.i,:rti4terian ..:lannet PITTSBURGH, IVEDIVESDAY, FEBRUARY 4,1863. Mr. Nary Cameron, of Princeton College, N. J., was to be ordained as an Evarigelist, by the Presbytery of Philadelphia, on the evening of the Ist inst. Rev. Baynard R. Ball.—The death of this minister we have recently seen an nounced. He was born in Philadelphia in 1798. He graduated at Union College, N. Y., and studied theology at Princeton, N. J. He exercised his ministry first, we believe, at Meadville, Pa., then at Bloom ington, Ind., then at Bedford, Pa. He was afterwards a teacher at Bordentown, and Trenton, N. J., and at Poughkeepsie, and Newburi , e: N. Y. We had a slight ac quaintance with him in his early ministry. He was a man of fine talents, with a far more than usual allotment of wit and humor. As a preacher, his elocution was not at ttadtive ; and he hence devoted himself to teaching, as the field of his usefulness. hd.vertising in Religion Newspapers,— Religious journals, as really as others, need money; and equally with others are they entitled to a compensation for services rendered. One source of their sustenance is advertisements. Those who use them in noticing their affairs, do so for the sake of a benefit, or a gratification. The services rendered, hence deserve a remuneration. And on this principle many journalists act, in regard to all notices they publish. `We see it stated that the London Record, a religious newspaper of high character, charges for advertising "charities," for " six lines and under; sixty cents ; for each additional line, twelve cents." The New- York religious papers charge one half their usual advertising rates for inserting ap peals for oharitab}e purposes; and they charge for 4/ otices of ecclesiastical meetings, marriages, and deaths, as well as for obit uary notices. All these things, except obituary no tices, we have been in the habit of insert ing gratuitously. Is it right, especially in these hard times? Would it not be well to claim an .income from these sources, so that we might live, without putting any farther burden upon our subscribers.? The Biblical Repertory and hilitetton Re view.—Long familiarity with 'this Review, by no means diminishes an 'early attach ment. It has real worth. It is always sound on Theology; always able in its dis cussion, discreet in the selection - of sub jects, chaste, elevated, perspicuous. Ev ery young theologian should have it; and the advanced scholar who has formed its acquaintance, is Itot likely to consent to a separation. The number 'tor January contains—l. Hopkins's Moral Science; 11. The Liber ties of :the Galican Church ; 111. The Skepticism of Science; IV. Training of the Children; V. .Dr. Nicholas Murray; VI. The True Place of Man in Zoology; VII. The War ; Short Notices. The article on " The War" is, 'we sus pect, from the pen of Dr. IloraE. It is sound in its teachings, and discriminative. We wish that every citizen would read it. The Doctor presents the subject in its moral aspects: lie discusses it on Chris tian principles. He sustains the Govern ment. He says : "It is imperative on all good men to unite in the support of the Government; to tender those in authority all the aid they need to carry on This strug gle to a successful issue; cheerfully to submit to the burdens and sacrifices which the war imposes; and to render prompt and hearty obedience to all the lawful com mands of the powers that be." The articles are all readable and instruc tive. That on " The True Place or Man in Zoology," will be examined with great interest. The review of " Hopkins's Mon , al Science," ably maintains the truthful system, that " right or moral goodness is an intrinsic quality of virtuous action, ore atiog-an instant, imperative, and inevita ble obligation to perform it." OUR BRETHREN OF THE PACIFIC. Memorials came from our far- West breth ren last May, to the Old and New School General Assemblies, asking that measures be taken for a union of the two bodies_ Neither Assembly was disposed to adopt the suggestiOn. But the need of unton, , on the Pacific coast, is deeply felt. Presby-: terians are not numerous. .Scaicely •a , neighborhood or a town, and but seldom a city, has enough to form two churches. Hence, divided as they are into Schools, both`classes are feeble, and destitute of the ordinances. As a preliminary, they, with the Congre-, gationalists, have joined in a religious news paper, the Pacific. This journal is 'd'i'll gent is discussing union, and is fertile in plans. One propiaition is, that the two Schools shall form one body, and then at tach themselves to the Assembly which can aid them the most.. Another is, that when united they shall send Commissioners to both bodies, and seek aid from each. A third is, that they shall, when united, re main a distinct and separate body. Each has some advantages and some disadvan tages; and it is no easy matter to duly' estimate these. A fourth plan of union we would suggest; one which is really practicable to a good extent, and even now in actual progress. It is, for the people to unite in church fellowship, according to the circumstances of number, locality, minister, & e ., an d sus tain the ordinances. They will thus grow together in sentiment. A few years of such practical fraternity, added to the in fluences of one newspaper, may bring them into an accordant ecclesiastical union; and then:the main difficulties may be removed from either the first or third of the mover meets above noticed. AN INTERESTING MEETING. - AILLEGIIENY SEMINARY ENDOWED. The Western Theological Seminary has, from its inception, labored under pecuniary embarrassments. Its strugglings for life and usefulness we will not now pretend to narrate. Suffice it to say that it lived, and labored, and accomplished an immense amount of good. Every year its faithful, well-taught, and zealous sons went forth, class after class, into the Lord's harvest, gathering abunda . ntly. The Seminary has been blessed of' God, and been made a bless ing. Contributors to its sustenance, cura tors of its interests, and teachers of its young men, may well unite in thanksgiv ing. It has conflicted with poverty, but it may be the better for its trials, and its vigorous exertions. Ofttimes the boy becomes -the better man, who has worked his way to manhood, through difficulties. Our Seminary seems now to be entering its manhood, and we trust it will be a wise and vigorous manhood. - We ask not for it a condition of independence. That is not its nature. For that it was not designed. It was conceived a servant; it is still de signed for service. It is the creature of the churches. But while their claim is acknowledged to be paramount, they may well permit its special friends, Trustees, Directors, and Professors, who have so long witnessed and shared in its strugglings -for dear life, to rejoice a little in the near propect of witnessing its maturity of stat ure in a condition of vigor. The endowment of the Fourth Professor ship has been considered a necessity, and yet it has dragged along very heavily. It was inaugurated by the General -Assembly which met in Lexington, Ky., in 1857. The Commissioners from some of the Pres byteries in this region were opposed to the movement, at that time. Their churches had been so heavily taxed already, that they were unwilling yet to assume a new burden. They were, however, assured by a gentleman of great influence, (Rev. Dr. PLUMuu) that they would not 'be called upon for funds, but that the endowment would come from East of the mountains. They hence withdrew their opposition, and a Professor, Rev. SAMUEL J. WILSON. was elected. But the money did not come. Tempo rary arrangements had then to be made for the Professor, and a new appeal must go out to the churches. The plan adopted was, that the churches of the four sustain ing Synods, Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Wheel ing, and Ohio, should - contribute a sum equal to fifty cents for each member. A few of them did so, promptly. Most de layed. The Synods passed recommenda tory resolutions annually, but almost inef fectually. So slowly did money come, that at the beginning of this year, there was still wanting $lB,OOO to make up the en dowment; and a debt of $2,500 was em barrassing the Seminary. This becoming known, three gentlemen to whom the Lord had given means, with a liberal heart and a good judgment, proffered five thousand dollars each toward removing the embar rassments. Under these favomble prospects, a few of the friends of the Seminary were invited to meet on the evening of January 27th, in the Lecture room of the First Presby terian church. About thirty gentlemen attended. A hymn. was sung; prayer was offered; conference was had; subscriptions were tendered, and in a short time the $3,000 needed to complete the endow ment, and $1,500 toward the debt, were pledged by responsible parties. With prayer, thanksgiving, and the doxology, the meeting adjourned. It may be added, that a small portioti of the subscription was taken for gentlemen not present; and also that the additional thousand dollars needed to liquidate the debt, is pledged since the meeting. The event is certainly gratifying. This 'places the• Seminary on a substantial foot ing—not above want, by any means, but on a footing of permanence and comfort. We should have preferred to have seen the endowment completed by the churches on the plan above noticed, every member con tributing a little; but that plan having de cidedly failed, we rejoice in the way -in which it has been accomplished. The in stitution is now, emphatically, our own, un der Jesus Christ and for his cause. We, that is, the churches in this region, have planned it, and endowed it, and we hope for wisdom to conduct its operations. Weneed it. We have sons to consecrate and train. Our poor have• sons; and the churches have the means of sustaining them. And now that our endowment is :secured, our buildings erected, and our debts provided for, let us devote ourselves with new and increased energy to the pre paring and sending forth of well qualified laborers into the harvest. SERVICE AND COMPENSATION.-IS THE MIN ISTER ADEQUATELY PAID? Service merits a compensation. This is a sentiment of the human mind. It is deeply fixed and ineradicable. It looms up perpetually in the thoughts of even the slave; and the master himself cannot ex pel it from his own bosom. It is of God's implantation. It is a dictate of conscience. It belongs to eternal justice. God recog nized it in his transactions with men, in man's state of innocence. The first cove nant—the covenant of works—was founded upon it. The tenor of that covenant was: Do this, and live. Obey, and be rewarded. Serve, and receive a compensation. After the fall, the same principle was recognized, in man's new condition. "'ln the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread." This is more than a mere sentence. It is a law; a promise ; the recognition of a prin ciple. Man must get his bread by labor; and he who labors is .entitled to .his bread. Temporal good things must be earned. And even in the obtaining of spiritual good things, this principle is recognised, PRESBYTERIAN BANNER.---WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1863. Salvation, as we all know, is of grace. The end, with all the pro-tequisites is a gratuity. it is to be ever so regarded. God gave his Sou. God bestows his Spir it. God calls, opens the understanding, impresses the heart, renews, justifies, adopts, sanctifies, glorifies. All is of God's love and bounty. And still, the tender of the benefit, and the manner of the sinner's coming into the possession, recognizes the principle and takes the form of a reward for service, of a compensation following a performance. " Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be save.d." " Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. * * Well, thou good servant; because thou bast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities." "In as much as ye did it." " A righteous man's reward." " According to that he bath done." ;Such is a sample of the manner in which the Gospel of salvation speaks. Gompensation is the principle of admin istrative justice , in regard to evil doing, as well as in- regard to well-doing; and it will be so in eternity, as really as it is- so now in time. It is universal, under the government . of God. God will render to every man, according to his deeds. This, however, is not to be so strictly in terpreted as to prevent the interposition of favors: It is not, as already intimated, the sole rule of transactions between God and man. God is beneficent. Justice, while it prevents the punishing of a man beyond his deserts, does not forbid his be ing awarded with good beyond his deserts. God may do what he will with his own and benefactions are his delight. He will never do less than full justice, in compen sating claims for service, though he may, and does, far exceed those claims, in his renderings. This is beautifully and im pressively set forth by our. Lord, in his parable of the husbandman who hired la borers and sent them into his vineyard. A compensation for service being a prin ciple of eternal rectitude, which even God himself observes in dealing with his crea tures, it is to be inculcated upon man; as an indispensable rule in .all his transac tions with his fellows. In doing good, as he bas the Divine example, be is not lim ited to simply the demands of a just remu neration. He may go far beyond this in his benevolence. But short of this he must never fall. The principle is of very extensive appli cation. We simply ask: Reader, do you compensate your minister ? Do you prom ise him a fair reward for his service? Do you owe him anything? BAPTISM OF ADULTS. " In baptizing an adult, is it optional with the Minister to pronounce the person's name ? If not, what is the binding form 2 . Please answer through the. Banner.' We receive many questions. Some of them we do not answer. The inquirers may attribute our silence to ignorance, to want of leisure to investigate, or to a fail ure to appreciate duly the subject. But they must not charge us with designed disrespect. A question well put, often raises a profitable thought., even though there be no response. Our DIRECTORY provides, that, "When unbaptized persons apply for ad mission into the Church, they shall; in ordinary cases, after giving satisfaction with respect to their knowledge and piety, make a public profession of their faith, in the presence of the congrega tion; and thereupon be baptized." There is nothing said about words or form. The inference then is, that we are to follow the instructions given under the head of; " The Administration of Baptism." —Directory, Chap. VII. We there read: "After which, calling the child by name, he shall say, "*I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.' "As he pronounces these words, he is to baptize the child with water, by pouring or spinkling it on the face of the child, without adding any. other ceremony." From all this we infer, 1. That in bap tizing an adult, in the presence of the con gregation, it is becoming and proper to speak his name aloud, just as . we do the name of the - infant. 2. Tbat in case the name should be omitted, the baptism is not thereby invalidated. The sub ject is there, the profession is made, the water is -applied, the baptismal words are duly used. It is to be noted, that the min ister does not give the name. The giving of the name is a previous act of the parents. In the act of baptism the name is simply announced. The " binding form," is the application of water, "by pouring or sprinkling," using the words prescribed by our Lord. The " pronouncing of the name" may be re garded as " optional," in that it is not di rectly enjoined ; but we are always pleased to hear the minister mention the name of an adult, just as he does that of an infant. The baptismal formula addresses the subject, " I baptize thee." It is hence entirely becoming to mention the name. DISGRACEFUL AFFAIR' IN THE UNITED During an exciting debate on Tuesday of last week, Mr. SAULSBURY, Senator from Delaware, used exceedingly unbecoming language toward the Government, and vili fied the President by name. He Was called to order, but, becoming furious, he was ta ken in charge by the sergeant at arms. He displayed a pistol, and used threats. A motion was, on Wednesday, made to ex pel -him •from the Senate. On Thursday he presented himself, very penitent, and earnestly professed his regret. This in duced Mr. CLARK, of New Hampshire, who - had offered the resolution of expul sion, to let the subject lie over for con ference.' - The excuse offered by Mr. SAULSBURY is, that he was intoxicated, , It is a sorry excuses It is rather an aggravation. It makes him not only a ruffian ) but a drunk- STATES SENATE. and also. Either crime should expel him. The Senate ought to have so much decency and moral principle, as to expel any mem ber who would come into the chamber drunk. It should be a statute to be en forced inexorably. But if to drunken ness is to be added intemperate language, disgraceful conducOhreats, violence, and a display of deadly weapons, what virtu ous Senator can bear the fellowship. The Senate is disgraced, and the stigma will be made indelible if the sin of drunkenness is admitted as a plea in abatement of the crime of vile disordor. The Christian community must utter its condemnation of such wickedness, on the part of its representatives. ANTHER ARREST Philadelphia, and the public extensively, have been thrown into great excitement by the arrest of .ALBERT D. BOILEAU, propri etor of the Philadelphia Evening Journal. The arrest was made by the military author ities, on an order.from Gen. SCHENCK, who commands the District embracing Phila delphia. The cause is not stated; but the columus of the Journal have, for some time, - abounded in, articles abusing the Government. That the Government has the power, and will be sustained by, a community vir tuous in the lawful use of it, to arrest and punish bad men, we have not the slightest doubt. Whether Mr. Bat- LEAU is a transgressor or not, and what may be the extent or limits of official pow er, is likely now to be tested. Judge LUDLOW has taken the matter up vigorously, and handed it to a Grand Jury. The conclusion of his charge to the jury, is thus reported : " GENTLEMEN : I have alone taken the responsibility of addressing you to-day. It has not been done without serious reflec tion. From the commencement of the re bellion I have endeavored, in every possible legal method, to support the constituted authorities. Time and again questions. of great delicacy, and which seemed to threat en a collision between the United States authorities and this Court, have been dis posed of in such a way as not to embarrass the General Government, while the.rights of the citizens have been protected. We have even failed to notice the fact officially —that arbitrary arrests have been made in this country, because, as we have before in timated, we had hoped that would cease. That hope has been destroyed. "A legal and moral necessity urges us to this, step; not to countenance any act committed by any man against the author ity of the General Government, but to sus tain a right as clear as the noon-day sun, as vital as life, giving breath, without the exercise of which, the Government itself is a stupendous depeption, and which, if firm ly maintained now and here,. will go far to unite a people of immense resources, and which power can yet be wielded as a unit, when and as soon as the conititutional rights of each citizen shall be respected and enforced. I have now discharged a great public duty, with no desire to do otherwise than support the United States Government, and I sincerely believe that the result will be to strengthen and not, to weaken that Union, which ought to he per petuated to the latest generation. I re quest you, at once, to suspend all other business before you at present, and instruct the District Attorney of this county to send fbr General Mowroommtv and the Provost Marshal, together With all other persons, who have any knowledge of this transac tion, and after you shall have heard them,• your duty will be simply to present the facts to the Court." It is possible that Judge LUDLoW is quite as rash and as abitrary as is General SCHENCK. We await developments. Since writing the - above we see it stated, that the Grand Jury, reported to the Court the facts in the case, quoting the objec tionable articles in the Journal, and - ex pressing high regard for the Na.tional and State Governments. Mr. BOILEAU was confined in Fort Mc- Henry, but has been released, on a distinct disavowal of the articles complained of, and a solemn promise, as follows : " I do hereby further give to Maj. Gen. ROBERT C. Somnox, commanding • the Middle Department and eighth army corps, by whose order on behalf of the Govern ment I have been arrested, my sacred pa role of honor, that upon being discharged from my present imprisonment and sus pension of publication of my newspaper be ing removed, I will not write, print or pub lish, or Permit others in my name to write, print or publish any articles having such dangerous character, or tending to the sup port or encouragement, of the rebellion, but will demean myself in all things as a true and loyal citizen of the United States, in tending only to support the Government, the Constitution, and the Union, as faith ful citizens should." DEATH OF PROFESSOR ROBINSON, Professor EDWARD ROBINSON, of the Union Theological Seminary, N. Y., died on Tuesday evening, January 27th, in the 69th year of his age. Dr. ROBINSON was a native of Southing ton, Conn., and a graduate of Hamilton College, N. Y. He manifested, very early in life, a fondness for classical literature, and became one of the best Greek and He brew scholars in our country. In 1826 he went to Europe, and spent four years in travelling. In 1830 he was appointed Pro fessor Extraordinary of Sacred Literature, in the Theological Seminary at Andover. In 1833 he removed to Boston; and in 1837 to New-York, where he was appointed Professor of Sacred Literature in the Union Seminary; an office which he held during his life. . Previously to entering upon the duties of his office at New-York, he visited Palestine, in company with Rev. ELI SMreu, D.D.; and visited it again, with the same companion, in 1851. His travels he published under the title, "Biblical Researches in Palestine "—it was published simultaneously in Germany, England; and America, in .1841. It is a standard work, judicious, comprehensive, and of great au thority. His later years were occupied on a new work, on the Geography of the Holy Lattd. It is left unfinished. Of Dr. RomisoN's literary labors, the N. Y. Post speaks thus " Although Dr. Rozentsores name who so closely identified with the Holy Land, he was a prolific writer on other subjects. In 1832 he published a translation of Butt man's Greek Grammar; in 1836 " A Greek and English Lexicon of the New Testa ment;" and in 1845 " Tbe Harmony of the Four Gospels," which he wrote in Greek, giving the next year to the public an Eng lish translation of his own work. He also edited, from 1831 to 1834, the Biblical Repository, and later " Calrnet's Biblical Dictionary," and has published a transla tion of Gesenius's Hebrew Lexicon. He was made a D. D. by the' Universities of Halle and . Dartnsouth, and LL.D. by Yale College, besides being an honorary member of many learned Societies at home and abroad." The writings of Dr. ROBINSON have done much to facilitate the acquisition of a knowledge of the Scriptures ; especially of every thing which belongs to topography, and to manners and customs. He was pe culiarly a biblical writer. His life Was de voted to the Bible. Mrs. ROBINSON is left with several chil. dren. She is a German lady, born at Halle. She is eminent in scholarship. Concert at Sewickley.—A number of la dies and gentlemen of Sewickley, gave :a delightful concert to the people of that place and , visitors from Pittsburgh, on last Thursday evening, in the old Presbyterian church. The pieces sere'well selected and very happily rendered. The audience was high ly entertained, and would be exceedingly gratified if the same persons would, as soon as convenient, favor the public with another concert of kindred Character. The proceeds are to be applied to the purchase of an organ for the Presbyterian. church of Sewickley. A Minister Wanted.—Burlingame, Osage County, Kansas, has a comfortable church , building, we are informed, and an organi zation of nineteen members. There is an other church about ten miles distant. ' The two were served for about two years, by Rev. P. P. MONFORT, who lately retired on account of feeble health. The field is said to be proniising. It is just such a place as a young man of health and energy, who grew to manhood in the midst of the activ ities of life, should wish to occupy. Ad dress J. M. CHAMBERS, Esq., as above. EASTERN SUMMARY. NEW-ENOLAND. THE OLD Sour PRAYER-MEETINO, ' of Boston, continues to be observed with in terest. At a late meeting, Dr. Gulick,, of the Micronesian Islands, made the follow ing, among other statements, respecting the field of missionary labor. The popu lation' of the Islands is about eighty thou sand. There are four American mission -aries and six Sandwich Island helpers en gaged in the mission. Foul' churches have been organised, and though the member ship is small, amounting to but fifty, still a good and thorough work has been com menced, and the pro'spects for the future are highly. encouraging. WE LEARN that Deacon Charles Scud der, for upwards of twenty years a highly honored officer in the Essex Street church, Boston, died on the 21st nit., under the following circumstances. He left his house in usual health ;_but taking suddenly ill, he stept into a store. A •physician was called, and soon after, while they were as sisting him frau the store to a carriage, he sunk away, and soon expired At the fu neral, which was very largely attended, Rev. Dr. Adams spoke in high terms of the Christian excellences and great usefulness of the deceased. • The sad occasion was made additionally mournful and solemn by the intelligence, just received, of the death, by drown ing, of Rev. David C. Scudder, a son of the above, who has been laboring in the foreign missionary field, under the American Board. The -reference to the happy meeting of the father and son, both thus suddenly summoned to the world above, was impressive, and cheering to the hearts of the oppressed mourners. REV. WILLIAM A. STEARNS, D.D., of Amherst, was recently chosen by the Massa chusetts House of Legislature, as preacher of the election sermon for 1864. THE Boston Recorder gives the following revival. items : "We understand there is more than usual religious interest in the Congrega tional society at West Amesbury, and that several cases of conversion have recently occurred. " There have been conversions, recently, in several churches in this city; in Park Street church, and the Methodist churches in Bromfield Street, Bennett Street, and. D. Street. " "An interesting revival'has been in pro gress for some time in North Abington. Some fifty, or sixty persons have attended the inquiring meeting, and conversions are taking place every week." REV. GEORGE B. SPAULDING, pastor of the Congregational church at Vergennes, Vt., was waited upon by several members of his congregation recently, and presented with $l,OOO. Mr. Spaulding has been in the ministry but a short time, this being his first settlement, and so generous a dons- . tion is an indication of the estimation in which he is held. He is a brother of the able journalist, J. R. Spaulding, Esq., of The Times, formerly of • The World. THE LIQUOR QUESTION has again been opened in the Rhode Island Legislature. The Committee on Finance, of the Senate, lately reported in favor of granting licenses to sell intoxicating liquors, and the report was Adopted, and the Committee on Judi ciary ordered to draw a bill to accomplish that object. It is stated, also, that the cit izens of Newport, who are opposed to the repeal of the present laws, are taking steps to show their opposition to the-'Leg islature by circulating petitions among the people. THE Boston Transcript, says, "There is an abundance of ice from thirteen to fifteen inches in thickness on ponds within thirty miles of Boston, whence a supply of export can readily be had," and adds: For the benefit of our friends at a dis tance we will state that the ice crop of New-England has never failed, although twenty years ago the icen..na did not secure a crop in December, vrite3 the ice was a foot thick, preferring to wait for eighteen inches. But the latter part of the Winter was warm, and the ice was not so thick again that season. Five Winters -ago, no ice was gathered in this vicinity until after the 22d of February. So great was the supply this year that many ice-houses were not emptied of their contents during the next season. NE W-YORK. REy. Mu. MILBURN, the eloquent blind preacher, recently delivered a lecture on Aaron Burr, which is spoken of as exceed ingly able, and replete with moral. instruc tion. It is mentioned as an interesting in cident connected with the lecture, or the as sembly rather, that it consisted in part of the more advanced pupils of the New-York In stitution for the Deaf and Dumb, to whom the lecture was made intelligible by -Prof. Peet, who stood on the platform, and by signs interpreted to the deaf mutes the words of the speaker. WE LEARN from the Observer that the labors of Rev. Mr. Hammond, in the North Pfestyterian church, New-York City, have been followed by a pleasing revival of re ligion. Scores of, persons nightly attend the inquiry meetings, and eases of lopeful conversion are continually occurring. THE ANNIVERSARY MEETING of the American Colonization Society has just been held. Much cheering information was communicated in regard to the present condition and future prospects of Liberia. The recognition, by the United States, of the independence of this country, was. coin- merited upon with satisfriction. The total receipts of the Society for "1862 were $129,836.50; payments made, $104,76514; leaving a balance of $25,071.36. Tux following liberal bequests have been made by Almy Townsend Hicks, of New- York, whose will has recently been ad mated to probate. It will be observed that our own religious and charitable institu tions have been especially remembered by the testatrix, she being a member of the Old School Presbyterian Church. To Trustees of Board of Missions of the. General Assembly of the 'Presbyterian Church in the United States, $ 500 In aid of the Domestic Missions of the above,' In aid of the Foreign Missions of the above, ' 500 To the same Trustees in aid of the fund for building churches, 1,000 In aid of their Board of Eduoation, 500 In aid of their Board of Publication, 500 To be applied toward the support of aged and infirm clergymen of their ChUrch,... 1,000 To the First Presbytery -of New.:York; to be applied to such religious and chari table purposes as they may deem dis creet in tbe promotion of religion- and charity 2,000 To the Trustees of the Theological Semi nary at Princeton, N. J., 5,000 To the Society for the Relief of Respeeta ble Aged, Indigent Females, 1,000 To the Ladies' Depository,•in New-lork, 250 Five hundred dollars were left to Rev. Dr. Potts; and the relatives of the deceased were liberally provided for. THE AMOUNT raised for the American Board of Foreign Missions, for the year 1863, by the church of the Pilgrims, Brooklyn, is the handsome sum of 66,- 248.60. THE FUNERAL services of the late Grant Thorburn, took place on Saturday, the 24th ult., in the Scotch Presbyterian church, the Rev. Drs. Dewitt and Henry. officiating. Mr. Thorburn was in the ninetieth year of his age. - He hid been accustomed to saw wood for exercise during the later years of his life, and on Tuesday went to the woodshed as usual, and while sawing wood was seized with a fainting fit, and was borne to his couch. On Wednesday morn ing he insisted on rising, partook-of break fast, and, notwithstanding the remonstran ces of his family, went to the woodshed to engage in his accustomed exercises. He was found soon after lying upon the floor quite dead. Mr. Thorbium married three times; marrying the last lady -about ten years ago. ME ANNUAL PEW-RENTING in Ply mouth church, Brooklyn, which came off lately, resulted in a total rental of $23,000, or an advance of $5,000 upon last year. The attendance at the sale was large, in chiding not a few strangers, who came from curiosity to witness the scene. GOLD sold on Saturday at 158 k and for eign exchanges at 1 75—superfine flour at $7,00 to $7,40. Wheat at $1,75. PIIILADELpiI lA, WE LEARN from the Prisbyterian, that the Alexander church-of this city is now free from all debt, except the ground-rent, upwards of $7,000 having been recently raised to meet the claims held against it. Tai , OLD SAN - som--street Baptist church, so famous throughout the Christian world for the Business Men's Prayer Meeting held in it daily for the last five years, was sold last week to a person who intends tear ing, it down and erecting in its stead a building to be used as a riding school. The congregation recently worshipping in this church will hereafter occupy their newly erected building at Eighteenth and Spring Garden streets; and another place will be selected for the noon-day prayer•meetings. A MEETING for the furtherance of the " lay movement "in the .M. Church, was held in Philadelphia, January 22d, at Trinity Church. It was composed of male • members exclusively. Ex-President W. IL Allen's name leads the signatures append ed to the call. During the meeting he re marked that the movement lay very near to his heart, and he, for one, thought that great progres,s had been. mamas in. its prose cution, as much,, he believed r as .was con sistent with the good of the cause. It was desirable that the church should be gradu ally educated and won over to the measures proposed. • On motion of Alex.Curamings, Esq., a committee of fifteen-was appointed ,to issue a call fora convention of the whole church to consider the subject, to be held in New York in May next. Nor the Preebyterian Banner% A Suggestion About the Church Register. The general character of the Register y prepared b the Board of Publication, of our Church, is good ; so much so that I cannot see how any church • can do without it or something like it; how any pastor will do without it even though his Session should refuse to provide one for him. My suggest/on is by- wny_ of ,improve ment. The part arranged for the name' of the members of the church is entirely try li m it e d. For the most part but one p a rr,„ is allowed fbr names beginning with the same letter. Some churches will fill th ; , t in jive years or less, just with new met , hers. There should ne at least six, eighr, ' or ten pages for names beginning with th e same letter; at any rate some letters. The room for baptisms, marriages, and deaths, will do pretty well. But for elders and dell': cons it seems unduly proportioned. F or example, there is room for 232 elders also 230 deacons. The writer's church has been in existence over forty years, and all the elders' names are recorded on kilt' a page. At the same rate of the past, ou r Register will do us 600 years yet to record the elders, but for members it is now full after four or. five years use. Cannot the Board give us a book better proportioned? Or must we buy a new Church Register at, $2.50 each every. five years, when the same drily proportioned would last twenty or twenty-five years. IMPROVEMENT. The Christian Commission. PROM OEM PHILADELPHIA. CORRESPONDENT The event of the week has been the An niversary of the. Christian Commission last (Thursday) evening in the Academy of Music. The splendid- Opera House cer tainly has never been put to better use; and with its magnificent national decora tions, crowded boxes, floor and galleries, and platform covered with dignitaries—. civil, naval, military, and ecclesiastical— assembled to express their interest in the evangelization of the American Army, pre sented a spectacle unique in thethistory of religion. Over four thousand tickets were issued, and more than ten thousand persons were Unable -to procure these indibpensable conditions of admittance. The Preident of the Commission, Mr. George H. Stuart„ introduced to the plat form, the Hon. Chief Justice Lowrie ex- Governor Pollock, Commodore Stribling, the clergy of the city, and several promi nent merchants and 'statesmen; Bishop Janes, Messrs. Wm. E. Dodge, Foster, Russell, and Dr. Cooke, of New-York; Messrs. C. Demoted, Storey, and Coles, of Boston; Dr. Hill, of Buffalo; and a large number of other representative men. After singing the patriotic song, llit the name of Jehovah, our banner we raise," and prayer by. Dr. Newton, the Secretary, Rev. W. B. Boardman read the following abstract of the first Annual Report : The work of the Commission, together with that of the various Young Men's Christian Associations and Army Commit tees cooperating with it, is, when summed up; as follows: Cash disbursed for expenses, stores ' and publications $ 40,160.29 "tralite of stores and publications die , tributed✓by the Commission $142,150.00 Christian ministers and laymen Com missioned to minister, at.the seat of war, to , men on battle-field, and in camps and hospitals. Christians actively working with the Army Committees in the home work Meetings held' with soldiers and. sail- ors, exclusive of those at the seat of war Public meetings held on behalf of the soldiers and sailors Bibles and Testaments distributed— Books (large and small,) for soldiers and sailors, distributed Magazines and pamphlets, religions and secular, distributed Soldier's arid- Sailor's Hymn and Psalis Books distributed 130,697 Papers, distributed....-... . .. .. .. 384,751 Pages of Tracts, &c„ distributed-... 10,963,706 Temperance documents distributed... 300,000 Libraries supplied to hospitals, &c... *23 Boxes and barrels of stores and pub lications distributed In - addition to the above, there is much of which no record has been kept, worthy of especial mention. For example, a large number of Christian men and women have been associated as helpers, with our Dele gates and, Committees, in their work in hospitals-and camps not included in the 1,038 reported, and the meetings at the seat of war with the soldiers, held by those sent by the 'Commission, amounting to many thousands, and many more thousands of letters written'for the soldiers to their friends, or to obtain "discharges or descrip tive lists. These things not having been recorded, cannot be reported. Hereafter, full record of them will be kept, and full .report made. ESTIMATES FOR THE PUTURE.--To ex tend-the benefits of the Commission to the entire Army and Navy, systematically, there should be at least one man in com mission with each Division of the Army, and - each Squadron of the Navy, to receive and distribute stores and publications; and, in connexion with chaplains and others, to do whatever they can for the bodily comfort and religious improvement of the men; and there should be stores and publications sufficient for them to distribute to meet the urgent wants of all. To do this, one hundred men, besides those sent• to meet- special emergencies, would have to be kept in commission. And to give even two cents' worth of read ing matter—to say nothing of bodily com forts—to each man, once a week, would re quire one million and forty thousand dollars a year, besides the expenses of the distribu tion. Two cents a month, given to each man - ' would be two hundred and forty thou sand dollars a veer. Done by the Government, or by any Agency that should pay for the serviee-, supplies and. facilities which are given to the Com Mission without pay, this work would cost ten times as much; yet it cannot be done even by the Commission, with all its wonderful economical facilities, without generous support from the friends o f the soldier, the country, and the Master. Rev. Dr. Patterson, of Chicago, then ad dressed the meeting, giving an account of the practical working of the Commission. Its great design is the evangelization of the Ameridan Army and Navy; by the distri bution of tracts, hymn-books, and Testa ments ; the personal ministrations of Chris tian ministers and laymen, and the distri bution of food and. cordials and bestowal of personal services in nursing and tending the sick and wounded soldiers. The agenoies employed sion are,by the Commis - First. The officers of the army and navy; beginning with the President, as Comnamander-in-Chief, from whom, and from the - Secretary of War letters were read commendatory of the labors of the Commission, and promising every facility to its - delegates. The Chaplains, and other Christian. officers, have also been largely interested and'"employed' in the work. Private soldiers, down to the wagon-drirers have'been•solicited to cooperate, and never solicited in vain. Second. The Young Men's Christian Associations have held meetings to in terest- the churches in the work; and havell bed over a thousand prayer-meet' hags with the soldiers; and at least one Commissioner; at which numbers p r° ':, fessed,:religion, -of whom we have good accounts of perseverence in the faith. .peachtl. basket: of .pliyittg-cards exchanged ,03,, 8 ‘ : 188 242,564 115,757 ,653 3,691
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