Awirifau, Itiotigtrialt. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 1866 rONTENTS OF INSIDE PAGES. SECorar PAGE—FAMILY CIRCLE : Why doet Th on Wait?—Apologizthw—A Tale for the Little Folks—Burning the Book—Sabbath — A Gem from Herbert—Shooting a Shark — What a Spider can do — Dull Bove—Thy Kingdom Come—Light for the Dark Valley—kffeets of Evil Company. THIRD PAGE--MISCELLANEOUS : Bsrtimeus. the Blind Preacher of Mani—Dr. Gus tavus Warfield A Good Confession —Dppth of Christian Life. ! , 11TH PAGE—CORRESPONDENCE: Rev. B. P. Hammond's Letter from Glesgow, Scot. land—Don't Hide the Matches. tDITOH'S TABLF.: Alexander Strahan's Books: Macleod . 8 "Eatwa r d : " 'Letters of Eugonie de Guerin:" Macteod's " Simple Truths for Earnest Minds"—Ticknor & Fields' Books: Thoreau's "Yankee in Canada, with Anti -Slavery and Re tort. Papers:" Hervey's "Poems"—Literary Intel ligence, American and Foreign—Bible Inspiration. SEVENTIt PAGE—RURAL ECONOMY : Limo the Basis of Good Husbandry—Cheeseas Food —Re -capture of Honey by Bees—Crib-biting—Flow era f.d. Perfumery. Smutrunc: The British Association for the Ad vancelannt of Science. AUGUST 30TH AND 23D.—We are much obliged to friends who have aided us to replenish our files. Besides Aug. 30th, we are greatly in need of copies of the preceding number, Aug. 23d. If our friends will supply us with a few copies they will confer a great favor. Postage need not be prepaid. BIBLE-HOUSE FOR CONSTANTINOPLE. It is proposed by the friends of the Bible work in Turkey, to raise the sum of $50,000 for the purchase of a lot in the city of Constantinople, and the erection thereon of a plain but substantial and com modious building, to be known as " The Bible House." The object of the building is to furnish a permanent location for the depository and sale of the Holy Scriptures in more than twenty languages; offices for the various Bible, charitable and mission ary societies of the United States operating in Turkey; a small public hall; rooms for the instruction of the blind, and also for publishing and storage purposes; .in short, the visible, reliable centre for Protestant Christian influence for the whole empire. The importance of such a building is most deeply felt by every evangelical la borer in Constantinople and the, Turkish Empire, and appeal is made to the Bible loving - Americans, assured that they will readily respond to the call. The following szentlemen have consented to act as Trustees of the property E. Dodge, Esq., William A. Booth, Esq., David Hoadley Esq., Robert Carter, Esq., S. B. Sehieffelin, Esq., and William G. Lambert, Esq. Donations and communications may be sent to Rev. Isaac G. Bliss, care of Henry Fisher, Esq., Assistant Treasurer American Bible Society, Bible House, Astor Place, New York City. From the many commendations e'"d by this wise and large-hearted propose extract that of the veteran missionary now in this country, Dr. William Goodell. " A permanent Bible House in Constan tinople! What sweet and sacred thoughts cluster around the very name of such an institution ! It is a thing more needed than I have time to say. It ought to be—it must he—it will and shall be. And the only question is, whether those to whom you make application will do it, or whether they will leave the privilege and the honor and the reward to others. May you have the satisfaction of hearing those to whom you shall first apply, say -at once, ' Let us rise up and build;' and you have only to add in your record of the same, 'So they strengthened their hands for this good work.' + And all the friends of the Bible in Turkey will joyfully respond, Hallelujah ! Amen !" Mr. 8. M. Minasian, a Protestant Ar menian merchant of Constantinople, has subscribed $lOOO to the fund. PHYSICAL NECESSITY OF A DAY OF REST.—The following paragraph, from one of our secular, journals, is additional evidence on the already well-proved necessity for the observance of the fourth commandment as a means 104' the temporal good of men : Railroad Labor in England.—A meeting of English railway employees was recently held in London, at which it was stated that many of the railway accidents which happen in that country are to be attributed to the exhaustion resulting from over-work. It was, among other things, announced that for men to labor seven days in the week, and to have no rest for six weeks together, were not even uncommon '• and the ease was mentioned of a station-hand who had not had a day off for twenty years. Many of the engineers had been kept on continuous duty for twenty-two and twenty-three hours ; in deed, until some of them fell exhausted on the floors of their engines: On Saturday, eighteen hours was on several roads the re gular period of labor, and signal men were often found asleep in their boxes. Accident al deaths of employees exhausted by too much labor frequently happened, the over work having. rendered them incapable of taking care of themselves. The meeting held in London was convened to devise some method of reforming this bad system. A WELL-PROVED LABORER. Our cotemporSry, The Presbyterian, thus notices a vigorous veteran of its own Church :—" The Rev, Jonathan Cross has removed from Baltimore to York, Pennsylvania, where correspondents will please address him. Mr. Cross is. engaged in the work of an evan gelist, in which it has pleased God greatly to bless his labors. He will be glad to assist pastors wherever such work is desired, if they will give him timely notice .44f their, wish to secure services, and specify the i precise date at which they wish hitil to Mile." THE AMERICAN PRESBYTERIAN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER V, 1866. THE NATIONAL ORPHANS' HOME STEAD AT GETTYSBURG. Our readers of course, all remember the touching story of the New York soldier, Humiston, found dead at Gettysburg after the great battle, with the photograph of his three Children upon his breast. By this photograph, through the instrumen tality of the AMERICAN PRESBYTERIAN the soldier, otherwise unknown, was identified as the husband and father . of a family, respectable though poor, in Western New York. The photograph has been multi pled by thousands of copies, and sold to such a large extent as to furnish the means fbr building a neat dwelling for the widow and orphans. But the incident gave impulse to a much wider practical scheme for the benefit of soldiers' families. The fidelity and affec tion of the dying sergeant for his own little household, has set in motion a stream of benevolent intentions and efforts designed to embrace many bereaved families in wide ly different sections of the country. An associp.tion originated by persons taking an interest in the Humiston case, has been at work in this city, and by agents all over the North under the name of the NATIONAIJ ORPHANS' HOMESTEAD AssociATioNi who have supported a number of soldiers' orphans at their homes, but who have secured, and will in a few days have ready for occupa tion, a comfortable home at Gettysburg, where eighty orphans can be accommo dated. This Home is upon ground em braced in the famous battle-field on Ceme tery Hill. Almost within sight is the grave of Humiston himself, suitably marked among those of the New York soldiers, saved from the designation of " unknown" by the persistent affection of the dying father for his children. Parental love has secured for the humble soldier his personal share in the gratitude of his countrymen, and has made his name' immortal. Mrs. Humiston, the widow, has aceepteu the position of housekeeper in the institution, and the three children, whose photographs are almost as familiar as Lincoln's and Grant's to the people, are the first to be admitted to its privileges. In the prize poem upon this incident, furnished for our columns, occur the following lines, which thus reach their fulfilment : Calm as a warrior in a dream Our fallen comrade lay; His limbs were cold, his sightless eyes Were fixed upon the three Sweet stars that rose in memory's eyes To light him o'er death's sea. Then hallowed be the soldier's life, And hallowed be his prayer: , "0 ! Father, guard the soldier's wife, And for his children care!" Thus there is a beautiful Providence running through the histroy of the Home stead Association, marking the commence ment, the location of its building, and the persons of its managers and inmates; a Providence which we earnestly hope and believe will illuminate its future career. In Gettysburg, the liveliest interest is mani fested by the leading citizens, headed by the Hon. Edward McPherson, clerk of the House of Representatives. An associate board of twenty-six persons, thirteen ladies and thirteen gentlemen, comprising the best people of the borough, are co-operat ing with the directors in this city. The venerable patriot, John Burns, who fought in the great battle as an independent vol unteer, takes a deep interest in the institu tion, and will probably be in some way connected with the management. The largest part of the contributions to this admirable enterprise has come from the Sabbath-schools of the country, in sums of twenty-five dollars and upwards. The sehool which contributes such a sum is entitled to nominate an orphan for admission; and the nominees of the schools have precedence of all others in admission to the Homestead. The superintendent of the Sabbath-school may become a party to the indentures binding the orphans, and is allowed, in that case, a voice in any question as to the removal of the orphan from the institution. Some large and many small contributions have been made by individuals, and it is hoped that the funds will be speedily in creased, so as to permit, at an early day, the erection of a building worthy the name of National, worthy the cause, and worthy of the grand historic site of Gettysburg. The present building, it is expected, will be inaugurated with proper ceremonies about the Ist of October. BISHOP WHIPPLE-A CORRECTION.- We copy from the Springfield Republi can an extract from a letter from Bishop Whipple, of Minnesota, in regard to a paragraph which we copied from that paper, purporting to be an extract from an address by the Bishop on the causes of the war. lie says:— • "I am sure that no man who knows me would . believe that. I have ever given utter ance to so foolish words. Permit me to say that I have never published a sermon upon the causes of the war, nor have I alluded to this subject in any written sermon for more than three years. In 1860, before the war, I did preach a sermon in nearly every parish in the diocese, upon the fearful signs of the .times, which seemed to foretell a cruel war. In that sermon I endeavored to speak plainly of private and public sins ; I alluded to our lack of home life, and parental authority and subjection in children; to our lack of rever ence for law, and disloyalty to government as an institution of God; to our lax views of business morality; our• profaneness of speech, and our lack of a definite faith in the awful verities of -the Christian religion. In that sermon I stated that I believed tliat this laxity in faith and practice ; was partly due to the religious' strifes ancrdissension of Christian men, which; ladN:,)ewildered the multitude." THE MOVEMENT AGAINST THE SUN DAY CARS.—We last week expressed our conviction that the Christian people of Philadelphia would not quietly sub mit to the defiant attempt of the City Passenger Railway Companies to over ride the laws of the Commonwealth, and to destroy the ancient peace of our Philadelphia Sabbaths. The following proceedings in court, last Thursday, September 20, show what efforts are being. made to put a stop to the great and growing nuisance : William J. McElroy, Esq., with his col leagues, Q. Stuart Patterson, Esq., and Hon. William A. Porter, filed a bill in equity in the Supreme Court, asking for an injunction restraining the Union Passenger Railway Company from running their cars on Sun day. Application was made to Judge Strong to fix a day for a hearing, The Judge stated that he will be compelled to be absent all of next week, but could hear the case on next Monday week, the Ist of October. This day was accordingly fixed. The following is a copy of the bill : John Sparhawk,William Purves, Charles F. Haseltine, Alexander Ervin, Jr., Henry A. Bower, Thomas Tolman, D. W. C. Moore, L. C. Voute Jacob Moore, Robert Steenson, George W. Mears, Jacob A. Gardner,William Rutter, John C. Daw son; Lemuel Diekerman, James llogg, plaintiffs, vs. The Union Passenger. Rail; road Company of Philadelphia., ';dofendL ants. To the Honorable the Judges of the Supreme Court : Your orators complain and my-- Fins& That the said defendant is a corpo poration, incorpoiated by the Legislature of this Commonwealth, by act of the General Assembly, approved the eighth day of April, 1864, and by the said act was authorized to construct a railway in the city of. Philadel phia, for the conveyance of passengers along the following streets, beginning at or near the intersection of Wharton and Front streets. [Here follows a description of the route.] The said company have constructed the said railroad upon all, or a greater part of the said streets, and have been, and are, running paSsenger cars on and over the same. Second. Your orators are citizens of the said city of Philadelphia, and State of Penn sylvania, residing therein, and some of them, .to wit, the ten first named above, are members of and pewholders in churches situated on the line of the said railway, and - some Of 11(eli; to wit, the six lastly above-named, are resi dents and owners of dwelling-houSes, also situated on the line of the said railway. Third. The said company (defendant) have engaged in the business of 'running their. cars with horse power, and carrying passen gers for hire, on and over their said railway on the first day of the week, commonly called Sunday, in violation of the laws of this Com monwealth, and to the mauifest injury of your orators and many other good citizens of the said city. And the said company threa ten and intend to prosecute and continue the said business for hire as aforesaid, on the next Sunday, and on every Sunday there after. Fourth. Your orators Show that - by reason of the unlawful business carried on as afore said by the defendant, they have been, are, and will be deprived of the right of enjoying the Sabbath as a day of rest and of religious exercises; free from all disturbance from merely unnecessary and unauthorized world ly employment; that they have been; are. and will be thereby prevented from engaging' peaceably and without interruption in the worship of Almighty God in their accus tomed places of public worship, or in their own residences on the Sabbath day ; that the lawful peace and quiet of the said day is thereby disturbed and broken ; and that the rights - of property which they possess in their said churches or places of public wor ship, and in their private residences, are and will continue to be thereby infringed upon, and their said churches and residences there by deteriorated and lessened in value. Wherefore your orators need equitable re lief in the premises, and they respectfully pray your honors to grant unto them First. A writ of injunction, directed to the said defendant, the Union Passenger Railway Company of Philadelphia, restrain ing the said defendant, its officers and ser vants, from running, or permitting to run, any cars over any of the streets of the city of Philadelphia on the said railway, or other wise, upon the first day of the week, com monly called Sunday. Second. Such further and other relief as the nature and circumstances of the case shall require, and to your honors may seal' meet. SPIRITUAL PROSPECT ON THE PACI FIC COAST.—The brethren in San Fran cisco seem to be expecting a season of great spiritual interest. The Pacific learns that Rev. Mr. Earle, whose evangelistic labors in and around Bos ton were so largely blessed last winter and spring, has signified his intention to visit San Francisco, as requested by the -Ministerial Union of that city. It also speaks of scenes of blessed religious interest as already commenced. Of the Daily Prayer Meeting recently instituted, it says :---" We were able to say, re cently, that there had been a manifest increase of interest up to that time in these meetings. During the week now past there was more evidence than,ever that this religious movement bad taken a deep .hold on the community, and that it might be expected to produce lasting and most precious results. The Mon day meeting seemed to feel the influence of the .Sabbath services ; and other meetings during the week the influence of the Monday meeting; and all, of the silent, gracious, omnipotent Spirit of God. Some have arisen each day to ask the prayers of Christians and to express their determination to , seek the Saviour. Quite A number of young men have risen, from time to time, to testify ot the love of j'eSILS. The speak ing has generally been very much to the point; the prayers devout and earnest." PRZSBYTERIAN REIINION.-At the commencement' of the agitation of the subject of the fusion of the two Find!. pal branches of the Presbyterian Church in this country, we expresso:id our be lief that it would facilitate rather than retard the consummation, to strike out at once for a Presbyterian union on a still broader scale. We see once in a while an indication which confirms us in that belief. A recent ,one the no tion Of the Chicago iteferrnecl ‘Presby tery, at its meeting in Mount Vernon, lowa, on the 12th inst. The Presby tery appointed a committee to co-ope rate with similar committees to .be ap pointed by the Old School, New. School, and United Presbyteries of Chicago, to convene a joint meeting •of the four Presbyteries for prayer and confer ence on their common interests. FRUIT OP MISSIONS TO THE HEA THEN.—We give the following as an example. In the Tonga or Friendly Islands—fifty years ago the unbroken do main of the darkest and vilest form of paganism—there are now 169 Protest ant places of worship,; 24 resident European and native ministers ; 13 catechists; 214 day-school teachers ; 676 gabbath-school teachers ; 856 lay preachers ; 9822 church members ; 248 day-schools, containing 9712 scholars. The liamber of regular attendants upon publih worship is about 30,000 ; and moreltha,n £3OOO per annum are con tributed- voluntarily by the people for religious purposes. The native churches meet the total expenses of the missiona ries, and religious institutions amongst them—a remarkable fact, which ought to silence those whose pleasure it is to de cry Christian missions and missions . ries. OUR ROCHESTER CORRESPONDENT. SYNOD OF• GENEVA The annual meeting of this Synod was held in Horse Heads, commencing its sessions last Tuesday afternoon, and • continuing until Thursday evening. It was a'meeting of rare spiritual interest and profit; but we have room for only a brief outline of its proceedings. Rev. S. J. McCullough was chosen Moderator, and Rev. Isaac Clark, and Rev. A. T. Young, clerks. The open ing sermon was preached on Tuesday evening, by Rev. W. A. Niles, the retir ing Moderator. 'On Wednesday afternoon came the administration of the Lord's Supper, Rev. J. B. Richardson and Rev. H. Kendall, D.D., officiating ; after which Rev. Dr.. Kendall was heard for half an hour on the subject of Home Missions: On Thursday morning the'devotional exercises were continued for an hour and a half, and even then it was hard to bring them to a close. After this an essay on the Office of the Ruling Elder was read by Rev. Dr. Wood, containing truths and' suggestions of such practical value, that, on the motion of an elder present its publication was requested. After this, an • able, paper by. Rev. H. Eaton, as one of the Examining Coma mittee of Elmira Female College was heard, and this too was requested for publidation, Dr. Mills was heard in behalf of the Education cause.. The narrative on the state of religion was read on Thursday• afternoon by Rev. H. Eaton, and a vote to publish was again passed. At this point, some one remarked that they were ordering a good deal for pub lication. -A corresponding member, whose judgment in such matters is first best, said that he had attended many, meetings of Synodn, and never had heard so much that was worthy of publication. Synod closed its business at 5 o'clock, but Rev. Dr. Bell, the new pastor at Lyons, preached to a large and deeply interested congregation in the evening. It was the largest meeting of this Synod held in many years, and one of the most interesting. Next year its sessions are to be held in Geneva. LIQUOR-DEALERS' FESTIVAL. . We recently gave an account of a great day in Buffalo, under the above designation. We little thought then that our own city was so soon to be similarly honored.; but it is no new thing for prophecies to be .at fault in these last days. Our anticipations at least were so. On Tuesday last the liquor-dealers of this city had a festival and pic-nic. They engaged four bands of music, invited their friends frota the surrounding region to join them, formed their procession and paraded through our streets to a neighboring grove to spend the day in festivity. Sunday-schools have their pic-nics, and why not the liquor dealers ? Masons and builders sometimes have festivals, and why not the dealers in rum, gin and brandy ? The object was to put them selves and their business on the same footing with other employments, just as though there was nothing injurious, de structive and base in putting the bottle to a neighbor's lips. There was a large procession, with wagons decorated with evergreens, carrying beer-bottles, whisky barrels, demijohns and the like, orna mented also with mottoes for the occa sion, among which the following were noticed :--" Fanatics and Pale Faces Tremble"—" Who is not Our Friend is Our Enemy." `lt was a motley assemblage, black spirits and white, red spirits and gray. In one wagon was- a miniature brewely in full blast; in another a bar; a many in the crowd were drinking freely and singing and shouting uproariously as the procession moved along. It was a . sad spectacle. Many looked on with shame and sorrow as it . passed. As might,' have been expected, the pic•nio ended in a free fight. Some persons, it is said, were seriously injured. And yet, we think this exhibition was calculated to do great good. All who call to mind the Spartan Custom of ex hibiting a Arunkard in order to warn children against, the folly of intemper ance, will understand the principle on which it worked. It was a visible, shocking demonstration of the evils of indulging in strong drink. It was a mighty argument for temperance. Some, even of those who freely use the intoxi cating cup themselves, looked upon this mockery of a pageant with feelings of unmitigated mortification and disgust. For the interests of the temperance cause we could well afford to have such a spec tacle once a year. The liquor-dealers may be doing good service, if they keep them up. The friends of temperance would do. well to hold meetings at once, and use the arguments thus furnished to their hand for the interest of truth and sobriety ; for certainly that liquor deal ers' festival and fight were a mighty ar gument in favor of legal protection against the rum traffic. PRESBYTERY OF LYONS This body had its semi-annual meet ing at Sodns on the 11th inst. Open ing sermon by Rev. William Lusk, of Huron ; communion sermon by Rev. S. B. Bell, D.D., of Lyons. Rev. M. B. Gregg, of Rose, was chosen Moderator, and. Rev. William Young, of Fairville, Clerk. Rev. H. W. Brown, formerly of Lyons, now of Brockport, was dismissed to unite with the Presbytery of Roches ter. Arrangements were also made for the installation,of Dr. Bell at Lyons, in November, and an interesting discussion on the subject of Sunday-schools, and the duty of the Church to sustain its weekly prayer-meetings, came off on Wednesday evening, and was the closing exercise of an harmonious and pleasant meeting of the body. KINDLY REMEMBERED Rev. G. R. Alden. of the last class at Auburn, began his ministry very auspi ciously at Almond. He has a large, strong country church, with a very in telligent membership, and they are rally ing pleasantly around him, and are coming up finely in their contributions to the causes of benevolence. They have recently given one hundeed dollars to Home Missions, and (Pier sixty to our Foreign Board.. At the same time, this abates nothing from the interest in their own pastor, but the contrary. They cheerfully furnished his house with car pets, study-table and the like, expending one hundred and fifty dollars in that way, "'as a slight token of their good will and kind regards." They will all be the richer, and thet happier for their increasing > benevolence, and will soon find, we doubt not, corresponding spiritu al mercies in store for them. IMPROVEMEAITS IN ANGELICA Some changes, are being made in the house of worship of the Presbyterian church in this , pleasant village, of which Rev. E. L. Boing is pastor. The, choir gallery is to be lowered, to bring the singers down near the pulpit, so that all may sing together. An expense of $lOOO, it may be, is thus incurred. And besides this, an organ has recently been purchased at a cost of $6OO, and so the congregation hope to be better equipped for the important service of song in the sanctuary. • ANDOVER The church in this plade was burned last May. A new one is now in process of erection, 65 by 40 feet, with lecture room, 24 by. 20, in the rear ; and, as "it is an ill wind that blows no good," so the fire enables I the congregation to change their location with some advan tage, selling the old lot and buying another moje favorably situated for church purposes. Rev. Philander Camp is serving them in the Lord. BELMONT Rev. J. S. Bingha,m is preaching in this place. At a late meeting of the Presbytery of Genesee Valley, be was received from the Presbytery of Gene see River, (0. S.) to 'that body, with which the church is connected, and where he is laborink successfully. SIISQUIMANNA This is a thriving place, of about 4000 . inhabitants, upon the Erie Rail wity, 193 miles from New York. It is here the corporation have their large car and repair shops, employing some eight hundred hands. Rev. S. H. Moore has been invited to act as stated supply to the Presbyterian Church in this place, has accepted the invitation, and may be addressed accordingly. CHANGES At a recent meeting of the Presby tery of Rochester, Rev. Richard Dun ning, of Ontario, was dismissed to unite with the Presbytery of Lyoni, as he is now laboring within their bounds. Rev. Jeremiah Woodruff, late of Pen field, was also dismissed to unite with the Presbytery of Dubuque, he having removed to lowa ; and Rev. Nathan Bosworth, late of Pompey Hill, was received from the Presbytery of Onon daga, as he is now preaching to our church in Holley. GENESRE. ROCHESTER, Sept. 22, 1866. . Lutheran.-The Allegheny Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church has taken deep interest in Nebraska as a missionary field, and is there reaping no little fruit from •the sowing bestowed. At its late meeting, $lO6O were appropriated to its Nebraska missions, and a fourth* missionary, Rev. Eli Huber, was commissioned for service there. The Mission Committee of the Synod was also instructed to institute measures for the establishment of a literary and mission school in the Territory. Of the religious con dition of the Synod, the report says that the churches are increasing in liberalty, new churches are being erected, old ones refitted, and an increased interest in benevolent ope rations manifested. , Some have enjoyed special seasons of grace ; others have been revived and encouraged. The churches have been cheered by large aicessions in some places ; in others, by a steady, certain pro- Tress in vital religion; and all have greatly been healed of divisions,: and baptized anew in the unity of the Spirit. kittas rfi go etuntro. CHESTER CITY CHURCH.--At the second communion of the Chester City Presbyterian Church, last Sabbath, eleven persons were admitted to mem bership. Pour by profession, seven by certificate. By the solemnity of the occasion the presence of the Divine Spirit was indicated. . ORDINATION AND INSTALLATION. The Fourth Presbytery of Philadelphia met at Norristown, Pa., July 26, 1866, and ordained Rev. Henry T. Ford, and installed him pastor of the Central Presbyterian Church, Norristown, Pa. Rev. Robert Adair, Moderator, presided and proposed the constitutional questions. Rev. Professor Osborn, LL.D., read the Scriptures and offered prayer. Rev. Andrew Culver preached the sermon. Rev. Albert Barnes offered the ordain ing prayer and gave the charge to the pastor, and Rev. Robert Adair gave the charge to the congregation. Rev. Henry T. Ford, the new pastor, pronounced the apostolic benediction. Mr. Ford enters upon his labors in very encouraging cir cumstances. The church is free from debt, the congregation is increasing, and the Sunday-school is'in a very prosper ous condition. APPEAL FROM A MISSION CHIIROR.- We commend to the attention of the benevolent the following letter, dated at Sulphur Springs, Jefferson C0.,M0., Sep. 17, 1866: Editor of the American Presbyterian: —Dear Brother :—I have to ask from the friends of our Church and of the defend ers of our country, some assistance in our time of need. We are building a neat house of worship, the foundation of stone and the walls of brick—in the Gothic style. Last Saturday, while we were raising the rafters, which are all heavy, the whole concern, rafters, scaf folding, and all, fell with a tremendous crash. Three men were seriously in jured, and three more slightly wounded, myself among the number. It is almost a miracle that none of us were killed. The masons were , at work on the walla at:the time the accident occurred. This is a great loss and serious drawback to us. The few who are trying to build the house would have done the work without asking aid, but for this calamity. Our Church represents the cause of loyalty in Missouri. We are struggling to lay the foundations of our churches and schools. Who will assist us without being personally called on to repair the ruins of the fall'of our charch in Sulphur Springs ? Will not our friends encour age us and help to repair our loss ? Several- small sums might make a few hundred dollars for us. James Burgess, Jr., Esq., is President of the Board of Trustees, and A. M. Parker, Esq., is Treasurer. Come, friends, furnish us with a little material aid in this emer gency. Yours truly, W. S. Posn. SYNOD OF GENEVA.-" Horse Heads" is a name easily remembered, if not eu• phonions. The name appertains to a pleasant village, a few miles north of Elmira, amid the hills of Southern New York. There .we have a church, whose pastor, the Rev. C. C. Carr, with his people, during the past week, have en tertained the Synod of Geneva with open-handed and warmtearted hospi tality. Nor has this hospitality been ill bestowed ; so earnest, so spiritual, so harmonious were the sessions of the Synod, that the memory of its visit can not but be grateful and profitable. Per haps it was a happy circumstance that it rained through the whole time of the meetings, for any members disposed to vagrancy (and such there are, even in Synods,) had little temptation to wander from the church. The meeting of last year, at Palmyra, was one of intense prayerfulness, and had been followed by revivals in a nut& ber of churches. The influence of the past was continued so that the spirit of the Synod was a revived and revival spirit. , The opening sermon, by Mr. Niles, of Corning, on " Stir up the gift of God that is in thee," was excellent, and the hours given to devotion were full of prayer and edifying remark. The reports of revivals in their churches by Dr. Gridley, of Waterloo, Dr. Wood, of Geneva, and others, kindled in those less favored, longings for a blessing on their churches. The presence and re marks of the well-known " Uncle John Vassar," the faithful friend of the soldier and freedman, perpetually boiling over with love to the Master and to souls, greatly enlivened the spirits of all. Three of the Assembly's secretaries were present and were heard—Dr. Ken dall on Home Missions, Mr. Dulles on Publication and Dr. Mills on Education —with much attention. The claims of our country, not only for the sake of its present and its future population, but also for the sake of the world beyond, seemed to be felt by pastors and elders. We cannot but believe that this interest will bear fruit in liberal contributions from their churches to our benevolent movements. It is strange that their own religious agencies should be ne glected by some churches in our connee tion year after year; but so it is. The Synod appointed a Committee on Sy nodical Missionl: Messrs. Niles, Curtis and Wakeman ; and on Synodical Col portage in connection with our Publica tion Committee : Messrs. Gregg, Eaton and Wells. It also. earnestly recom mended the circulation in every family of its "churches of the Presbyterian Monthly. A suggestive essay on the ElOrshiP , read by Dr. A. A. Wood, by 'appoint-
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