Nana Ahoratt,
PITTSBURGH, JULY 11, 1857.
TERNS.... $1.50, in advance, or in Club'
$1.915; or, delivered at residences of Subscrl•
hers, $1.75. See Prospectus, on Third Page.
REN EWAL S should he prompt; a little
while before the year expires, that we may
nabs full arrangements for a steady supply.
THE RED WRAPPER indicates that we
desire a renewal. If, however, in the haste
of mailing:, this signal should be omitted, we
hope our friends will still not forget us.
REMITTANCES.—Send payment by safe
hands, when convenient. Or, send by mail,
enclosing with ordinary care, and troubling
nobody with a knowledge of what you are
doing. For a large amount, send a Draft, or
large note.. For oneor two papersoend Gold
or small notes.
TO MAKE CHANGE, Send postags staaispo i
or loottiOr still, send for more , paper.; say SA
for Serenity number', or 81-for Thirty-throe
numbers.
DIRECT all Latter. and Communication.
to REV. DAVID McILIIINEY. Pittsburgh.
Pilo
RavivAT, —We are informed by the
Presbyterian that thirty-four persons' were
added, on examination, to the Octo'rara
church ) Pa- , at a recent communion.
Lafayette College.
The annual commencement in this Insti
tution, will take place at Easton, on the
29th instant. The Trustees meet on the
day previous (Tuesday) at 9 o'clock. For
ROMA year ha.csk- theoo oneozions, lavo-boon
times of great interest; and we hope that
an enlightened Christian public will find
there, this year, the usual entertainment.
Second Presbyteri a n Church, (N. S.) On-
cizuiati
Two week's ago, we copied the statement
that this Church, by a vote of 25 to 16, dis
approved of the proceedings of the Assembly
at Cleveland, on Slavery. This church is
served by Dr. Fisher, the Moderator of the
Assembly. The elders, two of whom were
of the 25, have since come'out with a state
ment to the effect that, while there are dif
ferences in individual opinion, the Church
will stand by the Assembly, and is unani
mous in its confidence in, and affection for its
pastor.
Acknowledgment.
The gentleman who sent us money
through the Post Office, for the "North
American Indian Missions," will find its re
ceipt acknowledged in our issue of June
13th, and in Mr. Child's Report for June.
We are happy always to be the me
dium of such acts of benevolence, and our
agency, with the acknowledgment of the
amount received, is ever gratuitous. A
dollar since received from the same source,
will be contributed to some charity.
" The Fourth."
The Anniversary of America's freedom
passed off in our city very pleasantly. The
day was peculiarly fine. There were mili
tary parades, Sabbath School excursions, pic
nics, fireworks, etc., etc. It was our lot to
move about a little during the day, and in
the evening to take a long walk, through
some of the crowded parts of the city, and
as far as the Ninth Ward. We met, or saw,
multitudes of men, women, and children,
old and young, colored and white, all well
dressed, clean, orderly and happy. We saw
not a drunken man, nor did we hear an
angry or a profane word. Such a scene is,
to us, delightful.
Our exchanges speak of pleasant celebra
tions in some parts, and of riots and blood
shed in others. Of the latter class, New
York seems to stand out prominent. Balti
more had serious disturbances, resulting in
deaths. Detroit bad a row, and injuries
done. Philadelphia made not much demon
stration.
Jefferson College. +
The annual catalogue of this Institution
has just been published. It contains, as
as we learn, the names of those only, who have
been in attendance in course of the current
year. The whole number is 294, viz.:—
Seniors, 59; Juniors, 76; Sophomores, 53;
Freshmen, 30; Irregulars, '33 ; Preparatory,
43.
We understand the classes are now di
vided into convenient sections, so that the
recitations may be conducted with a
thoroughness which would otherwise be im
practicable in so large classes. The Prepara
tory Department is also taught by members
of the Faculty. We congratulate the friends
of the College in view of the increasing
prosperity of the Institution.
And it may not be out of place here,
to add, that the Honorary degree of L.L.D.
was conferred on Rev. Joseph Alden, D.D.,
President of the College, by the Trustees of
Columbia College, New York city, at the
late Commencement.
Advancing.
Our New School brethren are progressing
according to the orthodox pattern, in their
ecclesiastical nomenclature, as well as in
their Church action and their fraternal
spirit. Their new organ, the American
Presbyterian, of 2d instant, heads an article
thus : " ASSEMBLY'S BOARDS AND COMMIT
TEES." The word "Board" is expressive,
and we cheerfully accord its common use to
all who have the thing indicated. Our
contemporary then proceeds :
" The following were the changes made in
the Boards and Committees of the Assembly
at the recent meeting :
" Church Erection.—Members re-elected.
" Presbyterian Souse.—Mr. Barnes de
clined re-election, and the time of Dr. Rid
dle expired. In their places were elected
Rev. John Patton and Rev. Thomas J.
Shepherd.
" Publication Committee:—Mr. Wallace
declined . re-election. In his place was
chosen Rev. J. G. Butler.
4( Church Extension Comnittee.--In
place of Dr. Spear, whose time expired,
waa chosen Dr. Fisher.
" Education Conam,ittee.—ln place of
Rev. George Duffield, Jr., resigned, Rev.
William Hogarth.
" Foreign Mission Conrynittee.—ln place
of Rev. Henry Darling, resigned, Rev. J.
D. Mitchell, of Lynchburg, Virginia.
Added to the Committee, Lowell Holbrook,
to make the number equal to theother
Tomnuitees."
Why do Presbyterian Churches include
So Few of the Poor?
This is a question of vast importance. It
embraces both principle and practice. It
concerns an immediate and pressing duty,
and has, perhaps, reference to a sin which
should be repented of. The fact implied,
that there are comparatively few of THE room
OF THE LAND in the Presbyterian Church,
will hardly be controverted. Look at our
country churches : they embrace mainly the
wealthier families, and those who are well
off to live—uot always the very rich, though
but seldom the very poor. Take the average
of any neighborhood, divided in two classes,
as regards ease in worldly circumstances, and
the Presbyterian Church will embrace large
ly of the richer, and sparingly of the poorer.
And while this feature is distinctly marked
in the rural districts, it is yet far more prom
inently manifest in our cities. Presbyte
rian pity churches embrace, comparatively,
very few of the poor.
Now, why is this ? Was it not one of the
evidences, and a prominent one also, of the
Illessiahship of Jesus Christ, that he preach
ed the Gospel to the poor ? And is it not
hence, and throughout the Scriptures indi
cated that the preaching of the Gospel to
the poor, will be one of the leading and dis,
tinetive characterisacs of the true Church ?
That the Presbyterian Church does preach
the Gospel to the poor, by her missionary op
orntiono, hor %ffo'rto, kor
portage system, her Bible efforts, &c., is
most manifest; and shy hence has this evi
dence of her relation to her Head. But the
fact implied in our question, is nevertheless
glaringly manifest--mE POOR do not make
up any large portion, ordinarily, of her
congregations, in either city or country.
Why is it?
Several answers may be given, partly fa
vorable to her, and partly pointing out her
sin, and calling for repentance and reforma
tion.
1. Presbyterianism, in its entire character,
cultivates the intellect, promotes morality,
and favors economy, industry and thrift; its
members hence know how to acquire prop
erty, are likely to acquire it, and are dis
posed to hold a sufficiency of it to elevate
them above the straits of poverty. The pre
mises here will hardly be disputed. Family
education, training in schools, instruction
in the Church, information in the ways of
making a living, industry, independence of
feeling, hostility to the habits of the spend
thrift, a regard for the approbation of the
good and virtuous, an avoidance of vice, and
the cultivation of the best moral principles, be
long to the order of every strictly Presbyte
rian household. Presbyterians being thus
educated, poverty is among them, an anom
aly. Occasionally there is parental defect in
carrying out the system, and thriftlessness
results; and occasionally there are afflictive
dispensations of Providence, reducing some
to a very low position in this world's goods. •
From these two causes we always have the
poor among Its; but they are few in num
ber, and always, when their heart is with us
in faith and order, they find in our churches
brothers and sisters truly, and a happy home.
But to find springing from families of the
Presbyterian stock, households that are
among the extremely poor, is a thing ex
ceedingly rare. Hence then, for this roost
excellent, honorable and Christian reason,
the poor are not numerous in our churches,
whether in city or country. They are not
propagated by us naturally; and they do not
spring from us, unless by extraneous causes.
2. The Presbyterian system is, in a high
degree, intellectual and spiritual. To com
prehend it requires a cultivated mind, and
to enjoy it, there must be a renovated soul.
Our doctrinal Standards embody a large
amount of heaven's truths, logically stated.
To understand these, requires that the men
tal powers shall be well developed and
cultivated by much careful and superior in
struction. The foundation for this develop
ment needs to be laid in childhood, and to
be perseveringly and wisely conducted up to
manhood, and onward. Our system of wor
ship has in it nothing sensuous—nothing to
please the fancy—nothing to work upon a
fondness for show or for bodily exercise.
The feelings must be reached through the
understanding. Our preaching addresses
the thinking and reasoning soul; our
prayers are the outpourings of intelligent
spirits; our singing is from an enlightened
heart, making melody to the Lord. The
worshipper, in a Presbyterian church, must
have an understanding—a mind cultivated—
to enjoy the preaching, the prayers, or the.
praises'.
Now, this cultivation we do not often
find in those who grow up in'the world, and
especially among those who are of the more
poor. Poverty, in this happy land, where
free institutions open to all the way to pros
perity and affluence, is produced very much
by ignorance and vice. So far then as the
poor are made poor and kept poo?, by want
of education, by evil habits, and by depraved
tastes, they will not be found in Presbyte
rian chur i ches. Our worship would neither
interest their intellects, nor gratify their
hearts. They are hence absent from our
places of sweet Sabbath resort.
There are, however, many of the poor
who are not so from immorality. Why
are not a much larger portion of these
among us, than are commonly found in our
churches 7 Do we duly adapt our system
to their wants ? There are quite a number
of our own offspring who leave us. There
are many families, in very moderate circum
stances, who have minds religiously well
cultivated, and who are found in Churches
quite as intellectual as our own—found there
as a matter of either necessity or preference.
And there are many families of the poor
who, morally, are well disposed, but whose
opportunities of cultivation have .not been
such as to fit them for the highest enjoy
ment in our worship ; and even the most ig
norant and most vicious of the world's oat
-casts have undying souls. They need the
Gospel; and the Gospel is adapted to their
wants; .and it is' ent to them by us.
Now, toward - all these have we done our
rr - Rc PRESBYTERIAN BANNER AND ADVOCATE.
duty ? Or are we endeavoring to know our
duty, and perform it ? Why are not far
more of these, our fellow-men, crowding
our temple gates? The common people
heard our Master gladly. They flocked to
the places of his resort. They were inter
ested and edified. And are not we sent to
such ? Surely we should preach the Gospel
to the poor—should so preach it that the
simplest of them could receive it, and would
love it, and be drawn by it, .and be
saved by it. Why is it then, that, in such
comparatively vast numbers, they decline our
fellowship ? We reply
3. Our - worship is too costly for the poor.
Ofttimes our church-buildings are too ex
pensive. Meanness in the position, con
struction, or decorations of a house for our
God, is to be despised. A shame upon that
people who would be guilty. A church
should be in one of the prettiest and most
easily accessible situations which can be
selected. It should be duly large, and in
every respect comfortable. And it should be
neat and in good tase ; and even handsome
compared with the ordinary style of building
'in the congregation. But beyond those es
sentials, and this comparative becomingness,
a church should not be made costly. But,
whatever may be the cost of the site, and of
the building, and in these we would allow
much latitude for the wealthy and refined to
gratify their taste,—whatever be the cost,
tuere shoun TICiE In any - cage; a'dollar of
it taxed upon the seats, either as principal
or interest, nor in the shape of a pew rent.
The house in its perfectness should be a
gratuity to the congregation; made so by
the voluntary contributions of the more
wealthy, adequate 'to the defraying of the
whole expense of site and erection.
When the cost of the structure, some five,
ten, twenty, fifty, or a hundred thousand
dollars is assessed_on the seats, the poor can
not purchase. They are effectually ex
cluded. And when the annual interest
of that cost is levied, the poor cannot
occupy. The payment is beyond their
means. When nought but a man's hard in
dustry is to supply house, and food, and rai
ment for himself, and wife, and children,
and.to educate his offspring, he cannot pay
a large annual interest for church sittings.
He must, of necessity, go where seats can
be had on mil terms. Pews should be
taxed with nothing beyond the sustentation
of the pastor; and the incidentals needful
for worship; and in this there should
be a judicious graduation.
4. The extravagance in dress, artificial
tnan ners, and conventional refinement cherish
ed in Presbyterian churches, is a hinder
nine to the attendance of the poor—not
merely of the very poor, but of those who
are in moderate circumstances. This is one
of the most effective obstacles which could
be named—it might almost be denominated
THE hindrance; and yet it is one of the most
difficult to remove. A love of display, taste,
pride, vanity, fashion, supercilliousness, etc.,
are so intangible, and are such tyrants, that
we know not how to manage them; and the
suspicion with which they are contemplated,
and the counter pride and scorn which go
out to meet them, are oft so unreasonable
and so uncontrolable, in the minds of poor,
erring mortals, that to attempt a retnedy,
on either side, seems next to hopeless.
The rich should leave their gaudy attire be
hind, when they go to the house of God,
and the fashionables should reserve their
trappings for scenes more in consonance with
them than are the exercises of devotion;
and the poor should learn to value outward
adornings at a lower rate, and should bid all
envy and fell suspicion depart forever.
Right views of God and his house, and
ordinances—of the end aimed at in worship,
and the account which is to be rendered,
where God sees the soul as naked, would
greatly correct this evil. How shall'such
views be made prevalent? Our pastors
may, in part, answer this question. But we
may rest assured, that until there is a very
great reformation in the matters here spoken
of, the poor will not feel comfortable in our
churches, and will not be found there in
large numbers. We excuse them not for
their absence. The reason is inadequate.
But still we think there is great guilt in
keeping, needlessly, a stumbling block in
their way.
5. The rich, in cities especially, are too
much in the habit of clustering, all in one,
or in a few churches. This produces a
splendid and expensive house, and a fashion
able congregation. The poor are thus ex
chided. It also leaves the great mass of
the people unable to erect churches which
are even becoming and comfortable. The
rich and the poor should meet together;
the Lord is equally the maker of them all.
They. all need the same salvation, and their
Judge is no respecter of persons.
6. The officers and members of Presbyte
rian churches do not pay sufficient attention
to the poor; to make their acquaintance,
gain their confidence, and form friendly at
tachments. This is owing very much to the,
fact, that the great body of our people are
diligent in business. They think they have
not the leisure. They feel that the few
hours of respite they have daily from the
duties and anxieties of their occupations,
are due to their own households. This may
be very true ; and yet there may be a deep
wrong lying before it.
The , remedy for these evils, and many
others, will be found in an entire consecra
tion to God. When ministers and people
shall have truly given themselves a " living
sacrifice," then will be manifest an entire
change. To produce that consecration let
God's called and consecrated ones labor and
pray.
Ukavzusrry or Missrssirpr.-13y the
annual catalogue of the University of Mis
sissippi, it appears that the number of
students in attendance is—Seniors, 37;
Juniors, 50; Sophomores, 69; Freshmen,
62; Irregulars, 25; Law Students, 21.
Total, 264. The College has a library of
4,000 volumes, which is to be largely in
creased the present Summer.
Home and Foreign Record.
The July number of this periodical is very
much occupied with the action of the late
General Assembly, on the Boards ; and these
matters have already been pretty fully pre
sented to our readers. Still, there are some
things to be noted.
DOMESTIC MISSIONS
A letter of Rev. M. A. Williams, written
from Yreka, California, gives an account of a
very interesting tour of exploration, which he
had made at the suggestion of Drs. flapper
sett, Scott, and Anderson. The attention
being paid by the Church to that country, is
great ; but it still falls very far short of what
is required by the wants of the population,
and the influence thence to proceed to other
places. California is to be regarded as a
Western centre. It should be thoroughly
occupied. We have good men there, but
they are few in number. Many are needed.
The Board does much, and it should be
enabled to do more; but it should not be ex
pected to do all. There should be many
devoted men to go, and cast in their lot with
the people, and assist in their own sustenta
tion, as did Paul and his companions in labor;
living as they may be enabled, in providence,
to acquire the means. This thought might
be much dwelt upon, and applied to other
places as well as California. It needs and
deserves development. 't
REompTO in May, at Philadelphia, (embracing
those af — rittcsuurg6;)s3,22l ;• at Louisville,
$867.
EDUCATION
The total number of candidates on the roll
of the Board, for the last year, was 383 ;
which is an increase of one on the list of the
previous year. This is certainly a very small
advance. Why is it ? The Board may well
inquire, why? And the Church should ask
the question. And each should help the
other to answer; and especially should the
Board discuss the subject, for the informa
tion and awaking of the Church; and pos
sibly for stirring themselves up and discov
ering something which may tend to improve
ment in the mode of conducting their great
work. It is a momentous work, and we are
utterly at a loss to account for the lack of in
terest manifested therein, in a Church so
sound in the faith as is our ow-n.
RECEIPTS in May, at Philadelphia, $1,360; at
Pittsburgh, $472; at Louisville, $lB6.
FOREIGN MISSIONS.
Lahor, there was, at recent
dates, a growing disposition among the peo
ple to listen to, the Word. At Agra, the mis
sionaries enjoyed their usual health. From
Futtehguhr, they state : "It is with great
pleasure and thankfulness we are permitted
to inform you, that at our last communion
service, sin persons, all residents of the Chris
tian native village, were admitted to the
privileges of the church upon a profession of
their faith in the merits of a crucified Re
deemer. At this signal blessing upon our
efforts in behalf of this people, we are greatly
encouraged and strengthened, and feel as
sured that although the work progresses
but comparatively slowly, yet the Lord will
in his own good time, convert this whole na
tion."
C HINA —At Macao, things were not much
improved. There was quietness, but no tell
ing what a day might bring forth. The
English Admiral was awaiting vessels and
troops. No decisive belligerent operations
were likely to take place before Autumn.
From Shanghai, Mr. Lowrie writes: "We
may be on the eve of great things. China
may be thrown wide open in a few years,
though there may be hard times for foreign
ers in the interval. At all events, the reli
gious awakenings at Amoy and Ningpo show
that the Lord is not disposed to wait for time
and help, but can and will accomplish his
own work when and how he pleases, building
up the wall of Zion even in troublous times.-
Humanly speaking, Shanghai is the safest
port in China, but on human aid we are
warned not to depend. As ambassadors of
Christ, we are entitled to look higher for our
protection, and the prayers of many pious
people at home, will no doubt do more for
our safety than the frigates and the guns of
the English. Yet God may be pleased to
use the latter as the means of answering the
requests of his people both at home and here,
not only for our temporal security, but for
the opening of China for the general spread
of Christianity."
AFRICA. —At Corisco the missionaries
were well and laboring, and their boarding
schools were somewhat enlarged. At Mon
rovia Mr Williams continued his work,
though suffering from chills and fever. Mr.
Wilson, who had hrought.his family to this
country for their health, has left them in
Pennsylvania, and returned.
INDIAN MisstoNs.--The Board tell ,us
that : " An interesting communion season
had just been closed at Spencer, at which
two elders were ordained over that church,
three children were baptized, and one young
woman had been received to the communion
of the church upon a profession of faith.
Mr. Templeton, in a letter dated 28th of
April, mentions an intereting state of things
at one of his stations among the Creeks.
God is still blessing the Seminole mission.
Mr. Ramsay remarks: 'Three weeks ago, I
baptized six adults and five children. Next
Sabbath I expect to baptize five adults and'
two children. Among them are the chief's
wife and her two children. All the chief's
near relatives, nine in number, are now mem
bers of our Church.' Rev. D. 11. Murdock,
who has been appointed to the superintend
ence of the Otoe mission, announces the safe
arrival of himself and family at that place on
the 9th of May. A letter has also been re•
ceived from Dr. Sturges, of the 22d of May,
announcing the safe arrival of himself and
party at the Omaha mission."
Un the subject of funds, the Board are
urgent. Their indebtedness has been
noted. It cripples their operations. The
incurring of it was a necessity, for they
could neither recall their laborers nor starve
them ; but it should be wiped off at once,
and the treasury be adequately replenished
. An " Extra" gives the Board's report to the
Assembly. It should be extensively read.
RECEIPTS in May, $10,389.
PUBLICATION
This Board is advancing in its operations
more rapidly than its fellows; and for this
we praise it, though we cannot think that it
has yet attained to what is practicable in
supplying the wants of the Church. The
Record quotes the remark of Dr. Moore,
that " the operations of this Board are too
much regarded as those or business merely."
If it were not for the qualifying word .
" merely," we should utterly dissent from
this expression. We think that its affairs,
being very much of a "business" character,
should be conducted on the best business
principles. The principle of thrift we do
not now urge so much, since the Board has
already accumulated a large capital; but the
principles of economy and efficiency should
be regarded as of the first importance, and
especially the latter. A very great work is
to be done.
The Record gives us the names of five
recent issues, all of which, we believe, have I
been noticed in our columns.
DommoNs from May 15th to Juno 18th, $2,714;
SALES from May tat to May 30th, $4,225.
CHURCH EXTENSION.
The small space allotted in the Record to
this younger sister in the family of agencies,
will admit of the presentation of but a few
items of intelligence. Can this be a rea
son why the contributions are so small?
Or do the Boards, ministers, churches and
all, regard this cause as diminutive, and
dispense their favors accordingly ? We
trust that it will yet be looked, upon with
different eyes, and be admitted to a higher
place in the kind regards of the MASTER'S
friends.
RECEIPTS in May, at St. Louis, $531; at Phila
delphia, $271; at Pittsburgh, $46 ; at Chicin
nati, $29.
Temperance
We insert, on our Fourth Page, an excel
lent article on this subject, headed, "Another
Remedy Needed." We believe that the on
ly effective remedy for intemperance, is the
Gospel. Temperance associations, meet
ings, lectures, songs, public houses, legal
enactments, &c., &e., have their benefit, and
should be used; but the Gospel is the grand
means for the reformation of society; and
the truly Evangelical minister is the real
reformer. He is to preach with all fidel
ity and love. The minister, as the public
instructor for Christ, is to treat drunken
ness as a heinous sin, and expose it as he
does other sins. The means of drunkenness,
the temptations to it, and the tempters, he is
to point out with warnings and alarms. He
is to treat the subject earnestly, rationally,
and Scripturally. He is to preach by his
example; and he is socially to put forth his
influence, uniting with his fellow-men. And
the Elders of the Church are bound to be
his collaborators, and are to hold up his hands.
The decline in the Temperance cause is
owing very much to the withdrawing of the
ministry from the work. The manner of
conducting it became too noisy, too denun
ciatory, too deeply infected with party poli
tics—in short, too worldly—for them entire
ly and pleasantly to partake in it; and they,
to a great extent, withdrew. They, perhaps,
were justifiable in this. Some thought the
work could be done without them. Some
regarded them as a hindrance. We think
they withdrew too far. Their pulpits have
been too silent. Events show very plainly
that they, and the Gospel which they preach,
are indispensable to the carrying on of any
moral reformation. " Washingtonians, "
"Sons" Societies, "Templars," &c., &c., can
not carry far forward, nor long holdup a cause
which is opposed by human appetite, and
popular customs, and the love of gain.
Let the ministers awake, and the elders with
them, and all good men also, and the women
too, and unitedly use every instrumentality
which is sanctioned by God's Word, and the
temperance cause must prosper.
The Associate Church.
This reputable branch of the Presbyterian
family denominate their Chief Council,
" The Associate Synod .of North America."
Their fifty•sixth Annual Meeting was held -
in Philadelphia, May 20th to 29th. The
July number of the Evangelical Repository,
64 pages, is occupied entirely with the Min
utes and statistical tables. The meeting was
well attended, and the amount of business
done was large. The editor of the Reposito)
ry says of it : •
((Never, perhaps, since the Associate Syn
od was organized in this country, has, there,
been a more important meeting than the one,
the proceedings of which will be found in
this number. They will, therefore, be read
throughout the Church with an interest nev
er before felt by the members of the Asso
ciate Presbyterian Church. The union of
the Associate and. Associate Reformed
Churches—a subject which has engaged no
small share of the attention of Synod since
the year 1841, when delegates were first ap
pointed by the Synod—as at last been
brought into such a shape as to afford ground
for anticipating , with confidence, the organ
ization, next pring, of these two Churches
into one body. We look upon this event as
one that certainly will take place."
The statistical tables give a large amount
of information, and indicate a flourishing con
dition of, the body. We give a few of the
numbers
There are twenty-one Presbyteries, viz.,
N. Illinois, which has 7 ministers; Phila
delphia, 10; New York, 10; Miami, 14;
Allegheny, 9 ; Albany, 7 ; Chargers, 15;
Cambridge, 12; lowa, 20; Stamford, 5;
Vermont, 4; N. Indiana, 3; Muskingum,
14; .Monmouth, 5; Shenango, 20; Rich
land, 6; Detroit, 5; Ohio, 10; S. Indiana,
3; Clarion, 8 ; Sialkote, 3—total, 190';
with 28 licentiates. The names of the Pres
byteries indicate where the Church has its
greatest strength. There are two Theologi
cal Professors at Xenia, Ohio; four mission
aries at Sialkote, in Northern India; and
one missionary at Napa, California. The
number of congregations is' 227; and of
communicants, 21,606. The net increase of
last year was 991, being very nearly five per
cent. The baptisms were 1,279, or one to
every 17 communicants—a little over six per
cent. The contributions to Missions, Edu
cation, Bible Fund, and Widows' and Or
phan's Fund, amounted to $13,823, or 64
cents from each member.
If the union of these brethren with the
Associate Reformed, shall be consummated
next Spring, and shall be entire and with a
hearty earnestness, we shall anticipate there
from quite an addition to the efficiency of
orthodoxy and Evangelical influence in the
country. They have the most cordial good
wishes of Old School Presbyterians, for their
personal and ecclesiastical enjoyment, and
for eminent success in their labors in the
cause of our common Lord.
A Quarrel . Settled.
A great controversy existing among the
members of a Christian Church, some of
the leaders went to , " brother Bulkley" to
have his aid in settling the matter; his
happy spirit and great wisdom giving him
much influence in the community. In stat
ing their case, they became greatly excited :
"Well, well, never mind," said Mr. Bulk
ley; "ye are all too much excited now; go
home again and wait patiently; on Saturday
evening next I will have prepared and sent
to vou a written opinion of your case, with
a fall and free avowal of most wholesome
advice for preserving your church from
desolation, and yourselves from despair."
And the committee left to wait the issue.
Now it chanced that Mr. Bulkley had a
small farm, some distance from the town of
Colchester, and found it necessary, the same
day he wrote the opinion and advice to the
brethren of the disaffected church, to drop a
line to his farmer regarding the fixtures of
said estate. Having written a long, and'of
course elaborate " essay" to his brethren,‘he
wound up the day's literary exertions with a
dispatch to the farmer, and after a reverie td
himself, he directs the two documents, and
the next moment dispatches them to their
several destinations.
On Sunday evening a full and anxious
synod of the belligerent churchmen took
place in their tabernacle, and punctually, as
promised, came the dispatch from the Plato
of the time and place—Rev. John Bulkley.
All was quiet and respectful attention.
The Moderator took up the document and
broke the seal open, and .a pause ensued,
while dubious amazement seemed to spread
over the features of the worthy president of
the meeting.
" Well, brother Temple, how is it—what
does Mr. Bulkley say ?" and another pause
followed.
" Will the Moderator please to proceed ?"
said another voice.
The Moderator placed the paper upon the
table, took off his spectacles, wiped the
glasses, then his lips—replaced the specs on
his nose, and with a very broad grin, said :
"Brethren, this appears to me to be a
very singular letter, to say the least of it !"
"Well, read it—read it," responded the
wondering hearers.
" I will." The Moderator began.
" You will see to the repair of thelences,
that they be built high and strong, and you
will take special care of the old black bull I"
There wag a general pause; a silent mys
tery overspread the community; the Moder
ator dropped the paper to a " rest," and
gazed over the top of his glasses for several
minutes, nobody saying a word.
" Repair the fences l" muttered the Mod
erator, at length.
"Build them strong and high I" echoed
Deacon Potter.
" Take special care of the old black
bull!" growled half the meeting.
Then another pause ensued, and each
man eyed his neighbor in mute mystery.
A tall and venerable man now arose from
his seat : clearing his voice with an ahem,
he spoke
" Brethren you seem lost in the brief
and eloquent words of our learned adviser.
To me nothing could be more appropriate to
our case. It is just such a profound and
applicable reply to us, as we should have
hoped and looked for from the learned and
good man, John Bulkley. The direction to
repair the fences is to take heed i❑ the
admission and governmeyt of our members;
we must guard the church by our Master's
laws, and keep out stray and vicious cattle
from the fold 1 And, above all things, set a
trustworthy and vigilant watch over the old
black bull who is the devil, and who has
already broken into our enclosures, and
sought to desolate and lay waste the grounds
of our church !"
The effect of this interpretation was elec
trical. All saw and took, the force of Mr.
Bulkley's cogent advice, and unanimously
resolved to be governed by , it; hence the
old black bull was put hors du combat, and
the church preserved in union !
Per the Presbyterian Banner and Advocate.
Organization of the Church of Nowt
Washington
It has been recently noticed in the Ban
ner and Advocate, that the Presbytery of
Ohio had appointed a committee to or
ganize the above church. Rev. WilliaralL
Paxton and Alexander Laughlin, Elder,
met with the congregation on Tuesday, the
;;oth ult., and after sermon, proceeded with
the usual organization exercises. Messrs.
Sturley Cuthbert, James A. Fetzer, and W.
Struther were elected ruling Elders, the two
former had been Elders in other churches.
Mr. Struther being now, for the first time,
called to this office, was ordained; and the
three were then duly installed. Is the
coincidence worth noting that this new
church, bearing the name trf the Father of
his country, has enjoyed her first Sabbath as
a church, cotemporaneously with the first
Sabbath of the 82d year of our Repriblic
May their future history be alike prosperous
and equally glorious—the one, the embo
diment of pure and undefiled religion; the
other, the highest development of the largest
liberty which may consist with peace and
good morals.
Ecclesiastical
Rev. G. VAN ARTsDAL-EN'having declined
the call of the church of Union, Lancaster
county, Pa., at the late meeting of the
Presbytery of Donegal, the church has
again renewed their call for his services.
Rev. JOHN B. GRAHAM . was inssalle.d at Mor
ristown, Ohio, by the Presbytery of St.
Clairsville, on the 16th June.
Rev. JONATHAN EDwAnns,' D.D.,
; Presi
dent of Hanover College, Ind., has been
called to West Arch street church; Phila
delphia.
Rev. MR. WADSWORTH. Philadelphia, is in
vited to take pastoral charge of the Cen
tral church, Baltimore.
Rev. ALFRED NLVIN, D.D. Lancaster, Pa.,
is called to Lewisburg, ; Pa.
Rev. ALEXANDER REF; late of Allegheny
Seminary, has ,been ;called to Detorara
church,-Pa.
Eastern Summary.
BOSTON AND NEW ENGLAND
BISHOP EASTBITRX, of MaSSaChUSttt.9,
well known, is moderate as to his views
nature, claims, and authority of the
A correspondent of the New York C l / 4 r,i,„:„
has undertaken the task of showing the
fects of the peculiar views of the BiEbnp,
latter only claims to be bishop of the Epi c
Bans of that State, not pretending to any „,:,
ual authority over other denominatio ns ,
the correspondent of the Churchman thinly
altogether wrong, and that the Bishop altou:;.
allow himself to be put " on the same level g ,
that of the Wesleyan functionary of the !„,
name." To this cause he attributes the e.
progress of the Episcopacy in the Bay
A more ridiculous. claim cannot be well irn
than that put forth, in this affair, by the C7,-
man's correspondent.
The GENERAI. ASSOCIATION OF MASSAen t ,..
assembled in Belchertown on the afternoon
June 23.
The Alum Ar. SERMON before the 11 tassachm1- .
Home Missionary Society, was preached by
Rev. Dr. Cleveland, from 1. Cor. ii : 4. i ; ,
sentiment deduced from this text was—the
of the Home Missionary's preaching a.? dopendev
the moral culture of the heart. Among the featn%
connected with this Association, is one that mi,:
be incorporated in other ecclesiastical k ir ,
with great profit. There is a person denominr..
" Statistical Secretary," whose business it
gather up and arrange all the facts worth ]cart,„
ing or preserving, connected with the deaou.,,
tion, or bearing on the general interest nf :)
ligion, in the State, and to report at every Da,,
ing of the General Association. In this vr..7: 1
valuable information is collected and preserv.
concerning the churches and ministers, sch,
colleges, and seminaries, the wants of the pn (ii :
and the progress of the Gospel, from ye,,,
year. The present Secretary of this departr.,-. 1 -
is the Rev. Mr. Quint; and he seems tr , .
performed his duties, for the last year,
great diligence. His report only extends to L
end of 1856, and we give its principal facts:
During - the year 1856, our churches only
stantially held their own. On the Ist of Jaen:-
last, there were 472 churches in connexion
this Body. Of this number, all but four
made report, for which I desire to thank they;_:.
ity of the District Association Scribes. ,
churches report a membership of 67,122, of
20,916 are males. Of this number, 10,284 art
that unscriptural and hurtful class of d‘
weights—absentees. Daring the year, 1,847
sons united with our churches, by professi.,a
faith ; to replace 1,170 who have gone from e.r.
and, as -we trust. to the presence of that Ited€F-_.
er, whom on earth they loved. In the same tin:
1,617 united by letter against 1,812, who
dismissed.; and 155 cut off from our fellea - Air
796 adults have been baptized, and 1,369 chihk:
A comparison with the preceding year wo,a_
show that our churches have made a slight g 1:
but it is sad to know that the number of pr..f
sions were thirty three per cent. less than in
preceding year.
The Infant Baptisms are slightly increased.
During the year now ended, four cher:t
haw) been organized. There are now 475 chute,
of our faith and order in Massachusetts, (irte.r
ing some not connected with this Body,)
membership of 68,373, and 70,000 children re
gathered into their Sabbath Schools ; 72 eloirele
are vacant, and 61 more have stated supp!,i,
while 146 ministers are in other or no purit':i,
or laid aside by age.
Since the first of last January, proofa.
revivals have been enjoyed by many of the
churches, so that there is reason to hope tin.
the report for 1857 will be of a much more into
able character. Many of the churches have "v.:
greatly weakened by deaths, by removals to %-
West, and by the absence of the outpouring
the Holy Spirit.
The present POPDTATION or ISIASSACHUSEM
about 1,100,000.
The REPORT OF TEE COMMITTEE, consisting
President Pierce, Lords Agassiz, and others,
examine as to the truth of the professed comm.:-
nications by means of spirits, as pretended
, .
modern Spiritualism; is altogether averse to it ,
truth. While, at the same time, the COMMitY
say, "that any connexion with the spiritualk.
circles, so called, corrupts the morals, and d ,
grades the intellect."
The Rev. GEORGE B. TDB, D. D., (Baptist,) In
been appointed to the Professorship of Bib
Theology, in the Fairmount Theological Semiw
ry, Ohio.
PrOfeSSOrS RIPLZY and ARNOLD have resign::
their Professorships in Newton Theological I:-
statute.
The CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, of Northanr,
ton, has had before it twenty-nine different cle:.
gymen since Dr. Cleveland left, in 1835, :ever
teen of whom Were invited by the committee
candidates Air the place.
NEW YORK
The decision of the Corral. OF APPEALS has
length been given, with respect to the CODS.tit , :•
tionality of the New Police law, and the law ,
sustained by six of the eight Judges. Map:
Wood has dismissed his police, and submitted
the decision. These men were greatly astoniiho
when the order was read to them, and manye. l :
plained bitterly that they had been desertel
the Mayor. Whenever men allow themseirE s N
be made the dupes of demagogues and design:::
men, they may expect to be deserted by the yr
men in whose favor they had committed IV
selves. Demagogues are unable to manifeez
power of gratitude even, in behalf of those v
have risked all for them.
We have another instance of the same kind
the case of the followers of General Walker.:
Central America. The invaders have beec'
feated. But how different; the conditions of lea: 7
and followers! He lodges in the magnificentl . •
tels and fares sumptuously every day ; they
turn in rags, sick, diseased, and hopeless. Of:
returned= Filibusters, in the Wabash, 50
taken at at once to the hospital!
The EVIDENCE AND ARGUMENTS in the sprai'
tion of Mrs. Cunningham, for letters of whaw
tration on the estate of Dr. Burdell, have
closed; bat it is not probable that the opinlet ,
the Surrogate will be given for some weeks.
The Axstrar. COMMENCEMENT of the Unicer , i:
of New York, took place at Niblo's on }Perin ,
theist inst. ' Fourteen young men receive ) 1 :••
degree of. A. B.
On the same evening, five young ladies ri
oted at the Brooklyn Heights Seminary.
On the following" day`, the eighteenth Aur:.
Commencement of Rutger's Female Institute I" , '
held in the Rutger 'el street church, (Dr. Nie l-
The Rev. Dr. Krebs presided, and offered prqe
On the same day Columbia College sent ,
thirty graduates.
,
: Plattber of MORMONS in New Tors: s-'
Tioii 3 ity - ;isestimated at 500. Vigorous atwao, *
are
made toward proselytism in the s tijoini , = :
parts of.Connectiout.
The HOD. GEORGE BANCROFT is Mid to barer;
alized some $50,000 from the sales of his die
of the "United States.
Great complaints have been for some time
concerning the ADULTERATION OF
Licmons, and the most fatal effects which
resulted. But we were not prepared to see
an exhibit as the following, wh i c h we take fr"
the Scalpel, for June, concerning the manufacv . ''
of Champagne, in a single city. In no other' s " ,
can, the comparatively small importation, -
Wines be made to agree with the immense 0 . 121 ,
titles now used. Surely it is time for tb Err':
friends of temperance to arouse themselves ,
,hasten to rescue the fallen, and save the templ e " :
At the present time, in this city, there Sr