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ONE THING IS NEEDFUL:" "ONE THING HAVE I DES.tRED OF THE LORD:" "THIS ONE THING I DO."
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-IN ADVANCE.
theirg.
A Song of the Graces.
LOVN, JOY, AND RUNILITY.
tory be thine, 0 adorable One !
►ys of thyself, in the grace of thy Son;
0 Lord ! thy perfections Divine,
-k of Salvation, ineffably shine.
,e in that grace, which consistently can,
threat' ninr for sin, look in mercy on
. rebel escapes, yet is justice sustained ;
r still lives, yet thy truth is maintained
and we triumph, 0 Lord, in that love
Jilts the lost soul to thy presence above ;
fullness of joy, in the work of thy Son,
sustained, and increased to thy throne.
could not without thee, in heaven be
3ed—
ere could be no beaver], of theo diepOe
)(l:
would we languish—yea, our deatlik t be
lied,
lory were stained, or thy throne not up-
Cross, dearest Lord, it evolves the blest
thy perfections, unsullied now can,
ml that has sinned, say, "that soul need
die,
sto the Cross, Israel's strength cannot,
Sinner's law-room, the Redeemer hae
precepts fulfilled, paid its sanctions with
)ed ; •
Justice and Truth, and thy Law satisfied,
Penitent lives—for his Saviour has died.
jab, 0, Lord !—Ob, we fall as is meet,
worship, adore, and exult at thy feet;
no, thy perfections, and glorious high
, ne,
,nified all, through the grace in tby Son
lOWA.
For the Preebyterlan Banner and Advocate
Baptism.--No. 10.
IBOLICAL IMPORT OF BAPTISM
two sacraments of the New Testa
have each a distinct symbolical mean-
In the one, the application of water
tes purity of heart. In the other, the
of Christ is shown forth. Our Bap-
Irethren strangely confound the two
knees as though they were alike in
moaning. Baptism, say they, is de
to convey an allusion to the death,
and resurrection of Christ; and there
,e candidate should be buried in
But what resemblance can they
out between things so entirely differ-
Christ's death was by crucifixion.
s he buried after the manner of this
in a grave dug in the earth, and
d with mould; but in a sepulchre, cut
perpendicular face of the solid rock.
its little apartment his lifeless body
ieyed through a small door, which
en closed up with a great stone.
it was left till the morning of the
day, when the stone was rolled back,
' - te Saviour re-appeared among the
Now, let me ask, in what respects
emersion properly represent such
burial and resurreetibn? What re
;e is there between laying a dead
a little room, excavated in the side
11, closing the entrance with a rock,
ring it there three days—l say, what
ance is there between this, and sud-
plunging a person under water and
him out again? The similitude is
, etter than that of the blind man, who
ed that the light of the sun was like
ise of a cannon. It is to no purpose
ur brethren urge that Jonah, in the
' the great fish, bore a likeness to
n his burial ; for the only point of
suet, to which the Saviour refers in
. 1: -10, is duration; namely, "three
.d tlace nights," the very point in
millet-siert most signally fails.
TED WITH CHRIST BY BAPTISM "
say our opponents, we must be
by baptism. Be it so ; but how, and
at baptism ? Let an inspired Apos
•• er.
: I—G. " What shall we say then?
we continue in sin, that grace may
nd ? Cod forbid ; how shall we that are
to sin, live any longer therein ? Know
at that so many of us as were baptized into
13 Christ, wore baptized into hls death ?
•efore we are buried with him by baptism
death, that like as Christ was raised up
the dead by the glory of the Father, even
also should walk in newness of life. For
have been planted together in the like
of his death, we,shall he also in the like
of his resurrection. Knowing this, that
old man is crucified with him, that the
of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth
'meld not serve sin."
the Apostle notices a common ob
made against the doctrine of justifi
)3, faith; namely, that it encouraged
bin, because grace abounded. He
to it, by showing that a complete
uni•na exists between Christ and
srs; and that this affords the best
le security for their continuance in
ma. Thus the objection is satisfactorily
ered. But if we suppose that the
Ale, is hem sPeak;tig of a burial in
r, we make him argue most inconelu
ly for we make him say, that notwith
ding the fieeness of Divine grace, be
sr3 are secured against sinful com
nces by the circumstance that they were
e buried in water I This is worse than
inswer to the objection; for it leads at
e to the monstrous dogma of baptismal
eneration.
Besides, if we suppose a literal burial by
•ping to be here intended, we, must also
pose a literal crucifixion, and a literal
ath ; and so be dipped to death. By the
it is a curious fact that the Baptist
saionaries in Calcutta have made a version
the New Testament, in modern Arm
in, in which they have translated baptize
a word which signifies to drown; e.
..;o teach all nations, drowning them in the
ue of the Father, &c." This is certainly
•pilig to death with a witness. Th e fact
stated on the authority of a returned
, sionary. See Baker on Baptism, p. 79.
" BAPTIZED INTO JESUS CHRIST."
That the Apostle, in thu.passage under
consideration, is not speaking of an external
ordinance, but of the baptism of the Spirit,
by which we are united to Christ, and be
come one with him in his death, burial and
resurrection. He does not affirm that ,all
who were baptized in the name of Christ,
were baptized into his death. He asserts
this of those only who were " baptized into
Jesus Christ ;" a description implying in
finitely more than mere water baptism.
The whole Church to whom he was writing,
had doubtless been baptized in the name of
Christ ; but it did not follow that they were
all baptized into his death, and therefore he
discriminates. gg So many of us," says ho,
"as were baptized into Jesus Christ, were
baptized into his death." In similar terms,
addressing the Galatians, he uses the same
careful discrimination : "As many of you,
as have been baptized into Christ have put on
Christ.—iii : 27. To be baptized into
Christ is to become a living member of his
mystical body by the baptism of the Spirit;
for, says the Apostle, " By one Spirit are
we all baptized into one body."-1. Cor.
xii : 13.
We are now prepared to understand the
meaning of Paul, in the passage under dis
cussion. He argues that the doctrine of
justification by grace cannot lead to licen•
tiousness, because the justified believer is
united to Christ by the baptism of the
Spirit, and is, therefore, one with him in
his death, burial and resurrection. "So
many" as had reeeived this spiritual bap
tism were crucified, dead and buried, as to
their former life, and had risen again to a
new life of holiness; just as Christ died,
was buried, and rose again to a new and
more exalted state of existence. The same
general remarks will apply to
COLOSSIANS II : 10-12.
"And ye are complete in him, who is the head of
all principality and power. in whom, also, ye
are circumcised with the circumcision made
without hands, in putting off the body of the
sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ.
Buried with him in baptism, whereini also ye
are risen again through the ith of the opera
tion of clod, who hath raised him from, the
dead."
Here, again, the Apostle describes the
properties of a saving union with Christ, by
which believers are made one with him, in
his circumcision, death, burial and resurrec
tion. They are thus "complete in him."
The circumcision received by the Colossians
was spiritual; for it was " made without
bands," and consisted in " putting off the
body of the sins of the flesh." Of course,
then, the baptism mentioned is spiritual. It
is attended by a resurrection to a life of
faith. Says the Apostle, " Wherein," that
is in this baptism, "ye are risen again
through the faith of the operation of God."
Can this possibly apply to an external ordi
nance ? Simon Magus was duly baptized
with water. And did be, therefore, rise to
a new and holy life, " through the faith of
the operation of God ?" Here, again, we
see that" the Baptist interpretation of the
phrase, " buried in baptism," leads inev
itably to baptismal regeneration, a doctrine
already avowed by a large class of immer
sionists ; but daily contradicted by the un
godly lives of thousands who have submitted
to the external ordinance.
•ALLIISIONS TO BAPTISM BY AZFUSION
In 1. John v : 8, we read thus : "There
are three' that bear witness on earth, the
Spirit, and the water, and the blood; and
these three agree in one." The Holy Ghost
the sanctifier, the water of baptism, and the
blood of Christ, symbolized by the sacra
mental cup, are here intended by the sacred
writer. The Spirit is poured out, the blood
of Christ was shed; and, to complete the
agreement, the water of baptism must be
poured, or shed upon the subject.
In Titus iii : 5,6, St. Paul says : " Ac
cording to his mercy he saved us by the
washing of regeneration and renewing of
the Holy Ghost, which he shed on us abun
dantly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour."
The phrase, "washing of regeneration,"
though it signifies the new birth, contains
an allusion to the water of baptism as its ex
ternal symbol. And this "washing," let
it be observed, is shed; in the Greek,
execheen, POURED on; on us; thus showing
that baptism by effusion - waa , practised in
the Apostles' days. •
It was foretold of Christ that he should
"sprinkle many nations."—lsa. 15.
This, though relating to the purifying effi
cacy of the blood and of the Spirit of
Christ, like many other passages, compre
hends the sign with the thing signified.
It was literally fulfilled who Christ com
manded his disciples to baptize " all na
tions."
Heb. x : 22—" Let us draw near with a
true heart, 'in full assurance of faith ; hav
ing our hearts sprinkled from an evil con
science, and our bodies washed with pure
water."' Here the Apostle speaks, first, of
the purification of the heart and conscience
by the Holy Spirit ; and, secondly, of the
sign corresponding therewith, namely, the
external washing of baptismal water, sprink
led on the body. Our Baptist brethren say,
indeed, that sprinkling is no washing. I
answer, neither is dipping a person with his
clothes on, a washing of his body, in a lit
eral sense of the word. If a man puts his
gloves on, and then dips his hands in water,
is that a washing of his hands ? Sprinkling,
we aver, under both dispensations, has held
the chief place as a symbol of purification ;
and to say. that it is not cleansing, is to con
tradict God himself, who says, "I will
sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall
be clean."—Ezk. xxxvi : 25. It is placed
by St. Paul among "divers washings."—
Heb. ix : 10 and 13. And it is by the
sprinkling of his blood that the Redeemer
has "washed us from our sins." But, say
the Baptists, when Paul speaks of the body
being . washed, he means the whole body;
and so the whole person must be washed.
But did the Saviour mean , his whole body,
when he declared of the woman of Bethany,
1 that she bad anointed his body for its burial?
She merely poured the ointment on his
head.—Mark xiv : 3-8.
PETER'S INKLING FOR WATER REPROVED
BY ORRIST
"What good," asks the immersionist,
cana little water do you ?" In reply, I
ask him, What good can much water do
you ? Nay ; what good can a small portion
of bread and a sup of wine, in the sacra
mentaldo a person ? The quantity of
the element
e a n s t use
d,
is just as important in the
one ordinance as in the other. Let us guard
against the error Peter oboe committed.—
John xiii 8-10. When. Jesus said to
PUBLICATION OFFICE, GAZETTE BUILDING, FIFTH S T, ABOVE SMITHFIELD, PITTSBURGH, PA.
FOR THE WEEK ENDING SA. RDAY, MARCH 28, 1857.
him, "If I wash thee not, thou hast no
part with me," Peter, like many in our day,
took up the idea, that it was the external
washing that was to do him good; and
hence be thought the more water, the better.
He said, "Lard, not my feet only, but also
my hands and my head." But Jesus re
proved his carnal views, saying, " He that
is washed needeth not save to wash his feet,
but is clean every wiit."
ANCIENT VERSIONS
Some Baptist authors present us with a
formidable array of versions of the New Tes
tament, which , they claim as favorable to
their opinions. But on examination it is
found that of all the most ancient and valua
ble versions, fifteen or twenty in number,
there is - not one that decides in favor of im
mersion. The old Italic and Vulgate, made
while the Greek and Latin were yet living
languages, instead of rendering boptizo by
immerge, TO IMMERSE, simply transfer the
word—a plain proof that it was not under:
stood as meaning to dip. Of the others,
while some transfer, the word, others trans
late it by a word which signifies to wash or
cleanse; and one, the Armenian, by a term
which moans to bathe. And the method of
bathing in Asiatic countries is not by im
mersion; but by having water poured, or
dashed upon the body, as all travelers an
cient.and modern, assure us. See descrip
tions of this mode of bathing in Homer's
Odyssey, Lieut. Lynch's Expedition, and
Prime's Travels. ' L. N. D.
For the Presbyterian /tanner and Advocate.
Religion;
OR, LETTERS TO A FRIEND ON TIIE DOCTRENES AND
DUTIES OF TILE BIBLE.
Letter l'7—Another Letter from the vide one.
That I may win Christ and be found in him.—
PHILIP. : 8, 9.
"MY DEAR PASTOR will endeavor
once more to write a few lines. I think I
can truly say it is good for me that I have
been afflicted. 0, how thankful I should
be to God for sparing my life, and not cut
ting me off 'while I was rejecting and re
belling against him I Now. I think I can
say from my heart, the Lord is my Redeem
er, my strength, and my righteousness. 0
how beautiful the plan of redemption !
When we had ruined ourselves by sin, and
were entirely undone, God so loved the
world as to give his only begotten Son, that
whosoever balieveth in him should not per
ish, but have everlasting life. 0 Lord,.l.
believe ; help my unbelief; and may I ever
praise thee for this plan of redemption !
" You spoke to me about uniting with
the Church. Yes, I should like to unite
with the people of God, and show the world
my determination to serve the Lord, if it
will be convenient for you to have me do
so, and also if my health will permit.
"Please excuse these badly written'lines.
Wzite-is often.as-is-convenient.!!.. , _
THE ANSWER
MY DEAR FRIEND :--YOME was •read
with much pleasure. No doubt "it is good
for you that you have been afflicted," and I
am glad you are able to see it, and are even
thankful for it. But “what gives me pecu.
liar pleasure, is, that you "can say from
your heart that the Lord is your Redeemer,
your Strength, and your Righteousness ;"
and that you can see "how beautiful is 'the
plan of redemption !" Yes, it is beautiful,
excellent, dorious; and we shall never see
all its beauty till we reach heaven, and see
Jesus as he is. What wonderful love was
his ! What glories in his cliaineter !
How excellent his work ! 0 for a thou
sand tongues to sing hie praise ! Yes,
" when we had ruined ourselves by
"sin," he took our place, and died
for us; he shed his blood that we might be
forgiven and saved. _Lod now we have
only just to receive.him End be saved; just
to believe and have eternal life. 0 what
love ! Let. God be praised that you can
now say, " 0 Lord, I believe; help my un
belief!' •
That your faith may be increased, think
much of Christ; let your mind dwell on
him, his person, his character, his offices,
his work, his wonderful love. Peace and joy
are not to be drawn up out of our own hearts;
they must come down from heaven; they
must flow into our leartS from Christ Jesus.
And if we know him, if we think of him,
and trust in him, that will afford us pleas
ure, and give us peace; so let your mind
dwell* on Christ, and by-and-by you shall
go to be forever with him. Consider him,
as in Heb. iii : 1.
No doubt it is your privilege to "unite
with the" people of God." Yea, you are
one of them now as a child of the covenant,
and as I hope, also renewed by the Holy
Ghost. Hence I suppose all that is need
ful, is an examination by the Session as to
your " knowledge and piety," and an an
nouncement to the congregation that the
examination being satisfactory, you are ad
mitted to the Lord's table.—Directory for
Worship, Chart. ix. But the practice here
is different, a public profession and cove
nant being required—which I think is un
necessary in the case of those baptized in
infancy, as they are already members of the
Church.—Form of Gov:, Chap. ii., See. 4;
and Diree. for Worship, Chap. ix., See. 1.
Still, I hope the way may soon be open for
you to "unite with the Church," or rather,
" to be admitted to sealing ordinances "—to
1 the Lord's table.
I need rest, and may be absent next Sab
bath. Whether you "unite with the.
Church" or not, or are admitted to the
Lord's table or not, continue through the
Spirit to wait for the hope of righteousness
by faith.—G-al. v : 1-5.
Make no apologies for your writing, but
write often. I have been unable to write
to you lately as 1 wished. I hope it may
soon be convenient for me to do so oftener,
and more regularly. Read Ps. xlii,
and xlvi. Yours in much affection.
TIME IS AN END.—To everything be
neath the sun there comes a last day—and
of all futurity, this is the only portion of
time that can in all eases be infallibly pre:
dicated. Let the sanguine then take warn
ing, and the disheartened taker courage ;
for to every joy and to every sorrow, to
every hope and to every fear, there will
come a last day; and the man ought so to
live' by foresight, that while he learns in
every state to be content, he shall in each
be prepared for'another, whatever the other
may be.
:a
For the Presbyterian Banner and Advocate.
Revival at Bethit Pa.
REV. DR. AFKINNEY—DIar Brother :
I have been greatly interest t in reading in
the Banner and Advocate, or some weeks
past, notices of the out-p*ing of God's
Spirit on the churches. Bastivard, Westward
and Southward: Such. intelligence to the
child of God is always chebring and soul
comforting. It is like rairiron the parched
ground, after a long and Vii.Lful drought..
Not long since, you remarked that you
understood that God ; was reviving,his work
in the churches of Pigeon Cle'ek and Bethel,
and expressed a hope that fiou would soon
hear from theSe respective' churches.' In
view, then, of that expressed' desire, and
with the earnest hope and pApg, that anY
thing God has done for us nfl,ke4elloloB,lll3
of waking up the people o t'q,dloBr4ein,
to the great work of self !: •7:i;ti. finli:4d.'.,
prayer, I will proceed to g .. - - . ~.
ment of what `rod has xece i
midst of us :
It is now nearly twenty- , .e years since I
was called to preach the,- . Gospel in this
portion of Zion ; and during that time we
have had several seasons Of great interest
and sweet refreshing. 1n1834 '35, when
aided by Rev. Mr. Dern*, the Lord ap
peared in power, and thirOwo persona were
added to the communionif the Church.
Afterwards, in the Win
~, rs of 1840 '4l,
when assisted by that pren us man of God,
Rev. Dr. M'Kinley, who b not long since
been called to his reward, e Lord appeared
for our deliverance,
an ,
4 f verily he is a God
And upon several ocea
had tokens of his pres
number united themse
of Ood. But never hi •
to see a work of gray
solemn, and silent, an ,
young men, as that thr,
recently poised. At ou
the 2d Sabbath of this
on examination, to the .
Church, seventy person
years of age, down tot
ber, eight were baptize'
Sabbath, receiving in e
scale of the covenant.
to be remembered ; an
felt like good old Sim.
thy servants depart in'
have seen thy salvatio
received, forty-two wer:
'eight females ; a law:
young men; some of
yet becomeleralds of t
family, were five •memb.
a sister. Out of anot
young brothers.
would have joined the
an everlasting covenan
by sickness. Others an.
quiring. •
It may be asked •he id this work com
mence, and in wink 'ail it tyluducted,?
We reply, in reference to the first, 'lit we
can hardly tell. The following things are
known to be true :
1. A number of God's people,
for months
previous, were deeply distressed for the low
state of religion amongst us, and unknown
to others, were wrestling in secret prayer to
God, that our long night of religious decline
might come to an end, that the Lord would
return and have mercy once more upon his
desolate heritage. Some, again, had begun
to inquire with themselves, how have we
been serving Christ ? And if called sud
denly away, are we ready for our final ac
count ? These thoughts came with over
whelming power on their hearts, and drove
sleep from their eye-lids, and produced
searching inquiry for the evidences of grace.
And just after the meeting of Presbytery in
January, the pastor was called, in the provi
dence of God, to labor a few days in the
church of Pigeon Creek, where the Spirit of
God was powerfully present, converting old
and young. On his return, he made a state
ment of what God was doing in the sister
church. This seemed to bring tears tninany
eyes, and call forth the cry, " Awake„
awake, 0 arm of the Lord; put on strength
as in ancient days !" The fearful inquiry
was excited in many hearts, shall we be pass
ed by under this state of things? The Session
agreed unanimously that we would have re
ligious services for a few days, without de
termining how long. After the services
commenced, a day of fasting, humiliation,
and prayer was appointed, and we believe,
well kept. It was soon apparent that the
Spirit of God was powerfully present in his
awakening influence. Many more melted to
tears, and some under very great distress.
At the end of the first week, the snow dis
appeared, the roads became bad, and the
nights very dark from the want of inoon
light. But still the people came—, the at
tendance increased, and the work spread.
It could not be given up. There was a
hungering and thirsting for the bread and
water of life. The meetings ivere continued
night and day for nearly two months.
During the third week, chiefly at night, and
the fourth week, partly in day-time and
partly at night. It required no effort to get
the people to the house of God. They
could not stay away. As regards the means
used, they were such as God has always
blessed. There was nothing unusual, nor
peculiarly Airing. Plain, practical preach
ing—showing the sinner his guilt, depravity,
and danger, the way of life through the
Lord Jesus Christ, and regeneration through
the mighty power of God's Spirit, as well as
the duty of the sinner immediately to seek
the Lord while he might be found. These
truths often heard, came now with con
vincing power and might. In connexion
with this, meetings for inquiry were held for
all who desired instruction and the prayers
of God's people. And glorious has been
the result. And let God have all the glory.
We were greatly indebted to the kind
and earnest labors, for near two weeks, of
Rev. Messrs. Braddock and Laverty, and
afterwards to Rev. Mr. M'Pherson. These
brethren have our sincere thanks and warm
gratitude.
Such, Dear Biother, is a sketch of what
God ilea recently done for us, and amongst
us. What the fruits in the life shall be,
time will show. We hope for the best, and
know God will take care of his own. That
there should be some chaff with the wheat,
would neither be strange nor uncommon.
But it gives us pleasure to say, that never
did we, as a Session, receive better evidence
of a work of grace than in most of those
recently enrolled as the disciples of Christ.
And our prayer is,-that everychurch may
speedily experience, and inn glorious man
ner, the reviving power of God's Spirit.
Yours, Truly, G.
From our London Correspondent.
Alleged Rejection of the Clarendon-Dallas Treaty—
, S'ermon by Mr. Spurgeon—llls Par
able—Female Education in India—Who is to be
Successor to Doctor Harris—Dr. Davidson, and
the charges against him—Ultranzonianissii in Ire
land—The Pope - Snubs
. the priesta—Romaniam
and Protestantism in. France Colliery Explosion
-The Morals of the Mining Population—Failure
of D' Israeli and Gladstone in the House of Cone-.
mons—Professor Lorimer's New Work—The
Waite of 'Life in the late War—The Victoria
Cross, and Darin; Valor—Vie Persian Dispute
—The PeerS, and the China Troubles—Annual.
Meeting of Young Men's Association—Report
from ?he Deputy to 'America.
Lamm, Febr,atr : 27, 1857.
PVllloAiiiAiiiioiitt)#so.PAit.:4o,4l,bie
Iffl
site' to es en. e ATE 'ROPOI3ED
TREATY, agreed upon between Mr. Dallas
and the British Government—is much to be
regretted, if it shall lead to further difficul
ties and complications. International peace
between England and America, on a solid
and permanent basis, is essential to the pros
perity of trade and commerce, as well as to
the higher objects of the advance of civili
zation, and the spread of the Gospel through
out the world. Let us hope that, ere long,
all causes of difference will be permanently
removed. - The Persia took out Lord Napier,
our new Ambassador; and diplomatic inter
course, after a painful interval, being now
resumed, and a new President coming into
office, we trust that by mutual moderation
and good feeling, the Central American
question may be speedily and definitely ar
ranged.
I have lately had a fresh opportunity of
.:used us to feel,
eareth prayer."
since, we have
Mkt'',when a goodly
with the people
been permitted
• izo extensive, so
l , .bracing so many
[.';' which we have
communion on
th, we.received,
munion of the
om above sixty
e. Of this num
qhe Sacramental
' , connexion, both
was a day long
Et e, we doubt not,
"Lord, let now
ce , for our eyes
Of the number
liales, and twenty
, rt of the former,
we hope, will
'cross. Out of one
four brothers and
three interesting
were others who
ilves to the Lord in
, ut were hindered
ire serious and in-
hearing MR. SPunaEoN preach, in my own
church. The pen-and-ink sketch which I
gave yours readers, some time since, of his
manner and matter, I still adhere to, as a
faithful and impartial portrait. I find it has
been copied into our Messenger, and has
been read, with interest and approval, by
many, including some of Mr. Spurgeon's
stated hearers and members. With- our
Presbyterian people, he is likely to be, a
great favorite, as he stands up so unflinch
ingly for the old doctrines of grace, and at
the same time, with a freeness and fervor
worthy of an Ebenezer Erskine, proclaims a•
free salvation.
I think I have never heard the doctrine
of election stated so decidedly, and yet
preached, in such a way as not to fetter in
the least the pressing home on the sinner
his persbnal responsibility, and the guilt of
unbelief. The Rev. Robert M'Donald, an
admirable Free Church minister, and the
friend of MeCheyne, was present at the ser
mon, and expressed to me his warm ap
proval.
His text, on the occasion referred to, was
Psalm ovi : •8. "Nevertheless, he saved
`them' for lii3' nimid'i bake." The 'divisions'
were simple, the illustration was clear, and
the application powerful. There were some
odd things said, and smiles were elicited;
but they speedily gave way, either to tears, or
to grave, deep, and solemn feeling. Indeed, all
is natural about him; and those bold per
sonifications also, for which a virulent critic
in the Daily Hews censured him, as being
marked by profanity and irreverence, are by
no means thus chargeable. His 'flexibility
of style and manner; also, his fine, ringing
voice ; his unstudied, yet just modulation ;
his expressive action; and the weighty words
which flow from the lips of one so young—
all give vivid interest to his sermons to most
person's. I am sorry to say, that many of
our London Dissenting ministers don't like
.him; that they keep aloof from him; mis
quote him, or extract, (in conversation,) any
thing outre from his sermons; and few, or
none, will go to hear him for themselves.
His faults are being toned down. I some
times fear he will also bring down his health
and strength prematurely, by over-exertion.
Think of him preaching to six thousand
persons twice on the Lord's day ; presiding,
on. Monday evening, over a prayer-meeting,
and giving an address to one thousand five
hundred persons assembled; dealing with
candidates for church members ; kept in per
petual excitement by letters, interviews, and
even by shaking of hands. For this last,
I assure you, is a serious business to get
through. He is seised upon at the foot of
the pulpit stairs, in the vestry, and by the
crowd that lines his path to the carriage, at
the church door, that takes him home !
Thep add to all this, sermons (two per day) for
four or five dayS every week, often at a great
distance from London, and you can well
conceive what "wear and tear" he must
suffer. An attack of bronchitis, recently,
has weakened him in the WON.
MR. SPURGEWS HBALTIL—The Rev. Mr. Spur
geon, before commencing his sermon in the Surrey
Music Hall yesterday, stated that his medical at
tendant had urged him not to leave hotne, in con
sequence of his indisposition; but finding him de
termined to preach, even only for a short time,
advised him, if he valued his own life, to close
his sermon, if even abruptly, as soon as he found
his physical powers fail him ; for if he did not,
the probability was, that he would never be able
to preach again. It was painfully observable
during his remarks, that his voice frequently be
came harsh and rugged, and that he was suffer
ing much from physical exhaustion. He suc-
ceeded, however, in getting through the task he
had assigned himself, and then was led down the
'pulpit steps in a state of utter prostration.
"Spare thyself," is a caution often needed
by young ministers, although it is better
"to wear out than rust out." I enclose a
specimen of a "Parable," as he called it,
delivered by him in the course of the sermon
I have referred to. He ushered it in by re
ferring to his critics and " enemies," who
objected to this style, and said, " Now I am
going to be 'dramatic.' " The ,force of it
cannot •be fully realized in reading. It was
very impressive in the delivery, and in the
" acting," so to speak, of the characters,
Justice, Mercy, Conscience, and Satan.
Best of all, it brought out beautifully the
true and only way of a sinner's salvation.
The Rev. Mr. Fordyce, agent for the Fe
male Society of the Free Church of Scot
land, for promoting the Christian EDUCA
TION DE FEMALES IN INDIA, is; at present
in London, addressing assemblies of ladies
in our various congregations, with the view
of obtaining their active co-operation. The
steed is urgent, and the fact of female igno
rance in India most painful. A lady of my
acquaint nee, who has recently returned
from Bengal, brought with her an Ayah, or
native nurse, for her infant. She is a Mo
hammedan, and totally unable to read-.
When one looks at this woman, as I have
done, and thinks how many Milliona of lier
sisters in the East, and in a country under
the away of Christian England, a e.as,desti
tute of light as she is, and as incapable of
reading God's blessed Vord, the, heart bleeds
over the degradation of woman by reason of
eathenism.
There are now female schools in each. of
the three Presidencies , under the Free
Church Society. Its expenditure last year
amounted to about £l,BOO. At the disrup
tion, the Orphanage" at Calcutta passed
over into the hands. of the Establishment
party, as well as a, • cburch,Astitution rooms,
and Library. All these. e*cept the Orphan
age., have been replaced. Dr. Duff, 'during
his last visit to ttiis • country, obtained
000 for the Male Institution, a residence for
male. eonverts: akir. Fordye,e earnestly urges:
g of an Orphanage, also.
.t#4 4 kitsr_ Aga
before a vvery":`:e' Missionary I tionfestiribe
at Calcutta, and stamped by their unani
mous approval :
Let our great missionary societies and boards in
Britain and America be earnestly urged to take this
department up, and not leave it, as some of them
do, to merely occasional supplies. If they have
no associated Ladies' Society, bearing this as their,
peculiar burden, clearly the general Society ought
to give aid to a branch of missions so essential.
one of the missionaries at each station taking the
superintendence of it. If there be such Socie
ties as in the Established and Free Churches of
Scotland, it should be made part of one mission
ary's duty, at each presidency, to aid the ladies
sent out, and report ; or, if such a Society has a
missionary as its own agent, he should be associ
ated as closely as possible with the general mis
sion of his own Church. Thus this cause might
assert its rightful place, not only in India, but
also in Exeter and Assembly Halls, where it has
hitherto been kept nearly as much in she shade,
as woman herself, in her own zenanit
I am thus particular in referring to the
subject of female education in India, in the
earnest hope that it may quicken the zeal,
and cause practical expression to he given
to the sympathies of Christian ladies in the
United States.
The Congregationalists have found diffi
culty in obtaining a Sum - Essen, TO. D.R.
HARRIS, as President of New College, Lon
don. The Rev. J. Stoughton, the minister
of a large West End • congregation, an ac
complished writer, and a sound Divine, has
declined to be nominated. I believe the
truth is, that he could not afford to accept,
the situation—the salary being £4OO, with
a house; whereas, with a very large family,
that sum would be quite insufficient, and is
far exceeded by his *sent income. It is
said that the appointment will be offered to
Dr. Lyndsay Alexander, of Edinburgh.
He is more of a scholar and literary man
than Stoughton; was a distinguished stu
dent at the London University; is well read
in German literature ; and at the same time,
I believe, sound in his doctrine. He is at
present abroad, on account of .his health.
His contributions to the British, Quarterly
are : frequent and valuable.
A Sub-Committee, apointed to examine
the OPINIONS OP DR. DAvIDsoN, has de
clared in favor of their soundneSs. So
says a paragraph in the Patriot ; , but it
affords no information as the grounds of
their conclusions. It remains to be seen
what Dr. D. will say on the subject of
plenary inspiration, in his proposed pamph
let. That his views are those generally held
by orthodox and evangelical Divines, I more
than doubt; and his notes and additions to
Hartwell Horns, disclaimed bythe latter, as
well as the lather editor, Dr. Tregelles, seem
to confirm. The Lancashire College Sub-
Committee ash him for an explanation, by
alluding in their report to his promised
pamphlet.
ULIMAIIIONTANISM IN IRELAND is BOW
dominant, as far as Dr. Cullen can make it
so. The priests of a certain diocese,- not
long since, elected as a candidate "the most
worthy" one of their' number. The Pope
has refused their favorite, and appointed
another,. doubtless one suggested by Dr.
Cullen, the Pope's , Legate. There is an
outcry about this among their Reverences;
still the Legate keeps " never-minding."
He is resolved to make them a little less
fiery and vulgar, a little more acceptable to
-the British Government, by non-interference
with Tenant Right and other forms of
political agitations, and altogether to. make
Ireland a " fief " of the Pope's dominion
ecclesiastical.
As to POPERY IN FRANCE ; it is rather
quiescent just now, save in its usual mis
chievdus superstition and false teachings.
It was the fashion, a few years ago, to cry
up miracles, including bleeding and winking
pictures, and the apparition of the Virgin
at La Saletta. Now the French Univers,
the organ of the Jesuits, hints that no more
miracls are desirable for the present. The
Inquisition, it says, is most serviceable in
finding-out impostures, and it warmly com
mends its vigilance.
It is pleasing to hear that, the Paris Bible
Society has been able to reduce the price of
the Protestant version of the Soripturesto a
lower price two francs,) than that of the
Romish version by De Sad, which last con
tinues to be sold at three francs. Hitherto
the price of the Protestant version was five
francs. Bible Colportage is doing a great
work in France.
There is an important Protestant move
ment in the department of the Aisne, at the
town of Monneaux. Ci.owds of people
come—many from a distance—to hear the
pure preaching of the Word, and the Roman
Catholic clergy have been greatly exaspera
ted. The Bighop of, the Diocese dismissed
one Cure for supposed neglect, (and the poor
priest took it so much to heart that he took
ill and died,) but his successor has not been
more fortunate, as twenty' of his parishion
ers have abandoned him in a few weeks; and
many more are about to follow their example.
We have had some FEARFUL AooromPrs•
One was the loss of one hundred and eighty
lives by a colliery explosion, in Yorkshire.
Up to the moment of the explosion no fire
damp was apparent, and all seemed safe.
The misery. of wives, children, and surviving
friends, gathering to the scene,. is described
as heart-rending. The minin population,
I fear, is very prayed. I have seen speci
mens of them and theiahabits at Dudley, in
Gloucestershire, and of the ignorance and
sensuality which mark their character. God
has a peop . le amongst them, and not the least
effective instrumentality has been that of
Wesleyan Methodism. Bat we want many
men, full of fervor and power, to pervade ,
the land.. We need. many successors .tot:
MI
Philadelphia, 27 South Tenth Street, below Chestnut
By Mail, or at the Office, $1.50 per Year, }SEE PROSPECTUS.
Delivered in the City, 1.75 "
EMI
George Whitfield, who numbered among his
converts the colliers of Kingswood, down
whose black faces " gutters " were made, as
his biography tells us, by floods of peniten
tial tears.
The attempt made to upset LORD PAL
MERSTON' S CABINET has failed. Mr.
D'lsraeli and Mr. Gladstone made <a grand
attack on the financial budget, for the year,
arguing that while the Income Tax was
partially taken off now, the scale of general
axpenditure was so much increased, and so
unnecessarily so, that, by 1860, we could
not afford to abandon the reniainder of the
tax, and faith would not'be kept, according
to promise, with the nation. The Ministry
have been sustained by a majority of eighty.
The Cabinet seems secure for the Session.
It seems very desirable that the expenditure
for the year should'be well ventilated, and
reduced, if possible ; Jatit'ito try.te. , upset a
Itibistry on the rifehibilitreli : Of 1860, and
on data which were • very-'doubtful, was
'nothing better thanu mere party manceuvre,
got up skillfully, and by a coalition,too, by
I the " acitp, " ,againctio "ins." Vho shall
venture to predict what'expendite're may
be required by 1860 ? 'Statesmen, after
war, talk as if it were never .to break out
again; but in the present state of the world,
who shall anticipate permanent peace, „or
the gliding in upon us, without a tempest, of
Millennial rest ?
To PRESBYTERIAN LITERATURE, a valu
able addition has been made by Professor
Lorimer, of our English College. Last
August, when in Edinburgh, I found him
diligently examining folios and authorities
in the Advocates Library. He had also
made explorations in Germany, and else
where; and he has now published a most
valuable life of a great Scotchman and a
noble martyr, Patrick Hamilton. I hope it
will be re-published in America.
While gradually getting rid of war ex
penditure, the losses incurred in the WASTE
OF HUMAN Live, have just been, brought.
out strongly before the nation. The .mis
manacrement as to food, shelter, and clothing,
told learfully on the army in the Crimea.
Out of 10,000 men, only 1,200 were cut
off by epidernies—the rest perished by
disease which was capable of mitigation, if
not of prevention.
The total British troops sent to the East
was 82,901. Of . thbse ' lB,927 were killed,
or died. But those that " died" were far
more numerous than either killed or wound
ed. The killed were 2,598,_ and 11,361
were wounded. Of the latter,
only 1,848
died. Thus; more than 10,000 perished, in
dependent of the losses inflicted. by the
enemy ! But add to this the startling num
ber of ineffective, or invalided. These were
no less thin 11,374. , So that, in round
numbers, out of 80,000 men, we lost 30,-,
000 during a War of eighteen months, only
twelve of which were passed in the presence
of the enemy l This is a sad revelation.
Turning from a subject - so painful, it is
very interesting to read the accountslust pub
lished of rewards to valor. The Order of
the IricrourA Cuoss was'expressly instituted
for this purpose, and has been bestowed for
extraordinary courage shown in the presence
of their foes, by officers and men,. in the
army, navy, and marines. It stirs the blood
to read of live shells, with the fuses burn
ing, seized and put out of harm's way by
being east overboard, or over the parapet of
the magazine; of brave officers setting an
example to the men, of plying the pickaxe
and spade amid a storm of shot in the
trenches; of privates carrying their wound
ed officers away on their backs, after saving
their lives from the murderous Russians on
the field of Inkermann ; and many deeds of
a similar nature. Certainly the British sol
dier has not degenerated in courage. If
well led, Anglo-Saxon warriors are as
sure of victory as were your fathers and
ours, whose cross-bows made Cressy so fa
mous, and who at Agincourt "sheathed their
swords for lack of argument."
The policy of the military authorities is
to keep the army not numerous, but com
pact and well trained, and to have the germ
of a Laud Transport Corps always ready to
be developed.
With regard to the' PERSIAN WAR, I
trust it may be said to be virtually at an
end. The Nord (Russian organ,) declares
it to be so. The Times' Paris correspondent
thinks a settlement almost certain; the
islands of Barrack and Ormuz to be given
up to the English, the latter to evacuate
Bushire, and the Persians Herat. Mean
time, Russia has made a treaty with Persia,
acquiring fresh territory toward India.
A fresh attack on the Ministry has been
made in.the Lords, headed by Lord Derby,
backed by Lord Grey, (a Liberal,) in refer
ence to the WAR AT CANTON. On a divi
sion, last night,,the Ministers had a majority
of thirty-Six. I was present during part of
the 'evening, and shall probably give you a.
sketch of the scene in my. next. In the
Commons, at the same hour, party strife was
raging on the same subject. Lord John
Russell went right against the Ministry.
The division will be taken to-night. The
issue is= uncertain even to members them
selves.
I was present at the ANNUAL MEETING
OP THE YOUNG MEN'S 011BISTJAN Asso
crAmoN, this week, at Exeter Hall, Lord
Shaftsbury in the Chair. A noble work is
beingaccomplished by this Institution. It
has a Central Building, where all the ad
vantages of a Club (saving the serving of
dinners,), can be enjoyed. First class Li
braries and' News Rooms are provided, with
Lectitre Room, apartments for Bible Classes,
gte. Then there are Branch Associations
all over.' London. The example has been
copied Ail over the provinces, as well as in
Ireland. Mr. Gladstone, who had visited
the tufted States on deputation, gave a most
interesting account of the Young Men's As
sociations there; referring to their great ex
tension, and their eminent practical effi
ciency. He also described the spirituality
that distinguished the Societies in France,
and the affectionate sociality marl4ng those
in Germany, and coupling these with the
hallowed secularism of the Americans in
providing situations, caring for the sick and
dying, and other matters, he recommended
these for imitation, amid much enthusiism.
The -work is of God. 'Great spiritual re
sults have been achieved .in the conversion
of .young men, and the play'Og of more
fiom a life of sin and shame, and from a.
death &horror, ` J. W.
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