The War in Persia.
Namur 10 lliyoratt. It is probable that the hostilities which
have been commenced between Great Britain
and Persia will speedily be terminated, as it
appears that arrangements are in progress
with a view to that end. Compared with
the scenes which were lately enacted in the
Crimea, the war has been on a small scale,
and it is not probable that against a force
such as England could bring into the field
from her Indian possessions, the troops of
Persia would display any remarkable re
sistanee. Our object in adverting to this
subject, is not to chronicle the movements
which have already taken place, nor to point
'out what we believe to be the probable, issues
of the contest. We desire rather to make
our readers familiar with pertain great facts
and • principles which underlie the whole
movement, and which are intimately con
nected with important national changes
which must speedily occur in Central Asia,
and which are to have an influential beating
on the progress of Christianity in the East.
In the celebrated documentknown as the
" Will of Peter the Great," •of Russia—
whether this instrument be a forgery or not,
is of little matter—is to be found the clue to
the policy of the Russian Empire for up
wards of a century, and from which the suc
cessive Emperors, and their counselors, have
never deviated. That paper sets forth the
duty of Russia to aim at universal dominion,
and its chief object is to direct the holders
of power in that country how to attain the
desired end. The weakening of Turkey on
the one hand, and of Persia on the other
hand, with a view to their final absorption
into the dominions of the Czar, are set forth
as indispensable preliminary means to the
attainment of a good position. The position
once attained, and the means prepared, then
a stepin advance may be taken. Northern
Europe is to be secured, by grasping the
Sound, and the islands adjacent, thus com
manding the Baltic. The possession of the
Hellespont and the Dardanelles would secure
to such a power as Russia, the control of
Southern Europe, and of all Asia Minor, as
well as Egypt and the Red Sea. The pos
session of the Tigris, and the Euphrates
emptying their waters into the Xersian gulf,
and of the Red Sea, shutting off the passage
of England to her territories in the East,
would put into the hands of the Northern
power, a leverage of immense efficiency
against Great Britain, and at once bring the
resources of Russia, in all their power, to be
felt in Southern Asia. The late Emperor
Nicholas believed that the time had come
for securing one of the main objects of the
traditional policy of his family. He knew
that the men in office in Great Britain were
of mediocre talent. He believed that some
of them were committed to aid him in his pro
jects, and that all that he had to do was to be
liberal to them in the division of the spoil.
He saw France in the agonies of repeated
revolutions, 'and dreaded no danger from
that quarter; while Austria was laid under
such a load of obligations to the Court of
St. Petersburg, by the interference in Hun
gary, that he felt himself warranted in ap
plying the usual. Russian medicament to
44 the sick man." We are all aware of the
result; and now that the armies of the Czar
have been thrown back from the Danube, and
that the Dardanelles have been barred by
the legions of France and the cannon of Eng
land, the policy of Russia is to leave affairs
in that region for a season, in hope that
diplomacy will, in a good time, accomplish
what the bayonet has not been able to effect.
Foiled, and driven back in the West, it is
still possible for Russia to advance in the
East. And here, again, we have an exhibi
tion of the astuteness of the great Northern
power. For three quarters of a century the
Tartar tribes to the East of the Caspian Sea,
have been kept in continual broils with each
other, thus wasting their resources; and at
the right time the troops of the Czar have
always interfere,d, so as to gain the advantage
for Russia. Gradually the. Russian frontier
has been pushed over the Caucasus, and
carried along the coast of the Caspian Sea,
so far, that any time when it pleases the Czar
he may grasp the remainder, so far as any
power is concerned which Persia possesses
to resist the aggression. It is well known,
that for many years past the Shah and
Court of Persia, in dread of the enormous•
might of Russia, have been gradually yield
ing themselves up to the designs of the
Northern potentate. So much is this the
case, that the Court of St. Petersburg is
known to have no anxiety respecting the op
position that Persia may make to the pro
gress of the Russian troops, when it may suit
the Czar to take another step in advance to
ward the gulf of Persia.
Formerly, when the practicability of the
invasion of India by Russian troops was con
sidered by British . officers, their calculations
were based on the fact, that the deserts
lying between the Caspian and the Sea of
Aral were so extensive, and of such an in
hospitable nature, that no army could be con
ducted across them. It was argued, that if
it required all the skill and resources of
Russian generals to maintain a few battalions
required for warfare with the Tartar tribes
—a warfare in which so many had lost their
lives for almost no valuable territorial
gain that, therefore, the transport of
artillery and cavalry in large numbers, across
the sandy deserts, and desolate tracts which
must be crossed, was an undertaking which
' even Russian hardihood and determination
would fail of adcomplishing. Strange, how
ever, as it may appear, the fact seems to
have been forgotten, that the Volga, one of
the largest rivers in Europe, was navigable
for hundreds of miles through the heart of
the Russian Empire, and that it could serve
the purpose of a great highway to the Cas
pian, on which a fleet might operate in car
rying the needful supply of forces and war
like munitions to Astrabad, on the South-
Eastern coast of the Caspian Sea.
Should Persia become propitious, Wand
favor the designs of Russia on India, or
should Russia see fit to seize on the Southern
coast of the Caspian, on ally of the manifold
pretexts which could easily be put -forth,
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'OM WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE.-
We see, in the National intelligencer, ap
pended to a lettter from correspondents of
the newspaper press to Hon. N. P. Banks,
Speaker, the 'name of Z. (J. L.) Elliott, as
connected with our journal. Mr. Elliott
was our correspondent for the Session of
18554 ; but for the late Session, a different
gentleman occupied (and still occupies,)
toward us this relation.
Revivals:
letwAuxu, Wis.—This city has been
blessed with an 'extensive revival, to which
"North West" alludes in the latter part of
his letter. The Eiangelical churches gen
erally, shared in the benefit.
PIGEON CREEK, Pa.—For an account of
a most gracious visitation of love and mercy
to the congregation at this place, see letter
of the pastor, Dr. Sloan.
EARL - vmm, ILL.—The Rev. John Ustiok
writes to the Pr'esbyterian Herald :
" The Spirit of God has been poured upon
us ? in his convicting, converting, and sancti.
fying influences. About thirty persons have
expressed a hope in Christ, and several
others are inquiring the way to Zion. Twenty
six have united with out church, an unusual
number of whom are young men. Our last
two communions have truly been times of re
freshing, from the presence of the Lord to
our church. All seemed to feel that God
was in the midst of his . Church, and that the
place was solemn and awful by reason of his
presence."
The "Review" Raplahnd.
When we were nearly ready for the press,
we received the following letter, affirmatory
of our understanding of the article in the
Princeton Revieth, on the Status of Infants.
The author must not be surprised at the
watchfulness of the Church on the subject
treated of. It is a foundation doctrine, on
which is built an extended system of faith,
feeling, and practice. It affects the emo
tions and conduct of God's people. It re
lates to, an important distinctive feature in
our Church. The hopes and duties of
parents 'are connected therewith; and the
immortal interests of the rising race are
thereby deeply affected :
Mu. EDITOR :—The charge against the
Princeton I?euiere, 011 the status of baptized
children, appears, at last, to have its basis
attenuated to the substitution of the word
OR for AND, in the following sentences; one
of which states that the membership of bap
tized children in the visible Church is based
on, the "presumption that they are, AND
will prove to be ; the other, " that they
are,Oß, will prove to be, membrs of the in
vible Church."
Now, suppose the facts on which this
presumption is based to be, as they are
stated by yourself, by that writer, and his
critic, A. 8., viz., that, by virtue of the
Covenant, the children of the Church dying
in infancy are probably regenerated before
death; that of those who, grow up we may
entertain the hope, or presumption, that
they will, under proper Christian train
ing, prove to be, through God's Spirit
operating in infancy, or early years, the
children of. God; that, this presumption,
though liable to be dispelled, and often, in
fact, dispelled, by subsequent developments,
is, nevertheless, as you say, stronger than
in regard to those whocome into the Church
from without, by profession ; on this state
of facts, agreed to by all parties, is not this
truth set forth by either of these forms of
expression. Is there not a presumption
that they are, elm will prove to be, chil
dren of God? Also, that they are on will
prove to be such ? When either of these
phrases is used to express, as is explicitly
stated in the article in question, the fore
going state of facts, can any body fail to
understand that one branch of the sentence
refers more especially to the presumption as
based:upon the infant regeneration of many
who die at that age, and of others who
grow up; .and the other more especially to
the case of those who, as they grow up,
give evidence of regeneration, whether
wroughtat an earlier or later period ? . And
if, when all the surrounding statements, as
you • show, required such an interpreta
tion, it appeared that some were pressing
the words to >the quick, in disregard
of the whole drift of the article, the
phrase, cc are OR will prove to be," •wss
employed, in order 'more effectually to repel
misconstruction, is it not a little -too much
to make one an offender for this word ? As
to the "naturalism," " Puseyism," " incont
sisteney,'" whether expressly imputed, or
~covertly insinuated, as lurking in that arti
cle, it would be far easier to evolve univer
salism, or justification by works, or " incon
sistency" on these points, from the New
Testament. The Infallible Word itself has
never been proof agairet such criticism
B. C.
* / • ANNE AND ADVOCATE.
then the difficulties of carrying a force to
India would rapidly disappear. Meantime,
if Persia can be used to do the work of
Russia in the provinces on her frontier,
such as in the capture of Herat, so much the
better. The gains of Persia in all such ac
quisitions are, in the end, so many gains for
Russia. For instance, Persia in possession
of Herat and the adjoining regions, is Russia
at Herat; and thus, without striking a blow,
the Czar sees the way opened to the advance
of his forces to any place to which Persia
may extend her rule.
If our readers will take any ordinary map
of Asia, or of Persia and the adjoining
countries, especially on the East, they will,
by marking a few places, comprehead the
importance of what remains to be said. Let
them look out for Astrabad on the S. E.
shore of the Caspian; Meshed, or Mushed,
lying nearly East in the province of Khoras
san ; Herat lying to the S. E. of Meshed;
Kandahar lying further to the S. E.,; At.
took bn the Indus, and Shikarpoor on the
same river, in the district of .Sinde. From
Astrabad to. Meshed is about 300 miles.
From Meshed to Herat the distance is less
than 250 miles, so that less than 600. miles
would require to be traversed by the columns
of any army in reaching Herat from the
Caspian.
Suppose, then, that the 'forces of Great
Britain remain pas.sively behind the Indus,
and that full opportunity is given to Russia
to mature her plans, to deal with Persia and
the adjoining provinces as may suit her
policy, and to bide her time when the - onset
should be made; we have only to ask -our
readers_ to consider the following facts, and
they will see why it is, that the public mind
in England is beginning to awake on the im
portanee of the Persian question. The
Volga has already on its waters the enormous
number of 150 steamers. Thus the arsenals
of Astracan, Kazan,. and St. Petersburg, can
easily deposit their munitions at Astrabad.
This can be done with ten-fold less wear and
tear than the transit of troops cost to reach
the Crimea during the late campaigns.
From Astrabad there are three roads to
Meshed, all available for artillery. They
have been traversed again and again by
Persian armies. The celebrated traveler,
Burnes, describes these roads as excellent,
streams being generally plentiful, and the
flocks, of the Toorkomans affording a ready
supply. Arrived at Meshed, a season of re
pose and refreshment can be enjoyed; and
the 250 miles thence to Herat,acoording to the
testimony of the lamented Captain Conolly,
may be accomplished without any difficulty,
as the country is level, water is found in
sufficiency, and supplies may be had by the
way.
Once at Herat, the plain around that
celebrated region would present everything
which a jaded army could require. The town
is strongly fortified, the fertility of the
country around is wonderful, the climate is
fine, and water exists in all the plains and
valleys of the neighborhood. Herat is the
key to Affghanistam, and with the tribes of
that country favorable, little difficulty would
be presented in reaching Cabool and the
banks of the Indus, by the celebrated Khy
ber pass, which leads to Peshawar and At
took in the N. W. of the Punjaub. While
Herat is the key to Affghanistan and North
ern India, another road leads from that city
in a S. E. direction ) to. Candahar, which
forms the key through the Bolar Pass to
Sinde, on the lower Indus. A late Minister
from London to Persia, Sir. John M'Neill,
whose knowledge of Central Asia, and es
pecially of Persia and the countries around,
in addressing Lord Palmerston, says_ that
"there is no impediment either from the
physical features of the country, or front the
deficiency of supplies, to the march, of a large
army from the frontiers of Georgia fo Canda
har, or, as I believe, to the Indus." It is
obvious that with such information as the
government in London possess, the determi
nation exists neither to • allow Candahar
nor Herat, nor any other Affghanistan
stronghold; with a fertile territory around, to
fall into the hands of Persia, for in that case
it would be merely held, as it were, in trust
for a season, until the time should come when
it would snit the policy of Russia to throw
off the mask, and proclaim that it actually
belonged to the Czar. So, also, as, to the
gulf of Persia. We may be mistaken, but
we apprehend that the reason which should
make Britain anxious lest the Northern
power should be established in force in, the
N. W. of Affghanistan will also lead to a de
mand for the occupancy of such a position in
the gulf of Persia as would form a naval
depot, so that in case a Russian force were to
seize on the Northern provinces of Persia,
the fleet of Great Britain might be present
on the Southern sea board to neutralize the
possession of any acquisitions on the North.
Then, again, it is nearly certain that, from
the neighborhood of Antioch, a railroad,
shall be carried by a British company to the.
Euphrates, and eventually to the embouchure
of that river in the Persian gulf. In order
to the protection of trade and the securities
of all interests connected with such an enter
prise, a hold on Persia will no doutftnow be
secured ; and as the treaty which existed in
relation to Herat has already been broken by
the attack on, and the capture of that place,
we apprehend that Great Britain is likely to
demand the concession of some material
guarantee, as an assurance that the next
treaty shall be observed. That Russia is as
determined as ever to pursue her old polies,
is obvious to every reflecting mind. The
affair of Bolgrad and the Isle of Serpents
clearly demonstrate this. The blowing up
of the defences of Kars, and the dismantling
of Ismail, show this—the stupendous plan of
-military railroads—the new fleet of steamers
in the Black Sea, professedly for commerce
but really available for war—the prepara
tions now going on in St. Petersburg,
on a scale of unprecedented magnitude—
the encroachments in Chinese Tartary—the
seizure of, and fortifteations on the Amour
—the concentration of troops on the Cas
pian, and the renewal of war in the - Cau-
casus--all these and other movements which
might be recorded, show that, though baffled
and obliged to conclude a peace, the late war
has only shown Russia her defects in the
field; and the only lesson the Czar has learn
ed is how to prepare more thoroughly for a
coming contest on which, at the right time,
he is resolved.
As we have said, we notice these things
because of their connexion with the cause of
the Gospel. Had Russia triumphed in
Turkey, every American and British mission
ary would have forthwith been compelled to
leave the field. The operations of the Bible
Society, of the Tract, and other evangelistic
institutions, would at once have been sus
pended. A complete embargo would have
been laid on the Gospel, and all Turkey
would have been fenced in by a Russian
blockade. So, also, let the day come when
Great Britain shall be compelled to depart
from India, and abandon the millions
that are now hearkening to the Gospel from
the servants of the Lord who, from London,
Edinburgh, Belfast, New York, and other
centres of Christian light and influence, have
gone forth to enlighten the teetning millions
of that darkened land; let the time come
when the sceptre of Anrungzebe shall be
swayed by the Czar, and then farewell to
every effort for the conversion of India.
The presence of Russia would involve the
-departure of every American and British
Missionary, and of every agency by which
the Gospel may be made known. American
mechanics and British workmen, no doubt,
might be found in India, were it under
Russian rule. They would be welcomed
there to build arsenals and forts, to fabricate
ordnance, and prepare munitions of war to
hold the people in bondage, just as they are
now welcomed .istt St. Petersburg, and well
paid for constructing the agencies, which,
by sea and land, may be used for subjugating
the nations which have not yet acknowledged
the Russian sway.
The Christian will note tit* things, and
see that, amid the changes of time, and the
upheaval of the nations, the duty of the
Church is always obvious, and that while a
door remains open, the servants of the Lord
are called- on to go forward and do the
Master's work. The wonderful success of
Missions in India at the present day, forms
an encouragement to the Church, while it
shows most clearly the faithfulness of the
Head of the Church, and presents an
assurance, that now, as certainly as in
Apostolic times, or at other periods, when
means are used in faith and in prayer, the
blessing will be vouchsafed—many shall be
added to the Church, and God shall be
glorified in the conversion of souls.'
For the Presbyterian Banner and Advocate
Mn. EDITOR :—ln a recent article, I discussed
the langUage of an unknown writer in the Prince
ton Review, on the status of the infants of be
lievers. Yon have kindly ventured a "presump
tion"—that is, a charitable judgment "—that,
in the use of certain objectionable terms, there
must have been meant what we •would be very
glad to know was intended, but what we must
think could not have been meant, for the follow
ing reasons:
First. Because, in advancing and maintaining
his presumption that the children of believers are
"members of the invisible Church," the Reviewer
in no instance insists upon that idea of the Church
invisible, which includes all the elect, even those
yet unregenerate. Inasmuch as, upon this point,
the defence of his theory would rest, we should
fairly presume that he would call attention to it,
as justifying his position. Especially when, in
common parlance, the doctrine would be startling,
and very liable, at least, to the understanding
taken of it, we should have expected the writer
to guard himself at this point, if he really had
in view any such qualification as you have sur
mised.
But, Second. The parallel erpressions employed
to state his theory, show that, by "members of
the invisible Church," were meant the actually .
regenerate. The summary statement which we so
prominently quoted,- shows this. "All this," he
says, " imports nothing lea' than the presumption
that the children of the Church , are, and will
prove themselves to be, the REAL CHILDREN OP GOD,
until they dispel that presumption by their own
misconduct "—p. 23. Here it plainly appears
that, by "members of the invisible Church,"
were meant "the real children of God." We
ask, then, again,. Is it the presumption, or
" charitable judgment," even,- that our children
ARE REGENERATE; AND WILL PROVE THEMSELVES
TO' BB so? On the author's hypothesis, it is by
birth; and not by baptism ? Not-baptismal re
generation, but hereditary regeneration. Does
the Divine Constitution that includes them in the
Covenant, authorize the presumption that they
are regenerate—" the real children of God "—or
only that we may surely look for his blessing upon
our parental fidelity, and confidently hope in God
that they will become so, if we be faithful to our
vows ? Is not this the very point at which we
are to urge parental-obligations—namely, that
God, in his abounding , grace to our households,
ordinarily works by means, and calls for Chris
tian training with a view to the regeneration of
the children brought up " iu the nurture and ad
monition of the Lord ?" "For I know Abraham,"
&o. But can the same be said of all Christian
parents, as was said by God respecting Abraham,
that they " will command-their children and their
households after them ?" And are we authorized
to presume that the children of all believing
parents—baptized and unbaptized, and however
trained—" ARE the real children of God 7"
And, Third. It would seem plain thatby "mem
bers of the invisible Church," could not have been
meant any other than the actually regenerate, be
cause the presumption is to hold "until they dis
pel that presumption by their own misconduct."
Now, the presumption that they are regenerate,
may be dispelled by their misconduct. But
the presumption that they are elect, Could not be
dispelled until their death. Therefore, the pre
sumption intended must have been that they are
regenerate, and not merely that they are elect.
And, Fourth. If the theory of the Reviewer were
such as you and I could 'wish, the "explanation"
in reply to " M.'s" objections would surely have
so declared. For " M. "objected that the theory
would ignore the doctrine of their native de
pravity as " children of wrath even as others."'
How naturally, then, would the author have re
plied, as you have suggested, according to the
true doctrine ; namely, that by this membership
in the invisible Church was intended only the elect,
who might not yet be regenerate. But instead of
this, the " _Explanation" is made to turn on the
use of the term "presumption," as meaning only
a "charitable judgment" And this, as we saw,
does not better the theory.
Of course we all equally aim at truth in a mat
ter of such vital importance. I have no wish to
entangle the writer in his words. But it will be
granted, I think, that in such an article on such
a subject, the evident lack of clearness, and the
liability to serious misapprehension, are to be re
gretted. The naked statements of the Reviewer
cannot be maintained. That he denies all the
fair inferences from them is nothing, while the
statements remain, unqualified.
Ist. We cannot overlook the sad certainty
which we have, to begin with, that the children
of believers, though born in the visible Church,
" are, by nature, the children of wrath, even as
others." I contend merely against the presump
tion, or charitable judgment, that these children
are all the real children of God (a) This was
the error of the Jewish Church, amidst parental
neglects and in the face of household disorders,
until that Church was cut down to the stump for
this thing. Hence Elias was to be sent, to turn
the hearts of the fathers unto the children, and
of the children to the fathers. Their Jewish pre
sumption, that all were Israel that were of Israel,
did not save them. Neither in this more spiritual
dispensation will it save-us. Their apostacy was
induced by this very presumption that they were
God's elect by hereditary descent. (b.) This has
been a serious error of the Mother Church in
Scotland and Ireland, to throw the whole pre-'
snmption in favor of the regenerate estate of the
children of the Church, and to admit them to the
Lord's Supper, theretore, as of course. They,
however, have been far 'more faithful than we to
their parental vows, and to the Church obligations
—training diem to the Catechism, and leading
them along in Christian doctrines and habits.
And yet it is a common practice, I think, of our
American Churches, to ask for some further evi
dence of piety than this matter-of Course mem
bership, in case of such as come to our Church
in this country. Does not the theory of the Re
viewer put us upon this " Old Country" platform;
as regards the presumption, without at all quali
fying the presumption by the kind of training re
ceived. This. theory would admit them to the
Lord's table of course, and as having hereditary
claim. It would even entitle them to the Lord's
Supper in infancy. Our Directory calls for pre
vious examination into " their knowledge and
MEM" This theory would profess at their bap
tism "that there is evidence to authorize a charita
ble judgment that they are the children of God," by
birth, and not children of wrath, contrary to the
very forms of baptism. (c.) Have we any right
to entertain this presumption, that the children of
believers are members of the invisible Church,
or will become so, except so far as we, parents,
are faithful to our trust, and to the baptismal
vows ? This is a grave question. Can we hold
our children as "presumptively the real children
of God," except as we seek to train them in his
nurture and admonition ? The naked statement
of the Reviewer, makes no such qualification.
As regards those parents who reject this feature
of the Covenant, and who neither plead nor prize
the household promises, are we authorized to en
tertain this presumption for their children, just
as if they were the most faithful? For, if this
infant membership in the invisible Church be, by
Divine constitution, the whole presumption of the
case, then it must hold the same in all cases of
believers' children, absolutely and universally,
and until the misconduct shall dispel it. Here,
then, is the dangerous tendency: that in the
very face of all the alleged "Neglect of Infant
Baptism," the naked presumption is advanced
and maintained, that all the children of believers
(baptized, or not—cared for and trained, or not,)
are members of the invisible Church. And if, as
you suggest, the presumption is only that they are
ELECT, this cannot be dispelled until death.
We ask, then, is ABRAHAM, or ELI, the type of
present parental fidelity in the churches? And
is there such a Divine Constitution' of hereditary
piety, as equally, in both cases, is the ,ground of
this favorable presumption ? What are we to
say of the formalistic Churches, which, according
to such presumption, do enroll all the children of
believers as members of the invisible Church,
and do not require evidence of the new birth.
And what alarm need we now have about the
" Neglect of Infant Baptism," and of household
religion in our Church, if we aro authorized,
nevertheless, to cherish this flattering presump
tion ? Let us seize upon the precious truth on
this subject. It is a question of the actual status
of the children of believers. They are members
of the vkible Church. This they are by birth.
Does the same birth make them, according to the
fair presumption, members of DIA'. invisible
Church? We think not. The new birth is abso
lutely requisite. We call for evidence of that
new birth, else the whole presumption is that
they remain in their natural state. But God has
graciously included them in his Covenant, along
with their believing parents. The benefits of the
New Covenant are thus brought near to them, not
entailed upon them. The seal is the seal of a
promise, not of a deed; and the benefits are tube
secured by appointed means, and in their faithful
appliance. The encouragement to our parental
fidelity is, that it hath pleased God, from the be
ginning, to perpetuate his Church by a godly
'posterity, and in the use of this household plan.
Yet, every where, we find him warning us
against any presumption on this ground, such as
the Jewish Church entertained, and the wicked
people of the Covenant .in the Saviour's time,
who said, "We have Abraham to our father."
Here is our fearful responsibility. He conveys
his grace by means, and he has been pleased to
place these children in the midst of the appointed
means. And when God's people are to
the means appointed, we may confidently expect
this grace to descend through their successive
generations by these channels, which he has
opened for the very purpose. This does not
warrant the presumption that all the natural seed
are de facto members of the invisible Charch, as
well as of the visible Church ; much lesS is it on
' t i t.
account of such presumption of memb ship in
the invisible Church, that they are aptized.
But where God chooses the children ' t be his
real children, he ordinarily chooses the p eats to
be faithful to their trust. And so, as i Abra
ham's case, it is by means and in us of the
parent's Christian fidelity and authority that he
brings upon the children of such, all th he has
prbmised.
I cannot doubt, as I before stated, this
known Reviewer is aiming at a precious t
this great subject But his statements
my judgment, unguarded; and I am no
see how he could have designed to give
same views as have hitherto been put
that excellent journal.
For the Presbyterian Banner and Adroca
Revival at Pigeon Creek.
DIINNINGSVILLE, March 7, 1E687.
Ray. D. M'lTarntr.r, D. D. :—Dear Brother :
Your own request, and that of a number of my
ministerial brethren, have induced me to trans
mit, for publication' in your excellenti paper,
a detailed account of a precious season of re
freshing in Pigeon Creek church, Waithington
County, Pa. In accordance with a recommenda
tion of the Synod of Wheeling, at its, la meet
ing, the pastor' of Pigeon Creek con.. egation
preached a sermon on the subject of a r-vival of
religion; after which the Session met and re
solved to hold a series. of religious . eetings.
These meetings commenced on the eveni g of the
first Sabbath of January. They were c.. ducted
by the pastor and elders for nine daj - . during
which time the attendance and interest i creased
gradually. The ninth day was observed s a day
of fasting, humiliation and prayer : a ay long
to-be remembered in this church. It v s a day
of special power. Professors of relig were
prostrated at the feet of Jesus, and wit strong
crying and tears, wrestled and agoniz ; at the
throne of grace, for the descent of e Holy
Spirit. Their prayers,were heard and swered.
The blessed work now commenced w: h great
power. The day was, spent in o.v.horb on and
prayer. The pastor now began to break down,
and became so hoarse that he could not speak
without difficulty and extreme pain. Dr. E. C.
Wines, of Washington, being sent for, now ap
peared, and labored with great acceptance and
profit for four days. His labors of love and
'kindness will long be remembered by the people
of this congregation. Notwithstanding the extreme
cold and biting frosts of January, he came ten
miles every day and preached, and returned the
same distance every morning, to attend to his
classes in the College. Dr. Wm. P. Alrich kindly
came over, and preached a sermon which was
listened to with deep and solemn interest., Dr.
George Marshall being sent for, now appeared,
and preached three sermons, which were charac
terized with unusual energy and power. Dr.
Marshall's kindness especially calls for our
gratitude, in leaving the people of. his charge,
without preaching on the Sabbath, and remaining
with us till Sabbath evening. The Rev. Thomas
P. Gordon, of the Sixth ehuresll of Pittsburgh,
by invitation, now came, and labored till the
close of this week. Brother Gordon's' labors'
have always been very acceptable here, but on
this occasion every sermon came with unusual
power, on the hearts of saints and sinners. , He
may rest assured of the lasting gratitude of this
people. After his departure, we were cheered
with the return of Dr. E. C. Wines. He assisted
during an inquiry meeting, preached a very plain
and powerful sermon, and returned to his labors
at home. The pastor was nowso far restored as
to be able to preach, and labored till the close of
the meetings alone, with the exception of a very
appropriate and interesting sermon preached by
Rev. John Kerr, of Monongahela City. The
meetings were continued for twenty-three days,
and although the weather was extremely cold, the
church was crowded by day and by night. Eighty
persons attended the inquiry meetings. The
preaching was plain, earnest, solemn, and season
able. Every- meeting was characterized with
awful stillness. No noise, and no appeals to the
passions. The object aimed at, was to reach the
heart and conscience through the understanding.
The work was general aver the congregation, nor
was it confined to any age. Some of the sub
jects were over seventy years of age, and some
as young as fourteen years of age. Fourteen
were heads of families.. Twenty-one were young
men, some of whom have consecrated themselves
to the work of the Gospel. ministry. The
Academy in our bounds, under the care of Mr.
John Messenger, shared largely in the blessed
work. Recitations were suspended stairtly after
the meetings commenced ; nor were they re
sumed till they closed. The Lord's Supper was
administered at our usual time, on the first Sab
bath of March, when seventy-nine persons were
received to the communion of this church on ex
amination. Thirteen were baptized. The work
still goes on; new cases of awakening every
week. Mr. Potter, the agent for the Ameriean
Tract Society, was piesent a portion of the time,
and labored with acceptance and profit. May
the Lord give us grace
,to be humble and faithful,
that what we have witnessed may be but the
stream before the mighty flood.
Yours, fraternally,
For the Presbyterian Banner and Advocate.
Mn. Enrron :—Permit me through your paper
to tender my sincere thanks to the members of the
Presbyterian church in Marion, and other kind
friends, who have recently visited us and left-sub
stantial tokens of their interest in our welfare,
amounting to over $l4O.
That the "Giver of every good and perfect
gift" may grant to each of these donors "mani
fold more in this present time, and in the world
to come, life everlasting," is the prayer of his
servant, Aznx. S. MARSHALL.
For the Presbyterian Banner and Advocate
A Card.
J. F. Smith and lady desire to give this ex
pression of thanks to the members of the Presby'
terian church and congregation, End other kind
friends of•Ricbmond, 'Lad., for the many valuable
and substantial tokens of friendship left at their
house on the evening of the 25th ult.
We need not enumerate the articles. It is
sufficient to say, they were all well chosen and
timed, and fully equal in value to one hundred
and fifty dollars.
Our earnest prayer is that they may be amply
repaid in rich Spiritual gifts and graces for all
, their liberality and kindness. •
Richmond, Ind.,llfarch 4th, 1857.
For the Presbyterian Banner and Adeoeate
Contributions to the Board of Coluortage.
OHIO PRESBYTERY.—Georgo Albrie, $10.00; John
Culbertson, 1.00; Lebanon ch-, 23.00; Esther Woolf,
1.00; Chartiere ch., 29.65; Hopewell, 5.00; Bethle
hem, 18.00. $87.65
CLARION PRESBYTERY.-3lount Taber ch., 5.00;
Creek, 3.00. 8.00
REDSTONE PRESBYTERY.—LaureI Hill ch., 12.58;
Oonnelleville, 24.38. 36.96
BLAIRSVILLE PREBBYTERY—Indiaria ch., 30.00 ;
Elderorldge, 6.10. 86.10
ALLEGHENY PRESBYTERY.—PIeasant Valley - ch.,
- 4 19; Concord, 10.81. 15.00
BEAVER PRESEITERY.-7Bridgewater ch., 15.62
STEUBENVILLE PRE S BYTERY.--Crob Apple eh, 30.00
WASHINGTON PRESBYTERY.—W. Alexander oh., 6.00
Elderaridge Society of Inquiry, 9.25
JAMES SOTOONBIAX $244.58
198, Treasurer.
2.lsacu 10th, 1857'.
Rev. W. S. LIVINGSTONE'S Post office: ad-
dress is changed from Duncan's Falls,
Ohio, to Chillicothe, Ohio.,
Rev. S. V. MAusliaLL has taken charge of
Providence church, Claiborne County,
Miss. His Post Office is Port Gibson.
Rev. THOMAS THOMAS'S Post office address
is changed from Friendsville, Susque
hanna County, Pa., to Le-Raysville, Brad
ford County, Pa.
Rev. JOHN MOORE, of Cherry Tree, Indi
ana Co., Pa., has been tendered a unani
mous call from the congregation of Wil
liamsburg, Blair Co., Pa., in the Presby
tery of Huntingdon, which he has signified
his willingness to accept.
Rev. D. R. CAMPBELL was installed pastor
of the united congregations of Cross
Creek and Two - Ridges, in October
last. Rev. J. IL Agnew preached
the sermon, Rev. Laverty Grier pre
sided and proposed the constitutional
questions, and the Rev. M. A. Parkinson
delivered the charges to pastor and people.
Rev. lIENRYI3. CHAPIN was installed pas
-tor over the Second church, Steubenville,
in November last. The Rev. D. IL
Campbell pieached the sermon, the
• Rev. C. C. Beatty presided, pro
posed the constitutional questions, and
delivered the charge to the people ; and
the Rev. H. G. Comingo delivered the
charge to the pastor.
the nn
uth, on
are, la
able to
y t he
rth by
Eastern Correspondence.
NEW Yonn, March 14, 1857.
Mn. Emma :—Of late the Temperance WM'
ment in this city and State, has been at a dead
halt. The decision of the Court of Appeals,
which pronounced portions of the. Prohibitory
law unconstitutional, practically rendered the
whole a dead letter. A paralysis, almost a pan_
lc seized the minds of its friends, while freeh
boldness and vigor marked the operations of its
enemies. Free trade prevailed in intoxicating
liquors. Drinking shops multiplied in, this city
from six or seven to fifteen thousand, while drunk
enness, misery, and crime, have multiplied at a
fearful rate, if not in the same, proportion. On
the other hand, efforts for the suppression of this
evil temporarily ceased. There were differences
of opinion as to the true remedy. Some thought
existing laws should be enforced, and would be
found adequate for its removal, others that there
should be no action, until the Legislature, could
enact a new law, about which there could be no
uncertainty. In the meantime the. Legislature
itself was not trusted,.because not chosen on this
issue, and nothing, it was drged, could be done
to influence its action. No meetings could be
held,-or lectures given, no sermons preached,
hardly any prayers offered with •a prospect of
success, until there should be a new election.
Within a few weeks, however, anew phase has
been put upon this matter. . Meetings have been
held, dl - which the friends of Temperance have
rallied with fresh hope and courage. The prin
ciple and necessity of prohibition have been re
affirmed, while the Legislature has been called on
to give it ehape and , scope,in the form of a new
which shell be at 'once. simple and conetitn
.
JAMES- &LOAN.
Acknowledgment.
EoelesiastizaL
tionaL Governor King himself has called A ., ; „
tion to the "frightful evils of drunkentirs. .:
exaggeration of which is possible," and (4,,
the desire that "no remedy which law will 1., -
mit, and public opinion sustain, may be left
tried to check or eradicate so fell an evil." t r .
Delavan has addressed an able letter to him;,:
the subject, in which be gives a very encann,f':.
ing resume or the achievements and progie h ,
Temperance during the past thirty years ; ;;;,
the Legislature itself has shown its interest,
the three bills which are already before it—on e i„
deed a License bill, but the two others embodyi Ez
the principle of prohibition.
Now, just at this juncture, in part, also, a s fa ,
occasion of their renewed courage and actiTity
the friends of Temperance have been cheered ‘;
the arrival of Peter Sinclair, Esq., from I.7diy:
burgh, Scotland. This gentleman has been fr,,
years an effective co-worker in this cause, and it !
special advocate among the children. He is c a ii € . l
the "children's friend and orator," from the ut.
usual interest he has taken in them, and the nu.
merous occasions on which he has atldress. , .l
them, particularly on this subject. He has fre
quently spoken to them and to others, since hf:
arrival in this city, and has given interega 7
statements respecting his labors and success;,.
Scotland. His presenee ie opportune, and
impression he has made happy, increased as it : :
by his evident piety and affectionate, fin er ,.
speaking. The children are both amused and it.
etructect by his pertinent stories, and warm sr.
peals ; while it is thought the measures be athr.
cates may not only give anew impetus to temper
ance, but place it on a firmer basis. If the chi:
then can be trained to- total abstinneee, or "mad , :
a mine law nato themselves," the traffic i t
liquors, and habit of drinking, must eventual! ;
die out.
Mr. S. states that, some years ago, the ten.
perance movement in Scotland fell into wrong
hands, and bedtime irreligious in its character.
It lost friends and influence, and met with re.
verses and embarrassments. The reformation of
the drunkard seemed hopeleis, and many turned
their thoughts to children, with the view of
shielding them from the danger of reaching his
habits and condition. As a Sabbath &bar:
teacher, he felt interested in the subject, as w t ::
as for his own children. He consulted with
his fellow-teachers, but received little encour
agement from them. Not half the children,
either in Scotland or England, are in Sabbath
Schools, though there is a larger proportion con
nected with them in the latter than in the former
country, because family instruetion is more gen
eral in Scotlond, and Sabbath Schools, therefore,
deemed less needful. Their results were found
less encouraging than the labor expended on
them seemed to warrant, and in studying into the
reason, intemperance presented itself as an eci:
and obstacle : Many superintendents 'were liquor
sellers, and many scholars yielded to its blighting
influence.
Mr. S. felt called on to attempt the rescue of
the children, although he was left almost alone
in his earlier efforts. He collected, however,
about thirty boys and girls, and interested
them in the subject. By tracts, meetings, per.
sonal efforts, and whatever agencies he could
employ, be succeeded, by the close of the year,
in enrolling about eight hundred as total ab
stainers. He then gave them a soiree, with tea
and coffee, cakes and buns. The entertainment
was at his expense,
and the boys and girls present
chiefly from the outcast children of Edin
burgh. He imposed on them only two condi.
tions ; that they should remain quiet until a
blessing was -asked, and then that they should
eat ail they wanted, but poeket nothing! Nom.
hers were present to witness the scene; among
others, two young ladies, sent there by a benevo
lent gentleman, to spy out the land. Their re•
port was so favorable, that the gentleman sought
an interview with him the next day, and inquired
into his plans and resources. Mr. S. told him his
resources were exhausted, but that be intended, in
reliance on Providence, to devote his leisure to
the young, as during the previous year. He
was anxious, however, to extend his labors, and to
employ two other agents. " But have you esti•
mated the expense of your enterprise," he asked,
"for another year? I will pay something toward
it." Mr. S. replied, "It will cost about fifteen
hundred dollars." "Well," he said, "I will put
that sum in the bank for you." The next year,
after, witnessing its operation, he asked, " What
do you need for your enterprise the coming year ?.'
Mr. S., who is in favor of progress, replied, three
thousand dollars. "Very well; give yourself no
uneasiness, I will put it into the bank for. you."
The next year he asked the same question, and
was told six thousand dollars. This amount he
supplied in the like manner. The fourth year he
came with the same inquiry, and as progress was
still the watch-watch of Mr, S., and the work Was
growing on his hands, he replied twelve thousand.
This sum he also furnished. Still the work grew,
and his interest in it deepened, until for the fol
lowing year he gave twenty-four thousand dollars;
and afterwards in-like proportion to. its necessi
ties ! The statement was no fiction. The name
of the generous donoris John Hope, and he de
lighted to mention his name, and publish his
liberality. Might not others imitate his example"
This wail spread from Edinburgh to other
cities of Scotland and England. The cry was
raised, "The young are the hope of our move
ment," and it inspired courage in the hearts of
grown-up people. There was a revival in the
temperance cause. - Societies that had become
almost extinct, started into new, life. Thousands
of dollars were raised where hundreds could not
previously be obtained. The press, which at
first frewned, presently , advocated its objects.
Clergymen came into the ranks, and are now en
rolled to the number of six hundred, as total ab
stainers. The little meeting of thirty children
was ultimately followed by another of seventy
thousand, held in the Queen's Park, in Edin
burgh, to show what the little ones could do for
temperance. While throughout Britain, more
than a million children have become total ab
stainers since, the eommencement of the move
ment.
Encouraged by this success, further measures
were adopted. News of the Maine Law reached
Scotland. Temperance men were already con
vinced of its necessity ; but when they urged its
adoption, people generally thought them fanatics.
A circumstance occurred in Edinburgh that made
a deep impression in their favor. It was found
that three prisons were inadequate to contain the
criminals of that city, though they were spacious
, buildings. The citizens were called on, there
fore, to give £16,000 sterling for a fourth ; though
the Governor declared the porter's lodge, at the
gate of one of them ,
would contain all the crim
inals, except for the public home&
This statement was publicly commented on, and
an effort made to ascertain the numbers that
frequented public houses. Mr. S. learned, by
personal inspection, that upwards of nineteen
hundred entered one of the most celebrated on a
given Sabbath—more than assembled in the two
churches that stood near it. Similar results were
reached by other observers. When made known,
however, these results were too startling to be
credible. The thing - seemed impossible until
their accuracy vias verified by two policemen wbo
watched the same public house the following Sab
bath, and reported two thousand as the number of
its customers. This settled the question, and led,
with other -things, to . the enactment of a Sunday
law, which closes public houses from Saturday
night at eleven, to Monday morning at eight
o'clock. One day in seven, therefore, and that
the blessed Sabbath, no liquor can be legally
purchased. This has proved a most beneficial
measure,. especially to mechanics and laborers ,
But more was gained than the shiitting up of one:
seventh` of the public house's. Nearly one-ho , !(
were compelled. to stop business altogether, be
cause they were dependent on the Sunday traffic
for their support ; the profits of that day exceeded
those of all the other six ! What a comment, not
only on the drinking, but the irreligious habits of
a community! And who believes that Edinburgh
is an exception to other citles of Christendom in
this respect?
-These results Mr. S. attributes chiefly to the in
flnence of , children. The movement began with
them, and in its issues has illustrated the Scrip
ture, '4 a little child shall lead them." Measures
for their safety have led, step by step to efforts for
saving the whole community. • They have bees
trained, also, to labor for one another, and base
been the means of benefiting adults when all other
influences' have failed. The mostpromising, hoc -
ever,'' is the religions aspect of this movement-
Temperance is urged as a Christian duty, not 5 5
a remedy for every social or personal evil. Re"
ligious is combined with temperance instruction
in Sabbath Schools, Bible Classes, and evening
meetings for the poor. It is pot the object to
make them mere abstainers, but also Christians.
Herein, Mr. S. testifies, is the secret of their sun
loess, since herein the Gospel has revealed its
power. May not temperance advocates
in this
country learn wisdom from these proceedings, " d
the Church find in this direction a field for more
abundant lattors for this • object? temperance
is but one form of depravity, and must be expect
ed, to some extent, while human nature is Un:
changed. The Gospel, therefore, is the true and
only effectual remedy for this, as for other go
and evils. The question is, bow can it be most
effectually used for its removal ?"
Yours