PRESBYTIMIAN BA)*AER &-,'ADYOCATY
Preqbyteriall Banner, Vol. V, No. 13.
Preobyterlan Advocate, Vol. XIX, No. 8.1
DAVID McKINNEY, Editor and Proprietor.
TERMS.--IN ADVANCE.
Original ottq.
Psalm lxxxiv.
Now pleasing to the t
my heart and flesh would fly,
)raise with one accord.
is that hover through the air,
where may suit them best;
1 by thy fostering care,
u thine altars rest.
Toth
An
'ihe b
See
D' .e a
1 '
All people that with thee reside,
Thy holy name will praise ;
And all who in thy grace confide,
Shall live through endless days.
The man who owns a sovereign God,
And in his truth remains,
1 pass the vale of fleeting life,
Refreshed with heavenly rains.
e righteous go from strength to strength,
InZinn they appear;
0 Lord of hosts, the mighty God,
To praying souls give ear.
The great Anointed is our stay,
In him our hope is sure ;
One day is better in thy oourte
Than thousands men endure.
The Lord endues the righteous one
With strength as well as grace;
Nor will refuse his bounteous hand,
From those who seek his face.
Scutt Co., lowa, November, 1856.
Nor the Presbyterian Banner and Advocate.
o. 7.
We have seen that the baptism of John
nut the model to which we are to conform
the present day. The baptism de
mod for all nations, and now binding on
Church, was instituted by Christ after
death and resurrection. He then com
ided his disciples to " teach all nations,
tiziug them in the name of the Father,
of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."
,o's baptism having accomplished the end
which it had been appointed, was now
perseded by that of Christ, which was to
Anne in force to the end of the world.
therefore, we would ascertain the proper
le of Christian baptism, we mnst refer to
ie instances in which it was administered
the Apostles after the death of Christ.
the recorded instances of that kind, are
in the Acts of the Apostles. These
shall consider in the proper order; but
we must call attention to a
ULAR INCONSISTENCY Or IMMERSION
MTS.
hey dwell with great emphasis on John's
dam, hold it up as the model for the
:laden Church, and strongly insist that
resorted to Jordan and EMI because he
Id not elsewhere find facilities fordip,
Yet whew we.refes-them.-Ao , the fast*
the Apostles never met with any diffi
-1 in administering baptism in any local--
" 0, very true," say they, "for wher
man has fixed his abode there is 'at all
a sufficiency of water for immersion."
We cannot reconcile these conflicting
micas. If John was compelled to go all
way to Jordan and Enon to baptize, will
brethren tell us why the Apostles were
1r no such necessity ? According to
theory, indeed, the reason is quite ob-
They did not, like the Baptist, as•
le around them vast crowds to remain
thew fur days together, and requiring
supplies of water for ordinary uses.
I hence they were never obliged to go
of their way for water. There is no in
on record in which they had occasion
7e the place of worship to find water
ptism. They seem to have baptized
lir numerous converts on the very spot
they preached to them—three thou
at one time, and five thousand at m
il: the midst of a crowded city—Cor
in his own house—the Ethiopian in
--the Philippian jailer in the prison
night—Saul in his private room at
j besides great multitudes at
~ Corinth and other cities. Now we
our itnwersionist friends are bound to
how it happened that the Apostles
plenty of water for baptism in so many
ut places, where John could' not find
Did the river Jordan, or the springs
,n, miraculously follow them in all their
yings?
,o , .dirig to the Baptists there were very
places where John could get water
vh for baptizing, whilst the Apostles
find enough anywhere. If this be
the Apostles did not baptize in the
manner as John; and if John prac
, dipping, the Apostles did not, On
other hand, if John, like the Apostles,
' easily administer his baptism anywhere,
he did not go away toJordan and Enon
water for baptizing, but for other pur-
•eceed now to consider the ease of the
THOUSAND CONVERTS BAPTIZED IN
JERUSALEM.
1 , , the first instance of the adminis
, .4 Christian baptism by the Apos-
See Acts : 41; " Then they that
ly reeds,.' his word were baptized, and
same titq, there were added unto them
three ti,olllnd souls." Where is the
e persons were immersed?
lc
it none Wi.atever; on the contrary,
immersion of this vast multitude, in the
unistances, was quite impracticable. It
nine o'clock when Peter began his ger
, and when that was ended, the congre
om were further' exhorted " with many
, cr words," verse 40. Musa time also must
le been occupied in the examination of
•ce thousand candidates; and if the
;ostler were genuine • Baptists, they must
e thken a vote of the whole church on
reception of each individual. Thus a very
,all part of the day remained for the Ltd
listration of the ordinance. And is it
.edible that during that short period, the
.postles could each have immersed two bun
'ed and fifty candidates? As to the seven
disciples, when Christ sent them forth, he
rd not instituted his baptism ; at all events,
never authorized them to baptize. Their
commission to preach, also, had now expired.
It is plain that the Apostles were the only
ministers who officiated on the occasion; for
Peter is represented as standing up (to
',reach) " with the eleven," verse 14 ; and
le convicted multitude sought " direction,"
of from ttu) Seventy, but from "Peter and
the rest of the Apostles," saying, " What
hall we do?" verse 37.
CURIOUS EXPERIMENT IN BAPTISTHENICS
The Baptist brethren claim that the
Apostles could easily have immersed their
three thousand converts in the time allowed
mind
them, and undertake to test the matter by
actual experiment. Among others, a wor
thy Baptist preacher of our acquanatance,
having on hand some forty-three candidates
for baptism, resolved to make trial of the
speed with whic!: be could put them all in
succession under the water. Though it is
certain there was no wager in the case, yet
the good man was stimulated to do his ut
most, by a desire to obtain a triumph over
the Pedobaptists. For this end all needful
arrangements were made. Laymen were
appointed to bring the candidates down to
the water's edge. Others led them into
deep water, where the minister plunged
them under, repeating the usual words, and
then handed them over to another set of lay
assistants who led them back to the shore.
Persons were also stationed on the bank,
with watch in hand, to note the time con
sumed. The result was, that the whole for
ty-three were immersed in just thirty-one
minutes; though the preacher, ivho was an
uncommonly stout, athletic person, seemed
quite exhausted by his effort. It was claimed
however, that at this rate, the Apostles
could have immersed two hundred and fifty
persons each; in the space of three hours.
On this singular experiment I have to make
two observations.
First. The respected brother contrived to
shuffle off upon others more than the half
of his appropriate ministerial duty. To
baptize, in his acceptation of the term, is to
immerse the entire person of the candidate
in water, and take him out again. All this
must be done by a regularly ordained minis
ter. But in the present instance, laymen
took in the candidates and immersed them
up to the waist. The minister did no more
than dip their head and shoulders, and then
they lay persons took them out .of the wa
ter. Thus, not one of the forty-three re
ceived more than a half-dipping from the
hands of the preacher. If I were a strict
immersionist I would protest against the ad
mission of those baptisms as valid. Such a
"clipping off of the ordinance" might end
in pouring or spinkling.
iSecoudey. Supposing that the Apostles
could operate with the same speed as our
good Baptist brother; that is to say, could im
merse forty persons each, in the first half
hour; it does not follow that they could each
immerse forty in the next half hour, much less:
forty in each of four more successive half
hours. A person may be found who will
run on foot four miles in half an hour.
Does it follow that he can continue at that
gait, so as to accomplish twenty-four miles
in three consecutive hours ?
The truth is, that no twelve men can be
produced who will immerse, with due deco
rum and solemnity, three thousand persons
ineatx,:or evenpirrninethours.
But supposing the Apostles to have pos
sessed the physical strength and endurance
of a Samson, where could they find twelve
suitable places for dipping ? There was no
river within forty miles of the city. The
brook Cedrou is a mountain torrent, dry the
greater part of the year, and at no period af
fording facilities for immersion. Then, as to
the pool of Siloam, it is an inconsiderable
spring; and that of Bethesda, according to
Chateubriand, contained but a small quantity .
of 'water collected near its centre. Nor is
there the slightest intimation that the Apos
tles went a step out of their way for the pur
pose of baptizing. This omission the Bap
tists cannot easily account for. With them
the procession from the meeting house to
the river is a material part of the ceremony.
Some have suggested that the Apostles
might have made use of the brazen sea and
lavers of the temple, but they could not
have obtained possession of them without driv
ing off by force the whole body of the priests
who had charge of those sacred uten
sils. Others have hinted that they, obtained
the use of numerous cisterns in the city.
But to say nothing of the difficulty of dip
ping a person with due decorum in such a
place as a cistern, is it credible that these
r epositories of the precious element, preserved
with the utmost care for household uses, and
so necessary to their subsistence, would be
given up to the defilement contracted from
hundreds of human bodies ? Dr. Carson
says he will " force water out of the word
baptize" if he can find none elsewhere. But
we have shown that it has very little in it—
not always enough for dipping.
CHANGE OF CLOTHING.
El 108
There is still another difficulty attending
the supposition that these three thousand
were immersed. They had been drawn to
gether by the report of a wonderful miracle,
had not forseen what would take place, and
were altogether unprepared for such an emer
gency. They would hardly be immersed in a
state of nudity ; nor would men or women be
immersed in their clothes, and then in crowds
wend their way through the streets, their gar
ments dripping with water and adhering to
their bodies; thus setting common decency at
defiance and provoking the derision of idle
spectators. Where then did they obtain
the necessary garments ? Could the Apos
tles furnish them adapted to both sexes and
to every stature ? Or did each candidate
run back to his dwelling to bring his bap
tismal suit ? And why is the Scripture so
silent on the subject? Was it au unim
portant circumstance ? Our Baptist brethren
make the changing of the clothes a very im
portant part of the business. Matters appa
rently less important are recorded in the
Scriptures. Thus the murderers of Stephen
are said to have "laid down their clothes."
It is also mentioned that Christ, on one oc
casion, "laid aside his garments," and " that
he took them again." And when the mag
istrates of Philippi were about to scourge
Paul and Silas, it is recorded that " they
rent off their clothes." Why then have
we not the slightest intimation of a change
of garments by the multitude baptized in
Jerusalem ? L. N. D.
"ONE THING IS NEEDFUL:" " ONE THING HAVE I DESIRED OF THE LORD:" "THIS ONE THING I DO."
WREN I consider the boundless activity
of our minds, the remembrance we have of
things past, cur for eight of what is to come
—when I reflect on the noble discoveries
and vast improvements by which those minds
have advanced arts and ciences am en
tirely persuaded, and out of all doubt, that
a nature which has in itself a fund of so
many excellent things, cannot possibly be
mettal.—=-Zenoph.on.
PUBLICATION OFFICE, GAZETTE BUILDING, FIFTH STREET, ABOVE SMITHFIELD, PITTSBURGH, PA.
FOR THE WEEK ENDING SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20, 0356.
Western Correspondence.
The Condition and Prospects of 0. S. Churches in
Towns and Villages—lnstances—Not Isolated
Cases—ii (erred to, that God may be Glorified, and
Falsehood Rebuked—hopes of .ReoioalDeath
in an Institution of Learning, and its Effect.
Dn. MCKINNEY :—Wh however, it is
true, as stated in my last, that the Old School
churches, in most of our large cities in the
West are, in comparison with others, feeble
and decidedly in the minority, this is, by no
means, the case in the hundreds of thriving
villages scattered throughout the country,
ornamenting our beautiful prairies, or gem
ming the banks of our majestic rivers. Our
Chtreh seems to flourish in towns of from
two thousand to fifteen thousand inhabit
ants ; and I might point you to cases of vig-,
orous and rapid growth in such places, where
no prejudice existed againFt us ; which
would seem to indicate, in, no ordinary de
gree,.the favor of ,the Head of the Church.
Take the following instances as pretty fair
specimens, in illustration :—Rev. Mr. M.,
whilst laboring in' a village of, about two
thousand inhabitants, organizes a church
with some. six or eight members. In six
months, this number has increased to thirty,
who immediately lay the foundation of a
beautiful.brick church edifice, to cost, when
completed, ten thousand dollars; and within
one year from the time of organization, you
may find them quietly worshipping in the
finished and furnished basement of their
new house, having large and increasing
audiences.
Rev. Mr. H., in the. Fall of 1855, enters
the town of M., one of those railroad
dbntres charmingly, nestled down upon the
verdant lap of the broad and fertile prairie.
He is almost a total stranger; but immedi
ately commences to hunt up the scattered
sheep of our fold. After some search, he
finds four. With these he consents to labor;
and atter a few months, a iew more joining
them, a aural is formed ; and whilst I now
write, in less than one year from the organ
ization, I can look out upon a beautiful
church edifice, costing some four thousand
dollars, where, in a few days, may be seen
gathered around the table of a common
Master, nearly two score faithful followers
of Christ, here banded to uphold the cause
we love. A vigorous, energetic little regi
ment of Christian soldiers, under their own
vine and fig, tree, worshipping the God of
their fathers in the simplicity of our Pres
byterian rites, doing good to their own souls
and good - to others, in a church edifice of
of their own building, all the result of one
year's earnest, prayerful labor. -.
Take one more example. Brother H. is
sent by his Presbytery to act as Stated Sup
ply to a little organization in the town of
D., a place of some three thousand five hun
dred inhabitants. A churCh had here been
organized some years before, but not having
had preaching, it had' almost died out; and,
upon search being made, but three persons
could be found,in the town who were of the
old organizaticin. - With - -thes.e however,
one male, the elder of the church, and two
females, all members of one family, be went
to work. A strong prejudice existed here
against our Church, in consequence of miscon
ceptions of our doctrines, and of our posi
tion as a Church upon the subject of sla
very.- To this, no respect is paid ; the Gos
pel in its simplicity is preached; and in a
few weeks, between twenty and thirty are
admitted to the church. The erection of a
house of worship is undertaken, and in six
months, it is dedicated to the service of the
living God - ; and at this present writing, one
year from the dedication, and eighteen
months from that first communion, the
church roll numbers some seventy-five.
This list of instances might be continued
almost indefinitely, for nearly every case of
church organization in Wisconsin, Illinois,
lowa, and Minnesota, by our branch of the
Church, where regular preaching, though at
long intervals, has been enjoyed, exhibits
just such a state of things—just such a
rapid growth under the smile of an approv
ing God. Your readers will, of course, un
derstand that we do not claim for these
churches great absolute strength, but speak
of their growth in a relative point of view.
Neither do we speak of these things in the
spirit of vain-glory; but as we are in duty
bound to do, that the people of God may re
joice together of his- goodness, and praise
him for his wonderful works. It is right,
too, that we should speak of those things,
that we may refute the false and injurious
imputation, that there is that in the distin
guishing doctrines of our Church, or in her
_position upon the exciting subject of sla
very, which renders her obnoxious to the
people of the North-West. Hers is a
growth, considered in relation to our whole
membership, as rapid and as healthful as that
of any of our sister churches. Illinois has
now'two Synods, each as strong and vigorous
as were both together three or four years ago.
lowa has some six or seven Presbyteries,
which will be divided, next. General Assem
bly, into two Synods; and Minnesota; be
fore she becomes a State, will have her
Synod, which will be admitted to our sister
hood of ecclesiastical sovereignties.
I have, in these two letters, stated some
general facts. In my next, I may draw
some inferences, and perhaps venture some
advice.
I have in this letter but little news to im
part. There is preparation making in some
of our churches to hold series of meetings.
Some of our Presbyteries, at their Fall
meetings, took action on the matter, by
designating brethren whose duty it should
be to co-operate in holdingmeetinas ,„ in their
respective charges. God grant that, co a
result of this action, I may have to record
for your readers, revival after revival, until
thousands of souls throughout this other
wise most highly favored part of our land,
shall be truthfully reported as born again.
You have noticed in your advertising col
umns, Dixon Collegiate Institute, under
charge of the Presbytery of Rock River.
Within its walls is congregated this Winter
an interesting class of students. Over this
little community a mantle of gloom was
thrown a few days since, by the death of a
highly esteemed young man. He was
about to enter upon a regular course of
study, and, had his life been spared, might
have entered the Gospel ministry. This
event has sent an unwonted seriousness to
the minds of Many. It is hoped that it
may not pass away until some are led to
Christ. Let the whole Church pray for re
vivals of religion in all our schools and col
leges. • Yours, NORTH-WEST.
Per the Presbyterian Banner ana.Adineate
A Few Plain Thoughts to Young Friend
Just Entered on the Bliriistry.—No. 2.
[The following was accidentally omitted,
at the time it should havelieen published.]
The':node of preaching;J. see, engages
much of your thoughts, lip.' I think too
winch. From the •way naive heard some
persons talk, one would thir7k that that was
the question, when a man &Caine a minister.
Many who have been I"Preaching longer
than I have, think differently. And I
think it will be found thatlhe longer a man
does preach, the less trouble he will give
himself about the mere'bode. The grand
inquiry is, is the thing Ahe Gospel calls
"preaching," done?..The. Anode is alto
gether a subordinate matter. Though
some will contend that Gosmipreaching in
volves a certain mode; for instance, the de
liveling of the sermon witlitint,notes. But
this has never been shown4lateaslisit,9 4 goni„,
eral satisfaction. As to',.l4yingtilown . any , •
rule in the case, you might as well lay down
a rule as to how much a
, -Minister should .
eat, 'or how he should dreas.' There are two
extremes, however, which'everybody'shorild
avoid ; the one is literally reading, the
other is literally preaching,extemporaneous
ty. Nobody ought literally; to read sermons.
No minister who has Wallis two degrees
this side of inanity, has aniiexcuse for doing
so. It matters not who lids done it, or who
does it now. Names are nothing. The reading
in the pulpit which we thus without any qual-
Mention condemn, is * wlien a man has no
More life in him than moves his lower-jaw,
is as Monotonous as a rain-spout, and seldom
or never looks his audience in the face.
Dr. Mason called this a "most slovenly prac
tice." No possible apology, that can stand
the test of reasen, can he made for it. It is
not saying too much'to affirm that everybody
has memory enough to familitirizelirnself so'
with his manuscript; with it before
him, such reading is unnecessary. I pray you
then, dont read; you un4erstand me; don't
do the literal, sleepy thing. .But the other
extreme is just as blidroorse. .1 would
rather, on all ordinary • &easier's, hear ser
mons read, than listen to prea.ching mainly
extemporaneous, in the literal : sense. There
is some chance of being fed by ::.the former;
very little by the latter. The poorest kind
of preaching on earth is tthe' purely extem
poraneous. The driest of all dry bones, are
unstudied skeletons. A)!td the making one
on Friday and Saturday ) (when' you could
have done otherwiee,) and then "trusting to
the excitement of the moment " to electrify
it with life and power, is - a kind of work' I
beg you to avoid. • " The' excitement of the
moment !" You remember going with me
to hear. Mr. —, (so: celebrated in the
offhand line.) What a fix• he was in 1 He
was evidently depending on the " spur" of
the occasion. And 0,. didn't he splurge
and puff. It is' true, the audience in the
main didn't notice it. Ort the other min
k. tistere pr.esent -nadeastUadlis sufferings), and
sympathized. You may. deem all this very
strange, coming from one who has the
greatr part of his life preached without his
notes, and done something at extempo
raneous talking, too. But the lesson lam
giving you ought to be only the more val
uable, because it comes from experience. I
shall pursue the subject in my next; re
minding you, by the way .that pure extem
pore delivery is very good' in its place, of
great use sometimes; but I repeat it, it is
one of the things that when well followed,
like hard drinking, turns to very poor ac
count. Yours truly.
For the Presbyterian Banner and advocate.
Iffarion Church; Prosuects,,&c.
Marion is the county seat of Linn ,Co.,
lowa, located ,on the South-East side of a
large and beautiful prairie, nigh to tim
ber, higd and dry, and consequently healthy.
It contains some two thousand inhabi
tants, and, like all Western towns, is on the
increase; being a point through which the
Lyon's Railroad will pass, it will necessarily
increase the business, and add to the impor
tance of the place.
The Presbyterian Church begins to look
up. It has just past through a, season of
great trial. Many thought it would hardly
survive the division and difficulties with
-which it was visited. But it still lives, and
there are now very encouraging signs of con
valescence and long life.
The congregation, in face of all its trials,
poverty and weakness, and in 'spite of all
opposition, has just finished a very neat and
substantial house of worship, without being
involved in .debt. The ,interior is finished
in good style and taste, excepting the gallery
and pulpit, both of which are too high—a
common error in the construction of all
our churches. -
And to the honor of a very few ladies
who exerted themselves nobly, the church is
handsomely' furnished with carpet, sofa, .
chairs, lamps, blinds, Ac.- The house will ,
accommodate some three hundred heaiere
very comfortably; and being• well located on
the public square; it is hoped that it will soon
be filled with devout worshippers"of the living
God. The communion and dedication ser
vices on last Sabbath, were well attended,
solemn and impressive. Three united with
the church on examination, and one on cer
tificate. This addition, although , small, was,
greatly, encouraging to the hearts of God's
people, who are convinced that it, was only
the beginning of better days.
A call was made out, and has been pre
sented to Presbytery, for the Rev. A. L.
Marshall to become their pastor. He has
signified his willingness to accept it; and at
the Spring meeting of Presbytery, which is
to be held in Marion, he will be ordained
and installed, if the way be clear.
He is a young man of fine spirit; and en
ters upon his duties with a devotion in some
measure worthy the work in which he has
engaged. And nothing can be more en
couraging to his heart, than to see the set
tled determination on the part of his little
flock to hold up his hands, and labor with
him, while he goes forward in the strength
of the Lord, to build up the Redeemer's
kingdom.
Presbyterians seeking a home in this
State, will not only find Marion a pleasant
town, with many , natural advantages—set
tled with an intelligent, kind and enterpri
sing people, and the country around most
beautiful and inviting—but will' find a Pres
byterian church organized, with a comfort
able house of worship, a faithful pastor,
and a little band of Christians to bid them
'welcome to their Communion, and with
whom they may journey comfortably in the
way to heaven. S.
lowa Oit,y, Nov. 24th,1856.
For the Preebyterian Banner and Advocate.
Synod of •Texas.
The Synod of Texas met in Washington-on-the
Brazos, Washington Couniy,'Texas, on Thursday,
November fith, and was opened with a sermon by
the Rev. R. F. Bunting, from Aomans xiv : 8.
The Rev. Joel T. Case was chosen 'Moderator,
and the Rev.. R. F. Bunting,. Temporary-Clerk.
The next meeting , was appointed to be held in
Palestine, Texati, On the first Thursday of No
vember, 1857, at 11 o'clock A. M. - Nineteen
ministers were present, and the entire session
was harmonious, and a spirit of brotherly love
characterized all the deliberations. Seldom have
we witnessed more unity of sentiment, and,,con
cert of action. Although, from various causes,
considerable morelhan one-half of the ministers
in our State were absent; yet we felt that in
spirit they were with us. And being inspired by
one living faith and 'precious hope, we were all
engaged iir,one glorious work—battling for the
1' n - 111119 1i •ifti'n kingdom ?
sit Y ;:ppi.ness dean • 'a we 1 eWeigi44
hear that GOA was Ifuttlb~ + tit~hn~o t6ek hearts of.
some, to come and share with us in this arduous
and self-denying work; seven, or more, Minis
ters having moved into the State during the year.
But our joy was mingled with bitter sorrow; for
three faithful men of God, brethren beloved, who
met with us last year and actively participated in
our deliberations, are not, for lie ," who doeth
all things well," halls called them to his saint's
reward. One advanced in years, ripe in experi
ence and wisdom, with a highly miltivated mind,
and a purified heart, early in the Summer was
prostrated by disease, and in a few days, life was
ebbing fast away; ,but strong in, faith, and hap
,py in prospect of heaven, he sweetly fell asleep
iu the midst of a devoted family, and attended by
kind friends: In a few weeks, another, younger
in the work, earnest, pious, and beloved, travel
ing in a-distant State, was attacked in the even
ing with cholera, and soon after morning's dawn,
surrounded by strangers, his freed spirit passed
away. Four days later, the third; a man of poi
ished intellect, fascinating address, and captiva
ting oratory, amid the furies of the storm, sank
beneath the blue waters of Mexico's gulf. The
night was terrible, and when the morning dawned,
the angry elements fearfully howled in trinmph,
and far from the loved ones at home, his spirit
lifted its white wing' from the dark waters,' and
soared away to the bosom of its God. Their
work .was done, and when the voice , of Jesus
called them to come up higher, they basted away
to the bright spirit land, to receive their reward.
The report of the 11ev. R. 11. Byers, the Do
mestic Missionary elected last Synod, was very
interesting. Six months had been spent in the
work in Northern Texas, and with gratifying re
sults. A goodly number of Presbyterian fami
lies were found scattered over. that new country.
Several churches were organized, and could men
be found to occupy that destitute field, other or
ganizations could be effected, and our Church
would keep pace with other denominations. It
is a healthy section, and superior in soil, and set
tling upefrom the Sabine, Westward, at the rate
of thirty-five miles yearly. We lack efficiency in
this pioneer work, and many precious families
are lost to our Church. When will we: properly
consider, this matter,' and do our duty? The
people in these widely extended counties are al
ways willing to receive, and so far as able, to
sustain Presbyterianism. • The increasing demand
is, ." Give us an educated ministry." Are not
some young and energetic men willing to come
and labor in that promising and rapidly-growing
field ? Fiverypiing„,t ready . ' But entire
State rrinybeleiliseda ratailorary 4 Celr r eblar as
our Church is 'concerned. Compared with other
denominations, we are yet in our infancy.
Whilst we number by tens, they number by thou
sands; surely we should be up and doing. This
State has an area of two huudred and. thirty
seven thousand. five • hundred and four square
miles; a population of over three hundred thou
sand ; with an annual increase of forty-five thou
sand; and forty-three ministers of our Church
to occupy this vast territory; with over one
fourth of that small.number neither pastors nor
stated supplies. This will give Presbyterianism
one minister in actual service to every seven
thousand nine hdndred and seventeen square,
miles, and to every ten thousand inhabitants;'
and our membership are in the ratio of one to
every two hundred and thirty inhabitants. In
our midst hre Germans, whose minds are poisoned
with Rationalism, and Pantheism, and Socialistic
Infidelity, and Me4icans held fast in 'the iron
grasp of Popery, both numbered by, the thou
sand—all without a Presbyterian minister; and
the great majority entirely uninfluenced by Pro
testantism; whilst all around us are mighty In
dian tribes, for whom no effort has been made in
the way of Christianity. Truly, here the harvest
is great, and the laborers are few. Who will
come over and help us ? Here, too, must begin
the reformation work that will bear the "truth
as it is in Jesus," to poor, degraded, and op
pressed Mexico. Now revolution is following
revolution in that land of Popery; and so it will
continue until the Gospel shall make them free.
And shall not our Church be foremost in that
glorious work?
The free conversation on the State of Religion,
was interesting and cheering. Churches in one
half of the' Presbyteries report revivals. 'Spe
cial attention has been given to the instruction of
the colored people, and with gratifying results.
A number of our chuTches have from twelve to
twenty in communion, and they are humble, con
sistent, and pious Christians. From, the intelli
gence that has come up from the churches, we
are encouraged. God seems to own and bless the
labors of his _servants; and we are, led to hope
that these are but the beginnings of better days
in our beloved Church. More attention than
previously is given to Catechetical instruction;
thus training our youth in the doctrines of the
Westminster - Confession and the Bible. Whilst
called upon to mourn the prevalence of Sabbath
breaking, intemperance and crime, we still have
reason to believe that the"cause of Christ is
gradually advancing, and that righteousness and
truth will yet,triumph in Texas.,
This meeting of, Synod will long be remembered.
Embasstidors' of the Troa's, profeasing one' com
mon faith, and occupying a territory extending
from the Sabine to. the Rio Grande, lion]. the
Mountains to the Oaf, and far separated by rich'
prairies, and flowing rivers , : and, hostile Indians,
traveled many long and 'weary miles to legislate
on the temporal interests of Christ's kingdom, to'
exchange fraternal salutations, to join in public
worship and the holy communion.
The venerable old man with silvery white locks,
and the middle aged in the prime .of life and
vigor, and the young man with the dew of youth
fresh upon his brow—all stood forth as heralds of
salvation. The Gospel was faithfully preached
twice and thrice daily, and the 'large and atten
tive congregations, gave evidence that the truth'
touched the heart. The-anxioue look, and trick
ling tear often told eloquently* that God's Spirit
was at work. And we hope the imPressions
made may not be as the morning cloud or early
due, but that they may be deepened into convic
tion, and conversion to the praise and glory of .
God. PREBBIITBROS.
For the Presbyterian Banner and Advocate
A Response.
Rr.v. Du. McKtingsv:—Dear Brother:—l was
pleased with a remark of yours respecting obitu;
aries, and sincerely hope you will adopt the course
hinted at. "It seems to me perfectly just to pay
the proprietors of religious journals for pi -Wish
ing those long effusions. They are of, no - value,
beyond the simple circumstances of the person's
decease; and are rarely read. Many of them-are•
overwrought, and if the silent dead were permit. %
ted to rend their own obituaries, they might ut
terly fail to recognize themselves.
There are many persons in the Church who
possess a kind of mourning pride, and run into
many extravagaiices or useless expenses for the
purpose of outvieing their thoughtless neighbors:
in shadows and appearances, but who forget even
to thank politely the overtasked minister for his
services, or the busy editor for, his; Thingh
should be reformed. , S.
For the Presbyterian Banner and Advocate,
Concord Presbytery.
The Presbytery of Concord met according to
adjournment, at Statesville, N. C.; on Wednesday,
Nov. sth, at 11 o'clock A. M., and was opened
with a sermon by Rev. R. N. Davis, the Modera
tor, from 2. Cor. iv : But 'we have this
treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency
of the power may be of God, and not us."
Rev. A. W. Miller was chosen Moderator, and
Rev. B. L. Beall, and Dr. E. Nye Hutchinson,
Temporary Clerks. '
There were in attendance during the meeting,
twenty-one Ministers, and twenty-two Ruling
Elders.
Rev. Jesse Rankin, from the - Preabytery of
Orange, and. Rev, T. W. Erwin, from the Presby
tery of Bethel, S. C., were received as members.
•
Rev. S. Williamson, D. D., was dismissed to
join the Presbytery of °white, Ark.'; and Mr.
John S. Harris, a licentiate, was - dismissed, to
put himself' under the care, of Bethel Presbytery.
A call from the church of Asheville, for the
pastoral services, of Rev. R. H. Chapman, D. D.,
was laid before Presbytery, and ordered to be
placed in his hands.
•-fCalle , :from the'ObUrches 'of•Shaion. and Provi
-444440.41)00-30ale ` ( 44 M Ritt h L8%
Rumple. xyere'preiented;,,,an ce _ K ,
Mr: Rumple signified' 16"seeeiiiinth7 of these
calls.; whereupon it. was
Resolved, That Presbytery
• meet in Sharon
church, on Thursday before the second Sabbath
of January, 1857, at 11 o'clock. A. M. for the
purpose of ordaining and installing Mr. , llumple
over the church of Sharon. Rev. H. B. Cun
ningham, D. D., to preside, propose the constitu
tional questions, offer the ordaining prayer, and
deliver the charge to the pastor;
Rev. A. W.
Miller preach the sermon; and Rev. W. W.
Pharr deliver the charge to the people. Rey. D..
Lacy, D. D., alternate to H. B. Cunningham;
Rev. R. H. Lafferty, alternate 'to A. W. Miller;
and Rev. P. T. Penick, alternate to W. W. Pharr.
Ephesians ii: 8, was assigned Mr. Rumple as the
text for his trial Sermon.
Mr. Rumple's installation over the church of
Providence, to take place on Friday before the
third Sabbath in January. Rev. G. D. Parks to
preach' the sermon, and deliver the charge to the
pastor; and Rev. H. B. Cunningham, D. D., to de
liver the charge to the people. Rev. 4. W. Mil
ler; alternate to G.Parks; and ReV: R. H.
Lafferty, alternate to H. B. Cunningham..
It was
Resolved, That' this' Presbytery recommend - to
the Trusteei and Faculty in Davidson College,'
and the. Statesville Female Seminary, to establish.
a system of daily reading and instruetien in the'
Holy Scriptures, and the Larger and Shorter Cate
chisms at' the Presbyterian ; Church, in addition
to the regular Bible recitations on Sabbath even
ings.
Resolved, That it be a standing rule of this Pres
bytery, that when any church within our bounds,
which has had the Gospel preached auto them for
more than one year by the same minister,, that
said church, and the Stated Sup Ply, be called
upon at the next regular meeting of Presbytery, -
. to give the reasons why the necessary, steps for
constituting the pastoral relation have not been
taken.
_ Rev. J. E. McPherson having brought to the
notice of Presbytery the great importanCe of
having a church built in 'Murphy, it was''
Reaolved, That this Presbytery assume the
payment of four hundred dollars, if so much is
necessary, toward building a church in the village
of Murphy, Cherokee County ; and that pastors
and stated supplies request, their churches to
make collections for thiS objeCt, as soon as con
venient.
FOREIGN MISSIONS
The Report of Presbytery's Agent.for,Foreign
Missions shows that only thirty-six of bur sixty
three churches have contributed anything during ,
the.past year, to this all-important object.
It was
Resolved, That this Presbytery earnestly urge'
upon our pastors and stated supplies, the duty of
laying before the churches the claims of the
heathen werld.
Resolved, That the churches under. our care,
which do not observe the monthly cone* for
prayer, be urged to the performance of this duty.
HISTORY OF THE FRESBYTERIAII CHURCH'
WHEREAS, Mr. Joseph M.. Wilson, of Philadel
phia, is about to publish a History of the Pres
byterian Church, prepared by the late Rev..
Richard Webster; therefore, •
Resolved, That this Presbytery would cordially
recommend to all the ministers and'members of
our churches to supply themselves with this work:
All our ministers and churches were enjoined
to observe the last Thursday in February as a
day othumilation and prayer for the outpouring
of the Spirit upon our institutions of learning.
DOMESTIC). IgIFISIONS
Resolved, That in order to
,give greater effi
ciency to our Domestic Missionary operations,
and especially in our mountain-country, it is de
sirable-that an evangelist, be: appointed to, travel
and preach throughout our whole field,, and or
ganize churches wherever suitable, material& are
found; select proper, locations for missionaries;,
to exert his influence to excite those feeble
churches to contribute in a proper metisure for the
support of missionaries planted, among, them.;
and to , aid the missionaries as far as his superior
age and experience mfiy enable him, in advancing
the cause of true religion, in theirrespective lo
calities; and that Presbytery, will appoint Such
an agent whenever a man sultable'in their 'judg
ment can be found.
Resolved, That in order.to securehis exclusive
devotedness to that work, he'be allowed. a salarY
of one thousand dollars ($,1000) per annum. ..
Resolved, That it be the duty, of this evangelist,
either by his own personal efforts, or by suggestions
to the pastor and elders where he aupposes Abet
will be sufficient, to endeavor to bring the old and
self-sustaining churches up, to a proper liberality,
to meet the expenses incident to carrying out:this
plan of operation. '
Resolved, That it be theduty of this evangelist,
in visiting the old churdhe , s, to call'the attention
of such churches to the importance of so sup
porting. their pastors as that theyragy he able to
give themselves *holly to their pagoral - dities.
And that where he - Etude , stated Supplies, hei re
mind them of ,the duty of forming the pastoral
relation, and urge the congregations to - raise, if
possible, - such a salary as would Justify -their
preacher in becoming their,parstor.
Resolved, That it be the duty of this evangelist,
in visiting vacant Churches, to remind them dis
tinctly, that when they, receive supplies. sent
them by Presbytery, or otherwise, it 'is - litit a
matter of common justice to'pay' the Ministers so
visiting them,, a reasonable, compensation, for
their labor and expense.
Rev. Jesse Rankin was choierr.the evangelist,
according, to the foregoing.-resolutions, He has
accepted the appointment, and will ,soon enter
upon his werk.
Bethlehean.—Mr. Penick ones ; Sabbath; Mr
Kennedy, two Sabbaths.
Monrae.—Mr. Rumple, otie Sabbath.
Lebanon.---Mr. Morrison, one. Sabbath.
Hopewell.—Messrs. Walter W. Pharr, Wm• W
Pharr, and Dr. Canninghani; each one Sabbath
Philadelphia Mr; Lafferty, one Sabbath.
Taylorsville.—Mr. Erarin,,one,Sabbath.
Olney.—Mr.Parks;'one Sabbath.
.Dettlets.—Dr. Cunningbam, , one Sabbath:
Lenoir—Mr—Wm. W. Pharr one Sabbath.
Centre—Dr. Lacy; one-Sabbath:
Resolved, That all, the congregations,. under the
- _ ,
care of Presbytery be enjoined to pay the,
expenses incurred by their pastors (or stated
supplies) and elders in attending the sessions, of
Presbytery and Synod.
GERMAN REFORMED cmaten IN NORTH CAROLINA
Resolved, That this Presbytery - admires the
firm and manly stand taken by the members of
the German Reformed Classis, in North Carolina,
against the errors of their brethren North; that
we sympathize with them in-their segregated eon=
dition ; that, we esteem
,them' ael an . - orthodox.
bodY; and that we appoint a committee to confer
with them, to apprise theni of feelings
toward them, and .to see if it be , practicable to
ESIEM
Philadelphia, 2:7 South Tenth Street, below Chestnut
By 'Mail, or at the Office, $1.50 per Ye ! r, SEE PROSPECTUS,
Delivered in the City, 1.75
METHODIST SALARIER, IN NEW JERSEY.
—" The following, table,",says : the Christian
Advocate and° jdurnal:, " varies very
,little
from the exact facti in regard to salaries in
the New Jersey Conference for the year
ending April, 1856. It is:exclusive of house
rent and perquisites. These estimates
have been furnished us by a correspondent
who is familiar with the facts."
" Entire ApprOprilltiol4s9o,ll4.46. Whole
amount .$88,996.23. . Deficiency
$1,1,10.23. Nuinber of those who re
poried,l96. Nuniber having families, 160.
Single, 36. Editors; chaplain, teachers, and
tract agent; 5. Average received by each,
$454. By each married man - in the regular
work, $485.50. , * r each single man, $221.
The , Ave ealtini; teachers, chaplains, &e.,
received ts,pBo:' 'Appropriations unpaid,.
$2,;559.0& Paid - addition to appropria
tions, $14457.85.1! a•
,From the above it would appear, that, the
getbpdist. clergy, are better , s a pported, at
least in 'Net/ Jersey than these of any other
berir
. de . denomination. We dou a y other could
show so large ari - average' in amount of
salary, ;",exclusive of house-rent and' per-
817 PP 'ES
WHOLE NO. ae-i.
unite with us, and invite them :to send a deputa
tion to our Presbytery at its next meeting.; ,
.OEftrlICH - -EXTENSION
Rev. MessrS. P. T. Peniek,' A.' Baker and Dr.
E. Nye Hutchison, were appointed' a',6immittee
Of Church Extensijn, whoile_anfy it shall likto re
eeive fUnds collected' 'Within ' bbnittiii of this"
Presbytery in behalf of 'CAW ,aila
appropriate these funds to thq,puTposel!f.lltip,d
-big churcheswithin our ownbounds , , ana tekort
each 'Spring meeting all moneys rdei4red, and:
what manner expended. -
The next semiannual meeting of -Pliab - yter7 -
will b,e in:Prospect,church, 'on: the , Third, Thurs
day in April, 1857, at 11
,o'clock A. M.
iL H. LAFFERTY, Stated:Clerli.
act anly tisltanings.
Tat Chtistian is not ruined by living n r
the world, Which he must needslowhile he
remains in it, but the world livingin lain:—
Baxter.
tta*WPAVAIMIY - . 7 .54 - 41MitiL e
Second,. Presbyterian s nlanrc)i .I=. t
leans, Yew -.
'of r whicii r ih6"ll,o: j iir.'Vo l dattiak
pastor, has` dAt4ricinVa. `tO' discatiiine
custom of selling and'renting pews ,
. .
RESPiiNDINd." 4 —AIi Et/1360 , 1al ministe r
at•Cohimbus, Ga., recently preached a ser
mon on the words, "Ethiopia .shall. soon
stretch out her hands ,, unto God," and in the
afternoon he found one hundred: , dellarivin
the pulpit Bible, ',with this endorsement,
",Ethiopia shall not stretch out,herhands in
vain.
, CHASTISEMENT is not in heaven, because
there there is no sin; not in, hell, because
there there is no amendment. ,It is .a coin
paniori.of those that are in the may, 'and of
them only. Divine (love and Chastening are
inseparable.—Dr. Open.. , .
TILE WpIE-B - 0:171g-H f ,f I, think the in
intithaeY which is begotten '
over ' the wine
lAtle, has no heart," says Thickery. ff I
never knew a' good!feeling; come 'from it, or
an honest friendship, made by it : it only en
tices men, and ruins them ; it is only a.phan
torn or friendqtrp and feeling, called up by
the Mirka blodd and the'Wicked 'spells of
the Wine."
MISSPEN'r
Ifflifwbe'tiine that hereis spent,,
And time on earth'be - cast away,.
' Whoio'hie' time' bath' had' misspent,
Hath hastend-his own dying" day, r :
So.it 'doth prove a living crime,.
To massacre our living , time..
SEVERE BUT TRUE.—Maeaßlay, his his
tory otEn g land, remarks, in. reference to
the character of those who often becgme con-.
verts to Popery : "We frequently Bee in
quisitive and reitleSs spirits . . take 'refuge
from their owniskepticiSm in the bosom of a
Ohuich which pretends to infallibility, and
after questioning-the existence of a Deity,
bring themselies to' worship' a wilier."'
INDia.-I.oetters received . frdra 'Dr. Duff
rePort"the progress of fema --- le `education- in.
India beyond any , former period.. Li the ,
presidencies of,. Madras Bombay; ,the
missionaries find that now the work could
be doubled in. extent irthelfinds were ,sup- ‘
plied ; and they are beg-biting to :find that
it one of the most" tergelk and most im
portant Points the great mission scheme.
The tide; now, is turned to reference to fe-
male education in Calcutta.
Itz-OPENING - OF MADAGASCAR TO MlS
sloxs.—A.itthentio information has, :says
the Evaingellial Aragazike r been rcedved of
the: safe arrival o£ Mr. Ellis, at o Tainatave,
where, he received, on lanclingot oordialyel-,
coine'r,om the`local authorities and'''foreign
residents:. In further' ProSeeution of his '
important 'enterprise, Mr. Ellis was, upon
the invitation of ,the Queen's Government,
to setout for the capital, on the sth of
,
August. ,
FREEDOM. OE - WORSDIP rrr SwEa:!*,,N4
The king:a Sweden's speech on the ppen
ing of the Diet, " " on' tlie inst., contains
the following importantparngraphs :
"An enlightened toleration` the faith
of others,: based'uPon the loie - of one's neigb
bor,.and inspired' by an , indoinitibre -convic
tion, constitutes the, essence, of c,the dogmas
(V.:the Protestant Church , . :
"The ancient laws ibicb. impede = the
freedom of - worsidpninat itterifoiegiie ,
way,
so that the community maybe' in harmony
with. the constitution." . -
A CHIII494IOEBT minister was
about to 'leave his own'congregation for the
purpose of visiting, on what was by
no means'spleasilif errand-4Cbeg- - ein be
half of his place o`f worship. Previous - to
his departure;;he called together the princi
pakpersons connected with his charge,. and
said to'. them : t shall be asked
whether' 'ire have edesientfoiisli dene 'all that
we' can for the rerneial^ of th; .debt; what
ansiveram to , giie'? , lir:Other:So-an-so; can
yowin conscience:saythat -yonyliavet given
all you can " - ',Why, sir," he replied, "if
you come to, conscience, Y. do not know that
I 'eau." . The same queStion he put to a
second, .a third, andi-so on, 'and similar an
swers were returned,. until this 'whole sum
required was subscribed, and there was no
longer any need for their pastor to wear out
his soul in going to London on any in:ann.:
pleasant exciirsion.
IRE
y,f ~t.f~