NaRRtl Piloratt.
PITTSBURGH, AUGUST 28, 1858.
TERBUlame 1111.50, lia advaties; or 1a MIMI
11.261 or, dellverad at resldensee of Sulbserle
bars, Slade dee ProsYetis', on nard Pogue
R E>t EW AL llshe Ims prompt; a little
while halloo azplree, that we minty
nuke f*U arriulre; auto for a stood* sappily.
gun Wino w pint bolleatea that we
desire a renewal. It, however, In the haste
g i g ails dotal slmadd be spoilttadours
hops our Winds will still not forgot Iwo
RRIMITTASCRIIIr—Send payment by .ate
kande, irribeis conveniint• Or, mud by mall,
liseliniesig with ordlunry eare,and . troubling
nakidy with a knowledge of what you aro
dballeg. rlar a• large amount, sand a Draft, or
largo notes. Ivor one or two yagers,send Gold
or nnall notes.
TO MAXIM CHARON, lewd postage "Mumps,
better 11111, sand tar wore payers; say SS
or deviiityinunbers, or 01 for Thlrtyethree
wasaberse
DVIOCCV all L aotteri wad Cosuennikatitoiti
10110,T• *DAVID MeirhiaNlillts Pllttaburreht
Tux LiNetru of the Report on the Book
of Discipline / excludes several communica
tions marked for Oa week.
larratmeo is estimated to the articles'of
" Idielunor" rmoi. J." The writers are
iiiated pastors. Other articles are marked
for inserticia. from some letters we may
but give kid quotationer; but we, value
.
-every wpra encouragement whichwe re
salve. We 'work for the churches.
'Sodomy of the North West.
By the Constitution of the Presbyterian
Theologital'Seminary for the North West,
?the Board of Directors is required' to meet
prior to the annual meeting of the several
;Synods. The'Board is, therefore," called to
meet in the city of Chicago,' on Tuesday,
'the 14th day of September, at 9 A. M.,
No. 19 Portland : Block. A full attendance
is requested. S. T. WILSON,
An Important NOtibe.
Three numbers after the present, will ter
labiate the sixth year of the Presbyterian
Banner. Many subscriptions will then ter
minate. A prompt renewal, a full renewal,
and a large increase' are vastly important.
Our brethren, the pastors and elders, are
most earnestly requested s to make up large
liars, and to forward them without delay.
Where they hold themselves responsible for
the payment shortly, we cheerfully send at
their, request, to part or even to all the
names in their list.
Western Theological Seminary.
The Board of Directors of the Western
Theological Seminary, will meet in , the Lec
ture-Room of the First . Church, Pittsburgh,
on Thursday the 23d day of September
next, at two o'Clook P. M.
W. B. MchvmmE, Secretary.
The Board of Trustees of the Western
Theological Seminary, will meet in the Lee
ture-Room of the First = Presbyterian Church,
Pittsburgh, on Thursday, the 23d day of
September next, at two o'clock P. M.
' , 'Fitonts G. `BAILEY' President.
Board of Colportagaof the Synods of Pitts
burgh and Allegheny.
The annual meeting of the Board of ,Coll
portage, of the Synods of Pittsburgh and
Allegheny, will be held, in pursuance of the
.direetion of:the two *nods, ox Tuesday ;
the 7th day of September next, at 'the Pres
bytSriart Bcoms, St. Clair Street, Pitts
burgh, at :2 o'clock P. M. A full attend
*tee is requested.
munsiti 'or • aoiutir.
Ninisterc—Reis. 'D. McKinney, D. D., Geo.
Marshall, D.-D., J. M. Hastings, W. D. Howard,
D. D., Richard Lea, J. R. Hughes, E. E. Swift,
L. Young, H. R. Wilson, D..D, jarces , Allison, A.
D. Campbell, D._ D., L. t. Conrad, M. W. Jima
bus, D. D., S. M. McClung, L. R. McAboy, Rob
ert B. *ilia , WM. M. Blackburn.
Elders.6--13.` McMaster, J. W..Junken, James B.
Lawson; Robert; McKnight, S. S. Spencer, James
Schoonfnaker,,,lns. Carothera, M.D., Luke Loomis,
John R. Wilson, B. R. Bradford, Richard Bard,
Francis G. Bailey, Wm. Campbell, S. P. Johnston,
D. McCord, T. Nevin, Wm. Bakowell:
Thelynods--A linggestioi and a Request.
The following has been handed to us for
publication. `We.heartily join in the request.
We trust that our Christian brethren in the
placeorapoivited for the Synodical meetings,
Will not think that too great ' a liberty is ta
ken; in the proposition. They will reflect
that._tbO Riove
,good s : and. that the
people themselves are to participate.
Otirtriends ref the congregation .of
Blairs
villa tie'afready intimated tdus their wish
to receive the ` Synod ' of Pittsburgh thus
.early.
It has been in , ggested that the brethren
•—.7the miniaVirs,Aftli.Alders----whomay attend
the approaching; meetings:of the different
Synods ..ef the, Presbyterian Church, con
vene, siklar, as .preetioable,. one day earlier
than that to wh i ch they adjourned, 'for the
-purpose of- special prayer to God for the
;outpouring of his. Holt , Spirit upon the
churches undertlair ° Mre. Various breth
wren this 'region, and some else
whose ihive been- emiodted on the subject,
And.; all hi:reapproved, and expressed the
desire'that ihe 3 uggeotioit be cerried into
effect. We feel..inthorised, therefore, on
the ground of : this . eilmmen desire, to re
;quest that, the mom'berb, of the respective
Synods make their, strameinents according
ly, and , meet one; day ,ioOner than the day
to whit* they adjourned; for the purpose
specified. The officers =: 'the churches
\where the Synods are to Meet, iirwrettuested
to make iwovision for the, entertainme n t of
the *Makers, in accordance r.With this l eg .
.gestion." !Let, the . brethren xemember th e
day of Pentecost. Let them think of what
.00d% has Asian& in the midst , fir our
.ohnrehes, dating the . past season, and come
together Wrenn:me of a holy, confiding
-faith, and hoirill do still greater, things for
the glory of 'hie great nanie. < Are not the
prophecies reeeiving en extended fulfillment.
"Phu saiththe Lord of= Heats ciit Shall yet
mime to, pass, thatthere shall yet come peo
ple, and the inhabitants of many cities; and
the inhabitants of~ onecity shall go to an-
Aither, saying, Let's goiquiedily to-pray be
fore :the Lard, and to seek the - Lord ,of
Hate will goalso." So, it ispsiot so let
it be again; until the. irlicie nation end ell
its eitiseshall unite in this bloat /Fort!
MANY BIIII7RBEN.
President of Board.
WIG Seey.
The Discussion Progressing.
The relation between the Church and her
Boards, is a subject of vast importance. Its
consideration cannot be properly done up in
a few articles. The investigation requires
time and labor. And they are worthy of
both. If there is any thing about any of
those great and important agencies which
requires concealment, it is wrong; and it
should be sought out and removed, at what
ever cost. The shrinking of certain men
from such an investigation, shows a con
sciousness of something existing, in their
connexion with the Boards, the knowledge
of 'which, on the part of those whose funds
they consume, would be damaging.
The Presbyterian, in its anxious desire to
heap up blame upon "Dr. McKinney," and
to crush him, by its own.foree, and by a per
sonal enemy, and by the weight of " all the
Boards," has somewhat turned the discus
sion away from the points at issue; but they
must not be lost sight of. In its last num
ber, (Aug. 21st,) in speaking of a second
very long, and really a shameful article of
its correspondent who falsely styles himself
" Western Pennsylvania," it says
We lament the whole controversy, which has
taken so personal a character, and the faults of
which are certainly not all on one side. May we
not hope that it will rest here? Its farther agita.
tion will only lead to greater severities, and tire the
patience of moat of our readers. (The Italics are
ours.),
‘ tl ls this a :threat intended to silence US ?
The concealment of our assailant might jus
tify us in retiring, even without this stimu
lant. But we choose not to desert the cause;
We hive therefore concluded to brave the
C C greater severities." We contend for prin
ciples; and we have many assurances that
the churches are not tired. They wish us
still to insist upon economy in disposing of
their funds, and upon an open, honest, and
faithful service on the part of their employ
ees. Sinecures they cannot, tolerate.
We hence' penned, and sent off to the
Presbyterian, a brief article, alluding to its
correspondent. The vituperation, in which
he abounds, and some,ot the merely personal
allusions, we noted not. : To the few things
only which belong to the discussion,' did we
respond. We retained a copy of our article,
for our own paper, that it might appear in
both journals simultaneously. It is as fol
lows :
Mzssus. EDITORS :—Your Correspondent,
"Western Pennsylvania," resides, by your
own statement, not in that region. And he
is evidently not a representative of the sen
timent, the spirit, nor the conduct of the
ministers and churches there. By what.
word, then, shall we designate his assump
tion of the name over which he writes?
And what a character does this assumption
give to all his utterances I
I now offera few more words on the dis
.
cussion; and,
I. 1 ask'your readers to kindly re-peruse
my article in your journal of August 14th,
and to note carefully its facts, arguments,
and spirit; also to examine all my editorials
on this subject, to which they can find ac
cess.
2. I, with you, regret that there should
be "personalities." But malignity, you
kndw, does very little injury, where people
are intelligent. And "greater severities"
from the same source would be entirely in
noxious.
3. If my argument militates against any
Board, there must be something wrong there.
I have insisted upon having laborers enough,
and fairly compensated.; and have contended
only against a useless office, and inefficient
."1
incumbents.
4. My appointment on the Committee of
the Assembly was made without any man
agement of mine, and without the slightest
suggestion by me, directly or indirectly.
5. I did not oppose the election. of Dr.
Musgrave, nor did .I tender aprotest against
it. On the contrary, I officially extended
tp'him the invitation of the Board, and per
sonally I iirged his acceptance, having the
fUllest confidence in his integrity, ability,
and industry. And before he would accept,
was made to appear satisfactorily, that
there was not in the Board a single dissen
tient mind to his occupying the position to
which a majority had called him.
6. Dr. Happersett was tendered, from the
first, a place in my columns, to correct any
mistakes which might be made respecting
his positidn and services. - Between him and
me, personally, there was nought, so far as I
knew, but unruffled friendship. It would
have been, and still would be, my pleasurn
and privilege to make him the , full amends,
if ;I have done him any wrong.
7. The. conduct ,of an incumbent in and
with regard to his office, is always a proper
subject for candid and responsible inquiry,
by , his constituents. To this alone I alluded;
and that only when impelled treat by an as
sank through his friends.
c'S. If Dr. Happersett desires, a farther in
vestigation into his official career -= the time
andimasion of his appointment as Assistant
Secretary, his labors under Dr. Jones and
Dr. Musgrave, &0., &o.—be has but to adopt
his: nameless advocate's assertions and insin
uations, and make them openly his own.
9. It is, both in Church and State, the
right' of the accused to cross-examine the
accuser's witnesses. Hence the bringing
ont,on my part, of the true sentiments of my
revered and honored friend, Dr. McDowell—
sentiments not confidentially communicated,
but often uttered and well known; and sen
timents which are a credit to his head and
his heart.
10: •Let not the churches, by these per
sonalities, be turned away from the great
subject before them—that is, economy in
th e nee of eicred bands, no useless Aces,
a due, service on the part of those who draw
from the± Church Treasury, and specially a
control by the churches over the agencies of
their own creation.
11. It is remarkable that not a fact which
Ihave stated, has been called in• question,
as to its subitantial correctness, and not an
argument has been advanced by opponents
tending to show the need , of an Associate
Secretary, save that , which is based on the
presumption that pastors and missionaries
will not do their duty, and that Presbyteries
trelinidequate to their work, and that hence
thsreimust be a traveling Secretary exereis
it% 'Episcopal functions.
DAVID MCKINNEY.
WEST LIBERTY ACADEMY.—This is a
new , lnetitution, located in Ohio •Couuty,
Va. aft hiintended for boys, and now sends
fortfilis firat Circular, signed A. F. Rom,
A. he Principal. Mr Roes is an experi
enced4,teacher; and the vicinity of ~the
school to the head. uartera of Campbelliem,
miill#Vifiteanitiftibitineein the estimation
of the community.
THE PRESBYTERIAN. BANNER AND ADVOCATE
The Committee on the Book of Discipline.
This very able Committee have brought
their labors to a close. The result, so far as
they are concerned, is on our first page.
It will now be for the churches to examine
and to prepare, by their Commissioners to
the Assembly next Spring, to amend, if
need be, and to adopt and send . down to
the Presbyteries for confirmation.
From a hasty glance we are disposed to
say, that the emendations are, for the most
part, very judicious. Two or three, how
ever, may not meet with unanimous approval.
Chap. 1., Sec. iii., seems inconsistent in its
parts. If baptised persons are "members
of the Church," "under its government,"
and " bound to perform all the duties of
members," as they assuredly are, then they
are certainly " proper subjects" for disci
pline. They have a right to it, as an insti
tuted means of grace, and the church See.
sion is bound to extend it, to them.
But possibly there may be some special
signification attached to the phrase 66 judi.
cial prosecution," as distinct from Church
discipline. If so, then the Section reads
strangely. They are members under, the
government of the Church, and bound to
perform all the duties of member:9, and yet
may neglect and transgress, and not be
brought before a judicature I This is anti.
Scriptural and anti-Presbyterian in ddctrine,
or it is a justifying of a great dereliction in
duty, as to, practice. We trust that the
churches will never sanction it. Let the
section be amended.
Chap. 111., Sec. vi., and Chap. IV., See.
xru., provide for the employment of coun
sel, other than, members of the Court.
"Professional counsel," as such, may not
be employed, but any church member may
be. This is an innovation. It provides, for
th,) introduction of lawyers, who may be
professors in, the church concerned, as ad
vocatew before the Session, and in one case,
and possibly'in all, as appellants and appelA
lees, before all the Courts up to the Assem
bly. , What may be the practical working
of this scheme, we cannot predict. The
churches will likely look at it before they
sanction it.
Our oolumps will be open to discussion,
pro and con, to a reasonable extent.
What Does it Mean?
A writer in the Presbyterian Herald, of
August 19th, says, under this head
Two of our Boards have declined to com
ply with the clearly expressed wish of the
Church, as made known by the General As
sembly.
After due and full consideration the last
General. Assembly expressed the thought
that the Board of. Domestic Missions might
and should dispense with the Assistant Sec-
retary, as the Corresponding Secretary said
he could easily discharge the duties of the
office without the Assistant Secretary, and
thereby save to the Church $1873.75, the
amount paid to him last year, and enough to
send out ten missionaries. Yet the Board
of Domestic Missions has declined doing
so, and has re-elected said Associate, etc.
Again : The General Assembly directed
the Board of Publication to strike out , one
hymn and insert some other in its place.
Yet said Board declines doing so. What
does this mean ? ,Do these Boards remem
ber how the General Assembly once spake
to the Board of Directors of Princeton Sem
inary, when it assumed and acted on author
ity that,•to it, did not belong? We hope
these Boards will re-consider their acts, and
not, go contrary to the clearly expressed wish
of the Church.
A Foundation Laid.
The Corner Stone of an edifice for the
Second Presbyterian Church, in this city,
was laid on Monday, the 23d inst. An
eligible site has been chosen, corner of Penn
and Irwin streets. The building is to be'
large, substantial, and tasteful. The exer
cises were brief, but varied, pertinent and
interesting. They were conducted by Rev.
Wm. D. Howard ; D. D., the pastor. Prayer
by Drs. Compbell and Elliott. Reading of
the Scriptures by Dr. MainneY. Ad
dresses by Drs. Jacobus and Plumer-
Psalm by Mr. Fulton. - Historical Statement,
the Laying of the Stone, and Benediction,
by Dr. Howard.
The foundation is laid in faith and prayer,
and the energies of a willing people are con-,
secreted to the erection. It is a temple for
the-Lord of Glory, where,he will meet with
and bless his people.
Confession of Faith in German.
The BOard of Publication has issued the
translation of our Confession, Catechisms
and the Form of Government, in the Ger
man language, as requested by the Assdm
bly. We hail the - appearance of this book,
and we trust that our Board may be able to
devise an effective agency for circulating it
among the masses of the German speaking
population of our country. We understand
that the translation is well, and faithfully ex
ecuted, and that some of our leading theo
logians who have watched the progress of
the work with becoming interest, are entire
ly satisfied with the ability displayed by the
learned brother, to whose care this important
work was committed.
WASHINGTON COLLEGE, PA.—The Oata•
logo° for 1857-8, shows the College classes
to embrace—Seniors, twenty; Juniors, twen
ty-two ; Sophomores, thirty; Freshmen,
twenty-three, Preparatory, thirty—Total,
one hundred And twenty-five.
The Annual Commencement takes place
on the third Wednesday of September.
This is strictly a Synodieil College. The
Trustees and Professors are chosen from per
sons nominated,by the Synod of Wheeling.
HANOVER COLLEGE, IND.—This Institu
tion, pleasantly situated on the North ba n k
of the Ohio, sends forth its twentysixth
Annual Catalogue. In the regular classes
there are sixty-four students, and in the
Scientific and Preparatory, sixty-eight:. To.
tal, one hundred and thirty-two. The Pres
idency seems to be still vacant.
THE PRAYER MEETING in the H'all of
the 'Young Christian Association,. is
held every morning; at 7f 'o'citook. 'lt
is attended with interest. All are invited.
huitruetion. of Negroes.
The following we see given as an extract
from the pastoral address of the Bishops,
six in number, of the Methodist church,
South
The relation of master and servant is re
cognized in, the New Testament, and .the du
ties of each` prescribed. The observance of
these moral rules we regard as integral to
the morality and piety of our members.
The ,benign,apirit of , our .holy, religion :not
only demands that masters should render to
their servants' that which is just and equal
in wages, as to food, raiment, and shelter,
but that religions instruction should be pro
vided alike for servants as for children.
The Gospel is God's gift to the black man
as well as to the white, and Christian mas
ters should see to it that all their deperelants
are regularly supplied with the preaching of
the Word, and all the privileges of the
Church of God.
The salvation of the colored race in our
midst, as far as human instrumentality can
secure it, is the primary duty of the South
ern bhureh. Let us earnestly seek to meet
our responsibilities, and then, whatever "evil
thing" ignorance and prejudice may say of
us, we shall have the blessing of a good con
science, and the blessing of Him , who iti
Judge of all.
In the City.
PHILADELPHIA., August 2, 1858.
DEAR BANNER :-At the close of our
lad, the famous " Century Plant," or
" American Aloe," now on exhibition. at
Parkinson's Saloon, was mentioned, to
gether with the object to which the pro
ceeds are to be applied. Hundreds visit it
daily, and persons come from a great dis
tance to behold the wondrous plant, cer
tainly the finest of the kind that has ever
bloomed in the United States. The present
is a favorable time for such an exhibition,
since the city is thronged to an unusual de
.gree with strangers from all parts of the
country. For now is the very height of the
business season. Merchants have returned
from the mountains, the sea-side, the Falls,
and indeed all the different Summer resorts,
to meet their customers and fill their orders.
The amount of business transacted in this
city is not fully appreciated by people at a
distance, for everything is conducted much
more quietly than in its metropolitan neigh
bor, New York. And the amount of mis
cellaneous manufactures is really immense.
They are not confined to any particular lo
cality, but may be found in every street, and
in all the adjoining towns. A careful col
lector of statistics estimates the capital now
employed here in manufactures at $72,500,-
000; number of hands engaged, one hundred
and thirty-two thousand; and the annual pro
duet; $145,348,738. The single item of
hosiery, manufactured principally in Ger
mantown, now amounts to over $2,000,000
per annum. And the railroad connexions
with the West and South must continue to
bring these products into tbe market, with
a large increase from year to year. In the
natural course of things, the Pennsylvania
Railroad, in connexion with the Pittsburgh,
Fort Wayne and Chicago Railroad, must at
length become the great medium of inter
course between the East and West, and a
corresponding increase of visitors and
traders must be the result. Preparations
for this event are already being made in the
erection of a new hotel, one of the largest
and finest in, the United States, on Chestnut
Street, immediately opposite the Girard
House.
But every, visitor to this place will lose
much if he confines his observations to the
streets, stores, and buildings of the city
proper. If he would escape the monotony
of the long rows of similar dwellings, let
him betake himself for a day to Mirristown,
Germantown, and Chestnut Hill, where
new and splendid edifices, of the most ap
proved architecture,' grounds laid out and
ornamented with the greatest skill and
taste, and the most beautiful landscapes in
the distance, will greet his delighted vision.
In these places, some of the most enter
prising and successful merchants of Market
and Chestnut Streets have their residenees,
and also many of the prosperous clerks and
mechanic& ' And yet we are confident, after
making all due allowance for our Western
partialities, that nature has bean as prodigal
of her gifts, in the way of beautiful pros
pects and enchanting scenery, along our
own Monongahela, Allegheny, and Ohio,
and especially the last, as to the most highly
favored spot in this vicinity. Every visitor
to Germantown will, as a matter of course,
visit the old battle-ground—almost the only
spot in the neighborhood untouched by the
hand of modern improvement. The old
Chew house need on that memorable day as
a kind of fort, remains much as it was im
mediately after the battle. The stone walls
without, and the partitions within, still re
tain the marks of the terrible warfare. And
the older inhabitants point out the position
of the opposing parties, and the various
routes taken by the fugitives, as they heard
them described in their youthful days, by
those who had witnessed the whole conflict,
and aided in relieving the wounded, and
burying the dead.
The pastors are returning to their labors,
and the churches are beginning to fill up
with the accustomed worshippers. Rest
from labor, new scenes, and a, bracing at
mosphere, have imparted new vigor to the
wearied pastor, and he comes back to his
duties with renewed earnestness. The Gos
pel will be faithfully preached, and no
means of entreating men to be reconciled to
God, will be left untried. But the Secrete
ries of the Boards have, for the most part,
no holiday. There they sit from day to
day, engaged in the same perpetual round
of duties, with little variety of life, without
the genial sympathiespf a loving congrega
tion, and yet expected to give entire satis
faction to every member of the whole
Church. No easy lot is that of the Score.
Caries who do the Church's work, obey its
requirements, and receive its commenda
tions. Let the Secretaries the' Church re
quires to fulfill its mission, enjoy, its affec
tion, and have its prayers. And at times
allow these:faithful servants•short seasons of
relaxation as others; their hearts will be
lighter, their minds clearer, and their labors r
less onerous. The merchant that gives no
holiday to his clerks, is not wise; and the
congregation that denies a few Sabbaths of
rest, and a change of associations, or the
means for taking such a respite, will
suffer loss in the end. The health, spirits,
and vigor of the pastor will deteriorate, and
the people will be the losers in the same
propolion.
Dinah has been done, of late years,
in the work of Church Extension, by
the Presbyterians of Philadelphia, and sev
eral of the new enterprises promise the most
successful and happy results. But the pop
ulation is increasing so rapidly, and so many
deetitutions are continually discovered, that
a great work yet remains to be done by our
Church, in connexion with all the other
Evangelical denominations represented here.
Several new Presbyterian organizations are
now projected, under most favorable aus
pices. A delightful spirit of harmony and
conperation exists at present among the
different branches of the Church of Christ,
and great care is taken, for the most part,
to avoid interfering with the efforts of one
another in any particular locality, since there
is ground enough and work enough for all.
Indeed, in some of the Union meetings
there seems to be quite a superabundance of
assertion with respect to Christian Union,
and of declamation against denominational
exclusivism. At a time when all are work
ing harmoniously together, or each denomi
nation cultivating assiduously its own field,
it does certainly seem inappropriate, un
necessary, and contrary to good taste, for
each denomination to be reminded every
day of the calamity and unchristian charac
ter of the differences existing in our eoclesi
astical organikations. We have the same
object before us, and serve the same Mas
ter, let us go forward and do his work at
once. To keep a large army composed of
different races, or of the subjects of differ
ent governments united, it is not best to be
reminding the soldiers constantly of the
tends and hatred of former days. And re
ally those who make the most parade of
Union, and the loudest professions of high
regard for all branches of the Church of
Christ, are, after all, not the most reliable
friends of Union. We doubt the sincerity
of the friendship of one, who is continually
filling our ears with professions of love and
attachment.
The most Sectarian sermon it has been
our fortune to hear for some time, was one
to which we listened yesterday afternoon,
though it was professedly on the evils of Sec
tctrianism. Thus it is that good and sincere
men may often deceive themselves. The
laymen in the different churches are doing
nobly; never before has their influence been
so extensive or with such happy results.
Would that, in every place throughout the
land, the piety of the Church could be so
actively engaged as it is here. Too long
have the private members been hiding their
talents as if they were not to be used, and
folding their arms as if they had nothing to
do.
But long enough have we loitered here;
duty beckons us Westward / and we must
obey. A.
For the Presbyterian Banner and Adreeste.
Some Thoughts on the Disemdon.
DR,. MCKINNEY : I have just Enished
reading the last communication of " West
ern Pennsylvania" to the Presbyterian, in
answer to yourself. I am grieved to think
that any Presbyterian minister could be ca
pable of writing and publishing such a tissue
of rude personalities and disingenuous spe
cial pleadings. I am disappointPd in the
cautious editors of that paper, that
they did not exclude from their columns a
tirade, that would have dishonored the most
unscrupulous partisan political sheet. It is
not my purpose to enter the lists in this eon
troversy—l. am rather a looker on in Vienna.
But for the credit of our Church, I must,
enter my protest against such controversy.
The Presbyterian heads its editorial column
with a blush at the admission of sue an ar
ticle, but soothes its regret with the intinaa-
Lion, that the fault of severity "is net al/ on
the one side."
Can it be that the Presbyterian and its
correspondent fancies that its readers have
no discrimination ? Does it suppose that,
with your articles before them, its readers•
can believe its misrepresentations of your
argumenta and your spirit? Does it fancy
that we are such dolts as not to see through
its attempts to mislead us? Whether you,
are right or wrong in your conclusions, it is
simply an insult to our understandings,
to tell us that your spirit is bad—that
your language is intemperate—that you deal
in personalities, and are disingenuous in
your statements of facts. After first reading
the Presbyterian's description of your an
swer to 66 Western Pennsylvania," I turned
to read the answer itself; and I confess
that I was amazed, that the editors would
venture such a description in the same
paper in which the thing described was
printed. The reader of the description
would be led to expect a boiling bowl of hot
pepper-pot;" and when he turns to peruse
your calm and dignified argument—your
dispassionate array of faots—and your re•
spectful treatment of every body named or
alluded to—he is forced to the conolusion,
that all the heat and pepper was in the ed.
itor's own brain.
Permit me to direot attention to one• or
two things, which, at this stage of the con
troversy, ought to be noticed.
1. It was disingenuous in "Western
Pennsylvania," to adopt a signature that
would mislead his readers to suppose that
he lived in that region, and spoke its sen
timents; when every body that knows who
he is, knows that he lives East of the moun
tains, and East of the centre of the State.
2. No public man, and especially no min
ister, has a right to enter the lists, in any
grave discussion of an important - public
question, merely for the purpose of venting
his personal spleen.
3. I have had extensive opportunities of
ascertaining the sentiments of brethren, and
with scarce an exception, they are of opinion
that the advantage, in point of both sound
argument and good temper, is with you.
And all see through the shallow attempt of
men who, being angry themselves, keep
"shrieking" to you to keep your temper.
4. This controversy has assumed an im
portance that does not belong to the simple
question of the Associate Secretaiyship. It
has grown to be a discussion affecting the
freedom, candor, and independence of the
religious press—the right of men to acquit
their consciences, when acting in a puplie
trust; and the possibility of effecting any
reform. in any one of the Boards, unless the
officers of the Board and the paper that
claims to speak ex cathedra shall say sir;
vo/umus It is now to be decided whether
it is an ecclesiastical felony, for a Preebyte•
rise minister, in the exercise of his consti
tutional rights, as a member of the General
Assembly, and of one of the Boards of the
Church, to propose and maintain any meas
ure that he may deem for the good of the
cause, but which may be unpalatable to the
central power; and whether, fur said felony,
he is to be pursued with hue and cry—his
person and status "spotted"—his temper
maligned—his good name decried as infa
tnous, and he at last to suffer ecclesiastical
death. The moment any body questions the
infallibility of "the Boards,"
he is to be
set down as a man of "bad spirit "—" a
restless spirit "--" a disturber of the peace,"
&c. Will the people of God tolerate this
thing' any longer? Has nut this morbid
lolly been carried far enough?
Go on, Doctor, in the same calm, firm,
argumentative manner that has hitherto
marked your share in this battle, and God's
people will stand by you. We know you
will not permit your opponents to draw you
into the coarse personalities in which they
have indulged. Deal, as you have done, in
facts and reasonings, and the misrepresenta
tions by which you have been assailed, will
rebound upon the heads of their authors.
For the Presbyterian Banner and Advocate
What is Right
DR MCKINNEY :—Considering your po
sition as Chairman of the Committee on the
Board of Domestic Missions in the General
Assembly, as a member of that Board, and
as a faithful journalist, I cannot see that
you could have done otherwise, than to bring
out the facts necessary for the Church to
know (and yet not unjust to any one,) re
specting the continuance of an Associate
Secretary. Permit me to say, that three
out of the four reasons assigned by the re
spected editors of the Presbyterian, in their
issue of July 10th, why an Associate Sec
retssy should be continued, proposed to cre
ate an office contrary to the parity of the
ministry, and to take duty out•of the hands
of the Presbyteries.
Ist. It is proposed that " Presbyteries
and churches should be visited with the
single object of bringinc , them in as regular
contributors, through the scheme of Syste
matic Benevolence."
If the recommendations of the General
Assembly, and of Synods, do not bring
"them in," and if their own voluntary de
termination, founded on information, does
not, no constraint from a constituted super
intendent will accomplish the object. In
such matters, Presbyterians respect wise
recommendations of Church Judicatories,
but have a right to disregard all injunctions.
Presbyteries and pastors wish to make their
own arrangements.
2d. The editors say, " An Assistant Sec
retary would have a wide and useful field
before him, in visiting and encouraging the
missionaries already in the field. He would
thus see how faithfully their duties were per
formed," &c. Is not every missionary
within the bounds of some Presbytery, and
are not the members of it the persons to soe
"how faithfully the duties" are performed?
Wherefore, then, this new Bishop?
3d. It is proposed that this "agent"
should " inquire into the actual condition
of missionary churches," &o. This is ex
actly the duty of Presbyteries, before they
recommend any church to the Board for
support. But must an agent, also, be ap
pointed to do it?
The fourth and last object proposed to be
accomplished, is important; but it could be
better performed by different agents, as
preachers, too, from Presbyteries, than by
one Associate Secretary at Philadelphia,
viz., to overlook and scan the 'whole field, as
far as practicable, and select new missionary
stations. Such ministers might be sup
ported by the Board. J.
• EASTERN SUMMARY.
BOSTON AND NEW ENGLAND.
The Beechers aie moving men, and they
cause movements in society, and specially in
• the Ecclesiastical world. Charles Beecher,
who, some years ago, came out in a volume
, endeavoring to account for the depravity of
• man's nature, universally, by the theory of
a pre-existent state, in which each one had
sinned voluntarily, was soon after installed
over the Orthodox Congregational church,
in Georgetown, Mass. Previously to his
' installation, he bad also set forth his hostili
ty to Creeds in such a way as mightily to
please Unitarians. Before the Installing
Council, he maintained his belief in the old
heathen notion of Pre•Existence ; that
Christ, while on earth, was in a state of pro
bation; was, obscure on the doctrine of Jus
tification; "and admitted only with diffi
culty," as says the Boston Recorder, " if
at all, the idea that the sufferings of Christ
are a proper satisfaction to the justice of
God, even in the sense of the younger Ed
wards." And still he was installed, to the
surprise and grief of many.
After noting these facts, the Recorder
asks, (( whither are we drifting ?" We
give part of the answer. •
The beginning of the answer has been received.
It is furnished by a correspondent of the New
York Christian Inquirer, (Unitarian,) of July 24.
This correspondent had heard Mr. Beecher preach,
and saw him admit twenty or more to the church,
and administer the right of baptism to some of
them. In his sermon, he informed his congrega
tion, says this writer, "that . belief in a Calvinis
tic Creed should not be a qualification for admis
sion to the Christian Churob," "that the doc
trines of an ecclesiastical organization should be
so few and simple as to exclude no true Chris
tian," "that the pathway to the Church of
Christ should be unobstructed by theological
tenets," " that Christ may redeem all men in the
next world, if not in this," and " that God may
pardon there as well as here."
After speaking of the fact that Mr.
BeecLer is not the pastor of an , independent
church, but of a Congregational one—a
church having a Platform or Creed, and
guided by Councils—it shows the incon
sistency of his conduct, and the present
tendency of affairs, thus :
He might , then (if in an Independent
Church,) preach against Creeds, and admit
members without one. He might revive an
Indico Persian - Mythology, be obscure and foggy
on Justification, and the proper satisfaction of
Christ's, sufferings to the justice of God. He
might put Christ on probation here, and the sin
ner in the next world, and hold nut a possible
universal salvation in our stage of being next be
yond the grave. A multitude preach in this way,
and their sermons are hot thought worthy of a
newspaper letter. On the occasion refe.red to,
Mr. Beecher used this formula of Baptism : " I
purify thee, in the name," &c. In o'the'r quarters
this would not be surprising or 'noticeable. Our
concern now is hot with the man, ndr with hie
doctrines, and forms. It is with his posilioti
given in the way it was, and with such a foot as
an index of tendencies. If published reports
and our memory nerve 119, the pecu]iuth:
abOve•state,l were to reshrtdzywrd, or eleally enz4
Mated to the Council of Inetaliation.
The tendency of men in high places t , z
do just as they please, and of Cowneq s
permit nna sustain such thlagn, iu manifest.
in our Church also.
The Meeting of the American 'Board w
Cbmmissioners for Foreign Missions, tab , e
place this year at Detroit, on the Ith 0 !
September. Excursion tickets, available
for return till October let, from Boston, a re
offered' at $lB 00. The kindness of Rail
road Companies should be ackuovvledged.
Business is not very brisk, money h
pltrityi and loans, on good security, are easily
effected: The new United States five per
cent. stoolis- sell at six per cent. preaii.
um. The reeeiPta - for customs are still
small, and•the exports are far short of those
of 1856
The Niagara, of Gable celebrity, h 2 5.
reached New York, aftei a slow passage fron t
New Foundland: She was received with
great enthusiasm. Her of f icers have been
granted three months leave of absence, as a
holiday. MT. Field reparde the Cable as.
an entire success. Oh its being landed, be
tested its power by applying to it his tongue,
and was nearly knocked over.
MINIbIUS.
A State. Sabbath Conveltion•is to.beheld
in Syracuse, on the 14th of September, to
devise means for the better promoting of
Sabbath observance, especially by closing
the locks on the State canals. The different
cities and counties are requested to send full
delegation 9.
The Revival news• p is still gratifyioz.
Meetings are held in• many places, and there
is a good attention, dieri interest, and no
disorder. Three thousand conversions are
supposed to have taken place in Brooklyn
during the late revival. Some estimate the
number much above this
The City Hall has been partially des.
troyed by fire. The dome and central par.
tion of the upper story were destroyed. The
public documents, how'ever, are safe, and
the wings of the building" are unharmed
save by water and violence. The fire com
menced shortly after midnight, in the cup
la, and the flames spread' so rapidly that it
was soon all in a blaze. The firemen were
promptly on the spot, and labored hard to
arrest the conflagration, but in vain. The
cupola and upper part of the main building
were completely destroyed.
Our Letter from this city will be read
with interest.
We give, as a matter of pleasing import,
the following programme of religions ser
s lees, in the new movement:
Services in the great UNION TABERNACLE of the
Young Men's Christian Association, next week;
zoom for thousands r
.6 The Spirit and the Bride say come!"
To morrow (Sabbath, Aug 22d,) at 5 ; 1 A. M.,
the usual sun rise prayer meeting. At 6 o'clock
A. M., preaching by Rev. Jos. H. Nannard, D D.
At 10 o'clock A. M., preaching (in Oermaii,) by
Rev. J. C. Lyon. At 4 P. M., Union Prayer-
Meeting. At 5 P. M., preaching by Rev, J. H.
A. Bomberger, D. D. At 6 1 1, P. M., preaching
(in German,) by Rev. le. M. Long. At BP. M.,
preaching by Rev. W. J. R. Taylor. Preaching
on Monday evening, by Rev. John Chamber=. Oa
Tuesday evening, preaching, by Rev, J. B. Dales,
D. D. On Wednesday evening, preaching, by
Rev. Thos. H. Stockton. Oa Thursday evening,
preaching. by Rev, J. H. Cuthbert. On Friday
evening, preaching, by Rev. Alfred Nevin, D. D.
Children's Meeting daily, from 41 to 5i o'clock
P. M.
From our London Correspondent.
Religion and the Bible in India—The Discussion in
the House of Peers—The Noble Testimony of the
" Times" Col. Sykes' Dying Lamentation—
Anglo-Indian Criticisms on Sir C. Campbell—
Admission of Baron Rothschild—Jewish Jubila•
tien—Fun and Earnest about Cherbourg—The
Plague of Frogs and the Battle of the Nile—" Sir
Hector Croker " and the '• Chained Couples"—
French Deprecation, and John Bull Refart--4
Dark Insinuation—The Recapture of Gecatior,
and the Gallant Rose—Sunstroke and Mortality—
A Cruel Colonel—Dr. Dyff—Lord Canning and
an Amnesty—liedian News, and the Share•Nar•
ket—Postscript.
British policy as to RELIGION IN biota.,
on which, for a long time, silence has been
preserved in Parliament, was at length
brought up in the House of Lords last week,
in connexion with the Indian Bill, by the
venerable and excellent Archbishop of Can
terbury. He stated his opinion that, in the
future government of India, Caste should
not be recognized in the public service, as
hitherto had been done and that, in every
Government School, the Bible should be
read. Lord Derby declared that it was the
desire and intention of the Government,
that all religions should be placed on an
equality in India, in sense of perfect liberty
of profession, &c., but he added that Caste
was a part of the religion of India, and that
it could not be destroyed. He evidently
misunderstood the Archbishop, who only
asked that Caste should have no exclusive
claim in public employment; and further,
that Caste or no-Caste, Hindoos or native
Christians and converts, should be equally
eligible. To the latter, Lord Derby seemed
to give an assent, but not distinctly. Lord
Shaftsbury, however, expressed himself well
pleased with the Premier's declaration, and
said that it conceded all that the great relig
ious Societies, in their petition to Parliament,
bad asked, namely, perfect impartiality to
all religions, without favor to any.
The Bishop of London spoke with regard
to the endowments given, by treaty, I D
Mosques and Temples, and said that the
setting apart of lauds had actually been the
revenues for these purposes. The 'remier
seemed to think enoueb had been done, by
withdrawing British officials from paying or
managing these funds; and plainly loll'
mated that, out of respect to ancient treaties,
the moneys and revenues must continue to
be paid.
This, with the Christian public, bas been
a great stumbling block. There may b e
good grounds for a tough legal argument on
the subject, and a casuist could make a VE T ) .
plausible defence. of existing arrangements .
The whole affair, however, throws a melan
choly light upon a guilty past, and proves
that some of our . nationa; vows, in the day
of our mourning and fasting last year, are
not likely to be carried out by the Legisla
ture. Missionaries will still find themselves
taunted by the natives: ‘g Your Government
supports our te-oples, and yet you call our
worship wicked and idolatrous. Row can
this be true 7P
With regard to the introduction of the
Bible int.) Government Schools, Lord Derby
and Lard Ellenborough were both silent.
The latter is net in power, but if he were,
asearedly he 'would put his veto on that
sacred Book, as very pestilent :and mischiev
ous in relation to schools in India. The
NEW YORK.
PHIBADELPHIi.
LONDON, July 30th, 1888.