gramtan gmljtemit. THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 1867, Acknowledgment. —Prom the S. S. Mis sionary Society of the Western Presbyter ian Church, we have received fifty dollars for Kolapoor Mission. “Wherever,” as well as “Whenever.” —The Shepherd of the Valley tells us that whenever the Roman Catholic Church ob tains ascendency, religious liberty in this country “isat an end.” Local ascendency seems to answer the same end in some places, as the following case from one of our Bos ton exchanges, would show: — “A Protestant family residing in a part of Boston where the Irish element strongly preponderates, finds it impossible to hold family worship unless with the strictest pri vacy. If the sound of prayer or praise is heard by those outside the house, such a disturbance, bordering upon acts of open violence, is raised, that both comfort and safety dictate either a cessation, or exercises so secret that no suspicions shall be excited. In another part of the city, it has been found necessary to cover the windows of one of our mission chapels with wire netting as a pro tection against the throwing of stones by those who are taught to oppose every thing that is Protestant.” If ever the Romanists should have the will and the way to carry out the Shepherdly policy, they will not want for tools, if there are any Irish Roman Catholics on these shores. Nor is this matter confined to Bos ton. The Fifth U. P. Church (Rev. Mr. Hanna’s,) in this city, and a Colored Baptist church on Spring Garden street, near 20th, could either of them supply much stronger instances of Romish persecution. Fortu nately, however, our Philadelphia police are active enough to interfere in behalf of the law. Lugubrious. —“ Archbishop ” Manning, in his speech at the great demonstration of English Romanists in behalf of the temporal power of the Pope, said—in order to be ready for all contingencies:— “ If the Sovereign Pontiff left the city of Rome, he did not make a leap in the dark in the wide world. Forty-five Pontiffs had been driven out of Rome, or had never set their foot in it, and if he happened to the forty sixth, they would neither be amazed nor afraid. To shift the centre of Christendom from the centre of Roman unity, would carry disorder into every Christian land. If there were Christian statesmen in Europe, or if, without Christian, there were enlightened statesmen, they would never suffer that ca lamity to visit their own homes.” Dr. Manning appealed to the Erastian sects —especially and by name to the Free Church of Scotland —to defend the indepen dence of the Head of the Church. He has had his answer to the effect that the Free Church are opposed to all confounding the “ kingdom not of this world ” and the king doms which are; whether that confusion comes from the State in the form of intrusion, or from the Church in the form of a claim to temporal lordship and dominion. Rica soli on America. —The premier of Italy does not quite agree with some of his co-religionists in America, as to the value of religious toleration. The Italian bishops in Rome, having asked him to extend the am nesty to themselves, who were excepted in his former declaration, be assents to their requests, and bids them come back and mind their own business, and then points to Amer. ica as an example of what Italy should be: He says:— The government, no less earnestly than your lordships, desires that Italy may very soon enjoy the magnificent and imposing re ligious spectacle now afforded to the free citi zens of the United States of America by the National Councils of Baltimore, wherein re ligious doctrines are freely discussed, and whose decisions, approved by the Pope, will be proclaimed and executed in every town and village without exequatur or placet. I therefore beg your lordships to consider that it is liberty which has produced this admirable spectacle; liberty, professed and respected by all, in principle and in fact, in its amplest application to civil, political and social life. In the United States every citi zen is free to follow the persuasion that he may think best, and to worship the Divinity in the form that may seem to him most ap propriate. Side by side with the Catholic Church rises the Protestant temple, the Mussulman mosque, the Chinese pagoda. Side by side with the Roman Catholic clergy the Genevan consistory and the Methodist assembly exercise their office. This state of things generates neither confusion nor clash ing. And why is this ? Because no religion asks either special protection or privileges from the State. Bach lives, developes, and is followed under the protection of the com mon law, and the law equally; respected by all, guaranties to all an equal iiberty. * * * lii.these virgin regions the Church is esta blished amid a new society, but which car ried with it from the mother country all the elements of civil life. Representing the pu rest and most sacred of the social elements, tjie religious feeling which satc ions right and'sanctifies duty, and carries human aspi rations far above all earthly things, the Chilroh has there sought only-the emnirc pleasing to God, the empire of souls. C >m- THE AMERICAN PRESBYTERIAN, THURSDAY,. JANUARY 24, 1867. E anion of liberty, the Church has grown eneath“its shelter, and has found all that sufficed for free development and the tran quil and second exercise of its ministry. It has never sought to deny to others the li berty which it enjoyed, nor to turn to its exclusive advantage the institutions which protected it. OUR ROCHESTER CORRESPONDENT. PRESBYTERY OF NIAGARA. The annual meeting of this body was held in the First Presbyterian Church of Lock port on the 15th and 16th; opening sermon on Tuesday evening by Rev. L. T. Adams, of Albion. . This service was held at an early hour, and after sermon the Presbytery went with others to a public hall, to hear a lecture before the Young Men’s Christian Associa tion by Prof. Brown, of Dartmouth College, the newly-elected President of Hamilton. His theme was the Life and Character of Burke, which was handled in a masterly manner, and gave great satisfaction.. Rev. R. S. Egfeston, recently of Knowles ville, but now of Pompey Hill, was elected Moderator of the Presbytery, and Rev. J. Cooke, of Lewistown, Clerk. A case of appeal from the decision of the session of the church in Somerset came up and occu pied some portion of the time of Presbytery. Rev. J. F. Severance was granted a letter of dismission to unite with the Presbytery of Wilmington. DEDICATION AT BYRON We have before noticed the rebuilding, as we may almost call it, of the Presbyterian church at Byron. The seats are turned around; the pulpit put in the rear, where it belongs, and made low and modern; the side galleries torn out, as they were not needed; the windows made long, and sup plied with neat enamelled glass; the walls frescoed; the house painted, and everything made neat, attractive and comfortable. The cost was $4OOO, and all paid. On Thursday, the 17th, the house was re dedicated, with appropriate services. Rev. Dr. Shaw preached an admirable discourse in the morning, from the words, “He maketh all things new.” Subject, Paradise restored, or the latter-day glory. It was one the Doctor’s happiest efforts, peculiarly rich in scriptural illustrations, and in cheering views of the future of the Church. The prayer of dedication was made by Rev. C. F. Mussey, of Batavia; and, as a part of the programme, Rev. C. C. Kimball, of Leroy, preached a most excellent sermon in the evening—subject : The Temple which God is building in the Heavens. Rev. T. M. Hodgman, who is now serving this church, is thus put in a better position to do the proper work of the ministry—how much more favorable than when all the ex ternals are uncomfortable and repulsive! The Gospel may be just the same even in a poor, dilapidated and decaying meeting house; but somehow people are not so likely to go for it to such quarters, or hear it so favorably. Let those whose church edifices are sinking to decay, go to work and repair up, if they want the people to throng them, or the Lord to come and dwell’ in them. Neatness and comfort are not un friendly to piety. TO HIS REST. The remains of Rev. Prederiek Starr, re cently deceased, were in this city on Wednes day last, at the house of his father, and were looked upon by many of his old friends. Rev. Dr. Campbell and the Session of the Central Church went in a body. The deep est sympathy is felt for the afflicted family. The remains were attended all the way from St. Louis by two of the members of the church to which Mr. Starr ministered, and on Thursday they were taken to Auburn, where the deceased was married and where he has children buried, there to be deposited for the present in a receiving vault. The wife of the deceased, who is a daughter of the venerable Rev. Dr. Mills, of Auburn, and her surviving children, are still in St. Louis, but expect, we believe, to return to Auburn ere long. The church in St. Louis deeply feels the affliction which has fallen on them. The gentlemen who accompanied the body spoke in most enthusiastic and grateful terms of Mr. Starr’s services; and well they may. He had raised for them, and mostly among them, the-almost incredible sum of $25,000. When he went to them they were so de pressed that they did not suppose that they could raise $5OOO. Beside paying a debt of about $22,000, which had almost crushed the church out of existence, he raised more than $lOOO for repairing and repainting the church edifice, outside and in—all this in less than two years! If any ordinary man had ac complished this in ten years, it would have been considered a great success; but their pastor had almost the whole of the old debt cancelled at the end of twelve months. The repairs came along in the second year of his pastorate. Mr. Starr, in the mean time, retained his position as Financial Secretary of the Au burn Seminary. He spent a part of each summer in that service. He was, in fact, doing the work of three men; of one as a pastor, another as financier of two large en prises, and beside these double duties he was always on hand at public meetings, making speeches, delivering lectures, attending fune rals, listening to the calls of the needy; this way and that; every body’s man, always ready and always in earnest, doing every thing with his might. Many of our readers will remember him as he addressed the General Assembly on Pilot Knob last spring. No one who heard it will forget Dr. Nelson’s introduction of him. He said: “You see, brethren, we have some iron mountains in Missouri; and we have some iron men. One of the latter I now have the pleasure of introducing to the General Assembly, Rev. Frederick Starr, Jr.” But the iron man is broken, and has gone with honor to his rest. True, he was cut off in the midst of his days; but if the length of life is to be estimated by the amount of work Accomplished, few men have lived so long as he. A CALL, Mr. George Baylefis, a licentiate, and mem ber of the Senior clixss in Auburn Semftiary, has received and accepted a call to the First Presbyterian -Churfeh of Phelps; and is ex pected to assume the duties of the pastorate next May, at the close of his Seminary course. Salary to be $lOOO and a parsonage, which is, very properly, a considerable ad vance on what the socicty has before paid. The church, in the mean time, are so for tunate as to secure the admirable services of Rev. Dr. Condit, of Auburn, for the supply of their pulpit, until Mr. Bayless is ready to commence his services among them. APPRECIATED, The society ofj the First Presbyterian Church of Lockpiirt, of their own free will, at their late annual meeting, added five hun dred dollars to thi salary of their able and esteemed pastor, Rev. Dr. Wisner. We hope to be permitted tej chronicle many instances of church action of the same sort. Dr. Shaw’s people set a good example, and already it seems to be leading others in the right di rection. I OGDENSBURGH. The new churcjh edifice of the First Pres byterian Church 'pf Ogdensburgh (Rev. Dr. Miller’s) is so far along that the congrega tion occupied the lecture-room, with appro priate opening exercises, on the first Sabbath of the year, glad enough, after their sojourn of many mOnthSrin a public hall, to get back into that which,they may call a portion of their sanctuary; The room is very pleasant and gives general satisfaction. The main audience room jk.also being .pushed forward as rapidly as possible toward completion. On the samej first Sabbath of the year ; the mortal remains of the Hon. John Fine, who has been almost from the beginning one of the pillars of jthe Presbyterian church of Ogdensburgh, were reverently borne to the tomb. He was ope of the pioneers of that region; was a native of New York city, but went to Ogdensburgh as early as 1815, where he has borne a conspicuous part in all mat ters of public interest until two years ago. At that time he was suddenly stricken down with paralysis, and then the strong staff was broken. He recovered only so far as to get about a little, but has been gradually failing until the final summons came. He was a true Presbyterian, and a strong friend of the reunion of the two branches. He has found it up there , though he missed it here. STATE TEMPERANCE SOCIETY, The annual meeting of this organization is to be held in Auburn, to be inaugurated Sunday, 27th inst., by two sermons, preached in different churches, by Rev. F. A. Spencer, Corresponding Secretary of the State So ciety. The meetings are to be continued through a good part of the week. A city society is also to be organized. Rev. Drs. T. L. Cuyler, M. Gallaher, W. E. Knox, and others, are expected to make addresses. A large and important meeting is hoped for, and much good is intended. It is said that all our State prisons are full, and more must soon be erected. If we had the Maine law properly enforced for five years, there would be no need of enlarging the prisons; but those we now have would, in that time, be half empty. This is just as sure as effect, in any case, following its cause. At the same time the cost of criminal courts would be reduced one-half at least, and millions of money would be saved to the tax-payers of the Empire State. Strange that she is not imperial enough to take care of her own real interests. WEEK OP PRAYER. This was generally observed by the churches of this region, and in many the meetings-are continued with marked interest this week. Pastors and people are encouraged to hope that great and good things are near at hand. In Dr. Campbell’s church, the Central of this city, some conversions have occurred; daily meetings are continued; and many of the members of the church, including a noble band of young men, are vigorously at work. Oh, that this year might be like the last, when twenty thousand in our State alone, were converted in the Sabbath-schools—only that we should like to have it forty thou sand this time. THE LARGEST CHURCH We notice that some writer, in speaking recently of Dr. Cuyler’s church in Brooklyn, calls it the largest Presbyterian church in the country, having 1030 members. We had the pleasure of reporting, as long ago as last spring, that the Brick Church of this city, (Rev. Dr. Shaw’s), numbered 1050 members. We suppose in both cases this includes some absentees; and it is of no consequence which is the largest in real numbers or in working force. All must rejoice that both are strong enough to do a vast amount of good. Rochester, Jan. 19, 1867. IJttes uf fra ®jrracfe«. BRainerd Memoriae Sabbath Schooe, op Pine St. Church. —On New Tear’s af ternoon, an entertainment was given to the children of the (late) Robert Raikes Sab bath School, in their half-finished building at Fifth and Carpenter Streets. The school room which they had occupied in Sixth Street near Fitzwater for more than seven teen years, was sold over their heads, eigh teen months ago, and three hundred children, under successful religious training, turned out of their place of instruction. The school was originally constructed on a plan of Un ion, but the other churches concerned in its organization had long since withdrawn their connection, leaving the school to the sole sup port of Pine Street Church, both in its corps of teachers and its pecuniary resour ces. Temporary places for continuing the school were secured with great difficulty, and the discomfort of these inconvenient rooms occasioned the loss of one half of the scholars. Last spring it was resolved to build a suitable room for this school, on a lot belonging to Pine Street Church, at Fifth and Carpenter Sts. The project was hearti ly endorsed and commended by Dr. Brain erd, and the late Captain Whilldin, both of whom pledged to it their co-operation and support. It was Dr. Brainerd’s settled pur pose to see this work successfully completed, had he lived to return in the fall. Believing with him and Capt. Whilldin, that “the sur est way to make the world better is to save the* children,” the earnest young men con nected with this school have determined to complete this enterprise. They regard the mission as a sacred responsibility, and will make it a memorial tribute to their late pas tor, naming it the “Brainerd Memorial Sabbath School” of Pine St. Church. The building was commenced two months ago, and will be completed some- time in February. On the Ist of January flags were gracefully arranged over the unplastered walls, while stoves subdued the cold that found ready access around the roof, and a plentiful supply of apples, cakes, ice cream, and confectionery, gladdened the eyes and hearts of the juvenile company. Some stir ring hymns were exceedingly well sung by the children, and a few short, encouraging speeches made by the friends of this noble enterprise, after which the children were al lowed a liberal indulgence in the entertain ment prepared for them by their teachers. The Rev. John McLeod was present to strengthen the good work by his sympathy and approval. The young men still need two or three thou sand dollars to complete and furnish this building, which will accommodate five hun dred children. We trust the hearts of these disinterested workers will be cheered by substantial aid from such friends as would signalize the New Year by no doubtful ser vice. In rescuing multitudes of children from ignorance and vice, they bequeath the richest legacy to their country, giving to it the sanctified hearts of the rising genera tion. B City Churches.— Oxford Church Organized. —Forty-five persons were organized into the “ Oxford Presbyterian Church ” in the cha pel lately erected on the corner of Oxford and Broad streets, by a Commission of the Fourth Presbytery, on Sunday afternoon last. The services were conducted by Rev. Frank L. Robbins, who introduced the Com mission. Rev. S. W. Crittenden read the Scriptures, and prayer was offered by Rev. John Crowell. Rev. Thomas J. Shepherd, •D. D., preached the sermon, from Col. i. 27: “Christ in you the hope of glory.” The names of the applicants for organiza tion were then read by Mr. Robbins, includ ing nineteen from Green Hill Church, four from North Broad Street, two from Congre gational churches, and six by profession, four of them young men and two young women. The scene, as the whole forty-five rose towards the front of the densely-crowded congregation, was deeply impressive. The usual covenant and profession of faith was read and assented-to, one person receiving the ordinance of baptism. Mr. R. S. Walton and Gen. E. M. Gregory were elected elders as they had previously been ordained to that office, they were simply installed in their present position. The organization was now declared complete, and a suitable prayer was offered by Rev. Wm. T. Eva. The sacrament of the Lord’s Supper was then administered by Rev. Robert Adair and Rev. John W. Mears. Nearly the entire con gregation remained to the close. Notwithstanding the severe weather, the chapel was crowded. The entire services were of the most interesting character. It was felt that the new enterprise was enjoy ing the divine favor from its inception. The Chief Organizer of churches, the Holy Spirit, was there. We look for vigorous manifesta tions of spiritual life, as well as for all the movements necessary to give outward com pletion to the great but hopeful undertaking, which the new organization has upon its hands. Genesee. North Broad St. Church. —For the first time, after a silence of a year, on last Sab bath morning, the beloved and esteemed pas tor of this Church, Rev. E. E. Adams, D. D., ventured to preach. Not over three months ago, his utterance was barely more than a hoarse whisper, and his resignation as pas tor, offered at that time, was voted for by many of his friends, who despaired of his ever regaining his voice. But their fears have been most agreeably disappointed, as almost from that time Dr. Adams’ recovery has been rapid and decided. For a number of weeks he has had charge of the service in the lecture-room, and on Sabbath last he preached nearly 40 minutes, with his usual facility, to a very large congregation. Wc shall publish the sermon in our next number The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper was administered, when six persons were admit ted on profession, (one of them a son of the pastor) and ten by letters. The attendance of communicants was large, and the services deeply interesting. Dr. Mcllvaine, of Prince ton, who has been regularly supplying the pulpit, assisted. The condition of the congregation is even more flourishing than before. The number of families is greater, and the income from the pews is now at the highest point reached. The debt, during the current financial year, will have diminished from $3,000 to $6OO. from the ordinary income of the church. Chester City Sunday School. —The Fourth Anniversary of the Chester City Presbyterian Sunday School, took place on last Sabbath afternoon. Addresses were de livered by Mr. J. K. F. Stites, missionary of the American Sunday School Union, and the Pastor, The Superintendent’s report stated that the number of scholars had increased from 100 to over 200. The Library contains about 700 volumes. During the year, seve ral of the scholars had given their hearts to the Lord Jesus, and the general condition of the school is healthful and promising. The ladies of the congregation had trimmed the audience room with evergreens, and adorned the pulpit with two beautiful bouquets, which added much to the pleasure of the occasion. Notwithstanding the probability of a storm, every available spot was occupied, and many were compelled to stand in the vestibule. Cherrytree, P a. —The pastor of this church writes us:—“The Presbyterian church in this place suffered severely from the unpa ralled oil excitement of recent years, which completely annihilated several religious or g&nizSitioDSj t «vo.d tlirG&'tGiiGd to sweep every vestige of grace from the community, except at the more favored oil centres. “ All attempts to obtain petrolem in this portion of the oleaginous district having proved a failure, it seemed for a time that our church, left weak and staggering by the loss of its Elders, and two thirds of its members, must yield to the force of circumstances, and be swallowed up by the preponderating in fluences of Petroleum Centre, which is only two miles distant. “But the Lord is. graciously rebuilding the broken walls. Again we have a Session. The few have become “two bands.” Our strength is more than doubled, not by the influx of population; but by the conversion of sinners. Since the first of last Jul;« Thirty-one members have been added to the original Twenty-five. Twenty-six of these additions have been by examination. Last Sabbath was a time of God’s Gra cious visitation. Sixteen entered into solemn covenant relation with God and his people, having been received by examination. Two were added by letter. The contribution to O^ issione (additional) was $218,65. Total, 350,65. There is ground to hope for as large an accession to our membership at the next communion season.” ‘They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.” Webster Grove, Mo.-This new church, ten miles west of St. Louis, have their new chapel nearly finished. This, says the Her a’ IS one ollr mos t promising new churches, though from a small beginning. It is expected that this church will secure the pastoral services of one of our most vig orous and devoted ministers.
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