Presbyterian banner & advocate. (Pittsburgh, Pa.) 1855-1860, February 12, 1859, Image 2

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DAVID MAINNEY, }
JAMES ALLISON, P1614.41,63'8,
STEPHEN LITTLE,
FITTBBVRGH, FEBRUARY 12, 1869.
TER Mho. X 1.509 to advansof or ix Mobs
Stab' or, delivered at roildoautos of Sulloorto
hero, lOsioo. des ProopoOtot, on Third Pada*
It XI X JAVIAL X alkaloid be proiligeti I little
while before the roar expires% that we say
!,Hilt' full arraugsatants far a study Bundy.
TOE IMO WILAPPI6II looniness that Iwo
desire A renewal. If, however, in the boots
of atoning, this signal should be omitted, we
hope our friends will still not forget us.
itliiMilliTANCOßOr-Oend payment by Safi
handl, Willi Oro sand by
oakeloitag with ordinary ears. and troubling
nobody with s knowledge of what you are
doing. Per a large antountisend a Draft.or
large notes. For onoortwo pagers.stad field
or small notes.
TO MAXIS MANORS, goad portago stomps,
Or booties' still, wad for moor* pap'oro; may . sll
or Sovoritrounaborry or $1 for TaartywOuroo
aambsrb
DIRMaI all laittori aad Cosiamatioaticaut
to DAVID naICIIIIIIRY A Clay Pittsburgh/
THE PRESBYTERIAN WrrrrEse..—This
organ of the United Presbyterian Church,
Cincinnati, has been changed from a semi
monthly, to a weekly issue. This indicates
prosperity and enterprise.
WESTERN THEOLO9.IOAL SEMINARY.
There will be a meeting of the Trustees of
the Western Theological Seminary, held at
the Seminary building, on Tuesday, Febru
ary 22d, at 2 o'clock P. M.
F. G. Muzzy,
President of Board of Trustees
THE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN. - This
j mrnal, previously strong, has been doubling
its forces. The editors were, Rev. David
Kerr, D.D, and Rev. D. H. A. McLean.
Assooiated with these, now, are Rev. G. 0.
Vincent, and Rev. James Prestley. We
wish them all success.
END OF THE ECOLENIANTIOATi TUB.—
The Bards of Domestic Missions and Edu
cation clime their money accounts, for the
year, with the lass day of February. We
note this, that pastors and churches may
make their collections and forward them, in
due time to be embraced in the Annual Re
ports to the General Assembly.
TOLEDO, loWA.—Toledo is the capital of
Tama County, where there is a young church,
with fine prospects. Rev. Luther Dodd in
forms us that there are two other Presbyte
rian churches in the County. The climate
is healthful, land rich and cheap, and
Christians reaching forth willing arms to re
ceive brethren from the old settled states.
Calvinism and the . Love of Souls.
Read the article, on our first page. We
think that, from the days of Paul the Apos
tle, to the •present hour, those receiving the
system of doctrines which, for distinotion
sake, is denominated Calvinism, have been,
as a body,' the most devoted laborers for
Jesus, in his work of saving men, upon
whom the sun hakehone. The system calls
for activity, and prompts to it. Labor in
the Redeemer's cause is one of its genuine
and distinctive features.
A Thank Offering.
A pious lady, aged and infirm t having a
strong desire to enjoy once more, the com
munion of the saints on earth, in the Lord's
Supper, asked in prayer for strength ade
quate to the occasion. Her prayer was
heard, and her petition granted. She ex
presses her gratitude in a contribution of
$2O, which we'have received and paid over
as follows, viz..: to Domestic Missions $4,
Foreign Missions $4, Education $2, Publi
cation $l, Church Extension 88, Disabled
Ministers $2, American Bible Society $4.
The example is instructive.
The Daily City Press and Ourselves.
The late arrangement for conducting the
BANNNIt AND ADVOOATE, has been all oc
casion for our neighbors to pay us some
handsome compliments. We weive them
with a cordial response. The' Pittsburgh
press is conducted on gentlemanly princi
ples, and is the steady advocate of good
morals, an upright government, and a free
and enlightened Christianity.
The good opinion of our fellow-men is
always an element of usefulness, and to in
form others of the estimation in which, we
are held by those who have the best oppor
tunities of knowing us, may, sometimes, be
a duty, or, if regarded as a weakness, may
yet be pardoned.
We give a few brief quotations
Taw PIUMBriIIIIIAN B&201411.4.111) ADVOOA.TII.
A change in the proprietorship of this excellent
religious paper is announced in this, week's
issue. * * * ,* * * • *
The Banner is, as we have said, a very excel
lent religious.and family paper. It is conducted
in a truly Christian spirit, and we are glad to
know that it is meeting with abundant success.'
We tender a warm greeting to the new firm, un
der whose care the paper will, we feel assured,
maintain its high character and deserved pros
perity.—Gazette.
We are well acquainted with Mr. Allison, who has
been a contributor to the Banner and Advocate for
a considerable period. He is a very amiable gen
tleman, as well a most excellent writer. Mr.
little has been principal clerk in the office for
some years, has excellent business qualifications,
and is agreeable in manner. The new arrange
ment will no doubt prove advantageous in every
respect, while enabling Mr. McKinney to divide
his heavy responsibility with hie = trustworthy
partners, and give still more interest to his ably
conducted paper.—Dispatch. ' •
The Advocate has heretofore been most deserv
edly reliable and`popular, and with its inoreased
talent must still farther extend the sphere of its
lisefulnees.—True Press.
Dr. McKinney, who has heretofore been the
sole Editor and Proprietor of this paper, ha SP.
sedated with him, as Editor, the Rev. James
Allison, and in the business department, Stephen
Little. These gentlemen will in future conduct
'this paPer, which we are happy to learn has a
very large circulation among the members of that
denomination. This paper keeps fully up to the
demands of the age, in its literary, religions, and
general intelligence, and furnishes all the local re•
•
ports of Presbyterian Church affairs.
We re'gard their London Correspondent as one
of the best posted and most careful letter writers
of the day; and free from all invidious sectarian
ism.
We congratulate our neighbors on their change,
and wish them abundant success.—Com. Journak
The Chronicle and the Post quote from
our notice very favorably.
Union ffieetings.—Pialmody.-Consoience.
The revivals of the lad year, the fruits of
which are still, in many places, happily en.
joyed, have done much for Christian Union.
The people .of God, distinguished by 'sub
family peculiarities, have been induced to
look upon each other with a far more friend
ly eye than they had been wont to do, and
to participate, unitedly, in the exercises of
worship, with far more than former cordial
ity. Especially have professedly Union
Meetings been established and kept up, be
yond any thing heretofore experienced in the
Chum Pee, in later days.
This Union, however, instill not perfect.
It is marred, and Christianity is blotted be
fore the world, by the rigid adhetence of
some to their one specific , feature.
The chief obstacle to Union which has
been found in Pittsburgh, and, we believe,
in much of Western Pennsylvania, is the
exclusiveness of a portion of the advocates
of Rouse's Version of the Psalms. We do
not say the Psalm-singers, for all Oblations
sing Psalms. Nor do we say, the advocates
of a Scriptural Psalmody, for all , advocate
such a Psalmody, and no other. We say,
Rouse's Version, because of this being the
practical truth. The opponents of the
Union are mainly those who use this Version
alone, and who would bring all others to its
use, as a term indispensable.
The principle advocated by the good
brethren referred to, is, that no Psalmody
shall be used, in the praise of God in the
sanctuary; but only the Psalms of David;
and these only in aversion as literal as prac
ticable,; of which they regard Rouse as the
best specimen. On this principle they re
fuse to unite with Presbyterians in social
religious meetings. On thisininciple they
refuse to commune with Presbyterians, and
exclude Presbyterians from the Lord's table,
as spread by them ; and they—some of them
—go so ;far as to inflict the censures of the
Church upon their own members who shall
worship, on the Lord's day, with those who
use, in praise, any other psalms, hymns, 'or
spiritual songs, than those above specified.
This, seems to us like, carrying matters
very far. It Makes an awful rent in the vis
ible Church. It keeps up a serious schism.
To justify such extreme measures there
should be a very clear and emphatic " Thus
saith the Lord." Now, where is the law ?
We ask for God's injunction. Is there
Scripture to sustain our brethren? Is there
a precept thus restricting the Church of
God.? If so, where is it To the law
and to the testimony; if they speak not ac
cording to this:Word, it is because there is no
light in them"
Surely, in . all this, we make no unreason
able demand. An Article of faith should
be based on clear revelation. That which
is to rend the Church of Christ to such an
extent that one portion of the Lord's family
shall repel from his table another portion of
that family, or shall refuse to unite with
them in worship, should not be a matter of
mere opinion, nor of obscure inference, nor
o f astute critical interpretation. It should
be something which is plainly revealed, ob
vious to the common vision; a thing so clear
that " he who runneth may read"; a path so
well marked, that " the wayfaring man,
though a fool, shall not err therein!' Now;
where is, the distinct deolaraftion of the
Spirit of God, either by Prophet or Apostle,
limiting the Church and confining her, for
all time, in her songs of praise, to the sole
and alone use of the Psalms of David ? We
say, again, "To the law, and to the testi
mony." Give us God's Word, if so be that
he hath spoken. Otherwise, do not think
hardly of us. We cannot receive the ordi
nances of men, as though they were the com
mandments of God.
We are induced to notice this subject,
because of several requests from pastors who
have found their efforts at united Christian
activity, marred Their brethren have not
only•refused all compromises for the sake of
joint and harmonious action in promoting
revivals, but have urged an entire compli
ance with them, as ,though they were con=
scientions, and Presbyterians had 'no con
science on the subject. This imputation is
!sadly wrong and deeply injurious.
It is true that we can, and.do, without
any sense of wrong, sometimes,. join our
brethren in 'Psalm.singing, in their way.
But still, Psalmody is, with us, strictly a
matter 'of conscience. We believe in a
Scriptual Psalmody, both in sentiment and
spirit. We can tolerate no other. The
Cfiristian's Book of Praise should be wholly
Scriptural, truly Evangelical, .using all the
light of Scripture, all the revelation that
God has given; the full glory of the Gospel,
as well as the faint glimmerings of a typical
ritual and the twilight of distant prophesy-
Inge. Inge. If we m ay not, in regard to the words
and mode of expression in praise, say, with
Paul, "I put away childish things," (that
is, things which belong to the infancy of the
Church,) we may yet be permitted to praise
God for the giftepromised—that is, for the
Saviour, and the Spirit, and the light and
joy"oonsequent—in the clear, glowing, and
fully expressive language which records t'-.0
actual bestowment .of these gifts. In the
position we take, we would maintain a ra
tional liberty, under God's Word, not sub
mitting ourselves to a yoke of bondage hu
manly imposed. • We would use the teach
ings of jesus, and the• revelations of Paul,
and the Divinely recorded experiences of the
New Testament saints, as well as the utter
.
awes' of David, and the record of his com
munings with God. In our worship now,
we have Gospel reading, and Gospel preach.
ing, and Gospel prayer, and we regard it as
our privilege to have Gospel praise, also.
We cannot bind ourselves to exclude , the
,New Testament of our Lord and. Saviour
'Jesus Christ—its language, its light, its ex
periences, its consolations, its promises, its
hopes, its adorations, from our Book of
Praise. We cannot bind ourselves to the
lone,use of. a Psalmody which'will prevent
us utterly and ever from using the name of
Jeintin'eacred song. °No, we cannot.. Our
Saviour clops not forbid us, thus, the use of
his name. The Book of Psalms does not
11011311114D‘11WeilDlonnefater I IC , 1 AUVI ATE.
claim the restriction of the Church, in all
ages, to its lone use. The Prophets put
in no exclusive claim for David. The
Apostles do not confine us to the one an
cient Book. Why then should we bind
ourselves, or let uninspired men bind us?
We can joyously participate in a Union
meeting, for a day or a week, where none
but the Psalms of David are sung. But
when a denaa,nd is made upon us that we
shall do so, and that demand urged by the
allegation that Psalmody is; with us, not a
matter of commence, we feel that, if it is
not a reproach which should be repelled, it
is at least a mistake which should be cor
rected. And though we cheerfully yield
to .our brethren on an occasion, as a
matter of fraternal love, (their whole Psalm
ody being, in reality, bat a part of ours,)
yet conscience is still awake, and her rights
are preserve& And when, as Paul would
say, (Gal. 8-5,) men would " bring tie
into subjection," then 'we cannot "give
place, no, not for an hour."
The Presbyterian Historical Almanac.
This is the most important work, of a sta
tistical character, which has ever been pre
pared in connexion with the Presbyterian
Church. Since the era of the Reformation
in Scotland, the form of polity adopted in
that country has been spreading from land
to land; and, owing to the uprising of such
controverted questions as are likely to mope
-
rate men of free and independent judgment,
history has been obliged to record the sepa
ration of the Church into various distinct
ecclesiastical organizations. For along time
in Scotland, the Church remained entire;
but since the period of the first secession, in
the days, of the Erskines, the popular mind
has unfortunately become familiar with the
idea of division. In Ireland, the same par
ties were soon found to have a represenia
tion of their respective tenets, quite as dis
tinct as in the father-land; and so has it
been in our own country. Among our
brethren—if they will allow us so to desig
nate them—of the Episcopal Church, very
great difference of sentiment does not lead to
formal separation. High-Church and Low
Church, Evangelicals and Broad-Church
men, manage to rub against each other, and
with quite as much bitterness as exists
among the different parties of Presbyterians.
Episcopalians agree to differ, and yer to
maintain a species of armed and hostile
unity.
The separation of the Presbyterian bodies
leads to the adoption of very diverse objects
of thought and plans of usefulness. In
Britain, the Churches that do any work, or
have any life in them, aim at the spiritual
welfare of their expatriated countrymen, and
hence, in addition to Jewish and Foreign
Missions, their contributions to the colonial
field form an important part of their expan
sive labors.• We, have no colonies, but we
have our Indians to be cared for, as well as
the claims of the heathen in Africa, in In
dia, and in China, to be recognized..
It becomes, then, an object of great in
terest to all the intelligent minds of the
Churches in the Old World and in the New,
to know the actual state of < each branch, of
the, great Presbyterian family. What is its
magnitude, its growth, °ribs decay ? Is it
formal and asleep, or is it heartily engaged,
as a living branch of the living vine, in
bringing forth fruit to the Lord? If thus oc
cupied, what form do,its efforts assume ? In
what manner is its machinery brought .to
bear on the people, so as to impel the body
forward in, productive labor 7 What portion
of the Churches is thus engaged in a lively
spirit of obedience, recognizing duty, and
falling in with the regulations and expressed
will of the constituted authorities, and how
large a portion lies in, deadness and rejects
all control 7 Such questions, and the gn
awers which they involve, are fraught with
surpassing interest to all minds of compre
hensive grasp.. Hitherto, however, 'there
has been a total want of any one reliable
means, whereby these queries might be sat
isfactorily answered, and the comparative
state of the Churches examined at one view.
To Mr. Wilson, the publisher, in Phila
.
delphia, belongs the honor of devising such
a work, and he has had the energy and zeal
to carry it through to a most perfect comple
tion. It is true that Aluminum of aUimper
feet kind' have been published for several
years, both in Scotland and in Ireland, but
so far as the great objects referred to are
concerned, they were all imperfect.. Irish
and Scotch Almanacs contained little more
than lists of names, •while the Churches on
the American Continent were ignored, and
the benevolent operations of the different
sections were left unheeded. Ia these, and
in other respects, the book before us is all
tharwe could desire. We see in it a record
of all the American Churches, all the Brit
ish Churches, together with those in the
British Provinces, in the Australian, Afid
can, Indian, and South American connex
ions. An abridgment is given of the dis
courses of the Moderators at the last meeting
of the highest Church Court, and a con
densed synopsis of the business transacted,
is also presented, with exceedingly full ta
bles of the various sums raised for Mission
ary and Home work. These tables are won
drously suggestive ; and as this work must
find its way into the hands of some nine or
ten thousand owners in Great Britain and
her colonies, and all over the great Republic
in which it has appeared; and as it is to be
continued from year to year, it will act as a
stimulus to awaken the sleepy, and as a
guide to inquirers; and thus the Christian
activity of the Church, as a whole, will be
aroused.
We have neither time nor space, at
,present, -to enter into a detailed state
ment of the facts revealed in these tables.
We can only say, that whereas the Ameri
can Church (Old School,) is by far the
largest in our Presbyterian fraternity, the
Free Church of Scotland stands at the head
in the matter of organization, and in the
obedience of her ministers and people to the
injunctions of the Church Courts; while
very near to it, and in close rivalry, the
Presbyterian or Pres Church of Canada
takes an honorable position.
As a work of art, this volume possesses
claims of no mean order. It is filled with
beautiful and artistieally extented engrav
ings of the portraits of the Moderators of
the Assemblies for the year, and of views
of churches where the Synods or Assemblies
met'; and in this department the book is
altogether unique.-
The labor required for the compilation of
•
such a work, has been enormous; and we
trust that the whole Presbyterian commu
nity, on both sides of the Atlantic, will not
fail to recognize its surpassing value. There
are upwards of nine thousand ministers alone,
of whom a record is given in this work, and
surely into the hands of all these, either by
their own purchase, or as a present from a
wealthy hearer, a copy will find its way.
The work has only to be seen in order to be
appreciated.
Par the Preabytcrlan Benner and Advocate
Information Wanted.
[The following thoughts and inquiries
are startling. The writer is a gentleman of
intelligence, and his wonted prudence is
such that we feel confident he would not
speak as he doesf without good reasons.
Our information, however, is likely much
less than his own; and,. as he appeals to
the editors of the Presbyterian who can
hardly be ignorant of what is being done
and contemplated, -we' join in the request
that they will give the churches light on
the subject.—Ensl
GErimmaxx :—Editors of papers are be
lieved by many to be in correspondence
with society in general, and to possess the
means of knowing not only the information
which they publicly report, but also much
more, which for wise purposes they conceal.
Permit me, then, to ask you is it true that
any party connected with the late proceed
ings in the Board of Domestic Missions? is
now engaged in an effort to secure the at
tendance of members of the next General
Assembly, so as to reverse the proceedings
of the Board ; or, if that cannot be done,
then to induce the Assembly to appoint a
Western brother to the office .of Corres
ponding Secretary, and thus cast out the•
present occupant of that office ? • Reports
have prevailed in this region for some time
pist, that an effect is at present being made
to pack the Assembly, so as \to secure a
representation from Presbyteries willing -to
inflict a marked censure on the present Cor
responding Secretary. These reports vary
from time to time. One form of the rumor
is that the Assembly is to be packed, and
instead of electing brethren to fill the places
of those who retire from the Board, and
then leave the Board to choose their Secre
tary, as formerly, the Assembly is to desig
nate or appoint the man. Chameleon lila,
the report then changes, and it is affirmed
that the object is merely to secure the at
tendance of Dr. Happersett's friends in the
Assembly, and thus, by their means, elect
such a Board as will appoint him Corres
ponding Secretary.
What, now, is the truth in this matter ?
Should you
,not-be in the counsel of those
whaxre manipulating our Presbyteries, as
reported, perhaps yon could ascertain if the
editors of the Presbyterian, or of some
other papers in the South and West, are
able to cast any light on the subject. If
any parties are engaged in such proceed
ings, it is time that the Church should be
made aware of the fact. Should neither
Dr. Happersett nor any of his friends be
engaged, by letter writing or otherwise, with
a view of affecting the constitution and
action of the approaching Assembly, the
fact should be stated, and many who would
regret to know that such an unworthy ex
pedint was adopted by him or by them, will
rejoice, together with your correspondent,
who is a lover of FAIR PLAY.
Home and Foreign Record.
The February number of this journal was
received in time for a notice last week, but
our columns were full. There is nothing
of specific.interest . presented; for the steady
working of our Institutions is not a pecu
liarity of one month beyond others.
DOMESTIC MISSIONS
The diminished contributions to this
Board, as well as others, has been several
times noticed. The main cause of this is
the diminished income of the members of
our, churches. The year has been one of
far more extensive failure of crops than
usual ; and the lessened quantity has not
been made up by increased prices abroad,
for the yield of grain in Europe was plenti
ful. But still, the work of Missions pro
gresses, and we trust that a smaller balance
in the Treasury than is usual at the end of
the year, will be the most serious difficulty
to be reported, that is, if the contributions
during the current month shall be as liberal
as become the churches.
RECEIPTS in December; at Philadelphia, $8,064;
at Louisville, $734.
, •
EDUCATION.
The day of special prayer for the out
pouring of the Spirit on our Colleges and
Seminaries of learning, is 'drawing near.
The Reco t rd devotes several columns to the
subject. It always elicits feeling; this year
we trust that the observance will be more
general than ever, and that prayer will be
truly the expression of deep desire.
The total number of candidate's in all
stages of their progress, is about four him.
dyed. The accessions of this year, to the
present time, are ninety•one, being thirty.
one above those for the same period last
year.
The Board's proposition for a collection
on the day of prayer, we gave two weeks ago.
RIONIPTS in December : at Philadelphia, $4,110 ;
at Pittsburgh, $l3l ; at Louisville, $63.
FOREIGN MISSIONS.
Cnnia..—Mr. Rankin, writing from Ningpo,
makes some encouraging statements in relation to
the condition and prospects of the misesion.
Speaking of the changes that had taken place
during his absence, he remarks "In looking at
the present state of things as compared with the
past, I feel mush encouraged. The native Chris
tians have generally grown in grace and knowl
edge, and new witnesses for Christ hove ap
peared among them, who, when we left for
America, were as yet ignorant heathen. There
is much interest in religion in the girls' school, and
one girl of much .promise has just been received
by baptism into the church.
Dr. Kerr, from Hong Kong, October 26th, an
nounces his and. Mrs. Kerr's safe arrival at that
place, after a voyage of ninety-six days, from
New York. Mrs. Kerr suffered' much from sick
ness during the forepart of their voyage, but had
improved very much before their arrival at Hong
Kong.
Aritioe.—Oar latest African letters are dated
Monrovia, November 13th ; SillOD, November 4th ;
and Oorisco, October 16th. Mr. Erskine gives an
interesting account of the state of
. the churches
at Clay Ashland, and Caldwell. Five persons
have recently been received to the communion of
the two churches, and fifteen or sixteen applica
tions for baptism.
INDIA.—A letter from Futtehgarh mentions
that fines had been imposed on all the villages
that were engaged in plundering at the time of
the great Sepoy outbreak, the proceeds of which
were to be devoted mainly to repair the losses of
the native Christians, who were the chief objects
of plunder. Mention is made in the letter from.
Allahahad of the arrival of Mr. Williams at that
place, where be is hereafter to labor.,
Liberal provision has been made by the .Gov
ernment in India, for the support of the children
of the martyred missionaries of Futtebgurh.
INDIAN MISSIONS.—The accounts are
generally favorable.
RECEIPTS, in December, $7,288.
PUBLICATION.
We recently published the Board's re
quest for aid to the Colportage fund. Fa
vorable reports of the work are given. The
new works and new editions we have also
noticed. The principal one is a re-issue of
Baird's Digest, with additions.
RBONIVIS : Donations, Deo. 14th to Jan. 14th,
$3,019; Sales in. December, $5,462.
CHURCH EXTENSION.
Much, very much help, is needed for this
important enterprise. It should share large
ly in the contributions of the churches.
Help a poor people to a comfortable house
of worship, and you have almost enriched
them. You have given them a home which
will keep them together, and where they
will grow and thrive.
•
Reonirrs, in December: At St. Louis, $165 ; at
Philadelphia, $429 ; at Pittsburgh, $179 ; at
Cincinnati, $23 ; Louiaville, (in nine months)
$371:
The Pittsburgh Young Nen's Bible So
eiety.
This excellent Society held its forty-first
Anniversary on the everting of the 31st
ult., Mr. James Robb in the Chair.
Of the original founders of the Society,
as far as known, but two are now living, Dr.
A. D. Campbell and John Graham, Presi
dent of the Bank of Pittsburgh., The Penn
sylvania Bible Society was founded in 1808,
the American in 1807, and the British and
Foreign in'lBo4.
Twelve religious denominations unite in
the Pittsburgh Society. Two agents are
employed, in collecting funds, and supplying
destitute. families. These, during the last
year, visited eleven thousand five hundred
and sixty-seven families, found one thousand
two hundred and seventy-three persons des
titute of. the Scriptures, and collected $2,-
641.
LIBIORTAN's REpokr
Number of copies of Scriptures sold
" ' 4 donated 302
Delivered to Society's Agents 946
Whole number distributed by donation 1,248
Value, of Bibles, &e., sold $602.21
Addresses were delivered by Rev. 3. G.
Brown, Rev. L. O. Pershing and Rev. Dr.
Kendall.
Rev. George B. Russell, Rev. Dr. Howard,
Rev. Dr. Douglas, Robt. B. Davis, Esq., E.
D. Jones, Esq., and Mr. Frew, took part in
the proceedings. The meeting was large.
The Treasurer reported, including balance
on band, from last year, receipts to amount
of $4,811.
The following are the„respective subscrip
tions
Presbyterian churches, $1.490.23
United Pres. " 741.60
M. Episcopal " 585.43
Lutheran " , 125.50
Baptist " 29.50
M. Protestant " ' 62.50
Ref. Preslatn " 67.00
Ctunberrd Pres. " 25.00
Prot. Episcopal " 68 00
Grace " 9.00
Evangelical Association 10.00
Protestant " 7.30
Other sources 13.50
Books sold 661.72
Southern Sentiment.
The religious press, and many of the sec
ular journals et the South, are taking a de
cided stand against the revival of the slave
trade. We should he greatly rejoiced to
have evidence also, that there were honest
jurymen and faithful executive officers, ade
quate to the enforcing of the laws. But if
the press is right, we may hope that the
people will not persevere in the wrong.
The Central Presbyterian says
We are glad to find, in the telegraphic
news of the past week, the following item,
viz.
" RELIGIOUS OPPOSITION TO THE SLAVE•TRADE.
—Augusta, Qa., ..Tan. - 6.—Tho Baptists of Edge
field District, South Carolina, are moving sternly
in opposition to the importation of Africans into
that State."
This is a movement in which we think
the Christian sentiment of the South will be
firmly united. That sentiment we believe
to be pretty clear about - two points, first,
that slavery as it exists among us is not a
sin, and secondly, that man-stealing without
which the slave-trade -is impossible, is a sin,
and one specifically condemned in the Bible.
Td press this point is to aim a deadlier blow
at slavery itself - than any thing that abolition
ism has ever done.
Revivals.
We hear. of gracious manifestations in
different places. A few of them we are
permitted to note. Pastors, in their desire
to avoid the appearance of boating, may be
too silent relative to " what the Lord has
done" for them and by them. Let God's
gracious work be known, to his praise.
NEW HAGERSTOWN, ONEO.—The pastor,
Rev. A. Swaney, writes :
" There is an item of intelligence which
I may communicate to you, not for the pur
pose of drawing public attention, but for
the praise of God and the encouragement
of his ministerial servants and the people.
We have just concluded a series of meet
ings connected with our Winter. Commun.
ion, which occurred on last Sabbath. The
meeting has been one of very great interest.
This was evinced by the , excellent, attend
ance, notwithstanding ate excessive bad
ness of the roads; by the spirit of prayer
that prevailed; by the flowing together of
the affections of God's people; by the man
ifest presence of the Holy Spirit ; ; by the
refreshing of saints, and by the awakening
of sinners. Fourteen persons have 'been
received on profession of their faith, and
nearly as many more have met the Session,
some of them several times, for counsel and
prayer, 4.eeply convicted, and solemnly in
quiring the way of life. I never witnessed
meetings more solemn, still, and impressive.
And the people of God felt inclined to cry
out, 'Bless the Lord, O our souls, and for
get not all his benefits.' " -
ARMAGH, PA.—Rev. Ross Stevenson
expresses his thankfulness for a blessing on
hie work. He says :
"It is cheering to all the ministers of
Christ, and joyful to all the people of God,
to learn as from your last issue, that God is
again visiting his churches. lam happy
in being able to inform you that the church
of Armagh, in Indiana County, has been
()floe more blessed with another little re
viving. In connexion with a communion
season, Jan. 16, twenty-five professed their
faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Many
more are under deep conviction ; and daily
are added to the church such as shall be
saved. Some sire far advanced in life;
others heads of families; but the majority
young men and young women in all the
prime of life.. The Lord bath done great
things for us, whereof we are glad."
For the Presbyterian Banner and .6.drocate.
Western Theological Seminary.
Receipts toward the Endowment of the Fourth Pro
• fessorship.
Mt. Washington, Ohio P'y, $l3 00
Temperanceville, " 11.50
Blairsville, 77.11
Murraysville, . 20.75
Cross Creek, 59:00
M'Keesport, 105.00
First P. church, Wheeling, 32 13
Montours, • 70.00
Hilands 15 00
Gallipolis, Ohio, 20.00
Ill'Olellandtown, 17.50
Little Beaver, 20 00
Salem, Ohio, 16 85
Fairview, 18.00
Tent, 25.70
Lithopolia, 38.00
Milford, Ohio, 15 00
Sewickley, Allegheny City P'7, 35.50
Leatherwood, Clarion P'y, 117.00
Licking, " 125.00
Mt. Rope, Ohio, s 16.50
Unity, Redstone P'y,- 115.00
Laurel Hill. " 19 15
Brownsville, • 34.00
Total, $1031.19
T. H. Nam, Treasurer, W. T. S
_February let, 1,859.
[The contributions enumerated above are
only in part, from some of the congregations,
but those made by two of the churches are
worthy of special notice. We refer to the
congregations of Leatherwood and Licking.
They contribute $242, an amount largely be
yond their proportion as recommended by
the Synods. An equal liberality on the part
of churches much more favorably situated
with respect to money, would soon complete
the work.—Ens.]
Tau Pow= OF PRAYER.—This popular
work, by Rev. Dr. Prime, 11 offered by the
Publisher, Charles Scribner, Erg., New
York, at 70 ots. a•oopy by the dozen, 65 atm.
by the hundred, or $l, single, postage pre
paid.
2,479
Rwv. A. C. MOOLELLAND.—This brother
is invited to Mt. Pleasant, lowa, and not to
Burlington, as was stated two weeks ago.
And it was in the church at Mt. Pleasant
where the interesting meetings spoken of
were held.
EASTERN SUMMARY.
BOSTON AND MEW ENGLAND.
The Sloe Business is one of great magni
tude in this city, and, is closely connected
with the prosperity of many towns and vil
lages throughout Massachusetts; for in
these the greater part of the shoes soldin
Boston are made. The season for this trade
has opened very auspiciously, and the num
ber of buyers from the West and South is
unusually large, and the prices are remu
nerative. Manufactitrers complain of the
high price of stock just now, and hesitate
about laying in a large supply at the present
terms.
The Public Schools are in successful ope
ration, and a deeper interest than ever before,
seems to have been awakened with regard
to the system, throughout the State. It is
quite probable that the day is not very far
distant, when a large addition will be made
to the fond already set apart to that purpose.
" Tke American Almanac, and - Reposi
tory of Useful Knowledge," consisting of
three -hundred and eighty-four pages, has
just been issued by Crosly, Nichols & Co.
This Annual contains a vast amount of in
formation, on subjects which come under
the notice of almost every person of reading
and intelligent habits. The present is the
Thirtieth Volume, and it is said that it does
not fall below any of its predecessors in full
ness and completeness. It contains full lists
of the Civil, Army, and Navy Service, and
also the members elected to the next Con
gress. So highly is this work valued, that
it is also published both in London and
Paris. •
Quickly following the death of the Histo
rian, Prescott, is that of the eminent As
tronomer at Cambridge, William a Bond,
in the seventieth year of his age. He was
born at Portland, Me., 'and was early ap
prenticed to a watch-maker; but Astronom
ioal studies were his delight. In Dorchester,
Mass., he established, for his own use, one
of the first ' Observatories in this country.
He visited Europe in 1815, to inspect the
foreign Observatories and select Astronom
ical Instruments for an Observatory at Har
vard. In 1838 he was appointed to conduct
the Meteorological and Astronomical Obser
vations of the United States Exploring Ex
pedition, under Commodore Wilkes; and in
1839 be received the appointment of Direc
tor of the Cambridge Observatory, in whjoh
position he remained until the time of his
death. Some of the most important obser
vations ever taken in this country, were
under his direction; and every year he made
some new and important discoveries with
regard to the heavenly bodies. He watched
the first appearance and continued progress
of the late Comet, with the utmost assiduity.
Edward Everett has given to the world a
glowing account of a night spent during the
last Autumn, at the Cambridge Observatory,
in company with Professor Bond, and looking
out upon the mysterious wanderer. It is
reported that in probability 'Dr. Gould,
lately connected with Dudley 'Observatory,
at Albany, and
.concerning whom Duch a
fierce controversy has been raging for some
time, will be the successor of Professor
Bond.
The Farewell Letter of Theodore Parker
to hhi people, was read to them by Ralph
Waldo Emerison, who afterwards proceeded
to enlighten them on the subject of " Cul.
ture." The " Society " has secured his
services for a number of Sabbaths. Mr.
Emerson "tried his hand" as a Unitarian
preacher in the earlier part of his life, with..
out any great
,degree of success, and it is
not probable that he will add much to his
fame in the present undertaking.
The Boston City lifsision has now twenty
three missionaries employed, who hold fifty
or more weekly prayer-meetings, and have
under their care a number of mission schools.
This mission has been very successful, and
probably stands next to the regular preach
ing of the Gospel, as an organized and effec
tive instrumentality in converting souls.
The Essex Street Church, of which Dr.
Nehemiah Adams is pastor, is not only the
most prosperous, but also the most liberal in
its contributions, in the city. The late con
tribution for Foreign Missions, exceeded six
thousand dollars, and this will still be largely
increased. The Nth of March will be the
Twenty-Fifth Anniversary of the settlement
of the present pastor, and it will be cele
brated with appropriate ceremonies. The
Hon. Rufus Choate, who is a member of the
congregation, but not a communing member
of the church, will deliver an address on the
occasion
Last year the people of Massachusetts
acted nobly toward the American Board of
Foreign Missions; their donations to this ob
ject amounted to $96,299 56, being more
than one•quarter of the entire donations to
the Board, from all sources.
The missionary spirit of former days seems
to have been awakened in Andover Theo.
logical Seminary. No lesd than one-third
of the present Senior Class have devoted
themselves to the work of preaching the
Gospel in heathen lands.
Daring the year 1858, Thirty-six Con.
gregational Ministers died in the United
States. The average age was sixty-seven ;
the oldest being Father Sawyer, of Maine,
who was one hundred and three, while the
youngest was thirty.
The town of York, in Maine, received The
First City Charter held "in this campy. Its
city name was Georgians, in honor of George
11., by whom the charter was granted. And
4the ehure at this place was the moat East
ernly one visited by Whitefield, (whose
praise is still in all the churches,) in his last
New England journey.
NEW YORK
A city of the size and importance of this
great metropolis, must necessarily be sub
jected to great outlays, and, - consequently,
Heavy Taxation. But the taxes have in
creased so enormously that property holders
and men of business have become alarmed;
they know not what the end will be. The
opportunities for peculation have been ex
ceedingly numerous, and the -claims upon
the public treasury are so many and so
various, that it is almost impossible for the
tax-payers to acquire or retain a knowledge
of them. But in addition to this, the sala
ries of some of the city officers, when the
perquisites are taken into account, show the
prodigal hand with which the public funds
are lavished. The , salary of the Mayor is
$5,000, a sum by no means too large for the
responsibilities incurred and the 'duties re
quired. Scarcely would any man competent
to the place, both intellectually and morally,
accept it for such a remuneration, were he
not actuated either by a desire for the city's
good, as in the case of the present incum
bent, or from a desire to advance and grow
rich by plunder, al is charged in the' ease of
some of his predecessors. But when we
come to some of the other city officers, we
notice a quite different state of affairs.
The Counsel to the Corporation receives
$12,000 per annum, besides a large sum for
rent, incidentals, and extra counsel fees,
which have within a few months amounted
to $17,000. The annual fees and emolu
ments of the Sheriff are said to be over
$70,000. It is said that the fees of the
County Clerk are $BO,OOO, and those of the
Register, $lO,OOO. It is not strange, then,
that the " solid men" of New 'York are
petitioning the legislature to limit the fees
and salaries of county and city officers, so
that the pay of no one of them sliall exceed
the present salary, and that the tax levy,
when it comes before the Judiciary Commit
tee, may be closely scrutinized, for the pur
pose of cutting it down, if possible.
The last of January was the one hundred
and twenty-second anniversary sof the birth
day of Torn Paine. And, disreputable as
greater part of his life was, fearful as his
end was, destructive as his principles have
been to many, yet still there are found some
to cherish his memory, espouse his senti
ments, and boast themselves -his followers.
At the •late anniversary, the Times says,
"The strong-minded of the weaker, and
the weak-minded of the stronger sex, were
gathered to the number of two hundred."
The principal speakers -were Oliver C
Hull, Mrs. Ernestine Rose, and Joseph
Barker, so well known as -the apostle of
infidelity in Philadelphia, and in Salem,
Ohio. Formerly, the ministry were the
principal subjects of attack, on these occa
sions. But at this time, the press and the
pulpit were put in the same category, and
made the objects' of the same aspersions.
The press should regard this as a high
honor. And it is really -true that however
defective the press may be in some.particu
lars, yet scarcely any appreciable part of it
has' any sympathy with Paine, his opinions,
or his deluded followers.
Governor King did such a wholesale busi
ness in the use of the Pardoning Power, that
the attention of the people of this city has
been very naturally 'called to the subject.
As some of the courts are constituted, to
convict a criminal was difficult enough ; but
after this had= been done, it was the casket
thing imaginable to interpose the clemency
of the`accommodating Gov. King. Gov.
Morgan his changed the method of applica
tion entirely, requiring dim public notice,
the notification of the Prosecuting Attorney,
and the 'documents on which the conviction