THE AMERICAN PRESBYTERIAN GENESEE EVANGELIST. A Religionsand Family Newspaper, lEE= Constitutional Presbyterian Church PUBLISHED EVERY THURSDAY. AT THE PRESBYTERIAN HOUSE, 1334 Oheatnut Streak (2d Mary) Philadelphia. Nev. John W. Sears. Editor and Publisher. amstitan ttollytstian. THURSDAY, MAY 3, 1866 A PLEA FOR OUR POSITION. THE BROAD CHIIRCH OF CALVINISM. Most fortunate is that church organiza- 'on, which has approximated the normal, safe and useful position of the truly Broad Church. There is no need to fall into he lamentable errors of those, who claim and who pervert the title, in another coun- try. A Church it must be ; a company of believers in all the essentials of Christian doctrine, with ordinances, torm of govern- ment, power of discipline, and regular min istry; yet broad in charity, in toleration of disagreement on minor points, in com- prehending freely various shades and as pects of opinion, in the width of its aims and the soope of its undertakings—seeking to bless man in time and for eternity; aim- ing to cultivate and elevate all of hie legiti- mate tendencies; laboring to uproot and banish every evil, social, moral and politi- cal from the world There may be more than one Church organization disposed to claim such a happy position for themselves. We are afraid there are still more that do not appreciate the position, and that do not care to occupy it. Some are wrapt up in their own self sufficiency. Some can see nothing true, nor safe, nor just, out of their own circle of opinions. Some are not satisfied with a translation of the Bible even, unless it is deeply colored with their own notions of comparatively unimportant ideas. Some think there is no salvation out of the sound of rustling vestments ; or read prayers. Some think that to refuse to subscribe to the teachings of a certain theological Semi nary, is pure. Pelagianism, Arminianism, or Unitarianism. Others think that it is no concern of the Church what impression it makes upon the world; that the more crude, abrupt, and absolute the distinction between the Church and the world the better; that the two are so antagonistic that truth will be sacrificed in the attempt to commend the Church to the favorable re gards of unregenerate men; in fact, that narrowness is a recommendation. The Premillenarians, especially, regard all such attempts with disapproval. They deny that the Church is to make its way by a gradual assimilation of the world to its own spiritual and holy character. They hold that there is no more prospect of this now than there was eighteen hundred years ago, and insist that, in spite of all efforts, the world is con stantly growing worse. They, indeed, do not cease laboring for its conversion, as in duty bound; but the doctrine they teach in regard to the final result, is likely to produce a contracted view of the functions of the Church. She is to be a witness, by her very singularity, to the truth in the midst of a doomed world, which only some great and sudden revolution, disconnected from previous developments, will reduce to the sway of the Redeemer. A doctrine, which, as it seems to us, has sprung from despondency, impatience, and erroneous, imaginative modes of interpreting. Scrip ture, and which is not borne out ,by facts. We shall not find the materials for the liberal and healthful organization we would construct, among any of these classes. Without uncharitable assumptions to- wards others, we claim for our own Branch a position of breadth and liberality, within safe limits, eminently adapted for useful ness. Our Presbyterian polity is, like a republiCan government, one of the most carefully adjusted combinations of liberty and authority in the range of huinan knowl edge. It is a government strong, not by prescriptive right or class privileges, but by its principle of representation, by which the wisdom of the whole Church, or of the majority, is balanced againt the individual will. It is free, because all are on an eqUality, and the will of all is represented, by their own. act, in every court of the Church. It is not so free as democracy, for the constant peril of that loose form of government is palpable - in Church and State alike. But it is as liberal, elastic and beneficent, as it is possible within the limits of organization at all. And as to doctrine: we are thorough Pauline Calvinists. We have no loose creed shading off into Semi-Pelagianism, or Arminianism, or Universalism, an d i n : viting men of ambiguous opinions to our communion. Of the two great theological tendencies within the limits of evan gelical Christendom, the one led by Ar minius and the other by Calvin, our place is honestly and unequivocally with the latter. We desire all the world to know where we stand ; and to be fully informed of the comprehensive but well-defined doctrin- vtit lan r LI% tit L &‘w4, New Series, Vol. 111, No. 18. al basis on which we expect them to meet us. We believe in "Fresbyterian affini ties ;" and while we hope one day to.= see all men responding to them, at present our hope of success, as a Church, is mainly with those whose very natures, characters and training put them in sympathy with our theological tendency as thus avowed And we thoroughly believe that Calvin ism itself, in its broad Scriptural outlines, is the best doctrinal basis for a Broad Church. It addresses itself, in its central idea of the sovereignty of God, to the pro foundest and most enduring convictions of the human soul. How massive and how grand is that idea! Fastened to such an anchorage, how safe will be every develop ment in the line of liberality ! On the other hand, how unstable and perilous a doctrinal foundation is that which denies the dependence of the human will upon God, and practically establishes an inde pendent kingdom outside of the limits of the Divine ! Yet we are equally convinced that narrowness and bigotry must, sooner or later, characterize a system of theology rigorously carried out upon the single prin ciple of the sovereignty of God. It must shut itself, and the Church founded upon it, from the sympathies of men. It will fail in its appeals to their consciousness, which is nothing without the element of free will. The breadth of our own branch of the Church is primarily doctrinal; it admits, by the side of the doctrine of sov ereignty, that of a genuine free agency, subordinated to the Divine will, yet myste riously and truly free. It does not commit itself to the idea that the whole of theology can be adequately presented in a consist ent logical sytem. It binds no man's con science by the ipsissima verbs of any human theory. Within the limits of the great landmarks of Calvinism, it allows men and ministers to cherish their own theories; as upon the Extent of the Atonement; the exact relation of our own to Adam's sin; moral and natural ability; the precise way in which Christ's death becomes au Atone ment for our sins; the exact nature of In spiration, and the like. Such freedom cannot consistently be granted where a formal and elaborate and rigid CalvinisM is accepted and insisted upOn, as alone and' in all respects true. High Calvinism is inev itably intolerant, keen for heresy, prone to make a man an offender for a word. A Cal vinism which is at once genuine and liberal, embodied in a flourishing Church organize- Lon, is a blessing to the world. There is life and health in it. There is progress and a balance-wheel to it. There is liberty without license in it. Those who have it in charge owe the world a duty to preserve and perpetuate it. Our branch of the Church is broad in a good sense, as recognising various modes of the•operation of the Holy Spirit; as being friendly to revivals of religion ; as unwilling to reject what gives good evidence of Di vine origin merely for the novelty of the manifestation. There 'is a narrowness and bigotry possible towards God, no less than towards the world; and men of culture who affect the name of liberality, are some times guilty of the very opposite sentiment in estimating the phenomena of conversion. Again, very stiff theologians and precise churchmen are guilty of the fblly of pre scribing the modes in which alone they will recognize the Spirit as truly present and operative; all indications which do not square with these conceits of theirs, they brand as false and decry as mischievous. We believe the utmost liberality towards all demonstrations, within the bounds of plain decency, prevails in our branch of the Church. We are not disposed to prejudge and shut out what does not parallel our ex perience, as necessarily spurious. Our branch of the Church believes itself called to act as a direct reformatory power upon the world as it is. It is broad, be cause it conceives its mission to consist in bringing the transforming, elevating power of the new life into healing contact with every form of evil in the world. Intemper ance, slavery, war, bad government, licen tiousness, poverty, and social degradation, as well as sin in the heart, are to be objects of its direct benevolent efforts. The moral power of the whole Church in the commu nity, as well as her authority with her own members, are to be exerted against every form of social wrong. She is to be the stimulus of the public conscience; the quick, k een, steadfast ally of virtue, right and justice i n the community. She does not suffer her heart to sink in despondency, and grow per. versely blind to real marks of advancement in the world. She recognizes every for ward step with joy and thankfulness. Every element of good within her power, -she con ceives it her duty to contribute to the pub lie policy of the natiefi;, and in every tri umph of right over wrong she claims an I I •.` 11. I • II • 4 w MAY 3 1866. I honorable share. Without aspiring to secu lar power, she looks, longs, and labors for the gradual spread of the Church of Christ, until it embraces the whole world, and until all kingdoms and societies halve merged at last into the perfected social state, the kingdom of. God on earth. We have thus, we think, fairly stated the spirit of our Church; though we con fess the reality, to our mind, quite shames the description we have hastily drawn. It is a privilege to be connected with such an organization, and a responsibility to have its destiny in our hands. It is in a posture to maintain and perpetuate itself, such as few Churches have had, and such as it has never before known. It is just fairly launched upon a career of great prosperity; nothing seem§ now to be needed but a de vont recognition of the Divine favor, and a zealous, hearty, unanimous use of the facil ities and appliances for Christian effort thus happily in train. Any movement in volving the abandonment of our specific character and position, so valuable,'so admir ably adapted to the wants of the age, and attained, at last, after such a history of toils and losses, can be nothing leis than a dere liction of duty. Others, who may intelli gently wish to share in it, will be heartily welcome; but no accession of members or outward strength would repay the great loss to us and to the world, of a compromise. or , a sacrifice of our, principles, and of the disappearance from the community of an organization so well representing liberal Presbyterianism, and so closely approxi mating the true idea of the BROAD CrtuncE. SIXTEENTH WEEK OF PRAYER. This meeting, still well attended by the people and marked by great tenderness of feeling, suffers from the scant attendance of the pastors. Some arrangement involv ing the certain presence of half .a dozen at each meeting, we should think might be made to the great profit of all concerned. On Monday of last week, the services were held in Gloria Dei Church, better known as the Old Swedes' Church, in Swanson street. This old church, established by Swedish coloniits, before the territory fell into the hands off . England, older "therefore, than any other church in the Common wealth—about two centuries—is and has been decidedly evangelical in tone, and has a rector who most cordially enters into such movements as these. The meeting, under his lead, or rather that of the Holy Spirit, was one of the most melting and blessed of the series. Christ crucified was held up with unusual unction to the people, and there was joy and brokenness of heart through all the congregation. An old lady, after the service, remarked that she had been worshipping there seventy years, yet in all that time, she had never known such a meeting as that. She hoped it would be held there every week. On Tuesday, at Penn Square Church, Rev. Mr. Crowell, the pastor, read from Zech. xii. and xiii. chapters, and there was deep feeling, as all thoughts were turned to the fountain opened for uncleanness. The requests for prayer were such as to indicate the special influences of the Holy Spirit, and to partly to stir the hearts of Christians. Dr. Ken nerd's address was eloquent with Christian affection. Rev. Mr. Grimes, of the Twelfth Baptist Church, Boston, whose color would scarcely have been known with certainty if he had not mentioned it, was introduced and spoke of his visit to his brethren in Petersburg, Va., where a very extensive revival is -in progress, as many as four hun dred having risen for prayers. On Wednesday, notwithstanding the awkward length of the separate exercises, there was much earnestness in exhortation and prayer. A brother was present who had been travelling as an evangelist—so we understood—as far as Labrador and through the British Provinces. The name of Christ, he said, was efficacious in prayer only when we could use it with the fullness of appro priation with which the wife uses that of her husband; the Church, as the sponse of Christ, shares in the name and claims all blessings on that powerful plea. It. was, in his view, the sign of the times, tbat,Chfis tian union was so prevalent over the Church. Should a new apostolic epistle be addressed to " The Church in Philadelphia," it would properly be brought to this prayer-meeting. Among the requests for prayer was the one, alas ! so often repeated; for a youth going to destruction under the influence of drink. The Saturday meetings are, by a happy thought, appropriated to the children. The prayers and addresses of last Saturday were mostly admirable. The latter were from Dr. Newton, Mr. Calkins, Mr. Abram Mar tin, and Rev. Mr. Grimes, of Boston. The only exception was the case of a poorly re constructed Southern minister from Alex. and -1.14 ) one of the habitues of the meetings ) who is apt to be very belligerent on behalf of peace, and who prays and exhorts in a vein which instantly puts to flight all ten der and devotional feeling. His harangue of to-day, directed against Dr. Newton, was pissed by without notice, and the meet ing passed off very profitably. There cer tainly is a way in which such nuisances can be abated. StVENTEENTH WEEK.—Wednesday, at the Baptist Church, Broad and Brown. Thursday, Presbyterian, Twelfth and Lombard. Friday, Methodist, Fourth below Vine. Saturday, Children's Meeting, Baptist Church, Eighteinth and Spring Garden. Thursday 'evening, quarter before eight o'clock, at Presbyterian Church, South St. above Eleventh. THE RECONSTRUCTION COMMIT- TEE'S PLAN. We have felt none of the impatience which, in some quarters, it has been fash ionable to express at the deliberateness of the movements of the Reconstruction Com mittee. That Committee is composed of elements worthy of, the respect and confi dence of the country. We could feel our selves safe for an indefinite period in-the hands of fifteen such men;. and we regard it as one of,,the triumphs of republicanism, that it can and does command the services of men of such ,high character in such critical momentra its - history. Such men should have all the time they want. What if the whole rebel generation passes away without a share in the government—will any great interests suffer for ',he privation? The Committee's plan at length is before us. As an offer of the victors to .the van quished, who have nothing but a military parole between them and the extreme pen alty of the law, it cannot be described in any other way justly than as magnanimous and merciful. It yields far more to the rebels than multitudes in the North will regard as just or as safe. It imposes upon the internal affairs of the rebel States no policy different from that equally required in the North—siniple equality of all citi zens in civil rights. It limits representa aceordiiig- to the voting population. It does not require a State to confer upon any class of its people the right of suffrage. It leaves the lately rebel States to manage their own affairs, subject to the above Con stitutional provision. They may elevate -their lately rebel leaders to any State or local office of trust or of power. They may "run" their own churches and pub lish their own newspapers. After the short probation of four years, they may vote for any officer of the general government, and, with, certain indispensable exceptions, far from numerous, any one of their number may even now be elevated to the highest office in the gift of the nation. Punish ment- seems scarcely to be thought of in this scheme of reconstruction. And many will seriously `doubt whether a delay of but four years, alien-restriction of representa tion to the=ratio of the voting population, give us safety. Nevertheless, we heartily endorse this plan, the product of some of the wisest and best minds in the 'public service, as a de cided advance in the right direction, and as by no means precluding still further movement in the same line of progress. The people, we have no doubt, are prepared to go beyond this carefully-taken position. We believe they would emphatically prefer to have a definite prospect opened up to the freedmen, the chief loyal element of the South, of enjoying their well-earned privilege of the ballot. We believe they call `for a far deeper mark of reprobation upon a rebellion of such fierceness and enormity. . And we wish much that Con gress could see it so. But having once rallied them on this easy vantage ground, we shall be prepared to move forward steadily, in unbroken ranks, to positions still further in anvance. We hope to see the Committee's report promptly adopted by a two•thirds majority in both Houses, and ratified by the legisla tures of the respective States. KEEP IT BEFORE THE PEOPLE. A movement for the better support of the inferior clergy has been in progress in the Church of England. The council, con sisting of the Bishops, Archbishops, Mr. Gladstone, and others, have just issued a paper, in which they declare it their object gg to give the working curate £lOO per annum, if possible, over and above the sti pend which he'recei;es from other cireum stances. It appears that, I n the only dioceses from which exact have yet been received, there are sixty eight curates who have been in orders upwards of fifteen years, and whose pro returns Genesee Evangelist, No. 1041. fessional income scarcely averages £lOO a year. The natural result of this state of things has been a considerable falling off in the number of candidates for holy orders during the past ten years, as compared with the preceding decade. BLESSED' WORK IN BALTIMORE. REV. J. W. MEARS-DEAR BOTHER: —lt albrds me great pleasure to inform you that God has done great things for our Zion, ' whereof we are glad." God's people have been greatly revived, and many are rejoicing in a Saviour's love. You will remember, that not long since I was in your city, soliciting contributions from the brethren, to help ns to remove a $7OOO ground rent, which had so look crip pled us, and I wish to thank them, on be. half of our people, for their kind and gener ous response and substantial aid. It seems remarkable; that about the time we were endeavoring to.complete this work, God should be preparing a greater one for us—the salvation or souls. On Tuesday, the 13th of March, Dr. Spees invited the members of the Church and any of the impenitent that felt disposed, to meet him in the lecture-MM. Quite a number, of both were present, and it was evident that the Spirit of God, was there. The work of grace commenced that night, and has continued ever since. The meet ings have been of the most solemn, tender, and impressive character. I have witnessed many revivals during the last twenty-five year's, but nothing as remarkable as this. There is unusual decision about the young converts, and a readiness to discharge every. duty. Dr. Specs, though comparatively a stranger amongst us, has been indefatigable in his efforts, and has proved an efficient and faithful laborer. He has had no assist ance beyond the members of the Church until last Sabbath, except on three occa sions. Last Sabbath was a glorious scene, when forty stood around the pulpit and confessed Christ publicly as their Saviour. There was the child of twelve years of age, and the father of or' fifty, whose son is preach ing, the Gosl,*iiik.„, z , e Son of God, and was \e. wide witnessing thao.payful scene. There were parents and children; brothers and sisters; husbands and wives, to commemorate the dying love of Christ. I cannot tell you how joyful I felt to see my last child con secrating himself to Christ,; and my other son's wife among the number; all on the Lord's side. "It is , the Lord's doings and marvellous in our eyes!' To him be all the praise. I could write much more, but must for bear. God grant that the blessed work May still continue. Yours truly, War. G. KNOWLES. BALTIMORE, April 24, 1866. The consciences of some of the other branch are not altogether dead to the great wrong of the Easeinding Acts of 1837-88. ThErapproaching Convention at St. Louis, and the possible concocting there of a second edition of the acts of thirty years ago, has stirred some uncomfortable memories. One such series of high-handed measures, in a generation, is as much as the reputation of any Christian Church for justice can bear. Even The Presbyterian of this city is dis mayed at the prospect. It says, in a recent issue, (we italicise a few words) : We do not ask for any summary or revolu tionary process—any excision which shall give them a chance to paradethemselvesas martyrs, or which shall make others feel unsafe because of the Assembly's disregard of the Constitution which is the guardian of the rights of all; but only that the Assembly shall make it clear that it stands firmly by all that it uttered concerning its duty to the State which has protected it, and which it has always recognized as the ordinance of God. And yftt, we can scarcely doubt but that, in the event of a refusal to cast out the political malcontents who are now so' sadly troubling Aer borders, posterity will wonder quite as xpuch at her toleration of the really bad and dangerona men of 1866, as at her blind and cruel haste to cast out the emi nent,* the pious, and-the true men of 1837. She is'in a sad dilemma. On the whole, as she is "the Easeinding Branch," and as the rectitude of such a course is, in this instance, as clear as day, we hope she will keep on, and make a righteous use of her skill in this line. Mr. Cyrus W. Field returned from Eng land last week, in the Persia, after having launched another great expedition to lay the Atlantic Telegraph cable. This is his thirty sixth voyage across the ocean on this enter prise, to which he has devoted the last twelve years of his life. Such indomitable persever ance deserves success, and we trust will com mand it. All preparations are now going for ward with the greatest rapidity. They are manufacturing over a hundred miles of cable a week. Mr Field remains here but six weeks and returns to England to join the 'Great Eastern, which is expected to, sail the last of June.— l ndependent. TERMS. Per annum, in advance: By Mall, s 3, By Carrier, $ I ne • Fitts cents additional, after three months. Clubs.—Ten or more papers, sent to One address. payable strictly in advance and in one remittance. -By M ail,s2 50 per annum. By Carriers, s3llexannair• Ministers and Ministers' Widows, $2 50 11 ao vance. Home Missionaries, $2OO in advance. Fifty cents additional after three months. Remiatancen.by mail are at our risk. Posntage.—Five cents quarterly. in advance, paid by subscribers at the office of delivery. Advertisements.-12% cents per line for the first. and 10 cents for the second insertion. Onltsquare (one month) $3 Orl two months.. 5 50 three ". 750 44 Six " II 00 - . one year 1 00 The following discount on long advertisements. in serted for three months and upwards. is allowed : Over 20 lines, 10 per cent off; over 60 lines, 20 Per cent.; over 100 lines, 3334 per cent, off. OUR ROCHESTER CORRESPONDENT. PRESBYTERY OF GENESEE The annual meeting was held in Cor fu, on Tuesday last. The opening ser mon was preached by Rev. C. F. Mus sey, of Batavia. Rev. Daniel Russell, of Pike, was elected Moderator, and Rev. J. Wickes, of Attica, Temporary Clerk. Some of the churches of this Presbytery have enjoyed precious revi vals of religion. We have already spoken of that at Le Roy. One of like interest has been experienced in the church at Batavia. Like other laborers in other places, the faithful pastor, Rev. C. F. Massey, found himself constrained, by the interest, to preach almost every evening for many weeks together, and yet was amply rewarded for the toil, by some forty or fifty conversions. Rev. Daniel Russell, of Pike, and Col. Phineas Staunton, of Le Roy, were appointed Commissioners to the General Assembly; and Rev. Allen Traver, of Corfu, Commissioner to Auburn Semi nary. Rev. E. H. Stratton, late of Orangeville, was dismissed to unite with the Presbytery of Geneva, as he is now preaching at Canoga, within the bounds of that body. PRESBYTERY OF CAYUGA An adjourned meeting of this Presby tery was held in Auburn on Monday, 23d inst., at which the following young men, members of the Middle Class in Auburn Seminary, were licensed to preach the Gospel: George Bayless, William B. Hendryx, Darius R. Shoop, Darius C. Sackett, Henry S. Barnum, .Mortimer A. Hyde, and Joseph E. Scott. Rev. Robert E. Proctor was, at his own request, dismissed to join the Pres bytery of Buffalo, as he is now engaged in preaching and laboring in connection with the mission enterprise of the North Church in that city. Mr. Gustavus R. Alden, a licentiate, was also dismissed to pat himself under the care of the Presbytery of Genesee Valley, as he has accepted a call to one of the churches of that body. Arrange ments were also madeioethe ordination and installation, at an early day, of Mr. J. T. C. Nellis, another licentiate of this Presbytery, wbo has accepted a call to thas church in Jordan. One license was also recalled, by re quest of the licentiate. Mr. George S. Gray, of Englewood, N. J., has devoted himself to teaching, in which employ ment be has already spent several years, and on this ground thought it hardly proper to retain the license to preach, and so returned it to the Presbytery. With unimpaired confidence in Mr. Gray, as a licentiate for several years under their care, the Presbytery com plied with his request. The Presbytery of Cayuga has ap pointed Rev. Prof. Hopkins and Rev. Henry Fowler, of Auburn, and Hon. W. J. Cornwell, of Weedsport, and Albert W. Allen, Esq., of Union Springs, Com missioners to the General Assembly. Rev. Henry Fowler, of the Central Church in Auburn, after an absence of some weeks, on account of ill-health, has returned in improved condition to his charge. Rev. S. W. Boardman, of the Second Church, has also been absent for a fortnight, to attend the funeral of his honored father-in-law, Rev. David Greene, formerly one of the secretaries of the American Board. The daily Union Prayer-meeting in Auburn is still continued. Although somewhat diminished in numbers, there are constant proofs of the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. Several con versions of special interest have occurred since the great ingathering on the first Sabbath of the month, and the reapers are still busy gleaning. THE REVIVAL IN CANANDAIGUA This place has not been passed by. Union meetings have been held by the Congregational, Baptist, and Methodist Churches. Dr. Daggett has also had some extra preaching services in his own church, well attended. The result is, in all, probably sixty or seventy hopeful conversions. PERSONAL Rev. Henry Neill has resigned the pastoral charge of the Central Church, (0. 5.,) in Geneseo ; and Rev. F. D. W. Ward has been recalled to the same pulpit, where he was pastor once before. WELL-REMEMBERED Rev. Dr. Clarke, of Buffalo, has been remembered by his congregation with the gift of slsoo—which, we doubt not, it will be very convenient to have and to use in these painful times. RoomsTEß, April 28. 1866 THE KINGDOM OF ITALY is about once and a half as large as New England, about equal to New York and Pennsyl vania taken together, little more than half as large as California, considerably less. than half the size of Texas, and but one twenty-ninth part as extensive as the United States of America. GENESEE