of the Association is 2,o64—beine 68 lesß than last year.” • ® Ordination in Philadelphia.—The Chronicle says that a council convened at the call of the First African Baptist church to consider the propriety of ordaining Bro. Melford D. Herndon to the' Gospel ministry. After listening to the relation of his Christian experience, call to the ministry and doctri- Dal views, the Council unanimously resolved to proceed to his ordination. In accordance mtAthis resdution dhe Council re-assem aj® ° ?l°ck P. M., and proceeded with the ordination services; Rev. D. C Eddy 7 ‘ P r , eaohed from the Bth chapter of Acts, 29th verse ; dedicatory prayer by Rev. Ihos. S. Malcom; hand of fellowship by itev. P. S. Ilenflon ; .address to the congre gation by Rev. T. S. Malcom; benediction .by the candidate. Episcopal. * Rew. Wm. Sparaow, D. Divine, who secured for himself a distinguished re putation as Professor in the Episcopal Theo logical Seminary in Alexandria, and who is nowwithin the rebel lines, is spoken of as a candidate for the Professorship of Systematic Divinity m the New Seminary in this city iheOhurchMontMy having said that “anotice able feature in this nomination is its choice of one who, both by example and nrecent‘ has shown his decided sympathy with thn>A who are in revolt against the governSem D f ’ Becorder thus're pll6B , VY.6 C&D truly Sav that in il. • , gtven of Dr. Sparrow’s political CO um e our' contemporary—no doubt uninientk,nSlv does him a great wrong. No ode amongthe clergy more resolutely opposed secession than did Dr. Sparrow; no one more faithfully, at periods of the greatest peril, proclaimed his devotion to the country as a whole. In the ebbing tide that drew so many others within the Southern lines, Dr. Sparrow was himself swept; for in Central Virginia was re-organized the Seminary of which he was a Professor, and there were collected his family, by whom his presence was most needed. We have no reason to believe that his old views were in any respect changed : and we cannot but regret that in reference to so venerable, pure and gentle a servant of Christ—one whose influence has been so blessed in the Church—ao great a mistake as that we above record should be made. Of Dr. Sparrow, it Can at least be said that he resisted rebellion on its own soil until resist ance was no longer possible; and should he once more return to the North, with the af fections and obligations which such a return implies, his presence will be welcomed with delight by the whole body of those who in former days revered and loved him, and whose reverence and love the separations of war can never efface. Miscellaneous. The Navy. —Recently in the New York Fulton street daily prayer meeting, Mr. Lanphier read the following extract' from a letter received by himself from a delegate of the Christian Commission; “ I had the pleasure of spending last Sab bath on board of the Onondaga as a mem ber of the Christian Commission. The Cap tain said you ‘ picked him up,’ and, under God, had done much to aid him in his spiritual life. He showed me your last let ter to him and requested me to answer it. 1 have seldom seen a man who so soon won my confidence, and whqse friendship I so highly prize. His trust in God is simple and child-like. The influence on his vessel is just what you might expect and what it should be. Not an oath is heard, and the religious interest is becoming more and more intense, and is felt on other vessels in the fleet. Last Sabbath was. one of great interest to me. I never found more ap proachable men, even in hospital. In the evening Lieut.-Commander C found acceptance with God while praying in the cabin. Capt. S was affected to tears, So great was his joy. He said he had been praying for this for a year. It is truly an occasion of gratitude that men holding so prominent positions in the Navy are the humble and earnest followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. I know you will share the joy with me. I expect to spend , the next Sabbath on the Onondaga. The Army. —A correspondent of the Boston Journal says: “ There is a pleasant state of religious feeling throughout the army. At all the stations of the Christian Commission the meetings each night are well attended with attentive hearers, and many each night rise and ask to be prayed for. At General Meade’s headquarters an officer asked Mr, Cole, the efficient general agent of the Com mission who accompanied us, if he would not furnish preaching for headquarters, Bay ing they wanted it much and felt the need of it. Wherever we went the men gladly re ceived the religious reading which we had.” It was recently reported in the Fulton street daily prayer meeting that a revival is in progress among the rebel prisoners confined at Elmira, New York, 10,000 in number, and that the daily morning and evening prayer meetings among these pris oners were thronged with inquirers. Foreign- Presbyterian Union in Scotland. —The Free and United Presbyterian Churchs of Scot land have resumed their negotiations in regard to the union ofliheir churches. The discussion at the last meeting had relation to various questions connected with the atonement, touching more or less upon the subject of the “ extent” of the atonement. The result was that all parties were found willing to accept the statement of the West minister Confession of Faith, and abide by this Confession as a basis of union. The London Weekly Review, of which Peter Bayne is editor, says that so far as the task of the Joint Committee goes, it considers the enterprise of union to be accomplished. Bishop Orowiher. —Dr. Samuel Crowther, the newly appointed Bishop of the Niger, was pleading the claims of his Diocese in Manchester on Friday, July 22. In the afternoon, he addressed a large assembly in the towhhall, when, in a very interesting speech, he pointed out the commercial ad vantages which might probably result from his mission. It is intended to “ work" his Diocese entirely by native agency, if possi ble, and for this purpose his friends in Eng land are raising a fund to help in establish ing the West African Church on a substan tial footing. Dr. Crowther’s description of the commercial aspect of his mission was very favorable. The cotton trade, he said, might be enormously developed, as well as the trade in palm oil, and he advised that a ship should be sent- there to sweep up every pound of cotton that could be found, adding that if the natives knew the cotton would be purchased, shey would plant ten times as much as they had done before. His audience was a good one in the town hall,and his interesting speech was listened to with marked attention. In the evening, the Bishop spoke to a large audience in the Corn -Exchange on the still more important topic of the religious aspect of African Mis sions, and the likelihood of their successful operation.— Manchester Examiner . [Thegood Bishop was to embark for Africa on board of the mail steamer, which was to leave Li verpool 24th of July.] The Quakers. —The Quakers in England, f° r the first time in several years, report a positive, increase in numbers, and an in creased interest among the ypunger mem bers in favor of their worship. Last year sixty-one persons joined on “convincement." -An -increase of missionary spirit is also exhi bited, not in the way of proselytism, but by religious efforts among tbe neglected classes. It is said that the'recent changes in: the habits of the society are the cause of the recovery of their former growth—the rigor of the old Friends having yielded to more modern Ideas. From 1800 to 1856 upward of four thousand persons have been disowned by the Friends of the United Kingdom for marrying contrary to : their laws. The infer ence to be drawn from such a procedure is obvious, and from the disaffection thereby produced in. the families where such ex communications have taken place, a dimi ed for 1 m the BOClety may be ea sily account- BJbr D. D., rector of Beddmgton, ? n g land , died on August 25th, 6 Bl *ty-6ixth year.of his faithful minis try and the ninetieth of his age. He was the intimate friend and associate of Charles WM?- 0n ’ Hem-y Venn, Henry Thornton, and vv imam Wilberforce, and he outlived them ' vT^ e .'y as father of Miss Catharine Jnarsh, widely known as the author of “ Eng lish Hearts and English Hands," the “Me moirs of Captain Hedley Vicars,” etc. An account of his departure says: “On the last day of his life, when no longer able to speak, he wrote with' a trembling hand the follow ing, words:. “Tell the clergy to preach Christ, uve Christ, to serve Christ, and they will - joy and praise in eternity.”
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