Presbyterian banner & advocate. (Pittsburgh, Pa.) 1855-1860, December 05, 1857, Image 2

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page. It is also available as plain text as well as XML.

    aiattrandAborate.
PITTSBURGH, DECEMBER 5, 1857.
TERMS... 91.50, In advance; or Club.
101.25; or, delivered at residences of Subrcri•
berm, $1.75. Bee Prospectus, on Third Page.
It ilsla EW AL S should be prompt; a little
•while before the year expire., that we may
make full arrangements for a steady supply.
'PAK RBI) WRAPPER indicates, that we
desire a renewal. If. however. Jn the haste
a mailbag, this signal should be omitted, we
hope our friends will still not.forget us.
RIGIII'IVANCES.—Send payment by safe
hands. when convenient. Or. send by mall.
ynclosing with ordinary care. and troubling
nobody with a knowledge of what you. are
doing. For a large Allimuits send a Draft. or
ego note.. For one or two papers. send Gold
er mean notes.
To MANE CIILANGE, Send postage stamps,
sr batten' still, send for awn" papers; !my $9
or neventynunsbers, or $1 for Tittrty..threa
*ambers.
DIRECT all Lunar' and Cosuanuication.
to REV. DAVID JIcKINNEY. Pftteintrigh.
•
THE MINUTES OF SYNOD, in Pamphlet,
ale now ready for delivery at oar office.
THE IRVINGITES.—For a very interest•
ing account of the mode of worship of these
people, see our London Letter.
THE PITTSBURGH CHRISTIAN HERALD.
—A file of this journal from July 1832 to
Oat. 1838, is wanted. A fair price would
be paid. Inquire at our office.
first Presbyterian Church, New Orleans.
A new edifice was dedicated, to God, by and
for the use of this people, on the first Sab
bath in November. The pastor, Rev. B.
M. Palmer, D. D., lead in the exercises.
The house is spoken of as beautiful. It
occupies the site of the old one, which was
burned in 1854. It is one hundred, by one
hundred and fifty feet in size. The audi
ence•room is seventy-five by ninety. eight.
The spire is two hundred and nineteen feet in
height. The prospects of the congregation
are cheering.
The 'True Witness.
This Presbyterian journal, conducted with
much vigor, by Rev. R. Mclnnis, in, Jack
son, Miss., since March, 1854, is now re
moved to New Orleans. The first number
thence, bears date Nova 21, 1857. The
change we regard as being highly judicious.
New Orleans is the centre of influence for
the South-West. A good paper was needed
there, and such a paper must send forth
both a regenerating and conservative influ
ence. We are pleased to see it stated that
Texas has already sent on its first hundred
subscribers. We trust that the Editor will
be amply Sustained.
The Convention.
The sermon of Dr. Hoge, at the opening
of the Convention of the four Synods, in
Pittsburgh, on Tuesday evening, was char
acteristic; and when we say this, we speak
its excellence in terms extensively under
stood. The text was, Zeeh. iv : 6, "Not
by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,
saith the Lord of hosts."
The attendance is large, and an excellent
spirit is manifest. The need of a revival
in our churches is very great. The cold
ness, formality, wanderings, and parsimony,
have been distressing. The multitude of
human beings posting on headlong to de
struction, in our midst and unoared for,
appalls the sensitive, soul.
The Convention sits in the First church!
May the Lord's Spirit be with his servants,
and awake and instruct them each one, that
henceforth every minister and every elder
may be, in truth, a LIVING sacrifice to God,
wholly and wisely consecrated in his service
in Zion.
Bev. Dr. Moiled at the Western Theolog
ical Seminary.
On Tuesday P. M., the Ist inst., this de
voted servant of the 'Master, immediately
after his arrival in the city, delivered an ex
temporaneous address to the students of the
Seminary. A large company of ministers,
ladies, and citizens, were also present.
Prayer was offered by Dr. Jacobus, and Dr.
Monod was introduced to the audience by
Dr. Elliott.
The manner, matter, and spirit of Dr.
Monad's address, were indicative of that
humble, confiding, and loving character of
piety, which attracts the admiration and es
teem of all. To the young men, he said,
'that 'in' seeking the office of the ministry,
they were in pursuit of the highest or low
est position on earth; the highest, when
called of God and exercised in his way, and
the lowest and most mournful, when consid
ered merely a trade or profession. God
.prepares men for this work. The great
qualification demanded is love to the Lord
Jesus Christ. Consider the inquiry put by
Christ to Simon Peter, and the answer re
turned. The young men were most affec
tionately exhorted to examine themselves,
whether they were believers or not, that is,
of themselves and for . themselves, of the
truths which they proposed to teach others.
Unless they.fed on Divine food, it would be
impossible for them to nurture others. Love
to the souls of men is also necessary; in
deed this is professed in all the applications
of the ministry. The many discourage
. encountered can only be overcome by
: revs to souls. Intense study is also re
quired. If ministers are to instruct others,
they themselves must be a little in advance;
inferior to none in general knowledge. This
was not to be sought as an end, but a moans;
all their•studies should be made to bear on
the Word of God, both in its scientific exe
gesis and its practical spplication to the heart
and conscience. But they were entreated
to pervade all and crown all by the habit
and spirit of prayer. Then strength would
be given in weakness, light in darkness, and
success in adversity.
The Doctor uses the English language
with much facility, and held the attention of
the audience to the last. The whole im
pression produced was of the happiest char
eater. At the close, prayer was offered by
the Rev. N. H. Gillett, and the benediction
pronounced by Dr. Monad.
Home and Foreign Record.
The number of this journal, for Decotnbcr,
brings us no very cheering news; preseut
to our contemplation no bright prospects o:
relief from pecuniary embarrassments, in our
Church operations. If our Missionary and
Educational interests, required the raising
of millions, we might see, in the financial
crisis, a reason for exhausted treasuries. Eu
when a few tens of thousands is all that i
needed, :end when this meagre amount,
tneagro when compared with mercantilo
and governmental operations, comes iron ,
hundreds of thousands of consecrated Chris
tians, we may well wonder that the troublo
should have arisen, or that when it was an• ,
nounced, it was not immediately removed.
DOMESTIC MISSIONS
Curtailment of appropriations—always too
small for proper efficiency in the work—has
commenced; new...calls are suspended; and
a fear that past labors could not be paid, are
the features presented. The Record gives,
us some details of missionary suffering,
whioh should be relieved. Even in strait
ened circumstances, we should share in our
means, so that none need suffer extremities.
RECEIPTS In October: atPhiladelphia, $5,491 ; at
Louisville, $1,338.
BOARD OF EDUCATION.
The number of candidates received since
May, is in advance of the number received
in the same portion of last year. We should
rejoice more in these tidings, if we had
the means of sustenance ; but, with an
empty treasury, and a loan of $5,000 to be
repaid, what shall be done ? The policy of
the Board has always been, we believe,. to
receive all suitable candidates who offer;
and, hitherto, the means of their sustenta
tion has been furnished. The Board seem
still to have faith, though, in the slow re•
sponses of the churches to the calls for help,
it seems like hoping against hope. We ex
press a few thoughts elsewhere.
RECEIPTS in October: at Philadelphia; $827 ; at
Pittsburgh, $208; at Louisville, $317.
FOREIGN MISSIONS.
INDIAN TRIBES. — We ever feel a deep
interest in the aborigines of our country, and
rejoice in every indication that a remnant
may be saved. They are still 'fast fading
away. A few are being transferred to a
brighter world; but the race, on earth,
dwindles•
Miss Nancy Thompson, fur thirty years a
missionary to the Creeks, has returned to her
friends in Georgia. Rev. G. L. More, his
wife, and sister-in-law, have left Spencer
Academy, on account of Mrs. More's ill
health. Rev. C. Sturges, M. D., gives a
favorable report from Omaha. Thirty pupils
were in the school, and some attention was
given to religious instruction, by the adults.
CHINA.—At Macao, and Ningpo, the
missionary work , was proceeding without
bin dera n ce. Mr. French was becoming en
feebled in health, and would be obliged to
return, on a recruiting tour.
Morse's 'health had become
so enfeebled, that he and Mrs. M. - would be
be obliged to return home.
INDlA.—Letters received contain several points
of interest—the safety of the missionaries at
Agra, and of all the rest, except the brethren at
Futtehgurb, of whom nothing more is yet known;
the renewal of missionary labor, in part, at most
of the stations of the upper mission; the purpose
of the authorities at Lodiana to assess upon that
city a tax, sufficient to repay the pecuniary loss
incurred there by the destruction of mission and
personal property—this measure being war
ranted by the faot, that it was some of the citi
zens of that place who stirred up the Sepoys to
commit such outrages; the arrival of Mr. Munnis
and hie family at Calcutta, with the death, as we
regret to learn, of his youngest child ; the re
ported massacre of twenty-one native Christians
at Futtehgurb, which report, we sincerely trust,
may not be confirmed ; the death, from cholera,
in consequence of exposure, of a valuable and ex
cellent native assistant at Futtehpore.
The Rev. Gopeenath Nundy expresses his
strong belief, that the missionaries at Futtebgurh
have not been killed, 'but will be found among
some of the native zamindars, or laud-lords. He
bases this opinion on the fact that their names are
not found in the lists that have been published,
of those who were put to death, and also upon
certain rumors that some Europeans were under
native protection.
RPOEIPTS in October, $9,555. ,
BOARD OF PUBLICATION
Defective contributions to the Colporteur
fund have induced the necessity of curtail
ing the Board's operations, in this depart
ment. For the first time since the work
commenced, has it been needful to decline
the services of men well recommended. We
can well conceive that the effort was painful.
If the churches will not contribute so as to
pay laborers devoted to the distribution of
books, they are bound to adopt a home agen
cy. How much might be done gratuitously,
and most happily, by elders, deacons, and
females I And how readily might the books
of the Board be made, through merchants,
to reach every congregation in the land!
There is not a church, but there are stores
in its bounds, or its neighborhood. Many
of these stores are kept by Presbyterians, or
by other Christians.---or by men who would
do a kindness for a small recompense, if not
gratuitously. And all these traders get
goods annually, if not several times in the
year, in our great cities. How easy, then,
to arrange for the obtaining of full and fre
quent supplies from the Board's Deposito
ries! We hence hope that those who arc
entrusted with the management of affairs
will not let their books accumulate, useless
ly, upon their shelves; but that they will,
in concert with pastors and elders, devise
means easy of execution, for the supply of all
churches, and the neighborhoods of all
churches. Thus will the whole nation have
a benefit.
Jacobus' Notes, and Questions, now issued
by the Board, should be wherever the young
of our Church are—in families, Bible Classes,
and Sabbath Schools.
DONATIONS, from October 18th to November 16th,
$1,884; Sales in October, $3,464.
CHURCH EXTENSION.
This cause suffers, in common with other
branches of our Church beneficence. At a
late meeting, the Committee were obliged to
defer action on sixteen applications. Five
thousand dollars were needed. We present,
as worthy of consideration,
A SUBSTANTIAL DIOSAM.—" Friend Wesley,"
said a Quaker to Rev. John Wesley, " bave bad
a, dream concerning thee. I thought I saw thee
surrounded by a large flock of eheep, which thou
didat net know what to do with. My first thought
"Ir. l
e „ f
-zr",) fit. '4l BAN ER ANL) AD VOc, A -1,5 , .. t - %
• .
after I amok . ° was, that it was thy flock at New
castle, nud that thou hodst no house of worship
for them. I have enolot.ed a note for five hundred
dollars, which may help thee to build them rh
house."
RECEIPTS in October: at St. Louis, $142; at
Philadelphia, $270 . ; at Pittshurge, $264; at
Louisville, $226.
The 2Gth of November was observed, in
Pittsburgh and vicinity, with great appa-
rent propriety. The churches were open,
and attended by very respectable congrega
tions engaged in the usual forms of worship.
The shops were generally closed. Quite a
number of people were on the streets, sober,
orderly, and in their holiday dress. Cor
dial thanks for the rich bounties of Provi
dence, and for the richer treasures of Grace,
doubtless were rendered by multitudes;
while the instructions given in the sanctu
ary made many worshippers wiser in regard
to the Source of benefits, and more disposed
to acknowledge their dependence, and to
pray for favors.
We rejoice that the annual ca. to, thanks
giving is so 'generally made by the Govern
ors of the States. It manifests the pro
gress of Christian sentiment, and cannot
but result in good.
Arineteen States observOd the 26th of No
lop
sAltvemb viz : New York, 4w Jersey, Penn-
Massachusetts, CTMnecticut, New
3p , shire, Rhode Island, Ohio, Illinois,
Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, lowa, Dela--
ware, Maryland, North Carolina, Tennessee,
Kentucky, and Texas. Maine, Mississippi,
and South Carolina, observed the 19th, and
Vermont, the 3d of December.
The Board of Education.
The communication from the Secretaries
reached us a little too late for last week,
(we went to press a day earlier than usual,
on account of the Thanksgiving). We
trust it will be read, and that. its call will
receive a speedy, hearty, and liberal re
sponse. Do not atop our young men in
their preparation for the ministry. They
are needed, speedily, every one of them.
In contemplating the slowness of the
churches in contributing to Education, we
have often inquired, in mind, whether the
Board should not re-model its plan., We
have nought to suggest, unless it be that
candidates shall not be received at so early
a period in their studies as has been usual.
They are now received after six months pro•
gress in the study .of Latin. It may be
needful to suspend their reception, till they
shall have employed two years on the Clas
sics, or shall be fitted for the Freshinen or
Sophomore, or Junior Class in College.
This would greatly relieve the Treasury.
It would also enable the Board better to
judge of the talents of the applicants, and
perhaps afford an additional test of their
piety also. But it would tend greatly to
diminish their numbers. Do the churches
wish it so ?
Is the Defection General?
We have lamented greatly the decline in
contributions, to our Boards of Missions and
of Education. The New School stem to be
quite as much in arrears as we. We have
noticed complaints also by the officers of
Congregatiopal Societies.'
We perceive that the Reformed Dutch
Church, wealthy as is that body, are with
holding benefactions. The intelligencer in
forms us that the _Executive Committee of
their Board of Missions have been obliged
to curtail appropriations one half, after in
curring a debt of $7,000.
Is the defection general ? Let Christians
ask themselves, in the light of God's truth,
whether their Lord is• likely to continue to
them abundant harvests, and healthful sea
sons, when they withhold from him that
which he claims as his proper right.? We
are tenants, and must render the fruits in
their seasons, according as we are prospered.
The present money embarrassments are not
due to any withholding of wonted liberality
on his part; and they can not at all justify, nor
excuse, nor palliate penuriousness or short
comings on ours.
Rev. JOHN ELLIOTT was installed pastor of
the congregations of Sinking-Valley and
Spruce Creek, by a committee of the Pres•
bytery of Huntingddn, on the 30th ult.
and Ist inst. The solemnity took place
at Sinking Valley on the 30th, and was
conducted by Rev. D. X. Junkin, D. D.,
and Rev. 0. 0. McClean; and the next
day at Spruce Creek, and was conducted
by Dr. Gibson, Rev. T. Stevenson, and Rev.
Robert Hamill.
Rev. IL W. MARQUIS was installed pastor
of the church at Keene, 0., (Coshocton
County, and not. Morrow County, as given
in - the Presbyterian of the Wtst,) on the
12th ultimo. Questions proposed, and
charge given to the pastor by Rev. Wm.
E. Hunt; charge to the people by Rev.
M. W. Brown.
Rev. ROBERT MITCHELL'S Post Office ad
dress is changed from Decatur, Indiana,
to Kossuth, Clarion, Co., Pa.
Rev. SAMUEL WILLIAMSON, P.D., late
President of Davidson College, North
Carolina, having accepted a call from
Washington church, _Arkansas, was in
stalled on the, .17th of October, by the
Presbytery of Ouachita.
Rev. JONATHAN WILSON'S Post Office ad
dress is changed from Boggy Depot, West
of Arkansas, to Parkison, Beaver Co.,
Pa.
Rev. J. R. DUNCAN'S Post Office address
is changed from, Moundsville, Marshall
County, Va., to Cumberland, Guernsey
County; Ohio.
Rev. Dr. R. C. GRUNDY was installed pas
tor of the Second church, Memphis,
Tenn., by a Committee of the Presbytery
of Memphis, on the Bth ult.
Mr. HENRY E. THOMAS, JR., was ordained
and installed pastor of the church of
Charlestown, Indiana, by the Presbytery
of New Albany, on the 10th ult.
Rev. JAMES P. HENDRICK, of Carlisle,
Ky., has accepted a call from the church
in Flemingsburg, Ky., and removed
thither.
Rev. H. P. Tnomrsow has taken charge of
the church and the Female School of
Carlisle, Ky.
Thanksgiving:
` Ecclesiastical.
Rev. P. T. BitOWN was installed pastor of
the Westminster church, Cleveland, Ohio,
by the Presbytery of Wooster, .on the
11th ult.
Rev. GEo. W. THOMPSON, of Academia,
-Pa., has received a unanimous call from
the Central church, Baltimore, Md.
Rev. Dr. MeCoRKLE, pastor of the Bethel
church, East Tennessee, and his church,
have transferred their relation 'from the
New to the Old School.
Rev. II M. PAINTER has accepted the call
from the church of Boonville, Mo.
Rev. J. E KER, of Frederick, Md , has rc
.
ceived a call from the Fifth church, Bal
timore, Md.
Prof. W. D. Moom, of Oakland College,
Miss., has re&ived a unanimous call from
the church of Jackson, Miss.
Mr. GInERT T. WOODHULL, a recent grad
uate of the Theological Seminary at
Princeton, was ordained and installed pas
tor of the church of N Y., by
the Presbytery of North River, on the
10th e lt,
EAST.ERN SUMMARY.
BOSTON AND NEW ENGLAND.
Last week we noticed the increasing di-'
vergence between the two parties of Con
gregationaliste in New England, denominated
Old and New School. This week we en
deavor to convey to the minds of our readers
some correct idea of the present tendencies
of leading minds among the Unitarians of
Boston and.vicinity, as evinced by their late
publications. For it is our intention to
keep the readers of this paper well informed
as to the state and changes of theological
opinion in this quarter, as we may be able
to gather it from the most reliable sources.
Of late years much has been said of to
nearer approach to the Orthodox, faith on
the part of this denomination, but while
there may have been and may yet be favor
able indications in a few individual cases,
there is but little evidence of any improve-.
ment in this way among the great mass of
the people embraced within its limits. In
this body, as is well known, men of all shades
of opinion have been found; for a disregard
of doctrinal 'views is, with them, a common
principle. But heretofore the leaders have
been men who spake and wrote as if they
believed the teachings of the Bible, and no
email pail's were taken to make it appear
that their own views agreed with what was
taught by Revelation. Formerly the ex
ternal ciidences of Christianity were zeal
ously defended by them, and from them have
come able vindications of the genuineness,
authenticity, and historical truth of the New
Testament. Although not unfrequently some
of them took a very large liberty in deduct
ing from the authority of - the Epistles of
Paul, on account of alleged Jewish prejudice
and human imperfection. Nor was it al.
ways evident what was meant in their wri
tings, by the distinctions drawn between
revelation and inspiration. Still they prof
fessed to reverence the Scriptures, and to
receive them as an authoritative communi ,
cation of truth. And rationalism, together
with kindred forms of error, has been an
swered with warmth and ability from Cam
bridge itself. When Theodore Parker avowed
himself an adherent of the skepticism of
Strauss, the Unitarian pulpits of Boston
were at once shut againSt him.
But, unfortunately, at present there seems
to be a retrograde and downward movement
among those who are considered to stand at
the head of this body. The Christian Ex
aminer is their most important periodical
in the statement and defence of what they
term ".liberal Christianity," and is edited
by the Rev. Dr. Hedge and the Rev. Ed
ward Everett Hale. This periodical does
not hesitate to declare the four Gospels to
be compilations by unknown authors, uncer
tain as to dates, contradicting one another,
in matters of fact, and givirg evidence of
"a mystic and a mythic element." Or in
other words, according to this theory, the
Gospels are made up of unascertained pro
portions of "poetry and fact." On the
whole, the theory of Bauerisrather adopted,
that Christianity, as we now Understand it,
originated with Paul; and it is declared that
the doctrine of Paul is "equivalent to a new
dispensation of Christian truth, an inde
pendent Gospel, as different from the first
expositions of Christianity as Christ was
from the prophets of the old Covenant."
"Leaving out of view the writings ascribed
to John, as expressing a later and more in
terior phase of development, we readily
distingeish in the Apostolic Church, as
represented in the Acts and Epistles, two
eucoessive and distinct Gospels." (!) In a
recent number, the doctrine that Christ
oreated all things was attacked, and in the
last number there is the still bolder attempt
to refute the belief that he.seill be the Judge
of the world. The contradictions between
the Acts' of the Apostles and the Epistles
are said to be irreconcilable ! The Gospels
are placed on the same level with the twaddle
known by name as the New Testament
Apocrypha.; and the Epistles are not allowed
any higher authority than merely human
productions ! Surely infidelity, retaining
any degree of respect for Revelation and the
institutions of Christianity, could not go
farther. These things will surprise many;
but the more distinctly this form of error
makes its true character known, the better
it will be. There will then be no uncer
tainty as to how it is to be viewed or as' to
the weapons to be employed in meeting and
overthrowing it. It remains to be seen how
far the present position of the Examiner
will be sustained, by the denomination of
which it is the recognized organ; but it is
probable, that this change of front has not
been taken without due consideration of all
the interests represented. Be this as it may,
the truth will, in the end, prevail. " He
that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he
bath (both) the Father and the Son."
The Rev. Dr. Bushnell, of Hartford,
Conn., has been officiating in the Chapel of
Cambridge University, having made an es
change with Prof. Huntingdon. The Doctor
is very i accommodating in his religious views,
but, according to his own aoknowledgment,
very unreliable ; since he declared, within
the last few years, that he saw no difficulty
in subscribing to as many creeds as might be
presented to him. Very obliging indeed.
The Hon. Charles Sumner, upon his re
turn from Europe, was escorted to his house
by the Hon. Henry Wilson, Hon. N. P.
Banks, and Mr. Phelps, where he was waited
upon by a large crowd. Mr. Sumner made
a short address, and retired, after which the
Hon Henry Wilson spoke to the people.
Mr. Sumner seems greatly averse to all'pub
lie demonstrations toward himself. It is
expected that he will be able to take his
place in the Senate at the opening of Con
gress.
The District Secretaries of the American
Board of Foreign Missions, have initiated
the practice of holding meetings at different
places, for diffusing Missionary intelligence,
and awakening an interest in the cause.
One of the Secretaries is in attendance at
each of these meetings, together with the
neighboring clergy. These meetings have
been common for some time, in Connecticut,.
but are now extending over New England
It is gratifying to learn that the missionary
spirit does not seem to be growing feebler, in
the midst of the reverses and trials that have
taken place in the work. On the 28d ult.,
the following missionaries sailed from Bos
ton, in the ship Judge Shaw, for Madras:
Mr. and Mrs. Snyder and child, Mr. and
Mre. Long, and Mr. and Mrs. Unganst, Lu
theran missionaries; Mr. and Mrs. Quick,
and Mr. and Mrs. Hitchcock, of the Amer
icln Board of Commissioners for Foreign
Missions; Miss Mott, of Assam.
At the installation of the Rev. Charles
Beecher, son of the Rev. Lyman Beecher, as
pastor of the Congregational church of West
Newton, Mass., a sermon was preached by
the Rev. Calvin E. Stowe, D. D., from the
words, "Christ is all," in which he referred
original sin back to a pre existent state,
according to the theory of Dr. Edward
Beecher I
The Rev. Dr. ,Stiles has solicited and ob
tained dismission from his church in,New
Haven, that he may devote himself entirely
to the interests of the Southern Aid Society.
NEW YORK
The news of the failures, suspensions, and
panic in Europe, have had an unfavorable
effect on the Money Market, retarding, in
some degree, the restoration of confidence.
But great as•tbe present troubles have been,
this great city has seen much darker days.
In 1837, suspensions of Banks and failures
of merchants were common as now. But
then the city was comparativley poor; it
bad not yet recovered from the disastrous
fire of 1835, in which twenty millions dollars
were swept away in a single night; the
orops had been poor; that year, wheat was
imported to this pert, from Europe; and as
a matter of course, provisions were unusually
high. But now the wealth of the city has
greatly increased; its commercial import
ance is secured; great avenues of trade and
travel have been opened to the interior; and
during the month of November, alone, one
million five hundred thousand bushels of
wheat were exported from this port.
A large amount of Specie was sent out by
the Arabia, but notwiibstanding this, the
amount in the Banks has increased to twen
ty four millions dollars. The purchase of Bank
stock, during the week, has been quite ac
tive, and generally at improved rates;
tbongh it is supposed that a general resump
tion of specie payments will not take place
before ti e beginning of the year, and prob
ably not until Spring.
The contest for the ilfayoroky was noisy
and earnest. Large meetings were held,
and many, able speeches made by the advo
cates of the election of Mr. Tieman. While
equally large assemblages were held in sup
port of the claims of Mayor Wood. The
leading men, in point of character and abil
ity, of all parties, were united in support of
Mr. Tiernan. Report says that Tiernan is
elected.
Bishop Ifughes has renewed his attack on
the Common Schools; he does not like the
principles on which they were originated,
or are conducted. In a lecture delivered a
few evenines since, he advised his people
not to, send their children to these schools,
he would have all the institutions of learn
ing directly under the control of the Church.
However desirable this may be where cir
cumstances will admit, it is altogether im
possible in this country, to any great extent.
It is for Christians to exert their influence
to the utmost in introducing and retaining
the Bible, and a sound morality in them, as
well as the means of a thorough elementary
education.
Thanksgiving Day was generally ob
served; business was mostly suspended, and
the churches were well attended. The ser
mons partook of the peculiar idios)neracies
of their authors, but were in most csses
adaV:ed to teach the duty of confidence in
the righteous dispensations of God, of ire
pentanee for sin, and of thankfulness for the
many mercies and blessings received. The
Rev. Dr. Spring occupied the pulpit of Dr.
Potts, and preached with his usual earnest
ness and power. The various charitable in
stitutions were not forgotten by the benev
olent.
The superintendence of the laying of the
Atlantic Cable has been committed to Cyrus
W. Field, Esc! , and the engineer of the
Niagara has been appointed engineer in
the work. This is high tribute to American
worth, energy and skill. •
We learn from the Independent that the
whole number of Congregational Churches
in the State of New York is four hundred
and five, of which one hundred and twenty
four are connected with Presbyteries of the
New School Presbyterian Church, on the old
if plan of Union." The whole membership
is fifteen thousand three hundred and twelve,
being an increase of six hundred and seven
ty-two within the last year.
The crowd in attendance at the daily
.Proyer-Ilfeetivg, in the North Dutch church,
has become so large as to render it necessary'
to open the large room in the second story
of the building containing the lecture room.
The students of Union Theological Sem
inary have been unusually active in the
Sabbath School cause. Within the last two
months, five hundred ebi!dren have been
gathered into the Sabbath Schools through
their labors; and four thousand four hun
dred and seventy-eight families have been
visited.
The Hew York Bible Society, auxiliary
to the American Bible Society, has just I
completed a year of active and successful I
effort. The anniversary was held on the
evening of Sabbath week, in Dr. J. W.
Alexander's church. From the annual re
port presented, it appears that thirty-three
thousand two hundred and seventy-seven
families have been visited, and five thousand
nine hundred and sixty seven Bibles distrib
uted among them ; that two thousand eight
hundred and fifty-eight Bibles and one thous
and six • hundred and fifty-eight Testaments,
have been distributed in the humane and
charitable institutions, of which there are
about fifty in the city, and which about
thirty thousand persons enter and leave every
year; that five hundred and twenty-nine vol.
umes have been distributed in naval stations,
and four hundred and twenty-four Bibles;
together with one thousand and fifty-two
Bibles at military posts; that emigrants have
received at Castle Garden eighteen thousand
eight hundred and fifty-three volumes ; that
more than seventeen hundred vessels were
visited and supplied with eighteen thousand
volumes, and that the receipts for the year
have been $lB,OOO. An eloquent address
was made by the Rev. Dr. Prime, of the
New York Observer, on "The power of the
Bible to regulate society, and enforce order,
law, and religious culture." The Rev. Mr.
Storrs, of Brooklyn, followed in a powerful
argument in behalf of the spread of the
Gospel, which can only be accomplished by
the circulation of the Bible, which is reli
gion embodied in a book.
PHILADELPHIA
Thanksgiving Day was pretty generally
regarded; the churches were open, and good
congregations were in attendance. To this,
an exception must be noted in the case of
the Quakers, who signalize no one day in
preference to another. Their "meeting
houses" were not open, nor were their schools
closed. At •several points bread was dis
tributed miscellaneously among the poor; at
these places, much squalid poverty and aged
infirmity made its appearance. Unfortu
nately the streets were not free from drunk
enness; and in the evening it was apparent
that not a few who bad been dining out gave
intimations, on their way borne, of having
been tempted by the wine when it was red
and offered by friends.
On the preceding evening, the Sabbath
Schools of the Presbyterian church of Spring
Garden, of which the Rev. Dr. J. McDowell
is pastor, held their anniversary. The occa
sion was' interesting, from past success and
the encouragements held out to renewed
effort in the future. An appropriate address
was delivered by the Rev. Dr. Nevin, late
of Lancaster, Pa.
On the following evening a very large
concourse of superintendents, teachers, and
friends of Sabbath Schools, assembled in
the Rev. Mr. Wadsworth's church, on Arch
Street. In the absence of the President,
George H. Stuart, Esq., Mr. Cummings
presided. The number of Mission schools
now in the city, is thirty-one, containing
twenty•nine hundred scholars, an increase
of nine hundred during the last year.
Addresses were made by the Rev. Drs.
Brantler and Leyburof and the Rev Al
fred Cookman.
We mentioned, some time ago, the pro
posal, by Prof Coppee, of the University
of Pa., to deliver a course of lectures on
the " Literary types .of English History."
In the progress of these lectures, he has
assailed Milton and the Commonwealth,
together with the Puritans and their prin
ciples. The learning and culture of the
Professor are undoubted, but certainly his
prejudices have interfered with the con
clusions of his judgment. It is too late
for any one to undertake the defence of
Charles 1., as a "sincere and honest man,"
and to brand Cromwell as a fanatic; to
declare the Puritans unfit for decent so
ciety, or to bring against noble old John
Milton the charge of insincerity and vas
cillation, with any hope of success. The
means of refutation are too abundant, and
are increasing every day.
A course of lectures, introductory to
the Study of the Law, is in course of de
livery in the University, on Monday and
Thursday evenings of each week, by a A-
Madle, Esq., of the Philadelphia Bar, for
merly a Judge of the Supreme Court of
Switzerland, and a professor of law in the
University of lieufcha.tel, when that insti
tution was adorned : by the teachings of
Agassiz and Gnyot. The design embraces
subjects assiduously cultivated, preparatory
to the study of law in European schools,
but which rarely, if at all, enter into a
course of legal education in this icountry.
It is the intention to apply history in trae
.
ing the developments of law in the most
celebrated nations, with a special ' , regard to
the influence of Roman law. An account
will also be given of the scientific institu
tions for the study of law =in ancient and
modern times.
From an Occasional Correspondent.
BOSTON, November - 24th, L'E.'s7 . •
_.
Ilxv. DR. 1)1 C KINNEY :—Dear Sir : — L
is a long time since I have written to 3c `-l;
of
and, as I have been in the. weekly receipt
your excellent paper, the Presbliteriart _Mu
wer and Advocate, I now drop you a 'l':
lines from this "away-down-East cii3 ,
which, if you think worthy of a niche, 31
may give to your readers. Perhaps, I should
have sent you something before now, had
not your " Weekly Summary," from Scw
England, been FO thorough and coffee, 55
to preclude the necessity of any thing lar••
they. You are aware that I have been 3
Constant reader of the Banter, from its ecw
meneement in Philadelphia down to t i e
present time; and I assure you, that I kil . e .
read its contents with great pleasure alit!
profit. Indeed, no paper conies to iny hand
which contains so good and thorough in , L!.
count of the movements "beyond t:•e
waters," as that of your English Corrtstli
dent- He holds the pen of a ready writer,
and handles the points he discus•es with '
Steps are being taken, by some men of ) 'master's hand. If his weekly epistles 0,1 , 1
who see iov .
enterprise and liberality in Germantown, for I as much satisfaction to others
.. ~ ,
. paper as they do to rue he is doing a P','
the erection of anew and commodious Pres
ck
i work ' for the Amer - can churches and pril ".
byterian Church, on an eligible site in Ger- I It has, also, been a pleasure to me to Lyn .
mantown, for a new organization. A housethe progress
has been secured fortemporary use, as a week) IS`1.1",
'
. Till , Vl 2
, ments, as de , eloped in your wet
.}
the
commenced
of worship, and public) service will be in the West and South as well as in tile
commenced on next Sabbath. This move- ' Middl ''- i States. •
I can jive you but little news from ibis
1
meat hae the hearty co-operation . of the I old city ;. but still, there are some evens'
Rev. Mr. Knox, pastor of t he t r ansp iri n g '
which maybe of
present', interest to sar,e,
church. The movement has not originated :of your readers. Three of our "Orthodox
pastors:
from ' •of
a spirit opposition, but from a de. ' '
Au' che. are now destitute of pssto ,
ono
• Street church, Maveric, East Boston,
~
sire to promote the interests of Presbyteri- pb - 11' South Boston.
i ls, l3odoin Sm.-,
ralu
anis,m and pure religion in that quarter, ! church l one of the most wealthy
1 way lung
Yor the Presbyterian than Der El AC,
" Is Rev. Dr. Breekinridge popt
MR. _EDITOR :—There are some
ar ens ive in thetioselved, :Aid so
Christian charity, that the mind is
doubt as to the motives that influenced kiw i .,
This remark comes from the reading of
editorial in the New York Christi , / D
ligencer, of the I2th of November, ,
sheet under the patronage cf pers.ins
leg to the B. ;formed Dutch Church)
"Is Rev Dr. Breeltinridge Pope?'
If vitulence, on the part of an
is argument, then the dines of the A l ,„ ri :
can Bible Society, in issuing what
an Improved - Version, is all right, Led
Society's Committee on Versions aould
ceive the weed of praise, rather
sure. low complimentary the fel
remarks, not only to Dr. Brrekimill ! ,,,
also to the PresbNterian ? The • Littiii f p,,,,
says:
" This question will at once Prise in - the
of any one who has fallen into temotat .l.
reading the bad.letter, which the Rev, Dr Lie,
inridge, of Dauvil e, Ky., bad the inipudeur;r•;
wills, and 'the Presbyterian bad th. i I ma,
print, respecting the new Standard 1-dirifin
English Bible, issued by the American Bible
ety. The letter is quite too long and worth;C..,'
as an argument, fur reproduction in our c ,aap n :
In arrogance of tone, in downright itamrar.ek,,
the facts of which it treats, and 111 virulent
representations of the Bible Society's
Versions, and of their collated i.dititn of o: t
Bible."
Pitiable attempt, also, at meant!, : o
what the editor of the Aritelligenrer p i et ,
to suppose is the meauing of Dr Ilrech,h.
ridge's letter. He thus presents it:
"First. I, Dr. Breckinridge, am ealltd of Cr
and especially ordained to abuse, with cowl e: ! , t :
ous terms, all who dare to dissent fr,:ta my tq:z•
ions on the question in debate:
"Second The Old School Presbyterian
embodies more wisdom, scholarship, at,]
than any other Ecclesiastical organizati u t
country.
"Third. I, Dr. Breckinridge, nm the oi
School Presbyterian Chui ch, and if the Atnei:, %
Bible Society will not, instanter, comply r yhy
demnud,; if its Managers will not borrow gt,e,
wisdom trom•me ; I forewarn them the} :her.
visited by all the fury of my wrath."
" Popish Bulls "Is Rev. Dr. Book.
inridge Pope r Why this writ] On
part of the Intelligencer, of Dr. Verniike,
and of those who act as if voluntary
ties should be Lords Paramount to c6nt
mond obedience when they act?
Look at the history of the care. The
American Bible Society, through a C011Ithlt•
tee on Versions, makes .certain changes in
expunging, correcting, &c These alters,
tions called forth observation at the list as
sembly, at Lexington. Dr. Brcckinridge, in
the exercise of his privilege, took a leadin. ,
part in the debate, certainly not in the spielt
of a Pope, or that of a fawning sycophant,
endorsing what the Society bad done. The
high misdemeanor of which Dr. Brecliin•
ridge has been guilty, is daring to give an
opinion which - appears adverse '“
to the col
lated edition of the Bible." To express
dissent from the doings of one of the greet
voluntary Societies, has not only brought
Dr. Breckinridge and the Presbyterian, but
also the General Assembly, under the
charge of being narrow, sectarian, and big
oted.
And why ? Because they will not reject
the version of the Bible which has been re
ceived, believed, sanctioned, and circulated
for years; forsooth, because a Society out
side of the Church chooses to make changes
on the face of the Scriptures, for which the
Christian public was not prepared.
The Ineelligencer way ask the question,
" Is not Dr. Breckinridge Pope ?" and talk,
quite in the parlance of the world, that -he
is a man of infinite •bluster, of little real
force, in the high and serene regions of
Christian argument." Yea, hold up As-ein
bly, Synods, Presbyteries, Drs. Hodge, Von
Rensselaer, and others, to scorn ; still the
question recurs, are there not dangerous lib
erties taken with the Sacred Text? Has not
a beginning been made ? And is not antic
sin like the letting out of water?
I challenge to the investigation : Hove
Old School Presbyterians ever been rceretir
to the Bible Cause, or wanting in attach
ment to the National Society, in times ill -t
are past? The course pursued by Dr. Vir
mylie, and the other advocates of the Nes
Version, if not abandoned, will, in the end.
produce alienations, and ultimately a serio
ration ' not only by Old School Presb3 teriars.
but by many others, from the America.
Bible Society. This would be an issue u.og
sincerely to be deprecated.
For the Presbyterian Banner and Advocate
Installation.
The installation of Rev. Janus P Ful'ou
as pastor of the congregation of Old
in the Presbytery of Blairsville, took pllce
on Tuesday, the 10th inst. Rev. N
Gillett preached the sermon, from Jim ah
iii: 2 ; " Arise, go unto Nineveh, that 2 , rt . : , t
city, and preach unto it the preaching 014
1 hid thee." Rev. A. Torrance prtsi:!ed,
proposed the constitutional questions, and
delivered the charge to the pastor; aLd
Rev. R Stevenson delivered the eharv,'o
the people. The congregation present 5: 1 3
large, and manifested a deep and cordial is
terest in all the exercises.
The friends of Old Salem church wiil
juice to learn that she is again blessed wita
a pastor,' and will hope that, with G , Li . s
blessing, she shall look forth as the morzin4)
and flourish as the grass of the earth.
=EI
OBSERVER
A. T