Original ©flmraumtatak HALF-DAT CHRISTIANITY. Will the world ever be converted by half-day Christianity ? Asa rule, how much vital power is there in those Christians, the limit of whose activity is to sit composedly in the pew, half a day on Sunday ? Most pastors tell me, that a large number of their own people will not attend a second service. Some ministers, by their peculiar gifts, are ena bled to attract large audiences, but these are either drawn from other congregations or from that floating class in our large cities that follows the different “star” preachers. It is feared that too many professing Christians do not look at this subject in the right light. They do not consider the public worship of God a religious duty as well as a privilege. There are a variety of classess to whom these remarks apply. There is one class tha t ought to heed these words, but it is doubtful if any of them take a religious newspaper. We refer to what might be called'the religious “ carpet-bag gers.” They never tarry long in one church, they are oU the wibg. Many of thein are pro fessing Christians, but they have no religious home. They can' give you their criticisms on the prdmiuent ministers, shallow as these opin ions are, but they never hire a pew in the church or give anything'to support the gbspek It is not expected that those who steal their gospel privileges would be much influenced by an appeal to religious principle. But there are others that, we trust, may be aroused by these wolfds, and break off a bad habit that is fast becoming chronic. There are some, who belong to the church, who contribute their portion for its support, but that is all. They take no active interest in the church, they never attend the' religious services during the week, but do up their public devotion for the week on Sunday morning. Others want at least a half day to hear other ministers, choirs and organs, and to indulge in religioq| dis sipation generally. Some are so attached to their own minister, that when they heir'that an other is to preach, they give him' the benefit of an empty pew. Every pastor would be glad to know that his people were fond of his preaching,' but he would be more pleased if he knew they attended church regularly from religious princi ple. A story is told of a man who preached for MV. Beecher, which, if hot true, is good enough to be so. A large audience had met to"' hear 1 their favorite, Mr. Beecher. Brit, for some rea son, a stranger preached for him that morning. As he entered the pulpit, the people began to re tire from the different parts of the house; Soon he rose and said, “ All those who cable to wor ship Mr. Beecher, will now have the opportuni ty of withdrawing; those who came to worship God, will join with me in invoking His bless-' ing.” Some, on the- other hand, are not satisfied with their minister,- and absent themselves, on that ac-; : count. But as long as others'are satisfied', one ought to go for the good of the church. - Hqw long would any church hold together, if - it were a mere matter of convenience, to be endorsed only so long as it suited each one’s taste ? But even where the-preacher is most liked, and all is harmonious, too many will not stir from their homes for a - second service. Of course there are some, who cannot attend church more than half a day, on account of sickness or from some Providential cause. So there are those who cannot go at all. We are speaking of those who are well, and attend to all their-worldly affairs regularly. Of course; there are a variety of ex-, ouses, which Christian people make. Some are active in the Sunday-School, and think they are too tired to go out the third time. Others are very busy during the week, and feel the Sabbath must be given to rest. But a change, of work gives rest. We know of a man in New York,, who is crowded with business all through the week, yet Sunday morning he is at his mission school at 9 o’clock; he looks after a thousand children; he stays through the preaching ser vice, meets the children again at 2 in the after noon, and goes to church again in the evening. Besides this, he is occupied three or four eve nings every week with the school. Yet he is hale, hearty, and happy. He finds his rest from the turmoil of Wall Street in religious activity.. Sdme think they must stay at home : with their families, and this, too, when the children are plenty old enough to be at church. Why not take children and all and fill the peiV ? Others’ think they can get as much good at home, by reading religions books and papers. But we need not multiply the excuses. The great trouble is, that a large number of Chris tian people have got into the habit of staying at home half a-day on Sunday, and it seeihs like a great undertaking to change it. But Christians ouglit to feel that in going to church, they are not to suit every whim and gratify every mood: They ought not to go to hear this or that preach er, ?>ut to worship God, and to worship him paJ liciy. Such a service has a marked effect on the' individual. It is one of the most important means of grace, and nothing can take its 1 place. And even if one felt confident that he coiild gain as much good to his own soul by staying at 1 home part of the Sabbath, he ought to make a personal sacrifice for the good of others. Bor other THE AMERICAN PRESBYTERIAN, THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 1869. Christians and irreligious persons Will be influ enced by his example. Reader, lay this subject to heart, and encour age your pastor by being in your pew twice every Sunday. Chester. FREEDMEN’S SCHOOLS IN SHENANDOAH VALLET. Ed. American Presbyterian :—For many weeks I have vainly hoped for an opportunity to write you, at least, a short account of our Freed men’s educational work in the Shenandoah Val ley ; but the many pressing duties and almost constant demands upon my time, rendered it simply impossible. 43 We commenced our work here about the first of November last. At that time there was not a Freedmen’s school supported, either wholly'.or in part, by any society or commission, anywhere in'the Shenandoah Valley, excepting the one at Harper’s Ferry, under the Free Will Baptists, and one or two at other points within' the West Virginia line. And here let me correct a com mon error for which our late maps are' to blame. Winchester is in Virginia {not in West Vir ginia,) and Harper’s Ferry is in West Virginia {not in Virginia.) We now have schools' in successful operation at the following towns, with ah aggregate of twelve teachers and about eight hundred pupils,; viz. : Winchester, Fredericksburg, Woodstock, Harrisonburg, Front Royal,-Berry ville, Newtown, and Waynesboro’. Next month schools will be opened vt Leesburg and at several other places. Competent'and earnest Christian teachers are in charge of each of the above named schools,' and the great interest manifested by the freed people in the education of their chijdrbri; add the ra pidity with which the latter advance 1 in their studies, are alike • surprising, and gratifying., Many of them learn to read in a very; few weeks, and are equally, apt'in other The long night of slavery seems to. have made them! the more capable of appreciating the glorious .sun shine of knowledge; and right good use are they making of the opportunities they how en joy. . With God’s grace in their hearts and ch-‘ lighteriment of their minds, Virginia will .yet'he proud of her “American citizbris’ 6f African de scent." With the rest'of marikirid,.the 1 negro may how say, . “’Tis an age of progress . And y'oU cah’t keep us : babk." Strange as it maysAem, Freedmen’s education in Virginia has’been ntore neglected by the dif ferent aid societies; four in!. some -of theimrife southern States. ' Here, Iff '.thb Shenandoah',Val- : ley, and throughout- Central Virginia,: there: are' hundredsof towosin which theFreedmfenaredarly prying, “ send us' teachers,” “ give us schools.” And'this has been the condition; of things ' ever since the war; . .r Winchester is the “ head-quarters” of our.- operations; in this field, and here- we : are to halve a normal school. Through the untiring (energy of-Dr; Hatfield; Dr. Kendall, iarid the rest of the Committee of Hrime'Missions,“as well as through: the labors'of- my most esteemed friend; W m -‘ E.; Mitchell; 1 our General Agent,i we havb purchased a brick building pleasantly situated:, on one of the best streets iri this historic town; andrar'e about to put it into proper repair for the above named school. It is three stories high,! and, when fin ished; will accommodate about! three- hundred pupils. This has .been - accomplished notwithont great- effect and constant prayer; but, riow ! that we have succeeded, we, teachers, Treedmen, arid all, feel like- raising .a great shout of thanks- giving. In our school here- we have a large number of pupils in whom'there has been developed a great' tasto for reading ; - so 1 milch; that t'o-day,' orie' >o£ our greatest wants-is a well-filled' library of-use ful and' entertaining books; biographies, histo ries, moral stories, and such books! generally as: intelligent childr'en : wduld ! like ! to read: Cannot our friends do something toward supplying this; want? In almost every intelligent household! in the North, there are books that have been read dozens'of times and laid away, and which prob ably'never will be read again by their present oWhers, but' which would no much 1 delight the hearts of our young men arid women here in our ridhoel/could they have them. Will riot sbmeof the pastors in Ottr>Cbrirchbs in thejsTorth take an interest in this matter, and see if they cannot each gathef together at least a'small package of jsiieh books, if not more’ than - a dozen; and for- ward them to my address hereiaf’- Winchester ? They will be gratefully received arid acknowl edged, and will be faithfully applied to the pro per j»se. The nucleus of a library has already been formed here; and, by the assistance' of our friends, we hope to add greatly to it 1 . I expect soon to visit all the schools in this department, after Which I hope to give you fur ther interesting facts touching our work in the Shenandoah Valley. Oscar M. : Waring. Winchester, Feb! 16, 1869: f ' The faithful performance of duty in the midst of shame and detraction and persecution is a spectacle which angels cannot' but admire, and men regard it; with honor. .. . . .. i ‘ THE’ , 'cdic'eif'6f a i ‘hkrfow , -minae3' I bigbti l y ; can* best be attacked with irony and sarcasm. Nean der, on 1 Car. 4, 8. MISSIONARY TOURING IN INDIA. On this extended tour, I found the trail of no missionary who bad ever preceded me, except in a few villages near Belgaum. This (Belgaum) is a station of the London Missionary Society, where the Gospel has been preached 48 years, (since 1820,) and a church of fifty or sixty com municants has been Evidently the missionaries have not made extensive tours in the surrounding region, hut truth has penetrated to some distance, and in two villages they told me a missionary had visited them. Everywhere in the Belgaum colleetorate, I found Ganarese the prevalent language, and with the low castes it was the only medium of communication. The Brahmins, and higher castes, however, readily understand and speak the Mahratti language, and I found their prejudices wonderfully re laxed. A young Brahmin who had come in possession of Christian books and tracts, and had gained a. good knowledge of their teaching, assured me he was convinced of the truth, and that he and sev eral of liis young friends would openly avow their convictions, arid become Christians, but for the loss of inheritance, and the civil disabilities involved in so doing'. I expressed some surprise at hearing this, and retfiinded him of the'legisla tion of the British' Government, guaranteeing civil and 'personal rights to all of any and every religious creed. He was quite well posted in re gard to this legislation, but expressed his con viction’that it was impossible for Christian con verts to .derive' benefit from it in the present order of things—that the village officers, and-rill the subordinate officials of Government, being bigoted Hindus, they corild prevent or negative all testimony in behalf of a Christian , convert, and visit upon him pains and penalties too severe to be endured. He instanced a recent case within his own knowledge, arid I could not but remember the case of one of our Brahmin con verts at Ahmedriuggiir. When he became a Christian, his Hindu wife deserted him, taking with her his two sons. . The Christian father brought the case into c.ourt. It was decided in his favor in the lower court, reversed in the ses sions court', and' the final award of the highest 1 Court recognized the father’s right to -the care' arid''coriti'ofof his soris. Brit that righteous’de cision!'remained a dead letter for many-years, and, for aught I know, to trib present time—ls years ; the Hindi; relatives and priest's having 1 managed to keep' the sons from the control of their Christian father all this time, despite Blit' isb legislation and,judicial decisions. Douhtless'the time wilT coriie in India when the British law of religions- neutrality will be im partially administered,, bife as .yet it is too often !a dead letter, or is made to mean Tree toleration Of Hiriduibin, and'overy false religion, bub a ban Upon 'Christianity. Hence the strange fact, tbari many British offiriefs’ declare the 'circulation"of the Christian! Scriptures'‘and tracts among the natives‘is a viplaiibri’ of the Queen’S, proclama tion, while they do not tiesifate to accept the in vitation of a wealthy Hindu'to.attend his annual 1 festival in honor of‘lns i'dbl god;'arid the Gov grrimepf opritiriues to ordpt a military escort and {the,firing of salutes to grace such idolatrous, festivals. HerieO, top,'while thousands of Brah min priests are bmpldyed In all offices’ and posts of power and influence under Government, thb refusal of the same' Government to sanction the appointment Of a Scotch missionary to. act as Educational Inspector of Government Schools, irierely because he was’a rioiissionary, is this mo ment circulating in our India papers ! But I must riot, allow niy touring skotbh to be come' a discussiori of “ religion' arid polities.” Such incidental allusions to the shortcomings of jthe “ pafainount ' power ” in India, must be ac cepted as made “more in sorrow than in anger,” not in a spirit Of indiscrimiriate fault-finding where niueh is commendable, but with sincere ; grief that the powef arid prestige of a noble Government and Christian people are still so ex tensively perverted to the support of the grossest idolatry and superstitiori, and With an irrepressi ble desire to see riativb’CbristianS fully protected 1 in their civil rights, this monstrous 1 system of idolatry left to stabd or fall by its own worth or weight, and' all hindrances removed to the rapid progress of Christ’s kingdom in this land. A little norm of Jiytbag, the 1 last point 1 on the map to which I drewyour attention, is'the large village' of' CMnehli, with ;a‘ of 'some' ;5,000'. My visit to this place chanced to be at the time of the annual pilgrimage to the goddess Mahakac, whose chief shrine ,is here., ; The crowd of pilgrims: from far and near was not less than. 60;000, probably 80,0,00.8ut, amidst the excitement and idolatrous performances of the festival, Nana, Sciheb, the chief or Inander of the place, courteously extended hospitality to me ; and both' in his Durbar, and in> the crowds of pilgrims, I found precious opportunities for, myimesßage. Christian tracts and books, find a wide circulation at such pilgrimages, being car ried by returning pilgrims to widely, scattered and remote villages. May God bless. His-own truth to the salvation of many of these! precious souls. ' Id : the'lbve add' service of the Gospel, : ‘ Yours sincerely, Kolapoor District;' Deo.; !l4,TB(jB. f : i,,, i ,:: t y -- j 1 ‘ 1 jj-.; To do good and to suffer evil are the peculiar tokens of a true servant of Christ. CORRESPONDENCE IN THE WEST. Dear Editor: —Your correspondent left Philadelphia at midnight, Feb. 3d. Snugly en sconced in a sleeping-berth, the outside world faded into obscurity until morning. Daylight found us rapidly approaching Altoona. The rain, which had been our companion at Philadel phia, had changed to snow, and beautiful were the white fleecy flakes upon the mountains More than a score of times has the writer crossed the Alleghanies; but never had the landscape been more worthy of admiration. Everywhere were pictures’; such as artists rarely paint. “ So, when the morning rose, the earth was white, And shrubs and trees, and roofs, and rooks, and walls, . Fulgent with downy crystals, made a world, To which a breath were ruin.” On all sides snow fell on pendant branches. Here appears a grove brightly arrayed. There a single tree glistening with pearly whiteness. On a knoll, a cluster of dark cedar can be seen, thick and matted, from its formation refusing its complement of crystal, and thus enriching the view by its contrast of verdure.... The wind ing stream, afar off a silver thread, when near becomes of ordinary breadth, and the mountains are crowned to their summit with snow. Pas sengers are not numerous at this season of the year ; though, as we approach tne north, the trains are more crowded. Passing through Ohio, an interesting conversation is held with an Ohio politician returning from Washington. He frankly ; admitted that he had found the . Presi dent-elect rather reticent, and asserted, with em phasis, that; the politicians were utterly discom fited by the quiet, sensible course of Gen, Grant. An hour was spent very. pleasantly in listening to. a rapid analysis of public ,men, from one who had figured largely in making small men great. At Cleveland, the, Lake Shore Road is taken for,; Toledo. v of keeping awake, the means; is soon, discovered; —conversation.. Ob serving a plain, ;faj;nier-looking man' in .the next seat, .a conversation is opened. Precisely how it was introduced, our memory cannot recall. But soon,-from the Prohibitory Law, and the general subject of Temperance, the chat became an argu ment upon the Inspiration of the Scriptures, the reality,,of and the fact of future punishment., ~The ,farmer-looking, personage* who, at the close of the .discussion, proffered his card, which had engraved' upon it, “ Attorney at-Law,” professed to, hold theories of religion iwhich were in advance of the sects and the churches. He, asserted that, his, opinions were a combination of Orthodoxy, Spiritualism, and ;Swedenborgianism.. This eclectio system is not rare at : the West. , For there exists,here much independence of thought in reference to religious : truth. Such raiuds must be met by a rational statement of religious doctrine. It will- not do to depreciate , the intelligence of this section of our country, by supposing an illiterate -ministry will content them. j Nowhere are men of unquestionable ability jmore, needed than at this young and lusty north west. Plain, roughdooking, man whom you meet in travelling, often exhibit an acquaintance with literature, and a moral: thoughtfulness which occasions surprise. In due time, our destination, Grand Rapids, is reached. This is an enterprising city of Western Michigan, situated .on the Grand River, The population numbers 17,000, and is rapidly increasing. Its • natural products are chiefly plaster, lumber, lime, and flour. Two railroads are being built to make communication with the South, one of which is the Kalamazoo and Allegan, which will be completed about the first of March. , The culture and social influence is of a very high, order. The original settlers were, for the most .part, from New England and New York State. : Churches of almost all denominations exist. Presbyterianism is comparatively weak. Our own; church has lately struggled through financial difficulties, and’ is looking forward to a hopeful future, Your correspondent preached twice for them on the Sabbath after his arrival. The congregation was fair in num bers, and attentive to the truth. They expect a pastor from the inferior of Pennsylvania, about April Ist. There is likewise an O. S. Presbyte rian church here, which is growing, with the progress of the place, In,my next you will hear my impressions of Chicago, Detroit, &c. Grand Rapids, Feb.,: 1869. THE LATE RET. HALSEY DUNNING; The heart of one that knew and loved him, would pay a tribute to the memory, and his hand cast a flower upon the grave, of this dear depart ed saint, and minister of God. It is a matter of surprise, that the death of one, so well known, and so highly esteemed, should have attracted no more attention than it seems to have done, or elicited no more notices eulogistic and commem orative. Perhaps, however, the publication of 'the Funeral Discourse will supply any deficiency, here.) Meanwhile suffer a brief offering prompted by, duty and affection. : Our departed brother was a man whose Chris j tian and -ministerial, character , wgs; .mailed' and beautiful. I.ltrested, upon a foundation, pf deep, piety ; of Christian temper j of spund wisdom* and discretion. Hence it had nothing weak about it: nothing repulsive or inconsistent: nothing which as exhibited, brought to the mind a sense of doubtful astonishment or regret: nothing which would not bear the most rigid scrutiny The writer has known him for fifteen years, and been with him in various circumstances and rela tions—-in the family and in the Church ;in the closet and in the ecclesiastical meeting ; at home and abroad; alone and in company —and he is free to say, that a more symmetrical, consistent, and lovely character; a character freer from un pleasant peculiarities, foibles or defects; a char acter more nearly realizing his ideal of what a Christian minister should be, he has never known ! Our brother was a man of great firmness, and conscientious devotion to duty. Solomon asks; “ A faithful man, who can find ? ” Here was one faithful as a pastor, faithful as a preacher, faith ful to the interests of the Denomination, which for so many years, he with his noble church, singly and alone, represented in the, great city of Baltimore. His love for souls was a constant and steady flame of holy fire; and neither pfayer, nor preaching, nor exhortation, nor personal private effort, were spared or stinted to promote their salvation. We have labored with him in many seasons of revival, and know therefore something of his- intense longing for souls, and his fer vent pleadings and wrestlings with God, in this relation. We' know too how— As a bird each fond endearment tries> To tempt its new fledged offspring to the skies, He tried each art, reproved each dull delay, Allured to brighter worlds and led the way. ISTor did the remainder of Goldsmith’s beaiiitiful picture, “ Beside the bed where parting- life was laid, etc.,” fail to find in him its literal realiza tion. ; Faithfulness, solemnity, earnestness, ’ pathos, and an apparent deep sense of personal responsi bility, wefe a feW' of the prominent traits’that characterized his efforts ib the pulpit, and at the comm'union table. He’ seemed to preach, and doubtless did, with eternity ever in view. ’Some of the most faithful, pungent, solemn diseburses, some of the most apt, beautiful, tender arid mov ing addreisses, that vie ever listened to, viere from his lips. Who that was present at the'commu nion service, held by th e' Synod of Pennsylvania, at its meeting in Williamsport, the fall before last, can ever forget the words of vivid unction and tearful tenderness, with which he on that occasion, introduced the distribution of the eup? As he" told of the dream of that young woman, it seemed as if the whole scene was before us— there’ was the cross; there was its dying victim; there the biood streaming from His opened wounds! And such was ever his wont, as he stood by the table, arid handled and distributed the symbols of a Saviour’s dying love. Bat the object of this* brief notice is h'df ex tended eulogy; it is simply the discharge of friendship’s duty, arid the indulgence of affec tion’s mournful pleasure. No doubt we shall have, in a more extended and permanent form, and frbiri abler bands, sugh a memorial as shall be fitting the man; his character, the work that he did ; and the grace of God as illustrated in all. His noble heart has ceased to beait; his sbl !emn tender voice is Silent among men ; his man ly form has a't last been' stricken down' By the disease with'Which for so many years he main tained a perpetual conflict, and, not with few) but many tears kid to rest! The Church of God has met with a real loss; a sorrowing congregation feel deeply their bereavement ; and personal friends find a fitting expression in words no* less elegiac than those of David over the lifeless Jonathan “I am distressed for thee my bro ther ! very pleasant hast thou been u.ito me !. .. How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!” i The American Church in Paris.— Ah Ameri can Evangelical Church has been organized, in eon.- ' nection With the, “ American Chapel” on.the ,R«e A jßm-i m Paris. Up to this year no organized chhrch i has been connected with the enterprise. Last spring Rev. Dr. Robinson, of Brooklyn, was deputed by the “ American and. Foreign Chrikian Union,” to superintend this work, and on the second Sabbath in November forty-nine,persons entered into solemn covenant, and at present constitute the'membership of this new church. It requires either a permanent, or six months residence in Paris in order to be coming a member. The new church have adopted b f Bl9 o C doc J tn belief, that upon which or v foUnded at the first, namely ; the ; he Evangelical Alliance,issued at their WKicVu c. London, 1846. The union principle HluSt h < J o ?. ,na Sf B ; the "‘PUnndnt, was touchingly '" S a r b ° th the Biographical and the de con ” ec Mons represented. There were r^n". ty ' pn ® lr h. m the Presbyterian Church, ten from » gat, r° nal r churches ’ seVeri from Baptist frtm tI ea V f °r Episcopal Church, four t>, eßelorraed. Dutch, one Jroro the German r nd ‘r® o? PWfiM'won/of.their faith- Pandering New York the t Wlth . a ? bst ° B deacon in distributing There at j* l6 flr Bt communion service, there seemsjto be decided gain in the interest of hath ceQte " n g.l i:i t'tliis’ ctrapel, and the Sab- Wednesday Gening P»y exercises; almost make the Chris tian stranger in Pans forget that he is not at home. M. P. J, isedt irhm the^RochesterEx !cd^fed%Sev-.s A ! Salfefe! e ' qU ? Stldn^ ill . be d w itn j , toi ti»orrow ereuirig/iu rep’j 111 Univere g f- , mai ! e . b 7 Rev. Mr. Hamnfonii, that T- 18t 0 min . ISIW9 are devils and the first was the devil. Service at 7$ o’clock. Servant of God! well done! ‘ 2 Praise be thy new employ: Thy battle’s fought, thy victory won, Enter thy Master’s joy 1 . W. T. Eva.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers