Vrtsbgttrian '*Cr. 41TTS13111011L WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 7, 1864. REMOVAL. THE OFFICE OF THE BANNER" HAS BEEN RE MOVED TO MOULT'S BUILDINOB, NO. 7 THIRD ISTRNET-BETWEEN WOOD AND MARKET-NEAR MARKET. TUB PRROBINERIAN ON VIE IIIe,PHEETERS' CASE. .The Preskytertn of the 3d inst., in its reply to our remarks upon its comments on , the Princeton Review, corrects an error into which we had fallen, in our statement that one of its recognized editors was a member of the last General Assembly. Our error arose in part from the long and . well known connection of its reporter with that paper as a regular contributor; and partly from the language of the reporter himself. Toward the close of his report in the Presbyterian of June 11th, he re marks : "As ours are the only very full reports that are published, we believe that our readers will be satisfied to have them , extend over part of our next week's issue." And the next•week it is editorially stated of the MoPussults' case : As it pos sesses a singular importance, we have re ported it more fully ;" whilst on the same page " Neshanook" makes himself known as the reporter. We respectfully submit that it was not a "singular error" on our part to suppose that " Neshanock," who manifested such an intense and " active " interest in behalf of Dr. MCPEERETERS, was "one of the recognized editors of the Presbyterian." The Presbyterian proceeds to say : "We objected to Gen. ROSEMAN S' celebrated ,order when it first appeared, because we believed it to be inconsistent with the Spiritual independence of the Church." When Gen. Rosxunkss' order first ap peared, the Presbyterian (March 19th,) whilst deploring the " incessant and use less repetition of the oath" of allegiance, objected to this particular order simply be cause the General was a " bigoted adherent of the Roman Catholic Church," and for no other reason specified. The order would operate unequally upon Catholics and Protestants. Not until its issue of May 14th, within a week of the meeting of the Assembly, did it take the ground it now occupies; and in the same article it shows clearly that Dr. MOPEIKETERS and his friends, having already taken the oath of allegiance prescribed by the State of Missouri, as necessary to be taken before a marriage fie can 'be secured, were at full liberty to attend the meetings of Presby tory without any additional oath, and with out let or hindrance. So far from being debarred from attendance by conscientious scruples, they had already complied volun tarily with' all that Gen. ROSECRANS re quired. This is evident also from the Presbyterian's own report .(June 18th) of Mr. STRONG'S speech, in which he says: " They were not required to take the oath. One of their number was informed of that fact by the Provost Marshal General, in ing of Presbytery. They had taken the convention oath, and they voluntarily cer tified that fact to the Major General corn mending, and even added an uncalled for asseveration of their loyalty." And again : "By the special permission of the corn- mending General, as appears from the let ter he (Dr. MoP.) has read in your hear ing, he had full permission to attend Presby tery, and take any part he might deem neces sary, in all matters affecting himself. This he voluntarily refused to do." The same thing is evident from a report, contained in the last Presbyterian (Sept. 3d), of certain proceedings of the Presbytery of Palmyra, Mo. That Presbytery states upon its records that "the object of the military order in relation to Church courts is to en force the laws of the State prescribing cer tain oaths of allegiance, and that no new oath is required of those who have com plied with the laws." Could language be more explicit ?—and this from a Presby tery actually in session under regulations which the Presbyterian objects to as a subversion of the " spiritual independence of the Church." Strange that the Pres bytery of Palmyra could not see or feel this spiritual degradation which the Pres byterian so deeply deplores. The Presb,yterian "assumes, that Dr. MoPuzzatats has faithfully kept his oath, because it has heard no allegation to the contrary." It quotes the language of Mr. STRONG, in the Assembly, in reference to the charge that Dr. McPIIEZTERS had vio lated his oath: "I have made no such charge. I believe no such charge." But the Presbyterian failed to quote the lan guage of Mr. STRONG immediately follow ing the words it has extracted. "I do be lieve he has faithfully endeavored to keep it, as he understood it. - But I think he made a terrible and disastrous mistake in the interpretation of his oath of allegi ance. * * * * * His very silence, his refusal to speak out for the Govern ment, and his known sympathy for seces sionists and rebels, wrought wischief to the cause of the Union."—(Presb. June 18t1).) Now if we understand this lan guage of Mr. STRONG, it means that Dr. MatrurrEns has not himself murdered any Union soldiers, but he notoriously sympathizes with those who have. To the time effect is the testimony of President LINCOLN in hie letter to Gen. CUATIS : cg Now, after talking with him, I tell , you frankly I believe he does sympathize with the rebels." Such was the impression produced on the President's mind, not by Dr.. McPnEETERS* opponents, but by Dr. BloPitzwrzits himself, in the very brief in- terview he had with Mr. LINCOLN. We respectfully submit—that such a man is not the one to be held up before the coun try as a model, for faithfully keeping hie oath of allegiance.. Such fidelity as his would have ruined us long ago. Some . six months since, the Presbyterian contained a letter from a correspondent in St. Louis, in which letter the writer, in referring to the church of which Rev. J. J. PORTER is pastor, says: "It is the only Old School livabyterian church, in St. Louis in which both pastor and people have 'earnestly opposed the cruel and wick ed assn* of traitors upon our G-overn, ment, and have been faithful witnesses for the truth against the unfaithful teach ings of sympathizers with rebellion."— (Presb. Feb. 27, 1864.) Is this a false witness 7 But that no injustice may be done to Dr. MOPHEETERS, let us listen to his own lan guage,quoted from one of his letters, as con tained in the Presbyterian's report (June 18th): "As a minister of the Gospel, I have only to say, that the point from which I regard and deal with men, has never been as a citizen of the Commonwealth, having civil duties to perform, but is fallen sin ners, having need of salvation. I have no commission to uphold ,the State." And yet this is the Man who has " faithfully kept his oath of allegiance"! It is all to no purpose, we respectfully submit, for the Presbyterian to allege that if the Banner believes that Dr. McPuma- TEM has violated his oath, 41 it ought, in honesty, to make the charge. It ought to inform his Presbytery and ask an investi gation." The avowal of such sentiments as the above does not constitute such an ixtfraction of the oath of allegiance as any court, civil or ecclesiastical, could proceed upon. There is no overt act; there is a systematic refusal to act at all. But we pat it to the Presbyterian itself: can a man swear that—so help him God, to whom he shall answer at the great day—he will sus tain the Government under which he lives, and then affirm--/ have no commission to uphold the Suite, as a citizen no duties to perform, and live in accordance with this avowal, and ,yet, in the court of conscience, be guiltless in regard to his oath ? We would be glad to know whether the Pres byterian regards this as g‘ a faithfully kept oath." It is sometimes contended that the mi nority in Dr. MoPutETERS' church desired hinfto preach polities from his pulpit, and hence his difficulties. Their views may be best learned from their own letter to their pastor, in which they say (Presbyterian, June 18th) : " We do not desire from you, as we have before stated, any ostentatious, or pulpit manifestations of attachment to our Government, unless it should be considered such to pray in public for the President of these United States. * * * * But we do ask that you will state in 'your reply, in a plain and candid manner, wheth er you are in favor of the Government of the United States, * * * * or whether you are in favor of the rebellion," &e. Signed by thirty-one members of his congregation. This moderate request he regarded as an invasion of his ministe rial rights, and declined a compliance. What the reporter for the Presbyterian thought of. Dr. MOPEEBTERSI position, is sufficiently evident from his own report. " But, Moderator, mark these words: when the history of the struggle for religious liberty and rights of conscience in this land is fairly written, this suffering man will oc ! cupy a position on the roll of its honored champions, which the best of us may en vy !" So far as the reporter spoke for himself, in his estimate of Dr. MCPHEE -MRS' position as compared with his own, he was perhaps the best qualified to judge. — ISM we nave diwEtyli Vgai • ell ques tion of Dr. MCPECEETERS' loyalty as for eign to the action of the Assembly; upon his Complaint. The Assembly itself, in its deliverance, states; that this question has not been properly before them, as it was not pronounced upon in any Presbyte rial action. This, it seems• to us, should be conclusive that the Assembly did not pass upon the question at all, and we have felt some surprise that the friends of Dr. MCPREETERS so persistently keep prom inent a subject which, one would suppose, they had much better withdraw to the background. That which we regret in the deliverances of the Princeton Review and the Presbyte rian, is that their criticisms, so far as they have influence, are calculated to weaken the confidence of the churches in the judg ments pronounced by its highest judica tory. Such must be the inevitable, though we feel sure the undesigned, tendency of, the condemnation pronounced by the Re view upon the Assembly, for sanctioning " principles and acts deserving universal reprobation," and which, for injustice and wrong, have "few, if any, parallels in the history of our Church," whilst the Presby terian esteems this a criticism remarkable for its * exceeding mildness—" the quiet flow of words which have no harsh or bitter sound." AO CAUSE FOR DESPONDENCY. In the civil war that, has been raging on Such a stupendous scale in this country for more than three years, and in its attendant evils, the Christian sees much to discour age. He interprets all these things to in dicate that the Millennium is further off than he believed it to be-; that the influ ence of the Gospel in restraining the evil passions of men is less than we ought to look for, and that the power of sin and Sa tan is so appalling, that but little resistance can be raised against them. It is to be feared that many minds in the Churek are precisely in this condition, and that the power of the Church is proportionately weakened. For when faith is weak, every grace and every effort suffer along with it. But those who think and feel thus are in great error. They forget the teachings of God's Word, or have failed to understand them rightly. No where in Holy Scripture is it promised that there shall not be public calamities, revolutions and wars before the second coming of the Son of man. It is not said in the Bible that faith shall not be tried-; that self-denial shall not be prat. tiled; that there shall not be sorrow, pain, and death, before the restitution of all things. But on the contrary it is directly foretold that all these things shall Teally visit the earth and afflict men sorely. That there should be divisions, wars, and rumors of wars ; that men's hearts should fail them because of the things that were coming upon the earth, was made known to us by ,our Lord Jesus Christ himself., So when these things come upon us, we must not consider them strange. We have been told of them, and it is our duty to meet them as becometh the servants of the Great King. - Nor when we see the malignity of- sin and Satan" and the wide-spread ruin they are causing, are WO for a moment to allow PRESBYTERIAN BANNER.---WEDNESDAV, SEPTEMBER 7, 1864 our faith to be staggired. All this was foreseen, and also foretold. Concerning these things we have not been left in igno rance. God informed us long ago that the time was coming when, if it were possible, Satan would deceive the very elect, when all manner of wickedness would break forth, when many would be deceived and led away by false doctrines; so that however deep and violent may be the rushing of the floods of iniquity, we have not been left unwarned—all has been predicted, and the devout reader of God's Word will regard it as one of the fulfilments of that proph ecy which was given by inspiration of God. In the meantime .there are evidences of advance in the diffusion and practical ap plication of the. Gospel, which throw gleams of brightness and hope amid the dark ness which may surround us for a time. The Gospel is preached in Asia, Africa, and the Islands of the Bea, and is winning trophies to the Cross. The Bible is dis tributed in Italy and Spain, and the people receive it with gladness. Churches and Christian schools are being established in heathen lands ; and' a Christian civiliza tion and literature is being introduced. The advance guard of Immanuel's hosts, hosts, has reached almost every land. Nor when we look at home is all dark even - here ; in the very midst of most fear ful convulsions, the benign influence of the Gospel is felt. . Money is contributed in large sums for the evangelization of the world. Never before did men - give as now fir the endowment of Schools, Colleges, andfito Theolooical Seminaries. ChuChurches . groaning under burdensome debts are freed. Hospitals, asylums, and institutions for re forming the degraded, are being founded : while an , education at least nominally Christian—nothing less would be tolerated —is being provided for all. And even war itself has been made to flel the influence of Christianity as never before in the history of the world. In no other war ever waged, has so much been done for'the bodies and souls of soldiers as in this. What noble efforts has it called forth I What large gifts What self-de nying toils l What testimony to the truth as it is in Jesus ! And never has there been a War characterized by the magnanim ity, humanity, and kindness to wounded and captured enemies, which have been displayed by the North in the present great conflict for national existence. Would that we could say as much of the South But the cruelties of Libby Prison, Belle Island, and the pens in which our brave men are confined in Georgia and the Caro linas, and the atrocities of Fort Pillow, forbid. In vievicof all these things, it is evident that the .Christian, longing and praying for i the conversion of the world to Cl-od, and for the universal prevalence of the law of kind ness, has no well•founded reason for - des pondency. His faith should be strength ened, and his efforts stimulated; his prayers should be more fervent and importunate; and his hopes that the kingdom and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heavens will be given to the people of. the Most should be becoming brighter arm- LCI THE CHRISTIAN COMMISSION. This Commission which has conferred so many blessings on our soldiers and sailors, has made arrangements for. extending its operations, as will be seen by the following. We are fully convinced that this arrange ment will meet with a cordial response from all Christian-and loyal people The work of the United States Christian Commission has grown far beyond the'most sanguine expectations of its founders, and is daily increasing. To carry it on and extend it still further, until, if possible, it shall become commensurate with the wants of the army and navy and willingness of the people, the Commission has been in creased from twelve members, the original number, to forty-sever. The Executive Committee has also been enlarged from five to fourteen. And' two secretaries, one for homeand one for field organization, have been associated with the general secretary, heretofore alone in the work. In this enlargement the aim has been I. To bring into the counsels, activities, and responsibilities of the work a large number of distinguished Christian gentle men, of well known wisdom, prudence, pa triotism, piety and energy. 2. To preserve the nationality of the Commission by the election of one or more members from each loyal State and Terri tory of the Union. 3. To preserve its catholicity by having it embrace in its . membership the different branches of the Church of Christ. 4. To increase its central executive force by having a large number of members re siding in Philadelphia and New York, within -convenient distance of the central office. - • The following are the officers and Execu tive Committee of the Commission OPFDOERS. George H Stuart, Esq., Chairman Joseph Patterson, Esq., Treasurer. Rev. W. E. Boardman, Secretary. Rev. Lemuel Mess,Sec. Home Organization Rev. Bernice D. Ames, Sec. Field Organ ization. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. • George H. Stuart, Esq., Philadelphia. Rev. Bishop E. S. Janes, D. D., New York C. Demand, Esq., Boston, Mass. John P. Crozer, Esq., Philadelphia. `Jay Cook, Esq , " Joseph Patterson, Esq , " Rev. Bishop M. Simpson, 13. D., Stephen Colwell, Esq., " William. E. Dodge, Esq , New York. Rev. Herman Dyer, D. D., 44 Walter S. Griffiths, Esq . , Brooklyn,.N. Y G. S. Griffith, Esq Baltimore, Md. " H. G. Jones, Esq., Philadelphia. W. E Boardman, Ex. Off. 44 By order of the Executive Committee. GEo. H. STUART, Chairman. THE PRESBYTERY OF LOUISVILLE. At a meeting of this Presbytery held, August 25th, the Committee on the Min utes of- the Assembly made the following report on the Mona ETERS' case, which was adopted Your committee approves the action of Rev.- W. L. BRECKINRIDGE, D. D., as a Commissioner to the General Assembly, in counselling and voting' to sustain the com plaint in judicial ease, No. 5, as reported upon pages 311, 312, 327, and 328, of the printed minutes; and it is pained to find such a discrepancy between his views and action and that 'of the Assembly in the case. In the judgment of your committee the action of the Assembly in the case is in violation of the Constitption of the Church, unjust and injurious. to Dr. I'dc. PEEETEUS, and as a precedent endangers the rights of Pastore. We regret that the members of the As sembly opposed to its action did not enter an earnest protest, to be spread upon the minutes; and, inasmuch as this was not done, we believe this Presbytery is called upon to utter a clearly digested statement of the facts, principles and law in the case; and as the time the committee was able to devote to the case wa., not sufficient for maturing budh a paper; therefore, Resolved 1. That further action upon this paper be, .and hereby is postponed until next meeting of Presbytery. Resolved, 2. That a committee be ap pointed to report such a paper to the Spring meeting. The fbilowit% dissent was offered to the above : The undersigned, who agree with our Commissioners in sustaining the complaint of Dr. MOPHEIZERS before the late General Assembly, beg leave to record their dissent to the paper adopted by this Presbytery in the case, for the following reasons : 1. We believe that it is incompetent for this Presbytery to sit in judgment, upon, and condemn the judicial decisions of the highest appellate'court in our Church, after they had deliberated and deoided the ease as a judicial court. 2. Because -the paper of Presbytery pro noun us the decision of the Assembly " un constitutional," when the undersigned be lieve that it was entirely in accordance with the constitution, and that the Assem bly, and the Presbytery had the right to act in the premises. 3. We dissent because this paper under takes to review, the whole case, and ap points a committee to perform this work, which we deem both unwise and discourte ous to the highest court, especially as the paper already protests against the decision of the General Assembly, W..C. • ATATTnEws, J. P. MCMILLAN,- RICHARD VALENTINE, DANIEL MCKINLEY. The True Presbyterian says that the same committee reported a paper condem notary of the action of the -Assembly, on the subject of. slavery, but it was deemed best to refer the matter to the next regular meeting of the Presbytery, especially as many of the brethren were anxious to re= turn home before the Sabbath, which would have been impossible if the report of the committee had been discussed at length; and some of the brethren threat ened to inflict upon our Presbytery very long speeches in opposition to the report. DEATH OF THE RE I V, N. VEST, D.D. THE .Rev. NATHANIEL WEST, D.D., died at his residence Philadelphia; on Friday, the 2d hist: Dr. WEST was a na tive of Scotland, and abounded in remin iscent:3es of the ministers, the literary men, the habits ? and the scenery of that land. His ministerial life was an active one, and he performed the duties of the pastorate in different places. For a time he was pastor of the church in Meadville, Pa.; afterwards he was settled in Erie County, Pa., in Michigan, in the Fifth church of Pitts burgh, in the church at M'Keesport, and also in two mission churches in the neighborhood of Philadelphia. For some time previous to his death he had been chaplain to one of the hospitals in West Philadelphia. Dr. WEST was remarkable for the facility with which he quoted the Scriptures, gen erally mentioning the very chapter and verse. This peculiarity extended to all parts of the Word of. God. His memory amen34,4l.la_ratain_sivety portion of the-Bible which he read or studied. Some years ago he brought out an "Analysis of the Holy Bible;" and during his ministry he pub lished several sermons and small works. His son, Rev. N. WEST, Jr., D.D., is pastor of, one of our churches in Brooklyn, N.Y. • THANKSGIVING. The President has issued the following Proclamation which will Meet with a !tear ty response from all loyal people : EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, Sept. 30.—The •signal success that Divine Providence has recently vouchsafed to the operations of the U. S. fleet and, army in the harbor of Mobile, in the reduction of Fort Powell, Fort Gaines and Fort Morgan, and the glorious achievements of our army under Gen. Sherman in the State of Geor gia, resulting in the-capture of the city of Atlanta, call for devout acknowledgments to the Supreme Being, in whose hands are the .destinies of nations. It 'is therefore requested that on next Sunday in all places of worship in the United States, thanks giving be offered to Him for his mercy in preserving our national existence against insurgent rebels who have been waging a cruel war against the government of the United States, for its overthrow; and• also that prayer be made for. Divine protection to our brave soldiers and their leaders in the field, who have so often and so_gallant ly perilled their lives in battling with the enemy, and for blessing and comfort from the Father of mercy to the sick, wounded and prisoners, and >to the orphans and widows of those who have fallen in the ser vice of their country; and that he will continue to uphold the government of the United States against all efforts of public enemies and secret foes. (Signed,) ABRAHAM LINCOLN. A NEW , VOLUME; Another number will complete the pres ent ,Volume of the Banner. The present, therefore, is a very suitable time for our friends to obtain new subscribers, - which we hope they will continue to do. In times such as these, we are necessarily greatly dependent on the , efforts of minis ters, elders, anct laymen, for success in the work to which we have devoted ourselves. And subscribers will save us much trouble by renewing promptly as' . their time ex pires, or'a little in advance. Allegheny Theological Seminary. The next session .of the Seminary will com mence on -Monday, 12th inst. Students will assemble at 4 o'clock T. •31. in the when rooms will be distributed The opening address will be delivered on Tuesday, at 10 A. M. Prompt attendance is requested. The Rev. PROFESSOR A. A. HODGE will enter upon his duties in the Departmeht of Didactic and Polemic Thc. ology : and the corps of Profess Ors will be full. Students Who are in need can be aided. Board can be had in families at $2.25, and upwards. The Synod of Allegheny.-This body meet 3 at Meadville on the 22d inst. Subscribers will have a favorable opportunity to send their subscriptions by the pastors and el ders. The brethren of that Synod, than whom the Banner has no better support ers, will please interest 'themselves in ex tending our circulation, thus doing us a kindness, and at the same time :benefiting their people. Fare to the Meeting of the Synod of Alle gheny,—The Rev. Dr. REYNOLDS writes us : " I have secured the making of arrange ments for the return free of charge over the A. and G. W. R. R., of members of Synod who pay full fare coming. Mr. JUNKINhas promised to endeavor to have the same arrangements made over the P. and Eric IL H., as far as Newcastle. He does not doubt he will succeed. Beyond Newcastle we have no influence." A Suggestion.—A valued correspondent suggests that since the candidates for the Presidency and the Platforms of the par ties which they represent, are now fairly before the people, that. Christians make the approaching Presidential election the sub ject of special prayer because of the great issues involved in it to the Church and the Nation. • Tin American Presbytcrian.—This paper, connected with the New School branch of the Presbyterian Church, has advanced its subscription price from $2.00 to $2.50 if paid within three months, and $3.00 if not paid until the end of the year.. The Meeting of the Executive Committee of the Board of Colporlage is postponed until Monday, the 19th inst., at 2 o'clock. By request. JOHN OULBEATSON, Librarian. NEWS OF THE CHURCHES . AND MINISTERS. PRESBYTERIAN. Old Sebool.—The eldest son of the Rev. Loyal Toung, 'l') D.D of Butler, Pa has en listed in his country's service. Three oth er sons are in the service, and all of them have been wAnded—one severely. The Pine Street church, of St. Louis, re mainS elose.d,- a majority of the members still adhering to Dr. McPbeeters. The Sixteenth Street church of the same city, formed by a large colony, along with the pastor, Rev. Dr. Brookes, from" — the Second church, is represented to be in an exceedingly flourishing condition. The Rev. Jacob R. Winters, a native of Canonsburg, Washington Co., Pa., has been prdillung in the Second church for a few Sabbaths. The interests of our branch of the Church are in great confusion and uncer tainty in the important city of St. Louis. Sometimes it seems an if all our churches there would be rent in twain' or scattered. And all this -trouble- has originated, in great - measUre, from the want of thorough loyalty in the leading pastors. Their sym pathies were undoubtedly with the rebel lion. The H. Y. Observer informs us .that a letter just received from a gentleman now in the South' says : "Dr. Palmer, formerly of New Orleans, preaches in the Presbyte rian church, (Columbia, S. C.) Dr. Le land is suffering from a Paralytic stroke. The Seminary in Columbia is reduced to five students. All the other Seminaries, including the Episcopal, are closed, the inmates having been compelled to join the army." The Rev. L. B. W. Shryock has received a unanimous and very urgent call to become pastor of the church of Krlightstown, In dian& • Established Church of Scotland. —The Rev. William Porteous is on trial before the Established Presbytery of Glasgow for using, other men's thoughts and lan guage as his own. It seems that by the laws and discipline of the Church of Scot land a man who does such things is treat ed as a culprit, and if the plagiarisms al leged against Mr. Porteous are proved to be downright thefts, he will be turned out of his living and his church. If we have any of his class of people on this side of the water—ministers who borfow other men's sermons, we mean—a report of Mr. Porte- Oils' trial might not be unprofitable read ing. United.—The fiftieth anniversary of the venerable Rey. Dr. Seroggs over the Fair field congregation,, in the Presbytery of Westmoreland, will be celebrated by a meet , ing.of Presbytery, and with appropriate ex ercises, in that place, on Tuesday the 20th instant. Meeting at half-past 10, A. M. German Reformetl.—The Rev. Mr. Wag oner, lately called to the pastorate of the German Reformed church of Pittsburgh, has entered upon his labors with great promise of usefulness. The congregation is not large, but very active and spirited, BAPTIST. The. Baptist Missionary Union has called convention of all its missionaries in Bur mah, to assemble in November next. The chief object of the meeting is to consult on measures for carrying the mission Church _ es forward to the capacity of supporting and regulating themselves. Rev. Dr. Kincaid, in a letter to the Bap tist Bible Society, acknowledges the receipt of $5OO for printing the New Testament in order to supply native preachers and native Christians. Two editions are to be printed, one in the common large type, the other in small. Burman type, to accommodate, espe cially, the native preachers, as they travel from village to village. The number of native preachers, including Pastors and Evangelists, Karen and Burman, must be nearly 200, and besides these, there are a large number that.may be called lay preach ers, who spend more or, less time • in the course of the year, among their acquaint ances and relatives, reading and, teaching. The Rev. Mr. Boulding, of Glasgow, said to be a young man of marked promise, and one of the first class of Mr. Spurgeon's theological students, has " renounced anti pedobaptism as unscriptnral." He adopts infant baptism as an " essential and scrip tufal part of the Christian system." METHODIST. • The Scott Street Church" inCovington, _Kentucky, which belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church South, has solemnly re. solved to bold no communion with rebels. At a meeting of the - members, held on the 15th instant, the following resolutions were adopted : "That we regard it the most solemn duty of- all official orguis of the church to give decided and unequivocal utterance to the testimony of the Uhurch in favor of loyalty to the general government of the• United States. " That we regard it a clear and palpable violation of the twenty-third article, and an act of disloyalty against the United States, to receive and give the Church of Jesus Christ in charge of fugitive rebels from other conferences, who have been con strained to leave those conferences on ac count of their disloyalty. "That we regard it as inconsistent with our standards and discipline, and inimical to the success of the Church in conserving sound merals and good government, to retain any man in the Christian ministry who is known to be disloyal. "That we, as a Church, would deprecate having any one to exercise the functions of a minister of Christ in our midst, who is not truly and heartily loyal to the gov ernment of the United States. " That the preacher in charge is re quested to lay the foregoing preamble and resolutions before the ensuing Annual Con ference." The name _lndependent Methodist has been assumed by several churches, begin ning with that of Rev. Dr. H. Mattison, of New York. A Methodist church in Cin cinnati, has recently gone over to them. Their peculiarities are the independenca of each individual church as to its property, its business, as to the choice of its pastor and the tenure of his continuance; dis pensing with bishops, presiding elders and ordained deacons; welcoming Calvinists and Arminian° alike to .membership; lib erty of choice respecting the mode of bap tism; recommending, bat not enjoining attendance Upon class meetings. From the name adopted, we suppose there must be some _Methodist feature remaining to this new connection, but we do not exactly, see it. A letter from the Rev. Dr. Butler, the Superintendent of the Methodist Mission in says that the Mission press is actively employed in printing the Holy Scriptures. In a letter of the 28th Jane, he says: " Our printer has now nearly the whole of the Psalms printed in the com mon language of the people. It will make a neat• volume, and, I think, will do credit to our press in its execution. In this great work we, aro nobly aided by .the American Bible Society." EPISCOPAL A writer in the New York Evening Post, speaks in this wise of the Rev. Dr. Mahan": " The resignation of Rev. Milo Mahan of his ' St. Mark's-in-the-Bowry' Professor ship of Ecclesiastical -History in the Gen eral Theological Seminary has been fol lowed by his acceptance of the rectorship of St. Paul's Church, Baltimore—not Phil adelphia, as previously announced—a place formerly filled by the late Rev. Dr. Wyatt. The congregatiop of St. Paul's is strongly secession in its tendencies. A correspond ent writes us that Dr. Mahan's political views will not be distasteful to his new flock; and adds : ' " In the last convention of the Protest ant Episcopal Church, held in this city in October, 1862, Judge Hoffman'offered re solutions declaring the acts of the southern Bishops and clergy in following their re spective States in'the rebellion, to be sins of rebellion, sedition and schism, and ask ing the House of Bishops to revise the homily against disobedience and wilful re bellion. Dr. Mahan made the most power ful speech of the convention aping it, as all know who :heard it, and stood side by side with Judge Chambers, a delegate from Baltimore, who is a well-known secession ist... Dr. Wyatt was here then and voted with them. "It is well known among churchmen that confidence in the Seminary has been shaken, in consequence of the secession proclivities of its professors and instructors. And now is the time, before another ap pointment is made to succeed Dr. Mahan, for the trustees to require the oath of alle giance from the new incumbent, by a reso lution to be pissed by them before they make the nomination, as .I am told that a meeting of the Board has been.called." The Rev. Dr. Goodwin, Professor of the University of Pa., is preparing a reply to the work of Bishop Hopkins on slavery. LUTHERAN. The Gettysburg Star, referring to the late resignation of the venerable Dr. Soh mucker, says Dr: Schnineker, as we understand, was elected by the General Synod of the Lu theran Church in 1825, , as the first profes .sor of the. Theological Seminary then to be established, and commissioned to visit the churches and solicit funds for its endow ment. For many years he spent his yam tions in similar efforts, and collected in all upwards of $25,000. In September, 1826, the institution was opened in the Adams County Academy, now known as Mrs. Eyster's Female Semi nary, and continued there for some years, until the present eligible Seminary. edifice was completed. For several years Dr. S. "had charge of the entire course of instruc tion, having been the only Professor. He has now continued regularly to deliv er his Lectures for nearly forty years. The number of students who have been educated in , the institution during this time, is upwards of four hundred, many of whom now occupy the most important posts as pastors in the Lutheran Church, and professors in her literary and theologi cal institutions. In 1827 Dr. S. purchas ed the Adams County Academy, and es tablished the Gettysburg Gymnasium as a classical Institution, mainly for the better qualification of young men designed for the Theological Seminary,and also for all other pupils. He also took a leading part in the elevation of the Gymnasium into our pres ent prosperous College, and in procuring a charter and appropriation from the Legis lature. In addition to his labors in teach ing, Dr. S. during this time, also published a number of works on different departments of theological science and of philosophy, several of which have been commended by British reviews and re-published in Eng land. For the. Presbyterian Banner. Educational Convention of the North-west, CHICAGO, 111., Sept. 1, 1864. MESSRS. EDITORS :—The Educational Convention of the North-west met here on Wednesday, August 24th. About thirty delegates (ministers and laymen) were present, representing five Synods. The Convention continued in session one day. Its deliberations were conducted through out with an earnestness and unanimity that augurs well for the great object in view. A Presbyterian College in the Northwest, worthy of the name and the country, is a felt necessity. The Convention embodied its conclusions in the following resolutions : 1. That in the opinion of the Conven tion, the time has now come when every indication of Providence points to the ne cessity of a concentrated effort by the Synods of the North-west for the establish ment of one central institution in our midst for collegiate instruction. 2. That in our view, our first efforts should be directed toward securit , for this purpose a liberal endowment from the friends of Presbyterian education. 3. That the Convention recommend that the endowment of the proposed College Shall be $300,000, and that no step be taken looking to an organization of the Institu tion until $lOO,OOO be secured. 4. That the Constitution adopted by the Conventien for the organization of the Col lege, be respectfully submitted to the Syn ods, as a suitable Constitution for' the• con templated College. 5. That if these views meet-with the approval of the Synods at their coming meetings, they be requested to appoint each a Committee of Conference, who shall be empowered to act for them, in connec tion with other similar Committees, in making the necessary preliminary arrange mente for the organization and endowment of such an Institution • ..nd that said Gsn eral Committee meet i Fullerton Aver,se church, on the second Wednesday a t vember, at 7 P. M. 6. That this subject be now referred to the Synods immediately interested, with the earnest request to take decisive aeti..in thereon at their next meeting, considering the high interests involved, and seekin g spirit of unity and sacrifice of local p.a. erences by which only the general eau of Presbyterian education in our midst can be efficiently advanced. A. G. IV. United States Christian Commission The Army Committee of Western Penr,- sylvania, presents the following report of its operations during the month of August, 1864. Only two delegates have been coin missioned, Rev. J. R. Reasoner, of 31ss. kingnm County, Ohio, to the Army of the Cumberland, and Mr. W. IL Bayne, to the Army of the Potomac. Delegates are now greatly needed, especially in the Army of the Cumberland. Applications for cote. missions may ; be made in person, or by let ter to the Treasurer. The Treasurer acknowledges the receipt of the folluwing contributions : METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCRES. By Editor of Christian Advocate $68.73 Union Meeting M. E. church, Salem, 0.. 50 00 Columbiana church, 0' 10 23 Penna. Avenue church, Pittsburgh il.t ) o 'Wesley Chapel, 411 •• ....... 3.40 Greene Circuit church, West Va 5 oo Sugar Knob Class, fa . . ; . Co Deeraville, Ohio 15.00 Mt. Zion, Jefferson county, 0 (3.89 Minerva, " .. 8.211 Freesburg, " or 2.15 Clintonville, Venango county, Pa 3.23 11. P. CIIIIRWIES. First church, Pittsburgh 220.00 Second church, • ~, 77.00 Fourth do. " 65 00 Fifth do. " 4 4 18.45 Third do. Allegheny 25.41 Sunbury, Butler county, Pa • 65.00 Glade Ran . " 44 12.00 Turtle Creek, 41 161.00 Elderton, Indiana co., ~ ' 13.00 Shelocta, ', " 17.20 Clinton, Butler co., if 12,00 Unity, Belmont co., Ohio • 30.45 Uniontown, ‘' " 9.70 Goshen, ca 5 25 Le Claire Prairie, Scott co., lowa ... 10.110 PILFBETTERIAN entatemo ML Pleasant, Westmoreland 00., Pa....... 105 00 Pleasant Unity, " ~ 112.00 Poke Run Aid Society " " 46 00 New Salem, .. If 49.15 Bethany, Allegheny co 85 is Butler church, Ladies' Christian Com.— 25 OU Saltsburg Sabbath School S r,o Fourth °hurt:di, Pittsburgh 20.00 Leechburg, Pa 24.11) Hopewell church, Clinton, Pa 20.75 Meadville, Pa., (N. S. 32.80 do. t , (0_ S.) • 80 00 Canonsburg, Pa., (4th July collection)... 50.00 Franklin, g; 77.00 Clinton, " 8.05 Cochranton, " 45.0$ Raccoon, Washington co., Pa 54.00 Ebenezer, Indiana " . 18 04 Beulah church, Wilkinsburg, Pa.. 55.05 West Union, West :7 - Vs. - 85.00 Bethel, Ward co., W.Vi ' 10.00 Canfield, Ohio 20.00 Cambridge, te - 53.30 . Goshen, ~ 16 07 Mount Eaton, - " 14.00 Libertyville, lowa 10.00 Apple Creek, Wayne county, Ohio 54.54 AID SOCIETIES. Chr. Com Washington co., Pa., (addl.) 1,000.00 Ladies' C. Corn. of Pittsb'gh and Alle'y... 140.00 Soldiers' Aid Soc. Smith Creek, Warren county, Ili Sold's Aid Society, Smicksburg and Ma honing tp., Indiana co., Pa...._,,....... 140.00 Soldiers' Aid Society, Burrel tit., West moreland co., Pa Soldiers' Aid Society, Day Ridge, West moreland co. Pa Soldiers' Aid Soc'y, Latrobe,.Westmore moreland co., Pa 20.00 Soldiers' Aid Society, Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland co., Pa 14.35 Soldiers' Aid Society, Elder'S Ridge, Pa. 7.60 Soldiers' Aid Society, Riemersburg, " 25.00 Soldiers' Aid Society, Dayton, " 50.00 Soldiers' Aid Society, Sugar Grove, War ren co. Pa 10.00 Union Relief Assoc'n, Western Pa 20.00 Sol. Aid Soc'y, Seville, Medina co., 0..... 10.00 I NDIVIDUALS J—n, Kittanning, Pa 10.00 Miss Salie Kuhn, Eakin, " 50.00 H. Stone, Tionesta, 44 40.00 Mrs. Maria Chambrs, Pittsburgh 40.00 " Wm. McGregor, 16 10.00 " Scott,. 4 g 20.00 L. C. Magaw, Meadville, Pa 10.00 E. F., Smithfield, 10.00 T. Rankin, Jr„ Buena Vista, " 10.00 James Ruseell, N. Jackson, " 5.00 John Green Lee, Mercer co., " 10.00 S. A. Samuelson, Warren, " . 5.51 J. A. Glasser, Wurtembnrg, " 5.00 Mrs. Letice Glasser, " " - 5.00 Mrs. M. A. Williams, McKeesport 5.00 James Porter, Clintonville 5.00 Mrs. M. C. McKay" 2.00 - P.amelia, Coneautville, Pa . 2.00 Kate Irwin, Congruity, Pa., (Silver quar ter)' 1.00 F. H. Pettis, - Tappan 0 10.00 Miss. Sue C.-Sherrard, Steubenville, 0..... 5.00 Mrs. Moore, Coneonville, 0 2.00 Mrs. Lavinia J. Sloan, Limestone, Pa..... 10.00 MISCELLANEOUS Churches, Bt. Clairsville, 0 53.12 United Brethren, Madison, Pa 108.59 Fast Day collection, New Vernon, Pa..... 12,25 " " Sheakley ville 13.25 2d German Lutheran church, Pittsburgh, 6.16 St. John's Lut.h. church, Sewickley, Pa... 22.00 English " Greensburg, Pa.. 30.00 Evangelical Association, Pittsburgh. 12 00 Ross Street Congregational church, Pitts burgh Welsh Society, New Mines, Pa Ist Baptist church, East Birmingham...... Ist Cumberland Presbyterian church, Pittsburgh * 7.00 Mars Hill Sabbath School, Pa 33.50 Congregational church, Canfield, 0 8.50 Collection by John King, Liverpool, Pa.. 900 Girls and Boys of Monterey, Pulaski co., Indiana * 7.75 Citizens of Hammersville, Allegheny co., Pa - 136.34 Citizens of West Overton, Westmoreland co., Pa • - Citizens of Burgettstown, Washington co., Pa 42.00 Citizens of Dis. No. 1, Allegheny town ship, Westmoreland co Citizens of Dig. No. 2, Lancaster, Butler co, Pa Citizens of Tarentum, Pa.. Sundry cash donations ARMY COMMITTEE OF BEAVER COUNTY. Concert at North Branch church, $4O 25 Pie Nic in Ohio township 64.25 104.50 Total re.ceipts of month $ 5,176.51 Previously acknowledged 84,617.00 $89,793.51 The following contributions of hospital stores have been received during the month of August : • 3 boxes. of hospital stores "from ' Aid Society of Independenoe and Washington co. 1 box -do. from Ladies' Aid Sol Roseville, Clarion co. 1 box do. from Ladies' Aid Sol Monongahela City. 1 box of do. from 'Soldiers' Aid of Greenfield, Mercer co., Pa. 1 box do. from ladies of Clinl Venango co., Pa. I box do. from Ladies' Aid So , Smicksbnrg and' West Alahoning, county, Pa. 1 box do. from ladies of - Scr Armstrong co., Pa. 1 box do. from Union Aid So Dayton, Armstrong co., Pa. 1 box do. from Deer Creek Soldier Society, Coitsville, Ohio. 1 box do. from Lionville Soldier Society. 1 barrel of rags from Ladies' ~ clay, Latrobe Pa. 1 box hospital stores from Soldil Society, Alliance, Ohio. 1 box Blackberry Cordial from 'Creek chard. Crlasgow, Ohio. 250.70 84.55 30.20 9.50 9.72 4.05 84.00 13.40 26.50 8.00 57.10