gburitan Urt,sb*trial
THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 1866
CONTENTS OF INSIDE PAGES.
SECOND PAGE—FAMILY CIRCLE..
The Burdened Heart-The Bobbin in the Cottage-
The Unwilling Voyagers-Strange Female Custom
-Love and Obedience-Wanted: • A Minister-The
Novel Reader Warned-Your name in the Bible-
The Oldest, Republic on Earth.
THIRD PAGE—MISCELLANEOUS :
The Children of the Poor in England-The Great
Revival and its Lessons - Grant and Stanton and
Lincoln-Am an Argument for or against the
Bible ?-The Echo.
SIXTH PAGE—CORRESPONDENCE:
Ladies' Missionary Society of the First Church.
Philadelphia - Mr. Hammond's Children's Meeting
-Revival incidents, taw • won ;
ADITO69 TABLE The Publication Committee's
Late List: "Dutch Tiles; o - , Loving Words about
the Saviour;"" What to Do;" 'Black Steve:".
" Niff and his Dogs:" "The Social Hymn Book:"
" The Apostolic Church ;" "The Sinner W elco me."
-Ritchie's " Scripture Testimony asninst J ntoxi
eating NV ine" - lford's " Plea forth° Queen's Eng
lish"-Mhon's "The Dean's English; a Criticism
on the Dean of Canterbury's Essays on the Queen's
English"-" Maiden and Married Lite of Mary Pow
ell"-Collins" Armadale"-French's " First Le'-
sons in Numbers, in the Natural Order." - Guthrie's
"Angel's Song"-J. P. Shelly Co.'s Books: - Sam
Bolton's Cottage;' " The Little Doorkeeper;"
" L• st Lilies"-Boolts
In
and
Pamphlett-Literary Inteligenee.
SEVENTH PAGE—GENERAL ASSEMBLY:
Dr, Nelson's Address in the Old School Assembly.
SBoarts:c: Disinfecting Power of Tar and Char
coal -Shooting Stars-An IMPOTLEIBLDiSCOVe/Y.
RURAL. Ecosogr : Useful Plants-Borax in Cali
fornia-Rabbits Girdling Trees.
OUR ROCHESTER CORRESPONDENT.
/
* QUESTION OF REUNION.
IV
It \ as a , privilege to be in St. Louis
durin the past fortnight. It was pleasant
and touching to see the great advance made
by the two General Assemblies toward re
union. And yet too much must not be
inferred from these agreeable demonstra ,
tions of fraternal regard. - They were the
more cordial on our part, because we deeply
sympathized with the loyal majority in the
other body, in their struggle to cast out or
control the disloyal element with which
they had to deal. This did not forbid our
seeing practical difficulties still in the way
of a cordial reunion.
In the first place, we might have some
serious misgivings even as to the way in
which they deal with their own refractory
members. Is it not a stretch of power to
reach down over the Synod and dissolve a
Presbytery ? Is that according to our com
mon Constitution ?
Still more suprised were we, to bear that
one of their own number, one of their most
gallant and gifted men, one who is among
the most earnest friends of reunion, justi
fied the arbitrary acts of their present ses
sion by refeience to the terrible precedent
of 1837, by which the Presbyterian Church
was violently rent in twain. Surely this is
not our way of doing things ; and if it be
theirs, do we not need some amendments
to our Constitution, by which the powers
of the General Assembly may be more
clearly defined, and somewhat restrained
and guarded ?
We raise this question in no spirit of
captiousness, and with no desire to retard a
true union; but is there not something
here to be considered before we can hope
for an early union ?
Another question forced itself ,upon our
attention. Is there not something of dis
trust implied in the very terms of reunion
proposed in the appointment of it Conimit
tee of Conferenee—" at the earliest, time
consistent with agreenient in doctrine?"—
as though our orthodoxy were still in ques
tion. We cannot believe that the large
majority of that Assembly intended any
such thing; and yet if any copsiderable
minority, especially if it embraces some
strong and resolute men, such as formerly
persecuted our beloved Mr. Barnes, and
the venerable Dr. Beecher, are strenuously
opposed to reunion, we do not want it; we
are better off as we are, in our glorious
liberty. We could not willingly put opt.-
selves under their suspicion arid surveil
lance.
A real union is in itself desirable—a
half union is not. And we do not doubt
but a large majoiity of the two bodies are
well prepared for a real union; and we are
glad that a large and wise committee has
been appointed on both sides to consider
the matter and report next year. We have
confidence in the men 'appointed on these
committees. If reunion is practicable they
will find it out and tell us so; if not prac
ticable they will find that out, and set the
matter at rest. We want union if it is
genuine and peaceful ; we don't want it if
it is going to plunge us into . 'a new sea of
troubles
HAMILTON COLLEGE
We have already stated that Rev. Dr.
Fisher, President of Hamilton College, has
received a call to the Westminster Church
of Utica. We hear from various sources
that it is highly probable that he will ac
cept this invitation, and give himself again
to the pastoral work. We believe also, that
it is no longer a secret, that in that case
the church to which he is called will come
into our connection, and that we shall soon
have in that city two strong churches in
stead of one. In this the Doctor will be
doing a good service also to our branch, in
which he hi 'served so long and so well,
and by which he has been too highly hon
ored ever to leave its communion.
And if, indeed, he shall conclude to re
tire from the Presidency of Hamilton Col
lege, he may do it with the assurance that
he has done incalculable service to that in
stitution. Its course has been one of con
stant advance and real prosperity under his
administration. He has done much to
bring it more notice,
to make its plans and wants known, and to
enlist the sympathies of the wise and the
good for its support.
The number of its students has greatly
increased, and funds have constantly been
flowing in for its more ample endowment.
The college stands now immeasurably in
advance of the position which it occupied
when President Fisher was called to pre
side over its interests, for which it owes
much to his exertions; and the best wishes
of all its friends will follow him as he goes
back again to the pulpit, where his pecu
liar gifts as a writer and speaker have always
been highly appreciated and admired.
DR. SHAW ON FURLOUGH
Rev. Dr. Shaw is now off on six
months' leave of absence; but we are
happy to say, that he is not sick, is not
worn out, is not threatened with prema
ture decay, or any serious malady.
Nevertheless, he has worked hard for
twenty-five years, in this one place ; has
wrought successfully; has built up one
of the largest churches in the country,
and has well earned a season of rest,
which his people have cheerfully and
generously accorded to him. He feels,
indeed, that he needs rest; and that by
taking it now he may avoid breaking
down, and prolong his health and his
usefulness.
He has broken up housekeeping ; his
family are somewhat scattered ; his wife
and one daughter having gone with him
to the sea side. He will make his home
for the present at Cape Ann, where he
can snuff as much of the salt sea air as
possible. The prayers of an affectionate
people, and of innumerable friends in
all this region will tenderly follow him,
and all will hope for his safe return, in
due time, greatly invigorated and re
freshed for further toil and long con
tinued usefulness.
His pulpit, in the mean time, is to be
supplied for six weeks by Rev. Dr. Con
dit, of Auburn, and after that the people
hope to secure the services, for a time,
of Rev. Dr. Parker, of Newark, whose
earliest ministry was spent in this place.
There are many still here who will be
glad to hear his voice again, if he shall
find it convenient to pass a few weeks
of his vacation in this way.
MORE INGA.THERINGS
Twenty-nine were added to the Cen
tral church in this city last Sabbath ;
twenty-two by profession, and seven by
letter. Five of them were heads of
families—ten were baptized—eighteen
were from the Sunday School.
Tw s enty-five united with the Central
church in Auburn, on the same day;
many of theta heads of families.
Eighteen were also received into the
First church in Auburn, and thirteen
into the Second. These are only the
gleanings after the harvest; but the
harvest and the gleanings both are
glorious. God hath done great things
for ns, in all this region, whereof we are
glad. Indeed, the evangelical churches
of America are many thousand stronger
than they were a year ago, and ought
to do a great deal more for the npbuild
ing of Christ's kingdom this year than
they did hist. Why not? GENESEE.
Rochester, June 9, 1866.
THE OXFORD STREET ENTERPRISE
ITS ORIGIN AND PROGRESS.
Statement prepared by Mr. John S. Cum
min s, and read at the Dedication, May 5
by Rev. W. Calkins.
This enterprise has a history. Al
though brief, it is not without interest.
During the autumn of 1863, two or
three gentlemen connected with Cal
vary Church had their attention direct
ed to this northern section of the city,
as a promising field for Christian effort.
In every direction extensive improve
ments were going forward, numerous
and costly dwellings were being erected,
and the district, that had been, until
quite recently, unoccupied, was now
teeming with a thickly settled popula
tion. Then, as now, a great desidera
tum was apparent in the small number
of churches in the district to meet the
demand of the increasing population.
Encouraged by the success, with the
blessing of God, of former years, and
having secured the co-operation of A.
Whilldin, Esq., who possessed intimate
knowledge of the district, it was deter
mined to commence a Sabbath-school,
north of any one then in existence, with
the view of making it the pioneer of a
church edifice at no distant period.
Accordingly, an upper room at the
south-east corner of Eleventh and Co
lumbia Avenue was rented for the pur
pose, and at once consecrated by prayer.
Benches were loaned by the Tabor and
Western Presbyterian Church Sabbath
schools, and on the last Sabbath in
January of the year following, (1864),
with the hearty assistance of the well
known patriarch of Sabbath-schools in
Philadelphia, Mr. A. Martin, we organ
ized our school with sixty-six scholars,
but without teachers. On the second
Sabbath eighty were present,' with only
two or three teachers. We had the
assurance, however, of the pastor of the
North Broad Streeit Church (Rev. Dr.
Adams,) that he would furnish us with
a number of efficient helpers. In this
expectation we were not disappointed,
as some eight teachers from that church
united with us. This was not the only
source of our encouragement. An inci
dent of personal interest in our under
taking may here be noticed. On the
Sabbath following our organisation, with
a crowded attendance, it was truly gra
tifyitig' to ivelbbnie the pitserite Of our
THE AMERICAN PRESBYTERIAN. THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 1866.
benevolent friend, Henry J. Williams,
Esq., who, at his advanced period of
life, found his way on foot from Walnut
and Eighth streets, and took charge of
a large class of lads who were without
a teacher. We are happy to state that
this was not the only time that we were
encouraged by his presence and co-ope
ration. Not the least interesting fea
tare of the school was the formation
of a female Bible class, under the in
struction of Benedict D. Stewart, Esq.
This class is still continued, with a
large number in attendance. Some of
its members, we have reason to believe,
have become hopefully pious, whilst all
have made great progress in their social
and religions character, under the faith
ful instruction of their experienced and
efficient teacher. The school continued
to prosper, its numbers increasing in
teachers and scholars. To give in
creased efficiency in our labors, it, was
quite apparent that a large room or hall
should be opened for public worship.
Application was made for the use of
the Wagner Free Institute of Science for
that purpose. The request was kindly
granted by Prof. Wagner, and on the
last Sabbath of , June in that year, Rev.
Dr. Brainerd preached the first sermon,
followed by other ministers of oar own
and other denominations, to all of
whom we tender our grateful acknow
ledgments. The importance of a Sab l i
-
bath-school at the Institution becaine
apparent, and one was duly organ
ized on the third Sabbath in Sep
tember. Before this step was takin,
however, a request was made to talon,
congregation of the North Broad St+et
Church to take the care and support of
the school, at the corner of Eleventh and
Columbia Avenue] which they .did
promptly, appointing Mr. k S.Wallon,
superintendent. These two soh ols,
numbering together more than three
hundred and fifty scholars, have been
well sustained, and as many of; the
scholars as may be disposed to ' unite
with us, will assemble in this new edi
fice on Sabbath afternoon next, under
the name of The Carmel Sabbath-school,
when the organization services will take
place agreeably to the terms of consoli
dation, under a new constitution, unani
mously adopted at a meeting Of the
teachers, representing both schools, held
at the house of Jos. Lennig, Esq., 1620 N.
Broad street, on Tuesday evening, May
29. These two schools having thus
been brought together, we may antici
pate in their associated and harmonious
capacity, a vigorous and rapid growth,
in the great work of training the young
in this populous district, for usefulness
on earth and glory in heaven.
A simple yet touching fact is worthy
of record, in closing this brief narrative
respecting our Sabbath-schools. Con
nected with the Sabbath-school at Wag
ner Institute, was a little girl of fourteen
years, who had been lingering with
that insidious disease, consumption, for
the period of four years. Her ill health
frequently prevented her from attending
the Sabbath-school, which she so much
loved. Living in sight and within a
stone's cast of this building, she witness
ed, with eager delight, when the spade
was first put into the ground on 'l7th:
June last. Day after day, and week
after week, she observed the progress of
the work and anticipated with much
pleasure the period when this edifice
should be erected, and a Sabbath-school
organized in it. But alas ! " death bad
marked her for his own." Six weeks
ago she was confined to her bed, and
all hope of her recovery was abandoned.
She received , the summons with perfect
calmness. Calling her weeping friends
to her bed-side, she bade them an affec
tionate adieu, telling them she was going
to her Saviour, and leaving with each
one a solemn message. To her sorrow
ing parents she left a special charge, to
so train her little brother Howard, of
lour years of age, in the ways of truth
and righteousness, that she may meet
him in heaven. -Four weeks ago to-day,
this young disciple passed away from
the sorrows of earth to the joys of heaven.
What encouragement to fidelity on the
part of Sabbath-school teachers.
[The particulars of the size, location,
sze , of the building were given in our
last.]
Twenty-seven hundred dollars (and
not one dollar less) will be required to
defray the expense of furnishing, grad
ing and fencing in the building. In this
sum are, included, the library and other
books for Sabbath-school purposes. One
thousand dollars has been subscribed to
this fund ; the remaining seventeen hun
dred it is hoped will be forthcoming, with
little or no delay.
The completion of this chapel is, in
fact, only a hopeful commencement of
what remains to be done. It is for the
friends of this enterprise to say whether
the church edifice shall at once go for
ward, on the lot fronting on Broad street,
without any cessation of effort. Indeed,
the erection of this chapel was begun
with the understanding that there should
be no intermission of effort, until the en
tire work was brought to a successful
completion. Numerous and large sub
scriptions to the Church building were,
some time since, obtained- through the
persistent and well-directed efforts of
Rev. F. L. Robbins, and to make all
these available, it is of the highest im
portance that the work should at once
go forward,—and let all the people say
amen !
By the advice and consent of the con
tributors and others interested in this en
terprise, its corporate name, style and
title will be The Carmel Presbyterian
Church of the City of Philadelphia.
PILILADIMPAIA, May 81, 1866.
*tits atiVrtti,S.
REVIVALS
REVIVAL IN CHAMPLAIN, N. Y.—
Among the extended revivals through
out the land, the one at this place de
serves a passing notice. Sabbath, May
6th, was a memorable day with the
church under the charge of Rev. J.
Copeland. Ninety persons stood up in
the presence of a crowded congregation,
and united with the church by profession
of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ,
and seven also by letter. Probably so
many communicants were never to
gether before in our village. The pastor
writes to the Evangelist,:
The week of prayer was well observed by the
church. After that, the pastor would go out
on an afternoon into one of the more distant
neighborhoods and call, as he went, at every
I house, and give notice that a prayer-meeting
would be held that evening at such a place,
and leave invitation for all to attend. Thus,
at different times, several camp fires were
kindled on the borders of the congregation.
The following week, he would preach in the
same neighborhood. All these meetings
were ore largely attended than was antici
pated._p In addition to the regular weekly
prayer-meeting in the lecture-room, a special
meeting at some private house was held
weekly for all those who desired to pray for
the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon us.
At the same time the preaching was all
brought to bear upon the same o_bject. Thus
things went on till the first of March, when
a few were inquiring, and some two or three
indulging a hope. Following, we trust, the
leadings of the Spirit, the pastor sent an in
vitation to the Rev. Ezra D. Kinney, of Bol
ton, Conn., who from 1831 to 1834 had the
charge of this church, to come and assist
him in a protracted effort. He arrived on
the morning of the 6th of March, preached
that evening, and so on, for twenty-five suc
cessive evenings. A prayer-meeting was
held each afternoon. During those twenty
five days the pastor had the names of one
hundred and twenty who had confessed the
Lo'riljesus.
The first'fruits were gathered last Sabbath.
Of those who united by, profession, twenty
four were heads of families ;Iforty-one males,
forty-nine females. Sixty-four were from the
Sabbath-school, and several others have been
tea6hers or scholars. Seven are under four
teen years of age ; the rest range from four
teen up to nearly three-score. Most are in
the prime 'of life. In the Sabbath-school of
two hundred and seventy-five scholars, nearly
all are Christians. Four of the pastor's
children, and another of his household were
among the interesting group. The Mu•
ences of the revival are still upon us. The
converts are Workers. A very large portion
of them are already assuming the responsi
bilities of older Christians.
KNOX COLLEGE, GALESBURG, ILL.-
Has been greatly blessed by the out
pouring of the Holy Spirit during the
term just closed. The week of prayer
in January was observed by the stu
dents. After that, daily meetings were
continued. Christains were revived,
,and went to work and planned and pray
ed for the Redeemer's Kingdom. Soon
a member of the senior class came out
on the Lord's side, then anothei., and
;the work spread. In the meantime the
Spirit was poured out upon the Churches
,in the city, and large union meetings
were held. This reacted favorably upon
the students in the various departments
of the institution. 'Over forty have ex
pressed hope in Jesus, and though some
may be deceived, it will be found in the
l'ast day that many precious souls were
truly converted. Quite a number have
already united with the churches.
'AccEssioxs.—Rev. Geo. D. Young, of
Capauche, lowa, writes, March 14th:
A most precious`revival commenced in the
union prayer-meetings during the week of
praybr. Perhaps about fifty have been con
vert& Last Sabbath was a day of solemn in
teres4o our little church. Eleven were added
to its number, ten on profession. Seven are
heads of families.
Among these converts are some of the most
able buslness men of the town. Solemn, se
rious interest still continues. We are expect
ing God will do greater things for us.
At Meadville, Pa., May 20th, twenty
persons were admitted to the privileges
of the church--making seventy-six since
the beginning of the year.—Sixty-two
new members were added to the First
church of Poughkeepsie, at its May com
munion, all except eight fruits of the
recent revival.—Fifty-nine have re
cently been received to the communion
of the church in Medina, N. Y.—The
first Sabbath of this month was a joyful
day in Elyria, 0. We welcomed to the
Lord's table for the first time forty-two
converts, the fruits in part of the revival
.we have recently enjoyed. The man of
grey hairs stood beside the youth to
take ,the covenant of the Lord.—
Twelve were recently added at Hastings,
Min., all but one, adults.—Twelve
have united to the church at Blue Earth,
Min.--In Cleveland, there have been
large accessions to our churches. A
correspondent of the Herald says: The
first Sabbath of this month witnessed
large accessions to many of our churches
by profession of faith, the fruits of the
unusual religious interest which has pre
vailed for four months past. At the
communion seasons in March and May,
one hundred and forty were admitted to
the fellowship of the First church, of
which one hundred and twelve were by
profession of their faith; twenty-eight of
these were received from the Mission.
--The Second church have received
fifty-six upon profession and fourteen by
letter. The Euclid st., church twenty-five.
PERSONAL.-Mr. Geo. F. Chapin was
ordained and installed pastor of the First
Church of Lawrence, Kansas, April 15.
---Rev. John H. Dillingham, of We
none, 111., has received and accepted a
call to take charge of the Presbyterian
Church at Belleville, 111., at a salary of
$lOOO and parsonage.--The Fort
Street Church, Detroit, has just given a
unanimous call to Mr. Samuel T. Clarke,
son of Rev. Walter Clarke, D.D., of
Buffalo. He is a graduate of the Union
Theological Seminary.--Henry Cooper,
Rookwood ticquesten, and David G.
Grieve, were ordained by the Fourth
Presbytery of New York to the work of
the Gospel ministry on the evening of
May 11th, at the chapel of the Union
Theological Seminary. The Presby
tery of North River installed Rev. E.
Roe pastor of the church at Buttermilk
Falls, on Wednesday evening, May 30th.
--June 2d, Grand River Valley Pres
bytery installed Rev. Geo. Ransom pastor
at Muir, Michigan.---Rev. P. S. Cle
land has resigned the pastoral charge of
the Southport Church, Ind., which he has
supplied a part of his time as pastor or
stated supply, for more than twenty-years.
Cfloacifss.—The First Church of Le
banon, 111., organized April Bth, 1866,
was taken under care of Alton Presby
tery, at its spring meeting. -----A mi
nority of the Church at Greenville,
attempted to carry the Church into the
Congregational Association of Southern
Illinois, designing to carry the organi
zation and property with them. Alton
Presbytery, to which the Church belongs,
having examined into the facts through
a committee, passed the following reso
lutions by a unanimous vote :
(1.) The action of the Greenville
Church, as detailed in the paper pre
sented to this Presbytery, on the 3d of
last October, is utterly 'and entirely null
and void; and that Church is now as
fully connected with this body as it ever
has been.
(2.) We enjoin it upon them to ad
here closely and firmly to their consti
tution ; and assure them of our cordial
sympathy and support.
The Church at Buffalo was received
April 17, under the care of the Illinois
Presbytery. It numbers twenty mem
bers.--The First Church of Ottawa,
Kansas, was organized by Rev. Wil
liam H. Smith and Rev. Andrew Par
sons with nine members, on Monday,
April 23, 1866. Fifteen others were
expected to join.—The First Church
of Anna, 111., was organized by Rev. A.
T. Norton, District Secretary of Rome
Missions, on Sabbath, April 29th, 1866,
with sixteen members: Rev. Thos.
H. Tatlow and Rev. J. J. Wilson or
ganized a Presbyterian Church, 'called
Carmel, eight miles west of Newark, in
Knox co., Mo., on Sabbath, April 8, 1866.
GALESBURG.—The Free Press June
7th, says :—" Last Sunday morning was
quite an occasion at the Second Presby
terian Church. The edifice was origin
ally built at a cost of some $19,000 and
of this there were $7OOO yet unpaid.
Rev. Mr. Daflield's•sermon tune, very
naturally on the relation of Christians to
their property, showing that all a man
had was only held in trust, and that he
was nothing but a steward at the best.
Ile concluded by making a direct refer
ence to the debt. After the sermon, Mr.
Duffield came down from the pulpit and
presented the case informally to the con
gregation, asking them what sums they
would give to free the church from obli
gation. One after another responded
very liberally, the first subscription being
that of Edwin Post, Esq., for seven hun
dred dollars (afterwards increased to
seven hundred and fifty.) In a little
over an hour, the amount was -raised
with the exception of about a hundred
and thirty dollars. This General Post
declared he would be responsible for if
the Chairman would only let them go
home to dinner. And this the Chairman
did.
" It was very gratifying to the mem
bers of the church, that so large a sum
was raised on little or no previous notice,
and that the majority of subscriptions
were for amounts exceeding one hundred
dollars. The church is now completely
free from all debt and will be dedicated
at the meeting of the Synod of Peoria,
in this place, next fall.
" Possibly the circumstances of the
case will justify a pan, which we under
stand was made by the pastor on the
occasion, that the Posts were the pillars
of the church.'"
CHURCH EXTENSION IN CLEVELAND.
—The Presbytery of Cleveland and
Portage, recently ordained Rev. Aaron
Peck to the work of an evangelist. He
has charge of a Mission Chapel support..
ed by the First Presbyterian Church and
has accepted the work. He has already
been blessed in it, having gathered
about forty into a branch of the First
Church, which will probably become
strong enough soon to be set off as a
new church by itself. A chapel is about
to be built at a cost of $6500, which has
been subscribed by members of the First
Church and congregation, and an
adequate salary provided for the first
year. This enterprise had its origin in
the fidelity of one convert of the revival
of 1857-8, to his new impulses of duty.
RED BLUFF, CAL.—The religious and
moral interests of this place seem well
promoted by the labors of an able, expe
rienced, and esteemed Presbyterian
minister, settled in this place, Rev. Mr
Hurd. The church building is a good,
commodious framed house, with a fine
steeple, and twice each Sabbath is well
attended by a birge congregation, while
there is no other religious organization
in the place to cause any unhappy bick
erings or emulations. The Sabbath
school is in a flourishing condition, and
the prospects in all the moral aspects of
the place are encouragiog.—Cor. Pacific.
PEESBYTERIES. Alton Presbytery
has now the largest number of churches
of any in our connection, East or West.
In the number of ministers, eight are
before it. In the number of communi
cants, it about equals the Presbytery of
Cincinnati, and surpasses every other
Western Presbytery, save that of Chi
cigo. . Of its thirty-seven churches,
twenty-three will probably need Home
Missionary aid the present year. For
Home Missions, it has contributed an
average of eighty-seven cents and a frac
tion, for each member, making an aggre
gate of $1374 33.—Reporter.
THE PRESBYTERY OF CEDAR RAPIDS
held its first annual meeting in the First
Church in Cedar Rapids, lowa, com
mencing on the 12th day of April. This
Presbytery was constituted by a vote of
the Synod of lowa at its last meeting,
and set off chiefly from the Presbytery
of lowa City. It consists of twelve
ministers and fourteen churches.
REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The General Synod of the Reformed
Presbyterian Church met at. Xenia, Ohio,
May 16. Rev. Dr, McMaster, of Prince
ton, Indiana, was Moderator.
The Synod went into Committee of the
Whole on the subject of Domestic Mis
sions. Representatives of the different Pres
byteries made interesting statements of the
condition of the work in their respective
bounds. Several of the speakers alluded to
the use of the old Psalms as an obstacle to
the progress of the Church, but such remarks
were not favorably received by many, and
were considered out of order at the time, as
the subject was to be discussed in another
connection.
Reference having been made to the perils
and remarkable privations of members of the
Reformed Presbyterian Church in Tennessee
during the rebellion, it was resolved that
thanksgiving should be expressed on their
account. Mr. Win. Wyatt, one of these
noble men, was present in Synod, and gave
an interesting account of the condition of
things during the war, and the present efforts
for the education of the Freedmen. Rev.
Mr. Herron, who was recently in Tennessee,
also spoke on the same subject.
The Trustees and Superintendents of the
Theological Seminary also reported, showing
the condition of the institution, The Endow
ment Fund, amounting to more than forty
thousand dollars had been paid in, and the
annual income of more than twelve hundred
dollars appropriated to the payment of the
Professors' salaries and the reduction of the
floating debt. The number of students in 'at
tendance during the year was seven, of whom
two had been recommended for licensure.
The Foreign Missionary report showed
some improvement in the receipts, wh i ch
amounted to $6691 30 during the year. There
are three stations, at which are four mission
aries from this country, with one native or
dained minister, and three native assistant
missionaries. There are fifty-sin communi
canta and ten students of Theology.
PSALMODY
The subject was referred to a commit
tee which brought in -, a report asking Sy
pod to decide, as a preliminary question,
whether or not the Reformedviktresby
•ria:4-,
terian Church would abide byber Stan
dards on this subject, or whether she
would 'consent to any modification of
them. This led to a long and very in
teresting, and sometimes very exciting
debate, lasting for three days, in the
course of which the whole matter was
very fully discussed. Revs. Di. Mc-
Leod, Dr. Scott, Dr. Wylie, Prof. Steele,
Messrs. Morrison, G. McMillan, R. Mc-
Millan, Harshaw, Herron, Scott, Nevin,
Dr. McMaster, Morton, Bratton, A. G.
Wylie, Herron, and W. T. Wylie took
part in the discussion. As the result,
the resolution " That the Synod would
abide by its Standards on the subject of
Psalmody," was adopted by a vote of
28 ayes to: 16 noes. Against this
a protest was entered by Rev. S. Wylie
and others, which, with a reply to it, is
to be published in the minutes.
The Committee, thus instructed by
Synod, afterwards reported again, re
commending among other things :-Ist.
That the Standards of the Reformed
Presbyterian Church authorized the one
hundred and fifty Psalms only to be used
in the public social worship of God. 2d.
That the General Synod of the Reformed
Presbyterian Church have never decided
the question whether . or not other in
spired songs might be used if duly au
thorized. 3d. That the Church has de
cided the question that no imitations or
uninspired compositions are to be used
in social public worship. 4th. That a
committee be appointed to prepare
amended versions. sth. That a corres
pondence be entered into with other
churches, to procure a new version. 6th.
That all ministers and others under our
care be admonished to abstain from all
divisive courseg, on this and other sub
jects ; to cease from publications impugn
ing the doctrines of our Standards, and
to enter more vigorousli on the work of
edifying the Church and saving the
world. Adopted.
A minority report submitted by Rev.
J. W. Morrison, recommended Christian
forbearance. (It was lost. Ayes 11,
noes 30, not voting 3.)
A resolution was then offered that the
various Presbyteries and Sessions be
directed to proceed against certain per
sons alleged to be guilty of violating the
Standards of the Church on the subject
of Psalmody. This produced intense
excitement, and was declared to be an
insult to Synod, and was returned to its
author.
The following resolution on the State
of the country was passed
Resolved, That while we, the Synod
of the Reformed Presbyterian Church,
would desire to render all due respect to
President Johnson, as our Chief Execu
tive Magistrate, and will continue to
pray that he may have Divine direction,
yet we feel it our duty to express oar
disappointment in regard to his policy.
We record our approbation of the course
pursued by Congress, and our thanks to
God for their firmness and fidelity. We
rejoice at their successful efforts to secure
for the Freedmen of the South, the lib
erty procured for them by the nation,
and we express our conviction that a
verrnanent peace cahnot be enjoyed by
the country until equal-banded justicii is
secured to all, without respect to metier
nationalism, in the guaranty 9f impatt)al
civil and political rights.