. DAVID M'KINNEY, Editor and Proprietor. REV. T. N. M'KINNEY, ASSOCIATE EDITOR. TERMS IN ADVANCE. nr Mu Si.so ,Liv gale Is RIMER or Ina CITIES 2-00 or Two DOLLAR& wo will Bond by mail Seeenty numbers, t.r Otis DOLLAR, thirty-threo lumbers. Mort , sending us TWENTY subscribers and upwards, will reby entitled to a paper without charge. naWals rhonid be prompt, a little before the year expiree not payments by safe hands, or by mail. Trot all lettere to REV. DAVID M'KINNEY, Pittsburgh, Pa. The Clock of Unman Life. 'Tie oue o'clock—the silvery chimes Arc ringing soft and low, Over an infant's cradle bed, As it swings to and fro ; While smiling near, a mother bends, Listening to the clear bells flinging the babe's sweet advent hour, In her heart's deepest wells. Tinkle!, tinkle! soft and clear, On the loving mother's ear. 'T is two--three—four in merry peals, Bells strike the passing hour, While bliss pours in through every sense, As on this mortal shore The tripping feet of childhood fly. While air, and earth, and sky Are full of joy, and childhood'i bells Are ringing clear and high. Jingle t jingle! clear and high, Ring the bells of childhood's sky. Nov five and Biz ring on the ear, In deeper golden notes, And tender chimes, and loving peals, Round youth's sweet dream-life floats. Those notes are filling every sense Of Ate young maiden's life, And their soft, mellow lullabys Bush every thought of strife. Love me, love me, ring the belle, As round fair youth their music swells. 'T is seven now—'tis eight-4.3s nine; And deeper sounds the bell, As in the solemn march of life, They ring with fuller swell; And tell of strife, and toil, and care, Of grief and sundered ties, And to the heart subdued by grief, They are ringing in the sky, Of rest above, where Jesus dwells, Come home, come home, they faintly I= 'T is ten o'olook--the vanished hours Ring out their warning tones , ; The silver notes of infancy And golden ohimee are gone. The past is all a fleeting dream; The future, oh, how grand I As 'mid its deep and solemn peals With parted lips we stand. Ding-dong, ding-dong, it slowly rolls, Pealing the requiem of souls. The clock has struck eleven—harkl The awful moments pass, 'Mid muffled bells we hear them die, And watch time's hour-glass. Solemn and slow, we hear their ktiell, They ring of ended strife, There's More of tender joy • than grief Which tolls of endless life. Oh t . joyful knells, life's evening bells, Of conflicts past, their music tells. 'Tie twelve o'clock—the midnight hour Rolls out its thrilling knell, Alt! not of grief, and not of death, Does its deep tell. ' To Christian souls—so high! so grand ! Are the bright hopes it rings, That 'mid the solemn knells of time, The parting spirit sings, As midnight bells fade soft away, 'T is endless one in upper day. 'Tie endless one in that bright world, One everlasting , day; Hours have pealed their last farewell, And minutes passed away. 'T is one effulgent, brilliant noon, > • One flood of light and love; One solemn never-ending now In that Sweet home above. Ohl the deep joy of evermore, When waking first' on that blest shore. -Episcopal Recorder. " 'tor the kresbyterlan - Banner Pour Nodes of Benefleente;.' It must be a matter of vast moment and little anxiety to every pastor and elder have,at heart the beneficent operations he .Church, .how they shall most sue- Fully develop the latent charity of the mob, and , properly cultivate the habit of ng to the Lord. One thing of great )rtance in the successful, development she scheme.of systematic beneficence is, mode in which the annual collection is in up. I cannot help but think that • of efficiency in our system of benef<= operations arises sometimes, at least, our,, faulty modes of gathering the is income. If one mode is better than her, is it not well that we should know ' adopt it ? If one mode is preferable :other for, one class of our churches, is important that we should know that in order that the very best mode-may topted for churches in the city, and in town, and in the country ; providing be not one mode applicable to all, and one the very best known. I propose, , with your permission, to notice very a few modes, perhaps ordinarily fol by Our churches, noting some of the qualities of each, and also some of • bad, or at least doubtful qualities : by a faithful comparison we mailearn is the preferable, or else lead others ;gest the very -best mode discOvered. j the minds and lieartx of all the men women and children deeply imbued : the spirit of benevolence, the manner exercising their beneficence would not sf so much importance. For then where was the will there would be way. :lties in any or all the ways of making Itions would be overcome; the interest .iat the Lord has given would be fully heartily paid, whether the Lord„.4olo half-yearly, or quarterly, or, eix,times ••, as he does now for the six regular s of our Church. mode is by the use of the bag. has advantages and disadvautWS. advantage is, that it-.maintains,tits ,ary principle, leaving .sit ..optional sr to give or not ; and also, whether or little. This mode has perhaps the outward restraint of any of those we notice. But few can see whether a lives or not; and, none can know, ex )d, much he, gives. This.mode time; it can be done quickly : and s a matter of importance with some Is and elders, if we may judge them s rapidity of their movements, giving but barely time, and others no time • The little observation I have had :is particular is this : that the elder is the most careful to give time and every one, little and big, old sung, male and fetuale,'an, opportunity, sy far the largest amount.. ,And this of all the modes. Where a collec ts taken every Sabbath for other than regular annual objects of Christian . . + . _ t r . A- - triavit cli t ( annti+ iu , .:, ‘•......._,/ • VOL. XI., NO. 23 beneficence, the bags are perhaps the best, as time is saved and not much from each one is expected. But if they are also used for the annual collections, we think they fail to realize as much a 3 by some other modes. The minister may faithfully re mind the congregation that it is not an ordinary morning collection that is being taken, but one to which they give but once a year, and a purely beneficent object too, but still the result to some extent would seem to show that they were forgetful. But where no regular morning collection is cus tomary in a church, we think the bag mode has also serious objections, especially where piety is low. • Were all truly alive to their duty and privileges, and truly conscientionS, it would be, perhaps the very best mode. But with the present amount of piety in the case of the majority of the church, a mode that more effectually appeals to the heart anti conscience than the bag, seems to do, is the preferable mode. A variety of the above modes is, hy the use of plates or baskets. The mode, in its essential features the same, whether the bag, plate, or basket be used. We prefer the basket to .the plate, as it is lighter, ,not likely to,, break should it be let fall, and there. is much less noise. We, think. the basket is much better than the ordinary bags. Its . presentation reminds the, giver that a contribution for an annual henevo- lent object is expected,• and something more than is commonly given . at the ordinary morning collection. Then, very little more time, is required with •the basket . .than` the bag. Then, again, -if the giver wishes change, the deacon or elder carrying the basket can more,easily get it from the bas- ket than-from the bag. , ; A second mode .followed in some church es is, to have persons at the close of the service bring their contribution to one 'or more persons appointed to receive it, the name and amount. being put down in a book kept for that purpose. • • There are some excellent features in this plan. Like the former mode it maintains the voluntary prilibiple, and yeb in - one sense there is a little constraint in this - that is not felt in the other. All may See who do and who do not contribute. Then the record thus kept also shows who' do and who do not giVe, together with the amounts Of each'. Such a record reveals a ciirioua and interesting - history--telling Of many, very many who never give ,anything, year after year; of °there whose amounts are never increased, though their ability in Creases year after year,' : But this - I:node re-' - quires more time than the.former.. It is attended with more invonvenieneei, too. when the. 'benediction - is pronounced the pastor receiveseit .at-the table in front of the pulpit, or some other person or persons, itis difficult,in - aiarge audience' 'to get for ward: .if the receivers take 'their places; one at each door, inconvenience willrbe,ex perienced:there; because of.the crowd pass ing. Then very Many have but-little to give, and hence are unwilling to give, as it is to - be registered and seen by some, at least, how much •'they give. Such 'surely forget thararrecord ofeverretca finites oppo site their name"is an , hundred , fold , ' , better thavoothing at all. prefer the' first triode to this`, usi* the baskets, for vastly more of the widows' mitesrarethus' gathered, 'than by the last named plan; and. then, too, there -is more likelihood that more, if not. of - eaeh family will give. Thus the habit otgiving among children, as well as'parentspoan per haps better be - secured. The rich can' put into the'basket hisonevilve, or ten dollars; and the child 'its helf•dimw , with equal --freedem. A third mode is, by the use of slips of paper"carried around through the'congrega tion by deacons or elders, or others,- giv ing each - one an opportunity to sign :his name and the amount he wishes to give, paying it.at the time, or within the coming one, or two, or three weeks. I am very confident that more money can be cdllected by this mode than by either of the former two. But like the other modes mentioned, this also has its good and its doubtful qual ities. Were these slips of paper preserved, or the names and amounts transferred to a book in which all the names' of the church members are recorded, a full history could be preserved; thispas in the 'second Mode, infortning thegrininistei {who ' among his 'flock are faithffil• stewards 'Of that which the Lord has' given them, and who. , are pot. And this IS knthyledge that he needs, as it is`hie dtitylo endeavor to . have every mem ber of his church exercise the grace of giv ing*to the Lord. This mode•requires more time than the first' mentioned, and yet no undue amount of time need be' consumed by this mode; if the 'minister 'and others 'who attend tetaking upthe colleetions'exer cisWa little hirisight, , andlhaNye things" al waysin order and readiness. For instance, the minister' announces the'oolleetion" - and requests demo)* elders or othere to'proceed to take it up. They must meditate a little before starting, perhaps Making up their minds how muchthey ought to giVe, or" Whether they ought i iii . head the papeiwith their name amount, or 'feeling for ";a pencil and 'not finding one in their pockets must go to this one, then to that One, - thus consuming time uselessly. When Mier and pencil are readY, it is found inconven ient 'to write pn the paper With nothing under it, or nothing but, 'the knee' or hat °resin, or a small hymn-book, any one of Which is not lunch better than nothing "it all; or the pencil when obtained is not in order, it must be pointed; a knife must be hunted, perhaps. Then perhaps but two persons are requested to take up the collec tion, or four at most, as there are but that number of 'deacons or elders in the church, or at least present, and it would not be orthodox for others, to assist, some may think. But let the minister name eight, . or twice eight if the church is large, and let.the chureh have the papers all ready; a smooth board 6 'by 8 inches, and half an inch orJess in thickness, with, a good, pen cil,' pbinted, and attached by a string, to the board; or what might be better, have instead of a board and loose slip of paper, a blank "hook 6 by 8, with a stiff back, and pencil attached Wit;" this would he more permanent, and do for, years. And four, or eight, or twelve of these would' cost hit a trifle. The increase ,in a single collec tion, we feel sure, with, the above named facilities, for taking it, would pay for them ten times. Do:not many say to themselves, I cannot write with such a pencil, on such a paper, and therefore I will not try-it—mid hence give nothing,. Though not very much time need bd consumed in ,getting the names and the amounts, .yet this mode may be termed a lingering one, salt, is not all paid for some' time after.,. ,To gather it, in some cases, takes tie n:sl4aber and, PITTSBURGH, WEDNESDAY, FE BRTJARY 18, 1863. some is not received at all. This last named objection to this mode is, to our mind, the most serious. It is not safe for the person who pays the contribution over to the Board for which it has been con tributed, to advance, of his own, what may not as yet have been paid in, as he will find it to him a sinking operation. But judicious, active, zealous deacons or elders,, who have charge of the several amounts on their respective papers, being prompt them selves, could soon make a prompt people. Indeed, a person who regularly takes up a collection in one.part of a congregation —say one row of seats, or half a row--- 2 socin knows all who sit there, as Presbyterians are not much given to change their•'seats from Sabbath to Sabbath or year to year; and he could very easily rule . six columns in his blank book, or on his slip of paper, and name the' object at the head of each column for which collation§ are . to be taken, and then .write in order all the names of parents and children in his part of the congregation, so that when the col lection is being taken, time would be saved, as the.name would be already down, and only the amount wanted; and then with this intimate acquaintance with his part of the congregation, and theirs with him, he could the more easily and quickly secure the several amounts. This mode, with a little experience' of those using it, might be made much mere perfect than we have suggested, and be..worked.with great - effi ciency. We believe,we prefer it to either of the former two modes, especially if the deacons or elders are disposed to be work ing men, not afraid .of a • little -labor, and even trouble for a time, for the sake of their Master's cause. •• The fourthnnd last mode we will ,notice is, where the congregation have .a personal application made to them at their homes or places of business by the • Sexton .of the church or by the Deacons or Elders,. or by a Committee of ladies and gentlemen op- I pointed by the Session to serve Say for a year. This mode • tombinee . . some of the most advantageous features ,of the second and third. A record could easily he kept by this mode as well as the two referred to. . But where the ; Sexton attends to it r be must have a .per cent. pf it for .his labor, and _this to, us is..a serious objection . , not against the mode, hutagainst paid labor to work it.. . Where ; there are working,. zealous tics cens or elders to, carry out this mode, .think it could be madethe. most successful or any of. the,.four.. They could explain the, „o.bjeets, urge the,. duty, spesk_ of _the privilege and.blessed results to ; the : ehurph, to the world, and to the givers. themselves. They could becouie .• efficient • co-workers with the pastor in making his people a giv ing people, a„. people. Then they, as they go ; to each family, mild 'inaugurate a system .ef,,each. one the fainily giving something in••his ; or,her,own narne,,:to each : and all the, objeet4.3- o. l .eflL the .eldere.did it they would, be only doing their duty' in ..visiting and looking Acttr those: for whose souls. they. aswell ,as the minister are to watch, X. - the Session should appoint a committee of some dozen for an' 'ordinarycongregStron, serve'. for a year ' and then. assign to each, Saib' fen or `twelve families moat donvenienttO theid, we think' it might be Made quite 'effiefe4. It would interest the people in the matter; they would be led - to inform thimieliSs more the — various objects; and' then it would give the membership'seinething • to . 'do' Which is of itself an important mat ter. Au injudicious perSoh, miglesonie 'tidies be - appointed who' 'Might do; harm rather than good. But Stiff we think this mode with the committee` could be'rita&No effect a great dear more thill perhatiiilny one of 'the first three modes. Our - 'own Conclusion is, that this larat mode could . be Made' the most'etficient either in the hands Of's judicious ;committee' of church' mem hers,' male and female, 'iffpoliciail - Session er in the har& of the Edda - themselves--46.prefer the Elderi. If we have•by the abOve' , Suggeitions, set any body to thinking abOnt their modes of taking collections, :and seek. 'tor` improve them' if they lain not -already the best ; • Or 'if the above will lea& other - fend abler pe'ns to. brief discussions on • the subject, so as in the end to' bring additional revenue to the treasury of the Lord,. it will answer the object.of • BENEVOLENCEt For'ihePreeli,yterian Banner • B,etiWnk AssuTance. It is, a very common thing to find per sons once rejoicing in hope ' at other times overwhelmed in doubt. Now, how far should such persons take comfort from the assurance once possessed Paul says, " Cast not away your confidence." Does not this mean, that having once enjoyed hope, it should be retained ? I do not think that a believer, who has once had surance, should, always afterwards, silence every doubt by urging his former confi dence. But does not the man who has looked over, and felt that he un derstood, the demonstration of a mathemat ical problem, - retain ;his; :conviction of its truth, though,.may..hear many doubts against it? He does, not, at:every sugges tion.of doubt, castaway. his confidence. And go over the -demonstration afresh. The man who has examined-the character friend, and .has: come, to an intelligent con clusionoloes not give upihis confidence At every whisper of, slander. So the Chris tian, who remenibers at one :times that he had an intelligent .conviction, of his xeson ciliation to God, when hem honestly trying to discover the truth, should not disregard this, • when, afterward, deubts come upon him. And if we re,member, really times, when this conviction oSme, thiis from Scriptural evidence, we, should hold this confidence, even aiainst many donbti. " Biit we should regard the cause which brought us' into doubt. Were We startled at the coldness of .oirr hearts' our worldli ness ; or alarmed at' our "ridglect of duty, or because we were living in' known sin? Then if vie not of 'incon sistency, if We are unwilling to 'amend;'Ve have very much reason to doubt. But if we are ashamed, and' humbled, and peni tent, it is just one 'of' the Common ' v_icissi tudes of. Christian life,. and should' not shake our confidence. It should increase a watchful . diligence. But if ,our doubts come connexion with some affiietion— the, loss of property, • allepation of friends, Outbreaks of sin in the world, domestic or social difficulties which pntplex and ,worry, it is likely that out• doubts_are only sympa thetic. What we, should do, is not to yield to the doubt, but ask God for strength, 14 run with, increased . the Itinly of Ood. This, insteq of ikuiferink mind to sink into a state of constant doubt, alike destructive of peace and Christian zeal, we should grow into confidence. This hope would not only give us peace, but would lead us to " purify ourselves even as he is pure." A. For the Preebytertan. Banner "What Can I Do ?" CLOSING NO. . It has been my aim in these articles, to awaken the slumbering zeal and arouse the dormant energies of Christians. Remem ber that feeling, and planning, and purpos ing, must ripen into corresponding action, if you would do good in the world. If you have' hearts to feel—heads to plan and hands to work—you may accomplish much: The plea of "bad health," instead of en couraging habits of idleness, should be a fresh stimulus to exertion. Judicious 'ef fort may strengthen your - shattered consti tution' and add. many years to your life. I t will at least sprinkle new stars through • your crown of rejoicing. But there is one other objection to be met. I have been telling you of separation from hoMe- and kindred—of self-denial:rid toil aiid'suffer ing—of death itself in.the service of your- Divine Master , ; and you are ready to ex claim, " Must we look for no pleasure—are we to haire no enjoyment----must we foreeo all earthly good and sacrifice ease,comfort, happiness, all that earth holds ear, upon the altar of duty, ?" In, reply, I might ask, a Whit if it were so? Moses esteemed the reproach of Christ greater riches duzn the treasures in Egypt, for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward." "Be not weary in well-doing, for' in due season ye shall reap if' ye Taitit net: Be ye 'faithful unto death', had Chriii will give 'you 'a crown of lite." Think how men; to secure some mere earthly good, shut themselves out from society; sail throxigh,' pathless oceans —cross inhospitable deserts and rugged mountains -'2-dig deep into the very bowels of the earth, and toil on in their low pris ons many days without or star and yet are considered fortunate, if after long oh sence and great self-denial and labor, they • come back' raden with spailcling diamonds and golden ore. Why then should we hes- Hate to endure hardness, thnt we may lay up' for ourselves treasure in heaven ? The richest - boon - Of - earth ,is a :corfriiptible crown." , The prizeht9 rwhielt our Saviour points us is,"" an incerruPtible crown!' But is it true that the life into which .I would conduct you is So cheerlege and un inviting ' There isc a Sweet luxury in doing 'good. GodlineSs . has promise of this life, as well as of that which is 'to mine. Are the dwellings of those who;deem it their meat and drink to do the will of God; sad and g100my?,,,. Jayand,gladness shall be found .therein, thanksgiving , and the, voice of melody" • Ministers and ,mission- i aries have much pure elevated enjoy ment mingled with 'their responsibilities', toils and privations. -I , ln the darkest night there is light in their, dwellings. In the most discouraging times ,they can exclaim, "We are troubled, on every side, yet not distressed; we are perpleted, but not in des pair ; persecuted, - but' ItAit4 - forsakert; - cast down, but not destroyed ; sorrowful,. yet, ; always rejoicing; as, poor, yet mak king many rich; as. having nothing, and yet posieising all things." What if"rude heathen are to be collected and taught the first simple elements of art, literature, refinement and, ,Christianity? . What. if many days pass without seeing much fruit to crown your pious efforts , in the, gaster's field? Still, with - yonid Aefoted: associates, may you noeenjormany hours of blissful happiness while taking sweet"eounsel to.; gether, and cheering one another along the barren road? Pure, unmingled felicity is not to be found 'on earth. But no where may you expect more`of it than in connex ion with some devoted band of , liborerti lit the Lord's harvest. These, oft' return with oy, bearing their' sheliTes With them; PASTOIL riking Passages, Illustrative of Various -Scriptures. NO. IX. 0 that-Ishmael might live before thee I-- Gen. zvii : 18. " Those live well thpt live before God." titte , of trouble He shall ihide '` me in his pavilion;—Ps. xxvii :5. ",God will provide .a hiding place for his: people when in ;trouble, eithet-under heaven or in heaven." Return unto ril e and Twill return unto ou.—Mal. in :7. " When we return to God in a way of duty, he will return to us in-a, way of mercy.' The way of man is not in himself.—.Ter. 23. "Mau may devise - his Way,' and design it; but after all, it is God - that recteth his steps.'" - What is your occupation 7—Gen. xlvii : 3. " All that have a place in the world should — have - an employmeiit in it, either mental or manual." - - Occupy till I come.—Luke six 3: " Talents were given to be : occupied, :not to be buried." My voice shalt thou hear in the morning. —Ps.-v': 3.- ' =- Theirtorning is, perh'aps, as good a friend to the Graces as it is to the Muses." If - he turn not, He will whet his sword. vii "God warns before be *blinds." MAO." In liemoriam, meeting of the Union Literary So ciety of Washington College, held on Fri: day evening Jan. 23d,'1863, the following resolutions were adopted:: WHEREAS, 'ln the providence of God it. so happened Onilate friend and fillOi nieniber, 111 L. aine6Ther of the " Ati derabn Troop;" lately Till by the hand of "a rebel against' the authority of the Govern ment, while engaged in - a skirmish near Murfreesboro', on' the 26th' of December', 1862 ;*- whereakcltfitting' `that ''we Should eipress'bur high' estimation 'of his character - therefore, be it Resolved, That during our acquaintance withi this-departed'brother, he ever dis played the charecteriatics of an earnest Christie:6; a faithful student, a zealous pat riot 'and a valiant soldier. Resolved ; That we recognize in his con duct a worthy member, of that organization which has already sent a' score of, soldiers to battle for the cause of liberty, and can yet send more:` Resolied, ,'That` hill death there is cen atittited"anoilier bond dt itnfori".bet*een our For the Pteebyterian Banner Per the Presbyterian Banner MMlitt= hearts and the cause for which he offered up his life; Resolved, That we deeply sympathize with the numerous other friends who with us mourn his loss. Resolved, That a copy of these resolu tions be sent to the family of the deceased, and also for publication in the papers of the town, the Presbyterian Banner, and the Piqua Enquirer. I . S. A. McCraw°, Corn. M. H. FULTON, U S. J. M. , MeCARRELL, " For rho Tresbyteriam Banner Ambitions Christian Mothers. Ambitious Christian mothers constitute a numerous but not a happy class of Chris tians. If the heart is filled with emula tion and . the desire of glory, be it for our :, selves or our children, peace cannot have a dwelling there. Such have "trusted to the staff of4his bruised reed,-even upon Egypt, on which if amen lean it will go into his hand, and pierce it; so is Pharoah king of Egypt to all, who trust in him." So are; the` pleasures of the -world." So are AA' pleasures of the;world to all ,thet _trust in them If Christian parents desire eleve ted social positions for their children in preference to usefUl ones, they most be, contented with the pleasure the world has. to beitow in such cases. When daughters are taught:polite accomplishments only, for: display, it is reasonable to expect them to, be vain, and decidedly unhappy when they, cannot _exhibit them, That ; they can be contented with, merely 'being ugeful, and, with the homely and unexciting duties of, life, is not tohe expeeted;, rather*.they express, it, " theyere zierfectly,, wretched,' ,though surpnedesc by, every - blessing. ,yeting lady „can_ be tenght,,the ornamental branches of education without such attend ing,evils ; not only so, she may prebably .be happier for the.knowledge to all eterni-. ty„ Speidrieg,of music, the: excellent John Lew ; says ~"there is nothing so opens heaven or eerries our hearts so near, it as these .songs_ of praise." Prewing refines , .the iiriperts a better, ~apprecietion of, nature, and carries uaebove the . p . etty pas sions and gross pursuits of life. knowl e4ge of the , languages qualifies one to be an able critic or a, fine writer, and al _se teaches-us God's dealings with men in past ,ages, - and in other lands,- as well as to: study the, : sacred oracles in the miginat tongues. It is the duty of parents to edu cate.their children net that ,they may take; precedence among their fellorra, but that; they may be better happier and more use- 1 ful, all•education which comports well with' the practice of true humility. L.G.S. Extracts From Venning's "Milk and Honey.' SELECTED, FOR THE . BANNER - A saint should so, deny himself as , 4,0 be i nothing at, that. Christ might be,,all in all. r ‘, Though 'evil be not good, yetit 's gOod `that there he evil. Judas, ;Herod' and' Pontius. -Pilate ful filled God's will in betraying. and : crucify ing .. j ehrist, and ; so .43,inned_ nut.;.-laut , th9y did it not to fulfil God's will, but their own, and that was their sin. are full' of mercy should he .xnerciful.. The fear of i'the ; faithful ,should-;be a faithful fear. • They that reveal Christ, should_ conceal Before conversion, - men ,are willing, to sin ; but aft er conversion, men , are willingly unwilling, and unwillingly willing, to sin. A. Christian should so behave himself as• not to be a shame to, , nor ashamed .of, ,the Gospel. .. They who live most in sin, and in most sin, are most dead in . sin. There ,may. be grace where there is no assurance, but there. is no assurance where ihere is no grace. The, motions of grace are abundantly more excellent than. notions.of. grace. Affliction seldom,comes without. being a _temptation,. but ,temptation iiever comes without .being an affliction to the . This mahes all, things r3weet, to, a saint, that 01SY savour of, We may apd,shouhl go, from men ,to fol lew truth ; ; Putt , vie may not go from. truth to follow men. , , It's a ieds -fault in friendship to, do a thing,without a friend's, knowledge, .than againEkhis We are not to-make .our experiences the rule of v Seriptnre but the ,Scripture the rule, of our experience. 'T is a miserable folly to be wise in wick , r. Christ wa r s made like plate -us -that he might be tempted; and we are tempted that we miht be made like to, him. Christ, who did our work. for us : without ns a ' will -also- work his work for us within , i „That,ca,n ,stever.,be a , grace to the body which isndisgrace to the sou). Trio enjoyment' of God` is the joy of our life And the life of our joy ; whatever •our, fare be, that alone is = our cheer; how well soarer. ..we fare r thatalone onr t welfare. ~.There is nothing , so sweetly pleasing and pieasantly r aweet to av gracious heart, as to please God: The devil doth not, nay,the devil cannot, hate-a saint so , much as-God loves.him. We,should not walk by, what, path <been done or,:what is done,,but by, whatought to be d0ne,,..: , doth not faithfully love, who .loves not Jaithfulness• Ile that intendeth what he. doth, :is most like.to do what he intend.eth. : Ikusnally ~Out. that Ayho who k. see others' destruction, find their own. , They that think.,. (as all hypocrites do,) to deceive 60a, Will'And that, they dedeive themselves: ' • ...,Less---than.one of , these ,two , desires granted, either ; that he : play be with God in heaven, or that God ,with him, on earth, will not satisfy a gracious, heart. 'T is berit forssiimers 'to -come .'over to • God for they cannot overcome God • are we stronger than he:? There are promises ,Of grace, and there are promises to gracp : the promises of grace are made'good by, working „the „grace of the p1.010£4 in the soul; but he prom ises to grape are not made good,,,till`the grace to which the promise is made be acted by the soul. They who are most with God' in secret, know.most of God's secrets. time - o'::o o ming when ungodliness shall be as,nmeh prosecuted by. justice, as 'in times paSt g4dliness hath Veen periiieitted tiAliby itige. ) '111".1.,413.! WHOLE NO. 543 The prophecies concerning Christ's kingdom will not be completely fulfilled, till Christ's kingdom be fully completed. If sinners cast not away their sins for God's sake, God will cast them away for their sins' sake. It many times falls out that that hand is farthest off from helping, that is nearest at hand to help the helpless. Though God bath promised to give to them that ask ; yet many ask and miss, be- cause they ask amiss. 'T is the love, not the lack, of money, that makes men churls. He that learns of Christ, unlearns to sin 'T is not the work, faith, nor the work of faith, but a working faith, or rather he who works faith, by which we are justified. God is good, and doeth good continually to them who are evil, and do evil contin ually. All the duty of men, and the duty of all men, - comprised 'in this: Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole ,of man, thieis a man's all, the rest being, but vanity and vexation of{ spirit. Prayer,is essential to ,the existence and giowth of the spiritual lif e. It is the breath - of the 'new man. *this means he obtains quick relief from innumerable evils; and draws down from leaven blessings of the richest. and , kind. Possess your minds fully of the persuasion that prayer is efficacious, when offered in faith and With importunity tb obtain the bles sings which We need. God has made him self known as a hearer of prayer ; yea, he has promised that we shalt have, as far as may be for his glciry and our good, what ever we ask . - The . most important events may be brought about by prayer. One _righteous man, by fervent and effectual prayer, has been able to shut heaved and open,it again. --Dr., Archibald Alexander. MilneVoss of the' New Testament Canon. r. Of the genuineness of the Canon of the New Testament, a few words may 'not be irrelevant at this season. All who have given catalogues of: these books? are almost at an entire agreement. We give a few authorities from ,many., The first regular catalogue on record is hy the erudite Ori gen,• who • flourished hbout one hundred years after. St. .`john. , He mentions the -four-Gospes, the . Acts .of the Apostles, fourteen, Epistles of, St. Paul, two of St. Peter, three of St. John, and the Book of Revelation. But the emission of the Epis tles of St. James and 'St. 'Jude was by ac eident for,in Other parts of his writings, he acknowledges these Epistles -as a part of the Canon. The next catalogue is that of Eusebius, the learned historian, who lived _about one hundred Years after Origeri. He enutner atCB every book whibli'we now •have in the Canon, and no others, and declares his opinion that the-Revelation should'iie re ceived undoubtedly: • Athanasius, famous for his Writings and sufferings in defence of the" Divinity of Christ, has left' a catalogue of the New Testament,,perfectly concordant with the present Canon. • Cyril was contemporary with Athanasius and Eusebius, and gave, in his catechetical work, a catalogue agreeing with ours; ex cepting that he omits the Revelation. But there are reasons; not impugning its au thenticity, why this book was omitted from some catalogues. The Council, of Laodieea, about the mid dle of the fourth: century, gives the same catalogue with ours, except the Book of the Revelation.' Thus, by the very nature of this Council, there.was the universal een sent of Christendom:as to the-genuineness of our.present Canon with the. - single ex ception of the Revelation. This Council decreed "that no private Psalms should be read in the' churches, nor any books witheut the •Canon ; but only the canonical writings of the Old and New Testaments." Owing to the mysterious natures of the contents of the Book of Revelation, and to the abuse of its prophecies by the Millennarians, it was judged 'expedient not to ha;ve it read pailicly in 'the churches: The design of forming these catalogues was .to guide- the 'people in reading the . Scriptures; "and as it seamed : not desirable that the people should read this mysterious book, - it was 'omitted by many in their catalogues. 'Still, 'how ever, a majority of those who - have giv-en catalogues, besides those we have Men tioned, recognize it, and , some have omitted it who are , known to , have received it, as canonical. The Contemporaries and immediate sUC cessors of the apostles are competent wit nesses-as to the genuineness of: the Canon, not the modern Neologists.--Oalendar. The Mini&terv3ewardi It is clear from the history of the Church and from• the Word of God, that it .was never the purpose of God that the incum bents of the sacred office, should hold an enviable worldly position, or that they should reckon a lucritiire: income' and sec- Ular advantages among the proper priv ile,ges.of their- office. Nhey have a right to live of, the. Gospel which they preach, as God ordained ; that ,the tribe olLevi should live oe&a:liar at which theigerved. "There is - little danger of the m inistry being Over paid. •Too often they are' depressed: by ,stinted salaries, and left, to feel dependent, as if they lived on the alms and gratuitous offerings of their people. Their salary is their die, and should not be viewed' in 'the light of 'a charity. It ;shOuld be punctu ally paid as ajust due, .as much as a debt:to the teacher, the physic*, or the me °ha*. The ministry was designed to be and from its ,own natiire,itniust be; a labor Of loire; don e" of 'a ready mind; an& not for pay. Still - it is my deliberate and 'abiding conviction, that, in its rewards, the minis try is e gooslwork. ,The true,ministers of ecompense Christ have a recompense : of their - labore , , which' is better than gold and They reCeivend' ineoniiderable'reward as they go along; before their , labors 'and lives are ended, 'There is such a thing ,as: the peace.. of God, ,which passeth all, under standing;" in his approving smile, they know What tifik peace is.' They 'are con ieetieniith theit rpanpfe -; b3r - the most.'eri dearing ties of • affection . and.'confidence,. And happy, indeed, are those days in which they see their ministry successful in. the conversion of those of whom they have - travailed in *ith'till Chritht'he'formeit in theni. 'These spirittial 'bhildrelf are their reward mhile :they.live ; -they will be. their rewarfi,_ when they meet them' in heaven; tht! o y wilThe their joy tuid crown of rejoin- TEE PRESBYTERIAN BANNER Publication 0 face : GAZETTE BUILDINGA 84 EirrA BT., PrrrarasoE rlaziumpau, Sousa-10718T Oak. Oi ITE Abhtllgrigffird* ADVERTISEMENTS. TNRINS IN ADVANON. A Square, (8 Bum or lessi one insertion, 00 cents; eaeh subsequent insertion, 40 cents; each line beyond eight, 6 stS A Square per quartet, $4.00 ; each line additional, 88 semi A REMOTION made to advertisers by the year. BUSINESS NOTICES of Tan lines or less, 151.00 sash ad ditional line, 10 cents. REV. DAVID M'KINNEY, Pi/OPIUM?. AND PIDDADDIN, ing from the day of Christ's coming, on‘ ward forever. It was this prospect which supported and animated the Apostle Paul; under all his labors and trials, in the vine yard of Christ. Souls saved from death are the hire of the true minister of Christ. Those mortal fruits of his labors follow him to heaven, and surround him in glory. The brightness of his crown will prove that be was wise in choosing the office of win ning souls to Christ, and that whoever de sires this work, desires the best and most blessed work that ever employed the mind, or heart, or tongue of mortals. Eternity will show that none have labored for so rich a prize.—Dr. Lewis Sabin. Now I'll Join Christ's ifDly, My heart thrilled with joy and gratitude the other evening, as I listened to the touching narrative of a brave soldier boy, by one who had soothed his midnight rest lessness by intelligent sympathy,' and thus won the story-of his life, -- "I went from couch , to , couch " .said4he narrator "to find some sunk in heavy slumber, some murmuring in delirious un rest, and some wakeful with pain and 'anx iety. • One young face attracted me; it was that of a lad only seventeen, who had lost a leg in battle, and in consequence had suffered amputation, so perilous in its loca tion, that but one in seventy-five had ever survived, and he was that one. "I asked him if he wanted anything. "Oh, no,' was the reply. "I then asked him what he thought about.while so full of pain that he could not sleep. " ' Oh, sir, said he, have a letter from home to-day, from my mother.' " Then I knew I could, talk to him, so I drew a chair up to the bedside, and seating myself, asked, Where does your "mother - live?' " • •as " In Boston sir.' " said 1 ! , 'we are, friends, then"; I am a Massachusetts boy, myself.' What ! are yea from `Massachusetts I" "was the earnest inquiry, as a gleam of joy illuminated his pale face. MEE " ' Yes,' "said, and then told some inci dentS•of my young life to Whie.h he listened with the ,deepest „attention. gained, : .my object, I had won his confidence, and soon he told me the story of his life,; of his . en listing and going to the war ; •orthe teirible fight, his wound, and the amputation. 'But I kept ,np,' he added with energy, 4 and when we were all put in an ambulance, all jostled togethir, and hot and crowded, I kept the ogterlellowe_up t00,',,, 41 Andhow did yon do it?" linqu4ed; how did you forget your reat sufferings ?' " Oh, sir, I thought how much 'more Jesus suffered for me; and now.l. have.biit one Itg,,Lcannot fight for my country, but I'll join Jesus' army and fight for - him. know lots of boys, and I'll get around them, and bring theta to church, and to the Sabbath Sehool. '• We boys can do a great deal more with young fellows than grown people can ,do.'" • • Oh, that the radiance of that noble spirit might be reflected into millions of souls, and win , them to enlist in Jesus' army. Children of the Sabbath School, will you stand at ease while this brave cripple is gathering souls for. Christ ? How many friends and companions might you win to the -blessed influences of the sanctuary I Come, labor on the Lord's side, • and . your reward shall he great, for it -shall be Tally known and enjoyed in heaven.—& Times. . Sanctified enterprise has been blessed of' God to the accomplishment of the great est and most benign changes Upon sour*. Since the last surviving apostles dpiatited from ,time, the greatest benefactors omark. kind have been those people of God, - who, keeping nearest to their Master, have ex plored with most. original inquiry the treasures of his Werd,,and the ways of his providence and grace, and have labored to bring their own, lives and the lives of Others into conformity thereto. In the midst of the 'Cliarch's desolatithi; iii the dayri •of her e darkness and bondage, and when the culture of society had sunk equal ly low, it was the Tions ) -of earnest. convic tions and holy, enterprise, here_ and. there scattered over dhe scene, that alone relieved its 'dreariness. We dwell with interest upon the holy daring, the suffering — and achievements of Anschar, the far-reaching infhatirPs,iestahlished .in the sehnnt, ofb.Go rart Groot, and the tale of the stirrineelo *nee of the 'mystics, .Viaim'from their perhaps too iniaginative; but intense medic tation upon God. And the hifinble - pastet, who,, truly. devoted to his sacred duties, sought ,to learn of themfrom the Word of God, belonged to the class who did moat to pre;pare the way for the' higher'avilizi tion to Come. - ' " ~It was the enterprise of Wyckliffe which broke over the hounds Of, an enforced, for mality, and opened up the approaches to the modern world. What, enterprise more earnest and daring than' 'that of stinther; al ways guided by-prudent forecast of thee:ftt ture effects.of the, presiant action,-in ardent reliance upon the grace of q c d r such wait the spirit of the Reformation throughout, and' as been the spirit "of every trrie ref ormation since:, -When -the Protestant Churches had . secured their independence, and Vfere.freed from ,the fight, of. persecu tion; and' from the necessity of daring in order :to maintain' their existence; they sank , into indolence, as if their work had been, done,, and all that remained was to enjoy their peace. ,They soon suffered the penalty in a spiritual torpor, and 'the growth' of sti' rationalism that threatened death to , true religion. A' terrifie convul sion, which shook all Europe, and disclosed the abyss over which re4gion hadheen sus 'Tended," needed to' rouse • thent - from Oti thniih. hand, iaswehurches haVot bestirretl-Ahenl. selves and put forth .their,energies,.for,,the prornOtion of the Gospel, We have seen ? tließ bleised'hy the Manifestation'of tie Ho spirit . ituorig „. o . tha a2 .. . God , calls for Lour -energies 'for Jotir Trot gress in .knowledge.,andaighteousnessi , and .exereise pf inenuiz inyention,, every f aeult YAßl. hl. ` 4 . according as that service is rendered:— PriirCetbleßetiew. ' .; ", Q.' Thy last l .best fruit, Whig koina . tg late- Pegs b:g#l, in'rti-e.: kiJaherat iottf ? d'f's tenderness :toward the 'heart, fOrlioaraMila toward the Junforbearingi-warmth - ofirheart toward the cold, philanthropy toward th i s misanthropic. 94. t Sanctified Enterprise. Irdlo',/ Lai?
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