Presbyterian banner. (Pittsburgh, Pa.) 1860-1898, November 18, 1863, Image 2

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    Vreshgteriau Nanner.
PITTSBURGII, VEDNESIAT, NOV. T 8,1863,
NOP Having purcheitedfor our o f fice the "Right" to use
Dick's Accountant and Dispatch Patent, all, or nearly all,
of our subscribers Mew .have. their papers addressed to them
regutarty by a singularly Unique machine, which fastens
on the white enenin a Mali colored "address stamp," or
label, whereon appears their name plainly printed, followed
by the date up to so hich they have paid for their papers—this
befit," authorised by an Act of Congress. The date will
always -bc.ativanced on the receipt of subsoniption money,
in enact accordance with the amount so received, and thus
be an ever-ready and valid receipt; securing to every one,
and at all times, et perfect knowledge of his newspaper ac
count, so that if any error is made he can immediately de
tect it'und have it corrected—a boon alike valuable to the
publisher and subscriber, as it must terminate all painful
mininderstandings between them respecting accounts, and
hui tend to perpetuate their important relationship.
*** Those in arrears will please res
'Theological Professor.—At the reoent ses
sions of the German Reformed Synod, at
Carlisle, Pa., the Rev. Dr. H. HARBAMM,
of Lebanon, Pa., was elected, with great
'unanimity, Professor of Didactic and Prac
tical Theology, in the place of alb Rev. Dr.
B. WOLFF, resigned.
Insensibility.—We (Am feel astonished
'at the manifest want of emotion, even among
Christians, under the Divine chastisement
now inflicted upon the land. God's hand
is heavy upon us. Myriads of our sons and
brothers are among the slain. Tens of
myriads are disabled for life, by maimings
and disease. And still we seem to be un
humbled. How long will we provoke the
rod ?
Rev. Francis 11. Power.—The decease of
this devoted laborer in the vineyard of the
Lord, is noticed in our Obituary column.
He died at Nashville, Tenn., while in the
service of the Christian Commission. The
war is carrying off many of our ministers.
They are not slain in the battle-field. But
disease in the camp and hospital takes life
from far more men than does the death-deal
ing weapon of the foe; and to this the minis
ter in the army is especially liable.
The Risks of Thinking.—This address,
of Rev. HERRICK JOHNSON, of Pittsburgh,
before the Literary Societies of Jefferson
College at the late Commencement, we lis
tened to with great pleasure It is well
worthy of the neat attire in which it is
now presented to the public by Mr. W. S.
HAVEN, of this city. We commend it to
all students. They will find it entertain
ing and instructive. It is the fruit of
thought; and it contains incitements, as
well as cautions. It is for sale by R. S.
DAvis, Wood Street.
Fraternizlsg.—Strange things will some
times happen. Even Old England can sur
prises us. She can fraternize with slave
holders. Rev. Mom D. HOGE, D.D., of
Richmond, Va., under date of July 11th,
thus writes
" I have preached for the Rev. Messrs.
Cu.s.Lm.Ens and CARLYLE, and was imme
diately invited by both of theta to preach
again. I have also been invited by Dr.
HAMILTON to preach for him. He is now
in Irelarki, and one of -his elders wants me
to officiate in his church next Sunday week.
I am going to preach for Mr. CHALMERS
again to-morrow ; I like him very much,
and he seeks to promote my entertainment
in many ways. When I get home, I shall
have something to tell you about this
strange and sudden demand for the services
of a Southern slaveholder and rebel"
PAMPHLETS.
U. S. CURISTIAN COMMISSION. FACTS :
REPORT OF ARMY COMMITTEE OF THE
CHRISTIAN COMMISSION, Pittsburgh :
HISTORIC MEMORIAL OF LEBANON PRES-
BYTERIAN CHURCH :
are Pamphlets latdly issued.
The Gospel was preached at Lebanon, by
Rev. JOHN MCMILLAN, as early as the
year 1778. Good seed was then sown, and
the Redeemer's cause still flourishes. Rev.
A. 0. RocxwELt, the present pastor, has
done well in preparing this Memorial.
1T WILL ALWAYS DO GOOD.
The newspaper which is taken will al
ways make its impress on the family.
Hence the truly religious journal will al
ways do good. A Presbyterian clergyman,
in the State of New-York, thus speaks to
the people of his spiritual charge
" I wish to tell you, my Meads, how
'much I esteem, and how much every Chris.
tiara minister esteems the religious press as
his ally in doing good. And I wish to at
firm that there is no other outward agency
on earth which we prize so highly. The
influence of a weekly religious newspaper
in a family is valuable beyond computation
—as necessary, in the view of those who
are accustomed to take and read it, as their
daily bread; enlightening the minds of the
religious public in respect to all religious
operations;
and; what is better, enlarging
their hearts, making them Christians of
broad views and large charities, because
they thus leard what the world needs.
itgg And to convince you, my brethren, of
the interest I feel in this matter, and of the
great importance I attach to the press as
my helper in the ministry, I tell you that
if I had the pecuniary ability, I would pay
for and send to every family in this con
gregation a weekly religious paper, rather
than have them be without it. It is worth
ten times more than it costs to any man.
No head of a family ought to consent for a
week to be without it. It will help you in
every way. It will make you better Chris
tians. I affirm it that the Christians in
most
firmly
Church of largest views and
firmly established Christian character, and
the most ready helpers of the pastor in ev
ery good word and work, are those who
take and read a religious newspaper.
Scarcely the extremest poverty should shut
it out from your doors. It will help to re
fine and train and Christianize your chil
dren. It will stir and warm your own
hearts. It will inevitably and always do
good. And,-if it does not already spread
its cheer around your fireside, I cannot but
urge yon not to let another week elapse be
fore you enrich yourselves by the posses
sion of so great a treasure. Eminently as
the religious newspaper press has been
owned and blessed of God, it deserves a
large place in every Christian housekild,
in every Christian heart."
Pastors, elders, and deacons are forward
ing their own work, and feeding the flock
entrusted to their care, when they see that
every household is supplied with the relig
ious newspaper.
L ==
TUE FOURFOLD GOSPEL.*
By Gospel we mean the glad tidings of
salvation by JESUS CHRIST, for sinful men.
This is the general and comprehensive sense
of the term. More definitely, it means the
Story of Christ's Life, Ministry, Death,
Resurrection and Glorification, by an Evan
gelist. When we use the word in the plu
ral, Gospels, we mean the narratives, by
the four Evangelists, of what Jesus did,
and taught, and suffered, and of the begin
ning of the Gathering together of Believ
ers, during his personal ministry. And in
asmuch as the four tell the same Story of the
same Glorious Person; and as the same
events are given, though with varied full
ness and minuteness, by the four historians,
MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE and Jolts, we de
nominate their works THE FOURFOLD
PEL; or, in the language of EUSEBIUS,
"The Bay Quaternion of the Gospels."
The Gospels are the central part of reve
lation; the - life of the system. The Old
Testament Scriptures all refer to this. In
it they have their meaning and energy.
And the Epjstles follow as expositions of
this vital, energetic part of Divine truth.
Without the'Gospels, the Types would have
no meaning, and the Prophecies no ful
filment, and , the Epistles no foundation.
There would be History, the most valuable;
and there would be Morality the most pure;
but there would be -no life, no saving en
ergy, no influence to take a soul to heaven.
This portion of God's Word should hence be
especially well understood, and made fa
miliar to the mind.
Helps to the study of the Gospels are
very numerous, and some of them are ex
cello t. The Commentaries of HENRY and
SCOTT are found most commonly, as we sup
pose, in Presbyterian families. Both of
them, or one of them certainly, should be
in every house. JACOBUS' Notes on the
Gospels we have several times spoken of,
with high commendation. They are ad
mirably adapted to the teachers and the
more advanced pupils in Sabbath Schools.
And thereure many other expository works
of great value.
One of the more recent expository works,
is the Commentary of JAMEISON, FAUS
SET, and BRCWN. The fifth, volume of this
Commentary, embracing the four Gospels,
and prepared by Rev. DAVID BROWN,
D.D., of Aberdeen, Scotland, is now on our
table. We have examined it with an -un
usual degree of interest. It is orthodox,
critical, clear, brief, comprehensive, evan
gelical truly, and eloquent. There is an
Introduction which is learned and instruc
tive. The marginal references are few, but
well selected. The exposition quotes co
piously of parallel passages, giving chapter
and verse. The Greek word or phrase, is
often quoted. Authorities are given for
the criticisms. Much of the text is re
peated with the comments, and always in a
different type. Parallel passages which are
quoted, are' marked by inverted commas.
The whole is admirably adapted to eluci
date the text and attract the reader.
Some time ago we gave a notice of an
edition of this work, by Messrs. MARTIEN",
of Philadelphia. It was a small 12mo.
The type was hence small and the book
very difficult to read. The edition before
us is from a British press. The type is
large enough to be easily read. The vol
ume is sent to us by Mr : SCRIBNER, of
New-York, by whom it is imported. It
may be ordered through R. S. DAVIs,
Pittsburgh. We trust that Mr. SCRIBNER
will give us an American edition, -fully
equal to the British. It ought - to meet
with a large demand.
As a specimen of the Practical. Remarks,
which follow the expository comments, on
each paragraph, we give these concluding
words
" Thus end these peerless Histories—
this Fourfold Gospel. And who that has
walked with us through this Garden of the
Lord, these ' beds of spices,' has not often
said, with PETER on the mount of trans
figuration, It is' good to be here ! Who
that has reverentially and lovingly bent over
the sacred text has not found himself in
the presence of the Word made flesh—has
not beheld the glory of the only begotten
of the Father, full of grace and truth—has
not felt his warm s tender hafid upon him,
and heard that voice saying to himself, as
so often -to the disciples of old, Fear not!'
Well, dear reader, 'Abide in him," and let
his words'-as here recorded—' abide in
thee.' This Fourfold Gospel is the. Sun of
the Scripture, from which all the rest de
rives its light. It is, as observed in the
Introduction, the serenest spot in the para
dise of God ; it is the four rivers of the
water of life, the streams whereof make
glad the City of God. Into it, as a Reser
voir, all the foregoing revelations pour their
full tide, and out of it as a Fountain, flow
all subsequent revelations. Till the day
dawn, then, and the shadows flee away, I
will get me to this mountain of myrh, -this
hill of frankincense." (Song iv : 6.)
*A COMMENTARY, Critical, Experimental, and
Practical, of the Old and New Testaments. By
Rev. Robert Jamison, D.D., St. Paul's, Glas
gow ; and Rev. A. B. Found, A.M., St. Cuth
bert's, York ; and. the Rev. David Brown, D.D.,
Professor of Theology, Aberdeen. Vol. V.
Matthew—John. By Rev. David Brown, D.D.,
pp. 486. Large Svo. Glasgow and London.
THANKSGIVING.
Thursday, the 26th, will be the day nom
inated by the President, and recommended
by the Governors of States; as ,a time of
National Thanksgiving. Gratitude is as
becoming in man, as is the desire for fa
vors ; and to approach God, solemnly ut
tering the one and the other, is a duty.
We are as really bound to give thanks as
to-pray. And the two should be conjoined.
It looks presumptuous to importune God
for more favors when we are too insensible
to thank him for what we enjoy.
The call of the President embraces an
acknowledgment of the bounties of God's
providence during the year, which now ap
proaches its close. These have been very
great. There has been a large degree of
health throughout the land. The fields
have
. yielded their increase in rich abun
dance. There has been a partial drought,
and some of the crops have beenshort, but
still there is a plenty for man and beast;.
PRESBYTERIAN BANNER.---WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1863.
plenty for the poor; plenty for our armies;
and much to export in exchange for luxu
ries. God has given all this; and he mer
its the praise.
We have peace still with foreign nations.
The Eastern horizon was, for a time, over
cast. Hoarse thunders muttered from be
yond the ocean. But God is stilling the
nations. 'The hearts of Kings are in his
hand. He can make them quake with
fear; or he can fill them with tenderness;
or he can, inspire there with justice. Bles-.
sed be his name for peace, with England,
France, and all foreign nations. -
Notwithstanding the horrible civil strife
to which the nation is subjected, still in
the loyal States, bating two or three
where there was much disloyalty mingled
with national fidelity, the calamities of war,
except in the loss and maiming of many
valued citizens, have been scarcely felt.
The Lord has shielded us. He has kept
the battle-fields and the scenes of plunder,
at a distance. Shall we not magnify his
name for this great goodness.
"But while grateful and joyous in the con
templation of benefits continued to us, let
us not be unmindful of our ill deserts.
We merit God's sore displeasure. Our for
getfulness of God, our self-seeking, world
ly-mindedness, oppression of our fellow
men, intemperance, profatiity, are awfully
provoking to the Just and Holy one. And,
his hand is upon us, in anger for these.
sins. The years were, and they were many,
when we had all that we now, enjoy, of
healthful and fruitful seasons, and peace
abroad, and undisturbed homes, and also
our sons, brothers, husbands, with us, in
the same happy quietude and rich abund
ance of all good things.
Why the. change ? It did not come by
chance. God's hand is in it. He has done
it. And he always acts righteously. It
becomes us, then, with our thanksgiving
for the benefits we enjoy, to mingle humble
confession of sin,-to deprecate .the Divine
anger, and• to turn from .all evil. ways.
The President speaks of " our national
perverseness and disobedience." He also
calls upon us to remember the " widows,
orphans, mourners, and sufferers in the la
inentable civil strife," and to" implore the
interposition of the Almighty hand to heal
the wounds of the nation, and to restore it,
as soon as may be consistent with the Di
vine purposes, to the full enjoyment of
peace, harmony, tranquility, and union."
We are greatly pleased with so distinct
and full a recognition of God's right to
rule. We are also pleased with' the com
prehensiveness of the call, and the avoid
ance of all divisive thoughts. The whole
people can unite in thank§giving and
prayer, in reference to every thing sugges
ted in the Proclamation. It might be
well for pastors to note, this wise care of
our Chief Magistrate, and so to conduct
the services of the day that each member
of their flock could heartily unite in every
sentiment uttered
We place a very . important article, .on
this subject, on our first page. Long as it
is, we trust that it will be generally read.
It comes to us from a hopeful quarter—from
the young men in our Seminary, who are
soon to be preachers of the Gospel. It is
true religion, and religion only, which can
produce and sustain Temperance. There
are many auxiliary influences; such as
" bands " of various kinds, pledges, youths'
societies, travelling lecturers, &c., &c.; but
none of these, nor all' of there together
can do the work. They can do mueh.
They can aid greatly. They should be
used. The Church should smile upon them
—aid, direct, cheer, and use them. But
they all depend very_muchupon excitement,
in ordinary experience; and an excitement,
too, which soon dies out. A foundation is
needed; a living principle, sending forth
perpetual streams of effort and influence.
A quickened and enduring conscience is
needed. Disinterested and undying be
nevolente is needed. , And it is revealed re
ligion, which furnishes such a principle,
such a conscience, such benevolence. Tem
perance is a Christian grace; abstinence is
a moral duty.; the removal of temptation is
a Gospel precept. The ministry have to
do with all these things. A wise, united,
and yersevering effort, guided by revealed
religion; the union embracing all ministers
of every name, is what is needed-to effect a
thorough Tenperance reformation.
Such a united effort, we do not expect to
obtain, by, conventions, or by circulars;
though both these means. might be used
with benefit. We Would attain it by each
one engaging in his duty. Our Allegheny
graduates
.we claim for examples.
American and Foreign Christian Union.--:
Rev. Mr. TAYLOR is now our city OR In
agency for this excellent institution. The
Union does a large work in spreading the
Gospel, especially among Catholics, in the
United States and in foreign countries.
EASTERN SUMMARY.
wr.w=iii -. 44.,AND. •
THE " KINTERGARTEN " system of in
struction adopted by Miss Peabody, of
Boston, is enthusiastically commended by
one who has recently, visited the infant
school of this lady. a Kintergarten,". or
rather Kindergarten, is the
.0-erman of
children-garden; and the name appropria
ted to the system accords with the definition
given it by Miss Peabody, viz.: a The train
ing of the infant mind as the gardener
trains his plants, or cultivates his flowers."
In explaining and advocating the scheme,
Miss Peabody says :
cc Children begin with loving otherti quite
as intensely as they love themselves—for
getting themselves in their love of ahem
—if they. only have as fair a chance of be
ing benevolent and self-sacrificing as of be
ing selfish. Sympathy is as, much a natural
instinct as self-love, and no more or less in
n,ocent, in a moral point of view. Either
principle alone makes an ugly and depraved
form of natural character. Balanced, they
TEMPERANCE.
give the element of happiness, and the con
ditions of spiritual goodness and truth,
making children fit temples for the Holy
Ghost to dwell in."
The Examiner, in commenting on these
views, well observes:
" It is not true that children are equally
disposed, to benevolence and selfishness—
give them ever so much chance. Self-de
nial has to be taught them—aided, though
it often is, by inherent amiability. Natural
sympathy, however, which is evidently what
-Miss ,Peabody relies on, is so commonly
selfish ; that it is scarcely worth while, for
practical purposes, to ask whether there is
any exception. * * * * The sympa
thy that really gives and asks not again—
like the charity taught by our Saviour, that
invites the poor who cannot invite us in re
turn--is a heavenly transplant.
" Miss Peabody only repeats the old fal
lacy of every so-called (but falsely so
called) rationalistic school, when she sums
all up, by saying that the balancing of
sympathy and self-love gives ' the conditions
of goodness and truth, making children fit
temples for the Holy Ghost to dwell in.'
This smacks strongly of Cambridge, to -be
sure—not to say Boston. Nothing can
make children fit temples for the Holy
Ghost, except the sovereign hand and the
redeeming grace of Jesus Christ. This is
the corner-stone ) which the builders of this
time, as well as those of old; reject, bu
without which no spiritual structure can be
raised!'
" CrArelimurmog," so well known by
her contributions to the Atlantic Jlionthly
and other periodicals, has been engaged to
write-every alternate week for the. Congre
gationalist, of Boston. In her last article,
on "Church Sittings," she inveighs strong
ly against all arrangements which tend
directly or indirectly to exclude the poor
from the sanctuary. She utters some very
important truths, and offers some excellent
suggestions. We do not approve, however,
of everything she says. She is too sweep
ing in her imputation of unchristian feel
ings and motives: Referring to the locking
of pews, she says :
"1 Wive heard of churches where the
pews are locked, and - only their owners are
suffered to enter them. May they stay
locked to all Christian men 0, my soul,
come not thou into their secrets. Unto
such assemblies, mine honor, be not thou
united i s Theie pew-owners, it must be Con
cluded, expect to get into heaven thrOugh
a private entrance. They have made a
gravel path outside the strait and narrow
way, along which they may walk with
stretched-forth necks and wanton eyes walk
ing and mincing as they go, and,so be hap
pily apart from vulgar travellers toward the
celestial city. There is a postern-gate re
mote from the thronged portals, which
opens only to their touch. They have
rented beforehand the stateliest of the
many mansions, and will meet only their
owl set in the golden streets. Is it re
ligion or is it travesty ?"
There is in these remarks nothing of the
sweet spirit of. the Gospel. The true
Christian rejoices that the rich, the educa
ted the refined, equally with' the poor, the
illiterate and the rude, may provide a
house of worship to their taste, and hope
there to meet their Saviour. Jesus is no
respecter of persons; neither is he so a
leveler, or an amalglynationist, as to de
strop, associations for worship, all the
liberty of choice he has given to his chil
dren, nor all- the distinctions he has made
in his Providence. Love, kindness, be
neficence, he requires from all toward all,
"according to their several places and re
lations." .
We are no advocates for the practice of
locking pews. We dislike` it, and we know
it is made the occasion of offence ; but there
are churches where the practice seems at
least almost a necessity. Pew-owners would
in some instances be almost constantly pre
vented from enjoying the privileges of their
own house of worship, or be obliged to go
to church long before service, were their
pews thrown• open to all indiscriminately.
We know that: but very few of Mr. Spur
g,eon's people, or of Dr. Cummings', or of
Dr. Guthrie's, or of others that might be
mentioned, both across and on this side the
ocean, could statedly listen to their respec
tive pastors, at least in their own pews,
were no plan adopted to retain the use of
their own seats. The 'seats would be uni
forinly preoccupied ; not by the, poor or the
devout, but by the illiberal, the .gossipper,
and the seeker. after novelty.
THE sEMI•ANNUAL meeting of the Pres:
bytery of Londondery was held at, the close
of.the last month, in Antrim, N. H. A
correspondent of the Boston Recorder, in
gift i ng an account of the meeting, says :
The, members of Presbytery, many of
whom are also members of Congregational
Associations, evinced a catholic desire to co
operate with all evangelical denominations,
rather as coadjutors in the common cause of
Christ than as agents of controversy. Sin-
Cere • lovers of, the faith of the Pilgrim
Fathers, they ',would`" .emulate the most
sound and successful servants of God of
every age and sect, and look devout in their
devotional exercises for the blessing of
their father's God upon their faithful en
deavors ;to extend the knowledge of. Christ
and him crucified in all the earth!'
A PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH was organ
ized, on the 4th inst., in the town of Darien,
Conn.
REV. CHARLES BF,EOHER, of ,George
town,
has been .
eleeted,to the Massachusetts
Lpgislature.
NEW-YORK.
Tule. 'imperial City has its difficulties and
drawbacks. Wealth: abounds, and so* also
do disorders. A riot occurs occasionally;
and "strikes "'are numerous. Of the lat
ter, there were three last weel; one was that
of the maChinists, to the number of six
thousand;.another comprised six hundred
girls, at a hair-cloth factory ; a third was
that of the car drivers. i
But the most serious difficulty is in the
taxation. The taxes are enormous. They
are laid by a Board chosen by popular vote,
and the vast majority of voters are not tax
payers. • What the' evil: - will come to, and
what might be a remedy, it is hard to con
jecture. The New-York Times, speaking
of the evil says :
" The state of affairs in the city is en
tirely abnormal. Our present system of
Government presupposes a homogeneous
population, all intelligent, all orderly, all
possested of some property, eager in pur
suit of more, and, therefore, having a corn
nioti interest in the practice of economy.
In New-York not one of these conditions
is fulfilled. Its position has made it the re
cipient of the very dregs of the European
emigration—the best portion of it goes
Westward—and the enormous expansion of
our trade and industry, has drawn hither
from all parts of the Union, the shiftless,
the broken-down, the characterless' and the
needy of all classes, in the hope of finding
some means of bettering their condition.
Consequently the texture of society in New-
York is no longer American but European.
We have on the one side a proletariat as
ignorant and unscrupulous as - that either of
Paris or London, owning nothing, disliking
the tedium of. honest industry, with a
strong taste for plunder in some shape or
other, indifferent to public opinion,. unin
fluenced by the Pulpit or by the Press, and
having more or less of that sense of wrong,
and that grudge against those who are bet
ter off than themselves, which have been
for six thousand years a characteristic of
the ignorant and vicious."
Speaking of a remedy, the Times sug
gests
" We venture to predict that by that
time it will be generally agreed, that as
long as the votes of those who possess
nothino- count for as much in the laying on
of taxes as the votes of those who possess
a great deal, reform is impossible. ..It will
be found absolutely necessary to give the
tax-payers of the city a separate represen
tation in the • city government, and arm it
with the power of placing an absolute and
final veto upon all money bills sent up from
the Aldermen and CoMmon 'Councilmen.
By giving it -no share in legislation, the
Democratic principle would be left intact,
and all over-attention to class interests
avoided; But there cannot be a grosser
violation of the Democratic principle than
that which gives a class that owns nothing,
the power of voting away the property of
another class. And to this thing we have
now come. Were the tax-payers repre
sented and armed with the veto, all votes of
money for the comfort, safety, health or
convenience of the citizens would pass at
once; but the feasts, excursiona,, proces
sions, donations,' rides, jobs of all kinds,
on which such enormous sums are now lav
ished, would be nipped in the bud."
Who is to effect this change ? The
State Legislature may be appealed to ; but
it will be difficult to get the law 7 and then
it.will be.no easy task to enforce it. The
fundamental safety of our country is the
Holy Scriptures. Not general education,
but general education in the moral princi
ples of the Bible; an education which
'Shall cultivate the, conscience, secures so
ciety.
Tins NEw-YORK SABBATH COMMITTEE
have recently published the excellent paper
on "The Sabbath .and Tree Institutions,"
read by Dr. Hopkins before the. National
Sabbath Convention held in Saratoga in
August last. The concluding passage
glows with the eloquence of Christian feel
ing, and is replete with truths of vital ini
portance to men socially and individually.
We quote as. follows :
" From this whole discussion it will ap
pear that the Sabbath is not, as some seem
to suppose, an institution slightly con
nected with the other arrangements of God,
for the elevation and well-being of man, but
is inseparably blended with them all. Like
the air, and the light, and the water, in the
simplicity and yet variety of its applica
tions and uses, it bears the evident impress
of the hand of God. Its law of rest is en
stamped upon the physical organization of
all beings capable of labor. It is' adapted
to the laboring mania his toil, to the young
man in his temptations,,to the business man
in his perplexities, to the scholar in his ex
hausting processes of thought, and to the
statesman as bearing the burdens of public.
life. It is adapted to families, consecra
ting home, and giving opportunity for fam
ily instruction. It is adapted to communi
ties, as the individuals composing them are
related at once to each other and to God,
and as needing opportunity both for public
and private devotion. It blends the social
and religious nature of man, and fits him
for a social heaven. It is related to the
Bible as a Book requiring study, and so
time for study. It connects man with the
past by reminding him of the great events
which it. commemorates '• with the future
by its glimpses and foretastes'of that
heaven which it typifies. Kept as God
commanded; it would improve the individ
ual man, physically, intellectually, morally.
Er his social relations, it would secure pu
rity and harmony ; in its civil relations, se
curity and freedom. It would unite man to
man, and all men to God. Surely whatever
he may intend, he who fights against the
Sabbath; fights against the best interests of
his race, and against God himself"
THE EXAMINER is always earnest and
unequivocal in its deliverances on fhelead
ing topics of the day. In its notice of the
Russian Ball, it utters some sensible and
important truths, though we think it ex
.
presses itself too strongly, on the political
significancy of the compliment tendered to
the Russians. It says :
"The, ball to the Russians came off. In
the 'midst of a crisis that wrings sweat
mingled with blood out of the nation's
brow, the metropolis of the nation is
plunged in the dissipation of a gor
geous and costly Bacchanalian festivity.
New-York city arrays herself in purple and
gew-gaw in the presence of ten' thousand
desolated hearths. New-York city dances
over a platform supported by one hundred
thousand sacrificial graves. New-York city
turns from the imperilled shrine of her
country to worship at the shrine of Ter
psichore. New-York city interwraps the
flag of her country with the flag stained
with many an act of despot-memory, and
has one embrace for, the Government that
suppresses the oppressed, and another for
the Government that suppresses the oppres
sor.
" We confess to no heart for the specta
ele. We revolt at it. We recoil from it.
Considered as a scene of levity and frivol
ity shockingly inconsistent with the-solem
nity of the times, or as a spectacle of ob
sequious toadying to a Government at anti
podes with our own, it is equally reprehen
sible, mortifying, and disgraceful."
THE intelligencer contains an-interesting
article on "The Earliest Dutch" of New-
York. Our ladies of the present day, who
attach so much importance to elegant 'bat
morals, will perhaps be entertained by the
following extracts i
"A respectable Dutch lady, at the close
of the Dutch era could enumerate among
her articles of era,
a black silk :gown
worth thirteen dollars, with a variety of
boddices, red coats and silk hoods, one dol
lar each; fine linen handkerchiefs, five dol
lars each; a black cloth waistcoat, ten shil
lings. But petticoats were the rage with
the Dutch ladies. To the above list we
add, a red cloth petticoat, five dollars ; a
wrought white, seven dollars; a blue silk,
fifteen dollars; a red cambric, twenty-five I
dollars; and a black geogram, twenty-five
dollars. All these petticoats were elabo
rately quilted.
"Fifty years later, fashionable ladies
still indulged in the great display of this
article. Madame Philipse, daughter of old
Burgomaster Van Cortland, a widow lady
of modest pretensions, owned her red silver
laid, red cloth, silk-quilted, and two black
silk quilted petticoats. Like most old
Dutch matrons, she, too, on the Sabbath
day, appeared with a costly psalm-book and
its gold clasps hanging from her arm, and
suspended by a golden chain."
REV. Di. W. A. SCOTT ; recently returned
from Europe; was, on the evening of the
28th ult., installed by a Comniittee of
Presbytery, as pastor of the Presbyterian
church in Forty-second street, New-York
city.
PHILADELPII lA.
AT A MEETING of the Philadelphia Pas
toral Association held, on the 2d inst., at
the Presbyterian House (N. S.) in this city,
it was unanimously resolved to take meas
ures for the establishment in Hamilton
College of an Albert- Barnes Professor of
Intellectual and Moral Science. It will be
remembered that a similar honor was lately
paid by the N. S. brethren of New-York to
the memory of Prof. Edward Robinson.
AT THE twenty-second annual meeting of
the Mercantile Beneficial Association of
Philadelphia, held on the I,oth inst., the
following among other resolutions were
adopted :
"Resolved, That although as merchants
we have lost much by this unholy rebellion,
in the repudiation of solemn contracts, by
traitors who now seek to- destroy the coun
try we love, yet we are willing to sacrifice
more to preserve the Government, save the
Union, and maintain in their integrity our
free institutions.
" Resolved, That in our present struggle
we repudiate a cold and heartless neutrality,
and pledge to our country and Government
a loyalty without condition, and a support
full and free as patriotism, in its warmest
impulses, can demand?'
THE American Presbyterian, has the
following in regard to the rebel ram At
lanta :
" This ugly product of rebel ingenuity
and malignity has arrived in. Philadelphia
under different auspices from those intended
by the rebels, who expected to pour Greek
fire upon our city:from her guns. She is
not now, indeed, in active service against the
rebellion, but on exhibition in charge of
the Union Volunteer Refreshment Com
mittee, and is contributing largely in aid of
that important arm of the volunteer ser
vice. • A fee of twenty-five cents is paid
cheerfully by crowds of visitors, in view of
the object to which the money is applied.
She may be seen at the foot of Washington
street, on. the Delaware river."
For the Preabyterian Banner
Light on the Prairie.
• MESSRS. EDITORS :—Knowing that many
of the readers of the Banner always re
joice at any manifestation of the Spirit's
work in converting sinners and reviving
Christians, I have thought that it might
be pleasing to them to hear of the more
than usual interest that is apparent in the
church of Lower Rack Island, at Edging
ton, Illinois, The Sacrament of the Lord's
Supper was administered in this place, four
weeks ago, when twenty-three were added
to the membership of • this
,church—sev
en on examination and sixteen on certifi
cate from the N. S. Church.. The weekly
prayer-meeting has been largely attended
for some time, and the little church-build
ing.is often filled to overflowing on the Sab
bath. We have witnessed.at least the dew
drops of Divine grace, arid hope and pray
for the more copious shower.
The news of the day have taken the first
place in most minds, for more than two
years, and it is an encouraging sign to see
sinners anxiously inquiring what they - must
do to be saved, and to see Christians stirred
up to more zeal in the Master's work.
This community has suffered severely
from the war ; there being very few family
circles that have not been broken. These
afflictions may be made a blessing to those
who remain. What a blessed thin it
would be, if all over our land, as much
interest in the welfare of Zion should be
awakened as there is in the success of our
arms, and the preservation of our Govern
ment; and if the language of blasphemy
should give place to the language of prayer
and the songs of praise.
This church, like most of the Western
churchei, was weak at best, and having lost
many of its active members its future looked
dark. But now that many of the New
School brethren have come in, and many
more lend a helping hand, the future, looks
bright. If the old churches of the East
knew half of the trials of. the Western
churches, they would never complain of
their lot. It is true, they "night mourn
over coldness and deadness in the church,
but would not complain of inability to sup
port the preaching of the Word. Many
churches all over the West have been de
prived of preaching, or almost so, since the
commencement of the war; but times are
now good, and by a great efort 'on the part
of the few members, they are being now
mostly supplied. Rev. T. M. Wilson, of
the .last class at Allegheny, preaches one
half of hid time at Edgington, and is much
beloved by the people.' That he may live
a long life of usefulness, is their prayer.
It is spiritual light,--the light of the
Sun of Righteousness, which is 'the true
light—that shines on the‘Prairie.
United States Christian Commission.
The Army Committee of Western Penn
sylvania presents the following report of
its operations daring the month of Octo
ber:
The following gentlemen have been sent
as delegates to_ the army : Rev. J. W. Mc-
Farland, Rev. J. L. Purdy, Rev. W. M.
Ferguson ' Rev. T. V. Milligan and Mr.
James McLaughlin.
The. Treasurer acknowledges the follow
ing contributions :
Proceeds of Festival at Mansfield $148.61
Union Relief Association, Western Penna.
• and North Western Virginia 87.40
Soldiers' Aid Society, Ebenezer,
Pa 19.70
Soldiers' Aid Society, Greenfield, Pa 8;13
Union League; Sugar Grove,- Pa. 2:85
U. P. Church, Harrisville, Pa 12.26
U. P. Presbytery of Steubenville, 0 13.00
M. E. Church, Wallaceville " 6.60
M. E. Church, Sanville, Pa , .3.50
M. E. Churcb, Brumley, Pa 6.05
M. E. Ch.2rch; Farinier, Pa
Sabbath School, Harrisville,
M. E. Church, Mclieam, Pa....
M. H. Church, Clarysville, 0
Slate Lick Presbyterian Church, Pa..
Smith Creek U. P. Church, 11l
Bailie Wilson and Collie McCullough.....
.1 . . "
Collection at Kingwood, Va
,:,-,
Presbyterian Chtereh, Bruceville, 1nd..... .1 ..:
J. Blythe. .. . . ... ..,.,
Mrs. Eliza Walker, Allegheny ~,,,
,
•.,,,,,
Miss Hannah Anderson, Portersville, Pa „., /
Mrs. Mary Jeffrey, Shirland, Pa ......... ~. ,(.:
Rev. J. E. Carothers, Leechburg, Pa . . ... . 4.1 ; )
Alex. Wallace • ••
104 1
Cash 111.1 0
Cash -.b+
Cash ......................... ... ..
~
Miller's Run Presbyterian church, Pa.... i ii. ,,:
Soldiers' Aid Society, Smithfield, Fayette i'
co., Pa ....
Covranshanock Pres. Sabbath School, Pa.
M. Davidson , East Springfield, 0 0
Proceeds of Concert at Efookstown, Pa_ ,51 4 ,
The following contributions of Respite
Stores have been received during the p a ,
month:
4 boxes and 2 barrels of hospital stor e ,
from Ladies' Aid Society of Erie, p a;
package and 21 housewives from Male Grata.
mar Department of 2d Ward School, pi t _
burgh; 25 housewives from Femal e Ici er .
mediate Department of 2d Ward; 41
from Junior dept, do.; 60 do from i;la;,
Primary dept, do.; 100 do from Fetaal„
Primary dept, do.• ' 350 do from teach er ,
and scholars of 6th Ward school, Pittsburg,
2 boxes of hospital stores from Ladies' Aid
Society of Blairsville, Indiana co ; 2 he x ,
from Ladies' Solders' Aid Society of B ut l er,
Butler co;
2 boxes from Ladies' Aid 5.,.
ciety of Saltsburg, Indiana co; 2
from Ladies' Soldiers' Society of Lime s t one,
Clarion co; 1 box from Ladies' Aid Society,
Putneysville ' Armstrong co ; 1 box from
Ladies' Aid Society of Elder's Ridge, In
diana co; 1 box from Ladies' Aid S oe i r . ty
of Mahoning, Lawrence co; 1 box fr w :
Bethel Christian Commission, Indiana e,.
1 package from J. and M. R. Creighto n ;
2 boxes from Soldiers' Aid Society of EL..
enezer, Indiana co; 141 housewive s and
packages of paper from Male Intermedi ate
Department, 2d. Ward school, Pittsburgh.
137 housewives and 1 package of par.:-
from Female Grammar Department, 21
Ward School; 1 package from Frecpe r ,
Baptist Sabbath School ; 1 box from )1 re,
Passavant ; 1 box and 1 package from eif, D
Relief Association of Shaler township; 1
package from Misses Shaws, Etna; 1 pack.
age from Mrs. Schmertz; 1 package from
Misses S. and L. Hall, Robinson township ;
1 package from Mr. W. Thaw; 1 box from
Ladies' Aid Society of West ..Nliddlatown,
Washington county; 1 box from Tarenttue
Presbyterian Sunday School; 2 boxes from
Ladies' Aid Society of Mercer county ;
box from Union League of Sugar Grove,
Warren county; 1 keg of wine from A.
Reineman ; 1. box from Aid Society of New
Sheffield, per Beaver county Army Com
mittee; 1 package of books from V. P.
Board of Publication; 1 box of clothim;
from Soldiers' Aid Society of the 2d Pres
byterian church, Pittsburgh ; 1 package
from Presbyterian Sabbath School, Wasii
ington, Pa.; 1 box from Ladies' Aid
ciety,of Corsica ' Jefferson county ; 5 boxes
from Christian Commission, Philadelphia;
4 barrels of apples from James F. t:?•cutr,
Pulaski, Lawrence county; 1 box of apple:
from Lewis Young, Pulaski, Lawrence es;
1 barrel of potatoes.and 1 box onions from
Ladies' Aid Society of Worthington, Arm
strong county; 3 boxes from Soldiers' Aid
Society of Clarkson, 0.; 1 box from Farm
ingtOn, New-York; 1 box from Mr. Mc-
Connell, Westmoreland county; 1 box
from Chartiers Ladies' Christian Aid So
ciety; 2 boxes from Ladies' Aid Society of
New Castle, Lawrence county; 1 box from
Ladies' Aid Society of Putneyville, Arm
strong county; 1 box from Ladies' Aid So
ciety of District No. 2, Darlington, Beaver
county;'2 boxes from Beaver County Army
Committee; 1 box tom ladies of Latrobe,
Pa.; also, contributions of clothing, fruit:,
and reading matter from W. Thaw, Mrs.
Turman, Mr, J. McConnell, Mrs. J. Pen
nock, Mrs. Wallingford, Mrs. Johnston,
Miss Moreland, Mrs. Price, Mrs. Stewart.
The following articles have been for
warded to the Western armies durina 6 the
last month, and distributed by our dele
gates
Shirt;
Drawers, pairs
Socks, pairs
Comforts
Blankets.
Sheets
Pillows
Pillow cases
llaudkerchiefs
Dressing gowns
Slippers, pairs
Arm Shngs.....
Bandages
Houseirives
Rings and pads
Books
Tract', page 5............
Papers, pages
Writing paper, reams
Envelopes
The following articles of clothing are
now most needed: Flannel shirts and
drawers, woolen socks, blankets, and clean
muslin rags; the demand for the latter is
now very great. '
At a meeting of the Christian Commis
sion, held in Philadelphia, October 15,
measures were adopted by which the gen
eral work will be combined, energized, and
in every way rendered more efficient. A
more extended, systematic, and thorough
organization of its forces, and the enlarge
ment of its operations, on a scale commen
surate with the greatness of the cause, was
determined on.
The Commission relies confidently upon
the unbounded sympathy, and most gen
erous support of all the people of God, who
love his cause, their country, and the souls
of men. -
All stores may be sent to W. P. Wey
man; N0:76 Smithfield Street, Pittsburgh.
All'. cash donations to Joseph Albree,
Treasurer, No. 71'Wood Street; Pittsburgh.
Rev.- A. H. SEELEY was installed pastor of
the Presbyterian church of Smithfield,
(near the city,) Duchess County, N. Y,
on Tuesday, Nov. 10,1863, by a com
mittal of the Presbytery of North Ric
er.' Devotional exercises by Rev. E.
CoHier.; sermon by Rev. G. T. Wood
hull; constitutional questions and Chao
to the pastor, by . Rev. W. J. McCord;
charge to the yeople by Rev. F. It. igaf
ters.
J.H.M
Rev. C. P. FRENCH'S Post 'Office address
is changed from Pleasant Run, Hamilton
'County, Ohio, to Elm Grove, Ohio Co.,
West Va.
Christ will not take sermons, prayer',
fastings—no, nor the giving our goods, nor
the burning our bodies—instead of love.
And do we love him, and yet care not how
long we are from him ? Was it such a joi
to Jacob to see the face of Joseph in Egypt,
and shall we be contented without the sight
of Christ in glory, and yet say we love him:
I dare not conclude that we have no love at
all when we are so loath to die ; but I dare
say, were our love more, we should die more
Willingly; by oar unwilling ness to die, it
appears we are little weary of sin. Did "
take sin for the greatest evil, we should no;
be willing to have its company so long.
751 Dried fruit, lbs.
465 Cans of fruit...
076 Brandy and wine, qts 145
47 Whiskey, qts 110
48 Condensed milk, cans__ 13;
140 Lemon sugar, Jars 4L
276 Bay Rum, qts.
196 Cologne. qts...
394 Butter, lbs
47 Pickles
415 'tea, ibs
45 Sugar. 17)s
26 Soap, .. .. .. --
278 Farina and cocoa, lbs._._ 114
I,276lorapes, boxes 5
72 Corn starch, lbs. 64
2.72llApples, Mkt 6
6,627!Potatoes, bbls 5
..25,16610td0n5 hbls 6
.. 5 Chocolate, lbe
.. 1,446
ECCLESIASTICAL.
5 ',.
. I4R
Eel 7