Intritait Prt,sllotrialt.
TEILTRS;DAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1869
REV. JOHN W. MEAIRS, D. D. Editor.
No. 1334 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia.
TUE EDITORIAL COMMITTEE.
Rev. Z. 111 Humphrey, D.P., Pastor of calvary
Church.
Rey. Herrick Johnson, D. D., Pastor of the
First Church.
Rev. Danl. March. D.D., Pastor of Clinton St
Church.
Bev. Peter Stryker, 11.1%, Pastor of N. Broad
St. Church,
Rev. George F. Wtswett, DAD., Pastor of Green
Hill Church.
Rev. E. E. Adams, B. D., Prof. in Lincoln 'Uni
versity.
Rev. Samuel W. Duffield, Special Cor
respondent.
/Ur. Robert 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.
ser _lmpressions of Europe, VII, by "B. B.
C.", Rev. A. M. Stewart's. Letters, Xl,ll, Chi
nese Standard of Morality, by Rev. Justus Doo
little, Letter from Kansas, items, Page 2d-;
Editor's Table, Literary Items, Does the Church
do all she Can 7 Luther at-Rome, •Pulpit Pe
dantry, Missionary Items, Giants, &c., Page
3d; The Jordan, Poetry, by Mr Hammond,
_H
Mr. ammond'
etters to the Ch,ildren,
Wonderful Canary, Girls should learn to keep
house, Wonderful Clock, Budget of Anecdotes,
Don't Care, Chinese Version of the Prodigal
Son, Page 6th; Religious Intelligence: Re
formed Churches, Episcopalian, Congregationa
ist, Methodist, Baptist, .Romanist, City Bulle
tin, Page 7th.
—We seem to have been mistaken in classify
ing The Christian Witness (Episcopal) of Boston,
among the journals which disapprove of Mr.
Cheney's course. It copies in full our editorial
on " Church and State in Chicago," and speaks
of it as a " view of Mr. Cheney's course, which
strikes us as very fair, and much more sensible
than the ground taken by ' The New York Ob
server, which we have seen quoted approvingly
by some of our Church papers. " The Protest
ant Churchman, of New York, copies the same
article.
The Presbyterian Banner points out—not with
excessive courtesy—where our parallel bet Ween
Mr. Cheney's course and that of Paul fails.
Paul's "appeal unto Caesar" was not from a reli
gious to a secular court, but from a lower secular
court to 'higher one. For this slip it graciously
classes us with The Independent, which recently
asserted that the Bible represented all the hu
man race as descended from Cain.
The defect in the parallel is only a formal one.
To appeal from a lower court to a higher one was
to acknowledge the general jurisdiction in the
case. The legal maxim which applies here is,
Exceptio probat regulam,—a plea for stay of
proceedings admits the general validity of the
rule under which the plea is raised. If this edi
tor bad been in Paul's place, and had been "call
ed in question," "as touching the resurrection from
the dead," he could only have said to Festus,
" You have no jurisdiction. lam charged with
an offence against the laW of the Church. I
must, therefore, answer before the courts of the
Church. All I can ask of you, is the protection
of my life, while under trial." Nay, he could
not have asked even that, for the law of the Jew
ish Church punished blasphemy with death, and
of blasphemy the ecclesiastical judge would have
convicted him, and to this decision our cotempo
rary would have been logically compelled to
submit.
WEST CHURCH, WILMINGTON.
The young West church here is fairly on its
way, I think. Duffing the summer, though
many of our people were absent from the city,
and our present house of worship—Monroe St.
Chapel—is by no means in a central location, yet
it has been full, often to overflowing.
Last Sabbath was communion ; 40 members
were added and more are ready to enter the ranks
now. We are 160 strong, and them is a very
encouraging state of religion in the congregation.
As my custom has been, we spent the week
preceding the communion in prayer. The meet.
ings were well attended, full of quiet, solemn
impression, and with some diminution in number,
are to be continued this week. Among those on
profession were two heads of families, men pass
ing the prime of life.
It is pleasant to know that this church, at first
composed of membemmostly from jlanover street
and Central churches,
,is not the o'ffipring of any
internal coavuhiona, but the needful swarming
of industrious hives already too fulL At the
cordial invitations of the mother churches; - the
West spent two delightful Sabbaths in unite&
services with them, pastor and people receiving
the warmest welcome from both. We are look
ing forward to the Installation with interest.
A 'harmonious church and a competent salary,
prompar paid, and the many acts of thoughtful
kindness which I receive, are cheering and stim
ulating—to a , pastor these are next to tile inspi
ration of the Holy Ghost: : Gro. It, SMYTH.
HOKENDADQUA.--- The Presbyterian congre
tion of Hokelidatiqua, now under the pastoral
care of the Rev. J. A. Little,from , New York
city, expect to dedicate their 'hew bottle of wor
ship on the third. Sabbath of September (19th).
This, is the.first .church edifice in the place.
e THE AMERICAN PRESBYTERIAN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1869.
FROM OUR ROCHESTER CORRESPONDENT.
HA MILTON COLLEGE
A very important meeting of the Board of
Trustees of this institution, was held on Tuesday,
of the present week; and some changes were
made in the affairs of the college. It has been
known for some time, that Prof. Mellarg was in
clined to return again to the pastoral work.
r ile
offered his resignation of the Professorship of the
Latin language and Literature in August.' At
this meeting of the Trustees his resignation was
accepted, and resolutions of high respect and ap
preciation were unanimously and cordially adopted
He is at present supplying the pulpit of the Pres
byterian Church in Westfield.
Very reluctantly also the Trustees accepted
the resignation of. Rev. Dr. Ellinwood as one of
their number. His residence being in New
Jersey, the charter of the college forbid his hold
ing, the office of Trustee,-and so„ he resigned.
We know that the loss of his wise and ,valuable,
councils in that Board is deeply regretted by the
Trustees themselves, and will,be desply r regetteil
by the friends of the college ,generally. , It is
pity that so many of the best eitiions,of, •our
tropolis are obliged to,go,into .another State to,
find a place to sleep.
Rev. A. Grosvenor Hopkins was elected assis
tant Professor of •the Latin Language andLitera
taire, with. a„view.to.e, full professorship; when
a little experienee, .a little more age shall
have qualified him more hilly - for the responsi
bilities of the position, He is,tbe,,second son of
Rev. Prof. Hopkins of Auburn Seminary, a
graduate of Hamilton College - of the class of
1866, and a graduate Of Anburn Seminary; Clasa
of 1869. He is regarded' as a fine scholai, and
a young man of uncommon , promise, or he would
not have been elected to this responsible posi
tion. -
Mr. Hopkins has also been supplying the pul
pit of the Presbyterian Church of Cortland ever,
since he left the Seminary last Spring.; andonly
last Saturday the congregation gave him a nano'
be their pastor. We do not yet know which "po
.
shim) he will accept.
DEDICATION
The remodeled, renovated church edifice of
the Presbyterian Society of Medina, was dedica
ted on Thursday afternoon, 2d insiiiit—sermon
by Rev. Dr. Campbell of this city, and prayer
of dedication by Rev. Dr. FillmoreLpf Knowles,
ville. Another meeting was _held on Thursday
evening, at which intetesking, addresses were
made by Rev. Dr. Fillniore, Rev. A. A. Graley,
the pastor, Rev. S., F. BaCon of Albion„and,
Rev. C. S. Furman of ,this city: .Mr. Furman
was once pastor of that chirch, and was able to
give some touching reminiscences, whi'elt breught
tears; to many eyes.
DO NOT CONCUR.
We learn that at a meeting of the Presbyteri
an church of• Clyde on Monday last; the resigna
tion of .the pastor, Rev. R. E. Wilson, was not
accepted. After enjoying his faithful ministra-,
tions for nearly fourteen years, they do not seem
inclined to part with him at present. •
PERSONAL
Rev. Dr. Miller of Ogdensburg, is soon to
start for Europe, leave of absence, a good purse,
and good company being furnished by his people
for that purpose. His wife
.also makes, one.of
the party. If good wishes will carry them safe.
ly and bring them in peace, they are well insured.
Rev. Geo. S. Boardman, D.D.; formerly of Gas
enovia, has been eniaged to supply his. pulpit in
Dr. Miller's absence.
Rev. Dr. _Knox of Rome, is expected: home
from his protracted European tour, on the 'third
Sabbath of this month. It has not y6t,
pired, whether he is to accept the Call to. Elmira,
or remain with his former charge. , ' .
Rev. Dr. Condit is to resume `the supply of
the First Presbyterian church of this city to
morrow, the first Sabbath of this month:' Ile
has won a large place, both as a Christian man
and an admirable preacher, in he hearts of this
people. .
Rev. Dr. Heaeock of Buffalo, preached' his
farewell, (for the time,) to his' people 'fast Sun
day evening. His text was touchingly appropri
ate—" Are not two - sparrows sold for a" farthing,
and one of them shall not fall on the 'ground
without your Father? But the very hairs of
your heads are numbered."
And on Tuesday a, social, farewell was also held
in his church, with an address, by Rev. Dr. Ball,
who has recently returned from California;
prayer by Rev. Mr. Calkins; after 'which Dr.
Chester read a very tender, and touching letter
of the congregation to their beloved, pastor, ex
pressing their high regard and their abiding af
fection for lint. Dr: Heacock'responded to this
in his usual 'tender and feeling manner'; after
which a hymn was Sung, and a general hand
shaking; with good wishes and loving adieus,
closed the scene. His people will be glid to see
him.back again when the three months are gone.
Louis Chapin, Esq., of our city has just re
turned from a trip West, as far as Omaha. He
has been looking a little,, on his own account ; at
the interest of Church Extension, to see where
church edifices may well be planted, so that he
may act understandingly, in his counsels and his
gifts for this important cause. In him the, Sec
retary will always find an ,able helper.
We happen'to know also, that he roamed the
prairies a little in quest of 'game. • If we may
julge from the specimens which found their -way
to our table, the chickens are extra good this
year ; and Mr. Chapin has the happy faculty of
coaxing plenty of them within the unerring
range of his gun. GENESEE.
Rochester, Sept. 4, 1869.
TO PIUS THE NINTH—BISHOP OF ROME.
In your Encyclical Letter, dated Sept. 13,
1868, you invite all "Protestants" to "embrace
the opportunity" presented by the Council sum
moned to meet in the city of 'Rome during the
month of December of the current year, to
"return to the one only fold," intending thereby,
as the connection implies, the Roman Catholic
Church. That letter has been brought to the
notice of the two , General Assemblies of the
Presbyterian Church in the United States of
America. Those Assemblies represent nearly
five thousand ministers of the. Gospel, and a stilt
larger number of Christian congregations.
Believing, as we do, that it is the will of Christ
that His Church on earth should
.be one; and
'recognizing the duty of doing all We consistently
can to promote Christian charity - and fello*ship,
We deetii it right to say in feW words why we can
not'comply with your invitation, or participate
in the deliberations of the approaching CouticiL
, r It is'not because we reject anjt article . of the
Catholic faith. We are not heretic's; We'receive
all the-doctrines contained in the ancient Symbol
knowAS 'the ApcfSiles' Creed; we regard as con
sistent with 'Scripture the dectrinal decisions of
the firstisix CEcutbenical Councils; and because
of 'that consistency we receive those decisions 'as`
expressing our own faith.' 'We believe the doc
trines of the Trinity and . Person of Christ, as
those doctrines are set fOrth by the Council of
Nice, A. D. 325; by that' ot 'Chalcedon, A. D"
.151; and by that of Constantinople, A.D. '6BO.
With the whole Catholic Chitral, therefoie; we
believe that there are three , Persons God
head, the Father, the Son, and the 'Hofy 'Ghost;
and that the three are one God,',the Same in sith
ssance, and equal in Tower and glory. -
We believe that the Eternal Son of Ged
came man by taking to Himself a true body and
a' reasonab I e Soul; and sawas; and continues to be;
both' God and man, in two distinct natures; and
one' perkon forever. We belleve'tliat 'our Lord
and Saviour Jesus Christ is the Prophet of God,
whose teachings we are bound to receive and in
whose promises we confide. He is the High
Priest of our profession; whose infinitely merito
rious satisfaction to diiine justice, - and whose
ever prevalent 'intercession is the'only ground Of
our justification and acceptance before God'. He
is- our King; to' whom our allegiance is due,'itot
only as His creatures, bat as the purchase of His
blood , . To MS authorityme submit: iri His care
we trust; 'and to His service we and.all creatures
in - heaven and earth should be deveted:
We believe, moreover; all those doctrines con
cerning sin, grace, and , predestination, known in'
history: as Augtistinian. Those doctrines-Were
sanctioned .by the Council 'of , Carthage' A. D.
*l6; . by- a more, general Council in 'the , sansie
place, A. D. 418; bylZosimusißishop of Rome,
A. D. 418 ; and .by the , thirtivolEetircienical
Council at'hlphe§us, A.D. 481. • It'isitnpossible,
therefore, that woehould be pronounced' hei4itical
without-including, .the whole ancient Church in
the!same Condemnation. 'We not-only "glory in
the name of Christians,'bral prOfess the true faith
of Christ, acid follow the , .ctinimuniOn of •qilie
Catholic Church." - Still further; to quote' your
own 'words, "Truth musOcontinue ever stable and
not subject to any change." t. ~‘
- Neither are weischismatics: We'believe in true
"Catholic unity." -We cordially recognfze as mem:,
bers of Christ's visible Church on earth- all who
profess the tree religion ;l7 together with their chit
dren. We are not only'Willing, but earnestly desire,
to maintain Christian , communion with them, pro
vided they do not prescribe' as a condition of Such
communion, that we 'Should profeSs , what the
Word of God condemns; or -do what that Word
forbids.' If any Church prescoibes unscriptural
conditions of fellowship; the error and , the fault
are with such Church and' not with As. '•
But, although neither heretics nor schismatics,
we cannot accept-your invitation, , because we still
hold the principles which prompted our "an
cestors," in the name of primitive Christianity,
'and in defence of the " true faith," bravely to
protest against the errors and abuses which had
been foisted upon the Church—principles for
which our fathers, by the council of Trent, rep
resenting the Church over which yon preside,
excommunicated and pronounced accursed. The
most important of those principles 'are the follow
ing:
FIRST. That the Word of Gdd, as contained
in the Scriptures of the Old - and 'New Testament,
is. the only infallible rule of faith and practice.
The Council of 'Trent, however, demands that
we receive; pari pietatis affeetu, .the 'teachings of
tradition as supplementing and interpreting the
written Word of God. This-we cannot do with
out incurring the condemnation` which'our Lord
&linen/iced on the Pharisees' when - He said,
" Ye make void' the Word of God 'l:iy your tra
ditions."
SECOND. The 'right of private judgment. When.
we open the. Scriptures we find them addressed
to the people. They speak to usrthey command
us to search their sacred pages ; they require us
to believe` what they teach, and to do' what they
enjoin; they hold us personally - 'responsible' for
our- faith and conduct. The promise Of the in
ward' teaching' of the Spirit to guide men into
the knckfledge of the truth, is made to the people
of God; not to the'clergy exclusively; much less
to any special 'order of the clergy alone. The
Apostle John says to believers, "Ye have an
unction from the Holy One, and know all things :
And the anointing which, ye haVe received of Him ,
abideth with you, and ye =have not need'that any
man -teach you."-1 john iii. 20 and 27. The
Apostle Paul commands us (the people) to
pronounce accursed an Apostle, or an angel
from 'heaven, who' teaches anything contrary to
the diiinely authenticated Word of God.—Gal.
He makes the people the judges of truth
and error as accountable to God only;` he places
the rule of judgment in their hands, and holds
them responsible. for their decisions. Private
judgment, therefore, is not only a right, but a
duty, from which no man' can exonorate himself,
or be exonerated by others.
TRIM). We. believe in the universal priest-
hood of believers ; that is, that all men have,
through Christ, access by one Spirit unto the
Father.—Eph. ii. 18. They need no human
priest to secure their access to God. Every man
for himself may come with boldness to the throne
of grace to obtain mercy and find grace to help
in time of need.—Heb. iv. 16. " Having,
therefore, boldness to enter into the holiest by
the blood of Jesus. by a new and living way, . .
and having a High Priest over the house of God,
we may all draw near with a true heart in full
assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled
from an evil conscience. and our bodies washed
with pure water."—Heb. x. 19, 22. To admit,
therefore, the priesthood of the clergy, whose in
tervention is necessary to assure for the people
the remission of sins and other benefits of re
deeming grace, w' regard as involving either
the rejection of the priesthood of Christ, or a
denial of its sufficiency.
FOURTH. We deny,the perpetuity of the apos
tleship. As no' man can be-a prophet without
the spirit of prophecy, so no man can be an apos
tle without the gifts of an apostle: Those gifts,
as we learn 'from Scripture, are plenary knowl
edge of the Gospel, derived by immediate reve
lation from Christ (Gal. i. 12); and personal in
fallibility in teaching and ruling. What are the'
seals of the apostleship, we learn from what St.
Paul says ,to the Corinthians Surely - the
signs of an ;apostle were wrought among'yon. in
patience,`all in signs, and wonders, and mighty
deeds."-2 Cor. xii. 12. Modern prelates, al
though they claim apostolic authority, do not
pretend to possess the . gifts on which that au
thority was 'founded, nor do they. venture to .ex
hibit: the " signs" by, which the commission of
the messengers . of. Christ was authenticated. We
cannot, therefore, recognize thud, either indi
vidually or collectively, as' the infallible teach
ers and rulers of the Church.
Much less can we acknowledge the Bishop of
Rome to be Christ's vicar upon earth possessing
"supreme rule." We acknowledge our adorable,
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to be the only
Head, of the Church, which is His body. We
believe that although now enthroned at the
right hand of the Majesty on high, He is still
present with His people on earth, whom he gov
erns by His Word, Providence and Spirit. We
cannot, therefore, put any creature in His place,
or render to a man the obedience which is due
to Christ alone.
As the Church of Rome excommunicates all
those who profess the principles above enumer-,
aced; as we regard these principles to be of vital
importance, and intend to assert them more:
earnestly than ever;, as Gott appears to have
given His seal and sanction to these principles
by making the countries where they are held,
the leaders in civilization—the most eminent for
liberty; order, intelligence, and all forms of pri
vate and social prosperity'it is evident that
the barri'er between us and you at present,
insurmountable.
Although' this' letter is hot intended - to be
either objurgator,y 'or - controft:itial, it is known
to", all the world, that' there are doctrines and
usages of the ChUrch over which you preside,
ivhiCh 'Protestants believe' to be not billy' un-
Seriptural, but contrary to the'Taith and prac
tice of the early Church.—SOme of those doc
trines ,and usages are the following, viz.:—The
doctrine of transubstantiation and the sacrifice of
the mass ; the adoration of the host ; the power
of judicial absolution (which,places the salvation
of the people in the hands of the priests); the
doctrine of .the grace of orders, that is that su
pernatural. power, and influence are conferred
in, ordination by the imposition, or hands; the
doctrine of purgatory; the worship of the Vir
gin ..M.ary ; the invocation of saints; the worship
of images; the doctrine of reserve and of im
plicit faith, and the consequent withholding the
Scriptures from the people, etc.
So long as
,the profession of such doctrines
and submission to such usages are required, it
is obvious that there is an impassable gulf be
tween us and the Church by' which such de
mands are made.
. .
Wile loyalty to Christ, obedience to the
Holy Scriptures, consistent respect for the early
Councils of the Church, and the firm belief
that pure "religion is the foundation of all
human society," compel- us to withdraw from
fellowship with the Church of Rome;- we,
nevertheless, desire to live in charity with all
men. We love all who- love our Lord Jesus
nbrist in sincerity. We cordially recognize as
Christian brethren all who worship,--trust and
serve Him as their God and Saviour according
to the inspired Word. And we hope to be united
in heaven with all who unite with us on earth,
in saying, " Unto Him who loved us, and washed
us from our sins in His blood; and bath made us
kings and priests unto God;. to- Him be glory
and dominion forever and ever. Amen."—Rev.
i. 6.
Signed in behalf of the two General Assem
blies of the Presbyterian Church in the United
States of America.
M. W. JAcostrs, P. A. FOWLER, Moderators.
UNEXPEOTED WISDOM.
The New York Observer notices Prof. lloilge's
" Commentary on the Westminster, Confension"
published by the 0. S. Board, with high praise.
But it adds something that we had not expected
from that quarter. It says :
We have our doubts, but would `express them
with diffidence, as to the expediency of the pub
lication, by the Board, of any Commentary on
the Confession at this juncture. ,The General
Assembly has been, repeatedly urged to ,direct
the publication of the Commentary on . the Bible„
and has distinctly declined. Obviously, ,a Com
mentary, under Church sanction, becomes an
established exposition of doctrine; and in the
,case before us, so far as the opinion of the Board .
can go, the explanation of doctrine here given
by Prof'. Hodge is the sense of the Church. The
General Assembly has declined to make any
comment upon the Bible, the, Confession being
a condensed comment on the Inspired Word.
We would, therefore, prefer that the Board
should, not do what the Assembly has decline4l
even to refer to it to do. Besides, this is :a
peculiar juncture. Two great bodies of Pres
byterians are about to unite, as we trust, in
one body, with one Confession-,of
,Faith;
nd, as both Assemblies
,have - agreed' to take
the Standards, pure and simple, as the basis
of Union, it 'seems to us infelicitolis and liable
to increase the difficulties of harmonion,
justment for either of these bodies to prepar e
and publish an official comment on the l' ,, nfu3-
sier t which both have agreed to take without
comment.
It is quite likely that the volume would be
approved by both bodies, or by the united bod y
certainly, it would be more likely to find Such
favor if its issue had been deferred another year.
On all the grand, essential points of doctrine
there is substantial agreement between thi s
author and the churches. In minor matters
there might be difference.
FOREIGN ITEMS.
BY CABLE.
DUBLIN, Sept. 2.—Cardinal Cullen has issued
a pastoral letter forbidding parents to send their
children to national model schools, on pain of a
deprivation of the sacraments.
2.—The Roman Catholic Bishops have met
here and adopted resolUtions demanding exclu
sive Catholic College endowment by the State, a
division of the property of the Royal and en
dowed schools; and the alteration of Queen's col
lege to a denominational institution, and a gene
ral land bill for Ireland.
LONDON, Sept. 4.—The Marquis of Harting
ton, at the Cutler's banquet, at Sheffield, l a - S t
night, said the task for the ensuing session of
Parliament would be the settlement of the Irish
land question. He hoped the question would be
debated with as little political feeling as possible.
It had never been the battle ground of party;
men are comparatively' unpledged, and statesmen
of various opinions showed an honest disposition
to grapple with the difficulties surrounding this
matter.
The Times comments as as follows on Cardinal
Cullen's last pastoral, and on the claims put forth
by the Roman Catholic bishops of Ireland:
They demand the overthrow of common educa
tion and the exaltation of denominationalism. The
language of Archbishop Cullen mast provoke re
sentment. The pretensions of the Catholic hier
archy towards the State are intolerable. There
is not one of their resolves on education which
the people will not emphatically rspudiate, and
which if brought before Parliament, will not be
rejected. The lessons of the , past two years seem
lost on their prelates. They have not understood
how a proposal of great moderation and acknowl
edged wisdom proved abortive at the last session,
through the profbund antipathy of Parliament to
apply public money to Catholic uses. The pre
sent proposals are about as hopeless as any that
could be propounded. England and Scotland
will not listen to them, and even in Ireland they
will not command the assent of the classes inter
ested in higher education, and in Parliament they
would be mentioned only to be condemned.
MADRID, Sept. I.—Proceedings will be com
menced immediately against seven bishops who
were apprehended for disobedience of Govern
ment ordeis.
PARIS, Sept. 3.—lt is reported that the French
Government has' declined to send a representative
to the Ecumenical Council.
BY MAIL.
The English ministry, it is reported, has pre
pared a bill for providing glebes for ministers of
every denomination in Ireland, by means of loans
from the Government. This plan, it is asserted,
settles the question of concurrent endowments,
which was objected to on the ground of the in
consistency of supporting clergymen of opposite
ways of thinking.
.RusslA is suffering from the extraordinary
proceedings of numerous political sects that have
recently sprung up in that country. The nature
of the doctrines preached by these sects may be
judged from a recent occurrence in the district
of Saratow. A short time ago the prophets of a
new religion made their appearance in that part
of the empire, preaching self destruction by fire
as the only sure road to salvation; and so readily
was this dreadful doctrine received by the igno-
rant and superstitious peasantry, that in one large
villiage no less than seventeen hundred persons
assembled in some wooden houses, and, having
barricaded the doors and windows, set the build
ings on fire and perished in the flames.
The following is Dr. Cumming's letter to the
Pope :
HOLY FATHER—You have been pleased to in
vite to the (Ecumenical Council the Protestants
and others who are divided and separated from
the Church of Rome. We are heartily grateful
for the invitation, and are earnestly desirous to be
present in the Council. During the course of the
year I have sent many letters to the Most Re
verened Dr. Manning, in order to get information
as to the extent to which liberty of speaking will
be granted to us The most reverend and learned
doctor, with much courtesy, replied to me on this
point in these words : " I am unable to give you
an answer as to the mode of proceeding. The
Supreme authority alone can furnish you with
that." For this reason, Holy Father, I earnestly
beseech you, to be pleased to inform me whether,
in the approaching Council, we shall be allowed
the liberty of speaking and bringing forward the
reasons for which we Protestants are separated
and divided from, the Church of Rome. lam
your Holiness' obedient servant,
JOHN CUMMING, D.D.
presbyter of the Scotch Church.
THE FIVE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY of
the birth-day of John Huss ; the well known re
former has just been celebrated at Prague, the
ceremonies extenaing over the three days, be
ginning "with list Saturday, September 4th, and
ending on Monday. Great preparations were
made to give this festival an imposing character.
MI parts of Bohemia and Moravia were to be rep
resented by deputations, and a large number of
guests mere invited from Russia, Servia and other.
Slavonic countries. France and England, it was
anticipated, would send representatives. Guizot,
Victer Hugo and other distinguished Frenchmen,
werediavited to be present.
THE BRADFORD-HATES EXPEDITION to
Greenland has been heard from, under date of
July 27th near Julienshab. The ruins of an
old cathedral, built 850 years ago, by the North
men, at Krakortok, were photo g raphed. The old
cathedral or church is in a good state of preser
vation; the foundation and door Ways being per
fect. The. walls are of an immense thickness,
which, it: is asserted, accounts for their standing
so long. One gable is firm and kill eighteen feet
high, but the other is crumbling 'away, and the
arched window in.it will stop fall.