Presbyterian banner & advocate. (Pittsburgh, Pa.) 1855-1860, September 12, 1857, Image 2
mYP:- _a.:^Mt~l,^;t~;a+tmWti9t.~:'rtLror.`sfJEw.'Y24Yi- ~ ii .A. , -. 4 ..- ; -,.. 1 Winter ant 4 .-.lltrocatt ~. 0 .:,,, - , : , i - : 7 • • TiTTSBUR' Siegal fill advahori or 11111 Moho 111.2111 or, dolimorod at rooldoitoor of Baba:tri o boil, *fat; his l i t s ollitoetnoi oa Third Pago. R EII EINA L 13 should lims prompt; a little while before the year iiipihreai that we away fl# l6 Frrilirerirlitager alteatlY saPPIY• THE RED WRAPPER Indtomtit that ora dultron ronsoral. If, how•vor, In this hoots of 11111aillaWhis signal should In onalthttl,nam not (argot. usi. RIIIIITTANOBS.—Sond payment by sate Inindarialtan caltraniont. Or, read,bymall, 'meiosis's with ordinary oars, and troubling nobody Inritb a knowledgo of what you aro doings , For 111 11111firk amount, mend a Drafts or largottoton For ono or two papers, mond Gold or monUnotta. • TplitAgE CHAINFOInt Mood postings Oplowlso Sr still, land for moor. papers! sox.* for'illieroOty nuraltoiri, or $1 for Thiritimthroo arunlboro, . , DIRDOV all idottars and Columnanteations to RSV. DAVID leloluaNDY. Pittsburgh, Pa.• Somr, Exoarlwrci AnTiorze on hand, do not appear for want of room. ; BOARD. OF COLPORTAGE —Attention is requested to .the Notice of the meeting of this Board, on Thursday, the 17th. Lek the meeting be,full. • • PRISBTTEBK 'OF - .AikixesENx Ciir— Thio.Stated Clerk-of this Presbyteryrequests us tO 'state that nest meeting will be on the third Monday of September, and not on the fourth, as advertised last week. THE DANVILLE THEOLOGICAL SEMINAL. RE; will open on ,the 21st inst. The Faculty is . now lull, being composed of Professors Breckinzidge; Hinnphreys, Robinson, and Yerketi. .:The' price of board is $2:00 to $22 5 per week. Assistance is gi..ven to in , digent students. „ Allegheny Synod. SUBSCRIPTIONS to thevßanner & .Advocate maybe'handed to the: editor at the Synod in 'Erie We shall behaPpy to meet many frietids there. PANMENTS rto . the.yarions Boards of the C'kurdiortay be made, at the same place, to J. Dr. Williams, Receiving Agent, who wiifittend for'the purpose.' --.'''.naMieliOhttroh.llxtendedv - - The new Presbytery of "Lake Superior," earries,,, i onf;lo4iimb: ork k antiatioa to the ea treme Mirth-West of our inhabited country, East of the Rooky Mountains. An account of the-first meeting= may be found' in :another colunan!' The geed brethren are far away; people are rapidly flocking„ thither,,Snd the ceaseless and farpervading t in its rapid movements, 'enables us to bold inter course. We are one. PrlifeisOr Elea We have just learned that ,the Directors of :the North-West ilTheolpgicaL Seminary have electedeßev, N. L. Rice, D.D., to the third Chair, the one declined by Dr. A. 13. Brown. .1:144 ~, , Icept,an9e will be hailed with pleasure :.by the churches. The Directors also took lame preliminary steps towers:lint. ting the 'Seminal' , under the mire' of the Geoeral Aslenibly. kurthiq information we expect from our Correspondent, North- West, next week— (,End, of -Volume ,71#12. ONE number more will complete the Fifth, Ye/wee tlie Presbyterian Banner. A large numliei subiciiptions will termi nate with the volume. We respectfully request a fuliiimir prompt' reneival. • If the list of subscribers is perMitted tndeeline, the. terms of subscription must be iaised. We plead with ; our brethren of the Ministry and F i ldership,, and with all our friends, to lend us effeetivn aid in fuinishing - to • the churches a sound Presbyterian 'paper truly fit good, and realty chew. Fifth Church, Pittsburgh. This edifice is being re-opened formorship, with thelprosgilot Of forming. a new liongre gation. Worship is held, bait statedly, on Sabbath afternoons, and good oengregations are in attendance. The Old Version of the Psalnxa re alone need: There' is a:Sabbath School of over eighty piPili,"condirot'ed by, a few, enterprising, teachers-„ We trust; emit Presbyterians, will appreciate the effort, and lend whelping-hand: There is an `abrindant popitlation speedily to fill the house, and PitAtirfOirs"Will not have done their duty till #hie end G is accomplished, and a pastor comfortably.settled.l) Livingstontes Seventeen Years," .ite. derrispiinden't deitcribes'lii‘Amdk with thiViitlii, and ekes : ft . 's heritable •11l (hi:,.3 count of Dr. Livingstone's labors and travels in Wfries4ff7. WC think not.' ieive , not sea but' the eetieript f ion ' gfieif th,ti_,o 11 ,110.Plt W , Ce , Oink, Drolii,vingetcP.O.book.,is notlet published; but it maybe eipei3ted shortly. We-seethe . in in - exchange : ' "The 144 Sin's. Ifarpiihivii in Press ,the great work, in „which Dr.:LiVingstone:pairiteS, the his ; toxy of his diseeveries",in r Africa." , the fiThirpers we may eipeob the genuine work, and would :bhp none till that 'Shall appear. Notice to the; Itifeimbers 'of the Synod"of . Allegheny. The PittAkurgh„Fort ;Wayne and ,Chicigo,; the ;Cleveland and Pittsburgh, and the,Cleve. land and Maiming ' , Railroads, , have'agreed; to return the reeinbiiiii of the Synod of Alle ,1; gpy, free of charge, on the presentation to the Conductor, of a certificate,from the clerk, stating that theywere members of the Syn , odL—that: they have traveled:lon the road, anti r hain Pia full fare in , going - IC the meet. ' ing. , The { Cleveland, Pamsv e and Aibta bula Railrcad Company state r that their es tablialied4olicy; and their uniforurpractiee: hitherto; .'refirildrs -- it impossible for' thein enter. intn'thifrarran 6 . 14, • Pittiibp r ih 'to i Cleye'land, the fare; , . ~„ 84,00 , PP* 10titigstown ,t;;;Clevelimd; . 2.10 Cfever4 tot .. • 2 4 0 'HAP) ; • a n : ;I t: Brw rs Egg* ri• {frVi r M. s s. Ash 1(4 The temptations that liOn the path of young ministers, at the outset of their career, are both dangerous and deceitful. Unless the intelligence and piety of the licentiate be of a high order, it is"possible that the - direct end for which the ministry has been insti tuted may be overlooked from the com mencement, and that the effort, whether in ireparing ,for the pulpit, or when engaged in the public sanctuary, may not be so much to save immortal souls, by leading them to tlie, Saviour, as to makenn impression on the audience, and convince the people that the speaker is possessed of commanding talents. Presbyterians are made familiar with the Shorter Catechismin early life, and our young Men are, or ought to be, fully conversant with its teachings when they leave the Sem inary and 'enter on the duties of a licen tiate. Now, to many such, it may seem tame and common-place to prepare sermons in I which the great cardinal doctrines of that invaluable compend are expounded. Such preaching would, as they imagine, dis-. play no originality, no philosophy ; and it would afford no room for poetical composi tion, nor for rhetorical display. Accordingly, a theme is chosen on which the writer may expatiate, and which will enable him• to utter his deep thoughts and most profound and original conceptions, and to give forth his utterances in all the brilliancy of `a style surcharged with 'tropes and '-fignreS. , His audience may perceive that he has graced his performance with a text from the sacred Record; and, they may also perceive, that if he have a distinct plan in his own mind as to the track along which he is to lead his hearers in his discourse, or if there be a connexion between the text and the oration, he has carefully avoided giving them. any in formation on the subject; for this, also, would be trite and old-fashioned. The lan guage may sparkle with gems of beauty, and while the forms of expression and the gen eral tenor of the discourse may seem to inti mate that the preacher has soared aloft into a region of sublime idealism, or, on the other hand, has sounded the depths of metaphysical abstractions, a general im pression may be produced by the perform ance, that the orator was no doubt elo quent, learned; 'and 'very original; and yet, , these, puzzled admirers, if well catechised, would be fOund at as great a loss as the preacher himself, to tell what was the object of the discourse. It may be very true as a sentiment in poetry, or a dictum in philosophy, but the value of the information which it communicated to sinners standing in the presence of a righteous Judge, was a nullity. it is an important point for •young candidates for the ministry to have deeply engraven on their hearts, that the great ab ject of their functionis to preach the Gospel, and. thus lead souls to Christ. gin Forrnal logic and metaphysics may have been studied when at College. The irresist ible demonstrations of pure mathematics, may have been delighted in, and the beau: ties of Greek and Roman eloquence mayliave been felt in all their refining and elevating influence, during the training of an educa tional course; but when the Gospel minister_ stands in the pulpit, he presents himself there as God's messenger, to teach the peo ple what God would have them to believe and to do, as 'he has revealed his will in his Word. He , does not, ascend the pulpit to teach the art of reasoning, and to show his mastery of logical fence, by slaying enemies of his 'own construction. Ai a servant of Christ, he, does not dischargethe obligation that ; is laid on,him, by, spreading out before 'his audience the wonders of natural history as they may be seen on the earth, in the air, or the depths of the ocean. However con versant he may be with poetry, philosophy, or literature—how much soever his mind may have been expanded by astronomy and the study of the immensity of the works of the great Creator, or his judgment strength ened.by the influence of the exact sciences, still he is to remember, that as a minister, his special, peculiar, only office, is to *open up before men's minds, and press home on their souls, the great realities , of the Divine Let it not, be said that this is an under valuing. of learning, and that in'accordance with the views here presented,' an aspirin* for the'ministry would first be educated in the arts and sciences, and then, ddring his future labors, - 'be debarred from profiting by the study of his former.years. Such is not the 'base. ' It will be found that the advan tages gained by, the student in the study of logic, , will enable him all t'ae, more easily and elearlY,tO expose the false reasoning of form= alists;. and .of mien who:procrastinate in refer ence` to,their SalVation.' EXteniive and mi ,nute acquaintance, with , natural hiatery, and the kingdom of, nature gene,rally, willonahle the preacher to adduce such illustrations as will; -(from their novelty and appropriate neas;) secure attention, nnd;When judiciously used, be fOund not only to.expound the meaning of ,the speaker so as that dull un derstandings will comprehend it, but at the saint' time to invest the subject with the graces of an attractive scholarship. Dr. Ham ikon,. of London, derives much of, his power in the pulpit from this source; and:yet, while it is - known that he is a profound Naturalist, he never introduces his knowledge, except as illustrative of great , spiritual truths. Mathe ranged learning,may,,,diseipline the mind to close and iecurate reasoning; and the mod 'els of doquence which . have come down to us from the olden time, may' be profitably studied in order to ascertain' the most pol ished and effective Manner , in which to, pre sent truth tnan audience,.and carry convic-. tion to the Mind: The Study of the sciences as an intellectual gymnastic is invaluable for the mental discipline it affords, and, in active duties the factS and information'Which are treasured up in these great ,store -houses of human knowledge, may be, profitably : used in order .to elucidate and expound ;' and here ' "Odd taste and teal scholarship will alone'de -64e 'Correctly, the amount OCilluitration that eank,Fo4tably employeC ` Thus it is, .7 t:-1 =EA 1/11111 The Preaching that Does Good. • , 1 -ER AND ADVOCATE. that while the Gospel preacher is not a Pro fessor of Logic, nor a teacher of science; he may, by the cultivation of all branches of human learning, have his mind strengthened and prepared for the great work of the min istry, while history, philosophy, law, .and every department of learning may be laid under contribution, and their share of in= formation used with effect, in bringinecon viction home to the mind. There are others who, equally with the class which we have described, look upon doctrinal preaching as , bald and . antipiated, and who rest their hopes on smart and piquant sketches of "character: 'They setae - on the fashions and follies of the day, and by trenchant criticism, seek to cater to the taste of the mob. Others are ever on the watch for novelty, and to this class nearly all events of a public nature are equally attractive. An examination of any cheap, secular, Satur day paper will enable persons to form an esti mate of the large number of preachers in our great cities, who seem to be destitute of all subjects for 'their public ministrations, and who mainly rely on the exciting topics of the last telegraphic dispatch, or on some new form of political agitation, for their next Sab bath day's oration. Their number is legion, and their influence is often evil. Let our young ministers be assured that there is great danger in, adopting such persons as a model. Theymay create a ferment for a time, anti enjoy popularity with the thought less excitement-seekers;who will be ready to leave them on the appearance of the next novelty; but they fail, utterly fail, in accom plishing the ends for which the Gospel min istry is instituted. Generally speaking, also, they soon exhaust themselves. For a- time, their bold descriptions and startling phrases, and words used out of the ordinary accepta tion, may attract . the unthinking; but ere long, their style, their terms, their stock in trade, soon become familiar to their, follow ers, and in the course of a season the orator and.the audience are generally ready for a change. We would, with all earnestness, endeavor to impress our licentiates and young ministers with the conviction, that in order to wear well and to do good, they must, by the grace of -God, steadfastly adhere to the preaching of the Gospel. To do this effectu ally 'will require the exercise of all their pow ers, and present unceasing opportunities for the <use of all their learning, and a display of all their talents. Let them think of the deceitfulness of the human heart, and of the many useless, dead and formal professors which are found in connexion with churches, and what a field is here presented for mas terly analysis, and for setting forth the' dif ference which exists between the living and the dead Let them censider the import • ance of the blessings which the Gospel holds forth for man's acceptance, and the wondrous character of that love and mercy which led to their bestowal, and then think of the sub jects for persuasion and appeal which are here afforded. Be assured that the most'ar. gumentative 'reasoner, and the most powerful logician, will find ample scope for the exer cise of all his powers in dealing with the de vices and futile apologies of sinners on the one hand,, and with the unsound views of, errorists and heresiarcha on the other. Let no, fear be entertained, that the system of the Gospel is contracted in its character, and that the preacher will won become ex hausted for want of appropriate themes. When the,young minister has discussed the topics which, ordinary minds, will find in Bevelation—on the subject of the primeval state of man, on the legal and moral consequences to' the race from • the' fall, on the character of the remedy, and how the benefits and blessings are to be enjoyed; When' the nature, uses, and connexion of 'faith, repentance, and the other graces of the Gospel are examined; when sinners are brought face to face with theie things; when the great question is shown to be,_ not merely. whether or not they believe and generally assent to the truths thus proclaimed, but whether they have actually and truly em braced Christ; for their own salvation, or are still delaying, Mid intending, .at. a, future time ; to believe ; when the marks of a regene-, 'rate - life are exhibited, as contrasted with the resemblances to be found in the mere moral ist and formalist, when the beliefs and emo tions or experiences, •and the actions of the renewed are contrasted with the condition of those who are still in a state of , alienation from God; when these and their kindred topics, these mighty themes of eternal import ance are taken up, and with all the powers of the preacher's soul, pressed home on his people, he will find that fresh aspects of these subjects remain still, for energetic treatment; for, alas i he will perceive, that notwithstanding all that he may have said— all his reasonings and illustrations, all his ap. peakand prayerl—there are souls under his care yet unawalrened and uninterested. Only let our young. ministers realize the fact, that to leadsmen to: Christ ; or the salva tion of their souls, is the great end of the ministerial office, and that the faithful eibi bitien of the Gospel—not philosophy, not astronomy,, not heathen ethics, not sketching and portrait painting, nor diatribes on poli tics; but the Gospel—is • the instrument whereby this great work is to be achieved, under the blessing of God, and it will be _ seen, that no preaching which 'does not con tain the Gospel, need expect God's blessing:; and that farther still, if the preacher should wear 'well and long in his office, as well as do good, he must keep himself to the work for which the ministry was ordained. Who are =the ministers, whether in town. or in country, that remain longest in their charges, haie the largest flocks, effect the most good in their localities, and win most souls to the Lord ? Why, they are those men, however varied their talents may be, who confine themselves 'to the work of their mission—Gospel preachers—earnest men, who feel that nothing is done if the Gospel is not received at their hands; and who, therefore, 'if failure or deadness is perceived among their, people, gird themselves again for the work of the- Lord, and put forth re newed and -.still ,more vigorous efforts ~.to bring men to Christ. Their burning zeal and real eamestness will clothe them with, power, and invest their appeals with real heart-felt eloquence, and in the end they are sure to enjoy their reward. It is such ,preaching that wears well, and it is only such, preaching that does real good. i i I The Richmond Convention. This body, composed of the, representa tives. of Presbyteries and churches which have withdrawn fro.i the New School °eraT,:Assembly as we noted last week,, on the evening of Thursday, the 27th of August; to the - it - timber of - one hundred and twenty-four. No Presbytery from a free State, was represented: Two gentlemen, from churches in Philadelphia, and one from !New Jersey, were admitted to seats. ion. Thomas Maynard, of Tenn., was called to preside over the meeting. • This Convention being one of vast import, apparently, and having also some bearing upon vital interests of the Old School Church, demands some more than common notice at our hands. The Philadelphia New School papers, of last week, give us but a very meagre account of the proceed ings; and the Evangelises report is not full. We copy mainly from the Central Presby terian. We may, hereafter, recur to the subject for comment : and shall then use re ports in other papers for greater fullness, or to confirm or. modify, should, any thing of the kind seem needful. The Central Presbyterian says: When Mr. MAYNARD took the chair, in a brief and appropriate address he acknowledged the dis tinction of an election to such a post, and stated, that if God in his providence had a distinct work for them to perform, in a separate capacity, he would assuredly give them the wisdom necessary to guide them to successful results. If, on the other hand, they had misread the teachings of Jehovah, as men have often done, their under takings would come to naught. On Friday, a number of new delegates arrived. The Committee to prepare business not being ready to report, a part of the day was spent in devotional exercises. Prominent among the attendants from a dist ance, was the Km Da. CONVERSE, Editor of the Christian Observer. On Saturday morning, the resolutions present ed by the Committee were taken up. They are its follows WHEREAS, All acts, resolutions, and testimo nies of past General Assemblies, and especially the action of thel.ast General Assembly, whereby suspicions and doubts of the good standing and equal rights and Privileges of slaveholding mem bers of the Church, or imputations and charges against their Christian character, have been ei ther implied or expressed, are contrary to the example and teachings of Christ and his Apos tles, and are a violation of the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church. And, whereas, the relation of master and ser vant, in itself considered, or further than the rela tive duties arising therefrom, and slavery as an institution, of the State, do not properly belong to the Church Judicatories as subjects for discus sion and enquiry. And, whereas, in thejudgment of this Conven tion, there is no prospect of the cessation of, this agitation of slavery in the 'General Assembly so long as there are slaveholders in connexion with 'the Church ; therefore, • _Resolved, That we recommend to the Presby teries in connexion with the New School General Assembly of 'the Presbyterian Church to with draw from said body. . Resolved, That in the, judgment of this Converts tion nothing can be made the basis for discipline in the Presbyterian Church which is not specifi cally referred to in the Constitution, as crimes or heresy. Resolved, That the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church have no power to pronounce a sentence of condemnation on a lower Judicato ry or individualstor any cause, unless they have been brought before the Assembly in the, way pre scribed by the Constitution. Resolved, That the Convention recommend to all the Itrisbyteries in the Presbyterian - Church, which are opposed to the agitation of slavery in the highest Judicatory of the Church, to appoint delegates in the proportion prescribed by our Form of. Government for the appointment of Com missioners to the Assembly, to meet in Knoxville Tennessee, on the First Thursday in May, 1858, for the purpose of organizing a General Synod, under the name of The United Synod of the Presbyterian Church in the United- States of America. Resolved, That the members of this Conven tion adhere to and abide by the Confession of Faith of the Presbyterian Church, as containing the system of doctrine taught in the Holy Scrip tures, and that we adhere to the . Forrivof Gov ernment and. Book of Discipline of said Church. Quite a spirited dOste sprung up on a motion to strike out the woias "New School" from the first resolution, because, as it was' alleged, the term had been originally applied as one of re proach. Various amendments were proposed, such as "General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, often dessinoted as New School,' "so called New School," Ste. Do.. Ross, (of whom we have more to say pres ently) contended that the appellation New School, was ar time-honored one, to be ,venerated and greatly loved, and that if it were stricken oat from the resolution, it would look as if they were going right over to the Old School." S" .1 wish we were," said an elder in a low voice, who sat near us; s , that is just what I want.") Finally, the resolution was amended, and adopt . ed so as to read thus : . , "Resolved, That the Presbyt e ries sympathising with the objects of this Convention; are invited to withdraw from their ,present :ecclesiastical rela tions." On the second resolution, [see above] there was an animated debate as to whether every dis-' ciplinable `offencels "specified" in the Confes sion of Faith, and an attempt to amend was made by moving to insert the words, "or pliedlp" after"" specifically ;" but this was de feated, and the original resolution was adopted. The great debate of the Convention, was on the fourth resolution, which we ask the reader to re peruse. Various amendments were offered, some pro posing the name,"Constitutional Synod,. oth ers " The Genera " Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, South," in the place of " The United Synod," hc. During these discussions, MR. J. RANDOLPH TUCKER, of Va., rose and struck at once into the merits of the whole question, by bold'y ad vomiting a re-union with the_ Old School Church. He asked whether it was the object of the Com mittee to widen 'and deepen the gulf between the New and Old School 'Churches in the South. Must animosities be endless ? Must separation be perpetual? With great force and beauty he proceeded to show that the law of love was the supreme law of the kingdom which Christ bad established'; that the unity of the Church was the blessed consummation toward which the spir it, the precepts, and the intercessoryprayer of its Divine founder all tended ; that a united Church would. be, the harbinger of a converted world ; that division destroyed charity, and unpaired ef ficiency; and that the present separation be tween the Old and New School bodies was not only unnecessary, but disastrous to their highest interests.- - - He contended that it was idle for New School men to object to the Eascinding Acts of 1837, when they themselves, by the adoption of the first resolution, had eascinded their whole Northern 'Church, that, a permanent organization would make the chasm wider between the two great branches of the Presbyterian family ; that the New School, South, in a separate capacity, would be feeble in influence, in resources, and 'efficien cy ; that it would be a sectional Church, inasmuch -as not a Northern representative was then on the floor, and as a controlling Southern spirit would prevent it from being a national Church; that such ecclesiastical divisions tended to -a dissolu tion of the Union, which he deprecated, as long as the honor and rights of the South did not de mand it. Da. Ross next took the floor. The first por tion of his speech was exceedingly humorous. The Doctor's manner s i s very free, bold, and, when in a' jocose Mond, absolutely rolicking. After his fanny:passages, be leaned over the table beside which he stood, and laughed heartily, self it did him, good to join in the mirth. He passed over the ordinary difficulties in the way of re-union, lightly; as for the Exscinding acts he regarded them as a species of Lynch law, and would not be hard on them, as he was at times in favor of Lynch law himself. He gave the Old ; School the credit of being far-seeing and wise in cutting off those troublesome North- Western men —at that time, he said, he did not know as much abOut thOse precious scamps off he bad since learned. So that he would require but a mode rate repentance on the part of the Old School. Indeed he added, that without repentance they (the N. S.) had got satisfaction out of them, by thrashing them for the last nineteen years. As to Adam's sin he 'bad no difficulty, and ex plained his view of the manner in which we all sinned in him. Differences too about the atone ment did , not keep . him aloof. He would, how ever, decidedly oppose the rule of 'examination which was in some cases but a rule of malice. But the grand difficulty. in his .way of re-union was that the Old School would not come up to his platform on the Slavery question His position on that ;Albin: was the only one that would give pence to the Church, peace to the country, peace to the world—and that was, that Slavery was or dained of God. He defied any one to meet him on that issue, and declared that there were but three theories on the whole subje.ct—these he called the sin theory, the toleration theory and the God , ordained theory. The last was the platform on 1 which the whole South must ultimately stand. After elaborating this view, the Dr. wound up with a peroration about the sun illuminating the mountain tops, while from the vales below, the songs of happy millions would rise in thanksgiv ing for the grandest religious, national union hitherto known among men. Perhaps no man in the Convention attracted more attention, or was listened to with more curiosity than Dr. Ross. He is a hale and vigor ous old man—full of energy and fire, yet self- con tabled, and able to calculate the effect of every thing he says. He is vehenient in manner, and explodes his' words. one by one; like the firing of torpedoes. He seems to be very social in his disposition, good natured, and ready for a friend ly fight with any thing on the earth, or in the waters under the earth. On ,Monday morning, after the preliminary services, Da. BOYD, took the floor. He commenced by remarking on the peculiar and trying position in which be and his brethren were placed, in being compelled to prefer a distinct organization to a union with the Old School. But it wait a matter of principle ' and though some of the younger members of the Church, who had come into it since the division of 1837, might be disposed to throw themselves into the arms of the Old School, he who was more familiar with the original causes of the division, never could until that body ahem; cloned and disavowed the principles and acts which led to the separation. He reviewed and de nounced the Exscinding Acts as unconstitutional and unjust. As to slavery he - contended that the Assembly bad declared that relation to be irre concilable with the Word of God in 1818, and that 0. S. Presbyterians re-affirmed the same in 18t6. He quoted from Drs. Rice and Breckin ridge, and from 0. S. pipers—the Central Pres byterian among them, totally misrepresenting its position and declarations. As to the conservatism of Northern Old School men, he was more than in credulous. They lacked nerve, and the courage to suppress agitation. With regard to the differences on doctrinal points, Dr. Boyd insisted that he had the concur rence of some very distinguished Old School Divines in his own published views. Speaking of original sin he declared, that for his part he never could admit that a new born infant deserved the wrath of God because of its native depravity. u • atogV. W . H. .... ILI ATTHEWS, of Virginia, made a speech in favor of re-union. He called the at- • tention of the of to the fact that the great majority of their private members were for re-union, tbat not one-third of their Synod was reported to the Convention, and their principal men differed among themselves as ;to the diffi culties in the way of a return to the Old School body; some finding insuperable barriers as in the Exscinding Acts, others in doctrinal differences, others in the examination rule, and at least one (Dr. Ross) in the unwillingness of the Old School to adopt a particular theory on the Slavery ques tion. Mr. Matthews argued the advantage of re-union at considerable length, on the ground that a sep arate organization would be unnecessary, attend ed with heavy pecuniary sacrifices, weakening to feeble congregations, and prfjudicial to the high est interest of Presbyterianism. Da. L.E.Acu was another of the members of the Conevntion who made a protracted speech. He advocated re-union, and found no insurmountable barriers in the way because of the ExEcinding Acts, or on account of doctrinal differences, but `his chief difficulty was in consequence of the ex amination required by Presbyteries. He entered into a long discussion of the history and constitu tionality of this rule, and denounced it In terms which manifested his utter and unqualified abhor. rence of it. Ray. M. M. Meant LL, of Tennessee, was the neat'speaker. Mr. Marshall is the grentleman who has gained considerable notoriety by the published replies to his circular letter addressed to Dr Breckinridge, and several Old School editors. These replies ; were read in the Convention, and if listened to must have communicated a great deal of Rhole some truth. He earnestly contended that there could be no union with the Old School until they repented of their unrighteous acts, and disavowed them. He thought that if the Old School would only repu diate their unconstitutional doings, there would be a great revival of religion. He declared that his Church did not stand with the Old School on doctrinal , grounds, and illustrated his position in a way which made it , plain that he certainly could never enter an Old School• Presbytery by exami natinn - an ordeal, which he vehemently denounced. He made a violent assault upon the Old School doctrine of the atonement, and exhorted the Con vention to go into a permanent and aistinot organ ization keeping to themselves, turning neither to the ri ght hand nor to the left, 130 marching on ward to victory. We can give our readers no idea of the resound ing and impetuous rhetoric of Mr. Marshall. To compare him to anything short of Niagara Falls would be doing great injustice both, to Mr. Marshall and to that highly popular cataract. When MR. SHILLINGFORTH, of Pennsylvania, took the floor, he stated that be occupied the peculiar position of being the only representative from North of Mason and Dixon's line. The was in favor of organization, though not of a Southern organization calculated to repel the sympathizing churches at the North. Re could dever expect to find rest from agitation - by going with the Old School Church. The discussion was continued by BONS. J. B. jARNIOAN and W. CooKE, of. Tenn. D. NEW TON of Mississippi ; and R. Mn..lionnisoN of Missouid. DL BOYD stated that he had received a letter from tits editors of the Central' Presbyterian, with regard to some remarks made by him onlionday. He read thO letter which was' written, to correct his statement.that that paper urged, that the dis cussion of slavery " was not inappropriate to the General Assembly." The editors state, that while they object strongly to the introduction of the slavery diacussion into the General Assembly, yet they object to a refraining from this discus sion being a rule of communion. The letter also alludes to alleged misrepresentations on doctrin al differences, which Dr. Boyd, replied to. REV. G.E. READ stated that he had been edu cated arid ordained in the Old School Church; left that Church on account of its violation of principle, and'gone to the New School. He bad been called from a New School church in the North, to one in the South, and stood here a full blooded Yankee. The reverend, gentleman then went on to dis cuss the question under consideration. He said that the Presbyterians had thought proper to di vide, and had since that flowed on in different tracks. Now, they have come , to a narrow pass in the mountain, and the question is, whether they shall unite. Neither; however; need go back, whether they go on together or not. He favored the organization of the. New School branch for permanence. It woad be a stand point from which we might make to. or receive overtures from the Old School. Any other step would be a disgraceful step. Bar. Mn. Thoßtasoit, of Kentucky, deprecated the spirit in which the dischssions of the Conven tion had been conducted, and which he would re -gret to see go fortluto the public as the spirit of the body. In his opinion, to require the Old School brethren to repent of the resolutions of '3B, would be simply to render the union impos sible. Neither did he object to the position of the Old School on the subject of slavery. They had'controlled it in their Assemblies, and could control it in future. He was ,opposed to laying down. conditions which the Old. School could not accede to, and which would 'make re-union im possible. Afthr 'some further observations from other members, the resolutiods As amended, and the preamble; were put to the vote, and unanimously The following resolution, offered by Ds. NEW TON, was then adopted, (Messrs. Boyd and Mar shall not voting.) 14 Resolved, That the union between us and our Old School brethren, could it be effected on terms acceptable to both sides, would be conducive to the best interests of the Church of Christ, and this Convention, after a full and free interchange df opinion'and views on tlie sul t ject, do now re commend that the Synod, when formed and duly organized, .shail :invite the General Assembly of the Old School to a fraternal conference, with a view to union. This resolution was opposed by Dr. Boyd, Mr. Marshall, and others, as going too far, and being inconsistent with self-respect. Others urged that unless something like this was adopted, many in dividuals and churches that now were wavering, woui i 'go over to the Old School, and that to re tain them, and to avoid the odium in the eyes of the world of perpetrating this scheme, it was ne cessary to take such action as this. Dr. Ross consented to it, (though he goes for a new de nomination entirely, untrammeled by the over shadowing influence of a large church,) because, as he termed it, it would be a " sop to Cerberus," something that would serve to retain those who were wavering, while it would not prevent the new organization. It was e urged that if this step were taken, the odium of continuing the schism would be thrown on the Old School, if they re jected the proffer, and thus the New School would have the prestige of moving in the direction of reconciliation. We believe that a large part of the body sincerely adopted this resolution, with both a desire and a hope that it might lead to a re.union, but we think it due to truth and candor to say to our friends in both branches of the Church, who have cherished such an expectation, that after listening attentively to the terms in sisted on by those who are likely to control the action of the Synod next Spring, we are forced to believe that, all things considered, they are un willing to form any such union as would not in volve conditions which our Assembly could not concede, and hence a union will probably be then farther off than ever. The Christian Observer and the Presbyterian Witness, newspapers, were commended to the patronage of the New School people. After the appointment of REV. JACOB MITCH ELL to preach the opening sermon, at the meeting of the General Synod in Knoxville, the Conven tion adjourned, sine die, at one o'clock, Wednes day morning. Commencement ot Washington ; College, Penn's. The Annual Commencements of our West ern Colleges are seasons of high literary fes tivity, and call together a large assemblage from their numerous friends. That of Wash ington occurs on the 16th of September, the same period of the year as aforetime. This is more favorable for attendance than in the month of June, as was clearly ascertained by the experiment. The programme of ex ercises offers a rare banquet ? such as the public will readily appreciate. On the Sab bath morning preceding the Commence ment, the Baccalaureate sermon will be preached by the Rev. Dr. Scott, President of the College. On the evening of the same day, the sermon before the Society of Reli gious Inquiry will be delivered by the Rev. Mr. MeMasters. On Tuesday evening, the 15th, will be the address before the Lite rary Societies, by the Rev. Dr. IVlcGuffy, of the University of Virginia. On Wednes day, the Commencement exercises proper, will take place, commencing at 9 o'clock A. M. This graduating class is the first that has been carried through, under the new regime of the College ; and it is believed that their accurate and thorough scholarship will well Llustrate the abilities of their Professors. We are glad to know that the aim at Wash ington:College, as well as at her sister Col leges, is to greatly elevate the standard of pducation, and that already, in various ways, the excellent effects of such a change are felt. The College is understood to have reached a higher point of substantial prosper ity than in many years last passed,; and we doubt not, that with its eminent Faculty, it is destined to - a steady and solid growth, which will redound more and more to the literary credit of our Western Pennsylvania. METHODIST PROTESTANT CONFERENCE. —Oar brethren, the Protestant Methodists, have been holding a Conference in this city. Their number is not very large, but they engage with energy in their work. The slavery question, however, greatly disturbs their peace, and impairs their efficiency. Like some others, they can neither settle it, turn it to a good account spiritually, nor let it alone. Dissension and distrust are like to result in alienation and division. Ecclesiastical. Rev. J. WiLsoN's Post Office address is changed' from iDoaksville, Arkansas, to Boggy Depot, Arkansas. Rev. JOSEPH BEGGS' Post Office address is changed from Andora, Pa., to Levering. ton, Pa. The pastoral relation between the Rev. HENRY B&owN and the iioshen church has been dissolved by the Presbytery of West Lexington. Rev. JOHN A. KnumoNs has received and accepted an invitation to supply the church in Raleigh; Tennessee. Rev. JAMES H. DINSMORE has declined an invitation to supply Shiloh and Olivet, church, in Shelby County, Kentucky, another year, leaving that church vacant. EASTERN SUMMARY. BOSTON • AND NEW ENGLAND,. While so much is said of the Rapid Growth, of Western cities, and the great increase in the value of property, we are not to forget that the older cities of the East are also progressing in population and wealth. The total valuation of real and personal estate in Boston in 1852, was 8187,680,000; now the valuation of the real estate is 8148,902,100, and of the personal estate, $108,291,000. So that in five years the total valuation has increased $69,513,000. The increase from last year is 88,030,600. The fixed rate; of taxation for the present year is ninety three eentia on one hundred dollars. The Puritan Recorder 28 now in the forty-second year of its publication, the New York. Observer in the thirty-fifth, the New York Evangelist in the twenty-eighth, and the .New York .Independent in the ninth. Yet it Seems that the age of the Puritan Recorder, the ancient fame of the city whence it goes forth, and the sacred memories of its Congregational worthies, will not shield it from depreciation. The Independent lately styled the paper a " pro vincial sheet," which appellation does not seem to be relished by either the press or people of the city in question. •; Concerning this term the 'Evangelist remarks: "We knit' , that the New York Herald was in the habit of speaking thus of Boston and Philadelphia. But fora Congregation. al paper to take on such airs toward th e capital of New England is decidedly t i e b . We thought that old Massachusetts was the Canaan of CongregaConalism, and th at Boston was its Jerusalem. So it was is former days. But all this is changed. Th e seat of power has been transferred from B ea _ ton to New York. The Recorder and the Congregationalist will please to hear this in mind, and act with becoming modesty, and not speak without' orders from h ea d . quarters. Ministers from Boston and Hart ford may come up here to the Annual 'F east in the month of May, and be admitted to the Congregational Festival, and perhaps h e indulged in saying a few words; but let them not presume too far, but keep in th e background, remembering that they are only brethren from the provinces.'" And the Baptist paper of Boston sap : " The oldest Congregational paper i n America is spoken of by its New York en , temporary as a 'provincial sheet.' This, we suppose, results from that journal's bein g published in Boston. New York is the era. tre for "national" and "leading" pap ers Boston publishers, papers, authors, fabrics and wares of all kinds are " provincial" This is the vocabulary of Young America, by which New York claims to be the Pari s of the New World. Let all of the various provinces' take notice." " The Testimony of the Rocks," by th e late Hugh Miller, published by Gould & Lincoln, has reached a sale of fifteen thou,. sand volumes in five months. This proves that, notwithstanding the vast amount of fictitious literature issued and read, there is yet a craving for the substantial and ele- vating, for exact scientific truth, and pro found reasoning. It is stated that these publishers have remitted to the widow $BOO, as a return for the proof sheets of the work. Many of the Christians of New England have been awakened to Greater Inquiry with respect to their churches, and the gen eral interests of religion in their respective States. This has led to the careful collo°. tion and comparison of statistics in several of the States. The report on Public Worship in Vet.. wont, states that there are at least 406 , 1 families in that State, no member of which is a habitual attendant on Evangelical wor ship. If we estimate each of these families at five persons, we have 110,320 persons, or more than one-third of the whole population of the State, who neglect the house of God. The whole average attendance on Evangeli cal worship is 55,410—1e5s than one-fifth of the population. - Upon what are styled Un evangelical' meetings, the attendance is 9,oBB—about one' thirty-fourth of the peo ple. The habitual neglecters of all public , worship amount to 77,640—a little less than one-quarter of the whole population. It will be seen that, after making all due al. lowance for the aged, infirm, sick, and chil dren, there is still a large part of the people neglecting the public means of grace. Nor does this result from the want of churches; for: there is one church for every five hun dred inhabitants, and three-quarters of the sittings are in Evangelical churches suffi cient to acconimodate as many of the entire population as can ordinarily be present at one time. Yet the membership of the Con gregational churches has decreased twenty eight per cent. in twenty years, and the number of pastors is fourteen less than in 1837, while the stated supplies equal the pastors, within one. The condition of the churches in 18.57 and 1857, may be seen from the following table : 1837. Churches . . 200 Pastors . . . 84 Stated Supplies . 40 Additions . 1,035 Removals. 908, Total Numbers . 23,481 This cannot be attributed to the increase of other denominations, for they have di minished in about the same r.tio, but to emigration to the West, to the want of spir itual life, and to the absence of genuine re• vivals. And should the same prooess go on for twenty years more, many of the churches will become extinct. The General Association of New Hamp shire met at Keene, on the 25th ult., and was opened with a sermon by the Rev. J. M. C. Bartley, of Hampstead, from Col. iii : 11. ; Christ is all and in all." The addition to membership during the past year, has been two hundred and forty-two, over the loss oc casioned by death and removals. The amount contributed to the various benevo lent objects of the day, has been $30,240, or about SL62 for each member. The report to the Bible Society Anniversary stated that every child that could read, in the State, and that was previously destitute, had been supplied with a copy of the New Testament. Resolutions were passed, approving the ac tion of the Home Missionary Society with respect to churches containing slaTeholders, and also the Report of the Committee of the Tract Society, and expressing the hope that the officers of the Society would carry it in to execution. An animated debate was ex cited, upon the introduction of a resolution by the Delegate from lowa, expressing the opinion that the time had come for the sep aration of Congregationalists and Presby terians, in the work of Home Missions. In thiti discussion, the delegate from the New School General Assembly took part, but no definite conclusion ,was reached. The Annual Commencement at Brown University, Providence, R. 1., was held last week. The Alumni were addressed by Samnel. S. Cbxe, of Ohio, the Literary So cieties by Wendell Phillips, and the Society of Missionary Inquiry by the Rev. Dr- Plumes., of the Western Theological Sem inary. NEW YORK. The Weather has been cool and pleasant, and without any prevailing epidemic. The Autumnal business is fairly commenced, with promise of large transactions. The monetary crisis has caused much excitement, but failures and suspensions are still mostly confined to num dealing in stocks, and ex traordinary speculations. The disappoint recut caused by the breaking of the Tele graphic Cable, has been very great, but the idea of abandoning the project has not been 1857. . . . 193 . . 70 . . . 69 . . . 616 . . . 547 . 16,857