.lluTfrall THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, ipoo CONTENTS OF INSIDE PAGES. SECOND PAGE—FAMILY CIRCLE : • The Place of Sleep—Our Baby's Grave—The True Standard of Dress—Beautiful Illustration—Rest— "l will wait till 'after Harvest"—Selling a Birth right —Prompt Obedience—Simple Faith 7 Other People's Troubles Easy to Bear. THIRD PAGE—EDITOR'S TABLE: Young's "Life and Light of Men"—Shield's "Book of Common Prayer"—" The New Sabbath Hymn and Tune Book, for the Service of Song in the House of the Lord"—"The Book of Psalms: Ar ranged according to the Original Parallelisms for Responsive Reading"—" Chapel Gems for Sunday achooh"—Martn's " Life and Times of John Mil ton"—Wylie 's "Awakening of Italy and the Crisis of Rome"—Berry's "Sisters and Not Sisters"—B- H. P.'s "Frank's Search for Sea Shells" — " Madge Graves"—" Gracie's Visit"—" The Story of Zadoc 11011"—" The Little Gold Keys"—Charlie, or the Little Teacher"—Gail Hamilton's "Red Letter Days in Avplethorpe"—Books Received. SIXTH PAGE—CORRESPONDENCE: The Anabaptists—The Eastern Reformed Presbyte rian Synod of Ireland on Union—Rev. Mr. Ham mond's Letter from Venice- MISCELLANEOUS: The Psalms of David. SEVENTH PAGE—RURAL ECONOMY : The Government Experimental Gardens—lrriga tion—Hints on Painting Old Wood Work. SCIENTIFIC: Iron and Steel, (Concluded.) NATIONAL THANKSGIVING. I A . TION cY: P• S Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, has been pleased to vouchsafe to us, as a people, another year of that national life which is an indispensable condition of peace, security and progress. That year moreover, has been crowned with many peculiar blessings. The civil war that has so recently raged among us has not been anywhere reopened. Foreign in tervention has ceased to excite alarm or apprehension. Intrusive pestilence has been benignly mitigated. Domestic tranquility has improved, sentiments of conciliation have largely prevailed, and affections of loyalty and patriotism have been widely renewed. Our fields have yielded quite abundantly ; our mining industry has been richly rewarded ; and we have been allowed to extend our railroad system far into the interior recesses of our country, while our com merce has• resumed its customary activi ty in foreign seas. These great nation al blessings demand a national acknowl edgment. • Now, therefore, I, ANDREW JOHNSON, President of the United States, do here by recommend that Thursday, the 29th day of November next, be set apart, and be observed everywhere in the several States and Territories of the United States by the people thereof, as a day of thanksgiving and praise to Almighty God, with due remembrance that in His temple doth every man speak of His honor. I recommend, also, that on the same solemn occasion we do humbly and de-, vOutly implore Him to grant to our na tional councils, and to our whole people, that divine wisdom which alone can lead any nation into the ways of all good. In offering these national thanksgivings, praises and supplications, we have the divine assurance that the Lord remain eth a King forever ; those that are meek shall He guide in judgment, and such as are gentle shall He teach His way. The Lord shall give strength to His people, and the Lord shall give to His people the blessings of peace. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed. Done at the City of Washington, this eighth day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, and of the independence of the United States the ninety-first. ANDREW JOHNSON By the President WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Sec. of State THE GERMAN STREET CHURCH of this city was wrongly called the German Church, in the last issue of our paper. HOURS AT HOME AND SUNDAY MAGA- ZlNE.—Subscribers who last year took these periodicals, as premiums for get ting new subscribers to the AMERICAN PRESBYTERIAN, mast make arrangements for renewing or discontinuing the same directly with the publishers in New York, and not through us. MIIISTERIAL RELIEF IN MERCER ST. Crturn.—The interest taken in this most'worthy department of our denomi national benevolence by the Mercer St. k;hurch from the beginning, is somewhat remarkable. When the cause was up before the Synod of New York and New Jersey for discussion, the Rev. Dr. Booth took occasion to say that a mem ber of the Mercer Street Church just de ceased had left $l2OO to the fund; thus the two largest contributions to this fund had come from this church. ACCIDENT TO PROFESSOR SMITH.- Rev. Dr. Henry B. Smith, professor in. the Union Theological Seminary in N.Y. city, arrived from his foreign tour in the steamer Denmark, two weeks ago, in a disabled condition. During the voyage to that port, in ti severe gale, a heavy sea swept over the vessel and dashed him with such violence against the ship that his right arm was fractured. He was suffering much pain when be land ed, but he immediately resumed his du ties in the Seminary, and appeared in the Synod. of New York and New Jer sey during its sessions. A. CONVENTION of Young Mens' Chris tian Associations for this State will be held in this city, Monday, November 15, at 3P. M. It is desired that each As sociation will send five delegates. Ad-. dress John Wanamaker, Box 2936, P. 0. THE AMERICAN PRESBYTERIAN, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1866. TRIBUTE TO DR. BRAINERD, The following tribute to the memory of our deeply revered and sainted brother, was contributed to an Elmira paper by the pastor of the Co n gregational Church in that place. Mr. T. K. Beecher, twenty years ago, was for some considerable time a teacher in this city, and made a profession of religion in Pine Street Church. He preached in that church last Sabbath. Dr. Thomas Brainerd, for thirty years pas tor of Pine Street Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, ceased from his labor and entered into his rest on the 22d of August last. One of the earliest admirations of our boy hood, the very first comforter of our man hood, the hospitable host of our first Phila delphia home, our pastor in the first days of intelligent Christian hope, the promoter of our earliest Christian labor, our constant and well beloved friend up to the day of his re lease, was Dr. Brainerd. Though sixty years old when we saw him last, he seemed to us a brother in close and sympathetic love. Trundling through the streets on the crowded city cars, we talked of slavery, of war, of Roman Catholics, of schools, of old-time controversies ; and so gentle was his ripe discourse that we thought of Jesus Christ, his Master, and gave thanks. He was a Presbyterian, and pastor of a very old and influential church of that name in Philadelphia—the home and centre of that denomination. All the honors and dis tinctions which that Church can bestow, he long since had most worthily received, hon oring them by acceptance. A trusted eccle siastical counsellor, chairman of many re sponsible Church committees and of necessity touched by all the controversies of the past thirty years, he nevertheless so bore himself that no man felt that he was a Presbyterian, so strong was his influence as a Christian. We loved him, and we love his church for his sake, and have new love for Jesus Christ, and His doctrine, because He has power to change a man into such a Christian. The preachers of the M. E. Church in Philadelphia have taken knowledge of him, and certify their love. We quote in part their preamble and resolutions " Whereas, His spirit was so truly catholic, and his usefulness so general, not being con fined to his own pastoral charge, contrary to our usual custom, we deem it fitting to pay special honor to the memory of one not of our denominational ranks; therefore, " Resolved, That we praise the great Head of the Church for the gifts, pace and useful ness which distinguished our departed and now sainted brother, in so eminent a degree. "Resolved, That we cherish the memory of his eloquence, and devotion as a minister of Christ ; his simplicity and sincerity as, a catholic Christian, and his devoted loyalty and patriotism as a citizen." We were once a boy, and remember how happy we were when Brainerd" (as father fondly called him) would come in and tell stories of his mission work inFulton, a sub urb of Cincinnati. We remember him in the Sabbath-school, always welcome. We re member him, when as a child we stood by an open grave to see a mother buried, and were, after a childish sort, comforted because mother was lying so near to Mrs. Brainerd. And here the curtain falls, to rise again twelve years after, and show us our pastor—who greeted us as a Christian, because we loved and trusted Jesus Christ—even though we were ignorant and unsettled as to all received orthodox doctrine. His boys and girls romped with us, and now they are men and women. But he did not change. Years and separation wrough no wavering in his love. The whirlwind of war did not blind his eyes, nor extirpate his charity. His great church loved him and followed him. His young men became mid dle aged and still reverenced him. His chil dren made homes of their own, but his house was still the home. Infirmity came upon him and critical peril of life, yet he sat in his pulpit and discoursed of Jesus Christ. Dear friends, who read. these words, you did not know Dr. Brainerd. Perhaps you wonder that I thus write of one to you a stranger. I cannot write of aught else, for my " exchanges" all remind me of him, and I cannot write till I have freed my - heart of the delicious pain—of Christian sorrow. He fought the good fight, he finished his course, he kept his faith. We will be follow ers of him as was he of Christ. A CASE FOR ComPLAurr.--r- Some of our sister denominations bav?the art of infusing into their congregations a won derful regard for their higher ecclesias tical bodies. It is done mainly by making every meeting of the Conference, Association, or whatever it is called, a time of general' rally and of spiritual edification for the people. They spend days with them, preaching and holding religious meetings. Hence the coming on of such meetings is looked forwar i to with earnest interest, and the people are seldom disappointed. It would be better for our congrega tions, if they could anticipate the meet. ing of a Presbytery or Synod among them with the same zealous hope, or, thus anticipating it, meet with fewer sore disappointments. The last Chris tian Herald gives the case of a cha grined church, where the fall meeting of 'the Madison (Ind.) Presbytery was held, attended by four of its, thirteen ministers, and representatives from five of its sixteen churches. We give below the report of the Herald's correspondent, not that we need to go over the Alle ghenies to find •an illustrative case ; neither because it is an extreme case, but for the contrary reason that just such occurrences too often arise to weaken the hold of our Presbyteries and Synods as such upon the affections of the churches. " In accordance with the notice previously heralded in the Herald, the Presbytery of Madison met at St. Louis Crossing, Septem ber 25th, 1866. For at least two years this meeting had been anticipated with real inte rest. The place itself was suggestive of an interesting meeting. The church was a new one ; its existence and growth were believed to be memorials of fervent prayer and great faith. It had been gathered, for the most part, of elements by no means Presbyterian, and this was to be their first visit from Pres— bytery. For months the anticipated meeting had been a subject of conversation in the commuKiity, and the announcement had been made that there would be preaching every night during the session of Presbytery. It had been hoped that the church would be aroused and greatly benefitted. "Alas,for human hopes I Through the rain on Tuesday afternoon came four faithful Presbyters with as many ruling elders. They met =at three o'clock. P. M., and adjourned the next mOrning at nine. Half an hour later found them on their way home. Two j good sermons on Tuesday were heard by the few who came out, but the rain prevented a full attendance. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday were pleasant days, but Presbytery had gone. A few ancient Presbyterians who had seen the first house, gathered around about the time of adjournment. "The inhabitants of the land were aston ished! They supposed Presbytery was 'like a big meeting.' 'II:ley had looked for it, and waited for it ; they saw something like a flash, and were told that Presbytery was over. They looked to the church and it was silent. "' You might have heard a pebble fall, A beetle bum, a cricket sing, An owlet flap his boding wing.' " Said one lady, ' I have been a way from my home for some time, have waited here three weeks to attend a meetingof Presby tery, and it adjourned just as I reached the church.' How refreshing' are these meet ings!" THE GETTYSBURG ORPHANS' HOME STEAD.—On Thursday morning last, an interesting and deeply affecting scene was witnessed at the Pennsylvania Rail road depot, where twenty-two orphan children of our soldiers, from five to twelve years of age, were about leaving, with matron, teacher and officers of the homestead at Gettysburg. The mothers and friends of the children parted from them with many tears and tender fare wells, and in some cases with heart breaking reluctance. The children were all comfortably clad, many of them having been adopted and provided for by different Sabbath schools of the city, besides receiving at tention from the benevolent organization which has now secured for them a per manent home on the brow of Cemetery Hill at Gettysburg. Each child carried a neat basket containing an ample lunch, arranged by the forethought of Abraham Martin, Esq. The children were in charge of Dr. Bourns and Mr. O'Connor, of this city, who accompanied them to their journey's end. The matron, is Mrs. W. Tilden, and the assistant teacher Miss Letitia, daughter of the late Rev. J. C. How, of Delaware. Mrs. Humis ton, the housekeeper, is already at Get tysburg, with the three " Children of the Battle-field." Appropriate services in honor of the opening of the Homestead will be held on the 20th of November. These are in charge of a committee of the citizens of Gettysburg, of which Hon. Edward McPherson is chairman. Peter B. Simons, of this city, is treasurer of t! e association. A NEW QUESTION IN CASUISTRY.-A Hanoverian pastor, evidently in real perplexity, writes to a religious journal in Berlin of his embarrassment of con science on the subject of political duty. He took an oath of rigorous fidelity to the King of Hanover, and prospectively to his son, or to his descendants. The Hanoverian King had not released him from that sworn allegiance, while the King of Prussia now exacts a count oath of allegiance to himself. How can he do it and save his conscience from perjury ? The journal replies that the usage of thousands of years justifies the King of Prussia in disposing of the coun tries conquered by himself and occupied by his troops. This is a law of conquest to which, by the same usage, even the scruples of conscience must bow. As behind this attempt at solution there lies an open question respecting the righteousness of this law of conquest—a question in which neither time nor usage are of any account—it is not probable that the thoughtful pastor will feel him self relieved. A politico-religious journal in Halle tries its hand upon it. It says :—" God's thoughts are not our thoughts, and his ways are not our ways. This supreMe axiom of history God has clearly mani fested. Thus, then, immediately that we see something of his thoughts and of his ways wrought out with power, it is for us to abjure our own. . . . The renunciation of ourselves is the supreme principle of Christianity, and this our 'selves includes, in the very first place, our favorite ideas and our most cherished sentiments." This is a quite prettily woven theological garb for the old heresy which, in its nakedness, reads, " Might makes right." Indeed, it so far advances upon this form of statement as to transfer to God whatever odium may attach itself to the achievements of phy sical force. For aught we here see, the question of the troubled pastor remains unanswered. AN AWFUL CARGO, AND WHAT CAME OF IT.—Seldom have any tidings created a deeper sensation of horror than the, account of the foundering of the " Even ing Star," with the almost total loss of its more than two hundred people on board. More recent information of the character of its passenger list, discloses an amount of vice -which, taken in con nection with the catastrophe, is;',too frightful for description. Among those on board were two companies of harlots, one numbering about eighty, under the captaincy of Mrs. Cunningham, who es tablished a notoriety in connection with the murder of Dr. Burdell in New York, and the other the speculating venture of another woman of the same grade of character. They were on their way to stock the New Orleans market. In ad dition to this, Julia Mortimer, with a company of third•rate actresses, was on board. Every member of these loath some gangs made the voyage to the eternal world. Among the ill-fated pas sengers of thei Star, were people of a high order of virtue, and held in public estimation. But they were Lots in Sodom, the parallel failing only in this, that they did not, like Lot, so far as this world is concerned, escape God's ven geance upon that sin-laden vessel. OIIR ROCHESTER CORRESPONDENT. DEATH OE REV. A. D. AXTELL Many will hear with surprise of the death of this young brother. He expired on the lith inst., at Olean, at the resi dence of Mr. Bradley, his wife's father. His disease was quick consumption, and it has done its work much more rapidly than his friends anticipated. He left his charge at Lansingbarg in the sum mer, and went to St. Paul to try to re gain his health, Getting no better, be returned, about two weeks since, to Olean, only to die. His age was thirty two. He leaves a wife but no children. Mr. Axtell belonged to a ministerial race. His father, Rev. D. C. Axtell, was the first pastor of the Second Presbyte rian Church of Auburn, but died thirty years ago, when this son was only two years of age. His grandfather, Henry Axtell, D.D., was one of the first pastors of the Presbyterian Church of Geneva, both esteemed and honored men. Mr. Axtell graduated at Williams College, and from Auburn Seminary, enter ing the ministry in 1859. He was a man of gentle, loving spirit, of fine cul ture, great delicacy of feeling, with almost too much of self-distrust for the highest success in his calling. He was never installed pastor of any church. In 1861 or 2, he supplied the church in Olean for six months with great accept ance. He preached more or less in other places, and about a year since, went to the Presbyterian church at Lan singbnrgh, wheye he was rapidly gain ing in real strength and influence. But his work was soon accomplished. A call was offered him to settle with the church at Lansingburgh, but his health would not permit him to accept it. He loved to preach the Gospel. It was the work o- his early and his more matured choice. It was hard at first to give it up ; but grace triumphed, and he passed peacefully to his rest. His funeral was attended on Saturday last, at Olean. A large number were in attendance, embracing several' clergy men. By special request, Rev. Dr. Huntington, of Auburn, preached the funeral sermon, in which he paid a graceful and loving tribute to the memory of one of his most esteemed pupils. Rev. J. B. Beaumont, pastor of the church in Olean, Rev. Milton Waldo, of Hornells ville, and Rev. Sylvester Cowles, of Randolph, assisted also in the funeral services. It was a solemn and impres sive occasion. The whole community was moved, and all denominations mani fested their deep sympathy and tender interest in the sad event. SEMI-CENTENNIAL IN UTICA The Sunday-school of the First Pres btyerian Church in Utica celebrated the first half• century of its • existence, with great interest and enthusiasm, last Sab bath, 21st inetm—lncleed, a prelirpinary meeting was held on Saturday evening in the City Hall, presided over by Judge Bacon, once the Superintendent of the school ; and then the entire Sabbath was occupied with the same interests. A very full and admirable report of the proceedings appears in that able and well-conducted paper, the Utica Herald, filling no less than eleven columns, from which we gather a few items of chief interest The school was organized on the 16th of October, 1816, by four young ladies, two of whom have gone to their reward. One of these ladies, not now "young," was present to participate in the celebration ; one is in Europe, and one was too much unwell to attend on the occasion. Those young ladies could have had very little idea of the good that was to flow from their labor of love, as they gathered for the first time on Sunday morning that " motley group of twenty-five or thirty boys and girls." To show, in the briefest possible man ner, what foundations they laid, and what a superstrniture was reared there on, let us mention the names of some of those who have gone out from this school to do good in the earth. Take, first, a few of the missionaries : Dr. Dwight, formerly of Constantinople ; Dr. Grant, .of Persia ; S. Wells Williams, of China; W. F. Williams, of Turkey. Look at the ministers of the Gospel it has furnished : Dr. Morris, of Colum bus, Ohio ; Dr. Bright, editor of the Examiner, New York ; Prof. A. J. Up son, of Hamilton College, and many others. Let-us name also some of the .eminent laymen: Judge Bacon, of 'Utica ; T. P. Handy, of Cleveland ; E. P. Hast ings, late of Detroit ; F. S. Winston, of New York, and James D. Dana, of New Haven. Letters, full of reminiscences, and ex pressing grateful . recollections of the school, were received from many of these persons, and read in the Saturddy evening meeting. One letter tells us that Truman Parmele, one of the early superintendents, was the first in this country to prepare a question-book for Sunday-school teaching. S. Wells Williams, the veteran mis sionary in China, speaks with the great est affection of this superintendent. "It was his aim to make the scholars love their lessons, and regard the Sunday school as a pleasant place for all who came to it." It is not strange, perhaps, andlet that is just what good Superin tendents aim at in our day. There was some wisdom even at the beginning' of this enterprise. Truman P. Handy, Esq., of Cleve land,—we suspect that P. stands for Parmele, the good Superintendent— says, "I owe much of my worldly sue , cess to the Sunday-school, and to the kindly influences received in Utica; but more than all am I indebted to it, for the maturing of a Christian experience and an increased love for the study of God's word during these past years." Mr. Williams also says, "I became a teacher in the school after its removal to the basement of the church in Wash ington street, and have as pleasant a recollection of this part of my Sunday school life as when I was a scholar. Though I have not much knowledge of the subsequent history of my scholars" —Mr. Williams has been in China more than thirty years—" I am sure that if they derived half the benefit from my instruction that I did in trying to teach them, we have both much reason to thank God for the Sabbath.schObl." These are precious testimonies to the blessed influences of the Sunday-school. We should be glad to quote much more of like value, but want of room for bids. Besides the meeting on Saturday evening, there was an excellent sermon on the value of the Sunday-school, from Rev. Dr. Fowler, pastor of the church, on Sunday morning ; a great meeting for the children in the afternoon, and another jubilee - occasion in the evening. Addresses were made by Dr. Bright, of New York, Hovey K. Clarke, Esq., of Detroit, Prof. Upson, of Hamilton Col lege, and many others. It was a grand and memorable occasion.. It must greatly have enhanced the value of the Sunday school in the minds of all who partici pated in these valuable festivities. We advise all Sunday-schools to celebrate a semi-centennial when they can. DR. SHAW'S WELCOME His people gave him just such a re ception as we anticipated. His great church was crowded last Sabbath, both morning and evening, to hear again the word of life from• his lips. A hymn of special welcome, written by one of the ladies of the congregation, had been pre pared and distributed through the house in a quiet way, which was sung , with great effect. A similar scene occurred in the Sabbath-school at noon; both hymns being intended as a complete surprise. We give that which has sung in the church, as we doubt not it ex presses the real sentiments of the con gregation : Again within our Father's house With thankful hearts we meet Again the Pastor that we love With joy and gladness greet. Like sheep without a Shepherd, we Have wandered from the fold; But now the voice we know so well Recalls us as of old. No other Shepherd thus can lead This restless, thirsty flock, Where streams of living water flow From out the smitten rock. And to the pastures green and fair, Across the desert sand, We scarce can follow any guide But thy familiar hand. We thank the Lord that he hath brought Thee safely on thy way; And kept us all in peace, to hail With thee, this happy day. Now welcome, yelcome to our hearts! And welcomeqibme again ! The choicest blessings on thee rest Forevermore! Amen ! ROCHESTER, Oct. 27, 1866 *in 17f . gut Our On. SIXTH STREET CHURCH, WASHINGTON, D. C.—The Rev. George M Smythe delivered, on last Sabbath morning, an appropriate and eloquent discourse in the Sixth Street Presbyterian Church, in commemoration of the Divine favor which has attended the enterprise of that church, and its growth during the last three years. Mr. Smythe is one of the most exemplary, active, and promising young ministers in our city, and with the blessing of heaven, will not fail to build up a large and prosperous congre gation. All remember with veneration and gratitude, the Rev. Dr. Noble, the first mover in this enterprise, now a pastor of a church at Williamstown, Wis. Mr. Smythe's sermon referred to the labors of Nehemiah in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, and mentioned many encouraging facts in the progress and history of the Church, and especially of the, growing vigor and courage of its members, and of the energy and liberality they had exhibited. The church has recently been handsomely repaired. Within the period of three years, about eight thousand dollars in payment of debts and expenditures for repatrs, have cleared the church froin incumbrance, and made it free from difficulty and danger. The congregation of Mr. Smythe is one which we may expect to rise, extend and prosper, and become one of the largest in our city. About forty mem bers have been added to this church during the last three years. Very truly yours, R. R. G. Rxv. E. B. MINER, of Mineral Point, Wisconsin, having received and accepted a unanimous call to the First Presbyte rian Church in Grand Rapids, Mich., to which he removes at once, all corres pondents will please address him here after at the latter place. A SUCCESSFUL EFFORT.-A festival and fair, occupying only a single after noon and evening, was held on the 18th ult., on the grounds of the Rev. - B. B. Hotchkia's church, just outside of this city,. in the township of Marple. In connection with it, there was an elocu tionary entertainment. The ladies of that congregation are not unaccustomed to enterprises of this kind, and they never carried out one which gave a better season of wholesome enjoyment, or which, the shortness of time being taken into account, was more successful. After deducting all expenses, the affair was found to nett a little over five bun- dred dollars, which are to be used further improvements in the church] fice, which has recently had the benefit of an outlay of over two hundred dol Lars—a treat which only - sharpened WI appetite for more. WESTERN PRESBYTERIES AND SYNODS. —To Mr. Norton's Presbytery Reporter we are indebted for the following items Alton Presbytery met Sept. 13th, at Bethel Church, Bond county, 111. Bad roads and sickness thinned the list. But the Moderator, Rev. Wm. R. Adams, of Upper Alton, though shaking with a chill, was in the company, determined not to be driven from his duty by so slight a cause as fever and ague. Beside regular routine business and interesting and abundant devotional exercises, there was a missionary meeting, in which the speakers reminded the congregation that an average of one dollar per member from all our chnrches was required for Home .M.issions the current year. One of the elders of Bethel Church immedi ately moved that " we try to raise that amount in this church"—which would be sixty dollars: This was quickly altered so as to stand : "We will raise at least that amount." In ten minutes twelve five dollar subscriptions were handed in, one of them from a lad in the Sabbath-school. Thus the sixty dollars were secured. Then the hat was passed, and $20.45 were added, making $90.45 for Bethel Church, all of which is paid. (Ten dollars had been previously handed in.) Never before did this church pay in one year for Home Missions more than about thirty-two dollars. The church at Anna, organized on the 29th of April last, was taken under this Presbytery. Rev. Josiah Wood report ed the organization of the " First Church of Mason," just within the bounds of the Presbytery of Wabash, and that they desired to be received under the care of this Presbytery. The Moderator was appointed to bring this matter to the attention of Synod; and the church was received, provided the action of Synod correspond with the desire of the church. Willard P. Gibson, licentiate, was re ceived under care of Presbytery, from the Presbytery of Cayuga. Also Wm. M. Stewart ; licentiate, was received under the care of Presbytery, by letter, from the United Brethren Conference of lowa. At an adjourned meeting, Oct. 3d, at Pena, Mr. Gibson was ordained and installed pastor of the church at that place. Sermon by Rev. Frederick Starr, Jr., of the Nortn Presbyterian Church of St. Louis. Constitutional questions by Rev. T. Lippincott. Ordaining prayer by the same. Charge to the pastor by Rev. C. H. Taylor, D.D. Charge to the people by Rev. Joseph Gordon. , Pres bytery recommended to its churches, to employ no minister coming within its bounds, and taking charge of any of its churches, without joining Presbytery. Presbytery of Illinois met at Walnut Grove, Sept. 21st. Rev. S. H. Hyde was appointed Moderator. A. Presby terial Committee on Sabbath-schools was appointed. GENESES From facts gathered during the free conversation on the state of religion, it was evident that the year passed had been one long to be remembered for the signal tokens of the Divine favor'granted to our churches. Never has there been such a general out-pouring of the Spirit. As the result of this merciful visitation, hundreds have been hopefully converted, and-large additions made to our churches. Some of the most weak and feeble have been doubled in numbers, and thus strengthened, and prepared to become soon self-supporting. The amount con tributed to the various causes connected with our Church, has been largely in creased; and other kindred causes of benevolence have met with a hearty re sponse. Our Home Missionary work has been prosecuted with happy results. All our otherwise destitute churches have been cared for, and some of them received new life and vigor. One new church has been organized where before there was no church or organization. The work of church ereetion has re ceived a new impulse. Several new edifices have been built, others enlarged and improved, and several congrega tions are making arrangements to build. Something has been done in providing manses for ministers. The church of Walnut Grove have purchased five acres of ground and built a neat and commodious parsonage. The Presbytery of Schuyler met at Brooklyn, 111., Sept 11th. A committee on Sabbath-schools was appointed. Rev. R. C. Swinton, of the Presbytery of Kingston, C. W., was recommended to the charge of the church in Rushville, until his transfer could be arranged. The church of Huntsville, (0. S.) and that of Pontiac have been received by the Presbytery. Presbytery of Cedar Rapids.—A. K. Baird, a• candidate from Scotland, was licensed. One new church has been added to the roll, at State Centre. SYNOD OF NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY.—This large body, whose ap pearance in a regular meeting rivals that of a General Assembly, held its regular meeting in New York City, for the first time in fifteen years, two weeks ago. There were 137 winisters and 67 elders present. Among the matters of interest transacted were the following:— A report from the Committee on Bills and Overtures (Dr. Poor, chairman,) in reply to the following questions, viz : Inquiry I.—When a candidate for church membership is understood to be fond of dancing and refuses to give a pledge of future reformation, has a Session the right ii.Po'b this ground alone, to refuse-to receive such candidate?
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