Presbyterian banner. (Pittsburgh, Pa.) 1860-1898, October 04, 1862, Image 2

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page. It is also available as plain text as well as XML.

    VrtsiTteriall Nana.
PITTSBURGH, BATUMI', lICTOBBR 4, 1862.
Sabbath in dm Army and Navy.—See an
excellent article on our first page.
Synod of Allegheny.—ln another column
we give, from a correspondent, a brief ac
count of the late Meeting of this Synod.
The Minutes will appear next week. We
enjoyed a seat with the brethren during a
part of their sessions.
Syliod er Pittsburgh.
HERRIOiTSVILLE, Sept. 23, 1862
REV. DR. NN EY :—Rev. Messrs
D. M'Cay 'and A. Torrance, with F. G.
Bailey, elder, were appointed to prepare a
Narrative on the State of Religion, to be
presented at the next meeting of Synod.
Brother Ill'Cay has since deceased, and, 4
brother• Torrance expects to be absent.
You will therefore, per Banner, request
Presbyterial Narratives to be sent to F. G-.
Bailey, Pittsburgh. Wm. JEFFERY,
Stated Clerk Synod of Pittsburgh.
Western Presbyterian Newspapers.—The
times are severe on the newspaper press.
About eighteen months ago the Presbyteri
an Expositor, at Chicago, and the St. Louis
Presbyterian, at St. Louis, went down for
want of patronage. Now the True Pres
byterian, successor to the _Herald, at Lou
isville, is suspended. Also the commencing
of the Presbyterian Guardian is deferred.
this leaves the Presbyter, of Cincinna
ti, and the Banner, of Pittsburgh, the sole
occupants of the great North-West. We
trust that these journals will be sustained,
and will be true blessings to the Church
and the land.
A Religious Regiment.—The success of Col.
JACQUES, (a Methodist minister of Ohio,)
in raising a regiment, is equal to that of
Col. CLARK,, the U. P. minister of Alle
gheny City. The Presbyter gives the Cin
cinnati Commercial as authority for saying
that Col. JACQUES has in his regiment six
hundred and forty privates who are mem
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
of which he is a minister. The Chaplain,
Rev. JOHN :l. BARGER, has four sons in
the ranks.
The religious element, especially from
the Presbyterian and Methodist Churches,
enters largely into the army. Christians
make the best soldiers. They are brave,
orderly, temperate. And they are favorites
of Him whose favor is indispensable to suc
cess. If all our officers and men were
Christians, or if most of them were Chris
tians, we would not have so many reverses;
so many surprises, surrenders, and panics.
Western Theological Seminary.—As much
is said about students leaving our Seminary
on account of sympathy with a late Profes
sor, we have made inquiry at the fountain
head, for correct information. We thence
learn that since Dr. PLUMER'S resignation
was accepted by the Board of Directors,
four of the students in attendance have left
the Seminary for that avowed reason, and
as expressive of their disapprobation of the
Directors' action. They at once sent in a
request for "an immediate dismissal" to
another Seminary. It was granted, though
the movement was disorderly. They are
of the Senior Class. One of them is a Li
centiate of the Presbytery of Zanesville;
one of the Presbytery of Allegheny City;
one of the Presbytery of Beaver; the other
of the Presbytery of St. Clairsville. Three
of them went to Chicago, and one to
Princeton.
It is well that they are gone, if they
were disloyal. It is to be regretted that
any should be so, but their being so, shows
the injurious influence of Dr. P.'s presence
in the Seminary, and the absolute need
there was of hie removal.
There are 40 (forty) new students.
Others are expected soon.
A liberal friend of the Seminary in
New-York has presented for each of the
students, . a valuable set of books—seven
volumes to each student—the works of the
ALEXANDERB-11 most welcome gift, in
deed.
THE SOLDIERS' FUNERAL.
Last Sabbath was a day of great solem
nity with the people of Sewickley, where
our home is vast. Three of the young men,
belonging to the company that left that
place a little over a year ago, in the 28th
Regiment of Tennsylvan ia Volunteers, had
fallen in the battle at Antietam, and their
bodies had been brought home for inter
ment. Their names were JAMES D. TRA
VELLI, JOHN D. TRAOEY, and WILLIAM C.
RICHEY. Their bodies were not brought
home in time to have the services on Sat
urday, and the rapid decomposition would
not permit a longer delay.
At half-past two o'clock the large new
Presbyterian church was crowded to its
full capacity, while hundreds were unable
to gain admittance. The ceremonies were
introduced by singing a part of the 100th
Psalm, and reading portions of Scripture,
by the Rev. AARON WILLIAMS, D.D.
Prayer was then offered by the Rev. DAVID
MCKINNEY, D.D. Then followed address..
es by the Rev. Dr. MoABoY, and the Rev.
JAMES ALLISON, pastor of the Presbyte
rian church. After these, a part of the
104th Hymn, beginning—
"0 thou who driest the mourner's tear,"
was sung, and prayer was offered by the
Rev. ROBERT IloPwr.Ns, of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. The benediction was
pronounced by the Rev. Dr. WI - Lida:Hs.
The vast concourse then slowly pioceed
ed to the beautiful Sewickley Cemetery,
where the bodies of the young heroes were
deposited, to rest until the morning of the
resurrection. A tender and tearful inter
est pervaded the entire community, because
of sympathy with the afflicted parents and
relatives, and from the fact.that scarcely a
family there is unrepresented, in some way,
in the army. • •
TRH EMANCIPATION POLICY.
The President's scheme of emancipation
by the notion of the States, we have ap
proved of heartily. We wish every slave
to become a freeman; free by the voice of
those who have the political and social
right to proclaim freedom. This right is
in the States, the country being in a condi
tion of peace, and the States all loyal.
Under' a rebellion and in a condition of
war, rights
.41e greatly changed. Such is
now the unhappy lot of our country. In a
time of domestic peace we might not send
a hostile army into Virginia, nor' a bellig
erent fleet to New-Orleans. We might not
shoot down men by the thousand, nor take
from them their ships nor their cotton
bales. But as things now are, to do all
this is perfectly legitimate. The Union
being undisturbed, we have no more right
to free a slave in Georgia than to destroy a
man's house in Ireland;thut, in the present
altered and lamentable condition of affairs,
it may be our right, and even our duty, to
release every slave in rebeldom.
The President evidently thinks that the
time is drawing near when we should do
this thing. He says in his Proclamation
of September 22d :
"I, ABRAHAM LINCOLN, President of
the United States of America, and Com
mander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy
thereof, .do hereby proclaim and declare
* * * That on the first day of
January, in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight . hundred and sixty-three, - all
persons held as slaves within any State, or
any designated part of a State, the people
whereof shall then be in rebellion against
the United States, shall be then, thencefor
ward, and forever, free; and the Execu
tive Government of the United States, in
cluding the military and naval authority
thereof, will recognize. and maintain the
.freedom of such persons, and will do no
act or acts to repress such persons, or any
of them, in any efforts they may make for
their actual freedom.
" That the Executive will, on the first
day of January aforesaid, by proclamation,
designate the States and parts of States, if
any, in which the people thereof, respec
tively, shall then be in rebellion against
the United States • and the fact that any
State, or the people thereof; shall on that
day be in good faith represented in the
Congress of the United States by members
chosen thereto at elections wherein a ma
jority of the qualified voters of such State
shall have participated, shall, in the ab
sence of strong countervailing testimony,
be deemed conclusive evidence that such
State and the people thereof are not then
in rebellion against the United States."
The policy of this measure is to us, as
it is to all, a matter of deep interest; and
its discussion in this aspect might be re
garded as within our province. It is in
this view that we have some doubts of its
wisdom. How it will affect the Border
States, and the army, and political parties,
and the coming elections, and the Presi
dent's executive power, are matters of deep
import. But the declaration has gone
forth, and is not to be revoked. Can it be
sustained, on social and m oral principles ?
This is now the question; and this being
ascertained affirmatively, let us go into it
with unanimity and most hearty zeal. Let
there be no flinching, no cowing, no com
promise. First righteousness, then magna
nimity, then relentless war till the rebellion
is thoroughly suppressed, and then right.
eousness, magnanimity, and sweet peace.
And now as to the Proclamation :
lt is not an abolition measure. It is not
aimed at slavery as such; not at slavery as a
sin, nor as a social evil, nor as a political
solecism, nor as a system of oppression.
It is a war measure; it is for the suppres
sion of a " rebellion ;" it is a means of
self-defence. It is to affect no loyal State,
and no loyal portion of a slave State.
It is not a vindictive measure. It is not
intended to be a means of punishment. If
the rebellion shall have ceased, then the
emancipation proclaimed will not take
effect. The end aimed at, the terminating
of the rebellion, will have been accom
plished, and the status quo of slavery will
continue. It is made a matter of choice
with the rebels whether or not they will
subject themselves to the measure indica
ted. If they continue in rebellion, they
must, in order to weaken and subdue them,
be deprived of their slaves; if they will
lay down their arms and return to their
constitutional allegiance, they will have all
their proper rights under the Constitution
and the laws.
And this measure, even if carried out,
will neither destroy nor alter the United
States Constitution. The abolition of
slavery in New-York and New-Jersey, did
not destroy the Constitution. Neither
would the abolition of slavery in Missis
sippi and Louisiana destroy the Constitu
tion. The Constitution would be the same,
after the change in those States, as it had
always been. And whether the abolition
shall be voluntary, or by the influence of
war, or by insurrection, it will neither an
nul nor alter the Constitution. The Con
stitution did not make slavery, nor does it
guarantee slavery. Slavery is no part nor
portion of the Constitution. The Consti
tution is, and may be ;the same whether
slavery is in one State, or in all the States,
or in no State. Carrying out the measure
proposed by the President, then, will leave
the Constitution still as it is, guaranteeing
to every peaceful and loyal State , its proper
and equal rights.
The emancipation proclaimed by the
President is a war measure, as it is intended
to be an efficient means of carrying on the,
contest; it is a peace measure, as it is
hoped to be efficient in terminating the
contest ; and it is a measure of self
defence, as it will weaken the power of an
assailing foe.
Now, has the President as the head of
the Government of the United States, and
as Commander of tbe Army and Navy, the
right, in existing circumstances, to resort
to the measure indicated ? Will he, and
the nation, in executing the measure, be
justifiable in the sight of God and man ?
I. SELF PROTECTION is the right of the
individual and the nation
PRESBYTERIAN BANNER.---SATITRDA Y, OCTOBER 4, 1862.
MIME
The Inc/iv/Am/ transfers his right to the
State, reserving, however, to himself the
liberty to use it, when tile assault is so sud
den that the State cannot interfere in sea
son ; and the liberty also to use any force,
and all the force which may be really
necessary. The State reserves its rights
within itself. In its Constitution and laws
it prescribes the manner. in which it will
ordinarily use its power, but all these must
give way, when the assault is such as not
to be overcome by them. The preservation
of its life is a duty, and its assailant may
not plead either Constitution or legal enact
ment as a hindrance to its preservation of
its being. Self-protection will always
justify a resort to extreme measures against
a wicked assailant.
Now, our country's life is in danger.
The assault is most wicked. We tried
mild and peaceful measures to prevent it.
We have used the ordinary war measures
in defense, but without the needful result.
Our people are being murdered by tens of
thousands. Our property is being wasted
by hundreds of millions. The foe is pow
erful and implacable. He is sustained by
slavery. He is strong by slavery. If we
can deprive him of the service of his
slaves, we weaken him, and may subdue
him. We then conquer a peace, save the
country, preserve the Union, restore the
Constitution, enforce the laws. Shall we
not adopt a measure of so much promise ?
REBELS forfeit both life and . Prop
erty.
The measure before us refers only to
property—one species of property. There
is no doubt about our right to take their
ships and do with them . as we 'please; also
their arms; and their corn; and their cot
ton—all the product of slave labor—and
why not the laborers? • What is there sa
cred in an enemy's claim to the person of
a slave, that even in war, even from a rebel
in arms, the person may not be taken, and
made free? Is the wrong in making him
a freeman ? Must he be retained and rn
stored to slavery ? We do not restore the
ships, nor the arms, nor the 'corn, nor the
cotton ; and why restore the human person ?
A difficulty here occurs, in that, all the
people of a rebellious- State may not be
rebels. So we said, for a time; , .and we
then pleaded that only those taken in the
act should be held responsible. But that
day is past. The people of the Confeder
ate States - did not vote Secession ; but
they•have assented to it. They have sus
tained it. The States have all chosen new
Legislatures, which haVe sustained it. Re
bellion has thus become the deed of the
people, as an organized body, and as a peo
ple they are responsible. Until they shall
yield, we cannot discriminate.,
111. All people claim the right of REV
OLUTION, for sufficient cause.
That Colonists have this right, as against
a mother country, our fathers, of glorious
memory, asserted. That a people have
this right, as against oppressive
,rulers, we
have all lately maintained, in our advocacy
of the cause of the Italians. And that a
minority of a people may have this right
as against a majority, the Secessionists
maintain in justifying their present course.
Now, why may not a majority have this
right, as against a large minority ? With
us a mere majority cannot alter the Con
stitution. To do this requires three
fourths of the States. That number 'can
not be had, on a propoSition to blot out
.slavery. But slavery is found to be a hor
rible evil—a natural curse, a corrupter of
morals, au enemy to the public peace.
Under the right of Revolution,. then, may
not the country abolish slavery; and es
pecially since slaveholders have broken
the Constitution by inaugurating •and urg
ing the war?
• But we need not now press this question.
It may possibly yet become a necessary in
quiry, but, for the present, the proposition
contemplates no change in our fundamental
law. • An act is proposed for which, as we
admit, the Constitution does . not literally
provide. But it provides for it substan- !
tially. It makes a nation, clothed with all
national rights; and hence with the right
of self-protection: And it makes the• Pres
ident the nation's Executive; the Head
its armies; the Administrator of its 'pow
'ers. The act proposed-is an extraordinary
measure, but stillit is within the scope of
the legitimate exercise of power, in the ex-
isting circumstances. It is a war measure,
a means to re - duce a rebellion. And it will
leave the Constitution intact: It will but
set free the slaves ..now held in the rebel
• States. Slavery will still exist in some of
the loyal States. And the . slave laws will
still exist in those States, in which the
slaves will have been made free. - And
other slaves may, after that peace and loy
alty shall have been restored; be introduced
into those. States. So that, as proposed, the
measure goes not SO far as the right of rev-.
olution. It alters not our fundamental, law.
There 'are other thoughts which belong
to a proper consideratiOn of this subject.
For the sake of brevity, we will allude to
; them in the way of remark. .
1. The Proclamation is not so'radical a
measure as the Radicals would have us be
,
lieve ; nor so radical as the proldaveryites
would assert. It, touches not : the root' of
slavery. It but lops off a portion of slave
ry's outgrowth. It is not as radical as is
Secession. That annuls the' Co - nstitution .
and severs the Union ; this wouia preserve
both. Let not the, Secessionist, -nor the
sympathizer with Secession, charge the
President with radicalism.. They are them
selves the radicals. They would tare up
and destroy the Constitution and the Union,;
he would replant and preseive.
2. If we may shoot down our • enemy in
battle, we may surely take from him the
power of waging, a battle. 'lf we may seize
the bread which would make ,him strong,
we may deprive him of the laber which.
produces that bread. And there is mercy,
as well as justice, in -'this process. 'lf we
1 - send, him into the field and' the Shop, i to
work for his food and raiment, he will
then neither kill us nor compel us to kill
him.
3. There is humanity iu the President's
measure. If fully carried out, it will de
liver some three millions of human beings
from a most degrading bondage, and save
other millions yet unborn from the same
dire calamity. And through an unaltered
Constitution would still tolerate slavery,
yet slavery thus banished would not likely
return.
4. The proposed measure corresponds
with God's Word. " Let the oppressed go
free." "Brake every yoke." " Proclaim
liberty throughout all the land unto all the
inhabitants thereof." " Thou shalt love
thy neighbor as thyself."
5. A servile war may possibly result
But this is not certain. It need not be.
It will not be, unless provoked by the mas
ters and States themselves. If it should
occur, and be extensive, it would be hor
rible. We pray that even our ruthless en
niies.may be preserved from such a calam
ity.
6. If the North should thoroughly unite
with the. Government, and press the war
with all energy, the one hundred days
given in the Proclamation would bring
peace.. The hope; of a division at the
North, was an essential ingredient in bring
ing on the war, and also in prolonging it.
Dispel this hope, and blessed peace will
soon come.
7. Let all abound in prayer—for the
President and his counsellors; for our
Generals and armies; for our coming elec
tions; for the approaching Congress; for
union and unity. Lord, let nok.the wicked
triumph ; let not revenge direct our con
duct; bring oppression to an end ; bless
the people with peace.
TIE LATE DR. TIIORNWELL.
This once great man was also, for most
of his life, an ardent friend of the Ameri
can Union. In his - Discourse, in 1850, on
the death of Hon. C. CALHOUN, he
says :
"But the accomplishment of the lofty
destiny to which - our position evidently
calls, depends upon union as well as pro
gression. Our glory has departed—the
spell, is broken—whenever we become di
vided among ourselves. Ichabod may then
be written upon our walls, and the clock
of the world will be put back for genera
tions and centuries. What a question,
therefore is that, whether we shall go for
ward upon the career on which we have so
auspiciously entered, and accomplish the
destiny to which the providence of God
seems conspicuously to have called us—or
suffer the hopes of humanity to be crushed
and freedom to beburied in eternal night.
It is not extravagant to fancy that we can
see the unborn millions of our own descend
ants uniting with countless multitudes of
the friends of liberty in all climes, in
fervent supplications to the American Con
gress for the salvation of the American
Union. The liberty of•the world is at
stake. The. American . Congress is now de
liberating upon the civil destinies of man
kind." " But the interests of freedom are
not the only ones involved. The interests
of religion are deeply at stake. * * *
With the dissolution of this Union, all our
schemes of Christian benevolence and
duty—our efforts to convert the world—to
spread the knowledge of Christianity among
all people, and to translate the Bible into
all languages, must be suddenly and vio
lently interrupted. * * * The conse
quences, civil, political religious, which
would result, not simply to us, but to man
kind, from the destruction of this glorious
confederacy, cannot be contemplated with
out horror—and make the present, beyond
all doubt, the most important and solemn
crises that has ever been presented in the
history of this country."
These are noble sentiments. But- what
could they avail before the demon of
slavery ? When their author thought he
saw freedom crowding upon slavery; when
there were some sure tokens that slavery's
progress was about to. be checked, he at
once abandoned the Union, counselled Se-
cession, united in treason, and took a lead in
disrupting the Church to which he had
vowed fidelity. What will not the spirit
and practice of oppression lead a man to
do, to sustain his power over his fellow men,
and to hold on to •the source of his gains ?
TOE PRESIDENT •ON DISLOYAL PRIMUS.
War must necessarily subject a commu
nity to burdens, and abridge in some de
gree, the liberties ordinarily enjoyed. Re
straints should be endured with patience.
Evil minded men need them, for their
country's safety, and good men will yield.
A proper vigor in the maintenance of law,
saves the law. People must have protec
tion in their substantial rights. The en
forcetnent of habeas co•pits is essential to
liberty. And its suspeniion is also, some
times essential to liberty. It requires
much wisdom to know when to enforce
and when to suspend; also when to
declaremartial • law, and how to - en
force. 'Disloyalty ought to be punished ;
promptly and severely punished, whenever
it shows itself by either words or deeds.
It should be promptly dealt with by the
magistrate, that the people may not take
measures into their own hands.
To insure the public safety, the. Presi
dent has issued the following
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, It has become necessary to
call into service not only volunteers,but
also portions of the militia of the Sates
by draft, in order to suppress the imsurrec
tion existing in the United States, and dis
loial parties are not adequately restrained
by the ordinary processes of law from hin
dering this measure, and from giving aid and
comfort, in various ways, to the insurrec
tion. Now, therefore, be it ordered:
I. That during the existing insurrection,
and as a. necessary measure for suppress
ing the same, all rebels and insurgents,
their aider.s and abettors, within the Uni
ted States, and all persons discouraging
volunteer enlistment's, resisting the militia
draft, or guilty of disloyal practices afford
ing aid and comfort to the rebellion against
the authority of the United .States, shall
be subject to martial law, and liable to tri
al and punishment by courts martial and
military commissions
2. That the` writ ,of:habeas, corpus is sus
pended in respect to all persons arrested,
or who are now, or may hereafter during
the rebellion, be imprisoned in any fort,
camp, arsenal, military prison, or other
place of confinement, by any military au
thority, or by the sentence of any court
martial or military commission.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and caused the seal of the United
States to be fixed.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
Done at the City of Washington, this
twenty-fourth day of September, in the
year of our Lord one thousand eight hun
dred and sixty-two, and of the Independ
ence of the United States the eighty-sev
enth. By the President.
Wm. H. Seward, Sec'y of State.
FAITH IN PROVIDENCE.
Some kind of faith in a superintending
Providence has ever been characteristic of
man. Few if any have lived without at
least a vague belief in the controlling
agency of a Supreme Being in the affairs
of the world. Under the Gospel dispen
sation, clearer, more rational, more satis
factory and more firmly established views
prevail; though even among Christians
there is by no means entire unanimity of
Sentiment on this important subject.
Some of God's people appear conscien
tiously and firmly to believe that Divine
providence is concerned with human affairs
in but a general way. Many theoretically
entertain this general belief, who are still
influenced, by an undefined persuasion that
the providence of God extends to all things
—even the most minute. Many, however,
embrace cordially and unhesitatingly the
doctrine of a special providence. They
feel that any other view is derogatory to
the character of the all-wise . and all
powerful Sovereign of the universe. They
read the doctrine in God's own- record of
his dealings with his creatures. They are
further convinced by the testimony of their
own .experience. And the frequent "Thus
saith the Lord" of 'the infallible Word
adds the seal of assurance to their confi
dence.
Happy, inexpressibly happy, are, those
who possess this unwavering faith in the
particular providence of God, and who
along with it enjoy the assurance that they
are the children of Him who can and will
order all things for their good. In every
thing—even the most trifling—that con
tributes to their enjoyment, they recognize
the kind hand of Him "from whom
•cometh -down every good and perfect gift,"
and they draw nearer to God with swelling
,emotions of gratitude and love, and with
increased confidence in his gracious care.
In everything also that is of in their
lot, they still see the hand of their heavenly
Father, and they feel that in adversity no
less than • in prosperity that same kind
hand is administering to their wants.
The chastened child may not understand
why his afflictions are of a particular char
acter, 'nor why - they are so intense or so
•long continued as they are, but he is
sustained by the assurance that they are
just what they should be. They are not
the result of chance; nor are they under
the control of either wicked men or evil
spirits, except so far as God in his wisdom
may allow.> They are from God, and are
administered in just the form and measure
best adapted to do good ; and even though
they continue till death, the believer is
confident they will work for him a "far
more exceeding and eternal weight of
glory."
The assured believer in God's special
providence may well rejoice that by Divine
grace he possesses a faith se sustaining.
Let him cherish it and cling to it as a
priceless treasure.
The Christian Commission, Philadelphia.—
An Address of this excellent. Association is
received, and will appear next week. It
deserves the most favorable regard. Their
work is truly benevolent. The Commis
sion has dispatched over fifty men to the
recent battle-fields to relieve the wounded,
and to guide and cheer them by Christian
counsel. Happy thought, that war's hor
rors may be thus ameliorated, and that all
willing minds may participate, by prayers
and alms-deeds, in the beneficence. .
The. True Presbyterian.--Owing to the
irregularity of the mails in Kentucky and
other border States, where this journal is
issued and has its principal support, its
publication has been suspended.
EASTERN SUMMARY.
NE W-ENGLAND.
THE DAILY PRAYER-MEETING in the
Old South Chapel, Boston, is still kept up,
and seems to be characterized by special
interest. In .a
-time so upfavorable for the
prosperity of Zion, it is pleasing to . see that
many are importunate at a throne of grace
for blessings on themselves and others.
THE Boston, Review says of New-Eng--
land Unitarianism
"As a whole, it is obvious that it is
neither increasing nor aggressive, and if
Boston, its fountain head, may be, quoted
as a true exponent of its quantity and pow
er, it has lost much during the last ,thirty
years. Instead of bolding that city as for
merly, it has been compelled to relax its
grasp, and behold evangelical elements as
sert and maintain a power more than quad
rupled in the number of its churches ,
members and influence."
TEE Plymouth Rork gives the following
interesting account of the funeral of Col.
Fletcher Webster, and of the inspection of
the remains of his illustrious father :
The tomb at Marshfield once again opens
wide, its portals to receive the st of the
sons of the " Great Expounder!'
The funeral of Col. , Fletcher Webster
took place at his residence in Marshfield,
on Wednesday, Sept. 10. The body was
brought down from Boston in a' richly
caparisoned hearse with, four horses,
way of Hingham and South Shore. Seve
ral coaches conveyed his Boston friends
from the Kingston Depot, while a large
assemblage gathered from the neighborin g
towns. Rev. Mr. Alden, the village• pas
tor, conducted the services; the body rest
ing on his. father's writing-table in the
library„aicording to hiEi dying:request. A
large procession followed his body to the
tomb, where the coffin was deposited with
the family whom the nation mourns.
By request of Peter Harvey, Esq., and
others, the oaken box containing the great
statesman's coffin was opened, and the met
allic cover of the glass removed. How
were the feelings of those personal friends
stirred within them tv find those linea
ments and features, which no man ever
looked upon to forget, retaining the. same
color and impress—natural as when ten
years ago they gave him up to the grave.
The eyes were more sunken, but the
heavy shadows beneath the brows were al
ways there in life. Even in death, and for
a decade, the captive of the grave, that
kingly presence inspired the same deep rev
erence and speechless awe as when in the
living temple of his matchless mind. Said
one who looked upon his face again, "I
forgot all else, and cannot tell you any
:thing of the tomb and surrounding objects.'
The velvet pall, with its rich embroidery,'
was in perfect preservation, though de
prived of its primitive gloss.
In silence the lid was dropped and the
box re-closed. Farewell, thou great de
parted! Earth's communion with thee is
o'er. No more shall human eye behold
that face over which thought and feeling
once flashed the light and shade of that
" imperial mind." Rest, noble statesman,
with thy patriot sons. Thy memory " still
lives " enshrined in a nation's admiration
and gratitude.
We learn from an exchange that previ
ous to interment, the corpse of Col. •Web
ster lay "in state" in Faneuil Hall, and
within a few feet of the large paintinn. in
which his.fhther is represented in the de
livery of his ever-memorable speech on
Disunion, in reply to Hayne, of South Car
olina. It is said that Benton, at the time
it was delivered, spoke of the speech in
terms of the strongest censure, characteriz:
ing it-as extravagant, sensational and vis
ionary. Had the distinguished Senator
from Missouri witnessed the sublime and
solemn scene alluded to—had his
_eyes
gazed upon the pallid corpse of the son ; a
victim of that very disunion against which
the father, in the picture, ispleading how
changed would have been his views of that
solemn warning, and boul-stirring appeal.
SEVERAL BOSTON POLICEMEN lately ob
tained certificates to exempt . them from
draft. They were rightly served by the
Board of Aldermen, who soon after passed
a resolution that such a class of men should
no longer be employed. Men who are un
willing to heed their country's call in the
hour of her danger, should under no circum
stances receive favors at the hands of the
public.
AT THE LATE MEETING of the Massa
chusetts General Conference, an interesting
discussion arose on the propriety of teach
ing the children of Congregationalists the
Westminster Assembly's. Catechism. We
are pleased to learn that the importance of
the measure was so stoutly maintained.
One said that the Catechism, next to
the Bible, had made New-England what it
is. Another stated the historical fact that
the great apostacy in this Commonwealth
commenced by ignoring the Catechism and
substituting another in its place, which ex
cluded the peculiar doctrines of the Gospel.
This was done in Plymouth County more
than a hundred years ago. The same thing
was done in Worcester . County more than
fifty years since. It was by gradually
lowering down the*Gospel < that heresy was
introduced into these churches. Let our
children be brought up without being
taught the fundamental doctrines of 'the
Gospel, and we shall have a second crop of
Unitarianism. This generation will not
pass away before the battle with this heresy
will have to be fought over again. Let the
saying of an old writer be remembered.:
" Let me fill the bushel with wheat; then
let him that can, fill it with- chaff." Fill
'the mind of our children with Bible truth,
and it will fortify them against being led
away by error.
NE W...YORK.
THE FIFTH ANNIVERSARY of the Ful
ton Street daily noon prayer-meeting was
held last week at the North Dutch Church.
Rev. Dr. Vermilye, of the Reformed Dutch
Church, presided. On 'his right and left
sat a number of divines, representing the
various branches of the great Protestant
Church. The exercises were interesting
and varied. The house was crowded with
an attentive auditory. The frequent com
mingling of Christians upon the Scriptural
basis of faith in a common Saviour, is a duty
and a privilege—honoring to God and pro
motive of the best interests of man. Stran
gers visiting New-York will do well •to
drop in at the North Dutch Church at the
hour of prayer. •
AN ERRONEOUS IMPRESSION has gone
forth that Church membership is indispen
sable to admission into the famous zt Iron
sides Regiment " of this city. Such, a
requisition we could not approve of, but we
can rejoice that profanity, vulgarity, intem
perance, and uncleanliness of person are
insisted upon ass disqualification s for mem
bership. Would that all our soldiers were
in respect to morals, of the true Cromwell
stamp.
THE CASE OF THE People against rat
rick Keenan and thirteen others, charged
with having been concerned in the recent
disgraceful raid upon a number of,unoffend
ing colored people working in Watson's
tobacco factory at the foot 'of Sedgwick
street, Brooklyn ' was called up before :TIM.
=
tice Boer =a few dayS ago. Ttie, affair
happened on the 6th of last August; and
since that time the case has been called up
some five or six times, but each time the
Justice was compelled to postpone -. the hear
ing of it in consequenc e of the 'absence` of
counsel .or witnesses. When the'case was
called there' was no person'to repreSent the
people in the matter; and on Motion of the .
counsel for the 'defence the case against all
of the rioters was dismissed. •
TRE OLD F0L.11.8 are again giving COD,-
eerts, and as usual, attracting crowds.
Lovers of good music canaot fail to be in
.
Wrested in their entertainments One very`
serious objection to the musk, however, is
in our opinion, its mixed sacred and seen::
lar character. We can listen with pleas
ure and profit to secular music, but we'
would have it, as we would have the
sacred, by itself. Let not the gratification
..
of mere taste, and the enjoyment ,of a
hearty :laugh, go, hand • in -`hand with '44
lifeless hymning of the praises of ti
Most High
THE MARKET IS OVERSUPPLIED with
capital seeking investments for short peri.
ods. Call loans are obtained with great
ease by unexceptionable parties on fair se
curities. They range from 4to 5 per cent.
Business paper is very scarce. Very little
is being made, as full two-thirds of the ac
tive business is for cash or short credit, i n
which no notes are passed. Loans are be
ing made on gold and demand notes at 3
per cent.
Gold is at a premium of 17f to 171 per
cent.
Silver is at 113 to 114. The old demand
Treasury notes available for duties are
buoyant at 113, and will soon be of equal
value to gold.
The market for foreign exchange has been
unsteady. Sterling sixty-day bills have
been sold at 128.
The export of specie was light last week,
only $4,90,895, owing to the heavy ship_
meats of produce supplying a large amount
of commercial bills on• Europe. The acti
vity in foreign exchange is very great, ow
ing to the large imports and exports; not
withstanding the rates are 20 per cent.
higher than at this time last year. The
exports of produce last week amounted in
value to $4,057,831, against only $1,9t 4 8;
528 in the corresponding week of last year ;
and nearly equal the imports of the week,
namely—imports $4,168,548.
PELILATOELPII lA.
Ix Trus CITY, as well as in Boston and
New-York, many at least of God's people,
are awake to the importance, in these try
ing times, of acknowledging God as the
Supreme Disposer, of all events, and of
supplicating blessings at his hand.
On Tuesday of last week, the filth anni
versary of the New-York Fulton Street
Prayer Meeting was celebrated at the Sul
am street church. The occasion was deep
ly interesting. Addresses were delivered
by Rev. Messrs. Talmage, Beatty and Ne
vin. The last speaker had, just returned
from the great battle-field of the Wednes
day previous. The sufferings endured by
our soldiers, as well as the ministration to
their temporal - and spiritual wants, were
feelingly alluded to. Written requests
from wounded soldiers were read, asking an
interest in the prayers of•the • meeting.
These soldiers, as : well as all others enlisted
in their conntry'fi service, were remember
ed in the Christian's approach to the throne
of grace.
For the Presbyterian Banner
Acknowledgment.
The Board of Colportage acknowledges
the following donations, during the month
of September
Neshannoek conga, Beaver Play, for
soldiers, _ - - - $22.00
Serabgrass ch., Airy P'by,.for do., 10.00
Rev. Win. Annan, for do., - 2.00
Sharon eh., Ohio P'by,*for - do., 12.50
Mt. Washington ch., Ohio P'by, 2.00
Beulah eh., (in part,) Blairsville P'by, 16.75
Parnassus eh., Saltsbur , 6 P'by, 10.00
Saltsburg eh., SaltsburgP'by, - 12.25
Richardville ch. Clarion P'by, - 62
Laurel eh.; Redstone P'by, 7.93
Temperaneeville eh., Ohio P'by, 1.10
$97.15
F.
G. BA/LEY Treasurer.
Abu Culbertson Librarian.
ECCLESIASTICAL.
Rev: G. E.I4:ILL - En's Post Office address
is changed from 'Stroudsburg, Pa., to
Phillipsburg, New Jersey.
tate Meetineof the Synod of Allegheny.
MR. EDITOR ;,--The recent meeting of this
Synod at New Brighton, was a very pleas
ant one. There were several noticeable
circumstances which contributed to make it
so:
I. We had no judicial cases, no appeals,
and no complaints from the lower courts.
And a. 'to the hospitalities of the people of
New Ilia htort and vicinity, they exceeded
our wishes in all respeet:,
2. tte all matters of cotthidetao,c
im
pot a! co, here was very great harmony of
son Ilk or.. In" reference to the leading
benevolent' operations of the Church, there
seemed to be one mind and one heart, viz.:
to sustain and push forward to the utmost
there li.rieiely. sanetioned univements to
ee lighten and save mankind. Nor was the
Sanitary, that cheri.hed institution of this
section of. the 'Presbyterian Church, over
looked. In the four gifted Professors who
occupy its chairs of instruction, the Synod
seemed to realize that:the-tit ust confidence
of the Church maybe plaeed. She may
safely confide that her sena will receive in
those sacred halls only the instruction
which 'is according to truth and godliness.
3. In the devotional exercises of the
Synod, the fervor of piety mingled with
the glow of Christian `patriotism;
and no
prayer ascended to the throne of the Su
preme Ruler, so far as I can remember,
which omitted to mention the afflicted state
of our, common country. 'Even the guilty
authors of the' insurrection were remem
bered, and earnest, supplication was offered
that they might be convinced of their folly
and wickedness and led to repentance.
Many prayers, I trust, were thus registered
before the Throne, and will come up in re
membrince With Him 'who alone can give
the great deliverance. If 'I were to venture
a single 'exception to these devotions, it
would be that they- made so Slight reference
to the poor slave, the victim of that hate
ful system of "oppression' and" crime which
lies at the foundation of the rebellion.
While imploring the overthrow of the re
bellien, should we not strike at its root ?
4. In regard to the subject which has re
ceived so much attention in your vicinity,
viz.,-the.difficulti es in the Central church,
and the Action of the Preshytery of Alle
gheny City oirthat subject, it is worthy of
remark that after the`records of the•Tres
bytery were carefully examined by an in
telligent Committee, the 'proceedings in the
case - were fully approved. Not a solitary
exception was:found. In the language of
the Committee, ".the Presbytery did the
best they could under all the circum
stanees.!' This was the' verdict of men of
piety and wise diseriminatien, who cannot
bore supposed; to have- been 'swayed by local
ties. "The OPhreuriliedib. eretts:i'lLgPe'7udalouPbatrtinaolti
)
will - cordially- 'concur withl this verdict.
Thoughtful. men will not - be 'much influ
enced by such ex 'parte' testimony as ap
pears in the published - 4 Remonstrance
of . the Central church: A Presbytery
which embraces- such - men as Drs. Elliott
and Swift, and others :I< might mention,
will not be hastily con.dettined on the par
tial; one-Sided statements of S. few persons
.Vwho are:lint Children ito theArnowledge of
resbyterianism. A Pittsiirzerarkar.
For: the Presbyterian Banner