ME
;,:rtshgttriatt '*lanntr.
PITTRIIROH, WEDNEBBII,- FEB. 24, 1864.
NEBBLEAS ALM.
The. Gospel has been the object of ha
tred and unceasing assault by the enemies
of the truth, from its first, promulgation
until now. Nor does it seem probable that
Satan and wicked urea will speedily discon
tinue their attacks. The effect has been to
disquiet the Church of Gad and fill the
minds of his people with alarm in every
age. Many bare stood aghadt, as heresy
and error have given birth to one monstros
ity after another. And not a few have
been almost ready to tremble at every ad
vane° Science and every discovery of
learned research, lest some new enemy to
tire Truth and the Church might be un
earthed.
But these fears have all been ground
less. The foundations remain, as firm as at
the first. Not a single assault has been
successful. - The Chariot of Salvation in its
onward progress has crushed in the dust
one after another of its proudest and most
deffant enemies, No weapon formed against
Zion has been liing•successful ; and the fol.'
lowers of the 'Lord Jesus Christ have no
cause for dread'lest they should be driven
from the -field. Infidelity and error have
no':inherent vitality; they spring of cor
ruption.; and to corruption they must re
turn. They speak great swelling words,
but they fall before the sword of the Spirit.
And a stronger faith, a warmer love, and a
more active zeta, will at all times assure the
hearts of the pious, and put the enemies of
_Divine truth to flight. •
• In support of this it is only necessary to
infer tolle fate of all the different attacks
upon the common faith of the Christian
world, during th'e last one hundred years,
each of which threatened untold damage,_
-and had the effect of .producing more' or
less alarm. The English Deism of the
eighteenth century was chilling and blight
.
,ing, but it has been buried ; in a grave from
which it will never rise. RoossEAv and
t-VotTArax sowed seeds all over the conti
nent of Europe, the growth of which was
*rapiil, - . and the harvest of which was most
~calamitous: But their works are now un
read and will, soon perish. Tom PAnqx
was a monster of wickedness. At one time
he led many astray. But no respectable
man can now be found who will admit him
self a reader of the "Age of Reason."
,Much less will he, admit himself a follower
of, the blasphemous
.and drunken PAINE.
The Rationalism = of Gerinany, which so
. gricivously tortured and eliminated God's
Revealed Will, and whichberruiled so many
iik • England and this country for a time,
has been long in its dotage, and will soon
.die of complete exhaustion. The a Yes
- -trionruf th 'OM -II -a won
drons braying 'of trumpets; the skeptical
were exuberant with joy, and some believ
ers were almost ready to quail at once be
fore such a pretentious adversary. But the
first touch of the scientific band, to say
nothing of the quick and powerful sword,
•shivered' •the " Vestiges " so completely,
that the broken fravments can never be
gathered up again. The " Rosetta Stone,"
which was to overturn Divine Revelation,
but confirmed it. And the excavations at
Nineveh and Babylon, which were to throw
discredit upon one part of the inspired his
'tory,. have brought to light such proofs of
its truth as to.forever establish its authen
ticity.
BishOp COLIN'S° /in been so overwhelm
ed with successful replies as to be almost
buried out of sight. But the work whose
fame - was most noised abroad in advance in
these days, was " Renan's Life of Jesus."
Infidelity of all various hues, represented
to be the compound resultant force of all
the different forms of unbelief, before
which both - the Church and the Bible would
-fall. "Even a noted Evangelical publica
tion of •Great, Britain, in consequence of
the remarkable things which had been re
ported of it, spoke of it as being that work
above all others in which the human mind
had exhausted itself against the testimony
of J - xscs. But at length the work ap
peared, and its character chagrined, its
friends, and surprised its .opponents. It
was alike destitute of strength, pertinency
and learning. Its descriptions were indeed
glowing, but its reasonings were shallow
and inconclusive, and its learning was at
the best second-hand, and most of this ap..
propiiated from others without credit.
Even the great scholars of Germany and
France who mere supposed to have much
sympathy:and agreement with RENA'S', re
,pudiate his book and make sport of his
learning.
Thus has one after another of the attacks
made upon the citadel of truth, for the last
century, failed. And this must be the re
sult
,always. These things are permitted
that the Church and Christian scholars
may be watchful and strong. But God's
Bible, and Gospel, and Church, will never
Tell before his enemies: Let`-us• then not
entertain needless alarms or'painful appre
hensions. But in the exercise of a calm
and earnest faith, let every one be strong
in the Lord main the power of his might,
knowing that the knowledge of the Lord
shall cover the earth, and that the kingdom
and the greatness of the kingdom shall be
given to the saints of the Most High.
TAB BRANCA AND STAMP,
Just complaint is often made concerning
the indifference manifested toward 'gran
, gers in our churohes. In most 9f the city
chiirches there are sextong whose dutyit is,
iii connection with other things, to invite
strangers to comfortable Bests in a polite
manner. But in most country and village
churches this is not a part of the sexton's
duties. In some places the elders; deacons,
or trustees, give special attention to this
matter. But in many Instances no provi
sion at all of this kind is made, and the
stranger is left to seat himself as best he
map; the regular attendants rarely troubling
themselves about others. This ought not
to be. Our churches ought to be as at
tractive as possible, and the people should
not fail to render themselves pleasing to all,
and to make strangers feel themselves wel
wine.
But at the same time, strangers should
not be too easily hurt in this particu
lar. Most generally the fault arises from
sheer thoughtlessness. The people feel
kindly to the stranger and would gladly
give him a place in their pews, but they
have not been accustomed to inanifest a
real politeness which undoubtedly has a
place in their hearts. And the stranger
should always feel that he is entitled to a
place in the church. It is God's house,
and there every one who •seeks admission
has a right to , enter and worship, though he
may be.a mere passing' wayfarer. People
are much too•ready to take offence, of m
agine themselies slighted in church mat
ters. In the soeial and business relations
of life they are much less easily offended.
And if at times some churl should de
clare by look or manner that the corner - of
the pew occupied by you is grudged,4o not
be alarmed; sit still, , and enjoy the ser
vices. A very proper course was pursued by
a somewhat noted politician from Rieke
'way, Ohio, who attended the Convention
in Philadelphia, in 1448, which nominated
Gen. TAYLOR for the Presidency. The Con
vention adjourned 'over the Sabbath, and
like a respectable man, he went to church,
having previously put himself in the best
trim possible. Upon 'entering the door he
asked the sexton for a seat, and was shown
to a very fine pew, then- entirely unoccu
pied, -in which he seated himself. , In a
short time a very deCent looking man,
plainly dressed, took his place in the other
end of the pew. The politician looked as
composed and reverent as possible. But
the new-corner glanced at him several times;
then taking a card out of his pocket, wrote
on it with a pencil. 4 This is my pew, sir,"
and tossed it to our member of the Con
vention. The Buckeye, nothing -abashed,
turned the other side of the card and wrote
on it, "It is a very fine, one. What rent
do you pp?" and then tossed it back
acrain.
THE-FREEDMEN OF ME BOOTH.
Great .changei have taken place in the
position of those formerly slives, since the
outbreak of this wicked rebellion which has
brought such calamity upon our land.
The first movement was the declaration
of Gen. BUTLER that slaves were "contra
band" of war, and must consequently be
taken from the rebels, because their labor
supplied the means of war. This was fol
lowed by the employment of escaped slaves
on lands abandoned by their former owners,
under the direction of the Government.
Next came the President's Proclamation,
declaring all the slaves of those in rebellion
against the GovernMent, freed. And the
last great step was the enlistment of men of
color in the army and navy of the United
States. in. the service of our country these
soldiers and sailors have displayed qualities
which have surprised both the advocates
and the opponents of this measure.
But a greater- work still remains to be
done. These freedmen are for the most
part very ignorant, unable to read or write,
having scarcely any proper conception of
ordinary business; and many of them are
grossly, immoral. These are the inevitable
results of the bondage and degradatior to
which they have been so long subject. It
is true that among them may be found
some of comparative intelligence, and also
some of deep and tender piety; but these
are exceptional cases. Here then is a great
work thrown upon the American Churches,
tO which they should at once bestir them
selves. The ed.ucation and -Christianize
tion of these millions of people, of color,
cannot be neglected, should not be delayed.
No other missionary enterprise promises
more -wide-spread, or
. more immediate re
sults. Just now, when their forther modes
of life have been broken up, and when their
minds and hearts are .excited, they are pe r
ouliarly easy of access, and susceptible to
the appliances of :educationand the means
,of grace. But if this opportunity is per
mitted, to pass away unimproved, the great
mass of them will become more callous than
ever, while many of them will become still
more and more degraded and licentious.
* We rejoice to observe the efforts already
made in this direction, and pray that they
may be greatly augmented. The work will
require wisdom, perseverance, and devotion
to the great,Master. Ent the loyal Church
of the United States, with - the blessing of
God, is adequate to the undertaking. We
trust that our own 'branch of the Church
will not fail to engige in this enterprise,
with that alacrity and benevolence with
which she has ever met all such Providen
'gal calls.
FOREIGN MISSIONS.
Our Board of Foreign Missions has al
ways been the favorite Board of our Church,
among the people. It 'has received their
largest contributions,. and has elicited' a
deeper interest than any other. Bat the
present is a peculiarly pressing emergency
in the history of this Board. The various
calls upon the Church owing to'the circum
stances of our country,; the' call for many
additional laborers different parti of the
world, and the high rates of exchange,
combine to increase the difficulties =in the
way of the Board. .
The way of deliverance is to be • found in
the churches. Missionaries already abroad
must be supported; new mere must go out
to fill up the -truancies created 'by sickness
and death; and the rates of exchange must
be met. To do all this will require an in
creased liberality on, the part of the con
tributing churches, and will also make it
necessary for churches delinquent in this
PRESBYTERIAN BANNER.---WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1864.
particular to do • their duty at once. This
Board has always set itself in opposition to
extraordinary appeals, but has rather de
pended on the regular and increased liber
ality of the churches. In this they have
acted wisely. Let not the expectations
of the Board be disappointed. Many of
the churches have not yet made their con
tribution to this object; let them not fail
to do so speedily, and also make air advance
upon last year. And probably there are
individuals in' churches which have already
contributed, whom the Lord has blessed so
greatly this year that they will be glad to
give an additional offering. ••
Raffling.—This miserable species of gam
bling, which had. falien - into, disuse for
many years, has been revived again under
circumstances adapted to give it respecta
bility. In most of the Fairs which haye
been recently held in aid of the United
States Sanitary Commission, itlas occupied
a conspicuous place. And the great Metro
politan Fair about to be held in New-York
for the same noble object, is to be -desecra
ted in the same way. An earnest protest
has appeared in the. New-York papers,
signed by many of the leading clergymen.
Among these appear' tlae hOnored names of
Drs. SPICING, MCELROY, RICE, and KABBS,
.pf our own Church.
The Western Presbyterian.—This is the
title of a new publication issued monthly
at Louisville, Ky. The original intention
was a 'weekly, but the present form has
been substituted. We advise the publish
ers to return to . their first plan. Month
lies have never been a success in our
Church. They can do neither the wlt of
the Quarterly, nor week/y, and seem to have
no enpty place which they can occupy, A
loyal weekly religious newspaper is greatly
needed in Kentucky just no*,.and the edi
tors of the Western Presbyterian are capa
ble of making a capital paper. •
Day of Prayer for Schools and Colleges.—
The last Thursday IR February is at hand.
Its . observance. is a, day of prayer for tbe
youth of the :Church has been for many
years recommended, by our' General Assem
bly; and it has heen followed by the most
blessed results. Let it' not be forgotten
this year;. but let the people press nearer
the _throne than ever before in behalf of
our children, of the youth in schools and
colleges; and also of our piing men in - the
army and, navy. Never was there a louder
call for united prayer and Supplication. for
the youth of the Church and the land.
The. Presbyterian Era irthe - title of a new
Presbyterian paper proposed to be -pub
lished in _Chicago. The 'first number has
reached us, and init we find that the time
of the issue of the next number "will de
pend on the rapidity with which subscribers
come in. The editor and proprietor is
Rev. ALFRED HAMILTON, D.D. The 'con
tinuance of the paper seems to be dependent
on the encouragement received. We wel
come Rev. Dr. HAMILTON" to the editorial
chair.
lift. Union College.—ln another column
can be found the advertisenierit of this
youthful and vigorous institution. The
curiculum of studies embraces a complete
college course. And ' a college building
has just been completed which is perhaps
unequalled in the State. Its cost at Pres
ent prices would be at least $BO,OOO. 11The
next term begins on the second Tuesday of
next month. -
NEWS . OF THE. CHURCHES
AND NONLSTERS.
Oid SChool.—The pastoral relation be
tween the Rev. James Allison and the
church of Sewickley, was dissolved byllie
Presbytery of - Allegheny City, on Thnra
day, the 18th inst. Mr. Allison requested
this action, that he might be able to devote
himself entirely to the interests of the
Presbyterian Banner, of which he one
of the editors and proprietors. -
The Rev. Mr. Shields, pastor of the
churches of Georgetown and Fairfield,
Presbytery of Erie, 'has received a 'call to
the church of Bridgewater, Presbytery of
Allegheny City.
Rev. Chauncey D. Murray has been in
stalled pastor of the Westminater Presby
terian church, .New-York, foiinerly uhder
the pastorate of Rev. Dr. MiCartee. This
church has recently undergone sortie change
in its government. Instead of the old Cov
enanter Psalm-Book, the one now in use is
the same as among the Associated Presby
terians. The tokens" heretofore in' use
at the communion table are done away
with. An organ, to cost $3,000, is build
ing for the congregation.
The Rev. John D. Shane died in the city
of Cincinnati, Ohio, on the evening of Feb
ruary .7, in the fifty-second yearuf his age.
Mr. Shane was
.a graduate of the Union
Theological Seminary, Virginia, and as
settled for some years as a pastor in. the
State -.of Kentucky. He removed from
Kentucky to Cincinnati, where he passed
the latter years of his life. His last, stoic
ness was brief and violent, and he soon
sunk, under its power, to the rest and
quiet of the. grave:
Correspondents will please address Rev.
J. B. Dickey at Sharon, Mercer Co., Pa:•
About seventeen months ago the Rev. J.
B. Stewart received a call to the North
Presbyterian church of Chicago, formerly
Dr. -Rice's. He immediately entered upon
his labors in that church, and has contin
ued them until recently, but was not in
stalled. At a meeting of the congrega
tion,- held recently, he declined the call
'which he had held till -then ; assigning as
a reason for this step, the hesitancy with
which he had begun his ministry there,
because of existing , division; offence taken
by some at a thanksgiiing sermon he had
preached ; the withdrawal of some from
church ordinances; .a heavy debt resting
on the church; and a;new church enter
prise in another part of the - city, whither six
PRESBYTERIAN.
of the moneyed families of the church
threaten to remove their connection in the
event of Mr. Stewart remaining. The
Congregation agreed to acquiesce in the re
quest of Mr. Stewart, and passed a series
of resolutions commendatory of him as a
Ohristian and a minister of the Gospel.
It was then voted to present him, as a token
of regardot — quarter's salary, $5OO. This
was afterwards increased by voluntary con
tributions to $l,OOO.
On the first Sabbath in February, ten
pertions were received into the Presbyterian. ,
church of Sing. Sing, New-York, under the
Pastoral care of the Rev. W. Phraner, nine
of whom were admitted on, profession of
their faith. Since the 4g week of prayer,"
unusual interest has been manifested, and
the interest continues.
. •
The Presbyterian church of Antrim,
Presbytery of St. Olairsville, has en
joyed a most pricious. season of the out
pouring of the Spirit of God. The church
being without a pastor, Rev. W. M. Fee
guson, on invitation of the Session, preached
a series of Sermons there last week, which
were blessed as the means of greatly reviv
ing and ' strengthening the membership..
Seventeen-were added to the communion,
mostly on examination. Eleven of these
were heads of familici. Others are inquir
ft:lg after - the way' of peace. The brethren
here are greatly encouraged. They have
given a 43a1l to-Rev. Mr. Dool to become
their pastor.
Mr. John B. Reed, a' licentiate under
care of Washington Presbytery, has re
ceived a call, from the chuxch at Parkers
burg, West Virginia.
New &hoot —Rev. Henry Darling, ,
late of Philadelphia, was installed pastor
of the Fourth Presbyterian church of . Al
bany, N. V., on the lith inst. The sermon
was preached by •Rev. Dr. Kirk, of Boston,
who had been the first pastor of the church.
The venerable and widely known Rev.
Caleb Pitkin, of :Hudson, Ohio, died re
ce.ntly, at the age of eighty-three years.
He was one of the founders of the Western
Reserve College, also one •of its - first Trus
tees, and held that position >until his de
cease,..oirei thirty years.
United,—Reik. Peter Bunions, pastor of
the United' Presbyterian Church of Troy,
died on Saturday last, aged spventY-thOe
years. The Troy Times says: C( Dr. Bull
ions was born in Pertlfshire, Scotland, in
December, 1791. He came to this country
in 1817, and was pastor of a church in
_Sonde Argyle, Washington county, for
about six 'ln - 1824 he removed`to
Albany, to accept
_the firefessorsbip of lan
guages in the aeademy. As a teacher and
cducational,writer he was pminently sue
eessful, did his gnglish, Latin, and Greek
Grammars, with other similar works, are
reCognized as Standard text -books wher
ever the cause - of education has spread.
In 1830, he founded 'the - Associate Presby
terian church of .this city, now knoivn as
the - Xiiited chinch. Since then he has
been its sole pastor=coming here to reside
in 1848." ' - - "
Theaev. Thos. 'Hanna, D.D., of Wash
ington, Pa, died on the 9th . inst., from an
attack Of paralysis. 114 Was a well-known
Minister - et' the Associate', Church, and af
ter the union, of-the United Presbyterian
Church.. ,Ilisfwidow has been for, many
years ;the successful Principal- of the
Young Lidiee Seminary at, Washington.
The Fourth United Presbyterian church
of Allegheny city, Rev. Mr. Dickey's, was
dedicated to the- Worship of Jelrirah, on
Sabbath - the 21st inst. The morning ser
mon was prea r ehed by the pastor; that of
the afternoon by, the Rev. McLure;
and that of the - evening by the Rev. Dr.
Preksly. The material of the building is
brick, and the style is, plain Gokhic; win
•
dows and panels of pews and pulpit corres
ponding; also the plain white arch in rear
of the pulpit. The entire cost of the
building, 'finished, was $15:000-lot, $5,-
000 ; making a total of $20,000. We are
pleased to learn that. $B,OOO, the Bum no:-
cessary to meet the last instalments due for
the purchase 'of - the lot-and. the erection of
the building, was subperibed, by the mem
bers of the congregation. The church may
therefore be considered free:from debt.
German Reformed.--The Board of Visi
tors of the Theological Seminary findino
that Dr: Nevin - could not be obtained to
supply the ?lace of Dr. Schaff during'his
two years' absence from the Seminary, after
mature deliberation, have
_unanimous-.
ly invited the Rev. Theo- - G. Apple, .of
Greenclustle i , Pa., to'aocept of the position :
They also raised the appropriation to benefi
ciaries frod one hundred to one `hundred
and - twenty ,dollars.
METHODIST.
The 'N. `Advocate knows
but three' Mi B. "churches out of fifty-three
in that city and. Brocrlilyn free from debt,
and thinks $250 4 900' a low estimate of the
amount. of indebtedness.
Gen. Banks hai given direction fol. all
the Methodist churches of New Orleans to
be - taken', under , direct orders from the Seem
tary' of War. They will all be closed save
two. The*- Missions* Society will send
preachers the pulliits.
Says a correspondent of Zion's _Herald:
"Cheering to every lover of Zion is the
Sidrited and liberal -manner with which the
people in ell quarters have met the in
creased demands . . of the mission cause.
From,all sections. we hear of augmented
eontribntions Aand this is the more note
'worthy, as all are aware their 'outgoes for
living, et cetera, are larger, much -larger
than heretofore.' •
On the 241" Of May the General Confer
ence of the Methodist Episcopal Church in
the United States meets-in Philadelphia;
holding its ' sessions in Union church.
There. will be several important matters
brought to =the notice of the body. The
extension of. the ministerial term, a theme
attracting much attention mono. the Meth
odists, will =probably be definitely settled.
Another subjeet which will be considered
-is- theTresiding Eldership. It is propbsed
to limit the sphere of these officers, and
station .them as regular pastors, or to in
crease their districts, having the. present
:quarterly meetings held at less frequent in
tervals. -Lay, delegation will also be con
sidered.
BAPTIST.
In the minutes of the 36th Anniversary of
the Pennsylvania Baptist State Convention
there are represented 17 associations and
£3 churches unassociated, embracing a
. membership- of, 41,438 in all ; churches,
4183 baptized during the year, 2,356.
The rOcSeipts intot the treasury - 5f the Con
vention were 84,932.80, and the expendi
tures $4,426 41. These figures reveal the
painful fact, that the forty thousand Bap-_
tests of this great State are not awake to
the interests . of the Convention, and to the
claims which the neglected have upon
them.
There is a powerful work of grace in the
Baptist church of Pemberton, Me. Forty
seven persons presented themselves: for
prayers at one of the meetings, twenty of
whom were young men. God is greatly
prospering that venerable church, under
the labors of its excellent pastor, Rev. L.
G. Beck.
-.. At South Berwick, in the same State, a
glorious work has been in progress for
some time; the work is increasing and
spreading thronghodt the town, while scores
are anxiously inquiring what they shall do
to be saved., Skeptics, scoffers, and stout
hearted infidels are bowing before the
Prince of-Peace.
CONGREGATIONAL
The Rev. Dr. Sturtevant, President of
Illinois College, went. out some ' time' last
Summer, as a delegate from some Congre
gational body, to the Congregational Union
of England, and expected, as 'a matter of
course, to be allowed to address that, corm)-
• catkin. This permission was granted, but
coupled with it was the mandate, " not one
word must he speak on the affairs , of this
country!! He says that in Edinburgh he
tried to get an audience to addresi,with -re
spect to'A.merican matters, but not a man
would listen. He thinks that 'in private
he did change the mind of one man but is
not certain I Dr. Sturtevant is of opinion
that Henry Ward Beecher probably did
confirm a small section which believed before,
and - did not need converting, but only enlight
ening: the worthy Dr. has come home d'e
oidedly convinced, that on the whole it is
not of much consequence what John Bull
does think of us. As for himself he de
clared that "he never meant more to care
what - an Englishman thought, or said.' It
is about time this going to England to in
-fluence public sentiment there, was stopped.
The way to influence the mind of England,
is to put: down the rebellion as quickly and
as - effectually-as:possible.
The Rev: 'Dr. Potions Cook, whose ill
.
Ilel3B we mentioned in our last, •has passed
to his reward. His able advocaby and-'de
fence of eotind doctrinewill be hing remem
bered. '
EPISCOPAL,
A correspondent uf_ the Recorder says
" In GaMbier, Rev:Henry Tunidge has
entered upon his duties aSProfessor of Sys
,
ternatic Divinity. This chair was as you
are aware, occupied by Rev. Dr. was,
for
over sixteen years. He was appointed to
this Milner Professorship by Rev. Dr.
Tyng, who also recentlymominated his suc
cessor. The Trustees, id acknowledgment
of Dr, Smith's long and faithful services,
hVe directed his name to be continued on
the Catalogue as Emeritus: Professor. It is
most gratifying to have so able and effi
cient a corps of Professors in the Theologi
cal Faculty at Gambier. Every branch of
the instruction is in the hands of a thor
ough scholar, and the whole . under the
guidance of -vigorous, genial and progres
sive minds.: In these respects; we -may
safely claim that this institution is unsur
passed. by any in, our communion. Of the
merits of Kenyon itself,' as- a- college, I
need hardly speak. It should be- preemi
nently the' Evangelical• College of the
Church. The thoroughness and' complete
ness of the, classical course, the active, wide
awake spirit of the Faculty, and, the advan
tages of location in point of healthfulness
and retirement, give it a first claim to this
position."
For the. Pzeihyterfau "teener
ickEowledgment.
MEssits. Emmons is really pleas
ant to read those brief acknowledgments
of surprises, donation . visits, &c, lately so
numerous in your paper..,Such substantial
expressions_ of kindness not only encourage
and cheer the heart of the - faithful pastor,
assuring him of 4,12,p-affection of the people
of his charge, but they also oftentimes prove
seasonable and valuable additions to a lim
ited salary.
The good people of .thee Connellavilic
congregation, for a while, were p_erplexed.
.Their pastor, alas had DO parsonage of
which they might. take quiet possession for
a day, or to which they could send their
compliments, in the form .of "flour, COTO
pOtatOes, &c." Some one, however, was suf
ficiently observant to notice that the young
Divine did n't carry a watch; and this re
lieved the difficulty at once. Here was ~a
chance for "a surprise;" and accordingly the
pastor of said congregation, a few weeks since,
found himself unexpectedly in possession of
a beautiful gold watch, valued in " green
backs "at sl2B;`-but as an expression of
the affection of the people to whom he min
isters in word and doctrine, ifriceless.
That the choicest blessings of Cove
nant-keeping God may rest upon the donois
and entire congregation, for this and other
acts of kindnesi, is, the sincere prayer of
their pastor. - N. H. G. FIFE.
For the l'rzi3byteri an . Banner..
A New Auarterly Suggested.
'MESSIMEDITORS :—lt has often occurred
to me, and doubtless to many others, that
there is no place in our whole canary where
a Quarterly Journal and Review was more
needed, and could be more ably sustained,
than in Pittsburgh. It is in many respects
a=more:desirable point--being the nen tre of
a much- .wider field of Presbyterian influ
ence by far.:-than Princeton. For a long
time Dr. Hodge was universally recognised
as the very Coryphtens of Presbyterian The
ology in this country. This is no longer
the. cue ;- and although no one , would 'wish
to dispute his excellence or detract from
his.high standing, we yet believe there are
others who have come to be regarded as
quite his equals, and in some respectsmore
up to the spirit of the times than he is:
The great Western fteldis naturally,more
accessible from, 'and dependent upon, the
Western Theological Seminary than upon
that of Princeton; an& our Seminary, with
its excellent corps of Professors, is rapidly
assuming a positioU in the pnblio estima
tion not inferior to any other. It is indeed
•grange that the whole Presbyterian Church
should for so long a time have consented to
depend upon the East for its highest-order
of periodical literature ; there -being no
Quarterly, under its denominational control
East of the Delaware, with the exception
of the - Danville . Review, and that but of
Comparatively recent origin: Danville,
however, is, too far Senth to:meet the wants
that should be supplied from Pittsburgh,
and from unavoidable circumstances it must
be, largely devoted to the discussion of .lo
.cal mattbrs and,questionslertaining to that
particular region of the Church and the
country.
I have been led to these suggestions
from noticing the fact that the late editor
of the Banner, Dr. McKinney, is propos
ing to establish a religious monthly, if he
should meet with sufficient encouragement.
In his circular he frankly confesses that all
such efforts heretofore made in> our Church
have failed. Dr. Van Rensselaer, Dr.
Stuart Robinson, Dr. Rice, and Dr. Scott,
all, tried it and failed; and certainly there
is no good reason for believing that he
should succeed in a new enterprise erf -this
sort. We now get quite enough of the
lighter kinds of religious literatuie, such
atria supposed to be appropriate to the do
mestic ctrele, in all of our best weekly re
ligious papers; and I would be glad to see
the tastes and desires of the domestic cir
cle raised to , a higher platform than it is
supposed to occupy at present.
I, of course, have no objection to the es
tablishment of such.a paper as Dr. McKin
ney proposes, only that I think it is not
needed, and if contrary to all reasonable
expectation it should succeed, it-would un
doubtedly interfere with, and retard, if not
entirely prevent, the success of such a
Quarterly swift much more manifetitly called
for by the wants of the large portion-'of-the
Church naturally dependent upon 'Pitts
burgh. - K.
- Revival in Camp.
WARRENTON, Va, Feb. 16,.1864.
Geo. H. Stuart, E.52.--- ; My Dear Sir
I have much pleasure in writing yon a few
lines, informing you and our beloved pastor,
the Rev. Dr. Wylie, of the .great change
which has taken place in our regiment and
throughout our whole brigade since three
of your esteemed ministers belonging to.
the Christian Commission have come among
us—Rev.J. P. Caldwell, J. G. Rankin; and
M. M. Rice—the two former of your own
State, the latter of the State of New-York.
These brethren hold prayer-meetings every
evening of the week, in their rooms in the
Court House, and preach to the different
regiMents on. the Sabbath: •
I rejoice to say, by God's blessing on the
earnest labors of these men of God, large
numberi - of my brother soldiers , are now
earnestly seeking, the Saviour of sinners,
and many of them have been converted to
0.0 d., and are now new recruits in the army
of the great Captain of Salvation.
Many who, before these servants of Christ
came here were heard to profane the name
of the Most High, may now be heard offer
ing up fervent prayers not only for them
selves but for their companions in arms, in
this, great army. This work seems to be
only commencing.' The subject of religion
is the great theme of conversation in al
most every tent you enter. The men are
in earnest in this matter, and the nuinber
of the dnxious and inquiring, and of back
sliders being reclaimed, is increasing at
every meeting. ‘I trust this good work
may go on till hundreds in this great army
are made its subject&
But this is not ail these dear brethren in
Christ are doing . , they are spreading broad:-
cast the printed page, in the form of Tes
taments, Hymn and Psalm Books, Religious
PaPers, Tracts, and in a word', all the books
of the Commission, and in this way giving
our return soldiers soMething more profita
ble to do than spending their leipure hours
in playing cards, and drinking commissary
whiskey.
Permit me then, as a soldier, and in be
half of my companions -in the face of the
enemy, ; to ask you to stir the whole North
to`send more men who have warm hearts
and willing hands, to labor for the spirit
ual and temporal wants of the
good
who
are periling their lives for the good of our
common country, till this unholy rebellion
shall be suppressed, and all the soldiers are
permitted to return home where theY can
enjoy all of these blessed influences brought
to bear on them by the United States
.
Christian Commission, in their own peace
ful sanctuaries. E. B. YouNG,
Ist New-Jersey Cavalry.
For the Presbyterian Banner.
In Memoriam.
At _,a. meeting of the Eldets of Lower
Tuscarora Presbyterian church, held Feb.
6, 1.864, the following preamble and resolu
tions were unanimously adopted
'HEREAS, God in his mystenons prov
idence bas removed by death our much
loved pastor, Rev. G. W. Thoipson, ;
therefore be it
Resolved, That we recognize the hand of
God in this sore bereavement, and submis
sively bowing to bis will, humbly ask that
he would sanctify it to every one in the
churches of which he was pastor.
Resolved, That we express our gratitude
to God for granting to us, for so long a
time, the ministrations of so devoted a ser
vant. -
Resolved, That we bear testimony to the
earnestness and faithfulness with which he
labored, ever presenting. Christ the only
foundation upon which to build for eter
.
nity.
Re,solved, That we tender to his family
our, warmest sympathies, and assure them
that our. prayer shall ever -be, that God
may abide with them, 'comforting them
amid theirsorrows; and that they may re
alize in ;their experience the" fullness of
thesak promi
yoseu., "I will never leave you. nor
e "
Resolved, That these resolutions be pub
lished in .the .Presbyterian, the. Banner,
and the Standard, and
,a copy be given to
the family our late pastor.
' - •
JAMES PATTERSON, Mod.
b. W. Flickiiger, Clerk pro tem.
Fat tbe Presbyterian Banner
MESSRS. EDITORS :- Buckle, in his
" History of Civilization," page 262, makes.
these startling declarations. Speaking of
" that spirit of disbelief and daring revolt
against authority which characterized the
most eminent . Englishmen during the sev
enteenth century," he says : It was this
which caused Locke to be an innovator in
his,,philosophy and an Unitarian in his
creed. It was this which made Newton a
Soda= ; which forced Milton to be the
great enemy of the Church, and which not
only turned the poet -into a rebel, --but
,tainted with Arianism the Paradise Lost."
Whatever of truth there may be in the
allegation against Milton, will you, or any
of your, correspondents,. tell me upon what
authority declarations so damaging are
made respecting Locke and Newton.?
PersonaL
John Adams and, the Sithbath.--The Bos
ton. Recorder has the following anecdote of
the' elder John Adams. "While President
of the United States,
as he was returning
from the country to his family in Boston,
he, was interrupted by a New-England snow-
storm, which effectually blocked up his
way. He was :then at Andover, twenty
_miles from Boston, where his family, as he
had learned, were waiting his arrival. Bab.
Intlkmerning the roads became for the first
time paesable. On theiqueetiwgge'iug.to
Boson that day, k was the
clergyman. of the place that th ? ,
stances of his- detention, mud the ,;,
of his family, would justify his,
on the Sabbath. His reply was. th e ;
justifiable occasion in this case w 0 41 ,1
prevent the bad influence of hi s „ az, '
on those who might see him traveite.,.ll',
the Sabbath; without knowing th e c ; L -
Hp therefore deeided to wait till
Tbe two.. heretical writers who Y, e
_c a using most excitement in the
weed are described as follows
seven feet high, slender, but well-rc,m,,-
remarkably erect and haadsome, with
cut features and full of light, there v a r„,
the present Banquo of the English
—Bishop Colenso." "11 you chary,
pass, on a tine morning, over any of I f
bridges which lead across the Seine t ewar ,„
the Institute, you will probably !beet
thick-set man of moderate heigh t a;
stoop-shouldered. Look closely a ,
passes, and yon shall see a strongiy. teari
face, somewhat Jewish in cut, flecked
Ri
red spoth, T 1 wanting in signs of r ei , el . :
den; but yet preoccupied, and with as
describable air of uncertainty, Th e
e .
seems -to be digpsting with some in7isi
opponent, and shakes his hand, end
el.mches his fist now and then.. I . on } I ,
seen Renan, the author of the L;,;„
Jesus?'
When President Edwards, i n 17.1 .
preached on the subject. Sinners in tr .
Hands of an Angry God," from the t el. .
"Their feet shall slide in due Tr,,.
of his hearers were brought to thei r
under the _powerful delineation s o f
-
wrath to entre. "Many groaned au.
shrieked convulsively, and when the i vor d*
of the text were repeated in one instant..
some of the audience actually seized ; J ..
hold - of the pillars and braces of the
jug house, as if that very moment
sliding feet were precipitatin g them i n .
the gulf of ruin.' From this senors a
most remarkable work of grace coanten,,l .
which extended to many churches in Ne w .
England, and resulted in the conversion r.=
about thirty thousand souls.
Horace F. Walworth, late of West Ba tz
Rouge, La., has left half of his properzv,
about 6250,000, for the purpose of eita,,.
haling a printing office.for the pui,iicai n: ,
of a paper or magazine, to be
weekly, for thinse and benefit of theblini.
which paper or magazine shall be pritia;.
with raisechletters, or in the most approve.
methods for their use, and be diz , trib.ra,
gratuitously among the blind of the
ern Stites, or sold to such as are at,', E
willing to pay for such.
Prof. Stowe, who is-now sixty-three rS
of age is= about to retire to private
Mrs. Stowe -keeps up a good share of fr:a.
.ciousness, and writes enough to product a
good annual revenue, of which, hwy.-
she has no need,.having secured a colt_.
.tense years ago. Her age is fifty-three.
Literary Items.
D. Appleton & Co. announce as in pre.,.
"Cyclopedia of Commercial and littsiri
Anecdotes," which will contain a
.atimunt of interesting reminiscences of tz,, ,
experience and wit of merchants, trader.
capitalists, millionaires and mercantile
lebrities of all-ages and countries. It is :
be' published by subscription, and will
illustrated - With steel-plate portraits ace
wood engravings:. The Appletons will a'-•
soon publish Herbert Spencer's
of essays called " Illustrations of rtfiVETK
Progress," Tom Taylor's "Life of ifilac:ie.
ray," and "My Cave Life in Vieksioar:,
by ~a Judy., an interesting account of a r.
outti in Vicksburg daring the siege, wci.
the writer was obliged to take refuge in
cave.
Charles-Betther's inif, defining his
tion, is published, and occasions no in:
talk,, especially among his Massachu-c:
brethren. As holds, says the Congo ),
tionalist, that. " Adam was born as we art
—a fallen creature—not, as commonly , 11:
posed-, holy, and then falling. Ile fell
fore he was bort here." Mr. Beecli.7
therefore denies, not original sin, but ,n
ginal holiness. As we suppose, his ti.'.
trine is essentially the same as that of 1,2
"preexistent" brother Edward, in
"Conflict of Ages." But we doubt wheti.
er the ages will be very protractedly 61,.
turfed by this conflict.
•
It is told of the reverend father of Ca , :.
Beechers, that when his son Edward fir.'
appeared as the advocate of the doetru,
now championed by Charles, in his " Ct
flirt of Ages,"some one asked the vertPr:
ble doctor i he did not feel grieved th:..
his son should use his talents for suei.
purpose. " There's one comfort," was
quick and laughing reply; " he can't pr..
Serious discrepencies are found between
the English edition of Weiss' Life of The , .-
dore Parker and its American replan .
The plates were tampered with by leaviq
out passages in Parker's letters keenly sa:.
arizing.Beecher, Greeley, and others, ani
allowing such strictures on others to stand .
Mr. Weiss knows nothing about the ma:
ter. - The " Fraternity" should look to
The New Haven Palladium says ti,a:
Yale Colleue is to receive a gift of s9o. 4 )''
for the erection of a new dormitory with
the modern improvements " which is E-:
only desirable, but absolutely essential -
the comfort and heldth of the student,
that institution.
Varieties.
- At the sale -in Virginia, of nearly
tons ofwrought and cast scrap irons ed: 2
worn-out locomotives brought price;
ing from sixteen hundred to twenty-i*
hundred. dollars each. Old car-wheels sr
for forty-five dollars and a half per t-a•
Car axles, seventy-five dollars per r , 5
Wrought iron scraps, fifty-five dollars T ,l
ton. Old steel springs, one hundred
twenty-seven dollars per ton. Old /11 '
sixty-one dollars per ton. Cast scrap it a
thirty-seven dollars per ton. A large nutu•
ber of iron dealers from New-York,
sylvania, and other States, were preset':
The " ring", formed to keep down
prices was broken by the competition c:
the bidders.
The total foreign -born population of
Union was 4,136,175, or 13.15 per cent. 't
the aggregate population. The Eng:
formed 1.35 per cent., the Irish
Germans 4.14. The number of the rattly?!
of Germany was 1,301,136.
The co re."
, pondent who furnishes this table estiniat , '
the number of Germans (including ti•c
children born in this country) at four
Sint() the Commencement of the war i:-.
aight'thousand applications for peu , ''` •
have been made. Of these nearly l: H,
have liteen from widows and orphans,;"
ihe rest from disabled soldiers.
ilsprivate letter informs the Boston I ,
script that San Francisco will give the s
$200,000 to the Sanitary Commission ,
that the rest of the, golden State will a'id
at lezat anotlier 1100 4 0110 subscription.