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ADVOCATiii
' , fedora Banner. Vol. V. No. 26.
"ONE THING IS NEEDFUL:" "ONE THING HAVE I DESIRED OF THE LORD:" "THIS ONE THING I DO." WHOLE N
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McKINNEY, Editor and Proprietor.
ID
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IN ADVANCE.
Original ottrg.
The Lord's Prayer.
Father which art in heaven,
lowed he thy name ;
kingdom come, thy will be done,
heaven and earth the same.
ve us this day our daily broad,
trespasses forgive,
we forgive the debts of those -
nn whom we ill receive.
in temptation lead us not,
save from evil sore;
thine the power and kingdom is,
d glory evermore. E. W. H.
gry, 1857.
the Proabyterlan Banner and. Advocate.
West," end "Another Theological
Seminary."
the Bonner and Advocate of Febru
st, there appears an article in relation
movement for the establishment of a
iary for the North-West, written by
le who signs himself " Out-West."
tragraph of the same paper, the editor
attention to it, and remarks, "It sug
some thoughts, and proposes some
ions of much interest. An ingenuous
nt of facts, principles, and prospects,
a kind spirit, may greatly promote
iterprise." Being deeply and labori
interested in the movement, and sr
desiring to promote, and see pro-
I, the enterprise; and taking the re
of the editor as an index of existing
I may venture, perhaps without culpa
!mmption, to suggest some answers to
l ueries, and gome reflections upon the
iplos proposed by ",Out West." He
3 in the spirit of kindness, candor, and
:y; and seems desirous to inquire and
rstand before he judges and condemns.
Id that others, who have written on this
et, had followed the same rule ! For
as well as other reasons, his queries de.
to be kindly and courteously answered,
his principles considered.
is doubtless true, as he says, that "the
•ch has defined her policy in reference
teological education. She decrees and
rides, for her ministry, an extended pro-
opal training. She commends Theo
al as affording, in the main,
best facilities to those who are preparing
the sacred office. And, whatever may
'ir private estimate of such institutions,
certainly form, at this day, a part of
Church's machinery." And, speaking
ier of the Church's "manifested" "de-
nation to enjoy more than one centre
.ducational influence," he says, " There
it in our people which refuses centrali
,—consolidation—whether in Church
ate. _Every six •or eight Synods, or
• natural division of our territory that
ises to comprise so many, claims, for
, a Theological Seminary. This seems
already past argument or regret. It is
ld fact,' " I quote these paragraphs
to show what is the writer's conclu-
is to the "animus," and the "policy,"
e Church, on the subject of. Theological
'tion and Seminaries; and, hence, if
•
)ntingencies of °"time, ,, "place,"and
rnstances, spoken of by the writer,
-operly attended to, these North-West
iynods are only moving to the impulses
e Church's mind, and developing and
-sting the Church's "policy," in this
Seminary enterprise.
id now for the writer's queries,"
th, really, involve all the contingencies
tine," and location, and motives, and
eyed consideration, of which he speaks.
I . St. He asks, "Is the proposed Semi.
a new Institution, or only the New Al-
Seminary transferred to Chioago ?"
Jis, I would answer : This Seminary for
North-West is partly new, and partly
, ew." The preamble to the constitution
lc Seminary adopted by the seven
is, says, " WHEnuAs, The Synods of
ma, Northern Indiana, and Cincinnati,
now in operation, in New Albany, Ind.,
3ological Seminary, for the education of
ens of the Church, for the Gospel min
; and whereas, it is desirable, for the
perfect attainment of this end, that
Synods be united with these in the
ion and support thereof; therefore,
the Synods of Cincinnati, Wisconsin,
, Illinois, Northern Indiana, Chicago,
udiana, of the Presbyterian Church in.
'rifted States of America, do ordain and
fish this constitution of the said Semi
' Again. Art. 1., Sec. 1. "The name
institution shall be, The Presbyte-
Theological Seminary of the North
le" Again. It is said, in Art. 11.,
3. 1, 2, 3, &c., that all powers necessary
the accomplishment of the objects of
Seminary, the amendments, &c., of
constitution, the appointment of Direc
&e., " Shall be, and remain in the
united under the constitution."
Art. 111., Sec. 5, says, "The Board
rectors shall have power, on or before
rat day of October, 1857, to determine
;lace where the Seminary shall be
!d; and, if the Seminary be removed
New Albany, to provide grounds," &c.
In'
. Art. X., Sec. 1. "The adoption
ratification of this constitution by any
Synods of th'e Presbyterian - Church, in
ding a majority of the Synods now con
fling New Albany Theological Seminary,
I n be sufficient for its establishment be-
Ten the Synods so adopting and 'ratifying
." Sec 2. "In ease that this constitution
nail be adopted by any four Synods of the
'resbyterian Church, the offices of the
resent Directors shall be, 4 .P80 facto,
tested, from and after such adoption; and
e Synods of Indiana, Northern Indiana,
d Cincinnati, now united in the direction
the Seminary at New Albany, do direct
,e present Board of Trustees to return to
..he donors, their heirs and assigns, any funds
.'or property given to the Seminary, on con
dition of the continuance of its location at
Nei' Albany, &e., and to convey and deliver
all the residue of the funds, and other prop
erty of the Seminary, to the Board of Trus
tees appointed under this constitution."
From these quotations, it is evident that
the Seminary is a new Seminary, in having
a ?tea) name, a new constitution, a new loca
t ion ; being tinder new auspices—seven
Synods instead of three—and controlled by
a wo ic Board of Directors, and worked by
a utew Board of Trustees; under - a , new chitrter ; and manned by a 7ICW corps of
Professors. 'While it is "New Albany re
moved to Chicago," to the extent, we hope,
of about twenty-five thousand to thirty
thousand dollars, together with the devoted
love, and the earnest faith, and dauntless
perseverance of those beloved brethren, who •
have borne New Albany Seminary through
unknown opposition and discouragement, as
a sacred trust committed to their keeping,
living and working for God, up to this time !
Second. He asks, "Is it ominous of any
thing, that the Synod of Missouri, the next
neighbor to Chicago, and the North-West,
is not invited to share in the enterprise ?"
If I knew just the point of the question, I
might, perhaps, answer it satisfactorily; but
I choose not to guess, lest I might miss the
mark, and so bestow labor in vain.
The third query of " Out West," "Is it
significant of anything in the future work
ings of the proposed Seminary, that its first
two, find as yet only Professors, do not sustain
our General Assembly in the Exsoinding
Acts ? Are we to have from the North-
West a stream of cool moderatism to per
meate the Church ?" Is it significant of
anything that peculiar views, on particular
subjects, are held by very worthy Professors
in some of the Assembly's Seminaries—the
"Elder question," for example—and divers
other subjects, as the late "Critic" would
abundantly show, and as some of the records
of Princeton would manifest, in connexion
with the sainted dead ? So far as I know,
the indorsement of the Assembly's Exscind
ing Acts is not made a test of any man's
orthodoxy, aptness to teach, or fitness for
any position of labor and influence, for
which he is in other respects fitted; or for
the fullest confidence of his brethren and
the Church. And till this moment, such a
test has not been proposed,, although these
gentlemen have held, for years, the same
position, as Professors, to which they have
been elected in the new Seminary, and have
sent out some of the sternest advocates of
our doctrines, and order, and acts, who
grace the Church. It is devoutly to be
hoped that this old " Shibboleth" may not
be demanded now I
Fourth query of ." Out West." " Why
so prompt to elect Professors for this Insti
tution ? Were there funds secured for
their support? Had public opinion ma
tured and expressed itself ? Did the King's
business indeed require this haste ?" These
questions all bear upon the actions of the
Board of Directors. Sec. sof Art. 111. of
the Constitution adopted by the Synods,
reads thus : "The Board of Directors shall
have power, on or before the first day of
October, '57, to determine the place where
the Seminary shall be located; and if re
moved from New Albany, to provide suitable
grounds and buildings, • and furnish the
same, and to take all measures necessary
and proper to put the Seminary into opera
tion at the earliest - elate possible." Here
are our instructions, and is, the Synod's
business, which we trust and believe is the
" King's business," requires "all the haste
praticable." We simply desired, in all our
actions, to do what the Synods gave us to
do, and to-do it as they wished us to do it.
We are strict constructionists, and we read
our marching orders before moving. It will
be noticed, by the transaction, that a
Seminary, with a score of young men in it,
was thrown upon our hands, and we must,
"if practicable," make provision for them;
and we did earnestly hope, when the Pro
fessors were elected, to be able to open the
Seminary, in its new home, by the first of
October, 1857, fully manned and equipped,
and thus transfer these students as a basis
of operations.
What was it that the Synods gave us to
do ? Not to " establish a Seminary if the
way be clear," in ecclesiastical parlance;
this they ha already done themselves, in
adopting the Constitution; but they gave us
this, their Seminary, and charged us to find
it a home, and put into it Professors, and
set it working, and to be quick about it ! •
As Directors, we had no alternative ; but as
the faithful servants of the Synods, to, do
the most, and the best, and the quickest for
the great enterprise which they had inaug
urated, that it was possible and practicable
to do. It would have been much easier,
and much more economical of time and
money, for us to have rested quietly till
" public opinion' had matured and expressed
itself." If haste there has been in the
matter, the Synods committed it, not we.
"Out West" being, as I infer, a member
of one of the Synods, must know that all
the questions of time, the demand for a
Seminary in this part of the field, &c., &c.,
were discussed and passed upon by the
Synods, in the adoption of the constitution.
These questions were then settled. And
the unparalleled unanimity with which the
whole seven Synods came to the same con
clusion on all these questions, and on the
whole subject, seems to me to be the very
best answer that could possibly be given to
these questions. I doubt whether the his
tory of our Church can present another in
stance of equal unanimity, cu. any subject,
involving so many important interests, and
reaching over so wide a field. This should'
settle the question. When the Church so
speaks, we may rest assured there is signifi
cance, and power, and authority in the ut-
terance !
In the fifth place, " Out West" asks,
" May we see, in print, the Basis, the Con
stitution, and the Charter, for this Institu
tion ? ve would fain see, and note the
guarantee the Church has that here, as else
where, her doctrine, polity and policy shall
be illustrated and defended !" The Con
stitution has been published in pamphlet
form,
and widely circulated, for montl-_.s past.
If I knew who the writer was, I would send
him a copy. The charter has been in the
hands of the Legislature, and is now ready
to be published. An extended address to
the churches on the subject, is now in the
hands of the printer, and will soon appear 1
It seems, with all our haste, we have not
been quite fast enough. Only give us a
little time, brethren, and we will give you
the means of examining us and ours. -We
desire to be known, widely known, minutely
known, but known fairly and truly !
But further,
the Church has all, the
( 'guarantee that her doctrine, polity and
policy shall be illustrated and defended,"
" that it is possible to give. In respect to the
Professors, Art. IV. of the Constitution
prescribes :
" That no person shall be eligible to any Pro
fessorship in the Seminary, except a member in
full communion in the Presbyterian Church ; and
no person shall be eligible to the office of Profes-
PUBLICATION OFFICE, GAZETTE BUILDING, FIFTI STREET, ABOVE SMITHFIELD, PITTSBURGH, PA.
FOR THE WEEK ENDING SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 1857.
ear of Theology, except a regularly ordained win
ister in the Church."
And,
"Every Professor, before he enters upon the
execution of his office, shall subscribe the follow
ing engagement: In the presence of God, and
of the Board of Directors of this Seminary, I do
solemnly profess my belief that the Confession of
Faith and Catechisms of the Presbyterian Church
contain a summary and true exhibition of the
system of doctrine, order and worship taught in
the Holy Scriptures, the only supreme and infalli
ble rule of faith ; and my approbation of the
Presbyterian form of Church Government, as be
ing agreeable to the Scriptures ; and do promise
that I will notiteach, directly or indirectly, any
thing contrary to, or inconsistent with the ,said
Confession and Catechisms, or the fundamental
principles of Presbyterian Church Government ;
and that I will faithfully execute the office of a
Professor in the Presbyterian Theological Semi
nary of the North-West.'
" Each Professor, if required, shall lay before
the Board of Directors a true and full statement
of all text books used by him ; and of his whole
method of instruction; and shall treat with re
spectful consideration; any suggestion or advice,
which the Board may give."
" The Professors shall constitute a Faculty;
and shall keep a full journal of their proceedings,
which, together with a full report of the state of
the Seminary, they shall report to the Board an
nually, and oftener if required."
Such is the " guarantee as it regards
the Professors; and as it regards the Board
itself, the Constitution provides, that the
members shall be elected annually by the
Synods; arid before entering upon the duties
of their office, shall subscribe the following
engagement : •
" I do solemnly promise, in the presence of
(Ted and this Board that I will faithfully execute
the office of a Director, and will support its Con
stitution and the Constitution of the Presbyterian
Church so long as I remain in this office."
It furtber provides :
Art. III; Sec. 3. (2,) "That the Board shall
judge of the competency and fidelity of the Pro
fessors in the discharge of their trust, especially
in regard to the doctrines taught; and, in case
any Professor or instructor be found to be un
sound in the faith, teaching directly or indirectly
anything contrary to the doctrine of the Con
fession of Faith or Catechisms of the Presbyterian
Church, or the fundamental principles of Presby
terian Church Government; immoral or irreligious
in life, or otherwise incompetent or unfaithful ;
to admonish, suspend, or remove from office such
Professor or instructor, &c."
It further provides :
"That the Directors shall superintend the an
nual examinations of the students, and appoint
such other services in connexion therewith, as
they may think
.proper." " And to make an
nually to each Synod united in the direction of
the Seminary, in writing, a full and faithful re
port of the whole state of the Seminary, and 'of
the transactions of the Board ; and to recommend
such measures as shall appear to be proper for
its benefit."
The Board being thus strictly, minutely,
and immediately subject to, and under the
supervision of the Synods; and the Pro ,
fessors with the same strictness, minuteness
and closeness, to the Board; the Synods, it
will be seen, have the most immediate and
absolute supervision, inspeetion and'eontrol
over the Seminary in all its departments.
And now do these Synods need to give to
the Church "guarantee " of any sort ?
Who are the ministers of these seven Synods?
Nine•tenths of them are the sons of Prince
ton and Allegheny; and, do Presbyterian
ministers degenerate so easily as within a
year or two of their transplantation on this
Western soil, to require "letters of com
mendation ?" Who are the elders of these
seven Synods ? A large proportion of them
mea who were as pillars of strength, 'and
as trees of fruitfulness in the churches of
Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, Kentucky,
Virginia, &o. The vine might as well ask
guarantee from its outermost and topmost
branches for the quality of their leaves and
clusters, as the Church at large ask guaran
tee of these North-Western churches.
Brethren, we are the scions of your own
spreading vine. Do you ask more guarantee
than is contained in that fact?
" Out-West's " last query: "Why not
place the Institution under the care of the
General Assembly, Sze. ? (1.) We have not
had the opportunity yet. (2.) The Synods
must do that, if done at all. (3.). They can
not, of course, till after the next meeting.
(4.) Even then they could not place the
Institution there till it is established and
working. (5.) Some of us think it is just
as safe, and just as likely to. secure the con
fidence and patronage of the Church at
large, under seven Synods, as under the.
General Assembly. We shall have to bear,
the burden of it at all events, and we had
rather do it directly than indirectly. Who
ever was present. in the last Assembly
when the Seminary matters came up, had
sufficient evidence of the fact, that the As
sembly's Seminaries are really controlled
by the circumjacent Synods, much more
than by the General Assembly: and hence,,
preferring things to names, " Out West,"
we prefer the Seminary in the lianas of
seven Synods. However, the Synods will
dispose of that question as seems best in
their isdom.
So if uch for the six " queries " of " Out
West" What I have said, I have said
kindl , and I believe truly, and with no
other view than to commend this great
enter I , ise to the confidence, affection, and
heart co-operation of all "Out West."
A DIRECTOR.
Lafayette College
sometime ago, noted the resignation
M'Lean, President of Lafayette
Wel
of B.
Colle!,e ; and the call of Professor Alden to
the residency of Jefferson, and his ae_,
ceptance of which would require his resigna
tion it Lafayette. We give, below, the
action ` of the Trustees in reference to the
withdtawal of these excellent officers. The
Trustees are . happy in obtaining the services
of M . M'Phail, as temporary President
They
tune.
ave also the aid of Dr. Alden, for a
The students are thus well provided
struction.
w' hi
The
subjec
M'Le
would
unfeig
compe
They
might
ten io
of the
committee to whom was referred the
of the resignation of the Rev. Dr.
, the President of the College, &c.,
report to the Board, that it is with
ed reluctance they feel themselves
ed to meet the case before them.
.ad fondly hoped that Dr. DPLean
have been induced to forego his in
to resign. But as the unwillingness
oard, as well as that of the Synod of
elphis, to accept his resignation has
availed upon him to withdraw it, they
tempt a suitable minute in the case.
Ph"la
not p
will •
Mitean has been associated with this
for some six years, and during all that
is labors bave boon abundant, arduous,
Dr
Boar
time
energetic, and eminentill successful. When
the Synod of PhiladAtibia took charge of
Lafayette College in the Autumn'of 1849,
and your present Boar 'of Trustserryyere.put
in authority to conduct,its affairs, Elbadows
and gloom rested uporOus all. The-Institu
tion had gone down, tin d , lay involved in
debt to a large amount: lts former friends
made handsome overtures and flattering
promises. With faith; in a kind Providence,
and zeal in the cause*: Christian education,
the work of resuscitation was begun/ .Dr.
M'Lean brought forwtird a plan of endow
ment. Under. the Brion of the' 7 Bilard,
and through the untir g efforts' of'iDr.•
Lean and other calatOg agencies ); this. en.;
dowinent of more thallsloo„9.o,9Mas sub
scribed, and a large .pdt ,of • folleded.
The finances of the Collie.Veielgreatly im
proved, the number stit'dostita largely in
creased, and other
structors added to the AigT:.Mi.tiTii'4)Violiifl
Institution at once : A evidence of a new
and promising iutur::' To Dr:" M'Lean,
more than to any ot..i, is this Board, the
Synod of Philadelp i a:,i and the cause of
learning and religion ijdebted for the splendid
success of this great fork. He went to our
pastors and people„.and in the,pulpit; and
from house to house; he threw a flood of
light upon the themt of his mission, and
every where enkindldd a living and moving
feeling in behalf of ,Christian education and
theinterests of our. College. But his efforts
were not confined to; , itte Church. Where
ever public meetings could be called, in
court-houses, town-halls, academies, schools,
and even in our common schools,. was his
earnest and eloquent•voice heard, calling
the parents and the path of our land to the
noble destiny of the Oucated and immortal
mind. Your Commilthe are free to say, that•
they know of no otheiPresident of a literary
institution-who has done so much for learn
ing, and religion ini ? general, in so short a
time, as has Dr. N'Lean. They have ever,
too, as a man and alMember of this Board,
found him to be V gentleman, faithful,
punctual, honest, *leo, and able. And
since it must needibe s so, they part with
him from his preserVost of President with
feelings of profoundegret, and they, there
fore, offer the folloifing resolutions :
' 1. Resolved, Thate hearty thanks of this
d ih
Board are eminently b;'anil are hereby tender
ed to Dr. M'Lean, for his invaluable labors in the
promotion of ednoatiolitand the prosperity of our
College during his Piliiidenoy of the Institution.
2. Resolved, That this "loath express their
high and unabated sense of Dr. M'Lean's charac
ter as a man, a minist#of Christ, and an able and
successful instructor *youth.
3. Resolved, That .w `"
sever Dr. M'Lean may go,
this Board hope to co inue to cherish for him the
warmest feelings of * tweet: ind friendship, and
trust that a kind Pro encelhay continue to pro
tect and bless him; -.n lit last he shall reach his
final home in.glory ! - :; . .
4. Resolved, ' That.: we are now without a
President for the "doll e'and.a4 it will be exceed
kigly difficult to sup 'rtheiptieivc of Dr. M'Lean,
that this Board. earnestly desire -hip, in -ac
cordance with the wish of the Synod; to continue
to sustain the office of President of the College
until our next commencement, and until a suc
cessor may be chosen ; rendering such services in
the instruction of the students, and in-collecting
scholarships, as he may be able • and at such
rates of compensation as he and this. Board may
agree upon.
Upon the reading of the above report
and resolutions, Dr. M'Lean having stated
that he could not serve as President any
longer, the whole paper was adopted, except
the last resolution, for which the following
was substituted :
Resolved, That the Bev. G. M'Phail be re
quested to discharge the duties of President until
the next annual meeting of the Board.
The Rev. Joseph Alden, D. D. having
tendered his resignation as Professor of
Mental and Moral Philosophy in Lafayette
College, ,with the view of accepting the
Presidencyof Jefferson . College, it was
Resolved, That the resignation he accepted, and
the Board take this opportunity to certify their
high sense of the value of Dr. Alden's services
while connected with this College, and express
the hope that in his removal to another and more
extensive field of labor, he may still be more emi
nently useful to the Church and the world.
For the Presbyterian Banner and Advocate.
"Both Philip and the Emma,"
Da. M'KINNEY :—I am greatly obliged
to your correspondent, "S. J," for hisfa
vorable estimate• of my article on the
,bap
tism of the Eunuch, and shall always be
glad to see suggestions and criticisms from
his able pen. A single remark of his, how
ever, seems to require some notice. He
says, " Dr. Carson, we •think, is right in
saying that.' both • ' is used twice, for this
is really the force of the original Ho,
to Philippos kai ho Eunouchos—" both,
Philip and the %Eunuch."
Now,- I think Dr. Carson was wrong.; be
cause in the , phrase, "both. Philip and the.
Eunuch," • there is nothing in the orig
inal to correspond with -the word both. ,If
there is, where is it ? Is it the particle te,
in ho, te Philippos ?" But that never has
the force of amphoteroi, BOTH. As a con
junction, it means no more than our Eng
lish word, and. When followed by lcai, it is
most generally and very properly treated by
our translators as an expletive, used for the
sake of euphony, and not to be rendered in
English. We give two out of many exam
ples. Acts viii : 28—en te hupostrephon
kai kathemenos :—" was returning and sit
ting in his chariot!' Chap. ix : 25—pare
teroun te tas pukes hemeras te kai nuctos :
—" and they watched the gates day and
night."
Or, is it supposed that the combination
" ho, te," followed by kai has - the force of
the word both If so, our translators have
egregiously erred;, for there are many .pas
sages in which they have allowed those
words no such force at all. Look at these
following :
Acts V : 24.—" Now, when the high
priest and captain of the temple;" ho, te
hiereus kai ho straters.
XIII : I.—" As Barnabas and Simeon
that was called Niger ;" ho g to Barnatas,
kai Sumeon...
XVII : 14.-4' But Silas and. Timotheus
abode there still;" ho, to Silas kai ho
Timotheos.
Luke X_XIH 12.—" Pilate and Herod
were made friends ;" ho, le Pilatos kai lao
He ode.s
See Acts xiii 11; xvii : 10; xviii : 5;
and Luke ii : 16. See also Acts i : 13,
where the translators, by using the word
both, make that dual term to comprehend no
less than four persons !
Now, can it be that in these, and so
many other passages ho, to has the force of
the English both, and` that our translators
did not know it ? lam sure that "S. J."
would deprecate such a conclusion. They
-were learned and conscientious men, and
their work is pot perfect just because they
were men. The version they have given is
probably the best, on the whole.. that has
been- prodnee'd in any language. We cannot
expectiarbater in this age;;and -it favors
immersienrquite as much as. the Baptists
ought p s zylesire.
The reason why the translators twice used
the 'Wad both, in the account of the.
Eunuch's baptism, was probably this : They
desired. to-=retain the animation of the orig
inal, with-the. order of the words: This the
idiom, of pur language did not so readily
allow, ,vrithout using ,the word both the
iseMid `time:" The French Version, from the
grater of 'language, retains' the
-picturesqueness of the original, without. the
eke;
two boas,
•
**l d M:na r g qupnarrretyile c4a ! rlpt,
et its dace?? dirent toils deux clans beau-
Phatippe' et EunuqUx," &c.
Dr. G. D. 'Armstrong renders the verse
thus
t 4 And he commanded the chariot-to
stand, and they descended both cis (unto or
into,)*the water ; that is Philip and the
Eunuch, and he baptized him."—Doct. of
Bapt., p. 193.
For the above reasons, I think that Dr.
Carson had no right to found an argument
on a word, used in accommodation to the
idiom of -our language, but not found in the
original. L.- N. D.
rdi the Presbyterian Banner and Advocate
OR, LETTERS TO A FRIEND ON THE DOCTRINES AND
DUMB OF THE BIBLE.
Letter 2C—A Letter from the sick one
Haying many things to write.-2. JOHN 12.
"MY DEAn. PASTOR will again at
tempt to write a few lines, although I have
not much to write that will be interesting:
I am very much obliged to you for your
most interesting letters. Such instruction
I very much need, •and wish for at present.
"I think that these subjects are more in
teresting to nie than they were before. And
there is much yet that I want to know and'
learn. And I shill be much obliged to you
to continue these topics, if it will not be in.
truding upon your-time too much to do so.
" One question I have to ask in regard to
my health. For my medicine appears not
to do any good only as long as am taking
it. And, therefore, I would like to know if
there is anything in my case but what I
shall get well. It is not on account of my
being so anxious about it that I write thus.
But then I think I ought to know, if any
one. But God knows, and he will do all
things well. And I must leave it in his
hands, to ,do what seemeth him best.
Please write soon," &c. _ .
Tlit ANS WI,
MY DEAR FRIEND :—Yours is just re
ceived. I need not say that I am very
"much" interested in what you have writ
ten. lam glad if my letters are of any use
to you. Your desire to learn encourages
me to write; and I will continue to do so as
my other engagements, and my weak: eyes
will permit; and may your 4 ' interest " in
these subjects increase more and morel
Your question about your " health " is a
serious and delicate one; and yet you
" ought to know, if any one." You will
remember that in my first letter, I expressed
a fear that you might " not get well." I
Can only say, that I still fear that you will
never be well " again in this world. Your
recovery is possible; but I fear it is not at
all probable. Most likely in a few months
you will be where the inhabitants shall not
say, I am sick; resting, then, I hope, in the
Saviour's bosom.—lsa.
My dear child, do not be afraid, for
" Jesus can make a dying bed
Feel soft as downy pillows are."
And • when you are called to walk through
the dark valley, he can : sustain you, for I
hope and trust he will be with you then.
Only put your trust in him, and he will sus
tain you; he will never leave nor forsake
you.—Ps. xxiii : 4; Ileb. xiii : 5.
As to your medicine, continue it, and
thank God for it. It does you "good while
you are taking it;" it makes you comforta
ble: This is much; and it is, perhaps, all
that can reasonably •be expected from it
If it does not cure you, which is -not likely,
though it is possible, it will make yon com
fortable while you live,; and for this you
should be, willing to take it, and be thankful
for it. Besides that, it does you "good,"
and makes you comfortable, .affords some
little hope that it may benefit you.
Try to be composed. Leave yourself in
the hand of. God,, and let him "do what
seemeth him best." He will do all things
well ; and in another and, better world, you
will praise him• for your early removal from
this vale of tears. " Some = one has said of
those who die young, that ' they are like ti e
lambs which, the Alpine shepherds carry in
their arms to higher and greener pastures,
that the flocks may follow. "
As you think now you can trust in Christ,
I may hereafter speak more in the language
of 'encouragement and hope, and yet with
some degree of plainness and caution. It
is safe for you to have me speak plainly;
and if anything written does not suit your
eas3, you, can pass it by.
TAO, in the Lord, my child, and aim to
glorify God living and dying, and it shall be.
well with you. Jesus is a faithful Saviour;
he never leaves his work half done; trust
in him, and he will neVer desert nor deceive
you. With these remarks, I must bid you
adieu for the present; and as my weak eyes
allow, I will continue my letters, for I have
a great deal yet to say—having many things
to write unto you.-2. John 12. Write to
me again soon. Read Pa. xxiii ;1. Cor.
xv; and Hymn 621 of our Psalms and
Hymns.
" Why should we- start and fear to din ?
What timorous worms we mortals are:
Death is the gate of endless joy,
And yet we dread to enter there."
YOURS, IN MUCH LOVE.
ENGLISH MISSION TO THE TIIRE.S.—We
learn from' an English paper .that the Ex
ecutive Committee of the Countess of Hun
tingdon's Missionary Society, for the spread
of the liospel, intend to establish a 'Mission
to the Mohammedans in Turkey and Syria,
as soon as the, requisite funds can be obtain
ed.. This movement is entirely distinct from
that of the Turkish Mission Aid Society.
Western Correspondence.
Dn. APKINNEY :-It has been my design,
for several weeks past, to say something of
the character of the ministers of our Old
School churches, of the kind of men needed
by the Church, and of the influences with
which brethren, coming from the East and
seeking locations in the. West, will have to
contend. I enter upon this work in this
letter, promising to give your readers
as reliable information upon all these 'Sub
jects as my - information, and a ten • year?
residence in the West, will enable me to do.
We have it the present time a corps of
ministers in our Old School connexion, who,
in the following 'particulars, will compare
favorably with those of any other denomina
tion East or West.. .
First. In)devotion to the great work
which they are
,engaged. cA,,,pretty, exten
slye .nniminParice . ,with.them enables .mer,tei
speak with no, small confidence upon this
Subject. They seem'to 'have an intelligent
:appreciation of the work, its responsibilities,
its 'self-denial, its discouragements, its pe
culiar trials; " yet they labor on in the midst
of all,. oftentimes, like Paul, laboring with
their own hands, that they may not be
come a burden upon the Church, or
upon the Board. I am satisfied that
an impartial investigation' would show,
that fewer. ministers from the ranks of Ohl
School Presbyterians have demitted the
ministerial office for other pursuits, until
incapacitated by ill health or old age, than
from other denominations. Nor is this
owing to their superior pecuniary remunera
tion, for theirs has been no better earthly re
varil than has that of others, but it is owing,
I believe, to their attachment to the cause
to which they have -devoted their energies
and their lives. This devotion, under God,
has been a cause of the rapid growth of our
Church, during past years. lien have la
bored in her behalf, who have known the
blessedness of laboring unselfishly, who have
been enabled, by the grace imparted to them,
to labor for the glory of God, and who have
been sustained, when .so engaged, by the
strength of him who has said, "Lo I am
with you alway, even unto the end of the
world.' Thus they have been enabled to
endure hardness, as good soldiers of the
Cross, and do a work which less devoted
men could not have done.: Religion has
been commended by their devotion, and their
steady adherence to the work of winning
souls, under their circumstances, has been a.'
most valuable testimonial in favor of the
Divinity of the Gospel.
, If we were in the habit of parading in
stances of peculiar self-denial before the
eye of the world, we might find eases enough
in the past history and, present condition of
Presbyterianism, to fill many columns of the
Banner and Advocate. But this display
would be unbecoming, and, to the subjects of
it,, would be painful. Their reward is in
heaven, and we but refer to it as we have
done, that others may he stimulated to "go
and do likewise!'
Second. In the peculiar qualifications to
enable them to take a high stand in their holy
calling. By this I mean that, -as a class,
they are well educated, and in respect of
all that is needful to make them useful in
winning souls to Christ, are well skilled and
qualified. True, but few of them .would
shine as popular lecturers, orrattract large
crowds, perhaps, as platform orators. They
have not had the time nor the inclination
to devote much labor or study to the arts of
those who live to amuse. Souls have been
dying around them—have been perishing
for lack of knowledge, and they have been
too busy with these to seek the fame or
laurels which attach to those who live sim
ply to please the changeful multitude.
Theirsis the ministerial office—its high du
ties, and onerous responsibilities. They
have sought and acquired the qualifications
necessary to the discharge of its duties, and
needful to enable them to meet its responsi
bilities, and with this they have been satis
fied. And well may they be contented with
this. Long may the ministers of our
beloved Church regard it as their highest
honor to preach. Christ, acceptably, and skill
fully, leaving to others the task of culling
laurels from other fields, and in other pur
suits. Let me not be regarded as indulging
in fulsome praise of my brethren. What I
say is commendatory, 't is true, but they and
I have cause to thank God that these things
can be spoken in truth; and
Third. An intelligent and consistent ad
herence to the great truths of the Gospel—
the form of sound words committed to them.
In 'this regard, the ministers, of our
Church laboring in the West will favorably.
compare with the same number in any part
of the land.. We might, perhaps, suppose
that in the free, changeable and expanding
West; -in the' midst of the growing disposi
tion to admit the idea of progress in religion
as in everything , else, that our ministers, to,
a great extent, would become affected with
the mania, and break away from the old,
familiar truths, to follow that which at first
sight seems so attractive under the semblance
of a more modern philosophy, a more
thoroughly Americanized system of prin
ciples. This, however, lam happy to say,
we have reason to bless God is not the. case
Profoundly convinced of the immutable
nature of spiritual truth, believing that that
truth has been arrived at, and that it is set
forth in the Standards of our Church, those
who have been called to expound it to others
in this Western field, have not betrayed the
trust reposed in them. In the midst of the
most bitter revilings oftentimes; the most
painful opposition, the most humiliating
affronts, they have steadily persevered, and
the pure, and holy, and elevating, and God
honoring, and man-humbling doctrines of,
our Church have, now, through their labors,
found a home here, where it was once, by
their opponents, predicted they could not
live for a year. There has been observable.
ameng a certain`class of Western ministers
a vagueness and uncertainty- as . to their own
belief, and, consequently, a vagueness and un
certainty in their teachings, most reprehen
sible in those who are set as watchmen upon
the Walls of Zion. Instances are found
where clergymen, with - large and promising
churches, have been free to admit, thatupon
the doctrines of the atortement, , human de
pravity, the connexion of the human race
with the Father of that race, in the transac
tions of Eden, and other :equally vital
questions, they were yet unddoided; were in
doubt, and the; have gone' stuinbling on,.
`whilst their precious charge of immortal
:souls. has _gone top,. stumbling.on in pride,
rejecting the only true light, and seeking
Philadelphia, 27 South Tenth Street, below Chestnut
By Mail, or at the Office, $1.50 tier Year, t B EE pßosp zei t s.
Delivered in the City, 1.75 `"
to find what. they are in'search of, by the
the dim light of reason. Oh, it is painful,
distressingly painful, and, I zejoice before
God, that I can report through your columns
to brethren throughout the landithat this
reproach does not attach to those who hear
the Standards in this - growing region in the
churches over Which our Presbyteries'have
the oversight. May God make us hitnibly
dependent upon his Word for all our - light,
and may he preserve us from a ministry
which hasgiven up heavenly wisdom for the
philosophy of man.
With a ministry devoted to the great work
to Which they have been called, peculiarly
qualified by education to take a, high stand
in their profession, -with a steady and intel
ligent adherence to the' form of sound words
committed' to them, our- Church muiit, with
the blessing•of-God,.dos great work in this
i srt.of , the lund, . That, work has poly just
begun. In some departnients of it, as
shoivn in previous letters, it has not yet
made '"even a respectable beginning; but we
have, in the character of our ministry, an
earnest of ultimate success. God grant
them graCe to be more entirely conformed to
the perfect pattern exhibited in Christ.
Promising, God willing, to resume this sub
ject at a future time, I turn to other matters.
Most encouraging reports of the state of
religion still flow—in upon us from almost
every part of, this wide-extended field: All
denominations of Christians seem blessed in
their labors. Milwaukie has in this, great
reason to be thankful. Recent reports con
firm previous accounts from that growing
city, and, attest that scores of souls give evi
dence of having . passed from death unto
life. The. Baptist churches, Congregational,
New and Old School Presbyterian, and
Methodist, have all shared in this grace.
From other and less,important localities, re
ports are equally cheering;' but we now
particularly refer to this instance, as it is
.always gratifying , to learn of extensive re
vivals of religionn the great centres of in
fluence. Let ourlarge cities be thoroughly
evangelized, and from them will go forth
streams of holy influences, to make glad
the whole land. With this object in
view, let our most holy and devoted men be
stationed in our cities. Let them be sus
tained there at' whatever sacrifice, and the
whole Church will ultimately feel their
power. The influence of a Spring, and a
Krebs, and an Alexander, is not confined to
their respective churches and localities; but,
by reason of their peculiar pysition, it is felt
throughout the whole land, in every locality
where the good or evil from such a city can
penetrate.
I have nothing this week of additional
interest to report to your readers, respecting
the Theological Seminary for the North-
West. "Yours, truly,
lads an !At /flings.
Tag daily-round, the common task,
Will furnish all we ought to ask,
Room to deny ourselves—a road
To bring us daily nearer God.
THE Newspaper is a sermon for the
thoughtful, a library for the poor, and a
blessing to everybody. Lord Brougham
calls it the best public instructor.
THE American Protestants of Paris, have
purchased a fine church, built some years
since by the Chaplain of the British Embas
sy, for $45,000.
'MODESTY la the appendage of sobriety,
and" it is to chastity, to temperance, and to
humility, as the fringes are to a garment.—
Jeremy Taylor.
HUMBLE VlRTUE.—Flowers have
bloomed on our prairies, and passed away,
from age to age, unseen by man, and multi
tudes of virtue have been acted out in ob
scure places, without note or admiration.
The sweetness of both has gone up to
heaven.—Arrs. Sigourney.
HxAvx. A little Swedish girl was
walking with her father one night, under the
starry sky, intently meditating upon the
glories of heaven. At last, looking up to
the sky, she said, "Father, I have been
thinking if the wrong side of heaven is so
beautiful, what will the right side be I"
PROTESTANTISM INTRANCE.---PrOteStait
ism is gaining ground in France rapidly.
The' Protestants in Havre number now three
thousand, With a moving population of one
thousand at least. They have four schools
with four' hundred pupils. Two churches
are insufficient, and a third is about being
erected to accommodate two thousand. In
Marseilles there are five thousand Protestant
church attendants, and hiother departments
flourishing churches are now to be found.
A COMPETENOE.—Ministers do not preach
for money, but this is no reason why they
should receive none. When the churches
shall afford to their ministers a competent
support; the eV for men—the destitution
of the ministry—will cease to be heard; and
when ministmrs are enabled to lay by a little
something for the dark day, the " thorn"
will be removed from the pillow'', of the
dying pastor, and his heart saved from the
" pang" of absolute poverty.
AN ACCOMMODATING a cer
tain New -England-parish, a difficulty arose
about the location of the new meeting
house, and the.. church was rent with the
division. The pastor at length preached a
melting sermon on the subject of union and
the: congregation were dissolved in tears.
The nest morning Deacon Jones went over
early to see his opponent Deacon Shaw,
to
make an.narnest effort for peace, and the
following conversation ensued :
Deacon J.—" Deacon. Shaw, I hav'nt
• slept 'a 'wink all night, and I've come over
to see if we- can't have peace on this subject
of the meeting. house.; we must settle the
difficulty."
Deacon S —“Well, I am very happy to
hear you talk so, for to tell the truth, I
always thaught lion were a little set in your
way.'
Deacon, .7:—( 4 Not at all—and as a proof
.that :I ant not, I've come this morning on
purpose to-see you. Now, Deacon Shaw,
we must settle this. unhappy . difficulty, and
:there is but one way to do it—you must
give up for I can't.
0.234
NORTH-WEST.