etanuntiratitats.
THE OLD CRUCIFIX ON THE BRIDGE.
There is in an old town in the north of Ger
many, a curious stone bridge. The little river
which runs through the place is here divided by
an island of some size, on which part of the
town is built; and the bridge goes from one
side of the main land to the other, taking the
island on its way. But the chief peculiarity of
the bridge is this—that upon it, between the
arches, stand several houses of two or three
stories in height, the lower story in some of them
resting on the island, and the other stories pro
jecting each beyond the one below it, the whole
forming part of the bridge. The other houses
rest entirely upon the bridge—no two of them
are alike, and the architecture of all is of a
quaint, odd description, quite in keeping with
the general character of the surroundings. At
one end of the bridge, after these houses are pas
sed there are two figures, life-size, carved in
stone, elevated above the railing, at some little
distance from each ether. One is a figure of
some saint, holding in his hand a small crucifix,
the other is a representation of Christ on the
cross, such as are to be seen everywhere in
Catholic countries of. Europe, and often in Pro
testant regions, as a remnant of the old order of
things. From this crucifix I would draw a
lesson.
It hangs above a rounded space where the
bridge is widened over the pier; and below it, in
l
the nook so formed, is a booth, where fruit is
sold, as on, the opposite side on some days in the
wdek may be seen a stand for the sale of articles
of clothing. Every time I passed this crucifix,
with the brisk trade going on at its foot, I felt
oppressed by the sight. I wondered if the peo
ple who bought and sold and chattered away so
energetically, ever gave a thought to the still
figure above them, which by its mere presence
spoke so powerfully to those who would hear its
voice. Then. I thought of the innumerable
places where I had seen the same mute symbol,
in this old world. In the fields, by the road
side, in crowded streets,, in little villages, in
lonely woods, and in busy haunts of labor, as
well as in churches and chapels, both Catholic
and Protestant—one cannot go far here without
coming upon a representation of our Saviour on
the cross, either so rude and unartistic as to be
painful, or else so executed as to stir the soul
with a realization of the scene thus pictured.
Ifircept in two or three instances, I do not re
member ever seeing a sign of reverence for such an
object on the part of any r?asser-by, or any indi
cation that its presence was noticed at all. On
the contrary, it always' appeared to me as if cus
tom and long familiarity had almost taken from
the eight its significance, and from the object its
sacredness. I may be mistaken. There may be
more reverent consciousness of the mute pre
sence, than I suppose; but such has been the
impression made upon me, and I have been in
terested in the subject from the effect upon my
own mind of the ever-recurring sight, so strange
a one to an American eye.
It seems to me that in the effort to feed the
religious sentiment of the people, and to keep
ever before their minds the sacrifice once made
for their salvation, the opposite effect has been
produced—they are so accustomed to see the
image of the Saviour upon the cross, that it ex
cites in them no emotion of any kind, if even
they look at it with their bodily eyes.
I have gone in thought back to my own dear
country. I imagine a representation like those
which are so common here, set up in one of our,
busy. streets. For- a time, every one who passes
stops and lookeat it, to criticize its workman.
ship, or to let its quiet influence come in upon
the soul. I imagine a sort of hush creeping
over the space immediately below it, something
like what comes in the presence of the dead.
But how long-would the influence last? How
long , before all saored association would be for
gotten, , and. the 'busy crowd below regard the
presence of the holy symbol no more than they,
do the.lamp-post on the corner? Such is human
nature, and one can neither wonder at it, nor
too harshly'blame those who partake of it.
We have not these images about our streets
ovfields—but is not the story of the cross too
much to us-what the representation is to these.
people of the old' world ? To the many in our
fitvored -land who 'have heard it all their. lives,
from• the time when a Christian mother's lovina
voice-whispered it for the first time into the list
ening ear, through childhood, youth, and mature
years—to such is it not too much an "old story "?
Surely we cannot be too familiar with it, nor can
-Iva hear it too often nor know IC too well ; but
perhaps we might guard ourselves somewhat
against losing our deep reverence for it, and
against reading the sacred history of the scene
toohastilior indifferently—against ever feeling
that we have learned all its lessons, or sufficient
ly taken itiatcout-hearts as part of our lives.
l o et.us never read.it nor hear it read, without a
silent.prayer.that each event in the simple re
cordAney,jac impressed anew upon our hearts,
withAllidoep consciousness that our soul's salva
tion 4,bopla up therein.
us,te.see buying and selling- going
on with the' sculptured image of our crucified
Saviour looking d 'wu upon it. But when the
.same Saviour is held up before our spiritual
eyes in the House of God, where everything calls
us to turn upon Him the eye of faith, do we
never let our thoughts busy themselves with
anything and everything except His cross, with
buying and selling, with pleasures and cares of
worldly lire, with plans and prospects for the
morrow ?
God looketh upon the heart, and He must see
much there which would startle and shock us
amazingly, could we but see it as it really-is.
Let the old crucifix on the bridge thus teach
us a lesson of reverence and humility.
NEW YORK PRESBYTERIES.
ONTARIO
Rev. Joseph R. Page and Elder Milo H. Malt
by were appointed Commissioners to the next
General Assembly ; Rev. A. L. Benton and El
der George W. Norris, alternates.
This Presbytery did a good thing also in
changing the name of the "'2d church of Gen=
eseo." It is hereafter to be called " the First
church of Geneseo Village." There is another
"First church of Geneseo," but it is four or five
miles from the village, at Lakeville, in the edge
of the town of Livonia ; and for this reason, that
which was really the First church of Geneseo
Village was called the Second church, mach to
our disadvantage oftentimes.
At the same meeting of the Presbytery of On
tario, Rev. W. C. Gaylord was, by . his own re
quest, dismissed from the pastoral charge of the
church at Union Cornefs. This is done so that
this church and the one at Tuscarora, (late 0.
-S.) both feeble and contiguous, may unite in the
support of one minister.
Rev. A. H. Parmelee, formerly of Livonia,.
having removed to Geneva, was dismissed to
unite with that Presbytery.
Rev. Geo. P. Folsom, - formerly of Genciseo,
returned his letter, which he took last June to
the Presbytery of Chicago, and still remains a
member of the Presbytery of Ontario. His re
cent affliction, in the death of his eldest daugh
ter, was spoken of with great teoderness, and a
resolution of sympathy was passed, to be trans
mitted to him. He is a brother beloved in this
region.
PRESBYTERY OF BUFFALO
This Presbytery held its annual meeting this,
week in Buffalo. Among its items of business,
we notice that the church at La Salle, within its
bound's, which was organized as a Cumberland
Presbyterian church, but which has adopted our
Confession of Faith and Form of Government,
was, on its own application, received into the
Presbytery of Buffalo.
Rev. Sanford 11. Smith was received by letter
from the Presbytery of Newark, and arrange
ments were made for his installation over the
church of Westfield on the l3th of January.
The following were elected Commissioners to
the next General Assembly: Revs. Walter Clarke,
D D., W. L. Hyde, A. L. Skinner, and Elders
G. W. Harris, Joseph H. Plumb, and Edward
Bristol ; with the following as alternates : Revs.
E. S. Wright, D.D , T. Stillman, D.D., W.
C,alkins, and Elders Horace Parmelee, Horace
'Stillman and Morris Butler.
At the same meeting, Mr. Anson G. Chester,
after full examination, was licensed to preach
the Gospel. He had before been examined and
received ander the care of the Presbytery.
Rev: Dr. Heacock returned to his Buffalo
home last Monday. His people gave him such
welcome as true love alone could give. His
church was filled in the evening by'his attached
people and admiring friends. The words, "Wel
come How," were on the wall, over the pulpit,
in evergreens. The pulpit was also decked with
beautiful flowers. Many of the ministers'of the
city were present. An address of welcome was
made by Andrew Packer, Esq., on behalf of the
congregation, and by Rev. Dr. Clarke, on behalf
of the ministry. The following beautiful hymn
of welcome, written by Rev. Anson G. Chester,
was sung.by the children :
SHEPIEERD, WELCOME HOME
'Back.from the margin of the mighty main,
The shepherd comes, to lead his flock again . ;
And while the sheep, delighted, hear his voice,
Shall not the little loving lambs rejoice?
Back from the golden country,
• Back from the ocean foam,
Back to the lambs that love thee—
Shepherd, welcome home!
The streams were chill—the fields no labger fair—
Without thy love, thy guidanae and thy care!
and watched thy journey from a distaat. shore,
And brings thee to the fold,and flock once more.
Buck from the lordly mountain,
Back from the ocean foam,
Back from the golden country—
Shepherd, welcome home !
0. strength of Jacob ! Israel's rest and rock!
Defend, alike,' the shepherd and the.tlock
And grant us all the guidance of Thy hand
To greener pastures in the better land.
Back from the golden country,
Back from the ocean foam,
Back to the lambs that love thee—
Shepherd, welcome home !
They sung, also, " Coronation," " Home,
Sweet Home." They had prayer,,another:poem
by. A. G. Chester, and a, beautiful and tender re
sponse from Dr. Heacock, thanking the people
for their love and welcome. It was an occasion
of very peculiar interest. It•happens to few men
to be loved as Dr. Heacock is, fewer still deserve
it. GENESEE.
Rochester, Dec. 22.
PHILADELPHIA, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1869.
DORCAS HICKS
THE ZENANA WORK.
Rarely has the sympathy of the Christian bcarl,
been so deeply moved in our city, as recently by
Miss Britton's thrilling talks in parlors, Sunday
schools, and lecture rooms, of what she has seen
and known, during her six years' teaching in the
Zenanas of Calcutta.
We are sure we respond to a general wish of
all who have heard her, in telling them that the
progress of the work in India, China, and else
where, under the care of the Woman's Union
Missionary Society, is published every two months,
in their own publication, The Link, for 50 cents
per annum.
By sending their address to the Corresponding
Secretary, Miss S. A. Scull, 1615 Chestnut St.,
they can receive it regularly, and thus have their
interest deepened and widened for the women
and children, whose pathetic story has so moved
them. D.
ASHMAN VERSUS 'LINCOLN.
A REASON ASKED WOW THE CHANGE.
Can you tell me why the Ash Man Institute is
swallowed up 41yr the'Lincoln University Y —truly
the name is more euphonious and the associa
tions more popular and commanding, and we
think that many such institutions ought to spring
up throughout the length and , breadth •of the
land in honor of the 'belOved'martyred Presi
dent; bUt long before Mr. Lincoln appeared on
the stage •as the champion of the colored man,
Jehudi Ashman was the , pioneer of civilization
and Christianity in Africa.
Long before President Lincoln made his
Emancipation Proclamation, Mr. Ashman had
fallen a martyr to his zeal for -the welfare of a
down-trodden ;race, and the.eulightenment of a
benighted continent. Seven times (the perfect
number) was he left the only white man on the
coast of Africa. In five weeks after the arrival
he lost his beloved wife; and for two months he
was prostrated with fever expecting to descend
to an untimely grave; but - being spared by a
merciful Providence-he accomplished great things
for the American Colonization Society. His
biographer says-" Some -missionaries' -reports
are confined to the nuniber of miles they have
travelled, the number of sermons they have
preached, the schools they have established, and
the converts they have made; but Ashman tip
pears on one page, -leading an armed force against
a slave factory, or planting a battery to command
the harbor; on the next as a minister of 'the
gospel, be prepares a system of religions instruc
tion for the Colonists; then he assumes the tra
der and gives valuable and judicious advice with
regard to the colonial commerce—anon be is
stretched on a sick bed for weeks, and on his re
covery report what be has accomplished during
a voyage for l lyis health ; then he- appeals most
earnestly to a dhristian public in behalf of the so
ciety ; then he annexes his diplomatic correspon
dence and records valuable acquisitions of terri
tory or privfleges, and the establishment of
friendly relations between the colony and several
powerful tribes whom he has sought and won over
by his skill and address. .Every page and line
bears the impress of talent and energy, of the
faithful man and the devoted Christian. Nor
was there in all his hopes for the colony, or in all
his visions of the future one thought of self-ag
grandizement or one throb of vanity; he was
content to remain the humble agent of a benev
olent society, and do - his part in , the work and
leave the honor to others.
Re stood among the Colonists like a father
among his children ; and never 'did a parent feel
for his offspring deeper affection than beat in
the heart of Ashman for these his foster chil
dren. The foregoing being so, Mr. Ashman cer
tainly deserves well of his countrymen, and to
have his name embalmed in the heart of every
philanthropiSt and Christian in the world and
we think the honored father or fathers of the
Ashman Institute made a miStake when they re
baptized their Child lincoht. A. T. H.
REUNION DAY . OF PRAYER.
TO the Ministers and Member's of the (I?eunited)
Presbyterian Church in the United Statee of
America
FATHERS AND BRETHREN :—The recent Re
,union of our Church is-an event so.joyous and so
manifestly
, the result of God's providence and
Spirit, that.we have naturally sought expression
of our gratitude in thanksgiving and praise.
Looking out upon the great work we have to
do, and upon the grand future which lies before
us, with the blessing of God, the mind of the
people devoutly turns towards the need of Special
Prayer.
The great and urgent demand of this crisis is
the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, that
we may improve an opportunity-so splendid, and
may meet, a responsibility, so,splemn and weighty
before God. In the "MeMorial Fund" which is
proposed of Five Millions of Dollars as a Thank
offering, we may give substantial expression to
our gratitude, and may lend increased efficiency
to the en,perprises of the Church. But all of us
must feel that what we most.deeply require is, the
universal Revival of True Religion among us—
that thus the Reunion may be signalized and
sanctified by the Holy Spirit in a blessing upon
all the means of grace. We are encouraged to
hope for such a result. The request has been
expressed to, us by individuals and by associations
of ministers, that a day may be named for Special
Prayer, in which all our churches may unite.
Accordingly, the 'Moderators of the late-Gene
ral Assemblies venture to propose, that THURS
DAY, JANUARY 6, 1870, be specially observed by
all our churches, as a day for invoking the seal
of the Spirit upon our Reunion—that, as a
Church, we may be endued with power
,from on
High, and may become in the largest sense, wit,-
nesses to Christ, unto the uttermost, part of the
earth.
The topic for this day already named in the
schedule for the Week of Prayer, is "Christian
Union." And we name this day in the hope that
the heart of the Christian Church in all the
world, will flow together with us, and that the
genuine spirit of Christian Union may be thus
promoted.
It is further suggested, that during the entire
Winter, some time between the hours of five and
seven, on the Sabbath evening, may be devoted
to concerted Prayer for this great object of Re
vival—whether secret, family, social, or public
prayer, as may be most convenient. And in all
our services, while we ask the prayers of all
Evangelical Churches for us, we will not forget
them in our supplications, as part of the great
and true Catholic Church of Christ in all the
world.
Signed by the .Moderators:
P. H. FOWLER,
M. W. JACOBUS
Dittreo galas.
ger'Publiskers will confer, a favor by mentioning
the prices of all books sent to this Department.
THE NEW VOLUME OF LANGE.
Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and the Song of Solomon,
together, ,constitute perhaps the most difficult
portion of the Old Testament. Truly inspired,
they seem to lie on the outer boundaries of the
domain of inspiration, where it most nearly
touches the every-day life, the dubious specula
tions, and the burning passions of the natural
man. Keen must be the analysis, shrewd the
judgment and broad the syinPathies that can al
ways detect and verify the tendency or motive, to
which all the parts were meant by the Inspirer,
to be subordinate. As a compensation, however,
rich veins of thought and utterances of practi
cal wisdom, that have given tone to the life of
whole peoples, are found in these books. Each
of them presents aspects of humanity which
cannot be absent from a book aiming to represent
it' with divine completeness—proverb, specula
tion and tender passion. The work of comment
ing on these books -was devolved by Lange upon
one of the youngest of German scholars,— Otto
Ziickler, a name unknown heretofore by transla
tion to English readers ; but a name that will
be welcomed •as an indication that there is a
young orthodoxy in Germany, laboring in the
spirit of Rioluck, Lange, Delitzsch, Kling, 01-
shausen, and not likely to be surpassed by any
of the unbelieving school, who have wished to be
regarded as almost-sole proprietors of the Biblical
scholarship of their time and country. The
American translators and editors, under the
guidanceof Dr. Schaff, have as nsual, added not
a little to the vtAue ot the original. This is
particularly the ease with Prof. Taylar Lewis,
whose labors on Ecclesiastes amount almost to a
new work, He has in fact, added to his numer
ous dissertations, a complete and very literal
iambic metrioal.translation of the book. Prof.
Green's labors on the Song, of Solomon are also
of a most important character. In short, the
result of the volume must be to present this en
tire portion of the word of God before the Ame
rican public, in such a combined light of pro
found scholarship, practical wisdom and earnest
piety as has never in all the history of modern
exegesis been known before. pp. 260,,199, and
125. Printed from Electrotypes of the J. B.
Rodgers' Co., Philadelphia. New York : C.
Scribner & Co. For sale by Smith, English &
Co. $5.
C. oclurBWER & CO. •
The illustrated library of wonders does not
diminish in value or interest, with the successive
issues. In many respects, if not in all, the last
volume is decidedly the beSt : THE WONDERS or
'POMPEII. A great amount of information, not
only in regard to the famous burieo city, and the
multitude of curious objects found in it, is given,
bat the manners and customs of the time are in
woven with the 'description, in the most enter
taining style. The illustrations are designed and
executed with the utmost elegance and minute
ness of aetail. 12mo. pp. 243. Price 0.50.
JUVENI EG.
THE SQUIRE'S DADOHTER , by Mrs. C. E: K.
'Davis ia a domestic story in which a contrast is
drawn between a wealthy family with two chil
.dren and without religion, and another compara
tively poor with half a dozen children, to which
: a foundling was added, and where the grace of
God with cheerful jorand •mutual affection pre
vailed. Without marked power in plot or style,
it maintains a gentle :..ort of interest throughout..
18ozo., pp. 329, illustrated. CAPTAIN CHAR
LEY is a very fair story of a strong, manly boy
and youth, led by the silken tie of love to a feeble
sister, by Mrs. E. E. Boyd. HOYT, Boston. pp.
131. Price, ---
THROUGH PATIENCE, by Faye Huntington,
is a capital story of girl life ; one of the best of
the issues of Sx.ttLY & Co., which is saying a
great deal. All,girls who think their lot a hard
one, or who are inclined to be discontented
should read it. 90 cents.
MESSRS. CARTER & BROS. have completed
the lively and entertaining-series called BUTTER
FLY'S Frfarrrs, by. the Tromised three volumes,
namely, MONTREAL, SEASIDE, and PRILADEL
rim. The series deserves, a wide popularity.
The six vOlunies are enclosed in a neat box.
For sale at the Presbyterian Book Store.
MRS. PHELPS' TROTTY Boot: is the story of a
very small bad berg; a cunning pet, full of mis.
chief and mystery; a smart hide dunce, and a
disobedient, penitent baby; moving you to irre
sistible laughter and sometimes nearly to tears.
Square. Richly illustrated. Boston, Fields, Os
good & Co. For sale by Lippincott &Co ,price
11,1.50.
SWEPT ANDGARNISIIED, or Fruits Meet for Re
pentance, is another of those admirable juveniles
which of late have been coming so rapidly from
the American Sunday-school Union. The scene
is laid in Switzerland, and the home life of that
country is beautifully illustrated in the story of
the trials, failures and successes of the yo ung
orphan Liese among strangers. Handsom e ly il
lustrated. pp. 222. KITTY'S CHRISTMAS TREE,
or the Net of the Flatterer, admirably describes
and warns against the vanity which makes both
child and man the victim of flattery. 18mo. pp.
134. Illustrated. Same publishers.
new volume
,on the second coming of Christ
has been put into our hands, entitled " THE Gos-
PEL or THE KINGDOM; a Kingdom not of this
World: not in this World." With some fresh
ness and novelty, and with a reverent, genial
spirit, and with the unreserved committal of soul
to the doctrine which always kindles interest and
gives value to a discussion, the author diligently
pursues his theme. Christ is exalted, and every
nnscriptural conception of His Kingdom is ex
cluded. The monstrous claims of the Papae.y to
an earthly realization of this kingdom are es
pecially in antagonism to our author's views. We
do not pretend to follow or criticize these views,
but deem them worthy of notice by all interested
in the subject. The book is a handsome Bvo.
pp. 451. Claxton, Remsen, & Haffelfinger. It
is •commended by many well known divines of
different denominations. 62.50
WORDS OF COMFORT FOR PARENTS BE
REAVED OF LITTLE CHILDREN, iS one of the
choicest gatherings of refined and tender senti
ments, in prose and verse, for purposes of consola
tion that has ever appeared. The utterances of
the best writers and preachers upon a theme
which touches the finest and deepest chords of
our nature, are collected and arranged in ex
cellent taste, the compiler himself, Rev. Wm.
Logan, of Glasgow, being guided by the in
stinct of his own bereaved heart in the selec
tion. Elegantly printed on tinted paper. 16mo.
pp. 337. R. Carter & Bro.
TEE GARDEN OF SORROWS, or Ministry of
Tears, is a new edition (the fourth) of the work,
by Rev. John Atkinson, M.A., got up in elegant
style, on tinted paper, with red-line border, gilt
edges, and in handsome binding. The book con
templates sorrow in its great examples, com
mencing with Jesus in Gethsemane, in its sources,
in its providential purposes and resula.,. It is
written in a florid style, but its discussions are
frequently of great value and interest, and well
calculated to dissipate the sorrows that are ground
less, and to give relief and instruction where the
grief arises from real affliction. The six wood_
cuts are nearly all so many blemishes, some of
them almost shocking—the frontispiece for in
stance. The taste that can tolerate such caricatures
needs not cultivation, but renovation. New York,
Carlton & Lanahan. For sale at 1018 Arch St.
FAITH'S BATTLES AND VICTORIES, by Rev.
John S. Grasty, of Shelbyville, Ky., is a series
of sketches of Scripture characters and of lessons
to be derived from them. We can see no special
reason for their publication beyond what would
apply to the Wednesday night lectures of almost
,any practical, studious and intelligent pastor. If
,good people wish such material at hand for resd
ing, they will not be disappointed in this %olunae.
18mo. pp. 284. Randolph.
BOOKS RECEIVED.
THE CATHEDRAL; James Russell Lowell.
Fields, Osgood & Co., pp 52, SL2S.
A - TALE OF ETERNITY AND OTHER POEMS,
by Gerald Massey, pp. 376, $2. Published as
above.
THE I{OLY GRAIL, by Allred Tennison. As
above. Pp. 202 ; $l.
STUDIES IN BIBLE LANDS, by Rev. W. L.
Gage. Boston, American Tract Society, Bvo., pp.
234, $2 50.
THE MAGAZINES.
THE , ATLANTIC MONTHLY, for January, opens
with. Lowell's New Poem—The Cathedral, and
contains, also, Whittier's:fine Poem; Nahaught,
The Deacon; Holmes' "Nearing the Snow line;"
and a short Extract from Bryant's forthcoming
translation of the Iliad—an unusual wealth of
fine Poetical contributions. whe Prose articles
are various, able and full of interest, though the
taint of a philosophic pride that scorns the au
thority of the Scripture, is upon one or more of
them, as usual. The views expressed on the
Woman Question are unique and profound, and
amid a good deal of needless and vague transcen
dentalism, show a refreshing loyalty to the sacred
ness of the, marriage relation. Fields, Osgood &
Co.
LIPPINCOTT'S MAGAZINE, for January, has a
very fair list of articles, with nothing of decidedly
marked character, besides the continuation of
Anthony Trollope's story : Jhe Vicar of Bull
hampton. This and other stories are handsomely
illustrated.
OUR YOUNG FOLKS, for January, openso,with
a new story by Mrs: Whitney: " w>e ,Girls, a
Home Story." Those who re member , her. "Sum
mer in Leslie Goldthwaite's Life," will
her back to the pages of Our Young Folks.
Rose Terry contributes a touching story : "Polly
Sylvester's Dream." Dr. Hayes tells about his
Esquimaux , dogs Whittier. contributes:a Ruem,
and the Magazine, with its. handsome.,iihrita7
tions, anWa steel portrait of Agassiz, commences
its new year in excellent style._