Presbyterian banner. (Pittsburgh, Pa.) 1860-1898, October 12, 1861, Image 2
,ll,rtshßtqian anntr. PITTSBURGII, AfIJRBAY, OMBER 12, [B6l. ski - Having purehasedfor our office the " Right" to use ll ice's Accountant and Despatch Patent, ail, or nearly all, ofnur subseribeil now have their papers addressed to them regularly by a singularly unique machine which fastens on the white margin a small colored "ad d ress stamp," or whereOn appears their name piesinlyprinted, followed by the date up to which they have aid for their papers—this bring authorised by an Act of Cbnpress. The date will always, be advanced on the receipt of subscription money, is cadet accordance with the amount so received, and thus be an ever-ready and valid receipt; nearing to every one, nna at times, aperfeet knowledge of his newspaper ac count, so that if any error is made he can immediately de tect,it and have it corrected—a boon alike valuable to the publisher and subscriber, as it must terminate all painful wisUnderstandings between them respecting • acemalts, and that tend to perpetuate their important relationship. te Those in arrears will please remit. POSTAGE STAMPS. The'old postage stamps are still received in offices where new stamps have not been funridted. But none are taken in Pitts burghd Here the new stamps only are etither'.'aiven out or received. Hence per rmi sOuling payment .to us will please to send - o,lly the , new stamps ; and send none .but three Cent stamps. The old stamps are utterly useless • here;' and the five and ten cent, and larger stamps, We turn into money with great difficulty. Sabbath Law Sastained.—The Supreme Court of California, in full bench, has de cided the Sunday Law constitutional. The partieular features of the law we do not re member to have seen noted. • Entered upon his Work.—The Rev. A. C. MCCLELLAND, pastor elect of the FOurth Presbyterian church of this city, has en tered upon his new field of labor with much acceptance by the people. The Synod of Wheeling meets at Wheel ing, on Friday, the 18th, in the evening. One of us expects to be present during part of the sessions, say on Monday, and will be happy to transact much business for the Banner. A Lengthy Reply.—The Presbyterian Her aid, of last week, contains a reply of the Presbytery of Chillicothe, in the State of Ohio, to the late "Address of the Presby tery of the Western District of Tennessee to Presbyterians of the. Northern States," occupying nearly thirteen columns! The game is hardly worth the powder. Receiving Agent.—At a late meeting of the Synod of Allegheny, Mr. T. H. NEVIN was unanimously appointed to receive the contribution. of that Synod to the Boards of Domestic. Missions and Education, and the Fdnd for Superannuated and Disabled Ministers, addition to those for the Board of Church Extension, which he has received for some time. This appointment was directed to be published. • Going to Synod.—The Synod of Pittsburgh meets at Kittanning, on Thursday evening, thel.oth inst. Cars leaves Pittsburgh Depot of the Allegheny Valley Railroad, at 6.05 o'clock A. M., and at 4.30 P. M. The lat ter train reaches Kittanning about . 8 P.M., a little too late for the meeting of Synod. Excursion tickets will be sold to minis ters and Elders, who will inform the agent of their errand. Another Resignation,—The Rev. RAN DOLPH A. DE LANCET', Secretary of the South Western Advisory Committee of our Board of Domestic Missions at New Or leans, has resigned because of the endorse ment of secession by the Southern portion of our Church. Mr. DE LANCEY i 5 well known as a devoted servant of the Divine Master. He is loyal to the Union, and on this account has found it necessary to leave the city and region where be has resided for many years. Quite a number of the 'ministers of our Church have left the South for the same cause, and from among these, some of our vacant churches may secure able, faithful, and experienced pastors. They are men that have sacrificed much for their Church and country. And We doubt not that here and there, even in the seceded States, min isters of our Church may be found who have not yet bowed to treason and rebel lion. • Mr. W. IL Russell, the London Timer Cor respondent, and the Sabbath,—Mr. RUSSELL lately took a trip fom Washington to the West, for the purpose of spending some time in hunting. While out there he seems to have supposed himself beyond the reach of law, and above the criticism of public opinion, for which he in general expresses great contempt. For he went abroad as usual, on the Sabbath, and en gaged in shooting game, knowing no doubt that he was violating the laws of the State of Illinois. But " our own correspondent" of the Times was brought before a magis trate, and fined $3O, one half of which goes to the school fund, for his disregard of the laws of God and man. It was a shame for a man so highly honored as he has been in this country,,and representing such a great interest of another Christian country, to thus trample on an insti tution considered sacred by the laws of both countries. No doubt in his next let ter Mr. RUSSELL will give the people of Wilmington, Will County, 111., "a piece •of his mind." Synod of illkghony.—This body closed - a remarkably harmonious meeting at NeW- Castle, Lawrence County, Pa., last week. The usual routine business was transact ed with more than usual spirit, and the de votional exercises were delightfully solemn. Resolutions, respecting the state of the enuntry,were passed unanimously, all the members rising, thus giving great force to the expression of sentiment of the resolu tions. li.was our expectation to have.been able to give this paper, ; this week, along Nfith the entire proceedings, but the Min utes were not furnished in time. On Sabbath evening, the - Rev. Dr. Swiss preached a very able and interest ing germon, commemorative of the life, character, and labors of the late Rev. Ron any JOHNSON, one of the early ministers in this region. The Synod was highly de lighted with a visit from the Rev. JoHN C. LOWRIE, D.D., one_of the. Secretaries of our Dosod of Foreign Missions. On Mon day evening, he spoke to a large congrega tion, on the subject of Foreign Missions, in such a way as to rivet the attention of all. Dr. LOWRIE was born within the limits of ibis Synod, se,Was also his bettered father. „pia ,his, g rand-father was, at one :time, the biilidayman•that 'would pray in 1546, in the-entire district where be resided. - TO WHOM ALLEGIANCE IS DUE—JESUS DE CIDES A POLITICAL QUESTION. The action of the General Assembly at Philadelphia, in May last, was zealously opposed by Dr. HODGE and a few others ; opposed on the floor of the house, in a Protest put on record, and in the Biblical Repertory for July. Southerners have since maligned it virulently, making it an occasion for separating from the. Church ; and some still are expressing great sorrow at its character, The main objection, as stated in the words of the Protest, is; " We deny the right' of the General Assembly to decide the politi ca/ question, to what Government the alle giance of Presbyterians, as citizens, is due." The italics here are ,ours. The effort, by the use of the epithet " political," to stir up prejudice against the ASsembly, and also toTervert the meaning of the Assern bly's act by intimating t at the rebellion is a " Government;" and the insinuation that nought but our duty to man—our duty " as ' citizens " is declared, are unworthy of the distinguished author of the Protest. The Assembly did not speak of , our obligation merely " as citizeDs." It affirmed the duty of Christians. It did not inves tigate a rival claim of " Government;" it merely affirmed our obligation to our own acknowledged Government. It did not determine a merely "political question;" it declared - a dtity which God make; in cumbent on his people. • The „objection against ministers and churches saying anything on political ques tions, is very convenient for wordlings, and in their mouth is natural and may be tol erated; but to hear Christians so speak, is painful. Worldlings, striving to have everything their own way and in their own bands, cry out, "Politics, politics, these are not in.your province; you confine your selves to spiiitual things ; you have no right to touch politics." And then they involve in the political cauldron, not only offices, but also temperance, Sabbath ob servance, edUcation, ni.m-riage, slavery—all questions of socialethics—and thus they would fain drive Christ's ministers entirely out of, or beyond, this world, for subjects on which to instruct the people. This is the spirit of the "god of this world." It is the impudent but false claim of Satan; " All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them; for all this is delivered unto me, and to whomsoeverl will I give it." c We say the pretension of Satan is false. Jesus Christ is the rightfu.i,proprietor, both . of this world and the next; and though he does not claim this world's offices, honors, and emoluments for his friends and ser vants, he yet insists that he shall be recog nized as having authority over all, and that all things 'shall be conducted according to his will. It is to men in this world, having like passions with others, and bearing all social relations, that he sends his =basso dors. In his instructions to them he has declared those relations, and the various duties incumbent. these duties they are to teach; and among them are those which 'men owe to the government of their country. But it is still urged that he has given no authority to the Church to decide " politi cal" questions. That, as before intimated, depends upon what men may embrace in polities: If they invade the Church's pre cincts, she is not hence to be silenced, nor to neglect her duty ; There is much said. in the Scriptures about Governments,' rulers, and people ; about the relations of each to the other, and about the rights •and duties of 'each ; and surely it is incumbent on the Church to expound and apply these injunc tions. She is to declare the whole counsel of God. Whatever God communicates in his Word, that his chosen ambassadors are to declare and expound to men. . And in the case before us, we, have the specific and pointed example of Jesus Christ himself, deciding a question similar to that which agitated members of our Church at the time of the General Assembly's meet ing in There was, during lis personal ministry on ear th, a standing-dispute between the Pharisees and Herodians about government; the one sect 'contending for Jewish authority, the other advocating the Roman predominance. They brought the question to Jesus. Their motive was im pure, and he knew it. But still, he did not repel' them. He answered without 7evasion or subterfuge; and answered, too, , with a proof which was convincing to both parties. They say to him "Is it lawful to give tribute unto CAsA - a, or not ? Shall we give, or shall we not give?" That is : What Government shall we acknowledge, serve, sustain ? Here was a " political " question. Jesus does not say: It is none of my business. I came to teach only " spiritual" things, and things which be long to another world. No ; but instead of that, he answers them promptly, and most plainlY and pointedly; so plainly, that their own conscience convinced them of his cor rectness. He said, " Show ine,the tribute money." He looked at it, and said, " Whose is this image and superscription ?" They reply, " Cmsan's." He then said, " Render unto C/ESAR the things that are 0./EsAes." Here was an answer. Here was argument. ' Here was proof—brief, clear, overwhelming. They hid not a word to reply in opposition. They knew he did not mean that,they should give the tax gatherer every coin they had, which bore CABAR'S likeness. They did not int- Vitt to him such injustice andjolly. They • felt convinced that the coin, the circulating money of the country, having the Roman stamp, was the emblem of sovereignty,, the' evidence of a resident Rowan authority. The proof was conclusive. They felt its force and submitted. .C.r sast and his depu ties were, to then], "the powers that be ;" and they had no more to say. The ques tion of conecienee, or in modern parlance, the "political " question, was decided. The Roman Government was ,to be sustained. It was the, rightful so proved ,by the coinage, and to it'd& tribute must be paid. There was nn formal _question proposed -to Our late Assembly, as to which. Govern ment, whether the United States or the no-called Confederate, the people should sustain. And yet the Synod of South: Car olina, by framing a resolution, putting it on record, and sending it up for review`; .and ..they, or others, by an arrange-' -mint (Which failed,) to have a certain interrogatory proposed,. showed- them 3 PRESBYTERIAN BANNERt-SATURDA Y, OCTOBER 12, 1861. selves to have very much of the same spirit and purpose as the Pharisees and Herodians. The Assembly, however, after the example of' our Lord, honestly took np the subject. It was kilow'n that some of our people, under the shield of a pretended rival Government, were taking part in a rebellion. Others were deliberating whether_ they also should join it. Others were hesi tating whether they should sustain their own proper and acknowledged . Government, against the pretenders. The question in volved social and moral duty. The Assem bly discussed it with deliberation, earnest ness, and prayer. The Scriptures were searched diligently. An exposition was given; especially an exposition and appli cation of that pointed:passage, Rom. xiii : 1-7. The example of our Lord, on an occasion involving the prinCiPle,' was followed. Resolutions were adopted ad yising the people, they being both Christians and citizens, to sustain the Government of the country. In all this matter we cannot but regard the Church as exercising her prerogative and discharging a duty. If she ha.d failed, under a call in Providence so manifest , and so loud, she : .would have been faithless to her children, who look to her for instruc tion ; ungratefpl to her :country, .where she has peace and: proteetioro <and disobe.client to her Lord, who has given , her his Word to expound' and apPly. It will be observed, ; that the Church, by her Assembly, in the resolutions to which we allude, did not enact: . a law. She; de dared a duty, but-she added no pains ; and penalties, either temporal or spiritual. She assumed no new, power. She but expounded and applied the; Scriptures. Her act was declarative. She Was therein, a, teaching Mural; She was doing her appropriate work. She was folloWing the guidance of revelation, and treading in the footsteps of her Lord. IMPORTANT . AUDIVIAL . Attain. We, claim to live under a government of law. We have Courts to expound the laws, and decree justice. To these Courts we are to appeal, and by their decisions we abide. There are cases in which an individual May violate the law, by striking a man, maiming him,, or even killing him : that is, eases of self-defence, where; the atiack is deadly, and so sudden that the law cannot be appealed to for protection. But even then the individual is to be brought before the Judge, and'arrinvestio.ation is to deter mine whether the case was such as is al- So also in civil government. = Self-pro teetion is. the first duty. With it, whereon an attack is sudden and destructive, no mere formalities are to, interfere. On this principle the United States Governmliht acted on the breaking out of the rebellion. The country's life was iinperilled. Con gress was not in session. The'forms of law were too slow to meet.the emergency. To have awaited, a called meeting of Congress, would have lost' the Capital and disrupted the country. The Administration acted promptly—raised an .army, strengthened fortifications, blockaded hostile ports, in curred debt, &c. But the President was all the while responsible. His conduct, so far as it seemed to interfere with the preroga tiVes of Congress, has been_ examined, and legalized. That part of it which seemed to conflict with general law, is now being in vestigated by the Courts, and decisions are being had. A large class of cases have arisen under the President's Proclamation blockading rebel ports. Men, for the sake of gain; or supposing that the President had exceeded his powers, attempted to violate the block ade, and their vessels were captured. They then sued in the United. States Courts, to bring the matter to a legal test. One case was tried in the Circuit Court, at Washing ton, and the lawfulness of the blockade and capture were affirmed. Another case, was prosecuted in Philadelphia, with the same result; A number 'of cases 'were entered' in New-York. The most eminent counsel was employed. • Many days,were occupied in the argument. The resultis the same. Some one or mor of the cases will likelybe carried to the United States Supreme Court, where the decision will be final. In tht3 mean time our readers may wish to have some little knowledge of the prin ciples vhich rule in the eases. - We, there fore, re-print a portion - of the decision of Judge BETTS, of New-York. It embraces, in the( main, the Judge's response to the pleadings of counsel: " The officers of the United States Gov erument act within #articular States to en force or defend the laws of the United States, the same as if no State demarcations existed. The whole extent of the country is one nation and one Government. In re spect to the United States and its Constitu tional laws, there are no State lines, and State sovereignty is a nonentity. 4' The denominatiens' of States existing for, local and dornestic purpoaes are made use of and applied by the insurgents the: present war, in designation of combi `nations of persons disruptcd,,so far as thei , had material or political power so to do, from their Citizenship of and subjection . to the • Government of the United,Stateft disavowal and defiance of that 'allegiance, and, so far as their own purposes and 'acts can fix their political status, make them selves as alien and foreign from the United States Government as if they assumed the name of citizens and subjects of various States of Mexico and' South America. "'They thus make themselves.-avowed enemies and wage war' against the United States,-to accomplish its dismemberment and estruction. It can be of no conse quence under what name or appellation these enemies .unite and act, whether as States, Secessionists, Southerners, or Slave holders; they are, in every just contempla tion of our system- of Government, insur gents and rebels against a common govern ment, and waging idar for its overthrow. "The organism of States, far-, nishes a form of government for peaceful and domestic purposes, is thus "sought to be perverted by the insurgents ,into alien sovereignties, which may , exercise, under `the familiar name of States, independent and coequal'` capacities with -the -National -Government. Such names - or pretensions can have no effect to change the intrinsic' nature- of things, and transfoini the resi dents of particular States -into tnything else than citizens and subjects of the United States, and -as snob subordinate to to its Constitution and laws. "In My judgment, therefore, every branch of the general' defences: set up against-these suits is inadequate and in snifieient in law and fact to bar the prose outiens pending.- .1-'•oon'sider the outhfeak tieubitStat in the Corifeder' Ma par - ated States, was an open and flagrant civil war waged against the United States by the insurgents in the several' disaffected-States referred to in the pleadings and proofs in these several causes, at the time the several Proclamations, so also referred to and named, were issued, and made by the Presi dent.. That such insurrection was main-• rained by warlike means and forces' too 'powerful to be overcome or restrained by the civil authority of the Government, and that it became lawful and necessary to ,re sist and repel hostilities so levied against the United States and its laws, by aid of the army and navy of the United States. That the 'President possessed full compe tency under the Constitution of the United States and the existing laws of Congress to call into service and emPloy the land and naval forces of the United Stites, in the manner they were used by him, for the pur pose of maintaining the peace and,integrity of the Union and putting down hostilities waged against them; and the President had rightly power to establish' blockades of .ports held by those enemies and enforce such blockades pursuant, to the laws of na tions. The objections to inadequate notice raised are disposed of in the particular case. That citizens of the 'United States levying war, against the United States are enemies of the Government, notwithstanding their residence within the Union., and that, the property possessed and held by 'them in a state of war out of "and against the ,au thority,, of the United States, becomes thin; property of enemies of the 4overnment, subject to confiscation when arrested at sea; and nersont continuing within the an therity and' 41:minion' Of such enemies are Clothed with 0 . 9 character and responsibili ties of enemiee, l because of their residence, without regard to their private sentiments or the territorial locality of the place of their hostility. (1. Bent, 74, 76; 2. Dal las, 41; owners of the. sloop Chester and brivl:s Experiment.) * * * * * " The preceding statements evince that the three Courts coincides essentially in their deterniination of all the points made by the respective parties which .are of-com mon iniport 'and bearing. " Those learned Courts, in the decisions rendered in, the main questions raised there,, and coinciding : with those passed upon in this Court, supported and vindicated the conclusions adopted by them, with an am plitude 'of research and . argument I could• not hope Jte strengthen, and which I can perceive no occasion to reiterate or attempt to reinforce. I have perused those mani festations of judicial . diligence and learn ing with great - gratification and instruc tion, and hiSpe the varied learning display ed in those judgment's 'may be invokedto the support of the. conclusions I have adopted in the: cases before me, with no less efficacy than if rthey.had been recapitulated specifically in the body .of this decision. I have for ; that reason studiously omitted, to cite the numerous quotations made on the argumentg•these cases by the respective counsel, , or,, collected by my own reading, and in preference to that course } , leave the points on which the three Courts concur in their opinions 'tb the - very adequate and satisfactory support, of, the'authorities of the books so abundantly produced in the judgments of the other Court's." It must he gratifying to the patriot to know, that the Administration, in saving the country from an attack so sudden, so violent, and by such a combination of con spiracy, treason, cunning,. and power, has yet so acted: 'as to be. justified by CongrEss and sustained by. the Courts. It indicates a degree of wisdom and prudence, which, combined as they are' with 'p - romPtitude and energy, airord - strong'conftdence that a good end will be:attained by righteous means. DR. SCOTT LEAVES CALIFORNIA. We mentioned, last:week, that Dr.,SCOTT, at a meeting of his Presbytery in San Fran cisco, hid voted alone against resolutions sustaining the Government of his 'country. A dispatch dated San Francisco, Sept. 25, says : • The= position taken by Rev. •Dr.- Sown , in. regard to the duties of the Church on the Union question, as advised by last ex press,-was a pretext for a'popular outbreak in front•of Calvary church, on Sunday last. Seine tithe before daylight several flags had been placed on the•chureh, while an effigy labeled " Dr. SCOTT, the traitor," hung near by, and about a thousand people were assembled in front •of the church. When the' Doctor entered in on morning service, some of the people manifested displeasure by hissing as be passed. The church was crowded:by an audience who listened atten tivcly through an unexceptionable sermon. The crowd outside increased somewhat be fore service ended . , and'as-the Doctor came out and, entered a, carriage in company with a lady, a rush was made toward him, appa rently more' from curiosity than harmful 4.1 purpos Akk e, and , there was also considerable hissinAnd use of offensive. language, but the .polirit prevented any.serious disturb : ance. -It is the - general opinion that ahun dred or more thoughtless, excited men in the crowd,: were in favor of a lynching derii onstration, such as riding •the Doctor . on a rail or some similar indignity; but it is not believed that the crowd on the whole would: have permitted it. • • On Monday' Dr. SCOTT peremptorily re signedOthe pastorship of Calvary church, sold the house where he resided, and has made arrangements to sail for Europe with his.family,by the first clipper ship depart ing around Cape Horn for that destination. This action on the Doctor's. part, and his prompt decision'to emigrate - to Europe, has to a great extent .restored kindly feeling toward him,•and the late troubles on his account•aie generally spoken of regretfully: :'lt is to be reg,retto that 'things' .have thus culminated.• Dr. Scoir isan"'... able man, anti' hia - seldfiVes the Calvary church have been - useful. His : influence in Califor nia was great, both for good and evil—good in hill opposition to vice, and in the,Conver sion of men ; evil in his opposition to the protection, of the. Sabbath, And of the Bible in the. Public Schools, by legal enactments. He strongly advocated, as our rdaders may have known by our extracts from his publi cations, the utter ignoring of - God and're ligion by the State authorities. This was adapted to do immense evil in the founding and early building of a new State like Cali fornia. Dr. SCOTT was doubtless conscientious; but it is deeply to be regretted that he felt himself bound to take the course he did, in relation to his country. And it is a cause for sorrow that mob violence should be e'en meted' with the cause ofhis departure for a temporary sojourn in a foreign land. THE HON. CASSIUS IS. CLAY-. TUNNED TIIEO 7 • The Ron. ARCIIIBALD ALISON, .name sake-of the Tory:author of the celebrated History of .Europe," hearing his naive, and who his always a special dislike to Republicanism and , nergreldreal 'churches, has seized upon our preseni national troublet, as a pretext for bringing out a pamphlet in'whiOh he advocates a mow arehieal government. in the North, to be known. as the " United kingdom of, America," and a NitiOnal W s ' tlieltakedY. for- all- -our fro. has even gone so far as to prepare thirty nine Articles, after the. example of the gpileoPal Church, as a basis on which the new Church can rest! These Articles have been `submitted to the Hon. CAszros M. CLAY, our Minister, to Russia, who has graciously condescended to give a written opihion on each. CASSIUS M. CLAY occu pying the Chair of Theology is about the best joke of the season, The value of his lucubrations may be learned from the. fel lowing examples "the Trinity," he says "it is a waste of time and metal to at tempt to make anything out of that old source of obfuscation!' "The clergy and the Sabbath," he thinks, are " now the only • obstructions , hanging upon the haunches of all.reformers, and crushing them down•?' In this matter, Mr. CLAY has Made him self ridiculous, and has , alsei shown that he is not a. fit representative of American sen timent abroad. BRONSON'S REVIEW. This is one of the leading literary peri odicals of the Roman Catholics, and May be taken as an index of popular, sentiment among them. The Pittsburgh Catholic, in noticing the October number of Brownson, says : • The fourth article is a vigorous' defense of the cause of the Union, well worthy of Dr. Bitownsox,.. :He is .unsparing .in . his denunciation o 'the'-" peace `makers,'Cow axds, and traitors of the loyal States.'' He shwa the necessity of supporting the Gov ernment, in order that the nation be pre served ; and fittingly silences those ',clam orous individuals, who have had .so much to .say about the "unconstitutional meas ures"'of the AdministratiOn. We would willingly give portions of the article, did .We knot prefer to urge our readers to get the Review and read it for themselves. Perhaps many will thinlc that , the editor goes too far in recommending that' the abo lition of slavery be made the war cry of the Union army. This, however, will not detract from the'general merit of the arti cle, and'every attentive observer must have noticed that the feeling of the ''North is becoming more and more determined that, come what may or slavery, the Govern.: meat must be supported, and the Union preserved. THE DAMILLE 41JARTERLY REVIEW. The number for September presents us the following articles The New Gos pel of Rationalism, 11. Imputation, Pai't 1; 111. The Conducting of Public and So cial Prayer; IV. The 'Death 'and.Buriaf'Of Moses, 'V. Design of the Sacramcnts; VI, Greek Plaistio Art; VII. The Late Gen=, eral Assembly—Church and State. Bib liograph3r.. New Pablications Reviewed: From the seventh article quoted largely, last week. The , others We have not sufficiently examined. Our glance at the second, compels us to dissent from the writer's views; and as the - teachings of the article depart from the commonly received doctrines of our Church on a, subject so vital as thatoaf Imputation, it fills us with regret Presbyterian Historical almanac, for 1861 —Our friend; JOSEPH M. WILSON, Esq., 111 South Tenth Street, Philadelphia, it, • prosecuting, with gi4at assidnity, his wok upon the Pie , byterian:Efistorical A/sumac. It will be issued before the:beginning of the year, and will be - quite an -improvement -upon the foriner excellent numbers. •Every clergyman ? surely, should have it The statistical infbrmation is worth far more than the 'cost of the book. To have the number of Churches in every branch of the Presbyterian family, the tiiimber of their ministers . , raenthers, new additions, contri butions to benevolence, as these may vary mid increase from year to year—to have all this at hand, is a source . of gratification of no small.value, arid it saves much time in rtinvestigations calling for the attention of all ChristiariMinisters. Our ruling elders Sheuld also have the work; and every pri ,va,e ,member of the Church. might find it a sourceAaf interesting Information. The Biographical record of all Presby-, terian ministers who have died duriag the previous year, is also a highly valuable fea ture of the work.., Ordination of 'a Missionary.—Mr. SAM rL , - C. GEORGE was ordained a missionary to Siam, on Tliiirsday, the `3d inst., by the Presbytery . of Allegheny City, in the First church of Allegheny. In these services t4e Rev. Dr,..PLUMEß,preached the sermon and' the Rev. 1)r. SivniT * gave the charge. The congregation was large and •solemn. The wife of Mr. G-EoneE Was formerly Miss GILL, of Allegheny, a sister of Mrs. trOHN ^, SON, one .of our 'martyr Missionaries at Fut tegurrh. Though one sister fell , in the 'high places of the field, the Lord has pre pared another, to take' her place. The wrath of man cannot defeat the purposes of God.' Mr. and Mrs, GEORGE will sail, in about two weeks, from; New-York for Siam. lt should- be a matter' of sincere gratitude to God that net Withstanding the disordered state of public affairs, and the terrible - rebellion that has risen, up in the our young men still come forward to devote themselyes to the foreigufield, and our Church is still enabled to send: them abroad. The , work of l!oreign Missiona must not be allowed to, receive , any cheek. EASTERN SMUOIY. BOSTON AND NEW-ENGLAND WAR has some effect on weddings. The number of -marriage certificates issued in Boston, ; thus far'this year, is one hun dred less than the same, time last year. THE REV. Du. BLAGpEN, of the Old South ehurch, Boston, preachei hie quarter century anniversary serrnon; a few days , ago, from Job Inquire, I pray thee, of the fortner, age, And prepare thy self to the . search of thy fathers; (tor we Are but of yesterday,- and know nothingbe cauSe our days upon the earth are a'shadow;) shall not they teach thee, and tell thee, and utter words out of their h _earts The test affirms generally that the past should be our teacher for: the' resent - and - for the future. This was the'object of"the diseourie. Before Dr. Blagden settled in this church he had been pastor in Vghtonohree years, and at Salem Street, Nix years. During his pastorate at the Old South,,two hun dred and`five persons have beenadbiitted'io the, church, on ,profession of their .faith by letter,. one , hundred ,and ninety-five. The 'nurnbearga,destlis have been one bun dred sixty-one;atiff'byditimisitiatl‘me hundred and sixty-four, and there have been,two excommunications. Seven ministers have gone forth from this church to preach the Gospel.. The Old South, within the last twenty-five years,' has given to benevolent -objects, $132,650.7 1 . Of all the Congregational churches, in this city, this one only adheres to the faith of the New-England Fatherit On the following evening a social meet ing of the congregation was held in the ehurch, at which addresses were made by the Rev. Pr. Nehemiah Adams and others. THE AMERICAN BOA 119), whose Head quarters is in Boston, held its usual Anni versary, last week, in Cleveland, Ohio. The Report subinitted states 'that six persons have entered c upon the missionary work during the year, and seven have-re turned to fields" which they had Previously ocCupied. Eleven persons - are under ap ; pointment. The income of the year (thir teen months) has been as follows, to wit : ordinary donations, 6283,186.87 ;- legacies, $52,527.19 ; other sources, $4,1808.50 .; making a total of $340,522.56; of Which $7,629.37 were Contributions to the "-Ma alox), 'School' Enterprise." The expendil tures have been $369,874.29. As the hal ance in the Treasury, August , i, 1860; was $1;466.19, the presentfinancial year com mences with' a debt of $27 ; 855?54, whteh is very much less than - Was' anticipated few months ago. • • The following is--the Summary for' the year. MISSIONS Number of Missions A , „ 20 Stations 11 .4' Ont-Statlons l7l 11.93i0RER , S FAMPX.OYED. ; Number of ordainedmissionariem(seven. being Physicians) Number of Physicians not ordeined.....s " other male ambits:ma. 7 female assistants ' .171 Whole number of laborers sent from this country -------835 Number of native pastors 2,9 skive preachers 218 " nativ3 helpers ' ' ' 406-658 Whole niunber oonneeted with.thafissions-98.8 • • • • Tnz PRESS:` ' Nutnbef of Printing Establiahments 4 Pages printed last year, ite'far'as'ie .Torted - • 9 83,003.079 a s cc from the fbeginning....1,264,106.296 • • THE CIIIIRCit.t.S. Number of churches (including all ' at , the Sand.wich Islands) - 161 Nurober . of chnrohmembers(includ ing all at the Sandwich . lelands) Kb far as reported 24,456 Added during the year(dp. do.) 1,944 EDUCATIONAL DtP.AitT*ENT Nuniber of geminaries • 9 " other bearding-schools ' • 'lO " free schools foxiitting• those at the Sandwiciasla.rids) • 298 " pupils in free schools • omitting. at Sandwich Islands .8,118 Pupils u free Seminaries 276, Pupils in free gOarding-Solitio,l9 236 Whole number in Seminaries and • • Schools ' • 8,630 W - 9).?K' " THE -AssoorATEir BANKS of New-York, Boston, and Philadelphia, unanimously re splved on Saturday a last to take the ,second instalment of fifty millions of dollars of the National loati at 7:30-percent. interest. The New-York Banks were willing to take the third'als,p at this time, but as theßoSton and Philadelphia Committees h'ed had no instructions on the subject, and there was no necessity for speedy action,the , matter was postponed. 3/ "' . _ .THE AGENTS OP THE GOVERNMENT 'have chartered all the available steamships in this port, for inathediate service.- A grand naval movement will without' 46utt, be incepted immediately. Some fourteen are understood to . be . already 'engaged, among which are two of the Collins' line and two of Vanderbilt's steamers.' Where the blow is to be struck ifs `of course un known, to those not immediately concerned, but from the magnitude_of the preparations, the demonstration. will be of - unprece. dented importance. AN ODD-LOOKING STRUCTURE of circu lar. forrn, now erecting on the battery ex tension, has 'attracted the attention of the curious. A . space' Of the diameter of one hundred feet-ha,s' been enclosed by a. close fence ten feet in ,height, and workmen are busily engaged in constructing , a building which is to-he known as the' " Whnles' - Home." The work will be . gished this week, and the sea monsters which are to occupy the place are understood to be on their:way to the city. An. engine will =be used for pumping sea-water into the great tank, and the supply will be nearly two hundred thousand gallons a day. TEE PAYMENT OF ITAxes for. the first two days after the time specifiertby this city, amounted to $576,1511.., third more than tlie :payments 113.e. tivo first days last .year. Next weekthe payment of taxes on real estate will doubtless com mence. On ail payments made previous to the first of next month a 'redhciion of seven per bent is made. During November the payment will be at par, and.after that per-centa,ges will be exacted. The "NATrobi.s.x. HYMN ComidrrTit " ! will soon issue a collection of the various I poetical productions submitted. to_its judg `ment. The sieets of thiS new volume of "Rejected Milreases are rapidly passing thrmigh the * press, and will 1: - 4 :soon ready for publication. It will containselections from the ,best and from the, worst, of the twelve hundred contributiona, The -worst will'doubtless be the- most - iiitertainin g ; 'they will be given verbatimetAiteratim,in all their gramma:goal and'rfietorical gency. Specimens of the music will also be included in this unique'volume: is to be edited by Richard Grant White, who was one of 'the CoMmittee; and has fur nished an essay on Natignal Hymns. The most popular of European National Hymns are added; to furnish a contrast- with the efforts of the patriotic muse in America. CHARLES Sonminn, annnounces " Leo tures on' Science .of Language, by Max. Mullen?' " Aunt, & CARLETON announce ' " the , Spirit of HebreV Poet ry,",*v. - Isage Tay 7 Jor, 1).D., to be printed from-early sheets: It will contain an IntredrictorTßiography Dr. William Adums, of .-New-tork. ,RlMun'T' , f , .! ,ol fillateati's. 48- Irotibmy for the use of Cellege'Studenni" has been publitedby Clolliie 8s Rintliere, Neer:Yorlq "Tffe wort has haanthoiiirtaly revised by Professor Snell, of Arnhartit Col- Jege, . and parts of it.„-very_ considerably modified. -As a text=book it will be I f `found up wi i th 'the timeki- R o 3 Pa' 0 4tTEtE ips atiTagus have t ‘ied the. " Life of the Rev. John Afi ge ,ll James," and Ea die' lin , EPhesiitits," both •iverlis orgisat'ialue::l:z :4:i41144 M to_ P.H7LAD.ELPHIA TEE' Tm.nD PUBLIC 'MEETING for th, promotion Of the spiritual and moral e on , ditiorrof our soldiers was held on Sabbath wirenno . the' 6th instant,' at half past sevene".7 A o'clock, in the Central Presbyterian church, corner of Eighth. and Cherry Streets. she Bey., Samuel J. Baird, P.D., Chairman the Committee to visit the camps in th e vicinity of Waihington, and inquire into thelondition and necessities of our t roops, • laid before , the meeting an' interestin z report of his labors, and proposed solo. measures - of great importance for the eon. sideration of the churches. In addition t r , the report, short addresses were deliv ere d by Revs. X. S. .Clark, D.P-i Charles D. Cooper, Mr. Stuart,. and others. A collection was taken* in - aid of the eau e , T.pn REV. 3. B. RABBAUCII, of the Presbytery of Newton, has accepted a ep - t , 40 thopastorate-,ef-the, Sixth Presbyk church,. formerly Dr. ''Jones'. THE REV. JonN 3.ll.l t rira, formerly pas_ tor of •-the church in „Philadelphia no w servei by the. Rev. Dr. Edwards, is now captain' 'of a coMpanf in the rebel array, under 'll.exery f Wise: 'And the Re v . Henry W. Ruffner,, formerly pastor of th e 'Seventh Presbyterian% church, now Mr. Cro well's, is also a captain in the rebel ann.. Mr. Mill& is a sori "Orthe late venerable Rev;Dr._ Miller of the Princeton Theology ical Seminary. , :Mr. Ruffner is a son of the Bev", Dr. Ruffner, , ,of Virginia, who was a few years ago considered almost an aboli tionist. This is a''Sad fall from the mi. nence in which - God „lift& placed them, a ministers, of the ECOLESWTIW. . - At the' late meeting.of the Presbytery of -"Steitbenville, on. October Ad, Mr. HENRY C. M'OooK was ordained-us Chaplain of the Fourthli - twig:Regiment. Rev. W'. gr: Laverty, the Moderator, presided; Rev. J- S. Marquis, preached; and Rey. Dr. Comingo gave the charge. Mt. Jotiti H. SIORBAI3IO was ordained and installed pastor of the churches of Bethesda Middle Creer 'end Bethlehem. at a late I:meting ,of the Presbytery of Clarion. - ' Dlr.--7"--NEsium - was , ordained as an evan. zelist, by the Presbytery .of = Chicago, at the; late meeting. Gi IC'Sbon's Post Office ad. fir* la changed` from Apple Creek to Ced t at Valley, ,Ohio Presbytery' of Radom The Presbytery. of Redstonermet at Fair mount on -the ist -instant,:and was Opened withT a sermon by- Rev: R. , Rev. Dr. S.-Wilson was elected-Moderator, and Rev. H. _W. Biggs, Clerk. - Mr. Samuel L. Campbell, a licentiate under the., care „of„,the„gresikytery of Alle gheny was, .on: ;i „eertificate„- received under our care. The Cbmmittee on the *mantes of the G-enerEd Assembly, reported that special attention, be given to.the following items. L That' On page : sop . , (minutes Assem bis,,) they find the following injunction : Resolved, That, they (the Assembly) earnestly. repeat -the 'injunction of several preceding Assemblies, that annual collec tions be made in all theolinrches, and ttat 'they be 'reported under a Separate head, as required by "a resolution'' the last Assem bly. 2. On page 349 is found a resolution rec ommending that at...the time' of each con gregational collectum for Church Exten sion, in - Opportunity be afforded to the Sabbath Schoels to contribute to that ob- Jee 3. '0( page 205 is :found a resolution. recommending' the observance of the la , : Thursdai .of' February, 1862, as a day of prayer foi'cliildren and youth in College, Berninailea, The Committee on Supplies reportid. , recommending that Sewickley and Tyrone cburch4 have' leave to:procure their own supplietill our next stated meeting. Tha: Dr. - S. Wilson IoW ,appOinted to administer the `Lord's Supper at. Mount Pleasant on 3d °Sabbaths= of Noveinber, and the church havuleaye to procure - Turther supplies till our next stated meetioi: That Connellsrille church' havi leave to procure their °WTI Suppliea:till next ,Spring. That at Peters burg,, S. L. Campliell be 'appointed to sup. ply on the lst Sabbath of - November and Ist Sabbath of - Neember and that 31r Hamilton adininister thel.ord's Supper ou the Ist SablYith of February. - That at San d.* Creek Mi. Rini adtainister the Lord' , Supper on the Ist Sabbath of November and that g: L. Campbell supply on 3d Sabbath `of Deceniberomd Ist Sabbe.. of February. That ' Mr. Rosborough sul ply% at Mortut„Washington till our nel statad meeting; tbe`orte , feurth of his tim , • After a very harmonious meeting at pleasant intercourse with the good peel' of;. ainnoMit, Preabytery adjourned to Mt at 4 New Providenceoburch on the 4th Tee , clay ofApril neat. By order . of Presbytery. JOHN' MoCrariTecir. S. C , Pot' tha Pi t tabyteriaa Banner. Religion in the Army , :MESSRS. EDITORS .1 7 `0!, Aral rejoic, With niel-fathers'and mothers will rejoit -brothers - and - sisters will;, rejoice --ye“ angels in heaven will rejoice, at the el dence giVe•you, that'We'litiv` a " Chaplain in our army; not wishing you infer - tbit all else are "'dead," though feqr;„nery many are,not realizing the fires Weight of responsibility Which they hal *ol-nniarily assumed. - `The epitome of a - letter from the Call . across the Potomaq which I give y..- Will not only interest,' but gratify readers; and may 'pi•bire'a " beacon l \,:;.7 to some of those whom you may safely etc.: aeterize as "de-nothings" in the hi,!... re:span:We Pasitien they 1 1 profess to f. May the blessing of God attend its public • tion • " Saturday evening, the pt 21st. S e•id e -4 find my labors daily, increasing m bosPital. Sine'live been very sick, 11": think all will recover:.' These hel l ' visits' are „very intei eating. One Ohaplila I am •not aehristian, but 1 10 1 b Pions Wk - midi know she is praying: Another says, t 0, I have the inoilier in the world,' and - ,presents a 1 1 " 'aer her 'of love at patting. One man - (yrboin I have visited several tin: everywould day, et and live t wino; ht( n i g : li fe d the e igat, lil= idw gaining slowly,y, said' to me, 'lam ion of pious. Presbyterian parents; raY Uri are Pious - "Intl am, a great sinnerd .... tt ii r i o th th o e u r tho . p:;; r: ll m ; pray for me: 11 , :thing% - in Jehovah"tisSUrftalythsettir:nibgrth b°,Pe• I need 'the prayers of v "dear children ! " OiC Sabbath afternoon, 3 o'ehr" : Ptertegild to about WO) Text : therefore; and be converted.' T he ' assisted'l appointe , prayer meeting th- be held in a large at 71 o'clock.. I suppose upward 0t r. - were in attendance'ln my remarks ar., - m ade; • comineneement of- toe service?, 3 For the Presbyterian Banner.