gtiscllaiKmix
EEY. ME. BABNES PIFTH LEGTIJBE OB THE
EVIDENCES OF CHBISTIANITY.
The subject on Monday evening, the 4th
inst., was that of Miracles. Miracles were
designed to prove the divine commission of
a messenger or the truth of his message. A
miraculous event was as capable of being
examined and attested as any 'Other fact.!
The raising of Christ or of Lazarus could
be investigated and decided upon to the sat
isfaction of intelligent witnesses.
The objection of Mr. Ilume to the possibi
lity of miracles, founded upon the violation
of the laws of nature being contrary to cx
iporiencc, was met and refuted with masterly
ability.
Dr. Barnes remarked tfyat it was impossi
ble for Hume, or any one else, to know the:
experience of every man in every age and
country, and certainly the experience of
those who lived in the age of Christ and his
Apostles accorded with the fact in question.
But to render this idea of experience, a sub
stantial argument, it must comprise the cx
ience of other worlds beside this—of all
i worlds in the wide universe; and how
ild Mr. Hume ascertain whether through
, the wide extent of God’s dominion the
ws of nature had not been known to have
m suspended. Indeed, to render the ob
tion sufficient, the spiritual world as well
the material must be included, and the
>erience of all intelligent beings must
contrary to this, violation of the laws of
,ure. But who can possibly so extend
roseaches over this immeasurable field as
be competent to say that no one, or no
;e of beings has ever witnessed, known, or
perienced any instance in which the laws
nature have been violated ?
The speaker then asserted that we were
lly witnesses of such violation. One of
established laws of nature is that of
/itation, by which every object tends to
rd the centre of the globe. When a boy
iks up a stone and and throws it in the air
re is a violation of this law of nature,
if the stone were untouched it would
ain in its position adhering to the earth,
jnever a person lifts his' foot in walking
is law is violated. The decay of vegeta
>n —the death of the oak—and the univer
mortality of man are violations of the law
nature, for life is natural to the vegetable
' animal kingdom. The seed germinating,
is developed, and its tendency, its very
Of existence is growth, vigor, perpetuity.
. God, as the petialty of sin, has arrested
iat law, and decay and death ensue. The
:perience of mankind, therefore, is not eon
ay to, but in favor of the violations of the
ws of nature.
There are two ways by which the world
•ogresses, in arts and sciences—one by de
slopment—one age improves upon the ex
jriencc and discoveries of a former, and
lakes these the basis of farther advances,
his process is slow—gradual.
The other is by sudden discoveries—the
ise of some eminent statesman, philosopher
.philanthrophist, or by some great and start
ing event changing the current of thought,
jvolutionizing nations, and arousing the
mergies of man to great deeds bearing upon
•e interests of society. These may be
ailed creations —they are not developments
' previous existences. The appearance of
m eloquent orator whose persuasive lips
way the public mind—of a reformer like
anther—a philosopher like Bacon—are crea
tions; the art of printing, the use of steam
power, the electric telegraph are creations,
and by these effects of divine power, God
gives an impulse to minds and hearts, opens
new sources of knowledge, and raises the
world to a higher level. So at the introduc
tion of Christianity the Almighty interposed
his creative power and produced effects out
of the ordinary course of nature to confirm
the truth of the Gospel and speed its pro
gress in the world.— Christian Intelligencer.
PEOPOSED PEESBYTEEIAN UNION IN
INDIA.
' The following circular, which has never
been re-published in this country, is from the
pen of Rev. D,r. Morrison, who was. the first
to propose that the- first week of each new
ar be made a “ week of prayer.”
CIRCULAR.
Dear Brother in the Lord: —At the
jeting of the Synod of Northern India, as
imbled at Ambala in November, 1865, the
Bowing minute was unanimously adopted,
iz:—
“ The subject of Organic Union, or a United
<ureh for India was also discussed, and on
motion, a Committee, consisting of Messrs.
Morrison, Walsh and Scott, was appointed
to correspond with the different Presbyte
ian bodies in this country, with a view to
(certain what can be done in the matter.”
The object of this-movement is to ascertain
i‘ acme preliminary step cannot soon be
,akcn towards uniting Presbyterians gener-
Jy in one General Assembly in India, and
report to the Synod at its next meeting in
1868.
Hitherto Presbyterians have labored un
der the disadvantage of having no organ
ized body in India, towards which they could
feel as members, consequently they scatter
about without any church connection, great
ly to their spiritual detriment, and the loss
of the body to which they really belong.
Besides, the different bodies of Presbyte
rians, having no common organization, lose
he advantage of combination and eo-opera
ion. One General Assembly would make
i feci more as one body—give more unity
ohr plans and operations, and secure eo-
where now our separate ecclesi
astical organizations, or want of such organ
ization, produces too much-the feeling that
wc have separate and sometimes conflicting
interests.
Such ecclesiastical union need not.by any
THE AMERICAN PRESBYTERIAN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1867.
means cut us loose, as Missionaries from our
respective Missionary Boards, &e. They are
not ecclesiastical bodies, but merely the or
gans of the ecclesiastical bodies to which
they belong. With the consent of our se
veral Assemblies, we may organize a Genei’al
Assembly in India for all ecclesiastical pur
poses, and still report to, and receive our
support from our respective Boards as before.
And so far as ecclesiastical government, su
pervision and control are concerned, our
principles could be more effectually carried
out by one General Assembly in this coun
try, than by several General Assemblies in
different and far distant countries. Such an
organization seems to be important too,-as a
part of the practical training of a native
ministry. Indeed it would seem to be so
clearly a necessity as to be merely a ques
tion of time, if our Scriptural principles are
to be permanently implanted and rooted in
this country. •
Hitherto the great want of travelling fa
cilities has been an insuperable barrier to
our effecting • any such organization, and
making it practically useful. But with the
present progress of Railroads, weliave every
reason to hope that before our proposed or
ganization can be completed this difficulty
will be felt less in this country, than it is felt
now in the United States of America.
And the growing disj>osition OfChristians
generally, and of Presbyterians in particular,
to unite together as far as possible, affords
encouragement to hope that our respective
supreme Judicatories would interpose no
very serious objections to our forming such?
a union in this country. At any rate, the
anticipation of difficulties: need not prevent
our endeavouring in this way td ascertain
whether any real difficulties do 'lie in the
way of our securing so desirable an object,
and .if they do in fact exist, whether they
may not be removed or overcome.
The object of our Synod is not,- now, to
propose any terms of union, but to ascertain
your views on the subject, and to see if'some
plan could not be adopted, by which a dele
gation from all the different Presbyterian
bodies in the country could be got together;
say at Agra, about November, 1868, or at
any other time and place that might be more
convenient for all, or for a majority of those
interested in the scheme. It is not proposed
even, that this delegation should have power
to effect any organization, but only after
prayer and consultation to ascertain what
plan of union might be suggested and report
the same to their respective bodies, for their
consideration and further action. Our earn
est prayer is, that the great head of the
church may direct all our deliberations and
bring them to that result which shall best
please Him, and promote His glory l and the
welfare of perishing souls.
Hoping to hear from you on this subject
as soon as may be convenient,
Believe us,
Yery sincerely, ■ ■ ’
Your brethren in the Lord,
Committee. —J. H. Morrison, Ilhwal Pindi ,
Panjab; James L. Scott, Landaur; John J.
Walsh, Allahabad.
TRIALS OF A GERMAN EMIGRANT.
The following affecting story is told in
the Lutheran Observer , of last week:
A young stranger, a few weeks since,
entered the rooms of the German Society at
Battery Place, and besought the proper offi
cer for employment, but received a negative
answer. The day was excessively cold, and
the stranger thinly clad, without an over
coat. Seating himself at the stove, he ex
hibited proofs of deep distress. Missionary
Neumann, happening to be present, at once
took a warm interest in his case, and gave him
the address of a benevolent gentleman, in
business, several miles distant, from the city.
Half an hour later, the Missionary had occa
sion to enter an Emigrant boarding-house,
in the vicinity, and there met, the second
time, the young German, seated at a table,
and writing with a pencil in a small memo
randum-book. Encouraged by their pre
vious interview, and desirous of learning
more of his history, the Missionary obtained
permission to read what he had written.
The little book proved to be a Diart, kept
by the young stranger, since his landing
from an emigrant-ship at, Castle. Garden.
Learning from these pages his destitute con
dition, the Missionary besought the proprie
tor of the house to furnish him with a meal,
which was granted, and also the promise of
lodgings for one night. The Diary was
kept in German, and, as there exists no doubt
that it is a true history, we furnish a trans
lation of its material parts, as transcribed
by the Missionary.
DIARY OF A GERMAN EMIGRANT.
Lee. 16, 1866.—Landed at Castle Garden.
In Held’s hotel at 4 o’clock, P. M., with §6
in my pocket-book. Board $2,50 per day.
Lee. 22.—Ban around for work, and for a
boarding-house, all day, but in vain. Busi
ness very dull. Now in the utmost perplex
ity. Paid $2 to an Agent at 41 Greenwich
street for a situation, but did not get any.
Lee. 24.—Trouble increasing—no money
—-no work—debt in hotel increasing—no
prospect of any employment.
Lee. 25.—Pawned my watch. Called at
41 Greenwich street for work. The swind
ling Agent not at home. Another young
man in the office, who has, also, been im
posed upon. He opened my eyes respecting
this agent, saying that his advertised situa
tions have no existence.
Lee. 27.—Several men want.ed at 3.1 Broad
way, but English required. Cannot pay my
board at the hotel. Have to leave it se
cretly. What shall I do! 8 o'clock, P. M.
No place yet to stay for the night. Only
ten cents left.
Lee. 28.—Passed last night in the streets.
Overcome with fatigue, sat several hours
■on the front steps of a house, sometimes
nodding. Again through the streets for
work, but found none,. Severe suffering
from hunger. Nothing to eat for-36 hours.
Three crackers for dinner at twelve. Sold
my best black coat for ?2. Offered it at
a dozen places, but no one would buy it.
Mind distressed with strange thoughts.
Pee. 2D.—At many places again, hunting
work, but have not found any.
Pec. 30.—A1l night again in the streets —
an hour and a half under a stoop for rest.
Pec. 31.—Passed the night at a police
station-house. Two cents worth of bread
for breakfast. Ran around for work in a
dreadful snow-storm. At night, wet, hun
gry, frozen. Got supper at Mr. H’s., whose
acquaintance I made on hoard ship. .Went
to the station-house ,to stay over night
found it. full of people. No room. Passed
the night in the streets. , , .
Here commences a.letter thus: ;
“My dear Mother in Germany: —l wish to
write to you l once more before I die- —once
more, because I do not know whether I
shall be living to-morrow.”
Here his letter to-his mother abruptly
terminates, and another commences address
ed' to the Hotel-keeper, haying his trunks
in charge as a pledge for arrearages of board.
It begins thus: . ; : ‘
Sir: Do not trouble - yourself on account
of my not returning, as I am sorry to be
under the necessity of informing you that I
cannot pay my board.”
The Diary is resumed as follows:
- January 1, 1867.—Went into an' eating sa
loon without a penny. Offered my pocket
book and cigar-case for something to eat—
gotit fortunately on credit. Very hungry
to-night. Got supper at my shipmate’s, Mr.
11., Played awhile there on a piano,. All
full at the station-house. Took passage on
a ferry-boat to Jersey city, for three cents,
and passed the night on the boat, going back
and forth until morning.
Jan. 2d and 3d. —Slept in? a. police-station
house. Breakfast and supper at my ship
mate’s.
Jan. 4 th and sth. —Spent night at police
station. Don’t know what to do! Was at
several places for work, but no prospect, no
hope yet! Saif pad 2P. M. Met Rev. Mr.
Neumann, , and received from him the ad
dress of'Mr. It——, in M , recommend
ing me for work.
Here the Diary ends—the last entry having
been made at the moment when the Mis
sionary Neumann met the young German, as
narrated, at the Emigrant boarding-house.
Having thus become acquainted with his
trials and struggles, since his arrival in this
country, the Missionary's interest in his be
half was, of course, largely increased. “ The
darkest hour is that which immediately
precedes the dawn of day.” Whilst the
Missionary was laying plans for bis relief,
there entered a/gentleman, (also a German,)
a manufacturer, the very person to whom
the Missionary had given the note of recom
mendation, not yet presented. “Pastor
Neumann,” said the manufacturer, “lam
happy to meet you—can you recommend to
me a trustworthy young man, to do some
work for me?” “Sere he is” replied^the
Missionary, laying his' lilt’nd'oif"the jmung
emigrant's shoulder, and introducing him.
Within the next half hour, the young man,
thus providentially rescued from want and
despair, was seated in the cars with his kind
employer, on his way to the latter's factory,
and is now happy and contented with the
wages he is earning. Verity, “truth is
strange, stranger than fiction.” How stri
kingly this narrative vindicates a special
superintending Divine providence, encircling
his ministers, and the needy, to whom they
are sent!
MOTIVE TO CHRISTIAN EFFORT.
Zinzendorf owed much of his religious
fervor to the casual sight of a picture of the
Crucifixion, with this simple inscription at
the bottom: “ all this for thee, how much for
me?'’ We.may take it to ourselves. What
has the dear Saviour done for iis? What is
he doihg now ? Ah! He “became poor” for
us—how poor! “that we, through His pov
erty might be made rich," how rich! His
friendship for us has been written in His
blood, and sealed by His death. We, profess
to feel this; we own it. We declare that He
is “all and in all,” to us.
“ Thou art the great completion of my soul,
The blest fulfilment of its deepest, need.”
But the best expression of this is the prayer
of the converted Saul of Tarsus:, “ Lord,
what wilt thou have me to do?" Devotion
turns drudgery into delight. At a banquet
given to Kos.suth, when in this country, he
said, “ I would rather starve than rely for
myself or my family on the help of others;
but for my country’s sake I’ would not be
ashamed'to go and beg from door to door.”
If we have anything of a right spirit we un
derstand what this feeling is with respect to
Christ’s cause.
And this feeling ought to be intense.
With Christ, by the mouth of David, we
ought to be able to say, ‘“The zeal of Thine
house hath eaten me up.” Oh, to serve such
a Mend, and in such a.worli as giving the
precious Gospel to the world! The angels
would delight in .it. .Were it permitted
them to do it, they would bring gold from
the mines, and gems from the shore, and
pearls from the ocean, with which to pur
chase the Scriptures, and then fly with the
precious gift to the ends of the earth, and
stand, their golden wings folded on their
shoulders, at the door of every human habi
tation. The beseeching appeal of Xavier,
as he lay on his couch, just previous to sot
ting out from Borne upon his mission to the
East, was: “Yet more, 0 my God! yet
more! ” Can we rest satisfied with anything
short of Christ’s complete enthronement
as God over all? We admire the spirit of a
noble leader of the Crusaders, who was offer
ed a crown upon having conducted his fol
lowers to the confines of the Holy City.
“No !” said he, “I will not wear a crown of
honor where my Masterworeone of shame!”
God forbid that we should accept of ease
or honor, or anything but toil till Christ has
His crown of universal dominion! 1 .
“I ask no heaven till all be Thine!
No glory-crown while work of mine
Remaineth here! Till earth shall shine
Amid the stars,.
Her sins wiped out, her captives free,
Her voice a music unto Thee, .
For crown new work give thou to me.”
The Sour for Action
THE ETERNAL WORLD.
No fragment of an army ever survived so
many battles as the Bible; no citadel ever
withstood so many. sieges; no rock was ever
battered by so many hurricanes and so swept
by storms. And yet it stands. It has seen
the rise and downfall of Daniel’s four empires.
Assyria bequeaths a few mutilated 'figures'
to the riches of o,ur National Museum. Me
dia and Persia, like Babylon which they con
quered, have been weighed in the balance
and long ago found wanting. Greece faintly
survives in’its historic fame : “’Tis living
Greece no more;” and the iron .Borne of the
Csesars is held in, precarious occupation by a
feeble hand. And yet the Book that fore
tells all this, still survives. While, nations,
kings, philosophers, systems, institutions,
have died away, the Bible engages now men’s
deepest thoughts, is. examined by the keen
est intellects, stands revered by the highest
tribunals, is more read; and sifted, and de
bated, more devoutly loved and more vehe
mently assailed, more defended,'and more
denied, more industriously translated and
freely given to the world, more honored and
more abused, than any other book the. world
ever saw. It survives all changes, itself un
changed; it moves all minds, yet is moved
by none; it sees all things decay, itself in
corruptible; it sees myriads of other books !
ingulfed in the stream of time, yet it is
borne along triumphantly on the wave; and
will be borne along, fill the mystic angel
shall plant his foot upon the sea and swear,
by Him that liveth forever and ever, that
time shall be no longer. “Bor all flesh is as
grass, and all the glory of man as the flower
of grass. The grass withereth, and the
flower thereof faileth away ; but the Word
of the Lord endureth forever.”
AN ANGEL STANDING BY.
We read of a youth, in the early days of
Christianity—(those periods of heroic suf
fering, and heroic patience, and legendary
wonder, to which I have already ventured
to call your attention)- —we read of a Chris
tian, on whom his persecutors had put into
practice a more than common share of their
cruel ingenuity, that by his torments (let
those who will, or can, go through the hor
rible details,) they might compel him to
deny his Lord and Saviour. After a long
endurance of those pains, they released bim,:
in wonder at his obstinacy. His Christian
brethren are said to have wondered, too, and •
to have asked him by w-hat mighty faith
he could so strangely subdue, the violence of
the fire, as that neither a cry nor a groan
escaped him. “It was, indeed, most pain
ful,” was the noble youth’s reply; “ but an
angel stood by me, when my anguish was
the worst, and with his finger pointed to
heaven.” Oh, thou, whoever thou art, that
art tempted to commit a sin, do thou think
on death, and that thought will be an angel
unto thee! The hope of heaven will raise
thy courage above the fiercest threatenings
of the world; the fear of hell will rob its
persuasions of their enchantments; and the
very extremity of thy trial may itself con
tribute to animate thy exertions, by the
thought that the greater thy endurance now,
the greater will be thy reward hereafter.—-
Bishop Seber.
RELIEF, FOR AGED EYES.
Not imfirequently we have an inquiry for an.edition of the “ Social
Hymn and Tune Book ” for the aged, as the words inserted
between tbe lines of music are in small type.
We would therefore announce that
Social Hymns
contains the Hymns of the Social Hranr and Tunkßook, without
the Tunes, in a
Clear, Legible Type,
and in a volume of very convenient shape and size.
To those who do not use the Music, this a very acceptable book.
PRICE
In Muslin.
In Sheep.
Flexible.
Sent by Mail for these rates.
The SD3IAL HYMN AND TUNE BOOH continues to receiv
warmc'iumendation. Price—Muslin, $l.OO. Flexible, $1.50. Sheep,
1.25. Morocco gilt, $2.50. Presbyterian Publication Committee,
1334 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia.
TRUSSES, SUPPO RTERS,
BRACES,
And all other Surgical Appliances
of the most approved kinds, infinitely superior to all others, at
No. 50 North Seventh. Street.
Ladies attended by Mrs. Dr. McCLEXA'CHAN.
Male Department by a competent Surgeon.
LOUIS DREKA,
Stationer, Card Engraver and Plate Printer,
1033 CHESTS UT STREET,
s . Philadelphia.
J. & F. CADMUS,
NO. 736 Market Street, S. E. corner of Eighth,
PHILADELPHIA.
Manufacturers and Dealers in
BOOTS, SHOES, TRUNKS, CARPET BAGS AND
VALISES of every variety and style.
Restore Your Sight !
DB. J. STEPHENS & CO.’S PATENT
CORNEA RESTORERS
RESTQEfciEtS ©P TMI iYtSBSBV.
They will Restore Impaired Sight, and Preserve to the Latest
Period of Life.
SPECTACLES RENDERED USELESS
The most eminent Physicians, Oculists, Divines, and the meet pro
minent meD of our country, recommend the use of the CJORntSA
RESTORERS for Presbyopia, or Par or Long-Sightedness, or every
person who wears spectacles from old age; Dimness of Vision, or
Blurring; Overworked Eyes; Asthenopia, or Weak Eyes; Epiphora,
or Watery Eyes; Pain in the Eyeball; Amaurosis, or Obscurity of
Yißion; Photophobia, or Intolerance of Light; Weakness of the
Retina and Optic Nerve; Myodesopia, or Specks or Moving Bodies
before the Eyes; Ophthalmia, or Inflammation of the Eye or Eye
lids, and Imperfect Vision from the effects of Inflammation, Ac.
Cataract Eyes; Hemiopia, or Partial Blindness: Sinking: of the Eye
ball, Ac.
They can be used by any one with a certainty-of success, and with
out the least fear of injury to the eye. More than 6000 certificate*
of cures are exhlbitedat our office* • Cure guarantied in every case
when applied according to the directions enclosed in each box, or
the money will be refunded. Write for a Circular —Sent Gratis.
Address DR. J. STEPHENS & CO., Oculists,
(P. 0. Box 026.)
Principal Office at 840 Broadway, New York.
J. STEPHENS A CO. have invented and patentod a
MYOPIA or CORNEA FLATTENER, for the cure of NEAR-SIGHT
EDNESS, which has proved a great success. ’ 1048-ly
ZION’S REFRESHING SHOWERS.
A new Revival Hymn and Tune Book, containing nearly 300
Hymns and Tunes, principally used by Whitfield, Wesley, Knapp.
Nettleton, Finney, Earl, Hammond, and other Evangelists,in their
revival: meetings.. It is one of the best books ever published for
such services, as well ns for Sunday-schools and Social Meetings.
Price, Paper Covers, 30 Cents; $3.25 per Dozen; $25 per 100. Cloth
Embossed Gilt, 50 Cents; ss,per Dozen; $4O per 100. Mailed
Retail Price. Compiled by Horace Waters, Author of “S. S. Belly 1 *
Nos. L and’2, “Choral Harp,” “Day School Bell,” “Athenaeum Col
lection,” “Christian-Melodist,’* Ac. Just issued by HORACE WA
TERS, No. 481 Broadway, N. Y. Feb. 14—81
NEW BOOKS.
THE HISTORY OF THE HUGUENOTS.
Bt W. Carlos Martyr.
528 pp. square 12 mo.
THE HISTORY OF PROTESTANTISM IN FRANCE.
A record full of tender interest, recounting th* story of long centuries
of trial and of struggle, with brief intervals of sunshine, upon
which the clouds soon closed in again. The-story is brightened by
many touching incidents of Christian heroism atid devotion, and
shows how the church of God is like a lamb among wolves, and yet
cannot be destroyed.
AHEBICAK TRACT SOCIETY,
1210 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia.
marble work*
CREEN« above TSPHIL*
SMITH & MOORE,
GOLD AND SILVER PLATERS,
263 SOUTH EIGHTH STREET,
PHILADELPHIA.
All Goods Plated by ourselves on the Finest Metal, with th«
Heaviest Plate. i
All kinds of Old "Work Replated.
DO YOU WANT BEAL GOOD FRESH TEAS? If so, caH at
WILLIAM INGHAM’S American Tea Warehouse, 43 South
Second street, below Market, for fresh Green and Black Teas, of
the latest importation; consisting of Hyson, Young Hyson, Impe
rial, and Gunpowder Teas. Finest Japan Teas imported. Black
Teas of all grades, from 80 cents upwards. Coffee from 25 to 40
cents. Remember WM..INGRAM. Tea Dealer,.43 S. Second. Street.
Philadelphia.
WALL PAPER
AND FINE WINDOW SHADES MANET-,
FACTORED.
Beautiful designs, as low as Si.so, $1.75 and $2, with Fixtures.
PAPER HANGINGS, Gold and Plain DECORATIONS, neatly
hung, by practical workmen, at
JOHNSTON’S Depot.
[The No. is 1033] SPRING GARDEN Street,
Below Eleventh,
WILLIAM YARNALL,
IMPORTER AND DEALER IN
HOUSE FURNISHING GOODS*!
No. 1232 CHESTNUT- STREET S. 35. COB. 13TH.
SUPERIOR REFRIGERATORS,
WATER COOLERS, *
FINE TABLE CTJTLB RY
FAMILY HARDWARE,
IRONING TABLES, Ac., Ac.
CARPET S J. O
0 IVINS & DIETZ, <
No. 43 STRAWBERRY STREET,
. Second door above Chestnut street.
street is between Second and Bank
streets. ' '
CARPETINGS,
OILCLOTHS,
MATTINGS, &C.
NFW STYLES, MODERATE PRICES.
mm & vrntt '
43 STRAWBERRY Street, Philada.
CHEAP CIEPET STORE .4^.
& .*«**.;