ZMEtifalt Ptrdlittrialt, TEIURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1869. REV. JOHN W. HEARS, D. D., Editor. No. 1334 Chestnut Street, .Philadeiphira. TUE EDITORIAL COMMITTEE. Rev. Z. NI Humphrey, D.D., Pastor of Calvary Church. Rev. Herrlek Johnson, D. D., Pastor of the First Church. 11ev. Dent. March. D.D., Pastor of Clinton St. Church. Rev. Peter Stryker, D.D., Pastor of N. Broad St. Church. Rev. George F. Wiswell, D.D., IPastor of Green Hlu 41.111ureh. Rev. E. E. Adams, R. D., Prof. in Lincoln Ent rersity. Rev. Samuel IV. Duffield, Special Cor respondent. 211r.sllobert E. Thompson will continue to act as Editor of the News Department. Correspondents in every Presbytery and Synod will promptly furnish us with fresh items of news from their respective fields. e Impressions of Europe, VI, by "B B. C.," What is Culture, by "On the Wing," Ben der unto Cesar the things that ere Cesar's, Page 2d; Editor's Table, Literary items, The Great Conference of 1870, The Pennsylvania Germans, Geology, Great Telescope, Page 3d; Oh No, I'm not Old, (Poetry), Mrs. Wilfred's Jewels, Song of the Children, IVeglect :of the Bible, Missionary Items, Temperance Bents, Page 6th; Religious World Abroad-.-England, France, Italy, Page 7th. ACCT' Subscribers will please consult the figures attached to their names, printed and pasted on the paper or wrapper, as showing to what time their account is settled. If thirty days pass after such a date, they are charged 83 a year (Ministers and Minister's - Widows excepted). Subscribers desirous of availing themselves of the lowest terms must conform to this regulation. Only those who pay without expense or trouble to ourselves,:within thirty days from the begin ning of their year, are entitled to the paper at $2.50 per annum. It is impossible -to :furnish it at that sum, when we are obliged to add the expense of collection. Those whose thirty days have expired will be credited two years for Five Dollars. Persons sending us Two new names and Five Dollars will be credited for one year in advance, or at the rate of $2.50 on their old accounts: ON OUR FOREIGN OOREESPONDENTS. MR. EDITOR :—We cannot forbear congratu lating you on having on your list of correspon dents, those who write so intelligently of what they have seen, as almost to cause those who have had the pleasure of a voyage to Europe, to experience the delight of a second visit without its fatigues and manifold draw-backs. The initials of our esteemed friend, "G. W. M." whose pleasant contributions enlivened the columns of your paper for so many weeks have hardly disappeared, when " B. B. C." takes up his pen, stirring up our Memory with such a vivid description of .the pleasures and_pains of life on the ocean, as made us quite long for the one and dread the other. Then in No. 2 he almost made us . - 13ee the green grass of the Emerald Isle, and feehlite jolt of the " jaunting ear" as it rolled along ever the hedge-lined roads to " Blarney." Once seen, this sea girt land will ever be remembered as that where nature has bestowed with lavish hands, but where its , ill-conditioned poor are so wretched as to make constant demands upon our sympathy. We ala) feel that when they reach this land of privilege they should show their ap preciation of their blessings by rendering them selves more agreeable inmates of our households than is usually found to be the case. Our Scotch memories too, have been moat delightfully re awakened, and we are looking for further de scription there-abouts, which will recall that which is still fresh in our own mind. We will be no further tedious in enumerating points of interesting reminiscence. Suffice it to say, so far as he has told us of his progress, we have followed' with a degree of appreciation known only to these who have traveled' over the same grounds. We can accompany "S. C. P." too, in G-er many,and fully enter into the spirit of the Bohem ian letter of this week, having likewise ex perienced the, changein .passing from Protestant Saxony to Catholic Bohemia. After first mak ing the acquaintance of the Germans in the " Fatherland," our admirati..)n of this character, (I might more properlyisay admiration of those qualities which attracVatravigers)`had,,,been con. stantly increating till we reached Pra,,o4e, where it beoamcra subject or remark among `our 'party, the different kind of Germans we .aaw there,—in fact, seeming to be another nation. We sincerely hope that our friends may have no interruption to their way, for their own sake; nor--to their pens for ours, that we may still be refreshed with the result of their obsertations. The * pleasure of travel is not limited:, to the period of absence from home; while we have power to recall the past, it is an unfailing source of pleasant retrospection. A friend addressing -the writer once said, "Perhaps your:greatest enjoyment is not now, but iS in store for - you, when reliefed from '`the' fati gue of sight-seeing and fro . , anxiety, , insepar able in a` degree fitini Weenie from lionie, we sit down quietly together, and talk over scenes which are, now familiar to both." p. THE AMERICIAN PRESBYTERIAN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1869. PROM OUR ROCHESTER CORRESPONDENT. It is singular, that while in Philadelphia, Washington, Richmond and those regions, the earth is parched with drought, we, in all this part of the country, have had more than the usual quantity of rain. We see by the last issue of The American Presbyterian that the corn crop of Pennsylvania is likely to be short because it is so dry and so hot; ours is likely to be short because it is so wet ant cool. Every other crop, however, is abundant; the harvest never better. And because of the plen tiful moisture, the grass and foliage were never more green or beautiful. It has been a delight ful summer for man and beast, delightful niso for travel, cool, beautifulend without dist. We are grateful for, such a season, while we deeply sym pathize with those who are suffering so much for want °four superabundant blessing. The most violent shower of the season occurred about " mid-day , last Wednesday. The rain fell for half an hour as ,though the bottom of the clouds had dropped out, and all.the water were coming at once. The havens were so thick and dark, also, that we had to light the - gas in our houses. The lightning. played`fearfully around ' .us, and struck in half a dozen places in our city, hitting one ,Anrch (the Second .Baptist,) and several e . ofwellino, arid- yet strangely > spared us from .any serious harm. How plain was the hand of OnziaPotence, how helpless. were we We see, alzo, that last Saturday, is. reported as , the warmest day of the season in New York and Philadelphia. Friday was, perhaps, the warmest with us. Saturday was so cool, that an over coat was not uncomfortable, as we rode to Buf falo, the showers falling plentifully all the way. If We had the direction of things, we should say, a little less rain here,' and more in Pennsylvania; bat we should doubtless make a very great mis take the &At move, if we should try to interfere in the matter., OUR LARK CITY In Buffalo we foand, some things moving, and some .otherwise. First, every body was talking about Dr. Heacock's call, for three months, to San Francisco, to supply Dr. Scudder's pulpit in hisabsence; for: which he is to have $lOOO in gold. All said, of course, he will go. We said, yes, we should think .so. It will give him a fine chance to see the. Pacific , coast; get rest, also, and recreation by the ehange, and give him material for a goodly; number of fresh and interesting ger mons for his people. They can well afford to let him go. He has earned the privilege by long and faithful labor, and will be worth more to them when he returns. We understand the question has since been settled. He consents to go, and is yk start ; on Thursdijorthe 2d of September. We trust a great blessing: will go with.hitniand•giy% hewiil bring quite as much when he rettiins. • Tb new chtliJeZ—not church as the Congrega tionalist has it—of the North Society neatly :finished. They are : now putting. up the organ in the Sabbath-school room. It , is a : uilding of rare excellence in its arrangementi iindconveni ences, consisting of Sibbath-sehool Room, Prayer and Lecture ':ltooni, Church parlors, Minister's study and Parsonage, s , charming dwelling—all under one roof. = And now that this is delve, the church build ing is to be overhatled, repainted, recarpeted, and, renovated throughout. Workmen , are also engaged putting Rely . _ siding upon the steeple,. and carrying it up . some twenty-five or thirty feet higher, giving it a better proportion. The cold, heavy, marble pulpit is to giro place to a warmer one made of wood and more modern in structure. Every thing indicatesliigit prosperity with this church and congregation under the zealous, efficient and acceptable labors of their present pastor, Rev. Wolcott Calkins. Be seems to be the right man in' the right place. Last fall we reported,. that the old First,of Buffalo were Moving to, f put a new front and neutspire to their ancient edifice, and otherwise remodel, renovate andimprove-the whole.. They laid the foundation for the new front before win ter set in, and there, me are sorry to say; they stopped. Ile foundabions i seem well laid , but we saw flo , auperstrnetUre 'upon them. " Why should the work cease ?" - 'know not; but :suppose the society haye gotid: reasons, for their eourse. PerhaPs they are defiberating s ogai n on a change of location. It: is_the ancient light, the mother 'of churches, venerable and strong, and cau:ffii *hat' it - will whin ' get; Tatid:y. Whether a new church, or by re-building this, we doubt not, pats Of 'prosperity and use. : fulness remain•to it. ; - - °THEW - CHURCHES. 'The Congregationar,Society .Jamestciwn have just completed a fine new ciiurCh edifiCe, at a cost of $28,000. It was dedicated, • with appropriatet services .on • the 18th; , and the new minister, Rev. Thos. Wickes, D.D, so long pas tor 'of the Congregational church of Marietta, Ohie was instilled on - the 19th. The installa tion sermon was preadhed by Rev. Dr. Andrews, President of Marietta college.: • • The Presbyterian - church of Medina have "so nearly completed the making over of their church edifice, that it is to be, dedicated anew next Thursday, 2d of September; sermon for .the occasionAo- be preached by Rev-Dr. Camp_ bell of this - city; , On the saute day, Rev. Di. Skim is to:perform OUR RAIN a similar service at the little village of Lyndon vine, in the same Presbytery; the good people there having effected a similar renovation of their house of worship. The First church of Auburn is so far along that they are now putting on the roof. The Mission chapel, which is being built in the Eas tern part of the city chiefly out of the materials of the old First church edifice, is now ready for plastering, and will be finished by the last of September. So we move generally. The subscription for the enlargement and im provement - of the edifice of the Westminster church, of this city, Rev. Mr. Morey's, is pro gressing finely, and the renovation seems already assured. Four thousand dollars have been cheer fully subscribed by the Central church, of which, Westminster is a colony, and the members of the infant enterprise are, coming up nobly on their • part. Some are living four or five times as much as was expected,of them. They are- uni t,ed and hOppy in- their :minister, and in their efforts and the enterprise, `so far, is every way a real success. GENEsEE• Rochester, Aug. 28, 1869. 111110.111- MONTHLY 00EQ.EET - OF THE 'ling .. SIOAARIES FOO DHOW Foo Chow, China, June,.1869. Enrron:-- - ine monthly concert in English, sustained by the Protedant missionaries of this, place, has been attended regularly for over 26 years. , The plan has been for it to meet at the house of the missionary, whose turn in alphabetical order it was to'conduct it, on •the afternoon of the first Monday follbwing the first Sabbath 'in the month. Since the sprin g of 1851) when; the mission of the English Episcopal Church:was - established. here, .missionaries from three societies haire sidedlo sustain it: Ameri , can, nd English Methodist and American' Board: The monthly concert for Jim*? was Attended on the afternoon of 'Monday, the. 7th inst., and it is my design to 'give you a brief account of its exercises. The leader , ' after sinaino. and I, prayer, read the 72d Psalm, and remarked in few words on its general import--calling more particular attention to the 15th verse.- He ex plained this verse to foretell .that, as character istic of the Church in the Christian dispensation, there should be ist, A liberal contribution of money for thetpromotion of objects loved .by the Measiah. Constant and unbroken prayer to Him from the heart of the Church, antP3d. A remarkable daily presentation of fervent grati tude to Him from His followers. After this the meeting was, thrown open for voluntary prAyer and remark. Wolfe, of the English Church Mis- Ision;gaire some very interesting particulars re hiting„.444/is recent trip into the country lying .from 50 t 470 miles to the. north of this, on. and near the route to .Ningv bylandc In all he lied • haptiied 50 Chinese &ming the trip. He found a goodly number, besides, who desired to receive the ordinance, biti.whcim he deterred till they gave better evideztee. that they were prepared by the Spirit. He thought-those recently received gave' good evidence that they were 'Chriatiansd They lived in several different.places. In regard te.the movement ,among the native Roman Catholics in the section which hevisited, 'Mr. Wolfe stated that the dissatisfaction:which existed among 'them did not give any bright premise that they w ould 'become :Protestants. they did not seem so" much dissatisfied, with. Ro manism as with the • immoralities of one of the foreign priests 'under whose spiritual care they were. Pecuniary offers had been made to some liy the representatives of Rome to remain in its communion. -A certain man said that if it were not for the fact that he bad- received $3O to re main a Catholic, he thought he would consider the subject of)eaving the Rotnish Church, but for the pre‘ent'he should not' debate the subject. A. , eartainAiriest had net loicg-ago received $BO or $lOO fitm his flock, who haikbeen successful insA trading'adventhre.to NingPoi-for the success of ,which he had spent a considerable part .of night in prayer. 'lt appeared that the priests pray for thenpininercial-anceetakef their business parisliieners;: - who; ,whett. auccessful, place the credit Aliereef to the intercessions-of their priests, and linatiifest''their : gratitude in' a, pe cuniary inanner. He thought, from all hecould Jearn, theiChinese-Catholies -were no better _than Chinese. %ablate. Insome placeic' some of , the 'native Catliplies come to' the-'Protestant - chapels and listen'io'the preaching, ask for Protestant.o- 1' books, and :make inquiries in regard ,to various Atibjecte and doctrities. , _ This we all regarded -as an interesting. and.eneouragingoirenmstanee:y Mr. Wolfe, interested 'greatly: in , what''he said relating In a native physician in fhat'sectien, who was ccnverted,three or four years 'mi. It ,appears that wherever he went he talketrabout Jeans intl.-his' doctrine's. SOme three yearh ago he, while'enlis professional` tours, came to a eer tam village;'nd being thirst cae a a horse for e for a drink, of water. In the_ fugue* of his heart he, spake a'-few earnest words about -the •Savionr to the woman who supplied the bowl of Water, and passed on. The woman told the strange, thigh - fa to her-husband, and they beth were:much interested in them. They sought among their neighbors for the teacher, but :in _I -vain; 'therknei not who he was, 'nor where he lived. He inquired for more infor m ation in gartl_JO the dentri. ilea, of which his wife ' had heard, but could learn nothing. In the course of two years or more he heard of foreigners who " talked book "—who preached about Jesus in other places. Mr. Wolfe, without knowing any thing about these things, passed through this village recently, with his native assistant, making no stop. The man heard that a foreigner had been seen in the village and at once started to find him, and providentially Mr. Wolfe's helper now became suddenly ill or lame, and Mr. Wolfe directed him to return to the village and recruit while he went on. Returning :thus to the vii lage, and being probably recognized as a stranger, he was accosted by the inquiring man who had not returned, home. He asked if he knew where the foreigner was, and if, he knew anything about the Saviour—going on to tell what he hid heard three years ago.. The native- helper was over joyed, and told him-he knew , the glorious news 'of the Saviont. ' The result was that the villager and, his. wife were , r e ceived into the Church, and others in that vicinity are interested in the way of. salvation . - • ~ The native doctor had alio. been instrumental , • in the conversion of several Membeia Of a re spectable family, and a number of others living in_another,, village, who: were recently baptized. But having taken up so much space already, I, must pass of It 4" mention other interesting facts communicated at this monthly concert. Mr. Hartwell, of the American Board's Mii sioniremarked,that he--,had, only, one :or two Sabbaths previously, baptized, . ,a man at one of the stations, un'derhis care, near the ocean. The man had been for years; in his own opinion, pos sessed by " the fox," but was not now under its in fluence. Let me exPlain, that by thepossession or influence of "..the foi," a reference. is made to a very singular superstition firmly believed in by many heathen of Foo Chow and vicinity. It con sists, as near tai I 'elm 'desciibe it in a certain excitement, or 'disease of the mind or nerves, o r • perhaps -both, caused, according to popular be lief by " the fox." It'seems to be an unde sirable and unpleasant affection, whatever Ls cause or its real' nature may be; and not to be cured by medicine. The man baptized had, been a visitor at. the chapel near his: residence for many months. He had observed, several times before he became 'an inquirer, that whenevhr becitine inter ested in the presetting,* the singing, or the prayer, " the fox" did not trouble., him; and finally he would go off to the chapel whenever he felt that the influence of " the 'fox" was coming over him, when 'the influence would cease. Fora considerable time prepared his food at the chapel and slept there, associating almost exclusively sirith the native helpers, Chris tians and inquirers, in order to escape from or avoid the fox." _ VariOns fads and superstitions in ye gent to Similar cases otpossession with " the fox," andtof the Aisppssession or exorcism by-prayer or preaching, were given by missionaries present. The ,question arose whether this influence 'vras nearly related, in nature or principle,:to the de moniacal possessions spoken of in Scripture. •All ,who spoke agreed in this, that native Christian* were not troubled by this mental exeitemenkw nervous 'disease, usually attributed to "the fox and: that " this superstition, or whatever it was, was passing•alvay before the sPread and influence of Gospel truth. ,-::It- was thought,,that mission aries -and native Christians should discourage the belief in it amongthe Chinese generally. Rev. Mr. Baldlt;in, of the Methodist " Mission , state d 5 that the persecution which had existed for one or two months, against some of the Methodist Christians living forty or fifty miles 'to the southward, had ceased. The District Magistrate of that section, had shown a friendly spirit, and had fined the ";persecuting villagers twelve dollars, which had been- given to the Christians: -Their damaged roofs had been re paired; their cattle and' farming implements, 7hich they said had been stolen, hid been re covered. The prospect ; was fair that the peace would be kept in the future:_ . • Several prayers were offered as a part of these exercises, and` one' or twoh'yirina sung. The re- Marks, only an outline of ihishhave been given, were felt by us to have : beep profitahie and cenl eorunging. May the.y prove:to be the !Amelia Many of your Christian' 4eaderit. The' 'concert lasted one hour and three-quarters. ' Would it not be fcClkand is it nut practicl4, for the several raligiolm: societies (4/-thesincal villages in the United States, to farm a l. Vi,i o n .Monthly Concert of prayer for the conversion Of the world Is 'it not - worth the time and effort for the eldermloa cons,,stewards and past tors of sueh , ..chuiehis, AO,: consider ...this subject and-try and ? n 3 unite ,-.1„. a Buie such! a 'anion for monthly:prayer 'would be acceptable :to the Great Head of the Church, and a blessing to the Christians,whe should thus,unite.; and the result , on , the world, who can estimate? • JUSTUS DOOLITTLE • Foo. Chow, June 23, 1869. HONG Kona, 'August ,1 ,7r11e reports of the inassacree of ,O,hristiair issi9rnries, in the ; Vrov ince ,of S.zehnen - are . cenfirined. Tweuty Are known: Co ; have been killed by. the popitlace.",...,The Pekin Governmenthes „inquiries con cerning the outruges. , BERLIN, Aug. 26. 7 -A 'ineeiink nr, 2000, per -80103 Waa.-.helil ,here. last ,nia6,t 4 .1 ,t9 .co nsider,, a seiiesef resolutions favoring . ; the suppressieu convents, and the ;expulsion of the Jesuits. Atter,e, long debate-.the rebolutiorus were finally adopted, but a protest was made-by theminmity. The reiiolutions are .not;\4irected , particularly -against any confession of faith: COLLECTIONS FOR THE FREEDM EN, In most of our Churches, separate months are assigned for annual contributions to specific objects. In arranging the schedule, preference should, undoubtedly, be given to the various Boards and Permanent Committees of our own Church. These have a paramount claim. The work of our own denomination should be first commended and sustained. A glance at the columns of the Statistical Reports, published in connection with the Mi n , utes of the General Assembly, will indicate at once what causes are to be annually presented to our ehurches for their contributions. Every church should have something to give to each of these objects. The blanks should all be filled. One of these columns 'is assigned to collie dons and contribitions for the Freedmen, the Assembly having urged upon the churches to place this cause side by side with the others, and to create a separate' Find for the work. It i s hoped that - ail& will be taken to put it on the schedule of every church, and assign a particular month Tor its :presentation. As the Assembly laire•determined:upon a separate department or agency for the vigorous prosecution of this work, and:made it dependent on finds specifically con -tributed to it, the propriety of giving it a place among the causes- thus: to be presented to the 'churches is obvious. • Heretofore ourgorne Mission work has main ly. taken the direction of "'out West." We are now called to go "down South." Until lately we were shut Out from` the Sm . /them States. Now we find anywhere an open door. Go where we wilt at the South, We 'find a waiting people—millions of them in all—eager for in struction, to whom, until within these five years, the knowledge of letters was, denied—to whom the Bible was a sealed book—whose inheritance was ignorance, pciierty; and oppression. Now all this is clianged,Wod the people pant for in struction: They beg for teachers and preachers, and receive them with a hearty welcome. They rejoice ~in the school-house and the : " meeting house" howevei humble these structures may be. - Our Church is loudly and providentially called to 'Ater this field. We are their debtors, and should be second to none in zeal to meet these obligations. The last General Assembly took care to call the attention of our churches and people - - to the " vastness' 'and sacredness of the work which we are called to- ` undertake in behalf of -the Freedmen. A more •hopeful field for missionary effort," `they say, "is not to be found en the face of the. globe than that among these liaillioas of emancipated slaves." In view of-the "pressing need of this portion of our country, and -the great hopefulness of the field, the Assembly " urge upon the churches to raise during the coming year, no, ess a sum than $lOO,OOO, for the purpose of carrying forward, not feebly, but boldly, swiftly, and vigorously, the work of educating and evangelizing the Freedmen!' To this. end let a contribution be made as soon as practicable, by each of our churches, and gifts of gratitude remitted by our men of means. Whatever is given among us to this cause should be concentrated upon our own work. Churches, that have in previous years contributed to outside associations, should see to it that their contributions henceforth are for warded to our On treasury. The General As senibly hive given' a 'timely and appropriate 'Clintion on this point, that should be heeded by all our churches. They say : "No step could have been taken by the As sembly more wise, and more fortunate, than the organization of a plan which shall turn upon the wheels of our own work the steam of generous and cheerful bounty. The day of desultory and scattered, effort, we hope, has closed. Let the strength of the Church be concentrated. Let all the gifts of all our churches, in behalf of the Freedmen,' be -plaCed at the disposal of that veteran Missioriary Committee whom we know and trust, and under-whom so much has 'been accomplished in the evangelization of the popu lous North artegrest, and a new era will have begun -in the work of missions- to the Freedmen. " They desire 'to.call- particuliar attention to this point, and urge every pastor within our bounds to - do his utmost, not only to secure con tributions in behalf of the Freedmen but to in duce the'donors to pour their gifts into that channel, prepared and recommended by oar Brew+ of the-Church. A column will be found in- the next Minutes of the General Assembly, set apart particularly fOr a record of our contri butions to this object and; Mille .we would not lessen, in the least. degree, the zeal or the re sources :of. • any other evangelical denomination enraged in this - work, but pither bid - them 'An forward' in (And's name, we feel that the time has fully come for die New School Presbyterian Church to do something, in behalf of the emanci pated slaves, which shall be seen by the world to be correspondent with her• wealth, her heart, and her history!? The work of the second year is opening most favorably. A-large. &tee -of -teachers will soon be in the field.. Jim...missionary. work demands a large increase - of laborers` - The Committee -are - prepared-) to - prosecute it with energy, - and =occupy the-field as-fully.as possible. They look to the churches for support, trusting that the -Great, geadec,the Church- will crown their ea- .croons #ith..the desired success. They call upon Abe Pastors,,nnd Stated Supplies of the Churches to render their efficient aid, by bring ing the, cause before their Sessions, and securing fop it a 'regular presentation before their congre gationS in the'eatfisa of the year. They ask of their • brethren and sisters, to whom God has given wealth and a heart to feel for the outcast, hberai contribritions-in the support 'of teachers. Three liiindred an'tt fifty dollars will support a 'teacher - for one fear. Churches, Sunday-schools, acid individuals—many of thenr=inay thus- be `cbine'the PATRONS or a partionlie School, and carry forward the work by their own proxies: Contributions may be sent, designated "for the Freedmen's Department," .to Mr. Edward A. Lambert, Treasurer, Presbyterian. Rooms, No. l 0 Vesey street, .NeW. F. HATFIELD.