Vrtsligttrian Vantr, tITTBIIIIM, VEDNESDA Y, JULY 11, 1864. RISCALITIRS IN TIDIES .O 1? WAR. The outcry against the rapacity and vil lainy which have characterized a large number of contractors and some Govern ment officials, during the present mar, has been general and loud. It has been charged that such self-seeking and such selfishness have never been witnessed in the history of a Christian nation. * And toe much con demnation cannot be expressed, or too much contempt felt, for men who will seize upon the blood and agonies of their country for the purpose of enriching themselves or friends, or securing their own personal ad vanoement. That grievous_wrongs-;-ac tions which startle us by their very heart lessness—have been committed, in these particulars, no one will deny. Fortunes have been amassed by means most. disrep utable. These things grieve and sadden the heart of the patriot and Christian, and the report of them discourages our brave soldiers in the field, who have left the quiet and endearments of home, ' and the rewards of industry, to risk their lives and lay them down, if necessary, for their country. And to make matters worse, the present is contrasted with the past—the feelings and conduct of the men engaged in such reprehensible practioes, with the feelings and conduct of the men of our revolution ary period, of which we are so proud. So that many people suppose the rascality to be all at the present juncture, and that in the Revolution there were no private am pitions, no petty jealousies; no extortions, and no complicity with the enemies of their country. They now see things to be very different, and therefore conolude that we have sunk to a baseness unparalieled in former times. Croakers fill the ail; with their complainings and vaticinations of evil. While the sympathisers with the rebellion rejoice in them as indications of complete national overthrow. But rascalities in times of war are no now things ; nor are we worse in these par ticulars than the men of former times in similar circumstances. The prevalent com parison is nnjust . to oOrselves and untrue to history. The sum of our national vir tue, notwithstanding all that has been said to the contrary, is as great now is it ever was in this land, or in any other land. This will be evident from a consideration of facts in our own history and in- the his tory of other nations, in times of war. In the new edition of his "American Loyalists," Mr. LORENZO SABINE, known as an exaet and scrupulous author, has in serted an historical essay, which roads very much like a series of pungent observations on contemporary events, and which shows the common opinion entertained to be very erroneous. Mr. SABINE says that the omi -nt 41 just as elsewhere in the annals of our race:" He says : " Avarice and rapacity were as common then as now. The stock jobbing, the extortion, the forestalling, the low arts and devices to amass wealth that were practised during the struggle are almost in credible. WASHINGTON mourned the want of virtue as early as 1775, and averred that its i trembled at the prospect' Soldiers were stripped of their miserable pittance, and contractors for the army might become rich in a sine() campaign. Many of the sellers of merchandise monopolized articles of the first necessity, and would not part with them to their suffering country and to the wives and children of those who were absent in the field, unless at enormous pzofits. The traffic carried on with the royal troops was immense. Men of all de- - acriPtions finally engaged in, it, and those who at the beginning of the war would have shuddered at the idea of any connee- - tion with the enemy, pursued it with ity." This is not an unsupported statement. WASHINGTON bears testimony to its correct ness in a private letter, in which he says: / 4 From what I have seen, heard, and in part know, I should,• in one word, say that idleness, dissipation and extravagance seem to' have laid fast hold of most; that specu lation, peculation, and an insatiable thirst for riches seem to have got the better of every other consideration, and almost every order of men, and that party disputes and personal quarrels are the great business of the day." . There was much greater difficulty in raising troops, even in those patriotic times, than now. Some States never furnished their proportion of men. Deserters and bounty-jumpers were abundant. WASH iiiGTON complained that some of the States sent him officers unfit to be ahoeblaeks. Mr. SABINE says that eighteen generals retired during the struggle; one for drunk enness; one for receiving double pay; some from declining health ; others from the weight of advanced years; others to accept civil employments; but several from private resentments, and real or imagin ary wrongs inflicted by Congress or asso ciates in the service. Conclusive proofs can be given to show that individuals of all ranks entered the army from interested motives, and aban doned it for similar reasons. Joust AD AMS , wrote in 1777: " I am wearied to death with the wrangles between military officers, high and low. They quarrel like oats and dogs. They worry one another like mastiffs, 'scrambling for rank and pay like apes for nuts." WASHINGTON, who was more guarded in his letters to Congress, wrote almost in a similar strain to private correspondents. It may be added that similar charges and criminations, arising from similar causes, circulated in England during all her long continental wars,, in Prussia, where PASDBRICK conducted his cam paigns; in qrermany, Sweden, Rtissia, and in every country disturbed by war. WEL LINGTON'S dispatches from Portugal and Belgium, are largely filled with inveighing against public and private villainy and speculation. He even wont so far as to bang contraotors where their dishonest praotioes were proved, and he freqMintly -#4stiied them into the ranks; while NAPO LEON not unfrequenlly shot mon for similar offences Therefore, we must not suppose that we, of this age and in this great struggle for the life of the nation, are afflicted with an amount surpassing that of former times, of dishonesty and villainy in the prosecution of war. Nor must we permit half-hearted Union men, or constitutional croakers, to make us despair of the Republic. A bless ing is still in it, and God will preserve it, even in the midst of the fires. Let each one of ns listen to the wise man where he says : " Say not thou, What is tile cause that the former days were better.. than these ? for thou dost not inquire wisely concerning this." Yu NI OF PRAYER The General Assembly, on the last day of its session,. at Newark adopted a resolu , tion recommending Thursday, the first day of September, tO Ihe observed as a day of humiliation and prayer, (unless the Presi. dent of the United States should appoint some other day,) because of sins as indi viduals, as churches, and as a nation. Since the adjournment of the General Assembly, the President, in accordanee with the, united request of both Houses of Congress, has set apart the first Thursday, being the fourth day of August, as a day of national humiliation and prayer. We have already given in our issue of the inst., the joint resolution of Congress, in ssme respects a remarkable paper, and the President's proclamation thereupon. We now call attention anew to the action of the Assembly and the appointment of the President, because the present is the last issue of our paper Which will reach a large portion of our subscribers before the designated day , of prayer. We feel assured that our readers will• not forget the duty to which they have been thus doubly and solemnly invited, and that pastors and Ses sions, or united churches, will make pro, vision for the, suitable observance of the day. - It becomes us to be humbled. Many dark days have passed' over us, disappoint meats have befallen us, men in whom we have confided have note justified our trust, millions of treasure have been squandered, precious live's have been lost, untold suffer ings have been endured, and the end is not yet. But while theae things should rebuke our pride and self-reliance, they are not the chief reasons why - e should be humbled. We have sinned--T•as individuals, as churches, as a nation,- we have sinned. Our trans gressions have called down upon us the wrath of an offended God; and for our sins, more than for the penalty they have entailed, should we be grieved and humbled. It becomes us to Fray for our rulers that they may direct our affairs in the fear of God and with the Divine approval; for our soldiers and sailors, that God would be their shield in the hour of danger, would support them in sickness and suffering, would prepare them both for life and for death, as he in wisdom shall appoint; and * lrtiliaetetting 4 Llereaved, the afflicted, the distressed, that GCd would oomfort and sustain and bless; for our enemies, that their hearts may be turned to lay down the weapons of their rebellion and submit to the rightful authority of the Constitution and the laws; for ourselves that strength may= be given us to contend and to endure for a just and righteous cause; and for our common country, that speedily, if God so will, peace and pros perity and fraternal love may return to our distracted land ;—for all this it becomes us fervently, submissively, to pray. Nor lot us forget, in view of the approach of this day of prayer, to make preparation for it by rigid searchings of heart, confes sions of sins, and earnest looking unto God, that his anger may be turned away from us, and that he would cause his face once more t 6 shine upon'us. - Do we seek encouragement to pray ? 3`rom the many instances of answered prayer, recorded in God's word, let us recur to that remarkable example contained in Dan. ix: 3-23, where, in circumstances of the deepest national b.umiliation, the re sults of humble penitence and importunate supplication, .are so touchingly de,scribed; and may the same merciful God that caused his winged messenger to fly swiftly in an swer to his prophet's prayer, incline his ear also unto the united petitions that ascend Co him from the crushed and smitten hearts of this great people. A COLLEGE FOR THE TORTRLIVEST. The circular which we print in an other column, addressed to tho friends or education in connection with the Presbyte . Tian Church in the North-west, deserves the earnest, immediate, and prayerful con sideration of those who desire the welfare of the Church and the country. Many who have been prominent in initiating and prosecuting various educational enterprises in the West, are now willing to merge these.diverse interests into one•great insti tution, which shall, by God's blessing, de serve and receive the confidence, affections, and bounty of. the churches, to a degree that has not yet been the happiness of any —even the most successful—C4llege of the West. - • . The subject is a momentous one. Con siderations analogous to those which -have prompted the desire for the union of our Colleges in Western Pennsylvania, and the ttpbtdlding upon their union•of a 'first-class institution; would recommend tho measure suggested in this circular. 'lf anywhere, surely - in the great heart of our imperial Republic, in that vast seotion whose polit ical pulsations will hereafter determine the character of the Government, it is impor tant that our Church shOuld be rePreseitted by au institution that shall be at least equal to any in the land. Let it not be said.that this consideration „ involves_an undue influence of, the Church upon the State._ If to educate our sons at home, with all the advantages which they would derive from the improved appliances and the increased facilities of the best Eastern Colleges, and yet surrounded with all the Christian influences which the home and the Church can unitedly command, be to exert a controlling power upoil the State—and we are not prepared to dispute the proposVon—haPpY ie the State thus centrolled77blessinia upon,sueh a union of Ohnroh and State, • - PRESBYTERIAN BANNER.--WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 1864. But whilst these indirect results of the possession of a really great College in the West arc deserving of regard, the chief consideration which should commend this enterprise is the hope and prospect that it would be instrumental in building up the Church and in promoting the glory of its Head. That - we should be enabled to give our sons near home that education which will best fit them, whether as ministers or as laymen, for the great conflict between truth and error, and which 'will render sci ence and literature, even in their highest developments, the handmaids of sound, evangelical religion, would be the crowning glory of this enterprise. How then can these great ends be best attained—by the support (?) as heretofore of numerous Colleges in perpetual mendi cancy, (to our own shame, not theirs, be it spoken,) or by the establishment upon a broad, firm basis of a.first.olass institution —a really-great College for so great a coun try? This,'we conceive, lithe main ques tion to be answered in the proposed meet ing at Chicago, where, we trust, all who can and who feel an interest in this meas ure, will be present A brief but important communication will be found in another column, upon the union of the Colleges. We have forborne to express editorially any opinion upon the various plans and suggestions which have been submitted to the public through oar columns, having this . great end in view; and we have no projects of our own to propose. But it is with pain we notice that, after months of consideration, the desired end seems no nearer of accomplish ment than before, whilst the time during which the proffered donation may be se cured, is rapidly passing away. On one point all can agree : that it would be better, far better, for the cause of education that there.should be, in Western Pennsylvania, one enlarged and endowed College, with a corps of instructors and a pecuniary foundation bearing some resem blance to the equipments of the best insti tutions in the Atlantic States, than two Colleges, impoverished and struggling, as Jefferson and Washington have always been. And this we say without the least disposition to detract from the just reputa tion which those institutions have earned by a long career of self-sacrificing labors and abundant usefulness. If it were,supposed that the endowment of the - united Colleges would cease with the addition of the offered fifty or one hundred thousand dollars to their present funds, the union would, in our judgment, scarce be worth effecting. Ent we desire its consummation because we believe that this amount would be but the beginning of a better day, and that in the lifetime of some now living, the fund would grow by gradual accretions; as in the case of Har vard, and Yale, and Union, till it would embrace from half a Million to a million. , E43I2IStIT• • henemetions upon a vigorous College, already well endowed, than upon a 'sickly, starving one. And there can be no reason why the same Fe. sults may not be attained here in the West, that have been so often witnessed in the Eat. It has been the desire of our heart, since our own College days, that there should exist in 'Western Pennsylvania a College commensurate with the require ments and the just expectations of our churches and of the large- section of coun try from which it would derive its support; —a College that, attaining the p - roportions of an University, and possessing facilities and advantages not excelled in any other institution in the country, would yet retain the spirit of the founders of our earliest 'schools, who bhilt their ,hamblelog-cabia Academies in faith and prayer,—a'College that, resting upon the foundations laid by those pioneers, would be at once a blessing to the present generation, and a noble and enduring monument to the piety and wis dom of , our fathers. There are many who cherish this hope. Shall it fail ? The late naval combat between the gearsarge and the Alabama deriveis its chief significance from the circumstance that them two vessels are justly. regarded as representatives, respectively, of the American and British navies. That the Alabama, floated, the rebel flag ceases, in this view of the ease, to be a matter of moment. , it; is indeed a subject of con gratulation that the destroyer of our com merce should be, itself destroyed, and its piratical course be terminated forever. But the importance of the, victory by no means ends with this. The Alabama, built in a British port by the contributions of two hundred and ninety British merchants, constructed with all the improvements and appliances of British skill in naval architecture, equipped With the best . of British guns, manned by British seamen, fought by British train:al artillerists, and in its piratical career sup ported by the undisguised sympathies of. the British people, was, to all intents, and purposes, a British. vessel. Not only so,. but in sailing and fighting qualities it might be regarded as fairly representing the British navy, if not, indeed, above the average of British men of war. The Itearsarge hastily built and equipped, - but armed, manned, and en gineered by American skill, was regarded as it beet but, a second-rate American -yes eelof war ; yet in construction and arma ment fitted out • according to American ideas, which had been rejeeted by French and- British theorists, may be taken as a representativo of the Aluerican navy, so rapidly increasing-in tbe number, of its vessels and the power of its guns. It is not strange, therefore, that the re suit of this contest should create a pro found sensation throughout Europe ; for that result established the superiority of American naval architecture and of Amer ican artillery. It is not strange that, but a few hours after the roar of the battle had ceased, in English lord should 'rise in the British Parliament and indignantly inquire Whether the Admiralty would continue to build "ships that could neither fight nor ' He cefortli no more Call it be oaid so proud- SllAlib 1T PEI A SCEPTRE LOST. ly that ( 1 Britannia rules the waves." Her dominion, often so tyranically exercised, is gone; her boasted supremacy upon the seas is broken ; and when the pirate cap tain so dramatically let fall his sword into the waters surging over his shattered ves sel, it was the sceptre of British power that sunk with the Alabama. It' is not in a boastful or vainglorious spirit, that we would regard this feature of tile late contest. That boastful spirit has been one of our national sins ; and surely the events of the last . three years should have taught us how little we are entitled to its indulgence. But when we reflect upon the unprovoked and unjustifiable hostility toward us so clearly evinced by the British people, and upon their disregard of inter national law in their efforts to cripple our commercial- marine, there seems to be something of retributive justice in the mow which has suddenly prostrated the pillar that has so long and so loftily upheld their power and their pride. And should it be the will of Him whose path is , upon the waters, that our own be loved Republic should become preuminent in its power upon the sea, God grant that we may never, as England has so often done, use that power for selfish purposes ; but be,. if possible, more scrupulous in respecting the rights of even the weakest nations, than in asserting and defending OF Own. WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA HOSPITAL. Last week, in company with the devoted President,of the Pittsburgh Sanitary Com mission, we paid a visit' to this establish ment, which was taken possession of, some time ago, by' the United States Govern ment. The hospital is under charge of Br. BRYAN, an accomplished surgeon and also a Christian gentleman, with a competent and attentive corps of assistants. The po sition of the buildings and the entire ar rangements are most admirable. About eight hundred and fifty sick and wounded soldiers are now under treatment, and ar rangements' are being made for a con siderable increa.se. A new dining hall will soon be ready for occupancy, which will add much to the comfort and conve nience of the inmates. The patients belong mostly . to Western Pennsylvania regiments, who were able to be brought to the vicinity of their friends, where they might breathe the air of their native hills ) and receive u the visits and m pathies of relatives and acquaintances. From time to time, short leaves of, absence are granted those who can go about, that their homes may be visited; and in this way much is done to promote speedy re %ivory. The sight of home and the rush of old associations do much to impart strength to the feeble, and to give hope to the desponding. Dr. BRYAN Is not a mere official, but a man who takes a deep interest in the bodies, minds, and. souls of those commit ted to his care. The chaplain, Rev. Mr. E.F.- 4 g!, of the Methodist Church, is assid -nous in --t-.7—perrouty. The Christian and Sanitary Commissions are unwearied •in supplying Christian lit erature and hospital stores. So that, alto gether, we must congratulate the soldiers, disabled from wounds or sickness, who are so fortunate as to be placed in this hospital. We may remark, in conclusion, that just vow there is great need of vegetables and apples. Many of our farmers can, without any expense to themselves, con tribute the apples now falling from their trees, and confer a great benefit on the soldier. Vegetables and apples left at the rooms of the Sanitary Commission, on Fourth Street, twill be thankfully received,' add Saithfully used for the suffering. FALSEHOOD IN THE SOUTH. ,The falsehoods perpetrated by the rebel newspapers concerning the enormities prac tised by the Union soldiers and the inva riable defeats of the Union army, have long been matters of public notoriety. But we find that ministers of the Gospel in rebeldom have become seized, it may be un- consciously to themselves, with the same terrible disease. The last instance of the kind whieh has been brought to our notice, is a letter from the Rev. 3011 N LEYBURN, D.D., formerly Stated. Clerk of our General Assembly, to the British and Foreign Bible Society, asking a supply Bibles and Tes taments for the Confederate armies, which has been granted. In this letter he says, " The revival in the army still goes on," and much more of the same sort; but if there is no, more truth in this than in the other declaration made in the same letter . by Dr. .LEYBunN, of the " uniform suc cesses " of the rebel armies in " repulsing and punishing " the armies of Generals GRANT and SRERMAN, his statement will be received; with many grains of allowance. It will be observed that he makes General LEE a remarkably pious man. In this ap peal to the British and Foreign Bible So ciety, the Dr. says "The revival in the army ; still goes on ; and*e.ver since the commencement of this active campaign, there have been marked manifestations of the presence and power of the Ifoly Spi,rit. Our hospitals, now filled with the wounded from the late great battles, afford a most encouraging field for religious effort. Every man seems ready to hear, and a Testament Would be to them a treasure more valued than riches. The oheerful and uncomplaining - manner in whioh these poor fellows bear their suffer ings would almost seem as if all of them were supported by a supernatural power. We have prayer-meetingß' in the , churches every afternoon, with crowded and deeply attentive assemblages.. One of the most marked characteristics of this whole revo lution is its extraordinary religious "aspect., General LEE is _a humble, God-fearing, and praying man, and so are a very large /limber of our officers. The uniform suc cess of our armies,- since the opening of this stupendous campaign, in repulsing and punishing the enemy, have greatly encour ged our people in their prayers " I "The Canada Presbyterian Chnreh.—The following is an abstract of the statistics as furniShed at the last meeting of the Cana ; da Synod : 40,000 communicants, being an increase of 2,000; 4,500 baptisms, being an increase of 500 in - the year; 21,000 Sabbath - Scholars, an inereaae- of 1,800; 410 weekly meetings, being 80 leis thin last year; 1,250 elders, an increase of 50; 2,200 other office-bearers; 600 preaching stations, being an increase of 50; 73,000 persons attending Divine ordinances, being an increase of 6,000 ; stipends paid to the Ministers, $122,000, an increase of $lO,- 000. Total contributions, $236,845, being an increase on the preceding year of $17,- 809. The Examiner.—This admirable paper of the Baptist Church, published in New York, oh a sheet smaller than that of: the Banner, has raised its subscription price to $3, or $2.50, .when paid strictly in ad vance. NEWS OF. THE CHURCHES AND MINISTERS. PRESBYTERIAN. Old School.—The South Presbyterian +church, of Philadelphia, says the Presby terian, of which the Rev. John Moore is pastor,, has a good degree of prosperity. At the last communion, nine were admit ted into membership. The Sabbath School numbers three hundred, to the library of which quite an addition of books has:been made. A literary association has recently been formed under the — ituspices of the church, which promises to accomplish much good. At a special meeting of the Presbytery of Allegheny City, held on the 25th inst., a Committee was appointed to organize a new church in Sewickley, on next Monday evening, at half-past 7 o'clock. The Com mittee consists of Rev. Messrs. Conrad, Shields, and Lowry, and Messrs. Caineron and Mercer. The venerable Dr. Spring, of New-Yorlr, has resigned the place he so long occupied as Chairman of the Committee on Versions of the American Bible Society. The Rev. Dr. 'McLeod, of New-York, was appointed to the place, at the_ last meeting of the Committee. New School.—The American Presbyterian saps: " Dr. Kendall left for California directly after the meeting of the General Assembly. His presence and personal conference with brethren in the State will doubtless facili tate our Home Missionary operations in that important field. We are glad to see the enterprise and energy of the Secretary. Under such a leader, -the Church will not decline from, her present noble position in the Home Missionary work. The prospect before us is one full of grand and inspiring opportunities for labor in the, service of the Master. Oar part as a Churoh, is leaven ing this nation with the saving truths and influences of the Gospel, is destined ap parently to be no trifling one. It is a glo rious but a solemn responsibility. " The friends of Mr. Barnes and of Hamilton Collega will rejoice to learn that the subscription to the fund for establish ing the Albert Barnes Professorship of Natural Science in Hamilton College, is now complete. It has been very nearly so for a considerable time; but we have pre ferred to withhold any announcement until we . cculd say what we have just said." Reformed--The Rev. George Scott, for luteriaa church of Darlington, Pa., has re ceived ..the degree of D.A. from Monmouth College, ill. - Uaited.-0a Thursday afternoon, June 30th, Mr. Jas. P. Sankey was ordained and installed pastor of thi'United Presbyterian church, corner of Court and Stone streets, Rochester, N. Y., by the U. P. Presbytery of Caledonia. The sermon on the occasion was preached by the Rev. F. M. Proctor, of Cuyierville, Rev. Dr. McLaren of Ge neva, made the ordaining prayer, Rev. J. L. obertson, of the same, place, gave the charge to the 'pastor, and Rev. John Van Eaton, formerly pastor of this church, but now of York, gave the charge to the peo ple. The benediction was pronounced by the pastor. The exercises were exceed ingly interesting. Associate.—The Monthly of the so-called Associate Church contains in its July number the' proceedings of the Synod of that body. It met at Bloomfield, Ohio, May 25th, and continued its sittings eight days. Its statistical tables show that there are four Presbyteries, 15 ministers, 47 con gregations, 519 families, 1213 communi cants, and that the contributions from all sources were $575.10, or about 48 cents for each member during the year. Among the 47 congregations, 9 ministers have pastoral charges, and of the 15 ministers -in that body; 6 are. without settlements. WALDENSIAN CHURCH IN ITALY. The annual meeting of this Synod has just been held. Among those Alpine Pro testants it is always a time of great festivi ty and hospitality and kindly greetings. The Synod, which moves from parish to parish, was held this year at Coppier, the old parish church of La Tour ' and about a mile higher up the valley. It is an old and rustic and venerable sanctuary, having been built and dedicated to God's service in the year 1506. It is astooiated with some of the most stirring events of Wal densian history. It is the only church that was spared by their persecutors during their exile from 1686 to 1689. , • The first Synod of the Waldensians'after their return was convened in this building, which in 1861 was restored through the liberality of Missßradshaw, now the wife of General Molyneux Williams. A large number of Christian strangers from various 'churches and countries was present to cheer the hearts of the brethren. The meeting was one of great interest ; : andthe narrative of the state of - religion showed that in all parts of the field the progress of the work of Evangelization had- been very cheering and encouraging. The feeling seemed to pervade every heart, the fields are white to the harvest, and that: nothing was wanting but the laborers to thrtist in, the sickle and reap. Circular To the Friends of Education, in Connection with, the . Presbyterian Church. in the Northicest. NEWARK, N. 3., June 1, 1864. DEAR. BRITIIILMI :HMO ministers and elders' from the Northwestern States, in comedian with the Rev. Dr. Chester. and the Rev. Mr. MiCauley, Secretaries of the Board of Education, have held a series of conferences' during the sessions of the Gen eral Assembly now meeting in this city, for the purpose of consulting as to what measures were practicable in order to ad vane° the cause of Education in that great field. A Committee of five, consisting of the Rev. Messrs. Willis Lord, D.D., Wil helm Speer, Joseph Platt, Thomas W. Hynes, and Riding Elder Ron. W. T. Pierson, was, appointed to yrepare the present memorial, and make such arrange ments as may be necessary for the ends herein proposed: We feel the vast importance of the 8 - 0- jeek The region of our country which we represent is that which' the present Secre tary of State of the United States, pro nounoes, after many "pato of thought on the subject, that which he believes to be " the ultimate central seat for the North American people," and " the last seat of power on this great Continent." We know the responsibility God has laid upon our branch of his earthly Church, in bearing the standard of devotion to liberal, thor ough, comprehensive, and unrestricted learning and knowledge, both in the Old World and in the Nevi. Some of us have shared in educational enterprises, which, for various reasons, have not been blessed of God to the measure of our aims, and which now nearly all concerned feel willing to merge in what may prove to be more in accordance with his will, and realize the ends had in view. We are not satisfied with the State institutions alone, which accomplish some important results, and are worthy of sympathy and aid. These must ever be kept unsettled by the oscillations of politics, the meddling of partizans, the influences of science unconsecrated to God, and even hostile to religion and truth, and the prejudices of sects. Much less can we regard with favor those institutions that are founded upon partial or mischievous religious creeds for their propagation. We are anxious to secure the advantages of sound and general education nearer home, where the people can be relieved from the hindrances and burthens connected .with journeys to distant places, and the larger expenses of living there; where the young and inexperienced shall not be so far re moved from our supervision and care, and where we shall be closer to them'in case of sickness or death. Moreover, we look be yond the present time, and desire to see planted in these growing regions an insti tution which shall long be a light and a blessing. . Such, in a few brief sentence,s z are our aspirations. The gracious providence of God seems just now to be opening the way toward their realization. Devoted, intelli gent, and liberal friends in the East "arc en couraging our feeble and oppressed hands. Shall we not, brethren and friends, rise up and accept of the trust laid upon us ? In considering the initiatory steps toward the establishment of the proposed Institu tion, it has seemed best to the , above mem bers of the Assembly, in conference, to ap point a GENERAL CONVENTION of the ministers of the Presbyterian Church in in the North-west, with such, elders, intel ligent members, and other gentlemen as desire to promote the object, which shall meet in the City ofCiicago, on 'Wednes day, the Ha day o". August, at 10 o'clock A. 2. Then the' leading features of the subject may be fully discassed, t and a prac ticable scheme matured for'presentation be fore the several Synods at their, usual Fall meetings. There are several reasons why such a Convention might have been better held during the Winter. But on the whole ' it has been considered wiser that it should be previous to.the Synodical meetings. The time is not far off. It is a season compara tively favorable for the absence from home of brethren and friends both from town` and country. Let us now make to you, respect ed brethren in the ministry and Church, and to all who can feel the great import ance of the subject, and can be moved by the weighty incentives to which we have alluded, a most earnest appeal to be present. WILLIAM M'CANDLISH, Chairman. William Speer,. Secretary. MESSRS. EDITORS ::—Several communi cations have appeared in the Banner on the subject of the Colleges. It is -certainly very desirable Iffirsoniething on this important matter could be ;effected and - 'effected shortly—for a reason which ought to be stated. The offer to donate fifty thousand dollars on the condition of a Union, was for a limited time, not longer than a year; and that period will soon ex pire. When the proposition terminates, some other disposal will be made of the means for that offer, so that it neither will nor can be renewed. This should be dis tinctly and fully understood by such as are desirous of availing themselves of this proposition, that they may accept promptly. There are, no doubt, serious difficulties in the way of a Union, but not such as are unsurmountable if the magnitude and im portance of the object is considered, and a liberal and conciliatory spirit could be in fused into the parties that - are to act. The respective Commencements will soon take place, and might be proper seasons to dis cuss the matter, and see if any thing can be effected. The Alumni might express their views, and submit their plans, and other friends might cooperate in this way, but the - final and decisive action can only be effected by the Boards of Trustees. On them devolves the responsibility. B. := The next Philadelphia Book Trade Sale will begin on Tuesday, the 27th of Septem ber. Booksellers wishing catalogues should send their names to Thomas k Sons, auc tioneers.,-Fourth Street, Philadelphia. SOMfiteS, the pirate, is to become an au thor again, a London firm announcing " The Cruise of the Alabama and the Sumpter; from the Private Journals, &c., of Captain Semmes, C. S. N., and= other officers." The .surrender and sinking of the Alabama will make a fine closing chap ter. The Appletons will republish the book in this country. The great attention paid of late to Hym nology will receive a further impetus in the publication of two works announced by D. Appleton & Co.—" Lyra Anglieana," and "Lyra Americana "—two volumes of hymns, and sacred songs, by Rev. George T. Rider. The same firm announces Miss Yonge's new novels, "The Clever Woman of the Family," and " The Trial ;" and General Dix's Speeches and Addresses. Among the books announced by Carleton are Edmund Kirke's new book : "Down in Tennessee," and new novels entitled: " Wylder's Hand," " Recommended to Mercy," " Quest" and ' Viotoire." - The removal of M. Renan from his pro fessor's chair in the College of France will not affect him personally, as he has already gained a large fortune- by the sale of his " Life of Jesus." He will also soon pub lish a "Life of the Virgin Mary." He will be succeeded as professor by M. Munk, a' Jew, selected that Renan's removal-may not be attributed to - the influenCe of the priests. Henry Richards' "Life of Joseph Stur go," lately published in Loudon, is a large volume of over six handred pages, and cloaca with Whitfie,r's memorial lines of Sturge s beginning "By lone Egbarton's side It elicits much criticism both as a literary work and from the eceeqtricities of the subject—the really amusing mistakes some tipies made by Alr. Sturge, notwithstand ing his really eminent philanthropy. The proprietors of the London National Review announce a new series of that pe riodical, to be begun in November next. Dr. Newman, the eminent Catholic cler gyivan—a proselyte from Protestantism— has ' published a pamphlet about himself called "Apologia pro vitd Sue l" In this work he uses many arguments "in favor of the dogma of thelzumaculate Conception, and tho liquefaction of St. Januaritts' blood., As a specimen of his strong stylp of writing, we extract .the follOWitig sett; tenoe "The Catholic Ohuroh hal& it'betrei. for the Bon and Noon to droi ,from heairen, For thePresbyterien Banner The Union of the Colleges. Literary; for the earth to fall, and for all th e e , at millions on it to die of starvation in l. tremest agony, as far as temporal afili eti e oa goes, than that one soul, 1. will not AI, should i be lost, but should commit o ne gle venial sin, should tell ono witi t d truth, or without excuse should steal one Poor farthinr, Florentine, the lately deceased art er i t i e received $5,200 a year for contributing ; weekly art feuilleton, to the Con2titwionne? He also received the same salary for a. r i t i e ; for the Moniteur. His estate, real and p e t sonal, amounted to $ 15 0,000. rr i eft. says the Paris correspondent of the .8,6, Usher's Circular, his Crass of the Legion of Honor to M. Alexander, the orm builder. His disease was gout,' which s e t, tied on his heart. The Continental Monthly, for August, a superior number of a Magazine policy, has already taken high rank in its liters. tare and discussions of national The present number is enriched with an article from Rev. Dr. Philip Schaff, on tha First Christian Emperor. • The Eclectic, Magazine f or Aug,Ußtis ew. bellisbed with a steel engraving of rh o capture of Ports Jackson :lad St, Phili p, at New Orleans, April 24, 1802. Th e leading articles in this number are rather severe reviews of Speke's Journal of Dia covery, and Kirk's Charles the Bold. Oth. er articles, well selected, make up the usual trcat•of valuable matter which the Eclectic is sure to possess. Published by T. ff, Bidwell, No. 5, Beckman Street, New `York. For the Preebyterian BAMier . Beaver Female Seminary, This Institution is situated in the town of Beaver, Pa., and is under the care of Prof. Mercer, a graduate of Jefferson College and an accomplished scholar and teacher. The location of the Seminary building is a very desirable one, and the rooms are large, well furnished and well ventilated. The surrounding scenery is very fine in deed, whilst the seminary is easy cl access from every direction, being situated on the Ohio river, and near the junction of the Cleveland and Pittsburgh, and Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne and Chicago Railways. In regard to the healthfulness of the place, eminent physicians have given their deci ded testimony that it is not sulloassed by any other location in Western Pennsyl vania. The teachers employed in this Institu• tion are amply sufficient in number to do justice to the classes, and well qualified for their respective duties. The constant aim of the Superintendent and Teachers is, to educate the physical, intellectual and moral nature of those entrusted to their care. In the sehoole daily religious influenca is exerted, and the immediate community affords abundant opportunity for attending religious services in the different churches, according to the preference of the pupils or the direction of their parents and gear. dians. The school year closed on the 28th and 29th days of June last. The examinations and closing exercises were witnessed by a largo number of the friends and patrons of the school, and wero highly creditable both to the teachers and pupils. Parents wishing to give their daughter, a liberal education, cannot do better than to send them to this school. The next term will commence on the 29th day of August, 1864. B.L.S. Rochester, Pa. Personal. General Kilpatrick, the dashing cavalry leader, is on his way to his old command in Gen. Sherman's army. A brother of Gen. Grant, who recently visited the g eneral at his headquarters, asked him, "Ulysses, how many men have you ?" " I have a good many!" replied the wise man.' The Atlanta (Ga.) Register gives an aa count of the death of Gen. Bishop Poll- of the rebel army. He died instantly. Gee. Polk had in his coat-pocket iwhen killed, his prayer-book and three copies of the Rev. Dr. Quintard's little work, entitled, "Balm for the Weary and Wounded," which were intended as presents for Gene. Johnston, Hardee and Hood, as their names were inscribed on the fly-leaves: "with the compliments of Lieut. General Leonidas Polk, June 12, 1864," They were all stained with the blood Void flowed from his wound. Our Revolutionary Heroes,—Only twelve survivors of the Revolutionary straggle have as yet been found to receive the thanks and the additional pension voted some time since by. Congress, viz : Amaziah Goodwin, born at Summersworth, N. 11., aged 105; John Goodnow, Sudbury, Maas., 102 ; Adam Lisk, Washington county, Pa., 102; Rev. D. Waldo, Windham ' Conn., 101; Wm. Hutchings, York, Me. 103; Jas. Burnham, Southampton county, Va., 99; Benjamin Miller, Springfield, Mass., 100; John Pettingill, Windham, Conn., 97; Alexander Maroney, Lake George, N. Y., 94; Samuel Downing, no birthplace or age given; Lemuel Cook, no birthplace or age given; James Gates, no birthplace or age given. Major General James B. McPherson, who was killed in the late battle at Atlanta, Ga., was born in , Sandusky County, Ohio, in November, 1828. He graduated at West Point, first, in his class, in 1853. Shortly afterward in the same year he was assistant instructor of practical military engineering at. West Point, and was_ engaged on the de fenses of New-York harbor and the im provements of the Hudson lifer from 1851 to 1857. He was next charged with the construction of Fort Delaware in the early part of 1857, and with that of the fortifi cations in San Francisco Bay, together with military surveys from January, 1855 till August, 1861. In 1861 he was put in .charge, of the defences of Boston harbor. He was appointed aid-de.camp to Gen. Halleck, Nov. 12, 1861, and was chief en gineer of the Army of the Tennessee in the expeditions against Forts Henry and Don elson, in the operations up the Tennessee river, and in the battle of Shiloh. In 1862 he was again appointed Aid-de-camp to Gen. Halleck,' with the rank of Colonel, and was on his staff during the operations near Corinth. In October he was promo ted to the position of Major General of volunteers, and with his troops reached Corinth on the 4th of October. Ho sub sequently served in Grant's campaign SS corps commander with distinction, in the operations against Vicksburg. When Gen. Grant became commander of the District of Mississippi; he commanded at Vicks burg. His command was afterwards joined to Gen. Sherman's department, when ho distinguished himself once more. He stood in the highest favor with Gen. Grant, teeing to his soundness of judgment, and energy of action. With Sherman he was not second to any one, but might be deem ed his most reliable general both in advice and execution. Gen. McPherson was killed on Friday =min i ...o., before the attack of the enemy on his lines, his forces holding the lisp Of railroad from. Irecatur. He had g ono for ward to reconnoiter, and was some distance in front of his faces—in fact was in ad mice of his staff=whon he fell by a bgl from a rebel sharpshootor.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers