rtgbpitrian
CITTFIIIIIGII, inth 13, 1864.
TO THE READERS OF TIl& BINNEK.
This week we present the Banner in an
enlarged form. Notwithstanding the great
increase in the price of paper, 'Composition,
and all the appurtenances of a newspaper
establishment, we - have risked. an enlarge
ment by means of lengthening our paper,
which will give additional reading matter
equal to two entire columns. ;This• places
the Banner among the largest religious
newspapers in the land. And no other pa
per devoted to the interests of religion,
which is published at two dollars per an
num, gives its readers an equal amount of
matter for perusal,' in the year. Our space
is large, and is filled to its utmost capacity,
so as to benefit; at far as possible, all classes
and conditions in the community.
It is a great mistake to suppose that be
cause a newspaper' is in the octavo form,
which is a double sheet, it has therefore
more reading matter Than 'a single large
sheet. In the double sheet there are also
double margins, and there is more unoccu
pied Apace, it is less convenient for the
reader, and when• it is spread out it may
afford, after all, lesiti space; than the single
sheet. The Banner, 'in its present form,
is nearly as la:rge as thq New-York Nines
or Tribune.; and only one or two of the re
ligiousnenspapers whiek have adopted the
double sheet form, gives its readers more
actual reading mutter than we do, though
these -papers are all published at higher
rates than ours.
What we hive now done will, in, twelVe
months, add, largely to our expenges, but
our desire to meet all the reasonable expec
tations of our subscribers, and the lubstan
tial encouragements we_have received since
we took charge of the Banner, have in
duced us to incur this increased outlay.
Kind words and high approhaticin reach us
from all quarters, while the new names al
ready on our list give promise of such Tu.'
turd accessias as will meet our highest an
ticipations. Thanks to our friends among
the ministers, elders, and laymen generally,
who have exerted themselves in our behalf
And we most cordially invite the assistance
of all our readers in placing a copy of die
Banner in all their neighboring families.
We do not believe that we have a single
subscriber who could not ' procnre, by a
little effort, at least'one .new'eubscriber, and
we know that there are many of them - who
could obtain scores of new names for our
list, by the expenditure of a little time and
persuasion. And he who" induces a family
to take a religious newspaper,.does a good
work, and will not lose his reward.
In the meantime we will continue to add
attractions and value to our paper, the ben
efits of which will accrue to our readers.
Both editors are now in their places ; Mr.
PATTERSON having been released from his
duties 'at Danville, sooner than was antici
pated at thetime„the_nmesent no,partuer,
Ship was - fOrnia. He is now prepared to
enter vigorously upon the•new and import
ant work to which he has been called.
Our weekly European Summary will con
tinue to be full, and of the character that
will be appreciated by the many thousands
who will read it. And just now we are
making arrangements with a gifted writer
in Paris for, a regular correspondence from
that metropolis, and with another of estab
'lished reputation, in Dublin, for a series of
lettere'from that place, which will be of a
high order of merit. This paper at no pre
vious time has had- such a corps of able
contributors as it has now; nor are they
excelled by the dontributors to any other
religious weekly journal. Our editoriala
will continue to be on subjects of immedi
ate and living interest. Great Dare will be
taken in the preparation of a synopsis of
news every week, which will not be sur
passed. Special attention will continue to
be given not only to the m oral and religious
quality of our selections from various
anrees, but also to their literary character.
While our agrivltural column will continue
td be a valuable repository for such in
formation as, is needed by all who are in
any. way interested in the cultivation of
the soil. Som.? of the original articles
which have appeared in this department
have received high commendation' from
most competent bulges. It will be our aim
to make this paper contain as much and as
various matter of the highest quality as is
possible.
Our readers - do not need to be told of our
unconditional loyalty in• the support of 'tbe
Government and in efforts to put down this
atrocious rebellion, unparalleled in its
wickedness: since this is evident to all, on
every page. We only say that our labors
in this directionwill continue to be as un
remitting and as ardent as ever. •
In consideration of all these things, we
feel at liberty•to ask the assistance oT all
our friends in this enterprise to which we
have devoted ourselves for the •benefit of
the Church, the good of man, and the
glory of. God. , Eaoh one of you can aid
us; and ministers and elders can . do much.
Especially do we solicit the cooperation - of
pastors. ' We respectfully ask them . to
present the elaime, of the Banner to their
people, and to endeavor to-place it in all the
families of their flocks. And on our part
we pledge ourselves to strive to aid pas
trrs, to the utmost of our ability and op
portunity, in their " work . of faith and
labor of love."
KEEPING THE HEART.
All ral piety is from the, heart. The
heart must be the dwelling-place of. the
Holy Ghost, and must be filled with the
love of God, if oar godliness is to be any
thing more than a name and a form. is
this that distinguishes evangelical faith
and practice from cold and dead formalism.
The fountain must be pure, if the streams
are to be .pure. Xf the heart is diseased, the
whole Osten] is affected. And the soul
must behlearnied -with the blood of ekrist,
must be 'ede alive by the Holy Spirit, and
be fed from day to day with spiritual food,
if we would grow lir grace, if our lives
would be happy and useful, and if others
are to takiknowledge of us that we have
been with Jesus.
, • .
But this state of heart is not to be -se
cured ozausintainedavithout attention and
watchfulness, or by a few Ornstnedio efforts.
We are slow to learn. the ways of God.
The old man clings strongly to us ; and
the new man is still feeble. There are
!rugby adverse winds in the voyage of life.
Our tender graces are exposed to many
frosts which chill and with, r them. The
world is hostile. " All that is in the world,
the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the
eye, and the pride of life, isnot of the Fath.
er, but is of the world." And the heart
itself, even in its best state, is " deceitful
above all things and desperately wicked."
Henn() the need of the counsel of the
Wise Mae, which saith, " Keep thy heart
with all diligence; for out of it are the is
sues of life." But to keep the' heart .that
it may be protected from evil, that its
graces
. may not deteriorate, and that it
may continue to exert a more controlling
and a more blessed influence on' the con
duct of our lives, has always been found
most difficult. Saints in all ages have con
fessed and mourned over this. We do not
like to turn our thoughts upon our inward
state . ; and the strong attractions without
disincline us to this still more, unless
guarded against. Thus we neglect our
hearts, allow briars and thorns to spring
up, fail to supply them from day to day
with ncedful food, and permit unclean
spirits to.return. In this *ay our peace is
destroyed, joy . and 'gladness . in the Lordare
not experiez;ced, we are weakened the
race, and fall bf the vityside wounded and
half dead.
•There are times peculiarly unfavorable
to the cultivation of vital piety in the
heart.• The days in which'we live, it will
the admitted by all, are exceedingly-unpro
pitious .for -close inspection of the heart,
°aim meditation, and frequent intercourse
with the Father of our spirits. The ex
eitem. eats are so great, the storms are
ea many, and the possibilities arc so
inany that even the most devout and
prayerful, may fail to keep his own vine
yard. We -may become so engrossed in
business as to become unconsciously unob
servant of .the higher olefins of our souls.
' The-physical woes and sufferings of others
may so occupy our time and enlist our sym
pathies, that we may have but little care
or thought for their.or our souls. Philan
thropy, however active, can never be a sub
stitute for earnest piety. And unless , our
philanthropy spring from a deep and fer
vent inward piety, it will be feeble at best,
and will soon die out. The larger the
amount of grace in the heart, so much the
greater will be the streams which will go
out from it to honor God and bless men.
Moreover, thili is a time when superficial
piety will not stand the test; it may sup
port its possessors in more peaceful circum
stances. But when the tempest howls and
the waves beat, as at present, our feet must
be firmly fixed on the rock, we must have
a strong grasp of the Cross, and our gaze
toward our risen and ascended Lord and
Saviour must be intent, if we would not
not be swept away, and if the light we have
would not go out in darkness. When the
storm which is now raging on the field of
battle, in the - marts of commercp, in politi
cal circles, and in our social life, shall have
passed away, the clear sky and bright sun
will reveal many fearful wrecks which are
now unnoticed amid the turmoil and dari
nese in whichwe live and act. That we
may be . safe, that the Christian may main
tain his steadfastness, we must draw larger'
supplies from the wells' or salvation; we
must partake more bountifully of the bread
of life. Our souls must be nourished, our
graces most grow, and our hearts must be
kept with all watchful and prayerful dili
-
gence.
' It is thine - own, 0 Lord!
Who toil while others sleep, •
Who sow with loving care .
What other 'fends shall reap :
They lean on Thee, entranced
In calm and perfect rest;
Give us that Peace, 0 Lord
Divine awd blest,
Thou keepest for those hearts who love thee
hest."
HARDLY POSSIBLE
From various sources we have received
intimations that an attempt would be made
at the next General Assembly, to declare
null and void its deliverances on the State
of the Country and the sin of treason, sines
the outbreak of the rebelliOn. The mode
of operation, as sketched out, is said to be
the election of disloyal members from, the
Presbyteries of Kentucky, and that these,
with the aid of sympathizers . from other
quarters who expect to .creep into the As
sem*, and ',the• extra-conservative and
timid, are to attempt this revelation. It
is declared that the plan of the True
Presbyterian----whieh is disloyal to both
Church and State--and its friends is, when
'these disloyal members shall have been
elected, to instruct them- to move in the
Assembly,, that in its past utterances, where
it has declared treason to, be an immorality
and a sin, it has transcended its power,and
has violated the Constitution of the Church.
After this, said Commissioners are also to
move- in the As.sembly, that all ministers
and Ruling. Elders who act upon the prin
ciple that treason is a sin, and that all
theological professors in our . Seminaries who
have adopted' and taught the ideas em-
'braced in the action of the late General
Assemblies, beginning with that of 1861,
are to be at least rebuked. The whole is to
be crowned tiy moving that- the General
Assembly petition the • Government to
cease the war. .
The'entire proposition has the appear.:
atm of such, stupendous, folly, that it
would be. unworthy of • serious thought,
were it not that the True .fresbyterian,
and its few deluded followers lave become
so maddened by the desperate condition of
the cause to which they have committed
themselves, that in their infatuation they
may be capable of -091112 Such a ridiculous ,
enterprise as But we hardly think it
possible for even .These. men to attempt to
carry it out in sober earnestness, Yet it is
almost certain that they intend, if the least
opportunity be given them, to make an
effort to induce the Assembly to retrace its
steps, or to bring about another rupture . in
our Church, at least ai far as Kentucky is
concerned. The special objects of - their
dislike are, Dr. ROBERT BREOKINRIDOE
and Danville Theological Seminary; and to
overwhelm these with defeat, no venture is
too hazardous.
That any such movement would be se
riously entertained by fflie Assembly, is
Ilia ' Bible. It 1,1644_ epoken wprds ibis& it
PRESBYTERIAN BANNER.---WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, .1804.
will never recall ; it has taken a step which
it will never retrace; it has made a record
which it will never'erase. But should any
such attempt be made as seems to have
been contemplated, let it be crushed at
once and forever, by such a vote as will
cover the agitators with the shame they
merit, and bring them to repentance for
their sin.
We mention these things now, that Com
missioners already elected to the General
Assembly may be prepared for any contin
gency which may arise; and that Presby
teries which have not yet elected delegates,
may be fully apprised of what may have to
be encountered by their representatives at
Newark.
PATRIOTIC AND PROFITABLE.
The zeal with which the people of this
country has supplied the sinews of war,
has excited the wonder; of the world. It
is a practical' exhibition of National pa
triotism, and also a convincing demonstri
tion of our vast reseurces, not only in men,
but also in money. TheArevious loans of
the Government were Tit taken rapidly,
and are now held at preminms. Many
deeply regretted their i tardiness in .coming
forward to .take a part in this National in
vestment until it was too late.
But 'now a new opportunity is offered in
the new Loan authorized lyithe Govern
ment, commonly known as the Ten-Forty
Five Per Cent: Loan. This Loan Is issued
in Bonds of $5O, $lOO, $5OO, $l,OOO,
$5,000, and $lO,OOO. These Bonds are to
be paid in coin, and are redeemable at the
pleasure of the Government after ten hears,
and are payable forty years from: date.
They all bear interest at five per cent.; this
interest to be paid in gold. •At the present .
rate of gold, with the- exemptfon of State
tax, this is equivalent to nine per cent.
The interest on the.large Bonds is payable
on the first days of , March and September ;
but the interest on Bonds of $5O and
$lOO is only payable yearly, en the first of
March.
Taking ;in to account the greakabmidance,
of money in the country, and the fact, that
both principal and interest of these bonds
are payable in coin, and tho, these bonds
are free from State tax, it is evident that
no other opportunity for permanent invest
ment now before• the people offers such
strong inducement& In purchasing these
Bonds we aid the Government and profit
ourselves.
As will be seen from an advertisement in
another column, the First National Bank of
Allegheny has been appointed a De
pository for the sale of these Bonds.
This Bank is managed- by gentlemen of
high character, who will give all necessary
information, and 'in whose statements the
most entire confidence may be plaCed.
Among our readers are many . farmers and
others who have considerable sums of
money unemployed, and frqna which they
are deriving but little benefit. We com
mend this Loan to their attention, and' ad
vise them to apply at the First National
Batik of Allegheny , for any additional• in
formatien, feeling well persuaded that in
recommending this, we are doing a great
kindness to our readers who hive fl oneito
invest. Those who have only $5O or $lOO
to dispose' of in,this way should come.,for
ward as well as others. It is the desire of
the Governmefit that its. Bonds should be
in the bands of the people, and not of mere
speculators. •
Irestefn Theological Seminary—Closing Ex
ercises-L--The examinations of the students
before the Board of Directors will com
mence on. Monday morning, 19th inst., at
10 o'clock, in the Professors' Leethre Room
—Rev. thrums DIcKsoN, D.P.:, of 'Bahl
more; Chairman—and will be continued
morning and afternoon till finished.
On Tuesday evening,.the Address - before
the Society of Inquiry will be• delivered by
Rev. W. P. BREED, of philadelphis, in the
First Presbyterian church of Allegheny;
(Dr.. SwlFT's,) at 71 o'clock.
.On Wednesday noon, the Chairman of
the Examining Committee will addreis tbo
students in the Chapel of 'the Seminary ;
.•
after which the Alumni will meet imme
diately, to form an- Association of Alumni
On Wednesday evening, the closing ex'
ernises will take place in the "Second Pres
byterian church of Pittsburgh, Dr. How
ARV'S ' ) at 7 b'clock. Addresses by mere,.
hers of the, , graduating class, and by Prof.
WILSON-with giving of Diplonias and
Bibles. The public is respectfully invited.
lenneylvania Bible Botiety.—The Rev.
W. W. BELLS, late of . Carlisle, Pa., has
been appointed Secretary of the Pennsylva
nia Bible Society for Western Pennsylvania.
Mr. EELLS supplied the pulpit of the First
Presbyterian church of Pittsburgh, last
Summer, during the absence of Dr. FAX
TON: His labors in thatcongregatioa, were
highly appreciated. And we ask a favora
ble reception'for him by the different - loeil
Bible Soaiefies, and all the ministers of the
different denominatiotikin the field of his
future operations.
NEWS OF THE CHURCHES
AND MINISMS.
PRESBYTERIAN.
Old Sehool.—At a meeting of the Presby
tery of Allegheny City, held last week, the
Rev. Robert. J. White, of the Methodist
Episcopal- Church, was received a member:
of. Presbytery. At the commencement of
the rebellion,-Mr. White was palter of a
Methodist church in Springfield, Mo.; but
, ,
on account of his loyalty he was compelled
to fly, with the loss of all his property.
He is an able and •acceptable preacher;
The Rev. j. M. Shields was received 'friurt
the Presbytery of Erie
At the same '6:be Mr C. M. Campbell
was licensed to, preach the Gospel. This
young brother it about to receive an ap- -
pointment as a domestic missionary to Col.
orado. It is'probable that befote "leaving
for his distant field of labor, he will be or
dained an evangelist. ►
The Rev. David Elliott, D.D., and Mr.
John D. Stokes, were elected deldgates "To .
the next'General Asiembly. Mr. Dunlap,
• ..
a member of the present Senior Class in,
the. Western Thiological Seminary, and a
licentiate of the Presbytery of Beiver; has
accepted a call to` - become' pastor Of the
North Presbyterian church of Allegheui
City, Mr. Ewing, .of the same Class, a
licentiate of the Presbytery of Saltsburg,
has been called to the pastorate of the
Presbyterian church at Kittanning, Pa.
The. Central Presbytery of Philadelphia
has appointed the Rev. Drs. Musgrave and
Nevin, and Elders Powell and Hastings,
delegates to the next. General Assembly.
The. Presbyterian says : We-have re
ceived information that the Presbytery of
New Orleans lately held a meeting, the
first which has been held since the posseSSion
of the city by the Union forces; and that
the Presbytery resolved to detach itself
from the General Aisembly of the Confed
erate States, and declare itself an indepen
dent body." '
And the same paper says At a late
communion season in the. First:Presbyte
rian church in. Boston, in. hich our broth
er, Rev. R. A. Delancey, is ministering,
eleven persons were added to the church,
nine by profession, of faith. One of this
number was a. convert .from Romanisin, and
the administration of baptism in this case
was witnessed with great and tender inter
est. At the . last communion in the First
Presbyterian church in East Boston, (the
Rev. Mr. Haskell's,) there was an addition
of seventeen -members, most of them by pro
fession of faith. These churches are grow
ing stronger, and the Savor of God seems to
be resting upon -
The Rev. Dr. Burt, of olneitinati, Fpas
tor of the Seventh churilr, delivergd,
a sermon to his people on the_" Moral In
fluence of Theatres," which,hits been re
peated at their request.
Rev. William W. iliac was installed as
pester of the Fourth Presbyterian church,
Philadelphia, on Sabbath evening last.
The sermon was preached by Rev. Mr. '
Gonkling ; the charge delivered to the pas
tor by R4V. M. B. Grier; and to the people,
by Rev. Dr. - Blackwood. The meetipg
dosed with'"the benediction by thO new
pastor. ' f
The Presbytery of St. Louis decided at
its late meeting that Rev. Dr. MoPheeters
could net he allowed to continue his minis- •
torial labors in the Pine Street church, of
St. Louis. .Dr. McPheeters was banished
for disloyalty some time since, but the
order of, banishment was revoked by the
President,
New Sshool.—Last Sabbath: Was a blessed
-
day in the First church of Kensington,
Philadelphia. Sixty-ince persons were re
ceived into its fellowship—four by letter
from other churches, and fifty-seven on
profession of their faith : the fruits in part
of a blessed work of grace which has been
going on quietly for a month past. Among
the converts are some all classes of
life--the old,. the middle-aged,
,and. the
young; several beads of faMilies, and sev
era] young men of hope and promise.
The church was crowded to -its 'utmost ca
?icily; and "as these stood up to enter iota,
covenant with God--twenty twenty of thereceii
ing the ordinance of baptism'-it-was a •
scene and an hour long to be remembered.
Every heart - seemed to be melted, and many
were ready to say, "Lora, it is, good, for US
to be here. •
Rev. Albert , Barnes has,ready for publi
cation a Commentary on the Psalms in
three volumes. ,
Rev. Dr Kendall, Secretary of the. Ne
w.
School Committee on Domestic Missions,
hai issued a- circular for increased" funds, to
meet the calls from the new Teryitories and
the opening South. He says' that three
missionaries have just been commissioned
for Colorado,-'one for Idaho, and that the
fours in Nevada - call ,fot., mare !ads
Spring. also sap that nearly three
fourths of all-the New-School churches in
the, great,, Central states of the Union
give; nothing to. the cause of Domestic
Missions.'
Reformed.—Rev. Robert Patterson, of
Chicago, has just left for California, for the
purpose of presenting the claims of the
Christian Commiasion to tbe people on . the
shores of tlie Pacific.
Unita—The pape'rs of this Church are
discussing the propriety of- removing its
Board, of Publication from Pittsburgh to
some &Stern city. . ;
CONGREGATIONAL.
The Springfield Republican says that the
religious excitement now existing in Spring
field, pervades more and. more all clasieti
and conditions of people. Let any observer
go: the lecture-room of what are called
the,gs evangelical churches,'2 on'almost any
evening, and, he will find them iirowiled
with people.' These, people are not bolster
,one and extravagant. Moat of them are in
tears._ There nre . many yonng men among
them, and 'one, after :.another, these young
men rise and declare „their resolution to
commence a Christian 'life—the surrender
their affections and wills to Him who
made and redeemed them. Hymns are
sung, prayers are offered, brief exhortations
are given,. and the meetings are dismissed
early,.yet half the assembly.lingers for con
versation. It seems impossible to .be in
these meetings wiihout partaking of their
influence, and being_ borne along by the
current of sympathy, Looking. over these
congregations, there may be discovered
many a hard boy, many a thoughtless girl,
many a cold man, all, absorbed in the one
subject of personal religion. .
METHODIST.
A Convention of Methodist laymen fa
vorable to lay represpotation in-the General,
Conference, has beeecallertoitieet in St:
George's chtirclObkadelplaia, on the 17th
day of 'May.
An assemblage of preachers connected
with- the Methodiat t Church So4p, is to
meet in Louisville, during the, present
month, to consult concerning what measures
are fo'be adopted for the retention of their
Murat property, and other matters per
taining-to their Chnfoh connection.
Methodism in Chicago, Ill.; is in a' very
proSperpus oondition': At an early day - the'
ministeruand laymen of that place secured
eligible sites for churches, and -ulso value
ble lots, the profits:of which were to mane
to the.Chureh ; and Shey are now beginning
to reap an incOselrom this wide-awake
policy, which 01 . p:43 dedicatingto Church
Extension. The C4 i irk Btreet church has
determined that aftei this , year it, will build
a new churoh-every year from tie revenue
arising from its - valuadn Church' property.
The Pittsburgh Canference reported its
membership to be 40791, a decrease ,from
-
last year of 1,641. at raised:. for missions
last year about $49,000,:- an increase of
nearly. 817,900 over, the previous year.
The Conference all. its claimants in
full, and had a suraue,of five or six=fran- .
drel4 goners, whichsin view of the depre
dation of currenoy,twaa generously diVided
rateably among the heneficialies.
EPISCOPAL
Some piousladies,ef New-Yoricare erect
ing an elaborate monument over the re
mains; of the late Bishop , Oackpolonk, in
Trinity church, costing 84,000. ."Upon it is
oared' the the TNlalloP i i.tt his , mumbles, with
_angels atiending, and :at his feet; is a low
couchant, who crushes a serpent under his
body. The head of the serpent projected
toward the person' of the BiAtop, with
barbed tongue thrust out, allegorical per
haps of slander. At the corners of the
monument the apostles are beautifully
carved, and'some of them form part of the
block upon which the Bishop reposes. To
perpetuate in stone such allusions to, the
gossip, or worse, prevailing, about the
Bishop in his lifetime, it a strange way of
honoring his memory.
We learn that the . Rev. Dr. Butler has
received the appointment to the Chair of
Ecclesiastical. History in the Philadelphia
Seminary,,vacated by the death of the - Rev.
Dr. May, and lately declined by the Rev.
Mr. Brooks. .
The Western Episcopalian Says': The
regular monthly meeting of the Missionary
Society at Bexley Hall last Wednesday*
night, was one , of more than ordinary in
terest, as being, in a sort, the occasion of
farewell—at least of public farewell 7 --to
the dear brethren, Burrows and Hartley,
who left us on the following Friday, on
their way eastward to take passage for their
African .feld. of mission labor, Mr. Dar
rows directly, and Mr. Hartley via Scot
land; where he will visit family and friendd
briefly, before taking passage for Liberia..
The audience was more than ordinarily
large, and the interest of course peculiarly
earnest
MORAVIAN.
The Moravian t or United Brethren, have,
in different parts of the world, no less than
eighty-three missionary stations, employ
315 `missionaries,' and have 77,146, persons
under their care in these -labors., They
have 164 missionaries of both sexes, Nihom
they+ now support in retirement, and are
educating 287 children of missionaries.
They have missionary stations in Green
land, Labrador, and among the North
American Indians, in several of the - Welt
India Island, in Central and . South Amer
ica, and in Southern Africa, Asia, and
Australia.
SAPTISL
The Baptist Freeman, published at
-Woodstock, C. W., says , that there is a,
growing impatience in Canada, under the
rigor of strict communion, and that "the
Canada Baptist Union is composed indiffer
ently of Close and Free Baptist, who mu
tually agree in the constitution, and leaves
itperfeetly optional - with each individual
efiurch to limit or extend the terms of com
munion, as its own mittibets . May 'judge
right, without any interference from the
Union or from any other church."'
Report of the Proceedings of the General
Assembly.—Rev. do us H. BA.lai) pro
poses' to publish a daily -report of the pro
ceedings of the next Geneyal Asseuibly, at
the price of fifty cents
. per cog , . Mr.
3.A.IRD'S address is 209 South-Sixth Strect,
Philadelphia.
Carter's . .Publications.—We.this week com
mence the publication of CARTER'S Cata
logue of valuable books. - Superintenden,ls
and teachers of Sabbath Schools would do
well to preserve theie lists as they appear
from week to week.
• For, the rreabytarian.Baimer.
The letropolitin Farr.
The reader's of the Banner will no doubt
take an interest • in the great New-York
. Pair—the greatest that has ever been wit
nessed upon this # continent. Pittsburgh
itself, and the rich and loyal "district .of
- which if. is the, commercial' centre, will,
soon be enga,,ed in `.a similar enterprise;
and hercitizens, whilst busied'in their own .
preparations, can take time to read of what
the -overshadowing metropolis is doing in
the same , great cause.
To give edetail of all that was worthy of
being heard and seen, would more than fill
the Banner, twice told, even with its, folds
enlarged. A very'brief summary therefore
must suffice.
The main building oecupies the site of
the old Palace Garden, and is one hundred
and sixty feet 'long by one hundred and
fifty feet wide. The entrances are on ].4th
Street, the exits on 15th Street—a most
• judicious arrangement.. Several. adjacent
buildings are also occupied, though the next
most prominent structure has been erected
on Unioa Square. Its dimensions are two
hundred by forty feet. A description of
the several buildinas must be omitted for
want of space.
Your readers are aware that the jair - was
opened on. Monday ) April 4th,'"With 'appro
priate 'Ceremonies. One of the moat lin
poiing featurei of the .opening was the Mil
itary procession, embracing aboqt 10,000
men, marching with the precision of vete
rans, to the sound of inspiring music, along
Broadway and other leading throughfares.
The military were under the
,command of
Gen. - Dix, assisted by many
. able officers,
and attracted the admiration of thousands
of delighted spectators..
The inauguration ceremonies consisted
- of an appropriate prayer .offered by lev
Dr. William Adams; the singing of "The
Army Hymn;" (words by 0. W. Holmes;)
a brief out capital - speech from Gem. Dix,
-presenting , to the Ladies' • Committee .the
stores accumulated for the - fair, and an ex
tremely happy response, in behalf of the
ladies, from Joseph H. Choate, Esq., whose
remarks , were frequently and loudly ap
plauded. These exercises were interspersed
with singing by the choirs and music by
the band. • Thus the great Fair was appro
priately inaugurated. .
Turning - now to the &Heated stores thus
happily presented, so skilfully and taste
-
fully arrang4=in'their several departments,
one is b,affiell and'bewilderell in the attempt
to describe, in terms at , all commensurate
to the reality, the resaltsof invention, the
-creations' of genius, the wondersoof art,
the products of the loom—the bench—the
shop—the forge, the tributes from other
-lands; the relics of the past, the array of
things useful, things curious, things orna
mental, things new and old; things known
and unknown—all displayed in, wondrous
profusion and arranged with exquisite
skill. We shall not essay' the task. A
volume=and a large one—instead of a Col-
umn, Would be - requisite. The notice 'of a
few departments, or articles of interest - or
curiosity, must answer. • •
- In the centre of the great Hall, and
facing the principal entrance, is the . Floral
Temple, a structure of inimitable taste and
beauty, colurens and architrave Wreathed
with • evergreens and decked With flowers,
many of them rare and bestittiftd-'exotics.
The navies of the great.victoriee of the war
appear , upon the architrave, and - at night
atre'r - illuminated by more than a hundred
gaaligets, whilst.the whole fairy.like struc-
ture glitters with floral gems and'exhales
"• the perfinnes of "Araby the blest." - The
'fascinated spectator reluctantly withdraws
hie , iteps, 'impelled by the onward fin* of
the surging multitude
The space allotted to the Fitt TAI
m L
mit,- seventy-five fat -byftfteen,ls fill ti;
• up to the best advantage by these generints
protectors of our persons and property. All
that pertains to their self-sacrificing labor
"is here displayed, and with a skill which
has transformed ladders, hose, pipes and
hooks, into attractive ornaments. A vast
supply 'of articles of Awe or taste is here
presented, and the purchaser„here as ,t;lse
.where throughout - the Fair, is waited upon
by; 3dupg ladies , whose charmi and graces'
meta naverinliiitad a nobler sinus , than
when thus consecrated to the service of our
soldiers in the field.
Opposite the Fire Department is the
space assigned to New-Jersey. At one end
of this space, the attention of the visitor is
at once attracted to what is termed " The
Cock-loft Summer-House "—being an exact
re-production of the one which has been
immortalized by the genius of Irving.
This edifice is decorated within' by a num
ber of oil paintings of scenes and persons
which the admirer of Irving—and who is
not rejoice thus pleasantly to recall,
whilst various mementos of this lamented
author add to the interest of the spot. At
the other end of the New Jersey Depart
ment is . another Summer-house, denomina
" The Alhambra," a graceful structure in
Moorish style, also recalling by association
the genius that invested with such a charm
the history of that strange race which once
reigned, with oriental magnificence, over
the Spanish Peninsula. In the midst, be
tween these edifices, is an army-teat, per-
Vice-stained and flag-adorned, the represek
tative of our tented host. The rest of the
spaceis appropriated to four bazaars, dri
signated by the names of the four Seasons,
and in which the wares displayed have, a,
corresponding reference.
We must not pass without notice, the
Department of Arms and Trophies, exceed
ing as it does in interest and material any
kindred disjslay that has ever been made in
this country. We pause, in reverential
knee, before gun, and flag,*and relic, that
call vividly 13efore us the names of the he z :
roes and the fields of fame.with which they
are identified. Here may be seen a speci
men of the British Government Stamp,
- which played so.important a part in bring
ing on. the Revolution ; said to be the only
impression of the stamp now in existence.
But time would fail us to enumerate a
tithe of the objects of interest and curiosity
here presented..
'The Picture Gallery, mode , up from the
'collections of private citizens, with contri
butions from the studios of eminent artists,
is undoubtedly the ' richest display of the
kind which has ever been presented in
America. To the -tine lover of art, the
hours spent in thie gallery alone,.will re
pay, a hundred fold, the time and expert)
of a . visit to the-Fair. Did space permit,
some of the gems of this collection might
'be enumerated; such as Church's " Heart
of the Andes," Leutze's " . Washington
.Crossing - the Delaware," and others less
widely known i but we forbear.
The " Knickerbocker Kitchen," in the
building on Union Square, is one of the
distinguishing features of the Fair—a
happy thought most happily carried out.'
Those who have revelled in Irving's felici
tous descriptions- of the good old cooking
in the good old kitchens of the good old
Knickerbockers in the good old times, will
rejoice to find themselves translated at
once to that dreamy age, and, unlike the
far-famed Rip-Van Winkle, retracing the:
steps of Father Time, waken up amidst the
cotemporaries of-Hard-Koppig Pete, greeted
by:the savory smell of doughnuts and krul
lers, mince-pies and olykoelcs, served up by
- attendants clad in the old Dutch style, and
displayed on the quaintest of old tables, in
veritable old Dutch ware, whilst you are
seated on the oldest-fashioned chairs.
We must pass almost unnoticed " The
Old. Curiosity Shop," where all that is
quaint, grotesque, and . nondescript, seems
to have been industriously collated;. the
Library," with its treasures for the lover
of letters ; the bazaars for dry goods, boots
and . shoes, sewing' machines, India ribber
goods, furniture, and carriages; the music
room; the children's department; the res
taurant; the room for millinerh . for boats,
for machinery; the " Indian Department;"
With its wigwam and wampum, its; '`pipes
and hatchets h and'all the paraphernalia of
eavage life, rendered the.inore life-like by
the presence of some fifteen or twenty un
tutored children of, the forest, performing
their war-dances, or gathered round their
council fires..
One of the curiosities of the Fair is an
eagle never yet classified by. ornithologists,
eminently an American eagle, but scarcely
belonging ,to the Bald -variety. -'This bird
derives its feather's from the hair of our
most distinguished representative men, in
cluding President Lincoln, his Cabinet,
and leading members of both houses of
Congress.
Another matter of interest is a magnifi
cent sword, to be 'presented to that General
who shall secure the largest number of
votes from the visitors to the Fair, a dollar
beinuaid as the "'property qualification"
for Ms exercise of the right of suffrage.
The contest lies between the friends of
Gen;.. Grantand Gott. M'Clellan, respec
tively.
- Another novelty is wortity of a' patent.
It is the treatment meted out by the police
to such light-fingered individuals; male or
female,- 'as may-be; detected among the
_throng of visitors. Placards, attesting
their eharaeter, are suspended fro& their
necks, and they are marched' through the
building; escorted by policemen, the band
.playing the Rogue's March. Alas I if every
dishonest breast, `"in these -'degenerate
days," were surmounted with a placard
announcing the character of the heart
Within, the procession would b 6 mournfully
long. 2 •
But we have already.transcendeci the
limits we had prescribed, whilst we. leave
unsaid much that deserves even more than
a passing notice. That the Fair will be a
great success, is already an established
fact; its receipts, in these first four days
justifying the belief that the final aggre
gate will considerably exceed's, million.
One thought before we- leave the': scene.
From group to-group; from room 'to room,
from gallery to gallery, as the spectator
passes on, Whilst the eye is sated with see
ing, and the mind'bewildered with the Va
riety of objects that attract atte.ntion---;the
one soul-filling thought, the ever-recurring
idea is, that, one and all, these varied ar
ticles, wrought by vigorous manhoed's
sinewy arm, by gentle woman's skilful fin
gers, by earnest childhood's loving efforts, l I
all typify, embody, and in countless ways
make evident, the fixed purpose of a great
people—,their firm, unshaken determina
tion—that, cost what it may, ,TRIS NATION
SHALL RE ONE. The man is to be pitied
who natrmeve amidst these altars, Whereon
the gifts of a loyal people areas freely laid
—a glorious oblation—and not feel' his
own' soul swell within hire 'with a 'sense of
the snblimity of the scene outspread before
him, with a feeling of the holinass of the
cause which- has inspired this
offering, and with his own love of country
quickened to find. that country so belOVed.
Pico PATRIA.
For the Presbyterian Banner
Acknowledgment.
The Board of 'Colportege aoknOwledge the fol
lowing &mations from February let till April.
Ilth, 1864:
Salem congregation, Blairsville Pby......512.00
New.Salern . 44 44 " 18.50
Johnstown . `512.00
' 44
Congruity 4:4 4 1 11.50
Unity ' 44 Blairsville P'by, for
- religious reading for'sold'zers, per Glen" - --
Commission 20.00
'Little 'Washington oong.; Redstone: P'by.. 8.00 ,
German Presbyterian of
,Manches
ter, Allegheny City, P'by 2.10
Sharpsharg cong., Allegheny City P'by...- 27.60
Plain Grove 44 AlleghenyP'by.B.2o
Clintonville 44 , - '4.,.,,, at 2.65
Georgetown. mum., Brie P'by 5.00
A 'Friend, for,religiouareadlog foraoldiers, : 5.00
4 - Pn'end,in Callenebarg, Clarion County,.
for religions reading for soldiers 1..00
Timperancevilla conk., Ohio I'by, for re-
ligioms readingibr soldiers , 19.36
$181.90
E. - G.
;AA,.o646:irmok Libr arian:
Personal.
Dirs. Clay, widow of the late Hon. Reery
Clay, died last week, at the age of eighty
three.
Thatkeray's brain was large; Scott's was
small; and Scott was not inferior to "Taco_
tray.
John C. Rim, publisher of the Congres.
sional Globe, died last Sabbath, at hisyesi.
deuce in Washington City, after a protracted
illness. He was sixty-seven years old.
Chief Justice Talley has recovered from
his sevre illness. On the 17th be reached
his eighty-seventh birth-day, and althou g h
so recently he was supposed to be within a
few hours of his end, he is said now to look
as if be might list for some years.
Son. J. C. Mcliibbin, of California, h as
been appointed 'Governor of the N ew
Territory of Montana. Mr. McKibbin i s
a native of Pittsburgh, was at one time a
member of Congress from California, and
at the outbreak of the rebellion returned
and was appointed Judge Advocate on
General Halleek's Staff, and afterward s
served with distinction on the Staffs of
Generals Grant and Resserans.
A Min Hester CORM Longkey, of Indian a
Co., Pa., was, a . few days ago, very on ex .
.pectedly made the recipient of the snug
little-sum of $50,000. A distant relative,
a•very eccentric old gentleman, bequeathed
_to her nearly the whole of his• fortune. His
alleged reason for so doing was that she by
her kind, gentle and affectionate manner had
won his heart. He lived in an almost pe r _
feet seclusion in the northern part of the
county and it was during a recent visit of
the lady in that section that he first saw
her.
The father of Major General Slocum, an
earnest Christian man, living among the
mountains of Northern Pennsylvania, and
now sixty years old, went recently to Wa
verly, N. Y., the seat of the Wyoming Con
ference, distant sixty miles from his re s i.,
deuce, to witness , the session of an Annual
COnference ,and see a Bishop, neither of
which had he ever seen before. He has
long been a devoted member of the slethod
ist Episcopal Church. He has given eight
sons to the army, 'three of whom have been
killed in battle, and the.remaining five are
stilt in the service of their country. T wo
of tbose who fell were members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. May the
blessing of God and of the country long
rest upon the noble sire and his patriotic
BOWL
Senator Thomas 11. Ricks, of Maryland,
writes to the Cambridge (Md.) 'Herald
from Washington, under date of March 21
" . The general interests of our once happy
and prosperous country are deeply involved
in the doings of, the day. All should be
willing to make a.sacrifice on the altar of
our Union. What are men compared to
the great interests, now before us? Feeling ,
as I do, that the interests of Maryland and
our dear eountiy at large must be promoted
by the destruction of slavery, I am decided
ly in favor of emancipation with compen
sation by the Government. True it is that.
the war' cannot cease, nor the restoration of
the, Union be effected, until slavery is
wiped out from, the land; then let it come,
and come soon, even if it- must be with or
without remuneration."
When Cornelius Vanderbilt was a young
man, his mother gave him fifty dollars of
her savings, to buy a small sail-boat, and
he engaged in the business of transporting
market gardening' from Staten Island to
New York city. When,the wind was not
favorable he would work his way aver the
shoals by pushing the boat along by poles,
putting his own. shoulder to the pnle, and
was-very . sure to get his freight into mar
ket in season. 'This energy always gave
him a command of full, freights and he
accumulated money. After, awhile he be
gan to build and run steamboats; and he is
now reputed to be worth more than nine
teen millions of dollars, after making the
government a present, as a free gift, of a
steamship that cost $800,000!
The Baltimore American says: There
bast arrived ,in Baltimore a refugee from
Richmond, Mrs. Lucy A. Rice. Her ease
is, one greatly deserving.of public sympathy
and liberal aid. Mrs. Rice, despite the
tyranny that reigns at Richmond, has al
ways preserved her loyalty to the Union,
and evinced a.warni sympathy for- the suf
ferings of our officers and 'men who have
been imprisoned in. Richmond. Her house
was, 'for nine days, the hiding place and
refuge of Colonel Streight, Major B. B.
McDonald, and another officer, after they
escaped from Libby Prison, and were
awaiting an opportunity to get out of the
city. In secreting them, and providing for
their wants during those nine days, while
the whole city was being searched for them,
Mrs. Rice subjected herself to a risk that
can onlys be comprehended by those who
understand the vindictiveness of the Rich
mond•anthorities and the extreme pains and
penalties they would have visited upon any
one aiding our officers, especially Colonel
Streight, in making their escape. Mrs.
'ice, however, accepted all this risk, and
she brings with her letters from Colonel
Streight and Major McDonald, in which
they warmly acknowledge her services.
Mrs. Rice has reached our lines in a
deatitute condition. Bhe has been forced
to abandon all she possessed in Richmond,
while her remaining means have been ex
hautated by the expenses incurred in reach
ing our lines.
Varieties.
France contains. 12,800,000 acres of
natural meadow land, 6,500,000 of artificial
meadows, and' 16;500,000 acres of pasture
land.
Christmas in, Australia is kept in the open
air. The people amuse themselves with
boating, Sailing, attendinc , out-door con
certi and appearing at Sower shows, not
forgcttiog cool drinks.
great number of precious' stones has
been:purchased by the French government
from that of ' Portugal. Fifty diamond
cutters are now constantly employed at the
imperial factory.
The provision trade of Chicago is im
ams-use. Last year over 900,0.00 hogs and
70;000 beeves were packed. The total re
ceip4Lot ,Tige for the year were 1,377,652.
The imerittin Board of Commissioners
for Foreign Missitins report as having re
ceived for missions in the last five months,
ending Aith February 29, $177,218 22.
They voted to raise $500,000 the present
year. :1‘
The prosperity of London is judged by
the value of •tbe land on which it is built•
A piece of land was - recently sold for as
many sovereigns—a gold coin worth about
ss—as it would take to cover the entire sur•
face. •
At the Washington .navy yard, in March,
an iron plate six inches thick, made for one
of the French iron -clads, and sent here
properly prepared to be tested, was broken
into fragments at the first fire of one of
our 15 inch guns.
The Dundeiberg's propeller has been cast
at Roach & Son's Etna, Works, New York.
It is. a mass of copper and tin weighing
35,000 pounds; and is the heaviest ever
cast in this cottntry—oost, $lB,OOO.
•
in unpleasant development was made in
Cincinnati the - other day concerning Ca
bitwidy. Ikesponsible vinters
de
tlikluinattiole would cost from
‘ 1 .4 11 :61.61r5i5 - a gallon, adding that