Nanita an)3 A'o6orate,
PITTSBURGH, DECEMBER 13, 1856.
TERRIS... $1.50, in advance; or 1n Clubs,
$1.25; or, delivered at residences of Subscrin
hem $1.75.?15e Prospectus, On Third Page.
RENEWALS should be prompt; a little
while before the year expires, that we may
make full arrangements fora steady supply.
TIIII - ItibIVWD.AFFICII indicates that WO
desire a renewal. If, however, in the haste
sr Mailing, this signal should be omitted, we
hope our friends will still not forget us.
azairrorANcEs.—Send payment by safe
hinds, When. convenient. Or, send by mail,
enclosing with ordinary care, and troubling
nobody with a bnowledge of what you are
Oroing. For a large amount, send a D r aft, or
largo notes. For ono or two papery, mud Gold
or small notei.
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or better still, mud for more , paperscsay 8i 1
for deventy.numbersi or. $1 for Thirty three .
lumbers.
'DIRECT all Letters and COmmunleatione
to REV. DAVID MeRINNEV. Pittiburgh.
TEE FIRST or JANITAItY is very near..
We solicit -prompt renewals, and a lane in
crease. ' Let no club diminish, but increase
,
every, one where the thing is possible.
SIiTII PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH .—We
are pleased to find indiCations of an awaken
ed zeal in the Sixth church, in our city.
A: Concert 'and Festival . are.contemplated,
on the evening of the 28d inst. Thtiimme
diate object is; to, raise funds to,meet the
interest on their debt. We commend the
occasion to a favorable notice.
A NEW AND INTERESTING SPECTACLE.*
We see it stated, that' at a late meeting of
the Synod of Arkansas, four ehoctaw.elders,
native Indians; as we understand the terms,
were present as members of the body. This
single fact answers a score of the objections
sometimes made to the work of Foreign
issions.
Synod of Ohio.
In accordance with their own action, the
Synod of Ohio will meet with the Synod of
Cincinnati, in the city of Columbus, on the
4th Tuesday (the 23d). of December next,
at 7 o'clock P. M., in the First Presby
terian Church, to determine the location
of the proposed Synodical College. A full
attendance is requested.
WM. M. ROBINSON, Moderator.
North-Western Correspondence.
The Barater a,nd 'Advocate has, all along,
been rich in its presentation of the affairs of
our Church in the 'West and North-West.
We now have the promise of still increased
worth in this line. Our lively correspond
ent, ";North-West," expects to keep us
well informed on great .matters in that great
region. We trust that our readers will see,
in this, a new evidence of our determina
tion to make our paper truly valuable ; and
that they will sustain us handsomely by en
larging the lists of subscriber&
Dedication, Prairie City, 111.
On the last day of November, as a corres
pondent informs us, a new Presbyterian
church was dedicated in this new And thriv
place. 'Rev. P. W. Thompson officia
ted, assisted by Rev. R. 0. Matthews, and
Rev. Mr. Piptin. Prairie City is a town
but two years old, and has now its church,
its stores, mechanic's ghops, hotels, schools,
&c. And it is but one of many beautiful
villages which are springing up under the
hands of enterprise and industry, and where
Christianity moves as the sanctifying spirit.
Revival"in
:Fairmount, Va...
The Rev. R. Lewis writes to us, under
date of December 1:
• DEAR BROTHER :---For the encourage
ment of God's dear children elsewhere, you
may mention that the Lord has, in wonder
ful condescension and grace, visited our
"thirsty hill of Zion" with some sweet
mercy .drops from a the river of the water
of life." Some of our. dear ,brethren and
sisters in Christ have been much revived;
some of our precious youth, and others,
a have Aasted that the Lord is gracious,"
and have enrolled their names among the
followers of the despised "Nazarene;" and
others are pressing into the kingdom.
Christian ministers and people are often
dejected; injuriously so; by the low state
of religion among them. We say injuri
ously, because they are thereby deterred
from prayers and labors. Let them recall
the promises, and apply faith thereto. Let
them revise history, and see God's faithful
ness in answering the "day and night"
prayers of his elect, and in making strenu
ous and wise labors very productive. Let
them note the present indications, that he
is as rich in blessings, and as ready to be
stow, as ever. Then, in Ms appointed way,
let them claim the promise.
"If Worthy, Publish,"
Such a modest appendage we 'often find
'to communicationsreceived. But we can
net afways comply; and, as we cannot an
swer each one individually, we here remark,
that many " worthy" communications, some
with and some without the a'bove, we are
obliged to lay aside, for want of room. A
variety we must keep up. General and
comprehensive information we must give,
or our sheet would not be a newspaper.
We must adapt our columns to the edifice,
tion of our readers. Their advantage is
the leading aim. To that end is our con
tract with them. When original articles
give us the variety and the adaptation
needed, and help to fill up the great circle
of instruction which we are bound to furnish,
we always give them the preference.
Let this, with many thanks, be our
apology to friends whese articles do not ap
pear.,: ,
N. 13.---Communicatione not acconvanied
,4y the writer's name, if good, well, written,
and on an' important subject, are classified
with matter which is before us in exchanges,
&e.; if such refer to individuals, institu
tions, communities, they are laid aside;;
if they are poorly written, long, and espe
cially it their commenenient indicates cen
,sononeness, they go under the table unread.
The' ciamands Non an editor's' time, ate so.
. I ,,incessank,a44 AO .urgent,,',,that, he, cannot
. ,
Wiste it upon raanuscriPti'-which' he 'per
ceives at a glance, that be cannot use.
A high degree of Piety among Thimble,
private Christians.
There are many in the Church whose bo
soms glow with an intense and unusual holy
ardor, when they read of the devotion 'and
piety of those whose praises are in all the
churches. And many of them often have a
feeling of regret that they do not occupy
similar stations, or have not been endowed
with the same gifts. They seem to imagine
that if circumstances allowed, their zeal for
God would be glowing; if called to stand in
the high places of the field, they would be
valiant in the cause of Christ; and if great
•
sacrifices were required, most willingly would
they make them.
But no doubt many who reason thus, fail
to consider, Aheir own , personal responsibility
in the places where they are found, and the
many opportunities they have for disciplin
ing their spirits for heaven, for doing good
to men, and for adorning the doctrine of
God our Saviour in all things, by kindness,
by love unfeigned, by benevolence, and by
prayer. For;it cannot be denied that many
who have occipied inferior places, and of
whom, history makes no mention, who have
walked through the world by retired paths,
have shone: in their respective places with
a brightness' no less effulgent ; - and haSe
manifested, in the' midst of suffering,- Te
preach, poverty, and disapPointrabnt, a faith
and fortitude no less heroic, than many of
the most distinguished in the* annals of the
Church. Indeed, the world is to be regener
ated and taken possession of by King Jesus,
not so much by the occasional efforts of a
few.mighty ones, as by the gradual, and, for
a time, imperceptible influence exerted by
the prayers, the faith, the holy living, and
the patient endurance of all God's people in
every calling of life, and in every station in
the world. By them evil , is to be success
fully combatted, and .grace conspicuously
displayed.
The earth is not so much enriched and
beautified by the majestic river coursing its
mighty way to the ocean, as by the waters
that trickle down from the springs on every
mountain and hill-side, and from the gentle
streams that creep through every valley.
Likewise the beauty and sweetness of the
Christian life—its transforming and eleva
ting power—are not seen so clearly in those
who ride upon the whirlwind and the storm,
as in the gentler spirits who liv • removed
from the noise and confusion of the world,
and quietly pursue the work to which God
has called them; whilst their spirits are
chastened, their hearts purified, and their
thoughts elevated by opposing evil, re
commending the Gospel in their life and con
duct, and meditating upon heavenly things.
In this way the humblest believer may per
form the part assigned him, in making
known the glory of God among men, as well
as the mightiest cherub, or the most glow
ing seraph nearest the throne of God. There
is a life for each one—a path for each one
—a work for each one. The Church can
only do her work properly when she has a
place and a work for each one, and when
each one is in his own' place and does his
own work. The humblest Christian in the
most retired spot and with the slenderest
abilities, may do something in purifying, „in
structing, and elevating his own soul, in do
ing good to men, and. in glorifying God.
And such an one shall, by no means, lose the
reward of the faithful servant.
Arctic Explorations.*
, The magnificent work on this subject, by
Dr. Kane, our celebrated countryman, is now
lying before us; With great modesty Dr.
Kane says la his preface that this book "is
not a record of Scientific investigations.
While engaged, under the orders of the
Navy Department, in arranging and elab
orating the results of the late expedition to
the Arctic Seas, I have availed -myself of
the permission of the Secretary to connect
together' the pamages of my journal that
could have interest for the general reader,
and to publish' them as a narrative of the
adventures of my party. I have attempted
Very little else." We are glad to learn that
the' pUblishers are enabled to report the
gratifying fact that upwards of thirty thou
sand copies of this work have already been
ordered. Such a demand is entirely unpre
cedented. None of the`narratives of either
Parry, Barrow, Back, Ross, Beechey, or the
lamented Franklin ever attained to such a
circulation. .In every respect these volumes
are worthy the fame of this celebrated
author. The illustrations are profuse in
number, and in the very highest style of
art. The narrative is direct and unadorned,
but the scenes depicted are of the most
novel and exciting character. The explo
rations of Dr. Kane have added materially,
to the 'stock of human knowledge relative
to the Northern -Zone. The value Of his
services has been appreciated by his country
men; and it is, pleasing to observe that the
scientific gentlemen of Great Britain, among
whom he is at present sojourning, are vying
With each other in their efforts to do him
honor. In grateful testimony, and as a
mark of her high appreciation of his ser
vices, Lady Franklin on hearing of his in
tended visit to London, had a mansion fur
nished, and amply provided for his conve
nience during his residence in the British
metropolis. Notwithstanding Dr. Kane's
modest disclaimer, the readers of these mag
nificent volumes will find that they' are
fraught with scientific information, much of
which has been judiciously thrown into the
appendices, where the educated reader may
find in a mass that which would have been
comparatively udeless, if scattered through
the narrative.
*!ARCTIC EXPLORATIONS: The Second Grinnel
pedition in Search of Sir John Franklin, 1853,
'54, '55. By Blida Kent Kane , id. D., U. S.
N. Illustrated by upwards of ee hundred
Engravings, from,sketches by the author. The
steel plates executed under the superintendence
of J. M. Butler ; the wood engravings, by Van
Ingen & Snyder. Two vols. 8,0 , pp. 464, 467'.
Philadelphia: Childs Peterson,
124 Arch
Street. Boston : Sampsont Co. New
. York ;G. P. Putnam Co. s3- ; Cincinnati : Ap
plegate d• 00,. 1856.
TittBEktNAaY Coltimbia 'miaow over
thirty students in attendance.
THE PRESBYTERIAN BANNER AND ADVOCATE.
Jefferson College.
This Institution we regard as one' of very
high importance, as connected with the gen
eral interests of the country; but as of ines
timable worth to the Presbyterian Church.
It has been to us oft for a wonder why her
immediate friends—her Faculty and curators
—did not more ardently press her claiins
upon a generous public. She has been toil
ing hard at her work, making education ex
cellent and easily accessible, and sending off
her three or four scores of ,graduates every
year, to bless the land. And still, she is
poor in funds—very poor
Must this state of 'things continue ? We
trust not. We well know that endowments
to Colleges de not come ' unsought, nor by
any brief, nor easy, nor languid labors. The
country, and the churches, and the thousand
of listless Alumni must be aroused. Albite
•
of urgent need has comer Let it be pressed,
with earnestness. Lei those who know her
wants, and can appreciate" her importance,
plead her cause, and so plead as to make
their voice effective.
Such being our judgment, we were glad
to receive the following
".GARLAND COLLEGE, MISS.," AND "ALLE
GHENY SEMINARY-A FOURTH FROFES-
SORSHIP."
MR. EDITOR :—These two articles, which
I observed in juxtaposition:in your editorial
columns. of last week, suggested to .me the
desire that you had added a third, which
might read somewhat in this wise
THE CLAIMS OF JEFFERSON COLLEGE.
The liberality . of one man toward Oakland
College, Miss., in, contributing to it, at suit
dry times, $llO,OOO, the last $60,000, of
which was a donation to its , permanent fund,
suggests the inquiry, whether there may not
be found among the numerous Alunani, and
other friends of Jefferson, at least one such
generous benefactor. Or, if not one, in
such, princely style, are there not many who
could afford to give their toy, or kandred,s,
for the relief of the necessities of this ven
erable. Institution ? Oakland. College has
been many years in existence ; and yet her
last annual catalogue shows but seventy-five
students, all told, thirty-one of these being
in the Preparatory Department. Oakland
has now an endowment of , over $lOO,OOO.
We rejoice in her acquisitions. And still,
theymake us sorrow the more feelingly over
wants near at band.
Onr own Jefferson has been in operation
now for more than fifty years ;
has furnished
to the Presbyterian Church not less than
one-eighth of her present living ministers,
(she gave a still larger proportion formerly,
when literary institutions were less numer
ous,) and has had an average, attendance of
two hundred and fifty students per annum,
for several years, past. And yet, Jefferson
has an endowment of only $60,000, which
is at present almost her sole source of income.
The interest of this is but $3,600, which is
to be divided among her President and four
regular .Professors, thus affording to each of
these,though men of years, and experience,
and . acknowledged ability, in their several
departments, a smaller annual salary than
many of their graduates are able to com
mand the very first, year after leaving College.
HOW long is this state of things to exist ?
Can, it be expected that these men will con
tinue to toil on, year after year, for love,
rather than for money, on salaries which
must, at the present rates of living, soon
starve out even love itself? Besides, the
buildings are becoming dilapidated,, and
funds are wanting to repair and enlarge
them. Not a book has been added to the
College Library, by purchase, for the last
fifteen years, there being no funds for the
purpose; while the Professors are unable to
purchase for themselves the hooks 'necessary
for reference in their several departments.
Indeed, the wonder is, that with all these
disadvantages, the Institution has been able
to accomplish its large, amount of benefits;
and that, it is still elevating its, standard of
scholarship, and enlarging its clainis to pub
lic confidence. Nothing but the special
favor of Divine Providence, of which it has
ever been the child, could have sustained it
through all its long years of embarrassment
and adversity.
But, is it not high time for the friends of
Jefferson to comeup efficiently to her help ?
They, are now numerous, and many of them
wealthy. Will not some of these latter be
disposed to do great things' for her, as the
friends of other Institutions are doing for
them ? In no way, surely, could funds be
more usefully invested.
I am happy to, see, from a circular just
Issued, that an' appeal is being made to the
Alumni, and other friends, on this subject.
Let no one who may receive this circular
lay it hastily aside. What Alumnus is, there
that cannot gave ten dollars at least, toward
the endowment of the Greek ' Professorship,
good old Dr. Smith's, the Nestor of the Fac
ulty, who, for thirty-five years,
.in the same
post, has been doing the full duties both of
Professor and Pastor—the work of two men
—and at a starving salary all the time. He
is, indeed, hard to kill. Let each one who
remembers him, at once mail ten dollars to
the " Treasurer of Jefferson College."
And how .many are there, besides the
three who have already pledged themselves,
who could well afford to pay five hundred
dollars each, within two years toward the
endowment of. the "Brown Professorship of
Moral Philosophy ?" Is there no magic in
the name of the "old Napoleon" of the
Institution, to call up fond,remembrances in
the heart of many an Alumnus, whom he
has kindly scolded, and more kindly admon
ished and prayed for 7 Will you be one of
the remaining twenty-seven who are needed
to raise this monumental Professorship, in
honor of one whose name could in, no way
be more appropriately perpetuated.
Will not the class of 1847, at their pro
posed decennial meeting on the day before
the next commencement be prepared to
place at least one stoue, in the shape of five
hundred dollars, in this. monument ? Will
not other classes also do' the same, through
mutual correspondence, without waiting for
their decennial re-union ?
And, finally, will not some of the wealthy
Christians, or other friends of Christian edu
cation in and about Pittsburgh, be ready
now to come up with. that efficient help
which they have so long been promising
Pittsburgh has, as yet, done very little for
`Jefferson. A few have done well; but
many of the most . able lave hitherto put her
off with fair promises; pleading, in excuse,
in the meantime, the claims of the Seminary,
and of the costly churches they were build
ing. And even now a " Fourth Professor
ship" is needed in Allegheny' Seminary.
Well, you are, by ,the Divine favor, abund
antly able to endow that Professorship and
to relieve Jefferson also. In good works, be
I abundant. AN ALumNyS..
November 26, 1856.
P. S.—l am informed that the legacy of
$5,000, recently left to the College by Mr.
Hamilton, of Hanging Rock, Ohio, does not
beeome'immediately available, except at a
very low rate of interest; so that no present
relief from that source eau be expected.
Eastern Correspondence
Woman's Bights Convention—No Progress— wo
man's Empire—Tlusband and Wife--Wantan and
the Bible—Fashion, and Funerala—Extravagance,
—A Rl:form—Good Examples.
NEW YORK, December 6, 1856.
MR. Enamors :—The members of the
Woman's Rights Convention, held here
last week, must have • been flattered by the
attention, if they were not edified by the
strictures of the city press. Hardly a
daily paper that did not report their pro
ceedings, and in seine instances in minute
detail, while they'also made them the sub
jeot of oneur more "leaders," or editorials.
The appearance of the Convention was as
diversified as its opinions. It was a motley
gathering• of various grades and complex
ions ; of the strong-minded and weak
minded; the fanatical and 'fanciful; the
sane and the insane. Full liberty was
granted to all present, whether male or fe
male, members or spectators, to express their
views; though the speaking and the business
of the • Convention, as its name denotes, were
chiefly performed by women. There were
the old denunciations of real or fancied
evils and 'abuses, by' the same familiar
speakers,
with the usual tirades against 'so
ciety,andsneers against the Bible. They
claim 'to have made progress in the face of
law, custom and prejudice; , but they have
evidently gained few converts who are will
ing to show themselves on their platform.
Though their aim is the elevation of woman,
they - complain that woman herself is the
great obstacle to their success. This fact
should be sufficient to •convince them of
their error, as without doubt it indicates the
failure of their undertaking. If. the com
mon sense, the instincts, the reason and re
ligion of the great body of intelligent Chris
tian women are opposed to their positions, it
is probable that they are wrong, and impos
sible that they should prevail. But •women
under the present organization •of society,
they say, are slaves. And "as a poor slave's
contentment with his 'servile and cruel
bondage only proves the depth of his degra
dation, so the assertion by woman that she
has all the rights she wants, only proves how
far the restrictions and disabilities to
which she has been subjected:hive rendered
her insensible to the ;:blessings of true
liberty." This is their doctrine, and even
their language unanimously adopted in the
form of a "Resolution." Is it wonderful
that they are discarded and shunned by
women generally, when they do such in
justice to their intelligence and condition?
It might be shown from the speeches made
by some of the gentlemen on the• occasion,
that they do not believe this calumny them
selves. For they asserted in strongest
terms the personal; social, and even political
influence of women. And if, as this im
plies, they have the power in their own
hands, they would certainly use it if they
.thought themselves groaning under op
pression. :
That women• suffer from legal and social
evils, none will deny. But- what sex or
• class is exempt from r evil in this fallen
world? And who, beyond themselves, be
lieves that the right of suffrage-z—the great
right they claim—would remedy these evils ?
Woman's empire is over. the 'affections, and
hence is the most absolute, as well as
pleasing, that can be exereised. Her gen
tleness and goodness give her a power over
the rougher sex, which her different,,if not
diminished intellectual and physical strength„
could never acquire. And shall she sacri-:
floe this advantage, or descend' from this
eminence, by placing Herself. on a level with,
man in political squabbles or contests ?
Would any political rights she might gain
compensate her for the loss ofthe deference,
affection and, respect she mow receives.?
Would society be the gainerby her 'abandon
ing the sphere of wife and-mother, in which
she can have no rivals, for a sphere in which
she would -be , inevitably discomfitted and
disgraced 'by the rivalries and. strifes she
must encounter ? Intelligent women know.
'that any evils they mourn' can be. more
effectually removed by the silent but pow
erful- influence they exert" at home, over
their ,husbands, sons or brothers; and they
refuse, therefore, to sacrifice 'the subtitance
for the shadow, by placing themselves in
positions, for which they are as unfitted by
nature and habit, as men are for the care of
children, or attendance upon the sick.
Equally preposterous are
,the changes
sought in the relation between husband and
wife, or between the sexes, though this re
lation is ordained by God in nature, as well
as in his Word. - One would suppose, from
their declamation ibout its abuses, that mar
riage was one of the greatest curses, instead
of blessings; or that, with rare exceptions,
it subjected women to the cruelest despot
ism. One would think she was most griev
ously wronged and ill-treated in this country,
where she is regarded with proverbial
respect and consideration. And all this,
too, on account of religion, to which woman,
if possible, owes more than the other por
tion of the human family. For certainly
she owes, to the Grospel„ not to civilization,
`as they claim, the social and moral elevation
she has 'attained: One of the speakers is
reportedns saying : "I trample under-foot,
contemptuously, the Jewish, 'yes, the Jew
ish ridicule, which'laughs at such a Con
vention at this. * - The issue is be
tween religious prejudices and the blood of
the rime. The blood of the race accords to
women equality. It is religious supersti
tion that stands in the way and balks the
effort." But can there be absolute equality
in things inherently different? Woman is
the equal of Man in her, sphere and duties.
Christianity, in distinction from every other
religion, pre-eminently assigns to her this
position. But wind she retain it by aban
doning her own province, and usurping the
rights and responsibilities of man ? Would
it conduce to her h'appinesser excellenao to
ignore the unity yet subordination of the
family, which the Bible requires, and pre
pare the way for dissention, and even dis
ruption, by establishing in it two equal and
independent heads, with separate interests
and different aims ? How much superior
that view, 'which 'regard's man and wife 'as
"one flesh," and thereby bound to each
other by the identity of interest and strength
of affection which they have for their own
body. ' • Yet this is called prejudice, Or super
stition, deserving to be contemptuously
trampled under-foot. But would not its
adoption and practice be • more likely to bless
and elevate woman in the future, as it • has
in the past, than any clamors for an equality
of civil rights, or demands for a sdparate
purse'or independent 'control over her
children? ,
As the Gospel progresses, all classes of
society - will be - benefitteil. With the in
crease of intelligence and advafic,ement.of
the arts, a wider sphere will be opened for
the talents and labors of woman. In too
many cases she is now poorly paid, and un
fairly treated ;• she must always expect the
heavier share of suffering and sorrow. But
to suppose , her condition will ,be improved
by bringing her still more into competition
with man, or 'by translating hnr from the
sphere and gelation which . Scripture and
Providence idike assicn her is is visionary
and, infidel, as it-would be futile and .disas
trous. "The foolishness of God is wiser
than men," as they will find who attempt to
substitute their narrow schemes for his com
prehensive ordinances.
Public attention has recently been di
rected to the extravagant expenses of
funerals in this community. Fashion fol
lows our citizens, as Sidney Smith said
taxes followed British subjects, through all
the stages of life, on articles of use, even to
the grave itself. It dictates the style of
coffin, the number of carriages, and the
various expenses that must be inclined,
" before the dead can be suitably interred."
Extravagance here, moreover,las kept,pace
with luxury and display in other places,
while it often presses hardest on those who
are least able to bear it. Through mistaken
affection, or pride of appearance, the bread
of the widow and orphan, the support of
the living, is buried with the dead, as
really though not as literally, as the weapons
and steed of the Indian warrior are en
tombed with his remains. The distance of
our cemeteries from the city is one apology
for this expense, coupled, as it is, with the
desire for a long procession of carriages,
either fUll or empty, to show respect to the
departed, and to give eclat to the occasion.
Exorbitant charges of undertakers and
others is a further reason; while it is pre
sumed that mourning friends will not dis
pute their payment, and that all concerned
may lawfully share in them except the offi
ciating clergyman, who must gratuitously
give his time and services at any sacrifice of
his strength or convenience, and though the
bereaved' family are total strangers.
The Romish bishop, of the Newark dio
cese, in New Jersey, ha's' initiated a reform
among his people in this matter, by forbid--
ding the use of more than six carriages in a
funeral Cortege. Protestants have not the
power to enact such a sumptuary law; but
some of them have undertaken to check the
evil, by setting a good example. For in
stance, a wealthy and widely respected citi
zen of Paterson, New Jersey, who was con
signed to his grave about a week ago, " di
rected, by an indorsement on the outside of
his will, in his own hand.writing, that his
funeral should take place-early in the morn
ina and be conducted in the plainest man
ner." There should be no eulogy of his
character; but simple advice to all present,
to secure an interest in the Saviour, and to
prepare thhmselves for death.
Two estimable ladies, sisters recently de
ceased, Miss' Jay and Mrs. Banyer, left in
their wills the following bequests —Miss
Jay directs that, "to any two poor - widows,
whom her sister and brother may select,
$2OO shall be given, instead of usual funeral
expenses." Mrs., Bailer says, "I desire
that my funeral may be simple, that no
scarfs be given ;", in lieu of which, $2OO are
given, to be equally divided between two
Sunday Schools—one in Bedford; the other
in Rye. Examples from such a source may
1
perhaps, be followed; but the evil is r ootedo
in the extravagance and worldliness of the
times. Nor does it stop at the mere et
' pense, useless and burdensome as it often
, beComes. The bustle of preparation diverts
the minds of mourners from the personal
reflections which death is adapted to awaken;
while the ostentatious display of the funeral,
robs it of its impressiveness and solemnity,
in the view of friends and beholders. Thus
the living are unnoticed, while the dead are
,honored ) perhaps too late and with atten
tions they can no longer appreciate.
Sincerely yours, B.
Western Correspondence.
Some. talk about a' 'Western Correspondent--Why
one is Needed— :: Why North-West" is timid at
the Editorial Su( v.stion—A fair proposition. 11
DR. MCKINNEY :—You intimate in your
private letter,' that you need a estern
Correspondent. There are, several reasons
why a column •in your paper should be filled
by contributions from such a sourse. Your
paper is, and from its. first establishment,
has been very ,largely scattered throughout
our churches. Its cheapness, its readable
ness, and general excellence,, have found for
it' favor in the eyes of our people. The
cheapness of a paper in &young community,
is a desideratum. The West, felt the need
of such a paper, and hailed with joy, the
establishment of , the Banner, watched with
anxiety , the experiment, and rejoiced when
success crowned your:labors. It is, there
fore, but just that she should be heard
through its columns.
The mighty interests which attach to this
great and teeming region, render weekly
news from it, essential to a first-rate relig
ious journal. As well might the Banner
and Ada/ovate hope to meet the demands of
the. Church, and , the wants, of the age, and
yet give no information from - the metropolis
of England, or of America, as to think it
possible to maintain its place in, the family
of religious journals, without keeping its
readers advised of movements. in they great
valley of the Mississippi. By all means, let
the Banner and Advocate have a Western
Correspondent.
But you likewise intimate that " North-
West " 'possesses some qualifications for the
office. This is "certainly more than ordina
rily :complimentary; for a good newspaper
correspondent, is to be ranked among the
things rare and difficult to. find. You may
find scores of good editors, and not stumble
upon even a, tolerable letter writer. Some
will, be too prosy, and tire your readers'
patience; 'whilst others will be so concise
and pithy as to offend them in, that they do
not say enough. Some will deal altogether
in generals, and disaust your man of fig
ures; others , will give you a dish of statis
tics, which would frighten any but a Pro
fessor of Mathematics. Some will be con
stantly. obtruding their own opinions upon
you, giving their views upon' every given
subject, officiously keeping themselves in
the foreground, leading your readers to say,
" why does he not tell us what others say
and think ;" whilst others will be too, timid
to,' g ive an expression to their own ~sentim
ents, and eventually lose the good opinion
of, your readers, by leading them to sus
pect that your correspondents are mere re
tailers in a small way, of the facts furnished
by others, not daring to venture an idea'of
their own. Some will have their hobbies,
which they will ride to the imminent risk of
the lives, of others, if not to the risk of their
own ; whilst, others „will be so exeeedingly
cautious, lest.they split upon this rock, that
their hobby-will be to have no hobby. Some
will be blindly metaphysical; others distres
singly the reverse. Some will be polemical,
always " armed and equipped," and, like St.
George, ever in the attitude or attacking
some hideous monster which yew sober and
staid country readers may, in. their simplici
ty, Pelieve aftcl• all, to be,, creature-or the
mind.
,Others may never Bee an error when
it really exists, and may be so very charitable
and fearful of placing themselves in a position
which may seem like one of opposition, as to
pass lightly over crying, evils, when in the
opinion of your readers the cause of, truth
demands a different, course of conduct.
Others--but why should I continue ?—let it
be, summed up in a word, there are.but few,
very few, good letter writers in the land, and
, "North-West," has,, not the presumption to
suppose that he- is one of them. Yet the
Aanuer•and Advocate should have a corres-.
pondent, and if no better offers, you" may
hear from me occasionally. Let there be,
however, a fair understanding at the outset.
If at any time the Editor is not let
him exercise his editorial prerogAtive, and
kindle his fire with the discarded epistle;
and if the reader be not satisfied let him
pass unread all the articles signed,
- Yours, &e., NORTH-WEST.
Ecclesiastical.
Mr. JonN McKzAN was ordained by the
Presbytery of Clarion on the 3d inst., and
installed pastor of the church of Perry,
Jefferson Co., Pa. In this service, Rev.
C. P. Cummins preached from 2. Cor. vi :
1. Rev. Mr. Wray presided, proposed
the constitutional questions, and offered
the ordaining prayer; and Rev. J. Mateer,
delivered the charges to the pastor and
people. Mr. McKean's address is Ham
ilton, Jefferson County, Pa.
Rev. J. Dom. 'has received and accepted a
call from the church of Yanceyville, N.
C., and , expects to remove to that place
next week. His Post Office address will
hereafter be Yanceyville, N. C., instead of
Madison, N. C.
Rev. R. JOHNSTON was installed pastor of
the First Presbyterian chuich, in Peoria,
111., November 16. Sermon and charge
to the people by Rev. Wm. T. Adams, of
Washington. Rev. R. P. Farris, pastor
of the Second church, Peoria, presided
and gave the .charge to the pastor.
Rev. GEORGE P. VAN WYCK was installed
pastor of the Presbyterian church, in
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on ThUrsday,
the 27th ult. Rev. Robert S. Grier
preached the sermon and proposed the
• usual (palates, and Rev. Joseph A. Mur
ray delivered the charges to the pastor
and people. '
Rev. DAVID - KENNEDY, Of New York city,
has received a unanimous call to the
church and paAsh of Southampton, L. I.
Mr. Kennedy has also received an invita
tion to become the pastor of the Babylon
church, N. Y. Correspondents will still
continue to address him at his residence,
No. 17 Wes.t 27th Street, New York city.
Rev. J. T. LAYRLEY'S Post Office address
is changed from Elizaville, Ky., to Knob
Noster Mo.
Rev. M. G. KisIIGIIT'S Post Office address is
changed from Shelbyville, Ky , to Louis
ville, Ky.
Rev. E. HENRY having resigned the pastor
' al charge of the churches of Scrubgrass
and'Ebenezer, because of ill 'health, de
sires correspondents to address him at
Bunker Hill, Butler Co., Ohio, instead of
Big Bend, Verango Co., Pa.
Mr. J. W. LAMES was ordained and itf-
stalled at Waveland, Ind., on the 'the 6th
ult.
Mr. J. T. LEONARD was ordained and in
stalled at South Grand River, Mo., on the
27th of Oct.
Rev, HENRY L. DOOLITTLE'S Post Moo ad
dress is changed from Troy, Pennsylvania,
to Mill Hall, Clinton County, Pennsyl-
yams.
Rev. J. L. ROGERS' Post Office address is
changed from IVlnunt Joy, Pennsylvania,
to Sterling, W.hiteside County,
Rev P. B. Hot was installed pastor over
the SecOnd Preskyterian Church, Bridge
ton, New Jersey, on the 12th ult.
&IV. A. D. MITCHEL'S Post Office address
is obabged t. OM Middletown to Harris
burg, Pa.
, From, our. London CoiTesptinflent.
Turkish Missions Aid &silty, and Dr. Hamlin—
Bulgaria Opel and about to be Occupied--Politi
cal Agitatian—The French and English Allianc—
e Palmerston at Hanchester—A Bishop's Re
cognition of Presbyterian Orders—Litersiture and
Poetry of English Presbytery--Dr. fitcOrie's In
augural, Lecture—pr. Bunting's Estimate—gr.
Spurgeon,.ResuMing his Ministry—Dr. Wilson's
Lecture's at Bombay—The Dispatch, and the Free
church of Scotland—Belgium Bishops, and Lib
eral Education—Openings for the Gospel there—
Safe Education in Paris—The Paris Tract So
ciety.
LONDoN, Nov. 11;-185fi,
I .
had the pleasure, on the day that I dm
patched My last ,letter, of attending a meet
ing of the Turkish Missions Aid , Society,
and of assisting : to secure the extension of
American Miesions in the' East. Dr. Ram
*is Present on his way back.to Censtan
. and Sir C. E. Eardley, Baronet, was
in the Chair. , The 'speeiatebject before the
.
Committee was a new proposal to introduce
. ,
the Gospel into ffulgaria. The, Bulgarians
are described as a Mild, gentle; „and most
docile race, and at the same tittle; expesed
to; the. active. Proselytism of : the Greek
Church,. on . the, one hand, and the Latin
Church on the other. 'lndeed, the Boman:
ists, under ; French protection, are making
gigantic efforts in the East, so that,,
politi
cally, viewed, the infusian of Protestant
principles into the oriental mind, is of great
importance prospectively.
.:- The Episcopal. Methodist Church ' in
.America had proposed to send out, and I
believe are ,abOut, : to do so, three missionaries
'to BUlgaria, The American Board did, not
feel at liberty, to take up that.new field;, but
Dr. Eamlin is deeply interested in it. . After
rench.conversation, it was found that a nitani
,
moos - feeling existed in the British Coin-
Mittee that something should be date; It
.
was reported that one lady in the country
had eXpressed - an - 'ardent desire to raise
£1,000; that the well known John Henderson, -
: Es 4., of. Glasgo*, ;was' willing to pay for, the
expense of three missionaries the first•year ;
and that the' Free Church M4sigill. Commit
tee, in Edinburgh, was likely to Co-operate
with the SoCiety in London. ; Whereupon it
was resolved,. that £9OO. be given from our
funds for the first year, and £1,200 for the
second. ,Thus new, ground twill be"'broken
in eland of Which little has been .spiritually
known; and the prayers of Many will Intel
, ligently and , affectionately ascend in behalf
of its inhabitants, to be answered, we trust,
in showers.; ; of blessings. The revenue of
our Turkish Aid Missions is from £2,000 to
X3;000.;: but there .is little doubt, when Bul
garia is biought, out 'before the • religious
world, as aistinet and new field, that
,the
..fondswill be greatly increased. .1 k Black- -
wood, an Episcopal clergyman, of grearpiety,.
and:zeal, late a chaplain in the hospitale at Scu
tari, is now Our traveling SeeretarY.: Abet
ter, or more miepicio
ue .appointment, could .net have. been Made.
•
'The political . world has been'
,much
agitated, by ; fears - as . to the, stability of
the, ALLIANCE BETVIANN ENGLAND AND.
1 1 .4ANCE. . Besides the article in, the official
illowiteur, rebuking the liberty of the,Eng.:
lish press, .the rivalry of „the French and .
embassies,, Constantineple i and
- the, siding,. by France, in .the -views , of
- ,Russia, as the bonedary_.lixed by - the Treit4
of Paris,..and. the evacuation of. the krinci:
palities i hy Anstria, 'as well .as as. of At:o36k
Sea by the British fleet, has.. excited .alarm.
This Was stronglymanifested the,Other day:
when the
~Constitytienek, a Vien
violently, attacked Eagland.i, and asked, - was '
~ she prepared to go, to war with AusSia, alone f)
It was ; asserted that this..Was.lmperial'
authority BAt; :two.; days:*.a 3 ,fter, the
-4 1 . - ositOtr, ivoke the„Pan parer's' real senti;
mente, declaring strongly for the EngliSh
,Alliance, a1 14 , 10. 1 . 3 14g the offending:journal
It is believed that several of the ministers
of Louis Napoleon are hitelingS of Rua
'sin. The Emperor has, of late, been very
neglectful of public business, and has been
immersed in self-indulgence and festivities.
But now be acts with vigor. Lord Pal
merston's policy is firmness ; and the coun
try has received, with enthusiasm, a speech
made at Manchester, the other day, in which
lie says, "If Russia keep to her engage
ments, then, no doubt, there will be peace,"
Russia has often gained more by diplomacy
than by battles; but this time she will be
foiled.
The Bishop of Manchester has sadly
scandalized the High Church and Tracta
rian party, -by a full RECOGNITION OF PRES
BYTERIAN ORDINATION, in the presence of
five thousand persons. This was in connex
ion with the presence of Dr. Cumming on
the platform. If the feeling of mutual re
cognition. which made Cranmer and Calvin
one, were to prevail, it would be a sure Ei , n
that evangelism was fast rising to ascen
dency.
Without referring to those of our mini.s
ters who are prose authors—and for such a
small body as is the English Presbyterian
Synod, they are a considerable number—or
doing more than mention, that the author
ess of " Margaret Maitland," " Adam
Gracme," &c., a series of admirable fictions,
illustrative of Scottish life, and Scottish
. piety, too, is a lady connected with one of
our churches at Liverpool—permit me to
give your readers a specimen of the poetic
power of our confrere, at Hampstead, the
Rev. JASIES D. BURN, A. M. Mr. B. was
the greatly beloved minister of a church in
Caledonia, but ill health compelled him to
travel over the Continent. And while there,
as well as while at Madeira, he poured forth
many a strain, sweet, gentle, and beautiful.
Visiting Lisbon, he stands at the grave of
Yhili Doddridge ; and in the following
Sonnet, he throws a fragrant garland upon
the tomb which covers such precious dust:
"In that fair city by the Tagus' side,
I stood beside the grave which holds in trust,
Until the resurrection of the just,
The ashes of a spirit glorified.
I thought of how he lived, and how he died,
And how a sacred reverence guards the dust,
And keeps, unwasted by sepulchral rust,
A name with beaven•and holiness stilled.
A bird was singing in the cypress-tops ;
It seemed an echo of the voice, which led
The soul to rise to its immortal hopes,
Repeating still the words on earth it said ;
And gleams of light were trembling on the slopes,
Like angels' shadows watching round the dead."
True poetic power is rare in these days ;
but this, and other productions of Mr.
Burns, who has all the modesty of true
genius, proves that he is not destitute of
the "mem divenier."
The'great event in our history as a Church,
last week, was the INAUGURAL LECTURE ;
by the Rev. Doctor Thomas M'Crie, our
newly appointed Professor of Theology and
Church History. On the afternoon of the
4th, Doctor IWCrie was cordially welcomed
by all the brethren of the London Presby
tery; and his distinguished name was added
to the roll. In the evening, accompanied
loylhe Presbytery, and with the Convener
of the College Committee, Alexander Gil
•lespie, Esq., (a name known and honored,
both in Canada and the - United States,) in
the Chair, Doctor M'Crie delivered his open
ing address, to a crowded and delighted
audience, in the Lower Room, Exeter Hall.
The' audience was chiefly composed of the
office bearers and ,members of our London
congregations. But on the platform were
several strang,ers ; and amongst these, most
prominent, Dr. Bunting, the venerable father,
(as he may be called, , both as to age and in
fluence ) of the 'Wesleyan Body in Englin4.
Dr.,M'Crie's lecture opened with a graphic
picture of the Scottish Commissioners, as
they came on horseback over the borders,
acioss'the fruitful plains, and past the cathe
drals and rich glebes of England, toward
the Metropolis. He *drew a portrait of
each succession—Alexander Henderson,
'George Gillespie, Robert Bailie; and, last of
all, of the seraphic look, and upturned eye,
and more than earthly saintliness, of Samuel
Rutherford. This was receivell with loud
expressions of admiration. Then came the
body of the address, which proposed to deal
with the history of English Presbyterianism,
in its , aspects and connexions with the past,
the presens, and the future.
Going back to the days of the Reforma
tion, he dwelt long and impressively on the
cordial intercourse which subsisted between
the English Reformers and the leading Di
vines of the Foreign Churches. He dealt
with the charge usually brought by High
Churchinen against Calvin, that he was an
intolerant Presbyterian and leveler, and
quoted apt and striking passages from his
letters addressed to parties in England, to
show how moderate were his views, if only
he could" have seen the National Church be
coming a mightT agency in spreading over
the land a pure Gospel. The Puritans and
their origin—identifed with Presbyterial
ism---:--their sufferings tinder Elizabeth—the
suppression of their if prophesyings," by
royal authority--and the deplorable conse
quences, to the cause of true religion, of the
death of Edward VL-f—were most strikingly
set forth.
. ,
Of the influence of the Puritan, PreEbyte
yian".elenient, even in the Book of Common
Prayer illustrations were furnished not mere
.
ly by the advice asked from and tendered by
Calvin, Bucerand Ballinger, but especially io
reference to the Communion service, by Joan
Knox himself. There is a rubric in the
Prayer-Book, which expressly declares, th:lt;
the receiving of the Lord's Supper ia
kneeling posture, is not to be understood as
implying adoration of the elementz—"a
thing to be, ablierred by all faithful Chris
tians."
Doctor 'ArCrie contritatMg the direct
teaching Of, tiansulistantiation in Bing Ed
ward's Priyer-Book with the present state
of the Communion service, pointed out how
much in .this matter Evangelical Protestaer
ism was indebted to the great Reformer of
SOt;tlaPd-
,
In the course of his lecture he derail
strated that instead of Presbyteri.mism yr
Puritanism being
occas t arily a republican or
dissenting system, it was reforming ratio
thunt dissident
and&fiber, that whereAs
English Churchmen are wont to say tba:
prelacy and a l i i crare h y
were the result 4.4
a inonarchical,Aim of civil
govern in ens,
the, inevitabte;', tendency of Puritanism,
which NiaB,4Cet, while opposed to arbitrarg
Power; . but for Royal Compression, and
this especially 'from Queen Elizabeth—w.
to heCome Presbyterian.
„Neter IWCrie proved also that it was or
,dained Episcopal clergymen, left free to art
fetal' eir convictions by the establishment of
t
the Commonwealth, who, propr . 6
MOM, not
only agreed upon a Calvinistic Confession ,
at Westminster, but (the Scottish Conowt - . -
sinners advising only, not, voting,) also
adopted a Presbyterian form of Church gov
ernment. This is a fact well worthy of re
membrance. Royalty and Lairdism no
longer controlling and persecuting, religion
put on the simple garb of Presbyterianism .
Doctor .111'Crie's lectures exhibited a rare
and most felicitous union of honesty, °p
sistency and Christian charity. Re dsreit
on " the fond dream" of what a National
Church Eli land might have had, if solue:
the thing like e rednced Episcopacy of Arch
bishop Ussher had been agreed upon