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.