The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-07-11
RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.
oownrD ron the wAsnrsaros UNION.

A VasraJs Pasor--A recent number Of the Lewis
h, IVA Chronicle gives interesting sketch Of the
emicentennia delivered by Rev John NcElhen-
nv pastor Of the Presbyterian church In that placsit
Ming lust fifty years since he delivered his st sermon in
tbAt church. Of which he has been pastor ever since
THAT paper says Fifty years ago there were not more
than 40 or so members o the Presbyterian church in all
this section of country, and they old persons
whilst there are 9l0 members In the bounds OF this
congregation AT that time religious services held
10 groves private houses, and barns In sugar grove
near Union stand for worship erected at which
many very interesting meetings were held
There is but couple remaining who married
when he came here At that time there but eleven
graves the graveyard and they chiefly those of chill
dren He has preached many eight funerals In
family and many as three and four In number of
families He has preached 1900 sermons about 900
of which have been funeral sermons baptized about
40 persons and married 500 couples.
Mac England Heahm--The following statement Is
made in report Home Missions recently submitted
at the Massachusetts General Association
From reliable Statistics 1t appears that in Maine,
New Hampshire, Vermont and Massachusetts not more
than one quarter Of the whole population In the
habit of attending church There million three
hundred thousand people in New England who fur
attending church is conoe|nod are, practically like the
heather. There twcnty-six towns in this State
which have no evangelical preaching "
The New York Observer remarks that if the above
statements correct, they ought to produce more
startling effect than earthquake but it inclined to
pertinent observations the subject the Observer
concludes by saying
1T occurs 70 70 suggest, though II may not be
well received that with such reproof as this before the
churches 81 massachusetts, 1t Is far more important to
consider the destitute and suffering condition of these
pershng hundreds of thousands at their door than
to be Iordnatey disturbed by the neglect of the Amer
lean Tract Society to publish on tho subject Of slavery
The heathens at our own doors are the objects of
first CONCERN and II we provide not for our own
worse than infdes''
4usrio1u Bi5ls Soc;ty stated meeting If the man.
ayers was held at tho Bible House Aston Place ON Thurs
dev July l. Mt balf-past four n m Dr. THOMAS cock
in the chair assisted bv VIM r. (yrosbv Benap,,n r.
swan and Francis Hall. esos IS ~ -
Five new societies were recognised in New York
ona h Ind,r,a and threa In Tsxas ~
Recommendations were received from Rev r. s Mac,av
Fuh Chau China in regard printing the Scriptures in
that country and stating the love of young converts for
the Bible; from gentleman in Lima Peru in regard to
the encouraging opening for Bible distribution there
from Rev G. Bliss, at Athens in regard to his visit to
Greece and the prospect for the distribution of the Scrip
lures in that country; from Rev f. c. Scudder Madras
acknowledging grant Of funds for printing the Scrip
lures with letters from agents and friends especially in
Oregon ana California with encouraging statements as TO
the distribution of the Scriptures The distribution in
California is very great
Advantages of the Confessional The Catholic Miscellany
copies paragraph from Savannah paper in regard to
the restitution of considerable sum of money to its
rghtful owners, through the agency Of the venerable
I,
out Of thousand examples. daily occurring which
show how valuable to human society is that much
tribunal the confessional How often do hear jealous
lovers OF justice expressing freely and loudly their regret
that human law 80 poweress to prevent 30 inadequate
to reach and punish certain crimes Yet oil or nearly
all OF them could be prevented, or, committed could
be reached or remced by the tribunal Of penance did
men but appreciate Its value and use its advantages in
stead OF denouncing derding illuminating 1t, ms too
often happens ana DONG all In their power to withdraw
others nom lts sanitary influences But 70 conne our
selves to tho mere duty OF restitution, how little docs
many scoer reflect that in doing his best to make the
confessional odous and revolving ne is, perhaps at the
same time doing hs best to render rrearabe the loss OF
some portion OF his own good name or property and
thus with wanton chyary perpeuating his own wrongs
ior winch that tribunal would have secured him an easy
ana the only possible redress.
The cornerstone of a new Swedenborgian chapel was
laid recently in 35th street. near 4th avenue in New
York city, The contemplated edifco will BIO of Gothic
architecture and will cover three lots in ALI rs y 100
feet and viii cost SIS 600 The ceremonies were con-
Hayden and Rev. B. Barrett. Corn wine, and oil were
used in the exercises, symboxing respectively char
ity, spiritual brotherhood and love to God.
Philadelphia correspondent of the Boston Recorder
states that an edition II Rev Dr paysop,s SERMON ~
seamen, preached in Portland Mane some forty years
since once lost but lately found has been printed and
circulated by benevolent gentleman Of Philadelphia
very much to the acceptance Of sailors. Z
Rev Theodore Byington late of Bloomfield and his
wife, sailed from Boston few days since In the ship An
drew Carney for their new field of missionary labor
among the Northern Armenians. Mrs Byington is the
daughter Of missionary and was born In Smyrna
Ordination On Friday morning the Cd Of .Jnv nm or
dinaton was held At tina chanel az the Theological SAINT
nary ,f virn;. ,th t,,o l;.ho,,, f a. l;o.. Lo;~