E
'§aitutr anl) gkl)trocatt.
PITTSBURGH, DECEMBER 11,1868.
TERIC3.--• $l.BO, In aduanas; or la Chiba
$1.251 or, delivered at rosidonsmis of Salsserle
bars, Slade iiash4ospietas,osiThirAPig n;
R ICW AL should bs pronePtl a little
While 'before the year expires, that we gray
Soaks Nn arraagontents for a steady supply.
Mill RED WRAPPER indicates that we
dear* a renewal. If, however, he the haste
of mulling, this signal should be omitted, we
hops our friends will still not forget us.
RENITTANCICS.—Band payment by safe
hands, whowewayanient. Or, mend by wail,
enclosing with ordinary care, and troubling
atobody with a knowledgs of what you are
sloths. For a large ansoulit, mead a Draft, or
UM , 11.0t0116 VOW MS or two paporsorend Cold
or assail notes.
TO MAIER ORANGE, Send postage starips,
or bettor still, wad for Mors papers; any $lll
or bovinity asuaburs, or $1 for Thirty*thros
hanaboriu
DIRECT all Letters and Comonissications
to ARV. CAP b IN . NellilliNßY. *Pittsburgh,
PattADELRITIA.-='—biessrs. J. V. Cowell
Zic Son ) 'South west, corner of Seventh and
Chestnut Streets, will receive payments for
.Presbyterian Banner and Advocate.
CAPE ISLAND, N. J.—The Presbyterian
church'in this beautiful village, is now des
tante of a pastor. The congregation is
small, and the salary, not large, but there
are some things connected with the place,
adapted to make it a delightful residence.
THE SUNDAY SOHOOL Tnces is tbe title
of a new weekly, to be issued , by the Sun
day Sehool Union, Philadelphia. See Ad
vertisement in our issue of last week. The
enterprise' of the , Union is highly credits-
PROMPT." -With this introduction, last
week, we gave an item stating the contribu•
Lions of, the Free Church ,of Scotland, last
year, .at twenty millions of dollars. Our
compositor followed copy cut from an ex
change ; but probably some previous copy
ist had printed " twenty" instead of two.
WP. have beau v,equested to state that Dr.
Lord has not resigned his charge at Buffalo,
nor is it his intention to do so. He goes to
Mobile to lupply one of the churches there
for the Wintir and no longer, with tho full
consent and approbation of his own congre
gation.
The Presbytery of 'Beaver.
The Session' of the church of New Castle
invite the ministers composing the Presby
tery of Beaver, and all the elders in, the
congregations under its care, to meet on
Monday evening at 6i o'clock; with the
view' of spending the day previous to the
meeting of Preibytery in devotional exer
domes. Rev. Robert Dickson,, pastor elect of
Neshannook church, has been requested to
preach the`'sermon introductotY to these
services. ELI4OT Fi. SWik'T.
Rev. Dr. Xonfort.
We have just had tbe pleasure of a visit
from thie brother, -who is editor of the Pres
byterian of the West. On last Sabbath he
preached in the morning to the congregation
of Dr. Plumer and in the afternoon to that
.
of Dr. Jacobus. And on Monday afternoon
he delivered a well conceived andlitippily
written address to the students of the West
ern Theological Seminary, on the 'necessity
of love to Jesus Christ to furnish a sufficient
stimulus to ministerial effort, ,and, as a pro
per qualification. for the successful discharge
of the duties of the pastoral office.
The Pie-payment system.
Can this system be sustained ? As our
journal is the only one in our Church which
has rigidly' followed up the principle, our
readers may think that we are in the best
situation to give an intelligent answer. We
then say that it can, on one condition; that
is, that ministers. will, with great unanimity,
zealously and perseveringly endeavor to keep
it up.
By the., aid of our brethren—many good
elders, and others, working with them—we
have kept •up the system for six years.
This month and mixt will be a farther test,
whether it can be continued. The huiband-,
man, as we all know, must attend to his
work, eiu, its season, and on every return
ing season. Even one year's neglect
is deeply; if 'not fatally injurious. ' We
trust that renewal and new lists ) will come
in largely with the New Year. Let it be
remembered that large lists and pre-payment,
are bl&th indispensable to the "good and the
cheap" The cause depends upon its
friends.
Our MethOdist brethren Tabor, one and
all, for their weekly, papers ;. ana they suc
ceed admirably.
ShittiOenteiaes.
There should ;begs good Feligiousgnewipa.
per in ' miry family.' ' • '
Any practicable time is a good time to be
gin,
.but now is the best:time.
Men should wisely prepsze for, entering
upon anew year.
Every'snbeeriber should renew promptly
and induce his neighber to subscribe.
,
The readers' of ;a good paper have more
binefit from the editor's mind, than he has
from their money.
Females and children have an immense
interest in a'religions journal.,
Youths who grow up tinder the Arguing
of a good newspaper, become leading men
in society. ,
Printerei cannot live upon air. They
want it, and something More substantial.
NOTE THIS
The , olub' price for eight and 'upwaids, is
911.25;
L —r For twenty and upwards, to the same
nougrlgatien, the price is sl.2s,and a copy
is added for the pastor.
-A new name may be added to a club,
at any=time, at club price.
.---Thelirice to separate subscribers, is
Ear From Mission churches, and sparsely
populated neighborhoods, four papers (sepa•
Irately directed) are sent for $5.
=E=NMfflafflZ==e, o2
tolportage in Pittiburgh and Allegheny
Synods.
Colportage is one of the effective instru
mentalities in spreading a Gospel influence;
and the times in which we live, make it a
necessity. 'Every kind of literature, even
the infidel, the fieticious and the trashy, has
its agencies and its, traveling agents. In
the most prominent and attractive stores, in
steamboats, rail cars, depots, and wherever
man can be met, useless if not pernicious
books are tendered. This energy must be
met by a counter activity. These facilities
must be overbalanced by others, earlier, more
winning, and more effective, in favor of
Christian literature.
The Synods of Pittsburgh and Allegheny,
responsive to this call of Providence, have
established and sustain: a system of Colport
age; and the fornier, at the late meeting,
with a view to the promoting of the work,
passed this, resolution, along with others ap
probatory and directive :
Ranked, That the officers of the Board be in
structed to issue a circular leiter to the churches,
embodying the main facts, and urging the claims
of this object upon our people. -
In accordance with the direction here
given, the following Circular is issued
THE BOARD OF OOLPORTAGE OF. THE SYNODS
OF PITTSBURGH , ..AND ALLEGHENY, TO
THEIR CONSTITUENTS THE CHURCHES.
Dear Brethren :—You have entrusted us
with it - work which is great and:important,
and we would roost cheerfully be your ser
vants in its execution. But while we:yield
a
willing mind to the . performance, you well
know that we must have the material with
which to , operate. Theoretically, you are
not so thoughtless as to expect that we shall
make brick without straw, though, practi
cally, the straw is furnished but very spar
ingly. The means:for operation which you
contribute, we endeavor to use wisely and
economically, but they are quite inadequate
to the proper occupancy , ,of your extensive
and inviting fieldk Gladly will we, by your
help, employ laborers, and send them to,
every nook and corner of your territory, as
well as to your central and large congrega
tions.
Your plan of operation embraces two main
objects, each of which needs to be sustained
with liberality.
The first is, the maintaining of a really
valuable Depository of books. A vast pro
portion of = a people's supply of religious
reading should be by individual purchases.
Every father of a family should provide for
his .own; should provide wisely, bountifully,
and in due season. None should tarry long
for the coming of a messenger, nor subject
himself to the necessity of choosing only
from;the little stock which may, be carried to
his door. These may be the best, but they
are likely to be the very hooka with which
his family is already !supplied. He should
often add new books; should give variety
and compreherisiveness to his selection&
To.this end he needs access to a well fur
nished Depository. Pittsburgh the road
centre, the navigation centre, and the trade
and business centre of almost the whole of
the two Synods, is the place where this good
Depository should be always found.
Another medium through which should
come a large portion of the supply of reli
gions reading, is the officers of the Church.
Some families are poor; some are negligent;
and some have but seldom any call to leave
their own neighborhood. All these shotild
be duly cared for by the pastor, elders, and
deacons. Reading is as really a part of
spiritual food as is preaching, and those who
have the feeding of the,ock, are as truly
bound to supply it. That they may. have
the books, promptly and with moderate cost,
a good Depository, easy of access, is a neees
aity,
Tp have such a store, capital must be fur
nished. ,The funds which the churches
have given for this purpose, enable the Board
to keep up'a pretty extensive stock of books;
but still, the supply is far beneath what the
Board should , have, as the contribution from
churches so numerous and wealthy, and to
answer the variety and extent of the de
mand.
The, second object' of the Board is, to
send books abroad, carrying them to every
man's door for gift or sale. This ,mode of
operation has become an indispensable in
meeting the wants of the Church and the
age. There are feeble congregations, se
cluded and destitnte---without a pastor, 'and
with an eldership not able to attend to their
wants. These should be sought out, and
their needs supplied. There are neighbor
hoods where there is no church. These
should be visited and cared for. There is
a-numerous population in our cities and
large towns which shun the house of wor
ship, the prayer-meeting and the minister.
Each of these has an undying soul; perish
ing in ignorance and sin. Such should not
be left under guidance of the, Piince of
darkness.
„Here, then, even supposing that all well•
informed ,fathers; and all pastors, elders and
deacons, in the fully organized and wealthy
congregations, shall have
,done their duty,
there will still remain an immense amount
of, work lor the Colporteur., ;Shall this
Work be done ? The laborers can be ob•.
tabled. But they cannot, work without sus—.
tenance. Shall they have sustenance ? We
request it at, the hands of .the churches.
The building up of God's kingdom where
our own lot is Ant, is, next to personal holi
ness and the due care of, our heuseholds,
the great . work which God has given us to
do. It is true that our desires are not to be
bounded by a narrow circle, nor our efforts
limited to our, own „little horizon. The
whole earth is- embraced i in Oliiiit'S king
dom, and, it all is to be reduced to him by
his servants. And his. _servants are we.
But he has not given us, übiquity. The in
' dividual's range is quite restricted. We
are to live and labor within that range.
That special part of the earth, our individual .
locality, is the spot where our main work
lies. Its edi6cation and salvation are en
trusted torus, mediately, and there our Lord's
kingdom is,,by us, to be made to flourish.
A .few of us may be 'called to go far off to
the Gentiles, and all are bound to contribute
to, the sustenance, of such; but our great
work, lies in the, region of the kingdom.
whore the King himself has placed us.
The centre of our Oharge is, each one's own
soul, then his family, ,eongregation, neigh
borhood, Presbytery,', Synod, denomination,
country, the world--an ever-widening cir
cle, but the calls of duty less forcible as the
radiusiregthens.
Syndlfical Colportage belongs well, also, to
our Church 'polity. Rerdoved as Presby
terianism is from Popery, on the one hand;
and Independency on the other, it becomes
1
us to avoid both centralism and :Reintegra
tion. One very important end to be - sub
served by a Colportage system connected
with the Board of Publication, is, the sup
, plying 'of destitntions where there are no
Synods nor Presbyteries, or where these are
very feeble. But where` there ire' strong
Synods, these should, each'one, or two, or
three, according to circumstances, form
their own centre, and carry on their own
work. They better know their people,
their wants, and their laborers. Sympathy
is thereby more awakened, and the tenden
cies to a Church oligarchy are less fostered.
The policy of yeur Board is to employ all
its capital in keeping up a stock of books at
the Depository, to sell enough of books, that
by the profit on retail prices, the expenses
of rent, librarian, &c., may be defrayed,
and to appropriate the donations of the
churches to the sustentation of Colporteurs,
and to the furnishing of books to persons
unable or unwilling to buy. It will hence
be seen that the amount of work which can
be done depends upon the speedy and large
sales to churches which will supply them
selves, and upon the liberality of the
churches in contributing to the eustentation
of COlporteurs.
To these two points we invite the serious
attention of all our brethren. Make your
purchases at your OWII Depository, as far as
you can conveniently. Let us have the
small profit arising therefrom, to carry on
our work with_• the more energy. And give
us an annual collection, and a liberal one,
that we may be enabled to employ an ade
quate Colporteur force to occupy the whole
of the needy field which is entrusted to our
care.
The Board of Colportage in conducting
their operations, do not feel themselves to
be antagonistic to any other Evang6lioal As
sociation. The American Tract Society is
regarded with high esteem, as a co.laborer
in a great cause. There is work for it and
for us ; and it can do a portion of the work
far more effectively than we, or any other
merely denominational agency can do it.
But this does not excuse us for neglect in
what is entrusted to' our care ; nor mild we
be justified, in putting our work into that
Society's hands, as though we would do it
by proxy. Fidelity to the, truth, and • to
Presbyterianism, the esteem of our own people
and our reputation with others, and hence
our influence for good, all require us to sup
ply well the wants of our own churches, and
to extend our kindness to any others who
may be willing to receive at our hands. If
Presbyterianism presents truth more in •its
fullness and purity, and in sweeter attire
than any other system, we should be the
,more zealous in maintaining it where it is,
and in giving it unrestricted extension.
.As the promotion of every good cause de
pends very much upon the pulpit, we re
quest pastors to preach a sermon on this
subject. It is certainly worthy, of such no
tice and aid. . Pastors are, in some respects,
the captains of the Lord's hosts; the lead
ers of God's people. Their approbation we
desire, and their hearty co•operation we
most earnestly solicit.
DAVID MCKINNEY Pres't
William Bakewell,• Sec'y.
Donations may be paid directly to the Tress
rarer, James Schoonmaker, Esq., or to . the Libra
rian, Mr. John Culbertson, at the Depository, No
45 St. Clair Street, Pittsburgh.
Home and Foreign Record.
The closing number of this journal, for
the year 1858, is now before us. it com.
pletes the ninth volume. '
DOMESTIC MISSIONS
Up to November Ist, the appropriations
to missionaries were about two thousand dol
lars in advance of last year at the same time,
while the receipts into the Treasury were
between five and six thousand less. It is;to
be hoped that the Church will both make up
the deficiency, and greatly increase the
means of the Board. Let not the fountain
of supply fail, while the fields demanding
laborers are still extending.
RECEIPTS, during :October: At, Philadelphia,
$4,617 at Louisville. $2,080.
EDUCATION.
The number of candidates for the minis
try is greatly increased in our Seminaries.
Young men also, in their Collegiate course,
are, in greater , numbers than formerly,
turning an obedient ear to the call for labor
ers. But the cry for help still increases, so
that with multiplying numbers, there are
likely still to be many fields unharveated.
Dr. Wood gives an encouraging account
of the state of things in the West, as seen
by him in a recent visit.
RoonirTs, during Ootober : At Philadelphia, $l,
978; at Pittsburgh, $384; at Louisville, $B3
FOREIGN MISSIONS
MISEIIO24IB.—Mr. Frothingham, writing
from Spencer, mentions that four persons had ra
cently been received to the communion of the
church, at one of his preaching stations, and that
a number of others were anxious about the salva
tion of their souls. Of the four native elders of
the Spencer church, he remarks, " they have
rendered good service this Summer in keeping
the church together, holding meetings inrotation
twice, every Sunday, at the four principal stations.
They are earnest, active, Christian men, and well
understand how to do the work of exhortation."
At the meeting of the Indian 'Presbytery at
Wapanucka, there were Seminoles, Creeks, and.
Choctaws present, and several discourses were
interpreted in these different languages. Two
persons were 'received to the church, and several
applications were deferred to a future occasion.
AFRIOA.—The intelligence from Corisco is the
occasion of some solicitude. A Spanish man-of
war had' recently visited the island for the pur
pose of proclaiming Spanish jurisdiction, and in
terdicting the exercise of the Protestant religion,
as had been done a short time previously at Fer
nando Po. No steps bad been taken, however,
to establish Spanish authority on the island, and
our missionary brethren were going on with their
work as usual, at the date of their letters.
CHlNA..—Sines their arrival, Mr. and Mrs.
Rankin have been afflicted in the loss, by death,
of a - promising child cf - five years-or -age.., Our.
letters all speak of the great enlargement of the
field of missionary labor in China, and the call
for more missionaries.
INDIA.—Our, last letters generally speak of re.
turning peace to the country, and of enlarged
openings for 'the spread of the Gospel. The mis
sion at Lahor had enjoyed special' tokens of the
Spirit's presence s.nd power. Five 'persons have
recently been received to the communion of the
church, two others are to be admitted soon, and
there is a goodly number of others deeply inter
ested in the salvation of their souls. At Atnbula,
also, there have been tokens of the Spirit's pres
ence, three persons having recently been received
to the church. Mr. Morrison, in connexion
with some trying circumstances at. Bowel Pindi,
mentions four candidates for baptism.
REOZIPTS, in October, $12,711.
PUBLICATION. •
Calvin's Letters are in the course. of pub
lication. The first and second volumes are
now for sale by the Board, at $1.30 each.
The third and fourth may be anticipated be.
fore long.
Dowanmis : October I4th to November 16tb,
$2,899. Sales, in October, $8,622. •
CHURCH EXTENSION.
The Secretary visited, at their late meet•
ings, the. Synods of Albany, Buffalo, New
York, New Jersey, Philadelphia; and Balti.
more, on the subject of Church Extension.
We shall greatly rejoice to find, through the
means used, an awakened interest, or rather
an adequate interest created, on the subject.
It is not yet understood, in its full bearings,
upon the prosperity of our Zion. •
RICOEIPTS in October : at St. Louis, $8,255:' at
Philadelphia, $226; at Pittsburgh, $66: at
Cincinnati, $2l.
Synodical Thankwiving,. and Seminary
EndOwmelit.
Next Sabbath will be the day designated
by the Synod of Pittsburgh as a day of
Thanksgiving to Almighty (,hod for the
Spiritual ingatherings of the year, and for
his blessing on the chilrehes in their bounds.
This occasion of Thanksgiving is deeply in
teresting, and is designed to be connected
with prayer for a continuance of the bles-
sing.
Such a work of reviving connects itself
most immediately with the increase of the
Christian ministry, and with the proiperity
of our Theological Seminaries. The effects
are felt already in a large accession to these
Schools of the Prophets. The Synod has
therefore thought it proper and fitting, ev
ery way, to make this day of Thanksgiving
a day for a thank-offering to God, in the
form of a contribution from each church to
the endowment of the Fourth Professorship
in our Theological Seminary at Allegheny.
Nothing could be more appropriate than
such an offering. It is so planned as to
contemplate a contribution by each member
of every church in the four Synods, so far
as practicable, that all may have a share in
the work. And it is recommended, that in
every church the pastor and elders make it
their earnest aim to secure an amount equal,
at least, to fifty cents for each church mem
ber. The stronger Ichurches, it is hoped,
may give more, so as: to supply the deficit of
any weaker ones wlio may not reach ' that
quota.
The effort will this be, as nearly as may
be, a symultaneous oee in the Synod. And
the Treasurer, T. 4' Nevin, Esq., Liberty
Street, report eh and every contribu
tion in full. Let the work be done at once.
The Providence of God now smiles upon
the land. At the close of a healthful sea
son he is saturating the earth by copious
showers, and thus blessing the Agricultural
isL The openingof our rivers to commerce
is a favor to the manufacturer
, merchant , I.
tradesman, and laborer. God's hand is in
all this. His call comes in a day of pros
perity. He ask's, also, but a very small
amount, and he -can, yea, and will, more
than pay book to the cheerful giver, all that
has been consecrated to his cause, so that
the liberal shall not be the loser. And he
could also, in his displeasure, more than
sweep away whatever is wrongfully withol
den from his service. A free-will offering
is requested, to the supplying of a need just
now pressing, and which seems to us to be
most intimately connected with the edifica
tion of the Lord's Zion.
Shooting and Fishing.
May 'elergymen engage in these amuse
ments? And if clergymen may not, then
may. Christians ? These questions are some
times asked. The . answer must be deter
mined by circumstances. The acts are not
wrong in themselves, but they may cause a
great waste of precious time, and deeply
wound the brethren. The occasion on
Which they are performed, may make them
to be the means of great evil.
The disciples of, our Lord certainly went
a fishing ; but we have no account that the
Master and Teacher went with them. They,
however, did this . as a means of support--
not as an amusement. They needed, at
that time, the products for their sustenance,
and God blessed them in their work.
Christians, and ministers as well as peo
ple, need relaxation. Amusement they re
ally want, for health of body and vigor of
mind." And let them have it, and enough
of it. But modes, times, and seasons, Chris
tian sentiment and public opinion, are to be
noted. Utility,, as well at recreation, is to
be considered. And we think that Chris.
tians but rarely, and ministers with exceed
ing rarity, may resort to shooting and fishing
as an amusement.
We see Capt Hammond quote& as mak
ing, in his late 'biography, the following ex
oellent remarks :
" I hardly know how to. answer your
question about shooting. With regard to
those things that are not particularly men
tioned in the Bible, we must be guided by
the general rules and commands laid down
Seriptore ; and in determining what -is,
and is not lawful, each one must be guided
by the measure of light which God has given
him. The general rule is plain. Love not
the` world, neither the things that are in the
world; be not conformed to this world,'
and do all things to the glory of God.' By
this standard we must judge all things, and
be judged by it in all our occupations, and
pursuits.
"I agree with you, as a general rule, in
thinking that what is not right for a clergy
man, cannot be any more so for a layman ;
but I think there are many exceptions to
this rule. For instance, I cannot conceive of
there being anything actual wrong in an in
fishing or shooting. At the same
time think such entirely worldly pursuits
are unbecoming'the character and duties - of
tine who is set over souls. The same 'may
be,said of: many things. Our great object
in' life is to glorify our Father who is in
heaven, and to seek to please him in all'
things, and to devote all we possess to his i
service. Whatever hinders us n doing these
things ought certainly to be given up. I
feel ill able to advise, but would say to you,
if you are in doubt about anything, ask of
God to guide your judgment and incline
your will to that course which he approves.
Whatever appears right (God's Word being
the test,) do not hesitate to engage in it. If,
on the contiary, there is any doubt, give it
up at once. God will guide you aright, if
you lean upon him. See the promise, Phil,
iv : 6 1 •7 "
Decease of Mrs. Biddle.
Mrs. Elizabeth Riddle, wife of Rev. D.
H. Riddle, D. D, late of this city, and
daughter of Rev. Matthew Brown, D. D.,
died at Jersey City, N. J., on the 3d inst.
Mrs. Riddle had suffered from disease for a
considerable time before her death. She
was a lady of superior mind, well known and
much esteemed during her twenty years
residence here, as consort of the valued pas
tor of a large
.congregation.
" THE LOST CHILDREN."—Let Parents,
and. Superintendents of Sabbath Schools, in
buying Christmas 'Presents, not forget this
excellent little book. We gave a notice of
it Dee. 4th.
Western Africa.
This country is one of the most unhealthy,
for white men. One of the great difficulties
attending the colonising of colored people,
on the coast, springs from the deletericius
influences of the °limit°, upon agents.
And the missionary work is, by the same
cause, greatly retarded. Still, white men
do live there. Multitudes did so, in carry
ing on the slave trade. And some still do
so, for traffic. It is estimated that there are
six thousand to eight thousand Europeans
and. Americans on the coast, and on Islands
near the shores, carrying on business. And
there are about one hundred and fifty mis
sionaries, whites, connected with the British
and American Missions'. All this proves that
it is possible there to live and work, and
duces a hope that the kingdom of Christ
will, yet be set up and flourish.
The Princeton Review thus states the re
suit of Missionary efforts, in Western Africa :
Those who have given particular attention
to the subject, are aware that the history of
Protestant missions in Western Africa, with
the exception of two missions of somewhat
earlier date, is substantially comprised with•
in the last twenty-five years. What, then,
has been effected in that time ? More than
one hundred Christian churches have been
organized in that country, and upwards of
fifteen thousand hopeful converts have been
gathered into those churches. Nearly two
hundred schools are in full operation, in
connexion with these various missions, and
not less than sixteen thousand native youths
are receiving, a Christian training in those
schools at the present moment. More than
twenty different dialects have been studied
out and reduced to writing, into many, of
which large portions of the sacred Scrip
tures, as well as other religious books, have
been translated, printed, and circulated
among the people; and we are no doubt in
the bounds of truth and probability, when
it is assumed that some knowledge of the
Christian salvation has been brought, by di
rect and indirect, means within the reach
of at least five millions of immortal beings,
who had never before heard of the blessed
name of the Saviour.
A Brilliant Manhood. but Sad Bud.
Judge Wells, of Wisconsin, was a native
of Vermont, a man of " excellent legal at
tainments, deep native shrewdness, and
genial suavity of manners." In 1836, he
emigrated to Milwaukee. He was made,
successively, District Attorney, member of
the Territorial Legislature, and of the State
Council. He was chosen Mayor of Mil
waukee, and afterwards County Judge. He
continued in public life till 1854, "adding
new laurels to his fame and gathering addi
tional friends to his already swollen list."
But the end, 0, how sad. The .Aretos adds :
In the meantime, he had acquired an ap
petite for that insatiable fiend of the human
race—that infernal invention of Satan to de.
stroy the mind of man—Rmr.
" Since then, his course has been down
ward, until he, who was the admired of all
who knew him, became a loathsome, disso
lute and miserable sot—dependent upon his
former friends and peers for charity and sus
tenance, having lost the powers to support
himself or the manhood to stay his debasing
career. All trace of him had been lost for
the past few months, until yesterday, when
some of his associates of better days were'
informed that he was about dying. Mime
diate attention was given to his wants; but
too late. He expired soon after."
Alas, what foe to humanity, so reckless
and sodestructive as Rum ! And who so
lost to all the better feelings of our race, as
those who will furnish the means of destrac
tion and tempt to their use ! Would that
the community could be awaked and stim
ulated to self-protection I ,
Thanksgiving Sermons.
Thanksgiving day affords an occasion
which many pastors embrace to deliver their
sentiments upon public affairs and . National
morality, beyond what they do in their ordi
nary Sabbath ministrations. We regard
them as wise in this, when they wisely se
lect their subjects and discuss them with the
prudence and firmness which become,Chris
dans and freemen. Several of such ser
mons have been sent us, published in the
secular papers,• a. plan of which we greatly
approve. Others we have received as
pamphlets.
One now before us •is that of Rev. Henry
Kendall, D.D., of this city, ably setting
forth ig The Responsibility of American
Citizens," It is handsomely got up by J'
.
.11.. Weldon, of this city. •As Dr. Kendall
is still rather a stranger to our churches,
this sermon will serve as an introduction,
and as such will be sought for and read with
interest.
Historical Society.
The Historical Society of Western Penn
sylvania, was organized on Monday of this
week,, by the adoption of a constitution.
On the last Monday evening of December,
the. Society is to meet again, for the election
of permanent officers.
The principal features of the Association
are the following :
ArticZe 1: This Society' shall be called "The
Historical Aociety of Westein
,Pennsylvania,"
and its object shall be the collection and dissemin
ation of information connected' with our early
history.
Article 9. The Society shall hold stated meet
ings on the Second Monday evening of every
month. * * *
Article 11. After this Soeiety shall have been
organized, the election of members shall be by
ballot, and shall form part of the business . of
every stated meeting. * * *
Article 12. All persons duly elected members of
this Society, shall pay Sit annual contribution of
three dollars. *. * * *
The Yellow Fever.
This fatal scourge has been severe- on
New Orleans. The mortality tables of the'
city, show four thousand- eight hundred and
fifty deaths by this disease, from June 27th
to Nov. 21st. The report of the Howard
Association shows a treatment under its
benevolent care, of three thousand four
hundred and fourteen cases, of whom seven
hundred and seventy one died. If these
proportions hold good as to the whole treat
ment, there must. have been, in the city,
about twenty-one thoisand cases.
Of the cases treated by the Howard As
sociation, one thousand four hundred and
eighty-five were Irish, one' thousand and
sixty nine were Germans, and four hundred
and nine were natives of the United States
Sabbath. Conversation.
There is probably no day in the week in
which the tongue becomes more an unruly
evil," than on the Lord's day. We do not
mean that there is more of vulgar profanity
uttered on that day than on any other,
though this is not at all unlikely. What we
mean is, that there is a great amount of in
appropriate and forbidden, and hence sinful
conversation'on that day. Christians forget
themselves. The tongue runs wild. They
talk of their gardens, grain, horses, cattle,
of the prices of stooks and produce, of fail
ures and news, of their worldly successes
and troubles, of , almost every thing of which
they might innocently speak on another
day.
This is exceedingly wrong. It, injurea
your- companions, robs God of his glory, and
prevents you from obtaining duly, the rich
benefits wbich.are connected with a proper
Sabbath observance; and it incurs deep
guilt. The Divine rule for the restraint of
the tongue on the Sabbath is, "Not speak
ing thine own words."
Methodists.
The Methodists are much the most nu
merous body of Christians in the United
States. The statistics of all the branches
of the denomination we have "not seen col
lected. Those of, two of the branches are
stated thus
The Minutes of the Methodist Episcopal
Church North, just issued, show the follow
ing figures : Number of. Conferences, 49;
Sunday Schools, 11,490; Church members,
956,555, being an increase during the year
of 136,000 ; churches, 9,063 ; parsonages,
2,407; value of church edifices, $17,560,000 ;
number of traveling preachers, 6,502 ; local
preachers, 7,530.
The Southern Church has a membership
of 655,00 Q; 2,434 traveling, and 4,907
local preachers. Total Methodist member
ship, North and South, 1,762,332.
The Minutes of the Church, South, for
this year, will doubtless show a large in
crease upon these numbers, in that, branch.
A Pulpit Crw3hed.
The heavy cornice over the pulpit, in the
First Presbyterian church in this city, (Mr.
Paxton's) fell from its high position,
.one night last week, crushing a portion of
the pulpit and descending through the floor.
While the loss occasioned will be regretted,
there will be many a thankful heart that the
fall did not occur during a time of public
worship. Builders and superintendents of
buildings, will take an admonitory warning
of the importance of making every thing in
a structure really secure.
Good. Resulting from Evil.
Among the many instances in which
Providence induces good out of evil, is the
following
The Friend of India, relates that a native
convert to Christianity, was compelled to
leave his books at Mallania when the out
break occurred, in the house of a man wlio
had sheltered him. This man- read the
books, was struck with them, and read them
to his fainily daily. A knot of listen
ers was formed, and, as soon as peace was
restored, the audience sought the aid of a
missionary. More than forty persons have
been baptized in consequence, and the con
verts commenced building a church at their
own expense.
THE MESSAGE, formerly the " Five Points
Monthly," is the title of a periodical issued
at New York, by Wm. C. Conant.
A PRESBYTERY WITTIOTIT A PASTOR. —
The Presbytery of Missouri, which has a
dozen ordained ministers in it, has not a sin
gle pastor.
Ecclesiastical.
Mr. JOHN 0. BROWN was ordained to the
full Ark. of the Gospel ministry, by the
Presbytery of Greenbrier, at a recent
meeting.
Rev. D. W. Tow - rtsEND's Post Office ad
dress is changed from Logan's Ferry, Al
legheny County, to Parnassus, Westmore
land Co., Pa., in consequence of the re
moval of, the Post Office to that place.
Rev. EDWARD J. HAMILTON was ordained
by the Presbytery of Nassau, on the 25th
ult., and installed pastor of the church
at Oyster Bay, Long Island.
Rev. Mr. WARDLA.W, of Paris, Ky., has, it
is said, resigned, to open the way for a
union of the Old and New School churches
of that Iplace.
Rev. W. 3. FRASER has removed from St.
Francisville, Mo., to Brimfield,
Rev. JAMES P. HENDRICK was installed
pastor of the church in , Flemingsburg,
Ky., on the 20th of November, by the
Presbytery of Ebenezer.
Rev. W. W. SICKELS has resigned the
charge of the church in Bedford, Indi
ana, and become the supply of the
churches of Knightstown and Greenfield,
Indiana.
Rev. H. M. BACON, who had lately been
invited to take charge of the churches of
Hickman and . Columbus, Ky., has also
received a call to become pastor of the ,
church in Vincennes, Indiana.
Rev. R.. E. SHERRIE, of Daneyville, Ten..
nessee, his received a call to become pas.
tor of the chiirch in Harrodsburg, Ky.,
and is expected to commence his labors
there about the first of January.
Rev. F. R. MORTON, of Rockport, Ind,
has received and accepted an invitation
to supply the Indiana and West Salem
churches. His Post Office is Vincennes,
Indiana.
Rev. Thos. Cr. SMITH was installed pastor
of the
.Willow Creek church,' hp Revs.
Messrs Farris Thompson and Dr. Rice,
a committee of the Preabytery of Chica
go; on the 19th ult.
Rev. JAMES STACEY has been installed pas
tor of the church of Newman, Ga.
Mr. THEODORE It Smarr was ordained by
the Presbytery of Harmony, on the 13th
ult., and installed pastor of the United
Congregations of Salem and Lebanon, -
S. C.
'Rev. X. L. GIRARDEAU has received and
accepted a call trom Zion church, Chailes
ton, S. C.
J.
„H. Corr was ordained by the -Pres
bytery of Flint River, at a late meeting,
and installed pastor of the church of
..bitu encl.*, Ga.
EASTERN SUMMARY.
BOSTON AND NEW ENGLAND.
The Mercantile part of the community
Las for some time felt the need of a journal
devoted more exclusively to its peculiar in
terests, than any of the newspapers already
established. This want is about to be met
in the publication of a new paper, to be
called the Bulletin, under the supervision
of Mr. Guild, formerly connected with the
Traveler. The value of a well conducted
and reliable commercial journal to business
interests, is very great.
Modern Spiritualism is not yet altogeth
er dead, although its delusions have long
since been made apparent, and the charm
under which many were held for a time,
has been broken. But just in proportion to
the absurdity of any thing, seems to be the
tenacity with which men adhere to it. So
great is the infatuatiOn of some in this
quarter, with respect to this subject, that,
as the Boston Courier informs us, the Spir
itualists (?) have determined to petition the
Legislature for an appropriation of from
$3,000 to $7,000, to enable them to employ
scientific men to inquire into the mysteries
of Spiritualism. 'Men are ever anxious to
' set aside the teachings of the Bible, and to
accomplish this they are often willing to em
brace any system of error, however decep
tive in itself, and however ruinous in its
consequences. Many will seize with avid
ity, and defend with pertinacity, the silly
deliverances of Spiritualism, who will rejeot
with disdain the well attested truths of
God's revealed will.
The Statue of James Otis, the patriot,
gentleman, and scholar, lately placed in the
Chapel of Mount Auburn Cemetery, attracts
daily crowds of admiring visitors. In this
work, Crawford, now no more, has embodied
and expressed to the life, its illustrious sub
ject. • •
The .Literary and Artistic Lions have
returned from their . Summer and Autumnal
tours, and occasionally, on a 'bright day,
Emerson; Longfellow, Willis, Everett,
Holmes, Prescott, and Dr. Dewey, may be
seen together at the book-store of Tichnor
& Fields.
The He 2+7 Translationof theficriptures, by
the Rev. L. A Sawyer, once a pastor in the
North church, New Haven, has not been
favorably received. Indeed his New Tes
tament, which has just been issued by J. P.
Jewett & Co., is sufficient to bring the whole
undertaking into disrepute. Of this, suffi
cient evidence may be seen in the four pas
sages given below, which we present s first
in the eomrnon version and then in the new
ve 8 011
OOMMON VERSION
In those days came John the Baptist., preach
ing in the wilderness of-Judea, and saying repent
ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.—Matt.
iii: 1, 2.
And I say also unto thee that than art Peter,
and upon this rock I will-bnild my Church; and
the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.—
Matt. xvi : 18.
• Marvel not that I said unto thee, ye must be
born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth,
and thou heareth the sound : thereof, but canst not
tell whence it cometh or whither it goeth :Aso is
every one that is horn of the Spirit.—Sohn iii :
7,8.:
And let us consider one another, to provoke
unto love and good works: Not forsaking the
assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of
some is; but exhorting one another'; and so
muoh the more as ye, see the day approaching.—
Heb. x : 24, 25.
193 W VERSION.
And in those days came John the Baptist,
preaching in the wilderness of 'Judea, saying,
change your miWds, for the kingdom of heaven is
at hand. - '
And now I tell you that yon are Peter, [a rock,]
and upon this rock will I build my Assembly, and
the gates of hades shall not prevail against it.
Wonder not that I said unto you, you must be
born again. The Spirit breathes where it wills,
and you hear its voice, but ye cannot tell whence
it comes nor whither it goes ; so is every one that
is born of the Spirit.
And let us observe one another for a provoca
tion of love and good works, , and not forsaking
our own congregation as some are in the habit
of [doingd but exhorting [others] and so much
the more as you see the day approaching.
Such specimens as these will , certainly do
but little to commend the work to public
acceptance. The most incompetent are
generally the most anxious to undertake the
work- of a new translation of the Bible.
The Rev. M. Coolidge, who lately left
the Unitarian ranks, and whale secession
caused so `much comment, has been confirmed,
as a member of Trinity, church, 'Eciston, by
Bishop Eastburn, with , the expectation of
entering the ministry in the Episcopal
Church.
Thanksgiving is a great day of reunion
throughout New England, and many seek
this opportunity of returning to their 'lave
places from distant homes. It is supposed
that at least ten thousand of the sons land
daughters of New England left New York
to re-visit parents, brothers, and sisters, and
kindred, on the day preceding the last
thanksgiving. '
Rev. _Emerson Davis, D.D., of Westfield,
Mass., is, busily engaged in the herculean
task of preparing a-work to be entitled the
" Pastors of NeW England," which is in
tended to contain,a brief sketch of all the
Orthodox Congregational pastors, of the
Eastern States, from 1620 to the time of its
publication.
NEW YORk
The spirit .of Speculation is most restless;
it is ever seeking out and inventing new
schemes for acquiring wealth, in preference
to the gradual and cumulative method of
regular business. For a time, the rage was
for investments in Western lands, Copper
Stocks, Railroad Stocks, and every other
kind of Stocks. But the Stock business is
pretty nearly at an end for the present, and
a great many more Western lands have been
bought than will be occupied for some time
to come. Still there must be an outlet for
speculation, and it Vai taken a course that
would not have been suspected a few months
ago. Owing to the high price city prop
erty had already, attained, and the enormous
taxes, it was not supposed that real estate
would soon become the great object of pur
suit among enterprising financiers. But
this has actually occurred. Keen eyes saw
immense' gains to be realized in the proper
ty adjacent to the new Central Park, and
many purchases were made with the design