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