tirtsivttrian `fniter PITTIIIURGH, 'WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 1.863. Acknowledgment —We have received •frdm a" Subscriber," twenty dollars for Domes tic Missions, and twenty dollars for Foreign Missions, all of which has been paid over as designated. General Synod 'of lie 'Reformed Preebyte rian C i lilifteh.=-This body met in Cedarville, Ohio, On Wednesday, 20th inst., and was 'opened with a sermon by the Rev. Jour; DouoLA's, 11 1 . D., of Pittsburgh, the retiring Moderator. The subject of discourse was, " The Imperishable Name," which was founded on Psalm buil :17. His name shall endure forever. Dr. blazon presented a paper urging atope.to be taken toward the amendment of the National Constitution, so as to give a distinct recognition or the being and su premacy:of the God of revelation. Dr. DOUGItAS presented a paper on, the same subject. Both pipers were laid on the table. DREAMING. To dream is not to live. The mind may be active while the body. sleeps. In a dream, one 'may seem to do great things; but when he awakes, he finds that nothing has been done. . A traveller mho was ascending to the sum mit of the monarch of the Alps, passed the as is usual, at the Grand Mulcts. In his sleep, he threaded his way across glaciers, leaped the yawning fissures, climbed' the' icy precipices, till he stood on the aummit. . Ile awoke from his slumbers, and'found the toilsoMe and perilous jour ney still to be performed. And so men sometimes wake from a life dream, and find life's great work still to be done. They have toiled, they have suf fered, but they have done no more toward accomplishing life's great end, than did the dream-struggles of the' mountain sleeper toward bringing him to the spot that has "'A charm to stay the morning-star In his steep' course." So far as men have failed to apprehend the true end of life; or, apprehending it, have failed to pursue it, their life has been no better than a dream. It has, with ref erence to desirable results, been as unreal as a dream. Time thus spent, is as truly lost as is time spent in needless slumber. There is a great tendency on the part of many to dream life away. Hence the fre quent calls to be watchful found in the Holy_Seripture. " Awake thou that sleep est "; 4 Watoh ye "; "Be vigilant ". It is high time.to awake out of sleep, and to enter with energy upon the work that God has given us to do. SABBATH . BCHOLS These. very important institutions, claim much more attention from Christ's official servants, the ministers and elders of the Church, than they usually receive. They are, or should be, worshipping assemblies. The Divine Word is there expounded; and it should be done by duly authorized min isters of Jesus Christ, personally or through the agency of duly qualified teachers. Parents are to look upon the Sabbath School, and to use it, not as their substi tute but as their aid. And while it is a worshipping assembly, it is not to sup plant or interfere with, or keep children away, from, the regular sanctuary services. At the latter, all children should always attend. . . The Central Presbytery of Philadelphia lately adopied and published the .following; very'important paper on this subject • Resolved, That by the parental relation, and by Divine appointment, the religions instruction - of children rests beyond avoid ance upon their parents, and that a portion of every Sabbath Alay should be devoted by them to theverformance of this duty. Resolved, That parents should regard it as their duty to have their children, as far as practicable; in the house of God on the Sabbath, as worshippers, and under their special supervision; nor should they allow them to be 'absent from the religious ser vices held on other days, except for weighty reasons. Resolved, That the Session should exer cise constant vigilance over the Sabbath School and its workings, its classes and the instruction given in them, to restrain evil tendencies, to provide, •develope, and en courage good and faithful workers, and re move those who are incompetent or un faibhful. Resolved, That the children .of the Church should not be permitted by their parents to attend statedly the Sabbath Schools of other denominations. Resolved; That mission schools are a valuable means of employing the energies of a church, increasing its influence and strength, elevating the ignorant and de premed, and evangelizing neighborhoods; and that our churches should exert them selves to establish and support such schools. Resolved, That the instruction in Sab bath Schools should be free from lightness, and, as far as practicable from secular mat ter, and should be grave and Seriptural, tending to holiness and salvation. Resolved, That the Sunday School liter- Mitre of our day needs revision and expur gation, and requires the attention of Ses sions as to the contents of the library, and of parents as to the volumes perused by their children. Resolved, That, in order to the highest spiritual advantage to be derived from the Sabbath on. the part of the teachers, and in order to afford opportunity both for pa rental instruction at, home) ,and for the children and youth to attend' the regular services of the sanctuary, it is recommend.. ed to all our churches to have but one ses sion of the Sabbath Schgol on the Sabbath. Resolved, - That it be , eqoineff upon all who have charge of our Sabbath Schools, that they inetruot the children regularly in the doctrines of the Bible as they are em bodied irt cur Standards. Resolved, That Sessione should direct sint O attention to secure at 'parents in their communion faithfully , discharge the duties speoiiid above. Resolved,'; That pastors be requested to res4 4 9nm, resolt!tions in their churches, andtq,p,remit 'on some convenient occasion on qip,subject:of Sabba - th School jnotrue flan and discipline ;, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF 186 a, Travelling by railcar, and especially trav elling toward the great West, has become so common a thing, that descriptions of a jaunt -can hardly be made interesting. Suffice it to say, that we left Pittsburgh on Tuesday; 19th, at 1 o'clock P. M., with, ex cellent company, and arrived at Peoria, distant more than six hundred miles, on the next afternoon, at 4 o'clock, having en joyed a delightful passage. Peoria is the second city in Illinois, in population, and the finest in the State in regard to beauty of site, and healthfulness. It is situated on the right, or Western side, of Peoria Lake ; which lake is an enlarge ment of the Illinois river. It is one and a half miles wide and seven miles long. The river is navigable hence to the Missis sippi and St. Louis, for boats drawing thir ty inches, at the lowest stage of water. There is, on this river, an immense amount of business. The whiskey made here, and mostly sent away, is so nearly fabulous in amount, that we fear to make the state ment. There is also an immense business done in the making of flour, which, with the whiskey, corn, and provisions, employs a great amount of transportation. Previously to the commencement of the war, this business was done almost entirely with the South. That outlet being closed, shipments are now made to the East, prin cipally by the railroads. The river route to Pittsburgh, and thence by rail to the seaboard, would be used in part, but' that the Government has taken up nearly a the steamboats - Peoria has - population of eighteen thousand. ':.,, city extends about four_ miles along the river, or lake, and about one and a half miles back. The ground . rises as you recede from the water, at about three degrees, which• affords perfect drain age. From the bluff, a hill of some fifty feet in elevation in the rear of the city, you have a prospect of the river, and of a beautiful country for many miles. A. small part of the city is compactly built; but the greater portion of it is scat tered ; that is, there are , many vacant lots, and the occupied lots are large, say seventy by two hundred feet. There is hence an abundance of room for front yards and gardens; and space for trees and shrub bery. The buildings are tasteful, and some of them are fine. There are two Old School Presbyterian churches.; and of oth er churches the usual variety. The arrangements for receiving and en tertaining the members of the Assembly, and other persons having business with the body, are the best that we have witnessed. Persons of all creeds volunteered to receive guests, and places were thus engaged for, three hundred and sixty persons; and to most of them, members and others were as•. signed by name previously to their arrival Committees were at the railroad depots with ocanibusses, on the arrival of every train, from Wednesday morning, and guests were transferred without detention or, trouble. • On the morning of Thursday, at 11 o'- clock, there were met in the First:church, two hundred and seven Commissioners, and the Assembly was organized with the usual formalities. THE OPENING} SERMON The opening sermon was preached, as is usual, by the Moderator of the last 'Assem- bly Dr. BEATTY took for his text, Eph iv : 7—" But unto every obe of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ." The theme was well selected, and the exposition and application were peculiarly appropriate. The preacher spoke of the Church as being one body, but hav ing many members, each holding a separate and appropriate place. There is unity and individuality ; and to each individual is as- signed his position and duty, as a part of the whole. What is our place ?is the im- portant question ; and it is a comforting thought, that, just where we are is where God's particular providence has placed us, and that the work we do, however toilsome, is precisely what the Master would have us perform. Grace is a gift. Office is held at the Divine call. There should then be no en- vy, no rivalship in the way of supplanting Each should be contented, and cooperative All should work harmoniously and in sym None should ask to be served; bu, pa by all should seek to serve. The ends which Christ would accomplish by the gifts of his grace, official and oth- crivise, are many is an essential unity in the Church; but i is - not yet perfect. There is " One Lord, one faith, one baptism," but still there are diversities of manifestations. Completeness is another end which Christ would accomplish. The individual is to attain unto a " perfect man"; and the body will reach to the " measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ." This fulness, holvever,*will be attained only in the world of glory. Stability is a third eod. The Church is not to be driven about by "'every wind of doctrine." Christ being the Head, and his people the members, and all " fitly joined" together, and animated by one Spirit, the body is symmetrical; and its vital law is progress. Dr. BEATTY then drew some practical lessons from his subject : As; 1. Content ment with our lot. Providence gives it.. We have our position, success, qualifica tions, enjoyments, as Christ pleases to give. 2: A faithful and earnest discharge of duty where Christ places us. Find out your work, and do it. 3. Encouragement. God gives to each a measure of grace, adequate to the accom- plishment of his purposes. By using' this well, the work will be done acceptably.* THE NEW MODERATOR. Rev. Dr. MORRISON, the Moderator of * The similarity of the, abstfactlere given, to that found in the Peoria Transcript, is accounted for, by' the fact that we furnish copy to it, prom ising -to take an ample reward in •the use of its reports. • - PRESBYTERIAN BANNER.---WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 1863. Unity is one. There the present Assembly, has been a mission ary in India, of our Foreign Board, for twenty years. He has been home for a few months, and expects to return to his station next Fall. He was chosen not only with great unanimity, but with enthusiasm. He possesses great personal worth, but the choice was intended as a compliment to the mission cause. Dr. MORRISON so regarded it; and not only does it express the As sembly's regard for the Foreign work, but there is a hope that it will tend to inspire the churches with a new, a higher, and a holier zeal for this field of service. Dr. MORRISON'S want of familiarity with the proceedings of large ecclesiastical bodies, and his deficient knowledge of members' names, will subject the House to-some in convenience, but this will likely be far overbalanced by the benefits. The Dr. commences his work like a man of mind; and he will be well sustained by, the excel lent Clerks, Drs. Warm, and SCOENCK, and we hope also by an. orderly .House. PERSONEL OF THE ASSEMBLY. In casting an eye over the House, many familiar faces are seen. There a..e a few of the fathers, and some of the juniors, while the great majority are the middle aged, men capable of great physical exer tion, and having eiperience, and who feel that the burdefi of sustaining Zion and carrying her onward, is still theirs. We, however, find a great lack of the habitual leaders in the Assembly's business. Abat ing the magnates of the South, who were for many years in the habit of cheering and helping in the'guidance of their breth ren, we miss the familiar - faces and voices of Drs. HODGE, SPRING, MCIEGRAVE,", BOARDMAN, PHILLIPS, BACKUS; BRECK- . INRIDGE, PLutunt, and other honored fa thers and brethren. The con trolling . of af fairs is pretty much in new hands; but not', in feeble ones. .The work is likely to •be all done, and well done. The Chairmen of the Principal Commit tees are : Bills and Overtures, Dr. BEATTY; Judicial Committee, Dr. HUMPHREYS ; Fi nance, M. NEWKIRK, Esq.; Mileage, A. G. CORTELYOU, Esq.; Leave of Absence, J. Wow:), Esq.; Foreign Correspondence, Dr. Bracxwoon ; Theological Seminaries, Dr. CONDITT ; Domestic Missions, Dr. MO BARRAN ; Education, Dr. WINES; For eign Missions, Dr. Nwv - m; Publication, Dr. HICKOK j ,Church Extension, Dr. J. M. LOWRIE ; Disabled Ministers, Rev. A. G. RANKIN ; Narrative, Dr. BROWNSON Devotional Exercises, Rev. R. FRAME ;- Systematic Benevolence, Dr. YOUNG. ARMY CHAPLAINS AND THE CHRISTIAN COM MISSION. It will be seen from the following reso lution, that the greatest harmony and good feeling exist between the army chaplains and the delegites of the U. S. Christian Commission : MURFREESBORO, Tenn., May 11,1868. At the regular weekly 'conference of the army chaplains of the Army of the Cum berland, held in the Post Chapel in Mur freesboro, Tenn., this day—twenty-two chaplains being present-the following res olution was unanimously adopted by a ris ing vote : Resolved, That we hail with gratitude to God, the advent of the Delegates of the U. S. Christian Commission among us ; that they have our thanks for the supply of religious reading furnished us; and that we assure them that we shall be happy to cooperate with them in sowing the good' seed in this vast, field of labor. JOHN HOGARTH LOZIER, Chap. 37th Ind. Regt., and Post Chap., Murfreesboro, Tenn., President of. Meet• nig There are now ten Delegates from Pitts burgh, laboring in the Army of the Cum berland. Christian Work in the irmy.----Religious _ Reading Matter. The following letter, dated Helena, Ar kansas, April 28th, 1863, will explain itself : Brig. Gen. C. B. Ask—Dear Sir : We learn with much satisfaction of the disposition of the United States Christian Commission to continue, upon a scale of en hanced liberality, their benevolent contri butions of moral and religious literature for the use of the officers and soldiers of the national army in the West. The publications hitherto furnished are good, and a suitable supply of them highly beneficial, but we suggest that a few hun dred dollars judiciously expended for week ly religious papers, such as the men here have been accustomed to read at their homes, would most fully meet their wants. If this suggestion meets your approval, we request that you bring the matter at as early a day, as possible before the consider ation of the Commission. Yours respect fully, . WM. A. PILE, Col. 83d Mo. 'Vols. • Wm. H. Hzent e Lt. Col. 33d - Mo. Vols. JOSEPH BROOKS, Chap. 33d MO. Vols. M. H. HARE, Chap. 36 lowa Vols. Respectfully referred to the United States Christian Commission, with my earn est recommendation. • CLINTON B. Flex, Brig. Gen EASTERN SUMMARY. NEW..ENGLAND. IT. IS WELL KNOWN that in consequence of a diversity of opinion among the mina gers and friends . of the American Tract Society, in regard to the publication of works of an anti-slavery character, a very respectable minority, who favored these publications, seceded from the main Society and constituted another American Tract Society, with its headquarters at Boston. Having already given an extract from the Annual Report of the New-York organiza tion, we copy a few items from that of the Boston Society : "The whole amount of publications dis tributed among the army and navy, exceeds thirty-three millions of pages, involving, together with the cost of distribution' and incidental expenses, an expenditure of $24,547.61. " Besides the above, there were granted to missionary and charitable instAtions, to churches, pastors and individtiale lingaged in labors for souls, more than thirteen mil lions of pageti. -'; • • ".There was also . granted ~ eash,- to aid tho press abroad, $l,OOOl 'Total value of grants, $30,705.89. Expenditure fbr col portage, and for district secretaries and others engaged in distributing publications and collecting funds, $9,838.17. " The receipts in the Charitable Depart ment were : Donations, $37,377.03 ; Lega cies, $17,458.92. Total, $54,835.95. The considerable surplus thus remaining is caused chiefly by the unusual amount of legacies received just before the close of the year. " There have been printed during the year : Of Tracts, 2,079,000 copies, com prising 10,208,000 pages. Volumes, in cluding stitched pamphlets in covers, 382,- 303 copies, embracing 36,061,885 pages. Papers— Tract Jamie, 647,800 copies; Child at Home, 1,595,000; CAristian Banner, 630,000. Whole amount of print ing done--tracts and books-46,200,895 pages; papers, .2,872,800 copies. " The cost of the above for editing, copyrights, stereotyping, engraving, paper, printing and binding was $59,410.27. Purchased of other gocieties and book sellers, $8,383.59.. Total emit of publica tions during theleat, $67,793 86. "Thee'receipts in cash for publications sold were • 8,52;149.19 ; from the Charita ble Departinent for gran* $30,705.39. Total receipts of this Department, $62;- 854.58. "Pleasing-evidence has been furnished of the Divine blessing resting on , the la bors of this Society. God's promise has been verified thatlhis -Word-shall, net return to him void: : • Ins the camps - and hospitals of our mile:, especially; the distribution of religious truth has been attended by the outpouring of his Spirit and th e e: hopeful conversion of souls." THE BIRTH-PLACE of Daniel Webster, in Franklin, N. H., has passed out of the Webster name, having been sold by the widow of: Fletcher Webster, to S. D. Colly. NEW-YORK. THE CONVENTION of Laymen of the Methodist: Episcopal Church, which was held in , this city on tfie 13th and 14th init., is represented by the "Afethodist'ai a de cided success, and as cheering in a highde gree to the friends of Lay. Representation. The following: area few of the Resolutions adopted by the... Convention : " Resolved; 1. That in the judgment of this Convention, the time has fully, come when the laymen of the. Methodist Episco pal Church should be more intimately uni t ted with the ministry in the , management of its general interests, and that the proper mode of securing this would be by,provid ing for an equal representation of the laity in the General Conference. ". Resolved, 2. That we are led to ask for a representation of the laity in the-General onference, from conviction that, if once established, it would -act beneficially, upon all the interests of Methodism. The laity brought to share in the responsible care of. Methodism, would rise to a higher appre ciation of ;heir duties; a new trust would be committed to them, which, we believe, they would accept with the determination to be, faithful to its obligations; an abun dance of talent which nowxemains unused would be brought into, the service of the Church ; the practical experience' of lay men would be blended with the clear moral judgment of ministers in the examination, the discussion and the settlement of impor tant questions, so that the two orders, act ing together, would, in our judgment, form such a deliberative body as would be most likely .to counsel and decide wisely, for the welfare of the Church. " _Resolved, 3. That we ask a representa tion of the laity in the General Conference because.it A right, as well as because it is expedient. Such an incorporation of the laity with the ministry in the government of the.Churchis in conformity with the or der and usages of primitive Christianity as set forth in the. New. Testament, and is moreover one of the distinctive features of Protestantism, ,all the branches of which profess to found their systems of-doctrine and government upon the Word of God. And there is, in .our opinion, no : reason why Methodism should permanently depart from these its proper guides in faith and practice, or continue under - the odium which now rests upon us in this respect, in comparison with other Protestant Churches. "Resolved, 4. That.no sufficient reason can be found for the seclusion of the laity from the General Conference in the neces aities of the itinerancy. Thee history of Methodism has proved that the laymen, of our church are as much attached, to the itinerant plan of preaching the Gospel as its ministry can be. They apprehend as clearly as the ministry the advantages of our peculiar economy, and they, have proved as ready as their ministerial brethren to endure the sacrifices which it demands of both preachers and people. The fear, therefore, that the introduction of Lay Representation into the. General Conference will of itself especially endanger the itiner ancy is„ in our estimation, groundless, and does injustice to the steadfast attachment of the laity to the cause of Methodism." THE ANNIVERSARY exercises of the Sunday School Union - were observed in New-York on the 12th inst. Interesting meetings were held in various churches in the afternoon, and in the evening a general anniversary: meeting was held in Irving Hall. ' Addresses were . delivered by Rev. Dr. Bell, of California; Rev. J. De 'Wit Talmadge, of Philadelphia ; and• Rev. Dr. Hoge, of New-York. The report set forth that the number of children taught in the schools during the year was 60,090 ; there were 5,000 teachers ; the library numbered 90,000 volumes; and the contributions for missionary and charitable objects during the year had been $lB,OOO. THE TWELFTH ANNIVERSARY of the Five Points House of Industry, was held in the Academy of Music on the 12th inst. Addresses were made by Bishop Clark, of Rhode Island; Rev Dr. Tyng; Rev. Chas. S. Robinson, and others. The receipts of the year were $19,257.07, and the expen ses $16,977.07, besides $3,100 invested in bond and mortgage. The balance in the Treas . ury is $438.51. The number of in mates during the year was 691, of which 428 were children under sixteen. Tut FOURTEENTH ANNIVERSARY of the American and Foreign Christian Union was held on the 14th inst., iii Irving Hall, the President of the Association, the Rev. Dr. De Witt, in the chair. From the Treas urer's report, an abstract of which was read by the Rev. A. E. Campbell, D.D., Finan cial Secretary, it appears that the receipts of the Union from April 30th, 1862, to April 30th, 1863, were $59,036.68; dis bursemeuts, $68,760.80, leaving a balance in the treae my of $275.88. The Society has missions in the United Stites, Mexico, South America, Sweden, Belgium, Italy, and Greece. " In the United States the missions are among the French, German, Italian, and Irish Catholics, and confined principally to the great cities. As regards Mexico, many liberal men would welcome Protestant missionaries. President Juarez is dis posed to provide at his own expense a place of Protestant worship in the city of Mexico. Ma. Dxxx.vAw, the City Inspector for New-York, states the melancholy fact that there are in this city over six thousand !amazes living in underground cellars, many of these the abodes of filth and the receptacles of disease, ill-ventilated, ex posed to overflow from tides, rains, &e., and fitted' to prepare their 38,000 occupants to become speedy victims of any epidemic." THE. NEw-Yonit Observer states that fifteen years ago a benevolent gentlethan in. Boston made a standing offer to give one half of a ten, or twenty dollar library (de pending .on.the size of the school),. to the two Sabbath Schools, first formed and re ported in each county. West of the Missis sippi River and East ,of the Rocky Moun tains—on condition that the school apply ing should raise the money for tho other half of, the library. The result is. ; that 2,043 schools have now been furnished with libraries under this proposition cost leg .the founder of the plan $11,869.8.. The,se schools have included 14,474 teaeh ers, and 80,176 pupilS.' THE price of`sold Coin was'quite steady , on Saturday at 148 i, to 149 per cent. Su; • perfine flour was quoted at 65.20 to 65.50 per bbl. PHILADELPHIA. THE GENERAL AgSEIRBLY OF,THE Xi* SCHODL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH met on Thursday of last week, in the First Pres byterian•chArch of this city. The ing sermon', was preached by Rev. George Duffield, DA, of Detroit, Mich. After the usual noon recess, the Assembly met and proceeded to the election of Moder., ator, ithen Dr.': Henry B. Smith, of the New-York Theoloaical. Seminary, having - received. ninety•eight out of the one hun . tired and seventy-five ,motes cast„ was de clared-duly elected. On Friday, after a brief season devoted to religious "exercises, the Assembly pro ceecled to the transaction of business. A committee of nine was- appointed to draft a suitable minute on the state of the coun try. The Assembly then preceeded to the selection of a place , for its next meeting, and Dayton, 0., was, with comparative una nimity, decided upon.' After, the appointment of the Standing Committees, Dr. Cox read a communication from George H. Boker,- Esq., Secretary of the Union League, in which it was, stated that the names of the members of this As sembly had been placed upon the rolls of the League as visitors, and that a cordial in vitation was extended to the members °file body to visit the League House. A pro longed discussion as to the propriety of visiting the, Union League as an ecclesias tical body, took place, in which` Rev. Drs. Smith, Skinner, Brainerd, Spearing, Clarke, Albert Barnes, and others participated, during which a spirit of the most enthusi astic patriotism prevailed. It was finally determined to visit the Union League Club House, as an ecclesiastical body. During the afternoon session, the Report of the Committee on dorrespondence and more friendly relations, between the :two bodies of the Presbyterian Church was read, and gave rise to a friendly debate, which was engaged in by the "Rev. Dr. Cox, Rev. Dr. Barnes, 'Rev. Dr. Darling, and others. At the close of the argument, the vote on the question was taken, result ing in . a unanimous vote in favor of the proposition The session on Saturday was a short one, and was occupied mainly with the reports of Committees. ' • THE ASSEMBLY OF 1863. FIRST DAY--Tnuasnav, May 21. The 74th General Assembly of the Presbyte rian Church in the 'United States was held in the City, of Peoria, Illinois, on the 21st, day of May, 1863, et aeg. The opcning sermon was preached from Eph. iv: 7, by Rev. C."C. BEArrv, D. 0., of Steubenville, Ohio, the Moderator of the last A:s sembly. After the sernion,,the Assembly was eonstitu ted with prayer by the Moderator. Dr. SCHENCK, the Permanent Clerk, reported 116 ministers and 68 Ruling Elders present with regular commis sions. Informal commissions *ere referred to a Committee, of which Rey. Mr. SUEDDON Was chairman. Adjourned to 8 o'clock P. M. AFTkIiNOON SESSION The Aesembl,y occupied half 1111 hour in devo ional exerciace. The Committee on Defective Commissions re ported. Tkeir report was adopted; and the names recommended were enrolled, making 129 ministers and 78 elders, that is, 207 members present.. {Roll will be given next week - .] Rev. Dr. Monaxsos, Missionary of Northern Indiaovas. nominated for Moderator; , also Rev. Drs. A. Nevin, L. YOUNG, and E. C. Win . Dr. Mon.alson was chosen, having 159 votes. Rev. Dr. Knox, of GerniantoWn, Pa:, was chosen Temporary Clerk. It was agreed to hold the sessions of the As sembly from 9 A. M. to 12 M., and from 3 to 6 P. M. Friday 10 o'clock was devoted to receiving re ports from . Theological Seminaries ; Saturday, to Church Extension; Monday, to :Disabled Minis ters' Fund; Tuesday, to Board of .Education; Wednesday, to Domestio Missions; Thurtclity, to Foreign Missions; Friday, to Publication, Adjourned till to-morrow morning;'9 o'clock. SECOND DAY—FRIDAY, May 22. Half an hour was occupied . , ih reading the Scriptures, kinging, and prayer'. Minutes of yesterday were read. Twenty-six 'new Commissioners were named and enrolled:- The Standing Committees were announced. [See names of Chairmen, in, editorial columns.] It was oidered that the roll be printed for the use of the Rouse. . Reports from ' Theological Seminaries were called for, and handed to the respective Com mittees. It was made the first order of the day, for to morrow morning,. to fix the place of meeting tor the next Assembly. The Complaint of Dr. R. J. Basciristi and others, against the Synod of Kentucky, uno referred by the last Asselbly to this, was taken up and referred to the Judicial Committee. Treasurer's Report was read ; balance on hand a little over $15,000. Report referred to ET mance Committee. Dr. BEATTY presented Correspondence with' Gov. Todd, of Ohio, acknowledging gift to State Library of copies of the Books published by our Board. (The Aisetably used the. Ohio State. House, last year.) Dr. BEATTY also presented Correspondence with the United Presbyterian Church.. :That Church accepts-theeproposition to send,' and :re ceive Delegate& Referred to the Committee on Correspondence.. Dr. BEATrr also presented Correspondence with the Moderator of the last General Assembly of the New School Presbyterian Church, rela tive to an interchange of Commissioners. Re ferred to the Committee on Correspondence. Dr. BATTY also presented Correspondence of Robert Watt, Delegate to the General Assembly pf the Presbyterian Church of Ireland. Judicial cases laid over by the last Assembly were referred to the Judicial Committee. A Memorial from the Presbytery of Cbippeway was presented by Rev. Mr. Spear, relative to a union with the New School. It was referred to a special committee. Dr. YOUNG offered a resolution of inquiry into the condition of the churches of West Virginia. Committed to the Committee on Bills and Over tures. A letter from the U. S. Christian Commission was read, and referred to the Committee on De votional exercises. Adjourned with prayer FRIDAY . AFTERNOON: Dr. BLACKWOOD, from the Committee en Cor respondence, nominated Rev. George Junkin, D.D., as .a Delegate.to the Synod of the Dutch Church ; Rev. Dr. Grundy and John D. Thorpe, Delegates to the General Assembly of the United Presbyterian Church. They were appointed. Thee Committee on Devotional Exercises ree ortimended that the last , half hour of each day be appropriated to devotional exercises: adopted. -They also nominated persons to. fin the pulpits of this City on the next Sabbath. The sUbjeet of a new Synod out qf parts of the Synods of New-Jersey and Philadelphia, was in - definitely postponed. The, subject of a Church Commentary was taken, up, and postponed till next year. Overture was presented from the Presby tery of Albany; requesting an order to the Board of" Publication. to'Prepare a Hymn and Tune- Book for: the use of the Church. •The paper was referred to the Cornmittee on that Board. Dr. BEATTY moved that Tuesday afternoon be allotted to the consideration of the report of the Committee on the new Book of Diecipline. Agreed to. The committee of thelast year`on the Board of Publication being prepared to report, -Monday afternoon was appointed to hear it. Synodical Records were called for, and handed to the chairmen of the respective committees. Nominations for'place of meeting of next'As sembly-T-Pittsburgh, Washington, Boston, New- Rev. Dr. DELANCY, formerly of New-Orleans, now resident of Boston, spoke, in favor of the latter place. He is now laboring, temporarily, in the First Presbyterian church in Boston. Re -is not a candidate for , settlement there. He ex pects to return to New-Orleans on a restoration of peace. "The Presbytery of Londonderry in vites the Assembly to Aoston. The, Eastern road, the Canada railroad, and probably the Baltimore-and Ohio, will grant special •fecilities . to the, Members; in travelling. • The debate on the, place, of Meeting was con tinued by Dr.. Nevin, Dr. Lowrie, Mr. Tustin, Dr. Blackwood, Dr. Goodale, Dr. Beatty, Mr. Goodhue, Mr. Crosby, Dr. Humphrey, Mr. Ran kin Dr. Ogden, Mr. Bates, and others, On calling the roll, the 'vote stood—Boston, 186; Newark, 74; Washington, 15; Pittsburgh, fp. Half en -hOur was spent in devotional exer cises. Adjourned with prayer. • PRESBYTERIAL NOTICES. The PRESBYTERY .OF ALLEGHENY CITY Will ; hold its next stated meeting at the church of Pine Creek, on the Second Tuesday of June, (the 9th daY,) commencing at 11 o'clock A..M. The ordination 'and installation of Mr: G. M. Potter are appointed for that meeting. < Members of - Presbytery arriving at Sharpsborg at 10 o'clock, will find conveyances to take them to the Pine Creek church. WM. AIiNAN, Stated'elerk. . - The. PRESBYTERY OF J3LAIRSVILLE will meet, according, to adjournment, at Union church, West Fairfield, on the Third Tuesday of June, at 2 o'clock P. Members coming by railroad froth the West, will stop at Lockport• and coming from the East, will-stop at New Florences, where convey - knees will be ready to take them to the place of meeting. JAMES DAVIS Stated Clerk. The PRESBYTERY OF NEW LISBON, will meet, B. 'V., on the Second Tuesday (the 9thyof June next, in the 'church of Yellow Creek, at 2 o'clock P. M. ' ROBERT RAYS, Swift to ROIL `.` Let every man be•swift to hear."--.Tamna i 19. We should be swift to hear the truth, be cause it is by the truth that we are re newed and sanctified. The word means prompt--pompt to hear. Prompt at the place where the truth is preached, arid prompt to:the moment,,that no truth in the invocation, or the hymn, or the chapter read, or the prayer, or the sermon, may es cape you. Prompt to hear every truth, be cause you do not know whist truth shall be the one to give a new impulse to your spir itual life, just as the sailor has his hand on the ropes, prompt to unfurl the sail and catch every breeze i because he ,knows not what one shall waft him on to the desired haven Prompt at the place of hearing; and prompt in the act of hearing. The two go together The very same feeling which brings a man promptly to church, among the very first, makes him prompt, earnest and wakeful in hearing the word when it comes to be spoken. I notice that Teeple who are late -at church are always the dullest hearers we have; while those who come half an hour before the time, are the most wakeful. " Swift to hear"; eager for .instruction,; anxious for light; that is ' a great thing in any man's spiritual life. It is always-a hopeful.sign when . the soul is wide awake, and seeking_ en every side for fresh light on its path. Truth has, on the soul, the same effect that light has on plants and flowers. Truth is the light, and so, the life of the soul. Look. at,a flower which opens its . leaves out.under the full sunshine---how green the leaf; how strong the_ stalk; how rich the hue; how glorious and rapid the expansion and growth of the whole beautiful flower. ! Then look at the same flower opening in the twilight of a cellar. < How weak, and sickly, and colorless, and odorless l Noth ing about it by which to identify it with the graceful flower which blushed in the sunlight. And look at a Christian who opens up his soul to the full rays of truth, as a man flings wide open his doors and windoWS the first sunny days of Spring-T— -hew healthy his stall; how robust and vig orous his Christian principle; how clear - and decided his views; how Warm and gushing his affections ! You look at the man, and marvel. How good the Lord must have been to this man, you think. You murmur, and say, " Here is another in stance of that odious doctrine of Illectien. Here is more favoritism—this xna,u's soul strong and rejoicing, mine weak and sor rowing; his faith firm and. overcoming, mine yielding and overcome; his views elear and unhesitating, ipine obscure and waverin g : Surely God has been gnod to his soul "! Yes, just as, the, sunshine.is good to the flower which opens its leaves aid drinks in tire rays; not good to the ot.e which folds up its leaves through the d.t .) as the other did through the night. God is good, to the man who is good to hirre.tlf. He, has poured sunshine all around u and if some of us open our souls to it, and are re vived and strengthened and if others shut their .ears and hearts, and bee , lee luke- Warm and weak, that is not - to be charged to God's favoritism. This strong to whom,'you nay,. God was so.good, good, w a a k e under all the serinons, and you we , Swift ;to .b e ,„” t,• • •. aim view strong by companionship ith it; Stated Clerk For the Presbyterian Banner slow to hear, you missed the truth, and halted by the way. There is no mystery about this differ ence between Christians of the same church or community. The man who is eager for instruction, gets it; and the man who is indifferent, must abide the consequences of indifference. I sit dawn, sometimes, to read a newspaper to three or four people. Two listen, and one falls asleep. Meet the. two to-morrow, and they will tell you all the news. Meet the other and ask him about this or that, and be never heard of such a thing ! Yet both parties had pre cisely the same advantages. This is one reason why sermons seem good to some and bad to others ; the former listened and un derj!tood ; the latter caught the meaning here and there, and it seemed to them zs jumble of things, without plan or purpos e . "-Swift to hear." That is, a prime re quisite for any intelligent, manly, self-re haat religion. He whose soul is not braced up by the truth, and whose path in not lit up by the truth; will be ignorant, and timid, and weak and wavering. To he intelligent, and brave, and strong, and de cided, there is one thing we have all to be, " Swift to hear." For the Presbyterian Banuer Smooth Stouts. Israel must fight again. Two mountains dressed doubtless in all the sublimity a n d roniance of nature, and from whose side had never echoed sounds less harmo nious than that of the Great Creator's praise, uttered in language unknown to man, suddenly become the positions of two confronting armies. Column after column is stationed, and declivity after declivity serves only to mark divisions of human be ings arrayed—for what? For life—for death l And now naught separates save a valley, across which parades the l'hilistian champion with a Pride - perhaps without a parallel since the angels sallied forth in 'open rebellion against the majesty of heav en. Israel is dismayed, and as he calls for an equal, none. responds to his challenge. Thus, morning and evening for forty days, does lie defy the people. of the Lord. A. lad from among the flocks, at his father's word, arises with some eivilities for his brethren, and 'comes to the scene of contest. Re looks upon the giant,and asking of him is mocked by his brothers; yet he persists, and declining the use_of Saul's armour, takes five smooth stones from the valley of Blab, and with one of these, prevails, and a shouting people pursue the fleeing Phil istines There is instruction here for us. First. God sees fit to make use of very humble means sometimes; and through them does much, for the happiness of his creatures and his own glory. Second. Since all things 'beneath the bow of omnipotent heaven are ~used only as the means of God's glory, we must conclude that our surety of success does not depend upon the comparative greatness of the means, but upon our con fidence in Him who, could (if it pleased "him,)* do all things without any means. In this case the armour of Saul seemed (to mortal eye) to be the appropriate ha biliment in which to meet the giant, but it did not fit David. Third. We are here taught the danger and sin of attributing our success to the means, rather than giv ing God the praise. Will you meditate with me for a few mo ments, upon these three, points. We, as sinners, as hearers and .ministers, have be come tired, of the old smooth stones. of the Gospel ; such as are recorded in the fifty third and fifty-fifth chapters of Isaiah, the eleventh of Matthew, and third and fourth of St. John, &c., and •are striving after something novel—something near. We, as churches, are forgetting that the great King and Head of the Church " is a Spir it, and they who worship him must wor ship him in spirit and in truth," and seem to think that her purity consists , -only in helpless namei, :pitiful fashions, and hollow hearted formalities Oh, let us be aihamed of these things ! Pure coin only becomes brighter with using. Although thousands have slaked their thirst at the fountain of life, and are now " bathing their weary souls" in the sea of everlasting rest, yet its waters are none the less cooling. ;Mil lions have lit their faith-torch at the glow ing fire of 'these old truths, stills its rays are none the less ardent. Ares, these- too will guide our feet, • " Till we behold the clearer light Of an eternal , day." Let us not think that because we have a place in the Sabbath School,a name in the Church, or a seat among the people of God, that Our title to heaven is sure. The Church, biptism, the Lord's Supper, prayer, &c., are only institutions, ordinancet, and means of grace which God has granted to aid us on to alory These cannot save us. "By grace ye are saved through faith. Reader, have you been fed and clothed during your entire existence; or preserved from dangers which flew thick around you, and amid - sicknesa and disease which pros trated many about you, (and many dear ones, too, perhaps,) and straightened their forms beneath the pall settled for the grave ? Give God the praise. Have you been pro tected as a soldier, whilst the agents of death were scattered in wild profusion about you ? Praise God. Have you found the Pearl of great price, and tasted that God is good ? Praise .the Lord. Rave you grace to pray, keep the Sabbath, read your Rible, &c., and through these, hive God ? Oh ! say, "We love him because he` first loved in." - May we all be ' enabled to east our crowns at 'his feet in heaven. Then, "We join the.everlasting song, And crown him Lord a all." - J..M. Clod of Constiettm—Have you ever - heard of the great clock of St. Paul in London ?At mid-day, in the roar of lAtsi ness, when carriages, and nl# B l wagons, and omnibuses go rolling through the streets, how many never hear that great clock strike, unless they live very near it. But when the work of the day is over, and the roar of business has passed away— when men are gone to sleep, and silence reigns in LondontlieiCat tvielve, at one, at two, at three, at "font.; the sound of that 'clock may be heard for miles around Twelve !—One !--Two l==Three ! How that clock is heard by many a sleep less man. That clock is just, like the con science of the impenitent man. While he has health and, strength, and goes on in the whirl of business, he will not hear his con science. He, drowns and . silences,its voice by plunging into, the world. He will not allow the inner man to speak to him. But the day will, come when its voice will sound in his ears, aud.pierce like a sword. The time must come when he must retire from the world, and lie down on the sick bed, and look death in the face. And then, the clock.of conscience, that solemn clock, will sound in his heart, and, it he has .not re pent bring wretchedness•undmisery cmil. OltZea.; nowt,' in tne on pea ts , ut your hearts -= without repentance, no' ce .
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