gmratau Jmhutem
(THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 1867.
fi@r Oft the second page will be found the con
cluding and negative part of the argument on
Millenarianism, containing some strong and
lucid statements ; 11 Faith and the Cable,” a
beautiful application of the recent wonderful
triumph of engineering skill to Christian truth,
and another interesting letter from “ the Country
Parsonage." Prof. Agassiz’s recent argument
against Darwinianism is on the third page, and
Book Notices, with Bural Economy on the
seventh page.
Summary. —Mr. Barnes has just sent the MS.
of his forthcoming Commentary on the Psalms to
the Publisher, Knight, of London. The proofs
will be revised by Miss Henderson, who issued
the “Leaflets," extracted from his various works,
some years ago, and who is a great admirer of his
writings. Messrs. Harper will publish the Com
mentary in this country.
The week’s intelligence is most cheering for
our Church and for the cause of Christ generally.
Many revivals are reported; see letters from
Christiana, Del., one of the oldest Presbyterian
churches in the country, where nearly 70 have
been converted; from Rockford, Ills.; from Olivet
church, in this city, &e. We count between four
and five hundred conversions mainly in connec
tion with our branch. Five new churches have
been organized, one each in Kansas, Missouri,
and Northern New Jersey, and two in Illinois.
The Central church, Wilmington, Rev. George
F. Wiswell, D. D., pastor, has received in the
eleven years of its history, closing last Sabbath,
531 members, nearly all by profession.
Mr. R. G-. Pardee is giving lessons to the stu
dents of Union Theological Seminary on Sunday
School topics, and will probably do the same at-
Princeton,
There is a decided increase in the number of
students offering themselves for the Foreign Mis
sionary field.
The only city member of the House of Repre
sentatives, at Harrisburg, who voted against sub
mitting the question of Sunday cars to the peo
ple, was Mri Adam "Wallace, of Manayunk, who
is connected with our congregation in that Dis
trict.
r 7 RESOLUTIONS ;
OF THE SECOND, CHURCH, NASHVILLE, ON THE
RESIGNATION OF REV. R. H. ALLEN.
At a congregational meeting of the Second
Presbyterian Church, O. S., of Nashville, Tenn.,
held Sabbath afternoon, February 24th, 1867,
the following preamble and resolutions were
adopted: •
Whf.reas, In the providence of God, Rev.
R: H. Allen, of the Second Presbyterian Church
of Nashville, Tenn., has received and accepted a
unanimous call to the Old Pine Street Presbyte
rian Church, of Philadelphia, and in considera
tion of which fact, we, the members and congre
gation of the Second Presbyterian Church of
Nashville, at the solicitation of our Pastor, have,
in a regular church meeting, by a vote united
with him" in a request to the Nashville Presbyte
ry to dissolve the pastoral relation hitherto exis
ting between us; therefore,
Resolved, That the relation that has hitherto
existed between us, has been a most happy, in
teresting and fruitful one.
That the dissolution expected to take place
between us, is a matter of. serious regret to this
congregation.
That our pastor leaves us carrying with him
our highest esteem and greatest confidence, being
assured that he is truly a man of God, and emi
nently fitted to do his Master’s work, either here
or elsewhere.
That we have listened with great edification to
his untiring efforts to strengthen Christians in
their most holy faith, and to awaken sinners to a
knowledge of the truth as it is in Christ Jesus,
his powerful entreaties and apt illustrations being
as goads piercing to the dividing asunder of the
joints and marrow and the soul and spirit; and
finally
Resolved, That we commend our pastor to
those who have called him; and pray God that
his labors in his new field may be abundantly
blessed to the glory of God, and that, when his
summer is past and his harvest is ended, be shali
be called home, hearing his sheaves .with him, to
receive a crown of life, which the Lord, the
Righteous Judge, shall give to all those who love
his appearing.
Resolved also, That a copy of the above pre
amble and resolutions he tendered respectfully to
our pastor, and that copies of the same be pub
lished in the Western Presbyterian and Press
and Times newspapers.
Feb. 25,1867.
Dr. Allen is expected to preach his first ser
mon in Pine street church Sabbath morning.
March 24th.
Baptist. —Last fall, a Swedish Baptist Church of
forty members was organized in Chicago. It lias
since received about twenty additions. There are
ten or twelve thousand Swedes in that city.—For
Foreign Missions, Home Missions, State Missions,
and Baptist Publication Society, all together, the
following States last year contributed per member:
Maine, 71 cents; Massachusetts, $1.84; Ithode Is
land, $141; Mew York, 89 cents; Pennsylvania, 77
cents; Ohio, 52 cents; Illinois, 63 cents; Wiscon
sin, 54 cents, and lowa 41 cents, and Illinois, with
46,129 members, built thirty-six churches, at a cost
of $340,000, raised $lOO,OOO for its colleges and
seminaries, which, with contributions to other
denominational objects make an aggregate of $475,
515, or more than ten dollars per member.—Nearly
one hundred thousand dollars must be received by
the Treasurer of the Missionary Union within a
month, to cover the expenditures of the financial
year.
The First Baptist Association has established in
New Orleans a Workmen’s Bureau, the object of
which is to furnish a supply of field hands, and
every description of skilled and unskilled labor
throughout the State. The Bureau will also see to
it that when a contract ie made, it shall be performed
by both parties. Rev. <J. Ken>ard, of Albany, N.
Y., bas been called to take charge of the Tenth
Baptist Church of this city, of which his father
the late Rev. J. H. Kennard, 1). D., was the emi’
neutly useful pastor for over a quarter of a centuaryg
W. G. Walker,
Robt. McCallay.
Committee.
THE AMERICAN PRESBYTERIAN, THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 1867.
FROM OUR ROCHESTER CORRESPONDENT.
AN EVIL AND THE REMEDY.
At the late meeting of the Presbytery of Ro
chester, the subject of the distribution of the
Minutes of the General Assembly came up for
consideration. It was contended that the pre
sent. method is very defective. They arc sent in
packages by express to the stated clerks of the
Presbyteries, and they frequently lie in the study
of some minister, or in some store or office for a
good part of the year, instead of promptly reach
ing the ministers for whom they are intended.
The remedy.for this is to have them sent at once,
after publication, by mail, to each one entitled to
a copy. If they are worth printing at all, they
are worth distributing in such a manner as to do
the work for which they are designed.
They often contain important recommendations
which it is desirable for the pastors to have in
their hands in good season, that they may make
their arrangements accordingly. But how is a
Stated Clerk to..run around a whole Presbytery,
and carry to each brother his Minutes? We
know one Stated Clerk, who, after receiving his
package, regularly mails a copy to each member
of his Presbytery, and collects his postage from
the members when they meet. How much better,
as well as cheaper, to have them mailed at once
from the office of publication.
The Minutes are published after the summer
meetings of the Presbyteries, so they cannot be
distributed then. If the Stated Clerk waits until
the winter meeting, he waits half the year or
more, and the Minutes, it is safe to say, have lost
half their interest. The Presbytery'is then ap
pointing Commissioners to the next General As
sembly; how can they be expected to take as
much interest in the last, as they would if they
had received them in the preceding July? It is
too much like consulting last year’s almanac. Or,
if the Stated Clerk takes them to his Synod in
the fall, four or five months have then past; and
possibly the Stated Clerk is sick or on a journey,
and cannot be at the Synod, and then where are
the Minutes? Or, half his Presbytery may not
be present, and how are they to be supplied?
This evil, as we know, has been deeply felt, at
least by some. They have complained of it.
Young pastors have wondered why they did not
receive their Minutes. Many have wanted them
again and again for reference, when they were
not to be had. We have seen the undistributed
bundles lying in stores and offices and ministers’
studies far along into an ecclesiastical year again
and again, and have heard these complaints, and
have wondered that the General Assembly had
not adopted a more prompt and desirable method
of distribution. So, also, it struck .the Presby
tery of Rochester, and they passed resolutions to
Overture the General Assembly to-have the
Minutes mailed to each minister as early as prac
ticable directly from the office of publication.
True, this will cost a little more, if the Gene
ral Assembly should so order it; but we reckon
the great Presbyterian Church of the United
States of America can stand it; and we are sure
it will promote its own best interests considerably
by so doing.
auburn seminary.
The Annual Catalogue of this admirable insti
tution has recently come to hand, containing the
names of forty students; eleven Seniors, fifteen
Middles, and fourteen Juniors; with six able
Professors. Sume of the Seniors are already in
demand for various fields of labor. One, at least,
(and we hope for more) is expecting to be a mis
sionary to the heathen. One has accepted a call
to Phelps.
We notice, also, by the “Calendar for the
year,” that Rev. R. R. Booth, D.D., of New
Y ork, is to deliver a discourse on Foreign Mis
sions before the Society of Inquiry, in connection
with the Anniversary of the Seminary, in May
next; Rev. Herrick Johnson, of Pittsburgh, the
address before the Rhetorical Society; and Prof.
J. 11. Seelye, of Amherst College, a sermon be
fore the Alumni. These are three of the hon
ored sons of Auburn, and their coming at that
time will add much to the interest of the Anni
versary week.
ONE OF THE MILE STONES.
Last Sabbath Rev. Dr. Campbell preached his
first anniversary sermon, as pastor of the Central
Church of Rochester, as he began his labors in
this city on the first Sunday in March, 1866. It
was a very encouraging review. Seventy were
added to its communion last year. The Church
now has 653 members on its rolls; almost a regi
ment, and fighting like one against error and sin.
The contributions to Foreign Missions the past
year were 31910 —Home Missions, 31010 —Bible
Society, 3580 —Tract Society, $230 —other objects
$2019, making in all, $5749: beside $7479 paid
for congregational expenses, and support of its
own Mission Schools. It is a live church, ready
to respond to every reasonable call for the cause
of the Master.
ANOTIIER TEACHERS’ INSTITUTE,
Encouraged by the success of the Sunday
school Teachers’ Institute recently held iu our
county, Mr. Charles Keeler, the indefatigable
County Secretary, bas laid his plans for another,
to be held in this city on the 19th and 20tli days
of this month. We notice from his circular that
Rev. A. McA. Thorburn, of Ogden, Drs. Shaw
and Campbell, and llev. D. K. Bartlett, of this
city, arc all set down for twenty-minute speeches,
during the course of the proceedings. Teachers
and friends of Sunday-schools generally, in this
region, are invited to attend and participate in
the exercises of the Institute.
ONE OF THE SURPRISES.
The good people of Ogden, on Thursday eve
ning, took possession of the parsonage and filled
it with good things, leaving the pastor something
like one hundred and fifty dollars richer than
when they came. Their good pastor, Rev. A.
McA. Thorburn, bore it like a Christian gentle
man. Why should he not? There are many
things worse than that to bear.
STATE TEMUESANCE SOCIETY.
This body is still moving. The Executive
Committee are planning to appoint four District
Secretaries, to operate in different parts of the
State in connection with Rev. F. A. Spencer, the
State Secretary,'whose Head-quarters are at Syra
cuse.
Petitions areMso going forward to the State
Legislature, asking fur a modification of the ex
cise law, soas to require the publishment of ap
plications for license, together with the signatures
thereto, for at least twenty days before such
license shall be granted by the commissioners.
This will give a chance to defeat many applicants
for license to kill their fellow-men by law.
STATE S. S. TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION.
At the last annual meeting of this Association,
it was left with the Executive Committee to select
a place for the next. Applications have come
from Lockport, Albany and Elmira. It was
thought best to go this year to the place first
named, and prooably to the other places in the
years following. The meetings will be held in
the First Presbyterian church, Rev. Dr. Wisner’s,
and if as well attended as in years past will tax
the hospitality of that young city not a little.
However, we do not fear but they will bear it;
and after all the confusion and fatigue are over,
will find that the big meeting brought a blessing
with it.
Rochester, March 9,1867. Genesee.
OUR CHICAGO CORRESPONDENT.
PRESBYTERIANISM IN WISCONSIN.
In my last letter to the Presbyterian I pro
mised to give a general view of the condition of
our Church in Wisconsin. To do this intelli
gently, it will be necessary to give a brief histori
cal sketch, tracing the Presbyterian thread from
the first point of its attachment in that State.
In January, 1839, a Presbytery was formed in
Milwaukee, under the title of “ The Presbytery
of Wisconsin." It consisted of four ministers and
representatives of two churches, one of which was
Presbyterian and the other Congregational. It
was formed in the palmy days of the “ Plan of
Union,” and partook of the characteristics of that
plan: so far,indeed, that although it adopted the
Constitution and Confession of the Presbyterian
Church of the United States, it was never con
nected with' any Synod or General Assembly.
Provision was made at the first meeting, whereby
Congregational churches might be connected, on
equal terms, with the Presbytery. It was also
resolved, that while Presbyterian churches in
connection with the organization should be gov
erned by the rules generally observed in such
churches, in caße any member of one of these
churches should come under discipline, and should
prefer to be tried by the whole body of the church,
his preference should be regarded and the deci
sion of the church should be final, except in case
of alleged heresy, when either of the parties
might bring the matter before the Presbytery.
At the second meeting of this body, July 5,
1839, three new churches and one minister were
received, and resolutions were adopted inviting
the Congregational churches in the Territory—
for Wisconsin had not yet a star on our flag—to
send delegates to the next meeting to confer and
agree upon a plan of union and co-operation with
the Presbyterian churches in the Territory. In
October, 1840, a Congregational convention was
held in Trojr. The Presbytery held a meeting at
the same time and place. A conference between
the Convention and Presbytery was held, and the
result was a union under the title of “ The Pres
byterian and Congregational Convention of Wis
consin.” A Constitution and Confession of Faith,
in their esseutial features Presbyterian, were
adopted.
The new body thus formed consisted of eight
ministers and sixteen churches, eight of which
were Presbyterian and eight Congregational. The
Constitution provided for District Conventions,
as they might be required in the growth of the
Territory, and for a general Convention to meet
annually, and to consist of all the ministers and
a delegate from each of the churches iu the Dis
trict Conventions. The District Conventions
were to hold each an annual and a semi annual
meeting. Thus the system of meetings closely
corresponded with that of Presbyterianism, the
District Convention being a substitute for Pres
bytery, and the General Convention a substitute
for Synod. Indeed, the two bodies were to act
in all respects as Presbytery and Synod to Pres
byterian churches, receiving and adjudicating
upon all appeals issuing from the lower courts to
the higher.
* Many of the features of the Convention were
Presbyterian. The records of all the churches
were to be regularly submitted for approval. The
Conventions were to license and to ordain candi
dates. They were to receive and act on all ap
peals and references submitted to them. They
were to gather statistical reports, were to have
the usual Narratives, were to adjust plans of be
nevolence, &c. Each had its Stated Clerk. To
each all ministers and licentiates in its connection
were amenable. A person attending one of the
meetings of a District or the General Convention,
would scarcely distinguish its proceedings from
that of a regularly constituted Presbyterian body.
The organization thus formed was designed to
be perpetual. It is in existence to this day, and
some of the strongest Presbyterian churches in
the State, as c. g. that at Racine are connected
with it.
This is the famous system of Presby-galionalistn
in Wisconsin. At present, however, the number
of Congregational churches in the Convention
very largely predominates. Nearly all the Pres
byterian churches in the State are in connection
with one of the General Assemblies, and the
spirit of the Convention has been greatly con
gregationalized. It co-operates with the Ameri
can Home Missionary Society, and is generally
considered as a Congregational body, though re
taining many of the elements of strength and
order which it received from its Presbyterian as
sociations.
An 0. S. Presbyterian church was established
in Milwaukee, a year or two previous to 1850. A
year or two subsequent to that date, a New School
Presbytery was formed in Milwaukee under the
special lead of Rev. W. H. Spencer, then pastor
of the First- Presbyterian Church in that city.
His church withdrew from the Convention for
that purpose.
For some years the progress of our Church
against the tides of Convention sentiment was
but slow. Since the clearer lines of division be
tween us and our Congregational brethren have
been drawn, the progress has been much more
rapid.' We have now in Wisconsin a Synod and
four Presbyteries, 33 churcues, 44 ministers, and
1183 members. Our strongest church is the
First, of Milwaukee, which reported to the last
General Assembly a membership of 226. A fresh
and vigorous life begins to manifest itself on all
sides. The relations of Presbytery to Conven
tion are clearly established, and the two bodies
work together, side by side, with little interrup
tion of general harmony.
Of course, the Convention is by far the stronger
body. It had deep root while Presbytery was
but a transplanted tree. It has a large New
England element in the population of the State
to minister to its growth. It has done a noble
work, and is composed of a band of noble men.
For order and efficiency, it is second to no Con
gregational body in the Union. With its consti
tutional rules and its well-defined creed, it is su
perior to many. Congregationalism, proud of its
Plymouth rock, has, as a denomination, gradually
contracted its creed, until as the rock itself is
represented by a fragment, enclosed by a railing,
the old Westminster Confession, delighted in by our
fathers, finds but a fragmentary existence in the
last declaration of those who boast of Puritan an
cestry and Puritan principles. But in Wiscon
sin the old Confession holds its ground, and a vigor
ous Church is the consequence. Our lamenta
tion that Presbyterianism is no stronger there, is
not therefore, as loud as it might be. Yet we are
glad to observe that our Church in that State is
yearly becoming more vigorous. Its congrega
tions are now nearly all supplied by a band of
energetic, cultivated and devoted men, in the
prime of life. As yet, considerable missionary
aid must be furnished them. Many of them
have hoped for assistance in building from the
Assembly’s Church Erection contributions Some
of them have taken collections in aid of the As
sembly’s scheme; but they will need far more
than they have contributed. Several have neg
lected contributions, because obliged to pay in
terest or to make collections as bound by the old
plan. Some of the ministers have thrown their
influence against the present system. It would
seem that we are to have another year of trial
and shortsightedness, in our churches, before we
can be roused to our duty.
Chicago, Feb. 27,1867. Wabash.
OLIVET CHURCH, PHILADELPHIA.
Last Sabbath was a happy day in the Olivet
Presbyterian Church of this city, by reason of a
large addition to their membership. Twenty-eight
persons were admitted, of whom twenty-six pro
fessed their faith in Christ for the first time.
Of the whole number, nearly one-half were
adults and' seven' were heads of families. The
rest were youths of the Sunday-school and a
large proportion of all were children of Christian
parents. Besides these, two were taken under
the care of the Session, and several others, who
did not profess, are hopefully converted.
The immediate occasion of this gracious work
was a series of preaching services at the begin
ning of the year and during the week preceeding
the communion; and the ministerial brethren
who assisted the pastor, Rev. W. W. Taylor
"may feel that their labors have been richly re
warded by God. Yet many influences from parents,
Sabbath-school teachers and Christian friends
have conspired to this happy end, for many have
been workers together with God.
The joy of the Church was such, as can
scarcely be described. Everything has come so
quietly, that the large result could hardly seem
real, as the young and the older, though all,
nearly, in the freshness of life, crowded near the
pulpit, some to receive baptism and all to avouch
the Lord to be their God, and Jesus Christ their
adorable and most worthy Redeemer.
In view of this work two impressions are
warmly cherished, viz: Gratitude to God for His
efficiency by the power of the Holy Ghost, and
encouragement to persevere in labor and prayer,
believing that the same means even in their ordi
nary use, will produce like results.
NEW THINGS IN OLD PLACES,
On the banks of the Christiana creek, nine
miles from Wilmington, and five miles from New
Castle, Delaware, there lies a pleasant little village,
nestled on the side of a hill sloping down to the
creek. Here the village has stood for two hun
dred years, though it has not grown with its age.
The inhabitants are hospitable, with strong ties
for home and home things.
In this village there has been a Presbyterian or
ganization since the year 1708, and a church since
the year 1730. From the ancient church steps,
the renowned Whitefield preached to 3,000 people
in 1739. This same church stood (of course un
dergoing many repairs) until 1857, vdien it was
removed to give place to the present one, which
now stands on the same foundation, enlarged, form
ing one of the neatest churches in the State. This
church has been favored with regular services
from its earliest existence, but always connected
with some adjoining congregation, under the charge
of one Pastor, and as a general thing, receiving
the lamb’s share of the preaching and pastoral ef
forts; until the winter of 1865, when the people
secured the services of Rev. J. Hervey Beale, who
had just returned as chaplain from the army.
He came and entered into the work in ja dry
and apparently-barren field, with his whole heart,
with a membership of twenty-five, and frequently
a congregation reduced to seventeen souls. Since
that auspicious moment, we have had regular ser
vice twice each Sabbath, and Lecture during the
week. The congregation has steadily increased
in numbers, and each communion season has ad
ded to our membership, until it was more than
doubled.
This brings me to the week of prayer, 1867,
which was harmoniously observed by the two
churches of the village, the Presbyterian and
Methodist. Without interruption the meetings
were continued in our church. Our Pastor waa
assisted during the first week by his cousin, Rev.
Daniel J. Beale, then he took up the arduous
work alone, and has preached every night for
six weeks to continually increasing audiences,
both in numbers and interest. As a glorious re
sult of these meetings in this old church, which
was never before known to have been blessed by
any great outpouring of the Holy Spirit, between
65 and 70 persons have come out and asked the
prayers of God’s people; 47 of thenPhave already
united with our Church; and others will do so at
the first opportunity. Thus swelling, our mem
bership from 25 to 105 in two years, being more
than has been added in the 35 previous years com
bined. '
There are some interesting features connected
with this glorious harvest worthy of mention.
First—The unusually large proportion of males,
there being but 14 out of the whole number fe
males. The majority are young men of stability
of character.
Secondly—Ten of these are heads of families.
Thirdly—Twelve are over thirty,years of age,
and two of them over forty-five, one emerged from
the darkness of Romanism.
The week of prayer was one of special interest.
God’s people were greatly revived, and they en
tered into the work with a feeling that enabled
them to live above circumstances. Snow-storms,
blockaded roads, rains, darkness and mud, rcniler
ing the roads almost impassable, seemed to them
no barriers in their way to the sanctuary. Places
of business were nightly closed at the sound
of the church-going bell, for eight weeks, so that
employer and employees might be found together
at the house of God. Master and man, husband
and wife, landlord and tenant met together at tlie
foot of the cross, seeking the salvation of their
immortal souls. The scenes were moving one?
to the heart and eyes of the spectator.
So we have worshipped the winter away and
we enter upon the spring with our hearts wanned
by the genial rays of the sun of righteousness.
“ WHAT OF THE NIGHT?"
Rockford, 111., March 4th, 18G7.
Dear IMears:— X like your article
“What of the Night?” If any doubt the cor
rectness of your position, that the Holy Spirit hai
not wholly withdrawn from the churches—that
the heavens are overcharged with spiritual influ
ences, let me refer them to the West—Galesburg,
Petersburg, Sandwich, Knoxville, Mendota, L*-
salle, Peoetwick, Belvidere, Elgin, Beloit, Nee
nab, Appleton, Terre Haute, Freeport and other
places, too numerous to mention. Enclosed find
some notes on the religious awakening in tins
city, from the Rockford Register :
THE RELIGIOUS AWAKENING.
The special religious services in this city h;u c
been continued through the week, with growing
interest. The Daily Union Prayer meeting from
9 to 10 o clock A. Si., has become a real power-'
hundreds attend, and large numbers are deeply
impressed. The opening exercises, singing, pra)-
er, and reading the Scriptures with comments, oc
cupy from seven to ten minutes. Requests in be
half of friends and special cases are briefly pre
sented and laid before the mercy-seat. Perhap
twenty persons are heard, in prayer and exhor
tation within the hour, and generally to the po'» ! -
n this, there is a decided improvement from day
to day. The clergy seem to be united in thrft
aims, and a goodly number of Christians uui< e
with them in the prayer of Habakkuk, “0 Lord
ret ive Thy work.” The Congregationalist, e "
Fui.lee.