Presbyterian banner & advocate., May 14, 1859, Image 2

§anntr ITO *borate.
DAVID MoICINNEY,
JAMES ALLISON, PROPRIETORS.
STEPHEN LITTLE, '
PITTSBURGH, MAY 14, 1869.
TBREII... SUN, in advance, or in Clubs
Rio n • or, delliered at resideneas of Xibisrie
bare, ttp•te. Mee Prospectus, on Third Page•
R E X BW AL X shoal* be prompt; a little
while before the year expires, that we may
rake full arrangements for a steady supply.
Will RED WRAPPER indicates that we
desire a 'renewal• If, however, lit the haste
of mailbag, this signal should be omitted, we
hope our friends will still not forget as.
REEITWAXCEM•—Mend payment by wife
kande, when sonvenlent. Or, send by 'mail,
eneloring with ordinary care. and troubling
nobody with a knowledge of what you are
dialog. Pow a large amount, send a Draft, or
Serge notes. Per oneortwo papers.send Gold
or small notes.
TO EASE CRAXO7II, Send postage stararo.
or better still, vend for mere , papers; My hl
or !Seventy numbers. or $1 for Thirty-three
numbers•
DIRIIIOIIP all Letters and Cenammanicattoas
$0 DAVID juannuay dr, cf).s Pittebaralsp
Pa.
General Assembly,
The General Assembly of the Presbyterian
Church in the United States of Amerlos, will bold
its next meeting in the Third Presbyterian ohuroh,
Indianapolis, Indiana, at eleven o'clock, A. M , on
Thursday, the 19th of May next, and will be
opened with a sermon by the Rev. William A.
Scott, D. D., Moderator of the last Assembly.
The Committee of Commissions will meet in
the Leeture-room of the abut.* on the Wednes
day evening preceding, at eight o'clock, to receive
Commissions, and on Thursday morning the day
of the meeting, at nine o'olook, for the same pur
pose.
Joust Lirmrax, Stated Clerk.
AmixAnrina T. MoGru., Permanent Clerk.
P. B.—Stated Clerks of Presbyteries are re
peotfully requested to make out their lithe of per
sons entitled to the Minutes on a separate sheet,
and to send that together with moneys for the
Minutes, to 4, H. Van aelder, Esq , Treasurer of
lb General Assembly, office 820 Walnut Street,
Philadelphia.
A LARGE Numwmt of O l bituariel and
Ecolegiaatfcal Notioto will be given next
week.
THE Railroad route, via Steubenville,
Columbus, Xenia, and Dayton, to Indianap
olis, takes members to the General Assembly
on the same terms as the Fort Wayne Road,
viz., full fare going, and returning free.
NORTH-WESTERN THEOLOGICAL SEMI.
NARY.—The Board of Directors of the
North-Western Theological Seminary, is ad.
journed to meet in the city of Indianapolis,
on Tuesday, May 17, at 7 P. M., in the
Third oburoh j A full attendance is de
sired. S. T. WILSON, Pres't.
AoK.Nowratmotwr.—Mr. John Culbert
son, Librarian, acknowledges the following
contributions to the Board of Colportage :
Saltaburgh wag Saltsburg Pres., ` 515.00;
Ebenezer (tong , Saltsburg Pres , $13.00;
First church, Pittsburgh, ad., $13.00; West
Newton cong.;' Redstone Pres., $10.00;
Fairfield (tong., Brie Pres., $5 00.
ATONZMENT. —We commenced, last week,
a short series of Articles on the Atonement,
which are furnished by a worthy pastor.
We trust that they will arrest attention, and
prove instructive. This manner of present
ing a subject, answers for readers who have
but little time to spare. Those, however,
who would be well informed on the great
d ()dairies of religion, will peruse volumes, as
w ell as newspapers and pamphlets.
TUEOLOGICAL STIIIMITEL—The Presby
terian Magazine, enumerating from the
catalogues of the Seminaries tells us that
t hare are, from Pennsylvania, 124 Theo
logical Students; from Ohio, 48 ; New
York, 47; New Jersey, 28; South Caro
lina, 20; Indiana, 14; Kentucky, 13, &a.
From the Free St ates there are 287; and
from the slave holding States, 123.
PARSONAGE BIIRNED.—The Parsonage
of the West. Union church, 111., occupied
by Rev. Robert Irwin, Jr., was burned on
the sth of April. Mr. Irwin was absent at
the time, at a meeting of Presbytery. Part
of his furniture was saved, but in a damaged
condition. The burning was canoed by a
defect in a flue. Another, house for the
pastor .is to be erected speedily.
Temperance Convention.
The friends of Temperance, in Western
Pennsylvania, will keep in remembrance that
a Ccnvention, open to all who feel an inter
est in the cause, is to be held in this city on
Wednesday, May 25th, at 10 o'clock A. M.
A very large attendance is earnestly urged.
The cause depends greatly upon public
sentiment, and large and enthusiastic meet
ings both manifest and increase this moral
power. Let not efforts to accomplish so
great a good, be languid and unavailing.
Priameton Theological Seminary.
The Trustees of this Seminary held their
annual meeting, on Wednesday, the 28th
ult. Chief Justice Green was elected
President of the Board, in place of Rev.
Dr. Carnahan, deceased; and Rev. John
Hall, D.D., of Trenton, N. J., was chosen .
to fill the vacancy in the Board, caused by
the death of Dr. Carnahan. .
A memorial was presented from the Board
of Directors, on the subject of the pressing
need of additional accommodations for the
large number of students in attendance at
the Seminary. It was stated that, although
the number of students bad nearly doubled
in thirty years, the present number being
One'hundred and eighty, no additional build
ing bad been erected for their accommoda•
tion, and that now nearly one half the
students are compelled to seek quarters in
the village. It wigs also contended that
owing to the revivals of religion in many
places, an increased supply of theological
students would most probably seek the
benents'Of this Seminary.
The Trustees oordially agreed with the
Directors, and appointed a cemmittee, of
which Chief Justice Green is Chairman, to
act in conjunction with a similar committee
from the Directors, in obtaining plans for
the proposed building, and in the adoption
of other methods in
_furtherance of the
design.
We take it that this project will soon be
consummated; for this venerable Seminary
of our Church hai gaily friends of abund
ant means, who will quickly = respond to
every call that may be made, in order tO
'extend its usefulness. The increase ,of
theologioil students is a matter for' fervent
gratitude to God ; and the Church Will
hasten to afford them every facility both in
the way of accommodation and instruction.
The Sickles Tragedy.
The jury in the ease of Daniel E. Sickles,
charged with the murder of Philip Barton
Key, in Washington, D. 0., have returned
a verdict of acquittal. The trial lasted twenty
days: The killing was undeniable. The
effort to show that it was done during a fit
of temporary insanity, utterly failed. The
homicide was one of the most willful and
meet evidently predetermined that is to be
found on record. Why then did the jury
say, " Not guilty?" They evidently con
eidered that, the provocation justified the
deed, so as to make the killing not to be
a murder. But there is no law of God
which justifies such a killing; and no law
of civilized man which justifies it. The law
under •which• that jury was impanneled,
makes a willful killing to be murder, unless
it be in seltdefence ; and in this case there
is not the slightest pretence that Sickles
was defending himself.
The excuse for the jury is, that the of
,
fense of Key against the family of Sickles,
was of a most aggravated character, and that
society has, by law, provided no adequate
punishment; and that hence Sickles might
become legislator, judge, and executioner..
This is not. Christianity, nor is it civilize
tion. It is barbarism; and the state of
society in which either the crime can be
tolerated, or the revenge sanctioned, is most
deplorable.
Certainly the law of the land does not
adequately punish seduotion. It should be
amended and made adequate. Then let the
accused have his fair and' full trial, and be
punished according to his guilt. Had
Key been brought before. a Court and
.been convicted of wanton, aggression,
there is no punishment known to the laws,
short of a capital execration, which would
have been too severe. But if he had been,
permitted to live, so as to, appear in his own
defense, he might possibly have shown that
he was the seduced one, or that thtparties
were equally guilty, or that his accuser must
bear part of the blame, or that there were
important mitigating circumstances.
We trust that the terrible tragedy will have
some important influence in diminishing the
crime which caused it; also in procuring the
enactment of laws which may afford more
adequate protection to family purity; and
in repressing the " hop," the " ball," the
"theatre," the " flirtation," &c.; and in
inducing husbands to pay more of honorable
and polite personal attention to their wives
when moving in society;'and specially in
stimulating parents to educate their children
in the Trinciples and habits of a true
Christianity.
The fact is, the whole management of this
trial has been highly discreditable to the
character of our courts of law. It may be
that Mr. Ould and Mr. Carlisle, on the part
of the prosecution, did the utmost of which
they were capable, to secure the triumph of
law and justice. But notwithstanding the
reputation and ability of the counsel for the
defence, all intelligent and right-thinking
men must confess that, from beginning to
end, their great effort seemed to be to in
fluence court and jury, not by evidence,
law, and justice, but by raising false,issues,
by keeping the main,fact entirely out of
sight, and by bringing to bear from without
a pressure that could not be withstood.
Their speeches, considered as addressed to
a popular assembly, might possibly be ad
mired, but as legal arguments, they can
never take high rank.
Nor can the decision of the Judge, in one
important particular, at least, be allowed to
pass without notice. In charging the jury,
he ruled, when his words are translated into
plain English, that if the slayer's individual
opinion be that the person slain is not a
worthy subject for the protection of the law,
then the act met only involves no o f fence
against' 4 the deceased, but none against
society, and there remains no offence what
ever. Therefore, it is no murder for any one
to take away the•life of another, whom he
individually deems a burden to society, and
unworthy of its protection. This would at
once justify the brother of Mr. Key in
taking the life of Mr. Sickles. The North
American spoke truly, when it says of
such a promulgation of law as this
To say that, because the law does not thus
punish the invader of the domestic hearth, the
husband is necessarily clothed with the right to
do what the law omits to do, that he becomes,
ipeo facto, the executioner of the Divine ven
geance—that with respect to one offence society
is resolved into a state of nature,
and every man
must judge fur himself whether he will kill the
offender or not, is hurrying pro tanto to a state of
barbarism. It is plucking up by the roots the
sanotions of law and order, and establishing .a
precedent that may be prostituted to the worst
purposes.
And the rendition of the verdict by the
jury, or rather the scenes that followed, did
as much to derogate from whatever of dig
nity or sacredness may still be attached to
trials by jury, as anything that has occurred
in these latter days. What. a mockery of
all the propriety becoming a court of justice,
for Mr. Edwin M. Stanton to call out to the
jury to wait< until Mr. Sickles could take
them by the band, and for the jury to mani
fest hot haste in complying with the request!
The only thing necessary to complete the
farcical character of the whole affair, was to
have allowed the crowd to remove the horses
from the carriage in waiting for Mr. Sickles,
as they wished to do, and to have drawn it
themselves through the !streets, having his
clerical friends, who were so eager to extend
their congratulations at his Requital, for wheel
horses. Were it not for the awful crimes
connected with this whole affair, and the
terrible insults offered to law and justice, this
occurrence that has occupied so much atten
tion for weeks, might be called the Sickles'
farce instead of the Sickles' trarcly.
Death of Bishop Doane.
The Right 'Bev. George W. Doane, Bishop
of New Jersey, died at his residence in
Burlington, New jersey, on Wednesday
night, the 28th nit. Bishop Doane was born
in Trenton, N. 3., in May 1799, and was' of
humble origin. He was graduated at Union
College, N. Y., was ordained deacon, and
afterwards. priest, by Bishop Hobart; offi
eiated.for three years in Trinity church, N.
Y.; was for a time Professor of Belles-Lettres
in Washington College, Hartford, Conn.;
and then became Rector of Trinity church,
Boston, where he married a widow of large
fortune. He was elected Bishop of New
Jersey, October 81, 1832, and bah since
been connected with various educational es
tablishments, under. Episcopal control, in
that Many of his sermons have been
published;'and he wad' the author of a-large
number of pamphlets, and of many articles
contributed to different Episcopal period.
THE PRESBYTERIAN BANNER AND ADVOCATE.
icals. lie was alio a poet of clever abilities;
some of his poems exhibit a high degree of
taste, and considerable feeling.
Bishop Doane belonged to what is called the
High Church party in the Episcopal Church;
indeed he carried his views of Episcopacy
to great ecclesiastical extremes. He could
not recognize other branches of the Church
as parts , of the great family of Christ. And
in the manner of conducting the public
worship of God, in his views of the sacra
ments, and in his ecclesiastical vestments,
he was supposed to be not greatly removed
from Pusey and hie followers. His "High
Churebiern " involved hini in frequent con
troversies, both with those belonging to other
denominations and those in the same Church
connexion as himself; and in several of
these he Was sadly worsted.
Nor was he without some severe trials. A
son to whom he was tenderly and strongly at
attached, and whom he had ordained to the
ministry in his own church,following out the
logical conclusions of the High Church senti
ments of the father, entered the Catholic
Church and the Catholic priesthood; and it was
the painful duty of the father to depose him
publicly from the ministry, to which he had
introduced. him. Several years ago, grave
charges were tabled against him by some of the
Bishops and others of his own Church; but
the evidence prodaced did not substantiate
them, so as to secure his conviction before
the Court in which he was tried. And his
conduct in forbidding the Rev. Mr. Carden,
of Philadelphia, to officiate any where in
the diocese of New Jersey, because he had
at Atlantic City, invited a Methodist preach.
or who was present, to take part with him
in administering the Lord's Supper, called
down upon him severe animadversions from
all parts of the Church and the land.
This . bishoprio is not likely to remain va
cant for any length of time, for the Con
vention of the diocese, which meets in May,
will be required to choose a successor. This
election will probably awaken considerable
interest. Those who agree in sentiment
with the late Bishop will likely desire to se
cure one belonging to the same party; while
those opposed, and it is said there are not a
few such, will seek to have for their Bishop
one who entertains more moderate views of
Episcopacy, and who will look with more
kindly eye upon other denominations of
Christians.
Western Theological Seznixtary--Riam-
ination—Address of Dr. Rice.
The examination of the students in this
Institution was conducted, in the presence
of a Committee of the Directors, and many
visitors, on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednes
day of this week. The young gentlemen
acquitted themselves to their own honor, and
to the credit of their teachers. We shall,
•
next week, recur to them, and to the closing
exercises , of the occasion; having space
now only for a few remarks relative to the
address of Dr. Rice, before the Society of
inquiry.
The 'subiect the speaker was, The
Peculiarities of the Present Age, and the
Features which ought to belong to the
Ministry of this age s : Every age has some
thing peculiar to itself, and those who would
well perform their part must be fitted to the
occasion.
The present, it "was remarked, is an age
of inquiry. The intellect of man is deeply
exercised, and exercised , on matters practi
cal, as . well as scientific. Real life, as
existing and prospective, is being investi
gated. It is also an age of Extraordinary
Excitement. There is feeling—deep feeling.
This results from the nature and success of
the investigations. The intellect discovers
truth, and truth reaches the heart, and
moves it to its centre. And it is an age of
Expectation. Great things are looked for.
Many students of prophecy advanced the
opinion that the year 1866 was to see the
downfall of Antichrist, in both his forms—
of the False Prophet -and the Beast—of
Mohammedanism and Popery. And truly
things tend wondrously in this line.
These two powers reigned mightily, at the
time of the Reformation. Nothing could,
till then, resist them. They divided the
world between them. Now, what are they?
Turkey is evidently in the last stages of
anility. Spain is decayed and has become
almost as nothing. Portugal is scarcely to
be named. France is - more Infidel and Pro
testant, than it is Roman ; using and con•
trolling, rather than obeying the Pope.
Austria is greatly crazed and enfeebled; and
now, when Italy is the subject of strife
among the powers, the Pope is not even
asked for his opinion.
And this, moreover, is an age in which
The Rights of Man, Morals, and Religion,
are elements of the first consideration.
They enter into all negotiations between
monarchs and countries; and into all Scien
tific investigations, such as Geology, Astron
omy, Physiology, &c., &c. And this is, still
farther, an age of Enlarged Christian Views,
of Activity; and of Revivals. The. Charoh
is being aroused. Evangelism is separating
from Ritualism. The whole world is beina
regarded as the field ' for Christian en
terprise. The Christian life manifests it.
self with more than wonted strength. De•
nominations are becoming more harmonious
and allied ; and men are, more than ever,
consecrating themselves to the work of the
Lord.
A ministry adapted to such an age as
this, roust possess specific features.
They must be able to defend the Claims
of the Bible, and to confute Infidelity—able
to set forth, explain, and defend the Doe.
trines of Religion, and to teach the people
—they must be thinking men, and earnest
men, men of deep emotion, who will come
before their fellows with God's messages,
from the understanding and the heart, which
they are purposed, as their life's duty, to
convey to the understandings,
.and hearts
of the masses—men of zeal, beyond all the
zeal of Satan's emissaries—a ministry
taught of God ; into whose souls God has
shined; giving them to know his truth, to
perceive its beauties, and to feel its power.
We pretend not to give the language of
Dr. Rice, nor even to present a full analysis
of his, discourse. But let the reader take
up the points we have noted, and think of
them as enforced and elucidated by streams
of , light, poured upon them for an hour and a
half, by a speaker who possesses a great
fund of knowledge, a clear head, and an
emotional soul, and he may have some con
ception of the treat enjoyed by a very large
and a deeply attentive audience.
Home and Foreign Record for April.
DOMESTIC MISSIONS.
The Record, for May, gives us a Summary
of Results, as to the number of missiona
ries, and the amounts of collections and ap
propriations, for the two preceding six year
periods. From this it appears that the av
ersge of missionaries for the last six years
was five hundred and sixtynine, being thir
ty-eight more than the average for the six
years preceding. The average receipts for
the last' six years was $90,414.40, which
was greater by $21,248.40, than that of the
six years preceding. The average appro
priations for the last six years was 887,-
300.38, which is greater by 829,347.05 than
that of the preceding similar period. And
the average annual appropriation to the mis
sionaries for the last six years was $189.52,
whioh is $57.70 in advance of that of the
six preceding years. The average appropri
ations for the last year, to the missionaries,
seems to have been $203.02, which is an
increase of 431 per cent , beyond what it was
six years ago.
This statement shows an efficient adminis
tration of the affairs of the Board, by the pres
ent Corresponding Secretary and his worthy
coadjutors. The increase is pleasing. It has
fully kept pace with, or rather has increased
upon, the progress of the Church and the
country. A continuance in well-doing is
confidently hoped for, and an advance still
upon the past, in a full geometrical ratio is
even less than our bounden duty. As the
" day of the Lord " draws nigh, the conse
cration of his people should be more entire.
REOZIPTS, in March, at Philadelphia, $6,240; at
Louisville, $1,860.
EDUCATION
This Board presents no statistics, but it
sends out to the churches some excellent
reading matter, both for ministers and peo
ple.
Boozing, in Maroli, at libiladelphia, $4,233; at
Pittsburgh, $334 ; at Louisville, $147.
FOREIGN MISSIONS.
CraNA..—The latest dates are January
26th.
At Canton the mission chapel and hospital have
been opened, and preparations were also being
made for commencing the school. Mr. Preston
continues to preach with much encouragement in
the public temples and in the streets, and some
times in the open square in front of the ruins of
Governor Yeh's palace. At Shanghai and Ningpo,
the mission families were in the enjoyment of
their usual health.
Mi.. Way and family, from the Ningpo Mission,
arrived in New York on the let of April, having
had a pleasant voyage. Mr. Way's health has
been improved very muoh by the voyage.
INDlA.—Letters have been received with
dates to February 10th.
Mr. Fullerton makes the following encouraging
statements about the prospeets of the missionary
work at Futtehgurh • " I.can unhesitatingly say,
as it regards this field, that it is white and ready
for the harvest. The peopte listen as they never
did before ; our schools are crowded, and people
now come to church who would not have done so
before the meeting. They know not what to
think of the events that his,ve occurred in the last
two years, and I have no doubt many of them are
convinced, that their idols are powerless either
for good or evil, and are tready to confess that
there is One who ruleth in the kingdoms of men,
and giveth them to vrhomsbever he will."
Sorra AmElLlOA.—Letters from Bogota to the
23d of February, represent tie missionaries as well,'
and pursuing their work with comfort and encour
agement. The attendande upon publio preaching
is good, and by a class of persons who seem to
manifest a growing interest in the great truths
which they hear. The brethren are also encour
aged by a growing demon for religious books
and tracts, and In mast" oases' the applicants; are
able and willing to pay for them. Mr. Sharpe
remarks : " I have not the least doubt that the
good seed is taking root in.many hearts."
Iztorsx Thalia—At a recent communion season
at Goodwater,
four persons , ere reoeived to the
fellowship of the church, and a number of appli
cants were deferred to a" future occasion. At
Spencer Academy there were also tokens of the
Spirit's presence. Two 'backsliders had been
brought to penitence and sorrow, , and were re
stored to the fellowship of the church, whilst
other persons were inquiring with seriousness
what they must do to be saved.
Rammrs, in March, $17,222. In India, during
the year, there was received, $4,727.
PTIRLICATION.
The Corresponding Secretary expects to
be at the General Assembly, and will re- -
ceive all moneys tendered for the Distribu
tion and Colportage Funds, for the Home
and Foreign Record, and for the S. S.
Visitor.
The Visitor is growing in favor, there
being a steady increase, from month to
month, in its subscription list. We are
glad of this; and are pleased also to see it
stated that arrangements are made for im
proving and embellishing this little semi
monthly. The eye is an inlet to the un
derstanding and the heart; and it should
be well. used. And this especially with
children. We congratulate our young
friends in the prospect of increased pleas
ure and benefit.
Twenty-three new colporteurs have been
appointed; and six small Books and five
Tracts have been added to the list of publi
cations.
DONATIONS, in March, $1,708; sales $4,877.
CHURCH EXTENSION
The applications to this Committee are
numerous and • pressing—far beyond what
the treasury can satisfy. And they would
be immensely greater, if they could be pre
sented with hope. Church buildings are
very greatly needed. Multitudes, however,
in the East have found an insuperable hin
derance to giving,ln the costly structures
which some small congregations in the West
have attempted to put up. They so far ex
ceed what our old men remember of their
younger days, and exceed even the average
of accommodations for the present, in our
village churchea, that people stand aghast at
the report and demand. We ourselves grew
up to manhood in a church building which
did not cost $3OO, and commenced our min
istry in one worth not $5OO. And the value
of the edifices of very many of our contri
buting congregations is still not over $2,000
to $3,000. To asi such to contribute to the
erection of a $20,000, or even of a $lO,OOO
church, is rather a hapless utterance. Mat
ters, however, are assuming a new aspect,
and we trust that the liberality of those
whom the Lord has favored, will increase.
AxoneTs, in tilaroh,'at St. Louis, $6,604; at
Philadelphia, $1,815; at Louisoillu, $129; at
Cincinnati, $l6 ; at Pittsburgh, $B2. •
Revivals.
MT. PLEASANT, lOWA. —On the 25th
ult., sixteen persone,were received into the
communion of this bhurch, now under the
care of Rev. A. T. McClelland, making
thirty-one additions since January.
SHARON AND VALLEY CHURCHES, PA.— ,
To the charge of Dr. Jennings there have
been added,, during the year, forty four
persons on examination. About the same
number were added the year previous.. Pas
tor and people have great reason for thanks
giving.
LONG Rum, ,PA.—There has been in this
congregation, under the pastoral care of Rev.
A. McGaughey, a revived interest in re-
ligion. There has been no very peculiar ex
citement, and no multiplication of services,
but it has pleased the Lord to grant rich
blessings upon the ordinary means of grace.
On last Sabbath, there were added to the
communion fourteen. person. on examination
three of whom had just been baptized;
eight others were received on certificate.
On Monday, there were thirteen children
consecrated to God, and recognized as mem
bers of his church. There were large
audiences on Saturday and Monday, and on
Sabbath persons who ouuld not be accom
modated indoors, took their positions out
side, by the windows. These indications of
the flourishing state of religion were, on
Monday, supplimented by a resolution, passed
with great unanimity and ardor, to erect a
new house of worship, to afford the room
which their increasing numbers demand, and
to correspond with the taste and means of
the people.
The General Assembly.
The Chief Judicature of our Church will
have before # at its approaching sessions,
some questions of deep interest, bearing
upon her peace, usefulness and enlargement.
These, in addition to the ordinary import
ant business, will be :
1. The question of an Assembly's Com
mentary on the whole Scriptures. Shall the
Assembly cause to be prepared, and then
ratify, send forth, and fix upon the people,
an Exposition of the Word of God, in six
large volumes ? Or shall the Confession
and Catechisms of the Westminster Assem•
bly be considered by this generation, as
they were by our fathers, a sufficient decla
ration of. our Creed; leaving to-ministers,
Professors, and whosoever will, to write and
publish, and allowing Christians to read and
judge, and, as heretofore, to accept or re
'ect ?
2. The considering of the proposed alter.
ations in the Book of Diseipline—the re
jecting of them; or the amending, adopting,
and sending them down to the Presbyteries
for ratification.
3. The propriety of establishing a Branch
Executive Committee on Domestic Missions,
in the South.Weet: And, possibly, also,
the deciding on the polity of continuing or
abolishing the existing Executive Commit
tee, at Louisville.
4. The receiving the reports of Presby
terial action, on the question of Demitting
the Ministry; and the deciding upon farther
measures, or upon future inaction.
The foregoing all come from the last As.
sembly. Then, as new matters, there are to
be the following
5 A Seminary for the North-West.
Will the Assembly accept the transfer which
is to be tendered ? If so, will it proceed at
once with the work? Where shall the
Seminary be located ? How are funds to be
had? Who will be the Professors These
questions are not merely important. Some
of them are deeply exciting.
6. The Overture from the Synod of Phil.
adelphia, on the Marriage Question. Will
the Assembly test again the mind of the
Church, whether a man must be ecclesiasti
cally prohibited from marrying the sister of
his deceased wife, or any other of her -kin
nearer than he may of his own.
7. Our Board System is likely to come
under consideration. Shall the Plan of
Systematic Benevolence be continued—that
is, shall we rely upon Presbyteries, minis.
tern, and elders, to do their proper work, in
making collections, in looking out for their
feeble churches, their vacancies, and their
destitution; and in encouraging and direct
ing their young men in seeking the minis
try ? Or shall we be obliged 'to have super
numerary Secretaries, Agent; Superintend
ents, or orrteera under some other name, the
appointees of the Boards, (a kind of Epis
copacy!) to look after the interests of the
Missionary and Education causes, and to
inspect, admonish, stimulate, and keip up to
their duties, our Presbyteries, pastors, elders,
and people ?
To undertake and dispose of all this im
portant work, the churches are sending up
:in unusual number of their more able and
experienced men. But human !strength
and wisdom are not, of thethselves, adequate
to the task. Blessings from on High are
needed. •
Let, then, congregations,• families, and
individuals, be importunate at a throne of
grace, for the Assembly.
The Presbyterian Magazine.
The May number of this always instruc
tive monthly, is more than usually rich. It
deals more than had been the wont of the
journal, in matters of living interest, and
treats them with great good judgment.
There is an excellent article on Sabbath
School Conventions, with allusions to the
American Sunday School Union, and pre
senting some cautions which the friends of
that noble institution would do well to heed.
The injudicious movement of a few self
wise men to ignore and set aside the teach
ings of the family and the pulpit, God's
own'ordained instrumentalities, aed to af
firm that " the Sunday School is compe
tent, as an ageney, for bringing the entire
youth of the country under the saving' in
fluence of the Gospel," is well rebuked. •
In concluding the notice of the proposed
Revision of the Book of Discipline, it says,
"We greatly prefer the Old Book as it is,
to the Revised Book." In this sentiment
it is likely to be joined by many. A few of
the alterations proposed, are eminently wise,
but, as it'whole, we could not adoptat.
In the review of "Esther, the Hebrew
Persian Qneen," the Magazine makes a
wondrous mistake, for a histotian and Bib-
Heist. Speaking of Esther it says: "The
lovely Queen and her good uncle Mordecai."
The sacred writer, speaking of Mordecai,
says : ",He brought up Hadassar, (that is
Esther,) has uncle's daughter." These in
parties then, Mordecai and Esther,
were COUSINS,
We again commend this monthly to our
readers. The price is only .ce,
Commissioners to the General Asserably
ADA [(Pa
Antis s
Presbyteries
St. PauL ,
.7. G. Itilteldaffer, _ F. hi'Cormick.
Geneve. River, Jos. lit, NIIMSEII, W. W. McNair.
Iowa?, . F. R. Dinsmore, Wm. Thomplion,
RochereVrol4,, A. G. Rail, D.D., George'Rubbel.
Lexington, , • 8. Brown. agrees Wilson, ,
D. C. Irwin, Janine Henry.
N.Brunswick,. {A. T. hi'olll, AD.. SW* 0. Potts,
3. B. Mille, 3. 0. Van Doren,
O. F. Worrell, 3. G. Bromley.
Philadel; 2d., /R. Happereett,D.D., 3. M. Mitchell.
3. Boott " Joseph Moorhead
Lewes, A. C. Heaton, -•11. GnIall:
Luzern% . John Dorman!, charineluller.
I
Orange, .T . Doll, ' . ~ '' D. Pt' Mir,'
, 3. M. ightrwood, G. T. Dokerrille.
Concord, R. li. Chapman, DD , D. 11. Bin,
B. C. Alexander, A. T. Scuumey.
EASTERN SUMMARY.
Boston and New England.
The trade between Boston and the Southern
States has been Increasing so rapidly that an act
of incorporation has been obtained from the Leg
islature, for a company to establish a .Line of
Steamships between this and the Southern
ports. Great interest is taken in the matte; and
at present there is a good prospect that the
scheme will be carried into effect.
The distinguished lawyer, Mr. Choate, will
sail for Europe on the 20th instant, for rest and
recreation. Mr. Choate is a most assiduous stu
dent, and whatever he undertakes he elaborates
with the most unwearied diligence.
The projected Museum of 'Natural Hietory is no
longer a matter of probability. $70,000 in ad
dition to the $50,000 given by Mr. Gray, have
been secured, so that $20,000 more than were
necessary to secure the State appropriation of
$lOO,OOO have been contributed. Ground will be
broken and, a commencement made during the
present Summer.
Two Prayer Meetings continue to be held in the
chapel of the South Church every day—the morn
ing one from 81 to 9i, and the noon one from 12
to 1.
Quite an interesting Work of Grace is in pro
gress at the Eastern end of the city. The meet
ings are well attended, and Christians are labor
ing faithfully and zealously for the salvation of
souls.
On board the Receiving Ship 64 Ohio," much in
quiry is made on - the subject of religioh, and
many hope that a saving change has been wrought
in their hearts.
Dr. Dana, of Newburyport, is one of the old
veterans fora truth and righteousness. In times
of defection he has stood firm. In his preaching
he never catered to the fanciful or the vascillat
lug. The consequence is, that in his old age he
has not only the approbation of his own con
science, but also the respect of all ; while many
who adopted new measures, however popular for
the day, are forgotten. The following affecting
account of a late meeting with some of his
brethren in the ministry will be read with inter
est ; it is taken from the Newburyport Herald:
The Presbytery, which has been holding a ses
sion during the present week, in this city, went in
a body, seventeen in all, to pay their respects to
the venerable Dr. Dana, now in the eighty-ninth
'year of his age. Rev. Thomas Savage, of Bed
ford, N. H., in behalf of his brethren, made a
few appropriate remarks to him expressi ig their
feelings of love and - veneration. He received
them with much joy, and told them he could not
let them depart without taking each one by the
hand. In turn they went to the bedside of their
aged brother, grasped his hand, and listened to the
few words he addressed to each. One of those
present remarked that it was among the most in
teresting and affecting scenes of his life thus to
meet ono whose life had been full of usefulness
and honor, and to listen to his words, perhaps for
the last time, ere he goes to that home where his
heart has go long been. Though feeble, we are
glad to learn that Dr. Dann enjoys as good health
as could be expected at his advanded age.
The subject of Thyjdeal Education, is beginning
to attract considerable attention among the pa
trons of institutions of learning, in this part of
the country. A Gymnasium for the use of the
students of Amherst College, is in process of com
pletion; its size will be seventy-five feet in
length and fifty in breadth; it, will be furnished
in the style of the best institutions of the kind.
Attendance at Funerals upon the Sabbath is be
ginning to receive opposition from ministers and
members of the churches. It not unfreqnently
happens that funerals are unseasonably delayed,
or unseasonably hurried for the very purpose of
having them on the Sabbath, that a large crowd
may be gathered, or that the Societies that now
exist so numerously, may have an opportunity of
turning out in full strength, anti of displaying
their regalia to the best advantage, if the deceeeed
has been connected with them.
New York.
The Spring has been somewhat backward and
traces 'of Winter lingered much longer than
was expected. But at length a bright sun looks
down upon the inhabitants of Gotham, and they
are fanned by genial breezes.
The great ".Moving Day" in this city is
the Ist of May, and not the, Ist of April, as
with us. For it is customary with many people
here, as elsewhere, to move once every twelve
months, even if nothing 13 gained by it. " Mov
ing day," is bad enough any where, but in no
place else is it accompanied with so much that is
disagreeable to a man of quiet habits, as in this
city. The pavements are strewed with house
hold articles, the drays, carts, and furniture ears
are laden with them to the size of loads of hay, and
the noise and confusion are terrible. As much
as New York exceeds other places in crowded
dwellings and thoroughfares, in the rushing of
multitudes, and in the hurry with which every
thing is done, by so much , are the inconveniences
of removal increased.. The impositions of the
dray-men and furniture car men, are many and
grievous ; and the breaking of furniture, the
smashing of crockery, and the shattering of look
ing glasses, are appalling to the uninitiated.
The prospect of a general War in Europe al
ready begins to awaken many speculations as to
its probable effeot upon the shipping interest of
this country. The Crimean war was a rich har
vest to our ship owners and masters, many of
whom realized handsome fortunes by the buelness
thus thrown into their hands. •
Senator Seward will sail for Europe shortly, in
tending to be absent until the opening of the
next Congress.
That well known journal, the Scientific Ameri
can, has had an existence of fourteen years, and
has met with a steady progressive support from
a elan of readers equal to any others for intelli
gence and enterprise. It has always been the
aim of its' proprietors to make its columns,
truthful, reliable, and useful, and they have
never been purposely prostituted to subserve the
interests of any private individual. The proprie
tors, owing to the patronage now enjoyed, will,
about the let of July, commence the publication
of a new volume, having sixteen pages in each
number, instead of eight, as at present, and
without any increase of price.
The New York Female Auxiliary , Bible. Soddy
has; during the forty years of its existence, con
tributed to the funds of the American Bible So
ciety, $107,122.47, in addition to the sums ex
pended in distributing the Bible under its own
directions.
The Presbytery of New York, at its late meet
ing, adopted a memorial to the General Assembly
on the subject of applications soliciting aid for
churches in the West and other places, similar to
the one adopted by the presbytery of Philadel
phia, so that the matter- will be brought before
the Assembly from quarters entitled to be heard
on the subject. This action does not originate
from any disposition to 'withhold aid from needy
and feeble churches, but from a desire to allow
the Committee on Church Extension to do the
work for which it was appointed, and to obtain
Presbyterial eanotion for applications made out:
side of that Committee. This Presbytery also
directed a committee to take immediate steps for
the purchase of the building on Seventh Avenue,
for the use of the Seventh Avenue (colored) con
gregation. Pastors were directed to bring the
subject before their congregations and urge lib
eral contributions to this cause.
The Hermon of --Rev. John Hall, D. D., of
Trenton, N. J., before the Presbyterian Board of
Foreign Missions is highly spoken of.
Three hundred and twenty of the men attached
for some time to the United States ship .North
Carolina, where such a remarkable work of grace
has been in progress, have been ordered to Bos
ton, where they will be distributed among anum.
her of vessels. Seventy of these are from the
new converts, and they will be divided among
three or four different ships destined for stations
widely sundered. Their temptations will be
many, and surely they are entitled to the prayers
of God's people in their behalf, that they may be
kept from falling, and that they, may let their
light so shine, that others may 'be' led glorify
their Father who is in heaven.
AU s
Philadelphia.
The Coasting Trade of this city, has become a
most important item in its business. During the
month of April, the Coastwise arrivals were two
thousand nine hundred and forty-eight, being an
increase of seven hundred and seventy-five over
the corresponding month of last year.
Judge Vonder.rmith, of Lancaster, sixty years of
age, was convicted in thie city, last week, of
forging applications for pensions, and sentenced
to an imprisonment of twenty years in the penis
tentiary. Whilst many worthy applicants for
pensions have been refused on account of the
want of sufficient evidence, it cannot be doubted
that many frauds have been practised by the pro
duction of forged testimonies.
The Prytyfirst Anniversary of the Pennsylvania
Bible Society, was held on Wednesday of last
week, at Mr. Barnes' church on Washington
Square, Mr. Barnes presiding. During the year,
this Society has distributed by sales and donatione
seventy-nine thousand nine hundred and eighty
three copies of the Holy Scriptures, and since its
organization, fifty-one years ago, one million
three hundred and sixty-one thousand and eight
copies. The receipts for books sold and dona
tions during the year, have been $30,044 87, an
increase of $3,161.67 over last year. In the
State, there are one hundred and twenty-five
Bible Societies. It was determined to raise the
coming year, at least $lO,OOO, for transmission to
the American Bible Society, at New York. Spip»
ited addresses were made by Rev. Messrs. Barnes,
Washburne, Cuthbert, and Jenkins, and by George
H. Stuart, Esq. The agents of the Society, are
Rev. Mr. Torrence, for the Eastern Division of
the State, and Rev. J. J. Aiken, D. D., for the
Western.
The Annual Meeting of the Pre.T6ylerian His
torical Society was held on Tuesday evening of
last week, in the Second Presbyterian church.
The attendance was larger than for several years
preceding. The address was delivered by the
Rev. James Harper, of the 'United Presbyterian
Church, New York. The speaker had for his
theme the Ecclesiastical Polity of the Waldensian
churches, and showed, Ist, the great antiquity of
those churches; and 2d, that their form of
Church Government was Presbyterian. The
discourse was characterized by eloquence and
ability, and will be published in pamphlet form,
and also in several monthly magazines. The
Society is in a highly prosperous state, having
added nearly four hundred volumes to its library,
mostly by donations, within the last year.
It is customary to hold an Annual Festival, in
Dr. Boardman's church, which consists of an ex
hibition to the congregation of the work per
formed by the " Dorcas" Society of the church,
for the benefit of some of the missionaries and
their families employed by the Board of Domestic
Missions of the Presbyterian Church. This year
this festival was unusually interesting. The
various articles were arranged previously to being
packed in the ten large boxes, each four feet
square, prepared for them, and the rooms were
crowded for several hours by a company highly
delighted with what had been done by the ladies,
and with the anticipated-happiness . to be expe
rienced by the worthy recipients. The exact
state of the families to he supplied is learned in
advance, and the articles made are suited pre,.
cisely to its wants, and the beneficiaries are
usually changed from year to year, so that a
large number of families receive the benefits of
this Society., The number of families supplied
this year is ten ; the number of articles distrib
uted, two thousand seven hundred ; and the
estimated value, $2,000. The ladies meet from
week to week,'. on Friday, and spend a few
hours in work, and, with what is completed at
home, the whole matter is attended to with
scarcely an appeal to the congregation. This
Society has been in successful operation for many
years; and how many households have been glad
.dened by Its labors ! How many carenworn, and
desponding ministers have been cheered onward
by its timely aid ! The labors of tbese ladied are
blessed to themselves, and blessed to others.
May their example find many imitators.
Ecclesiastical.
Rev. A. C. MCCLELLAND was installed pas
tor of the Mt. Pleasant church, la., on the
29th ult. Rev. C. P. Taylor preached
the sermon and proposed the questions,
Rev:, T. Stearns gave the charge to,the
pastor, and Rev. R. McGuigan the charge
to the people.
:Rev. Gron. MORTON'S pastoral rdation
to the church of Ebenezer, Pa., has been
dissolved.
Rev. SAMUEL AlcauNG has resigned his
charge at Plum Creek, Pa., and the con
nexion has been dissolved.
Rev. CALVIN BARB'S Post Office address
is changed from Green Bank, Va., to
Lewisburg, Va.
Rev. G. W. ZAHNISER has accepted the
call to the church of Huntington, Pa.
Rev. DAVID GRIER has been released from
the pastoral charge of the church of West
Greenville, Erie Presbytery.
Re,. J. L. VALLANDIGHAM has been elect
ed Professor of Languages in Delaware
College.
Mr. JAIVIES A. REED, a licentiate of the
Pretbytery of Huntingdon, and graduate
of the Western Theolog ical Seminary, has
received and accepte d an invitation - to
become pastor of the church of Cedar
Rapids, lowa. -
Mews. J. ABIDTSON HENTLY, ROBERT H.
NASSAU, and ROBERT S. FEAGLEs, have
been licensed by the Presbytery of New
Brunswick.
Messrs. JOHN CHESTER, IIuGH L. CRAVEN,
SAMUEL M. MOORE, and - HAR
RISON, have been licensed by the Second
Presbytery of Philadelphia.
Rev. N. B. LYorts' Post Office address is
changed from Hubbard, Ohio, to Prosper.
ity, Washington Co., Pa.
Rev. J. T. LAPSLEY has been called to the
church of Pleasant Hill, Mo.
Rev. W. T. HILLMAN has received unani
mous calla from the church of St. Mary's
and Wapakonetta, Presbytery of Sidney.
MT. JAMES A MARSHALL, a student of the
Western Theological Seminary, was li
censed to preach the Gospel, by the Pres
bytery of Sidney, at its late , meeting.
Mr. I. Q. MCKEEHAN, Principal of Hope
well Academy, was licensed to preach the
Gospel, by tbe Presbytery of Madimon, at
its late meeting.
Mr. JAMES MCDOUGALL, JR , has accepted
a call from the Ainslee Street church,
Brooklyn, N. Y.
*essrs. EDWARD A. CoLLIER and T. C.
ANDERSON, students at Princeton Semi
nary, were licensed to preach the Gospel,
by the Presbytery of Nassau, at its late
meeting.
Mr. FRANCIS E BuTEEE, from the Theo
logical Seminary at. Princeton, was li
censed to preach the Gospel, by- the Pres
bytery of Passaic, at its late meeting.
Rev. Mr.- ROSENTHAL'S pastoral relation.to
the German church at Patterson, N. J.,
was dissolved by the Presbytery of Pas
saic, at its late meeting.
Rev. Wm. M. REED, of the German Re
formed Church, was received by the Pres
bytery of Maumee, at its late meeting.
Por the Presbyterian Banner and Advocate.
Church Extension Receipts.
Coshocton congregation, Coshocton Mi. • '
George's Creek congregation, Redstone P by,
Cool Spring " Erie P'by,
New Hagerstown " Steubenville rbyi. •
West Union- " Washington A
Usury Shane, Western Reserve
.Tobn Lee, .4
Pittsburgh,
jprir
155 M. 9. H. NZVlN,Reething dgarkt."
$lOOO
91.0
IGO
6.00
5.00
500