CS
Vresigterian 'ohaniter.
PITTSBURGH, WEDNESDAY, DEC. 30, 1868.
CHANGE OF TERMS, &c.
We — find it necessary to modify our terms,
attii, Mer much thought, and some consul:
Wien with our brethren, ministers and
others, we propose the following :
1. 'the price of the Banner, on and after
January Ist, 1884, will be two dollars a
year, in advance.
2. A minister, or other person, sending us
irzx names_(new or old) and twenty dot
-kers, Fill e entitled to an additional
paper.. And also one additional for the
-'next ten; ISco. '
. .
N. B.—Ministers of small means and
having no charge, can have their paper
still for .$1.:50.
*—Thedlogical Students can have
;the ffanner still at the dollar.
seer Ministers who have been subseri_
bers, but have 'become unable to pay,
will have their paper continued gawk-
ously.
3. Commendations' of Schools, Books, &c.,
Notices of "_Surprises," &c., " Cards,"
and all other matters which are mainly
of personal interest, will be charged for,
at 10 cents a line.
'Though we have put the Banner, by the
above, more on a business footing than
forMerly, we eta adhere to' the CO-OPERA 7
TIVE principle. Our desire is, in conjunc
tion with Pastors and Elders, to train the
young for honor and'uielniness, and to help
all onward in the way to a glorious immor
tality. We hence labor assiduously, and
use money freely, to give the Banner the
very best 'practicable adaptations., .Our
Foreign 'Correspondence, our Summary of
Eastern News, and our War Articles are
highly commended. Our Editorials dis
cuss matters of living interest. Our Gen
eral News is comprehensive. Our Book
Notices 'are honest. Our Selections are
varied
, and instructive. Our Correspon
dents write well. Families whichgrow, up,
being habitual readers of the Banner, will
be intelligent, enterprising, liberal, and
virtuous; as well as sound:in the faith.
We hence ask Ministers and Elders,
whose duty it is to nurture the people, to
make the •Banner their co-adjutor. Have
ik if possible; in every family.
We els° ask all our readers, including 4-
(116 and children, to aid us in extending
our 'circulation. Get us one subscriber, get
another, and still another. Get enough to
have your . own paper free. Or get enough
Ao have a paper free for some poor family.
Po good.
A CONFERENCE MEETING.
A two days' meeting has been appointed,
by the Presbytery of -Huntingdon, to be
held in the , Borough of Huntingdon, Pa.,
commencing on Monday evening, January
25th, and continuing till Wednes4ay eve
ning. The attendance of all the ministers
and elders of the Presbytery is urged; and
the Presbytery (‘ most cordially invite -all
other brethren who may be disposed to at
tend." - .
Preachers are named for the mornings
and evenings, The subjects proposed for
discussion are as follows :
"Ist. Conviction of sin, or soul-troubles,
an essential qualification for preaching the
Gospel.
" 2d.' Our experience as ministers in be
ing providentially directed to preach par
ticular sermons, and their results.
" 3d. Closet experience as ministers and
elders.
"4th. The Apostle's utterance I. Cor.
9th chapter, 26th and 27th verses : Lest
-that by any Means, when I have preached
to others, I myself should be a castaway.'
sth. The connexion betvieen bringing
the •
,' tithes into the storehouse, and God's
blessing.
" 6th. 'The kind of cooperation- ministers
have a right to expect from elders.
" 7th. ' Should the ordinance Or the
Lord's Supper be celebrated more frequent
ly than is now common in our ehurehes ?"
Collection for Foreign lilissions.—The first
Sabbath in January will be the day set
apart for the making 'of contributiOns to
send the, Gospel to fhb 11:eathen through the
• Agency Af We General Assembly's Board of
Foreign Missions. Who has a heart ti
give? A serious thought of the condition
of the heathen world, and of God's great
goodness to us, and of the benefits of Chris
t**, und,of . our duty as the servants of
Jesus Christ , and olibe incomparable supe
riority of eternal over temporal things, will
make•us not only "cheerful," but liberal
.givers". See the address of the Board's of
'fliers, on our first page.
- .Resolutions of Respect—it is very com
mon for literary, religious and other bodies
pass' resolutions of "respect for deceased
or retiring members, pastors, and others,
• and order them published in the New-York
Observer. These are invariably to be paid
for at one-half the rate of, ordinary adver
tisements, and whenever they fail to"'ap
pear, the cause will be readily. Understood.
—N. Y. Observer.
[The Observer's terms for advertise
melds is twenty cents a line, and for Bug
,nes.Notices, twenty,five cents a line.] .
Worthy of Imitation.—On a Thursday
tordrig the 'earlY part of.this , month,
the Sabbath School of the Central church ,
PittEitTigh, (Dr. JA.coDu§',,) _gave an en
.tertainment for..the benefit of ,the,Christian
Commission. 'One result was a contribu
tion of ho r n' lann'dred and twelve dollars
toward the temporal' and spiritual benefit
„Aof the soldiers. .
"The, Miosiouiry Box " is:0011C uded, this
week. -,
#re need hardjy ask the attention
of those who read the former number.
Just standby and behold the opening: of
• that box ! &lithe evidenfies of glad hearts!
Rejoice with that. funily, made happy by
'Wisdom and` ii —i— unin t eSs . of lite"fripods
Missions. Then, as friends, also, do likewise.
THE WEEK OF PRAYER.
In accordance with a custom recently
commenced, and very extensively sanc
tioned by the Churches, the first week in
January, Sabbath the 3d
. to Sabbath the
10th, is recommended as a season of
prayer.
During the last ten years of our pasto
rate, we statedly observed the nine days
including the first Sabbath in January,'as
a time of religious exercises In the congre
gation. Public.worship was attended every
evening; and for half the time, or more,
we bad the assembled congregation, and
preaching, through the day. One of these
occasions was the, distinct manifestation of
a revival which• added one hundred and
fifty hopeful converts to the communion,
in the course of the year; and was fol
lowed, the next year, by an addition of
sixty others: ' It was always a communion
season, and a refreshing, if not a reviving
time, . -
We once or more spoke discouragingly
of the multiplying of special days, annually
ocourring, for special services. A few such,
however, are beneficial. Scripture, . r vve
think, indicates that.an occasional free-will
offering in this line, may be acceptable to
God, and may secure a bleising: History
shows that the thing may lie greatly abused.
The Romish Church has gone into a great
excess. The Protestant Church begins to
show a little tendency in the same way.
Of the Day of Prayer for Colleges, we
highly approve. And the Week of Prayer,
now just at hand, may be in a high degree
useful. If duly observed, it will result in
great blessings to pastors and people ; as
well as to the heathen world. The Hearer,
of prayer will answer to the glorifying, of
his own name, in 'giving to his Word a
life-producing power, and in spreading
truth's sacred influence. .
The season of the year named, is the
most favorable. At that time men's duties
in the labors of life, are the least pressing.
It is a time of comparative leisure to the
husbandman. Out-door demands for labor
are remitted. Men are at home, with their
families. They may well give a few days,
earnestly and sacredly, to their souls-and to
God. .
The leading theme of prayer is, accord
ing to the call, the spread of the Gospel in
the heathen world. A noble theme ! Im
mensely extensive ! But to pray aright,
there must be knowled4e.. There must be
emotion. To this end there is room for
much instruction, and much reconsidera
tion—the condition of the heathens, their
numbers, their exposedness—thee work of
the missionaries, its happy influences, and
its present inadequacy—the love of God
the gift of his Son—the obedience, and suf
ferings, and intercession of J.Esus---. 7 the
power of the Gospel, and the nature and
wonders of - the - change - it produces—the
call for self-conseetation to the work—the
need of benefactions, and the certainty and .
freedom with which they will flow froth a
treasury controlled by a rightly disposed
Mind. All these are appiopriate to the
sacred week. They afford themes for the
preacher and exhorter. They furnish a
rich variety. They are adapted most bene
ficially to affect the hearL Those who lead
the meetings need be at no loss for a vari
ety of interesting matter. .
It will add greatly to the personal bene
fits of the Week, and to an appreciation of
the Gospel, and hence to the ardency of
prayer, to have communion at the table of
the Lord a part of the social exercises.
Another great help to edification, to a
general attendance, to elevation of feeling,
and hence to ardency in prayer, will be the
services of one or more ministers in con-
nexion with the pastor. The idea of con
cert, requiring the same week to be observed
in all the churches, is unfaVerable to 'this
joint ministerial labor: BUt still it can, to
some extent, be accomplished. , In cities
and large towns, pastors-.can readily unite.
In congregations near to Seminaries, Col
leges, and Academies, a minister' without
charge can often be obtained. And in
~thickly settled country places, ministers,
and their people generally, may come to
gether and join it the same exercises.
There is much in united labors. God made
us susceptible of emotions Which are eleva
ted
by society, by variety, and by numbers
congregated. This indicates to us our line
f duty, by wisely observing which minis
ters and people will find great profit. - •
May our brethren, while, during the, en
suing week, they lead the devotions of the
people in praying for the heathen,. find
their own Souls edified, and many Jidded to
their *churches, of those, who shallhe saved.
THE .NEGRO QUESTION.
The weal or woe of the United States is
involved in the Negro Question, farbeYond.
the possibility of estimation, or of even
probable conjecture.,-. Very great advanta
ges have been deriVed from the labor the
blacks. d their, numbers, their physical
power, their capability of enduring toil,
and their docility are such, that, by .a wise
legislation and by just and kind treatment,
they may be happy and highly useful in
the community. But if they are to be the
subjects over which battles are to be fought,
pro and eon,. they will be: the occasion,' if
not the cause, of unutterable calamity.
The pre - Sent civil war was; in its origin,
very pinch on account ; and
for his sakeilprorilinentry, is fits verylong
continuance. - If 'the war had ..:been,. truly
and strictly waged on the principle- on
which the Administration out, that 'is,
the suppression of the rebellion, eighteen
months would, in 'human probability, have
sufficed for the full accomplishing of the
duty. But the negro question 'becoming
more and more involved, produced compli
cations,; promoted divisions at the North,
and induced union . and determination at
the'South. -Hence one cause of our pro
longed difficulties.
The decree of Seee,ssion, and the taking
up - of arms to sustain it, sealed the doom of
PRESBYTERIAN BANNER.---WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1863.
slavery. So we said from the beginning of
the war. if the war- had 'been short, sla
very would have diea out gradually. As
the war is protracted it is vanishing rapidly.
Whether it and slavery shall, end together,
is yet to be determined.
Rut the Nigro question will not end with.
thewar. The war is but the first act in
the drama. The contest for the negro—ad
mitting him to be the subject of the cen t
troversy, as he is mainly with the. South
and partly with the North—has Cost the
country, on both sides, the life of say,
about half a million of white men, and
about three thousand millions of •money,
besides inestimable suffering and waste.
And the cost yet, in.blood and treasure,
till the.war shall end, none can tell.
The point now aimed at is; personalfree
dom to'the negro. ' This we have desired,
and have, in some measure, labored for,
ever since we begin to estimate personal
rights; not, however, in the way in which
it le-cot:drag; nor at the cost.now involved ;
nor in . view of the consequences which are
now threatened.' We had hoped to see
slavery exterminated by the loving spirit of
the ' Gospel—that GDd; in his', abounding
mercy, would enlightenand.transform both
master and servant, and dissolve the yoke.
But God now, as often; mingles ludgMents
and mercies. May the mercies abound s .
Portentous clouds, however, still bang over
us. Other claims than those• which relate
to Mere personal freedom, are put in' for
the blacks, which possibly may lead to new
contentions.
- The nest contest about the negro will-be
for his political equality. The purpose to
effect, this is already declared. His em
ployment in arms is to beusedas an . ,
over
whelming argument in favor of his , right at
the ballot-bog. Is he competent tOrule the
intelligence, the education, the bigness of
the community—for every voter is A ruler ?
And could Republican, institutions subsist,
if over a million of, men sso ignorant and
uncultivated as are the black race -at--pres
ent, were added to the list of "voters?
Have we not already,oe many voters who
cannot read. their Ribles, nor thelaws, nor
the newspapers, nor even their own ballots?
And would a Northern= community'submit
quietly to "this? Or would a contest of,
words be all' that would occur ? 'Students
of, human nature and civil history may
ponder such questions. . • -
This second Avar , for the negro being 'car
ried in his favor, the third would be for his
social, his full equality with the white race.
There are already a few, though very few,
who intimate that :this is their,purpose. It
follows, legitimately, as some would Plead,
from the preceding. Founded upon hiS
sovereignty as a voter, would be
.his claim
to the Legislative Hall, to the ,Tudges er
mine, to the Governor's and the Presi
dent's chair, to our parlOrs, and to marriage
with our, daughter& ' Can Angle...Ss7ton,
and Celtic, and Teatonic, and Seindinavian
intelligence, and ,reftnement, and conscious
superiority, and .'pride,': and prejudice if
you pleaSe, be brought peacefully' to bear
all this ? '
The right of the Negro to." life, liberty,
nd the pursuit of happiness!' we admit as
being equal, naturally, to .our own.: But
- has he this right. in the saute house ) with
us ? or in the same social community ? Or
does" God, by thc'distinctions he has Made
between its, intend that he and we shall con
stitute different reommunities on this -ex
tensive and variegated globe? While he'
'is With us, we must treat him humanely;
but must he abide:with us forever? :Or
has God sent him here as to a school, to be
educated and returned to' his home, to oc
cupy that portion of God's earth 'to =which
he has adapted h imi, Ma "w'hieh the white
race cannot occupy and live
It is not our present purpose to attempt
an answer to our questions; 'nor to open
our, columns for theii discnssion. - We - but
indicate one tendency of things' now mov
ing, and invite our readers to serious.
thought. It is 'the prerogative of man to
think. Thought, rational' thought-, previs
iOn,' the power of 'adapting meihito an end,
is man's; glory. - To, look before him, to
count the cost, to avoid evil, to _secure fu
ture benefit, is his duty: God made him
Capable of this, and has given him reason,
and '.memory and history and 'rCVelation
that -he may exercise this power to his safe
ty, his advancement, and his joy:
The Negro Question has caused us much ,
anxiety. The war with the rebels, terrific
as it is, we have 'regarded as the Sinallar
part of the difficulty, It is foreign trim,
our homes. The other ,questioni, if an
,
happily they should -become a matter of
contest, still bring the calamity to our very .
doors, and hearths, and domestic altars.
The N. Y. Times olDee: 22d, has some,
pertinent remarks on the subject beforeus;
and being a leading AdministratiOejoiti
nal; it' affordsground to hope, thit Mr.
LINCOLN is not to go with the extremists.
Under the heading, g,g Rights of NegroeS,P .
it says:
"Mr. WZNDELL PlurLips complains
the President's plan, of reconstruction, that
'it leaves the negro in .the',hands of the
Soprelhe Court, so far,is the federal power
is concerned. We ~shOnld like to, know
where Mr. Parma Would'have him left.
'White men of all .. classes, and grades from
President down,,tb".the humblest Chi;
z en, are , Jeft in the, hands of the
_Supreme
Court:Thetis for them.the highest tri
bunal in the landl*, W shauld the 'negro'
claim or expect any ,other
" The fact PRimarki,,all4 th j e fay
natics who - follow his"lead, have, become
.complete monomaniacs, on „the suject: of
t he negro. 'They 'hive branded so long
over his wrongs that they cannot conceive
;that arkyliodi else has any rights. ,They
elaim for negrpes virtues, immunities Pi'
lieges and rights which they'would never
eam of claiming, for whites They pia'
less to support the Conetitution
stands in the, way, of their schemes
gro supremacy; then - they ..abandOia the
Ccinstitution and stand by , the''negro..
Their ; test of patriotism is devotion to the
negro. They are. for preserving the Un
ion, if it Will' help the negroesOf net,
they are for destroying it. - They' aieloi
prosecutingthe war because it will .help
the negroes; the moment they find or fan
cy it will not, they are'for peaee. Mr.
PHILLIPS would infinitely prefer disunion
with the abolition of Slavery to the Union
without it; and.so would the great body of
those who accept him as their political
guide."
"It is becoming fashicinabie in some
quarters-to-speak-of unconditional
loyalty.' The non in the Southern States
who are. for abolishing Slavery are called
by some of our. leading political journals,
unconditional loyalists,', while• Union men
like : I Governor BRANIXTTE, Of Kentucky,
who, are not in , favor of it, are sweepingly
and remorsele.esly denounced as Semi-Se :
Cessionists. _Nothing can be more false, or
unjust. , The question of abolition .has
nothing.mhatever to do with the, question
of loyalty., A Pro-Slavery man may, be
loyal, while many v Anti-Slavery men, are
certainly and, coospicuously,disloyal. That
man is : loyal who is forzsustaining the Gov
ernment, crushing the rebellion and . pre
serving the, - ,Union , :without.regard to, Sla
very. If Slavery stands in. the way of this
result-,he is for destroying, it; if it gets
out of the .way he. will ; not abandon ; the
Union fOrithe Sake of destroying Slavery.
This: is, the only line ,of distinction that
can ; be. drawn. „ ; ,
‘,€ It isquite time that Mr. PHILLIPS. and,
everybody else, North and South, whatev
er may be their opinions on the LLsubject of
Slavery, should understand:that the Con
stitution is. the supremo law of the land,
and,; that;, by., provisions the Supreme
Court•,is the highest judicial. tribunal of
the, nation. All lawp passed by Congress,
and all ,proclarnations ,issued by the Presi.- ;
dent, must abide by its :judgment. Every
citizen, every . inhabitant, black or Nvhite,
must hold his rights subjeat to decis
ions. And there is• nothing • • in his, nature,
position, ,or, relations to, the: Government
which can make the negro an exception, to
this necessity." ,
Preserve the foundations.
THE INCREASE OF PRICE.
So far we have heard not much com
plaint about - the advanced terms of the
.B4nner.. The - thing is so 'reasonable, and,
the reason is so obvious, that the mind
must approve. Quite a number have taken
oceasion, before January lst, to renew their
subscriPtions at the `old rate of $1.50.
Some have Pronaptly tendered the $2. We
request large accessions.
• l!astors, we trust. r will not- let this year
end, and the new year:far progress, without
Bettie Considerable effort to have Aa 'the
people .of their charge supply themselves.
The: Banner gathers information from. far
abroad, and communicates in away adapted
peculiarly to - iamily wants. The Senior
and :JUnior editors both devote their time
and intellect, to the work —no pastoral
charge, no school, no business of any kind ,
is‘proiecuted, dividing their attention.
A "big paper," 1 like a gross carpus, has
neverbeen our ambition. A body of mod
, _
erate size, composed., of bone, muscle and
sinew duly proportioned and well put to
gether, and animated by a lively and vigor
otufabil, excels in worth. Se of the netns
pa.per., Not , its size, but its- character,
makes it desirahle: The Banner sheet is
not largest; but.we labor most assidu
ously, to have every column worth the time
reiluired to, peruse it; every : sentence
.We could fill a sheet twice the
size with half the labor which one of us per
forms. Matter is so abundant—in books,
pamphlets, periodicals, eichanges, the voli
untary contribUtions of our excellent cot
r r •
r e spondents- 7 -good matter too, good Sun
day reading. We could thus fill even a
double sheet, with less than two hours of
daily toil But then we would not have:the
readable, the 'attractive, the time-saving,
the comprehensive newspaper, treating, all
the -main subjects of living interest,with
vigor, and adapting them to the wants of a
busy people seeking knowledge. We hence
select and condense, that'we may save the
reader's time while we give ; him the most
valuable information ' . -
If mir , subscription should be very great
lienlarged,we may enlarge our sheet; if
readers so ;desire it. , Or the prices of
printing:paper and labor should greatly.de
cline, we - --may spread out ;° though our own
taste and judgment are dicidedly in favor
of the smaller - sheet The present price is
likely a fixture, for, some time: If money
should come in very, fast, ve•,purpose to
neither wasteit , not'hoard it ;. Vat to apply
it to`the procuring of still more mind, or to
the extending of our onliumns.
fAiSERTED:
On: the late Thanksgiving: day, Rev.
JAMES' I. +BpowNsoN; -D.D., Washinglon,
Pa, preached` from , the words.of the Nihil
ist,'" If the foundations be destioyed what
ean,therighteous do T.' The,qposition is
orthodox; and ~7 t be Divine- benefactions
which call for thanktigiving, are well pre
sented:- j ' '
S sample of - the correct view of Dr.
BROWNSON ...relitife to the aim s and end to
be,acoomijished by the nation-, in the pros
-eel:Ilion of this calamitous wari we quote is
follows : ° ' '°7
That the'. peoplef
e o na :ion mean to
crush this iniquitous - rebellion,at all haz
ard, and by =whatever means, necessary to
tNis'ena. Men may differ, hOnestly or oth
eiwise, about . subordinate
. questions, but
the great heart:Ofthis,people beats respOn
sive to - . the'factiliat we are, under GM, and
before ---
,the world, a nation--that have :a
legitimate and good - government, Which has
not oppressed any of its sections or parts
'--:that the, deaiest ,Fights and interests f
all concerned are included in its rireserva
ti--a44 calaPpently, that the war must
go on, tiofwitlstanding its cost of treasure
and until the Constitution and laws
-hail' 144 beeii maintained' and enforced
everywhere,` and, by unconditionil`sUriett
der, BecesSion - is biought to. a perpetual
end. It must be: so,; - for by a ,single stop
hickitirdi,' we come,' pf necessiti,`to anar
chy and the. ruptuiv Of every n ' tie that'has
bound 'us as one peoile."
-C,`0 , 7, • • ,01 , t • f t t
stt The XRd t year 1863 hes
almost. expired :,Is itshwork:dooe? -All
done ? What - ,yet is,.wanting-? For the
awakened sinner to haTe . one dad "-' more,
more,
is of unutterable imiortinee. . It may
speei3''adequate' for repentance: An
lOUr i tnillinlidefaetOr on the ''cross, is he
tia s ng tiVneed of a
:Saviour, secured his everlasting salvation.
improire the'dap:
Gilt Medals..---..We have received from
Messrs. J. C. GARRIGUES & C0.,148 South
Fourth Street, Philadelphia, a beautiful
Gilt Medal, designed as an attractive re
ward for meritorious Sabbath School schol
ars. On one side is represented the Holy
Bible, surrounded with the words, " Search
thgn Scriptures, for in them ye ...think ye
have.eternaLlife." On the other side we
read, "Awarded for good conduct in Sun
day School."
The price of the Gilt
_Medals is $6.00
per dozen. 'Silvered Medals of a similar
design are sold for $3.50 per dozen. Sab
bath, School Superintendents and others
wishing thesed4ledals, will address Messrs.
GARRIGGES & CO % '
aCypri seon
an , s" second " letter arrived after
our space, was engaged. • It will appear
next week.-
EASTERN SUMMARY.
NEW.424TLANI:I.
TILE Mrtruns of the General Associa
tion of Conneetiut give 15 subordinate
associations, with 351 ministeiti, Of whom
168 only are pastors, the •rest being en
gaged, as stated supplies; . teachers, or chap
lains, or being without charge. The
churches number 285; comprising an
.ag
gregate _membeTship of 45,887.; of whom
more than two-thirds are •females. The
statistics' show a decrease of membership
-1,671 having been received into communion
with, the Church, and . 1,869 having been
lost to the Association by removals. The
contributions' average` $2.55 to each church
member.
,
REV.r: Hoisnis, President of Wil
,
Hams College, Mass., has three sons. con
neeted with the army. One . ie a chaplain ;
the other two are in the field, as officers.
AT A LATE meeting of the. Ilartford
County Temperance Society, the following
with other - resolutions were adopted':`
" That - the practice of drink-
Jig wine, and - other fashionable intoxicating
beverages beingrevived in some comituni
ties, is a prolific source of intemperance,
and should therefore .be abandoned and
reprobated '
C Resolved, That strong. and earnest
efforts should be made by the friends of
Temperance to save our' young men who are
forming habits, which if not forsaken, will
lead them to'a drunkard's grave.
" Resolved, That there is a moral power
in the' Temperance enterpise sufficient to re
'form the entire community ; that this power
mayl and should be controlled by the Tem
perance men and women to that glorious
end.
" .Resolved, That the circulation of the
pledge be thoroughly attended to."
We have always favored Temperance or
ganizations, and especially the old-fashioned
Societies; but we are not-prepared to' say,
in the language above quoted, that "'there
is moral power in the TemPerance enter
prise sufficient to reform the entire commu
nity," unless it be meant that this moral
power is under `the direction and control of
the Spirit of all grace. Moral influences,
independent of the' Gospel, are not to be
permanently relied upon. Christians should,
therefore, as far as practicable, unite with
others.in the Temperance enterprise,- and,
infuse into it the saving leaven of religion.
IT IS STATED that every man belonging
to a little church not far. , from Springfield,
Mass., (tMittineague,) is regular - and con
stant in his attendance on weekly prayer
meetings It would be well if the same,
or anything like it; could be said of church
es generally. If it be true that punctual
ity of attendance on the weekly prayer-
Meetingsis a fair test of a flourishing state
of reggion, alas for the,spiritual condition
of Christians in all our bounds I
THE BOSTON SANITARY FAIR, armed on
Monday of last week, and is spoken of' as
in all respects a successful affair. The net
receipts amount: to about $140,000. '
THE FARMER'S MONTHLY' in notieins
the influence of small.farms and ownership
in fee 'On the - farmers .of New-England,
says:
'"A great interest is felt by the New
• • '"
England farmer, not only lulus wife farm,
but in all social and political matters, hab
its of attention, observation and frugality,
'are created: He not Only looks Sharp after.
his crops' and stock, but equallyso;as' to
the roads - the ' schools the'taxes and the
expenditure'of public money."
THEREis no scarcity of recruits id Mas
sachusetts, hit it is said they are held back
by interested parties ; in order to .obtain a
larger. bones. The authorities of a town
in, the vicinity of Boston were , offered, the
other day, .a sufficient numberof volunteers
. in one lot to fill the:ePtire quota of eighty
upon payment of the sum of .eight thou
,sand dollars.. Thuoifer Was declined.
IT HAS been' decided to have semi-annual
Book Trade Sales in Beaton. The first, it
is contemplated,: will- he held early nest
- Month.: ; ,
T Pali' is an.-- old, geritieroan in Billion,
ivhb has in'the - United States 'Or.
vine - four soins-in-lair, Seven 'grandsons, thir
temnerihews, and one dinghter (as hospi
tal iirse)--in all, twenty-five' of his family
ebnnezions.
NEW-IrORK.
HEY: J. PARSONS HOVEY, D. P., late
pastor of the Eleventh Presbyterian church,
N CRY; died on the 16th inst., atter an
illness of about ai*, weeks. •The Evangelf.st
notices - in terms ofudmiration nnd love the
manYleitcelldices of the deceased, and deep
'll laments his bias. He was, it says, " truly
a good goodan, i onc! wlio served his aster
with uncommon meekness, gentleness, and
a.faith; one who followed the. Apostolic,
ample `'in iiirnplicity.and godly elude:l4V,
having his conversation in the world. " He
was:.an Israelite indeed. I-- wh - thr
, r ltl whom .„ ! Aere.wae
no guile." When—in answer :to, the_ call
for volunteers 6n thnoedasion of the rebel
invasion, last Jlitiiel---the Seventy-first Reo
iment of 7 New-York nobly toOk - up arms,
: Dr. frovey,.at,the solicitation of their. Colo
nel and of many officers and privates, be
'''afid 'marched with
them to the seat of is:e. After deseribitig
the impressive funeral services held in the
church of which Dr. 11. was pastor, the
Evangelist mentions, among the closing in
cidents of the occasion, that the Seventy
first Regiment, filed through the aisles to
take a last look of the form of their late
Chaplain, who had endeared himself to
their hearts by his affectionate interest in
their welfare.
The pastor's last words to his people
were, "Give them my blessing and my
love, all, officers and members; tell them
to preserve unity, fidelity and steadfast
ness."
IT SEEMS that Rev. Henry Ward Beech
er, though sneciently decided and uncom
promising.in his opposition to slavery to
please most people, falls censideribly short
Of the fanatical extreme ; on which Dr.
Cheever is disposed to insist. _Regarding
Mr. Beecher's speeches in England as fla
grantly reprehensible, Dr. - Cheever some
time since challenged the former to a public
debate on the relations of the 'Constitution
to shvery. The. discussion was deelined,
however, mainly on the ground that in Mr.
Beecher's opinion, it was at best question
able whether the public mind should be
agitated with overnice distinctions on the
subject proposed for debate. Mr; B. sug
gested, however, that Dr. Cheever might
set forth his; views in. his own journal, the
Prineipza, and promised that he would. re:
ply through, the independent,.provided any
arguments should be advanced which be
might deem worthy of attention. Dr. 0.
cannot well, in view of this conditional
clause, feel, complimented by the utter inat
tention of the Independent to the criticisms
on Mr. Beecher which have appeared regu
larly for. some weeks past in the editorial
columns of the Prnicipitt.
All good men should pray and labor, for
the ultimate and utter removal of the great
sin and curse of slavery ; but they should
not in their zeal become blinded to the try-,
ing complications in which the whole nub
ject is involved, and which render it a Gor
dion knot that must not be severed with
reckless' disregard of consequences by the
sword of the impatient conqueror.
WE ARE PLEASED to quote from a lead
ing secular journal, the N. Y. Evening
Post, the following editerial paragraph on
the Subject of the late International Prize-
Fight. For ourselves, we do not regret
that Heenan, . the so-called: " American
Champion," has been beaten` by his Eng
lish antagonist. To rejoice in prize-fight
victories would be to glory in our shame.
The Post says': .
" The general feeling on this side-of the
water among the decenter classes in regard
to the result of. the recent prize-fight in
England, is one of unalloyed satisfaction.
It is not a case in which victory was- to
be desired, or in yhieh anyone solicitous
for his country's honor would— care to = have
the success credited to America. Theraare
many peculiarities in English life and char
acter which we can imitate far more credita
bly than the brutal practice of prize-fight
ing. There can be no doubt, moreover,
:that if: he who was put forward by his
friends as the. American champion had_
beaten-:his antagonist,. a considerable im
pulse would :have been given in this coun
try to atr'amusement, as it.is called, which
is disgusting and degrading in its nature,
its ineidents and its influences. England
is the only civilized nation on the face of
the earth which tolerates the custom.
Even there it is .forbidden by the laws,
though these are often _rendered •ineffective
by public opinion. We should - not like. to
see the - United States share with England
in . the disgrace of encouraging a pastime
which las no single benefit to recommend
it, but a' thousand evil effects to- condemn
it in the eyes of all worthy people." '
REV. Dit. MCCLINTOCK, now in . the
American Church at Paris is about to re
turn to New-York. St. Paul's church has
tendered him a call, which it is supposed
he will accept.
THE NET PROCEEDS of the course of lec
tures .by : th,e Rev:Dr. Samuel H. Co; on
"English Poetry,",. just given at Clinton
Hall, amounted to - the snug sum of $1,200,
or $4OO for each evening.
THE Claill'ON AvENtrE Sabbath School
in Brooklyn, supports a Sunday School mis
sionary in Minnesota, at an annual expense
of $4OO, and also meets the expenses of a
yang girl in a Protestant school in
Frarice = a convert' from the Rothiph
Church:. '
THE PRIOR' of retailed liquors has been
increased almuUso per cent. in New-York.
'At a late meeting of liquor dealers held at
••
the City Assembly Rooms, the 'following
scale of Trims was adopted : Brandy,lo • to
15'cents''a class; gin, rum, and whiskey,
'lO 'cente; inferior
. quality, 6to 10 cents;
good ale and porter (hottled), 5 Cents; ale,
10' to ,12 cents a. quart. Had, the price
been, so raised as =toplace the liquor beyond
.the reach of the poor, who'suffer most from
- its use, we would have been better satisfied.
AT A. lAMB sale, of paintings in New-
York,i the sum of $1,350. was paid for
Peale's Portrait 'of Washington.
GOLD, on Dec; 28th, opened. at, 1514,
and closed _ d firm at 152%@)1521.
:Extra R. H. 0., 87A9®57.60=; Trade
`brands, $'7.65®59.50. •
PHILAJ3ELPIIUt.
A.CORRESPONDEN.T of the , Christian in
telligencer, writing from this' city, mentions
as a noticeable feiture; by way of contrast
between the 'Reformed DUtch and Presby
terian churches in Philadelphia, the pos
ture of prayer, : He says : `,"(
• f f In the -former, alaay and seemingly in
different Ihabit of witting hashe j en acquired;
some fixing themselves in an:- attitude fa
vorable for repose, others, by the - listlesis
"lei§ - of•their denteanor i seem to lack in 'rev
uience K at best, theirractions. ill , ticcome so
sacred, a;place as the Clittreliof ;God, ,The
. Preshyturiins,, on tlieE - contrary; utand dur
incr'prityer ; not - only continuing the - usage
oftheTrotestant 'churches of Europe, but
evidently 'receitringt' the apostolic' initinc.
tion, For ye are bought with. a price;
- therefore; g,lerify , God in
,your botlyrandin
youripirit, 'which: are God's'"
11 i,t eist a r d tb v 'r
e e rt rm
arks
i : g
ity'aiseiitis'its merits, but greattg preFei the
standing attitude, and think that in all
cial meetings, either Standing, strictly,
kneeling, should be adopted. In other n i ;_
nor matters connected with the forms anc :
services of the Dutch Church, as witnessed
here, I am inclined to favor the old enstoth,
of our country Dutch churches in
York; for they are more impressive, 46
neither novelty nor age can eradicate thr
•
influences they make upon ris iu e ar l
youth."
REV. JAMES MAY, D D., a distinguisliei
clergyman of the Protestant Epi scopal
Church, died last week at his late rei
deuce in Philadelphia. For many y eal ,
Dr. May was connected with the
cal Seminary at Alexandria, Va., and,
the time of his death, he held a prof es ,, : ,
ship, in the Episcopal Divinity s c h c
recently established in West Philadei.
Ole.. His remains were followed t ,
the grave by the Episcopal clergy o f 01 ,,
city, and students of the Divinity s c h ool
He was greatly respected and bel ore ,,
throughout the Episcopal Church, and hi,
loss will be greatly felt.
THE PHILADELPHIA .North
of the 22d inst , says in regard to the rebc
ram Atlantiz
ic The ram Atlanta, refitted and pu t ir
order, is likely . to be only less fornaidabl;
than the Ironsules. The talk at the Sar,
Yard is, that she will go down to Charl,:.
ton to take the place of the Weellaz , kp i ,,
that sunk at her. anchorage. The itth m ,
is more like the fronsides than any of
monitors. She is again in the water, a z ,
before many days will be at sea. Sh e
a million of dollars• in currency."
The 'Continental Monthly.
The Continental for January is the first .1f 0.:
third year. The work has attained a charisep7
which promises permanence. The articles atf,
usually, of the solid - caste: Politics, flaws,
history, philosophy,•biograpby, poetry.
receive' attention. It is published by
Trow, 50 Greene Street, N. Y., at three (lona:,
or at five dollars for two copies.
Per the Presbyterian Dent=,
Beneficence.
"To the Rev. John Y. McCartney, Aut„
• -of the First Presbyterian Church,
perancevilie:
• " With love, respect and esteem of t' N
congregation: Wishing you a har
Christmas, with many happy returns ; wc.
remain Yours; truly."
The aboVa inscription 4n a neat por , ..
nionnaie, speaks for itself. • As an expre
sior of affection, as a kind greeting, it i;
most'welcome, and will not soon be forgot.
ten. , Bien without the accompanyiaz
" Greenbieks "--one hundred and titev
five dollars and thirty cents—the " love
spect and esteem" are invaluable, makirq
the gift truly munificent.
In -addition to the above, many (de.
_kind things might he acknowledged; alarm,:
them, ten dollars from Miss M. E. C—c,
and fifty dollars from a'single member, {s.
C. Esq-) of the Mount Washington church.
:God chess those who " devised " and did
these""liberal things." J. Y. Me.
Per the Presbyterian Banner.
A, Surprise.
MEssEs.EDlToßs:Allow me to aeknonl:
edge the kindness of the people of Bridge•
port and Martinsville, among whom I hare
labored for a : short time, manifested in a
recent liberal donation of money and store,
Amid the almost impenetrable darkness of
last Tnesday night, we were completely
surprised by alarge body of our Christian
friends - and neighbOrs, who speedily filled
our little house: After spending several
hours very agreeably to us all, and uniting
in some appropriate religious services, they
retired to their homes; but not without
leaving many indelible marks of their visit,
both in our home and our hearts. Their
gifts amounted all to about one hundred,
and fifty dollars; but we priZe more highly
the evidence of their cordiality and pi-Ai
will. Our prayer is, that God may reward
them with gifts of his Spirit, more to be
prized than much fine gold.
GEO. W. CHALFANT
For the •Presbyterian Banner,
Thankogiving Dentition
According to our custom, the three
chnrches of Delavaia,lllinois united in ob.
serving the 'day of Thanksg i iving. - After
serVice, the Presbyterians poured into tbi
house of their pastor like a swarm of- bee.F.
In ''"a short time the table was well lade:
With the bounties of the Past year, for
*Ili& we had jrist met to thank the Greet
Giver.
In pleasant intetaortise the day and eve
ning were spent, by both old and younE.
As
~an expression of their kindness and
memorial of their good Will, they made to
their pastor's` family a suitable and valuable
donation, for which they haVe our sincere
thanks. And may rich blessings, both
tefuporal'and spiritual, be theirs, as the at ,
dent prayer of their pastor.
• ; For thil Presbyterian Banner.
Boliatiot Visit.
14Essus. p , urrpus.:—Permit me, through
the, columns of, yet:ll...paper, to express IDY
heartfelt thanks to the members of Cherry
tree
e hurch end other kind friends, wit ,
made us a4Onation visit on the 3d instant.
l l' e Y "me) * earrYing baskets filled with
various kinds of eatables, and soon a table
was spread with a bountiful and deliciol
tiinner, of which the whole company PIT .
took. 'After a season of friendly and Chri''
_tign intercourse, we engaged in brief re li t :.
ions :exercises. Toward the evening they
retired, not howeier.without leaving iasnY
substantial tokns
,of their kindness, viz:
kea, sugar,.4, bitter, . dried fruit, beef, Pot':
turnips i horse l fsed,. articles of clothing. anl .
other things, good, and useful, to all
which was added a considerable sum
motley- In the evening our young frieo
Came to sec,. ws,ifsp bringing with rte:'
murky nice things, : including another rs'
et-book, the contents of which, when a /; '
ed r ,
.the, money previously presenio.
- amonii`ted, uhnoit to fifty dollars. Al`` r
an kour. or two. of social enjoyment, We ''l .
drat d„our: hearp - n0 less firmly bound t -
gether, with .bonds of love.
gity:theY all,. botk old and young, el 3 i
Ged!s'richest tdessin
S. P. KENNEDY
ACVLESIASTICAL
Re*• #rm
- • B,LACKBURN, of Erie, 1
cepte filo , Calk to Trenton, N. J.,
4e.deeiies henceforth to be address , :1
Rev: W. REED has changed his Post 06 2
address from Malta, Ohio, to Trerl',.-
Rev: GEoRGE C. LUCAS was installed
'tor. `of -the 'First Presbyterian ely
Woodbridge, New-Jersey', Nor. 3C.th.
8. M. TEMPLETON