Vresimitrian (t 3 anntr,
PITTSBURGH, *MUM, MAY 18, 1864.
TERCENTENARY OF JUN CALVIN.
On the 27th of the present month it
will be three hnqdred years since JOHN
CALVIN, the great commentator and legis
lator of the Reformation, died. Thii long
period has diminished nothing from the
reputation he had whi'e living, but has
added largely to his fame. The asper,sions
east upon him ,have been removed. His
detractors, one , after another; have been
consigned to forgetfulness. The Apostolic
Church polity which he revived, and the
Pauline system of theology which he, de
veloped, are now, better understood and
more highly prized than ever before. The
doctrines vitolt he' adopted and promul
gated have been sown in every 'land, and
everywhere they have brought forth rich
and ripe fruit to the glory of God.
But no other land owes the memory of
CALVIN such a debt of gratitude as our
own. - Here the faith and polity of Geneva
have 'exerted a wider and more powerful
influence than anywhere else. All that was
good in the institutions established by our
fathers, when the foundations were laid
%pen which this Republic has been reared,
bears the impress . of the heart and mind of
the great Genevese, of whom France was
not worthy, though it gave him birth.
This is the. decided testimony Of our own
Bari' vagmtiotwithstanding his Unitarian
predilections. RANKS, the Berlin histo
rian of, the civil, aspects and bearings of
the Reformation, says, ".CALVIN is the
virtual founder of the United States of
America." He took a firmer hold and
uniulded• into; a more definite shape the
doctrines and principles which were needed
in the contest with• Rome, and for the fur
tberance of the Reformation, than any
other man of his times. His light and in
spiration came directly from the Word of
God. He loved it; he understood it; he
`drank in pits spirit. To it he came' for the
solution of all the problems of theology,
Church government, and human duty. In
this way he erected bulwarks not to be
broken down or removed by all the power
of the Papacy ; so that BAUR could truly
say, " The Calvinistic system is the real
Protestant antagonism to Catholicism."
As a commentator on the Holy Scriptures,
none who ever went before him can be at
all, compared with, him 5 and it is:altogether
doubtful 'whether, in depth and comprehen
siveness, he has been surpassed by any who
haie come after him. It is one of the fa
- vorable indications of our own days, that
N... ,
his works are becoming so widely diffused,
and that scholars are willing to:yield them
so.much deference.
JOHN CALVIN was born •at Noyon, in
Picardy, in 1509. Lyn:lm was his -senior
by twenty-five years. The pure Gospel had
again found its way into France, when
CALVIN was but a boy of .eight years. He
was only ten years old when- CHARLES V.,
errors of the Church of Rome. Many
sympathized with her in her anxious de
sire to bring about the Reformation in
France ; and some had been already burned
at the stake in Paris, for holding what were
_called," the damnahle heresies of LUTHER."
There was a deep movement among multi
tudes, even in Italy and. Spain. England
and Scotland were beginning to believe—
groping for the light. Rome itself was
divided, and fearful battles were being
fought by " Most Catholic Kings," against'
One; another, on, the plains of Italy:, while
Spain was aiming at universal power, and
vas On the very point of securing it. Such
was the state of Europe -when CAIN& be
gan to take an interest in public affairs.
dais father was Notary of the Ecclesias
tical. Court of iNoyori. 'Both his parents
continued in,' the Church of Rome until
their death, but they' were- pious and in
telligent.peopie., Be attended the College
of Noyon until he was fourteen years of
age, wheir-he was removed to the lligh
SchOol r Paris. During his_ whole course
as .a student, he kept in advance of all his
Aompanious, From the College of La
Marche, CALVIN was removed in his sev
`enteenth' year to . Montaigu College, espe
ciallyititended.for the training of priests.
Here, his rapid progress in learning, his
correct mode Of life, and his rigid observ
inee of all the fasts and ceremonies of
Rollie, attracted marked Attention. When
only eighteen years' of age, he Abtained the
living of St. Martin, in Mantville. , He
was a firm: believer in "Mother Church,"
and a keen and able defender of all her
'dogmas. _ 'But the writings of LUTHER, had
begun to' be diffnied, and his doctrinei
talked about. Public attention had been
-awakened, and the wrath of Rome had
;been inflamed. - The Scriptures were be
,
ginning to.be read, and martyrs were tiuffer
ing it the stake. Such a mind as that of
CALVIN could not fail to notice all,this, or
to take a deep, interest in it. His con
science began to be troubled. But he did
' not, giverup i his, old attaehments-at once or
without a struggle. .Often. did he strive to
,baryish.his.deubts. .Hawever, at length he
could withstand the convictions crowding
upon him no longer.. Divine light had en
tered his soul. He had been made to see
'his "sins, and'also to know his need of the
Saviour of sinners. "He fell at the feet
of the Almighty, exclaiming, I condethit
with tears my past manner of life, and
transfer myself to thine. Poor . and
,wretehed, I throw myself on the mercy
thou:hest shown us through Jesus Christ.
I enter that holy harbor of salvation." He
now studied the Word of God with humil
ity and, prayer, and. at length was brought
to enjoy the liberty of the sons,of God and
to relinquish Rome. Soon he became the
foremost of all the Reformera, and did a
work for the Church'and the world . such as
no other man has done since the days of
the Apostle PAUL.
The Tercentenary of his death will be,
lebrateir„..th e appr9pri' to ceremonies,
ion 't. f. Uit,Yr,44.., And ,as-the Grfeerar
Assemblies f of-;the';different branches of
ihe Presbyterian Church' in this country
Will he in session that day, it may not
be amiss for us to suggest that some be
coming notice be taken by each of these
bodies, of an anniversary suggestive of
such thrilling associations to all Presby
terians.
'WEAKNESS AND SELFISHNESS UNITED. -
The eihibitions of human infirmities
are many. Sometimes they appear in one
form, and sometimes in another. Not un
frequently qualities which at first sight
seem dissimilar and even opposed, are
found united in the same person. It is not
unusual, indeed weonay say it, is very
common, to see a very weak man also a
very selfish, man. Within there is a desire
to 'make himiblf of some reputation, or
at least to acquire 'notoriety; but since
others do not set the Fame value upon his
position, his abilities, or his general worth,
as he does, and since there is nothing in
him or about him to c command universal
compliance with his aspirations, lie makei
himself his own divinity which he rover
epees. If others will not worship him, he
will worship himself. • '
Thus the weakness which was unable to
support any claims of superiority, becomes
the basis on which the selfishness that thinks
every thing and every body undermost
imperative obligations to yield to it, rests.
And the greater the weakness so much the
more intense will be the selfishness, when,
developed in this way. A disposition so
thoroughly diseased is a most unfortunate
one. It makes its possessor unhappy?? , and
it makes him disagreeable to all whose mis
fortune it is to be connected with him.•
His countenance betrays the misery within..
Human kindness does not beam from his
face. His presence imparts no joy or glad
ness to his household. In the social circle
he must be the lion, or he will bik, in the
sulks. In politics his views, which he is
generally unable to support by sufficient
arguments, must be adopted, or he will be
ready to denounce the entire management.
In - the Church he wishes to IDe supreme.
He can toletate no person who will not at
once become subjectlo his dictation. The
opinions and . preferences of others are
treated with contempt. To speak to ;him
for the purpose of consultation, or to pre
pose a line of action different from what he
advocates, is to excite him to intense anger.
To fail to advocate his sentiments is to have
him regard you as an oppOnent, and possi
bly to look on you- as an enemy. - And
to adopt a method different from that which
lie considers the best,- to have him -de
plore that he will have nothing to tick with
it. In short, he denies altogether to others
freedom of opinion and the right of judg
ment according to their Own consciences.
This is that union of weakness and self
ishness, in the same person, so detrimental
to individual enjoyment, so destructive of
happiness in the family, so detrimental to
agreeable social intercourse, and so injuri:
ous to peace, prosperity; and'brotherlyiove
in the Church. The union of these two
infirmities darkens many households, dis 7
turbs many communities, and rends many
churches.
Wolin e Mei then 'hi
the hospitals at Washingteu•fand 'Alexandria
at 14,000; and the number at Eredericks;
burg -and . Belle .Plain at-15,000. What a
painful eloquence in these 'fearful - figureS I
The heart thatean_reraiitiunmotredhy this
siniple,statexneuf,:weiddr,.be unaffeeted by
the most.earnest.appeals. :To those who feel,
for the brave men who are now suffering
for us who remain at home; we coMillend
the following appeal •
PHILADELPHIA, May 14.—The United
States Christian Commission wishes the
friends of our brave soldiers to know that
in anticipation of the great struggle in. Vi
rginia, they had a large number of delegates
and wagons on the battle field. The stores
are on the ground, going with the army on ,
the march and present during all the bat
tles. There are now two hundred and four
delegates at work on the field, most of them
clergymen. Surgeons of eminent character,
giving their services gratuitously.' Thirty
seven choice boxes of hospital •stores were
shipped, to-day, and, more stores and men
will be sent forward daily. Our Govern
ment is doing everything in their power to
relieve the wounded, and with entire ap-,
preciation of our work gives us every pos—
sible facilit9. -
Intelligence from the General Field
Agent states that on his way to Fredericks
burg, wherever the wounded and dying
were found, delegates of the Commission
were binding the wounds and doing all in
their power to relieve the wounded. liun
dieds have already been saved through
their instrumentality. When the present
campaign began, the Commission found
itself with an empty treasury; but relying
on God and a generous. Atnerican people,
they, resolved to do their whole duty to the
noble men-Who have sacrificed all for coun
try. The emergency is great, and victory
to our arms should stimulate the people to
meet it. GEo, U. STUART,
Chairman Chrislian Commission,
SUPPLICATION WITH THANKSGIVING.
We mentioned last week the President's
recommendation that all patriots " - unite in
common thanksgiving and prayer to Al
mighty God." The events' of another
`week constitute anew tall to prayer and
*thanksgiving. Our grateful acknowledg
ments aro due to God, who hath given us
the victory; our .sole reliance for all that
is yet to be doneshouldle upon his mighty
arm. Our repentance should be profound
for the sins which lave brought upon us
his displeasure; and our sympathies for the
wounded, the suffering, and' the bereaved,
shduld incite us 'to renewed supplications
for them, and to increased efforts in their
behalf. It is matter of congratulation that
our Chief Magistrate is - not ashamed thus
publicly to acknowledge our national de
pendence upon and indebtedness to the
Lord of Hosts. Let all "who know the
worth of prayer" remember' now with un
ceasing petitions their country, its rulers,
its defenders, and its enemies. 44 Who•can
tell if will turn arid repent; and turn
away from his fierce anger, that' we perieh
not?"
To CorrespondoutL—Owing to. the pres•
-,sture that wilt he • capon tour :Tor :o;tpi
next er:starie.:weelo, front e
paliliira
filen. pf, the; proceeding! of
,tie General ,Ati
sembly,-;our , 00rre.spondents and eontribu
-tors will understand why atone of their
ebntinttnizaticips•iney- be delayed: - • ,
BEES
PRESBYTERIAN BANNER.---WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 1864.
The Greet Battles.—The excitement in
this city has been intense since the begin
ning of the late onward movement of the
Army of the Potomac. Many of,our sons,
brothers, and lequaintances were in that
grand army, and, alas I many of them have
fallen: Weeping households are found in
almost every street of Pittsburgh, and in
almost every village and township of Wise
em Pennsylvania. Probably no part of the
land 'has suffered more in killed and
wounded for the suppression of this
hellion; so gigantic in extent and so wicked,
in character. May the grace of our Lord
and Saviour Jesus Christ support and:doro
fort bereaved widows and orphans, stricken
fathers and - mothers, and weeping brothers
and sisters, here and everywhere else, who
mourn the brave whos have fallen in the
high places of the field.
• Our War • News.—We hive arranged with
no little care, in chronological order, for
the convenience, of our .readersj the princi
pal moveme.nts of the campaign inaugura
ted with the present month. 'Much , Of'
detail we haVe necessarily omitted, much''
that would move and melt the heart. An.
outline is c all that our ,space, -permits for
events that, must decide for all future time
the destiny of the Republic. Very rapid
ly—very gloriously—and very sorrowfully
have we been making history, since the
dawn of the first of. May : and .in ; ages -far
remote the historian will entrinaehia read
ors with*glowing picture's of 'the oacirren
ces. we this week record, and: of the inoinen
tons resnit t s to Which they must Loon and
inevitablrlead. , , -
Rev. Andrew Barr.—Thin devoted. Servant
of God, late pastor 'of the church of Wy
sox, Pa., 'died in the Army of the Potoroac,
April 11, 1864. Last March le accepted
the chaPlaincy of the 141st Pa. Regiment,
and had just .entered• upon •his duties when
the Master took him. He was a laborious
and successful pastor, an ; 'earnest preacher,
and a most agreeable companion.
Prdyer for the General Auenibly.—liinany
of our churches it, has .I.)cen cusioufarTio
offer special prayer for the ;General Assem
bly, on the evening previous toritsnieetigg.
Let this not be neglected thiS year-
Ton 'Dollars, from a " Friendnf tlieqcl
dier," in Paris, WaShik%ton County,
has been received and paid over• to the
Christian Commission. -
E,WS OF THE Q1111,E. - CHES
AND MINISTER S.
PRESBYTERIAN.,
Old School., We are pliased to, be
able to - announce .a•work. of grace in the
church of Pine Creek, Presbytery of Alle
gheny City. At a communion held some
time ago, tweirty-One were received on pro
fession of•faith; and at a communion held
recently, fifteen More were "received.... ;,
The Presbyter records. an interesting
work of grace in progress in the church of
Glendale, Ohio. On the first Sabbath of
May, there were received to, the communion
y glue manner. The per
sons received were all youth---ten of them
between the ages-of eleven 'and si?tteen.
The church of 'Hanover, has, also
enjoyed, a season of revival. Twenty-one
persons haire been added on profession,
principally
,yentli; nine - of them members
of Hanover College. „Many others are in.;,,
quiring, and daily 'meetings are held.
The Rev. Mr. Bittenger, . has intimated,
his willingness to , accept the call to the
church of Sewickley, Presbytery of , Alle
gheny City.
Rev, Win. E. M'Laren was installed
I pastor of the Second Preabyterian church,
'Peoria, on Sabbath, May Bth.' Rev:' Rob-:
ert Johnston; 'of the First Church, Peoria,
presided, propOsed-the ,questions, and de
livered the charge to the people. Rev., J.,
F. Magill, of Lewistown, - preacheil the'ser-,
mon, and delivered. the charge to the , pas
tor. The services were deeply , iniereStifig.'
Mr. M'Lareu has -, been laboring airtime
this people •for -about six :months; a.nd
great reason to le encouraged. They h.sie
done nobly, • and will doubtleWs sustain
their good" name. He has already seen
some wonderful manifestations of the pow
er of the grace ot. God his church ...:,
in ,
A call has' been extended' by the congre
gation of Brownsville and Little liedsinne,
to Rev. Joseph W. Stevenson, a member
of the, last Senior - Class; of the Western'
Theological Seminary. • The salary offered,
is $l,OOO per annum. The pulpits of the.
above congregations were made j vacantliy the
resignation of Rev. , M. Wallace,
accepted a call tOpreacir , at , Altoonig,r ,
The PresbYterian chinch of j'ainaina,L.
1., (Rev. Peteeb: Gak.ey's,:)-hits 'been `fit- ,
vored with an addition of 'sixty-ode to, its
communion, on - profession of '•their faith,
the fruits of a recent revival Others :are ,
still inquiribg.
The Rev. Prentiss de .Vetive, , of the EW
ing','ehurch, Trenton, N. J., has received`
and and accepted a unanimous cail.`kfrom,
the Second Presbyterian ehutoh in .Ger 2
mantown, to become its pastor. '
The address of Itev. 0. P. Prahalf is
chaoged from EirO Grave,' Ohio County,'
West. Va., to, Buchanan, .TJpshur. County,'
West Va.- •••, •• • • - •
The Scots' Presbyterian church of '`Phil
adeiphia recently handed ,its. irstor, AcV.'
D. A.: Cunningham, $504, to assist him:in
furnishing: his: house.
,Rev. A. S. Blinn4sley, Chaplain' of thS,
101st Regt. Pa. Vols., who was taken:pris
oner at Plymouth, N. C:, on the'iOth'of
April, and recently parbled; very well
known in this vicinity is a native of
Middleton township, Columbiana .ooUnty,
Ohio, and was for several 'years pastor of
the Slippery Rock (0. S.) Presbytefien
church, near the Beaver and Lawrenci
county line. He had been for several,
years in the GOspel ministry in Nebriski.
Rev. A. S. Alilholland, a licentiate of
the Zanesvillw Presbytery,. has 'received a
call to the Presbyterian church in Bucyrus,
Ohio, where he• reqUests correspondents to
addren him.- 5 41 IV/ /
Ite34 .rpri ,•} Potts, -- of ANdwAroxki because,
legifs •of ab
qence Vl4t+4-47
lqace, for months. , .; •
floW'Sclteet.=—The - Vaster Si' .Uniondale,
Pa, Rev R. Keepler;" wkites t r 'TAlrevivq
• .1.:••••
commenced early in December, last year :
the first manifestations of it were a deep anx
iety on the part of Christians, and a great
earnestness in their pleadings with God.
We then commenced to hold daily meet
ings. I preached a sermon, and then we
held prayer and conference meetings.
There was no excitement, but a deer feel :
ing 'pervaded--the whole- cimmunity. In
the-third.week of January, the Rev. T. S.
Ward, of . Carbondale„ was invited and came
to:assist in =the work. He spent cone week
with. us; preaching every evening. The
good work' was much advanced through
the assistance of this servant of God, than
whom I'never knew one more faithful. It
was his last work of the kind—ten weeks
afterwards entered into the rest that re-:
'Maineth for the people of God
a fruit of this revival forty-two have
alAOdy united with our Church' on Odes- -
siert of their faith ; :among these, eighteen
and heads of families, the remainder mostly
Yell:0g men- and. *omen.. Three of these
yolhg men have since joined our army,.
where this little church had' already' been
="repr"esented. We thank God for his'
goodness, and feel that all the praise be
lono-te him."
. 4 nited.—The' Christ - lam, Instructor says :
" any we. are sure , will rejoice: to, learn
thik Rey:. W. : Cf: Morirl4B.4,,l6l3BloDary Ot
onFO h urch in Italy, has .reached, his native.
laatiir.' again"; on2a ,hrief respite from his
lahors. He left - Florence on the 7th of
hult month, and after. stopping two days in
Paris and, form in Liverpool, landed after a,
via days' passage on board the da
*y of,
. fshington, in Now-York, on the 2d hat. -
The,, same paper also says :, " Letters
,E'r' in India ,inform, us that the Rev. Ad-,
dw Gordonhas beon suddenly attacked
• h a.severe affection of his hr a in. The.
sy .. Pt§ms were at tirst,alarming, but better
hoes were entertained: - The,. attack is
au n posed to have, rosulted,,,frorn long-con
ti !led and _overtaxed. devotion to lds-,svork.
11" eV. E. H. SievyMsOn, also of, the same
NVEI greatly enlehfed—had gons
to he Ellie for relief, and, might, be oom
pe to ;seek restoration 1.1,a long sea
vo ,age."
7 - (-REFORMED DUTCH: , :
I 0- eneral Synod of thee ormed
P.,testant .Thitch Chuieh will meet in
Ited"seuM in 'the Ifirst church in_Sche'-
i adY on 'Wednesday, :.Tutie, Ist, at 10
1 t
o' dek A. M:
by
he Sinodioal sermon Will' preached
'O the 'evening Of the first' day Of the - 130,13:.
sin, 'l4 Rev. 'l. W. Chambers, D.1)1; of
Niw-Yoik,, Piiiiireilfir the last Synod.
f ~...; • , it J. i`, _ ;,.: : i
,
.METHODIST.. ' ' : ,
- The L e'ongregation; of --the Americanlcip,pel at:.Paiie presented Dr. M'Olintoek,
h ore hel magnificent there, a agnifitent service
lo plate,-worth •perhaps' one thousand 'dol
.l s, as a'testimottial•of ' their esteem.
,At the late Auarterly meeting in New-,
York, one of the most pitasing Incid,ents
"vas the presence of. John Whiteman, Esq.,
-ol i o Pliiladelphia, who brought,. with him
" fifty one thousand dollars, being the,amount
,of mithionary'collections within the , bounds
~of the Philadelphia Oonferenee..
j'The last . Methodist says : "Lyceum
: all,' New-Orleans, the' room in 'which the.
Louisiana Secession Convention met after
;it adjournment' from Baton Rouge, has
i i a,
-11 en' .:christened ' Liberty Hall:;.: and under
..t t nanie was dedicated to freedonvon the
...orning of 'the • 6,th . of April:The exer
-apes Were quite-interesting,. and%con`sisted
of -reading the Seripturesv singing, pra'yer,,
ai)d an address by. Rev Dr. Newman,' -late
of New-York. We :also notice that the
ftist Session; of the:, new Lonisiana - State
COveation was.opened , with.prayer by'the
- •• - •• • • WT - G ' lkit our 1 ort orn
paujisirtn tobtain .ro
ggleriLifinisianal?
`Thil retliddia63,, colored;afa
Church priyileges''in
tYiklited
.
. ,
f, BAPTIST.
he %,iekniiii iziut ROZectbi'says
The illiasiort , Jubilee, just I at' hind
promises to be a mustering's:if the .Baptist
hoste - -such as the •:land has never *before
witnessed.. From the North, and East, and
West, all• eyes , turn eagerly `to Philadel
phia, =as the JenuSalern- where - the' fathers
gathered to lay the foundation ofithe mis
sionary enterprise,' and whither: the sons
go up togive thanke for-the 'wonders God '
haswrrought: 'Never. .4%8.'0 , people tinder
higher obligationate , give thanks. - Never
'was there amore urgent "FUMmonsto- go up
Bethe 4 and set up. anialear there in -the
name of - the Ilordl,.' • -
T i The half 'Century. has , witnessed mar-
venous changes.. Then the „Baptists were
a feehlerfolk, of little 'acoOtint ,among the
flocks of Israel, with little ,pecuniary
and no .plans.:of, united antion to =de
velop strength„ They nninhered, perhaps,
200,000 communicants in a population of
eight millions lt ,or in the_ ratio , of one, to
forty: :Now : they iiiimber , a Million commu
nibants in a population, of thirty Millions,
with large and sqpng .churches, `;brought
into intimate sympathy by associated action
in, various benevolent .movements, in .effi
oient,literary institutions, in a high-toned
andieffactent press. They have wealth,
and talent, an& nuthbers adequate , for any
work to•which the Lord calls them!! "
Nor. the Presbyterian Banner.
letter Frompihe; ,
Army.
-„:.! . CAMP STONEMAN.--NO. 111.
"S. JoseA Albiee,"Treastirer' of. U. S.
6.:ll7,ltiaiz 'c'crikniiesion' - :--:LDEthi, - - SIR :-.:-
Hdvirig. already occupied censidertiblo space
in kiting an account 'of ''my labors in the
I array; I feel "'now; in justice to' the paper
which has :kindly published mtreport,' I
(nighto be bitief, and'bring my remarks to
.i-elos i As 1'414 been riesling from tent
to tentl, ilistlibMing.reading matter, I have
beenlfsked i " ' have ' you the - Presbyterian
t
Beni* Y" I 'distributed' `quite' a number
iif s eopres: I' was glad to see it, recognizing
it as a weekly visitor'When 'at borne: But
riircolibie 4 Ce' would 'not nOwirbuble me
to han" . left one in "every lent, 'if I hid
posseiiiiil la` , "sufficient` • number to 'do So.
There 'ought to be more Copies of it in the
artily :.. It 'is an '- eiiee.llerit' Way -of doing
good. 4- • It 'Weed he a'irerreafe ` investment
if., some of'onr in'oneyed mett'Wntild furnish
the I:6'4in s ' by:: * hibh ' Ilon' ' oiipies - of - the
BarldWbotild be gent =te Our soldiers;
- fl S Tpii , 'l3 'the' time to labor fort he spirit
uel infernite' of 'the" `tioldieri. ,It 'is "milt
when the wit' shitlllie-tiVei, arid' the army
disbanded. ", If we wait until that - tithe, We
Will iiad'bitek if olaik of Men' very different
from the'lbvelf Spirits which emanated
from-the pious homes, Sabbath' Schools and
churches of our land.L .- 14Iett areaway from
their homes and the religious iefiticheetif
parents—also from these : beneficial and
Wholesome restraitits. which are thrOarn
around them at their 'peaceful homee- 4 *-to
endure- the hardships of War, and are ex*-
pcisedio its demoralizing influences. 'Many
of the'reginients have.no chaplains : . Large
•fiumbers of these braie men are liot reached
by religious influences and instruction,
apart from the Christian Commission.
Hence. if those -in •the airy.a . c l e'Ato "Obtne'
liiiiail'so - tbliiet 4r h Wiirbet'a-n lionor'tO'thefi
friendeoktere4it tothepße4n#,,ana'ap,ortka.
meat , to;society,- let -us .now, throw, around
them±:stich healthful , _.influenees-that, they
will come:back and• be an honor in eornmu r
nity%; a bomfortlo thei' fnutiliee,-andnsefal I
memhent.qf the ; Phureh., . ~.:
..,
•: Bitt , enezgreet reason why we -shot:ad:Aft-
bor for the soldiers now is, that they are
falling daily. They are fast passinc. away.
Many hearts mourn to-day the loss of loved
ones. Around many firesides there are va
cant seats.' Many have gone to the land of
silence, and still they are going.. What is
to be one for many, must be done quickly.
A soldier whom I visited in Geesborough
Hospital, whose lips *ere parched with
fever, and who was suffering great pain,
when I asked him if he was a Christian,
said, "I am not, but I would like to be."
I endeavored to point him to the Saviour
of sinners. In passing through the same
hospital, a few days after, in company with
an excellent brother delegate from Phila
delphia, who took that side of the hospital
where he had been lying, when I came op
posite' to the place where I had seen him, I
glanced my eye across, but, he was gone.
He was dead. What is to be done; must
''he done quickly; for the of death to
many is fast, approaching.
Whilst there are many in the army who
. -
are away from their homes and religious
privileges, there are great numbers also
who at home never visited the house of
God, and had none to care for their souls,
who are reached through the Christian
Comrnision. I heard soldiers say that,
when at home, they never visited the house
of prayer, but after they . : had gone to the
army they attended religious services, prob
ably through euriogity; or to break the
'monotony of camp life; they went to the
'" chapel tent," became interested, and the
Holy Spirit sealed 'the instructions they
heard upon their hearts; and' instead of the
'Wicked and careless men theymere it home,
they became active and working Christians.
I have no doubt but, in the'great day'when
Goa comes this
make up his jewels, " It will
be said of this man and that
,rnan, lea was
born" again in the army: Les us bless -
God for any means of reaching the soldier:
-During My term of service as a delegate;
hddreased • thousands of Men different
points, at Camp Steneman, - at the - Saldier's
rest in Washington City, at, Brandy Sta
tion, at Camp-Bullock; at Warrenton Junc
tion.- At all those.feints I was listened to
with respectful attention. The. largest au
diences which I addressed'were at, the Sol-
Alen Rest in Washington,City. lAs we
went into the immense barracks filled with
soldiers (tarrying for a night ) ) our pockets
filled with *Testanienti Hymn Books and
a large bundle,:ofpapers under our arms,
every thing was confusion. But.'hy pass
ing through the huge building, and cireu
latiog Word that at'soine particular Pace in
it there would bepreaching, out... .of the
hundreds colleoted,there, there would soon'
be, an audience of attentive hearers. Be--
fore preaching,me distributed the Testa
ments and Hymaßooks, and told them al- -
ter service we f , would distribute the papers.
As soon as commenced' we 'could hear on
ail sides , " Give me a paper:"
Whilst in the army , I preached. 42 ser
'mons; attended`4s'prayer-meetings,distrib
.uted 5,376,pages of tracts, '1,487 seldier i s
books, 50 primeri,'2,4o9` papers; 280 hymn
books, 80 Testaments,. 100 pamphlets
-.wrote three.letters for soldiers ; and con
'verged - with quite:w number of individuals'
on personal religion:
It was to me a , great satisfaction , to meet
:with many in the army whom I personally
knew; It was . pleasant to -meet familiar
faces again, and to have an Opportunity far:
from , home, to offer again to those who
:twere accustomed to situnder Iny ministry,
.the Gospel of the " blessed God:" - This'
privilege was refreshing and delightful, = I
"look back to it as one of the " green spots"
in my visit to' the army. May our-Father
: in heaven bless'these ministrations.
I feel; after seeing the desolations of war,
especially' tliose- of :Eastern (for the
desolations are terrible in that section) we
"-touched usi that..the desolations . have not
:reach - edsoUr homes.aad.our firesidest • Our
churches are, still Opened up regularly, for
;Divine Worship. For all these. ntereies, 'it
.hemmed us tii be:thankful. , In many places
the religious services of-the house of God
- , are' interrupted and- broken , up. --
Ilaving„spetit the , term, ofnix - weeks in
?the - employ of , theiTnited Staies Christian
.Commission; t look -book as enjoying in
4,hat bfie.f. period, one'of the; greatest priv
ileges of illy life: , ,, When my time had ,ex, 7 '
pired i and I was expected to return tcrthe
-people of my charge, and I
,was'valled , to
part from- my new- -acquaintances; -whose
'• friendship and ,society I- enjoyed for a:brief'
.pefied, I felt as though it was : hard to part;
hut in the hearty. shake of :the Amid and
the " God: bless'youp I felt I was abundant
;ly remunerated for my labors among those
who are fighting for our nation's }loner _and
(fx.istenee. I ;believe. many. are rejoicing
_And praising Goff to-day; not only on earth,
abut in glory, for the Christian-Conamisaion
In all the fifteen, Stations in the Army of
ithe _Potomac, tthernis, not: one where there
-haVenot been more-or less genuineconver
-sines . .and - onwhich.God has not poured:out
-his doing a great work, biit
Ttime 'Will never reveal its full , fruits..! Eter;
,nity with disclose many-of its-precious fruits
not seenion earth::,.. •,"
- Very truly, yours, Wm F; MORGAN.
Rural-T/4116y, Pa: •
Wayside Meditations
" The Winter is past, the . rain is over
and gone. The' flowers appear on the
earth, the Clue of 'the singing of birds iS
eorne, and the voice of „the turtle is heard
In. our land." The Winter days were
short, yet most tedious; _for the skies mere
dark, and"storms"mein abroad,; but ,Spring has burst' linen' with"ita warm breath 1
and odorous floWers, and the'
most genialand refreshing.
There is another Winter that will soon
be crier. Its days, • though brief, are tedi
'ow, too; but. the. Spring °meth.
~it:'will
be' the' eternal Spring that hatheti ,
theever
lasting hills , beauty. and fragrance;
Breathing the joyous odors of that, Spring,
the soul will rejoieein immortal yOuth, -
IN BIGHT OF pANAAN.. A
Israel had been Jong in the wilderness.
Their:feet Were Worn with-travel,mie their
hearts welktigh exhausted with'*aichiug
-and Waiting. At kngth they emerge froin
'the wilderness, and o.e goodly hied of Ca
naan bursts at once n tipon their view. It is
'shilling and verdant, and' the breeze comes
to them laden with the perfume of fruits
and of flowers. It 'Tans their''-fevered
brows. It regales their languid`, senses.
The beantified - prosPeet' asSures them of
rest and peace'nfteraTtheir toils and
'Oka. Bat Cimiirt i. still in the dfni
tense. They' e'en but just 'perceive the' ire
:perfect outline' of field, Mid :Wood, and
- streemlet, and lake. Here And'there rises
lip` some lofty tower and gilded spire, tell
•ing of the abodes . of meo. And between
theioselves and'the‘ goodly'proipeot; they
notice a wide, deep river 'that must le
crossed ere they can enter upon its enjoy
meit. They Must 'go doWn into its foam
ing Channel, and contend with its rushing
waters, ere they can Walk upon the green
turf of the - land'of` olives- and of vines.
There was no' Other way of access, no other
path that would lead theta to — the - ge4i -?)f i
all, their hope's;"- That deep;darlc riyer;maa
liha,Vordarri *hose . swelling 'Ayes rolled
botWeeri ;them and Canal&
And `- standing. here, after the lapie*of
thirty-three 'centuries', 'l' feel that I am
incising through'the wilderness, too, And
see in 'the 'dim distance a" Most beautiful
prospect : ' beypnd the hills and val.
leys of eiertli•-jea,`beiniid\ the Anudo-thitt
For the Presbyterian Banner
.
- Calls from the opmehe s of aisoo , ow and
Grarksoo were preldided for, the tabors of
(
lair. Win . Gaston who lfa's beau laboring:
for some time past in these charges. , These 1
oburchei!huve,inereased ',rapidly, limier the
ministrations off ',this ''yoting Irether. A
few yimrs ago they were. so weak that they
could scarcely maintain their organiza
lions ; but now Glasgow presents a call for
the entire time, of a pastor, And, Clarksen.
for the one half? ,Let feuble /lurches tike
environ earth, and the stars that stand as
sentinels on the watch-towers of night.
In the imperfect outline I see the towers
and palaces of the City of our God. I see
the verdant bowers of the Tree of Life, and
the sparkling fountains that gush from the
Throne of God: The breeze that floats
down from that delectable land is all redo
lent of the Balm of Gilead, and the" Rose of
Sharon. Yea, even the faint • echo of
sweet and joyous -mush? is borne down upon
the air, and there is a voice of, joy and
gladness in every note, that tells of victory
and glory in that far off and . pleasant land.
But here, too, I Fee an obstacle that must
be overcome, ,before .entrance can be ob
tained to the heavenly Canaan. It is a
deep, dark, swelling river. ,its,waves roll
far and' wide, and there is no . -way of enter
ing the good land, without .geing . down, into
its channel.
But, through the faith that could follow
the Ark of God in the days of Joshua, the
billows were all overcome, and the pilgrim
passed over dry.shod. .So faith works the
same miracle still. Following the ark of.
God, we may go down all unfearingly
_into
the very midst, of the . Jordan channel, .and
pass over dry shod: If we have followed the
pillar of fire through the long, dark nights,
of the wilderness journey, we will find at its
olose that the, last fearful, obstacle will be
removed, and the triumph, and the rest will
be beautiful and glorious. It is a great`
thing to, have faith in. God ; and the faith
which enables us to live in God's fear, will
not forsake us' when
, ; we reach the Jordan
. PTA
Jior the Presbyterian Banner.
Presbytery of Bloomington.
The Presbytery of Bloomington met` at
Towanda, on Tuesday, April 26th, and - was
opened with a sermon by`the Moderator,
from Mark ix : 88-40.,
Rev. - Geo.*M'Sinley was chosen Mod , -
erator, and- Rev.' J. A. Cornelison, Tem
porary Clerk.
- There were-
,preSent fifteen ministers,
eighteen Ruling Elders, and three licen
tiates, constituting one of the Jaigest - and
most pleasant meetings of Presbytery` ever
held since our organization, in Aptil,lBs9.
A new chureh of eightmembers was re
ported as organized at. Chatriworth.
The chrirch of, Ashkinn was dirisolved,
and the members transferred to Gilman
church.
Rev. Alexander L., Knoi," of the Pres
byterY of St..Clairsville, and Rev. Thomas
J. Taylor, of 'the''''Priabytery of Des
'Moines, were received cas members of Pres
bytery.
Mr. John Wilaon, licentiate of the Pres
bitery of •Ohio ; and Mr. A. J. Clark, li
centiate) of the Presbytery of New`Albany,
were received, under'the care of Presbytery.
Mr. Wilson to labor at Ileiweith, and
Mr. Clark at Clinton.;
Rev. George D. Porter was dismisied to
Cedar Presbytery; Rev. J. A.'E. Simpson,
to Peoria Presbytery; and Rev, H. C. Mc-
Cook, to the Presbytery of St. Louis.
The, pastoral relation between Rev. W.
t-Adams 'and beer- Oreek church : 148 dis-
solved, with : 11: view tirhis
* removal to El
-Paso, - from:which church hb has received a
Call to beCome their ptiStor. The ohitrelies
of Deer Creek an - d Atlanta are now vacant;
both interesting and important fields
Wednesday evening was devoted to the
consideration of the Domestic missionary
work. The, Domestic Board was repre
-seated by brother John Crozier, of Saline
Presbytery. << After;a full discussion, inter
,spersed with devotional- exercises, Pres
bytery
Resolved, That all- our ministers be re
quested to set forth at an early day, the special
claims of the Board of Domestic Missions
.124.4=41446614.14414804660444.0.4a.
The following. Commissioners` to the
General Assembly . were chosen : -Rev. S.
EL. Stevenson and elder, W. T. Pearson,
principals Rev. Geo. .114.'Kinley, and elder
T. Altfintock, alternates—
Presbytery adjourned to meet at Dwight,
;on the - Fourth Tuesday of September,- at 7
T. i. R. CONOVER, Stated Clerk.
•
Presbytery of Cedar, lowa.
Presbytery convened in Mount Vernon,
on Alio 26th inst. The -opening sermon
'ivai preached by the Rev. S.' M. Osmond,
.Of lowa 'City. Fourteen ministers and
eleven elders were preietit.
After the constituting prayer, by the
Rev. E. L.'Dedder, the'retiring - Moderator,
Rev. J. D: Mason wasleleeted Moderator,
and Reir. S. M. Osmond , Clerk.
' Rev. J. S. Dinamitt - Presiding =Elder -of
the' Upper lowa Conference, was invited
`telsit with ue as a Correiponding Mernber.
Rev. Jonathan Olimond was, received
from-the Presbyteryof Luzerne, after the
prescribed examination. A ,
commimication was received from the
Rev. B. Bel'
den,' tendering.lita resigna
tion of the pastoral charge of the church
'of Muscatine, and also of his office of
Stated Clerk of Presbyteq-.
The church was cited to appear ; at, an ad
jeirned meeting, to be held in , i Tiptnn on
the second Tuesday lust show cause,
&e.. Rev. J. D. Mason weoelected . Stated
Clerk in his stead.
Rev. S. Andersen. 'preached, by
previous order, on the 'text, Rom. xiii: 1—
" The:powers that be are ordained of God."
Written statements of settlements with
pastors were called for, and generally pre-
Rev. C. 'O. .Waters, licentiate, reported
his .labors fort -the.!last six months as con
sisting , chiefly in visiting the military
,eamps, hospitals, prisOns., fko., and preach.,
ing, distributing the publications of our
Board,-,&c. The report • was interesting,
and, well received: •
Rev. S. M'C.Anderson and elder C. O.
,Waters were elected -principals to the 'Gen
eral Assembly, and Rev..J. D. Mason and
Thomas : Elder, alternates.
Rev: Robert Carothers : was appointed to
preach. at our next stated meeting, on the
sinner's responsibility ;,text, Acts 23
Whom yo have , taken and by-wicked hands
have erneiflectand
The, following, overture was considered,
and ordered ,to be sent up to the • General
Assembly, viz.: " Are two or more
churches, united under one. Stated Supply,
entitled each to a representation, in the
Presbytery ?"
J. D. N., Stated. Clerk
For: the Presbyterian : Banner.
The 'Presliptery. of New Lisboil
,
Met, in Salem, Ohio,' oa„the 26th of April.
'Rev. J. N. 4wan was eleeted Moderator,
and. Rev. William Gaston Temporary
Clerk.. •
Rev. James, Allison, one of the editors
of the /."r'esbyterian, Bantier' preached the
Presbyterial Sermon,, from Habakkuk
2. His sermon was earnest, logical, and
adapted to the times, and was listened to
with marked attention. • -
Rev. Dr. Mac Nester, of Poland, and Mr.
jebn Ditdine, of Pleasant Valley, were
elected Commissioners to the next G-eneral
Assembly.
, Personal. ,
Ilajor. General John Sedgewick, men
der of the_fith army corps, who was i n , :
ly killed in a skirmish near Spottsylp
Court House, has been prominently ki
throughout the war as an able and enei
is officer. He was twice offered the i
mand of the Army of the Potomac,
said, but was contented with a subordi
position. He was a native of Conneeti,
'and entered the West Point Academy fr
that State in 1833. He was a 1110111 bf
the dame cless with Henry W. Be,'
Edw. D. Townsend, Joseph Hooker,
ton Bragg, William W. blacken, John
Pemberton, and others now serving in
Federal and . Confederate armies. .G 1
sting in 1837, he was assigned to the
Artillery, ranking as second lieutenant
brevet. . He.was promoted -first neuter
April 19,-18 . 39, In the Mexican war
took in active part, being brevetted ,
tain,-August 20th, 1847, " for gallant
meritorious conduct in the battles of t
treras and Churubusco," and brevetted
jor, September 13th of the same year
Similar conduct in the battle of Chap},
pec. He received :his full commission
captain in January, 1849, and as maje
the Ist Cavalry in
~March, 1855. On
25th of April, 1861, he was promoted
be colonel. of the 4th Cavalry, and on t
' 31st of August following was appoint
brigadier general of volunteers. He
appointed major general, July 4,1862,
Wounded in one of the battles on the 1'
mac of the same year. In his death
country has lost one of its best soldi
'end the army a veteran leader.
.134 Gen. J. J. nwene
family, at Philas
phia, Pa., '.have received information of
death from the effect of a severe wound
ceived in the battles of the Wilderni
Gen. Owens entered the service in 181
as Colonel of the Sixty-ninth Pennsyl
riia•Regiment, which has been attached
the Second Brigade of the Second Divisi
of - 02. - Second Arm. Corps almost
- - . - • . • 0 . Otens disc
guished himself in. command of the II
- went throughout the Peninsula campai l
the brigade :then 'being commanded
Brig. Gen. Burns. - During the Set
Days' Retreat, at the battle of Glendai
Gen- -Rooker, who was being hard press
called:on the passing divisions for aid, at
Cole Owens' regiment came to his assist
ante with 'such , great promptness, and rez
dered such essentialservice, as to win Gei
Hooker's, lasting gratitude; and when tl
latter succeeded to• the command of tl
Army . of the.. Potomac, he - caused Cot
Owens to be appointed a Brigadier Genet
al, and in that poiition he participated in
the battles of Chancellorsville, Bristoe Sta
tion, and the fatal—to him—struggle in
the Wilderness. _He commanded a noble
brigade, and his lose will be deeply mourned.
Gen. /EMU U. Rice, who fell in one of the
late battles in Virginia, was from New-
Yerk; `and was one of the bravest, purest,
noblest spirits this country has seen—a
man so simple in his ways, so entirely de
voted to his country, so fearless and deter
mined in battle, so •true and genuine a man
and so thoroughly a soldier, that, without
family or political influence, and without
personal effort, his own merits raised him
frau. the position of private in the Thirty
ninth-Igevr-Yerk Regiment to that of one
of the ' . must trusted and respected Briga
diers in the Army of the Potomac. He
fought in every battle in which that army
that
whose of defence Antietam; be he
bore the brunt of many terrible conflicts;
ion
.maiiy: occasions received shots through
hid clothing, but was never touched in his
person till, in the charge which be led on
Tuesday, he was shot in the thigh. Be
died shortly after amputation had been per
formed—his last words the request, 4 ' Tarn
me over that I may die with my face to
the eneiny." . In him the country has lost
not only a true and brave soldier, but a de
-Voted. oitizen--a man who understood the
Tull meaning of liberty.
-Gen. 4evensoni: who was killed in the
battlee of the Wilderness, was a son of J.
,
Tholnee,l Stevenson, a leading citizen of
Roston, Maissachusetts, where he also leaves
a ‘ wide, - circle ..of personal friends. He
graduate!' akilarvard, and even before the
breaking out of the rebellion took an active
Mieate j rcrereit n i7 pbr i F li o 4 ur rY th a te i t r li h o a n v , in a g fa h v e o e r e ite a
. Boston company ..,,- Gen. Stevenson entered
fthe present war as colonel of the Twenty
ourthi MasSuchasetts Regiment, which
formed - part of. Gen. liurnside's forces in
the
,Nortlx,; Carolina expedition. Subse
queetly Gena Stevenson was sent still fur
ther South, and commanded the :reserves at
ethnet
e a e t zn ta p ok aig on n . , V iie ort Wagner.. In the pres
commended, the First Bri
gade, of' the First Division of Burnside's
Gen. Steyenaen -:was, but twenty
eightcorps.
years old -at the time of his death,
but had, lived long. - enough to win-a fine
reputation,as a soldier, and •do much good
servwicase fetinrgtahgeedcloueinctreyPtio
laid down his life. ' •
.
- lien , Naurra laurels- have faded.
The
scientific world has writtenhina a pretende h r e
hwaevile'alsonagetkranizenr. tliTahteheNwenstiqatia
and cheat: Well infintied men:f science
charlatan as '
Academy
of .Science has resolved that the' volumes
entitled Sailing Directions, and 'Wind and
Current Charts, embrace much which is
unsound in philosophy and little that is
practically useful, and ought no longer. to Lo
issued. . These.dare = the' . btiOricif on which
11:faary's faine was Used. - They were pub
hilted et the expense of the Government,
and altogether hive *met the eenntry in
cash some hundreds of thousands of gol
lars. , llow , much they have cost in op,
erty erty and Ries , destroyed by reliyite on
their directions, no one can estimate-
Nei the Preebytaiian. Balmer.
The late Gen. James S. WatiSWO
of giose soldiers who was
personal ambition in- -
courage, put their trust in God s and t,
will be strengthened.
A request was presented from the to
of Salineville, to organize a Presbyter,
church in that place.
.A memorial was addressed to the G
Brat Assembly, on the subject of D 041e4
blipaions and Freedmen.
The last evening of the sessions
spent in bearing statements from th ree
the brethren who had visited the at,
during the Winter and Spring, ander
direction of the Christian C onitu i ssig
The incidents related by these brear
were fall of interest, and were etuinelli
calculated to endear this noble sch eme
Christian benevolence to every patriot a l
friend, of humanity.
The following supplies were appointsi
Poland—Mr. Dickson, Fifth Sabbath
May., Mr. Speer, Second Sabbath o f J ut
Presbytery adjourned o to meet i n
church of Glasgow, on the Third Tue:
of June next, at 3 o'clock P. M
For the
L Surprise Visit.
On the' morning of the sth of A i
Apple Creek congregation made a vi s i
their•pastor. They prepared an excel'
dinner for all present, and made hit
his family a present of about one hum
thillara in cash, and about twenty dol
worth otnecessary articles. After sin;
and - prayer, all returned to their he
apparently well pleased, and realizing,
" it is more blessed to give than to reeei ,
May " God supply all their need aeconi
to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
• , ANDB.EW IrD.LTU.E.
It. H
1112!1
~.