E=M=:l===wmg - = Nana Atibocatt. PITTSBURGH, NO*BIEBBIt 272 186$. TURAIS.II II . SO 9 In savanna; or in Chiba el. 211; or, dalivered at residenees of linkmerio bore. $1.70. aeoPrispeetuy en lalairalreao. SDI /lOW ALS amnia be pronapi; a little while before the year expires, that we niatr make Intl arrimoomaisabi for a steady rapply. Tali. RAW WILAPPIaIa indleates Shit bo desire a renewal. If, howevare In the halite of assilliagg this signal should be ousittodi we hops ear friends will still not forget MS " payment by hands, when convenient. Or, send by 4sialll eneleslng.with ordinary care, and troubling nobody with a knowledge Anahet YOU Imo doing. Para large amount , a Drift, or large notei. For one artists paperinsand or small Notes. • TO MIMS CHAFGF, lend postage stOmpa, or better, etillteend for more papers; iny • r,aoventy wainbum or $1 for Thlrtrithree lasusalsese. DIAIIO7/ all Letters and Consnawnications to MOTs 'DAVID IaeIICINNION. Pittsburgh, Pas Gm). B. DIMON, ESQ.—We have had a letter to this address, on hand for some time. The post mark is indefinite, but resembles, in part, Ohilieothe, SYNOD. OS YIRGINTA, (N. S.)—We see it 'anted .that atite late Meeting of, this body, there twelve ministers anopniiie 131 ilizllkiTsrAnx..;--Rev. J. 11fiElhen -304, DD., has been, for fifty years, pasfor of ..the olutrch4ti<Lewleburg, ,l i r a. as still labors `with great effiCiency in his pastoral charge. PRACTICAL THEOLOGY.-- - A few of the studensof the Seminary opened, on Bab beth,lait,_ Sabbath School, with one hun dred and ten scholars, is a destitute put of Allegheny.i This is " Practical Theology," 'which they are learning at a good school. (!.A CONSTANT READER.," who does not give name, wishes to kpow why the Minutes of his Presbytery were not pub. dished. They were not received by Us. A judicious abstract of the proceedings of our Churclitourts is 'often interesting to very many. Such things belong to the history of the times. Ma. THEODORE. MONOD, a eon of -the Rev. Dr. Frederick Monod, of Paris, • and . Lie companion in travel through this coun try, hot year, beciaine converted to Christ before leaving our shores, and has returned from Paris, within a few days, and entered the Allegheny Theological Seminary, for a three pars' course. TUE. CONVENTION AT SALTEMPA, seems to have ,been a delightful meeting. Just think of the ministers and other officers, and of the members to the number of a thousand, or more; coming together, from seven Evangelical denominations of Chris tians, and,engning, as with. one heart, for, two days, in conferenie and prayer. not_ this a Isevivala revival of the genuine, • pendent. Mine* FEVER Di CHARLESTON ' S. 1 0.— "It is our happy privilege," says the Southern .Presbyterian, "to chronicle at last the entire disappearance of the Summer's scourge from our oily. The touch of Win ter has dissipated the seeds of disease, and with the return of health comes general rejoicing and prosperity. Crowds of ab sentees and strangers are pouring into the city by every train and steamer, and the streets once. more exhibit the wonted tide of busy life." INOREASZ.—The Advocate and Journal gives the sum total of members and proba tioners in the, Methodist Episcopal Church, North, as reported at Conference in 1857, as eight hundred and twenty thousand five hundred and nineteen; and the number in 1858 as nine hundred and fifty.three thou sand four hundred and seventy-two. Net increase, one hundred and thirty-two thow sand nine hundred and fifty-three. Thanksgiving. The churches in this city and in Alleghe ny, were generally open and occupied, on `Thanksgiving day. Stores and business &flees were closed, very extensively. There 'was not as much display of joy, as sometimes gems, but probably more of that heart-felt gratitude to. God, which arises on -.a contem plation of man's unworthiness and of the unspeakable goodness of our Heavenly Fa ther, manifested in the distinguishing boun ties of his providence, and the richer be stowments of his grace. Young 140 o,hristian Association of Allegheny City. This Association held its second Anniver . Baty on Tuesday evening of last week. Elo quent and deeply instructive addresses were made, by Professor S. J. Wilson, of the Western Theological Seminary, and by Rev. James Prestley, of the United Presbyterian Church. The attendance was very large. The membership is now two hundred and fifty. The library embraces two thousand volumes. Twenty periodicals and fifteen newspapers are taken. The rooms are open to the public. The institution gives prom ise of great usefulness. Fourth Professorship. Simone OF WHEELINct AND Offlo.—The Fourth Sabbath in November (28th inst.,) wilhe the day appointed for presenting to the churches of these Synods, the endowing of the Fourth Profelsorship, in the Western Theological Seminary. The same day in to be observed in the latter Synod, as a season of special Thanksgiviimand Prayer, for the reviving influences of th&Holy Spirit already slipped and still more desired. Gifts to the Seminal . will be, in such a connexion, most aPpropeiate. • Tfin SYNOD PITTNBURGH appointed the Second Sabbath in December, is a suitable time to vresent to the churches the subject of the Seminary, and to receive donations for the endowment of the Fourth Professor ship. M===M=Ml "The Word of God." For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twaedged sword,• piercing even to tho dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and mar row, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart "Neither is there any creature that in not manifest in hie sight : but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we hale to do."—Erss. iv; 12, 13. We received, some weeks ago, from an able Divine, the following Exposition of this very important, but somewhat diffioult pas- sage of Scripture : DR. MCKINNEY Was my privilege, recently, to listen to an ingenious and in structive exposition of this passage, from one of our "blasters in Israel," whose judgment I very highly respect, in which he attempted to show that the " Word of God " here means the Lord Jesus Christ, as in John i : 1, and Rev. xix : 13, &c. As it is important that our expositions of the Scriptures shoUld be not only instructive, but true, allow me, with all deference, to suggest a few heads of thought, in favor of the more. commonly received interpretation. 1. A reason is here assigned for the ex. hortation in the preceding verse, " Let us labor, therefore, to enter into that rest," &0., "For.the word of God is quick and power ful," &e. Thological connexion implied in the word " for," requires that we refer the phrase,." Word of God," here, bank to the threatening in the preceding verse, " If they shall enter into my rest," Sm. 2. The; .epithets "quick (living,) and powerful," Sr.e., if upplitd, in this connexion, to Jesus Christ, , would be inept aid .. frigid. WlSitioe'iionld add to the argument of the Apostle here`, .to joy, that Jesuit Christ a living being? And irith what propriety .can he be said to be sharper than any two• edged sword" ? 3. The argument drawn from the language of verse 13, (" Neither is there any creature that is not manifest, in his aight," &o.) in favor of applying the whole passage to Christ, is invalid; because there is here manifestly a chabge of subject. ‘g His," here refers to God, whose Word is described in the preceding verse. 4. The application of the phrase, ig Word of God," to Jesus Christ, as one of his names, is contrary to the usus loquendi of Paul, who never so employs it elsewhere. It is altogether peculiar, so far as I remem ber, to John. These reasons might be 411nstrated and enforoed at length, and others besides might be added. But this much may suffice, es. pecially for your clerical readers. I subjoin a free translation of a few sen tences selected from Calvin's Commentak on the passage. 44 Whatever the Apostle here discourses concerning the efficacy of the Word, is designed to Show that it cannot be despised with impunity. As soon as it sounds in our ears we should feel that our consciences are summoned as guilty before the tribunal of God. As if he had said, 'lf any one supposes that the air is beaten with in empty sound, when the Word of God- is spoken, he greatly errs, for it is a living thing and full of hidden energy, which leaves no part of the soul-untouched! , Whenever God steaks, all our muses'should be opened to receive his words; for he is not willing to scatter them in vain, but would effectually address the conioiences of men, and subject them to his sway. He has ac cordingly given such power to his Word that it may search all the parts of the soul, may examine the thoughts, may try the affections,, and may prove itself in all respects a judge. When he says, 'the Word of God is quick 4id When he is .speakiiii or.tlie , ,tehoie 41oetrine of Gerd.- - ""ThitCriti 'testifies, .(2. Chien :16,) that from his preaching there goes forth a savor of life unto life to be lievers, and of death unto death to unbe lievers. This is that power of binding and loosing with which the Lord has invested his Apostles, (Math. xviii : 18.) This is that spiritual power of which Paul glories Lin 2. Cora x : 4, as being mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds. Moreover it is to be noticed that the Apos tle here speaks of the Word of God as brought to us by the ministry of men, ike. The Word of God is said to pierce to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, &c., 1 i. e. it makes thorough trial of the . whole spirit of 'man; for it inquires into his thoughts, and scrutinizes his will, and all his affections. Therefore the Word of God is said to be kri tilos, (a discerner, &e ,) becauee it brings out the mind of man, as if from a labyrinth into the -light of knowledge. For there is no darkness more dense than that of infidel ity; and hypooricy* dreadfully blinds The Word of God scatters this darkness and detects this hypoorioy. Hence the discern ing' of which the Apostle speaks. If the wicked remain for a time in, their hiding places, still at length they will find that ,the light of the Word penetrates even. there, and that they cannot escape the judgment of God- Hence their rage and madness, !to. As often as they rail against the Word of God, they confess, however unwillingly, their consciousness of its Power within them. "In verse 13, for the further confirmation of the truth that whatever is hidden, in man is brought into judgment by the Word of God, he takes an argument from the nature of God. There is no creature, he says, which is hidden from the eyes of God.' Therefore there is nothing so: profoundly concealed in the heart of man, that it is not dragged into light by his Word, whioh re presents its Author. For as it is the pro lance of God to search the heart, so does he exercise this searching power through his Word." This is but a summary of the great COM mentator's remarks upon the passage; and I have given it.both for the purpose of sus tabling the ordinary interpretation, as briefly exhibited above ; and as a matter of some interest to your readers who may not have access to the original. sr, VP. 02, This interpretation is the more popular one, but the ,argument in its favor is not overwhelming. The authority of Calvin is great, but there are other critics equally learned and orthodox, who expound the passage differently. The sermon of which "W. 0." speaks, we also heard, and shall endeavor to give a very brief sketch of the argument. It was stated that the Apostle's purpose was, to enforce his exhortation to "enter into rest," by a consideration of the certainty of the infliction of the penalty threatened upon neglect. This certainty must result from a contemplation of the properties of the " Word of God," " with whom owe have to do." It was also said, that if the phrase is intemMd to mean Jesus Christ, still, he operates upon men, while in thin life, in, through, and by the Scriptures, that is, " the word of doctrine "; and that if the phrase was taken to mean the Scrip• tures, these have their power from Christ, he being in them by his Spirit, and giving them their energy. Thus, praotioally it is Christ and his uttered Word in conjunction; that is, Christ, the Mighty WORD, oper:ating by his word of doctrine, whichever THE PRESBYTERIAS BANNER AND ALDVOCATE. pretation is given. But still, it was said, it is best to be right in our conceptiOns of truth, because thus the truth is most pow erful, having its fitness for the mind's wants from Him who reveals it. In laver of the thought that in this pas sage, Jesus Christ is the subject spoken of, it was argued : 1. "The Word" is the proper name of fesua as to his Divine Nature. See John 14, and Rev: xis : 13. - 2. There is some evidence that' the He brews, in Paul's day—and he here writes to the Hebrews—thus denominated the See ; and Person of the Godhead. Herihe they would Understand; aid thua'Paul, writing to them, would so express himself, when he would net use..the same form of speech in writing to Gentiles. 3. The properties here attributed' to " The Word," belong most appropriately to a person. (a) " Quick," that is, living, baying life. This is the property of a person, and not of a thing, only' by a figure of speech. And this property belongs directly and; pre 7 eminently; to' :Testis Christi, in his Godhead . and in his relation to men. In him was life ;..and.the life was . the light , ot men." "As the Father bath life in himself, , so bath he given ti' , the Seri to lutim life. in himself." To speak of Jesus as fc living," is certainly as prpper,aa to , opeak of God as iivingt.flod. The Cbject of the Apostle is' not to reveal a fact, but to produce emotion, to awake fear, and to im pel_ to actiiin by the contemplation of a fact. And what could be more appropriate than to direct the mind to one who is life, and who has the life of all in hie hand ? (6) " Powerful." This also is, properly, an attribute of a person. " Sharper " is a • property', of the power.. The , : meaning is, more penetrating than o " a two•edgej afford." " Piercing " describes the effects and ex tent of the. power. It reaches to*.the most hidden things, as it were even to the " marrow." (n) Apiseeimer "—Sritikos—a Judge, on the Bench, active, attentive, 'taking tes timony with a view to a righteous. sentence. This is Jesus Christ. He is the *judge of quick, and dead; now noting not only the words and deeds, but also tire very "thoughts and intents of the heart." (d) Omniscience is ascribed. Everything is " manifest in his sight:" - " Al. things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to_ do'." Clearly, this is spoken of the " Word of God." The predicates all belong to the Same subject: There is no 'change. The name o! God does not intervene. The " his" and the " him," and the " whom," in the 13th verse, are manifestly indicative * of the Person 'who is the subject of the 12th verse.; The "Word of God" it is who is "living," "powerful," a "Discerner:" is "in sn - s Sight " that all things are manifest; and " unto the eyispfitinr. that things are. • -naked. and open; 80-0P ••,_ 1 0 efkidth •wittrtst we littsw to do?.-.1;: This exposition is grammatical, and corres ponds entirely. with the analogy of faith. It gives to Jesus his proper name, as Divine; it ascribes to'him his own 'rightful attributes. and " appropriate work; it does him honor, while it duly exalts his, word of doctrine. It is also adapted to the Apostle's purpose on the occasion. He would enforce an ex hortation. To this end he would awaken fear. And what so well adapted to this as such a presentation of Christ? It presents a judgment the most awful, and takes away every shadow of a ground for the hope of escape. And it is adapted to meet and correct a great evil in the human mind. Men .are prone to regard God as impersonal, or at an invisible distance. This scripture assumes that he is near, very near, always near, our life inhis hand, his eye upon us, taking au account of us to judge us. How can any escape who are neglecters I The doctrine is wholesome. Let it not be weakened by an interpretation which will encourage sinners to contemplate the "Word of God" as though only the letter of the printed page, or the sound of the preacher's voice, eorn.4yeiwg present, when it is Christ himself with whom they have to do. The Resignation. In another column we give, from the Presbyterian, Dr. Happersett's letter to the Board of Domestic Missions, in which he tenders his resignation of the office of As sedate Secretary. If this act, due to Dr. H. himself, long ago, and due to public sen timent in his own Church, could have been accomplished without casting injurious re ; &dims upon his brethren of the Executive CoMmittee, and upon the Board who unatii-, mensly voted an approval of their Comthit- tee's action, it would have been well. This, however, may be more than we should ex 'peat from common humanity. But we certainly might expect that no man would claim a right to an office in the church, and then the additional right to work only,-just how, when, and where be pleased, and to give no account of his labors. This is de manding a little too much.' And And the attempt to make believe that the desire to abolish the office was directed against him personally, is amazing. There was no such thought on the part of the Assembly, nor, so far as we know, on .the part of any member of that body. The effort, we believe, on the part of all who have been active in this matter, was based on and sprung from true Christian principle. They have been conscientiously engaged in the discharge of a duty toward the Church in which their vows stand recorded—a duty made incumbent by the trust reposed in them. Dr. Happersett has been, partly of him self and partly at the insOgation of others, the great cause of all the, agitation and all the unpleasantness of which he complains. The action of the Church, through her General Assembly, was legitimate. And if the Board had been permitted to do the wcrk which she suggested, under their own sense of ,propTity, therillould have been no difficiultyaa no unpleasantness- It would be Very easylo show that very many ofsDr, ~gappereett's staterents, both in regard to himself and others, are very far from being...ix:ol.Bot; but` this unpleasant ,task „may notlre required at our hands.. With things peisopal we, wish to 'have as little-to 'do is 'Aible, only :where we can do a kindness. 4.l;int if the principle of the Chrtrykal,right4o -control her own institu tion', arid of th right of thelpeople to di rect their agentillian the ,disposing of their benefactionsi, and: of the rightri of Presby teries; Christ, the fountain of ecclesiastical this principle and the exercise &f ttrese rights are to be called in — questi,orriijri,,*e be obstructed, 'we hold ourselves-reah for the conflict , The,itimitaiy in. Allegheny On one f**, we present to our read ars Ahe. Ciftittli4f thbanstitution, in which the DirOo4ialoTreistees ask the churches for aid 't:p'it e ttlid*the Fourth 'Professorship. The .-reasons 'iwhich they assign for the call are ,powerful But every one_ of them is a subject for thtinksgiving. We bless God,. that in. liiii4ti idence he has established the. Beininary in; our midst, calling our sons tOlidiillikOttit Il i onored service, and giving to them, just at their own doers, such supe rior facilities foi preparing for-their work. *upraise him, in: that he has heard the' 4 pray?'" of his , . eke; and granted his reviv ing`Spirit,g'" iglrs teamultitudesof our RV X young men, and did them to seek the 'iiiini T stry. And Ipe or:od—certainly shotqd —thank God ic k i the call -upon us to partici pate in thg g .. . ttk. It is a privil: . '-isbor for Christ, in any , thing and eve . ing that pertains to .the salvation of .ine • : ;.',Xt is an honor to have the call from-1111111w be "'.workers together with him." itiirS favor bestowed, to have the means - - and be opportunity. We can carry nothing or firth's treasure with us:to the eternal-worl `_'e-:What a privilege, then, to be permitted turn a portion of it into that form in wh h it may be transferred, and become a t adure laid up in heaven I Brethren, be no, Weary in well doing. We are always receiving at the Lord's hand, and it becorttell ever to exercise the grace of giving, " NV Lord path prospered as." Let, then, this eAcrwment be completed promptly, that so We may be ready to be cc cheerful" giver 4 when again there may - -.- , be need. We matt`-never .. -riever be excused from cl w giving to the L 's cause, while he 'contin ues um in trust., e are stewards of his, and, as good an aitpil servants ,.. must re spond duly to hi Audis': Highland Kamsas , Rev. James Campbell, who spent some time in Penney nia during the latter part of Summe ' as nt for this institution, has ‘-. . '... safelileaehed , l4 hOme in Highland. He writes to us undii date of Oet. 27th C 1 / 4 4, cm Hannibal to St Joseph, l y monthj. "'of January' next. ire this event, persons mayreach St.- Joseph, twenty-five miles from Highland, in two days from Pitts burgh. Our College building is up and under roof, but not finished— 4t makes a better appearance than I supposed4twould. It is said to have 'a 'better foundation than any other building in Kansas. Quite a number of students could be ob tained from abroad, at the present time, had we accommodations for them. I esteem this the most desirable section of Kansas for Presbyterian or Methodist fami lies seeking a home in our Territory. With means, a delightful farm can be made in one year, and with but little labor, comparatively speaking.,And ,all that is wanting-to make this a pleasant and desire-, ble home, is the right kind of society-t—a God-fearing and a God-honoring society, where neither murder nor any other crime would be committed for either lust or money; I have niade my report to the Board of Trustees, and the . Amount of money collected was $757.09 Do subscribed and not paid, 140.00 Do pledged, t . 100.00 Do promised andexpected 100.00 I look back over the toils of the Summer and and Fall past with much pleasure and thanksgiving to the kind Au thor of all good. I bless him that I was en abled to , trust and rejoice in him and hope; and I praise him for what I was permitted to see in our beloved Church. How readily did ministers and members of the Church espouse the cause, of God in Kansas as their .cause, and lend a willing hand, in many cases, to help the cause of Christ. I love our Church more than. I ever did before this visit, though I always loved it as a part'of the body of Christ. Allow me, in the name of the toiling friends of our cause here, once more, to thank the kind donors to our en terprise, and ask of them a continuance of the fervent petitions in our behalf, which we have heard. A NEW PERIODICAL.—The Committee appointed by the Synod of Virginia, (N.'S-) have determined to issue a Prospectus for the Presbyterian Monthly, to be edited by A. H. 11. Boyd, D D:, J. D. Mitchell, D D., 0. H. Read, D.D., and P.. R. Grat ton, Esq. This movement is an additional manifestation of the spirit of our breihren to maintain their views of truth. A free press, righteously and ably conducted, be longs to Christian progress. A REVIVAL IN ARKANSAS.—From the True Witness we learn that a meeting of ten days was held at the Scotland church, under the . care of Bev. J. S. Barr, during the lat ter part of September and the beginning of October. The. Spirit of the Lord was man ifestly present, to convince and convert. Twenty•five white persons and seven blacks joined the church on profession of faith, and several others expressed a hope of pardon. TUE SOIITHER,N PRESBYTERIAN.—Revs. J. L. Kirkpatrick, Da, and B. B. Leaman, have retired from the editorial care of this journal. Their ability and courtesy are highly estimated. Rev. H. 4 Cunningham. has acceded to the chair. He :.has our cordial welcome, and best wishes for-high de grees of usefultess, and much joy in his toils. Western University of Pa. The Trustees of this Institution have elected Prof. G-eorge Woods, of Maine, President of the Board of Instruction. We see it stated that Mr. Woods was formerly President of Jackson College in Tennessee ; subiequently Principal of the Gorham Sem ioari in Maine, and for the last fifteen years, Printipal of the Classical Acaaerny in Yar mouth near Portland. Tke University ought to be a highly me i ful school to the citizens of Pittsburgh. The unanimity with which this choice was made is of fair promise. Synod of South Carolina. Otte hundred and five members were in attendance, at the' late meeting at Sumter. The ?'business was attended to with great good feeling. A day preceding that ap pointed for the regular opening of the Synod, was spent in strictly devotional exercises. Di. Adger was inaugurated Professor of Eocksiastical History in the Seminary at Columbia; the duties of which office he has, for si!ime time, been discharging. E ASTERN,SIIIIIIII A R Y. BOSTON AND NEW ENGLAND. ..1 During last Winter, several very interest ing rtmetings were held in Boston, for the prirve of considering and discussing the Saga of Home Education. They were well, 't tended , and it is hoped that much good ° has resulted from them. A circular has st been issued, signed by a number of cler men and laymen who have taken part in thii movement, urging similar meetings in otheriparts of New England. The follow ing gelds have been suggested for tumid. eration and interchange of sentiments in such 'assemblages : - 1. 'Physical Development and Health ; 2. -Authority and Obedience in the Family ; 3. Con scientiousness; 4. Loving Affections at Home and Benevolent Action Abroad; 5. Relations be tweewthe Home and the School; G. Selection of Bookkand Methods of Reading; 7. Amusements ; S. Talite for the Beautiful in Nature and Art; 9. Mannirs ; 10. The Choice of a Business Vocation and the Preparation for it ; 11. Education for the Rights and Duties of Citizenship ; 12. Reli gious Culture. _ it is certainly high time that the subject of Home Education and domestic culture should receive more attention. The fearful increase of juvenile depravity shows that there, must be terrihle neglect of the best interests of the young in the family circle. EveritChrietian parents should begin to con sider the manner in , which they perform the obligation's imposed by nature and the Word. of God upon them. With too many, there semis to he but little expectation of benefit from the relation their children bear to the Church,' and consequently there is a great neglect of the parental duties arising from that-relation. The moral and religious cul , tare of the children are neglected, and they , . are permitted to. grow up much in the same way ai the children of the ungodly. And then, if they do not become 'pieta, c or, if they berme -skeptical, arixainal, or vicious, gettti'Wornieiis 9,ElHrpse4 at this strange dispensation of Providence. Surely this is to charge God foolishly. ' Thar Worms, Prescott, still continues his laborious investigations, and on the Bth of December, Phillips, Sampson & Co. will publish ' "his third and last volume of the " History of Philip the Second!' The 'Hew Chapel for Harvard College, for the etion of which the late Samuel Apple; ton left , a bequest of $50,000, has been completed. The dedication sermon was preached by Prof. Huntingdon, the recog mixed pastor of the institution. This die coursechas been published, and has for its caption, " The House of Prayer." And thouglilts author is a Unitarian, the idea which:film sets forth of the purpose of a Christian Church, and the object of Chris tianassemblages, is worthy of consideration by many who adopt a more Evangelical creed. ' According to Dr. Huntingdon, the properidea of Christian worship in a Chris tian Church, is not that of a mere ceremo nial re-union; nor a place of sentimental devotion, whose highest expression is in music and architecture ; nor an Opportunity for the f display of a pulpit eloquence stimu lated to the utmost, for the purpose of filling , t the house, and effecting large incomes from he pees. But the church is to be consid ered a house of prayer to which the people resort 'for united worship, through prayer and calicos, and by reverent hearing of the Word ipf God. If this be the true idea of Christina worship, how many attendant's in 1 our churches have but a very faint concep tion oflit 'I Would not the restoration of this idea in the minds of Christians, do much. to invest again our churches with the rever ence in which they 'were once held, and to make, our devotions much more tender, solemn; and impressive ? And especially would It not do much to empty the pulpit of the lilashy and clap trap 'eloquence that has crept into it in some places, and that is so eagerly sought for by many ? The Nov ement toward our branch of the Preabyferian Church in Boston and vicinity, remind" us that Presbyterianism existed in this re ion at a very early date The Old Feder Street church was, at its beginning, Presby . orian in order. The Presbytery of LondoUderry will be one hundred and four teen.;..efirs old at its next Spring meeting. And die Londiniderry church is much older. Indeed it is probable that only one Presby terian church in this country can claim a greaterlantiquity ; and that is the one gath ered by t the Rev. Francis Makemie, in Ac comae 'County, Va. The abusing of Freshmen upon their en trance to College, has been for some time an established custom in New England Col. leges. "Those intending to become Fresh. men will be pleased to learn that the officers of several Colleges have determined to break it up.., The President of Amherst lately put a stop to such proceedings, and four students have been expelled from Yale 'College on account of being engaged in such outra geous conduct. Two of them were members of the Sophomore class, and two of the Junior: , , $1,097 00 R:v. Themes H. Beveridge NEW YORK. phia; and the The defeat of the proposition to call a one of the First United Presbyterian Chureti Convention for the Revikion of the Constita. I —both papers to he read at the next meet tion, is greatly deplored by many. One of lug of this Committee. the great objects sought to be accomplished The following appointments were made by the movement, was the termination of for addresses to be delivered before the next the election of Judges by the people, and for meetings of the severs I Assemblies and a term of years. The order loving portion Sy of the people in this city, have become oraTlh,4%Eßeeinv.hi.iy. toF meeteerainiewiail..Di..,glattorepettGaren... heartily tired of the election of the Judie- tee Rev. S. M. Hopkins, D D his alternate. ' iary by popular suffrage, and for a limited i The e 4l l ev iss . e A m l e b v t d o er m eßerto in nn Indiana b o e l f i o s re la t d he period. In a great city like this, it has the it:V. M. IV Jacobus, DD, his p alternate ; . been found impossible to have the right Tbe . Re v. Alen Young, D D.,. befere the s , T T; 13 0 lel o; the th P e rer it h e y v ter 3 1 a nrcshumracrht, his kind kind of men e l ected, and the ends of justice in genic, attained, when it is necessary to propitiate alte" nate. The Rev. J. M. Willson before the Presbyter's!' Synod, to meet m Alle popular favor by those who are to preside I Reformed. I aheor, P i.; the Rev. J. EL W. SIORTIhis alternate. over the Courts. Just now, the criminal t The Rev. R. Patterson before the Reformed Prea- Courts are in a deplorable condition, and no by terian .% nod, to meet in Philadelphia; the Rev. T Guthrie, D.D., his alternate. remedy can be found, even in a popular The library of this S.iciety` is, for the election, for another year. ..The Rev Dr. present, in the Raotris of the Presbyterian Hawks, in his late Thanksgiving sermon, Board of Publication, and any books, sets forth the evils of the present system, pamphlets, or discourses, relating to any of strongly and clearly- He says: the Presbyterian bodies of this country, will lint the system is also fatal to purity in the ad 1 ministration of justice. No one whose duties have Ihe thankfully received by the librarian, made him experimentally acquainted with ielie- j Samuel Avnew, Esq ial proceedings, can fail to know the constant risk i of injustice, when he who presides over, and, dis I The New Presbyterian Church. Enter penses the law on a trial, is permitted in any se, in N° rl.'rna h•B • d Street, promises well. mode, direct or indirect, to be under personal ob ligation to any suitor that comes before the court. In aid of its funds, an arrangement has If it were sought, on the part of a suitor, to ore- beer; made for a course of, lectures from Dr. ate such obligation by a direct bribe, or by pull chase, in the shape of a costly present discreetly Bethune, of Brooklyn Heights, and other or secretly bestowed', the iniquity would I.le distinguished lecturers. equally plain and punishable; but bribes are not necessarily in the shape of money or presents; ob ligations may be created by electioneering services and votes; and he who has conferred and he who has received such obligations, alike know that a. reward is expected ; and human virtue, alas! is not always strong enough to disappoint such ex pectation. Every temptation should be removed as far as possible from those who are to inter pret our laws, and upon whose purity so much of our safety and happiness depend Thanksyiving was very generally ob served; the churches were well filled ; and many of the pastors delivered sermons more or less counected . with the political, social, and religious state of the country. Several of these sermons appeared in the papers of the next morning. We give the texts, as indi cating the lines of. thought pursued by some of the pastors. Rev. Dr. Hawks, pester of the Calvary Episcopal church, preached from Matt. ravi 3—" Can ye not discern the signs of the times?" Rev. Dr Adams, of the New School Presbyterian church, on Madison Square, from Ps. exxvi s—" They that sow in tears shall reap in joy ;" Rev. Dr. Bellows, Unitarian, of the church of All-Souls, on "The Breath of Life," from John xiv : 2. ; Rev. Dr. Chee ver, Congregationalist, on " The Word of God, the only true bulwark of Freedom," from Ps. cxx.xviii : 2; Rev. Dr. Tyng, Episcopal, from Rev. xix : 1; Rev. Dr. Alexander, of the-Old School. Presbyterian church, on Fifth Avenue, from the passage in the •147th Psalm—" He maketh peace in thy borders ;" Rev. Dr. Spring, at the " New Brick church," on the duty of per petual thanksgiving; from Ps. xxxiv : 1; Rev. Dr. Krebs, at Rutger's Street church,. from. Rom. xi; 22; Rev. T. L.--Cuyler, in thellifiiiket Street Reformed DUtelielitireh - ," from Luke x: 37—" Go thou and do like wise ;" Rev. Joel Parker, D.D., of the New School Presbyterian church, from Ps. °shy 15 ; Rev. Dr. Burehard, of the same de nomination, on "The Mission of the Pil grim Fathers of New England," from Dent. vi : 20-23 ; Rev. Dr. Hutton, of the Re formed Dutch church, from Ps. exlvii: 20; and Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, from Phil iv : 1, 4. To these may be added' discourses by the Jewish Rabbis, RaphaU and Fisoliell. In speaking of Mr. Beecher, the reporter of the Times administers a terrible rebuke, although most probably unintentional. He says, " In his prayer before the sermon, Mr. Beecher had .preached moat eloquently upon she reasons for thanksgiving." Now, this preaching in prayer is altogether inappro priate ; it has no warrant either in nature or Setipture, and ii entirely subversive of the very object of prayer. And yet how often is the devout worshipper pained at hearing ministers and others pray at things and people, instead of , praying to God. The movement in favor of admitting Laymen, on equal terms with ministers, to the, legislative and judicial bodies of the Methodist Episcopal Church, still progresses. For this purpose, the publication of a small quarto single sheet has been commenced, by Messrs. Barber and Oliver, well known lay members of that Church in this city, called the Laymen's Advocate. The object of the paper is to.advocste, in a temperate, judicious, and lawfut way, the proposed change in the government of that Church. PHILADELPHIA- Alt Thanksgiving was observed very gener &Bpi and without any outbreaks. The people of this city are rejoiced that the Last Rail has been laid on the Pittg burgh, Fort Wayne and Chicago Railroad, and that now they have a continuous line of railway to the heart oethe great North- West. The ,Medical Schools, as usual, are well filled ; about fifteen hundred studente are in attendance. For their benefit a daily prayer meeting has been started; and five hundred of the students were present at the first meeting. Rev. Dr. Stork, of the Lutheran Church, has been called to the Presidency of a Col lege at Newberry, S. C. It is supposed that he will accept the appointment. The whole Lutheran Church in the United States is estimated at one hundred and seventy-five thousand communicants; two thousand churches; and one thousand two hundred ministers. They are confined principally to the middle and Western States, although they have a few congrega tions in New England and in the Southern States. In 'some of the churches in Penn sylvania, the German language - is still used. At the Quarterly Meeting of the Pres byterian, _Historical Society, Dr. Van Rens selaer in the chair, the Rev. J. M. Willson wan 'appointed to prepare a History of 'the RefoTmcd Presbyterian Church in. Philadel- For the Presbyterian Banner and :Advocate. Donvention at Saltsburg. Ruv. D. MOKINNEY, D D —Dear Sir : *---At your request, I send you a brief ac count of the Convention which met in the Presbyterian church of Salteburg, on the 27th tilt. There were present twenty. five ministers, fifty-five elders and other officers, together with very many pri vate members of the various Evangelical Churches. Seven denominations ware rep. reseuted, viz : Presbyterians, United Pres byterians, Lutherans, German Reformed, Methodists, Baptists, and Viiesleyana. The Convention continued in session, with brief intervals, till 101 o'clock Thursday evening. The church was crowded to its utmost cepa. city, more .than one thousand persons being in attendance. A. spirit of harmony and brotherly kiodness characterized all the pro ceedings, while all seemed to feel that it was good to be there. The following topics were disouseed, (all of the ministers present, and some of the elders, participating,) viz.: 1 The nature and importance of a revival of religion. 2 Proper means must be employed, in a right spirit, if we would enjoy a revival. 3. The relation in which prayer stands.to a revival of true religion. 4 Fasting, as .a means of revival. 5. Anus-giving end works of beneficence. 6. Patient waiting for God Relieious conversation. 8 Protracted religious exercises 9 Dependence on the Holy Spirit for success. 10. What are the leading characteristics of the present extensive revival Of religion ? 11 What are the great practical Jades devolving on Christians of all denominations in view of God's dealings with the pliarch and with' the world, at the present time.? 12. What are the duties of the different Evangelical denominations toward each other, in view of. this great •and gLorions 13. Are closet and family religion indis pensable, if we =would enjoy a continued re vival in our own hearts, and witness the tri umphs of : vice in others t The following rules were suggested by the Committee : Ist. „That each Chairinan shall appoint his successor for the next meeting. 2. The following hours, shall be observed : the Convention will adjourn at 12 M., 41 and 91 , P. M., and meet at 9 A. M., and 2 and 61. P. M. The discussion was connected with singing and prayer, e large proportion of the time be ing occupied with these latter exercises. At the close of the Convention, all seemed not only to realize how good and how pleas ant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity," but to look forward with joyful an ticipations to the day when we shall see eye to eye; with the voice together shall we sing, and there shall be one fold and one Shepherd. From the Presbyterian of November 20th, 1858. Dr. liappersett's Resignation. PHILADELPHIA, Oct 11, /858. To the .Board of Domestic Missions of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America. Dean Baarnanw :—The time has now come, when, in my judgment, it Ls due to me that I should lay upon your table' my resignation, as Associate Secretary of this Board. his also due to you, and the friends of this Board every where, as well as to our whole Church, that . I should here state a few facts, sad the particular reasons which now prompt this action. To me it is a source of gratitude, that in the inception and progress of the painful'controversy relating to this dime, I have had no gait nor lot, save that of being the innocent eubjectof unpro voked attack. - From the beginning I determined to study the things that make tior peace, and be yond what was due to self-respect to suffer and wait, rather, than say or do any thing which might in any way injure this beloved Board. That I have reason to complain of the time and manner in which this subject was introduced, or permitted to be introduced, into the General Assembly, is, 1 believe, almost universally admitted. Previous to that time, not a whisper or intimation ever reached my ear from any source whatever, that one Secretary was sufficient to conduct the ope rations of this Board. lam assured by almost all the members of the Executive Committee Bad Board, that no such action was ever contemplated by them. Under these circumstances, Heave the Church and the world to judge - whether the course pursued was that which generally characterizes frank, courteous, and Christian gentlemen. . Two things prompted me to Millet upon a full meeting of thepoard at an early day. let. That I might lay upon your table a letter declining a re election to this office; and 2d. That an oppor tunity might thus be afforded me to show that the statements made upon the floor of the Gen eral Assembly, with a boastful and pretended knowledge of the duties and doings of this office, were utterly foreign to the facts in the case. This letter of declinatnie was offered in goo! faith.. 1 desired not the office, and was 842X100 that the consideration of the subject referred to the Board should be divested of personal consid erations. So conscious was lof the fairness sod frankness of this course, that I persistently re fused to withdraw it, although earnestly and re peatedly urged to do so. Nor would I have coo eented to serve , a day longer, although re-elected with great unanimity, bat for the earnest wishes of many warm friends of this Board, as well as of myself. Happily the records , then, and now In this office , show that many of the statements made betide the. General Assembly, and permitted to poses trill' . out correction, are not in accordance with the fact in the case. Some of these facts and statistics were laid before this Board at its annual meeting on the 28th of June last, and were, to mane conclusive evidence that the work accomplished for many years last past was intimately identified with the Associate Secretaryship, and that its eth cieneY will compare favorably with any humaa agency connected with this Board during thy time. I hold myself ready at any time to erne upon a strict comparison of arduous and efficieti: work with any officer of the Boa-d, and will .1, ford to , any friend of this cause an opportunity . exataine fur himself nll the facts in the case. • Being conscious, then, of entire into Jen 'y
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