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.