PRESBYTERIAN - BA)NER.''''&, - 'ADVOCATE
reebyterlara Banner, Vol. V, No. 14.
co opterlan Advocate, Vol. XIX No. 9. I
lAVID McKINNEY, Editor and Proprietor.
ERNB.-IN ADVANCE.
Original VAC.
Something Beyond.
There is a balmy shore,
Where fragrant flowers bloom;
It stretches on before,
Beyond the skies and tomb.
Lone traveler on life's dismal shore,
Press on, the prize is still before.
There is a silvery stream,
Whore angels fold the wing ;
Where crystal fountains gleam,
In an eternal spring.
ne Christian, wipe thy tearful eye,
is just beyond this fading sky.
'T is there, where sin is not,
Where all is love and peace;
/ere troubles are forgot,
Where every pain shall cease.
are, on that calm and sunny shore,
dy a little way before.
There is no fear of death,
No lone and chilling grave,
No fierce and poisonous breath,
On life's eternal wave.
/ere dying groans are heard no more,
ristian, that land is still before. •
There is a crystal tide,
Which laves the topless throne,
Where purer spirits glide
Than hero on earth are known.
Their songs of joy shall cease no more,
Their cloudless skies stretch on before.
'T is there no waning moon,
In fading splendors rise ;
For an eternal noon
Beams from those upper skies,
These sunny realms, where night's no more,
Lie but a little way before.
Lone pilgrim, lift thine eyes
Beyond these shades of night;
See, from those distant, skies,
There beams a glorious light._
That sweet, enlivening, golden ray,
Shall never fade, nor pass away.
Press on, lone Christian here,
Though in a foreign land;
Dry up that falling tear,
Thy home is near at hand.
'T is just beyond this land of sin,
Where those bright realms of day begin.
Yes, just beyond the tomb,
Whioh bounds this world of sin,
Where ends this night of gloom,
These heavenly plains begin.
Then, dying Christian, dry thy tear,
There night is past, the day ia here.
onsburg, Pa. S. G. IL
For the Presbyterian Banner and Advocate.
the 71,5:9r to Get Alon With."
ja: 1 441 . ': r
since, by getalemiiii' r ifloine
tee, in reply to a 'li:tuition Of 'mine,
why he was an Arminian.
Jpe to prove, Mr. Editor, that this
:man, and all who take the same view
does, are sadly mistaken. If my
had meant that the Arminian theory
get along easier" without the Bible
,he Calvanistio, I would at once have
' the truth of his remark. But this
not his meaning. It was, that Ar
tnisni presents the easiest system on the
of redemption.
Link be is in error • for I do feel that
absolutely impossible "to get along
this doctrine, consistently with the
igs of the infallible Record. Now)
Arminius says, in a book I have
me, entitled Liber Arbitrium, or
ill, " It is certain that God willeth or
Leal many things which he would
not some act of man's will go be
and thus cause it. Again : " The
all I have said on the . Divine pur
: there is no decree for saving
founded on God's foreknowledge
,00d actions of men."
ig these carefully laid down funda
principles of the Arminian system
, let us try if we can get along with
;ry easily through God's Word.
are but two competitors in all
or the honor of being the first cause
lasting good in man. These are God
L himself. Calvinists believe that
cause is the sovereign, free, eternal
of the Most High. Arminians be
that this cause is found in man ante
; to, and independent of any and
purpose of God. And they argue
Lis must be so, or man could not be a
rent.
the Scriptures do most positively
ipecifically pass verdict in favor of
this competition, is abundantly mani
mu the following particulars :
If faith and obedience foreseen of
the cause of election, then no one
elected ; for faith is a grace, and as
the free gift of Divine love, and
obedience is an emanation from
t, inst. as light is an emanation from
• Paith is part of that holy fruit
in the soul by the sovereign opera
, of the Spirit of God. "The fruit of
Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering,
tleness, goodness, faith."—Gal. v : 22.
:ping is more clear in the Scripture than
God has, and ever has bad, an elect
le on earth, and that for their sakes the
stands. "Few are chosen" (elected.)
Jr the elect's sake those days shall be
'tened." It is said that certain errorists
id " seduce, if possible, the very elect "
we are commanded to " make our call
and election sure."
It is in view of election that God sends
Spirit into the soul to generate faith ;
therefore, to say that this faith, and the
lience to which it gives rise, are the
A of our election, is as contrary to reason
it is to Revelation. How, then, can the
vninian system be the easier way ?
Second. Look at what the Bible says of
r estate before the first act, in time, of
id's free grace toward us; which act is
tie first effect of an eternally predeter
mining purpose. Were those elected bet
ter by nature than others ? No, in no wise
" There is no difference; all have sinned
and come short of the glory of God."—
Rorn, iii: 23. Being by nature children of
wrath, dead in trespasses and sine, enemies
to God ; , and facoff -114:un him, "until4noe
"ONE THING IS NEEDFUL:" "ONE THING HAVE I DESIRED*OF.THE'I4ORD:" "THIS ONE THING I DO."
nigh by the blood of Christ."—Eph. ii :
1-12. Could we merit election by these
qualifications? .And such was our moral
condition when, according to Paul, God
effectually called us, which gracious call was
the first effect of our predestination.—Rom.
viii : 30. Can sin, enmity, wrath, pollu
tion, trespass, and death in sin, merit or
cause the exercise of God's selecting love ?
Man was such in the sight of God when he
was elected. By nature man has a glory of
which he ought to be ashamed. As it was
once with Paul, so was it with Arminius;
both found it "hard to kick against the
pricks." And I think my friend mistaken
in judging that the Arminian is the easier
way.
Again—When all are in the same state
of actual alienation from God ; yet, even
then, some are said to be his. They are his
in respect of his eternal purpose to save
them by Christ. In his prayer, the Saviour
said, " Thine they were, and thou gayest
them me."—John xvii: 6. They were
God the Father's, by election, before they
were Christ the Son's, by redemption. They
were in the First person of the Trinity be
fore they were in the Secohd, and in the
Second before they had the indwelling of
the Third. They were Christ's sheep•before
they were called. " Other sheep," said he,
" I have which are not of this fold ; them,
also, I must bring."—Jehn x : 16. To be
beloved of God, before we loved him, is love
indeed ; " for, herein is love ; not that we
loved God, but that he loved us."-1. John
iv : 10. Certainly all this must be said in
reference to the purpose of God •to bring
whomsoever he would into Christ, and by
him, to glory ; and is not this purpose of
love, long prior to their actual faith and
obedience ? How, then, are men the cause
of their own election ? and how is it that
Arminianism is, to a student of Scripture,
so easy to get along with ?
Fourth. Election is an eternal act of the
Divine will. "He bath chosen us before
the foundation of the world."—Eph. i : 4.
It is, therefore, antecedent to all human
action. Now, since every cause must, in
the reason of things, precede its effect; and
as nothing can have an activity in causing,
before it has an existence in fact; and as
operation is a secondary act, or the effect of
the essence of a thing which is its cause ;
and since all our graces and good works are,
like ourselves, temporal in their existence,
of but yesterday, and not of eternity, they
cannot, therefore, be considered the cause of
an eternal act of God, immutably estab
lished before any man had an actual being.
If my friend will try Arminianism by this,
I am inclined to believe he will abandon it,
finding that it opposes,common sense, as well
as Scripture, and, therefore, not the easier
way.
Lastly. If election be for faith foreseen,
as Arminius teaches, then these three ab
surdities will follow, of necessity :
1. That election is not of Him that
oalleth, but of him that is called ; for, being
caused by faith, it must be"of him whose,
fititlreithied it. 13ut the Scripture's are clea'il
or this point. They' positively affirm, that
the purpose of God, according to election,
standeth not of works, bust of him that
calleth.—Rom. ix : 2.
2. God will also bfi prevented, by this'
"easier way," from having mercy un whom
he will have mercy, for the very purposes of
it'are, by this theory, tied fast to the quali
ties of faith and obedience in those saved.
God, therefore, must, of necessity, have
mercy on the man who, of himself, believes,
and thereby draws mercy to his own soul,
prior to any Divine decree !
3. It robs God of his free agency, not al
lowing him to do as he pleaseth with his
own. It virtually denies that our Maker's
power over us is as sovereign and free as
that of the Potter over the clay; for God,
according to this theory, finds different mat
ter in different men—one is gold, another
silver, and another clay—and, therefore,
our condition obliges him to determine either
for or against us.
Surely' my friend has not studied his
theory in' the light of God's Word, or he
would never have said what is on record as
the caption of this article. W. M. F.
For the Presbyterian Banner and Advocate
Operations of the Board of Domestic Mis
sions for Nine Months.
FROM MARCH FIRST TO DECEMBER FIRST, 1856.
MISSION Rooms,
Philadelphia, Dec. 10, 1856.
1. APPROPRIATIONS. --The appropria
tions made by the Board of Domestic Mis
sions for the nine months ending December
Ist, 1856, amounted to nearly $70,000.
The appropriations for the corresponding
months of last year, 1855, amounted to a
little over $68,000.
Thus showing an increase in the appro
priations for nine months of about $2,000.
11. RECEIPTS.—The receipts from March
Ist to December let, 1856, were about
$54,500.
The receipts during the corresponding
months of last year were nearly $58,000.
Thus showing a decrease in our receipts
for nine months, of about $3,500.
From the foregoing statement it also ap
pears, that the appropriations of the Board,
from the lst of March to the Ist of Decem
ber, 1856, have exceeded the receipts, dur
ing the same period, about $15,500.
111. APPOINTMENTS.—The number of
commissions issued from March Ist to De
cember let, 1856, was four hundred and,
eleven.
The number of commissions issued dur
ing the corresponding period last year, was
three hundred and ninety-seven.
Thus showing an increase of fourteen
over the number of commissions issued
during the corresponding period last year.
OPERATIONS OF THE BOARD DURING THE MONTH
OF NOVESIBER, 1856.
I. APPROMA.TIONS. —The appropria
tions made by the Board of Domestic Mis
sions, during the month of November, 1856,
amounted to nearly $8,500.
' 11. REOEIPTS.—The receipts during the
same month, (November, 1856,) were con
siderably less than $6,000.
111. ATPOTNTIVIENTS.—The number of
commissions issued during the month of
November, 1856, was forty-nine, and to the
following states, viz.—lllinois, twelve ;
Pennsylvania, six; lowa, five; Virginia,
four; Ohio, fo ur • Wisconsin, hree ; Mis
souri, three; dabama, two; Kentucky,
two; Tennessee, two ; District of Columbia,
two ; North Carolina, one; New York, one;
Maryland, one ; and Nebraska Territory,
one. 'O. M. MITSGRAE, Cor. See'sy.
PUBLICATION OFFICE, GAZETTE BUILDING, FIFTH S ABOVE SMITHFIELD, PITTSBURGH, PA.
FOR THE WEEK ENDING SATIIEDAY, - DECEMBER 27, 1856.
/Or Om Presbyterian Banner and Advocate
American Tract Society,
At the stated meeting of the Executive
Committee, December 15, it appeared that
the receipts for eight months had been, in
doantions $85,231, and for publications
$128,176, making 213,407, exceeding by a
few dollars the corresponding mouths of the
pevious year. The number of colporteurs
had somewhat increased, and by, the in
creased expense of supporting them, with
other outlays, the total expense had exceeded
the receipts by $lO,OlO, in addition to which,
notes had been given, chiefly for printing
paper, to the amount of $18,940, payable be
fore. April Ist, when the Society's year'ende.
Applications and claims before the Commit
tee show that from $lB,OOO to $20,000 will
also be needed for foreign lands before April
let. A very urgent application for immedi
ate aid was received from the Paris Tract
Society, France, and $5OO - waa appropriated
to be early remitted. A request was re
ceived from Rev. Dr. Riggs, of Constanti
nople, for the Society to print the. Pilgrim's
Progress, and Doddridge's Rise and Pro
gress, and Baxter's Saint's Rest in Armen
ian ; arid from missionaries at the Sandwich
Islands for large grants of books to supply
whaleships, seamen, and others at Honolulu,
Lahaina, and Hilo. It was stated that a
friend of the Society had recently sent in
his check for $2,000 as
.'a donation, that lib
eral .contributions bad been received from
the city of New York, and some of the
Western States, and it was hoped that the
institution would be supported in its useful
labors by others according to their ability.
For the Presbyterian Banner and Advocate.
Board of Foreign Missions.
STATE OF THE FUNDS, Dee. 1, 1856.
The receipts of the treasury from the let
of May to the let of December have been
as follows :
From the Churches, . $39,278.40
From Legacies, . . . . 5,548.41
From Miscellaneous, . . 6,168 57
Total, . . . . . $50,990.38
In the same months of last year, the re
ceipts were:
From the Churches, . $36,700.13
From Legacies, . . . 8,292.38
From Miscellaneous, . . 6,367.72
Total, $51,360.23
It will be seen from this statement, that
while the contributions of the churches
have been somewhat larger in the seven
months now ended of the current year, than
in the same months of last year, yet the ag
gregate receipts of the treasury are less by
the sum of $369.85.
In - the meantime, the actual expenses of
the Missions are on an enlarged scale, as the
work necessarily required them to be, as the
General Assembly approved, and as the
brethren in the ministry and to some extent
in the churches have been particularly in
formed. Moreuverithorategrifs•exchange in
remittanceri to - the Mibalimb in-Aaia, ligu3been
seriously against the. Board, making .every .
dollar sent out to cost from five to thirty
three cents, according to the country to
which it is sent, more than in former years,
and adding to the sum required for the Mis
sions in China alone about $8;000. It has
unavoidably resulted from these things, that
a considerable part of the money for the
support of. the Missions for some time past
has had to be borrowed, on interest. Two
lay members of the Executive Committee,
besides advancing liberally their own funds
to the Board , without interest, have gone
into bank for loans, on their personal security
—the banks not being willing to make loans
to parties representing a religions institu
tion. Thus this great work of the Church
has for three months been carried forward
with the aid of borrowed money. This fact
is a serious one, yet we do not wish to make
too much of it. So long as most of the
collecticns of the churches are made at late
periods in the year, it may easily happen
that temporary loans must be obtained; for
the expenditures of the Board are going
forward with a certain degree of uniformity
from month to month. Were these collec
tions, whenever made,. sufficiently liberal to
meet the wants of the Missions for some
months to come, it would - be a most desirable
thing; indeed his is a matter Ef real and
great momente. But as the ease commonly
stands, it may'easily occur, that temporary
loans must be made; this was the case last
year for example, but the necessity for them
ceased last year in October, whereas a more
urgent need calls for, them this year in De
cember. Andit is now apparent that if the
contributions of the churches are not very
considerably enlarged in the remaining five
months, the year must be ended with a se
rious debt—one of the worst things that
could befall a Missionary Board.
We earnestly beg the attention of the
churches to this matter, and especially of
our brethren in the ministry. And we
would remind them that this state of things
results from two main causes—first, that the
receipts of the treasury have been nearly
stationary ; while, second, the - work has
been gradually growing on our hands. By
the favor of God, the work has been in
creasing in a steady and healthy manner,
calling for enlarged support, as has been re
peatedly and in many ways made known.
As to the first of these causes, it surely
cannot be true that the members of our
body have done all that they could do to
send the Gospel to the perishing. God, in
his providence, has wonderfully favored our
people, giving them a large measure of
worldly prosperity. Multitudes of them
have made no return for his goodness in the
support of this missionary work; and
others, in large numbers, have given
and
what was convenient at the moment and not
in proportion to their prosperity. We fully
believe that the annual receipts of the Board
might, in a few years, be doubled or trebled.
As to the second of these causes, it, is for
our great encouragement that this work does
make larger and still larger demands upon
our liberality. God forbid that it should be
otherwise I
Moreover, there are now several brethren,
of approved character and qualifications,
who desire to be employed in this work, and
'for whose outfit-arrangements considerable
expense should be incurred before the finan
cial year of the Board ends. What shall
be done as to these brethren? Must the
Committee say to them, it is doubtful
whether they can be sent out? Would this
be .agreeable to the will of our blessed Sa.-
. e K ~;,„ ;,.--:
.-'..• 0-r ~;. ..•.,...
vionr ? Would this be '.a s p o i' -o ,
~,
V f. .:. , „.,..6%.,
own hearts, were we a Otte R.,,` ~ , q; :,
heathen to take each oth , i 's' p 149?,, - A :0
t ra
we need not put such que ioaKait ' I ,.C - .' `‘'.,
We are persuaded that :Alp Ate, i..`! - -,-
but obtain the serious, e est' Weil ion of
our Christian brethren, here Will be no
want of pecuniary mean . ' Theile is time
enough yet to provide a dent sum for
carrying the work on wit 'Adger. And fwe
trust and believe there is a heart among us
for this work in all its parp. We rejoice to
see brethren willing andtenabled to make
the sacrifice of leaving bdoved homes and '
friends for Christ. Wetknow there are
thousands of praying min and' women .in
our churches, on whose ;hearts this cause
daily rests as a precious- interest,_ calling
forth their earnest prayed. ' .And we cannot
believe that its progress AI be delayed by'
the want of pecuniary support"-provided it
may but meet with the ea 4'esteonsidetation
of our ministers at.d peop ~ , ~ ~-,, .- -...4.;
. ,
- Rev. James tr , ' '.. D. ',. z.''-''a'.
Departed this life on , t.: 14th - of Noyeni n ,
ber, at the residence of 4.. Culbertson ' his
son-in-law, Rev. James s.. .-,`D. D., aged . 66 1
years, four months, and ,ne day.
Father Coe was born i Allegheny. Coun
ty, Pa., on the 13th ofijuly, 1790: He
received his literary training at Jefferson
College, under the venerjhre Dr. McMillen.
He was licensed to Feat ilieVospel by the
Presbytery of Redstone ii the year 1817,
and after spending abotit three years as a ,
licentiate, chiefly at . ~est Union, Adams
County, Ohio, he ca . "e in ; 1829 to the
Miami Valley, and was, `the same, year, or
dained by the Presbyte of Miami; and in
stalled pastor of the ihnited. ehinthes, of
Troy and Piqua. At 41 4 ttitne therewas no :
Presbyterian minister 15orth -of Piqu,a,,,or
even West for man iles. The:.
.Piqua
church
~
church embraced, in , r membership,' per
sons who lived in the: eighborhood of St.
Mary's, and Sidnen `eyontl these places
was an unbroken wild nes& He had, for
several years, almost tfui....entire supervision
of all that country Nen, whier was truly
missionary ground, an our departed broth
ert had the pleasure I' seeing large and
flourishing churche s . ring up on.groind,
where, with much tip, he had sown the
precious seed. ,
About the year 1l
3'2 he was released
from the pastoral. e
~— e
- of the church of
Troy, and made the ihua church the entire
field of his ininistAal labors, when, in
1839, he removed to Dick's Creek and took
the charge of the united churches of Pick's
,uarg-
Creek and Harmony:;?' With these church
es he continued to dialer until about two
years before his deatli, *hen owing to age
and infirmity, he . denlincA:a further pasto
ral connexion, yeti tontinued to preach al
most every Sabbaiktintil'a very few weeks
before his death:
The writer of otltliatad an aqudint
ance with the siore intimate,
perhaps, and of •uA I clutialanof, l - 10%
any. other.minie of,Alp
try. He knew him "wel roan, it Chris
tian, and a minister of Christ As - a man,
he was a good neighbor a kind friend, and
a good citizen.. .8s a Christian, he was
peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full
of mercy, and good fruits, without partiali
ty and without hypocriSy. As a preacher,
he was plain and practical; be made , no
attempt at display; his preaching was fitted
to instruct and arouse ; and all who beard
him were convinced that be himself felt its
force. His pastoral labors were of the
good, old.fashioned kind, abounding in pas
toral visits. In discipline he was firm, but
affectionate. As a member of ecclesiastical
courts, he was an example to his brethren ;
never obtrusive, but listened to with atten,
tion. He was twice elected Moderator of
the Synod—an honor never conferred on any
other member. He was mild, but unflinch
ing in maintaining the. truth and order of
the Church. He was not two-faced; you
knew where to find him on questions of
doctrine. He loved the Confession of Faith,
and despised the minister who repudiated
any of the doctrines or order of the Church,
and who, at the same time, was unwilling
to leave her communion. And in that day
of trial, when semi-Pelagianism had well
nigh ruined the Church, he stood side by
side with such men as Joshua L. Wilson,
James Kemper, Daniel Hayden, Francis
Monfort; and others—men whose memories
live associated with the defense of truth.
Our departed father in God was no bigot—
no narrow.minded sectarian. No man had
more true charity for other denominations
of Christians. His adherence to the doc
trines of the Westminster Confession in
their common acceptation, did not forsake
him in the hour of death. To some of his
brethren in the ministry, who visited him
two days before his death, he remarked that
these doctrines were very precious to him ;
and, after a few moments of silence, (as if
pondering them in his mind,) with extended
hands and a beaming countenance, he said
"They are my only hope—the only doctrines
on which I rest my salvation."'•• •
We cannot refrain from adding an extract
from a sermon preached atthe funeral: of our
departed friend by a neighboring brother and
co-Presbyter :
" Of his early life and ministry, I know
but little. My acquaintance with him
reaches back about sixteen years. Ever
have I found him a good friend, and a wise
counselor. I know nothing in our inter
course but what has been pleasant and prof
itable to me. Seldom have I known a
brother minister more happily adapted
to win entire confidence. The simplic
ity of his heart, his guileless temper, his
earnest and faithful discharge of every duty,
secured the respect of all who knew him.
He felt and acted as a kind friend, and good
minisfer of Jesus Christ. Of an unsuspie
ions disposition, he went cheerfuly on in
the way of duty, as one who felt that it was
a small matter to be judged 'of man's judg
ment. His course, at all times, so far as I
have been acquainted with it, furnishes in
dubitable evidence of deep practical piety.
His preaching was such as might have.been
expected from the character of the man. It
was without pomp, and destitute of self; and
every thing in his manner indicated the
earnest sincerity of his soul, and the para
mount importance which he attached to his
vocation. His style was logical, vigorous,
and convincing. His preaching was plain,
direct and evangelical.. Every thing about
him betokened a good fund of commonsense.
No one could hear him without being satis
fied that he was a man abundantly, capable
t„ , feeding the people with knowledge and
derstanding. .No mere parade of learning,
o vapid declamation, no questionable ex
into the field of mere conjecture
orfaicy, did4hi:indulge in His sermons
viers` full of rich; experimental views of
troth,. presented in a lucid order, and doily
ered,a,s if th e speaker felt the weight of his
message. There was nothing speculative
or Startling. Yo tt 'felt as if you were
thning. to oneWitt) t- was safely handling the
Werd ofGod. Well instructed -Christians
were ,edified by his, discourses.
"His ministry. in , congregations in this
vicinity Was crowded with a very encour-,
aging' degree of suabess. 'Numerous et*
verts claim- him as their spiritual ; father.
By a good example in his own benefactions
to the religious enterprises:64lle day, he
awoke and sustained a commendable liber
ality among the people he serfed. 'Father
Coe, by his will, liequeailied3o,'eleh Of the
four ,Boards of
k e,— -
kl* , 4llo ll, >:perpetuiqr,. to commence -ar r the de
amid of
4i=punetuality in atter:dance upon Church
Courts was such that it nay_ salely be 001311-
ended as a model to'hificitinger brethren
in the ministry.. Of the safety and wiadom
of his councils 112 Presbytery, and other ec
-clesiastical judicatories, there are brethren
here, who I know will join with me in say
ing .that our loss cannot be easily repaired.
My brethren, how much that noble, venera
ble and Much loved form will be missed
when; we may assemble in council, about the
affairs of the Church 1 The PatriarCh has
cone ! •
"For some time before his decease he bad
no regular charge, yet, loving'stall to preach
Christ and him crucified, he was ever ready
to respond to the calls of this brethren for
help, and, of vacant congreptions, for the
Word of life.
" Inscrutable are the ways of God. From
the'liosom of' a beloved family---from the
midst, of a multitude 'who oft huncr c' 'uptin his
lips—he is taken away ere yet the form was
bowed and tottering with old age. But his
Work was, done. The _tongue which had so
Often maa its utterances heard to invite
sinners to Christ, new lies silent in death.
The heart' whose , every' pulsation beat in
affectionate-sympatby for, the cause of God,
is still, as,theArave. The light of a living
example is gone •out, or exists only in the
meniory Of the, past. At' the age of sixty
six; lie had gone theivay;of all the earth.
• "He enjoyed opportunities of •addressing
visitors on his dying.coucla. It was good
,to
witness the re-affirmation of the doctrines
of the Gospel; which he had so long declared
to others; and, to hear the 'distinct testimo
ny from his lips, as he had lived in the
faith, so 'he could die in'the faith , of them.
It was a calm, and. satisfying confidence in
God that kept him. There was no rapture,
no > eestacy. ' God his Saviour, put under
neath and around him iris eve;lasting_arms.
For weeks he was . a patient, sufferer, unmur-
Anringinlieviiik.Uihg,*nd even cheerful,
diftinf3 inigll7"llifnipettatibebtftritil
recovery, vibrated for some time between life
and death ; yet, when it became with him as
it were, hope against hope for 'deliverance
from a mortal disease, he quietly submitted
to the will of God, and was ready to die.
What a privilege to behold such a scene !
The chamber where the good man meets his
fate is.privileged beyond the common walks•
of life. In the silent hour just beyond mid
night, he yielded up his spirit to God who
gave it.
"To those of us in the ministry, it is the
voice of God. While we are' preaching to
others, God is nreaching to us. Soon will
our work be - done. Let us emulate the
self sacrificing spirit and holy zeal of our de
parted brother in Christ. Little did be
think when he last met with us in Presby
tery that his work was nearly done. But so
it was, and so it may be with us. Therefore,
what we have to do, let us do with our
might. And in view 'of this solemn fact,
let us live; and preach, and pray, as those
who must give an account." J. S. W.
Nov.' 27th, 1856
For the Presbyterian Banner and Advocate
Thanksgiving in the West.
MAQUOKETA, la., Nov. 24, 1850
Dn. MCKINNEY :—The Governor of lowa,
in common with the tirovernors of a number
of other States, appointed the 20th ult. as a
day of Thanksgiving to
,the Author of all
mercies, for his unnumbered blessings to us.
The pastors of the different churches in
Maquoketa agreed to unite in rendering
thanks for the benefits we receive in com
mon. One of their number was chosen to
preach a sermon appropriate to the occasion,
in one of the churches, where all were in
vited to attend.
Some of the citizens thought they would
not wait till Thursday, to give all their
thanks. Quite a company of them, there
fore, visited the house of the pastor of the
Presbyterianuhurch of the place, and gave
himself and lady a delightful surprise. They
gave substantial proof of the generosity of
their souls. They remained awhile; and
after singing and prayer, and the mutual ex
pression of the social feelings of all, they
returned to their homes, leaving the occu
pants of the parsonage rejoicing that they
lived among noble people, It was a joyful
thanksgiving eve.
The people of Maquoketa are liberal,
whole-souled, warm-hearted folks. I love to
live among them. My wish for them is,
that their liberal souls may be made fat;
and that by liberal things, even the liberal
gifts of heaven, they may stand. May the
richest spiritual blessings be theirs.
On the day following the happy evening,
a very fine audience assembled in the Con
gregational church. The services were con
ducted by three of 'the ministers present.
At the close of &mice, notice was given
that the ladies of the Presbyterian church,
in their generosity, had prepared a supper,
to be spread that evening, for the citizens of
Maquoketa. The proceeds of the supper
were to go to furnishing the Presbyterian
church, now in erection in the West part of
town. The evening was very unpleasant, as
far as the weather was concerned; but the
citizens were not to be affrighted by a little
rain and mud. The attendance at the sup:.
per was very- good. The evening was spent
quite pleasantly, enlivened with an:address
by Rev. Delavan, music, free conversation,
and partakings of the good things of the
West. The fund raised for the object speci
fied was quite encouraging;',we feel
cheered to.know the ehurch,can be furnished
as soon as the workmen are done.
The prospect for church extension here
is bright. The town is growing rapidly.
The railroad is to be 'completed this far next
Summer. All are in good spirits, busy and
prosperous. , . '
There is every natural advantage here we
could wish. The town stands on fine, fertile,
rolling prairie, with excellent timber in
abundance just at hand, and a good supply
of stone and brick clay for building purposes;
and excellent , water power for machinery.
Situated forty miles directly North Of Daven
port, and thirty-six South of Dubuque,' and
on 'the rente of the great/ Air Linellailroad
Westward. _
The •plane is quite healthy. is a rare
occurrence that any oue dies. There are
four churches in, town—Baptist, Methodist,
Congregational, and Presbyterian: All have
hOuses of Wog*, except' the last named ; •
very.
:kiettitbAßilit . 001# .
probably about the opening of the year.
Presbyterianism is progressing at a most
rapid rate. The Presbytery of Dubuque
was formed one year ago; and at the late
meetino. of Synod, a new Presbytery was
formed from it, including Sioux City. Three
or four years ago,' there were about four
churches in all the territory of these two
Presbyteries—all Northern lowa, Now we
count, churches by the dozen. Surely we
have many causes for which to give thanks.
The religious sentiment of the people of
Maquoketa is good, and their morals excel
lent. On Thanksgiving day, the stores' and
shops were closed; and on Sabbath we have
quietness and church-going. There is hope
for lowa as long as she continues thus to
acknowledge Him who gives us all things
richly to enjoy. Yours truly,
J. H. POTTER.
For the Wesbyteristp. Banner and Advocate
, The Rod Used.
MR. EDITOR :-It was my privilege,
last
week, to, visit an individual that has been
confined within doors for ten years, during
which time he has undergone the pains of
rheumatism. And such has been his suffer
ings, that now his hands and arms have
more the appearance of those of a skeleton
than of a living being. After :conversing
with him, and after prayer, he was requested
to .give a brief statement of his history as
pertaining to his afflictions. In a, very mod
est and unaffected manner, be spoke sub
-
stantially as follows
"More than twenty years ago, I united
with 'the church of T—, then under the care
of the Rev. Mr. C. At that' time : I- was.
happy, and seemed to prosper spiritually and
temporally. Soon afterwards, 1- removed
here. I found a very 'different state of
things. At first I was shoreltecl at the`wick
edness and profanity that prevailed. But'
soon becoming fauliliar with these, the
Tempter got an advantage over me, and no,
longer was it ~with, my soul as
,previously.,
The Lord then saw fit to take froth ine my
Troperty, and.-I—got; into".;Ldiffieulty , -.4 '
litigation with my neighbors. In a lit
tle while, however, I was visited with
sickness, and removed from the strife of the
world to my bed, where no longer the rage
of man molested me. But so soon as my
sufferings would allow it, I kept beside me
the Bible, and with the assistance of Henry's
Commentary, studied especially the parts
that had reference to David's and Job's af
flictions. And oftentimes would I lie,still
and meditate, until I would almost forget
my pains. And I wish I could tell you
what comfort I got from what I read from
my Bible, and, also, that little book, 'The
Crook in the Lot,' that sileaks about the
yoke being so light and easy upon our shoul
ders, that sometimes we scarcely feel it.
And, oh, the visitations. ! I wish I could tell
you about God's visitations to me. 114 al
though God has upheld me, yet. Satan would
often assault me with great power. But
God showed roe that his almighty power
was superior. And when I could make a
personal matter of Christ's sufferings, then
more than half my weight of suffering
would be gone.. And often I have thought
it so strange that when God has made the
way to heaven so plain, and when he would
lead me there so gently, he was forced to take
his rod and whip me there."
-An individual remarked, " I do not know
why his life is spared, unless it be that he
may pray for the Church." But surely he
is spared, not only to pray, but to speak to
others as he has opportunity, of the great
salvation; to set an example of resignation
and cheerfulness under protracted suffering;
to impress all that visit him with a sense of
the goodness of God, even to his afflicted
people, of the value of the religion that
can sustain and comfort in the most distres
sing condition of life; and, moreover, he
lives to enjoy the smiles of him who giveth
,
songs in tne night.
Tor the Presbyterian Banner and Advocate
Cherry Tree; Pa.
Acknowledgment of moneys, &e., received for
the'church edifice. ,
individuals at Johnstown, $54.75 ; at Pitts
burgh, $64.00 ; at Lawrenceville, $7.00; at East
Liberty, $lB.OO ; at Greensburg, $24,50 ; at
Blairsville, $30.50; at: Jefferson, $55.26 ; at
Carwimmille, $104.00; at Cleareld, $112; . 00;
at Harmony, $10.00; at Indiana, $74.00; ; at
Saltsburg, $Bl.OO ; Hollidaysburg, $105.50.
Individuate at Presbytery, NOW Alexandria,
$26.00; at Marietta, $65.00.
M'Connellsburg, per Rey. N. 0. White, $10,00;
A.,P. C., New York, $16.00 of which was for
Sabbath School, $50.00; IndiViduals at Balti
more, $5.00 ; at Huntingdon, $36.00 ; Cash,
$6.00; at Mifflin i $74.50; at Harrisburg, $lB.
60 ; at Tuscarora Valley, $41.75 ; at Petersburg,
$B.OO.
Individuals at Alexandria, $20.00; at Ebens
burg, $17.00; at Bellefonte, $52.00; at Jersey
Shore, $49.25; at Williamsport, $32.60; at
Lookhaven,
.$40.00;. at Mill Hall, $6.50; at
Bethel, $8.60 ; Cash, $2.00.
, Total, $1,193. These, with $lOO formerly ac
knowledged, make $1,293.
In addition to the above, while we cordially ap
preciate, *e thankfully acknowledge the kindness
of the ladies of the congregation of Hollidays
burg in the donation of a handsome suite of
lamps. Alao, a neat pulpit Bible, the gift of
H. English, Pittsburgh. Also, a fine pulpit
Hymn Book, from Board of Colportage of Synotb
of Pittsburgh and Allegheny. •
These acknowledgments are tnadein the hope
that the benefactions above recorded, Dm be as
precious seed finally to be ripened into a golden
harvest to each benefactor.
HE that cannot forgive'ofhers, breaks the
bridge over 'which he must pass himself; for
every man has need to. be forgiven.--Lord
Herbal.
;!! 'E ‘ ,.. ,- 07: , '0,?: : - v.41"4 , 1•27.) , 7;..i,5 1:i
Philadelphia, 27 South Tenth Street, below Chestiat
By Mail, or at the OHloe, $ 1 . 50 per ff t SEE PROSPECTUS.
Delivered in the City, 1,75
JOHN MOORE, Pastor.
WHOLE NO. 222
14.t8. anb: . Cit:ailints.
IT is estimated by rte Friend of India
that in India and - Ceylon - there are one Att.:
dred and twenty thousand converts to ariS
tianity
I CONSIDER that man as having attained
the end of preaching, who constrains ,his
hiarer to forget everything else except' the
*ay in which ,he is personally' affected hi
the great and interesting truths brought'be
fore him.--Inns. .
A MRTriObIST Conference has already
been held in Kansas, at whieh eleven , mem
bers were present. The Methodist Mimion
ary CoMmittee have appropriated $lO,OOO for
the work in the bounds of that Conference.
rev tr
;CSwilipar,,s Pop - sinsi7.zu.o qm
—Tt as said that
Aiiitrisand are - dailPhrought under the 'direct
teaching of Christianity, and into close con
tact with the Word of God. The grass has
grown over the ovens where human victims
used to be prepare - Cl' fOr food, and thousands
assemble every Sabbath day to lieu - words
whereby they may be saved.
UNION COLLEGE.—The magnificent half
Million gift of Dr. Nott is beginning to produce
its fruits Three Professorships - have been
permanently endowed froth the receipts thus
far,:apd when the whole of it has become pro
ductive, and distributed as directed in the
"Trust Deed" among new Professorships,
Scholarships, and so forth, no institution in
the land will surpass, if equal, Union College
in the facilities and advantages for instruction
which it will _possess.
THE Mon or NOVELS.--Within the last
three years, the country has been flooded
with. novels,, mostly written byiromen. We
have been lately told that the sale of these
boot:Whoa fallen off aatonishingli, and the de
mand has almost ceased. This fact should
encourage the ladies to stop. 131.0 out wash
ing, take in sewing, attend to the children;
nurse the sick, do - anything honest and lin!.
Jul, but do stop writing wishy-washy, namby
pamby; milk-and-water, sentimental, love
stbries.
MISSIONARIES. IN THE PACIFIC.' Tbere
are on the Islands of the Pacific Ocean '
in
connexion with the London, Church, lir es
leyan, and American Missionary Societies,
119 misSionaries, 45,929 comiriunicants, 239,-
900 .professed Protestants, and 54,708
pupils. The largest single Protestant church
in the world is on one of, these islands.
Christian missions have 'bad their greatest
triumphs wadi* the heathen' of this ocean
world.
CHRISTIANS AND MOHAMMEDANS--4n
European Tnrkey the Obriatians outnumber
far the Mohammedans, there being ten and
a half millions of-Christians,
and -only four
—sod ar.half—m;iliorhs—ef—Mehenntnedaner----In.
Europe and Asiatic Turkey together are
about seventeen millions of Mohammedans
to fonrteen millions of Christians, thirteen
of whom are Greeks and Armenians, and nine
hundred thousand Catholics. There is, then,
a majority of three millions of Christians
in all the empire.
Tim TRUE MAN:—
For him the Spring
Distils her dew, and from the silken germ
Its lucid leaves unfolds: for him the hand
Of Autumn tinges every fertile branch
With blooming gold, and blushes, like, the
morn.
Each passing hour sheds tribute from her
wings;
And still new beauties meet his lonely walk,
And loves unfelt attract him.
The Synod of Philadelphia.
This Synod, at its late meeting, passed an
order earnestly-urging and enjoining upon
pastors, Sessions, and Presbyteries, the fol
lowing, viz :
Ist. That love to Christ's cause is an essential
element of Christian piety. 2d.- That regular
contribution of our worldlyeabetance, according
as God has prospered us, is an ordinary and im
portant part of practical religion. 3d. That, ac
cordingly, it is the duty of
-ministers to instruct
the people, in due proportion, regarding the grace
of contribution, and the sin of oOming empty be
fore the Lord, and neglecting this part of relig
ion. 4th. That the pastors and officers of the
churches are as truly bound to make arrange
ments for the cultivation of the grace of benevo
lence, and for the performance of this part of
practical religion, as for any other part of the
officers of worship. -
Be it therefore enjoined upon the pastors and
other appropriate officers of the churches, to
give due diligence, in word and work, to further
this great interest of religion; and in order
thereto, to adapt and put in operation, and keep
in, operation,,if already adopted, some plan for
making regular collections , for the several enter
prises of the Clinrch—LDomestic Missions, For
eign Missions, Church. Extension the Board of
Education, the. Board of Publication, and Fund
for Aged and Disabled Ministers, and their des
titute widows and children
Without attempting to describe in detail any
one plan of collections; the Synod recommend,
that one or other of the following methods be
adopted:-
I. A card or book with the names of all the
members of the congregation on it, with columns
for weekly, monthly, or quarterly offerings, Ruch
each ma'y consent to pay.
IL Monthly collections in the churches to be
divided among the several enterprises of the
Church, according to the discretion of the ruling
elders or declared wishes of the donors.
111. A sermon or address on *fixed Sabbath of
the year, in behalf of each of the several enter
prises of the Chnich above named, and a collec
tion or subscription to he taken for the enterprise
advocated in this sermon or address. The times
of presenting each cause to be fixed by the pas
tor and ruling elders, or deacons, except in case
where II Presbytery may deem it wise to appoint
times for these collections in all the churches un
der their care. Upon the Presbyteries it is en
joined :
let. To take , order, if it has not been already so
done, for the thorough organizing of the churches
under their mire, in accordance with the above
action of Synod. 2d. To require from every
session and pastor a statement of their diligence
in this Matter ' to be presented along with the
statistical report at the Spring sessions. Denlin
quarts then, to be called'up at the Fall sessions.
3d.. To instruct the Presbyterial -supplies to va
cant churches to take up collections for the
Church schemes, mileits there is a reiutar plan of
collections in operation in the • 'meat church.
4th. That the; Presbytery shall collate the re
ports from the several churches, and report to
Synod what has been done, and return the mimeo
of ,delinquent churches.
=I
AKENI?IDE.