tanner ant) btiotatt.
PITTSBURGH, JULY 10,1868.
TIIRDIB.m SI.SN h* 'Silvana*, op is Clubs
3 .35l or s dsll,rrrdal rosidosoios Subserl.
bees / $1 .1 a. Kos Prospectus, osi Third Pogo.
IA i&A i NOV AL 8 s h ould bs prompt; little
mirii• tiorore the runt aspires, that ara ata7
**ks full arrangements fox s steady suppirs
FMB WRAPPER !tidiest.' that w•
desire a .rsuaswal, bowers's., is the haat*
at inallingi this Signal should be ousallttsell we
hops OUR friends will still 00% forgot sta.
11111111TT&EOSS.—Mond poyfs•nt by safe
h'lnd% Whim convulsions. Or, send by smalls
Suolosing with ordinary caret and troubling
nobody WW I a knowledge - of what you ore
11414. For a largo assocurity send s Drafior
faults notes. Pow ons or two papsrsososid
or smolt notes.
ro 11 Alit CH Alf GE, Send pooniga stamps,
as tionolt stilly gond foi moor, paporaj nip I'
o So • /any anonbsoo, of $J for Thirty...Mrs*
'onnoilms
0111L 0 01! all Il.anlera and Oaramannicatlons
to BAN • DAVID IffelVENNEY.,Pittaburigh.
Pa.
GLENDALE FEMALE COLLEGE.-This PE
oelleut institution, under the Presidency of
Rev. J. a.. Monfort, D.D , sends out its
Fourth Annual Catalogue. The students
number one hundred and eight, in the vari.
ous departments. The Winter Session will
oommenne on Monday, September 6th.
Monday, the Fifth of July
This day was observed by the citizens of
Pittsburgh and. Allegheny, as Independence
Day. The weather was very fine. Two
military companies paraded. Pie•nice were
the order, however, and thousands, enjoyed
theta. We spent the day at our table, with
pen in band, but during an evening walk,
took a view of affairs Every thing ap
peared orderly. The daily papers give fat
°rabic reports.
Religion in Philadelphia.
On his late "visit to this metropolis, to
attend' the' Annual meeting of the Board of
Domestic Missions, the editor stepped into
the large room of the Board of Publication,
where the city brethren meet, 'on Monday
mornings, for prayer and conference. It was
pleasant to find a large number of familiar
icons coming in to present themselvei before
the Lord In the statements made relative
to the condition of the (larches, we discov
ered that there had been over three hundred
additions during the late communions. A
few pastors had not yet reported.
The "Fourth" in Pittsburgh.
On Sabbath, July 4th, the weather was
delightful. The military did not desecrate
the day by parades. The churches were
well attended. From sto 61 o'clock P. M
a unions . meeting of Christians was held in
the First Presbyterian church. The ample
room was well filled. Addresses were made
by Dr. Plumer, of the Presbyterian church,
gni by ,Mr. Reilly, of the Methodist Bpis
-o,Jal church. Mr. Byllesby, of the Pro
•B3 ant Episcopal church, read the Scrip
tures. Mr. Yerkes, of the Baptist church,
and Mr. Kendall, of the Presbyterian church,
(New Subool,) led in prayer, and Mr.
Krauth, of the Evangelical Lutheran church,
took part in ticketing the Psalmody. The
exercises were appropriate and impressive.
Sabbath School Celebration at Beulah.
It, was our privilege, on the 2d inst , to
attend a delightfulßabhatie School Pic Hie
at the Beulah church, some eight miles
from Pittsburgh. There were , between three
and four hundred happy , children present,
guided by their teachers, accompanied by
their parents, and admired for their good
conduct by other friends. Before partaking
of the rich collaiion prepared for them,
they were called, to honor the Lord in his
house, and to receive instruction. The pas
tor, Rev J. M. Bastiegs, directed the ex
cruises. prayer was offeied by Rev. D. Me
Kinney. Brief addresses were made by
Messrs. Kerr, MeKinney, M.cMaster, and
Beatings. The church was filled, and the
while audience seemed much to relish this
food for the mind.
The time for the repast, more in accord
ance with the desires and tastes, no doubt,
of some of the very little ones, had now ar
rived, and the scholars were served by their
teachera, frOin extended tables spread in a
grove near by, both with; substantial foOd.
and with a prof?telen of the delicacies which
little folks usually , crave on gala days.
After these first objects of interest had
been duly 'served, the tables were again
spread, and , the other members of the as
semblage fared sumptuoisly.
The address of Mr. Kerr was carefully
prepared, and was delivered with much an
imation. The speaker s welt on the Position
of Woman, and found it happily as one of
the utmost influence and importance in the
instruction of the young. The other• ad
dresses were extemporaneous, but were none
the less manifestly from warm hearts; and
they felt upon equally attentive ears.
Such gatherings we love. They are de•
lightful, and when conducted as was this
one, tbey are most decided in their influ
ence`for good. The nearness of the Fourth
of July, gave to the meeting something of
a patriotic's/tie—a matter of deep importance
with the rising race ; but the all important
interest of the ` soul's salvation, was the ab
sorbing, thenie.
We are persuaded, pastor, elders, parents,
teachers, and children, will all love the Sab
bath School more for this day's exerciaes,
and that the schools will long experience its
benefieial results, in a large' attendance and
a higher.delight. There were, five . schools
present. This may seem a large number, em
bracing over three hundred pupils, in a come
try congregation of bat ordinary size. Bat
it is accounted for by the feet, that there
a e three collieries in the bounds, and though
but few of the adults can be brought to the
h , ase of God, they will yet, to the kind
and earnest entreaties of young Olifistianor
yield their children for instruction. 0 how
much benefit, both temporally and spiritu
ally, would result to the masses, &ill °brie r
tians would do likewise ! `
Board of Domestic Missions.
This Board, which is the right arm of the
Church's home power, both in sustaining
her feebler parts, and in accomplishing her
Viumphs, and extending her borders, and
which should share most deeply in her
heart's love, held an animated meeting on
the 28th of June. One or more members
were present who had never 'previously met
with their brethren, and others were there
who, ordinarily are not found in meetings
for either action or counsel The active,
business men of the institution were, of
course, there also.
DEATH OF DR. jANEWSY.
Early in the meeting, the death of the Rev.
jac4 J. Janeway, D. D., long the honored
President of the Board, was announced,
and an invitation was accepted to attend his
funeral, from his late residence in New
Brunswick, N J, on the let inst. •
THE ORGAN I Z ATION
Rev. John McDowell, D. D, was. elected
President of the. Board, Rev. Henry Steele
D.D , Vice President, and Matthew
Newkirk, Esq., Recording Secretary. And
later in the day, Rev. G. W Musgrave, D D.,
was reelected Corresponding Secretary ;
Rev. Reese Happersett, D. D., Associate
Secretary; Samuel. D. Powel, Treasurer;
and Revs. McDowell, Musgrave, Happer
sett, Clarke, and Christian, and Messrs.
Matthew Newkirk, William Nassau, Sr.,
Charles Macalister, James Field, and John
M. Harper, the Executive Committee.
THE MAIN INTEREST.
The business of main interest was the,
consideration of the question referred by
the Assembly, relative to dispensing with
the office of Associate Secretary. This
question was felt to be of vast importance,
not only as regards the operations of this
Board, but asadvancing or retarding, accord.
ingas it might be decided, the grand fea.
ture of our Church's home operations for
the last four years, a. e., the plan of -Syste
matic Benevolence
THE DISCUSSION.
The main question was, immediately on.
the'eleetion of the Presidents and the Re
cording Secretary, intrOduced in a paper
which set forth the action of 'the Assembly,
and proposed an affirmative response to the
suggestion made to the Board.
Da MOlCrivivxv desired to look at this
subject impersonally. He bad so treated it
in the Assetnbly, and wished still so to eon
eider it. The interests of the body are to
be regarded. Offices are not for individual
benefit, but for utility. They are created
where a service is needed, and they should
be abolished when there is no more work,
in that line, to be performed. There should
be no sinecures in the Church. We, in
this Board, are the -Church's agents. We
serve not ourselves, but her. We may not,
dictate. We are to execute her will. We
are, in an important sense, business agents;
and must look at affairs inn business light.
When uninstructed we ask, is the service
needed.? What will be the expense, and
the profit? No, good. business man keeps
employees for whom he bas nought to do.
But, on this subject, we are not unin
structed. The Churifb has ounsidered it,
and has plainly intimated to us her will—'
net by an Assembly's command, bidding us
abolish the office, but politely, courteously,
asking us to consider, now in the altered
circumstances of the case, whether we could
not dispense with an office which ourselves
had created. "She did this after much de
liberation. She referred our Annual Report
to twelve men of her own, appointing, taken
from different and distant Synods. But few
of them had ever seen each 'other. They
may well be supposed to represent the senti
ments of the churches. These compare
views. They look at' the Church's wants.
They collect information. They interrogate
the Secretary. They unaniroonely believe
that the office is no longer needful, and is
not desired by pastors and congregations
generally, and may, hence be 'dispensed with
and the salary be saved. They accordingly
report, not in the form of an injunction, but
in the more courteous and, to' sensitive ininds,
equally expressive way of inquiry.
The Aasembly deliberates' She hears some
of her ablest members discoursing eloquent
ly on the greatness' of her extent, the ira
mensity of her work, the need .for 'natty
minds in' counsel and many'hands" in execn
don,' the danger,of the tate man-power, Ste.,
&o. ; but still, she thinks that three men, in
the office—men of mind and industry—a
Secretary, Treasurer, and Clerk—men tried
for yearscnd approved—together with au Ex
ecutive Committee of ten persons, judicious
and devoted, meeting weekly, are abundantly
adequate to manage the department and
do her office service; and as she is resolved
to make full trial of her truly Presbyterian
plan, of ministers and elders ,doing' Iheir
appropriate work, without the stimulant of
a : paid traveling agency, she passes the reso
hition, by a large majority. Her will is
thereby most clearly manifested, and we are
bound, in all good faith, to do our Tart
toward its execution. She would henceforth
not incur the expense of a traveling agency,
under any name, and it behooves us, tea being
faithful to the trust reposed in us, not to
force one upon her.
The Assembly, in passing this resolution,
contemplated the fact that this office was
created mainly as a traveling agency; also
the fact that the business of attending to
the collection of legacies, has proved to be
very small, so far as the services of a See.
retary are concerned; also, thet . the outhirs
iness, the visiting, is almost superseded, is
to its necessity, by the happy working of
the plan of Systematic Benevolence.; and
also that there has arisen a strong feeling
against paid traveling agencies in 'the
Church, and in view of all these thinga, she
takes the action before us.
It is then clearly established, that the
°troth! needless, as to the ends for which
it, instituted ; being superseded by a
now, and improved plan of operations. And
to withdraw the Secretary from the out field,
where' he is no longer wanted, and to em
acify: him in :ttie - bopso where . ciperiencke
ruE PRESBYTERIAN BANNER AND ADVOCATE.
proves that his services are not required,
would be an outrage. Secretary Jones, in
his day, said, repeatedly, that4an Reactant
Secretary was not wanted. Secretary Mus
grave said, and still says, that such an ()Seer
is not needed. The Executive Committee
regard it as needless, or so nearly so, that it
ought not to be sustained The working•
men, the experienced in the Board, . with
great unanimity say so. Why, then con•
time the tffice ?
The speaker dwelt largely upon the idea
that the &aril are Trustees of the Church's
charities, as well as ber servants to do her
work. He also spoke of the collections as
being made, extensively, by poor pastors,
laboring hard in their calling, and living on
very small salaries. • Contributions are made
by the poor of Christ's family, by widows, by
orphans, by sewing women, by children It
is pressed upon the Church, that, all are to
give, for giving is an act of worship. Funds
thus collected are sacred. They are holy.
They.are the Lord's. No man may c laim
them, but 4or sustenance, while doing a
needed work in his Church.
Then, to waste, or needlessly to expend,
is an abuse of trust.. It is an act of safari
.
lege. It is offensive to God. It will not
be . knowingly: tolerated by men. Oar toil.
log and self :sacrificing missionaries will not
bear it. Our *destitute congregations will
remonstrate against the misappropriation.
Pastors and elders will join in condemnation
of the misuse; and, if their cry is not heard,
they will cause to dry up' the thousand little`
streams, by which our fountain has been
supplied. They will seek other channels,
where the gifts of their benevolence and
the fruits of their toil, which, in worship,
they consecrate, may duly reach the end de
signed. The state of our Treasury, be assured,
depends upon the estimation in which we
are held by the churches.
So far as the work in the' office is con
cerned, it has not only been done by one
Secretary, but well done. The Assembly
has approved from year to year. The .
churches give their confidence. The mis
sionaries are pleased. Immense financial
ability his been manifested by the Secre
tary—great forecast, unfailing industry,
leading to the happiest results. The Board
lore been carried safely through a great corn
rneraial crisis, without the borrowing of a
dollar, without the dishonoring of a draft,
without any essential diminution of appro
priations to laborers, with an increase of
missionaries, an increase of contributing
churches, and an increase in the aggregate,
of collections; and the year has closed with a
large balance io the Treasury. Truly, here ,
is testimony, overwhelming, in favor of the.
Secretary, the Treasuter, and the Executive
Committee. It would be folly, in the midst
of such exPerience, to say i that they canbet
do the work appropriate to their office, and
must have another officer, in the shape of an
Associate Secretary, forced upon them, and
have the Lord's treasury perpetually saddled
with the expense.
It is thus manifest that the Secretary, the
Treasurer, and the Executive Committee, do
not desire the continuance of the office.
The work, the traveling ageney, for which'
the ((flee was created, being no longer de•
sired by the Church, they can still do, as
heretofore they have done, all the work re
quired. The dispensing with the office will
not make any difference, worth naming, in
the Board's working;. Then why keep up
an, office, which now, by changes introduced
through the Systematic Benevolence
scheme', is rendered a sinecure, or, in some
aspects of it, even worse—some churches
being deterred from giving by the sight of
a paid agent; or -by' the knowledge that
money is so appropriatid I Why, when
funds are so scarce and demands e) urgent,
consume without benefit, or at a loss over
coming the benefit, an amount upon this
office equal to the average appropriations of
the Board, to devettlnissionaties I Let the
office be dispensed with.
Dit. 'RAPPERS'/2T felt` greatly; embarrassed
by the position in which be was placed. He
bad no idea that this subject was to come
before the Assembly. The Executive Com
mittee bad not told him that his services
were not needed. If they had done so, be
would have at once resigned. He felt him
self greatly aggrieved by remarks made in
the Assembly, and epecially by the editorial
correspondence of the Banner and Adm.
cafe. Ile had not been appointed Assistant
Secretary to Dr. Wm. A. McDowell, on ae.
count of that most worthy brother's ill
health. His appointnient occurred after Dr
McDowell's resignation. Though, previous
ly, he had been agent, and during the latter
part of Dr. McDowell's time, he had opera
ted near the city so that he could be much ,
in the office and aid the Secretary when
needed. He had also assisted much in the
office 'during Secretary 'Tones' 'administra
.
tion, writing many letters, and, including
the businest. of Church Extension, which
was entrusted to him, lie had written more
letters than even the Secretary.
Daring the former part of the term of the
present Secretary also, he bad written many
letters. The record showed their nuarbers.
After the Assembly took away the work, of
Church Extension from the Board, his work
in the office 'ceased, and other duties were
assigned to :him. And still, the records
would show that he did something int.the
office.
Dr. H. then went on to speak of his
journeys to. Minnesota, Carolina, New Or.
leans, and California and Oregon stating
the number of miles he had traveled, and
the great - benefits resulting to the Board and
the cause, from his labors. He hadcollect
ed much for the Board, had never asked the
Board to raise his salary, and would cheer-
fully institute a comparison between his own
liberalityand that of others, in giving to the
cause. •
Da , MUSORAVE did not bring this matter
before the Assembly, nor before the Assem
bly's Committee. A member of the Com
mittee, he 'nnderstood, had. originated the
inquiry. tio,wao invited to meet the Gout-
mittee. He honestly answered the ques
tions put to him, as in duty bound. The
Assembly, through its Committee, bad a
right to the information. Ile did not, and
does , not, believe that an Associate is needed
for work in the office. He must say, that
so far as work in the office is required, there
is no need for the officer. He says so in
his conscience and in the fear of God. He
had said so in the Report of 1856. That
Report, on page 17, reads thus:
The work' of Church Exterusien, which — teehile
connected with the Board of Missions was chiefly
under the care of the Assistant Secretary; having
been transferred to a Committee of Church Ex
tension, it became expedient to re-arrange the
duties of the executive ',facers of the Board. The
Corresponding Secretary being willing to perform
and superintend all the work in the office without
an assistant, it was thought desirable to appoint
an. Associate Secretary; wbo.se duties ehould be
mainly external Accordingly the Board elected
the Rev. Reese Bappersett, Associate Secretary,
and pa-sed the following resolution, viz :
"Resolv , d, That the duties of the .Associate
Secretary shall be, under the direction of the
Executive Committee, to attend to the legacies
which may frous,time to time be bequeathed to
the Board--to-visit the Synods. Presbyteries, and
churches, for the purpose of diffusing missionary
intelligence, and collecting funds—to visityari ons
sections of the•country for the purpose of confer
ring with our Agents, collecting, information and
communicating tLe same to the Board, and pro
moting the , general interests of the cause—and
snob other service as may from time to time be
assigned to him."
This paragraph had been shoWn to the
Aisociate Secretary, and, approved of by'
him, before it was adopted by the Board,
and sent to the Assembly. He was glad
that this sentiment bad been put on record,
as it proved that there had' occurred no
change in, his views. Then, as now, there
was no need for 'an Assistant in the office
But then the Systematic scheme had been
but recently introduced. Its success was
doubted. Its working was not yet proved
An out door Agency was deemed needful.
Now the plan is tested. It works well.
Five hundred additional churches have eon-
Whetted. The funds increase. There is a
feeling in , the, churches against agencies.
Pastors are willing to work, and competent
Ills according to true Presbyterianism that
they shou'd do this work. He had cool
dance in them that they would do it. His
early doubts as to the efficiency of the plan
were being dispelled by experience ; and, as
things now were, he 'thought that the office
in question 'was no longer needful. It
should be abolished:
Work, at two seasons of the year, crowded
upon him in the tfEce for a little while, bat
an hour or two extra writing kept it all done
up: Mostly he had time plenty, and often
a little to spare from tißee toil. He could
readily pay a visit of a week or two to any
part of the. Church where the presence of a
Secretary might be needed. The office
work would not hence suffer. The Execu
five Committee could direct it well for the
time.
His attention bad been called by Dr. Bap
persett, to the Letter Book. The Dr. had
written a few letters—very few. In the
three yearsrit seemed tbat the legacy busi
ness had reqnired the writing of but eighteen
letters. Surely be could add this much, one
letter in two mouths, to the amount of his
toils, and still not suffer.
DR. MACKLIN had heard that it was
stated in the' Assembly that only forty Pres
byteries had adopted the Systematic plan.
Du. MosonAvn—Tbat statement was
made, but the error was imitiediately. cor
rected. That was the number which, this
year ; reported the adoption. Many others
reported in former years. The plan, he he
lieved, was generally adopted;
Dr. M'Er.noT was gratified with the
answer given by the Secretary to the Assem
bly's Committee, at New Orleans. The
Secretary could, not have done otherwise
than answer.: Bat still, though there may
be no need of an Associate in the office,
this does not prove that there is' no need of
an ont-door agency. Oar churches have
gone •with a rush into the Systematic Benev.
(deuce scheme. But, it will not answer
They will not continue and increase in their
contributions, without stimulants- Agents
are needed, from time to time, to stir them
up. The personal presence and the liiing
voice are needed, with pastors and in Eccle
siastical meetings. Visits to Synods are
needed. The, visits of agents, in some
places, add twenty-five per cent. to the con
tributions.
The . Demestic enterprise, Dr. M., regarded
as the heart's favorite of the Church. Her
contributions -to it shoilld be doubled, or
trippled: They could be, by a proper agency.
He was no prophet, and yet he would ven
ture the prediction that, agencies being laid
aside, Systematic Benevolence would decline,
and contributions diminish. He had been
acoustomed,,all his life, to growlings about
large salaries, ST.e.; and had come to regard
them:very little. The grumblers were not
the givers. He.would put two men, or three
men in the office, and let them alternate in
o inducting the in-door and the out door bust.
ness.
Dn. SmoDGRASB thought, the, suggestion
very singular. It was an unusual thing to
reduce the working force, when the business
was 'increasing. The other Boards found
their three Secretaries needful, and wily
should this• Board reduce its number to but
one? He was not in favor of retrograde
movements. They are unnatural He could
not see why this Board should differ, in its
workil,g force, from the others.
Da CAMPBELL did not have full oonfi•
deuce in the 83stematio Benevolence scheme.
But we must bow to things as they are. The
churches do not want agents, and we must
not send them. And the Associate he could
regard but as an agent. There are murmur
ings in the Church, and they must be
heeded.
Da. Maxims was surprised that Secre
tary Jones should be quoted against .the
propriety of having an Assistant Secrstary.
(A. letter of Dr Jones, in response to one
from Dr. HaPpersett, was here called for
and read. It states his opinion, emphati
cally, that the office of an Assistant Secre
tary is unnecessary and useless.)
H,e, Dr. M wished to know who had in•
trodatied •this oubjeat
,in .the tasembry'ii
Committee. On being informed, be stated
that be supposed the matter had some oon
flexion with Baltimore, and wondered that
Mr. —, who was sustained by the Board,
Should have brought. the subject forward.
Mu DICKSON regarded our missionaries
as sti 1 freemen, having the same rights with
other Presbyters and members of the Assem
bly, to bring forivard and to discuss. And
the Synod of Baltimore he regarded as but
in accordance with. other Synods, on. this
subject.
D. MolCirrwzr would like to reply to
some of the arguments used, but, at so late
an hour, would not detain the Board. He
would only express his gratification to find
that the statements here made by Dr. Hap
persett did not conflict materially with his
own statements in the. Assembly. The rep
resentation made this afternoon by Dr. Hap
persett, he regarded as sustaining substan
tially, every point bearing upon the case,
which he had taken in the Aesembly.
Pit KREBS could not confide in the Sys
tematic Benevolence scheme. It would not
answer. We must have a plurality of Sec
retaries, and they must do an out-door agency
work.
Several other members of the Board made
brief remarks The argument of Dr. Krebs
differed but little from that of Dr McElroy.
We should be much pleased to have that of
one or the other, or the substance of both,
written out by one of themselves. Our
readers - should then lave it in its vigor.
TEE VOTE.
At a late hour the following minute was
adopted ; it being the preamble in.the paper
first presented, and a resolution offered by
•
Dr Krebs, viz:
WHEREAS, The last General Assembly took
tuition on the subject of the office of Associate
Secretary in the Board of Domestic Missions, and
sent to us the following suggestion, viz :
Resolved, (8.) That in view of the many de
mands upon the treasury, and also the happy
woiking and bright prospects of the Scheme of
Systematic Benevolence the Assembly suggest to
the Board the propriety of considering the ques
tion, whether the services of an Associate Secre
tary might not he dispensed with, and the amount
of the salary of the office saved; whilst the As
sembly cherish full confidence and regard for the
brother now holding this appointment." '
Now, therefore, the Board of Domestic Missions
after a thorough consideration of the question
submitted to them do respectfully,
Resolve, That it is not expedient in their judg
ment to abolish the office of Associate Secretary.
On the above, the ayes and noes being
called, were as follows, viz.:
TO ABOLINT
Rev. D. 'McKinney, D.D., Jobn M. Harper,
Rev. A. D. Campbell, D.D., Hennell Stevens,
Rev. H S. Clarke, D.D., Matthew Newkirk
Rev. Cyrus Dickson, C. Macalester.
Rev. D. Stewart, D.D., S. D. Powel,
Rev. L. H. Christian, H D. Gregory,
Rev. J. M. Croy/ell, • James Field.
NOT TO. ABOLISH
Rev. j. Gray, D.D., Jas. Cottper, IVED.,
itev. Alex, Macklin, D D., Wm. S. Martina,
Rev. Chas W. Shields, A.W.Mitehell,M.D.,
Bev. J. B. Spotswood, D.D., Howell Evans,
Rev. John M . Krebs, DD.. Jonathan Ogden.
Re . V. W. D Snodgrass, D D.,
Rev. J M. Stevenson. D.D.,
Rev. J. N. C. Grier, D.D.,
Rev. Joseph McElroy, D.D.,
The vote.being a tie, the President, Rev.
John McDowell, D D., gave the casting vote
in favor of not abolishing the office.
REMARKS ON THE VOTE.
The name of Dr. Musgrave does not ap
pear in this record. He declined voting in
courtesy to Dr. Happersett, who had de•
clined. But be stated distinctly that it was
his opinion that the office showd be abol
ished.
In this vote, seven ministers, two of them
being members of the Executive Commit
tee, and seven elders, four of whom belong
to that Committee, record their names
against the continuance of the office; while
nine ministers and five eldera, not one of
whom is on the Executive Committee, vote
for its continuance. Thus the working
men of the Board, who understand its busi•
tiers and its wants, say the office is unneces•
sexy. This is so, or, otherwise, the ice ffi•
ciency of the occupant is so &sling, and the
difficulty of removing him is eo great, that
to get clear of the incumbent, they are wil
ling to abolish the (ffice.
COMPLIMENTARY.
The following paper was offered by Dr
McElroy, and adopted, nem. eon
i'Vnausas e The Rev. Dr. Happersett has been
for many years in the service of this Board, not
only without censure, but with numerous tokens
of usefulness, in consequence, of which - be liras,
by the -vote of . this Board, made its Associate
Secretary in the year 1856; and Whereas, in this
capacity, he did during the last year, with the
acquiescence of this Board, make a -visit to Cali
fornia and Oregon • and Whereas, with the
knowledge "and approbation of this Board, a por
tion of the expenses of this visit was borne By
other parties, for trifling services in no way Le
terfering with the proper duties of the Secretary;
and Whereas, this Board have ampld testimony
that their Secretary did so employ himself du
ring said visit as to do good service to the cause
of missions—testimony furnished by competent
ministers on the spot. including the Moderator of
the.late General Assembly : therefore,
Resolved, Ist. That this Board feel themselves
bound in common justice to shield their Associate
Secretary from all charges of an injurious nature
in the premises, by making this public declare.
tion of their judgment that such charges are un
founded.
Resolved, 2. It is gratifying to observe that the
General Assembly, in, the resolution " suggesting
to this Board the propriety of considering the
question, whether the services of an Associate
Secretary might not be dispen.ed with," at the
same time declared that they "cherish full conft-
Jence and regard for the brother •now holding
this appointment," in which declaration of confi
dence and rvgard this Board cordially unite.
Resolved, 3. That the religious press generally,
of our denomination, he respectfully requested to
give the foregoing preamble and resolutions an
insertion.
DR.' FIA.PPERSETT
Near the commencement of the meeting
Dr. Happersett read a letter •to the Board,
declining a re election. There was, how
ever, no other person in contemplation to fill
the place, and he was voted in. On the
announcement of the vote he made no re
sponse.
It may also be not improper to say here,
that on the day after the meeting of the
Board, in a lung conference with Dr. El., he
till thought that in our journal his services
to the Board were not frit? presented. WA
told him that we would be happy to correct
any error we might have made, and,, that it
might be a full 'correction and a fair repre
sentation of himself, we wished it from his
own pen.
REMARKS.
We regret the continuance of the office
of Associate Secretary: It was retained
mainly by the aiteeehee; influenie, and inks
of gentlemen who but seldom attend the
meetings, and who consequently cannot be
informed, at first hand, of the wants of the
Board, of the utility or inutility of an office,
nor of the efficiency or inefficiency of an
officer. In such Circumstances it is ex
ceedingly hard, that an office and an officer
shall be forced upon those members who
constitute the business Boars], who meet
weekly and monthly in counsel, who know
all the Board's affairs and the efficiency or
otherwise of alt its officers, and who do the
work and bear before the churches the re
sponsibility. Will the churches approve of
this ?
Possibly we may be reproached for this
plainness of speech ; tit, having been long
a member of the Board, having enjoyed the
personal friendship of Secretaries McDowell,
Happersett, Jones, and Musgrave, having
attended many of the Board's meetings for
businesi, having been for some time a mem
ber of the Executive Committee and inti
mate with its members, and having felt more
interest in this Board than in any other of
the Church agencies, we cannot but have
some `knowledge'; and hence our position
would make silence a sin. If we have said
any thing wrong we shall be most happy to
make'a correction. If farther discussion is
called for, we shall endeavor to conduct it
with fairness. The churches have a right
to be informed The business is theirs. If
they shall decide that they 'want the office,
most cheerfully shall we aid in making it
effective. If they want it not, they can
still procure its abolition. In the light now
shed upon the subject they can consider it.
And they may call for more light. If they
so choose, they may send addresses directly
to the Board., The Presbyteries may send
up addresses, and the Synods also. And
the next Assembly may enjoin.
Theological Literature.
The issues of the celebrated Edinburgh
House of T. & T. Clark deserve the especial
notice of ministers and licentiates in this
country. Their publications may be divided
into two classes, namely, the works of emi
nent living Divines of Great Britain, and
translations of the most valuable German
works which bear on Theology, so as to make
the English reader familiar with the results
of that plodding industry, that indefatigable
research into the literature of past ages, and
minute analysis of the original documents
that contain the proceedings of Councils and
Churches, which so eminently characterize
the modern scholars of Germany.
We expect, at an early date, to be able to
direct the attention of our readers to the
merits of these translitions from the Ger
man. At present, however, we desire to
notice a remarkable work, from the pen of a
Scotch Divine, referring to our ordinary col
umn for notices of two other volumes, of
great value and rare interest, which this
firm has just given to the public. The
work which we are anxious to commend to
our clerical brethren is, " Fairfrairn's Her
meneutical Manuel,"* and we greatly err if
it is not destined very speedily to take a
high place in the theological literary world.
Dr. Fairbairn early distinguished himself by
his celebrated work on the Typolegy of
Scripture; which is generally , known in our
country. Subsequently, Lis " Exposition .of
Ezekiel," raised his name to an elevated
position as a learned Biblical critic. His
" Jonah" also displayed the solidity of his
judgment, and his rare power of dealing
with:the mighty themes of the Old Testa.
meut. Still farther, his Treatise on " Proph
ecy viewed' in its Distinctive Nature, its
Special Function and Proper Interpreta
tion," placed him in the front rank of com
mentators on that department of the Word
of God ; and now, since his appointment to
the Chair which be occupies in the Free
Church College in Glasgow, he has, in the
work heroic us, shown his capacity to deal,
as a critic, with the important quest'ons
connected with the original text of the
Word. We are greatly pleased with the
order of arrangement which is adopted in
this volume, and especially with the selec
tion of important subjects, which are as
raogedu under distinct heads, and discussed
in an admifable'manner, in the second part
of the work. The results of many years'
reading will be found in this
,part of the
treatise. Oa the. whole, we gladly hail the
appearance of this learned, judicious, and
truly valuable addition to the mass of our
theological literature.
* liwursukstrriosL MANUAL: or antroduction
to the Exegetical Study of the Scriptures of the
New Testament. By Patrick Fairbairu, DD,
Principal, and Professor of Divinity in the Free
Church College, Glasgow; Sao.. pp. 480. Edin• .
burgh: T d' T. Clark, 38 George . Street London:
17andllon, Aldams j' Co. Philadelphia : Smith,
English d- Co. 1858.
Yenng Nen's Christian Association of
Allegheny City.
The First Annual Report of this &sod.
ation shows it to have entered into being
with great vigor, and to be founded an cor
red principle&
Such organizations .may be made immense
ly useful, but, like every other thing human,
thex may be misused. Every young man
should attach himself to the Church of
Christ, and should cleave ardently to; that
family of which he has become a member.
It is in the communion of the saints that
the renewed soul has its fullest development
and highest joy.,
When young men seek out persons of
their own class, who may have come to the
city as strange*, or who, may be inclined to
wander from virtuous paths, and when they
bring these under the influence of upright
society, help them to good homes, interest
them in literary improvement, take them to
evangelical churches, and win them to seek,
on principle, the privileges of full member
ship, they do a benefit which is inestimable.
Even the first of the things we here men
tion are deeds of benevolenc& But let
none 'stop short of the perfecting of the list.
The Church relation affords the highest and
most enduring influences. It is the best
presirvatiVe'of It is a means # of
holiness t end 'the pathway to hOaven.
Jefferson College.
Since our last issue, we have received the last
Annual Catalogue of Jefferson College. The
summery is as follows: Seniors, eighty ser e ,
Juniors, seventy-eight; Sophomores, fifty-one;
Freshmen, thirty-four; total in the four Coll ege
Classes, two 'hundred and fifty. The graduating
class is considerably larger than any previous one.
We are pleased to learn from the Catalogue,
and from other soarers, that the - work of i z .
provement is vigorously pushed in our venerated
Alma Maier, and we trust that what has been
done by its judicious and bard working Faculty
is but an earnest of still greater improvement,,
A new Chemical Laboratory is building Vats
-
with additions to the Philosophical and Che m i.
cal Apparatus have been imported from_p or g y
during the past year. The Telescope which v t ,
ordered last commencement, has been rreei ve i
and set up, and proves to be, in all respects, a
first rate instrument. The of ject glass and ey e .
pieces were made by Mr. Alvan Clark, of Boston,
whose skill is such that he it; in rec'ipt of fre.
quent orders even from England. The othe r
parts were made by Mr. Phelps, of Westport,
Connecticut. His work eras done in the mo=t
satisfactory manner. The instrument is thug
wholly of American manufacture, and we are as
sured that an instrument of equal power and
finish could not be imported for - less than twenty.
five hundred dollars. By employing American
skill, a saving of over five hundred dollars was
effected.
It is well IrTIOWIL that we have ever been in
favor of each a collegiate system es shall senre
to the students sound religious instruction;
hence we have ever advocated the founding of
literary institutions by Christians, and, at con
siderable personal inconvenience, acted for several
years as a Trustee of a Synodical College. \V S
are happy to believe, that in respect to its prnvi.
sions for orthodox religious instruction, Jaterson
is in no wise inferior to Colleges under direct Ec
clesiastical supervision.
When the present President of J. ffersnn was &
Professor at Lafayette College, it was n ;rt of
his duty to instruct the Senior Class in SIAN'S
Exposition of the Confession of Faith. We hive
reason to know, (as we had a son at that instita
tion,) that the instructions in that departmett
were deemed as interesting and important as in
any part of the Professor's course, even by those
who were not communicating members of the
Church. The great doctrines of the Christiar.
system were clearly set forth, and their connex
ion and coincidence with a sound philosophy ex
plained.
We learn from the Catalogue before us, that a
similar cOorse of doctrinal instructiou. based on
that time honored work; Fisher on the CA tecnism,
is to be given to the Senior Class in J. ffersna.
We are confidtnt that in the hands of President
Alden it will form a most interestinz part of the
curriculum. As to its superior importance, there
can be no doubt.
About forty members of the graduating class,
we are told, intend to pursue the study fif
Theology. All that is wanted to male' Jefferson
what the' friends of Christian education shout!
desire it to be, is a little of that pecuniary lib.
erality, on the part of its friends, which has
placed the principal Eastern Colleges on their
secure foundations. The Alumni, especially,
should see
. to this. Burt the whole community
are interested.
EASTERN SUMMARY.
BOSTON AND NEW ENGLAND
The Beeler% Directory has just been issued forth
fifty-fourth time, and shows that while fourteen
thousand names have been taken away by remov
als and the band of death, since last year, their
places hawe been supplied with fifteen thomand
new ones, making an increase of one thousand two
hundred. It is to be kept in mind that Directories
of this kind contain simply the names of 'beheads
of families. The whole number of such names in
the Directory for this year, is fifty thousand six
hundred and fifty-six, which gives evidence that
this is a. fare city, and also increasing steadily,
notwithstanding the reverses of the past few
months, and the present stagnation of business.
The memory of the Pilgrim Falherais not likely
to perish among their descendants, however far
some of the latter may depart from the religious
principles of the former. Every year witnesses
some retouchir g of their names, of a far more
durable character, than was the work of Old
Mortality. The enterprising Publishers. Little,
Brown & Co., are now issuing proposals for pub
lishing, ly snbsoription, a Geneological
Dicuou
ary of the First Settlers of New England, in four
.octavo,• by James Savage, formerly Presi
dent of the Massachusetts Historical Society.
But few men now living, are so competent to this
work as Mr. Savage, both from position and
studies. The subscription price is $2 50 per vol
ume. No doubt many subscriptions will be sent
in frcra -the sons of New England, now for re
moved from the places that gave them birth.
The authorities of the city have reconsid
ered their action with respect to Preaching on
the " Common," and have given the tuces-arY
permission. And on last Sabbatb week Dr. Kirk
preached to an attentive audience, of at least two
thousand persons; many of whom had not hearci
the Gospel for many years.
One of the most 'useful personages about the
city for the last twenty five years, bas been the
Rev. Charles Cleveland, Missionary to the Poor;
and who is now eighty seven years old. Beg's:
"In the twenty five years of my liiß4o o , i" 5l
expired, I have recorded one hundred and thii ty
five subscribers to my salary, who have gone to
their long home." ,
The Commencement at Harvard University, this
year, will be held July 29th. The ()cation
at the Triennial meeting of the Alumni, 'xi 1 be
delivered on the day previous, by the Hon. Rufus
Choate. A rich treat is anticipated.
There still continues to be much Religious Ae
ttivitY in the churches, and also in the Young
Men's Chris4a.rt Association, which still keeps up
its praYer s meeting, every evening, at Tremont
Temple.'
At the late Annual Meeting of the General As
sociation of the Congregational churches of Mas
sachusetts, some unexpected statistical statements
Were made with regard to the religious destitu
lions in New England, which proved that many
dark spots are still found in this part of our coun
try. It, the report adopted, it is said there are
now over two millions non-attendants at the Sanc
tuary, in the four Northern New England States;
while one million three hundred thousand have DO
more to 'do with the institetious of the Gospel
than the heathen. In Massachusetts alone, there
are from two hundred and E:ty thousand to
three hundred thousand who seldom, if ever.
come within the reach of the sound of the Gospel.
And in Maine, more than one Sfth of the popula
tion is destitute of recognition by any Evangelical
denomination, while some seventy thousand chi!•
dren that ought to be in the Sabbath bfebools, STE
not found there. In the same State, there are
one hundred and thirty-two Congregational
churches, with an aggregate membership of about
four thousae3d, depending greatly on the older
churches for their spiritual privileges. Surely
this presents a dark picture, and reveals to the
Christians of this part of our great country the
immense work yet before them, which can o nly
be accomplished by a pare Gospel faithfully
preached.
Dr. Bethune„, while on his trip to
the forests A
Maine, menticned)aat week preached on the Sib"