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PITTSBURGH, NOVEMBER 29,1556
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Pas
THE PRESBYTERY of NORTH MISSIS
SIPPI has been constituted out of part of the
Presbytery of Chickasaw.
A REvrv - Az, as stated by the Pre.slyte
rian Herald, is in progress in Perrysville,
Ky. Twenty-nine persons had expressed
a hope in Christ Jesus. The Female School
shared largely in the gracious work.
DAROING.—The article on our first page,
furnished from the Presbytery of Bedford,
discussing this subject, is excellent, and in
season. Read it; then search other amuse
ments for the long evenings, and other joys
for the approaching holidays.
COLUMBIA. THEOLOGIOAL SEMINAILY.-
The Synod of Georgia have accepted the resig
nation of Dr. Palmer, who accedes to the call
to New Orleans, and have also ratified the
election, by the Synod of South Carolina,
of Dr. J. B. Adger to the vacated Chair in
the Seminary at Columbia.
REV. DR. SCOTT, of San Francisco, has
met with violent opponents, in some friends
of the " Vigilance Committee." But he is
enabled to maintain his position, unharmed;
and is cheered by a full church—an evi
dence that it is possible for a good man to
maintain his sentiments firmly, even in
times of great excitement; and also, that
the Vigilance Committee are not an unprin
cipled mob.
The " Morning Star."
This is the name of a missionary ship,
built by the A. B. C. F. M., at Chelsea,
and recently launched. She is a vessel of
one hundred and fifty tons, and constructed
for swift sailing. Her cost was $12,000,
which the children in Sabbath Schools are
engaged in raising. She will shortly sail
for the Pacific Ocean, and will carry out
Mr. Bingham, with his wife, son of our
former missionary Bingham, at the Sand
wich Islands, to the new Mission of the
Board in Micronesia. Her captain and
both mates are religions men. From three
to four thousand people were at the launch.
The Puritan Recorder describes the occa
sion as being one of much interest.
Thanksgiving
Thursday, the 20th inst., was ob
served in our city, very generally: There
was, extensively, a cessation from ordinary
labor. Stores, shops, and factories, were
closed. The day was pleasant, and thou
sands turned out, clad in their best robes,
and with happy countenances. Many of
the churches were opened, and were well
filled. We heard one excellent sermon;
and heard of others, above the common,
order, having been preached. A day thus
spent, in gratefully contemplating the rich
blessings we enjoy, religious and secular,
personal and national; our giving of thanks
being accompanied with instruction and
prayer; cannot but be an appropriate ser
vice to God, and highly beneficial to the
people.
Obituaries.
There seems to be a very general effort
on the part of the religious press to abbre
viate obituary notices. This proceeds not
from any peculiar hardness of heart in the
fraternity. They are as sympathizing as
any other class of people. They would do
as much as any others, to mitigate the sor
rows of the bereaved living, and to perpetu
ate the fame of the worthy dead. They
are influenced by two considerations, which
their position enables them more fully to ap
preciate. They wish to fill their reading
columns only with that which is instructive;
and they desire to be relieved from perpetu
al complainings on the part of their readers
about the length of those notices.
What shall they do? To refuse obituary
notices utterly, would seem very ungracious,
and very wrong ; and to affix a limit to the
length would be very difficult. The secular
press, generally, takes an effective measure,
of tolerably easy application, to procure re
lief—it will insert so far as paid for. Shall
the religious press resort to the same meas
ure ? The thing is talked of, and is, by a
few, commenced. The Episcopal Recorder
keeps as a standing notice;
" OBITUARIES, and NOTIOES OF VESTRY PRO
°mums will be charged air. cents per line."
The Presbyterian Herald has adopted
the principle of requiring payment. The
Presbyterian speaks of it as a plan into
which all the religious papers will likely be
forced.
The Southern Presbyterian concurs fully
with its contemporaries as to the propriety of
some such reform as that proposed.
What say our subscribers ? We shall fill
our coluinns with something ; and it costs.us
no more to set up an obituary than it would
to set up any other matter, in the same type.
It is true that to set up a column of obitua
ries, in the type we use for that purpose,
costs us nearly three times as much as a col
umn of doctrinal or practical matter in the
type on our first page. We submit to this
for the sake of saving room, and should
bear it uncomplainingly if our readers would
not complain of us. What now shall we
do ? 'Shall we set up the rile above quoted,
and abide by it ?
Annals of the American Pulpit.*
The Christian public have been aware,
for a length of time past, that the ltev. Dr.
Sprague, of Albany, has been industriously
engaged in preparing a work, of a compre
hensive character, in which a full and faith
ful portraiture should be given of the
most remarkable American Divines. Two
volumes of this vast undertaking are now
before us, containing some three hundred
and forty-six biographies, and occupying
above fifteen hundred and fifty pages. Our
readers will perceive that this great literary
achievement is a work requiring no ordinary
amount of labor; and this conviction will
be deepened, when the character of the
work, and the sources from which it has
been derived, come to be known. These
two volumes are entirely occupied with the
memoirs of Trinitarian Covgregationalists
and when it is considered that relatives and
friends had to be consulted, for information
respecting facts which were treasured, or
rather hidden away in old family papers, or
in the memories of aged persons, just ready
to pass from this earthly scene—that the
cost of the correspondence required for col
lecting the substance of these two volumes,
amounted, mostly at three cents a letter, to
upwards of a thousand dollars for the post
age alone—the magnitude of the under
taking will stand out in most formidable
proportions.
We are glad that this great literary toil
has been undertaken by .Dr. Sprague. For
its accomplishment, he is endowed with rare
and singular ability. The preparation of
these volumes would alone have furnished
ample employment for men of ordinary
physical, strength and mental activity.
There are, indeed, few in the ministry of
any Church, and there are few in any age,
who could undertake the amount of pastoral
visitation, attendance on the sick and
afflicted, as well as prepare, with regularity,
for the ministrations of the Sabbath, as Dr.
Sprague is known to do, and who could yet
occupy their spare moments so in lustriously
as to produce these large and precious vol
umes. Would that the Puritans of Old
England, and the Evangelical worthies of
the English Establishment, had possessed a
fitting number of such laborious and judi
cious recorders. We say judicious recorders,
for really the prudence required to prepare
such a memorial is as remarkable as the labor
was onorous and exhausting. In the first
place, Dr. Sprague, a Presbyterian, was
about to send out in a work that will for ages
be a store-house for the Church Historian,
such views of the theology and principles of
the olden ministry of New England, as by
many readers would be received with un
questioning confidence; and yet what 'more
natural than that he should err because oi'
the influence on his mind of his denomina
tional connexion. So, also, as to moral
character. Ministers are but men; men
with human passions and infirmities. In
all Churches, slanderous reports, of an in
jurious character, will arise, and cases will
occur, even in the history of eminent ser
vants of God, in which serious charges will
be urged, affecting their moral character.
How easy, then, for the author of a work
like this, which commences with John Rob
inson, born in 1575, and which reaches down
to the year 1855, to elevate some men to a
place in the pillory before the face of the
Church, by merely disinterring a forgotten
slander, and to record the failings of others
with a minute accuracy, which, in their
general effect, would present a picture of
clerical morals among Congregationalists,
from which the virtuous would turn aside
with aversion and sorrow. The reader of
these volumes will see that Dr. Sprague has
combined faithfulness with judgment, in the
execution of his work, and that he stands
entirely free from all charge of the odium
theologicum which would delight in parading
a brother's weakness before the world.
In one aspect, these volumes may be
viewed as a majestic monument; a monu
ment of the theological greatness and piety
of New England, in her best and palmiest
days. The men whose names are enshrined
in these pages, were, many of them, mighty
men of renown. Their record is on high,
and the memory of their labors is yet as a
halo of glory around many a New England
home. Viewed from another point, these
volumes are a significant beacon. Let
thoughtful men in Congregational churches
read them, and ponder prayerfully over the
lesson which they unfold. It was the olden
orthodox theology of these men of God that
quickened the intellects, and elevated the
minds, and fortified the principles of the
fathers in Massachusetts and Connecticut,
and which not only raised them to stations
of honor and renown in the land that gave
them birth, but also caused the name of
New England to be recognized in the father
land, as a synonym for intelligence, patriot
ism, and moral worth. It was the same
theology that carried the martyrs of Scot
land through scenes of agony, and placed a
crown of glory on the brows of English
Puritanism. It wore well, and has never
failed in the day of trial.
Let the Congregationalists think of their
fathers' fame and piety, and then consider
what the transcendentalism of Germany is
now beginning to work in their midst.
Let them be assured that it will eat out the
remnants of their piety. It will empty
their churches; it will lead them off from
every solid comfort and holy hope that the
true Gospel of God affords, in search of an
unsubstantial ignis fatuus, which, under
the name and guise of philosophy, will
promise lavishly, •but will ever fail to re
ward. The idealism and pantheistic ration
alism which many in New England and in
other portions of our land are now em
bracing, will produce no patriots, and nour
ish no martyrs, and, above, all, it will afford
*ANNALS OF THE AMERICAN PULPIT; or, Com
memorative Notices of Distinguished American
Clergymen, of. Various Denominations, from
the: Early Settlement of the Country, to the
close of the year 1855., With Historical Intro
ductions. By William 13. Sprague, D. D. In
Tivo Vohimes, Bvo., pp: 723 and 778. New
York: Robert Carter f t Brother*. 1856..
II tE f.RESBYTEMAN BANNER AND ADVOCATE.
nothing to pacify an awakened conscience,
and fill the soul with an assurance of ac
ceptance by a reconciled and gracious God.
We earnestly hope that these important
volumes may command a circulation com
mensurate with their sterling and undoubted
worth.
The Independents of N. C., and the
Bethel Presbytery.
Two weeks ago, in noticing the proposed
union of the "Independent Presbyterians"
(the followers of Rev. Wm. C. Davis,) with
the General Assembly, through the medium
of the Presbytery of Bethel, we stated that
"the Independents now profess not to hold
the form of error promulgated by Mr. Da
vis." Oa this the American Presbyterian
remarks : "The Banner makes a great mis
take as to fact; for we do not believe that its
Editor—whose course is always honorable,
even amidst strong prejudices—would in
tentionally misrepresent."
We certainly did not mean to misrepre
sent. There could not be the slightest mo•
tive for so doing. We are utterly opposed
to uniting, ecclesiastically, with any who
are not-sound in the faith, and heartily with
us in desire and in their views of Church
order. A union on any other terms would
be an increase of numbers at the expense of
vigor, and to the marring of our peace.
Let those, and those only, attempt denomi
national union, who are of one mind. Our
information was gathered from remarks in
three of our exchanges, neither of which
gave the articles of the proposed agreement.
Nor have we yet seen those articles• The
American Presbyterian publishes what it
regards as their substance, giving two of
them in full. Under the statement thus
made, we should condemn the proposed
union unequivocally. But we are not wont
to think that we understand a whole case
until•we have heard it all; and we seldom
think we have heard it all, till we have
heard both sides. And yet in anticipation
of the full development of a scheme, we
may state and discuss parts of the princi
ples to be embodied therein. Article 3
is given as follows
Art. 3. In view of the rights and privileges
guaranteed in the above articles, we, the minis
ters of the Gospel, with the churches and their
officers in the Independent Presbyterian Body,
do hereby consent to receive and adopt " The
Confession of Faith of the Presbyterian Church,"
as containing the general system of doctrines
taught in the Holy Scriptures, and the Form of
Government and Book of Discipline of said
Church, as in accordance with Scripture, and the
general dictates of justice and prudence; with
the following construction:
We, the Independents, claim the right to hold
and teach those peculiar views of doctrines which
have distinguished us as a denomination, 'without
subjecting ourselves to censure or discipline on
the part of the Presbyterian Church ; promising,
however, that, whilst we hold those doctrines to
be true, and claim the right to teach them, yet,
in view of the "peace and unity" of the. Church,
we will not make them prominent points in our
ministrations, exhibiting them only when the dis
cussion of subjects would naturally call them
forth ; and when exhibiting them, we will en
deavor to present them in such a manner as not
to excite unreasonably the opposition of those
who might differ in sentiment, or unnecessarily
to oppose the clear teaching of the Confession of
Faith.
After commenting upon this, and upon
the "orthodox" (the Old School ministry,)
in a style not uncommon among brethren
who are a little at outs, our contemporary
utters the inquiring ejaculation :
Where sleep the thunders of the Presbyterians
Where is the Author of the "Act and Testi
mony ?" And how is it that the Sentinel on the
watch-tower, of the most " orthodox " of all
Synods, that of Pittsburgh—the very "back
bone" of the Presbyterian Church, as the Prince
ton Review fondly said, when their vote was pre
eminently valuable—blows the trumpet with an
uncertain sound ?
We cannot perceive that there was any
" uncertain sound" in our slight blast. It
was but the preparatory note—the call to
attention. But we can still thank the Edi
to.s for the "caution" so timously inter
posed, and can assure them that all the
parties alluded to will be seasonably at their
posts. But there may be yet something about
the affair which reporters for the press have
not got hold of; and, as is well known, be
fore any authoritative action can be taken,
the whole matter is to come before the As
sembly, when there can be little doubt but
that it will be thoroughly investigated.
We acknowledge that Old School Pres
byterians are not readily alarmed. This
may be their fault. But it is a fact. They
are not remarkably suspicious. They, are
even liable to doze in a time of danger.
This was well known of old, to Congrega
tionalists and New School men, when the
Plan of Union stood long as an open door
for multitudes to enter in who were not of
us. But our people awoke, at length, and
ejected the intruders upon ecclesiastical
order—not individuals merely, but Synods
—" four Synods," and shut that door.
And they are likely to keep it closed. 'f he
only mode of entrance now is, by a personal
examination and a cordial adoption of tl e
Standards.
We do not think there is the slightest
probability that the followers of Mr. Davis,
once ejected, or any others, will be received,
either individually or in a body, merely pro
fessing to adopt the Confession of Faith, as
containing "the general system" of doc
trines taught in the Holy Scriptures. Our
brethren of the American Presbyterian
may hence dismiss all their anxieties; and
now, that we are admonished, they may
sleep soundly. The General Assembly will
not—surely not in their day—receive any
body of men, with the formal reservation :
" We, the Independents, claim the right to
hold and teach those peculiar views of doc
trine which leave distinguished us as a de
nomination; without subjecting ourselves to
censure or discipline on the part of the
Presbyterian Church." We will not
make them prominent points in our minis
trations." "We will exhibit them only
when the discussion of subjects would natu
rally call them forth ;" and then so as not
"unnecessarily to oppose the clear teaching
of the Confession of Faith."
To such an Article of Union, the Pres
byterian Church could never agree; nor is
it likely that a serious effort will ever be
made to press such a thing upon the Assem
bly. But we await fitrther developments.
Bev. William Neill, D. D
This venerated clergyman delivered, in
the Sixth Church, Philadelphia, on the even
ing of the 15th inst., a discourse commemo
rative of his fifty years' services in the min
istry. The occasion is spoken of as impres
sive, instructive, and encouraging. We
give, from the Presbyterian, a brief account
of the Doctor's fields of labor :
" Cooperstown, New York, which the
preacher graphically depicted as a retired
village, embosorned among romantic hills,
and washed by a beautiful lake, was the scene
of his first youthful labors as an ambassa
dor for God. Through the many changes
which have since intervened, it was easy to
be seen that this quiet scene of early pasto
ral experience loomed up as a bright spot in
the past. This quiet retreat, after a few
years, be exchanged for the pastoral charge
of the First Church, Albany, now Rev. Dr.
Campbell's, which city then contained a pop
ulation of 9000; it now numbers about 60,
000. During his career here, a second
church was organized by a colony from his
congregation, of which the late Rev. John
Chester, D. D., was the first pastor, and of
which the Rev. Dr. Sprague has, for more
than a quarter of a century since, had
charge. From Albany, Dr., Neill was called
to, tbe Sixth Church, Philadelphia, then just
formed from a s..iction of Dr. Ely's church,
in Pine street. His next removal was to the
Presidency of Dickinson College, Pennsyl
vania, which office, after encountering diffi
culties, he resigned for the Secretaryship, of
the Board of Education of the Presbyterian
Church, then in its infancy. After some
years of arduous service in this position, he
returned again to the pastoral office, taking
charge of the church at Germantown, Pa.,
where he remained fourteen years. Advan
cing age and infirmities having led him to
retire from this post, he returned to Phiadel
phia, where he has preached abundantly as
" a volunteer city missionary."
The discourse is to be published, and will
be a contribution to the history of the times.
Theological Seminary of the North-West.
A correspondent, last week, presented our
readers with the doings of the Directors at
their meeting at Chicago, till near its close.
We since learn that it continued harmonious,
and that Professors were elected. We give
a brief revise.
The Seminary is established and to be
sustained and controlled by the Synods of
Cincinnati, Indiana, Northern Indiana, Illi
nois, lowa, Wisconsin and Chicago. Each
Synod appoints as many Directors as it has
Presbyteries.
A vote of preference for Chicago, other
things being equal, was passed by a large
majority; the Site to be yet definitely deter
mined, much in accordance with contribu
tions which may be tendered toward build
ings and endowment.
The Seminary to be continued at New Al
bany till next Spring.
The Professors elect are : Theology, Rev.
E. D. Mae Master D. D. ; BiLliology, Rev.
Thomas E. Thomas, D. D.; Ecelesiology,
Rev. A. B. Brown, D. D.
The real estate and funds of New Albany
are estimated at $58,902.72. A large por
tion of this is conditioned on the continu
ance of the Seminary where it now is; out
consent may possibly be obtained, from some
of the donors, for its removal.
The territory embraced by the Synods is
very extensive, very productive, well adapted
to commerce, and has a large and enterpri
sing population, which is rapidly multiply
ing. The need of the Institution is hence
very great, and its prospects of a vigorous
life, and extensive usefulness are brilliant.
A portion, if not all, of those interested in
the Seminary are in favor of its being, in
some way, connected with the General As
sembly; and an arrangement is likely to be
proposed next May.
We wish the enterprise the highest degree
of prosperity in all the good things which
the Lord bestows upon his most approved
and favored servants.
Oregon
The settling of this Territory with a hardy
and enterprising population, is progressing;
though, it is being accomplished in the
midst of many difficulties. But it is not so
very long since similar hardships were en
dured, even in this now improved, luxuriant
and happy Western Pennsylvania. Many
Of us can remember the narrations, by our
fathers, of the horse-path and the pack-sad
dle, by which salt, groceries, dry goods, and
even the needful iron implements of hus
bandry and building were transported over
" the Alleghenies"; and the accounts of
Indian ambushes, and pillages, and battles,
and murd s and escapes. Well, very much
what our sires, or grand-sires endured, is the
portion of our brethren at present in Oregon.
And, as regards the settlers in that "far
West," we are pleased to learn that, like our
and their ancestors in this region, they have
among them a few devoted and laborious
ministers—men who delight to preach, and
toil, and endure hardness, and attend eccle
siastical meetings, that the Gospel, in the
purity of its doctrine and the efficacy of
its ordinances, may be firmly planted, so as
to cheer and save the present generation
and bless those who are to follow.
A letter from one of the brethren there,
just received, will awake profitable reflec
tions, and lead to thanksgiving and prayer;
yea, and make " cheerful givers," we trust,
of some who had been rather parsimonious
and hard of heart on the day of missionary
contributions. The letter is entitled :
OREGON. - TRIP TO PRESYTERY, &c.
Rao. Moliminv:—Dear Sir :—I doubt not but
you Eastern folk; who enjoy all the modern fa
cilities for traveling, will be both astonished and
amused with a narrative ,of our toils and adven
tures encountered in our attendance at bur late
meeting of Presbytery. at Clatsop Plains, which
are on the beach just below the mouth of the
Columbia river.
Myself and family left home on the 25th of
September, in a two horse wagon; drove thirty
miles, and stopped with brother C. during a com
munion season.
On the 30th, brother C. took passage with us
in the wagon, in which we traveled to Portlaud,
a distance of one hundred miles. Here we left
the horses and wagon, and took passage in a lit
tle steamer, for Astoria, distance one hundred
miles, the fare being eight dollars" each; but
through the politeness of Capt. Hoyt, we were
passed at half price. We arrived safely at As
toria, on the 3d of October, at ten o'clock A. M.
In half an hour our company, joined by a brother
from Washingten Territory, and a Ruling Eldir
in Astoria, and his family were comfortably seated
in a little boat, paddling our way across Young's
Bay to Clatsop Plains, distance eight miles. But
the Bay was rough ; wind and tide against us;
and we were obliged to return.
After dinner, we resumed our journey in a
larger boat—eight persons in company, part of
whom were ladies. The labor was divided as fol
lows. Brother G. wto placed at the steering-oar ;
brother C. and P. each bad oars with which they
propelled the boat; I being unskilled in that kind
of labor, was introduced to the bailing pan.
And thus we worked our passage across the Bay,
and arrived at the landing just at dark, after
three hours' hard labor. Here we were met by
brother T., and were conveyed to his house, a
distance of two miles, in an ox wagon, where we
were generously and hospitably entertained.
Presbytery convened, and the usual business
was attended to with great harmony.
Rev. J. W. Goodell, of the Presbytery of El
yria, New School, was received at his own re
quest. Presbytery, after examination, being sat
isfied as to his doctrines and qualifications.
There was preaching in the church of Clatsop
every evening, and on the Sabbath the Sacrament
of the Lord's Supper was administered. it was
a solemn. occasion. Some were awakened by the
Holy Spirit, and influenced to Beek the Saviour.
We trust our meeting here was not in vein:
I expect to-morrow to go aboard the ocean
steamer for San Francisco, to attend the meeting
of the. Synod of the Pacitie, where you may hear
from me again. Yours truly, J. A. H.
Astoria, 0. T., Oct. 10, 1856.
A trip to Presbytery, so tedious and toil
some, many of us should not choose to un
dergo. Those who, in such circumstances,
will not neglect " the assembling of them
selves together," as the manner of many in
this highly favored region is, deserve praise.
The following will show still farther the
state of things in that far-off land :
NARRATIVE OF THE STATE OF RELIGION WITHIN
THE BOUNDS OF THE PRESBYTERY OF ORAGON.
The past year has been one of unusual diffi
culty and trial to our Zion. The dark cloud of
war has overspread our horizon. The savage
bands in our midst conspired our destruction,
and
the desolation of our country. Exciting tales of
bloodshed and human butchery; constant fear by
night and alarm by day ; the arming, equipping,
and sending forth greet numbers of our citizens
to repel the foe, has to such an extent absorbed
the minds of men, as to leave but little oppor
tunity to think of the concerns of the soul. In
addition, the floodgate: of immorality and vice
have been thrown open by the war, and deluged
the land. Sabbath desecration, intemperance
and profanity, which previously prevailed to an
alarming extent, have been fearfully increased.
But in the midst of all these difficulties and
trials, in addition to those we had previously to
contend with, we are constrained to acknowledge
the good hand of the great Head of the Church,
that he has not suffered his cause among us to
retrograde. The strength of our Zion is not di
minished, but rather increased. The number of
our churches since our last annual meeting has
been increased by the organization of a church at
Pleasant Grove, in Marion County, of nine mem
bers, six of whom were received by certificate,
and three on examination ; another in Lafayette, in
Yam Hill County, consisting of twelve members.
Another at Chehalis, in Washington Territory, of
nine members; four by certificate, -and five on
examination.
Our churches are all represented as standing
fast in the faith, growing in the knowledge of
the truth, and enjoying the unity of the Spirit in
the bonds of peace and brotherly love.
Sabbath Schools and Bible classes are reported
from most of the churches as being maintained
with increased interest and attendance. Weekly
prayer-meetings are maintained to some extent;
but in consequence of the brethren being settled
far from each other, the meetings are not so reg
ular as we could wish.
Pastoral visitation has received increased at
tention, in accordance with the injunction of
Presbytery at its last meeting.
Considerable attention has been paid, in some
of our churches, to Catechetical instruction. In
some instances whole communities,
without re
gard to their previous tenets, have been induced
to receile the good Catechism into their families,
and teach it to their children. One of the
brethren reports a class of thirty who are thus
employed, some of whom have already com
mitted the whole, and others are nearly through.
The monthly concert for prayer is maintained
in some of our churches with interest, and
monthly contributions are made for benevo:ent
objects. On the whole we feel that, feeble as we
are, and great as are the difficulties we have to
surmount, we have occasion to thank God and
take courage. J. W. GOODELL, Coro.
Attest: T. P. Powers, Temporary Clerk.
October 6, 1866.
Eastern Correspondence.
Plank:via:fag Day Reformatory Measures for.
Children Industrial Schools—Boys' Sunday
Meetings—Lodging and Reading Rooms for News-
Boys—Other " Benevolent Measures—Help Due.
NEW Yonx, Nov. 22, 1856.
Mn. EDITOR :—Thanksgiving has been
observed among us this year with much zest
and unanimity; though not in the same
manner by different classes. Public excur
sions and entertainments were alternated
with domestic rejoicings and religious ser
vices. Banks and stores were closed " down
town," and churches of the various denom
inations were generally opened ; but military
and fire companies, with bands of music,
paraded the streets, and workmen upon
buildings "up town" continued their la
bors. As the Governor invited all " good
citizens," in distinction from all good Chris
tians, to respect the day, the Jews this year
participated in its observance, by public
service in their synagogues; but as Roman
ists know no holidays except those' appoint
ed by their Church, few, if any, of their
places of worship were opened. From the
reports of many of the sermons preached,
it appears that polities were not forgotten,
even by some who conscientiously exclude
them from' the pulpit on other occasions;
while a grateful and hopeful tone, in view
of our abundant blessings, pervaded the
great body of discourses, instead of the
lugubrious and even denunciatory spirit
sometimes indulged on like occasions, and
which is more suited to a .Fast than a
Thanksgiving. A general rejoicing seemed
indeed to animate the community, to which
the charming weather in no slight degree
contributed. Broadway was thronged with
pedestrians; and theatres, concert-rooms and
other places of amusement were crowded
with eager pleasure-seekers.
Such an observance of the day does not ac
cord, perhaps, with its New England origin
and notion—and in the seclusion of many
homes and hearts it was doubtless kept as a
religious as well as a social festival; but the
peculiarities of city life insist on innovations,
and the overtaxed brain and body of the
great mass of its people rejoice in any apology
for recreation. Moreover, the less favored
arming us were not altogether overlooked.
In some instances, in more, doubtless, than
will ever come to light on earth, " portions
were sent to them for whom nothing is pre
pared." Poor children in our public insti
tutions were feasted by the bounty of Chris
tian friends, or indulged in social entertain
ments by their guardians, while others
preferred to show their gratitude by their
public offerings in the churches. With
much that was formal and selfish in its ob
servance, it is hoped that the bountiful
Giver of all our blessings recognized some
sense of gratitude and humility in the wor
ship, rejoicing, and charities, of our Thanks
giving.
As allusion has been made to poor chil
dren of the class mentioned in my last, your
readers may be interested to learn something
further respecting the efforts that are made
for their reformation and usefulness. In
dustrial Schools, then, are a prominent
agency. Within a few years these have be
come an established institution in our city,
though less numerous than is desirable, and
hitherto sustained altogether by private
charity. They axe ) with few exceptions, for
girls, and are usually located in neighbor
hoods abounding in wild, unwashed and igno
rant children, chiefly Romanists. They are
generally conducted by ladies, who employ
a regular teacher, and Who devote some
hours each day, through Committees, to
their superintendence. The children are
taught to sew, as well as to read ; and as an
inducement to their attendance they are fur
nished each day with a plain but substantial
meal, and allowed to keep a portion of the
garments that they make. Their success
affords abundant reason .for their contin
uance.
In the Winter especially, the schoolroom'
becomes, to many of these shivering and
hungry children, the most attractive spot
they know. They are fed and warmed, as
well as taught, while they receive kindness
and attention which at first surprises them,
and at length wins their heart. Many are
reclaimed from evil ways, and carry the in
fluence of the school into their degraded
or vicious homes; while others are pre
pared for and provided with places in fami
lies of respectability in city or country.
The personal presence of intelligent Chris
tian women has t• .e happiest influence upon
them. In the interest they show in their
condition, as well as by their instructions,'
they are taught self-respect, and are aroused
to a desire for improvement which the efforts
of a salaried •teacher, however competent,
could seldom awaken in them. Who can
estimate the benefit which these ladies are
conferring upon society, as well as upon
these degraded children, by their patient
and self-denying labors !
When the excitement in behalf of these
schools was at its height, a year or two ago,
there was no deficiency of laborers or of
"material aid." It was no uncommon
thing for the wealthy and fashionable ladies
to subject themselves to the discomforts of
the place, and danger of disease, for their
supervision. But this excitement has
passed away, and only the earnest, patient
workers are left to bear their burden, and
to extend their influence. It requires, in
deed, no small degree of Christian princi
ple and love to toil on with hope and cour
age from year to year, in presence of the
heedlessness and ingratitude, as well as
squalor and stupidity, that are encountered.
It becomes, too, a serious question whether
something ought not to be attempted to in
crease the number and influence of these
schools for the instruction of the tens of
thousands of ignorant and neglected chil
dren—the Arabs and L-hmaelites of the city.
Why should not a portion 'of our Public
School money, enormous as it is, and ex
pended on thousands who would be educa
ted without it, be appropriated for their
benefit ? Similar schools might be estab
lished by the Board of Education ; or, better
still, those established might be aided from
its funds, while they are left to the efficient
management of their present directors. It
would be cheaper and wiser to provide these
children. with partial food and clothes now,
it they can thereby be brought under right
influences, than to be compelled, in self
defence, to provide them with a home and
labor in our prisons, after they have de
stroyed themselves, and corrupted those with
whom they associated.
Besides Industrial Schools, there are
Boys' Sunday meetings, into which lads
and young men are gathered from the
streets on Sunday, and instructed by public
addresses, mingled with singing, &c. rather
than by catechetical exercises. dome of
our churches sustain missions for this class,
and their parents. Sabbath Schools are
formed, and preaching services held, in
places and at times most likely to secure
their attendance; while a missionary is em
ployed to visit among them through the
week, and if possible, induce them to come
out on the Sabbath. Good is, doubtless, in
this way accomplished. The temporal wants
of the suffering are discovered and relieved;
but it is questionable whether much perma
nent impression can be produced through
this agency. It does, indeed, carry the
" Gospel to the poor;" but not to " the
rich and the poor together." Its tendency
is rather to widen the existing differences
of society, by carrying caste and class into
religion, and thereby depriving the poor
of the personal sympathy of the rich, while
leaving the rich to be satisfied with their
mere pecuniary. offerings.
Then we have the Lodging and. Reading
Rooms for News-Boys, a class peculiar for
their smartness and self-reliance, as well as
for their noise and übiquity. The Juvenile
Asylum, which receives unruly and vicious
children, who have not become so positively
criminal as to be consigned to the Peniten
tiary or House of Refuge. The Five Points
and Methodist Alissions. The Children's
.Aid Society and Home for the Friendless,
which, among other objects, provide tempo
rary homes or instruction for poor children
here, with the view of procuring them per
manent situations or foster-parents in the
country. The various Orphan, and the Ju
venile Asylum, indeed, do the same thing;
and through the agency of all combined,
hundreds, probably thousands, of the differ
ent classes they reach, are annually sent out
of the city, and "scattered abroad," many
of them in the Great West.
The American Female Guardian Society,
now occupying the Home for the Friendless,
claims to be the pioneer in this good work
of seeking out neglected and friendless chil
dren, from their filth and corruption, and
after temporary purification under their care,
providing them homes in Christian families.
They have already "found foster-parents
and guardians for some two thousand be
reaved and homeless children," and are
prosecuting their labors in this department
with increased efficiency, and to a greater
extent, though aided by so many coadjutors.
Thus does this measure, and many others
of a similar character, and which, like it,
have conferred untold blessings on the suf
fering and needy, owe its origin and prose
cution to the enterprise and benevolence of
Christian women. Though as a grain of
mustard seed at first, it has grown until it
has become a great tree, whose fruit is scat
tered throughout the land. It lays the axe
at the root of the evil to be cured, by aiming
to reach and redeem the young, through
whose recovery the fountains of dissipation
and deprairity among us will be diminished.
if not dried up. Those who have grown old
in ignorance and crime seem more inacces
sible and hopeless in this city, than pagans,
that dwell "in darkness and the shadow of
death." .And the only prospect, therefore,
of checking the swelling flood of destitu
tion and irreligion, is by rescuing the young
from its presence, and sending them beyond
its influence.
Nor ought New York to be left alone, to
bear this heavy burden of pauperism and
crime, largely imposed on it by other lands,
and even by the country itself. Great as
are its resources, and manifold as are the
efforts here put forth for its removal, there
are still room and call for the charities and
sympathies of Christians at a distance. And
if those who have not " the poor always
with them," in their own neighborhoods,
.would open their homes to receive some of
these homeless little ones, or would forward
their gifts to friends, or to some of the insti
tutions mentioned, they would share in the
privilege of ministering to the aMittec'e, with
the consciousness of well-doing now, and tho
certainty of the commendation hereafter 1—
" Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of th e
least of these my brethren, ye did it linty
me." Yours, ate., B.
Ecclesiastical.
,eV. WILLIAM M. PAXTON, as we learn
with pleasure, has declined the call to
Baltimore.
Rev. JOSEPH . WARREN, D. D., is to be ad
dressed at Greensburg, Ind. The no_
tice to address him in Pittsburgh, whi c h
appeared in our paper two weeks ago, was
a mistake.
Rev. REUBEN LEWIS was installed pastor of
the church at Fairmont, Va., by a C om _
mittee of the Presbytery of Redstone, on
the 14th of November. The Rev. It
W. Biggs preached the sermon from
Jeremiah vi : 16. The Rev. 11. 0. Rog
borough presided and gave the charge to
the pastor, and the Rev. William Eaton
gave the charge to the people. .11r,
Lewis' Post Office address is Fairmont, Va.
Rev. JOHN M. FARIS, still agent of the
Synod of Wheeling for the endowment
of their College at Washington, Pa., has
removed from Fredericktown to Steuben
ville, 0. Correspondents, especially any
who have business with the agency, are
requested to address him at the latter
place.
Rev. Dr. Hoax, of Columbus, Ohio, has
retired from his pastoral duties, in conse
quence of his advanced age and in
creasing infirmities. He has been in the
pastoral office of the Presbyterian Church
for upwards of forty years.
Rev. WILLIAM E. HUNT has engaged to
siapply the First Presbyterian church of
Coshocton, 0., in connexion with the
church at Keene. His Post Office is
Coshocton, Ohio.
Rev. JOHN H. GRAY, D. D., of Memphis,
Tenn., has been elected President of the
Lagrange Synodical College, and Rev. J.
N. Waddell, D. D., of the University of
Mississippi, Professor of Ancient Lau-
gnages, by the Board of Trustees and
Synod of Memphis.
Rev. A. H. KERR has removed from Du
buque, lowa, to St. Peter, Minnesota, and
requests to be addressed accordingly.
latts an 6lnutinffs.
NUMEROUS revivals of religion are re
ported as now taking place in the congrega
tions of the Southern Methodist Episcopal
Church.
THE GERMAN PRESS.-It is stated that
there are ten times as many newspapers
printed in the German language in the
United States as there are in Germany.
'GOOD NEws.—Tbe Univers, a leading
Catholic newspaper in Paris, says, " In all
the Catholic cities of Germany, the statisti
cal returns make it apparent that the num
ber of Protestants is increasing in a fearful
manner."
NEW EDITOR.—The Publishing Commit
tee of the Northwestern Christian Advo
cate met in Chicago on the 28th ult., and
with the concurrence of Bishops N orris and
Ames, elected Rev. T. M. Eddy, A. M., edi
tor of that paper, in the place of Mr.
Watson.
M. E. CIIURCH SOIITH.—TENNESSEE
CONFERENCE.—The Minutes of this Confer
ence show an increase of white membership
of 387; a decrease in volored of 749 ; and
a decrease of 16 in local preachers. Out of
103 stations, circuits, and missions, in the
Conference, only 66 have reported Sabbath
Schools; leaving 39 appointments without
schools.
MINISTERS litounEßED.—Among OUT in
telligence this week is mentioned the mur
der of several American citizens in Nicara
gua, by some of the forces of the army of
Guatemala, with which Gen. Walker had re
cently had an engagement. Among those
killed were two clergymen; one of whom
was Rev. D. II Wheeler, who was laborr:
as Agent of the American Bible Societ3
that country, and the other, Rev. W. J,
Ferguson, from Louisiana. Mr. Wheeler
Was from Indiana. These are indeed melan
choly results of the reign of anarchy, vio
lence, and blood, with which that wretched
country is visited.
From our London Correspondent.
Failure of Fox . j f• Henderson—Speculation and Cf;•-
etousness—The Hon:item- and English Liberty
the Press—Powerlessness of a Bad Press with t/,'
Middle Classes—Georgian Tragedy. as Atka—
Is it a Myth?—Renewal of Transportation—
Ticket of Leave Alin—Field Lane Bawd &1 :
—Another Disputed Settlement—Dr. Lee's BIC,'
—The Congregational Union Postponed-7'a rkg
Bigoted—Dr. _Hamlin, and the Turkish Aid -ll7<•
signs—Bomba in Peril—English Diploniarg -
preme at Constantinople—Guy Fawkes' Day —
Tractarian Protest.
LONDON, Nov. 4, 1856.
The commercial world has been startled
by the announcement of the suspension of
payments by the celebrated firm of fox,
Henderson &Co, of Birmingham. It mis
by the extraordinary energy and enterprise
of this firm, that the first Crystal Palace was
erected in Hyde Park, in 1851; and by
them, also, (Amu . = redivivus,) it arose
with still greater splendor on the hills of
Sydenhaw. Both, structures, in spite of
strong temptations to the contrary, were
erected, without -trespassing on the "poor
man's day "—God's holy Sabbath. Thi , T
was owing to John Henderson, one of the
firm, an elder of our English Presbyterian
Synod. I paid a visit last year to the "Lon
don WorksP" at Birmingham, where this
Company have their great steam engines,
Nasmyth hammers, and other weio-ht:, agen
cies, at work, for the execution of the gigan
tic contracts undertaken by them.
These plans , are so vast, that they neces
sarily involve much risk in the case of Con
tinental engagements. The immediate came
of suspension. was a loss of .470,0 00
by the Danish Railway. The liabilities, al
together, amount to £320,000. There is 3
strong feeling of sympathy in the public
mind. The Times recommends forbearance
on the part of the creditors ; and there
seems no doubt but that the firm will go 00
as usual, their affairs being wound up under
superintendence. The smaller creditors will
be paid at once, and tile larger by install
ments. The firm is engaged on the nets
Water Works, at Berlin, and on the a
pole= Docks—an immense merehandize
station at Paris.
The Times takes advantage of this fail
ure, both in its money article, and io
"leader," to direct attention to the evils of
speculation, and the, great danger to English
capitalists investing their money in foreign. ,
and especially in Russia-a railways.